Monday
Dec272010
Top 10 for 2010 - Movies
It is the end of the year, so you know what that means... top ten lists!
We covered our Top 5 favorite films of the year in this episode of the Totally Rad Show, but I thought I'd expand on that to discuss my top 10 of 2010. So, without further ado...
1. True Grit
Another Coen Bros masterpiece of language and storytelling. Fantastic performances anchor an unpredictable, riveting tale of revenge and coming of age. In typical Coen Bros style even the smallest characters are interesting and memorable. I didn't have a more enjoyable time at the movies all year, and it instantly made my all-time list of favorite Westerns.
2. Social Network
Forget the geek inside-baseball backlash about how little verisimilitude the film brings to Mark Zuckerberg's real life story (what biopic doesn't play fast and loose with the truth?). In the hands of Aaron Sorkin and David Fincher, the Social Network is a snowball careening down a mountain, a torrent of god-I-wish-people-really-spoke-like-that dialog and impossible intelligence, that dives in and out of different times and events, building to what feels like a breakneck pace. It makes legal depositions and computer programming feel like high drama, and is a relevant, fascinating film, regardless of how accurate it is to the real story.
3. 127 Hours
The most inspiring film of the year. A tale of true heroism and a lesson in using willpower and determination to survive. It is also an incredible piece of filmmaking. That Danny Boyle is able to maintain tension and interest inside a crevasse when we know the outcome of the story is remarkable. This film is far, far better than the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire.
4. Inception
An audacious, grand, hard science-fiction tale that also managed to be mass market entertainment. I am still in awe of the imagination at work in Inception, and will be thinking about it for years to come. No movie was talked about more, dissected, or provoked more thought.
5. The King's Speech
Clearly, I am enamored with movies that value language, and The King's Speech absolutely revels in it. Colin Firth's performance is spectacular, and only in part because of the remarkable affectation he adopts. The nuance of bluster and insecurity, of familial power struggle and personal denial he conveys is even more impressive. I was moved by the message of the film that even a small personal victory can be a monumental achievement.
6. Toy Story 3
It is possible this movie deserves to be even higher on this list. It is a wonderful, satisfying, finely-crafted piece of entertainment - the one film on this list that could literally be recommended to anyone, young or old, without hesitation. How Pixar manages to create something so universally appealing without being trite or unintelligent is astonishing. That it is also so beautifully eloquent on the subject of growing up makes it an instant classic.
7. Catfish
I debated whether or not I'd include this movie, because the experience of seeing it for me was probably very different from most others. I knew nothing about the movie going in, and was able to see a private screening at the studio before any of the hype had started (I dare say I contributed to the hype). But in that context, this was one of the most powerful movies I saw all year. Since its release there has been all sorts of information that may or may not strip the experience of some of its impact, but forgetting all of that, I found the ideas expressed, the pure emotional drama and edge-of-my-seat excitement/fear/desire to know what was going to happen next to be amazing. It felt like a true movie of our time, dealing with technology, morality, and interpersonal relationships in a way that was impossible only 5 or 10 years ago.
8. How to Train Your Dragon
Had there been no Toy Story 3 this year, I suspect many more people would have been singing this film's praises. A wonderfully heartfelt wish-fulfillment story the touches on the feeling of everyone who has ever owned a pet, and anyone who has ever dreamed of flying. Funny, touching, sweet, and exciting, it is a fantastic film.
9. Kickass
My list, my rules. Kickass felt like a reward for being a geek. The pot of gold at the end of a comic-book reading, video game playing, socially awkward rainbow of childhood. Exhilarating and fun, funny and poignant, it gave me goosebumps by how personal it felt for me.
10. Scott Pilgrim vs the World
Along with Kickass, I think SPvtW is way ahead of its time. A kinetic mashup of pop and video game cultures into a visually thrilling riff on the geek mindset. It felt like something truly new and will undoubtedly become a cult hit. I had a blast watching it, and only wish it hit me on a more emotional level. Still, one of the most memorable movies of the year.
There you have it. My top 10 for 2010 in movies. Let me know what you think and then stop by tomorrow for my list of my favorite video games of the year.
Monday, December 27, 2010 at 12:55AM
Reader Comments (21)
hey jeff,
i'm really surprised to see catfish in your list. i thought this was one of the WORST films of the year. a huge buildup to a big let down, the offensiveness of the exploited retarded children, and the fact that this film was sold as horror/suspense really turned disappointed me.
the rest of your list is spot on, and i really enjoyed the top 5 movies TRS today.
-foxtrot
just a heads-up, #3 says "147 Hours" instead of "127"
Agree on How to Train your Dragon. Everyone should have seen it. It may have been my best movie of the year.
Really glad to see Scott Pilgrim was on your list. I was really disappointed that the movie did so poorly in theaters when it really is a pretty incredible movie.
Wow! I just realized I haven't seen any of these movies.
Jeff... no Black Swan? Really?
Cohen? It is Coen! IMO the two best movies of the year are Social Network and Black Swan. Everything else is in the far distance.
Agree with all pics except king's speech and I also think Black swan should be on there as well :D
I'm also surprised to not see Black Swan in your 6-10 portion at least. I think it's easily the best move of the year. My top five:
1. Black Swan
2. Inception
3. The White Ribbon
4. Fish Tank
5. Winter's Bone
6. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
7. Easy A
8. Toy Story 3
9. True Grit
10. The Social Network
Honorable mentions: 127 Hours, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire
Note: I still need to see The King's Speech, The Fighter, and The Illusionist.
I liked Black Swan a lot. I really did. It just didn't hit me with the emotional resonance these others did. If I were to list my numbers 11 and 12 they would be Black Swan and The Fighter - for sure.
I Still need to see some of those. but the movies i loved were
Kick-Ass
How to train your Dragon
Inception
Toy Story 3
The Other guys
and runner up:
The Social Network
Didn't really like scott pilgrim. and haven't seen any of the rest from your list.
Jeff,
I noticed on TRS you are listening to audiobooks when running. I have been an Audible subscriber for a couple of years. This year, I loved the Millennium Trilogy, The Big Short, and Born to Run. I would be interested in knowing what audiobooks are your favorites and the ones that you recommend. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Jeff M.
All the films I've seen off of this list (Toy Story, How To Train Your Dragon, Kickass, Scott Pilgrim) are in my favourites of the year as well. The rest are already on my ever growing 'to watch' list for my 2011 100-movie challenge.
Glad to see that Scott Pilgrim made it into your top 10. I agree with you about wanting it to feel more emotional, but it's amazing that they managed to condense 5 volumes into one movie. I wish I had watched Catfish without having seen the trailer. Not sure if would have still felt cheated.
BLACK SWAN!!!!!!
If you haven't seen Black Swan yet, Jeff, I (and many others commenting here, apparently) highly recommend it. Easily Aronofsky's best film since Requiem for a Dream.
Jeff - I just wanted to say thanks for the Sherlock recommendation. It was amazing! My wife and I are hooked and can't wait till season 2 is out.
-IWC Regulateur watch uk Let me know what you think and then stop by tomorrow for my list of my favorite video games of the year.
This blog is perfect for anyone who want to know about this subject. Who knows how much its almost hard to argue with you. We are expecting the same best efforts from you later on as well.
Desperate Housewives dvd
The "normal" suburban life for a group of close-knit housewives takes a dark turn when one of their closest friends mysteriously commits suicide. Now while trying to deal with their own hectic problems and romantic lives, each year brings on a new mystery and more dark and twisted events Burn Notice dvd collection
to come. Life behind closed doors is about to be revealed as suburban life takes a funny and dark turn.