Top Films 2010

This is a little late but who cares.

10) Please Give
Nice little indie film that I don't think anyone saw.  I hope that after this movie and The Town, Rebecca Hall gets the recognition she deserves because she is fantastic.

9) 127 Hours
After all the hype about (SPOILER) the gruesome arm-cutting scene I was prepared to watch this movie with my eyes closed the entire time. Although I did not look up during that scene (besides a few peeks through my fingers) the rest of the movie was great thanks to James Franco's performance.  His quirky personality was perfect in this role playing both the horror and humor in the situation he was in.

8) The Social Network
This movie is winning every award it is nominated for (and even director David Fincher doesn't think it deserves all the praise).  While I don't think it's the best movie of the year, the quick dialogue and Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross's score make it an interesting film that is worth watching more than once (mostly to digest the fast talking and notice Armie Hammer's super imposed head on his twin).

7) The Fighter
Thank you David O'Russell for not making a stereotypical boxing movie. Yes it may have a similar arc to most, but the focus on Mickey's crazy family is what makes this movie.  I think the acting by this ensemble was my favorite of the year.  Christian Bale and Melissa Leo deserve their inevitable Oscars.

6) Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Appropriately bleak, this movie redeemed the sixth installment (which I hated). The actors have finally grown up and turned in their best performances. It gets extra points for using Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' "O'Children" during the Hermione/Harry slow dance.

5) Exit Through The Gift Shop
A documentary always makes it in my Top 5 and this year it was Banksy's mindfuck Exit Through The Gift Shop. It was brilliant and left the audience happily confused about what the just saw.

4) Red Riding Trilogy
These incredibly dark BBC films came to the IFC early last year and watching them back to back was the most creepy movie going experience of the year. This tale of corruption and murder (two of my favorite things!) is really worth renting. Tell your friends.

3) Blue Valentine
Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams are great in this little indie drama about the decay of a relationship that has stuck with me for the past month. The director was successful in not making it too precious or too melodramatic.

2) Black Swan
Natalie Portman got her role of a lifetime playing a driven (to insanity) ballerina. It sometimes borders on the ridiculous but it didn't cross that line for me. The last 20 minutes are my favorite of the year.  Also, any Clint Mansell score is the best.

1) Inception
I already wrote about this here and it held up.