The Best Films of 2010

I'm not really sure how to pin 2010 for movies. It was a year that showed flashes of brilliance, no doubt, but I don't think I'm wrong by saying this was an overall weak year for top-tier movies. There were plenty of very good films to keep us occupied, spread out throughout the year as well, but there was a definite decline on great films, or as I call them, “Modern Marvels”. Each film this year had flaws that I found hard to ignore. There were several films though, that, on multiple viewings, helped cover up those flaws by showing me new elements that I had not seen at first. I was able to find only one film this year that I considered a “Modern Marvel”, and it is my number one of the year.

I must also admit I had the most difficult time creating my top 10 list. So many films showed enough goodness to be on the list, that as many as eight slots shuffled around to different films throughout the past few weeks. Because of that I've decided to include a list of films that just missed my cut. However, the ten that did make it are there because they have stayed in my mind long after viewing. That to me, is the most important aspect of a film's significance; if you're talking about it days, weeks, or even months after a viewing because of something that astounded you or made you think, then you know it's a very good film.

Okay, I've rambled on enough. 68 films later and I've narrowed it down to 17 that are worthy of recognition. Here now are my honorable mentions, in alphabetical order. All of these are admirable films that deserve your time, and attention.

Animal Kingdom

Written and Directed by David Michôd
Produced by Liz Watts

The Fighter

Written by Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson
Directed by David O. Russell
Produced by David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman, Mark Wahlberg

Fish Tank

Written and Directed by Andrea Arnold
Produced by Kees Kasander



Inside Job

Written by Chad Beck, Adam Bolt
Directed and Produced by Charles Ferguson



A Prophet

Written by Thomas Bidegain, Jacques Audiard
Directed by Jacques Audiard
Produced by Lauranne Bourrachot, Martine Cassinelli, Marco Cherqui



Somewhere

Written and Directed by Sofia Coppola
Produced by G. Mac Brown, Roman Coppola, Sofia Coppola

Winter's Bone

Written by Debra Granik, Anne Rosellini
Directed by Debra Granik
Produced by Alix Madigan, Anne Rosellini

And now, on to the top ten:

10) Greenberg

Written and Directed by Noah Baumbach
Produced by Jennifer Jason Leigh, Scott Rudin

I had all but written off Ben Stiller as an important factor in modern era comedy. Then came this little gem. Stiller completely embodies the title character, who I would compare in many ways to Jesse Eisenberg's Mark Zuckerberg from The Social Network. He is such a complex character to understand, and yet, in his final, exposing moments, he's one of the most simplistic characters of the year. Such a joy to watch a second time.

9) The Kids Are All Right

Written by Lisa Cholodenko, Stuart Blumberg
Directed by Lisa Cholodenko
Produced by Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, Celine Rattray

The indie hit of the year has some of the most enduring characters of 2010. Cholodenko's script doesn't have a lot of controversy, but it creates a set of characters that feel as real as they can be. Anchored by Annette Bening's brilliant performance, the take on the modern family will stay with you long after it's over.

8) Catfish

Written by Yaniv Schulman
Directed by Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman
Produced by Andrew Jarecki, Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman, Marc Smerling

Is it a real documentary, or completely fabricated? Can we really believe people could become this obsessive? How can everything happen so perfectly for it to be "true"? Despite all of these questions, (and more), Catfish is still one of the most gripping films of the year. Real or not, it is such a cautionary tale for social networking, and a film you can't turn away from, no matter how shocked you become.

7) Blue Valentine

Written by Derek Cianfrance, Cami Delavigne, Joey Curtis
Directed by Derek Cianfrance
Produced by Lynette Howell, Alex Orlovsky, Jamie Patricof

We've seen stories of love found and love lost many times before, but Cianfrance's feature film debut is one of the most real accounts in recent memory. The passion these two characters show for each other, paralleled with their hatred, makes for an all too powerful ending of emotions. What is the best part of this film is the simpleness at which Cianfrance directs. His camera doesn't move much, making the story and characters all the more important.

6) Inception

Written and Directed by Christopher Nolan
Produced by Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan

It's incredible to think that Inception could be Christopher Nolan's best film, given his repertoire. If anything, it is easily his most original, and the most ambitious film of the year. Nolan is able to create an entire world, and while the film sometimes takes too long to explain how it all works, once it gets into its second half, it is almost pitch perfect.

5) Toy Story 3

Written by Michael Arndt
Directed by Lee Unkrich
Produced by Darla K. Anderson

Pixar can do no wrong. Toy Story 3 wraps what one could argue has been the finest trilogy of all time. Like so many Pixar films, it is able to relate to both adults and children. Tackling so many different themes and real-life issues, it is such a heartfelt finale. The ending wraps the series so perfectly, and shows us that there's just something so damn tragic about growing up.

4) 127 Hours

Written by Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy
Directed by Danny Boyle
Produced by Danny Boyle, Christian Colson, John Smithson

I wasn't exactly excited for this film when I first saw the trailer. I wasn't quite sure how it could relate to audiences, or if it could sustain itself for 90 minutes with seemingly only one character on screen. That all changed the first time I saw it. From the jaw dropping title card, to the cringe worthy amputation, 127 Hours hardly falters, and keeps the story going, with intelligent flashbacks, and visuals that are more appreciated on multiple viewings.

3) Black Swan

Written by Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, John J. McLaughlin
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Produced by Scott Franklin, Mike Medavoy, Brian Oliver

Aronofsky's fifth feature film is his most terrifying, but to me, is his most polished. It's exciting to see a good director finally begin to find what works for him. Aronofsky began it with The Wrestler, and continues here with Black Swan. Although not quite on the auteur level as other greats like Scorsese or the Coen Brothers, Aronofsky is getting close. Between him and Nolan, I have a feeling this will be one hell of a decade for directors.

2) The Ghost Writer

Written by Robert Harris, Roman Polanski
Directed by Roman Polanski
Produced by Robert Benmussa, Roman Polanski, Alain Sarde

Polanski's film went very much under the radar. It came and went from theaters in mid-March, and didn't have much exposure, albeit because of Polanski's personal issues. However, The Ghost Writer is a terrific thriller and one of Polanski's very best films. He keeps his camera very subtle, yet is able to incorporate all of his styles that we've begun to know and appreciate. The twists towards its finale are shocking, and when we assume it's over, it gives us one last moment of shock, awe, and utter amazement.

1) The Social Network

Written by Aaron Sorkin
Directed by David Fincher
Produced by Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca, Ceán Chaffin

At first I had my reservations about the film. There are some nagging complaints I have (writing on a window? Running through snow in sandals? Really?) Yet, it's hard to ignore the greatness that Sorkin achieves with his script, and Eisenberg and Garfield together as Facebook co-founders Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin. Just watch Eisenberg's eyes as Saverin tells him, "Lawyer up, asshole", he says so much with his body language. He's upset, mad, and at the same time, frightened. Frightened that he's just lost his one friend, and will be alone for the rest of his life. It's the most powerful moment of the year, made so by crisp dialogue, smooth direction, and perfect acting. Despite complaints that this isn't the "real" account of the Facebook founding, it makes for one hell of a film.


So there you have it, my best films of 2010. Feel free to comment with your own list, and if you agree or disagree with mine. Each of these 17 films are well deserving of a view, and most of them (11 actually) are available on DVD. Seek them out.