Written by Alyn Darnay
I’m not a film elitist by any means, but I’ve had a hard time all year trying to find films to put on my top 10 list; those films I think should be held out for recognition. For the most part, I believe, it’s been a really lame year for the industry in terms of memorable films. In terms of box office however, the opposite is true, it’s been the best year since 1927.
I must say though that I’ve seen a few really great small films at film festivals that should have been given distribution, but it wasn’t in the cards, the Indy film has been all but buried this year.
That being said, here’s my choice for The Best Of 2010.
1) I Am Love
I loved this film. It’s very Italian, very romantic, very sensuous, and in the style of the late master film director Lucchino Visconti. Writer-director Luca Guadagnino works magic with this stunning melodrama and the stellar performance by Tilda Swinton will stick with you for a long time. Finally, the cinematography was breathingly beautiful.
2) The Millennium Trilogy –The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest.
I conceive of the three films as one movie. Certainly the best film out of Sweden since Bergman stopped working, it’s compelling, mysterious, intriguing, and Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander, is the acting find of the year!
3) The Social Network
Face to Face with Facebook, this film with an amazing script by Aaron Sorkin, masterful direction by David Fincher and an on target performance by Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg is simply an entertaining treat.
4) Winter’s Bone
Winner at the Sundance Film Festival, this backwoods tale of family conflict contains another outstanding female performance by newcomer Jennifer Lawrence that will just take your heart away.
5) The King’s Speech
Director Tom Hooper and screenwriter David Seidler’s tale of the relationship between King George VI and the Australian speech therapist who treated his stammer presents the two best male performances of the year. Kudos to Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush.
6) I Love You Phillip Morris
The Story of real-life con artist Steven Jay Russell and his struggles to live the life he thinks he deserves with his life-partner Phillip, is the funniest and sweetest film of the year with great performances by Jim Carrey & Ewan McGregor
7) Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
The very clever English film director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) adapted Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels about a lovesick Toronto nerd (Michael Cera) into a stunningly visual film that imparts the experience of reading a comic book and playing an arcade game at the same time. It’s just plain fun to watch.
8) 127 Hours
Danny Boyle’s take on the true-life story of Aron Ralston who found himself trapped by a boulder in a deserted part of the desert and eventually had to take desperate measures to free himself. James Franco’s performance and the cinematography in a very tight space makes for a very compelling story.
9) The Fighter
Another true story, this time about boxer “Irish†Micky Ward and his brother Dicky takes the award for redemption film of the year. It would have been a minor film if not for the brilliant work by Christian Bale who lifted it to a must see drama about fighting, not just in the ring, but against drugs and crime outside the ring.
10) Welcome To The Rileys
Jake Scott (brother of Ridley & Tony) directs Kristen Stewart, James Gandolfini, and Melissa Leo, into three of the most subtle and compelling performances of the year. A small film that avoids convention, this drama “on the edge†will stay with you long after it’s over.