Top 10 Films of 2010
In honor of the 83rd annual Academy Awards this weekend I will be posting my picks for the top films, scores, movie posters, and trailers from 2010 spread out over the next few days. Here is the fourth and final post, my list of the films I feel are the best of 2010:
10. 127 Hours
‘127 Hours’ is another remarkable film from the director of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, Danny Boyle. Featuring a daring adventurer who’s arm ends up trapped between a boulder and a canyon wall for 127 hours, the film is emotional and inspirational, and depicts the great lengths a person can go through to survive.
9. The Kids Are All Right
‘The Kids Are All Right’ is a an interestingly insightful film that explores the boundaries and problems that come with marriage and family. Sure, the film revolves around a lesbian couple and their children, but the film doesn’t depend on this unconventional premise. Instead, the focus is on family and marriage, and both concepts are explored realistically, as well as humorously.
8. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
The amazing part of ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. The World’ is the fact that it actually lived up to my expectations. The film was hilariously witty, smart, action-packed, and had great visuals. With strong and lovable actors, memorable characters, quotable lines, and a creative narrative structure, ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. The World’ stands out among the rest of the films in 2010.
7. Shutter Island
It seems like everyone’s forgotten about Martin Scorcese’s ‘Shutter Island’ during the whirlwind of awards shows. The film was released way back in early 2010, February, in fact. Yet, the film is one of the best of 2010. ‘Shutter Island’ is a powerfully dark and gritty film that features great actors and a wonderful plot twist. Yes, the twist may be easy to guess, but the concept of it is still remarkable. Another remarkable thing is that the film follows the novel almost exactly. ‘Shutter Island’ is another great film under Leonardo DiCaprio’s belt, and is one of two brilliant, smartly-written, and complex films he’s featured in last year, next to ‘Inception’.
6. The King’s Speech
‘The King’s Speech’ is an inspirational, uplifting, and surprisingly hilarious film. Based on the true story of King George VI/Bertie (Colin Firth) and his stuttering problems, the film depicts the relationship between him and a speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). As they bond and Bertie grows more trusting of Lionel, he is able to overcome his speech impediment and become a powerful and inspirational leader for his country for the oncoming World War II. The resolution of the film, featuring the great speech by King George VI, is one of the best conclusions to a film in 2010.
5. The Fighter
Like ‘The King’s Speech’, the premise of ‘The Fighter’ is both inspirational and uplifting. The film also features an exciting and wonderful conclusion. ‘The Fighter’ features the bond between brothers, as well as relationships between family and lovers. Mark Wahlberg is great as Micky Ward, a struggling boxer trying to make a living for his daughter. Amy Adams is surprisingly a bright spot as the caring and opinionated Charlene, Micky’s girlfriend. Christian Bale, though, is the strongest actor in the film, portraying a supportive older brother to Micky, though dealing with crack-addiction problems.
4. Toy Story 3
‘Toy Story 3’ accomplishes the rare feat of being a good second sequel. Pixar handled the trilogy extremely well, crafting three wonderful ‘Toy Story’ films. In the third film, the toys face their biggest dilemma yet when Andy grows up and is going to college. The toys end up at a daycare center that soon turns out to be a prison-house by night. The transformation of the daycare center from a beautiful, bright, and peaceful place by day into a dark, twisted, and guarded prison by night is remarkable. The biggest emotional impact comes from the incinerator scene near in the third act of the film, and the conclusion to the film is a perfect one for the ‘Toy Story’ series.
3. Black Swan
Darren Aronofsky’s new film, ‘Black Swan’, is quite an intense one. What started off as a simple story of a young ballet dancer striving for the lead role in a new rendition of “Swan Lake” quickly transforms into a haunting, psychological thriller. ‘Black Swan’ features beautiful camera shots that follows the dancers and their swooshes and swoops. The fact that so many of the film’s scenes are taken in a single shot is outstanding. Natalie Portman gives a powerful performance as the paranoid and perfectionist main character, Nina Sayers, who is quickly on the verge of a mental breakdown.
2. The Social Network
Director David Fincher successfully adapts the true story of the founding of Facebook into a fascinatingly provocative drama film. ‘The Social Network’ boasts an extremely well-written screenplay with captivating dialogue, strong and talented young actors such as Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and surprisingly Justin Timberlake, and a great director. The cinematography and score to the film is just as remarkable. Scenes involving the depositions and lawsuits between the various characters in ‘The Social Network’, in a sense, are like confessionals in documentary/mockumentary films and television shows. These scenes explain the events of the films, as well as the thoughts from every one of the characters revolving those events.
1. Inception
Christopher Nolan has never done wrong. Nolan’s past films include ‘Memento’, ‘The Prestige’, and ‘The Dark Knight’ – all outstanding films that feature underlying, psychological themes. ‘Inception’ is the first original film by Nolan since his first film, ‘Following,’ and it just may very well be his magnum opus. The film is a rare summer blockbuster film that’s actually intelligent, gripping, thrilling, and challenges the audience. ‘Inception’ features a great ensemble cast with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordan-Levitt, Ken Watanabe, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy, Michael Caine, and Marion Cotillard. With a plot that never downgrades in complexity and intelligence, ‘Inception’ is a wonderful science-fiction film that deserves the recognition. The ending to the film is probably the most talked-about of 2010, and it’s a great one that inspires debate and insight.