Here are my "best picture" choices for 2010 (in ascending order).
NOTE: I have not seen:
The Fighter,
The King's Speech,
127 Hours, or
Somewhere.
10. Black Swan
Aranofsky explores the world of ballet with the same scrutiny he used in
The Wrestler, but adds nightmarish imagery, innuendo, and CG gore. Not everyone will like this surreal film, but it solidifies Portman as one of the best actresses working today.
09. The Last Exorcism
While advertised as another Emily Rose knock off, this is a unique take on the genre through the eyes of a fraudulent pastor who "exorcises" demons for money. The unique premise and found footage style make this one special.
08. Paranormal Activity 2
What could have so easily been a cash grab feels more like essential viewing for fans of the first one. The story is expanded and the scares follow the "less is more" approach. Watch this one with a group.
07. The Social Network
There are tons of films about billion dollar lawsuits, but how many feature kids that are this young and this deep in over their heads?. The unlikely combo of Sorkin, Fincher, Reznor, and Facebook is really something to behold.
06. Toy Story 3
I don't think Pixar ever intended Toy Story to be a trilogy but they pulled it off with style and warmth. The daycare scenes alone warrant a viewing.
05. Date Night
Unsexy married life meets the criminal underworld. While initially light on laughs, it heats up to full boil by the end. Carell and Fey are good, but the multiple cameos really made this for me.
04. Catfish
I made the mistake of thinking Catfish was some kind of horror film. It isn't. It's a fantastic, gripping documentary. There, now go see it.
03. Winters Bone
Just in case you thought that the only movies about poor people were set in Africa, Hollywood has released at least one good "red-neck drama" per year (Frozen River, Shotgun Stories, etc.) This years entry is probably the best. An awesome cast fronted by Jennifer Lawrence, a teenage girl who has to act beyond her years to protect her family.
02. Inception
Big budget rarely meets big concept. It's too risky for the studios. Fortunately, Christopher Nolan has built up enough credit to do whatever he wants and Inception is his most complex film. I could watch an entire movie just about the husband/wife story, but the multi-level heist at the core is one heck of a ride.
01. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Full. Frontal. Nerdity. If there's a movie that activates more of my pleasure centers, I don't know what it is. Yes, the game references are intense (
more than I initially realized), but the laughs are huge, the action is top-notch, and the soundtrack is fantastic. I rarely rewatch movies, but the 4th time I shared Scott Pilgrim with friends was just as fun as the first. A mandatory "Best of" for 2010.
...And my least favorite film of 2010 (just in case you wondered):
Alice in Wonderland
The movie that finally put me off Johnny Depp and all his wigs and accents. In my opinion, he needs a break as badly as Tim Burton, whose rape train through all things sacred (Planet of the Apes, Sleepy Hollow, Willy Wonka) continues undeterred. Next Stop, Dark Shadows. All aboard!
