2010

It's taken me long enough but I've finally seen enough good 2010 films to make my Top 10 list. This year started off painfully slow and the summer blockbusters were mostly disappointing. But 2010 ended with a bang, with some powerful pieces bowing in December.

Honorable Mention #1: Winter's Bone

This Ozark-noir mystery is thrilling and scary. Some great performance, especially from veteran "that guy" John Hawkes and newcomer Jennifer Lawrence.

Honorable Mention #2: True Grit

Enjoyable and brought some serious laughs from Jeff Bridges and great performances by Matt Damon and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld. Good story about revenge and its costs. But overall, not what I expected. I blame whoever put together the phenomenal trailer.


10. Never Let Me Go

An over-looked and quiet sci-fi drama with the fantastic Carey Mulligan, talented newcomer Andrew Garfield, and an uglied up Keira Knightley. The film presents a serious ethical question with no clear answer.


9. Somewhere

Classic and beautiful Sofia Coppola film that's a wonderful mediation and character piece.




8. Toy Story 3

A great conclusion to the trilogy with the same spirit as the first. Plus Andy's monologue on youth, tear-inducing. I cried along with the rest of America.



7. The Fighter

Christian Bale gives one of the best performances of the year but Marky Mark deserves credit too. It's like the two took acting lessons from each other. An inspiring true story.



6. 127 Hours

Another inspiring true story plus James Franco proves that he's got talent. Stunning shots of Utah, amazing soundtrack, 127 Hours is enjoyable and presents a serious question: would you cut off your own arm to survive?


5. Blue Valentine

A non-linear and powerful narrative combined with mostly improvised dialogue. Devastating performances from Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling, who's actually hilarious and has great comedic timing. I was profoundly moved by this. Also, 2nd Best Trailer of the Year.

4. The King's Speech

Dare I repeat myself? Yet ANOTHER inspiring true story. A little explored condition coupled with World War II, friendship and the flawless Colin Firth? This film is a groomed Oscar winner. But it has heart, serious heart.


3. The Social Network

Anti-heroes and villains are the leads. There really are no good guys. An anti-Oscar film but we love it. A star-making performance from Jesse Eisenberg, stunning writing from Aaron Sorkin and intense direction from David Fincher. The pedigree behind the camera is mesmerizing. This film speaks for my generation. Plus The Social Network wins my Best Trailer of the Year award.

2. Inception

Christopher Nolan's latest mind-f*** got the year rolling...in July. 2010 looked to be the worst year ever until Inception came along. A truly original work with an attractive and talented cast.



1. Black Swan
No question, my favorite film of 2010. Natalie Portman is a tour-de-force. She's beautiful, terrifying, heartbreaking, I could go on and on. This movie is painful to watch, it's so sad watching this poor little girl fall apart before our very eyes. Black Swan is an all-encompassing movie experience and in my eyes, it pretty much achieves what it's heroine wanted: perfection.


Films in 2010 had great trailers, great performances and great stories. A lot of them elicited strong emotions and reactions from me and audience members. I look forward to how this films are rewarded and what 2011 has to offer.