Friday, January 28, 2011

My picks for best of 2010

Many people have written blogs and articles about their favorite movies and performances so this isn't something very new. It actually is to me, I think. I don't know if I have ever actually sat down and pulled together a list of greatness from any given year. Since I have recently converted this blog to my love of film, I suppose it is about time I do so.

Out of all the movies I saw this year there are three that sit right at the top of my entertainment list. I cannot choose a 1,2,3 of these. They are all brilliant and should be seen by everyone. In no particular order, here are my fave three:

1. Black Swan - This movie moved me. Anchored by an astounding performance by Natalie Portman (who should win an Oscar) it is a slow burn tale that ramps up so much in the third act I was shaky and emotional by the end. Beautifully filmed by one of my favorite directors, this film will be owned by me as soon as it comes out.

2. The Social Network - Aaron Sorkin and David Fincher team up to do a movie. I was expecting greatness and it indeed delivered. It was refreshing to see Jesse Eisenburg portray a role way outside the you're-just-Michael-Cera landscape. Shot very simply, but lovely and a script so Sorkinesque I couldn't help but smile a lot. Justin Timberlake has always been likeable and I hope he continues to make smart movie choices like this one.

3. True Grit - Who is Hailee Steinfeld and where did she come from?! This movie surprised me at how much I enjoyed it. I'm not a western guy. Never have been. But something about the performances and dialogue in this movie made me want to see if there is more to this genre than I thought. A movie that made me laugh way more than I thought I would for the type of movie it is wins kudos in my book. I hope to see more from young Hailee in the future. Oh, and welcome back Mr. Bridges. How I have missed thee.

The rest of my faves:
3. Toy Story 3
4. Shutter Island
5. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
6. Megamind
7. Red
8. Inception
9. The Last Exorcism

I haven't seen a bunch of movies that would have probably made this list if I had (127 Hours, A King's Speech, Winter's Bone) but I only have so much time in my life. What were your favorites?

2 comments:

Minneapolis Mike said...

Loved Scott Prilgrim (depsite Michael Cera's best attempts at ruining it) and Inception. But...Last Exorcism? Really? A movie who's plot hinged on a mispronunciation of a "blow job?" I know you love scary movies, I do to...but come on. Paranormal Activity 2 was waaaaaay better.

-Fischy

Nate said...

PA2 was a good story and I applauded them for being able to make a story that actually made sense with the first movie, but it lost it's sense of tension. It was all about the jump scare. The end was pretty intense, but it had no build up for me. Decent, but not great.
I will firmly stand behind my pick of Last Exorcism. It was way more than the "blow job" scene. I will admit, it was kind of off, but the rest of the movie was very clever. And I wouldn't consider it a horror movie. I was tipped off before going to see it that is was more suspense than scary. That helped me like it better maybe?