Film in Review: Top Ten Movies of 2010

Movies are kind of my thing. As last year was winding down, I realized I had seen a majority of the top films in 2010: the ones that had the best shot at award nominations come the new year.

Thus, I set out to watch every movie that had Golden Globe and Oscar buzz surrounding it, and aside from a few (Get Low, Animal Kingdom), I have accomplished my goal.

Without further introduction, here is my top 10 movie list of 2010.

And for the Black Swan fans expecting to see the Darren Aronofsky film crack my list, it unfortunately didn’t, although Natalie Portman deserves some kudos.

Honorable Mention: Toy Story 3. Initially ranked quite high on my top 10, I opted to remove Toy Story 3 because it’s an animation.

I’m not knocking the genre whatsoever, but it’s difficult comparing an animation to any of the movies on my list.

Regardless, I challenge you to go see Toy Story 3 without shedding one tear, or two or ten.

10. The King’s Speech. The acting is superb and the dialogue is witty, crisp and authentic.

Nothing about this movie, which is based on a true story, feels fabricated and that is a credit to Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush, the two leading men, who both deserve Oscar nominations.

9. The Kids Are All Right. This movie takes a closer look at the new modern family, wherein the household is run by two lesbian women.

When the kids take it upon themselves to introduce their sperm donor father into their lives, all order is lost.

Tremendous acting runs across the board for this cast, most notably the reliable Mark Ruffalo.

This isn’t your typical family, nor is this your typical corny, goofy family flick.

8. The Social Network. Why not higher on my list, you ask?

Well, just because it’s not in the top five, doesn’t mean it wasn’t one of the best movies of the year.

Aaron Sorkin deserves an Oscar nod for his sharply written screenplay, and the score of the film compliments the drama and action scenes brilliantly.

Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield put in solid performances, with Justin Timberlake showing he deserves respect for his surprising acting abilities.

7. Kick-Ass. Maybe the most underrated movie of last year, Kick-Ass unfortunately will suffer in popularity because it falls under an all-too-familiar genre.

However, with all of its corny one-liners and typical “superhero” material, Kick-Ass has like-able and relate-able characters, with some of the most intense scenes I’ve seen in a movie.

Additionally, it’s sadly one of the few good performances Nicolas Cage has produced in recent memory.

6. Shutter Island. This movie hasn’t received much critical acclaim because it’s being compared to other Martin Scorsese films.

Well, Shutter Island could be considered his worst movie ever, and it’d still be one of the best in 2010.

That’s just how good Scorsese is; and in Shutter Island he teams up with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio to make a nearly-perfect movie.

At the very least, DiCaprio’s believable and moving performance as Teddy Daniels merits an Oscar nomination.

Co-stars Michelle Williams and Mark Ruffalo are in that same category.

5. The Fighter. Another movie based on a true story.

During the small clip during the credits in which Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale’s characters are seen and heard, I was sold.

Bale’s portrayal warrants an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and, while he steals the show, Wahlberg, as well as Amy Adams and Melissa Leo both do a fantastic job at their supporting roles.

The plot has a sense of familiarity to it, as at times it feels similar to other boxing films, but, because it’s based on true events, no blame can be placed on anyone.

4. True Grit. It may be too early to say for sure, but I feel as though the Coen Brothers are absolutely incapable of creating a bad movie.

Remake or not, True Grit is a film which had an abundance of just that—grit.

The acting was phenomenal, maybe the best out of any movie in 2010.

And just like a good Western, the dialogue is witty and at many times, hysterical.

Jeff Bridges could easily win Best Actor another year in a row, while Hailee Steinfeld probably has a few awards of her own coming her way in the near future.

3. 127 Hours. Behind a tour de force put forth by James Franco, this pseudo-docudrama was indisputably one of the best films of 2010.

As outside viewers, we may not get too much clarity on why Franco’s character Aron Ralston does what he does or who he truly is; however, behind Franco’s stunning performance, and director Danny Boyle’s storytelling, we can’t help but feel a strong human connection to Ralston and his predicament.

For those worried about the controversial scene in the movie in which Ralston cuts off his own arm, I’ll tell you that while it may be the climax of the movie, it certainly is not the focal point; there is so much more greatness in this film to dwell on.

2. The Town. I’m not too crazy about Ben Affleck’s acting (if you ever saw Daredevil, you will understand my concern), but he apparently has a knack for this directing thing.

In Affleck’s second directorial role he produces a thrilling, dramatic and even romantic masterpiece.

Affleck himself stars alongside Jeremy Renner, who displays his acting talents in his biggest role following 2009’s Best Picture, The Hurt Locker.

Oh, and let’s not forget that Jon Hamm was also in it.

The ending was somewhat surprising and almost a letdown for me, but those last ten minutes or so couldn’t possibly ruin this two-hour euphoria of a film.

1. Inception. Not only the best movie of 2010, but one of the best movies of the last decade, Inception is like a fine piece of literature—absolutely anything and everything in the story is there for a reason.

Not to completely disregard the acting in this movie, but Christopher Nolan’s supreme brilliance at storytelling and Hans Zimmer’s powerful score overshadow all of the fine performances put forth by the cast members.

Nolan has created a visual masterpiece which stimulates the senses, to go along with a plot that is mind-bending and dialogue that is significant.

It only gets better upon a second viewing.

Inception is truly a work of art, and though it fell to The Social Network for Best

Picture at The Golden Globes, I expect it to bounce back strongly at the Oscars.

Daniel Feingold can be reached at minaret.sports@gmail.com.