The Best in Film from 2010...Part One

After much deliberation, I have finally decided to cut my viewing of 2010 films short and assemble my Top Ten list for the year. There are plenty of films that I wish I could see, but alas there isn't enough time for me to capture the vast amount of films that have invaded the multiplexes. With that being said, I feel comfortable in saying that I've seen enough films to craft what I deem to be a respectable list. My list and selections for the Best of 2010 are not only based on how well a film was crafted, but also the emotional impact it had on me. So, this is my attempt at blending my subjective opinion with an objective eye. Without further ado, part one:


Film # 10: True Grit- In what is easily the Coen Brothers most mainstream effort, True Grit is a worthy re-imagining that beautifully captures the death of innocence and the power of redemption. Impeccably shot by Roger Deakins, True Grit is a tremendously acted film that reinvigorates the dying Western genre with a splash of the Coen Brother's great wit.

Best Screenplay: The Social Network (Aaron Sorkin)- Taking a Rashomon like approach to the creation of Facebook, Sorkin has crafted a screenplay that is callous as much as it is quick witted. Sorkin's ability to create rapid and meaningful dialogue allows for The Social Network to float on a breeze despite its minimal amount of plot driven moments.

Film #9: Winter's Bone- Featuring a star making performance from Jennifer Lawrence, Winter's Bone is a raw look at female strength amidst the dilapidated land of the Ozarks. It's not often that a film features a strong, three dimensional female character, but through Lawrence's performance and director Debra Granik's sure hands, Winter's Bone demonstrates that male film characters are no longer the only pillar of strength.

Best Score: Inception (Hans Zimmer)- Zimmer's scores are often bombastic, but his evolution as a complete composer in Inception is undeniable. Featuring playful distortions and riffs on Edit Piaf's "Non, je ne regrette", Zimmer has formed a score that pulsates with Christopher Nolan's well directed action and swells with the riveting emotional undercurrent.

Film # 8: The Kids Are All Right- This dramedy from Lisa Cholodenko will often be championed as a gay rights film, but what is most pertinent about the film's effectiveness is its ability to distill the politics and disarm the audience via awkward comedy. Instead of an agenda pushing film, we get a wonderful look at the evolving nature of a family through the engaging performances of Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo.

Best Special Effects: Inception- For as vibrant as Tron Legacy is and as rollicking as Iron Man 2 can be, the best effects belong to Christopher Nolan's Inception. Through the use of tangible sets and well rendered CGI, Inception seamlessly blended reality with Nolan's visually striking dreamscape.



Film #7: The King's Speech- Preying on our fear of public speaking, director Tom Hooper places us in the graces of Prince Albert, a terrific Colin Firth, who must overcome his speech impediment and find confidence in his voice. With gratifying supporting performances from Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter, The King's Speech does a fantastic job of balancing its historical, crowd pleasing drama with an assortment of witty humor.

Best Cinematography: True Grit (Roger Deakins)- As alluded to earlier, True Grit possesses an alluring beauty. Roger Deakins has a terrific eye and when you place him in a landscape aching with natural beauty, he'll expose the shit out of it. By capturing both the hopeful strands that made up the western trail and the barren landscape of vengeance, Deakins' lensing makes True Grit breathtaking.


Film #6: Black Swan- Not since The Shining has there been a film as gleefully mad as Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan. Propelling the film into the unmanageable depths of madness is Aronofsky's keen interest on physical and emotional trauma, as well as Natalie Portman's exhausting performance. Featuring erotic and dangerous motifs, Black Swan is a film that excels because it makes its audience just as uncomfortable as its protagonist.