MY TOP 10 MOVIES FOR 2010

1.  The Social Network

Directed by David Fincher – Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake

It isn’t really about the Internet, per se, but about people, relationships and control. That’s what makes the story so endlessly compelling.

2. Toy Story 3

Director: Lee Enrich – Starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack

The sadness caused when people move on, is explored with depth and soul.  A stunning exploration of friendship and love and how we can unknowingly hurt the ones we love.

3.  Black Swan

Directed by Darren Aronofsky – Starring Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis

This psychological drama flaunts the human aspiration to supplant those at the top of their game, but also the self destructive effects of our own anxiety.  He shows that the line between obsessive ambition and insanity is a fine one.

4.  Inception

Directed by Christopher Nolan – Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page

Intriguing idea is beautifully presented with one dazzling spectacle after another.  Any one individual scene would have been an accomplishment by itself.  Put them all together and you have a fully realized meditation on the exploration of the mind’s subconscious.

5.  The Fighter

Directed by David O. Russell – Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams

It’s Christian Bale’s raw, heartfelt Dicky Eklund that’s a revelation. A heartbreaking portrayal that combines his physically emaciated appearance with fast talking speech mannerisms as his law breaking, crack addicted half-brother.  He’s mesmerizing.

6.  Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Directed by Edgar Wright – Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin

With rapid-fire editing, displays of surrealism and non-sequitur humor, one can hardly catch their breath before the story takes off on another tangent.    The film is a true visual delight and it’s all a rather dizzying display.

7.  City Island

Directed by Raymond De Felitta – Starring -Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, Steven Strait

Script deftly handles multiple plot threads brilliantly, as it tells its tale of a dysfunctional family.  Genuine eccentricities on display, but in a delightfully amusing and at times, touching sort of way.  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and for all the right reasons.

8.  Rabbit Hole

Directed by John Cameron Mitchell – Starring Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest

At first glance, this is a deceptively simple movie. To describe their day to day goings on might seem uneventful, but the direction the plot takes is never predictable. It becomes one of the saddest, most affecting portraits of despair on film.

9.  Catfish

Directed by Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman – Starring Nev Schulman, Angela Wesselman-Pierce, Ariel Schulman

Long-distance relationships, the Internet and specifically Facebook form the basis of this fascinating reality thriller that unfolds brilliantly. The less you know about this film, the better. Let’s just say the story is uncomfortable viewing.

10. Mother and Child

Directed by Rodrigo García Barcha – Starring Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Kerry Washington

Many scenes rely on nothing but the actor and their words.  Simply the way someone sits or the length of pause before speaking, complements the scene just as much as what is actually being said.

Just missed the Top 10
11. The King’s Speech
12. The Town
13. Shutter Island
14. Blue Valentine
15. Despicable Me