2010's BEST & WORST
BEST & WORST MOVIES OF 2010
____________________
THE TOP 10
1. Winter's Bone
An unflinching look into the lives of a lesser known America. The screenplay is perfect and Jennifer Lawrence deserves the Best Actress Oscar over any contender this year.
2. The Social Network
Fincher took what was essentially a deposition-turned-screenplay into a riveting character study that will be remembered twenty years from now as a landmark turn-of-the-century movie. The only thing that would keep it from being completely iconic is Fincher's visual restraint, which is unusual for him. Eisenberg is deserving of the Best Actor Oscar for creating a character that is both despicable and empathetic. People accuse the role of being too simple, but that's the beauty of it...Eisenberg gets lost in it.
3. Waiting for Superman
Perhaps the most important movie of the year in terms of its message. Some teachers don't like the message because they won't admit the system's flaws. But this is saying is that instead of inventing Charter schools, why can't every public school in America be held to a high standard? And it's riveting storytelling to top it off.
4. Inception
Despite an over-bloated last half hour, Nolan's dream-scape masterpiece is still a spellbinding feat in original visionary storytelling.
5. Green Zone The most underrated movie of the year is also its best action movie. Unfairly compared to the Bourne saga, this film is actually light years better than any of those films. It's riveting and relevant, which yet another rock solid performance from Damon.
6. The King's Speech The feel-good movie of the year also educated on a little known subject of World War history. The acting is sublime and Rush surely deserves an Oscar for his nuanced performance as Lionel Logue. Firth deserved it last year for "A Single Man", but he's still amazing in this.
7. The Ghost Writer
Another overlooked movie from 2010, this is Polanski's best movie in years and the lead actors turn in some of the best performances of their careers. Thought-provoking and intense.
8. Mother
A Korean-language tour-de-force. The second best performance by actress this year is by Hye-Ja Kim. A slow burning but completely engaging who-dun-it.
9. Piranha 3D
Strange pick, I know. But here is a movie that knows exactly what it is and plays that card to the n'th degree. It's fast, fun, and bloody disgusting. You don't even need the 3D to enjoy the camp awesomeness of this first-rate creature feature.
10. Black Swan
A confounding film because its visual splendor outweighs its overall simplicity. I'm not sure if it thinks its deeper than it truly is, but as a modern retelling of Swan Lake, it's hypnotic ride from start to finish, with gorgeous cinematography and Oscar-worthy editing. And Portman is good, just 'showy' good, not very subtle in her characterization. Giving her the Oscar is the safe choice.
Notable mentions:
The Kids Are All Right
A brilliantly written and flawlessly acted comedy.
Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows, Part 1
Not the best of the series, but still a cut above most big-budget fare. And the best acted of the series so far. Will probably fare better as a double feature with Part 2.
Going the Distance
An underrated comedy gem that towers over the rest of the romantic trash released this year. And honest and funny film.
Let Me In
Dare I say better than the original? The only thing that keeps it from being so great is shoddy sfx and a feeling of deja-vu. But the screenplay actually improves on the tension and plot-structure of the original.
Predators
A worthy sequel and throwback to the originals. Exciting and very well acted.
Resident Evil: Afterlife
Don't judge me for this. But this is a first-class thrill ride and some of the best use of 3D thus far.
Toy Story 3
Despite having a conventional plot, what makes this work so well is its themes. Growing up is indeed tough.
Tangled
The best animated movie of the year because of the sheer exuberance displayed on screen. This made me feel like a kid again. The only downside is that the songs are "Little Mermaid" or "Lion King" memorable.
OVERRATED MOVIES OF 2010
MONSTERS
A technical marvel, but just too boring to recommend.
127 HOURS
The Boyle film that I don't really care for. His visual style took over the story and instead of serving it, it smothered the story. And I had no sympathy for the lead character, who reminded me of why I also hated "Into The Wild".
HEREAFTER
A neat idea is essentially stillborn as a movie. It just chugs along at a pace that even Eastwood can't justify.
SALT
Completely predictable trash.
RED
Mildly entertaining, but nothing more. Not sure why this was such a hit?
DESPICABLE ME
A cute movie, but unlike most other animated films this year, the humor was simple too obvious.
THE WORST OF 2010
Robin Hood
The worst movie of 2010. A complete waste of talent. Ridley Scott was on vacation and Crowe did it for the money. An awful awful movie.
Sex & The City 2
Sets the woman back 20 years and promotes racial insensitivity to boot. Michael Patrick King, you're show was always superficial treacle. And now this movie unveils what it always was. Gone is even an iota of smart writing.
Grown Ups
So many supposedly funny people manage to make a comedic abortion of a movie. The only funny joke involves a reference to Idi Amin. After that, I tuned out.
Cop Out
So bad, it's NO good. There is not a single joke that works. An embarrassment for all involved.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Nic's took a paycheck for this surprisingly stale family adventure. This is boring corporate-driven film-making at its worst.
Knight & Day
How could such a great idea go so completely wrong? Completely preposterous and humorless. And I haven't even seen The Tourist...
Twilight: Eclipse
The best of the trilogy, but still pre-adolescent trash. In five years, everyone will realize they were duped into seeing what was essentially The Days of Our Vampires, already based off of terribly written books.
The Wolfman
Such a great concept squandered because of unsure direction and studio tampering. Even the casting is off. It does get points for a cool wolf vs wolf fight, but otherwise, it sucks.
Wall Street 2
Stone has lost it. While the acting mostly works, the screenplay gives most of the characters very little to work with. Years in the making and this is the best they could come up with? At least it plays as economically relevant.
Due Date
A complete misfire. Barely any comedy and plain mean-spirited. How could so much talent do so wrong? Just watch "The Hangover" again.
____________________
THE TOP 10
1. Winter's Bone
An unflinching look into the lives of a lesser known America. The screenplay is perfect and Jennifer Lawrence deserves the Best Actress Oscar over any contender this year.
2. The Social Network
Fincher took what was essentially a deposition-turned-screenplay into a riveting character study that will be remembered twenty years from now as a landmark turn-of-the-century movie. The only thing that would keep it from being completely iconic is Fincher's visual restraint, which is unusual for him. Eisenberg is deserving of the Best Actor Oscar for creating a character that is both despicable and empathetic. People accuse the role of being too simple, but that's the beauty of it...Eisenberg gets lost in it.
3. Waiting for Superman
Perhaps the most important movie of the year in terms of its message. Some teachers don't like the message because they won't admit the system's flaws. But this is saying is that instead of inventing Charter schools, why can't every public school in America be held to a high standard? And it's riveting storytelling to top it off.
4. Inception
Despite an over-bloated last half hour, Nolan's dream-scape masterpiece is still a spellbinding feat in original visionary storytelling.
5. Green Zone The most underrated movie of the year is also its best action movie. Unfairly compared to the Bourne saga, this film is actually light years better than any of those films. It's riveting and relevant, which yet another rock solid performance from Damon.
6. The King's Speech The feel-good movie of the year also educated on a little known subject of World War history. The acting is sublime and Rush surely deserves an Oscar for his nuanced performance as Lionel Logue. Firth deserved it last year for "A Single Man", but he's still amazing in this.
7. The Ghost Writer
Another overlooked movie from 2010, this is Polanski's best movie in years and the lead actors turn in some of the best performances of their careers. Thought-provoking and intense.
8. Mother
A Korean-language tour-de-force. The second best performance by actress this year is by Hye-Ja Kim. A slow burning but completely engaging who-dun-it.
9. Piranha 3D
Strange pick, I know. But here is a movie that knows exactly what it is and plays that card to the n'th degree. It's fast, fun, and bloody disgusting. You don't even need the 3D to enjoy the camp awesomeness of this first-rate creature feature.
10. Black Swan
A confounding film because its visual splendor outweighs its overall simplicity. I'm not sure if it thinks its deeper than it truly is, but as a modern retelling of Swan Lake, it's hypnotic ride from start to finish, with gorgeous cinematography and Oscar-worthy editing. And Portman is good, just 'showy' good, not very subtle in her characterization. Giving her the Oscar is the safe choice.
Notable mentions:
The Kids Are All Right
A brilliantly written and flawlessly acted comedy.
Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows, Part 1
Not the best of the series, but still a cut above most big-budget fare. And the best acted of the series so far. Will probably fare better as a double feature with Part 2.
Going the Distance
An underrated comedy gem that towers over the rest of the romantic trash released this year. And honest and funny film.
Let Me In
Dare I say better than the original? The only thing that keeps it from being so great is shoddy sfx and a feeling of deja-vu. But the screenplay actually improves on the tension and plot-structure of the original.
Predators
A worthy sequel and throwback to the originals. Exciting and very well acted.
Resident Evil: Afterlife
Don't judge me for this. But this is a first-class thrill ride and some of the best use of 3D thus far.
Toy Story 3
Despite having a conventional plot, what makes this work so well is its themes. Growing up is indeed tough.
Tangled
The best animated movie of the year because of the sheer exuberance displayed on screen. This made me feel like a kid again. The only downside is that the songs are "Little Mermaid" or "Lion King" memorable.
OVERRATED MOVIES OF 2010
MONSTERS
A technical marvel, but just too boring to recommend.
127 HOURS
The Boyle film that I don't really care for. His visual style took over the story and instead of serving it, it smothered the story. And I had no sympathy for the lead character, who reminded me of why I also hated "Into The Wild".
HEREAFTER
A neat idea is essentially stillborn as a movie. It just chugs along at a pace that even Eastwood can't justify.
SALT
Completely predictable trash.
RED
Mildly entertaining, but nothing more. Not sure why this was such a hit?
DESPICABLE ME
A cute movie, but unlike most other animated films this year, the humor was simple too obvious.
THE WORST OF 2010
Robin Hood
The worst movie of 2010. A complete waste of talent. Ridley Scott was on vacation and Crowe did it for the money. An awful awful movie.
Sex & The City 2
Sets the woman back 20 years and promotes racial insensitivity to boot. Michael Patrick King, you're show was always superficial treacle. And now this movie unveils what it always was. Gone is even an iota of smart writing.
Grown Ups
So many supposedly funny people manage to make a comedic abortion of a movie. The only funny joke involves a reference to Idi Amin. After that, I tuned out.
Cop Out
So bad, it's NO good. There is not a single joke that works. An embarrassment for all involved.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Nic's took a paycheck for this surprisingly stale family adventure. This is boring corporate-driven film-making at its worst.
Knight & Day
How could such a great idea go so completely wrong? Completely preposterous and humorless. And I haven't even seen The Tourist...
Twilight: Eclipse
The best of the trilogy, but still pre-adolescent trash. In five years, everyone will realize they were duped into seeing what was essentially The Days of Our Vampires, already based off of terribly written books.
The Wolfman
Such a great concept squandered because of unsure direction and studio tampering. Even the casting is off. It does get points for a cool wolf vs wolf fight, but otherwise, it sucks.
Wall Street 2
Stone has lost it. While the acting mostly works, the screenplay gives most of the characters very little to work with. Years in the making and this is the best they could come up with? At least it plays as economically relevant.
Due Date
A complete misfire. Barely any comedy and plain mean-spirited. How could so much talent do so wrong? Just watch "The Hangover" again.
posted by Andrew Kightlinger at 7:19 AM
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