1. The Social Network
On first look this could have been a disaster waiting to happen - a film about Facebook? With Justin Timberlake in? But as soon as I heard David Fincher (one of the greatest directors going today in my opinion) and West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin were involved, I knew it was going to be in safe hands.
The direction is quite as stylish as previous Fincher fare (with the exception of the rowing scene) but it shows he doesn't have to be all flash all the time. The script is just flawless, Aaron's 'Sorkinese' is scintillating. Great performances from Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield, and even Timberlake shines. The soundtrack from Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is also superb. The best film of 2010 without a doubt.
2. The Expendables
I'm sure most people I know will probably have passed out on reading that I didn't rank this number one in my list, but there we go. From an entertainment standpoint it's the best, but its the top ten films!
The Expendables was a blast from start to finish. True fans of 80s action films will find a lot to enjoy here, including the now legendary Church scene pictured above.
It's exactly what I was hoping for and loved every minute - you will have to forgive me here but I have written so much about it in the last year I really don't have much left to say other than bring on the sequel!
3. Tron Legacy
Another 80s throwback makes the top five, and another film that totally lived up to the hype. Forget the reviews that call it badly written but with good sound and visuals - they seem to be getting mixed up with the dismal Avatar. And the people who called it predictable? It's a Disney film! Were you expecting Inception or something?
The story is great, Jeff Bridges is superb in both roles (OK the CG on Clu does look a bit shonky from time to time but overall it is an amazing achievement) and yes it looks and sounds like several million dollars (Notably the unbelievably good soundtrack from Daft Punk)
Catch it while you can (and in IMAX if you can!)
4. Scott Pilgrim Vs.The World
An incredibly late addition into my list as I have only just watched it today. I was blown away by and fell in love with this film in equal measures. Stunningly original and eye poppingly inventive. Edgar Wright's game as a director has soared after this. And Michael Cera again proves that he can do other stuff other than the awkward dork (although there are several tinges of that in this but damn it he does it so well). Level up indeed!
5. Toy Story 3
The second Disney film in my top 5 has got to be the one that finally crosses over and gets a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars.
Packed with more laughter and emotion than 90% of non animated films I saw this year, this somehow managed to top the first two films and establish the Toy Story films as probably the greatest movie trilogy ever (Godfather Part III...shudder)
And if anyone didn't shed a tear at the last scenes you officially have no soul.
6. Inception
Details about Inception were scarce when it was first announced and what I first figured to be just something Christopher Nolan was doing in between Batman films (how wrong was I?) turned into something rarely seen these days - a hyper intelligent blockbuster.
It's something of a treat to see an event movie and have to really pay attention to what is going on (something I managed to almost fail at - I forgot a bit here and there!).
And as that ending...just perfect. Ambiguous to the degree you never REALLY want to know.
7. Four Lions
From the genius behind Brass Eye, Chris Morris came this comedy about a group of British Jihadists who decide to take action would be a spectacularly offensive mess in any hands other than Morris but he turns into a hilarious and at times touching and extremely quotable look at a subject not many other people would touch. Highly recommended.
8. Kick-Ass
Full review here but as stated - original, hilarious, touching and in what can only be seen as a miracle these days - a legitimately brilliant performance from Nicolas Cage made Kick-Ass a real highlight.
Here's hoping a sequel is on the way.
9. The Road
Yes it was made in 2009 but it was not released over here till January 8th 2010 so it counts!
I was shocked this wasn't that well recieved - mixed reviews and barely a award nomination to be seen (Not even for the beautiful score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis.
Based on Cormac McCarthy's amazing book the film does admirably in pulling off the bleak and brutal almost post-apocalyptic world. And an amazing performance from Viggo Mortensen.
I hope it's given another look by people in years to come.
10. Pirahna 3D
Man, it was hard to find an image for this that didn't contain nudity, bodies that had been torn apart or both, but that was the main draw for Piranha!
Apart from all the cheap thrills mentioned above Piranha was also noteworthy for forgoing CG wherever possible and using special effects legends Howard Berger and Greg Nicotero for some amazing looking kills.
And yes the 3D lesbian nude underwater scene to the strains of the Lakme Flower Duet was very impressive. From a technical standpoint you understand.
Other Films I Dug This Year (In No Order)
The Human Centipede (First Sequence)
Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans
The Crazies
Iron Man 2
The Other Guys
Youth In Revolt
Machete
Jackass 3D
Macgruber
Paranormal Activity 2
Films I Was Let Down By Or Just Plain Sucked
Shutter Island
Skyline (Sucked)
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
The Girl Who Played With Fire
Alice In Wonderland (Sucked)
Up In The Air
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part One
And If You Wondered, I Never Saw These...(But Do Want To)
The Losers
The A Team
Somewhere
Enter The Void
The Town
Winter's Bone
Carlos
Black Dynamite
The Secret In Their Eyes
The Killer Inside Me
Monsters
REC 2
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
A Prophet
