Timely as it might seem, this post is long overdue. The delay of putting together a complete list of 2010 films, in order of preference, is largely due to not being able to see all of the movies that were worthy of making this list (primarily a few award contenders) by the start of the year. As I have said in year’s past, these lists are difficult to put together in a true order due to various factors. Time, experience, viewing environment, viewing pleasure, mixture of genres, outside influences, all of these can start to play with someone’s mind while compiling such a list. Nevertheless, here is a list of the best movies of 2010, as well as the worst of the year, from top to bottom, that I have seen. I peppered some of the list with comments here and there, so thanks for reading and chime in with your thoughts if you feel so compelled. You can of course rehash our 3rd Annual Platinum Nest Awards for award winners if you so choose as well.
Inception
The only truly transcendent film of the year and the best film I have seen in half a decade. Holds up to multiple viewings. Complete ingenuity and creativity which pushed the boundaries of what a blockbuster can be. Hollywood should take note.
The Fighter
The Town
Shutter Island
The Social Network
Never Let Me Go
An underrated little gem that was beautiful and poetic. Tragic, but with heart.
True Grit
Black Swan
Green Zone
I’m Still Here
A classic roasting of the media. Hilarious in a lot of ways, regardless of the questions about its motivation and who was in on it. Joaquin Phoenix is a genius for pulling this off as far as I am concerned.
Exit Through The Gift Shop
Another great movie that asks some excellent questions about art, celebrity and the world’s denizens response to, and acting as, copycats.
The King’s Speech
Micmacs
The latest from Amelie director is a worthy follow up to that now classic French romantic comedy.
Jack Goes Boating
The Ghost Writer
Solitary Man
Get Low
Animal Kingdom
After The Last Round
Harry Brown
Drug dealer smokes crack from tip of a gun. One of the best acting scenes of the year.
Blue Valentine
Youth In Revolt
Knight and Day
Cyrus
The Company Men
Kind of only scratched the surface of what it could have been, but still displayed the dramatic realities for some who have been affected by this era’s depression/recession.
Buried
Experimental, but a little boring ultimately. A tough task to shoot a whole film in a coffin, so it gets marks for its creative attempt.
Takers
Get Him to the Greek
Kick-Ass
Dogtooth
A half brilliant movie that ends too soon. This tells (half) the tale of a sick, sordid life for tragically sheltered kids. Breaks off just when it could have gotten real, real interesting.
Rabbit Hole
Book of Eli
Iron Man 2
Greenberg
Brooklyn’s Finest
Stone
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
A music video turned into a film. Visually impressive.
Edge of Darkness
The American
127 Hours
Catfish
Lacked punch. More of a sad, pathetic tale than a thriller which it was billed as.
Nice Guy Johnny
Supposedly made for $25,000, Ed Burns is going independent all the way as a filmmaker here.
Chloe
The Other Guys
Salt
Unstoppable
The Next Three Days
The Bounty Hunter
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
The Losers
Love & Other Drugs
The A-Team
Alice In Wonderland
Hot Tub Time Machine
“Are you crying?” “Nah, baby. Some water just splashed in my eyes from all the f*ckin.” Only real worthy moment in the film.
Eat Pray Love
Surrogates
The Expendables
The Wolfman
A movie that sounded great when it was announced almost 3 years ago. Benicio delToro in the lead role? Nice. Oh, but what a tragically lame movie.
Cop Out
Hereafter
Easily the worst experience at the movies of the year and one of the worst I can remember seeing in a theater in recent years. Such a let down. Slow, plodding, highly uninteresting and with one of my favorite actors (Matt Damon) and respected directors (Clint Eastwood) to boot. What more can I say?
