At the end of a very exciting decade in cinema, 2010 does not fail to intrigue. Sure we were left with quite a few disappointments before the year was over (more than most recent years it seems) but we were also exposed to many valuable gems to be appreciative of. Here is a carefully constructed list of the top films of the year as viewed by yours truly. Enjoy!
By no means have I seen everything film that was released this year so please do consider that when reading.
By no means have I seen everything film that was released this year so please do consider that when reading.
10. I'm Still Here (dir. Casey Affleck)
The most engaging documentary of the year, I'm Still Here (Casey Affleck), is also the most misjudged. The enigma of Joaquin Phoenix has been dissected, ridiculed, shunned and laughed at. Whether you believed it or not, this strange persona has fascinated many of us and with this film/social experiment Affleck and Phoenix epitomized the way we perceive what we don't understand. Though it won't happen, Phoenix deserves an Oscar for this performance of a lifetime; especially considering it took over 3 years to achieve.
9. The Illusionist (dir. Sylvain Chomet)
Some very talented hands were involved in the creation of the most enchanting animated film I've seen in quite a long time. The Illusionist exudes a very special charm. There is almost no dialog in the film. Instead, an alluring relationship, bound by illusion, instills in the two protagonists an emotional connection that is both heartbreaking and beautiful.
8. The King's Speech (dir. Tom Hooper)
7. Black Swan (dir. Darren Aronovsky)
Black Swan is a psychologically pulverizing reconstruction of the famed and revered Russian ballet Swan Lake. Aronofsky applies his vision to a singular narrative concerning a group of young dancers surrounding the production of Swan Lake which serves as the core that feeds the film’s pulsating reveal. With an amazing performance by Natalie Potrman and the impeccable direction of Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan has left it's mark as one of the year's most interesting and well-received films.
6. The American (dir. Anton Corbijn)
The American went surprisingly unseen but the masses during it's theatrical run. Unfortunately many were estranged to it's narrative structure and alarming, European influence. However, director Anton Corbijin’s narrow, scoped vision is astonishing. Enhanced by classic, noir-ish elements, melancholy constituents of distrust and the elevation of personal judgment within the main protagonist, Jack, this film is anything but formulaic. Clooney's execution is brilliant. He outperformed many actor's this year including, in my opinion, one or two of the Oscar nominees.
5. The Social Network (dir. David Fincher)
There is much to be said about the most talked about film of the year: The Social Network. From Aaron Sorkin's witty, fast-paced script to Jesse Eisenberg's eccentric portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg to David Fincher's perfectionist vision, this film is laden with expertise--an amalgamation of all things relating to our society: friendship, loneliness, intellect, popularity, progression, creativity, ownership, youth and the list goes on. But the film's main attachment to most of us lies in the existence Facebook and the fascination of how, albeit dramatically enhanced for the sake of entertainment, it came to be.
4. The Ghost Writer (dir. Roman Polanski)
The legend who brought us Chinatown and Rosemary's Baby is back, arriving with one of the most uncompromising political thrillers in years. The Ghost Writer is a sensational film crafted with a steadfast appreciation for directing and a keen eye for what separates the good from the great. Roman Polanski's track record speaks for itself but with his newest endeavor he has proven to be yet again an exceptional man of cinema.
3. Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (dir. Apichatpong Weerasethakul)
If there were one film this year that was to define why cinema exists it would be Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives. And why does cinema exist? I honestly don't know but the answer is located somewhere within the inexpressible experience of watching this masterpiece by Thailand filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul. While it may turn of many viewers, critics and casual movie fans alike, it should be seen by all who appreciate cinema as an art and as an expression of the soul. What a film!
2. White Material (dir. Claire Denis)
I fell in love with Isabelle Huppert's passionate exuberance from the minute I saw her in Michael Haneke's Time of the Wolf. This performance, being only the third of her's that I have seen, is as emotionally draining as the last two. Such poingnancy simply cannot be over-looked and I am sorry she has not been recognized by the Academy. White Material is an inspiring, triumphant, brilliant and visonary achievement from French filmmaker Claire Denis. I will soon be seeing more from her.
1. Blue Valentine (dir. Derek Cianfrance)
I was enthralled with ever ounce of emotion emited by the two leads in the best film of the year. Ryan Gosling was inconceivably robbed from a Best Actor nomination, as well as Blue Valentine for Best Picture. From the first frame to the last I was exposed to the most intimate and exciting portrayal of a relationship that I have had the privilege to endure save the intense chronicle of Marianne and Johan in Ingmar Bergman's masterpiece Scenes From a Marriage. The willingness to show everything--the good, the bad, the ugly--is something that I fully appreciate. Amazing.