My Favourite Films of 2010

I feel strange posting this list because, honestly, 2010 was the worst year for film since I really started giving this much of a damn about it. It wasn't hard to come up with 10 films, but for the wrong reasons. There were just so many films that I didn't care for. My top pick was the easiest top pick I've ever made, because its near perfection just stood out so much. It has been chosen, as have the runners-up, based on direction, writing, performances, pace, rhythm, sound, artistry, originality, inspirational and/or emotional impact on me if any, and most importantly, requisite level of fun. The list is followed up with some Honourable Mentions and the like. And I look forward to your comments.



10. Un Prophete, directed by Jacques Audiard (France).
Simply put, the kind of gangster film you knew was coming, and you still weren't quite prepared for its greatness and originality.



9. Black Swan, directed by Darren Aronofsky (USA).
Wasn't sure what all the hype was about until I realized the character was heading places I didn't think she'd go. Complex and tense and strangely fun.



8. The Loved Ones, directed by Sean Byrne (Australia).
My favourite horror film of the year. Pretty in Pink meets The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, indeed.



7. Iron Man 2, directed Jon Favreau (USA).
You'll never tear me away.



6. Animal Kingdom, directed by David Michod (Australia).
Good reason not to ignore Australian films. Tragic, violent, and hypnotic.



5. Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World, directed by Edgar Wright (USA).
Comedy of the year, hands down. And geez, what a gloriously loud spectacle.



4. Inception, directed by Christopher Nolan (USA).
My head hurt after. But in a good way. And please add Marion Cotillard to my list of favourite actresses.



3. A Single Man, directed by Tom Ford (USA).
Just slew me. Honestly. The look and rhythm of this thing is astonishing.




2. How to Train Your Dragon (in 3D), directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders (USA).
Most fun I had in the cinema this year. Almost made me fall in love with my 3D glasses.




1. El Secreto de Sus Ojos, directed by Juan Jose Campanella (Argentina).
As mentioned before, as close to perfection as you can get. Dramatic, thrilling, romantic, poetic, and exceptionally funny when no other film would dare to be. This film hit me in the head and the gut. Powerful and entertaining like nothing else in 2010.

Honourable Mentions: Four Lions (UK), Get Him to the Greek (USA), Toy Story 3 (USA), Heartbreaker (France), L'illusioniste (France), The Social Network (USA), Despicable Me (USA), Buried (USA, Spain), Mary and Max (Australia), The "Millenium" Trilogy (Sweden), Kick-Ass (USA), Rec 2 (Spain), & Bunny and the Bull (UK).

Looking Forward to Seeing In 2011: True Grit, Hanna, The King's Speech, 127 Hours, Never Let Me Go, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, Super 8, X-Men: First Class, Suckerpunch, Rango, Source Code, Biutiful, The Tree of Life, Green Lantern, and Cowboys & Aliens.

Favourites of Past Years:
2004: 3-Iron (South Korea)
2005: Batman Begins (USA)
2006: Pan's Labyrinth (Spain)
2007: 3:10 to Yuma (USA)
2008: Wall-E (USA)
2009: Avatar (USA)