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The Best & Worst Films of 2010

This was originally supposed to be up last weekend, but I had a few more films to see, so I decided to wait. Now I'll admit I haven't seen all the films I planned to, whether it's because they didn't play near me or time got in the way. With that said, I have seen a good amount to give my opinion on what were good and what you should stay far, far away from. I won't be giving any awards (got a different idea for that), numbering them, or have my Oscar predictions. I'm just going to name some of my favorite films of the year and some I think will cause brain damage if liked. Now let's get started.

Best: Let Me In

I'll begin with what was one of the more overlooked films of the year, but also one of the bigger surprises. I was nervous to see one of my favorite foreign films in recent memory, Let the Right One In, getting an American remake two years after the original came out. What we got was easily one of the best American remakes possible ever. Director Matt Reeves (Cloverfield) obviously had serious respect for the source material as the strongest element of the film, the relationship between Owen and Abby, is just as real, if not more so in this version. Kick-Ass introduced many to Chloe Moretz, but Let Me In proves that she definitely has some acting chops. Her performance feels real and shows you that living forever isn't as easy or fun as it sounds. Favorite moment: The final time Abby's caretaker goes after a victim. The scene as a whole is suspenseful and ends in a car crash that is filmed so simply, yet it stands out.

Best: Black Swan

Have you ever wanted something so badly that you felt yourself becoming someone else? Nina does, and that's what makes Black Swan one of the best films of the year. She wants to be both the White and Black Swan, to be perfect. The thing is she's only been the White Swan: sweet and innocent. To be the Black Swan, she must be seductive and dark. You're constantly questioning what's real and what isn't, and as you start to put the pieces together, the more tragic the story becomes. It may look like a "ballerina movie" on the surface, but it's as psychologically thrilling as anything else. Favorite moment: The final performance. Everything Nina has gone through culminates here as she embodies what she's wanted to. For better or worse.

Worst: The Last Airbender

You know that expression, "It's like watching a car accident."? Well, that's what watching The Last Airbender is like, expect use it for M. Night's career. Who was once a somewhat decent director has fallen into the realm of horrible "twists" and, with this film, even worse adaptations. With terrible reviews, awful 3D that makes a good case against it, it's hard to believe this thing made over $300 million. Now I'm not a fan of the show it's based on, but I sure doubt it's as boring, slow, and flat out dull as the film is. Favorite moment: No "twist". Though the whole movie could've been one.

Best: Toy Story 3

Have you ever loved a toy so much that you could never get rid of it? If there's a central theme that runs through the Toy Story series, it's attachment... or growing up sucks. It's been 11 years since Toy Story 2 and that time has allowed the film's main audience to grow up with Andy, which helps us feel what he feels. Toy Story 3 manages to keep the charm and humor the series in known for as well as being another thrilling adventure. It's not just an achievement in animation, but one of the most hart tugging films in years. Favorite Moment: The final scene. What the film culminates in is one of the most simultaneously heartwarming/wrenching moments in film. Especially if you've grown up with these characters like me. If the final scene doesn't get to you, then you're a heartless, soulless robot.

Best: Scott Pilgrim vs the World

If there's one thing Edgar Wright knows how to do, it's make a fun movie, and that's exactly what Scott Pilgrim vs the World is. Based on the comics, it follows Scott as he meets the girl of his dreams (literally) and must fight defeat her 7 evil ex-boyfriends. That's about as far as story goes as what follows is one of the most entertaining, funny, and downright fun films of the year. Any gamer will definitely appreciate the game references and it's hard not to smile as the visual onomatopoeia pops up during the film. Whether you're a fan of the comics or not, this films should be seen if not just to see one of the most inventive films in a long time. Favorite moment: All of it. Sure, call it a cop out if you want, but there ya go. Speaking of which...

Worst: Cop Out

No, no, no, no, no. A movie so bad Kevin Smith was actually accused of directing it just for the paycheck. I just.. no. No, no, no, NO, no, I refu-NO! Favorite moment: The only defining-NO, nope, none, no, no. Nope, not even, no. Nope... NO.

Best: Inception

What Christopher Nolan has achieved with Inception is nothing short of genius. It's very rare for a studio to give a director a $100 million budget for an original idea, but I guess WB really wanted to keep Mr. Nolan happy as he proved people will actually go see a summer film that isn't based on a property that will actually make them think. Inception is a heist film with intense action, mind bending plot (pun totally intended), and has a cast to die for. Definitely one of the best films of the year. Favorite moment: Joseph Gordon-Levitt's zero-g fight scene in the hallway. It's one of the most creative and awesome fights I've ever seen. Add the fact that that was an actually rotating set, and it becomes that much better. Also, BRRMMMMMMMMMMM!

Best: The Social Network

Definitely the one to beat this year and for good reason. The Social Network isn't just "that Facebook movie", in face, Facebook is the backdrop of this film. What the film really is is a look at friendship, love, betrayal, greed, and everything else that comes with something like this. The fantastic directing, fast paced script, terrific acting, and of course the source it's based on, all make this film one that will define this generation. It shows not just how something like Facebook has changed our lives, but those who were involved with it. Not only is this an important film, it's an entertaining one. Favorite moment: The betrayal. Mark and Eduardo's friendship has been tested since it all began, but when he finds out what happens ti his cut in the end, it gets real. It feels real and you feel bad for both sides.

Worst: Grown Ups

Where to even begin. Remember a time when Adam Sandler, David Spade, and Chris Rock were actually funny? I didn't include Kevin James because he's stooped low before and Rob Schneider because... was he ever funny? Grown Ups is like the film equivalent of being curbed stomped by Isaac Clarke. It's the lowest form of comedy that can only attract the kind of people who are coming off of medication. Rob Schneider making out with an old lady? Hilarious! Kevin James falling down? Never saw that coming! Adam Sandler telling his kids that wasted means eating too much ice cream? O' creativity! It's the kind of movie that, if I knew anyone who liked it, I would bash their head in for every cliche' in the film. Sure, they'd probably be dead by the end of it, but hey, lesson learned. Favorite moment: When I turned the DVD player off and a white line flashed. Man, that freaked me out for some reason.

Best: 127 Hours

As I walked out of 127 Hours, I felt relieved. I felt like I had just freed myself of a boulder. It's rare for me to do that, let alone after a film that's based on a true story. Even though you know how this film ends, the direction by Danny Boyle and the amazing performance by James Franco easily make you forget it, and you start to wonder if he'll make it out. We get little glimpses of Aron's past as he begins to look back at his life. We see his regrets, his choices, and what his future may hold. He understands that everything he's done in his life has led him here, to this moment. Combined with the wonderful cinematography and a score that gives water and sunlight their own feeling like enemy and friend. 127 Hours is a film that asks you to endure one man's defining moment that is all to real. It's because of all that (along with my more detailed review) that make 127 Hours my favorite film of the year. Favorite moment: When he finally frees himself. The look of relief on his face and what he does on his way out of the canyon are most likely what anyone else would do.

Well, that may not be all the best or worst films, but out of the films I've seen, those are the ones worth mentioning. If you haven't seen any of the best, I suggest you do so asap. If you haven't seen any of the worst, consider yourself lucky. Thanks for reading and let me know what you think of my list, or let me know your own.

 

Comments
  • Mod

    inb4ArobdefendsCopOut

    Great job Stump. I might have to check out Let Me In for myself, hits shelves in a couple weeks I believe.

  • Buried-is a movie no person should not go without seeing. The Expendables-Testosterone filled badassery, did you expect anything else? Resident Evil Afterlife- The systematic raping of a franchise. This movie single handily showed that Alice is the only character that can do anything in these train wrecks of films. Borrowed elements from Resident Evil 5 that make no sense, a cliffhanger ending and I a fight literally stolen from the game(done worse might I add). I saw this movie with a who friends (majority vote) and I still cannot fathom my hatred for these series of films. ANd guess what they are rebooting the franchise (*&%*^&&$*#&%&#*%*&#&@&&@&%#%##?#) Macgruber- A movie where the only reaction I had was ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Twilight Eclipse- I seriously think these movies are so terrible they are great. The acting is flat at best and the characters are so unlikable you end up wanting bad things to happen to them. How To Train Your Dragon- One of those rare movies that really just captivated me and for an animated film that is impressive. Nightmare on Elm Street - Jump scares, a hour and a half of freaking jump scares. Walking down the street, JUMP SCARE! At school, JUMP SCARE! In there own Nightmares, guess what, ANOTHER FREAKING JUMP SCARE! (Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!) Those are just a few films not on your list that I thought I would put out.
  • Inception is the best! It's one of my favorite movies.

    Add to it the fact that all summer I was researching lucid dreaming, sleep cycles, brain waves, the effect of music on brain waves, etc. because these are all topics that fascinate me. When this movie came out, it was just so perfect. And the implementation was amazing too.

  • True Grit was a great movie. It really captured that old Western feel... I loved the classic revolvers and rifles (I'm a gun-aholic, ok?) and the acting never felt dry or uninspired (even Matt Damon was good, and that never happens)

    Toy Story 3 was entertaining and I enjoyed it, but it felt kind of used and there wasn't a whole more than I expected...

    Inception was ok, but that's probably because I saw it on a standard def-TV that is too small...

    Tron: Legacy was flashy and 3dish, but it really wasn't anything I couldn't have missed.

    And, I never saw the Social Network... but I will, someday.

  • I liked one of the movies on your worst list, but seeing how hard you bashed it I'm not saying which lol.
  • I liked the A-team. Intense action, good plot, great characters and a sense of humor. The only thing I didnt like was the obnoxious, arrogant villain I just hate those kinds of bad guys, why cant they ever be practical and not be so focused on their ego?

  • I loved Inception and the Expendables.  However, my favorite movie of the year was The Book of Eli.  I don't know many people who saw it though.

  • I very much agree with Toy Story 3!I saw it and well lets just say I almost cried. As for the Last Airbender I agree with you. I love the avatar series and expected high quality for the movie. I was disappointed with many things in the movie.

  • Where's Season of the Witch?!
  • Red and Tangled were great flicks as well.
  • The last Airbender sucked. The worst part is you know he's going to try and make the the other seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender into movies.
  • Definitely gotta add Despicable Me to the best category. Loved that movie.

  • Man, Grown Ups was so awful.  I hated watching that movie so much.

  • Nice article, and I agree with pretty much everything you said. However, I have yet to check out Let me In so I will have to do that sometime  soon.

  • Mod

    Thanks for the comments, all. As I said I haven't seen all the films I planned to (Buried, Tron, Despicable Me, True Grit, Tangled, etc.). If I had, the list would probably be bigger, but I wanted to do this when it was still early enough in the year.

    Stubbs and rorschach. Let Me In is definitely worth checking out, especially if you're in need of a good horror movie.

  • I have to agree with everything with this list...and for that I gave myself and brand new ice cream cone...what there's no prizes for you being right, only for me agreeing with you...

  • Toy Story 3's ending made me cry. Reminded me of my old Ewok toy which my Mom threw without my knowledge.

    Oh and Inception...it's one of the few movies I saw without me feeling I was ripped off after watching the film.

  • I like your list so far but....I like Grown Ups...*RUNS*

    Really though I did. It was the greatest movie, but it was enjoyable. To me its one of those movies that you can just put on and not worry about missing good parts of it.

  • yeah The Last Airbender was horrible .... i love the cartoon series but the movie was just....blah

  • I loved Inception. It was my favorite movie of the summer.

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