It’s official, summer blockbusters are dead. Long live winter cinematic wonder. Appearing like it could be the worst year in cinematic history since the doldrums of the late 1980s, 2010 ended with such a maelstrom of movie magnificence that I’m still trying to find my legs. I might even go so far as to say that 2010 concluded with what could go down in recent history as some of the most beloved cinematic creations since LOTR at the brink of this century. Here is my list of the five “best” films of 2010:
(1) Black Swan. The most revolutionary film of the year deserves top spot. Not a heart-warmer by any stretch of the imagination, but cinematic genius through and through. Darren Aronofsky so perfectly re-images the story of Swan Lake for modern times that I can even forgive the unnecessary hypersexuality of the film. Yes, some tighter editing in the middle movement would have made for a less off-kilter viewing experience, but the last 15 minutes are brilliant beyond description. Natalie Portman commands the stage and the screen to the film’s breathtakingly bleak final note. A mesmerizing performance unlike anything I’ve seen in recent memory.
(2) The Social Network. David Fincher takes here what should be an ultra boring talk-fest and makes magic. The dialogue is smart (thank you Aaron Sorkin), the acting first-rate, and the theme timely (i.e., friendship, or the lack thereof, in the digital age). I don’t need to rehash my earlier review (which you can find here), but suffice it to say, The Social Network may take home the Grand Pupa of all film awards because, let’s face it, it is far less off-putting than Black Swan.
(3) Toy Story 3. This film is worthy of the number one spot on my list were it not for the more revolutionary films listed above. This isn’t to say, however, that Toy Story 3 lacks inventiveness. It builds on the grand Pixar tradition of blending strong story elements with state-of-the-art animation. Here is a film that could have been a Thomas the Train-wreck were it not for the filmmakers instance on letting the characters mature, grow, and struggle. Toy Story 3 does not bank on nostalgia as many lesser animated sequels have done, but insists that even toys must deal with the realities of growing old in a world that only has eyes for the *new*. Powerful stuff covered with a wonderfully sweet candy shell of comedy, action, drama, and romance.
(4) The King’s Speech. You have to love those Brits. This film further solidifies the truth that English-language cinematic art is alive and well; although, you may have to abandon America to find it. While the state of film funding in Great Britain looks grim, The King’s Speech proves that you can make a first-class movie with less than $15 million dollars (or $8 million pounds, if you prefer). The key: passion and a good measure of heart. The King’s Speech has both, but isn’t afraid to laugh at itself. Where The Social Network shows us the underbelly of friendship, The King’s Speech demonstrates the power a true friend has in helping a person live into his potential. Even if the film occasionally stumbles with a propensity toward gag-inducing heroic rhetoric, we can forgive such a stutter because we have learned to trust the heart behind the words.
(5) The Fighter. A gritty feel-good film based on the true story of boxer Micky Ward. While the ending of the movie is anything but a surprise, we do discover that the opponent in the ring is little to be feared compared to the one inside yourself. In the film, Micky Ward battles his family, his history, and his heart to find a way to win. Love them or hate them, the film’s main characters have beautifully touching story arches which help us forgive the rather one-dimensional secondary characters. And, of course, what is a character without an actor and there are plenty of top-notch performances throughout this picture. Christian Bale and Melissa Leo are well-worthy of any awards they garner playing Micky’s half-brother and mother respectively. The Fighter may not explore new cinematic territory, but its powerfully touching story and meaty characters make it a worthy addition to my top five of the year.
