2010 Ranked
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List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
29 titles
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsJesse EisenbergAndrew GarfieldJustin TimberlakeAs Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg creates the social networking site that would become known as Facebook, he is sued by the twins who claimed he stole their idea and by the co-founder who was later squeezed out of the business.The sharpest film of the year. It moves furiously, with an unmatched wit and power. The combination of Sorkin's dialog driven script and Fincher's anthropological direction results in a spellbinding piece of entertainment.
- DirectorEdgar WrightStarsMichael CeraMary Elizabeth WinsteadKieran CulkinIn a magically realistic version of Toronto, a young man must defeat his new girlfriend's seven evil exes one by one in order to win her heart.A candy-colored, go-go marvel of pure entertainment. Fast, furious, and kick-ass awesome. This won't be everyone's bag, but I just fell for its comic book meets video game meets pinball machine visual style. Probably the most time I've spent smiling in a movie theater this year.
- DirectorSofia CoppolaStarsStephen DorffElle FanningChris PontiusAfter withdrawing to the Chateau Marmont, a passionless Hollywood actor reexamines his life when his eleven-year-old daughter surprises him with a visit.In many ways a fitting companion to Coppola's masterful "Lost in Translation", although it will certainly test the paitence of most of its viewers. I thought it featured stunning performances and built to a hugely satisfying conclusion, but I can't say that everyone will agree.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsLeonardo DiCaprioJoseph Gordon-LevittElliot PageA thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O., but his tragic past may doom the project and his team to disaster.The height of commercial movie making. Crafty and complex, yet emotional and involving. It thrills and haunts, and packs the weighty wallop of bravura craftsmanship. For 2.5 hours I became immersed in Nolan's vision, and it was an experience to remember. A movie-movie of the highest sort. A heady trip with a surprising emotional current.
- DirectorBanksyStarsBanksyMr. BrainwashSpace InvaderFollowing the style of some of the world's most prolific street artists, an amateur filmmaker makes a foray into the art world.A wonderful documentary detailing the street art movement. Raises some thoughtful question regarding the nature of art, yet never becomes overly ponderous or pretentious. One of the most surprisingly entertaining films of the year.
- DirectorLee UnkrichStarsTom HanksTim AllenJoan CusackThe toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center instead of the attic right before Andy leaves for college, and it's up to Woody to convince the other toys that they weren't abandoned and to return home.The finest leg of the trilogy, with real suspense, grace, and humor. One of the most emotionally resonant films I saw this year, and it was all about toys.
- DirectorLisa CholodenkoStarsAnnette BeningJulianne MooreMark RuffaloTwo children conceived by artificial insemination bring their biological father into their non-traditional family life.Hardly a message film, it is actually a sly, lovable satire filled with crackling dialog and perfectly pitched performances. There isn't a weak link in the cast, but top honors go to Benning who has never been better.
- DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsJeff BridgesMatt DamonHailee SteinfeldA stubborn teenager enlists the help of a tough U.S. Marshal to track down her father's murderer.A film so well crafted, you almost cannot see the seams holding it together. Another film of grace and humor, along with a streak of melancholy and anguish. Truly beautiful, and all the more so with repeat viewings. Beautiful to regard, with stunning dialog and performances to match. A study of controlled tone with an ending that I found powerful and moving. For the Coens, a change of pace and a continuation of high quality.
- DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsEwan McGregorPierce BrosnanOlivia WilliamsA ghost writer, hired to complete the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister, uncovers secrets that put his own life in jeopardy.Endlessly watchable political thriller from an old master back at the top of his directorial game. Filled with pitch-black humor and tingling suspense. I've seen it three times and it loses nothing each time. Seek it out on DVD.
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsNatalie PortmanMila KunisVincent CasselNina is a talented but unstable ballerina on the verge of stardom. Pushed to the breaking point by her artistic director and a seductive rival, Nina's grip on reality slips, plunging her into a waking nightmare.Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan is a reckless, glorious fever-dream of a movie. It is striking, intoxicating, blackly humorous, melodramatic, and beautiful. In short, it is unlike anything else the movies have to offer. It is a movie to provoke discussion, a dark, seductive fairy tale to haunt your dreams. In a year of pale retreads and creative bankruptcy, it is a breath of fresh air.
- DirectorDebra GranikStarsJennifer LawrenceJohn HawkesGarret DillahuntAn unflinching Ozark Mountain girl hacks through dangerous social terrain as she hunts down her drug-dealing father while trying to keep her family intact.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLeonardo DiCaprioEmily MortimerMark RuffaloTeddy Daniels and Chuck Aule, two US marshals, are sent to an asylum on a remote island in order to investigate the disappearance of a patient, where Teddy uncovers a shocking truth about the place.Features the better of the two DiCaprio performances of the year, along with stunning production value. A fevered nightmare, a gut-wrenching tragedy, and a great piece of Gothic horror. Severely underestimated by critics.
- DirectorTim HetheringtonSebastian JungerStarsThe Men of Battle Company 2nd of the 503rd Infantry Regiment 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat TeamJuan 'Doc RestrepoDan KearneyA year with one platoon in the deadliest valley in Afghanistan.A riveting film without any discernible political message, Restrepo is the kind of documentary that makes all other films seem meaningless and slight in comparison. A truly emotional experience that captures the visceral fears, joys, and anxieties of men at war.
- DirectorDavid YatesStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintAs Harry, Ron and Hermione race against time and evil to destroy the Horcruxes, they uncover the existence of the three most powerful objects in the wizarding world: the Deathly Hallows.A thrilling preamble to the final installment. Director David Yates has broken from the typical Potter tradition of stately, big budget directorial technique and has thrown in splashes of a more kinetic style with a few well-placed, subtle moments of hand-held photography that make Deathly Hallows seem fresher than a few of its predecessors. Another first: a completely animated sequence. It is an audacious move and it pays dividends. The sequence (detailing the story of the titular Deathly Hallows) is among the finest moments the series has to offer. It is a frightening and beautiful mixture of shadow-play and stop-motion. As it stands, Deathly Hallows is poised to become the crowning jewel of an already distinguished series of films.
- DirectorBen AffleckStarsBen AffleckRebecca HallJon HammA proficient group of thieves rob a bank and hold an assistant manager hostage. Things begin to get complicated when one of the crew members falls in love with her.A throwback crime drama with the best action set pieces this side of "Inception". Affleck takes a decidedly low-fi approach in this, his second directorial effort. Although it lacks the moral weight of his debut, it contains a crack ensemble and a genuine sense of place.
- DirectorEthan ManiquisRobert RodriguezStarsDanny TrejoMichelle RodriguezRobert De NiroAfter being set-up and betrayed by the man who hired him to assassinate a Texas Senator, an ex-Federale launches a brutal rampage of revenge against his former boss.Its sense of humor and distinct tone separate from the more tiresome genre efforts of the year.
- DirectorTom HooperStarsColin FirthGeoffrey RushHelena Bonham CarterThe story of King George VI, his unexpected ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch overcome his stammer.
- DirectorSam DunnScot McFadyenStarsGeddy LeeAlex LifesonNeil PeartAn in-depth look at the Canadian rock band Rush, chronicling the band's musical evolution from their progressive rock sound of the '70s to their current heavy rock style.A better than average look into the varied career of the original Canadian power trio. An interesting examination of the band and their history.
- DirectorNicholas StollerStarsJonah HillRussell BrandElisabeth MossA record company intern is hired to accompany out-of-control British rock star Aldous Snow to a concert at L.A.'s Greek Theater.Not the finest from the Apatow brand, unlike its predecesors it really falters on the emotional end. However, it is consistently uproarious with solid work from both of the leads and a notable cameo from P. Diddy.
- DirectorJeff TremaineStarsJohnny KnoxvilleSteve-OBam MargeraJohnny Knoxville and company return for the third installment of their TV show spin-off, where dangerous stunts and explicit public displays rule.
- DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsAaron Taylor-JohnsonNicolas CageChloë Grace MoretzDave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan who one day decides to become a superhero, even though he has no powers, training or meaningful reason to do so.
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsRobert Downey Jr.Mickey RourkeGwyneth PaltrowWith the world now aware of his identity as Iron Man, Tony Stark must contend with both his declining health and a vengeful mad man with ties to his father's legacy.
- DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsMark WahlbergChristian BaleAmy AdamsBased on the story of Micky Ward, a fledgling boxer who tries to escape the shadow of his more famous but troubled older boxing brother and get his own shot at greatness.
- DirectorTom McGrathStarsWill FerrellJonah HillBrad PittEvil genius Megamind finally defeats his do-gooder nemesis, Metro Man, but is left without a purpose in a superhero-free world.
- DirectorSteve PinkStarsJohn CusackRob CorddryCraig RobinsonA malfunctioning time machine at a ski resort takes a man back to 1986 with his two friends and nephew, where they must relive a fateful night and not change anything to make sure the nephew is born.