Top Ten Films of 2010

Just like last year, for the last posting of the year, I give you the best films of the previous year.  I'd love to be more current but that's the way it must be since I have so many 2011 films still to see.  *Note: one of these films was released in 2010 but is considered a 2009 film, but I'm counting it as a 2010 film. 

Honorable Mentions: Gasland, Tangled, I love You Phillip Morris and 127 hours. 

10. The Fighter
9. Youth In Revolt*
8. The Social Network
7. Blue Valentine
6. Black Swan
5. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
4. Toy Story 3
3. True Grit
2. Inception
1. King's Speech

The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

This is the Spielberg we miss.  Much like an Indiana Jones film, we follow the young Tintin and his dog, Snowy, on a quest to uncover the Secret of the Unicorn, a ship that sunk after a great sea battle with a pirate.   But unlike Indiana Jones, here anything can happen and feel possible because it's animated (motion captured, actually, which isn't really animation but that's a debate for some other blog).   This is such a fun film I wish everyone would go see it.  It has a slick and intelligent plot that's not dumbed down for the kiddies.  The characters are evolving and likable.  And what can I say about the eye-popping action, it's cleverly staged like a great Buster Keaton film on steroids (again only possible in this medium; if shot with film, people would be complaining like they did with the refrigerator scene in Indy 4).  What helps make this such a successful film though is the script written by Stephen Moffatt, Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish (the British dream team of new writers -- Doctor Who and Sherlock, Shaun of the Dead and Attack the Block -- Holy trinity of awesomeness).   They cram every scene with diamonds and I'll have to see this film again to catch them all.   Of course I can't end this segment without mentioning the man who created Tintin, the Belgium cartoonist Herge (Georges Remi).  If you like where this film took you than check out his inspiring work.  I know I will.  Grade: A

Spoiler:  Okay, I just have to say there was only one part in the film that didn't work for me.  It's a minor little plot hole but I don't want anyone reading this blog to think, after my raving review, I'm blinded by the talent behind this film.  Tintin uses his last bullet to bring a sea plane down.  Then he uses that same plane (after tying the pilot and henchman up) to fly away.   First, what did he shoot to force the plan down and second how did he fix the plane?  Why not show us?  Oh well, it's a really nit- picky flaw but it did distract me for a minute.  Still, if that's all that bothered me, that's pretty impressive.

A Midsummer's Night Sex Comedy (1982)

Woody Allen is the master of the pleasant movie experience, a light and charming antidote to the overwhelming in you face kind of film making that has taken siege of Hollywood in the last quarter century.   Here is a story of early 20th century couples pining for love with each others' lovers.  Woody Allen plays Woody Allen confronted with a missed opportunity (Mia Farrow) while dealing with the inadequacy of his marriage to a frigid woman (Mary Steenburgen).  Tony Robert is back playing Woody's best friend and Jose Farmer stops by to play the Professor that doesn't believe in anything mystical.   Great cast, lots of laughs, and tons to keep you entertained for 90 minutes.  Grade: B+.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)

I was duped again into seeing another unnecessary remake because of the talented director behind the project.  I feel so bamboozled.  First full disclosure: I've read the book and have seen the Swedish film.  Because of that it's impossible for me to judge this David Fincher's adaption without comparing it to the source material and the other film it inspired into being.   I don't want to go into a huge diatribe about why this film didn't even need to be made (because it didn't) and instead focus on its entertainment value and the quality of its film making.   Is it a good film?  Sure, because it's a thrilling dark story worthy of the silver screen.  What it's not is a great movie.  If you're like me and you've read the book or seen the Swedish version, I'd recommend you skip it.  Save your money and go see Mission Impossible instead.  If you have no intention of reading the book or seeing the Swedish film then go check it out, you'll probably love it.  The acting is great, the visuals stunning and they get the story mostly right (although it could have been way more faithful to the book).  Grade: B.

Spoilers:  Now let's get to the real review of this film.   First the good:  Daniel Criag and Rooney Mara are wonderful as the lead characters.  They have great chemistry and are equally as good as their Swedish counterparts (Michael Nyqvist and Roomi Rapace).  Basically the casting is fantastic (especially Christopher Plummer).  The cinemphotograhy is beautiful (albeit too perfect at times) and Fincher's skills prove exceptional.  Now the bad:  oh boy, the script is pretty weak.  Sure, Steven Zaillian keeps Blomkvist's daughter in the story and her noticing the bible verses which I liked, and I get the need to cut things out like how Blomkvist once lived with the Vanger family as a child and his sexual relationship with Cecil, that's fine, but to change the ending is almost unforgivable.   I know you've won an Oscar but that doesn't mean you should change the outcome of the story.  I've read an interview that he wanted to get to the resolution faster but that's just a cope out.  Having Blomkvist go to Austriala and meet Harrit for the first time wouldn't have taken any more screentime.  The audience has waited over two and a half hours, why not an extra minute here or there to get the ending right (an ending that fully realizes the mystery).  And if you're so concerned with time, why the unnecessary scene where Lisbeth threatens her Guadian Bjurman in the elevator; that's a couple minutes I didn't need.  I don't think the editor can be let off the hook either.  It is a long movie and it feels long too. True, I know what's coming because I know the outcome but it still felt sluggish.  What amazes me is the Swedish version moves more quickly and is able to stay more faithful to the book (even keeping the part where Blomkvist goes to prison).   So no one can use the argument that the book is too dense, and Zaillian had to change things to make a good film, because some Sweds already did it and did it better. 

Misssion Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

Tom Cruise is such a bad-ass.  God, I love the guy.  I don't care if he believes in Pink Monkeys from Mars, the guy defines what a Movie Star is.  Here he's in his prime playing a role he was just meant to play, Ethan Hunt - Super Spy.  While most franchises fade by the fourth adventure, here the opposite is true; the series is just getting better.  I had a feeling this would be a fantastic ride when I heard Brad Bird came on to direct (yes, he might have only directed Animation before this but they just so happen to be three of the best animated films ever).  This time around Ethan Hunt and his crew must stop a madman from starting a nuclear war.  Okay, I know what you're saying, hasn't this been done before?   Yes, but who cares.  This film is just pure fun and worth the movie ticket.  I happened to see it on an IMAX screen too and would recommend it; Bird uses the IMAX camera wonderfully.  Simon Pegg and Jeremy Renner are fantastic and I hope to see them in the fifth installment (and there will be a fifth one and I can't wait).  As a fan of the television show, I'm so pleased to see that the franchise is in good hands and flourishing.  Grade: A
 

Paul (2011)

Nick Frost and Simon Pegg of Shaun of the Dead fame, co-write and star in this comedy about two fanboy geeks from Britain who attend Comic con and then go on a UFO road trip only to stumble upon a runaway Alien (voiced by Seth Rogen).  Jam packed with many pop culture references from Star Wars to X-Files and surprise cameos to keep any fanboy entertained, what you have is a love letter to other geeks of the science fiction legion.  This is great if you are a geek, like me, but if you're not you'll probably miss a lot of the inside jokes.   I wouldn't say this is as good as I'd had hoped it would be.  Greg Mottola does a pretty good job at directing a story that's mostly a road trip movie tied up with a fugitive-on-the-run plot but there's something missing.  The comedy never really gels.  I'm not saying it's bad or that I didn't laugh, I laughed a lot, but with all that happens I felt unsatisfied by the end.  The alien special effects are great and I love Kristen Wiig's inclusion (even if Simon and her have zero romantic chemistry) but I wanted more with just Simon and Nick.  If I had to narrow down a flaw I'd say there were too many characters.  Bill Hader and Joe Lo Truglio are hilarious most of the time but I'd have to say their characters distract from the heart and soul of the story and that's Nick and Simon's relationship with Paul.  Grade: B. 

Spoiler:  I'm still scratching my head with the whole twist at the end where we find out that Jason Bateman's Man in Black character is a good guy helping Paul out.  This came out of nowhere and seemed to make huge chunks of the film seem unimportant.  Which leads me to the main problem I had with this film, there's just too much going on.  You have Jason Bateman's twist, Sigourney Weaver's reveal, John Lynch's trying to get his daughter back, Bill Hader and Joe Lo Trugklio turning psycho: it's all just too much.   I'd have rather seen a buddy road trip movie with an alien instead of all that other junk. 

10 Favorite Christmas Moments (Commentary)

Since I've already written a best Christmas movie list I thought I'd pick my favorite moments, those scenes or images that forever stick in my mind and entertain me.  Ten is almost impossible but there's the ten that popped up in my head the most.

10.Ernest Saves Christmas -  I love the image of all the reindeer on the ceiling of the shipping company.
9.  Home Alone - Kevin uses "Angels with Filthy Souls" to get him a pizza. 
8. The Office, Eps 2.10 "The Christmas Party" - This is a great episode but I love it when everyone tries to swap for the Secret Santa gift from Michael, the Ipod.
7. Arrested Development, Eps.1.8 "In God We Trust" - Tobias is a Never Nude.
6. It's A Wonderful Life - I love watching the passion as Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed share a phone.  It's an amazing scene.
5. Christmas Vacation - Uncle Eddie in his Bathroom Robe as he says  "Shitter's Full."
4. A Christmas Story - Santa telling Ralphie "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out" as he kicks him down the slide.
3. Elf - It's a very obscure moment but when the whale emerges from icy waters of the north pole to say, "Bye, Buddy.  I hope you find your dad."  It gets me every time.
2. Christmas Vacation - "Squirrel!"  Do I need to say anything more?
1. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas - It's my favorite moment and it's when the Grinch's heart grows and he lifts the Sleigh over he's head.