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With 2010 coming to a close, it’s time to look back and examine the year in film.
While we haven’t unwrapped all the presents under the tree just yet — the December releases “True Grit” and “Black Swan” have me more excited than Augustus Gloop in Wonka’s chocolate factory — it’s safe to say that the following are the highlights of a rather noteworthy year in film.
When films like “Shutter Island,” “The Town” and “The Kids Are All Right” come in as mere honorable mentions, it looks like film history books will look at 2010 as a watershed year. Let’s begin, shall we?
10) SPLICE
When I originally reviewed “Splice” for The Maine Campus, I called it “unique and beautiful,” which makes it the perfect way to open this list; all of these films are unique and beautiful in their own way, shining as individual voices amongst a slew of remakes, reboots and crassly marketed junk food. “Splice” is one messed up movie, and this is coming from a guy who absolutely loves “messed up” movies. An independent film using excellent CGI and paying homage to horror features of the ’30s and ’50s, “Splice” makes for perfect viewing when you’re in the mood for something to make your head spin.
9) EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP
“Exit” made a splash when it premiered at Sundance, and since then it has been touring the country and drumming up buzz all year long. Now it’s finally available for digital download, and this quirky documentary about street art is one of the most entertaining and thought-provoking documentaries I’ve ever seen. On the surface, the film follows the hijinks of Banksy, Space Invader and Mr. Brainwash, but beneath there’s an exploration of contemporary art and its place in our world. Hilarious and educational, “Exit” is the best documentary of the year.
THE SECRET OF KELLS
While this is technically labeled as a 2009 release, it didn’t become widely available in the United States until this year, so I’m fudging the rules here. The flick is just that good. It’s a triumph of animation — visually stylish and always supplying the viewer with a bizarre or interesting way to see the story. More importantly, however, is the story being told — the moral tale of how education and information preserves civilization and humanity’s constant struggle to keep fear and oppression at bay. Gorgeous to behold and moving till the very end, “The Secret of Kells” tells of “beauty thriving in the most fragile of places.” What’s more compelling than that?
7) SOCIAL NETWORK
I enjoy David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin separately, and just like peanut butter and chocolate, these two tastes go great together. Documenting the origins of Facebook, some claim this is the film that defines our generation. While I’m not sure if I’m comfortable going that far, it certainly defines our time, when old business models are dying and Web 2.0 ethics are shoddily clarified at best. Perfectly toned, scored, acted and directed, “The Social Network” shines a light on where business practices are headed, and we can only hope it isn’t too late to get the train back on track.
6) HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
I never thought I’d put a DreamWorks film anywhere near my top 10, but the fact that “Dragon” is helmed by Disney alum Chris Sanders makes the pill easier to swallow. “Dragon” takes full advantage of the recent 3-D craze, pairing it with top-notch animation in service of superb visual storytelling that weaves a story as affecting as “The Iron Giant” or “My Neighbor, Totoro.” DreamWorks has already reported plans for multiple sequels — and I’m sure they’ll eventually run it into the ground — but I’ll always have that first flight with Hiccup and Toothless, and the experience is one I’ll treasure for years to come.
5) KICK-ASS
Let’s get this out of the way right up front — “Kick-Ass” is a foul, violent, hard-edged film. It bursts on screen like the Tasmanian Devil with enough energy to leave you exhausted by the end — and exhilarated. An aggressive homage that reminds us why we love superheroes in the first place, “Kick-Ass” is a cinematic adrenaline shot straight to the chest. If you’ve ever loved comics, or music, or movies, or been truly passionate about anything, “Kick-Ass” will fan your fires and cause your very soul to resonate. It would be an easy pun to declare that “Kick-Ass” does indeed kick your ass, but it’s true. It inspires you to seize what you love and make it yours, damn the consequences.
4) SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD
The best and worst things about our generation distilled to its very essence, “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” takes Bryan Lee O’Malley’s cutting-edge comic series and turns it into a kinetic film that will surely influence filmmaking for years to come. The adaptation of six volumes may feel rushed at times, but Wright quickly reveals that’s the whole point: taking a different route than the comic but arriving at the same thematic conclusion. It isn’t so much a quest for love as it is a quest for self-respect and an understanding that the two concepts are inextricably linked. For those born after 1985, the film plays beautifully and the rewatch value is insanely high.
3) INCEPTION
Director Christopher Nolan is a filmmaker who can seemingly do no wrong. From “Memento,” to “Insomnia,” to “The Dark Knight,” Nolan has been building a reputation as a highbrow filmmaker with commercial instincts. “Inception” is his masterpiece, combining all of the ideas he’s worked with before — narrative, control, guilt — into an uncompromising film. “Inception” almost feels like a miracle of a movie, with big stars, crazy special effects and a dizzying, layered story. With most studios trying to appeal to all four quadrants, these types of films don’t get made anymore. After “The Dark Knight,” Nolan could bet as big as he wanted and he took the house with “Inception.” The man is on a roll, and “The Dark Knight Rises” can’t come soon enough.
2) TOY STORY 3
At this point, I’m convinced the folks at Pixar can do no wrong — although next year’s “Cars 2” will strongly test that theory. While I was more than happy to visit Buzz, Woody and Jessie for another adventure, part of me wondered where the story could possibly go. It seemed the world of “Toy Story” had been fully mined after the first sequel. Of course, this was not a sequel born out of the urge for an easy buck. Pixar has taken the series to its logical conclusion: “infinity and beyond.” With “Toy Story 3” serving as a meta-commentary on where Pixar was and how they’re moving forward, I can’t wait to see what the finest filmmakers of contemporary cinema have in store for us in coming years.
1) LET ME IN
The remake of the Swedish masterpiece “Let The Right One In,” “Let Me In” did what was thought to be impossible: It improved upon the original. By ironing out some narrative wrinkles and lacing the film with nods to classic Americana, director Matt Reeves has earned my attention as a filmmaker to watch. And after this and “Kick-Ass,” Chloe Moretz proves herself to be the best child actress since Jodie Foster. “Let Me In” is at times painfully beautiful and explores the cyclical nature of violence and moral ambiguity through classic horror film tropes. This makes for one unique piece of cinema, criminally overlooked in theaters. I urge you to check it out when it comes to DVD. Do not allow yourself to miss this film. This is cinema at its best.
