When 2010 started dismally at the multiplex, it was difficult to imagine the excellent movies that would come out later in the year. However, with smart summer flicks like “Inception” and “Toy Story 3” and a slew of solid films in the fall, this year offered a variety of movies that could be included on a top ten list.
After narrowing the choices, here are my picks for the top ten movies of 2010:
1.) Toy Story 3: “Toy Story 3” is a wonderful family-friendly film. It has a great story and hilarious characters. However, what makes it the best movie of the year isn’t its comic impulses — it’s the film’s heart. Towards the end of the film, many of the main characters are placed in peril leaving viewers on the edge of their seats in anticipation. It’s difficult to create sympathetic characters using regular people but when the creators of this film created cartoon characters so well that audiences were emotionally involved when they were put in danger, they did something remarkable.
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2.) 127 Hours: Director Danny Boyle and actor James Franco crafted a masterpiece out of the true story of a man whose arm was trapped underneath a boulder for several days. Although it is graphic and is difficult to watch, “127 Hours” is an amazing film worthy of your time.
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3.) The Social Network: Although the story of the founding of Facebook is incomplete and presents Mark Zuckerburg as an egotistical jerk, “The Social Network” is still an amazing motion picture. With an Oscar-worthy script by Aaron Sorkin and a riveting story, this movie shows how strong friendships can be destroyed in even the most successful businesses.
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4.) The Kids are All Right: Led by a terrific Annette Bening, “The Kids are all Right” tells the story of a lesbian couple who watch as the sperm donor who fathered their children enters their lives. At times both hilarious and heartbreaking, this film stays true to its characters even in its conclusion while lesser films would likely have taken an easier route.
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5.) The King’s Speech: The story of a man with a stutter who is forced to lead a nation is already seen as a contender to win the best picture Oscar this year. “The King’s Speech” is a classy and elegant movie that is gorgeous to behold. As a leader struggles with a speech impediment, audiences will watch with delight as Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth deliver memorable performances.
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6.) Inception: “Inception” is a smart summer blockbuster that met and exceeded expectations. It’s visually stunning with a fascinating story to boot. “Inception” is the antidote to loud but mindless entertainment like “Transformers 2.”
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7.) The Town: Ben Affleck directed this crime thriller set in Massachusetts. It succeeds because it has an engaging story, great actors (including Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, and Jon Hamm), and a surprisingly effective director.
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8.) True Grit: Although it’s a remake, the Coen bothers have made this story their own. Led by Jeff Bridges and breakout star Hailee Steinfeld, this is a story about revenge, redemption, and a man who, despite his many faults, has true grit.
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9.) How to Train Your Dragon: “How to Train Your Dragon” is a fun and exciting family-friendly film featuring a highly-sympathetic protagonist. As the young offspring of a renowned dragon killer, Jay Baruchel does great voice work as a young warrior who ends up taking care or a dragon.
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10.) City Island: This quirky under-appreciated film is this year’s “Little Miss Sunshine.” If you haven’t seen it, rent it and watch as a quirky but likable family struggles with the many lies individuals tell in order to avoid having difficult conversations.
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Runner Ups: Conviction, Flipped
Other Strong Contenders: The Fighter, Morning Glory, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, Scott Pilgrim Versus the World, Tangled, Waiting for Superman.
If I missed anything that stood out this year, please let me know in the comments below.
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