It feels a little while since i have written stuff on here, haven’t entirely been into blogging at this time. But, before it goes out of fashion, i must write my “Top 10 Lists”, to round up all the reviewing i have been doing all last year.
Anyways, here we start with the BEST films i saw at the cinema. I believe it was a pretty solid year for film, so the field was tight. I also can’t include Tom Hooper’s excellent The King’s Speech, as i saw it in 2011, but it was damn good. So yes! Let’s begin!
10) Monsters
This film was pretty good when i first saw it, i was mostly impressed with how they worked with such a low budget, but now upon reflection do i realise just how impressive the film was. An inspiring film for young filmmakers, showing that big films can be made on such a small budget.
http://blue-eyed-wonderland.tumblr.com/post/2310837267/review-monsters
9) Up In The Air
This film really hit the spot for me. I’ve been a fan of Jason Reitman’s work since Thankyou For Smoking and with this his third film shows his ever improving filmmaking talent. It was an interesting subject, great script, great soundtrack, great performances.
http://blue-eyed-wonderland.tumblr.com/post/370661315/review-up-in-the-air
8) The Hurt Locker
Unlike most people in the world, i have been a fan of filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow for many years now, adoring her early work such as 1987s Near Dark. She directs uncharactistically masculine films and shows she has more filmmaking balls than most male directors. The Hurt Locker i felt deservedly won all its Academy Awards, including Best Picture, not only for a remarkable film, but for the years in which i felt Kathyrn Bigelow was left underappreciated.
http://blue-eyed-wonderland.tumblr.com/post/413136767/review-the-hurt-locker
7) Micmacs
Ah Jean-Pierre Jeunet, you never cease to amaze me. The seemingly stereotypically French voice is one of the most visually unique directors i have ever seen. His films are always extremely quirky, with a heart of gold in the centre, no matter if its in the desolete future or the contemporary now. Micmacs is a charmingly eccentric film and something to expect from Jeunet. I watched in pure adoration!
http://blue-eyed-wonderland.tumblr.com/post/510700259/review-micmacs
6) Kick-Ass
It feels so very long ago since i saw this film, but at the same time, remember all the goodness it entailed. Just when you think the superhero genre has run out of steam this wonderful film comes along giving it a nice kick square in the ass. I was worried itd fall into teen angst, but what it provided was a hilarious, action packed, foul-mouthed, gory experience. Sharply written, excellently shot, and great performances, with standouts being Nicolas Cages’ wonderful Adam West-esq Big Daddy and Chloe Moretz’s astonishing Hit-Girl. Just great Matthew Vaughn.
http://blue-eyed-wonderland.tumblr.com/post/535383014/review-kick-ass
5) Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
I was surprised that i had to convince people that this was going to be a GREAT film. I thought the trailer provided enough awesomeness to feed an entire planet in need of awesome. Not to mention it was directed by Edgar Wright of Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz, two of the funniest/unique/stylistically awesome films in recent memory. This film was no different, it was wild, it was almost non-stop hilarious, it was unique, it had excellent source material, an excellent visual flare and of course, an extremely talented young cast. The question i ask is, how could this film have NOT been good.
http://blue-eyed-wonderland.tumblr.com/post/1109067840/review-scott-pilgram-vs-the-world
4) Toy Story 3
Of course this would have made it. Pixar i find have a constant level of greatness, one that seems to crush all people who try to compete. Toy Story 3 however is truly a shining moment in the history of Pixar, returning to the beloved world of the first two films giving the series a bookend which children (now adults) and adults (still adults, mostly) and more children (people younger than the first two) have been waiting for for 11 long years. What was accomplished is possibly one of the most emotionally crushing films of all time, with the power to make ANYONE and EVERYONE cry. Yes EVVVVVVVVVVVVERRRRRYYYYYONNNNNNNNEEE (Gary Oldman voice). It is just disgusting how good Pixar is.
http://blue-eyed-wonderland.tumblr.com/post/752916193/review-toy-story-3
3) The Social Network
Many people had doubts a Facebook movie would actually be good. I had my own, but they were crushed by the fact modern master director David Fincher was directing, which made it provocative. “Why on Earth would you do this Dave, this is odd…why? I’m thoroughly interested”. What came of it was an amazingly detailed, extremely well written character study of Mark Zuckerberg and co. Its more than a film about Facebook, just so many things and it just shows how David Fincher IS a modern master director. It’s been garnering a load of awards and rightly so, some say it will achieve the Best Picture gong. And if it be so, i will “like” that.
http://blue-eyed-wonderland.tumblr.com/post/1422122455/review-the-social-network
2) Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans
Still, i am frustrated that this film was never given a wide release in cinemas here in Australia, as many people would have missed an extremely amazing sight to behold, unseen for years on the big screen, that being Nicolas Cage going batshit crazy, and i’m not talking the usual stuff, i’m talking Vampire’s Kiss crazy. I felt so lucky to be one of the few to see Werner Herzog’s masterpiece on the screen, it is just so damn good. Great madcap performance from Cage, who, with the help of Kick-Ass as well returns some cred to his career off recent years. Herzog again shows he is still one of the most unique and talented directors ever effectively making a film thats a cop drama, a comedy, a drug trip, a freaking madhouse, with a musicality to boot. See this wonderful film.
http://blue-eyed-wonderland.tumblr.com/post/535629411/review-bad-lieutenant-port-of-call-new-orleans
1) Inception
I’m sure most people would have guessed this film would have made number 1, and rightly so. Sure it has it’s detractors, but a billion more fans that crush that. I’m not saying i like it because everybody else likes it, i just feel that its everything a film should be and more. Christopher Nolan understands how to make a movie thats not only entertaining and will make money, but he knows how to inject so many great elements, from a great ensemble cast, an intelligent idea, memorable scenes, big score etc. The film was something the film community needed, another intelligent trip into a place few films venture (even fewer in a way thats intelligent) into the human mind. What else can one say that it is the best film of 2010.
http://blue-eyed-wonderland.tumblr.com/post/865571231/review-inception
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5 Notable mentions
The Other Guys
Adam McKay and Will Ferrell are just a dynamite couple, and i would see their films together until i die. This one was a broader story, but still humour unmatched by most comedies.
http://blue-eyed-wonderland.tumblr.com/post/1275101925/review-the-other-guys
The Town
Wonderful follow-up to Gone Baby Gone that proves Ben Affleck is a damn fine director.
http://blue-eyed-wonderland.tumblr.com/post/1567485781/review-the-town
Machete
Just great. Danny Trejo at the forefront being a pissed-off badassed Mexican makes for an excellent movie.
http://blue-eyed-wonderland.tumblr.com/post/1599365746/review-machete
The Bunny And The Bull
Just an excellent off-beat comedy from the guys who made The Mighty Boosh. Not only does it bring Booshiness, it creates a sort of Bizarro universe, one which also has an unexpected heartbreaking depth.
http://blue-eyed-wonderland.tumblr.com/post/753405084/review-the-bunny-and-the-bull
The Road
A great so many things. A great setting, a great cast, a great father/son story, a great survival story, a great atmosphere, a great film.
http://blue-eyed-wonderland.tumblr.com/post/366985988/review-the-road
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So thats 2010 folks. I will be back within the next few days with my WORST of 2010 list and some other stuff hopefully.
Hope you like my list. Agree? Disagree? Share your thoughts pilgrims. :)
Adieu!
