The Best of 2010 in Movies

1. “The Social Network”
David Fincher’s fantastical biopic is the movie of our generation. Aaron Sorkin’s dialogue is cold and calculated, yet quick and witty, like the instant messaging conversations we have every day. “Social Network” proves how connected we are to technology by completely draining us emotionally — and yet it takes no sides, declares no winners and makes no statements against Facebook. Jesse Eisenberg’s anti-hero is by far the most memorable character of the year, and the film he owns makes for a brilliant, fascinating character drama of the most intimate, timely and relevant kind.

2. “Inception”
Who knew a summer movie could contain something everyone could love, with each element actually working well instead of just seeming like afterthoughts? There are insane action scenes for the people who just want gun play, mind-bending sequences for those who need something to make them think and even a little messed-up romance. Even at its most complicated, Christopher Nolan is able to keep the directing coherent. You might still be confused at the end, but one thing you can be sure of is that it was a great summer blockbuster.

3. “Toy Story 3”
Before this summer, most Pixar movies could be effectively categorized in one of two broad categories: art or entertainment. “Wall-E” and “Up” are art, for example, while “Cars” and “The Incredibles” are entertainment. “Toy Story 3” finds the precise balance for the first time in the studio’s history. The tonal 180 pulled by director Lee Unkrich while the toys are at the landfill is nothing short of virtuosic.

4. “I Am Love”
Not everyone was enthusiastic about “I Am Love,” but one thing could not be debated; it was the most gorgeous film of the year. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, the film stars Tilda Swinton as the Russian wife of an Italian textile heir. Swinton is taken for granted by her family, until she begins an affair that changes her family forever. Swinton’s Russian-accented Italian is impressive, and the film is an ode to beauty.

5. “127 Hours”
The most exhilarating and inspirational film of the year takes place within cramped confines throughout tedious hours of waiting that result in a horrific act of survival. Danny Boyle’s story of Aron Ralston uses lush cinematography, frenetic editing and a raw, primal performance by James Franco to create what is nothing short of an awesome experience. “127 Hours” finds new ways to visualize even the most basic feelings and emotions, and it’s truly revitalizing.

6. “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World”
Never before has a movie featured a gamer that is seen as anything other than a loser. “Scott Pilgrim” turns its characters — while still losers — into cool and relatable heroes. Insane, video-game-inspired fight scenes, hilarious acting (Kieran Culkin and Chris Evans being the highlights) and a great trashy rock soundtrack make it the most fun you’ll have at the movies this year. Anyone who has ever played a game will have trouble not smiling at the film. It is a fun little love letter to gamers.

7. “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”
Released in Sweden in 2009 but only available in America since March, the first film in the popular Millennium Trilogy stands head and shoulders above the rest. Noomi Rapace’s performance as Lisbeth Salander is at turns quietly tragic and unrepentantly merciless, and it’s all done with a poise worthy of an Oscar nomination.

8. “Greenberg”
Noah Baumbach is Hollywood’s best kept secret, but perhaps this movie starring Ben Stiller will change that. Stiller has his best role ever as Roger Greenberg, a failed ex-musician who is trying his hardest to do nothing now, even if it means avoiding the only woman who thinks he isn’t a scumbag. Greta Gerwig is achingly fragile as that woman. Rarely has the elusiveness of success been examined so well.

9. “Winter’s Bone”
The overly sentimentalized views of quaint, innocent and naive rural Midwesterners are put to rest in this grittily realistic indie thriller. Debra Granik’s Sundance winning film is infused with strong and complex characters, most notably in the terrific lead performance by Jennifer Lawrence. “Winter’s Bone” is a shocking, yet inherently realistic drama that never missteps as a melodrama or conspiracy thriller. Instead, we are treated to the rich depth of Ree Dolly, the best depiction of the modern American woman this year.

10. “The Kids Are All Right”
This was a year for sensitive comedies, and “The Kids Are All Right” was one of the best. Julianne Moore and Annette Bening are two mothers whose children have decided to contact their sperm donor. When Mark Ruffalo shows up, there’s hilarious tension between the mothers and this new father figure. Mia Wasikowska gives a charming performance as their daughter. The ending is a cop out, but even that can’t mar this movie.

11-15
“The Ghost Writer”
Controversial director Roman Polanski completed this film while under house arrest, and it certainly bears the bleak outlook and distrustful attitude toward the United States that you might expect. But what elevates it from a run-of-the-mill political thriller is how quietly it lets the truth creep up on you. Like in a horror film, it’s often what you don’t see that’s most frightening. Its quiet tension keeps “The Ghost Writer” gripping from start to finish.

“Inside Job”
“Inside Job” might prove to be the most important film of this decade. This hard-hitting documentary on the American economic crisis from “No End in Sight” director Charles Ferguson pulls no punches and does not pander to an unintelligent audience with cheap jokes or lame pop culture references. In a strictly serious manner, it examines every aspect of the Wall Street trading practices since 9/11 and proves that reform needs to happen now.

“Last Train Home”
“Last Train Home” is the documentary for students who believes their parents don’t put any effort behind their success. The film showcases one family among thousands of Chinese workers that for one day in the Chinese New Year make up the biggest human migration on the planet. Watching as these people toil away for ungrateful children is one of the most empathetic movie moments of the year.

“Restrepo”
“The Hurt Locker” and numerous other Iraq War films have been written off by the military as inaccurate. Here is a documentary with miraculous footage so amazing it even exists from the Korangal Valley, formerly the most dangerous place on Earth. “Restrepo” looks at the heartbreaking emotions of real people and real soldiers put through what is as close as any civilian can get to a modern warfare experience.

“Shutter Island”
Martin Scorsese branched out into unfamiliar territory with his 2010 film, a horror-mystery set in a mental institution on a remote island. Leo DiCaprio headlines an all-star cast as a federal marshal (or is he?) investigating the disappearance of a woman. The twist at the end, depending on your cynicism level, was either brilliantly executed or groan-inducing, but regardless of which is closer to the truth, at least it got people talking.

16-20
“The American”
“The American” was an important departure for George Clooney; it was the first time he shed his charm and played a leading character who was cold and empty. Clooney’s turn as an assassin and weapon maker broke new ground for him and also presented one of the year’s darkest thrillers. Drawing some comparisons to “Le Samourai,” “The American” was a solid entry in the “Man with No Name” genre.

“Hereafter”
Clint Eastwood is the master of melodrama. Few directors could take material as dour and heavy handed as Eastwood does and make it realistic and meaningful. “Hereafter” is a touching film of three intertwining stories all surrounded by death and the possibility of an afterlife. Matt Damon gives a subdued performance of great character depth and insight, and he is just one component of creating a soul-searching story that never seems preachy.

“How To Train Your Dragon”
What started as another generic action adventure turned into a colorful, vividly beautiful film high and above every Dreamworks film since "Shrek." There's a touching silent montage in the middle of the movie where we see the main character train his dragon for the first time, and it's punctuated by the glorious flight sequences reminiscent of "Avatar."

“Let Me In”
Perhaps nothing could match "Let the Right One In" in sheer quality, but this comes damn close (and if you ask Stephen King, surpasses it). With a tweaked cinematography style from director Matt Reeves, a score from Michael Giacchino and spot on performances by Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloe Moretz and especially Richard Jenkins, "Let Me In" is a vampire movie gem.

“Please Give”
“Please Give” was marketed as a comedy, and it is, but there sure aren’t many laughs. The self-examination of each character should make you cry rather than laugh, but somehow the chuckles break through. Catherine Keener and Oliver Platt play antique dealers who buy furniture from deceased elderly people’s families at ridiculously low prices. With a heartbreaking performance from Rebecca Hall, “Please Give” can’t help but be compelling.