My Top Ten: Best Films of 2010

Its that time of the month where I give my Top Ten on ANYTHING!

You have read what films really made me cringed throughout 2010, now I'll look at the ones that really amazed me and at least gave me hope for the film industry and mankind. These are the best films of 2010.

Before the list, let's look at some honorable mentions that didn't make my Top Ten , but still recommended to watch.

Honorable Mentions

DAYBREAKERS
Its refreshing to see a vampire film that doesn't go through the typical vampire monster movie, but as a social message movie. Plus you have the typical blood and gore we horror fans crave for.

JACKASS 3D
I would go as far as saying "THIS IS THE BEST 3D of 2010!". Really, this is the one movie that uses the 3D technology so well in getting down all the movement and details for each smack and shit. And if you question my taste in movies just because I love this as well as the first two Jackass movies, two words: "F*ck" and "You".

REC 2
While not as brilliantly great as the first film, it is still an enjoyable and asskicking film to watch and certainly a good addition to the REC mythos.

PREDATORS
FINALLY, a true sequel to the Predator movie! Would have heard a good "Git To The Choppa!", but still a good film. We can just ignore the travesties that are the "Alien Vs. Predator" films for this.

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE
Going for The Hangover formula, this just works in having the film looked stupid but be deviously smart.

TRUE GRIT
Surprisingly just barely missed out on the Top Ten, but it is no doubt a great film. And it is one Coen Brothers' film that freakin has an ending. Well a rushed ending, but still an ending.

And now for the list!

10.
THE TOWN



Ben Affleck really knows how to direct a good engaging action film. With most of the cast giving­ great performances, the story being solid and the action sequences just being downright exciting, it’s nearly enough to forget most of the bad films that Ben Affleck was involved in. Nearly...


9.
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1



This is probably the first of the Harry Potter films that it goes into high mature artistry. While the story rightfully gets dark and the cinematography and art direction gets the epic treatment it deserves, it’s the performances of the three main characters that shine. After 6 movies together, they’ve been placed in an isolated “small-play” scenario and are given the chance to act their asses off. And they did absolutely well.

8.
KICK-ASS

People are totally divided for this film, but it’s no doubt that it kicked ass (not so much at the box office) and left a huge bruising mark on last year. Chloe Moretz left their entire audience a huge stabbing impression as the girl with attitude, Hit Girl. She’s a little girl who swears, kills and maims and we, in a sick little way, just love her for that.

7.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

Dreamworks may be making cash-grabbing pop-culture flicks on the side, but they are learning lessons on how to make good quality animated films. This film is their evidence. Surely I have gripes with it like Jay Barachel’s ever nasal voice, but it just won me over for its sweeping wonderful flight sequences, the nice animation designs and the heartfelt relationship between a boy and his dragon. Even the relationships between a boy and his father and between other characters are very sweet to observe.

6.
THE SOCIAL NETWORK

While being a tiny bit over-dramatic and exaggerated, its quick, sniping acting by Jesse Eisenberg, a kinda haunting score by Nine Inch Nail’s Trent Reznor, and the genius writing by Aaron Sorkin made this film such an extremely interesting and fun look at probably the most important point of the digital era. People would be surprised that their entire social lives are dramatically changed because of this one man and the little things on how this all came about. People would be EVEN MORE surprised that Justin Timberlake can really act.

5.
THE FIGHTER

Give the goddamn Oscar to the goddamn Batman, Christian Bale for his hugely extraordinary performance in this film. While the story may be going through the typical rise-to-glory boxing film, the boxing aspect doesn’t really matter than the aspect of stepping out of the shadows and becoming your own person. Mark Walhberg and Melissa Leo give out great performances, but it is really Christian Bale that stole the entire film. You will be shocked how far he goes to embody a character from getting the personality to going through so much of body transformation. Very extraordinary! You know that Darren Aronofsky was initially attached to this movie. It’s a good thing he wasn’t anymore because he wouldn’t have made this next one.

4.
BLACK SWAN

Always rely on Aronofsky to give you something so beautiful, so disturbing, so freaky and so bold. You really feel you are watching a high class ballet performance in both physically and mentally as the visuals will amazed you as well as make you cringe. It is an insane psychological descent into her madness as the main character, Natalie Portman strives to seek perfection even if it means giving in to her dark sensual side. Portman is just so amazing as the timid pure girl and the mystery of whatever her madness is real or not is just so alluring and just downright creepy.

3.
INCEPTION

I just love the concept of this film. It is not really a movie per say, but a game/puzzle to challenge the movie-goers and it allows them to seek repeat viewings just to work out the entire movie. And it is a great thing that it is balanced in both intelligence and entertainment where you have the deep complex plotline and the action-packed visuals. Don't tell your jaws didn't drop to the floor when you watched Joseph Gordon-Levitt fighting a guy while the entire hotel hallway rotates round and round. And you can tell you have just watch a brilliant film when the film showed something important near the end and the entire theatre groaned when the screen cut to black.

2.
SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD

Me being a 24-year-old video-game film geek (and I strive to be THE BEST 24-YEAR OLD EVER!... Scott Pilgrim reference btw), this film is just plain heaven for me. When you have a film that has so many video-game and film references scattered throughout, head-banging rock soundtrack and some of the best visually-appealing fight scenes I have ever seen, it may have reached that epic of epicness, made possible by the geek genius of Edgar Wright. And it is cleverly backed up by a good story about love and relationship, even if its seen through the eyes of a hyped-up anime-loving geek. The film doesn't go through the typical romantic comedy route and kinda holds a real portrayal of relationships. But it is as much as about romance and fighting for love as it is very much about maturity and developing into a better person, especially for the three main characters (Scott, Ramona and Knives). Its damn funny, damn witty, damn awesome and damn epic.


And my number 1, my most favorite film of 2010 is...

1.
TOY STORY 3

Well, what do you know? Pixar tops the list again. What is the deal with those guys? Even with something that could be a throwaway cash-in sequel, that is not the nature of Pixar. This film is just full of love. The kind of love where you feel you have given a huge hug and feel so warm inside. Being the master storytellers they are, they just made us fell in love all the characters (Woody, Buzz, Jesse, Slinky. Mr and Mrs Potato Head, Hamm and my favorite Rex) all over again and created a story that is so relevant, so heartfelt, so poetic and just so genuine for everyone, young and old. It is a story for everyone, something to taken into account in their lives. A simple message of letting go and moving on and saying goodbye to a family member or a dear friend, whether it be human or a toy. You feel every emotions with this film from the exciting action-packed opening, to the powerfully tensed climax to the heartwarming teary, yet optimistic ending. Pixar has achieved so many from having one of the best superheroes movies, one of the best sci-fi movies and now having THE BEST film trilogy ever. Hell I would be completely surprised if their next film "Cars 2" would be emotionally ridden and heartwarming. Its possible because its Pixar.

So that is my top 10 list. What's your opinion?

My Top Ten: Worst Films of 2010

Its that time of the month where I give my Top Ten on ANYTHING!

2010 had been an interesting year in films and it is time to give both the best and worst of the year. Firstly we will be looking at the stinkers and craps that was embarrassing and excruciating to watch. These are, in my opinion, the top ten WORST films of 2010.

Before the list, let's look at some dishonorable mentions that were disappointing and underwhelming, but not exactly terrible.

Dishonorable Mentions

ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Just an excuse for Tim Burton to show off his own quirky twisted version on a classic tale that has been adapted SO many times.

CLASH OF THE TITANS
Very poor use of 3D, terrible CG, meh characters and action sequences that aren't exciting... yeah no wonder people hate this.

IRON MAN 2
Not exactly up to par with the first movie. Lacks the charm, fun and wit the first film had, even lacking some strong characters and their development and also plagued with the heavy-promotion of the upcoming Avengers movie.

THE OTHER GUYS
Could have been an very very funny film if it was over-the-top and crazy. It was the one film that was allowed to be that. But no, it has to be so boring.

THE EXPENDABLES
Hey, I wasn't expecting Citizen Kane with this film and was actually looking for a fun time. But with most of the action sequences being toned down and subpar, use of CG blood and not having the entire Expendable team utilized well, its hard for me to love this.

TRON LEGACY
So after 20 years, we finally get a sequel and.... it wasn't that great. In fact, it was more boring and convoluted than the original. Not to mention that most of this film was a huge letdown for me.

And now for the list!

10.
GET HIM TO THE GREEK

The problem with this movie is that it tries so hard to have outlandish and ridiculous setups and situations and the main characters becomes progressively more hated and unsympathetic. Russell Brand becomes more of a jerky douche and Jonah Hill becomes more of a spineless douche, especially during one scene near the end where I just questions EVERYTHING about this film.

9.
RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE

This film would be fine if it wasn't called Resident Evil. Anderson claims to be a huge fan of this game series and yet gives too much slow-mo sequences and has pointless use of the characters and items from the game because they so happens to be based on it. I call bullsh*t on that one.

8.
SEX AND THE CITY 2



While not being as painful as the first film, it is still a groan-inducing experience to sit through the mis-adventure of these four unlikable and selfish characters. Not too mention for me having a "REAAALLLY?" moment when these girls starts sending the wrong message in Abu Dahbi for what its meant to be about liberation and women rights. If its to be selfish and materialistic, revoke it.

7.
SKYLINE

You have a movie.... that is about... an alien invasion. And YET, you have decided to spend most of the film... in a FREAKIN apartment room, filled with the most uncaring group of people you could come across! And the ONLY point in the film where it starts to get good... was at the very end! If you don't have the budget to make a good alien invas

6.
MARMADUKE

Dance sequence involving CG dogs = the sign of the apocalypse

5.
LITTLE FOCKERS

The first film was a classic. The second film was actually enjoyable. This one was unnecessary shit. Playing off the same tiresome jokes we have been hearing in the past two movies and have most of the outlandish setups (with an exception of one) not being remotely funny at all. And the thing is it has to be so EXCRUCIATING and PAINFUL to watch.

4.
THE BACK-UP PLAN

This was written by someone who had seen Knocked Up and thought it was sexist and disgusting, so that person writes a version that is actually A LOT MORE sexist and disgusting, but took away the funny. GEEZ you can count the number of times people puke, clearly took a shit and the constant predictable break-up/make-up between the two despised characters that you want to destroy your TV in an animalistic rage. And that birth scene..... one of the most HORRIFYING scene ever to be put on film...

3.
THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE

The only excuse I have to continually watch this piece of sh*t of a series is that at least it is funny as hell. There are moments in any of the Twilight movies where it is comedy gold and you just have a hilarious fun time. And thankfully this time, it is not as bad as the godawful New Moon (however it was close!). But just because a pile of crap doesn't smell as bad as the last one, it is still a pile of crap. And you still have every awful things from vampire sparkleness, shirtless Jacob and the never-ending painful affairs of Bella, the worst character EVER to be written in literature. SCREW YOU ROYALLY, Stephanie Meyers.

2.
THE LAST AIRBENDER

You know, M. Night.... Just don't direct any more movies for probably 5 years. Maybe even 10. I don't care if its ever! Even when you move away from your typical genre of horror mystery with the twist at the end, you still can't make a good movie. You have everything to make a decent kickass movie for KIDS from the source material filled with fun characters, great action and a story that is so well written. AND YET, you have to make it so boring, lame and completely awful for a freakin Nickelodeon movie! M. Night, you just suck... Just be thankful you don't suck as much as this movie that has the word "suck" in it.

1.
VAMPIRE SUCKS

These guys, Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer are just the brown stain of today's film industry. While I can sense that the previous films are at least trying to offer something and just fail miserably, these guys and their films have been all about taking your money with no effort, respect and care. Always taking the lazy way in writing and preying on the lowest common denominator of audience, just for a cheap way of cash. And ESPECIALLY they go for such an EASY target, which is the Twilight series in providing such lazy and obvious jokes. They are making you PAY MONEY to watch completely lame jokes on Twilight when you could find a much better and smarter joke on Youtube for FREE! Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, fuck you and die!

So thats my Top 10. Next, we go from stinkers to shiners as I will go through the Top Ten Best of 2010.

Mini Reviews - The Fighter

The Fighter

A look at the early years of boxer "Irish" Micky Ward and his brother who helped train him before going pro in the mid '80s

Sure that the film follows a typical boxing rise-to-grace story, but what really sells this movie are the amazing performances by the cast especially Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. It is not much of a boxing film as it is more about family and being your own person, to be able to step out of the shadow. Markie Mark gave a great performance, but it is Batman himself, Christian Bale that stole the entire movie with his extraordinary performances. Never seen an actor that is so committed to the role even by exchanging body types from completely skinny to completely buffed. Certainly one of my favorites of 2010.

4 and a half out of 5 stars

Mini Reviews - The Town

The Town

"The Town" is the tale of four men -- thieves, rivals and friends -- being hunted through the streets of Boston by a tenacious FBI agent and a woman who might destroy them all

Ben Affleck may not be a great actor, but he sure is a great director. The guy knows how to make an engaging, thrilling film filled with great action. While the character are written as a bit one-dimensional, it is the cast of actors that delivers the amazing performances and not once put the film in a complete halt. Jon Hamm and Jeremy Renner gave a great performance and even Blake Lively of Gossip Girl(of all places) gave her time to show her acting chops. Not really a brilliant film, but certainly one of my favorites of 2010.

4 out of 5 stars

Mini Reviews - Black Swan

Black Swan

BLACK SWAN follows the story of Nina (Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her retired ballerina mother Erica (Barbara Hershey) who zealously supports her daughter,s professional ambition. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well.

Only Darren Aronofsky can make a film that is as visually crazy, devious, psychological disturbing and very beautiful that is just about ballerinas. From the guy who brought you a little depressing film called "The Wrestler" and a even more depressing film (which is one of my favs of all time) "Requiem For A Dream", this is one psychological journey of one girl striving for perfection and goes spiraling out of control literally. Portman does a magnificent performance as a timid mousey girl who is forcing herself to give into the sexual pleasures and darkness in order to be The Swan Queen of the play. And how you see her transformation from being the White Swan she's known as to becoming the seductive and fierce Black Swan is quite extraordinary and you do see her rise and downfall.

The use of practical and make-up effects gives the body horror so much cringe-worthy and it really plays with both the character's mind and our minds as well. It is something Cronenberg would be proud of. Probably the one thing I have complaints about (which this will be a great example) is when they introduce the CG in. With practical and make-up effects, you can tell its real and they enhance the mystery and horror of what the character goes through. But when CG is introduced, it takes away the mystery.

This is a roller-coaster version of the ballet Swan Lake and you feel like you are watching a classical operatic ballet with all the craziness and psychological disturbance. It is dark, unnerving and even beautiful. And plus we have to thank David in giving us one of the most hottest scenes ever filmed involving Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis.... oh my god...

4 and a half out of 5 stars