I saw a lot of movies this year. Probably more than usual now that Netflix and Bit Torrent have made seeing mediocre movies super accessible (see: Date Night). Looking at my list you can pretty much guess that I’m a male 18-35 years old. Yes, I like comic book movies-and movies directed by comic book movie directors. That doesn’t mean that’s all I watch, however. No straight comedies are on my list (Hot Tub Time Machine came close) and most of the depressing Oscar worthy dramas I watched were from 2009.
1) Scott Pilgrim vs The World
I was probably more excited about this movie than any other this year- and it didn’t disappoint. Some say it’s “Twilight” for boys- and I think I know why… it hits all the right buttons for a 30 year old dude raised by pop culture and video games. Edgar Wright not only pays tribute to this- but invents a new genre of film by doing it- the post modern video game movie. Sure there have been tons of movies based on video games.. but this is the first movie that actually gets what’s fun about video games and applies them to a fast passed action comedy. I can even stand Michael Cera in this film- which is really saying something. Well done, Edgar. Well done indeed.
2) How To Train Your Dragon
When I saw this trailer in the theater I knew I would have to see it, whether I’d be the only grown man in the theater by himself or not. As a kid my two favorite things were (in order) dragons and cats. This is a story about a boy (a Viking, no less!) who has a pet dragon that is basically a big cat. The animation and story telling here are superb. For my money this is the best animated film of the year.
3) The Social Network
Yes, I am a Facebook junkie. Before that I was a MySpace Junkie- before that Friendster- before that Make Out Club… before that- BBSs and Prodigy. I have been a social networker since late eighties. This is David Fincher’s best film since Fight Club. Its sharp to the point of cutting. Then it bleeds pretentious awesomeness. I hope Jessie Eisenberg is nominated for an academy award for this one. Also the soundtrack by Trent Reznor is unexpectedly amazing as well.
4) Kick Ass
The best true comic book film of the year wasn’t a sequel or based on a 30 year old franchise character. Like Scott Pilgrim- it was a post modern take on the genre it represents. The questioned is asked, “why hasn’t anyone ever tried being a super hero in real life?” Director Mathew Vaughn answers this with a gritty, humorous film that is sure to inspire the inner vigilante in us all. The ending may be over the top- but who else has the balls to show an eleven year old girl murdering bad guys in cold blooded revenge in a purple wig? That’s why this movie Kicks Ass!
5) Toy Story 3
I’ve already wrote about my experience seeing this film here..The first two Toy Story movies were both great, but I think I was a little too old for them when they came out. I don’t associate Woody and Buzz with my childhood. However, when I first saw the billboards around town with those characters and the number “3” next to them, I couldn’t help but feel like an old friend was coming back to visit. The film made me laugh and cry, and remember what it felt like to have to grow up myself and leave your childhood behind. I hope this gets nominated for best picture- I think Pixar are the kings of character and storytelling right now. Everyone else take note.
6) Iron Man 2
It was bigger and louder than the first- necessary for an action sequel, but what I loved about Iron Man 2 was that Tony became more and more of a jerk through out the movie and yet we still loved him. Thanks to the brilliant casting of Robert Downey Jr and the snarky writing of director Jon Faverou, the movie may not have been better than the original, but it was certainly the best blockbuster of the year.
7) Tron: Legacy
After Scott Pilgrim, this was my next most anticipated film of the year. I love the original (I even have a poster of it in my apartment). I thought the trailers were flawless. Having just seen this film yesterday I can report that while it wasn’t a perfect film, I still really enjoyed it. The plot was confusing (or maybe just poorly written) but the design, music, characters, and graphics made up for it. This will probably be my next Blu-Ray purchase when it comes out.
8) Inception
I wasn’t as impressed with the Dark Knight than most of my friends. I thought it was a good, complicated roller coaster ride from start to finish. I might not have understood the complexity of the plot at every moment, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I feel the same why about Inception. Except this time I REALLY don’t understand what’s going on. I saw a map that director Christopher Nolan made to explain all the levels in the film… all I know is this- every time they cut back to the van falling in slow motion- the whole theater laughed out loud. It just goes to show that you can’t take yourself too seriously.
9) Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows Part 1
Staring with the third movie I believe I have seen every Harry Potter film in the theater. I drag whoever will see it with me the second week it comes out and always have an entertaining time. I might not know what a Horcrux is or that Snape is really good or evil or pretending to be both… I don’t really care that much. I’ve never read the books and I probably never will. Deadly Hallows was good enough, however, that it made me go back and watch all the original movies again-backwards. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1. Watching them like this actually really helped me to understand what was going on– and who was who. I remember hating the first movie originally, but now after going backwards I think it was actually really great to see all my favorite characters as little kids on their first adventure! The casting that Chris Columbus did in the first movie has to be some of the best ever. It’s like Star Wars good. I just couldn’t picture any other actors in those parts. Part 2 is now tops on my list of films to see next year!
10) I Love You, Phillip Morris
I first downloaded this movie in the summer. For some reason its release was delayed and no one had heard of this brilliant little movie staring a couple really big movie stars. I watched it not knowing anything about it and was really pleasantly surprised. I think this is an underrated film that has great performances by both Jim Carrey and Ewan McGreggor. Rent this on DVD when you get a chance. I don’t want to spoil to much. It’s a real gem.
Honorable Mentions: Machete, Youth in Revolt, Easy A, The Town.
Films this year that I want to see, but haven’t yet: True Grit, King’s Speech, The Expendables, Predators, The American.
Coming Soon: My Top 10 LEAST Favorite Films of 2010.
