Top Ten lists.
I love 'em and I hate 'em. They're enormous fun to put together, until you realize there are so many good movie releases in the past year that not all can make the list.
Anyway, here it is... the most subjective of cinematic lists.
When the Coen brothers veer from quirky independent to mainstream movies, they do mainstream movies a favor. Not a Coen classic, but to demand such is a pretty tall order. "True Grit" is a very entertaining Western with a unique style all its own, aided by standout performances from Bridges, Damon, and Hallee Steinfeld.
The story of an Ozark girl's attempts to locate her crystal meth cook father before her family loses their home is a powerful movie that works more as a mystery than a thriller. Family secrets bubble to the surface and painful truths are revealed. The unforgiving Ozark landscape is almost a character in itself, choking any efforts to uncover the truth. Jennifer Lawrence's central performance is a curious mix of subtlety and intensity. A most deserved Oscar nomination.
Lisa Cholodenko's film about the upheaval of a lesbian marriage when the sperm donor re-enters the picture is a terrific blend of humor and drama, with two of the most spot-on performances lighting up the screen from Bening and Moore. I can think of no higher compliment than forgetting I'm watching actors at work and feel like I'm seeing life unfold.
A perceptive examination of grief that even manages to find humor in the situation. This isn't merely a story of a couple grieving a loss, but finding their own individual paths toward coping. One of Nicole Kidman's best performances. Based on the stage play by David Lindsay-Abaire.
Not all endings are happy ones. If they were, love wouldn't be considered a risk. Derek Cianfrance's deliberately-paced, introspective look into the psychological machinations of young love embraces the notion of risk with unbridled ardor. Stellar performances from two of the best actors of their generation in Williams and Gosling.
Darren Aronofsky's half-drama, half-thriller, all-wicked story of a young ballet dancer's descent into her own paranoia of Hell takes enormous pride in its over-the-top zeal. Portman is tremendous in the lead role, struggling to realize her dreams amidst a claustrophobic cloud of jealousy, debauchery, and others' competitive spirit.
The silly little "Facebook" movie? Hell, yes. I loved this film. Director David Fincher takes a break from serial killer movies and reverse-aging storylines to helm this Aaron Sorkin-scribed gem about the meteoric rise of Facebook and the complicated relationships involving founder Mark Zuckerberg.
What begins as a story about overcoming a speech impediment transforms into a remarkable tale of friendship, loyalty, love, and leadership. It's not only about finding one's voice, but about unsheathing the courage to follow that voice. Anyone in a position of leadership jousts with insecurity at some point. Those who don't? Those who are allegedly "born to lead"? We have a name for them... tyrants.
A trapped limb vs. the human spirit in Danny Boyle's amazing film about the true life horror experienced by Aron Ralston deep in a crevasse in the desolate Utah country. Not for the faint of heart. James Franco brilliantly captures the mental progression from disbelief to contemplation to personal reflection to the ultimate decision to free himself and return to his loved ones.
Christopher Nolan has been credited with reinventing the "Batman" franchise. He's done more than that. The British visionary has reinvented the Hollywood Blockbuster altogether. So much for all big-budget movies being categorically "brain-dead." This film is more than just smart. It's perhaps the most challenging type of story told this year. Nolan continues to push the boundaries of what we think is possible in the art of cinema. "Inception" is perversely brilliant filmmaking.
Let's hope 2011 offers more of the same quality. Fingers crossed.
