It's been a more interesting year for film than many of us realised. I thought I'd struggle to find 10 movies that I really, really liked, but when I sat down to research this list, I had to stop at 30 (which I've now whittled down). For me, the highlight of the year has been seeing how far 3D filmmaking has come – and where it's heading.
So here, in reverse order, are my favourite 10 films of the year …
10. She's Out Of My League
Proof that the raunchy sex comedies so beloved by Hollywood can also be funny, charming and very sweet. Alice Eve shows that she's more than just a lovely pair of … eyes, and Jay Baruchel shows himself to be a talent to watch.
9. Up In The Air
Who would have thought a film about a guy who fires people for a living could be so sharp, fresh and blackly comic? Clooney charms as always, but the real surprises here are Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick. Director Jason Reitman can't seem to make a bad film, can he.
8. Whip It
Drew Barrymore's directorial debut is an absolute corker - who knew this former wild child was so talented? Great performances from Ellen Page and Marcia Gay Harden whose mother-daughter relationship is the real heart of this film. But tell me, who decided to market this film in the UK as a chick flick, complete with a pink poster campaign? Wrong on every level.
7. Toy Story 3
You'll believe a grown man can cry like a baby. And you'll finally believe that is IS possible to make a good film trilogy. We revisit Woody, Buzz and the rest of our favourite toys as they discover that putting away childhood things isn't always for the worst. Full of big, big laughs, tons of excitement, and Ken finally makes his film debut. What took so long?
6. Piranha 3D
This is certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but I can't rememeber the last time I had this much fun at the cinema. A remake of the Joe Dante schlock-horror from the 80s is hilarious, gory and chock full of bare boobs and chomped body parts. What's not to like? And the 3D is decent, too. And yes, the sequel is called Piranha 3DD ... genius.
5. Scott Pilgrim vs The World
To pinch a line from David Franklin's 5-star review: SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD = FLAWLESS VICTORY. This is the first time that we have ever seen video games portrayed in such a perfect way on film. Ity's funny, action-packed and kinda romantic ... it's just a shame that the audience for such a perfect full-on geek-fest is so small.
4. Kick Ass
Forget all the furore over a pre-teen girl saying cunt, Kick Ass is one of the best comic-book films of the past decade. Yes, it's outrageous, but it's lso outregeously funny, graphically violent and exhilirating beyond belief. Based on the comic book by Mark Millar, and cowritten by director Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman (who cowrote Stardust), Kick Ass is pure joy.
3. Inception
So this is what Chris Nolan gets up to between the Batmans (Batmen?). Inception is that rare thing – and intelligent blockbuster - that rewards viewers who pay close attention. It's a film that will haunt your dreams for days afterwards, and you'll be left with the nagging question: just when did Leonardo di Caprio become such a good actor?
2. The Social Network
Yes, the "Facebook film". But when you combine the talents of writer Aaron Sorkin and director David Fincher, you're going to end up with nothing short of brilliance. Is it really the true story of how Mark Zuckerberg created Faebook? Probably not, but it's sharp, witty and hugely entertaining, with exceptional performances from Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Timberlake. And, for the first time in cinema hsitroy, it actually portrays computer programming realistically.
1. Monsters
Low-budget filmmaking does not get any better than this – full of heart, soul, big ideas and powerful performances. Don't let the title put you off, and ignore let the terrible reviews from a handful of thick-headed film bloggers who expected slobbering aliens and laser battles. More a romantic road movie than monster-fest, it's a powerful first feature from former special effects man Gareth Edwards. I loved Scoot McNairy a few years back in In Search of a Midnight Kiss, and here – costarring with then girlfriend, now wife Whitney Able – he shows once again why he's an actor to make you sit up and take notice. Monsters is beautiful, moving, smart and stands up to repeat viewings ... watch it.
Honourable mentions: Date Night, The Other Guys, Easy A, The Princess & The Frog, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, The Road, A Prophet, Precious, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Shutter Island, How To Train Your Dragon 3D, The Ghost, I Spit on Your Grave (remake), Centurion, Four Lions, REC 2, Heartbreaker, Beautiful Kate, The Last Exorcism, F, Frozen, Hatchet II, World's Greatest Dad.
Dishonourable mentions – the WORST of 2010: Did You Hear About The Morgans?, All About Steve, Ninja Assassin, Clash Of The Titans 3D, Cherrybomb, Furry Vengeance, A Nightmare On Elm Street (remake), Sex And The City 2, Mega Piranha, Marmaduke, Vampires Suck, Alpha & Omega 3D, Let Me In