So we're coming to the end of the year which means it's time for the inevitable look over 2010's cinematic output. I've found this year a bit of a let-down, really. Apart from award season at the beginning and end of the year, I found there to be a real dearth of good stuff over the summer months (with a few notable exceptions, which you'll see below).
To be honest, a lot of what I was looking forward to at the beginning of the year turned out to be not really worth the hype. The Lovely Bones, Iron Man 2 and Scott Pilgrim vs The World were all top of my must-see list in January and all turned out to be severly underwhelming. But I did find some gems – some you may agree with, some you might not.
10: Monsters
Absolutely not the kind of film I would normally see. But it had such rave reviews coming out of the Edinburgh Film Festival I felt I really had to. It's a really absorbing, enjoyable film which drew me in. I don't like "monsters" but I was able to enjoy this without the usual cringeing in my seat. When you discover how the film was shot and on such a small budget it makes the director's achievements even more special.
9: The Kids Are All Right
A film that celebrates family in whatever form it may take. Annette Bening and Julianne Moore are both excellent as the two Moms coming to terms with their children growing up and asking the inevitable "where did we come from" question. I especially enjoyed Mark Ruffalo and the 'journey' (I hate that word) his character goes on. Just a really smart piece of filmmaking.
8: Crazy Heart
If I'm honest, this is probably more for Jeff Bridges' brilliant performance than the film in general. He broke my heart as Bad Blake. Maggie Gyllenhaal was woefully under-recognised as the girl who helps the booze-soaked singer turn his life around. I was so delighted when Bridges walked off with Oscar back in March.
7: A Single Man
Oh Colin Firth, how you make my heart beat, even when you're playing a gay man. What a fantastic debut by director Tom Ford, a stylish and stylised drama with yet another excellent performance by Julianne Moore. And the ending broke my heart.
6: Up In The Air
George Clooney at his most suave, but also his most vulnerable. Great script, great direction, great performances. I so wanted it to win Best Picture, but no luck. It also proved what an excellent director Jason Reitman is becoming and showed Anna Kendrick is wasted in the Twilight movies.
5: Inception
One of the few good films released over the summer. It messed with my head and kept me asking questions for days afterwards. In fact, I think I need a second viewing to fully appreciate it properly. I'm not the biggest Leonardo DiCaprio fan, but I thought he was particularly good in this, as were Joseph Gordon Levitt and Ellen Page.
4: Heartbreaker
The little French film that could. I went in with no expectations and came out having been thoroughly entertained. It's just a joy and gem of a film. You don't have to think about it too hard, just sit back and enjoy. Romain Duris is going to be such a star once Hollywood cottons on (and Hollywood will remake this at some point). Desperately trying to not mention the dance scene – but it did have me giggling!
3: The Secrets In Their Eyes
What an unexpected treat! I had no idea how much I'd enjoy this film when I saw it at Edinburgh even though it won the Best Foreign Film Oscar this year. It twists and turns and just when you think you've got a handle on it, the storyline changes around again. Great performanes and probably the shot of the year – the zoom in to the football stadium is just sublime.
2: Toy Story 3
Oh, I've agonised as to whether this is my film of the year or not. In the end, it misses out by a whisker. Yet again Pixar makes a film that appeals to adults as much as kids. There are parts that the kids can enjoy and bits that hit adults like a punch in the stomach. I honestly believe no other animation company comes close to the Pixar brand. I was a little worried about the change of director, but Lee Unkrich did the first two films proud. Brought me (and millions of others) to tears, a totally fitting end to a wonderful trilogy.
1: The Social Network
I have never come out of a screening wanting to immediately go back and watch the film straight away. A lot of my love for this film involves the script – it's pure Aaron Sorkin. Hats off to David Fincher for allowing the actors to speak Sorkin's words in the way they were written, the man writes scripts like musical compositions. Jesse Eisenberg makes what could be a one-dimensional character someone you do kind of root for as the film goes on. Andrew Garfield is the heart of the film, Armie Hammer is going to be a big star on the strength of his turn as the Winklevi (still makes me laugh every time) and who knew Justin Timberlake could act so well? I've seen it twice and I know there's still lots I've missed. I'm counting down the days to the DVD release and I thoroughly expect it to pick up the main prize at the Oscars.
My worst of the year? Boogie Woogie. Don't worry if you've never heard of it. I don't blame you. I saw it at Edinburgh Film Festival 2009, it came out this summer. You always have to worry when a film takes that long to get a release. It's one of the most cringeworthy pieces of film-making I have ever seen. Utter tripe.