The Best Films of 2010 (revised)

A long time passes, and opinions change. The films of 2010 have had a long time to slowly settle in my mind. Some films fell in opinion, like 127 HOURS, which I originally viewed as a inspirational triumph, and now I view as an exciting spectacle with many problems. I still really like the film, but it seems somewhat unworthy. Also some smaller films like WINTER'S BONE haunted me, and images I saw in other, older films were reminiscent of Jennifer Lawrence's determined face and bloodied cheek. Lastly, a film I wasn't sure of, but admired more than like, called THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN has grown in my mind. I am now sure of its greatness, and previously I was not sure. I have also seen many more films from 2010 than I had when I constructed the list. It is virtually impossible to see all  the films that came out in 2010, and honestly, some films are unworthy of being seen to be considered. Do I really need to see LITTLE FOCKERS, YOU AGAIN, GROWN UPS, and GULLIVER'S TRAVELS? Below around 30% on the movie aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, and you're really wasting your time. Thus,

1. The Social Network. A film starring Jesse Eisenberg as the creator of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg was easily called a "modern film" that was "about our times" but at its heart it's a well constructed symphony of images and conversations. David Fincher's film was not about the creation of Facebook, but about how an obsession destroy's everything around it. Like his previous ZODIAC, gorgeously centered around a small group of people and their downward spiral.

2. Winter's Bone. Haunting and authentic, Debra Granik's film about white trash cooking up meth in the Ozarks took its strength from its performances. Some of these were by real-life people of the Ozarks, and others were chewed up by the likes of John Hawkes, and dominated by the down-to-earth Jennifer Lawrence. Textured and dark, but strangely inspirational.

3. Eccentricities of a Blonde-Haired Girl. Wonderfully understated and nuanced, 103 year old director Manuel De Oliviera's film was creepy and sad, but sweepingly realistic and new.

4. Inception. A fun spectacle that was smart and ambitious, Christopher Nolan's overdone dreamworld did things on its terms in a stylized, well-written venture.

5. Black Swan. A vivid, entertaining fable by Darren Aronofsky with a brilliant, crafty performance by the underrated Natalie Portman. It's moral is a little simplistic, but mired in various underlying themes of old vs. new and intentional clichés.

6. White Material. A wonderful parable on racism that's better than any inspirational tale of overcoming adversity in Africa, it's knowledgable and compelling with wonderful direction by Claire Denis.

7. Somewhere. A slow but riveting picture of thick, drowning quality by Sofia Coppola.

8. The Ghost Writer. A wonderful thriller by Roman Polanski.

9. I Am Love. A gorgeously adorned, well-acted film dealing with victorian problems in modern times.

10. All Good Things. A creepy film with wonderful performances by Kirsten Dunst and Ryan Gosling, creates the unsureness about an event like Fincher's ZODIAC.

12. Never Let Me Go. Science-fiction without spectacle puts pressure on three promising young actors.

13. Leaves of Grass. An elegiac portrait within an unlikely source. Edward Norton plays a dual role, and the film grows starkly dark and more and more interesting.

14. The Yellow Handkerchief / Welcome to the Riley's. Both feature great performances by the underrated Kristen Stewart who continues to define herself in her films with special flares.

15. The King's Speech. Still impressive but slightly repetitive and intentional. Despite that it's well adorned, acted, and paced.

16. The Secret in Their Eyes. A great crime thriller spanning thirty years.

17. The American. A slow-paced but intriguing film starring George Clooney as a hit-man which feels authentic.