Top Five Movies of 2010

I'm feeling really lazy, so I'll quickly write up my top five of 2010. There was a very lackluster summer of movies, but thank god we have so much to look forward to in 2011.

5. The Illusionist
One of the best animated films I have seen in years. Sylvian Chomet took a script by Jacques Tati and gave it so much life in this incredible animated feature. Its very difficult to captivate an audiences' interests with a silent film, let alone a silent animated film, which shows great talent from Sylvian Chomet and his animation department, which gave great life to all of the characters in this spectacular film about a stage magician struggling to adapt to changing times. This should hit bluray some point in 2011 and I highly recommend renting or buying it.

4. The Social Network
Not just "The Facebook Movie" as everyone likes to call it, but is in a fact a very well directed and acted film about greed, friendship, and betrayal. Finally David Fincher hits it big with awards and fame, and this movie has basically won every award its been nominated for. Nothing more can be said about this than what's already been said by everyone else.

3. Enter the Void
Gaspar Noe's first film since Irreversible, captivating and hard to watch at times just like that one. Greatest opening credits sequence of all time, no kidding (watch it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL0lNGXoP8E). Can't wait to see what's next for Gaspar Noe, you can catch this one on bluray come January 25th.

2. Red, White, and Blue
This movie has absolutely disappeared since I first saw it at the Calgary Film Festival. Simon Rumley follows up his uppercut of a film Living and the Dead with this one about revenge. Compared to the calculated revenge films of Chan-wook Park, this film is gritty, dirty, and cringe inducing. Its a very slow build from the start, but the climax is a brutal tapestry of thrilling suspense. Last I heard this movie is coming out on bluray in October, but I haven't heard anything new in a long time.

1. Black Swan
I've loved Darren Aronofsky since I saw Pi on TV when I was ten years old. Black Swan is the closest to perfection I've seen Aronofsky come so far in his career. I greatly enjoyed The Wrestler, but this left me feeling entirely fulfilled, as I believe this film is more complete. The body horror in this film is amazing, and the psychological aspects never become too over the top. Natalie Portman is one of my favorite actresses and she definitely deserves the attention she's been getting for this role. I can't give much away about this film, but everyone needs to see it while its still in theaters, as Aronofsky's sound design and Clint Mansell's score deserve to be heard in a theater-quality environment. Black Swan was definitely the best movie I saw this year, and walking out of the theater the first time it had blown my mind, and it definitely holds up to a second viewing. Ch-ch-check it out.

Honorable Mentions:

The remake of I Spit on Your Grave was pretty awesome, but maybe that's just because I got to meet the cast. Its actually a really intense thriller and one of the more shocking movies I've seen in recent years, lots of rape and the most creative revenge schemes I've ever seen.

True Grit was a really awesome western from the Coen Brothers. Jeff Bridges definitely worked as a suitable replacement for John Wayne. Very gorgeous cinematography and a thrilling musical score.

Inception was an awesome thriller from Christopher Nolan, and its great to see an original idea making as much money as it did.

Tron: Legacy was a really cool looking movie from a first time director, so credit to Joseph Kosinski for that. Daft Punk's soundtrack made this movie for me.

How To Train Your Dragon was better than Toy Story 3, but both were very good films with stunning animation.

Scott Pilgrim vs The World
Edgar Wright adapting a crazy graphic novel about videogames was one of the coolest theater experiences I had. I saw it so many times that I don't think I could watch it again for another year.

Kick Ass
My favorite comic book adaptation up to this point. Nic Cage was awesome and Chloe Moretz will definitely be in a lot more awesome films. Mathew Vaughn is promising as a director and I'm anticipating what he will do next. The music was incredible and set to the violence it blew my mind.

Buried
Ryan Reynolds carried this movie and I loved every thrilling second of it.

Exit Through the Gift Shop
Inspired me to do some art of my own, my favorite documentary of the year.

Piranha 3D
I had so much fun with this movie when it came out on bluray, I just wish I caught in in theaters.

Jackass 3D
So funny and so much fun. Can't wait for the next one.

Winter's Bone
Very interesting suspenseful movie. I'm anticipating Jennifer Lawrence in future films.

Best Bluray's of the Year
Cronos by Criterion
Night of the Hunter by Criterion
The BBS Box Set by Criterion
House by Criterion
Metropolis Restored by Kino
Exit Through the Gift Shop by Mongrel Media