Like 2009 with Avatar, 500 Days of Summer, Julie & Julia, Kimmy Dora, Up, Up In the Air and a host of other good films, 2010 was blessed to have similarly good flicks. Below is my top ten favorite movies from the concluding year. Note that this list collects film screened in the Philippines starting December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010.
10. My Amnesia Girl
Probably the best Filipino film released this year much because of its wit and charm and good directing that's why it got to my list. It beats out another Star Cinema comedy "Here Comes the Bride" by providing a more realistic plot and choosing wit and character development over typically comic characters. I'd also give props to Toni and John Lloyd for their good acting although the chemistry is a bit shaky. Cathy Garcia-Molina sure is shaping up as one of the best commercial director in the country.
9. The Social Network
Practically known as the Facebook movie, The Social Network scores good on my list for its wit and charm, though, I wasn't as engaged in this movie as with the others on this list--I'm not sure why it couldn't have gone any higher on my list. Jesse Eisenberg plays Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook and details his treacherous ways to social network supremacy. Clever screenplay makes this movie shine beyond the limited action in this film.
8. The Blind Side
After the Oscar nods, The Blind Side finally premiered last January 27, 2010 here in the Philippines. Sandra Bullock's performance as a devout Christian living in the more conservative side of America won her awards, including an Oscar. The movie's theme of trust and showing kindness stroke well with me.
7. Buried
What can one actor and a director do, well, "a lot" says this film. Buried features a psychologically tortured Ryan Reynolds as he fights for his way out of being Buried underground in the middle of nowhere. The film may be too psychologically draining for some, but is nonetheless effective in execution.
6. Easy A
From afar, Easy A seems like a typical teenage movie--a girl pretends to sleep with guys when she doesn't--but upon closer inspection, you would realize that it is far better than you could allow it to. It's unpretentious, funny, engaging, witty, and charming. I was pretty surprised by the casting, too: Stanley Tucci, Lisa Kudrow, Amanda Bynes, Thomas Haden Church, Penn Badgley, Cam Gigandet. Emma Stone, who I believe needs more love, shows her charm and wit in this movie and gets the love she deserves. A.
5. Inglourious Basterds
Premiered in the Philippines weeks before the 2009 Metro Manila Film Fest, this film was subsequently re-released near the Holy week times in 2010. Probably now one of my most favorite Tarantino films (Eh, I love all his films, Grindhouse included). Brad Pitt stars as a World War Two American soldier stationed in Germany whose band notoriously scalps German soldiers. Tarantino's penchant for making tasty violent and gritty films remain in tact and lovely, and his storytelling / screenplay always works wonders for his films.
4. Toy Story 3
A franchise finally ends. And unlike Shrek which just got worse over time, Toy Story remains charming and nostalgic to the very end. Pixar has taken care that this last installment won't be disappointing and I think they have done their job, bringing a sad yet hopeful ending to a beloved franchise.
3. Kick-Ass
Don't be dissuaded by this movie just because Nicolas Cage is in it, Kick-Ass is one of 2010's finest. Casted with a bunch of unknowns and awkward heroes, this movie was controversial for one line delivered by a minor (the character Hit Girl who is a 12-year old vigilante), "Ok, cunts, let's see what you can do." The movie is one of the best comic book adaptations I have ever seen and probably one of the most entertaining in its genre.
2. How To Train Your Dragon
A children's fiction book goes to the big screen with a bang--and even adults were drawn in. This movie about a weak lad in a village of muscular Viking men where brawns always win over brains pokes your heart the way most Pixar movie does. In a way, this was last year's "Up." The way the story develops, how the characters are fleshed out and the especially teary ending will make you think this is Pixar material, but no folks, it's all Dream Works giving them a run for their money. Universally praised, How To Train Your Dragon is no simple animated film and it will probably one of the most memorable animated films Dream Works has produced.
1. Inception
Yep, this is probably the most awesome movie 2010 has come up with. Inception stars Di Caprio and a bunch of other cool stars portraying dream thieves who entered Cillian Murphy's character's dream to implant an idea of dissolving his family's business empire. This film was so awesome that it had rivaled Avatar with its fan discussions. Discussions about whether Di Caprio's character is still dreaming or has awaken at the closing scene still rings on for months after the movie has ended its run to the point that Michael Caine needed to step up and say that Di Caprio has actually woken up.
How about you? What's your favorite movie of 2010?
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