While I'm at it, I might as well update my overall Best of 2010 list. Still haven't seen:
127 Hours
True Grit
Blue Valentine
Another Year
Animal Kingdom (receiving it today from Netflix!)
Here's my updated list:
10. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (Prev. rank: 7)
9. The Town (Prev: 5)
8. Winter's Bone (Prev. 6)
7. Toy Story 3 (Prev. 4)
6. Rabbit Hole (Prev. Not Ranked)
5. The Fighter (Prev. NR)
4. Inception (Prev. 2)
3. The Social Network (Prev. 3)
2. The King's Speech (Prev. NR)
1. Black Swan (Prev. 1)
Dropped from rankings: Shutter Island, City Island, Never Let Me Go
Monday, February 28, 2011
Best Documentary Features of 2010
As a true documentary film enthusiast/obsessive, high on my list of awards to watch last night was the Best Documentary Feature award. Naturally, my pick didn't wrap it up (spoiler alert!), but I'm pleased with the Academy's decision in what has been a strong year in documentary filmmaking. I've still got a few docs from 2010 on my list (Waste Land isn't out on DVD until March 15), but since I have class in about 30 minutes, here's my abbreviated list of the best documentaries of 2010:
NOMINEES AND NOTABLE SNUBS
6. Exit Through the Gift Shop
What has become a bit of a cult favorite (especially among college students) was probably the film I was cheering most heavily against last night. Not because I don't think it's good, and not even because I have some kind of problem with Banksy, but just because I look for emotion in documentaries. The best documentary films (to me) portray people in such a way that you cannot help but relate. They tell a single-minded story which either 1) makes your day or 2) ruins your day. Docs like "Gift Shop" whose appeal are less grounded in storytelling and emotion and more grounded in what I'd classify as a "cool" or "trendy" or "fun" topic (See: Dogtown and Z-Boys) don't become bad simply for the lack of these traits, but they cannot live up to the level of the films above it. Maybe it's my journalistic bias, but I think this kind of filmmaking, while fun to watch and interesting, simply cannot compare to social/cultural documentaries.
5. The Tillman Story
This is a truly, deeply moving story. I've been a Tillman fan ever since he first quit the NFL to enlist. Little did I know everything that was going on in his life, and all that would happen. This documentary brings to light the incredible manipulation of Tillman's image (by basically everyone involved, not just the government). It's a film that every sports fan and every potential member of the press should see.
4. Waiting for "Superman"
Davis Guggenheim's follow-up to An Inconvenient Truth takes an issue which I thought I understood (Education...we need more money, right?) and completely turns it on its head. Depending a bit on what school of thought you belong to, "Superman" may completely shake up your opinions of education. Culminating masterfully with a lottery to see which kids are accepted into the best schools, Guggenheim's film shows his ability to wrap issues and backstory around an ever-progressing train, something which is hard to do effectively.
THE BIG THREE
3. Inside Job
Last night's winner fits into the category of documentaries from this year which I would call "Films that could win without angering me." I love (note: LOVE) Charles Ferguson. I don't think there's a filmmaker alive (Sorry, Michael Moore) who better personifies the most important ideals of journalism, and this is no different. Inside Job is a truly infuriating film. Ferguson said in his speech last night that no major execs have been jailed since his film was released, and if you've seen the film, you would be as angry about that as I am.
2. Gasland
Gasland is my entry this year for "Best Documentary Made by an Inexperience Documentarian." Josh Fox made this not to shove in peoples' faces, but because the issue matters to him, and that comes through in the film. Some, especially oil-types, will call this film one-sided, but I don't see how you can watch it and tell me that there's nothing wrong with what's going on. (This sentence has been crafted to avoid spoilers). Watch it and be terrified.
1. Restrepo
Both what I'd call my favorite and my best documentary of the year. Restrepo has it all: single-minded story, INCREDIBLE appeals to emotion, lovable cast of characters, an examination of important social issues, probably the most "action" I've ever seen in a nonfiction film. These filmmakers have captured on film what I never would have expected them to. This is among the most emotionally challenging documentaries I have seen...ever. It's my pick for Best Documentary Feature for 2010, but I didn't really expect it to win. After all, since when has the Academy ever made the right choice? (Apologies to The King's Speech)
"Winning, anyone? Rhymes with winning? Anyone? Yeah, that'd be us. Sorry man, didn't make the rules."
--The Immortal Charlie Sheen
NOMINEES AND NOTABLE SNUBS
6. Exit Through the Gift Shop
What has become a bit of a cult favorite (especially among college students) was probably the film I was cheering most heavily against last night. Not because I don't think it's good, and not even because I have some kind of problem with Banksy, but just because I look for emotion in documentaries. The best documentary films (to me) portray people in such a way that you cannot help but relate. They tell a single-minded story which either 1) makes your day or 2) ruins your day. Docs like "Gift Shop" whose appeal are less grounded in storytelling and emotion and more grounded in what I'd classify as a "cool" or "trendy" or "fun" topic (See: Dogtown and Z-Boys) don't become bad simply for the lack of these traits, but they cannot live up to the level of the films above it. Maybe it's my journalistic bias, but I think this kind of filmmaking, while fun to watch and interesting, simply cannot compare to social/cultural documentaries.
5. The Tillman Story
This is a truly, deeply moving story. I've been a Tillman fan ever since he first quit the NFL to enlist. Little did I know everything that was going on in his life, and all that would happen. This documentary brings to light the incredible manipulation of Tillman's image (by basically everyone involved, not just the government). It's a film that every sports fan and every potential member of the press should see.
4. Waiting for "Superman"
Davis Guggenheim's follow-up to An Inconvenient Truth takes an issue which I thought I understood (Education...we need more money, right?) and completely turns it on its head. Depending a bit on what school of thought you belong to, "Superman" may completely shake up your opinions of education. Culminating masterfully with a lottery to see which kids are accepted into the best schools, Guggenheim's film shows his ability to wrap issues and backstory around an ever-progressing train, something which is hard to do effectively.
THE BIG THREE
3. Inside Job
Last night's winner fits into the category of documentaries from this year which I would call "Films that could win without angering me." I love (note: LOVE) Charles Ferguson. I don't think there's a filmmaker alive (Sorry, Michael Moore) who better personifies the most important ideals of journalism, and this is no different. Inside Job is a truly infuriating film. Ferguson said in his speech last night that no major execs have been jailed since his film was released, and if you've seen the film, you would be as angry about that as I am.
2. Gasland
Gasland is my entry this year for "Best Documentary Made by an Inexperience Documentarian." Josh Fox made this not to shove in peoples' faces, but because the issue matters to him, and that comes through in the film. Some, especially oil-types, will call this film one-sided, but I don't see how you can watch it and tell me that there's nothing wrong with what's going on. (This sentence has been crafted to avoid spoilers). Watch it and be terrified.
1. Restrepo
Both what I'd call my favorite and my best documentary of the year. Restrepo has it all: single-minded story, INCREDIBLE appeals to emotion, lovable cast of characters, an examination of important social issues, probably the most "action" I've ever seen in a nonfiction film. These filmmakers have captured on film what I never would have expected them to. This is among the most emotionally challenging documentaries I have seen...ever. It's my pick for Best Documentary Feature for 2010, but I didn't really expect it to win. After all, since when has the Academy ever made the right choice? (Apologies to The King's Speech)
"Winning, anyone? Rhymes with winning? Anyone? Yeah, that'd be us. Sorry man, didn't make the rules."
--The Immortal Charlie Sheen
Sunday, February 6, 2011
The Best of 2010
First things first...I'm an imperfect moviegoer, to say the least. With that in mind, I present The Contenders I've Yet to See:
Biutiful
True Grit
The King's Speech
127 Hours
The Fighter
Another Year
Rabbit Hole
Blue Valentine
Animal Kingdom
Many of these are likely to crack my eventual final 10 of the year. So I know what you're thinking: "Doesn't that make this list more or less pointless?" Good point, but no.
I can't just assume, because then I'll end up with a "Juno" situation. You know, where everyone says it's awesome and you think you'll really love it because Jason Bateman is in it, then it turns out to be just OK.
With that in mind, I present you with my current Top 10 films of 2010:
10. Never Let Me Go
What a beautifully made movie. Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield deliver two of the greatest (and most overlooked) performances of the year. Even-handed throughout, but still chilling and disturbing. I didn't leave the theater in absolute awe of this movie, but as more time passed, my appreciation grew. It's sad how it has basically fallen by the wayside.
9. City Island
I've got a really weird and non-car-owning spot in my heart for movies about New Yorkers. Andy Garcia is at his absolute best (and I'm counting Godfather III) as a prison guard/father who discovers he has a son--conveniently enough, an inmate in his prison. I love this comedy so much because it's so real and heartfelt. There's nothing about it that says "typical family comedy." Probably the most under-discussed movie of the year.
8. Shutter Island
Can we really blame Leo Dicaprio for being so good the past decade? I feel bad for him, because he's been so consistent picking winners the past ten years that we've come to call anything less than "Oh-my-God-Marlon-Brando-in-Streetcar" good from him to be "Leo being Leo." Consult his filmography since 2002: Gangs of New York; Catch Me If You Can; The Aviator; The Departed; Blood Diamond; Body of Lies; Revolutionary Road; Shutter Island; Inception. Those are literally all the movies he's been in over the course of the past nine years. There are no movies like The Men Who Stare at Goats (George Clooney and Jeff Bridges). No Mamma Mia! (Colin Firth). Could it just be possible that he's a consistently good actor who gets the shaft on a regular basis because we never see him do a bad job?
Point: this was a good movie. Alas, I digress.
7. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Probably the most polarizing movie this year. It was about 50/50 between "This movie was so bad I left the theatre" and "This movie was amazing." Sure, Michael Cera plays...well...Michael Cera, but is it really his fault he pigeonholed himself from such a young age? He tries to get out of his awkwardly quiet box, but not many gave Youth in Revolt enough credit. We don't not see movies just because Matthew McConaughey is in them! Oh wait...I do that. Nevermind.
The visual effects are fantastic. The story is intentionally ridiculous and over-the-top. It comes from a graphic novel, people; it's not supposed to be realistic. If you want another stupid mass-produced teen rom-com, watch Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist again. I'll go for something original.
6. Winter's Bone
This was #2 on my list for about 4 months, and for great reason. Jennifer Lawrence gives an unbelievably mature performance as a young girl setting out to find her father after the bank threatens to take her home. John Hawkes is unstable in all the right ways. One of those movies that will never be seen by Joe Q. Moviegoer, because it's too emotionally challenging and moves slowly, but lacks a big name. If great filmmaking was the main determinant of box office success, this would be one of the biggest films of the year. I just wish Lawrence didn't have to be in an X-Men movie to further her career from here.
5. The Town
I've been a Ben Affleck enthusiast ever since Gone Baby Gone, so I was excited to see this one. One of the best heist movies of the past 15 years. A really rock-solid performance by Ben as the good-guy-in-bad-guy's-clothing we see so often in movies. Jeremy Renner is getting plenty of credit for his wicked awesome accent, but where's the love for Rebecca Hall? Ever since Vicky Cristina Barcelona, she's been deserving of star status, but just can't get there. She's the emotional heart and soul of The Town, and she brings a dignity to this role that really ties the whole thing together. And who knew Blake Lively could act? Seriously good.
4. Toy Story 3
Here's the statement of this list most likely to get the most hate: I think TS3 is overrated. Wait, wait! Put down the rock and hear me out. I laughed, I cried (bawled is more appropriate), I gasped in terror. But for one reason or another, the final chapter in this very successful (and very good) franchise is being hailed as one of the greatest animated movies of all time. It's beautifully animated, but on an emotional and writing level, I wouldn't put it far above Finding Nemo or Monsters Inc., two other recent Pixar releases. It's great, but it's not the greatest thing ever.
3. The Social Network
"An American Classic!" "A landmark!"
I think reviews like these ^ are a bit overboard. I love me some David Fincher, and I think he's made a really snappy, smart movie here. Likely to become the movie of our generation, sure, but not because it's the best of our generation; it's because we spend all our time on Facebook, and that's what the movie is about. Jesse Eisenberg basically plays a douche, which apparently is worthy of a Best Actor nomination. Armie Hammer (and his twin, Armie Hammer) and Andrew Garfield are amazing. You'd think Hammer actually is two separate men, which is incredibly difficult to do in film. Andrew Garfield brings so much to Eduardo Saverin that you end up rooting for him. Justin Timberlake shows he can do something other than beatbox and/or wear a box covering his nether-region. A great movie, and justifiably the Best Picture winner, but it's not my top choice.
2. Inception
Maybe I spoke too soon when I said Scott Pilgrim was the most divisive of the year. Inception earned consistently good reviews, but there was much argument over whether it was "good science-fiction" or a "great film." I think it's the latter, for two main reasons:
1. The writing. This is an intricate, intricate, beast of a movie. Christopher Nolan proves he's one of the greatest minds in Hollywood today with this screenplay. There are detractors out there who will tell you it's got holes here and there, but if film isn't about the suspension of disbelief, I don't know what it's about. Is there really a better action sequence in the best 5-10 years than Joseph Gordon Levitt's zero-gravity fight? I have a hard time thinking of one. And if you want my Leo review, see #8 above.
2. Emotional depth. No one looks at this aspect of the film, but it is truly rife with emotion. If we took out the whole dream aspect of this film and had a story of a man separated from his kids for being accused of committing a crime he didn't commit, it would be strong. If you added the red-hot chemistry between Marion Cotillard and Leo (see: ledge scene), you have one of the best dramas of the year. Leonardo doesn't need to play a simple southerner or a man with AIDS to tug on your heartstrings (sorry, Tom). He proves it in Inception.
1. Black Swan
I've heard criticism that says this movie relies too much on cheap thrills to be considered great, but I think that's not completely accurate. For the entire film, from the opening dance dream sequence to the very end, Darren Aronofsky delivers a product which is absolutely terrifying. If you're not on the edge of your seat the whole way through, you're either too busy Facebooking or you probably should have rented Yogi Bear instead, because that's probably more your speed. Natalie Portman is hypnotizingly good in this drama, and I think any performer can relate to the story. As it swelled to an emotional high point and then ended, I only wanted to watch it again. And that's why it's great.
Biutiful
True Grit
The King's Speech
127 Hours
The Fighter
Another Year
Rabbit Hole
Blue Valentine
Animal Kingdom
 |
| Sorry Marky Mark, I'll see "The Fighter" eventually...I promise. |
Many of these are likely to crack my eventual final 10 of the year. So I know what you're thinking: "Doesn't that make this list more or less pointless?" Good point, but no.
I can't just assume, because then I'll end up with a "Juno" situation. You know, where everyone says it's awesome and you think you'll really love it because Jason Bateman is in it, then it turns out to be just OK.
With that in mind, I present you with my current Top 10 films of 2010:
10. Never Let Me Go
What a beautifully made movie. Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield deliver two of the greatest (and most overlooked) performances of the year. Even-handed throughout, but still chilling and disturbing. I didn't leave the theater in absolute awe of this movie, but as more time passed, my appreciation grew. It's sad how it has basically fallen by the wayside.
9. City Island
I've got a really weird and non-car-owning spot in my heart for movies about New Yorkers. Andy Garcia is at his absolute best (and I'm counting Godfather III) as a prison guard/father who discovers he has a son--conveniently enough, an inmate in his prison. I love this comedy so much because it's so real and heartfelt. There's nothing about it that says "typical family comedy." Probably the most under-discussed movie of the year.
8. Shutter Island
Can we really blame Leo Dicaprio for being so good the past decade? I feel bad for him, because he's been so consistent picking winners the past ten years that we've come to call anything less than "Oh-my-God-Marlon-Brando-in-Streetcar" good from him to be "Leo being Leo." Consult his filmography since 2002: Gangs of New York; Catch Me If You Can; The Aviator; The Departed; Blood Diamond; Body of Lies; Revolutionary Road; Shutter Island; Inception. Those are literally all the movies he's been in over the course of the past nine years. There are no movies like The Men Who Stare at Goats (George Clooney and Jeff Bridges). No Mamma Mia! (Colin Firth). Could it just be possible that he's a consistently good actor who gets the shaft on a regular basis because we never see him do a bad job?
Point: this was a good movie. Alas, I digress.
7. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Probably the most polarizing movie this year. It was about 50/50 between "This movie was so bad I left the theatre" and "This movie was amazing." Sure, Michael Cera plays...well...Michael Cera, but is it really his fault he pigeonholed himself from such a young age? He tries to get out of his awkwardly quiet box, but not many gave Youth in Revolt enough credit. We don't not see movies just because Matthew McConaughey is in them! Oh wait...I do that. Nevermind.
The visual effects are fantastic. The story is intentionally ridiculous and over-the-top. It comes from a graphic novel, people; it's not supposed to be realistic. If you want another stupid mass-produced teen rom-com, watch Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist again. I'll go for something original.
6. Winter's Bone
This was #2 on my list for about 4 months, and for great reason. Jennifer Lawrence gives an unbelievably mature performance as a young girl setting out to find her father after the bank threatens to take her home. John Hawkes is unstable in all the right ways. One of those movies that will never be seen by Joe Q. Moviegoer, because it's too emotionally challenging and moves slowly, but lacks a big name. If great filmmaking was the main determinant of box office success, this would be one of the biggest films of the year. I just wish Lawrence didn't have to be in an X-Men movie to further her career from here.
5. The Town
I've been a Ben Affleck enthusiast ever since Gone Baby Gone, so I was excited to see this one. One of the best heist movies of the past 15 years. A really rock-solid performance by Ben as the good-guy-in-bad-guy's-clothing we see so often in movies. Jeremy Renner is getting plenty of credit for his wicked awesome accent, but where's the love for Rebecca Hall? Ever since Vicky Cristina Barcelona, she's been deserving of star status, but just can't get there. She's the emotional heart and soul of The Town, and she brings a dignity to this role that really ties the whole thing together. And who knew Blake Lively could act? Seriously good.
4. Toy Story 3
Here's the statement of this list most likely to get the most hate: I think TS3 is overrated. Wait, wait! Put down the rock and hear me out. I laughed, I cried (bawled is more appropriate), I gasped in terror. But for one reason or another, the final chapter in this very successful (and very good) franchise is being hailed as one of the greatest animated movies of all time. It's beautifully animated, but on an emotional and writing level, I wouldn't put it far above Finding Nemo or Monsters Inc., two other recent Pixar releases. It's great, but it's not the greatest thing ever.
3. The Social Network
"An American Classic!" "A landmark!"
I think reviews like these ^ are a bit overboard. I love me some David Fincher, and I think he's made a really snappy, smart movie here. Likely to become the movie of our generation, sure, but not because it's the best of our generation; it's because we spend all our time on Facebook, and that's what the movie is about. Jesse Eisenberg basically plays a douche, which apparently is worthy of a Best Actor nomination. Armie Hammer (and his twin, Armie Hammer) and Andrew Garfield are amazing. You'd think Hammer actually is two separate men, which is incredibly difficult to do in film. Andrew Garfield brings so much to Eduardo Saverin that you end up rooting for him. Justin Timberlake shows he can do something other than beatbox and/or wear a box covering his nether-region. A great movie, and justifiably the Best Picture winner, but it's not my top choice.
2. Inception
Maybe I spoke too soon when I said Scott Pilgrim was the most divisive of the year. Inception earned consistently good reviews, but there was much argument over whether it was "good science-fiction" or a "great film." I think it's the latter, for two main reasons:
1. The writing. This is an intricate, intricate, beast of a movie. Christopher Nolan proves he's one of the greatest minds in Hollywood today with this screenplay. There are detractors out there who will tell you it's got holes here and there, but if film isn't about the suspension of disbelief, I don't know what it's about. Is there really a better action sequence in the best 5-10 years than Joseph Gordon Levitt's zero-gravity fight? I have a hard time thinking of one. And if you want my Leo review, see #8 above.
2. Emotional depth. No one looks at this aspect of the film, but it is truly rife with emotion. If we took out the whole dream aspect of this film and had a story of a man separated from his kids for being accused of committing a crime he didn't commit, it would be strong. If you added the red-hot chemistry between Marion Cotillard and Leo (see: ledge scene), you have one of the best dramas of the year. Leonardo doesn't need to play a simple southerner or a man with AIDS to tug on your heartstrings (sorry, Tom). He proves it in Inception.
1. Black Swan
I've heard criticism that says this movie relies too much on cheap thrills to be considered great, but I think that's not completely accurate. For the entire film, from the opening dance dream sequence to the very end, Darren Aronofsky delivers a product which is absolutely terrifying. If you're not on the edge of your seat the whole way through, you're either too busy Facebooking or you probably should have rented Yogi Bear instead, because that's probably more your speed. Natalie Portman is hypnotizingly good in this drama, and I think any performer can relate to the story. As it swelled to an emotional high point and then ended, I only wanted to watch it again. And that's why it's great.
 |
| And it also had the best posters of the year! |
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