2010 Was Fun At The Movies

I have no expertise as a movie critic, even though I did write movie reviews for my high school newspaper and in college. My main qualification is I’m a avid movie attender and read everything that comes out.
I usually go to at least a movie a week and sometimes more often. The Oscars have always been like Super Bowl Sunday for me. My goal for years has been to see every nominated movie before the Oscars. Most of my friends think I am a “movie nut.” That is on a good day.
To me the magic of going to the movies is going to some obscure, cool little art house theatre (and Seattle has several) and discover a little gem which is out of the mainstream. That’s what keeps me going to the movies.
I thought 2010 was a fun year at the movies. As the Oscars loom and 2010 fades from view, here are my favorite movies of the year.
I saw “King’s Speech” on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve and was knocked out by the story, the performances and the great movie making. I don’t think I saw a better movie in 2010.
Here’s my complete list:
1. King’s Speech
2. Social Network – the amazing story of Facebook
3. Inception – A mind twister. It took about two showings to get “most” of it, but what a ride!
4. Secret In Their Eyes – One of my hidden gems. Great Argentine crime thriller
5. Ghost Writer – Great movie about writing and politics, my two favorite passions. Great atmospherics and it has a lot to say about the rewriting of history, particularly concerning the Iraq War
6. Fair Game – The story of Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson battling against the White House to tell the truth about WMDs. Powerful stuff and great performances by Sean Penn and Naomi Watts.
7. The Town – Gritty urban cop and robbers movies. Stellar cast gives a wild ride through the mean streets of Boston.
8. Never Let Me Go – Some say it is so depressing. It is a strange story which sneaks up on you and is ultimately a stunning science fiction thriller.
9. The Fighter – I wasn’t excited about seeing another boxing movie, so I went to see it in a skeptical mood. It won me over. Inspiring story and great performances
10. Black Swan/True Grit – Two very different movies. Had to have them tied for 10th. Love it or hate it, Black Swan is an amazing and chilling movie. True Grit gives new dimensions to the old John Wayne version. I’d pretty much watch Jeff Bridges do anything, but this is a good movie.