My Favorite Films of 2010

They may not be the best films of 2010, though several have appeared on respected lists. Obviously as a Movie Reviewer, I've seen lots of films that fall into categorical cracks as far as release dates. Nonetheless here is a chronological list of my favorite films with US theatrical releases in 2010.

"Exit Through the Gift Shop"
Experiencing the larger envelope of street art invading urban landscapes, we still make no "Exit through the Gift Shop". Hence a 2010 documentary from London street artist Banksy, "Exit through the Gift Shop", is a rip through Art's cultural feedback loop from the streets to galleries of the art scene.

"Micmas"
One wouldn't normally imagine the rich inner worlds of Jean-Pierre Jeunet ("Amelie") as a platform to scathe weapons manufactures. Though, Jeunet's 2010 comedy, "Micmacs"achieves this satirical feat in the director's true fashion of charming inventiveness.

"Winter's Bone"
Writer/Director Debra Granik's film adaptation of Daniel Woodrell's suspense novel set in the Ozarks, "Winter's Bone", continues to pop on Best of 2010 lists . Jennifer Lawrence's breakthrough performance is leading reasons this film won The Grand Jury Prize for Drama at 2010's Sundance Film Festival.

"Inception"
Christopher Nolan had "Inception" on the back burner, supposedly using the Batman films to flex his cinematic muscle for summer blockbusters. It was well worth the wait as long as you had no expectations. Nolan really took audiences for a mind-bending trip and several of us had a second serving while it was still fresh in the theaters - just be sure we hadn't been duped by slick filmmaking. It rang true.

"Io Sono L'Amore" ("I Am Love")
A gala of sensation for lovers of cinema that transcends the melodrama with gorgeously shot Italian villas and architecture, pretentious cuisine, fashion and art. Tilda Swinton joins a cast of raw performances behind beautiful people in definitely the most sensuous film of 2010.

"The Social Network"
I went into David Fincher's Facebook drama with low expectations, hesitant that this thrilling director would resort to such pop-culture fodder. Yet, armed with a screenplay from Aaron Sorkin, "The Social Network" explores the making of a Modern Myth. The film is an undeniable force of filmmaking that tells the irresistibly tragic tale of Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook.

"Nine Nation Animation"
Celebrating "International Animation Day" the ASIFA Colorado held a screening of this anthology of the world's best animated shorts at the Denver Film Society. "Nine Nation Animation" features a culturally diverse offering of animated shorts evoking a range of emotions and ideas.

"The White Meadows"
Screening at various Film Festivals in 2010 and raking in multiple awards, "The White Meadows" was edited by one of Iran's most prominent filmmakers, Jafar Panahi. Together with Mohammad Rasoulof, they've created a hauntingly beautiful allegory; a cinematic postcard from Lake Urmia in Iran.

"127 Hours"
This true story is about "the re-humanizing" of Aron Ralston, said director Danny Boyle. Where reading Ralston's book we are outsiders looking in, Boyle taps the power of cinema to give us a tour inside the canyons of Ralston's mind for "127 Hours." James Franco gives the performance of a life time, but surely just the start of his charismatic ball of emotional force.

"Black Swan"
Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis star as everyone's favorite psycho ballerinas. Darren Aronofsky's self-described psycho-sexual thriller about metamorphosis, "Black Swan" captures tragic repression and visceral beauty in perhaps the most emotional retching horror films of the year.

"Casino Jack"
The late George Hickenlooper's "Casino Jack" is a vibrant romp through Jack Abramoff's defining political scandal of the 21st Century. With Hickenlooper's death this year he leaves us with a last laugh that is, to quote his characters "trying to lighten the mood." Kevin Spacey gives his best performance in years as Abramoff.

"True Grit"
The Coen Brothers do it again, stamping this leathery western with genuine literary appeal, which I reckon is a genuine punch in the gut from Charles Portis's novel True Grit. The biggest breakthrough performance of 2010 came from Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross alongside Jeff Bridges's Rooster Cogburn.

"The King's Speech"
Tom Hooper's "The King's Speech" is an obvious 2011 Oscar nominee with a culmination of many cinematic talents in one of the best films to grace the screen in 2010. The cast is splendid and filmmaking formulaically perfect; both times I saw this film in the theater audiences erupted in applause.

"The Fighter"
Another true story feel good movie for those who didn't quite get their edge from Colin Firth's obscenity bout in "The King's Speech". In the pantheon of boxing films "The Fighter" holds its own with filmmakers dedicated to authenticity.