Ryan’s Top 10 Movies of 2010

although i had a tough time choosing my favorite music of 2010, my favorite films were much easier to assemble, so instead of a top 5, i’m doing a top 10. here goes…

Ryan’s Top Movies of 2010…

10. The Social Network

i must admit, even after of all of the shining reviews of this film, i had some serious doubts that it’d be any good at all. facebook is too new to be interesting to watch a film about. i was wrong. i enjoyed it very much and i can’t imagine a better movie about the creation of facebook.

9. True Grit

jeff bridges is amazing. that sums up a lot of my thoughts on this film. outside of that fact, true grit was a neat coen brother’s experience, that is unlike any of their other films (while still feeling a part of their film family) gorgeously shot and wonderfully acted. really enjoyed it.

8. How To Train Your Dragon

let’s be honest, when a cgi animated film comes out, unless it’s pixar it’s pretty hit or miss (mostly miss)… so just like tangled, i was skeptical that this film would be any good. i’m a diehard pixar fan and i wouldn’t say this is in the same caliber, but it’s the closest anyone’s come (that i can think of) to reaching the incredibly high standards of a pixar film. a really fun and new story!

7. Exit Through the Gift Shop

after hearing so much hype and praise for this documentary, i tried to keep my expectations in check. but it was unnecessarily to do so, because it is a fascinating film that deserves the appreciation it’s been getting. a truly well put together film. it draws you in the entire time… and the story is so interesting and engrossing that when it finishes, you do find yourself wondering if the whole thing was made up – a valid question that ultimately does not matter one bit, because this highly entertaining.

6. Tangled

excluding pixar, any feature animation film that disney animations studio has put out in this past decade, i’ve grown very skeptical of… and when i saw tangled’s mess of trailers and ads, i was near certain it would follow along the same disappointing path. but i was absolutely wrong and really loved this film – it was the right amount of heart, solid execution and fun. was a real treat!

5. The Fighter

some movies pull you into their story, making your forget about your own for a little while… and other movies are just fun to watch, but don’t transport you very far at all. the fighter removed me from my world from start to finish. it’s an intense film that could have easily been a little too gritty for my taste, but because it was made with a lot of heart and soul, it had a perfect balance of harsh but hopeful. mark whalberg and christian bale were incredible.

4. The King’s Speech

similar to “get low,” this film is another example of the precision i mentioned, that makes a good movie an incredible one. had this film been made in any other way, it could have gone terribly wrong or just terribly boring. the king’s speech is a film reaching it’s optimum potential. all of the pieces were wonderfully suited: incredibly entertaining, just the right amount of fun, beautifully shot, brilliantly acted and just extremely rewarding without being overly sentimental. i got pulled in and loved every second of it.

3. Get Low

i’ve gushed about this one on our blog a bunch as well… it was put together with a certain kind of precision that makes a good film, incredible. every word out of each of the actors mouths was brilliantly written and delivered. i can’t say enough good things about this small but powerful movie.

2. The Secret of Kells

although this film technically released in 2009, it came to the theaters in the US in ’10. it’s probably the most visually rich film i have ever seen. literally every frame of the film is worthy of being hung and framed on museum walls… but it’s not just a good looking film, it’s a beautifully told, well executed and very unique story as well… and it’s one that i adore more and more with each viewing. a truly wonderful experience that deserves much praise!

and my #1 movie of 2010 was… 2 movies (sorry, i cheated..)

1. Inception

it’s no secret that this movie blew me away… we unapologetically blogged about it up and down for weeks on end. this film solidified christopher nolan as one of my top 3 favorite directors of all time. i’d say that it marks one of my favorite experiences in a movie theater, ever. it’s complex, transporting, beautiful, intense and just wonderful from start to finish. can’t say enough good things about it.

1. Toy Story 3

my adoration for pixar is also not breaking news either, so it’s also not surprising that i thoroughly enjoyed toy story 3. i’m not embarrassed to admit that i had teary eyes several times throughout the film, each of the 3 times i saw it. it’s a beautiful conclusion to the incredible trilogy that started pixar’s ever-growing list of brilliant and soulful movies.

how about you guys?? favorite 10 movies of ’10.. go!

love, ryan

p.s. dan’s list will follow soon!