The Top 10 Films of the Year

“I play these songs at night or I wouldn’t make any money.”

10. Once

I’m a big fan of musicals, but this is a different kind of musical. Instead of setting it in a fantasy world where everyone breaks into song and sings together and knows choreography etc, it’s a musical grounded in realism. It follows a pair of musicians (real life musicians Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova) who meet and start developing music together, and of course falling in love. But don’t expect a typical love story here – it’s actually a very honest film in that regard. On top of that, the music is absolutely beautiful.

“Fuck you, ya fucking fuckers.”

9. Shoot ‘Em Up

There were two movies this year that took the action movie and satirized it while still paying homage to it (the other one is higher on this very list). While this one is the lesser of the two, it’s still fucking incredible. Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti are brilliant and they each spout one-liners at each other until it becomes ridiculous and you realize how much fun they must have had creating this movie. There are many great scenes but one I remember vividly is when he kills several thugs whilst skydiving, then parachutes to safety where all the corpses miraculously fell in the same spot.

“It appears we may have a problem of some magnitude.”

8. The Mist

I have heard multiple people’s thoughts on this movie and I know it’s pretty mixed. I enjoyed it, however. I watched it twice, once in color and once in black and white (the way the director wanted it to be done) and I think that watching it in color ruins a lot of the mood of the film. The B&W version gives no semblance of time, so instead of seeing night fall and day break, it’s just a long series of events that happen during an indeterminate time frame. The other thing is, for some reason, the CGI of the creatures looks a lot more realistic in B&W. So you aren’t taken away from the movie by bad CG. But the biggest reason I love this movie is the ending…possibly one of the greatest endings to a film I’ve seen in a long time…and also one of the most heartbreaking.

“We’re not in therapy now – we’re in real life.”

7. The Savages

Alright. Two of my favorite actors ever – Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman – and one of the most honest, heartfelt stories I’ve seen on film…I can’t believe I took so long to watch this movie. It’s the kind of movie I love, a drama about family with some comedy thrown in for good measure. And it’s done so well, it’s hard for me to imagine anyone wouldn’t love this movie upon viewing it.

“My scrotum is longer than my penis.”

6. Margot at the Wedding

I never got a chance to see Squid and the Whale, by the same writer/director. But this was a very nuanced and lovely movie, with an interesting dynamic between mother (Nicole Kidman) and her son. What really surprised me was Jack Black, who I thought did a pretty great job of shedding his natural comedic instincts and bringing a more truthful performance to his character.

“Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.”

5. Ratatouille

What a surprise, a Pixar movie made it on my top ten. I don’t hide the fact that I’m a kid at heart, but Pixar has a way of making animated features that can be enjoyed by everyone. I find it interesting that some people are immediately against seeing animated films because they are marketed towards kids, when in reality they are just great movies. This one is of course no exception, and it really makes a great case for the above quote, which is incredibly inspirational. There is some great voice acting as well, which is a great selling point for me anytime.

“Look at these assholes.”

4. The Darjeeling Limited

As with Pixar, any Wed Anderson movie is likely to top my list any given year. There’s just something about his movies that are not only hilarious in a very subtle way, but heartbreaking as well. Often they are focused on family and this one is no exception, with three estranged brothers going on a  train trip together after not seeing each other in a long time. Hijinks ensue! Also the ‘prequel short’ included on the DVD (Hotel Chevalier) is amazing as well, with Natalie Portman being gorgeous as usual.

“Shit got real.”

3. Hot Fuzz

I’m sure I’ve talked about this film at length in numerous other lists, but I can’t help it. Anything Edgar Wright is involved in is fucking genius. This is the spiritual successor to Shaun of the Dead, and it’s hard for me to decide which one I like more. It’s incredibly clever and there are so many little hints and foreshadowing and references to things I can’t imagine how they fit it all in there. And of course the final shoot out is one of the greatest action scenes ever made.

“As long as I have teeth, I will bite you.”

2. There Will Be Blood

The biggest reason I haven’t made this list sooner is because I still hadn’t watched this movie. I knew it would be great, if only because it was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Upon finally viewing it, I’m glad I waited. Daniel Day-Lewis puts forth a fantastic performance as Daniel Plainview, who is already named one of the greatest characters put to film. There are many other great performances as well but Day-Lewis is clearly the one that deserves the recognition. The atmosphere is very dark and maintains interest all throughout. I kind of wish Philip Seymour Hoffman kept his track record of being in every PTA film though, but what can you do.

“What’s the most you ever lost on a coin toss?”

1. No Country For Old Men

This movie is incredible. Not only does it give us one of the greatest villains to come along in a long time, but the whole message and point to the movie is subtle enough to make you pay attention but clear enough on repeat viewings that it doesn’t make you feel like it’s keeping a secret from you as the viewer. Once you realize this is Bell’s story and not Llewelyn or Chigurh’s, you can begin to understand the theme of the film. It’s a beautifully shot film as well and the cinematography is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. I’ve only seen it twice now, but I know when I see it again I’ll pick up on even more subtleties and love it even more. I adore films that are like that.

“I always liked to hear about the old-timers. Never missed a chance to do so. You can’t help but compare yourself against the old timers. Can’t help but wonder how they would’ve operated these times. There was this boy I sent to Huntsville here a while back. My arrest and my testimony. He killed a fourteen-year-old girl. Papers said it was a crime of passion but he told me there wasn’t any passion to it. Told me that he’d been planning to kill somebody for about as long as he could remember. Said that if they turned him out he’d do it again. Said he knew he was going to hell. Be there in about fifteen minutes. I don’t know what to make of that. I surely don’t.“

-Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones)

Honorable Mentions

Hot Rod: Hilarious and underrated. Andy Samberg and The Lonely Island’s first feature film, and one of the best comedies in a long time.

Hairspray: It was fun, with some great talent and some enjoyable songs.

Knocked Up: The follow up to 40 Year Old Virgin and Seth Rogen’s first starring role, and Judd Apatow continues to impress.

Spider-Man 3: I would love a Spider-Man movie if it was awful. Which many believe this one was. But I still liked it. Sure there were some bad choices (mostly the inclusion of Venom) but I thought it was great. Tangent: a lot of the problems with this movie were shared by Dark Knight but everyone loves that one. What gives, ya punks?

TMNT: I love the turtles and this was a great reimagining of the classic cartoon, and almost made me forget they made a third movie where they travel to feudal Japan.

Zodiac: A suspese filled mystery about the killer of the same name, which keeps you interested until the end despite it’s long length.