2010 Ranked

The sharpest film of the year. It moves furiously, with an unmatched wit and power. The combination of Sorkin's dialog driven script and Fincher's anthropological direction results in a spellbinding piece of entertainment.

A candy-colored, go-go marvel of pure entertainment. Fast, furious, and kick-ass awesome. This won't be everyone's bag, but I just fell for its comic book meets video game meets pinball machine visual style. Probably the most time I've spent smiling in a movie theater this year.

In many ways a fitting companion to Coppola's masterful "Lost in Translation", although it will certainly test the paitence of most of its viewers. I thought it featured stunning performances and built to a hugely satisfying conclusion, but I can't say that everyone will agree.

The height of commercial movie making. Crafty and complex, yet emotional and involving. It thrills and haunts, and packs the weighty wallop of bravura craftsmanship. For 2.5 hours I became immersed in Nolan's vision, and it was an experience to remember. A movie-movie of the highest sort. A heady trip with a surprising emotional current.

A wonderful documentary detailing the street art movement. Raises some thoughtful question regarding the nature of art, yet never becomes overly ponderous or pretentious. One of the most surprisingly entertaining films of the year.

The finest leg of the trilogy, with real suspense, grace, and humor. One of the most emotionally resonant films I saw this year, and it was all about toys.

Hardly a message film, it is actually a sly, lovable satire filled with crackling dialog and perfectly pitched performances. There isn't a weak link in the cast, but top honors go to Benning who has never been better.

A film so well crafted, you almost cannot see the seams holding it together. Another film of grace and humor, along with a streak of melancholy and anguish. Truly beautiful, and all the more so with repeat viewings. Beautiful to regard, with stunning dialog and performances to match. A study of controlled tone with an ending that I found powerful and moving. For the Coens, a change of pace and a continuation of high quality.

Endlessly watchable political thriller from an old master back at the top of his directorial game. Filled with pitch-black humor and tingling suspense. I've seen it three times and it loses nothing each time. Seek it out on DVD.

Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan is a reckless, glorious fever-dream of a movie. It is striking, intoxicating, blackly humorous, melodramatic, and beautiful. In short, it is unlike anything else the movies have to offer. It is a movie to provoke discussion, a dark, seductive fairy tale to haunt your dreams. In a year of pale retreads and creative bankruptcy, it is a breath of fresh air.

Features the better of the two DiCaprio performances of the year, along with stunning production value. A fevered nightmare, a gut-wrenching tragedy, and a great piece of Gothic horror. Severely underestimated by critics.

A riveting film without any discernible political message, Restrepo is the kind of documentary that makes all other films seem meaningless and slight in comparison. A truly emotional experience that captures the visceral fears, joys, and anxieties of men at war.

A thrilling preamble to the final installment. Director David Yates has broken from the typical Potter tradition of stately, big budget directorial technique and has thrown in splashes of a more kinetic style with a few well-placed, subtle moments of hand-held photography that make Deathly Hallows seem fresher than a few of its predecessors. Another first: a completely animated sequence. It is an audacious move and it pays dividends. The sequence (detailing the story of the titular Deathly Hallows) is among the finest moments the series has to offer. It is a frightening and beautiful mixture of shadow-play and stop-motion. As it stands, Deathly Hallows is poised to become the crowning jewel of an already distinguished series of films.

A throwback crime drama with the best action set pieces this side of "Inception". Affleck takes a decidedly low-fi approach in this, his second directorial effort. Although it lacks the moral weight of his debut, it contains a crack ensemble and a genuine sense of place.

Its sense of humor and distinct tone separate from the more tiresome genre efforts of the year.

A better than average look into the varied career of the original Canadian power trio. An interesting examination of the band and their history.

Not the finest from the Apatow brand, unlike its predecesors it really falters on the emotional end. However, it is consistently uproarious with solid work from both of the leads and a notable cameo from P. Diddy.