Here We Go Again, It's 2010!
'Black Swan', 'Shutter Island', 'Inception' - What these films have in common besides being some of the greatest and most popular films of all time is that they were all released in 2010. A whole decade has passed after the ground-breaking year in film that was the Millennium and so it is very interesting to see how films have changed in a concrete manner. This list attempts to categorize 2010 in film with a list of reviews which will hopefully allow one to appreciate this year and what it has done to film-making more and more.
Conditions:
1) The films will be listed according to my preference. If it is Number 1 it means it is my favourite and if it's in the last place then it means it is my least favourite. So if you are viewing this on IMDB's app please make sure that you sort my list according to my list order before viewing or otherwise the placement would not make sense.
2) A short description and review will be given to complement the inclusion of all of my choices. It's a personal list so please accept that this is based on my own personal opinion.
3) I must have watched the films. I will not include films I haven't watched in their entirety.
4) I will include films with an accepted release date of 2010. If there is any doubt as to a particular film's release date, the US release date will be used.
Conditions:
1) The films will be listed according to my preference. If it is Number 1 it means it is my favourite and if it's in the last place then it means it is my least favourite. So if you are viewing this on IMDB's app please make sure that you sort my list according to my list order before viewing or otherwise the placement would not make sense.
2) A short description and review will be given to complement the inclusion of all of my choices. It's a personal list so please accept that this is based on my own personal opinion.
3) I must have watched the films. I will not include films I haven't watched in their entirety.
4) I will include films with an accepted release date of 2010. If there is any doubt as to a particular film's release date, the US release date will be used.
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- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsLeonardo DiCaprioJoseph Gordon-LevittElliot PageA thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O., but his tragic past may doom the project and his team to disaster.This is probably one of my favourite films of all time, a film which undoubtedly deserves its universal popularity and its four Oscars. 'Inception' is also one of the best examples of a film which gets better with repeated viewings.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLeonardo DiCaprioEmily MortimerMark RuffaloTeddy Daniels and Chuck Aule, two US marshals, are sent to an asylum on a remote island in order to investigate the disappearance of a patient, where Teddy uncovers a shocking truth about the place.What is not to love about this Martin Scorsese masterpiece starring Leonardo DiCaprio which has one of the best an most memorable plot twists in film history? This is not only one of the best films of 2010, it is one of the best films to be made after the millennium.
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsNatalie PortmanMila KunisVincent CasselNina is a talented but unstable ballerina on the verge of stardom. Pushed to the breaking point by her artistic director and a seductive rival, Nina's grip on reality slips, plunging her into a waking nightmare.I remember, back when I was still a student at secondary school, how this film was on everybody's mouth. I found this very strange because 'Black Swan' is a film about a ballerina and I was in a boys' school so I was a little skeptical about it. However, after watching Aronofsky's Oscar-winning masterpiece for myself, I could also talk about nothing else!
- DirectorNathan GrenoByron HowardStarsMandy MooreZachary LeviDonna MurphyThe magically long-haired Rapunzel has spent her entire life in a tower, but now that a runaway thief has stumbled upon her, she is about to discover the world for the first time, and who she really is.Being a Disney fan myself from an early age, I know how hard it is to name your favourite Disney films since there are some many to choose from their ever-growing library. That being said, 'Tangled' would certainly be in the list of the top five greatest Disney films of all time of many Disney fans that I know.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsKoji YakushoTakayuki YamadaYûsuke IseyaA group of assassins come together for a suicide mission to kill an evil lord.Truly an unexpected surprise as I had no idea how much I would enjoy this excellent film by Takashi Miike with its superb direction and memorable characters (I loved Koyata's character most of all and how open to interpretation it is).
- DirectorBen AffleckStarsBen AffleckRebecca HallJon HammA proficient group of thieves rob a bank and hold an assistant manager hostage. Things begin to get complicated when one of the crew members falls in love with her.In what has to be one of the most iconic films of 2010, with a great story and career-defining performances (Jeremy Renner was just wonderful as Coughlin here in particular) to boot. 'The Town' proves Ben Affleck's excellent credentials as a director.
- DirectorJosé PadilhaStarsWagner MouraIrandhir SantosAndré RamiroAfter a prison riot, former-Captain Nascimento, now a high ranking security officer in Rio de Janeiro, is swept into a bloody political dispute that involves government officials and paramilitary groups.There are few films which tackle corruption as brilliantly as 'Elite Squad 2' in my opinion. This film also chronicled the effect of corruption not just on the poor but all on the spheres of society including the emergence of Brazilian police militias. An important film which should not be missed.
- DirectorTom HooperStarsColin FirthGeoffrey RushHelena Bonham CarterThe story of King George VI, his unexpected ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch overcome his stammer.An emotional and moving film, especially for me since I also had a minor speech impediment when I was younger and used to visit a speech therapist. Featuring great performances and based on the true story of King George VI, this is a must-watch.
- DirectorMike NewellStarsJake GyllenhaalGemma ArtertonBen KingsleyA young fugitive prince and princess must stop a villain who unknowingly threatens to destroy the world with a special dagger that enables the magic sand inside to reverse time.As a videogame aficionado myself, I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that this film is one of the best videogame adaptations of all time. With its great production values, superb actors such as Jake Gyllenhaal's inspired performance as Dastan and an intriguing plot it is hard to believe this film is not more highly rated than it already is.
- DirectorChristopher SmithStarsEddie RedmayneSean BeanCarice van HoutenSet during the time of the first outbreak of bubonic plague in England, a young monk is given the task of learning the truth about reports of people being brought back to life in a small village.In what has to be one of my favourite films of 2010, 'Black Death' is not as well-known or as well-loved as I thought it would be here on IMDB. Maybe it is not for everyone's taste but I do believe this film features one of Sean Bean's best performances with a very good story dealing with medieval and modern notions of life and God. Highly recommended.
- DirectorKim Jee-woonStarsLee Byung-hunChoi Min-sikJeon Gook-hwanA secret agent exacts revenge on a serial killer through a series of captures and releases.This is a well-made, cat and mouse story about a cop and a serial killer who turn out to be more like each other than we would like to believe at first because of manic and obsessive tendencies in both. It is one of the best films of its kind that I have ever watched.
- DirectorDanny BoyleStarsJames FrancoAmber TamblynKate MaraA mountain climber becomes trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone near Moab, Utah and resorts to desperate measures in order to survive.Being nominated for six Oscars including for Best Motion Picture of the Year and Best Achievement in Film Editing (which it deserved to win) is a huge honour and one which '127 Hours' totally deserves. Based on the true story by Aron Ralston, this film is a lesson in editing among many other things.
- DirectorLuis EstradaStarsDamián AlcázarJoaquín CosioErnesto Gómez CruzAfter being deported back to Mexico, a man has no choice but to join the vicious drug cartel that has corrupted his hometown in order to survive.2010 was a great year for outstanding foreign films and 'Hell' is certainly no exception. It deserves more recognition (it currently has less than 11k ratings on IMDB as of 02/01/2023) and I highly recommend it for everyone.
- DirectorBreck EisnerStarsRadha MitchellTimothy OlyphantDanielle PanabakerAfter a strange and insecure plane crash, an unusual toxic virus enters a quaint farming town. A young couple are quarantined, but they fight for survival along with help from a couple of people.In what is a rare example of a remake surpassing the original (the 1973 version by George A. Romero with the same name), Breck Eisner's 'The Crazies' is a fantastic and well-made film which you will be absolutely crazy to miss.
- DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsAaron Taylor-JohnsonNicolas CageChloë Grace MoretzDave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan who one day decides to become a superhero, even though he has no powers, training or meaningful reason to do so.My personal rating for this film was hovering between a '9' and a '10' but based on how creative and refreshing it is when compared to most superhero and action films of the period I have to give it a '10'. The scene in which Big Daddy is slowly burned to death while Mindy or Hit-Girl tries to save him is one of my favourite scenes of all time.
- DirectorPierre CoffinChris RenaudStarsSteve CarellJason SegelRussell BrandGru, a criminal mastermind, adopts three orphans as pawns to carry out the biggest heist in history. His life takes an unexpected turn when the little girls see the evildoer as their potential father.While 'Despicable Me' does not encapsulate the Disney gold standard which I love so much, it is still and excellent film with superb animation, loveable characters and a memorable story.
- DirectorEdgar WrightStarsMichael CeraMary Elizabeth WinsteadKieran CulkinIn a magically realistic version of Toronto, a young man must defeat his new girlfriend's seven evil exes one by one in order to win her heart.A modern, heavily stylised and imaginative allegory of young love and its many challenges, 'Scott Pilgrim' is as enjoyable as it is impressive.
- DirectorMikkel NørgaardStarsFrank HvamCasper ChristensenMarcuz Jess PetersenIn order to prove his fatherhood potential to his pregnant girlfriend, Frank 'kidnaps' her 12-year-old nephew and tags along on his best friend Casper's debauched weekend canoe trip.Few films have managed to shock me and entertain me as well as this Danish comedy film, 'Klovn' (or 'Klown' in English). While it is not recommended for minors or people who are upset easily, this is an achievement in absurdist and ironic humour.
- DirectorTom McGrathStarsWill FerrellJonah HillBrad PittEvil genius Megamind finally defeats his do-gooder nemesis, Metro Man, but is left without a purpose in a superhero-free world.Having watched this film when it was first released, I still do not understand, to this day, how mixed the response to this film is. It explores a lot of great themes such as the not-so-obvious dichotomy between good and evil, all while being as entertaining and hilarious as ever. Unfortunately, we never got a 'Megamind 2' as a result.
- DirectorRobert SchwentkeStarsBruce WillisHelen MirrenMorgan FreemanWhen his peaceful life is threatened by a high-tech assassin, former black-ops agent Frank Moses reassembles his old team in a last-ditch effort to survive and uncover his assailants.I really love this film with all of its charm, creativity and style. Based on a graphic novel by Warren Elilis, there is a lot to love and enjoy about this immensely refreshing action film. I also really loved John Malkovich's portrayal of Marvin Boggs.
- DirectorSusanne BierStarsMikael PersbrandtTrine DyrholmMarkus RygaardThe lives of two Danish families cross each other, and an extraordinary but risky friendship comes into bud. But loneliness, frailty and sorrow lie in wait.Drama is not one of my favourite genres in film, admittedly. But I have to say that 'In A Better World', originally titled 'Hævnen' in Danish, is one of the best drama films that I have ever watched and absolutely deserves its Oscar for 'Best Foreign Language Film of the Year'.
- DirectorVikramaditya MotwaneStarsRajat BarmechaRonit RoyManjot SinghExpelled from his school, a 16-year old boy returns home to his abusive and oppressive father.An emotional drama which, while slightly tedious at times, deserves to be celebrated and, dare I say it, even studied as it explores deeply complex themes in a profound manner.
- DirectorRodrigo CortésStarsRyan ReynoldsJosé Luis García-PérezRobert PatersonPaul is a U.S. truck driver working in Iraq. After an attack by a group of Iraqis he wakes to find he is buried alive inside a coffin. With only a lighter and a cell phone it's a race against time to escape this claustrophobic death trap.Like '127 Hours', 'Buried' is a unique achievement in film as it is nothing short of a miracle what the director, Rodrigo Cortés, and the brilliant acting of Ryan Reynolds have achieved here. It is easy to forget the entire film was shot inside a coffin.
- DirectorSheng DingStarsJackie ChanLeehom WangYoo Seung-junAn old soldier kidnaps a young General of an enemy state and takes him on a long journey to collect the reward.One of Jackie Chan's best performances and productions, this film is nothing short of magnificent with a masterful blend of humour, action and drama to keep everybody interested.
- DirectorGuillem MoralesStarsBelén RuedaLluís HomarPablo DerquiThe story of a woman who is slowly losing her sight whilst trying to investigate the mysterious death of her twin sister.This is honestly one of the most frightening horror films that I have ever watched with a superb performance by the beautiful Belén Rueda as the protagonist Julia.