The films of 2010

2010 is the topic in question and to many we take it on the shoulder, a disappointing year of mindless escapism and a mediocre summer entertainment but to this blogger, there were still some surprises and gems to be found.

Top 10 films of the Year



10- Exit through the gift shop
A bizarrely complex documentary about the exploration of the underground street art scene. Exit through the gift shop creates the most entertaining and best "is it fake" documentary of the year.



9-Somewhere
The critics will always be harsh,but Sofia has created something that goes everywhere. A deliberately slow, meditative film about possibly nothing but saying nothing can say a hell of allot more than you might think.


8-Restrepo
Restrepo is that rare breed of War films let alone documentaries. The hard end exterior of the solider shatters when Restrepo is shot and killed. Off the wall and possibly off the record Restrepo is a document of the other side of soldiers. The power of imagery has never been so powerful. Restrepo remains the most important film of 2010.




7-Kick Ass
Only the hardest of cynics (or The Daily Mail) could not be entertained by Matthew Vaughn's deconstruction of the comic Book film. With it's escalating action, pitch perfect humour and down right enjoyment, promising to have one of the all time superhero sidekicks and the birth of new fanatic cult. Kick ass was a breath of fresh air and if you don't like it you know what Hit Girl can do.



6-The Road
Possibly the exact opposite to the Cronenberg film's Vigo has been attached to for over the last few years, The road was a fully realised compelling trip of emotions, leaving behind the norm of apocalyptic wasteland films and creating one of the bleakest movies about discovery ever.




5-No one knows about persian cats
How fun, Incredibly fun. No one knows about Persian cats is this years big surprise. It's strange to even say i remember the film, a juke box filled with new wave punk rock,an insightful trip into a world we don't know and like a rock concert it's all in the moment. What could have been an overly long history lesson turned into a completely satisfying and irresistible youth trip.




4- Of Gods and Men
The most unexpected entry into any ones top 10 list is a late entry from France. A group of monks are possibly imprisoned by terrorist in their own town. Of Gods and men is a gripping tale of religious debate, questioning the faiths of the monks has never been so entertaining since doubt. Gloriously empowering and all together brave, even surprisingly funny. Look out for a bowl of chips.




3-City of life and Death
Hard to take and hard to watch but City of life and Death is on the grand scale to compete with the all time great war films. Tough were the soldiers of world two and horrible were their enemies and that is what makes City of life and death incredibly powerful and all the more rewarding, A film where the images and actions of the people makes City of life and death one of the finest war films ever made.




2-Dogtooth
Perhaps one for the dark side in all of us, this excellent Greek mystery/ satire/comedy is possibly a fully realised piece of fiction but a film that is hard to shake. A gripping tale of parental control and domination is verging on the tale of childhood and control that Innocence (2004) pulled off but pulls you in with it's dark humour and shocking realisation. Grips, shocks and does everything to make me say "Dogtooth is Dogtooth" and that may be the highest comment i can give a film this year. A bit of warning though before watching, see the trailer first,it will help.




1-Winters Bone
Destined to be much snubbed come awards season, the excellent neo-relistic indie and Sundance hit and winner is a compelling film ranking at the top of 2010. Ree dolly is the main reason to keep your attention in Winters Bone, no matter what she is a force to be reckoned with, A women so tough it may make you believe that (Jenifer Lawrence) actually came from the Ozarks. But the story isn't an Ozark tale but of Ree a women on her way to find her father, a meth cooker jumping bail and no matter what she will find the truth. More empowering than any story this year, Winter's bone can work as a brilliantly executed thriller and fine one at that but then can also work as an intimate portrayal of a character wrapped in a community. She can't bring on anyone one else for help "just causes witnesses". A rich, detailed drama about many things. A caring family member, the tale of right and wrong and the antagonist responses of people who you once knew. A surprisingly truthful film about the human state wrapped in an excellent thriller but never stuck in an excellent thriller. Winters Bone tops my poll for the film of the year and Jenifer Lawrence is a talent to watch.