While I too have not seen some of the big contenders (like 127 Hours), these represent my list to date. Also, while I have not seen Harry Potter or True Grit, I feel that even if I did, they wouldn’t be on here anyways so why bother.
Either way, here we go!
10. Despicable Me
Look out Disney/Pixar/Dreamworks, there’s a new dog in town. Universal Pictures’ Illumination Entertainment dazzled us in 2010 with Despicable Me. A story of Gru (Steve Carrell), who wants so badly to be the villain that he forgets he still has a heart. That is until a trio of cute little girls comes into the picture…that and the ever-popular minions (who remind me far too much of the Dust Bunnies from The Big Comfy Couch). This flick will keep entertained, and laughing, the whole way through.
9. The Karate Kid
What can be good about a movie that absolutely slaps its predecessor in the face? Sadly, plenty! Ignoring the fact that it’s no longer in California but China, that Mr. Miyagi is no longer Japanese but Chinese (with a different name, at least), The lead is no longer a white Italian kid, and that the movie has NOTHING to do with Karate – it was still a very powerful movie. While I may have problems with the little things, the re-vamped story and angle is incredible. Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith are wonderful and you still leave the film feeling that same feeling of emotional inspiration the original gave. Congrats on making a believer out of me.
8. Scott Pilgrim Vs The World
For anyone who knows me, they know I hate Michael Cera. So, going into this one, I expected nothing shy of hatred. What I got was the awesome bi-product of rock n’ roll and classic 8-bit video games. The story is that in order to date Ramona, Scott Pilgrim must defeat her evil ex-boyfriends…in the most over the top fashions possible. Cera’s performance worked perfectly, while the battles made the movie. Nods to the evils ex-beaus, they were hilarious and pitch-perfect.
7. The Town
A Ben Affleck film, starring…well…Ben Affleck. This is a film about bank robbers in the bank robber capital of the USA – Georgetown (not just known for its Exorcisms anymore). When one of the robbers (Affleck) falls for one of his previous hostages, the entire group begins to unravel. Very tense, well acted, and well written.
6. The Book of Eli
This movie will take even the most vehement atheist and make him fall for the power of faith. Denzel Washington shines, Gary Oldman dominates, and Mila Kunis sizzles. Watch it once and fall in love, watch it twice and learn even more. I do so love movies that do that. It’s one of the few movies that go over-the-top without sacrificing the overall beauty. Recommended to everyone!
5. Solitary Man
Michael Douglas provides a commanding performance as a once-upon-a-time ladies man and millionaire who has since lost his money but not his attitude. The question is, will his love for money and women overshadow his own family and cause him to lose them forever. The Office’s Jenna Fisher provides a beautiful performance I never even thought she was capable of, while Social Network’s Jesse Eisenberg also co-stars in one of the best dramas I’ve seen in the last few years.
4. The Social Network
Having a great mind doesn’t mean you can’t rely on help from others. The creation of everyone’s favourite social media, Facebook, was not without it’s controversy…and lawsuits. Jesse Eisenberg absolutely demands an Oscar for his role of Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s founder, and the world’s youngest billionaire. Honourable mentions to Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Saverin and even Justin Timberlake as Napster founder Sean Parker.
3. Inception
We all dream, but what if people could use our dreams to affect our actual decisions in life? That is what Inception is, the power to go into people’s dreams and plant ideas to persuade them for whatever purpose. Sound complicated? You haven’t seen anything yet. Mind-blowing writer/director Christopher Nolan takes us on a journey into our own minds with performances by Leo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, and Cillian Murphy. Acting was not as powerful as the story, but the writing and cinematography absolutely makes the film. If this one doesn’t take (at the very least) Best Picture, Best Writing, Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Score then there is no hope.
2. The Black Swan
Darren Aronofsky dazzles me yet again with The Black Swan. The tale of a lower class ballet student who finally gets her big break after spending years in the shadows, only to slowly descend into madness as the pressure gets to her. Oscar-guaranteed performance by Natalie Portman as Nina Sayers completely blew me away while support from an immensely, and almost equally incredible Mila Kunis (Can you say Best Supporting Actress?) as rival Lily. A very special nod goes to Barbara Hershey, Vincent Cassel, and even Winona Ryder for their supporting roles that only cemented an already strong foundation. I’ve never had a picture deal with something I know nothing about hit me like this one...although that does seem to be Aronofsky’s affect on me. With Darren Aronofsky’s snubbing of his Directorial Oscar for The Wrestler, I do think this is his year. Sorry Nolan.
1. Toy Story 3
Who knew that a cartoon could draw so much emotional punch? Woody and the gang are back, and have slowly come to the grips that Andy is not a kid anymore and doesn’t play with toys. Throw in some adventure along the way, along with scenes that would make even the toughest man misty-eyed, and you’ve got the making of the BEST ANIMATED PICTURE OF ALL TIME! It’s not that you are dealing with some random toys either; these are the same toys we’ve grown up with for over 15 years! Not as much for new fans as the older ones. Did I mention the part of it being the BEST ANIMATED PICTURE OF ALL TIME?!
