Just Another Film Geek

Top Ten Favorite Movies of 2010

“This is my first official post on my new movie blog, yay! I posted this Top Ten list at the end of last year on my main blog (roselada.tumblr.com) but I decided to post it here as well to get things going. THERE WILL BE BLOG!” ~John Roselada

Like many movie-lovers do, I go to the movies to escape reality; to take a break from life if only for a couple of hours. 2010 has been rough on me but I’m glad there were so many great movies to take me away this year. I present to you my 2010 top 10 list in reverse numerical order (great to greatest). Keep in mind, I’ve seen a lot of movies but not all of them (and most of the ones I haven’t seen, I wasn’t interested in seeing to begin with). And I really wanted to watch ‘True Grit’ (which might have made this list) but I don’t think that’s gonna happen by the end of the year. Here goes…

10.) The Runaways

My musician’s choice of the year. A biopic of Joan Jett’s teenage band ‘The Runaways’. I’m a sucker for music biopics (The Buddy Holly Story, La Bamba, Selena, The Doors, etc.) and this one pulls no punches as it is a hard Rated R in all its sex, drugs and rock & roll glory.http://therunaways.com

9.) Going The Distance

I’ll admit it; I’m a fan of the romantic comedy genre but only when it’s done right. This was done right (I didn’t like any other romantic comedies this year). Starring Drew Barrymore and Justin Long playing lovers in a long-distance relationship. A great date movie because it doesn’t just cater to women’s comedic tastes. Rated R humor with realistic relationship moments. Ahhh, if only life was like this… http://going-the-distance.warnerbros.com/dvd/

8.) Tron: Legacy 3D

Maybe because I grew up with Tron back in 1982. Maybe because I’ve seen it too recently and I’m not giving it enough time to sit in my mind for evaluation. So what?! The year is almost over! Grab your popcorn and 3D glasses and go for a ride. Never mind the storyline and don’t worry if you haven’t seen the prequel (yes, this is a sequel, not a remake). You had me at “original music by Daft Punk”. http://disney.go.com/tron/

7.) Let Me In

My only horror movie on the list, although this isn’t your typical horror movie, it’s actually a touching story about a young boy & girl, both outcasts in society. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the fact that she’s a vampire. Not a vampire in the ‘Twilight’ or ‘True Blood’ sense, no folklore or hipster coolness here. It portrays being a vampire like having a disease (neither good nor evil). This is actually a re-adaptation of a book (they refuse to call it a remake) which was made into a Swedish movie recently called ‘Let The Right One In’. Let The Right One In is a better movie in my opinion (maybe because they have more artistic freedom in Sweden) but Let Me In is a great American take on it. I love ‘em both. http://www.letmein-movie.com/ Swedish film: http://www.lettherightoneinmovie.com/

6.) The Book Of Eli

Post-apocalyptic movie directed by the Hughes Brothers starring Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman AND Mila Kunis wearing sexy post-apocalyptic clothes?! I’m sold! This is a movie best enjoyed when not told what it’s about. I’ll just say it’s a journey across a violent, immoral wasteland. Plenty of bad guys to be slain. But there’s a deeper purpose for Eli’s journey… and a plot twist you won’t see coming. http://www.sonypictures.net/movies/bookofeli/ 

5.) The Social Network

Obviously, if you’re on Facebook or Twitter, I don’t need to tell you what this movie is about (unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year and haven’t logged in to FB or tweeted via smartphone while under there). It’s just a well-directed movie. Director David Finch is on a roll and I think this is his greatest film (besides Se7en). The acting is superb (yes, even Justin Timberlake was awesome) and shot-out to Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) for the subtly chilling soundtrack. I wouldn’t be surprised if this wins an Academy Award for Best Picture (rave reviews from the critics). http://www.thesocialnetwork-movie.com/

4.) Machete

When I first saw the ‘fake’ Machete trailer in Robert Rodriguez & Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Grindhouse’, I wanted so bad for it to be an actual movie (along with every other fanboy in the universe). BOY, did Robert Rodriguez DELIVER. I think it’s brilliant because he made a grindhouse film (a genre comprised of bad but fun movies) that not only captured and revived the genre, but he made the ULTIMATE B movie (surpassing his other ultimate B movie, ‘Planet Terror’). The first ever Mexican superhero (in Robert’s words)! Viva Machete!!! http://www.machete-movie.net/

3.) Black Swan

First of all, if you’re a fan of director Darren Arronofsky (Pi, Requiem For A Dream, The Fountain, The Wrestler), this movie is a must-see. To quote myself on Twitter (tweeted immediately after viewing): [#BlackSwan is Swan Lake in Darren Aronofsky’s world; a very obsessive-compulsive, haunting, erotic and tragic world. Natalie Portman = Oscar] The ballet has never been this dark or this intriguing to the masses in a film. I say the Best Film Oscar is a toss-up between this and The Social Network. Side-note: And as a dude, I just have to say that the love scene between Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis was quite possibly the most erotic R-Rated scene I’ve ever seen ;) http://www.foxsearchlight.com/blackswan/

2.) Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

I SO wanted to make this my #1 but in my heart of hearts, I just couldn’t let it take over my true #1 of 2010. The geek in me kneels down to this film and says “I am not worthy!” Based on the graphic novel series (which I have YET to read), this is the story of Scott Pilgrim, a young indie rock musician in pursuit of Ramona Flowers, cute indie chick who’s new in town (Toronto, Canada). In order to win her heart, he must defeat her Seven Evil Exes in battles to the death (you heard right). And… FIGHT!!! In true graphic novel form, this movie is outrageously fun to watch. You get the feeling you’re playing a videogame, SERIOUSLY. The FX were so true to all those fighting games in the 80s/early 90s, it’s almost ridiculous. Add on top of that an awesome soundtrack with probably the coolest indie rock/pop-punk music (or whatever you wanna call it) I’ve heard since I don’t even know when. If you love videogames or indie rock, do yourself a huge favor and watch this. http://www.scottpilgrimthemovie.com/

1.) Inception

Was there ever any doubt? How could I NOT choose the movie that blew me away in my D-BOX seat (yeah, my first D-BOX experience: http://www.d-box.com/). I love how Cristopher Nolan directed the masterpiece ‘The Dark Knight’ and then dropped Inception on us like; “Oh, here’s my next film by the way.” BOHMMMMMMM… BOHMMMMMMM… BOHMMMMMMM!!! I don’t think I need to discuss the plot of this film because everybody and their mother has seen it already. Just showing my love for my favorite film of the year. A perfect film in my humble opinion. http://inceptionmovie.warnerbros.com/dvd

I hope you enjoyed reading my top 10 list. For me, it’s not an ‘agree’ or ‘disagree’ thing. We all have our own tastes and preferences, I just gave you a sample of mine. Have a Happy New Year, see you at the theater, save me some popcorn =)