2010 faves [updated].

Originally posted on Sunday, but I had another to add to the list :)

It's Award Season! One of my favorite times of year. Good movies, great fashion -- what more could a girl ask for?

In prep for tonight's Golden Globes, why not wrap up my favorite movies/stars/celebs/whatever from last year? Sure, we're half way into January, but better late than never, right? Besides, all of the reviews (for the few movies worth reviewing, anyway) that I missed out on thanks to working a real job, I can sum up in these quick blurbs. Yay :)

Easy A

Easy A was an easy favorite (you like how I did that, huh... huh? Ok. Moving on...). I'm a big sucker for the '80s teen comedies a la John Hughes -- you know, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club. Teen comedies today are overkill. Yes, I'll laugh at your overdone, immature sexual innuendo, but can I have a little substance, please? They lack that 5-10% of realism/emotion. I don't think a teen movie has done it really well since Mean Girls, but Easy A recaptured what was missing. It was smart -- and no, not only because of the obvious play on The Scarlet Letter. They writers even went as far as to explicitly reference John Hughes movies. But that's not what did it for me. The movie just had a feel to it, which is very hard to describe, that kept you intrigued, laughing, empathetic... you name it. The supporting cast (minus Amanda Bynes in some scenes... and that Disney channel Ally or AJ or whatever chick) was great, especially the parents played so cleverly by secret crush Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson. And Emma Stone was perfect. Her comedic delivery was always on point, but she showed emotion where necessary. Her sarcasm, wit, and even her distinctive voice made this movie. She abandoned a supporting role in Sucker Punch to play the lead in Easy A, and it was seriously the best thing she could've done for her career. Great choice, big hit, and she has so many projects lined up -- including the new Spider Man film. She's definitely a new fav.

The Town

This movie surpassed my expectations in almost every way. I mean, what could you reasonably expect with Ben Affleck as the lead? His career has been... inconsistent, to say the least. I've always liked him, but he's had more misses than hits. However, he starred, directed AND cowrote the screenplay for this hit. Critics have called it a mix of The Departed and Heat, and while there are recognizable elements of both (and there are a handful of predictable moments), Affleck managed to recreate something new. He captured Boston in a way only Boston natives can. The handpicked supporting cast was equally as talented. Jeremy Renner was phenomenal. Fierce loyalty, a little grittiness, a dash of crazy... it all worked so well. Even Jon Hamm. Blake Lively played the scorned ex-love interest (oh, and mother). Definitely a far shy from Serena Van der Woodsen, Boston accent and all, but I feel like it's what you would expect of her at this point in her career. Still honing her craft, but she did well. I think this film is just what Ben Affleck needed to turn his career around and recement himself as a Hollywood heavyweight. He definitely has a future as a director.

The Social Network

Yeah, "the Facebook movie." I'm sure that's how you've heard people refer to it, and you may have even read a good review or heard how it was the best movie of the year. And it was -- one of them, at least. This movie was great. Right from the opening scene, with Jesse Eisenberg as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg rapidly rattling off to his soon-to-be-ex-girlfriend, I knew I was going to love this movie. That scene set the tone, and it only got better from there. The writing was so sharp, the music was perfect (but I could already tell it would be because all versions of the trailers and tv spots were perfect), but the acting... the acting is what took it over the edge. Jesse captured all of the awkwardness, vulnerability and pure douchebaggery of Mark, and somehow still managed to get you to empathize -- and at times, even idolize -- this flawed character (I don't want to say "man" since this is allegedly a work of "realistic fiction," according to Mr. Zuckerberg and the people of Facebook, who aren't too keen on the film). Andrew Garfield was also amazing as the scorned best friend, and he was probably my favorite character. Even Justin Timberlake, who I adore (and that's an understatement) as a musician, was great as Napster founder Sean Parker. This movie was not what I expected, in the best possible sense. It's not so much about the founding of Facebook, but about human relationships -- and it's almost like tracking the fundamental shift in how we've come to communicate with each other. The very last scene in the movie caps that off so well.

Inception

 

I already wrote a review on Inception, but it begs to be said again -- this movie was amazing, phenomenal, smart, suspenseful -- everything, in every sense of all of those words. It's a complete mindfuck, and you enjoy every last minute of it. Director/writer/producer Chris Nolan put so much into getting this movie made, and it shows. The acting ensemble worked so well together, and it's rare to find an "action" movie that can actually make you think. I can't say it enough, this was the smartest film I've seen in a while -- and my favorite of the past year.

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These four movies stood out in 2010. There were several others, just look at the rest of the list of Golden Globe nominees. There are so many good performances, and while I have my favorites (these films/performances -- plus The Black Swan, Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire, and Modern Family), I think I'll be happy with whoever wins, as all of these stood out among the million others that were awful.

Do you have any Golden Globe picks? Have you seen these films?

(Um, if you haven't already, what the eff is wrong with you?!)


UPDATE: I don't know how, but I managed to forget to add Remember Me to this list. I included my review/thoughts in this post from a while ago. The movie came out pretty early in the year, and though it's not an award contender, it was a profound movie. I still can't forget the feeling I had walking out of the theater at the end of this movie -- chilling, but in a very realistic and humbling way. Ignore the fact that this stars "the Twilight guy"... he's surrounded by incredible actors and manages to hold his own. Another one of my favorites to come out of 2010.