My Top Ten Films of 2010

Oh hey! I know I haven't updated this blog in a really long time but that's because I had moved out to Los Angeles back in August and have been pretty busy since. But I thought I'd make some time to post yet another blog entry of my top ten films of the year. I did it last year for 2009 and I shall do it again for 2010! Like 2009's list, these films are in no particular order of better to worse, they're just in alphabetical order. Oh, and I didn't write anything about the films because I thought the trailers could speak for themselves. Also because I'm a lazy asshole.




127 Hours




Black Swan




Blue Valentine




Buried




The Fighter




Inception




Kick-Ass




The Social Network




Toy Story 3




True Grit

Creepy Ass Trailers!

I had recently stumbled upon these two trailers on youtube and thought that they were the most memorable and most unsettling trailers I had ever seen. So enjoy!?

Paris, Texas

This is a strange but insightful movie. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but then again, when were art house films ever everyone's cup of tea? Paris, Texas is a very engrossing film that slowly unravels itself as you keep watching. The film is about a man who has been randomly walking by himself for years until one day he faints and his younger brother has to come get him. The man then finds out that his younger brother has been raising his son for him since he's been gone. From there, the man tries to be in his son's life again and other things happen that I can't say because it would ruin the movie if I went into any further detail. Paris, Texas is a slow and yet calculating movie that really makes you feel like you've earned some of the answers to the movie's mysteries when they are revealed. The movie has some great shots in it and superb lighting design. The film is also very emotionally charged at times and will definitely grab your full, undivided attention during some scenes. In the end, Paris, Texas is a pretty unique film watching experience that will either impact you with its story, enlighten you with its message, or just leave you scratching your head.

Teasers: Super 8

This teaser is almost pitch perfect because it does what every teaser trailer should do, intrigue you. It's a teaser that raises so many questions that you can't help but want to know more. Like why is it called Super 8? Will it have something to do with Super 8 cameras? Why is someone driving a truck directly into a train? Was that person purposely trying to derail it so the alien inside could be set free? Why would that person want to free the alien? Is it even an alien? Why does J.J. Abrams rule so much? All I know is that I'm sure all these questions will be answered and more when Super 8 comes out next summer (except for maybe that last one.)

PLEASE SEE THIS: The 400 Blows

This movie is french film critic Francois Truffaut's debut film and is considered by many to be a true masterpiece (and I couldn't agree more.) It was released in France in 1959 and yet its message is pretty timeless. The film follows a young boy who can't help but keep falling deeper and deeper into delinquency. Even when he tries to make things right he still manages to end up looking like the bad guy in the end. It's a film that captures the essence of childhood so perfectly that it's almost a thing of beauty. It feels as if you're peaking into a looking glass and seeing the life of a real boy in a very real world. Overall, the story is very tragic and yet also very touching. And the way that the film conveys it's message is so masterfully done that it's really hard to believe that this is Francois Truffaut's first film. The 400 Blows is a movie that I think everyone should see. It's an extremely powerful and unforgettable film that just might make you cherish your childhood more than you ever have before.

Review: Kick-Ass

I've been hearing about this movie for a long time now. I haven't read the comics but have been intrigued by it ever since I heard about its premise. So going into it I had decent expectations for it. But what I didn't see coming was that this film would blow every expectation I've ever had for it out of the water. I'm just gonna say it now: this movie is phenomenal. I haven't seen a film this entertaining in a long time. Its dark, its funny, its gory, its vulgar, and its even emotional and heartfelt at times. Now granted, its not the most powerful or gripping film you'll see, but it is a film that does a great job of balancing elements of fun and entertainment with good story and drama.

But at its core, what I think makes the movie so great is how lovable the characters are. Nic Cage is amazing in this movie. I personally think that it might be one of the best roles he's ever been in. I just thought that his performance in the film was fantastic. He really takes command of the screen in the hand full of scenes that he appears in.

Then there's the newcomer Aaron Johnson who plays Dave Lizewski aka Kick-Ass. He's very good in the role and carries the film very nicely. He does a good job of portraying a character who is a real, ordinary teenager that's struggling to become an extraordinary superhero.

And then you have Christopher Mintz-Plasse who plays Chris D'Amico aka Red Mist. Now if I had to choose as to who's the weakest link in the film I'd have to say it'd be him. His performance in the movie isn't very good and I would even say that him being in the movie is one of the only down sides to the film.

With that being said, now we come to Chloe Moretz who plays Mindy Macready aka Hit-Girl. Now if there is one thing that anyone remembers from this movie its how awesome Hit-Girl is. She basically steals the whole show. The things that come out of this little girl's mouth and the vicious acts of violence that she commits throughout the entire film are nothing short of pure gold. Chloe Moretz is brilliant in the role and I really don't think that many girls her age could have pulled it off like she has. It's definitely a great breakout performance from the young actress.

Mark Strong is great in the movie as well. He plays the antagonist in the film who is also Red Mist's father. He was very convincing as a fierce mob boss who has to balance his life of crime with being a family man too. He had some very funny moments in the film and the chemistry between him and the superheroes is very good.

Kick-Ass is an extremely fun film that isn't afraid to be crude and violent while still being grounded and have a good, well paced story. It's a true homage to everything comic books and takes a good look at what the struggles and consequences would be if people really tried to be real life superheroes. Kick-Ass is a great crowd pleasing movie that takes no prisoners and makes you love every second of it.

5 out of 5 stars

Black Dynamite

A hilarious parody on the blaxploitation films of the 1970's. It's definitely a film that's specifically making fun of the genre and the audience that it was intended for. It even pokes fun at the poor production quality of 1970's B movies, which I thought were some of funniest moments in the movie. Overall, it's a really funny film that I think people who are familiar with the genre or who are familiar with 1970's cinema in general will enjoy. And if the trailer doesn't make you want to see it then I don't know what will.