It’s the end of the year as we know it, which means Certified Entertainment Journalists such as myself clog up the Internet with lists and lists and lists about the films of the past 12 months. (Or 11 months and three weeks, whatever.) And since there isn’t a bandwagon I haven’t been tempted to threaten with my girth, I decided to get in on the enumerating action.

So, as a run up to Christmas, I’ve got a 2010 movies Top 10 List for each day remaining this week, with surprise on Christmas Day. (The surprise is I won’t be posting anything.) Let’s get started, shall we?

First up is my Best Films of 2010. And the winners of my affection are…

1. Inception
A triumph of storytelling, visuals and emotion, Christopher Nolan’s dreamscape is an all-around winner — and it only gets better with each viewing.

2. the Social Network
As timely as it is entertaining, David Fincher’s Facebook movie gets great performances from its young cast, but it’s Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay that is the real star here.

3. Never Let Me Go
A subtle, moving adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s heartbreaking novel, the film proved that Carey Mulligan’s Oscar nomination last year wasn’t a fluke, and along with “the Social Network,” it gave Andrew Garfield a hell of an autumn.

4. Black Swan
Though it’s been jokingly referred to as “Showgirls” for the art-house set, Darren Aronofsky’s mind-bending look inside the world of professional ballet will leave you blinking at the screen.

5. the Ghost Writer
Though likely not Tony Blair’s favorite film of the year, Roman Polanski’s taut thriller about a memoir-writing former Prime Minister with something to hide was chilling and near-perfect.

6. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Edgar Wright’s comic adaptation was possibly the most entertaining and original film of the year. Practically an anthem for the video game generation.

7. Toy Story 3
Proving that franchises don’t have to decline in quality as the go on — I’m looking at you, “Shrek” — this wasn’t just a great animated film, it was a great film. Though we could’ve done without the superfluous 3-D.

8. Blue Valentine
Absolutely devastating portrayal of a marriage imploding, this too-real drama starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams will haunt you.

9. the Kids Are All Right
Anchored by a pair of performances by Annette Bening and Julianne Moore as perfectly flawed lesbian parents, this film’s portrait of a modern family hit all the right notes.

10. the Illusionist
Sylvain Chomet’s follow-up to “the Triplets of Belleville” is a delightful, lovingly detailed tribute to Jacques Tati, vaudeville and youthful innocence. Viva hand-drawn animation.

Let the arguing commence! And be sure to stop by tomorrow for my list of the year’s absolute worst movies.

2 Responses to “Avalanche of Top 10 Lists: Part the First”

1. Matt Ferrara says:

   December 22, 2010 at 1:20 pm

   Good list. I’d have to agree with it. I’d say viable runners-up would be 127 Hours, Howl, and The Town.
2. ned says:

   December 23, 2010 at 10:00 am

   I really liked Howl. 127 Hours, the King’s Speech and the Fighter almost made the list as well.