Before the Oscars, I thought I'd pick several movies that caught my attention in 2010, since I'm still working my way through some of this year's nominees. I came up with 10 movies, in no particular order:
1. The Social Network (USA)
2. Black Swan (USA)
3. True Grit (USA)
4. The King’s Speech (UK)
5. Never Let Me Go (UK)
6. Hereafter (USA)
7. How I Ended This Summer (Russia)
8. Inception (USA)
9. Centurion (UK)
10. The Book of Eli (USA)
1. The Social Network (USA)
Directed by: David Fincher
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield
The Social Network is truly the movie of its time, masterfully capturing the internet-socializing craze of our world. Whether it is good or bad is for the viewer to decide. Brilliant dialogue and acting definitely help.
2. Black Swan (USA)
Directed by: David Fincher
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield
The Social Network is truly the movie of its time, masterfully capturing the internet-socializing craze of our world. Whether it is good or bad is for the viewer to decide. Brilliant dialogue and acting definitely help.
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Written by: Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, John J. McLaughlin
Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel
This movie is very difficult to describe, with everything that is going on every second and with all the psychological and emotional layers. It has to be experienced. The visuals and camera work are stunning. In my opinion, Natalie Portman's best role yet.
3. True Grit (USA)
Directed by: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Written by: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld
I am usually indifferent about Westerns. This one, however, captured me from start to finish. Extremely well-executed and acted. Special mentioning goes to Hailee Steinfeld who, without question, dominates the screen.
4. The King's Speech (UK)
Directed by: Tom Hooper
Written by: David Seidler
Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter
The King's Speech truly deserved all of its 12 Oscar nominations, with its exceptional execution and powerful performances. The friendship between King George VI and Lionel Logue is wonderfully and truthfully portrayed.
5. Never Let Me Go (UK)
Directed by: Mark Romanek
Written by: Alex Garland
Cast: Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley, Andrew Garfield
As hard as it was to watch this movie at times, it was well worth it. A beautifully and carefully crafted atmosphere is one of the best things about Never Let Me Go. This one will definitely keep you contemplating long after the end credits are over.
6. Hereafter (USA)
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Written by: Peter Morgan
Cast: Matt Damon, Cecile De France, Bryce Dallas Howard
Hereafter is one emotional roller coaster which never takes a break. There are very few movies that made me feel so many emotions over such a short period of time. The theme of afterlife is handled in a very unique and subtle way. Very strong performances from the whole cast.
7. How I Ended This Summer (Russia)
Directed by: Aleksei Popogrebsky
Written by: Aleksei Popogrebsky
Cast: Grigory Dobrygin, Sergei Puskepalis
A film of two actors with nature as a third character. Very interesting dynamics between the two main characters in a very isolated environment of a station on the Arctic ocean island. Beautiful nature and cinematography.
8. Inception (USA)
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Written by: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page
Inception is a mind twister from the very first scene. Make sure to pay attention to every single detail, as everything is connected in the most intricate ways. The idea of breaking into somebody's dreams is unsettling enough, but combined with the state-of-the-art visuals, it is mind-blowing.
9. Centurion (UK)
Directed by: Neil Marshall
Written by: Neil Marshall
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Dominic West, Olga Kurylenko
I have to warn that Centurion is exceptionally violent and bloody, and terribly realistic at both of those things. This is completely unavoidable though, when portraying the war between Roman soldiers and Picts. However, the charismatic cast and quality execution make it worthwhile.
10. The Book of Eli (USA)
Directed by: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes
Written by: Gary Whitta
Cast: Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis, Gary Oldman
The plot is simple: Eli possesses a very important book which he must protect at all costs, as he travels through a futuristic dystopian world. What attracted me were the style of the visuals and the rewardingly deep ideas along the way.
