Page 18 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • February 2, 2011 Movie reviewer selects best films of 2010 by Dennis Seuling Why publish a listing of 2010’s best films in early February? The answer is fairness. With so many exceptional movies released late in the year, by the end of December I had not yet seen all the 2010 releases, and a list made then would have overlooked some worthwhile candidates. Now, however, I have seen all the major releases. In reverse order, here are this critic’s choices for the Ten Best Films of 2010. Number 10: “Shutter Island.” Directed by Martin Scorsese, this moody drama with a twist was released early in the year and received mixed reviews, but from the get-go, the film grabs viewers with its plot about a missing person, the atmospheric setting of a mental institution on an island, a creepy doctor (Ben Kingsley), exquisite photography, and excellent performances from Leonardo Di Caprio, Mark Ruffalo, Jackie Earle Haley, and Max von Sydow. The movie is not perfect and has some narrative flaws, but these are all explained in the movie’s climax. In lesser hands, “Shutter Island” would have been just another dark drama. However, the impressive cast and masterful direction raise the standard for cinematic thrillers. Number Nine: “Winter’s Bone.” In a poor rural area, 17-year-old Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) looks after a mother suffering from clinical depression and two young siblings. She is informed by the sheriff that her absentee father was arrested and has put up their house as collateral for his bail. If he doesn’t show up for trial in a week, the house will be forfeit. Aware that her father is involved in the local crystal meth manufacture and trade, Ree attempts to find her father to make sure he will show up for his trial. Everyone she contacts tells her to stay out of it, but she perseveres even after her uncle tells Ree her father has probably been killed. This is a sad story about a young girl taking on responsibilities that would defeat most adults. Her resolve and dedication to her family drives her into dangerous situations, knowing that if their house is lost, they will have no place to go. Lawrence is a natural actor, and is completely believable. Director Debra Granik has crafted an exceptional, low-budget gem with uniformly first-class performances. Number Eight: “Inception.” This movie’s narrative style is needlessly confusing and distancing, but the film’s visuals and concept are so unique that it rises toward the top of 2010’s releases. Director Christopher Nolan frequently overlooks the primary rule of plot: clarity. The movie progresses on different planes: reality and assorted levels of Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) ‘The Social Network.’ dream. The concept of implanting ideas in people’s minds without their realizing it is a fascinating sci-fi theme. Nolan scores high grades for the film’s extraordinary visuals, which involve huge buildings that upend and fold into themselves and a sequence in a hotel corridor in which individuals defy gravity. Interweaving a psychological subplot adds suspense, but ups the confusion. When all is said and done and the last credit rolls, viewers may still have questions, but they will not forget the cinematic brilliance of this one-of-a-kind feature. Number Seven: “127 Hours.” Essentially a one-man film (though other actors appear briefly), “127 Hours” stars James Franco as mountain climber Aron Ralston, who becomes trapped in a deep desert mountain crevice when a boulder pins his arm to the crevice wall. The movie follows Ralston’s five-day attempt to survive as he combats the elements, pain, thirst, hunger, and despair. Director Danny Boyle (“Slumdog Millionaire”) has overcome the challenge of retaining interest without two basics of cinema: movement and location variety. Boyle never takes viewers away from Ralston, though we occasionally see his hallucinations. Franco manages to rivet viewers with his performance and makes Ralston’s predicament feel completely real. This is a tough film to watch, but one that proves car chases, explosions, and $20 million stars are not necessary to captivate viewers. Number Six: “True Grit.” A remake of the 1969 John Wayne film, “True Grit” is one of the best Westerns to come out of Hollywood in a long time. Despite Wayne’s Academy Award-winning performance in the original, the new film directed by Joel and Ethan Coen is superior. At its core is an amazing performance by Hailee Steinfeld as 14-year-old Mattie Ross, who hires U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to find and bring to justice Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), her father’s murderer. Joining them in the search for Chaney is Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon). The Coen brothers have crafted one of their most mainstream movies with this revenge drama, going back to the Charles Portis novel for their screenplay. Steinfeld is perfect as Mattie and delivers the old-fashioned dialogue as if it’s second-nature to her. Bridges is appropriately cantankerous and gruff as Cogburn, and Damon adds some humor as a Ranger who takes himself a bit too seriously. Number Five: “The Kids Are All Right.” Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) are in a long-term, committed relationship and have two teenaged children, Joni and Laser. Shortly after reaching her 18th birthday, Joni applies to learn who her sperm-donor father is. He turns out to be Paul (Mark Ruffalo), a co-op farmer and (continued on Crossword page) State Line 375 State Highway 17 North, Mahwah Open 24 Hours, 7 Days Join Us For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner The Best Got Better! Diner - Restaurant 201-529-3353 Now Serving Cocktails, Espresso & Cappuccino $ 00 On $10.00 and over. 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