Best Films of 2010

As the year comes to a close, here are my picks for the ten best films of 2010, listed in order of preference:

1. "The Ghost Writer"

Roman Polanski deserves all the vitriol he receives for the heinous crime that he committed years ago, but there is no denying the fact that he is a brilliant filmmaker. Polanski is responsible for some of the greatest cinematic achievements of all-time ("Chinatown", "The Pianist"), and with "The Ghost Writer" he has crafted a thoroughly taut and involving thriller, one of the most compelling films in recent memory. Tremendous performances are delivered by Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan, and the Roman Polanski-Robert Harris screenplay is rife with breathtaking suspense. "The Ghost Writer" creates a forboding atmosphere without the aid of any gimmicks or cliches. "The Ghost Writer" is a masterpiece in tone, and it is the best film of 2010.

2. "Black Swan"

Darren Aronofsky's madly ambitious, wildly audacious psychological thriller is not for everyone, but I was enthralled by every frame. Aronosfky's depiction of a professional ballerina's descent into frightening mental despair is nothing short of exhilarating. Natalie Portman is sensational in the lead role, and Mila Kunis is fantastic in the film's most integral supporting role. "Black Swan" is a shocking tour-de-force that has forever seared itself into my memory.

3. "Toy Story 3"

The third installment of the enchanting "Toy Story" franchise is a joyous cinematic miracle, the kind of movie that lifts the spirit and soothes the soul. "Toy Story 3" is a smart, funny, and profoundly moving adventure. With "Toy Story 3", Pixar remains an unparalleled symbol of greatness.

4. "Please Give"

Nicole Holofcener's latest is a beautiful movie that perfectly captures the angst and complexities of life, a film that astutely resists the temptation to neatly wrap its' characters in succinct stereotypes. Holofcener's films always feel authentic, and "Please Give" is no exception. Terrific performances are turned in by Catherine Keener, Oliver Platt, Amanda Peet, and Sarah Steele. "Please Give" personifies the complicated essence of life. I love this movie.

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5. "Greenberg"

The sixth directorial effort from the always fascinating writer-director Noah Baumbach is a painfully honest, darkly funny gem. This is Baumbach's best film, and that is saying something. "Greenberg" features some of the most beautifully nuanced, fearless scenes of any movie in recent years. Ben Stiller is a revelation as a prickly, deeply insecure man who bristles at what he views as the vast emptiness of life. Stiller gives a remarkable, gritty performance that has gone unfairly overlooked this awards season. The beautiful Greta Gerwig is also outstanding. "Greenberg" is an audacious, transfixing film that demands to be seen.

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6. "True Grit"

The Coen Brothers' remake of the 1969 classic Western is a stunningly gorgeous, frequently hilarious, and wildly entertaining delight. The great Jeff Bridges gives another spectacular performance as a drunken U.S. Marshal who helps young Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) hunt down the man who killed her father. It is always a joy to watch Bridges, and Hailee Steinfeld, making her screen debut, is charming and wonderful. She is a star in the making. Excellent supporting work is also turned in by Matt Damon and Josh Brolin in a small but pivotal role as the film's villain. "True Grit" epitomizes everything that I love about the Coen Brothers. Joel and Ethan Coen make movies that reflect their love of cinema. Endlessly captivating, superbly acted, and beautifully shot, "True Grit" is a joyous tribute to the Western genre.

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7. "The Town"

Ben Affleck's second directorial effort is a gritty, masterful heist movie that is simultaneously fast and exciting, intelligent and nuanced. In addition to giving a tremendous performance in the lead role, Affleck displays remarkable vision behind the camera. His surehanded direction makes perfect use of the Boston landscape. In addition to Affleck, very strong performances are delivered by Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, and Rebecca Hall. "The Town" is a terrific crime epic that conjures memories of Martin Scorsese's "The Departed".

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8. "Hereafter"

In lesser hands, "Hereafter" could have been a treacly exercise in overly sentimental melodrama. In the deft hands of the great Clint Eastwood, however, "Hereafter" is a sublimely moving masterwork. Eastwood is one of the greatest filmmakers of all-time, and he is an ageless wonder who only gets better as the years progress. His latest, featuring an outstanding performance by Matt Damon, is a graceful, thought-provoking contemplation of life after death.

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9. "The American"

Contrary to its' title, Anton Corbjin's "The American" is a decidedly European endeavor, not merely because Europe serves as its gorgeous backdrop, but rather because of its simmering, slow-building suspense. "The American" may test the patience of some viewers, but it is an endlessly fascinating, scintillating, and visually alluring marvel, featuring another brilliant performance from George Clooney.

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10. "The Social Network"

David Fincher's much-talked about examination of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg offers a fascinating study of the correlations between power and isolation, and it is the strange juxtaposition of wealth, celebrity, and loneliness that makes "The Social Newtork" so intensely compelling. The cast, led by Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Timberlake, is uniformly excellent, and the Aaron Sorkin screenplay is brilliant.

A Psychological Tailspin in the Pursuit of Perfection

"Black Swan", the fifth directorial effort from Darren Aronofsky ("The Wrestler", "Requiem for a Dream"), is perhaps the most freaky psycho-sexual thriller ever made. Here is an aggressively audacious film that takes the viewer on a frightening, trippy, and erotic mind-bending ride. To watch "Black Swan" isn't merely to watch a movie. Rather, watching "Black Swan" is an unforgettable, sensory experience, a film that you will likely either love unconditionally or detest passionately. As for me, I absolutely loved this madly ambitious film, and I was enthralled and fascinated by every frame. "Black Swan" is a visceral powerhouse. Each scene carries tragic implications. Each scene packs a devastating emotional punch. This is one of the very best films of the year.

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Natalie Portman stars as Nina Sayers, a supremely talented New York City ballerina who lives and breathes dance. Every fiber of Nina's being is consumed with dance and the unyielding drive for perfection on the dance floor. As Nina prepares for the lead role in an upcoming production of the acclaimed ballet Swan Lake, her obsession with perfection sends her on a psychological tailspin. Nina becomes increasingly paranoid and riddled with fear. She befriends a fellow dancer, Lily (Mila Kunis), but the friendship eventually turns sour, as Nina fears that Lily is out to sabotage her career and overtake her role as Swan Queen. Soon enough, Nina's life is a terrifying series of hallucinations, and Nina sub-consciously embarks on a self-destructive path.

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I have only revealed a simplistic, surface-level version of the plot, for "Black Swan" is an especially exhilarating experience if the viewer walks in cold. The plot takes the viewer in shocking directions, and the element of surprise is an integral aspect of the film's excellence. This is a testament to the breathtaking audacity and innovation of director Aronofsky and screenwriters Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, and John McLaughlin. Aronofsky's brilliant direction is mesmerizing, and the screenplay achieves the remarkable feat of crafting a thrilling psychological mind game while still maintaining a sense of genuine authenticity. In lesser hands, "Black Swan" could have devolved into pretentious camp. In the deft hands of Aronosfky and the three screenwriters, however, "Black Swan" is a masterpiece.

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The cast is uniformly outstanding. Natalie Portman gives the performance of a lifetime in the lead role. Portman tackles a fiercely demanding role with astonishing results. It is a stunning tour-de-force that should earn Portman an Oscar for Best Actress. Mila Kunis is equally excellent as Nina's seductive rival and friend Lily. Kunis has been mostly known for her work in playful comedies, but her masterful immersion into some incredibly dark material in "Black Swan" should show the world that Kunis is a phenomenal actress capable of excelling in drama as well as comedy. Tremendous performances are also turned in by Vincent Cassel as the intimidating, misogynistic ballet director, Barbara Hershey as Nina's deeply concerned mother, and Winona Ryder as a former ballet star struggling to cope with her increasing age and declining fame.

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Two years ago, Darren Aronofsky made one of my all-time favorite movies, "The Wrestler", about a down-and-out former professional wrestler trying desperately to sort through the challenges in his life. In "Black Swan", Aronofsky again explores the efforts of a character trying to find peace of mind and feeling of accomplishment. Once again, Aronosfky has struck gold. "Black Swan" is not for everybody, but it is a soaring achievement, a film that takes a choke hold on your psyche and leaves you breathless.