THE PAST
With the start of another semester approaching, I feel I should take a second to contemplate the year thus far. In short, I believe it’s been a cinematic drought. The past eight months have provided us with only a handful of noteworthy films. Otherwise, the lot has been filled with either cash-grabbing remakes, uninspired sequels, or straightforward disappointments. To assuage the disappointment of this year’s fruitless filmic delivery, I’ve compiled a list of my personal favorites. I should be a little optimistic, right?
3. Terribly Happy
Although Terrbily Happy hails from Denmark, it’s a film that is surprisingly inspired by some of America’s greatest directors. Impressions of David Lynch and the Coen Brothers are prevalent throughout the movie’s tensest scenes, and simple American iconography is seen percolating in the quieter, much somber moments. It’s an interesting tone for an even more interesting story. Consolidating film noir and western together, Terribly Happy saunters its way into telling a compelling and very tragic tale.
2. Inception
Unlike anything we’ve seen this year, Inception bends physics, alters time, and damns the viewers’ mind. Director Christopher Nolan imbues us with a cinematic pleasure that’s as precious as the the movie’s subject. Ornately dressed with special effects and great performances, Inception is one of 2010’s best moviegoing experiences.
1. How to Train Your Dragon
Yes, it remains! How to Train Your Dragon is still my favorite film of 2010. Sure, it’s a simple story of a boy and his pet, but to me, it’s a conglomeration of emotions so subjective and personal that it’s impossible to describe on this blog. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of things I can say…The film explores infinite terrain with whimsical scope, but the sense of danger that is projected is unmistakably real. This is done with great technical craftsmanship, but an equally satisfying core of characters also aids in making this film outstanding.
THE PRESENT
Despite my aversion towards this year’s catalog of films, there are some great titles out right now. For instance…
Cyrus
Brothers Mark and Jay Duplass, the innovators behind the mumblecore movement, dually take on their first “Hollywood” film. To the movie’s benefit, Cyrus elegantly uses minimalism to naturally elicit deep characterization and pure emotional resonance.
The Kids are All Right
I’ll be seeing this in the next few days, so I will give my full thoughts then. However, reviews for this dramedy continue to be glowing with positivity.
Winter’s Bone
Winter’s Bone has been accumulating buzz since its premiere at the Sundance Festival. Winning the Grand Jury Prize, this literary adaptation is carrying a lot of momentum on its shoulders. Hopefully, I can check it out when it comes to the local art theater at school.
Some other films available now include:
- Mother
- Get Low
- Animal Kingdom
THE FUTURE
So what is there to look forward to? Well, there’s…
- Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (August 13)
- Comedy action
- Directed by Edgar Wright
- The American (September 1)
- Noir thriller
- Starring George Clooney
- The Town (September 10)
- Gangster thriller
- Directed by Ben Afleck.
- Starring Ben Afleck, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, Jon Ham.
- The Social Network (October 1)
- Drama about the birth of Facebook
- Directed by David Fincher.
- Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake.
- 127 Hours (November 5)
- Directed by Danny Boyle.
- Starring James Franco
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I (November 19)
- Part 1 of 2 for the final chapter of Harry Potter
- Black Swan (December 1)
- Psychological thriller
- Directed by Darren Aronofsky.
- Starring Natalie Portman
- Tron Legacy (December 17)
- Sci-fi action sequel
- Starring Jeff Bridges
- True Grit (December 25)
- Western remake by the Coen Brothers.
- Starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin
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