The Film Obsession's Top 10 Reviewed Films of 2010 [Feature]

This year has been very exciting in terms of big budget film releases. We've seen the rise of 3D creations (even though that's not necessarily a good thing), we've seen stunning spectacles on screen in terms of cinematography, and have witnessed some of the most heart warming stories told in film. 

In case you had forgotten any films that were released this year, watch this awesome video showing 270 films of 2010 in just over 6 minutes! 

(Thanks to HeyUGuys for pointing this out)

So, of all the films I've reviewed (including screenings from The London Film Festival), I'm conducting the famous "Top 10" list. I can imagine there will be a couple you disagree with, and some you won't be able to comment on as they haven't been released, but take my word for it, they deserve to be on this list (If you can trust my judgement). 

Click on the title of the film to read the review.

10

Tamara Drewe

A true English delight with some very endearing characters. Every ounce of this was fun, surprisingly made you laugh and really was perfect was the summer release. 

The mini was a particular favourite English touch of mine. 

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9 

Four Lions

Controversial comedy mixed with some good British filming. This film took the humour from Chris Morris and turned it into one of the most quoted films in England this year. 

"Rubber Dingy Rapids"

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8

Kick-Ass

A real unique twist on a comic book based movie. This film broke the boundaries of how a superhero film could be made. Plus the story was written by Jane Goldman - A woman!

Goooooo oestrogen! 

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7 

Toy Story 3

A genuinely stunning digital animation that hasn't lost any appeal after 10 years of the previous film. The characters are all the same with brilliant new ones.

Is it weird Lotso was my favourite?

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6

Paranormal Activity 2

It caused uncontrollable shaking and sleepless nights from the very realistic cinematography. This film made me want to walk out of the cinema in fear, no joke.

Never am I sitting in my kitchen alone again. 

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5

Black Swan

Aronofsky showing the world he can turn even the sweetest thing into a dark, psychological whirlwind. The editing and costume was amazing in this, bringing every detail to life.

I'm kind of glad I didn't do ballet as a kid. 

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4

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

A well thought out action film that makes your eyes pop out of their holes. I was shocked at how much I fell in love with this movie. It's just AWESOME.

You could say I lesbian it. 

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3

Shutter Island

Leonardo proves to be Hollywood's finest, as does the thrilling genre this film brings with it. The ending is what turned this film from great to genius.

I wouldn't mind looking after Leo, even if he was a psycho. 

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2 

Inception

A film that's never quite been done before, and never will. This will not only top the charts of 2010, but in the history of filmmaking. A big statement yes, but it can cope with it.

I wanted it to keep spinning...

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1

Never Let Me Go

This captured my heart from beginning to end, with a one off storyline and absolutely brilliant acting. Films rarely make me cry, but my face was very much soaked after this.

Andrew Garfield is a bit of alright too. 

I hope you enjoyed every film that 2010 brought to us.

Make a list of your own and comment it in the box below!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Kelly.

x x 

Black Swan ***** - The London Film Festival Review

For Blogomatic3000

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Writer: Mark Heyman

Stars: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder

The Wrestler, Requiem for a Dream and The Fountain - These are the films that appear on the director Darren Aronofsky's list on IMDB. And now he brings us a tale about... A ballerina? This isn't an Angelina Ballerina story though, this focuses on the tale of pressure, self-harm, sex and split personalities - Welcome to the dark side of dancing from a well respected director's point on view.

This film was a shock in all aspects of cinema going. You're watching an extremely intense story that builds and builds to the point of destruction. Along with this, we see the pain and torture Nina (Natalie Portman) goes through both physically on screen with gritty scenes of pain, and emotionally through the quite unnervingly unique story. And in terms of the cinematography, it exceeds your expectations of Aronofsky's work. He takes you in detail through suffering and pleasure with intense photography and sound. It's a real shock to the system to watch, but you're prepared if you know his work previously.

Portman comes into her own. Playing a dancer who's in a warped world from her mother's incessant pestering, she strives to be perfect. But this outcome of suppression from any feeling of letting go leaves her to explode on screen in a climatic end to the film. We watch her slowly become someone else that's intimidating and genuinely frightening. Landing the lead role in Swan Lake, she has to play two very different characters - The White Swan and the Black Swan. Inevitably, she becomes this darker, more fearsome character. And the story reveals this in such a way that it's almost painful.

With Mila Kunis (Lilly) playing a happy-go-lucky promiscuous character, you begin to see the similarity, or more likely, competition between the two. They work off each other perfectly and bring alive this tale that's so remarkable you'll want to watch it over and over again. The one thing that would be stopping you from doing so is the level of gruesomeness you see. You're not shied away from what can only be described as a raw look at insanity. Winona Ryder (Beth) and Barbara Hershey (Erica) are very interesting to watch when you note these themes. Although they're not key in the lunacy unfolding, their profiles on screen provide a lot of essence which work well as the story unfolds.

What also lets the eccentricity of the events occur is the manic filming. Whilst the dancers move, they do not seem elegant, but threatening. The camera switches from side to side, flows in the action of the dancers rather than an establishing shot, and adds to the confusion of the girls on screen. The sound enhances movement of clothing which normally would be dubbed out, meaning what you're focusing on is the grind of the career. You're hearing, feeling and seeing it from their point of view. It's an up close and personal look at this life. But as there is an element of possession, you're always remained detached. The special effects build gradually, starting with a hint of the world taking over. But as we hit the end of the film, you're fully aware of what's happening to this woman.You're taken on such a ride that predicting the outcome becomes impossible.

Mixed in with this approach of showing paranoia and schizophrenia is a very personal look at sexual desires and repression. Thomas (Vincent Cassel) brings this animal instinct out in Nina which ultimate enhances the idea of insanity through a very disheartening effect. Lilly adds to this by openly being very flirtatious, bringing another element of Nina out. You watch it with a sense of disgust almost because it's not pleasure, it's a breaking down of her world.

After reading this, you're probably no closer to understanding what really the tale of this film involves, and to be perfectly honest you shouldn't know. It's such a breathtaking piece of film that you need to go in with little knowledge and come out with full appreciation for this work.

A scene from The Fountain showing off Aronofsky's way of creating an intense relationship: