Just over a week ago Directors Notes published my Top Ten Films of 2010. As in previous years, however, I decided to wait until 2010 was well and truly over before posting my list here. Since the DN list was published I've been able to catch up on some of the much-loved films from 2010, so I'm glad I waited...even if only one of them penetrated my top ten (it really does appear to have been a year of overrated, mediocre work – and certainly a much weaker year than either 2008 or 2009, at least judging by what I've seen: even with my last-minute catch up there were still a number of films I didn't get to see which I wish I had, including I Know You Know, City of Life and Death, The Social Network, Carlos and The Arbor). As well as containing my original top ten list, the DN piece also includes my comments on nine of the ten films I've included in my 2010 list below, so swing by and check it out.
As with last year, I have also included a list of 'The Best Films from Previous Years that I Saw for the First Time in 2010'. This time round I decided to limit myself to one film per director, so in a way Mamma Roma also stands for Oedipus Rex, and The Circus also stands for The Kid. I should also point out that I've included Metropolis as I'm considering the restoration a new film in its own right - hence it can take the number one spot even though I've seen previous versions of the film before. Maybe this is cheating, but it's my blog with my rules so I don't care...
Where applicable titles link to pieces I've written on the films, while all director names link to their IMDb profiles.
As with last year, I have also included a list of 'The Best Films from Previous Years that I Saw for the First Time in 2010'. This time round I decided to limit myself to one film per director, so in a way Mamma Roma also stands for Oedipus Rex, and The Circus also stands for The Kid. I should also point out that I've included Metropolis as I'm considering the restoration a new film in its own right - hence it can take the number one spot even though I've seen previous versions of the film before. Maybe this is cheating, but it's my blog with my rules so I don't care...
Where applicable titles link to pieces I've written on the films, while all director names link to their IMDb profiles.
My Top Films of 2010
01) The Days of Desire (dir. József Pacskovszki)02) If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle (dir. Florin Şerban)
03) Lion's Den (dir. Pablo Trapero)
04) My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done (dir. Werner Herzog)
05) Agora (dir. Alejandro Amenábar)
06) Shutter Island (dir. Martin Scorsese)
07) Kick-Ass (dir. Matthew Vaughn)
08) The Island (dir. Pavel Lungin)
09) Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff (dir. Craig McCall)
10) Undertow (dir. Javier Fuentes-León)
Special mention: Revolución. Even though the majority of this portmanteau film failed to impress, it gave Fernando Eimbcke the chance to once again prove himself as one of the world's best young directors.
The Best Films from Previous Years that I Saw for the First Time in 2010
01) Metropolis (1927, dir. Fritz Lang)
02) Mamma Roma (1962, dir. Pier Paolo Pasolini)
03) The Leopard (1963, dir. Luchino Visconti)
04) The Beekeeper (1986, dir. Theodoros Angelopoulos)
05) The Seashell and the Clergyman (1928, dir. Germaine Dulac)
06) The Bride of Glomdal (1926, dir. Carl Th. Dreyer)
07) The Circus (1928, dir. Charles Chaplin)
08) A Man Escaped (1956, dir. Robert Bresson)
09) Private Road (1971, dir. Barney Platts-Mills)
10) The Fabulous World of Jules Verne (1958, dir. Karel Zeman)
Special mention: Bridge to Terabithia (2007, Gabor Csupo), for being a kid's film with enough intelligence and emotional pull to outshine most 'grownup' fantasy dramas being made these days.
02) Mamma Roma (1962, dir. Pier Paolo Pasolini)
03) The Leopard (1963, dir. Luchino Visconti)
04) The Beekeeper (1986, dir. Theodoros Angelopoulos)
05) The Seashell and the Clergyman (1928, dir. Germaine Dulac)
06) The Bride of Glomdal (1926, dir. Carl Th. Dreyer)
07) The Circus (1928, dir. Charles Chaplin)
08) A Man Escaped (1956, dir. Robert Bresson)
09) Private Road (1971, dir. Barney Platts-Mills)
10) The Fabulous World of Jules Verne (1958, dir. Karel Zeman)
Special mention: Bridge to Terabithia (2007, Gabor Csupo), for being a kid's film with enough intelligence and emotional pull to outshine most 'grownup' fantasy dramas being made these days.
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5 comments:
Dang! Alex, and how am I going to get to see 'The Days of Desire'?! According to IMDb, it hasn't even be released theatrically in its domestic market yet.
I guess yours is a 'new films I saw in 2010' type list, as opposed to a 'best films released in 2010'.
Fair enough. I think if I were to include some LFF titles, Winter Vacation and My Joy would make the 2010 list.
best
Richard P
And Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.
Yeah, very much a 'new films I saw' list, although not totally – 'The Island' was actually made in 2006 but only released over here last year. So I'm totally inconsistent. Sorry. But it just shows that if I was to wait for some of the festival stuff to be released, I'd be waiting years! I'm devastated that 'The Days of Desire' has disappeared into obscurity. I heard it was originally made for TV (which is incredible considering how cinematic it is), so maybe that explains it. Hopefully some distributor or other will pick it up eventually.
Still not sure about 'Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives'. Looking forward to seeing it again at some point, but it didn't make my list based on the first viewing. Think I'm a bit out of step with the rest of the critical establishment this year...
Best,
Alex.
Didn't expect to like Uncle Boonmee as much as I did. I reckon it will grow on you so give it another chance - make sure the sound is good and loud.
The five and half hour version of Carlos was impressive too, if only for the fact that it manage to hold your attention for the duration. Loved the anachronistic use of New Order on the soundtrack.
Cool. Will do. Really want to see Carlos. Hope to catch it soon.
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