The Best of 2010: The Social Network tops list

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Thursday, 13 January 2011 12:19

As film critics choose the best of 2010, and the annual awards season begins, the Reel Dad awards his annual year-end honors, The Schumies.

Best Reason to Go to the Movies

Winner: The Social Network

Any time a film reveals something new about an outcome we already know, the movie experience is special. In the best film of 2010, Aaron Sorkin, the writer behind The West Wing on television, creates a brilliant suspense story out of events that freely exist in the public domain, and Director David Fincher delivers a visual style and pace that are perfectly in tune with Sorkin’s words. They make us care, and wonder, far more than the actual events would demand as they create a world so rich in texture, and complete with detail, that we feel we must be watching actual events unfold.

Runner-Up: The King’s Speech

Every day we look to leaders — of towns, nations, religions and businesses — to provide comfort if we fear and inspiration when we become discouraged. This essential historical drama explores how a new British king works to conquer his fear of speaking in public, and overcome his stammer, so he can provide the reassurance his nation needs. This is essential viewing for anyone curious about the challenges that people can confront to satisfy what others need.

Best Reason to Buy Popcorn

Winner: Inception

If you love to sit on the edge of your seat, this is a perfect choice. If you like lots of action (without a lot of blood) this is ideal. Inception dares to surprise, mislead, confuse and follow no conventional movie rules. If director Christopher Nolan were a chef, he would be the one who never follows a recipe, always reaches for an unusual collection of ingredients, and never disappoints.

Runner-Up: True Grit

Remakes rarely work. There’s something about warmed over cinema leftovers that is usually less than satisfying. Leave it to Joel and Ethan Coen, the creators of No Country for Old Men, to create a remake that easily surpasses the original. Jeff Bridges, fresh from his Oscar for Crazy Heart, is sublime as an aging US Marshal eager for one more chase, while Hailee Steinfeld nearly steals the film as a 14-year-old country girl eager to avenge her father’s death.

Most Overhyped Movie

Eat, Pray, Love

Visually, it may be sumptuous and, spiritually, the film may inspire those familiar with the story. But for the rest of us — clueless as to the magic the story is designed to deliver — this film only serves as an appetizer of what a real trip to such magical places could be if we spent time with real people. This over-extended commercial — with a cardboard character as our guide — is an empty serving. And Julia Roberts simply looks bored.

Most Welcome Performance

Annette Bening in The Kids Are All Right

She is a most captivating performer, with a command of drama (The Grifters), and comedy (The American President) and satire (American Beauty). But she doesn’t work a lot and, as years pass, seems to be offered fewer substantial roles. What a joy in 2010 to see Bening at her Oscar-worthy best as the mother of two teenagers who happens to be married to another woman. As the rock holding the family together, Bening is tough, gentle and real. And she can act.

Most Surprising Performance (Tie)

Colin Firth in The King’s Speech

His career has been progressing for many years, from a Julie Andrews film (Relative Values) to a success on British television (Pride and Prejudice) and a breakthrough Oscar nomination last year (A Single Man). But few expected him to be so heartbreaking as the British monarch who suffers a serious stammer just when his country most needs his voice of reason.

Natalie Portman in Black Swan

Portman — a gifted actress who, until now, has had few opportunities to live her potential — is a revelation as a reliable technical performer cast by surprise for the lead in a new interpretation of Swan Lake. Only in Mike Nichols’ Closer a few years ago has Portman suggested what, in this film, she beautifully reveals: a mature, focused actress willing to take any risk to land a performance.

Most Disappointing Visit to the Movies

Robin Hood

This mess of a movie is Robin Hood in name only. It is a disorganized, impossible-to-follow disaster that relegates Russell Crowe to a supporting role — despite playing the lead — and positions Cate Blanchett as a most unlikely action hero. While most movies end with the disclaimer that no incidents portrayed are based on real people this should carry the apology that no moments are based on any real versions of the Robin Hood myth.