My TOP52 Movies of 2010

In a year dominated by animated flicks, grand sequels and remakes, one original movie managed to stand out. Like Avatar back in 2009, this movie shook audiences to the core with its excellent visual landscape, pulsating action sequences and great directing. However, this film achieved something more than the James Cameron epic - it made audiences think.

And boy did we think deeply.

I'm referring to none other than the Christopher Nolan masterpiece - Inception. Assembling a troupe of some of the finest actors working in Hollywood, Nolan managed to churn out a rare cerebral film that excited audiences worldwide with its thought-provocating concept of dream-within-a-dream.

Like The Dark Knight, Nolan's previous tour de force, extremely favourable word-of-mouth catapulted Inception's global box-office receipts to US$825 Million.

While critics and audiences should applaud the brave and thrilling filmmaking portrayed by Inception, we should not let a tent-pole movie shroud other cinematic gems. Be it indie favourites (Away We Go), foreign fare (The White Ribbon) or deliciously off-beat comedy (The Other Guys [pictured]), we should be glad that we got the privilege to watch some unassuming yet fantastic films in 2010.

As aforementioned, animated films meant big business this year. The big boys at Disney unleashed Pixar's Toy Story 3 (the highest-grossing film of 2010 at over US$1 Billion) and Rapunzel, while sleeper hits like Despicable Me [pictured] and How To Train Your Dragon also racked up the moolahs and critical praise.

So, which film would top my list of the 52 movies I've watched that were released in Singapore in 2010? Would it be the much talked-about Inception, or would there really be another film that is worthy to top it?

Of course, as always, we have to start with the failures that many people would have regretted watching (including me). Good things are worth the wait, though, and you will gradually discover the commendable films later on.

If you are ready, let the countdown begin!

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STINKER OF THE YEAR:

#52 The Blood Pledge 동반자살 (2.0/5)

"Let's all pray that if this movie fails, we can still make it as a Korean pop group."

A horror movie that was scarily unscary and predictable. Although the cast handled the emotions pretty well, the director decided to do a lazy film with lousy scares.

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THE MEDIOCREs:

#51 Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler (2.5/5)

"So, this is how you play Snap..."

A film with sound social commentary about authoritarian leadership but showcased in an often exaggerated manner. Pleasantly ambitious but too long-drawn.

#50 BOX! (2.5/5)

"I prefer to train like this for my IPPT."

Charismatic leads Hayato Ichihara [pictured] and Kengo Kora turn in fine performances, but bad directing and pace sinks this film to mediocrity.

#49 The Tourist (2.5/5)

"Ma'am, you forgot your boyfriend."

Despite the gorgeous backdrop of Venice and immense likeability of its mega stars Jolie and Depp, the incredulous plot leaves a sour taste in one's mouth.

#48 Killers (2.5/5)

"I know he peed on your carpet but please don't shoot my puppy!"

Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl share great chemistry but the film plays like just another episode of Desperate Housewives. And that might not be a good thing.

#47 Daybreakers (2.5/5)

"We have cooler vampires than Twilight and we know it."

This Ethan Hawke flick about vampires capturing humans for blood to survive starts off strong and promising, before the lame final act dwindles all hope to make it a cool blood-sucker film.

#46 It's Complicated (2.5/5)

"I'm going home to change my Facebook relationship status."

Meryl Streep. Alec Baldwin. Steve Martin. How can such big-name stars not turn this comedy into a critical darling? It's complicated.

#45 Nine (2.5/5)

"I.. had.. the time of my life..."

A massively misguided film by Chicago director Rob Marshall, with choppy and directionless musical numbers. When a pop-star (Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas [pictured]) outshines screen legends Sophia Loren, Nicole Kidman and Dame Judi Dench, you know something is wrong.

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THE AVERAGE ONEs:

#44 Shrek Forever After (3.0/5)

"We told you, Donkey, knock before you enter!"

Our beloved ogre says goodbye. Although this was not the fitting farewell we expected, the trademark jokes we have learnt to love made us enjoy this dysfunctional family while it lasted.

#43 Letters to Juliet (3.0/5)

"I know it's not manly but I love strawberry-flavoured ice creams."

A suitably romantic film that owe a great deal to the beautiful location of Verona, Italy.

#42 Going The Distance (3.0/5)

"They do know that we're sitting here, right?"

An often hilarious comedy about long-distance relationships tailor-made for its charming leads Drew Barrymore and Justin Long, whose real life relationship is also famously on-and-off.

#41 Liar Game: The FInal Stage (3.0/5)

"I'm the loonier version of Jig-Saw."

A twisty mystery game based on the popular Japanese television series of the same name. Honesty and deception are its timeless themes but over-acting spoils this final product.

#40 Clash of the Titans (2010) (3.0/5)

"Wait, I'm confused, am I in Lord of the Rings?"

Famously known as the blockbuster that made audiences hate 3D films. That aside, it was still action-packed enough to be enjoyable, although it was an arguably unnecessary remake of the beloved classic.

#39 The Book of Eli (3.0/5)

"I hope my Ray-Bans work in this bloody heat."

An ambitious apocalyptic zombie-flick that is more violent (and perhaps, more religious) than Will Smith's I Am Legend. The final mind-boggling revelation of the film will most likely stupefy and astound you.

#38 Grown Ups (3.0/5)

"What? You want us to do the Wonder Girls dance?"

When Adam Sandler gathers a company funny-men like Kevin James and Chris Tucker, we ought to pay attention. Filled with expected outrageous situations and sadistic humour, this film is a hoot to watch with your buddies.

#37 The Lovely Bones (3.0/5)

"Wow, it's like I'm in a Susan Boyle music video!"

With LOTR's Peter Jackson at the helm, it is sorely disappointing that this acclaimed novel suffered from a poorly-adapted screenplay. The stunning effects and dedicated cast (which includes Stanley Tucci and Rachel Weisz) managed to better the film a little.

#36 Alice in Wonderland (2010) (3.0/5)

"Whatever SPCA says, I'm still lovin' my new pig cushion."

The 'Tim Burton + Johnny Depp' combi hardly fails but this unimaginative retelling of the well-known tale suffers from a lazy plot and unexciting resolution, however beautiful the 3D visuals were. But that didn't stop the film from raking over US$1 Billion worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing film of the year after Toy Story 3.

#35 Knight and Day (3.0/5)

"Oops, traffic jam."

Their first reunion since 2001's 'Vanilla Sky', this Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz film departs from melodrama and opts for a high-octane action caper, which is often fun but ultimately forgettable.

#34 Taipei Exchanges 第36个故事 (3.0/5)

"Welcome to 'Cafe World', the real version."

A quiet little indie flick that muses about the hopes and dreams of two sisters in Taipei. Although unnervingly slow-moving at times, it does have its quirky moments that work.

#33 Tron: Legacy (3.0/5)

"We'll never lose each other again running at midnight."

Jaw-dropping and absolutely sumptuous effects make this a worthy 3D film. However, its uninspiring story has no heart whatsoever. Still, extremely pretty to look at.

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THE ABOVE-AVERAGEs:

#32 Detective Dee - The Mystery of the Phantom Flame 狄仁杰之通天帝国 (3.5/5)

"Dude, you really need a shave."

Appropriately grand in scale and well directed, this Andy Lau-fronted Chinese Sherlock Holmes should most likely be developed into a franchise.

#31 Date Night (3.5/5)

"Yes, we just got off a motorbike ride. How did you guess?"

The pairing of talents Steve Carell and Tina Fey is bound to create comedic sparks. This is one wacky story about a misunderstanding from an identity theft that causes said innocent couple to have the night of their lives.

#30 Step Up 3 (3.5/5)

"James Cameron, are you watching this?"

This third installment to the popular dance franchise just received the 3D treatment... and boy, did it dazzle. The storyline is engaging and the choreography is astonishing as usual.

#29 Easy A (3.5/5)

"Watch it, Beyonce-wannabe coming thru'."

Breakthrough star Emma Stone headlines this surprisingly insightful comedy about high school promiscuity. Her natural performance carries enough wit and charm to make this the best teen comedy I've watched this year.

#28 The Men Who Stares At Goats (3.5/5)

"Come on, goat, what are the lottery numbers..."

A bizarre to-the-max movie title accompanied with a puzzling cast of A-listers who include George Clooney, Ewan McGregor and Jeff Bridges makes this one off-beat but yet, strangely enjoyable.

#27 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (3.5/5)

"Erm... aren't we in the wrong attire for surfing?"

A vast improvement from the previous film (Prince Caspian), Dawn Treader brings back the dark and dangerous Narnia with amazing visual effects that fans of the original series fell in love with. A scene-stealing Will Poulter, who stars as spoilt brat Eustace, is a hoot to watch.

#26 Mao's Last Dancer 舞 (3.5/5)

"I believe I can fly."

A well-filmed East-meets-West movie about the inspiring true story of Li Cunxin, who left his hometown in rural China to eventually make it as the principal dancer for the Houston Ballet in America.

#25 Ip Man 2 叶问2 (3.5/5)

"Dammit, not my face!"

Although not as powerful as the first movie in terms of plot, Ip Man 2 still packs a few solid punches in terms of action choreography.

#24 The Blind Side (3.5/5)

"You're not gonna make me run in my Chanel and Prada!"

Known as the uplifting drama that gave Sandra Bullock her first Oscar, this movie - inspired by a true story - is well-crafted with dedicated performances throughout.

#23 Echoes of the Rainbow 岁月神偷 (3.5/5)

"And that's how you make a fake branded shoe."

Hong Kong acting veterans Sandra Ng and Simon Yam turn in heartwarming performances in this nostalgic film about the most inevitable thing in our lives - change.

#22 Sandcastle 沙城 (3.5/5)

"We've made it to Cannes - now we shall aim for the Oscars."

The first local feature to make it to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, this contemplative film about a son slowly discovering the secret past about his father is commendable for its fine performances and moving screenplay.

#21 A Serious Man (3.5/5)

"That's the answer to the first question."

One of the Coen brothers' more personal films to-date, this off-beat movie explores deep themes of faith, identity and morality.

#20 Salt (3.5/5)

"All in a day's work."

Initially meant for Tom Cruise, this spy thriller is made utterly enjoyable with a surprisingly refreshing performance by Angelina Jolie. From the looks of it, the audience would not mind a sequel.

#19 How To Train Your Dragon (3.5/5)

"Easy, boy, we're not in Avatar."

A sleeper-hit of the year for Dreamworks, which raked in a cool US$490million at the worldwide box office. Who knew that a little known story based on a children's book could produce such entertaining animation? A film franchise is just around the corner.

#18 Robin Hood (2010) (3.5/5)

"No time for bow and arrow."

Although some critics and fans lambasted this Ridley Scott film for not being faithful to the legendary hero, others hailed it as a top-notch actioner that was beautifully shot. I, for one, agree with the latter group of critics.

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THE SOLID ENTERTAINERs:

#17 Iron Man 2 (4.0/5)

"Even superheroes need a break sometimes."

While not as supremely enjoyable as the first one, this second installment is still action-packed and features more of our beloved egoistic Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark. However, it is already official that Jon Favreau will not be returning to direct the third Iron Man, citing creative differences with Marvel Studios.

#16 Up In The Air (4.0/5)

"Now, where did I put my passport..."

A worthy Oscar contender in 2009, this George Clooney film (directed by Juno director Jason Reitman) is a heartwarming story about knowing the importance of kinship despite the highly-transitional state of life nowadays.

#15 Despicable Me (4.0/5)

"Ain't I the luckiest dude in the world?"

One of the most beloved animation of 2010 that was non-Pixar and non-Dreamworks. Agnes, the unicorn-loving child, is officially the cutest animated girl since Boo from Monsters, Inc.

#14 Bright Star (4.0/5)

"Are you kidding me? You want me to find your earring in this field?"

A stunningly-acted and cinematically-lyrical film about the heart-wrenching romance of 19th Century poet John Keats. For people who appreciate literature and beautiful cinematography, this film is a must-watch.

#13 The Other Guys (4.0/5)

"Oops, I forgot the memory card."

Absolutely hilarious film about a couple of misfits from the NYC Police trying to crack a case on their own. The odd pairing of funny man Will Ferrell and serious man Mark Wahlberg works perfectly, and this movie showed that Eva Mendes can actually do comedy.

#12 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1) (4.0/5)

"Gasp! Justin Bieber is having a concert in town!?"

The part one of the concluding chapter of this epic fantasy series is fantastically crafted with fine performances by the young and veteran actors. A great delight to watch. Let's wait patiently for next July.

#11 Away We Go (4.0/5)

"Who cares if Santa burns his ass while coming down the chimney? I want to light my damn fireplace!"

A charming little indie roadtrip movie about a couple trying to find the perfect place to settle down. Quirky and touching - one of the many understated gems that screened in 2010.

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And now... my TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2010!

#10 Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale (4.0/5)

"He is jealous that your mane is longer than his."

Gorgeous drawings with a humourous storyline, lovable characters and memorable songs all only mean one thing - Disney animation is finally back on the map.

#09 Paranormal Activity 2 (4.0/5)

"Damn.. shouldn't have drank so much tea before I slept."

Just when you thought the gimmick wasn't over, the writers managed to spin another chilling tale with a classic kitchen scene that will make you jump out of your skin literally. This one ties in very neatly with the first and get ready - a third one is already confirmed to be coming our way.

#08 Summer Wars サマーウォーズ (4.0/5)

"Yay! American Idol is coming back!"

A wonderful animation that serves as a social commentary about the dangers of the internet, as well as a touching tale about family. It just feels different watching a Japanese anime.

#07 The Social Network (4.0/5)

"I think we just created Facebook."

David Fincher's celebrated work based on the non-fiction biography, The Accidental Billionaires, is already touted as a frontrunner for Best Picture Oscar for 2011. Although not as stunning as Fincher's 2008 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, it is still a great work of editing and storytelling.

#06 Kick-Ass (4.0/5)

"That's what you get for underestimating me."

A butt-kicking romp based on the ultra-violent comic book by Mark Millar (writer of Wanted). The star is not kick-ass himself; instead, it is the pint-sized Chloe Moretz who stars as the formidable (and expletive-spouting) Hit-Girl who steals the show.

#05 The White Ribbon (4.5/5)

"Deep-focus FTW."

A deeply unsettling black-and-white drama about a series of strange events occurring in a small northern village in Germany just before WWI. This Palme d'Or winner at Cannes features exquisite cinematography and chillingly dedicated acting by its young leads.

#04 Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire (4.5/5)

"Stop lying to me - you can't be Mariah Carey."

A film showcasing powerhouse acting and brutal emotions. Gabourey Sidibe, 2010 Oscar's Best Supporting Actress Mo'Nique and (surprise, surprise) Mariah Carey turn in the performances of their career.

#03 Shutter Island (4.5/5)

"OMG, am I back in the Titanic?"

A tense and taut masterpiece by auteur Martin Scorsese. Adapted from the acclaimed novel of the same title, the film brings out the best in leading man Leonardo DiCaprio, and is filled with stunning camera work and thrilling twists and turns.

#02 Inception (5.0/5)

A giddy film born from the genius mind of a daring and visionary filmmaker - Christopher Nolan. The visual effects are mind-blowing, and so is the storyline of going into the different levels of a person's dream to 'inject' a thought that could ultimately alter a person's behaviour. Knock yourself on the head if you have not watched this film yet.

#01 Toy Story 3 (5.0/5)

"Go on, toys, enjoy your moment of glory. You're #1!"

The perfect way to finish a historical trilogy from a well-loved studio that understands what storytelling and filmmaking means to the audience. Suitably the number one grossing film at the box-office this year with over US$1 billion in takings, Woody, Buzz & Co. will forever be our favourite toys in our hearts.

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THE END.

A revisit of my past years' countdowns:

>> 2007's TOP 40 Movies with Will Smith and son's The Pursuit of Happyness at #1.

>> 2008's TOP 61 Movies with Christopher Nolan's groundbreaking The Dark Knight at #1.

>> 2009's TOP 37 Movies with the rip-roaring Inglourious Basterds at #1.

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Yup, that's the end of my 2010 countdown. Here's to a great year of movies in 2011! =))