Staff Picks: The Best Movies Of 2010, So Far

Can you believe it? The year is already half-over! So far 2010 has been somewhat underwhelming; with a struggling box-office and a generally less-than-stellar lineup of early-summer releases, some movie-goers have felt little to be excited about. The year hasn’t been a complete loss, though. There have been a few huge financial hits and some critical favorites as well. Some of the staff here at Flick Sided got together and made our picks for the best movies from the first half of this year:

Adam Best (Editor-in-Chief)

5. MacGruber
It didn’t do well at the Box Office, but it’s the funniest move that’s come out so far this year, hands down. There’s no question about that – and I don’t even like the original SNL skit.

4. The Happy Poet
A local, Austin-produced film about an organic food stand that rocked. It’s very Bottle Rocket-esqe.

3. Toy Story 3
This may be the best installment in the series. Michael Keaton kills as Ken. I think it’s been oversold that younger kids won’t be able to deal with the darker, more emotional storyline. In many cases, they’re more stable than us, fully-grown, kids.

2. Mr. Nice
Months later, I still stand by my review of this film. This biopic about Welsh drug smuggler Howard Marks should garner Rhys Ifans an acting nomination. I rank it right up there with similar genre films like Blow and Catch Me If You Can.

1. Shutter Island
I think most movie-goers and critics didn’t fully grasp this movie’s greatness the first time around. Watch it again. It’s Vertigo-Lite.

Steve DiMatteo (Featured Writer):

5. Iron Man 2
I guess – there are so many movies I haven’t seen yet that should be here. I’m standing by my top 4, though

4. Hot Tub Time Machine
This movie accomplished everything that The Hangover, in my opinion, could not. As a send-up to comedies of the 80s, this inexplicable and hilariously crude movie achieves the right dynamic between its four main characters, which is to say, they are funny – again, another concept easily lost in recent comedies.  With John Cusack headlining the cast, Hot Tub Time Machine is one of the best of a very bad 2010.

3. The A-Team
I miss good action movies.  I’m talking action movies that are ridiculous in nature, blow a ton of stuff up, and are, above all else, fun.  While that concept seems to be lost on Hollywood nowadays, The A-Team embraced all that it takes to make a great action movie and remains one of the most memorable movie-going experiences of 2010.

2. Shutter Island
It certainly seemed odd to find this movie released in the dump that is February, but this gripping thriller was a breath of fresh air.  To be treated to a Leonardo DiCaprio/Martin Scorsese film at that time of year is a rarity, and it would have stood out as one of the best even if it wasn’t surrounded by such garbage.

1. Toy Story 3
Easily the best movie of 2010 going into the halfway point.  It is a light-hearted adventure lined with several poignant moments that will bring a grown man to tears.  At this point, Pixar is the most reliable studio in Hollywood.

Susan Lee (Featured Writer):

5. Iron Man 2
The film didn’t set out to be anything more than what it was meant to be: a comic book movie! Casting Mickey Rourke as Whiplash was a stroke of genius and equipping Warmachine with a shoulder-mounted minigun totally rocked.

4. Daybreakers
Finally a vampire movie that addresses the question I’ve had since I first saw Dracula – what do all the bloodsuckers do when they run out of humans to feed on? This film is what would happen if Blade met Bourne. It also doesn’t hurt that the cast includes Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill.

3. Alice in Wonderland
This film was far less over-the-top than I expected it to be. I love the idea that this  “Alice” might or might not be the original Alice. While the look was classic Burton, the characters treated the weirdness as though it were completely normal. Also, when you really think about it, doesn’t it feel good to rest your aching feet on a warm pig?

2. Shutter Island
A beautifully produced noir mystery/action/drama that leaves viewers pondering multiple possible meanings throughout. Leonardo DiCaprio and Ben Kingsley chew the scenery in the most delightful way and even upstage what appears to be a class-four hurricane!

1. Toy Story 3
This one is a no-brainer. It’s Pixar, duh! If you haven’t seen it already, go just to check out “Flamenco Buzz.” ‘Nuff said.

Aiden Redmond (Co-Lead Critic – NY):

5. Exit Through the Gift Shop
I’m still not sure what the hell to make of this or what I’m supposed to believe about it – but that’s kind of the appeal. Fascinating stuff for Banksy groupies and newcomers alike, you won’t ever see a documentary quite like it, and not just because it might be a complete and utter hoax. Crazy.

4. How to Train Your Dragon
I didn’t think Pixar was going to have any competition this year, but this was flat-out fantastic and so was the 3D (this is coming from someone who is aching for the fad to die off). The script, dialogue and sense of humor still aren’t up to Pixar snuff, but nevertheless, Dreamworks would do well to keep putting out this kind of quality.

3. Cyrus
I liked it when I saw it, but it’s grown on me even more in the weeks since walking out of the theatre. A simple premise turned into something strange, unique and very funny thanks to a kick-ass cast and awkwardness to spare. Jonah Hill jamming out to his homemade techno beats with John C. Reilly staring on – just can’t get it out of my head.

2. Get Him to the Greek
I’d be awfully surprised if a funnier movie were to come out this year. Jonah Hill and Russell Brand – freakin’ hilarious. Also, it’s the best thing Diddy’s done with his career since “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems.” It’s hard to beat an absinthe trip that ends with the two leads laughing in the streets while being whipped by a leather-clad Moby lookalike. Good times.

1. Winter’s Bone
This might not be playing outside of major markets just yet, but when it goes national, check this bad boy out. I haven’t seen anything all year that comes anywhere close to how good, gritty and legit this movie is. It’s easily the top Oscar contender at the moment. Why can’t more people write scripts like this?

Mike Smith (Co-Lead Critic – CA):

5. Winter’s Bone
Winter’s Bone’s protagonist, Ree Dolly, is perhaps the strongest female character the world of cinema has seen in many years. Her story is told quietly and deliberately. With no big overtures, there is nothing in this film to distract viewers from the stark reality that is her situation. This movie will devastate you.

4. I Am Love (lo sonos l’amore)
Easily this is the year’s best example of film as art. Even without a compelling story, or Tilda Swinton’s Oscar-worthy performance, I Am Love would be one of the most visually marvelous films of the year; it’s a mere bonus that we are treated to the former as well. Don’t let the subtitles deter you, this one is definitely worth a look.

3. How to Train Your Dragon
Dreamworks finally gives Pixar a run for its money with the studio’s best film yet. It’s a touching story which, while aimed at kids, doesn’t talk down to them. The action scenes are stunning and the 3D technology is utilized better than any film since Avatar.

2. Shutter Island
Scorsese’s latest is part film-noir throwback, part psychological-thriller, and entirely amazing. Upon a first viewing, one may think it relies too heavily on it’s twist ending, but a second visit reveals that the ending is more than a gimmick – every event leading up to it is precisely calculated and fits perfectly.

1. Exit Through the Gift Shop
A lot of attention has centered on whether or not this is a true documentary or a carefully assembled hoax. The truth is, it doesn’t matter. Either explanation would prove that this is a great film – just for different reasons. Regardless, Exit Through the Gift Shop provides more humor, drama and excitement than any of the big-budget blockbusters we’ve seen all year.