Best Films / TV of 2010

I love making lists. That shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone who knows me. I love taking stock at the end of the year and picking my top ten. Here are my picks for top movies and television shows of 2010. For the movies, I gave a portion of my previous review and included the link in order to avoid repeating myself. Since I didn’t write too much about television this year, I thought I would expand on those a little more. Here they are. Let me know what you think.
TOP TEN FILMS OF 2010

1. THE SOCIAL NETWORK
Aaron Sorkin is a writing god. His script is impeccable. Words come out rapid-fire with a rhythm that would make David Mamet’s head spin.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2010/10/film-social-network.html

2. INCEPTION
I think the word brilliant sums up the film nicely. It’s complex and makes you think. There is no way you can leave the theatre and not talk about what you just saw. It’s that engaging. Brilliant.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2010/07/film-inception.html

3. THE KING’S SPEECH
His stutter is played to perfection; not mockingly and not insufferable, just enough to evoke sympathy from his audience. I’m amazed at how much I was rooting for him throughout this film
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2010/12/film-kings-speech.html

4. DESPICABLE ME
Agnes, the youngest of the orphan girls is soooo cute. She reminds me of Boo from Monsters Inc. I loved every word that came out of her mouth. “It’s so fluffy, I’m gonna die!”
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2010/07/film-despicable-me.html

5. TOY STORY 3
Tears welled up. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I loved my toys. It’s sad and satisfying at the same time. Darn you Pixar for being so amazing!
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2010/06/film-toy-story-3.html

6. THE BOOK OF ELI
This film is beautifully shot. The camera has this mesmerizing flow to it. The clouds in the background, the silhouettes when Denzel is killing people, the dusty roads. All good.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2010/02/film-book-of-eli.html

7. BLACK SWAN
Give Natalie Portman the Oscar. The challenge of breaking down so honestly and all that ballet should give her some awards. I was blown away by her performance.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2010/12/film-black-swan.html

8. 127 HOURS
Danny Boyle is a master at eye-catching visuals. The beauty of the landscape and sky, the dreamlike creative hallucinations, the raw physical grittiness of being in the moment, Boyle deftly captures it all.
 Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2010/12/film-127-hours.html

 9. THE TOWN
I really enjoyed the café scene where James joins Doug and Claire. Light yet suspenseful. Beautifully done.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2010/12/film-town.html

10. DATE NIGHT
This films hinges on the talents of Steve Carell and Tina Fey. Their chemistry, comic timing and improv skills save this film from being mediocre.
Link: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.com/2010/04/film-date-night.html

TOP TEN TELEVISION SHOWS OF 2010

1. LOST (ABC)
Why: Great ending to a great series. I loved the finale. Sue me.
Favourite Character: Hurley (Jorge Garcia) - reluctant leader
Best Episode of 2010: Happily Ever After (Season 6, Episode 11)
Charlie snaps Desmond out of his sideways flashback.

2. MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
Why: Makes me laugh out loud. Every character is riotously funny.
Favourite Character: Luke Dunphey (Nolan Gould) - lovably slow
Best Episode of 2010: Unplugged (Season 2, Episode 5)
The Dunpheys have a contest not to use technology. Hilarity ensues.

 3. DEXTER (SHOWTIME)
Why: Each episode is riveting even without John Lithgow this year.
Favourite Character: Jordan Chase (Jonny Lee Miller) - charismatic killer
Best Episode of 2010: Take It (Season 5, Episode 8)
Dexter and Lumen try to catch their latest prey at a self-help seminar.

4. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (DIRECTV/NBC)
Why: Loved seeing Coach Taylor deal with some new underdogs
Favourite Character: Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) - inspirational patriarch
Best Episode of 2010: Thanksgiving (Season 4, Episode 13)
Tami has to face the music with the abortion issue. Tim makes a decision. Matt visits.

5. BREAKING BAD (AMC)
Why: New workspace, new unpredictable ‘boss’, same intense drama.
Favourite Character: Gus (Giancarlo Esposito) - calm kingpin
Best Episode of 2010: One Minute (Season 3, Episode 7)
Hank confronts Jesse but must deal with the consequences brought on by Gus

6. THE BIG BANG THEORY (CBS)
Why: Mostly it's Sheldon fussiness but solid laughs still abound
Favourite Character: Sheldon (Jim Parsons) - selfish ultra-nerd
Best Episode of 2010: The Excelsior Acquisition (Season 3, Episode 16)
Sheldon disputes a traffic court violation – the same day Stan Lee is in town

7. BOARDWALK EMPIRE (HBO)
Why: Wonderfully rich new series. Steve Buchemi rocks.
Favourite Character: Jack Huston (Richard Harrow) - creepy assassin
Best Episode of 2010: Belle Femme (Season 1, Episode 9)
Jimmy returns to help deal with the D’Alessio brothers. Margaret realizes her power.

8. MAD MEN (AMC)
Why: The new agency has some interesting growing pains
Favourite Character: Ida Blankenship (Randee Heller) - incompetent
Best Episode of 2010: Chrysantheum & the Sword (Season 4, Episode 5)
Don goes against the rules to land a new client after Roger insults them.

9. THE WALKING DEAD (AMC)
Why: It’s like 28 Days Later with a bigger picture. Gross but dramatic.
Favourite Character: Glenn (Steve Yeun) - resourceful survivor
Best Episode of 2010: Guts (Season 1, Episode 2)
In order to escape the town, Rick and Glenn have to go to extremes.

10. HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (CBS)
Why: Basically the new Friends. Great new catch phrases.
Favourite Character: Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) - pure awesomeness
Best Episode of 2010: Blitzgiving (Season 6, Episode 10)
Ted misses everything when he retires for the night, making him ‘the new blitz’

TOP TV EPISODES OF SHOWS NOT ON THE LIST
COMMUNITY (NBC) Modern Warfare (Season 1, Episode 23):
A campus paintball war escalates with action references including Die Hard
PARKS & RECREATION (NBC) Park Safety (Season 2, Episode 19):
Leslie confronts a loud-mouthed ranger, played by Andy Samberg, about park safety
THE OFFICE (NBC) The Delivery (Season 6, Episode 17/18):
The staff distract Pam to delay the birth. Once born, breastfeeding hilarity.
FRINGE (FOX) Jacksonville (Season 2, Episode 15):
Olivia has the power to see places from alternate universes. Lots of reveals.
RUBICON (AMC) Wayward Sons (Season 1, Episode 12):
API, CIA & FBI race against the clock to find Kateb.
DAMAGES (FX) The Next One’s Gonna Go In Your Throat (Season 3, Episode 13):
A wonderfully interlocking season finale.
HOUSE (FOX) Private Lives (Season 6, Episode 14):
The patient is a blogger. House finds something scandalous about Wilson.
DOLLHOUSE (FOX) The Hollow Men (Season 2, Episode 12):
As the series winds down, the team tries to destroy the Rossum mainframe.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (NBC) Ryan Phillippe/Ke$ha (Season 35, Episode 19):
Great skits like: Hip Hop Kids, Underground Rock Minute, Mort Feingold
30 ROCK (NBC) Live Show (Season 5, Episode 4):
Liz thinks everyone forgot her birthday. The live flashbacks and commercials were awesome.
THE EVENT (NBC) Loyalty (Season 1, Episode 6):
Sophia escapes government custody leading to flashbacks and destroying a building
CHUCK (NBC) Chuck vs the Beard (Season 3, Episode 9):
Chuck is grounded. Morgan gets a new role. Hilarity ensues.

Coming soon:
Preview of 2011 Films and Television Shows, My Oscar nominations