Heroes and Zeros and Tattooed Hot Chicks, These are a Few of My Favorite Flicks (of 2010)

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and other Winter Solstice observances are times for gifts and giving. And in that spirit, verily I offer unto you these movies from 2010 that stood out from a sea of mindless and mundane celluloid junk food.

While some of these movies might have only paid a brief visit to the area theaters, most are available on DVD at video stores, retailers, via Netflix (some as free streaming) and at Amazon.com.

The Girl Who Played with Fire (Swedish, dir. Daniel Alfredson): Based on Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy, this sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo stars Noomi Rapace, who reprises her star turn as Lisbeth Salander, a smaller feminine version of revenge epic heroes like Clint Eastwood or Charles Bronson.

Not quite the film that TGWTDT was, that's only because the first film in the series was so astonishing and original. Who had seen a really great Swedish murder mystery? Hell, how many people had seen that many Swedish films for that matter.

Salander is once again cutting a wide swath as an avenging angel, waging a one-woman war against “Men Who Hate Women” (the original title of the first book and film in Sweden). An American version of the first film is being made currently, but Noomi declined to repeat her performance, reportedly because she couldn't take going to the dark places the role demands yet again. More's the pity. Still she is an actress to watch.

Inception (dir. Christopher Nolan): Easily the most mind blowing and visually stunning movie I saw this year, Nolan (who made his name with Memento and the latest Batman films) is one of the best and most original writer/directors working in film. What a joy it is to see what his feverish imagination can construct with the assistance of state of the art digital wizardry. But this exploration of dream worlds and the folks who hack into and manipulate them is not some high tech video game. Nolan and his fine cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio created a stunning and original movie that demanded total attention and repaid that with the best American drama of the year. This is one that merits repeated viewings.

Shutter Island (dir. Martin Scorsese) This noire-ish Gothic period thriller adapted from a novel by Dennis Lehane is the other great reality challenging drama starring DiCaprio, who turns in another gripping performance. It took me a long time to appreciate the thespian cinematic talents of Mr. DiCaprio, who sometimes still looks boyish. But after viewing Inception and Shutter Island, it occurred to me that he deserves to be nominated for Oscars for both films.

The twisting turning labyrinth of a plot centers on two 1950's detectives sent to an Alcatraz-like island prison for the criminally insane. While it's apparent early on that Things May Not Be What They Seem, Scorsese and Company keep viewers guessing right up to the final scene. Another movie that rewards repeated viewings, if only to appreciate the masterful storytelling magic.

The Killer Inside Me (dir. Michael Winterbottom). A gripping but disturbing crime story based on the noire classic by Jim Thompson published in 1952. Casey Affleck is mesmerizing with his subdued portrayal of a Texas cop who spins out of control. Who would have guessed that he would have turned out to be the best actor in the Affleck family? This is the third film I've seen him in (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and Gone, Baby, Gone, directed by his brother Ben) and it wouldn't be surprising if he nabs an Oscar nomination for this harrowing portrait of a sociopath run amuck in a small Texas town.

Thompson wrote novels that were original, dark and gritty (he wrote The Grifters, also an excellent film starring John Cusack, Angelica Huston and Annette Benning). Stephen King has cited him as a significant influence and this movie is as gripping and disturbing as any story King has written.

Warning: As with TGWPWF, this movie features scenes of strong and intense violence, more so in the unrated director's cut. If such graphic violence disturbs or offends you, give this movie a pass.

Hot Tub Time Machine (dir. Steve Pink). There were some very fun comedies released last year and this might be the best of the bunch. Of course what one viewer considers a classic comedy for the ages can leave others unamused, but this movie made me laugh hard and often at all the mid-80's references. The soundtrack seems like it could have been lifted from any of a half dozen John Hughes comedies.

John Cusack stars as one of a foursome of friends who revisit a resort that hosted their multiple debauched romps back in 1986. With the deus ex machina of the titular time traveling Jacuzzi, the lads find themselves back in the days of Poison, huge portable telephones and girls in leggings and spandex tights.

The Expendables (dir. Sylvester Stallone): Just a hell of a fun flick. With wonderful cameos by Bruce Willis and Ahnold “The Governator” Schwarzenegger, Stallone knows the formula for a satisfying and successful action film and he delivers the goods. Hopefully the beginning of a successful franchise. Just the right amount of emotion, as Stallone's character puts it all on the line displaying a code of honor that would make Raymond Chandler proud. These are warriors who can't be bought off or threatened into walking away from Doing The Right Thing. Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundren, Steve Austin and Mickey Rourke are all terrific in co-starring or minor roles.

Machete (dir. Robert Rodriguez): So enjoyable to see Mexican-American Danny Trejo finally get a starring role after appearing in a few dozen films. Rodriguez' go-to actor, much like Cheech Marin. He remarked in an interview that he was both pleased and surprised to finally have a leading role after twenty some years as a bit player and character actor. And he doesn't just get the girl; he gets lots and lots of girls. Which is only right.

District 13: Ultimatum (dir. Patrick Alessandrin): As with TGWPWF, this sequel isn't quite as original and thrilling as it's predecessor, but it's still head and shoulders above most of what came out this year. Like District 13 the plot really doesn't matter. The story is just there to set up the thrilling Luc Beson trademark action sequences. The really exciting element of these two movies is the showcasing of parkour, the French invention of moving through urban interior and exterior spaces with efficiency and physical dexterity. Type in a Youtube search for “parkour” and if you like what you see rent or buy these movies.

Honorable Mention: Get Him to the Greek, MacGruber, Death at a Funeral, Kickass, Robin Hood.