Best Films of 2010

Hey, it's Adam. Here are my favorite films of 2010. Before we go any further, the only rule is this: I can't personally know any of the creatives involved in making the film. This is a tough one -- it's a small town. But, I'm not that popular, so it sort of works out. It does, however, eliminate a lot of horror films -- especially ones with L.A.-based writers and directors. If Jace knows somebody who made the film, it doesn't matter for this list.

10. The Killer Inside Me

Mean, nasty Jim Thomspon film noir about an absolutely psychopathic baby-faced killer (played beautifully by Casey Affleck.) This movie really warmed my icy heart!

9. The Town

Once more, I love gritty crime thrillers -- can't get enough of 'em. This one was absolutely yummy.

8. A Serbian Film

At first I thought this was just going to be a shocking-for-shocking's sake, "ooh, let's push the boundaries and break the rules" film. You know what? I was right -- but it was still a lot of fun. And I don't care what anybody says, the ending was intentionally funny. Well, I laughed.

7. The Fighter

I was a huge fan of Mickey Ward, and I remember seeing the original HBO special about crack when it first came out. Plus, David O. Russell, Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale are all in top form. Who doesn't love a good boxing film?

6. Winter's Bone

Almost perfect acting and filmmaking: this is a film that is almost impossible for me to criticize at all. It makes you really never want to visit rural Missouri.

5. The Social Network

Who woulda thought a movie about Facebook could be this entertaining? David Fincher rocks.

4. Black Swan

I wish I was this good a director. It's sort of like if you put Ken Russell, Argento and Roman Polanksi in a blender. Wow. Just wow. (Note: Jace went to school with Aronofsky but I've never met him, so this one is still eligible for the list.)

3. The Kids Are All Right

Who woulda thought I'd love a lesbian dramedy this much? I did.

2. Splice

Just utterly fantastic. Sarah Polley is one of my favorite actresses, and boy can Vincenzo Natali write and direct. Early Cronenberg lives again -- and we're much better for it.

1. Blue Valentine

Any movie that has the power to make my wife sob for ten minutes after it's over and ask if our love will indeed last obviously has a huge amount of emotional impact -- and isn't that what's it all about? This one is real, raw, truthful and acted and directed with absolute perfection. Warning: this is not a first date movie. It'll make you feel like you've been through an emotional meat grinder.

OK, that's it! I reserve the right to change my mind in the order and/or content of this list, but looking back it was a very good year for independent movies with emotional balls.