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Harry's Top Ten Films of 2010!!!
Hey folks, Harry here… It’s time for my top ten of the year. Like usual, I’ll just be posting 10 films. No runner ups, no genre specific lists – just my pick for the best 10 films I saw in 2010.
I do believe that this year marks the low point in terms of the sheer number of reviews I’ve written. A big part of that has to do with a miserable summer, where the output of films just demoralized me. That changed with Fantastic Fest – which blew my mind with the sheer amount of exciting and thrilling films. Movies that were not predictable, that didn’t follow paths that I’ve seen trampled upon thousands of times before.
I’ve seen probably more films in 2010, than I have in any year previously. The combination of my positions programming for various festivals, the regular DVD columns and just the regular slate of releases… it is over-powering. Trying to intellectually dive through 2010… well, it was a crazy year. Let’s get into it though…
10. THE LAST CIRCUS
Alex De La Iglesia’s THE LAST CIRCUS could very well be the best film of 2010, but unfortunately, I’ve only had the opportunity to see it once. It drives me crazy when I see people that try to classify Alex as “like Guillermo Del Toro,” mainly because Iglesia came first. Alex unleashed upon cinema with ACCION MUTANTE back in 1993. Then fired off the brilliant DAY OF THE BEAST – one of those films that I just love with every ounce of my too many ounces body. But my previous favorite film of his was 800 BULLETS – a film that takes place within the mythos of the Spaghetti Westerns and the fascination with the Western iconography in Spain. A great film.
But this year, with THE LAST CIRCUS, I feel that Alex De La Iglesia has made a searing intimate work that one viewing can not possibly capture adequately. On the surface, the film is about a son of a clown who died during the Spanish Revolution, that we’ve seen glimpsed in Guillermo Del Toro’s DEVIL’S BACKBONE & PAN’S LABYRINTH. The story is interlaced through some of Spain’s more sordid history, which the country has apparently shamefully put away into an unopened closet of history. But more so – the film is a fetishistic display of everything that Iglesia loves about cinema. Riffing on Hitchcock, DePalma, Fellini, the Universal Monster films and German Expressionism.
The film is definitely not for all audiences, but for me… it all works. That underneath it all – he’s layered a life long love for the Spider-Man/Gwen Stacy story, in the guise of making SPIDER-MAN out to be the sad clown. Brilliant.
I can not wait to see this again!
9. SOUND OF NOISE
I had no idea what I was heading into when I saw SOUND OF NOISE at Fantastic Fest. I chose it, mainly because the festival write-up made me think that it could possibly be a film that Yoko would love. I was so right, but unexpectedly… I fell madly in love with the film too.
If you love the (maybe) Documentary, EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP, about the guerilla art movement as told by Banksy… this takes that spirit. The notion of aggressive semi-terrorist-style tactics being applied to a group of percussionists that will transform their world through ingenious and unorthodox manners.
In particular, this Swedish film conjures memories of the bedsprings scene in DELICATESSEN – but takes it to an extreme level. The film is set up like SE7EN in some ways – you have a detective, who happens to be the black sheep of a musically inclined family, that is put on an investigation that leads him to discovering a series of “musical crimes?”
The film is pure joy. Fantastic editing and sound editing, but more than that – the characters are a pure joy to witness. An outstanding unconventional work that must be seen and heard to be believed.
8. THE FIGHTER
David O Russell has made his best, most accessible work to date with THE FIGHTER. Christian Bale is given the showcase role of Dicky Eklund, the former boxing glory of his family and trainer of his little brother, Mickey Ward (Mark Wahlberg). That Bale’s Dicky happens to be a crack head… well, that’s the showy part of the role. Bale is electric, and I can’t imagine him not picking up an award for Best Supporting Actor. But stranger things have happened.
However, better than Bale, better than Amy Adams on all fours in a black bra & panty set… better than watching Wahlerg box… better than all other aspects of this film… THE MOTHER & SISTERS… oh my god. Since watching this film, I’ve had nightmares about them standing around my bed commenting upon my enormous penis. They’re the scariest PACK OF WOLVES that you’ll ever see. Pure horror show. The predatory gang nature of this pack of women, its something that I don’t think I’ve ever quite seen in a film before.
I just desperately want to see a remake of THE WOMEN, with these women, told in a modern setting befitting their nightmarish white trashery. They make Rosanne Barr seem like Foreign Royalty. They’re that scary.
All kidding aside, this is a tremendous story on multiple fronts. In particular, I love Amy Adams’ Charlene – and how she attempts to wean and comfort Mickey Ward into being his own man. Wonderful film.
7. A SERBIAN FILM
Of every film on this list, the one that you’re least likely to have an opportunity to ever see, is A SERBIAN FILM. This is a fantastic, brilliant film – that given time, will eventually outgrow the absurd reactions of people that think it is a far harder film than it actually is.
This is a movie about a male Porn Star in Serbia, their Evan Stone if you will, who has retired from the business to raise a family with his beautiful wife and child. As he’s seduced back into the business by a financial incentive that would ensure his family’s security – he takes a gig for a Porn Auteur that nobody has ever heard of. A former child psychologist.
The film reeks of David Fincher & Paul Schrader. The film also echoes THE HANGOVER – in the sense that it does concern trying to piece together what exactly happened, since a character wakes up with little memory of what ensued… and he has to rediscover what did happen.
It is a down right shame that this film has no U.S. distribution of any kind, and while I do understand the why – I absolutely disagree. This is a film that absolutely deserves an NC-17, but that absolutely does not deserve to be unseen, which too often, is the end result of an NC-17 rating. As a result, no one will pick it up. It needs someone like who Harvey Weinstein used to be. This is powerful, uncompromised filmmaking for an Adult audience – and one of the best films of 2010.
6. BEDEVILLED
The best supporting female performance of 2010 belongs to Yeong-Hie Seo, who plays Bok Nam in the Korean film BEDEVILLED.
I’ll tell you why in a little bit. BEDEVILLED is an astonishingly powerful and emotional work from Korea – that was one of the most powerful film experiences I’ve had in 2010. The film is about a young Korean bank officer that is forced to take some time off after an incident at work. We watch as she heads off to visit a friend on an island that she once grew up upon, just off the coast of South Korea.
Shot on Geumodo Island, director Jang Cheol-so creates one of the most disturbing portraits of a pocket community, that I’ve ever seen. The island has had generations of its youth leave the tiny island for life in the big city, leaving an almost exclusively elder community to fend for themselves. Upon the island, you have Bok Nam & her Husband – who represents the one young man upon the island. As a result, the elders pretty much give her husband complete rights to do as he pleases upon the island.
The film is nearly 2 hours long, with the vast majority of the film concerning the beautiful Hae-Won and her friend Bok-Nam rekindling their childhood friendship – and Hae-Won discovering the evil of the island. But in particular, Bok-Nam shines above all else. She is a simple girl. Not particularly bright. She idolizes her friend Hae-Won – and dreams of living with her on the mainland, far away from her abusive husband and the hen-pecking of the elders upon this island.
Where the film goes, should not be spoiled by a living soul. But I will say, the film is one of the surest most cathartic film experiences you’ll discover. The movie has a very definite turn, and the turn hinges upon the performance of Yeong-Hie Seo, who nails it. Just a stunning film and a brilliant performance.
5. NEVER LET ME GO
Mark Romanek is a remarkable director.
Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel could have been woefully mishandled. But with Alex Garland’s screenplay and Mark Romanek’s attention to detail – that keeps the film focused upon character, rather than whatever future world that this story would take place… well, it keeps the focus where it must be.
So many would want to focus on the kind of world that could raise separately a stock of humans for organ transplant, but this film is never focused upon that outer world. Instead, we’re focused on the stock. The spare parts. Spare parts that are raised from birth to fulfill a destiny. Raised with pride to be what they are, for the noblest of purposes. To ensure a longer life for whom their organs are meant.
Rather than focus on escape, the focus is upon the lives lived. The personal mythology and interaction of these rather special spare parts. The film hones in upon a trio of friends, played as children, then later as young adults by Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield.
All 3 should be nominated for exemplary work. In particular, I fell madly in love with Carey Mulligan’s selfless Kathy. She loves Tommy (Garfield), but when her friend Ruth (Knightley) snatches him up, she spends a life on the outside, watching & loving Tommy. Never interfering, never betraying… the constant, wonderful friend.
The film loves life so intensely that it becomes contagious. The result is a desire to more fully appreciate the life that we the viewer has. The freedoms, the luxury and the gift that is our free lives. Along with a desire to more fully live our own lives. And what a beautiful thing for a film to be.
4. THE SOCIAL NETWORK
I’ve watched this film about 8 times thus far, and it never fails to capture me as though I was watching it for the first time. For the longest time, I thought that was mainly due to Aaron Sorkin’s BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY OF THE YEAR. But upon repeated viewings, I began to believe it was Fincher’s eye that captured me, but on the last two screenings that I took in, I realized just how powerful Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ contribution was for me.
When you watch a film, over and over again – you begin to have elements of the film that begin to leap out at you in a manner that you would not instantly grasp. Upon initial viewing, the dialogue and the performances are the most obvious aspects of this film that grab you. I absolutely believe that Jesse Eisenberg should win Best Actor for his portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg. It is incredibly subtle and powerfully mature work coming from Jesse – who has done brilliant work before, most notably in THE SQUID AND THE WHALE… though prior to this, my favorite work of his was in ADVENTURELAND – which is a fantastic film. But here, Eisenberg gives Zuckerberg a charisma that I’m not entirely sure the real Zuckerberg could possibly convey. He makes the character likable, simply for how his brain works. For the thoughts you read in his eyes as other characters have the floor.
Rewatch THE SOCIAL NETWORK and never take your eyes off Eisenberg. When other characters are talking in wide shots, watch Jessie. He’s amazing. Always alive within the scene. Constantly thinking, perceiving and evaluating. It is a masterful performance.
I’ve a feeling that this film could end up being the Best Picture of the year. Personally, I’d be ecstatic if any of my top 5 won BEST PICTURE – as I love these 5 intensely.
3. BLACK SWAN
With PI, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, THE FOUNTAIN, THE WRESTLER and now BLACK SWAN – Darren Aronofsky has become easily the most daring and powerful American filmmaker working today.
He makes films that work on a purely visceral level, a complex psychological and emotional level, an artistic level and that absolutely entertain. That is such an amazing combination.
BLACK SWAN is beautiful. There are camera movements that literally made me hold my breath, because I’d never seen dance shot with such a ferocious and bold manner. From the dream till the final performance, the film sweeps you into it visually.
That Darren never ever hides from the ugly side of life, but instead uses that brutality to more fully illustrate the beauty of the human spirit in all of its fragility and flawed beauty… I am serially impressed by him. His ability to capture a realistic portrayal of drug use continues to be impressive. But it is what he does with his actors that is truly the most amazing thing.
Without a doubt, Natalie Portman gives the best performance, male or female, of 2010. Her Nina Sayers is a performance that will be studied and written about for a very very long time. You watch the complexity of what Aronofsky coaxes out of Natalie Portman – and you wonder… how could George Lucas get so little from her in the Prequels. It makes you look at every role she has ever played and appreciate the work even more. That isn’t to say that Natalie Portman hasn’t been brilliant before. Hell, right from the beginning in THE PROFESSIONAL, I wanted her to win an Oscar. But this year is her year. This is simply a role of a lifetime.
Let us hope that the award attention for this title, which should be nominated for Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, Actress, Cinematography, Make-up, Costume, Production Design, Sound, Sound Editing, Editing…. At the very least. It is a towering film.
2. TRUE GRIT
Fuck you GOLDEN GLOBES! Seriously. How on Earth do you deny the Coen Brothers on TRUE GRIT. I know everyone was expecting TRUE GRIT to be my pick for BEST FILM OF 2010. It still is. Except on this list.
TRUE GRIT is constantly amazing to watch. From that stunning first shot, till the last - the Coens have crafted their Western at last.
Every single character is a wholly different person, from every other person in the film. I don’t see… filler characters, instead I am delighted with a constantly delighting parade of awesome faces, voices, dialects and costumes. Each feeling absolutely true to the times.
People often times seem perplexed by Coen Brother films, not knowing whether or not the film is serious or intended to be funny. The same can often be said of Quentin Tarantino’s work. Should I be shocked or should I laugh? That is up to the individual, but for me – I quietly giggle in my head, even as my face betrays the emotion of the scene I’m watching.
I sincerely am hoping for a Supporting Actor nod for Matt Damon as LeBoeuf, and I would kill for him to come out in character as a Texas Ranger to accept it. I would be so incredibly delighted by that. I know, it’ll never happen, but it would be so amazing if it did. I like to dream of LeBoeuf’s “Coen scripted” acceptance speech – and I’m a happier person for that imagination.
Meanwhile, there’s Hailee Steinfeld – who is obviously THE featured character of the film, but who curiously keeps showing up as a supporting actress. This just pisses me off. Hailee Steinfeld is a Best Actress nominee. Putting her in the Supporting category is a disservice to the work and the role. She doesn’t stand a chance of beating Natalie Portman, who is about as 100% as one could be for BEST ACTRESS as I’ve seen in some time, but Hailee absolutely deserves and commands to be mentioned in the same breath.
The Coens continue to impress as the best filmmaking team in modern film history. They so completely understand and can express effortlessly within the language of cinema that any true lover of the medium, need only take a seat, to be taken away.
1. SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD
My most controversial pick for my top pick ever? Most likely. Do I care what anyone else thinks? Not one iota.
What is a Best Film of the year?
Does that mean it has to be dirty and grimy? Does it have to “feel” important? Does it need to be a giant money maker? Does it have to be so incredibly serious and inaccessible that you feel like you must claim its importance, otherwise there would have been no other point to having watched it in the first place? Is the best film a movie on every other list?
No. BEST FILM is a personal decision. Once decided, it becomes the author’s responsibility to illuminate the reader as to what it was about that film in particular that lifted it up above all others of the year.
Well, here we go.
I’ve watched SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD a lot. So much, that I now anticipate the film. Edgar Wright has made a film, that given time, will grow and grow and grow in the estimation of those that watch it. How can I say that? Because that is exactly what has happened to me.
I’ve been going through screeners of all the best films of the year. December was a very intense film viewing month for me. I pitted films against one another in a tournament style bracket in my head. I’d watch the films on this list against one another. Against films like KING’S SPEECH and THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT, both of which were easily defeated. They’re fine films, but they don’t really stand up against stronger competition, but through the entire process – I wasn’t even considering SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD.
It wasn’t supposed to be “that type of film”. You know, the sort of film that everyone can look at and say, “Harry Knowles is right, that is the best film of the year!” Oh, don’t get me wrong. There is a group that feels that way. They’ve become radiantly in love with SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD – and several of my online brothers would probably feel more comfortable naming SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD their “favorite film of 2010”. But ya know what…
I’m nearly 40 years old now. I no longer care what the grown ups say, I’m very likely to be considered a grown up by a lot of folks – and this Grown Up is saying SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD is the best film of 2010 – and I will absolutely not back down from that decision.
WHY?
Because it feels nothing I’ve seen before. Because it plays with sound & editing in a way that would make Buster Keaton smile and admire. Because like TRUE GRIT it is filled with unique and fully realized characters. Because like BLACK SWAN it dips into the surreal. Because like THE SOCIAL NETWORK, it follows the socially inept. Because like THE FIGHTER it’s about a character that everyone tries to beat down, from his family and friends, to himself, yet through it all he discovers what matters most and pursues it. Because the film is young, full of vitality and isn’t a contributing funk to the world. Because, SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD is my Best Picture of 2010.
Because a film does not have to be self-serious to be great. Because it doesn’t have to be about old people and old things. It can be about triumph and happiness. Why must we celebrate only the dark, when the light is as beautiful as this. Because sometimes we need a movie to rock us. To beat us over the head and shoulders with the fevered mania of a generation that is just starting to scream in front of the cameras with a glee that seems all too rare in this world.
I know I’m alone as a film writer on this front, but I don’t care. Sometimes you have to be alone when picking the BEST FILM OF THE YEAR. Because you must have the courage of your convictions. And mine say SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD is the best film of 2010.
Readers Talkback
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Harry's Top Ten Best Films of 2010!!!
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God damn!
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Fuck Ya.
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But it's not the best film of the year it's not even in the top ten. Harry you talk about it like it is Blade Runner or something. I love the movie but it not nearly as good as you are selling it to be.
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Will Scott P. show up at the top of any other Best Of list? Probably not, so good on you, Mr. Knowles. The heart wants what the heart wants, as they say.
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Can a top list jump a shark?
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I don´t think Scott P should be at No. 1 Hell, I enjoyed the movie, but am not sure I would even have it in the top 10 at all.
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Selling it to be. What happened to our edit button?
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never forget!
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I love how different everybody's Top 10 lists are this year. Theres been so many variations. Kudos on putting SPvW up there; its not THE top 10; its YOUR top 10.
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Say whatever you want about the original film. The 'remake' delivered. It wasn't even a remake. It was a re-imagining of how the story from the book could be told. Both films are excellent. It should be on this list, and so should Inception...
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I'm sure you've seen Micmacs, Harry....it has to belong on the Top 10 list...
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Black Swan is so much better than True Grit. I really can't comprehend putting True Grit at #2.
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Jan. 5, 2011, 1:49 p.m. CST
Someone else pretending A Serbian Film isn't a piece of shit
by rosncranz
A Serbian Film is not some artistic film that people just don't get, nor is it a treatise on the horrible scars left by war etc. It is stupid torture-porn that the filmmaker is parading around hoping to get attention for shock value and then pretending it is more than that.
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I knew it was among my favorite of this year but until now, I hadn't seriously considered it the best film of the year. But thinking back at this poor year of film, it's a real possibility. I've watched Scott Pilgrim more times than any other film this year. Inception was certainly good but at least a little overrated. The Social Network was pretty good but I also think it's a bit overrated because critics are grasping at anything at this point. I haven't yet seen True Grit or Black Swan, and so can't comment on those. And The Town was quite good. But those seem to be the only movies from the ones I've heard of that even come close to consideration as best of the year. So until I see True Grit and Black Swan, I'm going with Scott Pilgrim.
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Oh, and Never Let Me Go was criminally underrated and deserving of some praise.
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I'm retarded and even I know that. True Grit was great but Black Swan was a fucking masterpiece.
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A lot of online critics did pick Pilgrim as their top film. You can all be manchildren together. Yippee!!!
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Harry, you honestly thought his character fit with the times of the film? He stuck out like a sore thumb. He basically just played himself in a rather phoned-in performance. His monotone and boring delivery works when he's playing an amnesiac, near-mute superspy, but he just plain put me to sleep in True Grit.
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Jesus do you not realize how WRONG that is? Especially when you're considered a critic and get set screener copies of films??
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You're #1 till 3 are good choices, but the rest is crap. You're cinematic taste is deteriorating.
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If I were to make a top ten list of talkback posts, that would be number #1. Made me laugh out loud here in the office.
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This is the best thing you've ever written... seriously.
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...is that they're limited to 10 movies. After a slow start, 2010 delivered more quality films than I expected. Very glad to see NEVER LET ME GO and SCOTT PILGRIM represented.
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Scot Pilgrim was very good. but I can't say its on my top ten.
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Great action. Lots if fun. Kieran Culkin of course was the best thing about it, which is true of most films he's in. But I got an indecisive vibe from the filmmaker on who Scott should end up with at the end and it showed.
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What kind of list is this?
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Scott Pilgrim. I hated it. It was made for the Ritalin generation and i've never taken the stuff. Ringing phones. Smart ass action. A crushing disappointment.
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Good to have you back. Could have used you in yesterday's inpromptu Lost TB.
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Jan. 5, 2011, 2:05 p.m. CST
Hailee Steinfeld had the best overall performance of the year.
by AzulTool
And, Scott Pilgrim really is the best movie to see if you're a guy who has just been dumped.
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I can't believe Bong Joon Ho's masterpiece isn't getting mentioned on these end of the year lists. Mother is ten times the movie The Host was and AICN when crazy over that film. As for Scott Pilgrim, I love it dearly and would put it on the lower end of my top ten. Black Swan, Mother, and The Social Network are my top three.
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No Toy Story 3?<p> No Inception? <p> No 127 Hours?<p><p> no sale, Harry.
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My number one is the same as your number one simply based on how much of a giddy experience I had watching Pilgrim and the replay value of that film is insurmountable.
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Mother is indeed great but Chaser was the better Korean film to me. I wanna check out this Bedevilled movie Harry listed.
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You just gave the middle finger to your whole audience with the SCOTT PILGRIM pick!
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Goddamn, try to start a review without asking a question, for once. "Is this my top ten list? Yes it is. Am I happy with this list? Yes I am."
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Scott Pilgrim? Really? This and bunch of other self-important foreign films. Great. I have to give you credit, though. No other critic is going to pick S.P. for any position in their top 10 lists. All your other picks are predictable critic fodder.
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This is YOUR top 10. After reading my previous talkback, I didn't like the way it sounded. There have always been movies that I enjoyed more than the "good" movies that came out in a year. I had a better time at Tron Legacy than I did at Inception in 2010. Was Tron Legacy a "better" film by normal standards? Probably not. But would it place higher on my list? You betcha. If we're not talking about the usual filmmaking standards here, and talking about the overall experience (which after all is what reviews on AICN are all about,) then this list is just right.
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I don't see how he stood out. I think he played just fine in the Coen Brother's sandbox.
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I thought it was exceedingly goofy. My top 20 of this year: 20. The Kids are All Right 19. The Ghost Writer 18. The King's Speech 17. Terribly Happy 16. Never Let Me Go 15. Ellsberg 14. The Town 13. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World 12. Inside Job 11. Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows 10. Exit Through the Gift Shop 9. Kick-Ass 8. The Fighter 7. Inception 6. A Prophet 5. The Social Network 4. True Grit 3. The Secret in their Eyes 2. Red Riding (74/80/83) 1. Toy Story 3 Close runner-ups: Shutter Island, Greenberg, Get Him to the Greek Worst: Alice in Wonderland, The Tourist, Catfish
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Oh wait, what? Art is subjective? oh, nevermind. Nice list then.
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Seriously, we knew it was coming, but to see Scott Pilgrim ranked on top of True Grit, Black Swan, and The Fighter is like putting a BAD comic book on a shelf full of Shakespeare plays.
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...and you'll be choppin.
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I can totally understand if some people hated it. But I think it had some of the greatest visual effect's I've seen in years, and was amazingly filmed. Also I loved the movie.<p>And A Serbian Film is not that bad, it's not great though. Well shot, well acted, great soundtrack, but the story just wasn't that great. I don't know if Harry's put that in there just to piss you all of.<p> I watched True Grit the other night and was blown away by the little girl (hmmn). All these "Hot hollywood actress'" like Juno, Knocked Up and fuckin Gwen Stacy, whatever their names are need to get better at sucking cock for their role's, because that girl is going to be big I tell's ya!
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"Because like TRUE GRIT it is filled with unique and fully realized characters. Because like BLACK SWAN it dips into the surreal. Because like THE SOCIAL NETWORK, it follows the socially inept. Because like THE FIGHTER it’s about a character that everyone tries to beat down, from his family and friends, to himself, yet through it all he discovers what matters most and pursues it. (Because like A SERBIAN FILM it creepily sexualizes children.)"
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Good picks and I agree with the majority. I'm a bit torn on 'The Fighter'. I know it was shackled by real events but the end of the movie just kind of sputtered for me. I like that the fight wasn't staged to be some 'Rocky'-esque finale, but it felt like the writing ran out of steam in the last bit of the movie. It's a good film, though, with solid performances from everyone. And I'm keen to put 'Scott Pilgrim' as my number 1 film for 2010 as well. It's a fabulous movie and the most entertaining one I saw last year. 'The Social Network' is my number one but I don't have any problems recognizing 'Scott Pilgrim' on the top of any 'best of' lists.
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Jan. 5, 2011, 2:27 p.m. CST
Guys, remember: Harry didn't like TOY STORY 3 because......
by THE_CHOPPAH
SPOILER Andy gives away his toys at the end. And we all know Harry can't relate to that.
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just reading the plot of that film on wiki and i felt sick.. there are just some things you dont do..and anyone who likes this film is suspect! YOU'RE SUSPECT!
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I have been coming to this site for years even though the majority of the posts do not concern me in the slightest, but it's just habit now I suppose from when the staff used to break news etc. But I've only heard of 3 films on that list. 3. If that doesn't tell me I should be visiting some other site I don't know what does.
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Harry I love you but can you make a list of movies AND a list of films there is a big difference. Not that any of you care but here goes my breakdown. 10. Get Low Robert Duvall I could watch you sleeping in an easy chair and you would find a way to captivate me, the movie is kind of a mystery, the ending is kind of weak. Really reflects on a simpler time. Worth a watch, the music is fantastic. 9. Wolfman I love my monster movies, this is truly a throwback with true angst and tension, Del Torro is wonderful as our tortured soul. The gypsy camp scenes in the fog on the moors is intense. Who is the greater monster is the question. The music in this film is pitch perfect and adds real sense of dread and foreboding. Is the movie perfect? By no means, but is a true monster movie not a shaky cam visually uninteresting alien turtle Godzilla or whiny vampire movie. 8. Inception Number 8 you say? Did I talk about the movie after, yes, was I impressed with the in camera tricks, of course. I left the movie with food all over my bib after being over spoon fed exposition. Shut up! We can figure this out we ARE NOT STUPID. There were moments I said wow, and moments I said wait a minute you just introduced the second coming of the dream manipulator and then you say, she can do all these amazing things but we can't show you because the dreaming people might realize you are in screwing with their head. What a cop out! I want to see the environments messed with I want to be wowed. Sound like they had to stick to the budget police and not pull out all the stops. The totem is... 7. Scott Pilgrim @#%$@@& Great! Wow a movie that has quiet moments, long uncomfortable silences, trash band music, 8 bit music and game references. It is silly and ridiculous if you can stand Michael Cera you will enjoy this. 6. R.E.D. Take four craftsman and ask them to play over the top retired assassins in this comic book adaptation. Visually a lot of fun. Kind of an eighties throwback buddy film. Not a serious film, and for those of you with kids Mermaidman also has a part in this film. 5. Machete If this list were only b-movie, monster movie, grindhouse movie, Machete would come in #1. Rodriguez nails the genre completely. This is a hard R movie, decapitations, naked breasts, motorcycles with Gatling guns attached to the handlebars. I was 17 again and a crazy Corman midnight show unspooling, ahhh the wayback machine. 4. Kick-Ass "With no power comes no responsibility" If you think this sums up the movie you are dead wrong, Our hero is dismayed at the fact that no one stands up for the weak, or average citizen, He says "The three assholes, laying into one guy while everybody else watches? And you wanna know what's wrong with me? Yeah, I'd rather die... so bring it on!". Poignant, how many times do we see evil or bad behavior and do nothing. Powerful message in a silly comicbook movie, Hit Girl, Chloe Moretz is brilliant, Nick Cage channels he just is Big Daddy West. Dave our hero Kick Ass was one of us, gangly, a dreamer, invisible. Great build in the story to a crescendo, music is fun and appropriate. If you haven't seen this check it out. 3. Lovely Bones This is the only movie I did not see this in the theaters, it is a film told by a master story teller Peter Jackson. I avoided seeing this but ended up seeing it on HBO in a hotel on the road after a 16 hour day. I preface this because at 1:00 in the morning I was not able to turn off the TV and go to sleep, I had to see it play out. Cast was perfect, incredible weaving of the tale, here is a perfect example of you do not have to show it to make the audience squirm. The panic I felt for the child, The predator, prey aspect was built in the mystery story would Dad find out what would he do? I wanted to strangle the villain. How many times can you say that, I literally wanted to reach into the tv and take this guy out. I know that this type of film or other dark dramas usually get noticed for awards. It is very heavy but it also resonates of hope and something more. I was awestruck. 2. Black Swan Just experienced this yesterday, still have imagery swirling around in my head. Black Swan is a journey into madness, The camera tells the tale of a ballerina going full tilt for a part of the White Swan. Natalie Portman can ACT! After so many movies where she has been forgettable this is it her Finest portrayal hopefully not her swan song (I couldn't resist) Vincent Cassel is a sledgehammer with the finesse of a surgeon. All players are firing on all cylinders, I love the interpretation of the Swan Lake music and the build to the final act. This movie is a true horror film with suspense, Aronofsky the director is a true revealer of the ugliness that drives us and the beauty of imperfection. My only complaint a technical note: start with steadicam end on handheld - smooth to frenetic to keep pace with the wonderful arc. 1. Tron Legacy Number one? Really? Well I only paid to see one of these movies twice this year and here it is...Tron. Visually compelling, how can you play out the similar visual ideas without sucking the teat dry? They have done it, sleek, philosophical, man..... The Dude abides in this one, even his too perfect digidopple is fun to watch. The kid is a punk but who wouldn't be with Bill Gates money, but you connect with the 10 year old who loses his Father. Hot cyberchicks, cool modes of transport, I was in another world and 14 again. Loved the screw you ending. The MUSIC made the film, Daft Punk need to continue writing scores. My only complaint is there are some scenes that you wanted to explode but they went nowhere. (i.e. Clu Nuremburg Rally could have had programs in pursuit en mass in pure ordered chaos) All hail CLU... I mean the MCP. I did see this at the El Capitan in Hollywood with an incredible laser preshow so the wow factor was up from the door.
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I was just an hour ago in HMV, and shocked / disheartened to see that A Serbian Film is now on sale, and at #17 in the UK charts, on BluRay and DVD. Fuck that movie. Yes, I've seen it. (The official UK release is quite heavily cut in obvious parts.) Do not believe what Harry or any defenders say about this movie. I am NOT pro-censorship, I believe in trangression when it has an intelligent point. The filmmakers can dress and talk this up as much as they like: It is transparently a huge and blatant attempt to generate notoriety and infamy through shock value. Are you really telling me that these guys sat down and discussed how to "make a movie which figuratively displays how the post-war Serbian state treads on its people"? Fuck no. They sat down and thought up the nastiest shit they or anyone could feasibly film, in order to generate themselves a Hollywood career. "Guy rapes his own son". "Guy fucks woman whilst slicing head off". "Guy fucks delivers and fucks newborn baby to death". Shit that possibly crossed Eli Roth's mind during Hostel, but even he backed away from. It's tasteless exploitation, designed to revolt.
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Harry is a fan, not a serious film critic. It's no surprise Scott Pilgrim is his #1 pick.
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..."newborn porn". Some things can never be unchopped.
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... cos I don't know how to do line breaks in this shitty new format (if anyone could help me out I'd be grateful)... Scott Pilgrim. Number one. Above the majestic, beautiful, stately, funny, stirring True Grit? Do fuck off. Scott Pilgrim was visually interesting for half an hour. It was episodic, one hour too long, four repetitive setpieces too long, and more crucially, populated by - for the most part - thoroughly unlikeable and unrelatable characters, chiefly Pilgrim and Ramona, who we're supposed to root for. Kudos to Brandon Routh for a very funny part though. And kudos to Edgar Wright for being faithful and uncompromising in adapting the source material, but it's an irritating chore of a movie. I can understand how people can see a joyous love of cinema in it - for about thirty minutes. After that, it grates.
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the more it sounds like Disney/Pixar has yet again ripped off another film younger people probably never saw. This time it sounds like they stel plot points from the The Brave Little Toaster...again. Does this studio have a fucking original thought?
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How goes it?? Was it in Herc's Top Ten Hourlongs? Or the talkback regarding the writers of LOST penning Ouijia?
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just texass and goldberg again. and other random trolltards piling on.
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Sorry but being against any form of censorship means you have to take the shit you don't like along with the shit you do.
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No Inception?? Even Robert Downey Jr said that it was one of the most amazing movie hes seen. for Inception not to be on this list and Scott Pilgrim to top it really questions your sanity when it comes to movies now. sorry harry, ive always been a fan of your, but some of your decisions of late are a little ....weird
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Really? Cool!
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Jan. 5, 2011, 2:40 p.m. CST
I wonder what Vlade Divac would say about A Serbian Film.
by THE_CHOPPAH
Why doesn't anyone ever think of Vlade fucking Divac's feelings?
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.... I agree with your point. I'm not saying Serbian Film shouldn't be available to view. I'm saying it's a mean=spirited piece of shit, in conception, in execution, and in the whole cynical thinking behind it.
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'I know everyone was expecting True Grit to be my pick for Best Film of 2010. IT STILL IS. Except on this list.' As much as he's pimped SPvTW since August, no one can be surprised with Harry's pick though he does seem to be contradicting himself with the sentence above. With this list, Harry seems to be reclaiming his site and, as noted in my subject line, to be trolling the trolls if you will. Of course, this will incite reaction and debate and most importantly hits. After his regrettable epic screed to 'geekdom' in response to Patton Oswalt and the barely veiled advertisement for Pinballz that helped pay for his New Year's Eve party, it would appear that AICN is somewhat regaining its footing with more content, the return of the DVD column, and a screening of a movie within the first week of the new year. Will it last? God knows. Will Harry's attention wander as it seems to so often do? Likely. Will I keep coming back to witness the carnage when things do go off the rails? Hell yeah. I'm a voyeur. Just like you. Oh and on a personal note, Winter's Bone was the very best thing I saw in a theater this year. No contest.
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Right on.
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and not just toddler rape...newborn baby rape.. your credibility is shot harry
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makes me feel weird because me and Harry can agree on something...................................................................................................................... with that said, Im not gonna judge the rest of his top 10 like most would because its HIS top 10... nothing is more asinine then having someone tell you you're wrong for picking 10 movies that YOU really liked... well, besides people saying something is "overrated" (how can an opinion be over or underrated?)...
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Can you read, you stupid idiots? It's HIS top 10 list, not yours.
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cause MACHETE and PREDATORS would rest atop.. dont want to ruffle any austinite feathers
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Jan. 5, 2011, 2:54 p.m. CST
I liked Tron better than Scott 'Take Your Ritalin' Pilgram
by skycrapper
Maybe my expectations were skewed with each one but best movie of the year? C'mon man.
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OMG, Natalie Portman is embracing the Black Swan role so much we see her PHYSICALLY TRANSFORMING into a black swan! Look at how this sexually and emotionally repressed young woman falls completely apart after a few masturbation attempts, a night out partying with drugs and drinking and having a lesbian fantasy sequence with Mila Kunis! What pandering, overrated garbage.
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It was a fun and enjoyable movie, but it wouldn't be in my top ten of the year. Then again, I missed a helluva lot of movies this year. I am surprised Harry didn't put Iron Man 2 up there though.
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-and you have your own Knives Chau. That is the quest that has been plaguing me for years: where do I find a Chinese girl who is into the same kind of geeky stuff as I am, and not just looking for a rich white guy who can buy her all the material goods she wants? I swear, it's hard to be a Chinese/Caucasian mix and gravitate towards my Asian side. Just stay away from the imdb boards- there's several crazed nutjobs on there that have obsessively been trash-talking SP since it came out, and intend to keep doing so until we all admit defeat. Though the film does make me pause like a deer in the headlights. Was in FYE last night, and stopped to watch it playing on their Blu-Ray demo system.
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I am probably projecting a little, but I hated Scott Pilgrim. I'll grant that it was pretty and energetic and the bright colors kept me from falling asleep. Beneath that shiny exterior, however, was that darkness you seem to rail against here. Scott was a selfish cowardly little prick that didn't care who he hurt as long as he got his. The story was more about greed and "I don't want it, but you can't have it" than that triumph and happiness you mentioned. If he had learned anything; grown as a person; I might have been swayed some. But ultimately he only seemed to learn that the kindness and selflessness of others will do for him what he can't or won't do for himself. I went in expecting a celebration and left angry. So. In short. Ya know. Fuck your couch, Harry.
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Definitely in my top 3. Best time I had at a cinema all year, possibly. And Tron Legacy WAS more enjoyable than SP, though throroughly flawed throughout. It made the same mistakes as its predecessor, and so was at least faithful! Muddled script, terrible pacing, fantastic visuals. And you don't need me to tell you all that Jeff Bridges is your GOD. (Just try to ignore the wonky mouth on the CG version - uncanny valley will never, ever, be traversed successfully. It just won't.)
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For the record I do sort of agree. I've seen the uncut one, I didn't mind it. Can't really say if anyone's supposed to really enjoy it, I do think it's a well made movie, I think all subjects should be explored. I wanted to beleive the directors quote's, but I just couldn't help but shake the feeling that it was gratuitious for the sake of it. Which ultimately put me off it.
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Seriously, I question the sanity of anyone who puts that shit on anything but a "worst of" list. "The film loves life so intensely that it becomes contagious." BULLSHIT. The film HATES life. Loving life is what we saw in Blade Runner when the replicants decided living as fodder for other people wasn't good enough. They give the donors access to cars and free reign to roam the country but not once, NOT FUCKING ONCE is it ever suggested that any of them tries to run away. THAT'S human spirit. THAT'S loving life. Fuck that movie.
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a unique and awesome list as always Harry! Thank you for finally getting it up here. Good choices
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Harry, KICKASS was a flawless film. FLAWLESS. Maybe not #1 for you, but surely it deserves a spot in your top 10. Where's the worst films? Tell me AVATAR is on it.
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Why so many dismiss lists that are completely personal as "My Top Ten Films of 2010". You don't have to agree with the films but don't ask "why didn't Inception" make the list when everyone knows Harry didn't like Inception. I personally loved it but its ridiculous to expect him to include a film he didn't like just so you can feel good about the list. I loved Scott Pilgrim and it would be on my top ten as well. Scott Pilgrim is a joyful, artistic, brilliant piece of work. I wouldn't have it as number 1 but thats ok, its not my list. I would also include "A Serbian Film" on my list. Why? Because its an extremely effective piece of filmmaking that works on both the visceral and intellectual level. Some will argue its garbage and thats their right but to say that the film should be censored or shouldn't have been made is fanatical hyperbolic bullshit. No one will see the film who doesn't want to. And with its reputation anyone who watches it will know what they're getting beforehand. It's pretty simple - if you can't handle it don't watch it.
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I guess I missed the fun then huh? I miss that show and the crazy debates that followed. My circadian rhythms are telling me we should be getting a new season premiere soon, but alas, its not to be.
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Irreversible is a great movie. If you don't like it that's fine, again I don't think your supposed to enjoy watching the rape scene, or the most graphic murder ever put on screen. To me there"rollercoster" movies, as I can't say I actually "feel" anything watching what hollywood would normally label a "rollercoaster ride of a movie" ie. Indy 4, Transformers, etc.
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... are you kidding me?!? There's no way I would EVER watch or enjoy that because I have some measure of my soul intact. WTF. Hey if Scott Pilgrim is your favorite film of 2010, who is anyone else to argue it. I thought it was mildly amusing, occasionally irritating, and ultimately just nostalgia fodder rather than an interesting story, but that's just me. True Grit I have a bigger problem with simply because as good as the performances are, the story itself is ultimately kind of forgettable and lightweight. The impression I was left with leaving the theater was that those characters deserved more and better.
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AICN has been pumpin out articles in the past 2 days... Ill give em credit for that
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I think they're trying to make up for lost time. If its anything like the past, they'll burn out eventually. This place seems to be cyclical.
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...and you know it. You just forgot.
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Jan. 5, 2011, 3:19 p.m. CST
No Inception or Toy Story 3? Your List Is Not Valid! :(
by Drunken Busboy
Omitting Toy Story 3 I could forgive someone but not even an Inception shout out? Inception was a very smart movie! Shame! Shame!
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For writing less reviews.
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What worries / disheartens me about A Serbian Film being in the Top 20 BluRay/DVD charts here in the UK is that it had brief mention in the national press when it was screened in cinemas - not, though, the massive outcry I would've expected from the kneejerk, alarmist, hateful fuckers at The Daily Mail. However, that brief mention is enough to get people buying it out of morbid curiosity. NOT genuine cinema buffs who can "appreciate" it (a word I use hesitantly in this case) as a cinematic work --- but the dumb little fuckers, thick idiots, and utter fuckwits who seem to be proliferating round here who pay to buy Saw and Hostel DVDs to watch again and again, and who read the article and said "whoa, they fuck a baby to death and a woman rapes herself with an iron bar, fucking awesome, we have to see that!"
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Unstoppable made MY top ten. Pilgrim isn't on it.
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For example, A SERBIAN FILM.
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Wait, what?? I'm confused. Is it Woody or Buzz that rapes a newborn?
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Twice if you want double spacing. How many times do I have to tell you fucks????
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This was just a solid, fun, visionary and creative movie that kept me entertained. I guess I thought I would dislike it, but I also believe it is clearly one of the very best of this year. I dont read 'Adult Graphic Novels' nor do I hang in metro coffee shops-not that there is anything wrong with that-but I say that because this movie is entertaining to a wide range of people. No matter what the subject, if the Director is creative, you can get some real fun out of seemingly mudane subjects. Kudos!
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Toy Story 3 ripped off the ending from it. But I'm just some guy that recognizes good, classic animated films. Sorry I don't go see every new Kung Fu Over the Hedge Antz Panda Dragon film.
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Woody fucks the woman with her teeth knocked out to death while Buzz forces her daughter Little Bo Peep to watch. "This is powerful, uncompromised filmmaking for an Adult audience"
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Sure, but not as much as you suggest. 'Favourite' is totally subjective. 'Best' exists within pretty tight constraints. You could argue that Pilgrim is the best film in the world because it's very well directed and edited and because it has a kick arse soundtrack, but the way you're describing it is how one describes their favourite film, not the best film. Likewise you could talk about the bold, monolithic direction of Inception as making it one of the best films of the year without it being a favourite. The practical difference is that anyone reading the list should know whether these 10 films are what Harry considers to be the films that shouldn't be missed from this year, or whether they're just the films Harry enjoyed the most. It's an important distinction, even if the two lists would be mostly similar, and it'd certainly go a long way towards shutting up the people whinging about Harry's choices.
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no top 10 of 2010 can be complete without it
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Harry, the righteous rant at the end of your list is hilarious, unnecessary, and even a bit contradictory, considering at least a few of the ultra-serious, gloomy films you've elected to celebrate here. But you deserve props for sticking by your passionate pick for Number 1 film (SCOTT PILGRIM). That's one of the things I've liked about you and AICN in the past, when you champion good films that aren't on the radars of other reviewers. Personally, I'm with Talkbacker aicnmscott; I think LET ME IN was one of the best movies I saw this year, a worthy remake and an excellent film in its own right. And I did like THE KING'S SPEECH. In that film, too, Harry, light triumphs over darkness.
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This list just reaffirmed my faith in you as a credible journalist...kudos good sir. Oh and Scott Pilgrim FTW!!
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I don't get it. I enjoyed the movie, but it's too emotionally unattached for my liking. I enjoyed 3:10 to Yuma, Appaloosa and Assassination of Jesse James way more as far as Westerns go. By the way, My Top 3 were Inception, Toy Story 3, and Black Swan.
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I'm dying to know, particularly because it's in my personal Top 3 for the year (#1 to be precise).
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Most will be forgotten by the time Harry drops his next load.
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For I am the darkness.
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where is it?
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Hailee Steinfeld is without a doubt the best thing about the film. I really hope she wins Best Supporting. Damon sounded like he was doing his Matthew Mcconaughey impression. Wasn't impressed and Josh Brolin has like 8 lines of dialogue? I'm watching The Social Network later today, so I don't have an opinion on it yet, but so far Black Swan is my #1. The Fighter is my #2. Outstanding work as usual by Lord Bale. Hope he wins Best Supporting.
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I guess that means I'll love it.
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...he's a man child who has no taste.
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And I'm not the type to get offended by stuff but I have kids and the idea of that film is fucking revolting. Worse than Human Centipede if you ask me.
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I stand with Harry on this. I love the hell out of Nolan and I REALLY REALLY wanted to love Inception, but it just didn't do it for me. I found myself bored throughout the movie. I may give it another watch. Maybe it'll grow on me. Need some more Rise of the Dark Knight info stat!
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Jan. 5, 2011, 4:01 p.m. CST
No love for Enter The Void? The 2001 of drug movies. (now with BREAKS!)
by UGG
I can totally understand if some people hated it. But I think it had some of the greatest visual effect's I've seen in years, and was amazingly filmed. Also I loved the movie. And A Serbian Film is not that bad, it's not great though. Well shot, well acted, great soundtrack, but the story just wasn't that great. I don't know if Harry's put that in there just to piss you all of. I watched True Grit the other night and was blown away by the little girl (hmmn). All these "Hot hollywood actress'" like Juno, Knocked Up and fuckin Gwen Stacy, whatever their names are need to get better at sucking cock for their role's, because that girl is going to be big I tell's ya!
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The Dark Knight Rises I've been so long without new info I forgot the name of the fucking movie. ha
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If you think Machete and Predators were the worst films of the year, I envy you for avoiding some truly awful films.
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Is that Scott Pilgrim himself is a dick. I understand the point of the film is him learning to be something better, but for too much of the movie he's just a penis. By the time he finally grows up and redeems himself, I just don't care anymore.
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Lots of talented people in one big, unfunny snorefest. Shitter for Sucks...
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Its hard to sympathize with a main character when for most of the movie he's cheating and lying to two girls and still feeling sorry for himself.
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Hopefully if that happens Marguerite Roberts is still alive to fucking write it for them.
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Nope he's dead, no wonder there isn't anyone looking for some money.
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you don't love Toy Story 3 as much as the rest of the world. Good list though Harry!
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Jan. 5, 2011, 4:19 p.m. CST
Wait, Harry are you admitting to being a shill for Scott Pilgrim?
by D.Vader
I don't know how else to take your statement: " I know everyone was expecting TRUE GRIT to be my pick for BEST FILM OF 2010. It still is. Except on this list. " So this list was made solely to put Scott Pilgrim up at number 1 and pimp it some more? DOES. NOT. COMPUTER.
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...he's confused "favourite" for "best" film of the year. PILGRIM's fun while it's on, but it's Edgar Wright's least good movie by some considerable distance. I'll not bore you all with my top twenty, but this movie doesn't even get into it. A one-watch experience for me.
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"I know everyone was expecting TRUE GRIT to be my pick for BEST FILM OF 2010. It still is. Except on this list." DOES THIS EVEN MAKE SENSE?!?!?!?!
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A different choice sure, I don't care, but how can you blatantly contradict yourself like that?
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SPACE CHIMPS 2: ZARTOG STRIKES BACK. Words cannot express the horror.
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I’m nearly 70 years old now. I no longer care what the grown ups say, I’m very likely to be considered a grown up by a lot of folks – and this Grown Up is saying SPACE CHIMPS 2: ZARTOG STRIKES BACK is the best film of 2010 – and I will absolutely not back down from that decision. WHY? Because it feels nothing I’ve seen before. Because it plays with sound & editing in a way that would make Buster Keaton smile and admire. Because like A SERBIAN FILM it is filled with unique and fully realized characters. Because like A SERBIAN FILM it dips into the surreal. Because like A SERBIAN FILM, it follows the socially inept. Because like A SERBIAN FILM it’s about a character that everyone tries to beat down, from his family and friends, to himself, yet through it all he discovers what matters most and pursues it. Because the film is young, full of vitality and isn’t a contributing funk to the world. Because, SPACE CHIMPS 2: ZARTOG STRIKES BACK is my Best Picture of 2010. Because a film does not have to be self-serious to be great. Because it doesn’t have to be about old people and old things. It can be about triumph and happiness. Why must we celebrate only the dark, when the light is as beautiful as this. Because sometimes we need a movie to rock us. To beat us over the head and shoulders with the fevered mania of a generation that is just starting to scream in front of the cameras with a glee that seems all too rare in this world. I know I’m alone as a film writer on this front, but I don’t care. Sometimes you have to be alone when picking the BEST FILM OF THE YEAR. Because you must have the courage of your convictions. And mine say SPACE CHIMPS 2: ZARTOG STRIKES BACK is the best film of 2010.
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...almost on purpose after the begging following the US BO. for context, http://www.aintitcool.com/node/31535 , but i got my blu yesterday so Edgar got my dosh. watching it tomorrow.
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I feel like people are putting it on their top ten just because it's a Coen film. It's not a masterpiece or anything. It's not No Country For Old Men. As westerns go, it was great, but I still prefer Tombstone, Open Range, and 3:10 to Yuma. True Grit was more along the lines of Appaloosa.
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...the_choppah makes a good point :-)
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Jan. 5, 2011, 4:32 p.m. CST
The lack of toy story 3 and inception makes this list not matter
by Redhead_Redemption
just sayin is all
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and the movie gave me a headache. I never want to see that film ever again. Micheal Cera just seems to play the same role in every movie. Romona flowers was such a bitch. but then her character is a slut. I have never seen a movie populated with such indifferent characters before. I couldnt care less about any of them. How, tell me did this movie get so hyped beyond all recogntion. It was funny in places but it was too flashy for me. Why were romona's evil ex's so dull and unexplained. why was this movie seemingly made in rush. I saw trailer for paul, for god sake please give nick frost and simon pegg a a one ticket back to obliviion. simon pegg your 15 mins is up and now please go away and take your fat unfunny friend with you thanks. and seth rogen you can go too.
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I believe that Scott Pilgrim is a film that defines this day and age far better far better than any other film. In fact, I think it may be a film far ahead of its time. I have seen it over 6 times, and I still continue to discover new elements and nuances to not only the film itself, but to the characters as well. For me, "the best film of the year" has to be a film that not only has a great plot, great actors, and cinematography. I also like a film that spans genres. Scott Pilgrim does that for me. It's a comedy. It's an action film. It's a romance. It's sci-fi. It's a musical. It's everything I wanted it to be and so much more. But that's just my opinion. Oh, also I think Eisenberg is a horrible choice for best actor. Eisenberg is a natural duchebag off set. Why is it any surprise he can play a good one on camera? If they start giving out Oscars for nebbish assholes, then all credibility (what little there is) for the academy goes out the window.
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1. Space Chimps 2: Zartog Strikes Back 2. A Serbian Film 3. A Serbian Film 4. A Serbian Film 5. A Serbian Film 6. A Serbian Film 7. A Serbian Film 8. A Serbian Film 9. A Serbian Film 10. (tie) A Serbian Film and Toy Story 3
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not having Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction on a 1994 top ten list.
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And it is. Just not for this list.
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This is his real Top 10: 10. The Nutcracker in 3D 9. Little Fockers 8. The Last Airbender 7. Vampires Suck 6. Gulliver's Travels 5. Yogi Bear 4. Saw 3D 3. Jonah Hex 2. Skyline 1. A Nightmare on Elm Street
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...about your #1 film is just justifying that choice for #1. who are you trying to convince... us or yourself? your right you really are the head geek. congrats!!
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with the exception of shaun of the dead can be described as midly entertaining and repetitive and not very well written. Shaun was not very well written and repeitive. but then zombie movies are not my cup of tea and simon pegg is a smug twat.
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A person who wouldn't include Inception as one of the films in the list for top movies of the year has no business running a movie site. Ever since cinema started more that a 100 years ago, if in that space of time Inception had come out, say in i920 or 1972 instead of 2010, it would've deserved to be top ten then or any year it would've come out. Something like less that 1% of Hollywood would have been able to come up with a movie like that. But you know who particularly would have never, ever been able to come up with a movie like Inception? Edgar Wright. Not including Inception, Harry. That's why Yoko can't stand ya when it comes to talking about that Inception. That's the one and only reason. And that's no dream.
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After all, it's HARRY's top 10 movies of 2010... not "the official universal top 10 movies of 2010 by the Global Movie Organization" ... Like he said, it's his personal list, he's just sharing it with us... I will never get people trying to demean or belittle people just because they don't agree... How about you reply with your own top 10? Or try to find a way to watch the movies on this list that you have not seen? Sheeeesh......
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Gurgle. Spittle. Diddle. Plop.
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Jan. 5, 2011, 4:43 p.m. CST
Even though it came out in 09, Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs was superior to TS 3 and Up.
by Dennis_Moore
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Jan. 5, 2011, 4:45 p.m. CST
Harry's a unique organism, not unlike a nesting doll combined with The Thing.
by THE_CHOPPAH
He keeps absorbing himself, which has the paradoxical effect of making him expand. Peel away one layer and there's another, slightly smaller dead Harry underneath.
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Jan. 5, 2011, 4:47 p.m. CST
Scott Pilgrim was my fave of 2010, as well...
by The_Floating_Skull_of_Robert_Loggia
and I, too, found Inception overrated and tedious. It looked pretty but lacked any soul whatsoever (something I feel is a constant in all of Nolan's post-Memento films). As for A Serbian Film, as a parent I can't possibly imagine myself watching this film and getting even an ounce of enjoyment or entertainment value out of it, but I applaud filmmakers who take chances and push the proverbial envelope. The filmmakers and critics like Harry can say whatever they like, but, at the end of the day, a movie like A Serbian Film is designed to shock. Period. There was a time where people looked at H.G. Lewis' movies and said the same sort of things people are saying about A Serbian Film. Are those movies good? No, not really. Do they have a right to exist? Absolutely. Sure, comparing A Serbian Film to something as comparably trite as Blood Feast is like comparing a guppy to a Great White Shark, but, like it or not, these days one has to go to the sorts of extremes seen in A Serbian Film to shock modern audiences, especially those weaned on 4chan, cries of "moar gore", and On Demand video footage of virtually any sort of human atrocity one can conjure up. It's sad and sickening and it's the world we live in. In a few years, another movie will come along that makes A Serbian Film look like Mary fucking Poppins, and we'll be that much more jaded.
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Certainly Social Network and True Grit deserve some love thought. But Never Let Me Go was BORING AS BATSHIT...drowning in it's own sense of importance..and utterly uninvolving. Biggest letdown of the year without a doubt.
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Jan. 5, 2011, 4:49 p.m. CST
'zombie movies are not my cup of tea and simon pegg is a smug twat. '
by quantize
kind of like waving a flag identifying yourself as a cunt.....just sayin
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I’m nearly 70 years old now. I no longer care what the grown ups say, I’m very likely to be considered a grown up by a lot of folks – and this Grown Up is saying A SERBIAN FILM is the second best film of 2010 – and I will absolutely not back down from that decision. WHY? Because it feels nothing I’ve seen before. Because it plays with necrophilia & eye sockets in a way that would make James Cameron smile and admire. Because like SPACE CHIMPS 2: ZARTOG STRIKES BACK it is filled with unique and fully realized characters. Because like SPACE CHIMPS 2: ZARTOG STRIKES BACK it dips into the esophagus of the surreal. Because like SPACE CHIMPS 2: ZARTOG STRIKES BACK, it follows the socially inept. Because like SPACE CHIMPS 2: ZARTOG STRIKES BACK it’s about a character that everyone tries to beat down, from his family and friends, to himself, yet through it all he discovers what matters most and pursues it. Because the film is young, full of vitality and is contributing funk to the world. Because, A SERBIAN FILM is my Second Best Picture of 2010. Because a film does not have to be self-serious to be great. Because it doesn’t have to be about old people and old things. It can be about triumph and happiness. Why must we celebrate only the light, when newborn porn is as beautiful as this. Because sometimes we need a movie to rock us. To beat us over the head and shoulders with the fevered mania of a generation that is just starting to cream behind the cameras with a glee that seems all too rare in this world. I know I’m alone as a film writer on this front, but I don’t care. Sometimes you have to be alone when picking the SECOND BEST FILM OF THE YEAR. Because you must have the courage of your convictions. And mine say A SERBIAN FILM is the second best film of 2010.
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Jan. 5, 2011, 4:53 p.m. CST
Suggesting critics are lemmings for praising THE SOCIAL NETWORK
by abcdefz7
...is just sad. I read this comment occasionally in talkbacks, and in other years, you can often just substitute whatever forerunner the commentor doesn't care for and it's the same. So: Just because a consensus choice seems to emerge which you don't necessarily care for so much does NOT mean that there's some silly conspiracy where top critics and pundits have some sort of whisper campaign to over-promote some mediocre movie. I would agree that sometimes the zeitgeist sweeps people up and it's only later that critics seem to reverse themselves and say, yes, actually, AMERICAN BEAUTY was a facile, dishonest work, but often enough, a consensus emerges because -- hey, the movie really is good. (I'm talking about a critical consensus -- not so much a showbiz consesus like the Golden Globes or Academy Awards.) In summary: It's all subjective, but THE SOCIAL NETWORK really is good. Damon in TRUE GRIT really is good. Etc. Your mileage may vary. Live with it. My mileage varies quite a bit on BLACK SWAN, which I think is hampered by an pretty unlikable protagonist who I'd run screaming from, and a dance director who leers, "But can you play zee BLAAAACK SWAAAN!?" waaaaaayyyyy too much. I recognize the artistry and it's probably in my top fifteen for the year, and I'm comfortable enough with my opinions to not begrudge others for liking it.
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Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore Marmaduke Furry Vengeance all such greatness. Much better than that SPACE CHIMPS 2: ZARTOG STRIKES BACK shit!
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Easily a cult classic and my number one of 2010 also!
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HOW DID I MISS THAT?! To the Redbox!
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Marry me.
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My courageous convictions aren't telling me a fucking thing about those films.
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*sigh...
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First I gotta see some funbags.
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but that shouldnt make you like the movie any less... to me, the story is about him and his fling with Ramona, but the heart of the story is KNIVES CHAO... if she wasnt in the movie, it wouldnt be number 1 for me (although it would still be in the top 5 because 99% of the characters were funny or cool) I wonder, do people dislike Clockwork Orange because of the main character? Because Im pretty sure raping someone is way worst than dropping a fuckin coat on the ground... but thats just the thoughts of an "hipster"... dont mind me
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Most people dismissed SP because characters are "hipsters" and because they themselves are "not" "hipsters"... so with that mentality, would you watch a movie about "urban thugs?" like say if Boyz In The Hood came out today, would you just automatically dismiss it because they listen to music you dont listen to and wear clothes you dont wear?
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Try these bad boys on for size... http://tinyurl.com/3xl4sw7
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Indeed fun-sized.
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Your parallels of Toy Story 3 and Brave Little Toaster are superficial at best. Seriously, products end up in the landfill, it's a natural place to set a story involving objects owned by humans. Not to mention no one dies at the end of Toy Story 3. Get over it, you have no argument here.
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So... can we set a date?
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You're just the kind of crazy bastard with/to which I've always wanted to play head games. Seriously.
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(Maybe even Piranha 3D, considering the ridiculous amount of blood and boobs on display.) Also "The Ghost Writer" and "Shutter Island" were other entertaining films of 2010. Other than that, great list. Glad to see "Scott Pilgrim" at #1.
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I was there man. Like Nam. Like you don't understand...
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But comparing it to a bunch of other stuff like David Fincher and the Hangover isn't a good way of convincing me it's worth seeing. I'm still not sure what makes it worth watching. Mostly, it sounds like a disgusting, hopeless story, but that's just from the synopsis. At least the trailer that showed up on Twitch a few months back looked pretty good.
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I don't play head games. My head plays them for me. Catch my thrust?
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You're just the kind of crazy bitch with/to which I've always wanted to give the Dirty Serbian.
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Do you mean Addio Zio Tom? Or am I getting confused. One of my uncles actually worked on Addio Zio Tom.
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we all (should) know there is an expand all button. thats cool, I get it... BUT after you send your post, the page reloads and youre sent back to your last place on the page, but now you have to either open up each post manually or scroll all the way up to hit expand all, only to end up searching for your last place on the page, which is fuckin annoying (for me personally since Im lazy with my fingers) please, get rid of the collapsed TBs OR just have the page reloaded with all the posts opened
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I saw Black Swan with great interest-- I love Aronofsky and I think Natalie Portman is amazing. That said, I have to agree with a film critic who opined that Black Swan is one of the best-looking and best-acted "bad movies" that has ever been made. I mean, the acting is above reproach, and the visuals (lighting, camera-work, wardrobe) are interesting/artistic. But the characters are soooo broadly drawn: the innocent girl, the lecherous director, the naughty girl, the obsessed mom. When I saw that the script was written by three screenwriters, I was shocked-- it took three different guys to come up with this?? Please don't get me wrong-- it's not an awful movie, nor is it an unpleasant moviegoing experience. I'd honestly give it about 3 stars. But no way is it the transcendent, visionary movie it's been made out to be. I am really surprised that Harry fell for it.
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you asked once, Choppsuey answered, you tried it, it worked, and you're asking again?
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Did he see the list and pop a boner so long it poked his eye out?
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Jan. 5, 2011, 5:36 p.m. CST
Besides Harry and me, who has the courage of their convictions...
by THE_CHOPPAH
...these days? It's fucking shameful.
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Well he does say True Grit is the best and the article is titled "My top ten..." so I guess I'll cut him some slack on that ambigous line. Pilgram was the one he had most fun watching and Grit was the one he thought was the overall better film, but not as enjoyable or rewatchable as Pilgram. it makes sense if you don't think about it.
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Harry - Why? I think I know. By placing "A Serbian Film" on your popular site and in your top ten list, you're obviously attempting to instigate morbid curiosity in this repulsive piece of shit trying to call itself a film by worse repulsive pieces of shit depraved enough to see it. Forget about the trash that made it, who've clearly won themselves an eternity in their own torture cell in hell. However, in your description up there, on #7 on your Top Ten Movies of the Entire year(!) - you fail to mention that this movie is elevating and distributing depictions of acts to the general public so terrible and ugly, previously only the sickest , most twisted souls on this planet would dare to venture even knowing about them. By calling this film a "fantastic, brilliant film" you are drawing attention to horrifying, satanic, criminal, vile and twisted acts that no human being should ever commit, witness, or have knowledge of. No doubt, your enthusiastic comfort lies in the fact that this film is merely an illusion, a fabricated work, a simulation. But you're flagrantly either ignoring, or willfully propagating this upon the general viewing public, failing irresponsibly to see that this film will effectively kill our moral yard-stick sensitivities, end the boundaries between what is art and what quite clearly belongs in the ground. Under pits of clean shit. At least shit is the natural end-product of digesting your food. But even that is vile enough that man has the common sense to flush away into the sewer. If you pick up your latest turd, put it on a plate, film it in dazzling HD, invite your family to observe it's artistic merit, and try to sell tickets to it - you'd be committed. Because adults who play with their shit in real life are put away, Harry. But this film is un-natural. It is anti-natural. I'd love to just pass you off as a dumbfuck with an under-developed brain, but I think this goes deeper than that considering your position, trade and pull. The fact is you are a diseased soul, much like the filmmaker who made this, and the actors who partook in it are. And after this article only a serious re-evaluation of your current state-of-mind might redeem you. Fool yourself - this film is not art. Because you didn't fool me. ...Now go get your fuckin' shinebox!
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In No Particular order: 1 Toy Story 3 2 Inception 3 Kick Ass 4 Tron Legacy 5 The Expendables 6 True Grit 7 The Town 8 Scott Pilgram 9 Tangled and the best movie of 2010 is ... alright it's Toy Motherfucking Story 3 Toy Story 3 is just so good. Nothing else comes close to this beautiful movie. It makes me cry like a bitch, laugh my ass off, and constantly amazes me at its balls. Disney, did right by me this year. They had 3 films that absolutely delivered the goods for me and my family. Toy Story 3 if the Academy has any integrity left after denying The Dark Knight and Avatar, should give Toy Story 3 the best picture award. ...Oh it made a lot of money, I guess that means the Academy can't give Best Picture to a movie that everyone saw! They are so fucking ridiculous.
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Points to him.
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I'm tired of having to scroll back up to the top to reload. I just want to click on a new message and have the whole TB open from that point on, like in the old days.
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Jan. 5, 2011, 5:45 p.m. CST
Harry, I am a fellow "Pilgrim" who gives your #1 pick a rating of AWESOME
by Brostradamus
You get the gist. We all have those films that no matter how many times we've seen them whenever we're feeling a particular way that movie makes us feel even better! For me, Scott Pilgrim has become my "go-to" for just about anything. I don't even need a reason to watch it, it just makes me feel....AWESOME! I've probably watched Scott Pilgrim close to 20 times by now (which is probably a meager number compared to Harry and other Pilgrims) but I never get bored with it. Ever. I know exactly when Matthew Pattel interrupts "Garbage Truck" at the Rockit. Doesn't matter. I know, word for word, all of Todd's "Veganity Violations"..."Milk and eggs, bitch!" I still laugh every single time. I love this movie. I've never felt a connection to a film as much as Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Maybe it's because I fit the "target audience"? Maybe it's because when it was released I had just had a bad breakup with a "Big Ex"? Who knows, maybe. Either way, this is my go-to movie. And I'm so happy that Harry gave it the coveted #1
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HARRY EARNED THE POWER OF CONVICTIVE FILM COURAGE! Power: +9 Charisma: +12 Sexiness: +6 Skill: +3 Damage: +18 AWESOMENESS: +36
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Jan. 5, 2011, 5:49 p.m. CST
After the slobbering review, be grateful Harry didn't
by openthepodbaydoorshal
put The Expendables in his ten.
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i will not see this...... until it's in 3D
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After reading this "Abortion" of a top 10 list,Thats the sound of the Last shred of Harry's journalistic integrity/insight into film going down the toilet like so much undigested Taco Bell
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I don't know what it is about this winter, Harry, but the charm of your idiocy is wearing thin. Case in point: "I’m nearly 40 years old now. I no longer care what the grown ups say, I’m very likely to be considered a grown up by a lot of folks..." Yes, Harry. You are an adult by the time you're almost 40. Don't mince words with me in saying there's a difference between being a grown-up and being an adult. I am fed up with your Peter Pan Syndrome-laden essays. If you seriously believe that giving away your toys means that you are abandoning any meaning your childhood had; or that a movie should be celebrated because it rallies against a cynical, dark world (a world which you celebrated more than once in this list); or that "best" means the same thing as "favorite"; then I think you need to start thinking. Honestly, remember when you said several months ago that you had a huge, exciting announcement to make and everyone in the TBs thought that you were going to be a father? The way you have been posting over the past 4 months or so, makes me think you're thinking about it and you're terrified. But that's just my unprofessional armchair analysis. What do I know? I'm just a grown up.
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seriously. he says over and over that this was HIS top ten and that it is not trying to be definitive in any way. its a list of movies he liked. i dont understand why people read the list and go fuck you thats stupid. hes not trying to please anyone with his choices. i dont know how he sticks with posting on this site when so many people on it are such raging assholes for no reason.
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I like "different" too. But Scott Pilgrim didn't do much for me. It was and boring. There was barely a story. There was one fight after another. But it's your list Harry, and movie preferences must be subjective. If they're not subjective, then why would anyone bother seeing movies at all? I like most of your choices, but I would have put The Town and Micmacs in there somewhere.
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I can't tell if your list is a deliberate satire or not. Kick-Ass is um so 2009. And Tron Legacy...man that movie is such an ass-pube.
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AVATAR- Special Edition was the BEST MOVIE of 2010.... its the gift that keeps on giving.
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"I know everyone was expecting TRUE GRIT to be my pick for BEST FILM OF 2010. It still is. Except on this list. " Ok. So, according to you, TRUE GRIT is still your pick for BEST FILM OF 2010, and yet on your list entitled "Harry's Top 10 Best Films of 2010" it is #2? Ummm... what???????
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3. KICK-ASS 2. THE GHOST WRITER 1. EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP
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Jan. 5, 2011, 6:52 p.m. CST
I don't know if I feel sorry for you or just flat out pissed off, Harry
by castor778
Look dude, your reviews have been rather suspect for quite some time now. Your reviews for Inception and Toy Story 3, case in point, aren't necessarily bad just because I might have disagreed with you - but they have a serious Armond White credibility about them. You're nowhere near as good as White is at making up the most bizarre shit reasons to dislike a movie (...well, you're review of Inception did ALMOST get there), but it both occurred to me in both reviews that you were probably dismissing them as much as you could to increase traffic, hits, and blog posts on your website. Toy Story 3 is being hailed by everyone, why not give it a negative review to get a little spark to this site? Way late on the Inception love fest, why don't I join the small backlash it's getting to get people really talking? Seems pretty fucking clear that's what you were doing. But now, with A Serbian Film, you're seriously crossing a solid fucking line that in no way should you cross - and you fucking know it. From all the films you could compare it to, you name 'The Hangover' like it's the only one that comes to mind. Harry, you were given a blessing to have a website become as popular as this has and you're name is very well known in the film community - to just use it to blatantly sell a film like this with not the slightest chance of telling what it's really about and the type of shit that occurs in it is beyond pathetic. You'd be doing them a favor by just saying "see this insanely disgusting (though very well made), mind-boggingly fucked up movie if you fucking dare" to actually peek interest of the hardcore audience is actually deserves. To just put it in a list and act like it's a film for adults that needs distribution is revolting. I don't know if you're just trying to see how many casual viewers of your site you can piss off or just playing the game that's dropped on the main character in the movie and not say what it's really about - but this ain't a movie anyone can just sit down and watch thinking it has mature subject matter. This ain't The Human Centipede or Martyrs either - it brings fucked up to an entirely different level and you need to be saying that shit, not just comparing it to The fuckin' Hangover.
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...maybe this SERBIAN thing will be good too.
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...and I needed that the year after my favorite director died. Loved it. HATE Cena, but still loved it. He worked in that film.<P>Wouldn't have put it at #1 on my list, but it would certainly be included on my top ten list of this year if I bothered to cobble one together.<P>But Serbian? Shameful. Some topics truly need not be explored in cinema.
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I totally forgot about GHOST WRITER-- great call. Definitely one of the top 3 for 2010. Such an incredible movie!
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There is a script add-on from tb'er Kevin Willis http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/92278 It help's the current state of AICN seem less cumbersome, by allowing some prefrences like Auto Expand All, Ignore and Hiliite.
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There is a script add-on from tb'er Kevin Willis http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/92278 It help's the current state of AICN seem less cumbersome, by allowing some prefrences like Auto Expand All, Ignore and Hiliite.
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and you still have to log in each time.
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Too bad it will be forgotten because it came out so early in the year. It had an awesome ending. (Que the Polanski hate)
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A serbian film is just plain awful. and i dont mean for obvious reasons. you get over the gore, its a case of the descriptions most people hear being worse than the contents itself.... my issue with it is, its just a dumb film. the Director claims its a metaphor for serbia... the truth is, its just a violent fetish fest that carries no real power, just shock value. its technically very well put together, but other than that, its dumb dumb dumb from start to finish. other than that, nice list.
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Sorry but I hated that film. Everything about it reeked of over trying to appeal to the inner geek instead of being fluid and genuine. I get what they were trying to do and understand of course it was based upon a comic book but the movie while it was trying to be clever and cool was actually pathetic and over indulgent. <BR> <BR> Black Swan hands down was the top film for 2010 and had a major emotional impact that made you thinking about that film for days. <BR> <BR> Really disappointed in your choice for #1 and honestly that film does not even belong on that list. Total garbage.
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Are you on drugs Harry??? Really?? That movie should have easily been #2 on that list. Wow.
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all showed praise for Scott Pilgrim. I think a lot of the people on here just hate Michael Cera, which is nothing new.
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Jesus, how much money did they pay you to keep ramming this shit down our throats even after limped out of theaters? The best response I've gotten out of someone I personally know who liked it was "If you were into Tekken and Street Fighter it's cool." Never mind that the characters are unlikable douchebags and the plot is barely there, but it looks like a fighting game sometimes!
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I've watched Scott Pilgrim about 20 times now and it gets better after every viewing. The attention to detail is mind blowing. Its the only movie Iv watched 20 times this year so I am in total agreement with you.
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Hey , Harry. I was waiting for your top ten list, i wish there were more contributors top 10 list on the site, i like to see what people regard to be good movies, there are always good suggentions in there. So don't got me wrong, it's your list what other peope think of it is nice to hear but it's still your list. BUT, if i look at your 2009 list your clearly state that Kick-Ass and Shutter Island would be on your list if they were considered to be from 2009. Now there not even in your top 10, even if you say 2010 was partially a shitty year for good movies, which i absolutely agree on. Shutter Island and Kick-Ass are my number one and two of this year, Shutter Island still knocks me off my feet. Come one Harry, did you forget about those two? They should be in your list :-)
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Jan. 5, 2011, 7:31 p.m. CST
"The best satire since Dr Strangelove..."
by yetanotherunqualifiedopinion
yet no place on your list for "Four Lions" this year. I can't think of a film that made me laugh out loud more this year. "Rubber dinghy rapids mate!" I can however understand your love for Pilgrim. We get that it meant more to you than the sum of its parts. I enjoyed it too, even if I thought that as far as comic book adaptations go "Kick Ass" blew it out of the water. Maybe its the source material. Maybe you are Scott Pilgrim and we're all little girls that want to shoot everybody in the face. I had a Saab 900 once. I called it Gungnir. It must have had Bonnie Tyler as a former owner, because, every now and then it fell apart... but I loved that bloody thing when everybody else didn't. Go you!
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i love zelda soundbites as much as the next guy, but come on, that movie is awful and is most definitely not the best movie of the year. that is reserved for Catfish. yeah i said Catfish, suck it queers.
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...for me is that there is ZERO chemistry between Michael Cera and Mary Winstead. The whole movie is about him fighting for her and I don't feel any spark between them. They were cast separately and obviously never tested together beforehand. Separately they are fine and are good actors. It was just poor casting within the realm of the flick. Cera and Ellen Wong (Knives) have really good Chemistry, however. Go Figure.
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Jan. 5, 2011, 7:42 p.m. CST
Harry, didn't already say "True Grit" was the best movie...
by Kirbymanly
...of the year? That's what it says all over the "True Grit" ads...
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WHAT 2 WEEKS AGO, True Grit was "the" best film of the year? But, now it's something else that came out earlier? Trying to act cool since True Grit is getting praise. Fuck you.
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EDIT BUTTON!
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"Because like THE SOCIAL NETWORK, it follows the socially inept" the real zuckerberg is not socially inept, and has had the same gf since college there are numerous vids of the guy at seminars, where he is engaging and open. take away the whole, "omg...an autistic savant founded facebook and fucked over all his friends", and what is left is a boring, court room drama and i have seen alot of people getting down on damon's acting in true grit....and to them, i suggest they watch glenn cambell in the original my prob with the movie is that they removed the entire prologue, and it took me a good half hour to deal with the dudes sling blade accent
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In the words of the brilliant actor/director Tommy Wiseau, "You must be keeding, ha ha." A movie based on comic books had fully realized characters? C'mon. The side characters had one note (Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman, etc.), and the main characters were cliché. Let's see: nerdy unambitious lead? Check. Gloomy, hipster female lead? Check. Quicky, upbeat Asian girl? Check. Gay friend? Check. (Yes, the gay best friend has officially become a cliché.). At best it had some interesting visuals, but overall was better than lame KICK-ASS, but still nothing that requires more than one viewing, or any of the praise it has gotten. I mean, fuck, here is a movie about a girl who is fetishized by Scott and her evil exs, yet she was a fairly flat, dull character. The second she came on screen, I should have fallen in love with Ramona, but I had no interest in her throughout. Now, consider a character like Alabama Worley. Who didn't fall in love with her in about 30 seconds of meeting her in True Romance? Sorry pal, but Scott Pilgrim is nothing more than a highly polished turd.
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There has to be some limits or what's the point. I can stamp my feet and call it better music than anything Robert Johnson ever wrote, you could argue, and my only comeback would be "to me my feet sound better"? Fuck all of you. Serbian Film and Scott Pilgrim and Portman's performance? you are all retards. Fuck anyone who says "shut up, its just his opinion." Jesus fucking Christ you people piss me off. Brain dead liberal PC loving fucking jerkoffs. Fucking retards have no place in this world and I have no place ever reading this site ever again. I realize after reading Harry's Peter Pan spliced with Ed Gein and the "plus one chromosome" talkbackers that I have no business reading this shit. AICN is for the intellectually incapable.
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...before Harry even saw the movie, and I posted that prediction in a Talkback at the beginning of August. Then I saved the link to the page of my post so that I could repost it here and gloat once Harry's Top 10 list was up. Even when Harry proclaimed True Grit to be the best movie of 2010 I still remained confident that he would go back to SP. Why? Because he did the same switcheroo with Where The Wild Things Are and District 9. He said that WTWTA was miles ahead of any of the other movies that year, which would've included District 9 since it had come out months earlier. Then he named District 9 as his favorite movie of the year. So I felt confident in my conviction. Sadly because all of the renovations to this site my post predicting Scott Pilgrim as #1 of the year got deleted. I can no longer gloat. I therefore remain sad and average.
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Jan. 5, 2011, 8:32 p.m. CST
THE SOCIAL NETWORK- "I’ve watched this film about 8 times thus far"
by TheApostle
Anyone who has seen a movie 8 times that has only been out 3 months needs to get a fucking life.
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Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but for me, Pilgrim was shite. I was really looking forward to it, being a child of the 80's, a fan of Shaun + Fuzz, but I just didn't like it at all. A few funny bits, but no connection, no nothing. Here's my top list for this year. (not numbered) Inception Toy Story 3 The A-Team Shutter Island Tron Kick-Ass Tomorrow, When the war began (great Australian movie) I don't see that many films each year so I can't pick 10 great ones. I don't have time to see lots of the more "oscar worthy" movies. I like seeing stuff that I have a good time watching. Pick me apart if you want.
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I think your definition better describes favorite movie of the year, rather than best.
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Shouldn't that be "The ginger slug just can't accept the fact that it bob-B-O-M-B-E-D."...?
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The CHOPPAH believes you. That is enough.
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My only real issue with Harry's list is that by indulging his base need to once more extol the virtues of Pilgrim he has completey destroyed any value or credibility his previous proclamation of 'Best Movie of the Year' held. You know...the one's that's been running on every major broadcast and cable network attached to 'True Grit' for the last two months. There is obviously a difference between 'favorite' and 'best' and that fine line seems to be the one Harry is stradling in hedging his bets with 'True Grit' and his odd little double speak in his write up here. Nevertheless, the man has the right to change his mind but it's not like SPvTW came out of left field at the last minute. Harry just wanted his sound byte and got it. I hope he does more reviews. I'm looking forward to his review for March's 'The Adjustment Bureau'...the best movie of the year, followed by his review for his of Sucker Punch two weeks later...the best movier of the year...followed by his review in May of Terrence Malick's 'Tree of Life'.........
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--Harry Knowles AIN'T IT COOL Yeah, clear as glass right there on truegritmovie.com. Knowles, you are an irredeemable hack of the lowest order, a cheap charlatan, a total flake.
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I can forgive you for your Speed Racer review. Scott Pilgrim should win the Oscar.
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yep, I agree there too. A fucking good movie.
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I never store personal files on the internet. That's stupidity at a level that even I am not guilty of. Secondly, kiddie porn is a grotesque thing. Just as the scene in SERBIAN FILM is shown to be. It is, in no way, sexual. If you think it is, there's something beyond fucked up with you. It is a moment of pure horror. Something to not take pleasure from, but to despise. The character that subjects the lead character to the imagery is abhorrent upon every imaginable level. BUT - people like that character exist. The point of this film - is that this is a reality in the Serbian underground. There are horrifying things that are done in this world. None were committed in the making of A SERBIAN FILM. Visually, you can tell - it isn't real. That is the reason it does not hit me at the, THESE FILMMAKERS SHOULD BE ARRESTED LEVEL. Because it isn't real. But it serves to absolutely you inform you about the capabilities of the characters within the film. That said, libelous comments get banned. So, goodbye you piece of shit!
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I missed "Never Let Me Go" and sorry I did. Harry, I guess you and I will disagree this year because I thought Pilgram was eh, while you felt that way about my number one pick, Inception.
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I didn't "enjoy" the movie as much but I agree.
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yeah, i said it.
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Well actually, he was one of the reasons, another was the cover to the upcoming "graphic novel" for vertigo called THE NEW YORK FIVE by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly, and this chiq in a verizon rule the air commercial (the one with one girl, not the one with a whole lot of teen girls making statements about having their voice heard/opinion matter yada yada yada). Seriously, I a-b repeat the ll fight a lot. I also fell in love with Black Sheep by Metric because of that fliq. I like the Envy Adams version in the fliq, but I'm not gonna pay itunes to hear it. The original version is enough for my ipod. Anyway, I really dug spvtw, I didn't watch it in theatres cuz I really don't care for cera. He did alright, but if it had another leading man (say, IAN SOMERHALDER) I might've been more inclined to watch @ theatres. But everyone else was coo', I love Aubrey Plaza from Parks & Rec and I saw her perform this radio theatre thing in hollywood, and have liked Mary Elizabeth Winstead since die hard 4.
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Jan. 5, 2011, 9:26 p.m. CST
SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD WILL BENEFIT FROM CABLE/SATELLITE
by Meadowe
I'm reminded of Van Wilder, a fliq nobody (that I know personally anyway) went to go see, but after it started airing on cable Ryan Reynolds star began to rise. It's A Wonderful Life wasn't a box office smash either, and when it started getting played on tv around Christmas people started to acclaim it as a classiq. I played spvtw for some friends and family this past thanksgiving, and admittedly some people were like wtf was that? while some thanked me for playing it for them. I'm having a movie night with friends friday night, and I through spvtw out as an option, along with Inception (as recent fliqs they may not have seen yet). Hopefully there will be a "continue" on this fliq, but if not I'll be happy with my little bluray.dvd.digital copy combo pack.
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So I can't really comment. Clearly, I'm not the movie fan I once was. And there a few up there I haven't even heard of. I'll remember them to watch later when I have a chance. But I can say I didn't like True Grit. I wasn't interested in the first place. But then I forced myself to go since it's supposed to be one of the best of the year, and then I didn't like it. I'm assuming the same will happen with The Social Network which I felt could wait til DVD. It's just been one of those years for me I guess. I won't bother saying what my favorite was. But I'll give you a hint. http://i34.tinypic.com/2e2ibub.jpg
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I agree. I remember seeing this in the theater and thinking yea, this will be one of those movies that gets better and better as time goes on.
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please stop writing like that. Harry, these are your readers and these are those that agree with you. After 40 years on earth you can finally claim to be cool with the 14 year olds. Congrats.
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is shite...
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HT Time Machine nearly made my list (Georgia Straight, Vancouver) and somehow Jackass 3D did get on their, but I wholly agree about Scott Pilgrim. I felt... well I have never done cocaine but that is what I imagine cocaine to feel like albeit through me eyeballs. And my ears. The music, so great.
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when I saw True Grit at 2. I might even agree, I don't know. I haven't really sat down and thought about what the best movie I saw was, but I did love Scott Pilgrim. Good choice Harry, and good list, here's hoping 2011 is just as awesome.
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You expose yourselves as never having seen the movie... Because Mila Kunis goes down on Natalie Portman!! How stupid do you feel now?
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Jan. 5, 2011, 9:51 p.m. CST
I usually don't agree with Harry but I love his top 2 choices
by Quadrillionaire
this year. Scott Pilgrim & True Grit own the most overrated movies this year, namely Inception, Toy Story 3, Kick-Ass. But where's 127 hours?
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Vlade Divac would probably say (putting down his Mach 3 razor and rubbing his face) "I am no longer irritating."
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I remember the days when your praise was directed at films like Fellowship of the Ring. Frankly, I think I'm getting too old for this site. I mean really - a film depicting newborn rape making a top ten list? I think I'll go watch Toy Story 3 again.
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Jan. 5, 2011, 10:08 p.m. CST
Mr. Knowles, do you argue that A SERBIAN FILM is to be taken...
by THE_CHOPPAH
...a historical document, so that we may never forget the atrocities? Like as SCHINDLER'S NEWBORN PORN LIST, or the Bible?
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...Had Scott Pilgrim at #1 as well. And so did MY top 10. Strange times.
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No movie with the sloppiest, most dull action set pieces of the year deserves in any top ten. yea yea; elevator fight sequence was good (although nothing innovative about it); everything else action wise was a big bore...Too bad, the movie had some clever ideas worked out well...IMO
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going back and forth and these is up in the air. i felt true grit was spectacular because of jeff bridges, not because the film itself is so....but as far as number one, i couldn't agree more. Scott Pilgrim captures the 80s generation so perfectly, it really embodies not just the society in which we grew up in but pretty much how we all think. we daydream scott pilgrim's life everyday. it's how we live.
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...how terrible this year has been for movies. Seems to be like that every year for some reason. I don't know, maybe I just don't like movies anymore. Or, nobody's making movies I like anymore. I don't know. Gee, maybe I should get a lobotomy.
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-- KICK-ASS is for the Comicbook Collector's!
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I remain average but I am no longer sad.
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halfbreedqueen said everything I wanted to. Reminds me of the email fight Ebert had with the makers of the torture-porn film Chaos. Nihilism and shock do not a film make.
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Watched that again recently. The first hour is still really good. But I had forgotten how much it descends into a big-budget A-Team episode by the end...rather dull extended fucking with clunky editing. I guess that marked the moment where torture porn's destiny lay in movies that were more about action than comedy, for much of the next decade. I was so hopeful when A SERBIAN FILM came out that it heralded the return of both torture porn and newborn porn as genuinely dramatic talking points. But it was a false dawn for both.
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Jan. 5, 2011, 10:25 p.m. CST
SPVTW'S FACEBOOK IS BOASTING THE FLIQ'S PLACEMENT ON THIS LIST
by Meadowe
I wonder if True Grit has a facebook, and if so, has it updated it's status as no longer being harry's fave for 2010 ;)-
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Seriously? Scott Pilgrim? For best film of the year? Harry, Scott Pilgrim was so fucking try-hard that it wasn't even funny. How can you leave out films like Inception and Kick-Ass over this?? I can't believe you rated True Grit lower than Scott Fucking Pilgrim Harry. Shame on you for compromising your professional integrity (repeatedly) in order to keep the few industry figures interested in talking to you sweet, no matter how shitty their final product (Pilgrim/Predators/Machete).
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didn't even click your comment but I bet you clicked this one all excitedly waiting to read my response. loser.
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you show your flick at one of harry's things, you are automaticallly in the running for his top ten of the year. harry, what happened to toy story 3? you loved that. i just watched it tonight for the first time, and can't even remember the last time a film put me through every emotion- either as a kid or an adult.
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I breathed a fuckin sigh of relief that Exit through the gift shop didnt make the list.. My major complaint would be : Bedevilled shouldn't count. If you weren't at FF (like most of us) then you aint seen it yet. Should be considered a 2011 film
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half these films weren't released theatrically in the united states in 2010. stupid list and awful #1 pick. this website has become a lazy joke.
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CHOPPED.
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Scott Pilgrim is the feel good movie of the last several years. The cat fights are bubbles of heaven really. What is there not to like? It follows a perfect videogame structure complete with bosses and extra lives. Perfect 16 bit world come to life. It should get best picture for the punisher high-five scene alone
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I'm still in lesbians with it
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if harry really liked scott pilgrim, that's his right. personally, i think he wants life to BE like scott pilgrim, and that's all. i'm just saying i've heard such high praise of other films by him on here, and then half of his list are things that the general public hasn't even seen yet and haven't even been mentioned here before.
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is some people leaving during the first fight's bollywood musical number. and i admit when it came on, i was like- shit- is this how it's gonna be? a musical? luckily i stuck with it, but about a fourth of the audience when i was there didn't- on opening weekend. i liked scott pilgrim alright, but by the last fight, i was like, enough already. the highlight moment was the vegan police, by far.
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I'm leaning almost exactly the same way on the top 3 movies. Scott Pilgrim is definitely my favorite, but I'm not sure if I like True Grit better than Black Swan. I think the Social Network is a little high. It should probably be back around The same area as The Fighter. Scott Pilgrim just rocks though. Bravo for that choice.
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That's... messed up from my point of view. Then again, I didn't see what he wrote but... jeez.
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For everyone to see what posts get you banned. That would, I think, prevent people from getting banned when they're not trying to test you. Right?
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You not only like but suggest others view a movie that shows a newborn baby being raped and a father sodomizing his own son. You rank it as one of your favorite movies of the year. It has a man fucking a new born child! You sick fuck. Then you compare it to main stream movies like the hangover? Seriously, get some help. I read the synopsis on wiki and cannot fathom, as a feeling human being, subjecting myself to such filth, but you go one further and say that others should watch the movie. And then you have the audacity to ban anyone, anyone from your site. What can any talkbacker say or write that is worse than this movie that you put forth as one of your favorites. Wow, any respect I had for you is gone. Now you defend it because this shit happens in the world, really that is your pathetic defence. Here is your true downfall you state "The character that subjects the lead character to the imagery is abhorrent upon every imaginable level." You are the fucking character trying to subject your readers to this imagery. Deal with your own judgement.
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on this list makes your entire list moot. It was better than everything you mentioned and you know it Harry. Just because you can't let go of your childhood shit doesn't mean it's not the great movie that you KNOW it to be. Boy, you're dumb.
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Just stop. Don't make it into something it's not. Drew made the same mistake. It goes to extremes... yeah... THAT'S IT! Otherwise it's hum drum and dismal as hell (and I mean the film-making is dismal, nevermind the subject matter -- it's totally bereft of any flourishes of cinematic genius that would justify BOTY status). OK, yeah, the boner in the eye socket was fun... I'll give you that.
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Same tact you took with The Matrix Reloaded, disappointed because you didn't to see vampires and werewolves and UFOS -- it's called playing with a net. Without the net, things get kind of silly.
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"TRUE GRIT is also my pick for the single best film of 2010. I say that without the slightest hesitation. It simply is so." What happened since then to change his mind?
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Jan. 6, 2011, 12:28 a.m. CST
Harry picks Scott Pilgrim as his best film of 2010. No Inception.
by BiggusDickus
This should tell you everything you need to know about Knowles' validity as a genuine critic. Oh, and Sernian Film is just vile. Yes, I knew what they were going for and yes, I 'got' it, but there are some films you wish you could un-see and for me, that was one of them.
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Still no edit function after all these weeks of 'improvements'....
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Now Social Network is a better film than Crash, but the two are similarly overrated. Social Network is all procedure and no soul, and I'm not missing something there, it just has no emotional heft. It's astonishingly then this happened....then this happened....which led this to happen.....then he did this. Peter Travers "movie that defines a decade" comment I honestly think should get him fired. There is zero social commentary in the film and the only reason anyone thinks there is is because Facebooks happens to be the company the main character creates. To say nothing of the fact that you could replace Facebook with Enron or the Slinky and still have the EXACT same movie. I would rail on about thinking Eisenberg taking the award but its Harry and the guy just has classically awful fucking taste.
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.. a few weeks ago with my friends... and hated it so much i couldn't watch the last half an hour..... i didn't see too many new movies in 2010, but i would put toy stoy 3 as no. 1 of those i did see...
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Anti-fanboy's comment reminded me of that review. Classic Harry. Great list though and you can read Harry's thoughts on Inception in the DVD column in case you care. Also,
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mentioned in an above talkback--It is 12 midnight and it is past my bedtime; my mind does not compute the word "spoiler" so I read the ending of the movie. I hope I can forget it by the time I finally see the movie...
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First list I've agreed with?<p> But... but it's Harry's?! Awwwww... dammit.
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Also damns this list.<p> I feel redeemed.
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Even the ones I liked didn't blow me away. But Scott Pilgrim was even more meh than average. And this is someone that LOVES Spaced, and really likes Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.
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I loved Shaun of the Dead and Spaced, liked Hot Fuss, really admire Edgar Wright...but SPVTW just seemed like a load of meandering, overblown nonsense with just a bunch of geeky references to compensate for a lack of plot. Better than Inception? No. Social Network? Don't make me laugh. Kick-Ass? It's not fit to wipe its ass. Toy Story 3? NO FUCKING WAY.
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Liked the visual style but there was no story and Michael Cera is a crap actor. Fact. But it's worth watching for sure, for the geeky love it gets from some is just weird. Oh, and KICK ASS was much, much better than Scott Pilgrim.
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I agree with many of your choices, but Scott Pilgrim? Well rounded characters? Did we both see the same film? I saw a shambolic attempt to capture that mad intensity of Japanese film with a liberal 8-bit side order, completely devoid of a functioning internal logic. Great eye candy for sure, but not a great film and one that had even less story than The Losers.
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Scott Pilgrim at #1; <br><br> True Grit at #2 (it wasn't even top 5 for me, NO COUNTRY was the Coen's Western; this was an over-conventional afterthought); <br><br> Serbian film on the list.... <br><br> There's more, but I'll just stop there.
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I loved INCEPTION when I saw it in theatres, and I procrastinated for a long time watching it a second time. Finally I saw it again on blu-ray last week, and while it didn't completely fall apart, it lost most of its magic on repeat viewing. There are so many arbitrary, nonsensical rules; the dialogue is so brutally expository. <br><br> Don't get me wrong, it's a great movie, but it's not "epic" the way I thought it was after a single theatrical viewing. <br><br> In my opinion, MEMENTO and THE PRESTIGE are superior films which better hold up to repeated watchings. (And then, I've only seen The Prestige twice, so maybe it breaks down later on, but both times I enjoyed it. Memento I've seen three or four times and I think it's brilliant, particularly when you consider that Nolan wasn't yet an established mainstream director with [Batman-type] fame and the studio backing/budget that come with it.)
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How can you take this list seriously without Inception being on it? You didn't 'get' it, which is fine, but most people did and LOVED it more than Dark Knight. But here's what really annoys me about Harry during 2010, ELM f**king Street! He loved the thing, told us all to see it but it was the WORST movie of the decade. How can anyone take what Harry says seriously anymore.
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I hated “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” with every atom of my being. It took me three tries to view it in its entirety. Now that I’ve seen all of it, I can say without any reservation, it is a piece of shit. It’s not about the thing it’s about. It IS the thing it’s about, and that thing is, admittedly, something I find revolting. “Black Swan” is the best movie of 2010, and if it weren’t, it would be “Inception”. Peace, pussy grease.
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1. Harry Potter 7.1 2. Kick-Ass 3. The Town 4. Cemetery Junction 5. I Love you, Philip Morris 6. How to Train your Dragon 7. Four Lions 8. The A-Team 9. The Ghost Writer 10. Alice in Wonderland
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Jan. 6, 2011, 3:12 a.m. CST
NEVER LET ME GO WAS NOT A TOP 10 FILM! Harry.... please!!!!
by silentbobafett2
You are the man! But seriously you must have seen the dropped ball with Never Let Me Go! It is quite clear from the film/material that done right this film should be classic - a contender, or hands down winner, for best picture and unforgettable experience! But it was so mishandled! It was lazy filmmaking - from the generic score to the constant mid-shots to the self-directed performances. It's an okay film - but goes on my worst of the year list because it should have been something special. If you want to see how good this film could have been - watch the trailer!!! It never once hit that level of emotion of wow!
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and I'd going along with the rest of the list in different order. True Grit was not very good, people need to stop drinking the Cohen brothers kool-aid.
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"I know everyone was expecting TRUE GRIT to be my pick for BEST FILM OF 2010. It still is. Except on this list. " What do you mean 'it still is'??? no it is not. Scott pilgrim is . learn to write.
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It was a fascist coup d'État. Anyway, i liked The Last Circus. Spanish people hate that movie and alex de la Iglesia, but we hate anyone with success.
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pixar are mastercrafts people. they put years of attention into thier movies. aardman does the same. i love the trailer for arthur christmas. christopher nolan does likewise. Bar sott pilgrim, I have never heard some of these movies, I have not seen never let me go. Pixar makes movies to a very high standard as does Chris nolan. there is one film absent from this list. the expendables. harry liked that film so much he even had sly q and Harry admitted that he didnt like Inception and that he didnt like toy story 3's ending. He likes films that maybe have a low production value. and he hypes the shit out of those films. I was very harsh about simon pegg and for that I apologise but pegg has a face that makes me want to slap. it. sorry...oh and paul just demonstrates that he just isnt funny. paul that would be the film with nick frost and seth rogen.
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He sits to urinate and shouldn't be showing DIRTY HARRY at the New Beverly. I will be there to heckle him. He should be screening BATMAN & ROBIN and XANADU, as he's the new Joel Schumacher. He sucks cock to get greenlights.
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Best 6. Ghost Writer 5. Inception 4. MacGruber 3. Robin Hood 2. Unstoppable 1. Kick-Ass Worst 3. Clash of the Titans 2. Prince of Persia 1. The Karate Kid
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apart from a Serbian film it's a pretty good selection of films. A Serbian Film is a poor choice considering it has nothing redeeming about it and its pretentious claims are nothing but disingenuous attempts at masking its vacuous and insipid nature
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Screw you, Harry.
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What's your obsession with needing a director to be manly for you to like his movie? Just because the guy is soft round the middle, has a slightly high pitched voice and is English (as am I - English I mean) doesn't mean he can't appreciate Dirty Harry. Scott Pilgrim isn't perfect by a long shot, but there is a level of complexity and skill to the way it was put together that has to be admired and in terms of satisfying it's target audience (which you are clearly not) it's a success. and the new Joel Schumacher? seriously? I think for a fag-basher you're a little uncommitted - stop pussy footing around posting comments on here and go beat up homos in the street with your big meaty man fists. That'd really be staying true to yourself.
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Its more original and monumental than any of them... it makes it the top of a 20 year top ten. I still think about parts of it.
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Who gives a shit who made it...the work speaks for itself.
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is that kids- yes kids- who were born in the nineties have no real connection to the 8-bit/nintendo era. everyone in scott pilgrim- except maybe brandon routh, the vegan police and the 'final boss' are all too young to have lived through those times. yet teens and early twenties think they know it, and reference it all the time. it's sad, a whole subculture based on the fumes of the generation before it, gen Y or Z huffing the farts of gen X. i was born in 1976, and it's on par with me thinking i know anything about the era of the moon landing and Vietnam. it's the social equivalent of me overhearing someone else's coversation i know little about and then jumping in and trying to own it.
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it's about growing up and letting go of childish things- the complete opposite of this site. maybe i'm confused and thought harry gave TS 3 a great review, it must have been one of the good reviewers like massa or capone.
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Jan. 6, 2011, 6:35 a.m. CST
Nice to know I'm not the only one that felt that way about Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
by Matthew
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suomynona/5180205930/in/set-72157624685175723/
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toy story 3 is about growing up. respecting the past, learning from it, passing it on, moving forward. scott pilgrim is about not letting go of nostalgia, pop culture references- even those before your time- and thinking of life as a video game or a comic instead of reality, so as to detach yourself from consequence or emotion or the seriousness of it (name one thoughtful, good, deep or altruistic character in scott pilgrim- besides Knives, a girl being used by 'our hero')
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and he's often compared 'yoko' to Knives. and in a way he's right. both of them are guys who don't take anything seriously, deal with reality by comparing everything to comics, cartoons, video games and movies, refuse to grow up, date at least a decade below them, and seem to be very self centered, selfish people. i could not shake that about Scott Pilgrim there was no character arc and nothing redeemable about him...which i guess is why nega-scott was actually funny...he's such a neutral bland guy that his opposite can only be neutral. giggle.
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No Inception? That's f'ked man! Inception kicked the ass off Serbian Film and Black Swan. No, The Town either?
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Can't believe that. Or How to Train your Dragon? Seriously dude.
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...which he couldn't stay awake for..then he has the battered kahunas to tell us geek culture is alive and well while he chokes it with his needy fat fingers! C'mon Harry, surely you're not THAT narcissistic that you can't put aside your own self interest/profit to at least stay the fuck awake for a good genre film shame on you
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Scott Pilgrim? Really?
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Jan. 6, 2011, 7:52 a.m. CST
Don't worry, Harry, you're in no danger of being considered a grown up.
by King_Knut
...but that's why we love ya.
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Did you get the line of statues from Sideshow Collectibles for A SERBIAN FILM yet? I can't wait to see the ads for those at the top. Oh wait, I use Adblock Plus. Fuuuck that shit. CHOPPED
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Finally someone else watched it. Amazing movie.
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Seriously. Look it up.
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that's why he was banned, not to worry I'm sure the Turd will rise again.
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that I don't think it will ever be a classic. It will not be easily accessible for future generations as it requires a certain amount of modern (as in 80s, 90s and 00s) culture knowledge. From a technical standpoint, it is fantastic. From the point of view of movie & video game fan boys, it's a wonderful love letter. But I think Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz will be remembered more as Bad Boys and Dawn of the Dead are not required viewing to understand most of the jokes and just plain enjoy the movie. I love Scott Pilgrim, but I don't think, even with all of the information provided to them, my grandchildren will get it. It's too much a product of it's time.
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Please update your blog. You're back, and there's no reason to not fill said website chock full of chopping reviews and commentaries. We missed you, Choppy.
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I really pity anyone who relates to that douchebag Pilgrim character.
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I was going to say something to that effect but, well, credit where credit's due.
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How many times have you seen WATCHMEN? Not being a bitch, I just was curious since you were always such a WATCHMEN champion in days of yore.
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Its actually very entertaining, he is stuck at 14, Inception wasn't the movie he wanted and he feel asleep, can't understand about toys been given away in Toy Story 3 True Grit was his best movie of the year a month ago, but I gurantee since then he has rewatched Scott Pigrim and thought what zombot said Serbian Film's inclusion
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1. Serbian Film 2. Serbian Film 3. Serbian Film ... well you get the picture, there was a shortage of Kleenex at the Beaks dungeon... I mean home when this was being watched
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Who are these crazies that see you that way, you are mentally at 14, please don't change
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Watch the (all too true) "libel." The banhammer hasn't been this hair-triggered since Moriarty was employed by AICN and on the man-rag. Seems that Harry's "almost-40 maturity" has led him to a deluded sense of authority/paranoia a la Principal Rooney from FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF. I liked the devil-may-care, easy-going Harry persona a LOT better. However, I'll always owe Harry's AICN TB for leading me to my fiance, THE CHOPPAH. Hey CHOPPAH, that reminds me... I should know how many wives you've had so far. Love you.
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...and it was really hard to watch without taking in the prejudices of others. the first half an hour i was really worried because cera WAS a dick. now i like him and his nerd hipster schtick normally but it was almost like he was trying to put some arrogance in to it. anyway i had to pause after half an hour and get a cup of tea. took a deep breath and kept going and once the movie got going I found it enjoyable. it was good. fun, solid entertainment. best film of the year? bollocks. in the geek fantasy sub-genre Kick Ass was waaaay better. it felt epic and didn't try to be cool. it was cool. other people have raised the point about an '8-bit' film being aimed at the youth of today and i totally agree. it felt a bit like my youth (i'm 31) has been co-opted slightly for a group of people who couldn't give a shit about it. what's worse is that it's been done by someone i have spent the last 10 years enjoying. obviously he chose to adapt some existing material which is fair enough but it's target audience confused me. i haven't read the comic but i felt like it was people my age reading that rather than today's teenagers. back on to the top 10 i think Harry needs to hold his hands up and admit he fucked up big time by sleeping through the best film of the year. 1)inception 2)kick ass 3)toy story 3
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I haven't seen it and I don't think I want to see it. I can stomach a lot, but sometimes too much is just too much.
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Black Swan was beautiful at times, powerful at times, but just downright amateurish at times, and for me, those moments completely undermined what could have been a flawless film. Example: Quick pan from Portman to Winona Rider with howling scream. Is that meant to be scary? It felt like a cheap scare tactic. If it weren't for some of the film's amazing camera work during the ballet performances combined with the powerful music this film would have made #1 on my personal most disappointing films of 2010. And to clarify, disappointing doesn't mean "bad", it just means "could have been greater."
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didnt have it in his top 10 list.Then again he has Serbian Film in so that makes logic irrelevant here.
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I may have her name wrong but damn if this girl doesn't deserve the Oscar as Best Actress. I've not seen all the performances of the Best actresses this year but this girl truly caught my attention. She did an excellant job. No way is or was Portman's performance better.
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That movie disappointed on SOOOO many levels. It didn't exactly suck, per se, but it did disappoint in grand ways.
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...that every year that Harry does one of these, at least 50% of the list are films that has never once been mentioned (let alone reviewed!) on this site during the year in question? Harry, if you want people to actually take your opinion on these "Best of" lists seriously, you have to at least put your money where your mouth is at the time the movie comes out. Otherwise, it just looks like you're going with what other reviewers and critics are saying and not expressing your own TRUE opinion. Make that your New Year's resolution: if it has the potential to be on your year-end Best of list, take the time to write a review on it. Thanks.
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Jan. 6, 2011, 9:28 a.m. CST
I'll continue to say that I like Portman, but she does nothing for me..
by The Founder
as an actress. She's sweet and nice and is likable and that probably what has kept her working in Hollywood in my opinion. She's never brought anything to a role or to a film that ive seen her in. She's just there. I love Portman but I can't say she's this great actress when she isn't. She gets the job done and that's it. I'll give her some marks for Black Swan but i wasn't overall impressed with her performance. Does she deserve a Best Actress nod for Oscar? I'm mixed here. I wanna say yes cause I like her but in truth I think more people are gushing over the fact that she finally put something into a perfomance and now they think she deserve an Oscar. Wouldn't be mad if she got a nomination but if she beat out Hailee? Hell Yes I'd be pissed.
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A nice combo of independent/foreign, and the big studio prestige pics. Saw Pilgrim in theatre but haven't gone back for the 2nd view yet, but am looking forward to it. Wasn't my fave film of the year, but def in the conversation.
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I've done so with many other films myself but I still have to disagree and say that Pilgrim was filled with unlikeable characters and it was just a series of distractions hoping you'd somehow feel something for this unlikeable bunch of losers.
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Just saw it this week in fact.
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...maybe its me but I cant take the SP haters seriously when I notice I have never seen their handle before... if youre some random TBer, your opinion on the film is void... and I havent seen too much hate from the regulars here just my observations (unless if im correct, then if so, eh fuck you, Im always right)
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As a husband and father, just reading the synopsis makes me want to step away from the computer, walk outside to get some fresh air and never watch another film for the rest of my life if this is the kind of movie now worth celebrating.
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Here's the REAL top ten. You know it to be true. #10 - Winter's Bone #9 - Never Let Me Go #8 - The Fighter #7 - The Town #6 - Robin Hood #5 - Black Swan #4 - Shutter Island #3 - The Social Network #2 - True Grit #1 - Inception
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McWeeny had it on his best of list as well, so Harry isn't the only sicko out there. I am hesitant to see the film and wonder if I'll even get an opportunity. The movement of extreme films is interesting, I loved Inside, was heartily disturbed by Martyrs, and flat out hated Human Centipede. The Hostel films barely scratch the depths of true exploitation but were fine as revenge films. Enter the Void is getting no love this year, a shame, I really liked that film.
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but not as good as SP, for the simple reason that the romance plot was poorly played out. I just didn't care about it at all. It was the only choice that the comic did better. And it didn't ruin the film completely for me, but it does harm it. Those scenes are a waste of time for me and I just want them to be over when I'm watching it. I'm actually embarrassed when they come on if I'm watching with someone else. Which is not a good thing. SP on the other hand is perfect. Nice choice for number 1. And the relationship stuff in that film is handled PERFECTLY. I've had a few friends say to me that they didn't care for that part of the film, that they don't want SP and Ramona to "get together," and that's why the film fails for them, and Ramona's a bitch etc...well...are you supposed to want them to hook up? Are you not? Or is it more complex? I found it incredibly well handled. And incredibly mature. Ramona, as a character, again, PERFECT. And, tellingly, most(but, I hasten to add, not ALL) the people I know who hold this criticism are either under, say, 21, and haven't been in a relationship, or just plain haven't had that much experience with the opposite sex. And I don't mean sex. OR they're older and more conservative in their views towards women. And I don't mean to imply anything about anyone on here with a negative view of the film. Just trying to give some perspective on how I view the relationship in the film. Its just accurate as fuck, with no bad guys, just people hurting each other and themselves. And people, of course, have other reasons for not liking it as much as I do. And that's fine.
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It surprises me more that McWeeny would recommend it more than Harry. Social commentary be damned. We all know there are fucked up people in the world, but now we need to watch it because, hey, it's art.
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Really let down by your choices big guy. I was hoping you would pull through and put Tron Legacy on your list. You seemed to be in geek bliss in your review, but sadly it didn't make you list. I knew Pilgrim would be up there, but #1? Really? Some of your list is so by-the-numbers. I thought this was a geek site. True Grit, The Fighter, Black Swan and Social Network are on almost EVERY top 10 list this year. Is this the Entertainmentweekly.com top 10 or Aintitcoolnews? Oh well. Tron is by far the coolest film of the year. Not necessarily THE BEST film of 2010 but definately the most kick-ass and stylish. Your list is still better than Capones. Barely.
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but many intelligent filmmakers I know as well. Some just can't take how hard core it is to sticking to it's guns about what it shows at certain points... but others like me were just amazed. It's truly a great work. And many people are completely unaware as to how many special effects scenes there are. It's so much stronger to me than films like Inception or Black Swan which are both derivative and lightweight in comparison (although I enjoyed both of them). I look at them as normal films within my grasp. "Enter the Void" is just incredible. Beyond anything I could imagine, such original emotional notes, such spectacular special effects, and such a mythic and deep concept.
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So you can see just how shitty a movie it is. Now, my biggest problem with the movie is that it's incredibly poorly done. I don't care what you put into a film, if it works within the context of that film, it's fine. But, during the climax, why exactly would he fuck the eye socket of one of the guys he's fighting? It makes no sense, except for the director to check off another thing that's supposed to shock us. And as for the "twist" with his brother, maybe it would have actually worked if his brother hadn't been portrayed as a sleazy douchebag the entire film. That's just poor writing out and out. I understand that you want to seem like you're being revolutionary by giving it one of the year's best nods, but take away all the shocking scenes and you've got a shitty movie. I am never pro-censorship. You want to show a baby being raped? Fine. But actually write a genuine reason for it being in the movie. The makers of A Serbian Film seemed to be concerned with shock-first, story-later.
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Or the exploitation trailer from the Grindhouse movie "Don't" into a feature. Hot Fuzz was mediocre and Scott Pilgrim was a let down as well. The guy is talented but his film work so far isn't blowing me away (and Shaun Of The Dead was ok but the Spaced zombie/Resident Evil episode was much better). True Grit was really good but not as epic and perfect as Assassination Of Jesse James or even No Country For Old Men.
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I'm not particularly a fan of anime but that was easily one of the year's best. Are you on crack?
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Welll, ummmm, that says a lot for our beloved headgeek, does it not?
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couldn't have said it better myself. I haven't seen many of the "top" movies this year like Black Swan and Social Network, yet. But I'm willing to bet they don't stay with me as much as that did. And it's open to as much if not more discussion than things like Inception which was a good not great movie.
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Anyone who likes ASF will like "Long Pigs"
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The 17 year old boy and the 5 year old girl didn't get it on and have children of their own.
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Why else would you think it's funny to describe pedophilia amongst toys?
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I guess Harry is even more dispicable.
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"Harry's pics for best of 2010, this will be good for a laugh." I was surprised to find it was a very well picked list, until I scrolled down and saw Scott Pilgrim as number one, and I fucking lost it. What. The. Fuck. I am the definition of the target demographic for that film, there should have been no way in hell that I wouldn't eat it up, but that movie was a terrible pandering mess with shitty acting. Thank you Harry for giving me a good laugh and proving once again that you are a mentally retarded child trapped in an obese man's body.
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Scott Pilgrim vs. The World was a fun little premise that just didn't work...for me anyway. Visually interesting (even beautiful at times), mildly amusing and entertaining, but wholly lacking as a coherent film. Much the same could be said about Tron Legacy, although it was even more visually arresting, and I honestly enjoyed going back to The Grid so much more than I did my stay in Pilgrim's place. I still love you, ya big bastard.
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That will be a scene in A Serbian Film 2.
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I kind of like the first one. I'd rather watch monkeys in space than toys or cars or rat chefs or whatever the fuck.
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Christ, it was very well done and with ten noms for Best Picture now, it'll probably get one...but this nonsense is getting old. Pixar will win best animated feature again and that's it. Be happy with the nomination, because that's all you're getting in a year with True Grit, The Fighter, Black Swan and Inception. Toy Story 3 is not even remotely Pixar's best work. Wall-E takes that crown coming and going. Make mine True Grit and Bridges for the back-to-back wins. Fucking Pixar geeks.
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Jan. 6, 2011, 12:04 p.m. CST
Recommending Serbian Film is icky. Kinda' REALLY icky..
by caseyaramian
I think I'm glad they cut the "roast-baby-on-a-spit" scene from The Road. Fucking a newborn?? Yikes. Gonna hafta' pass on this clearly exploitive mess. Sad that Harry loves it. Also sad, the shilling for Scott Pilgrim. I liked it, but found Scott miscast, and both leads very unlikable. I lived the 80's, and have had many mature relationships. This film had none. And for the hat trick of sad. Inception's stunning multiple climaxes saved my summer movie season. Harry bagging on it, and his multiple defenses, reeks of favors and misguided agendas. Hope I'm wrong.
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Jan. 6, 2011, 12:06 p.m. CST
Must be really hard for Harry to choose only ten
by RedLeaderStandingBy
Since the man loved every fucking movie of 2010.
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And, it's his favorite films of the year. Harping on which films he should've had on his list is saying more about you than anything. It is saying, "I think I know everything and therefore am in charge of all the correct answers. I am close-minded. I loved Inception." Are you sure that's what you want to be saying? You know, everybody reads this.
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Grain of salt.
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It's absolutely obvious
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Mr. Knowles, I loathe how you mention that your #1 is your most "controversial" pick ever. Seriously, this site has ran its course. Your list is the same every year. It mostly consists of critically acclaimed films, a couple "geek" flicks and a couple movies that no one outside your hip circle has ever seen. I just hope one year you come out with a list that does not fit the mold of every other pop culture website around. Yours, Spawn of...
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How many times are you going to use the word 'powerful' before someone calls you on it and people start to realize how bad a writer you really & truly are? <p> For that matter, when are YOU going to realize it and go back to school for a 'English Lit 101' refresher? <p> Dude... seriously.. you still stink at this, and you've had over a decade to get better? <p> <p> <p> Need proof? Your worst attempts usually start out with soft handed depreciation (in this case, and in most others, your weight), then go onto the unimaginative descriptive usually involving your sexual expertise/awareness (with the blaring dick/pussy reference....) <p> <p> <p> You and sex shouldn't even be in the same language, let alone the same post *shudder*
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Now, I love the film, but am not sure if I would have considered it like you did. However, the more I think about the way this turned the movie process and experience on end, even skewed it. It reminds of another film, Clerks. This film echoed my life at the time, it had a definate impact on the film industry, like Scott Pilgrim will - in time. I just have to think that if I was that age now, Scott Pilgrim would be my 'Clerks'. But now, the beauty of the film is that it really, truely brings me back to that earlier time in my life, in a way no other film has or probably will. But it does it in a way, that it just makes me feel younger. I wish I could personal thank Edgar Wright for that. And I thank you, Harry, making me see why I really love the film.
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Meh. The film was...ok...if shown on a 10 hour flight over the Pacific Ocean. ... <br><p> ... Seriously...I don't understand your fascination with this flick, Harry. ... </br></p><br><p> ... Then again, opinions are like butts: Everyone has one and they all really stink if they aren't cleaned on a daily basis. ... </br></p>
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Is that its not really the same concept. In the Hangover they don't fucking go out to seek vengeance and peniale anger on those that have harmed them. <P> Its closer to Ricochet the much much much underrated Russell Mulcahy directed Denzel Washington, John Lithgow and Ice-T starring joint. What Lithgow does to Denzel and then how he finds out sort of thing. <P> Its much closer to that film in terms of plot. I mean its not close but similar idea. ALSO on the Denzel flip side its sort of like Training Day, in that the director gets the actor to just do a bunch of shit because he coerce's him into doing it. And in the end the guy turns on him. Yeah i know its not the same, but fundamentally its the same idea. Just with baby rape and eye socket fucking rather then hookers and crystal. <P> BUT go ahead and call the film a TRUE original. Also it was boring and shitty looking.
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Or even mentioned? If you love these obscure films so much, cover them on this site. I know that won't pay the bills, but try to give them some coverage over the year.
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Harry has finally went off the deep end, In what world is Scott Pilgrim better than Inception?? What about the The Kids Are Alright?
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... of which she deserves absolutely NONE of her praise, even when she was a child. I have never seen an actress so out of touch with reality and so dense while everyone who works with her goes on and on about how 'perfect' she is. Mind you, these adorations began with 'The Professional' and continue to this day. How do I know what Portman is really like? I don't... I never met the brat. But in nearly every interview I've seen she always manages to come off like some elitist bitch. Back-handed comments abound! Here's an example: "I consider myself more of an Israeli than an American." Say fucking what?! Look, sweetheart, just because you were born in Israel and raised in America doesn't make you an Israeli, even if you are technically an Israeli citizen. A REAL Israeli is someone who lives just miles from a warzone. A REAL Israeli is someone that has to worry about a car-bomb exploding next to the coffee shop you're sitting in. No, you arrogant ditz, you are not an Israeli. But wait... I have more examples. Here's what she said when asked about leaving the film industry to go to college. She said, "I'm not worried about ruining my career (note: easy to say when your parents are loaded) I'd rather be smart than be a movie star." What? Fuck you, Portman! You just gave the finger to every single successful actor who never went to college. By suggesting that the only way to be considered intelligent is to go to college, you've just proven how incredibly fucking stupid you really are. And finally, one last quote: "I think unattractive people are more fortunate, because they are forced to develop their personalities more." Well, how terrible we all feel sorry for you, Natalie, for not being one of those 'so fortunate' fugly creatures. ..... Okay, now that that's out of my system, I can move on to exposing the truth about 'Black Swan'. Portman's performance was good. Despite my loathing of her, I cannot deny good acting when I see it. But here's the thing... I'd say about 85% of her performance is due to Aronofsky. Some director's really know how to pull amazing performances out of bland actors. Look at Aronofsky's other films and you'll see this. He re-launched Rourke's career, and I doubt you'll ever see such an incredible performance from him again. Look at 'Requiem for a Dream'. Holy shit. He took Marlon Wayans and made him interesting. Marlon fucking Wayans! Even before 'Black Swan' was finished filming, I was pointing out that despite Portman's shitty acting in everything else she's done, she will somehow be amazing in this, because that's just how Aronofsky is. She IS NOT suddenly a great actress. Look at her in films with lesser directors. I dare you to watch twenty minutes of 'The Other Bolyen Girl' without laughing your ass off. And the Star Wars prequels speak for themselves. Harry said he wonders how George Lucas manged to get such bland performances out of her. Well, it's because she's a shitty actress and Lucas can't direct people to save his life. Look at Hayden Christenson in 'Shattered Glass' and you'll have all the proof you need that good performances come from good directors. Some directors cast great actors then let them do their thing. Other directors get more involved, and pull great performances. Go watch Terry Gilliam's 'Tideland'. That little girl carries the entire movie on her own and is AMAZING. Then watch 'Silent Hill'. Same little girl, filmed AFTER 'Tideland', giving a performance expected of a ten-year old. What the fuck happened? Terry Gilliam happened. He knows how to direct people more than Christopher Gans. In conclusion, we need to be praising Aronofsky for Portman's performance. We'll know when she reaches Gary Oldman status and can perform with any director and be fucking awesome. But she has a long way to go before then. And given her dense and arrogant attitude, I doubt she'll ever really improve as long as everyone keeps kissing her ass and telling her how amazing she is.
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Scott Pilgrim I agree is probably the film of the year because of all the original elements and overall fun factor. They did things in the movie that shouldn't have worked and made them great. Inception and True Grit were great movies, but I don't think they were special like Scott Pilgrim was. It's a movie that I've never seen before and one that will probably be imitated without the imitators being able to achieve the same successes. You may not be into the "ultra hip" story and feel of the movie, but it was amazing filmmaking that's for sure.
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For me, a TOP 10 FILMS list should contain films that follow you out of the theater. These films should haunt your thoughts for hours...days...weeks...and even months. <br><p> I guess that I can understand how Harry embraced SPVTW...while it does little-to-nothing for most others. The film nostalgically haunted his mind due to his own upbringing. <br><p></br></p> I suppose that it is a lot like those 30-somethings and 40-somethings who still go to 70s and 80s rock bands to watch geriatric men perform old songs. Two years ago, Harry said the same thing about INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL. It wasn't the film that he embraced -- but the nostalgia it produced. <br><p></br></p> For me, there were several films that haunted me...and impacted me...during the year. Oddly enough, they came from different genres. Of course, these are my own opinions...and nothing more. <br><p></br></p> 10. ALICE IN WONDERLAND -- Tim Burton's take on this story just captivated me. It was much better than I anticipated...and invoked a BIG FISH type of feel to the film. Like Zombot said, ALICE was all about growing up. <br><p></br></p> 9. THE SOCIAL NETWORK -- I have been using Facebook since the beginning (when they only allowed college students to use it). I live within walking distance of Facebook's headquarters...and I have seen and spoken with Mark Zuckerberg a few times at Starbucks (in a hoodie, no less). Although the film is skewed, it was very thought provoking about how an idea can turn into a multi-Billion dollar tech company in the age of the Internet. <br><p></br></p> 8. WAITING FOR SUPERMAN -- One thing that many people from all sides of the political spectrum will agree upon is that our schools need to improve...and that teacher's unions are doing too little to foster improvement in students. My wife is a teacher...coming from a poor background...so this one hit home. She cried several times during the film and talked about it for weeks. <br><p></br></p> 7. (TIE) THE KING'S SPEECH -- I have always been fascinated with the story of the Royal family in the UK. This film successfully added an entirely different perspective. When I watch the future of Charles, William and Harry, I will forever remember this film. (TIE) HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON -- What can I say? It was a very fun and witty film that appealed to me as much as KUNG FU PANDA did a year earlier. Good stuff. It left me wanting another hour of the film -- or a sequel. Not many animated films have this ability any more. <br><p></br></p> 6. WINTER'S BONE -- This wonderfully tragic film was just mesmerizing! Those of us with close families can sympathize with Ree, the film's young matriarch, as she tirelessly attempts to keep the remnants of her family together. Amazing. <br><p></br></p> 5. 127 HOURS -- A two hour movie about a trapped hiker who had his arm lodged in a crevice that successfully and hauntingly captivated an entire audience is proof of the skill of the writers, directors, actors and film crew. James Franco is no longer Harry Osborn. <br><p></br></p> 4. RESTREPO -- This is NOT a documentary. This is NOT a drama. This is NOT reality television. This is simply raw film footage of a group of US Marines serving in Afghanistan. The filmmakers successfully captured the shocking beauty of Afghanistan, the fun-loving and feisty personality of Marines, the corruption of Afghanistan tribal leaders, the ultimate goals from the war, the heightened fear during the fog of battle, and the tragic aftermath when some of those Marines are killed. To say that this film is "haunting" is an understatement. <br><p></br></p> 3. TRUE GRIT -- I never watched the original film, so I can't compare it with this film. However, the acting, story, direction and cinematography of this film were fantastic. It looks a lot like what I have always imagined the "old west" was really like. The story lingers long after you exit the theater...much like NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. <br><p></br></p> 2. INCEPTION -- What can I say? This is how science fiction should look when it is done properly. A movie about a dream within a dream within a dream that doesn't really confuse the audience? Brilliant. Leonardo DiCaprio won me over as a man desperate to return to his children. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy and Ellen Page won me over as seeing them as serious up-and-coming actors. My wife and I talked about this film for hours...and it even provoked a dream for both of us. <br><p></br></p> 1. TOY STORY 3 -- I really didn't think that Pixar would be able to pull this film off. Rather than going with the childishly simple Disney Animation script mentioned here at AICN years ago, Pixar went the other way. This film successfully invoked the emotionally attachment that many of us 20-somethings have with the first two films (and what anyone who ever cherished a toy or pet felt while growing up) -- and nearly strangled our hearts with that level of emotion. When the toys held hands as they faced a certain fiery doom, I saw grown men cry in the theater. It is a heart-wrenching tale of growing up...and growing wise. When Andy initially refuses to give Woody away...I acquiesced with his deep attachment to his toys...and the painful realization that it was time to move on into adulthood. BTW, TOY STORY 3 is also the most successful and seamless 3-D film to date. I literally forgot all about the glasses until I had to wipe away a tear. How cool is that? <br><p></br></p>
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A $31 Million total haul can't be wrong...right? I mean, it almost made as much as MARMADUKE. If it is re-released, it might pass STEP-UP 3-D in total domestic gross. ;-P
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It's NOT showing off yer 'smartitude', so SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU VACUOUS CUNTS!
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Can someone point me to a website that is AICN 8 years ago? Because 2011 AICN sucks balls. A Serbian Film? Fucking fruitloops Harry.
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Scott Pilgrim is hands down the best film of the year. You cannot watch this without a big goofy grin on your face. Bravo Harry. b
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as I said i would many months ago. Seriously - I could not even make it through the movie without hitting F/F. Honestly I didn't even see the end because it just got to a point where I was like wtf am I watching this pOs movie for. I guess it just wasn't my thing......still I think I see how people can like it. I just happened not to. eh well The main reason I checked it out was because of all the geek love you guys gave the film. I feel like it's a movie that years from now will be a ridiculously dated joke that people wonder why they liked....or it'll be a weird cult classic. In any case I never need to see it again. I definitely would have been one of those people leaving the theater right around the dance number.
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You did better then me.. I BARELY made it past the 8bit Universal Intro, maybe 45 seconds into the 'Im 22, we have meaningful conversations' scene, rolled my eyes and yanked the DVD out of my PS3 and told the missus "burn that". <p> Sorry, just too fucking stupid for me, I KNOW the story, I read the comics, and just something about the lead just makes me want to fist fuck his eye-socket. Something about him makes my skin fucking CRAWL
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I know its been said but to put that movie over Black Swan and Never let me go, or really on the list is all just is very odd. It will be forgotten in a few years, and Inception will be a classic.
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First of all, I have to commend u because from what I read about "A Serbian Film" , u have some huge balls to see that. This is your website so I have no right to judge your preferences on movies or taste but I know you have an appreciation for art. But from the many thousands of movies that you have seen, what do you consider the most disturbing movie you have ever seen? You probably won't have time to respond to me but I was curious. Other than that, great list Harry!! Keep being yourself and not a sell out. !!!!1 2 3 4 Sex Bob-OMB !!!!! n
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But the entire premise of Inception was fucking stupid. <p> <p> Seriously.. lets look at it after taking a step back. <p> <p> Ok, these guys have the ability to enter someone elses mind, build and control someone elses dreams against that person's will or desires, plant suggestions and induce behavior, all just by being in that person's presence, but they need a MACHINE to force that person to stay awake...... <p> <p> <p> REALLY? You're gonna stick with that story or you wana rethink that alibi champ? <P> <p> Ok, even IF you were faced with the ridiculous limitation of ONLY having access to someones mind while they slept, the logistical threat that would pose to ANY government's national security would absolutely DEMAND these guys be eating bullets upon discovery. The entire premise is just stupid.. and when everything falls apart, because someone failed to 'think up' genuine carpet as opposed to synthetics??? WAY too much attention to details that are pointless for anything other then the advancement of the plot, while ignoring basic logic. But hey.. you guys wana stroke yourselves to this 'great film' you go right ahead. I just think it's sad how I can finish watching a film like this or Avatar, and feel like I just wasted my time on something soulless and stupid, but can slap in a VERY old copy of 'Yellowbeard' and when it's done climb into bed with the missus and still be grinning as I fall to sleep.
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Heh.. that's what I get for attempting Foot-fu with the cat while typing
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I believe, for the first time, our TOP1 match, heh. Scott Pilgrim: the wait was so worth. And it got some awesome blu extras, Edgar luvs his fan base, thank Lord Jim. Still waiting to see True Gritt, The Fighter and Black Swan (damn delay). MY TOP TEN LIST: 1- Pilgrim 2-Pilgrim 3-Pilgrim (heh) 4-Shutter Island (movie one) 5-Shutter Island (movie two!) 6-Never Let Me Go (yeah they didn't celebrate life, but, who cares. It's the Gattaca of the 10's) 7-Social Network ("Jewlousy Nerds", heh) 8-Ghost Writer (best use of a GPS as plot device) 9-Losers (best unexpected multiple finales since Aliens) 10-Misfits (heh, yeah, I know. The double season DVD is out, run geeks all over the world!)
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It was directed by a golden spooned good for nothing useless hack punk in the name of "art". There is no art in that shit. He sold his ass by selling out his own people. Metaphor of Serbia my ass. Shit like in that movie doesn't happen in Serbia. I just don't know why you promote Serbian Movie Harry. I think us talkbackers should collect some money to buy you a new taste. I wonder, Harry, how you would have reacted if someone made a movie about the States in which Americans are depicted as savage animals. Come to think of it. I never saw you do a review of Kurtlar Vadisi Irak here.
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by trying to become more and more jaded. I am truly grateful and relieved that I live in a world where the mere idea of a movie (most of those commenting against Serbian Film haven't seen it) causes such an uproar that people become agressively angry. There are a few who will defend this movie. But the bulk of the world are more than willing to defend our morals and values. Our goal as humans is to preserve innocence - even against the idea of a film. There's nothing wrong with that. Granted, there is a line. We don't want to make these movies illegal because then we get into witchhunt territory. And it's true that we ought to know what sort of evils mankind can come up with. Information is power. But we have a right to preserve our own minds against this stuff. I understand the "genious" of A Clockwork Orange, but for months I couldn't hear "Singing in the Rain" without imagining an old lady getting raped. I wanted to unwatch that movie to get my innocence back. I wanted to go back to Gene Kelly getting his joy on, but I couldn't (which is guess is the point of the movie - that you can't). But if that's the case, and we can't go back, why would we want to watch something that has the potential to plummet us further down that road, burning bridges of innocence that we can't get back? That's why these talkbackers are so upset. And that's why I'm proud to live in 2011.
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After reading Harry's reviews for Toy Story 3 & Inception, it comes as no surprise this is his number one pick...A big F.U. middle finger to us all who had to endure the steaming turd film Scott Pilgrim. It really amazed me some of the movies that Harry gushed over. Expendables??? I'm a huge fan of 80's movies, but Stallone's attempt of a old school kick ass revival was a EPIC failure. Of course Harry was practically licking Stallone's 60 year old balls in that review...
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Awesome read that is half-a-list-of-suggestions to me. This is a nice article compared to all the usual “King’s Speech” top tens.
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Enjoyable, throwaway, a tub of fluff. I found myself not caring through the second half and desperately wanting it to end. Probably just me. But, the best film of the year on anyone's list has to be a joke of rare inscrutability.
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The last line should have read " Scott Pilgrim vs. The World as the best film of the year... " etc etc
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If you have ever shot one foot of film and edited it together, and laid some audio over it for any reason - you really ought to be in awe of what Edgar Wright did. If not, you may not ever get Scott Pilgrim. In fact, you just might be a miserable person who can't enjoy a youthful expression of how awesome life is. (even though the gay stuff grew a bit feeble...)
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...why don't you look at Stanley Kubrick's "Lolita", which is about an older guy having a romantic relationship with an underage girl, or the movie "Birth" starring Nicole Kidman where she has a relationship with ten year old boy. Thora Birch was underage when she did her topless scene for "American Beauty". These things are nothing new folks.
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THE EXPENDABLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Are you kidding me? How can you look at the tree hanging scene and not see it as anything but pointless? They throw a bear-man and an indian into the scene for what purpose, aside from atmosphere? I know that Matt Damon's character later states that he found the cabin from the indian, but couldn't he have just as easily happened across it, as our main characters did? That scene along irked me to no end. Also, the original is just more enjoyable.
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I just watched some of this again, thinking maybe I missed something... and I'm still at a complete fucking loss as to what could possibly make this one of the year's best films. All I can think is that Harry and Drew equated the no holds barred nature of the film with greatness, somehow. Because, aesthetically, the film is flat and lifeless. Combine that with the subject matter, and, just, no fucking thanks. I might as well spend a couple hours looking at theync.com. More shock value and even less artistic merit.
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seriously, you just compared a movie where a BABY is delivered and then raped to death to Thora Birch's lame nip slip. You are one f'ed up individual.
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Don't like it? Too bad. Disagree? Oh well. Online fan boys will rejoice, most will not, but here were the most awesome flicks of 2010, so suck it and make your own list. My top films of 2010 in NO order: 12.THE SOCIAL NETWORK 11.KICK-ASS ...10.PIRANHA 3-D 9.MACHETE 8.PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2 7.EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP 6.THE EXPENDABLES 5.IRON MAN 2 4.HOUSE OF THE DEVIL 3.INCEPTION 2.TRON LEGACY 1. SCOTT PILGRIM VERSUS THE WORLD
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For being a genre loving dork. Haters rejoice and um, get over it.
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I watched it on bluray. It was ok, nothing special, nothing great. I fail to see what many others (like Harry) are so infatuated with.
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I agree with you on that, it is just nothing that special.
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Jan. 6, 2011, 10:42 p.m. CST
I'll never take anything Harry says seriously ever again
by Coughlins Laws
I mean, come on. Scott Pilgrim? Seriously?
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made some valid points in his top ten. Harry however lost me early on. And I took acid liberally in the 70's. What's his excuse? With that in mind, even though it was released last year, the best movie I saw this year was The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. This years releases that I saw that were better than the Pilgrim movie were: Book of Eli Kick Ass Iron Man 2 HP7 Sherlock: the BBC Series (not even a theatrical whoop dee doo) Tron Legacy How to Train Your Dragon Inception Hot Tub Time Machine I guess that's it with my swiss cheese brain and all. Pilgrim was entertaining, but best of 2010? PTA (pass the acid) Haven't seen True Grit or the Serbian Skull Fuck or Black Swan. Will see True Grit, maybe Black Swan. Fuck the Serbian Shit Bag movie in the Skull. Sometimes shitty movies are just that. Pretentious excuses to make a movie. We all know that shit exists, but we don't have to all eat it.
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I just read the synopsis for A Serbian Film on wikipedia. OMFG. I think even the most hard core anti censorship person agrees that SOMEWHERE there IS a line. This CRIMINAL movie crosses it, laughing all the way. Baby raping?? Unknowingly raping your son while your brother rapes your wife?? Guy in disgrace kills his wife and child and himself, and another asshole says "start with the little one" YES, RAPE the DEAD LITTLE BOY, then his parents. Harry, you sick fuck, and you talk of having kids someday. This isn't just sick, this should be a crime to watch. This is worse than child pornography. It is violent, murderous child pornography and fuck you for saying "oh they are just showing how horrific it is, not promoting it!" BULLSHIT. It's made for commerical entertainment, this shit hasn't happened in real life, it's not a documentary showing the true horrors of baby rape. The asshole that made that committed this crime can fuck all the eye sockets he wants, but LEAVE KIDS OUT OF TORTURE FILM OR YOU DESERVE TO BE PUT IN PRISON WITH THE REST OF THE CHILD SEX OFFENDERS.
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More and more, I'm learning to trust my instinctive reaction when I see a trailer, and not listen to the reviews (sorry Harry, that especially applies to you.)<p> I just watched Scott Pilgrim tonight and then happened upon this top ten list -- what a laugh! Perhaps those who are hooked on video games find it amazingly cool that someone would litter a film with "boom" and "splat" text like the 60s Batman show, or mimmick games with second level rounds, or "replay". So imaginitive... if you're 14 years old. <p>Underneath all this is a film with characters you don't care about, virtually no plot or feeling, and just a lot of noise. There's a reason this film sank at the box office... and you can't blame the marketing. It sucks.
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Can you please in your next compendium STOP using LARGE FUCKING TEXT TO GET YOUR POINT ACROSS? It's seriously spamming my computer with slowness and it makes me not want to read your bullshit anymore, much less come in here. Thank you. PS your choices, aside from Black Swan and True Grit, are total SHIT.
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"NEWBORN BABY RAPE"
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Scott Pilgrim as the BEST FILM OF THE YEAR. WOW. This one's gonna take a while to process, even knowing Harry's taste in film for the better part of 15 years...
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Love it all you want. Only a fool would argue with you regarding something so objective as personal choice as it relates to any kind of art. So if you love Scott Pilgrim, great! More power to you. But it just ISN'T that good as far as film making goes. It DOES contain ANOTHER cardboard performance from Michael Cera. Without the inside geek jokes (that far more people than you realize didn't understand) and marginal special effects it's just another indie love story. So what makes it special? Because he fights ex-boyfriends to the death? lol Dude, it's just NOT that good. And the fact that you keep trying to push it as being so great (something you did for months before it was even released, which is quite suspect) really does take away from your credibility as a "real" film critic. Anyway, like I said, glad it does something for you on a personal level. But dude, suspect. Really, really suspect.
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It almost sounds like those Aristocrat jokes. You guys heard those? Where the guy telling his version of the joke just comes up with the sickest, most DEPRAVED fucking shit they can to elicite laughter... Some of those are funny as FUCK. I like Bob Saget's and that retard from Girls Gone Wild... forgot his name... he was holding his baby son while he was telling the joke. Fuckin' hilarious. And my favorite being that vid that got pulled from youtube a while back that featured Beast from X-Men 3, doing the joke... HOLY FUCK that was some funny shit! If anyone still knows where to find that on the net, please do tell!
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THIS FUCKING GUY: "There has to be some limits or what's the point. I can stamp my feet and call it better music than anything Robert Johnson ever wrote, you could argue, and my only comeback would be "to me my feet sound better"? Fuck all of you. Serbian Film and Scott Pilgrim and Portman's performance? you are all retards. Fuck anyone who says "shut up, its just his opinion." Jesus fucking Christ you people piss me off. Brain dead liberal PC loving fucking jerkoffs. Fucking retards have no place in this world and I have no place ever reading this site ever again. I realize after reading Harry's Peter Pan spliced with Ed Gein and the "plus one chromosome" talkbackers that I have no business reading this shit. AICN is for the intellectually incapable." by "josejones" Holy shit! lmao This is what i've been preaching on this goddamn site for fucking YEARS!!! There is an enormous OBJECTIVE quality to art that most people deny, and it fucking pisses me off more than anyone can ever know. Except this guy. He got all bent out of shape about it, just like me... AWESOME. Generally speaking, the people that argue that it's "all opinion" have absolutely SHIT taste in film (and all art for that matter...) There is most definitely a correlation between the 2. To quote the great "JoseJones"... "FUCK ALL OF YOU."
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Jan. 7, 2011, 12:41 a.m. CST
halfbreedqueen made a good follow-up post to that post above...
by fettitular
"But that doesn't mean all opinions are equal. Some are better reasoned and thought out. The specifics of the opinion are almost irrelevant, compared to the way the opinion is expressed and the back-up for it. Think of it like the scientific method." Well fucking put, man. All opinions are most definitely NOT equal. A-fucking-MEN.
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...as silly as it is, no one in Hollywood is gonna get the joke.
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Harry claiming SP the best film of this year... or his District 9 pick last year? Fucking overrated, mediocre, silly fluff that D9 was... goddamn that movie pissed me off. 2009 and 2010 have to obtain the largest quantity of overrated films, EVER: Star Trek District 9 Tropic Thunder Inglourious Basterds The Dark Knight The Hangover Drag Me To Hell Moon The Hurt Locker The Blind Side Dead Snow Sherlock Holmes Catfish Kick-Ass Shutter Island Black Swan The Social Network (to some degree...) True Grit (also, to some degree...) Good GOD. I'd also thrown in Scotty Pilgrim and A Serbian Film, from what i gather from both, not having seen either one at this point... Underrated films of the past 2 years: Observe and Report Crank 2 The Goods Gamer The Collector 9 Adventureland Law Abiding Citizen Up in the Air The Last Exorcism Machete Monsters Not saying all those "underrated" are amazing examples of film-making... but certainly a hell of a lot more enjoyable than the overrated tripe... They weren't exactly aiming for high art, but they were nearly perfect for what they were. On the other hand, the OVERRATED films i mentioned tried, very hard in fact, to be masterpieces, and they all failed, some miserably...
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Jan. 7, 2011, 12:55 a.m. CST
and lmao @ the queers who said they've seen Pilgrim 20 times!
by fettitular
Seriously, guys? 20 fucking times?? I don't believe that shit for a second... although knowing the kind of person who typically posts here, that's not too suprising actually. Man, i don't think i've seen a movie 20 times... ANY movie for that matter, since i was fucking 12.
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Only saw 30 films this year and i most definitely did not see 10 great films. Not even close. So here's my top 5: 1. Inception (Not a perfect film, but in this year of epic dissapointments it is most definitely the top film. Big ideas, lots to digest... great execution in terms of acting, editing, pacing, cinematography, etc... A note-perfect ending/final shot. Fucking AWESOME score by Hanz... what's not to like?) 2. Monsters (Underdog pick. Fucking loved it. Perfect tone/atmosphere/ambiance, minimal and realistic dialogue, good performances from a couple of unknowns... and amazing effects considering the budget. Along with a nice score and fantastic cinematography... beautiful film) 3. The Town (Solid film all around with a stellar cast - fuckin Pete Postleelelthwwait! Affleck's confident direction and fluid pacing helped make it a top film contender. However, the relatively simple script and weak ending - a little too neat and tidy for my liking... keep it at #3) 4. True Grit (Quality flick - great performances all around - especially from "The Dude" and the little girl making her feature film debut... Matt Damon in one of his best roles, and Barry Pepper was fantastic with his minimal screen time. However, like The Town, it suffers from a weak 3rd act with too much reliance on coincidences and contrivancies...) 5. The Social Network (Solid, albeit overrated film. Great acting all around - especially from our new Spidey, Mr. Garfield... Great direction and cinematography and a fine score by Trent Reznor. But ultimately a little too derivative and cliche, and lacking any emotional or psychological depth, it fails to make a strong connection with the viewer...) Overall, like last year, a very weak year for film. And don't even get me started on Black Swan... lol Fingers crossed for 2011 :-)
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I have missed quite a few movies this year, so my list is definitely not complete at this time... Some noteable films i have yet to see: The White Ribbon Creation How To Train Your Dragon Toy Story 3 The Killer Inside Me Valhalla Rising Enter the Void Buried 127 Hours The King's Speech Unstoppable Harry Potter Blue Valentine Rabbit Hole Rubber The Troll Hunter Therefore, my list could definitely change, or simply become a complete top 10 list at the very least once i've seen these films. I think that just about covers it...
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Predators and Catfish are tied for the worst film of the year. I'd probably lean towards Predators. Catfish just pissed me off more as i expected much more from it... Other honorable mentions would be Youth in Revolt, Edge of Darkness, and Daybreakers. Again, there are plenty of terrible films that i intentionally skipped, i.e. clash of the titans, jonah hex, prince of persia, when in rome, the wolfman, nightmare on elm street, saw vii, skyline, last airbender, etc... so those are just the worst that i have actually seen. Biggest dissapointment? Too many to list! Kick-Ass Shutter Island Predators Catfish Robin Hood Hot Tub Time Machine Black Swan Tron: Legacy To pick a winner on that list would be a tough chore... lol
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...giant high five! Holy fuck that movie lives in a dark sweaty space for all eternity. Fucking awful. Probably didn't help that I'd given Michael Cera another try in that shortly before I saw Scott Pilgrim. Because Scott Pilgrim, as far as I could tell, was the same wooden character (even the alter ego) from Youth In Revolt. Man, just thinking about it again... I really hated that movie.
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The Troll Hunter (Badass teaser. Effects look fuckin' wicked) Hobo with a Shotgun (Fucking awesome ridiculocity) The Alien Prequel - Paradise? (crossing fingers for this one... fucking lindelof...) Battle: Los Angeles (what a fucking teaser. Johann Johannsson baby!) Rubber (Robert the tire, FTW!) The Beaver (Crazy-ass plot and crazy-ass Mel! What's not to like??) Hannah (Fuck you Hitgirl! This bitch will TEAR YOUR SHIT UP) The Tree of Life (Beautiful teaser, visuals and music were perfect) X-Men: First Class (what a cast/script/production team they're putting together!) Super 8 ("Spielberg-esque". 'Nuff said...) Water for Elephants (great music in the trailer and i love Francis Lawrence's visual style...) The Adventures of Tintin (just 'cause i love me some spielberg... haven't a damn clue what the fuck it's about though)
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Harry to TURD: "That said, libelous comments get banned. So, goodbye you piece of shit!" Best thing Harry has ever done. PERIOD. Good riddance you silly, prequel loving, Mod-bating WANKER, you!! Hahaha Cheers to you for that Harry! Forget what i said about your opinions on Scott Pilgrim and film in general! ;-)
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Jan. 7, 2011, 1:14 a.m. CST
Forgot Hot Tub Time Machine on my list for most overrated...
by fettitular
Fuck that movie. Right up it's self-aware, UNFUNNY ASS.
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"Now Social Network is a better film than Crash, but the two are similarly overrated. Social Network is all procedure and no soul, and I'm not missing something there, it just has no emotional heft. It's astonishingly then this happened....then this happened....which led this to happen.....then he did this. Peter Travers "movie that defines a decade" comment I honestly think should get him fired. There is zero social commentary in the film and the only reason anyone thinks there is is because Facebooks happens to be the company the main character creates. To say nothing of the fact that you could replace Facebook with Enron or the Slinky and still have the EXACT same movie. I would rail on about thinking Eisenberg taking the award but its Harry and the guy just has classically awful fucking taste." Fuckin' A, man! My thoughts exactly...
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Jan. 7, 2011, 1:26 a.m. CST
Also, the most overrated PERFORMANCE of the year goes to...
by fettitular
Natalie Portman. I think she's still cute as a fucking button, but... HELL NO. Not even close to the performance of the year. Hell, the debut from Hailee Steinfeld runs fucking LAPS around Nat... Shit, natalie wasn't even the best actress in HER OWN FUCKING FILM! That's right, Mila Kunis outshined The Port. No fucking joke. I was absolutely shocked to see that Mila could actually fucking act. Bravo, Mila, bravo! People seem to be mistakening Nat's quiet, hushed, tearful performance as... "deep", or something... Her performance, much like the film itself, was entirely shallow. This so called "depth" is simply an illusion. Aranofsky = HACK. Still love "Pi" though!
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I was shocked at how much i ended up hating Youth in Revolt. I'm not sure if i even laughed ONCE. If i did, it was because of the crazy fucking genius, Zach Galifianakis. Fucking Michael Cera is just plain old annoying at this point... Only thing i liked him in so far has been Superbad (although i certainly don't "love" that film in any way, shape, or form...) That's the main reason i skipped, Scotty Pilgrim too. His 15 minutes are most definitely over.
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Lots to digest there... I have had similar reactions to Natalie's comments in the media. Some very questionable things she has said... And as far as her acting ability, i too would put her in the overrated camp. The Professional is still her best performance, without a doubt. Totally agreed on Aranofsky getting amazing performances out of his actors: The Wrestler, Requiem, Pi... No doubt about it! He just just leave the screenwriting to a... um, professional. And his camera work/cinematography is overrated just like his film's in general. Pretty simplistic actually. Lot's of "behind the fucker's HEAD" shots... Fuckin' killed The Wrestler for me.
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Kung Fu Panda. I can't believe i'm typing that... i was practically DRAGGED to go see it in the theatre. Thought i was about to see the worst film of the year... And i fucking LOVED IT! And i generally cannot stand Jack goddamn Black. What a piece of film-making that flick is! Beautiful... Beautiful visually, thematically, the score, etc... Kung Fu Panda was my biggest pleasant suprise from '09. Sadly, i don't have one this year so far... God, i guess Machete would be the one this year, if i had to settle on one lol Fun ass flick that was! Got more shit than it deserved, for sure...
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Love the handle. Seen you around before but never interacted with you, or gave props to your name. I had the fucking toy when i was a wee lad. That's how much of a Star Wars freak i was... I actually owned the fucking RANCOR KEEPER action figure. With his removable "hat" thing, and his big ass pot-belly and shit. Heh...
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kingofmilwaukee said: "Portman's sexiness peaked before she was even legal. Fact." lmao So true. And isn't that true in a lot of cases?? See Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jessica Alba, Jessica Beil, Phoebe Cates, Jessica Pare, Thora Birch, Jennifer Connelly (still pretty beautiful into her adult years, but BOOB REDUCTION... WTF?!?), Uma Thurman, Wynona Rider, Anne Hathaway, Kelly Preston, Leelee Sobieski, Katherine Heigl, Lacey Chabert, and Raven Symone. That last one was a joke, by the way.
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Jan. 7, 2011, 2:15 a.m. CST
Man, this thread fucking DIED right before i started posting...
by fettitular
Bummer. Me wants to talk films and stuffs :***(
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But there was a lot to talk about and react to. This may end up being one of the biggest TB's of the year. Had to get it all out ;-)
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Ain't gonna argue with that, Drain... lol That's not a bad thing though, right? I just got a lot to say, that's all... And actually, i think in terms of NUMBER of posts, YOU do. Keep in mind, that's "quantity", not "quality"... ;-) I don't post very often, but when i do, i make it COUNT.
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Where the fuck is Telemarketer? I need my fuckin' Telemarketer fix...
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Fuckin' "Poker After Dark" is on. I love this shit...
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The host is a hottie, too! Score and SCORE.
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Harry devoted a nice chunk of paragraphs to explain his pick of Scott Pilgrim to a personal choice??? "PERSONAL" choice. He shouldn't have to be called out on that. It's a fine film and I whole-heartingly agree with his choice.
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Jan. 7, 2011, 4:34 a.m. CST
"It's a fine film and I whole-heartingly agree with his choice."
by fettitular
Turn in your MAN card now, foo!
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Fuck, I'll give the nod to Kick-Ass instead.But fuck it to each his own i guess as most of Harry's picks are not what I would choose as best of 2010. The Fighter was good but overrated, Black Swan cured my insomnia however, my wife loved it.I did howver liked The Social network and I would give that film the edge over Black Swan. Serbian Film? Really?!? from what I heard, it involved a baby raping scene. ergo, instant AVOID.
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gave me a headache when I saw it and me feel sick to the point that i couldnt watch the movie after a while.
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...is the single best film of 2010. Seriously, Harry.... Have you thought about what this means?
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Had to be said. In any case, there are easily a dozen films I saw this year that were hands down better then 'Scott Pilgrim: Watch me be a whiny douche' I've pretty much given up on this site for legitimate reviews on anything for the industry, and now come back for the occasional self indulgent tidbit. Sometimes you guys post some seriously funny shit, and I suppose that's why I keep coming back.
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I do also appreciate your subtitle for SP... Well done, sir.
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SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD was definitely my own favorite of 2010, too. closely followed by KICK-ASS, TOY STORY 3, TRON: LEGACY, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON and DESPICABLE ME. i'll count THE GREEN HORNET for 2011, although we saw it in 2010 ;)
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That's nice and all... But do you really have to SPAM that all over every talkback?
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Way too slow...
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I thought I'd give it a few days. It's the new year. We got Ann Francis. Where the hell is the Bill Erwin obit? If you don't know the name, you know the face. This great character actor has been in everything. He lived every geeks dream by being in a movie with JCVD. Everyone oohs and aaahs over his appearance on Seinfeld. I never cared for that show or saw the episode. His career peak was starring with Christopher Reeve, Christopher Plummer, and Jane Seymour in Somehwere in Time. That's a movie. Although I guess technically he wasn't in the movie with Plummer and Seymour.
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First he dates a girl younger than him only to take advantage of her emotions. Than he falls in love with a girl he barely knows, who doesn't even seem likeable, and fights seven guys for the priviledge of dating her. First of all she broke all their hearts. Doesn't appear to me that she's all that great a person or a girlfriend for that matter. Seems like the real good guys in this story are the seven evil ex-boyfriends. They are warning Scott about dating this purple haired bitch. So already you've got two unlikeable protagonists and a goal that makes no sense to the viewer. This is already a formula for "all flash no substance," because apparently the 80's video game references are supposed to make up for this complete lack of natural story telling ability. If you fall in love with a girl simply because she has purple hair, well you've got some growing up to do. Seems harry just has a really immature view of love and I really hate to see what happens to him when his marriage hits those rough spots. Will he retreat into fantasy land or deal with problems as two adults?
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Jan. 7, 2011, 8:14 a.m. CST
So harry thinks that the reactions to serbian film are "absurd."
by knowthyself
Let me get this straight; you're saying that people don't have a right to react to (SPOILER ALERT)a father being tricked into raping his own son? Are you kidding me? This is supposed to be a "brilliant" film that people are "overreacting" to? Your complete lack of empathy on this really bothers me. My assessment of your lack of maturity in love seems to fit the bill. If the sight of a man raping a new born or a father who unknowingly butt fucks his own son doesn't deserve a reaction than we're all fucked as a species.
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Jan. 7, 2011, 8:40 a.m. CST
"David O Russell has made his best, most accessible work to date with THE FIGHTER"
by AsimovLives
I didn't knew that THREE KINGS was considered an obscure abstract inpenetrable art-house movie. I though the movie was pretty acessible and mainstream-friendly.
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... makes this list to be made of epic fail. I mean, to prefer SCOTT PILGRIM over INCEPTION? Madness!! Realy, i can't understand Harry's problem with INCEPTION. But then again, he loved ABRAMS SHIT TREK.
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Nooo, really? Could this be why he prefers a teen-love fiest like SCOTT PILGRIM above the much more mature love story found in INCEPTION? Could this be? God forbid a movie has a love story element that looks like it was made by an adult for adults.
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Now if you begin to feel an intense and crushing feeling of terror at the concept, don't be alarmed. That indicates only that you are still sane.
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1) Inception (Makes you think. Makes you really think. I like thinking, don't you?) 2) Despicable Me (brilliant at all levels, also the best fictional homage to the Apollo project ever done) 3) Toy Story 3 (Great political satire and it will make you cry.) 4) Never Let Me Go (Great social satire and it will make you cry.) 5) Kick Ass (anyone remember it? But it was still very cool) 6) That German Mountain Climbing movie which was ruined by a stupid girl-power pc ending. Enough said.
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Fair enough I agree that Scott Pilgrim was cool and who cares what anyone else thinks....................................... but to not even MENTION Inception and Toy Story 3 means one of two things - Either Harry you rushed this and in which case forgot = which means you're losing the plot ...........................or you didnt even rate them..............................in which case YOU ARE LOSING THE PLOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Totally agree with most of the choices but Jesus man get your head straight, obviously my opinion is that I absolutely loved Inception!! Toy Story 3 was great too, but fair enough its not about my opinion and putting Scott Pilgrim at the top is admirable, fair play, it rocked!!!!! But you cant get away with that Knowles, you HAVE to mention Inception, even if to explain why you didnt put it in the top ten dude. Peace
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going blind? if so whats with all the color coding the text. and whats with the jumbo text? this site is really dumbing down. if it hasnt dumbed down enough already.
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I'm shocked that Toy Story 3 wasn't on the list, but still have to agree with the Scott Pilgrim pick. He's not the only film critic to think so either, and I think that if you are a student of film, you see much more there than most. My film Professors, some of which didn't like the film that much, still could not stop going on about the amazing piece of craft it was though. Social Network was not that big of a deal, certainly nothing new or original, and was the worst kind of movie: the kind where they take a true story and completely twist it to make it more soap opera-like. Now we'll have a million idiots running around thinking they know the story of how Facebook formed because of the lies and deceptions of this film. It was just lame. The true story would have been plenty exciting enough. True Grit was great, but as someone who has seen a lot of westerns, it was certainly nothing that hasn't been seen 100 times before. Good acting and enjoyable, but not that big of a deal if you've seen more than a few movies.
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Jan. 7, 2011, 12:23 p.m. CST
TRUE GRIT is also my pick for the single best film of 2010. I say that without the slightest hesitation. It simply is so.
by Bartleby T. Scrivener
So said your review Mr. Knowles.
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the kings speech? the film that nobody saw coming. and is the most talked about film of the year.
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Nice to finally be in nearly exact agreement with Harry on something after what seems like a decade of following this site. Scott Pilgrim is a nearly perfect film for what it's trying to accomplish, admittedly not all that terribly much and, along with True Grit and Social Network it's among my favorite movies of the year. The first time I saw Pilgrim in the theater, I mildly disliked it, but caught it again on cable on demand and was hooked. Without being subtle in any meaningful way, the movie is still richly layered with all sorts of humor and clever detail and the result of getting to know the movie intimately through seeing it 4 or 5 times is that it gets elevated to the level of the most sublime and original romantic comedies I've ever seen. It's a bittersweet "Roman Holiday" of a near masterpiece.
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Thanks for noticing. After I wrote all of that I said, "Fuck. No one's going to see this. People are too busy flipping out over Scott Pilgrim."
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Jan. 7, 2011, 1:21 p.m. CST
"or Ain’t It Cool News, which preempts most mainstream film criticism by reporting on movies first"
by barry convex
So sez Neal Gabler in the Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2011/01/06/the_end_of_cultural_elitism/
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blu. And I just love the sound effects of old movies like that. All clanky. Scott Pilgrim is infinitely better than the shit locker or bollywood or crash or anything that usually wins. But is it better than True Grit? Well grit punched me in the stomach with it's ending. I was cheering and applauding through most of Pilgrim. Each to his own I guess
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...because the movies us "geeks" are supposed to like are, for lack of a better word, just crap! <p> SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD was just a silly kids movie. Sorry. The lead is too androgynous and...well...just not very funny. More annoying than anything. I only sat through the whole movie out of morbid curiosity. Plus, it just didn't move me. It was a shallow, flash-over-substance popcorn flick for the videogame generation. <p> I've seen better films this year...THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT - since you mentioned it - actually sticks out as FAR superior (though not perfect). <p> And for the record, I'm also going to be 40 this year (yikes!). <p> Personally, I'm holding out hope for the next two summers as I'm a huge comic-book geek...and we have at least 8 superhero movies headed our way... <p> GREEN LANTERN<p> THOR<p> FIRST AVENGER: CAPTAIN AMERICA<p> X-MEN: FIRST CLASS<p> THE AVENGERS<p> SPIDERMAN reboot<p> THE MAN OF STEEL (Superman reboot)<p> THE DARK KNIGHT RISES<p> as well as (potentially)...<p> CAPTAIN MARVEL/SHAZAM<p> DEMON RIDER reboot<p> SUPER MAX (Green Arrow)<p> DEADPOOL<p> DR. STRANGE<p> POWER MAN/IRON FIST<p>
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So here is my response... Britiain and Ireland gave the world many wonderful cultural icons through film, music, tv and stage and the Us has done the same. As of 2010 what has britain given the world. X-factor and pop idol, britains got talent and all thought up by simon cowell. Louis walsh by being on these shows gave the world girls allowed. who are now defunct. people are inherently stupid. louis and simon know this. they foisted jedward upon british and irish people. jedward released an album in which they slaughtered teenage kicks by the undertones and say it aint so by blink 182. people who come on to this site are also thick. some of them are. they think that reviewing films means saying stuff like it sucks, it bombs whatever. harry has set up a website where people actually dont like films. Harry hates the industry. harry hates the film business. all of his review are ambivalent. He didnt bother reviewing inception becuase he possibly didnt really like chris nolan these days and he raves about the little guy. but chris nolan is possibly too big for harry these days. He is the most commericially successful brit director in hollywood. Harry hates big corporations like movie studios. He hates pixar for that reason. which is why there was no obit for roy disney, who uncle walt was a tyrannical despot but whose cultural legacy to the us and beyond was immense. In his list of his fave films of the year, there is one film missing The expendables. Inception and this film came out around about the same time. Expendables was biggest grossing film of the summer and was as dumb a piece of filmmaking as I have seen. with no real plot, just an excuse for stallone to blow shit up. Harry really liked that film. He hated inception. and delayed his review and said that he went to the toilet during the movie. I will finished this post by saying will we get a review of the kings speech? This has real class. a great cast. and looks fantastic. but harry will possibly hated. or post an ambivalent review where we say wether he will like it not. to all a very good night from dublin, ireland
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King's Speech was easily better than Scott Pilgrim in every conceivable way.
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Favorite 1. Inception 2. Toy Story 3 3.Black Swan Best 1. Inception 2. Social Network 3. Toy Story 3 See the difference?
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I do agree it should be up to the viewer to decide if they watch this or not, personally I reccomend you dont. It is a very good and well made film, I love to be shocked etc like with Grotesque and Human Centipede, but the final sexual scene destroyed my soul. It was too much and I had to watch Voyage of the Dawn Treader after to try and get it out of my head, in fact I wished I hadnt watched it at all! I advise reading the plot on Wikipedia before deciding to watch or not. Overall though a good list, althoug personally I would have had Black Swan and Kick-Ass in the number 1 & 2 positions.
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Jan. 7, 2011, 7:57 p.m. CST
This is Bull, Harry already said 'True Grit' was best of the year
by mistergreen
And then he throws 'Scott' into it.... What a troll.
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1. He forgot to. Which says, it probably wasn't one of his top ten after all, because, he, you know, FORGOT ABOUT IT. 2. He doesn't think it was one of the ten best films of the year, and it's his list. 3. He loved Toy Story 3, equally, splitting their votes with himself, thereby allowing others to sneak in ahead of both of them. I walked out of it half-way through because it was talky, nonsensical, stupid crap, so I'm thinking #2.
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And I hate the fact that it even exists. I want it gone, banned, removed from my memory ... but the word has already spread. People are going to seek this out because they've heard "It's the most fucked up movie ever! lolz" But that's just it. It's not 'fucked up'. It's not 'disturbing'. 'Fucked up' and 'disturbing' are films that don't bother me. A Serbian Film is so far beyond 'disturbing' that it cannot even be classified as such. It's in a whole 'nother fucking ballpark. A reviewer over at Bloody Disgusting wrote, "If my warnings against this film makes you want to see it even more, then you're not paying attention. A Serbian Film isn't a movie you want to see. You only think you do." Of course, I didn't believe him and had to find out on my own. Now, I don't know what Harry's deal is. I really hope what he wrote about the film on his list is a joke. I mean ... he said it reflects The Hangover. What? Is he so out of touch with reality that comedy and snuff are one and the same? As a long time reader of this site, Harry's perverseness has long been established, and comes across as mostly harmless. But now I'm really starting to wonder. Growing up an obese ginger nerd had to have invited scores of the wrong kind of attention. Maybe his undersexed libido coupled with his need to spend far too much time in a fictional reality (movies) has created some sort of cocktail of misplaced emotions and moral detachment. But whatever ... I'm not his fucking therapist. But he really needs to think about what he considers 'one of his favorite films of 2010'. Newborn porn? Ass-raped children? This is what we should run out to see? I don't give a shit that you know it's not real. Is that any reason to get excited over it? Fuck, dude. Before watching the movie, I brushed up on the last few decades of Serbian history. The mass raping, in particular, made my stomach turn. Women held prisoner in entire towns as military forces raped them daily ... on a regular schedule. It only brought up memories of other atrocities I've read about. From sex tourism in Asia, to the psychological-warfare-rape in Africa, to the horrific photographs of the Nanking Massacre ... there is something really terrible inside people. And the true horror about watching A Serbian Film is that you know that somewhere this shit is real. If sick fucks can think it ... even sicker fucks will act it out. So if you want to see A Serbian Film, be prepared to have your libido destroyed (you better hope it doesn't turn you on) and your soul dimmed. Right now I think that one day I'd like to find a simple and plain woman ... carry on a relationship for several months before even thinking about sex ... then maybe decide to spend the rest of my life having boring sex with same simple and plain woman. It's about the lamest and squarest thing a young healthy man could ever think of considering, and that's exactly why I suddenly find it so appealing. There's more to life than the testosterone running through my veins. A Serbian Film may make you want to run to a monastery, take a vow of celibacy, then meditate yourself in oblivion. It's really terrifying what people are even capable of thinking. Fuck this movie. n|m o_o n|m
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As I said before, I wasn't bothered by the content of A Serbian Film, but the fact that there's no context to what's in it. It's just a collection of fucked up scenes with a very loose "plot" stuck in there to get from one fucked-up scene to the next. I don't think people should judge it without seeing it, but as someone who has seen it, it is NOT a good movie by any stretch of the imagination. I'd expect to see it on the top 10 list of a 16 year old who thinks "fucked-up" means "cool," not a grown man. As for Scott Pilgrim, I liked it, even if I hate Michael Cera. In fact, I hated him and I hated his character and I hated Ramona (the girl he was trying to get). Scott is a douchebag in this movie. Knives is a great girlfriend to him and yet he would rather have someone who doesn't even know he exists, with all that extra baggage. I was never rooting for him at any point in the film. That said, I play a lot of videogames and I got all the jokes and I thought the vegan ex-boyfriend was great. Still, this is a movie that will not age well. It's a movie made for the young people of this particular decade. Twenty years from now, teenagers will see Scott Pilgrim and cringe at what their parents thought was funny. And they'll probably also wonder why Scott has a thing for Ramona when she obviously doesn't seem to care about anyone but herself.
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for an edit button. "This is list?!?" What the fuck?
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no originality like 1, not as fun as 2..i dont get it..it was ok..but best picture??
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fleshmachine on ts3. manipulative not so sure about that. I agree on your other points though.
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...and I liked it more.
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<p>and while i feel it may very well be one of the best foreign language films i saw in 2010, it is one i could never openly recommend people see. there are times watching it you have to wonder if what you are seeing is real or very good makeup and effects.</p> <p>as for people's disgust with the subject matter and the various scenes within, would their reaction be different if the protagonist wore a trilby, striped sweater and had knives sticking out of their hands?</p>
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...while watching movies through high-powered binoculars strapped to my head.
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properly. All the criticism towards the movie, apart from being bad on a technical filmmaking level, pretty much represents all the things i find very funny & knowing that the film depicts...its far too easy to dress up young people often as just innocent vessels waiting to go out into the world and be corrupted, but it seems to agnowledge from the start we are all crafty self-centered apes that get altruistic because we have to & we reach for feeling experience, thought, growing out of that onwards... your not supposed to agree with Shallow choices of scott etc, are you!?.... you are supposed to find the whole idea of girl/guy friends being trophies and the only way to get by in life and acheive what you want or take what you want/need is to give someone a beat down and rightly so because they only would you & your a cunt & a lightweight narcasistic & immature & morally/ethically bankrupt right, regardless of scoring the gold coins? Your supposed to be chuckling at the fact were all apparantly locked into a ideological-cultural not-so-latent-effective framework-constuct like 'The Signal', and we all move or make choice and action accordingly to the sound or toll of this bell, this false Yahweh like reality, till we grow up or evolve or have a Lynch-ending like epithany and breakthrough at the end, right? Pilgrim & his people or generation at this point in their lives still have a way to go by the end of the film etc...rright?<p>Now i feel terrible because if your supposed to agree or be on board with all these things people call on the movie then i can't help but agree in that respect...<p>...jeez man this is like Shutter Island 1) the twist isnt really the movie 2) The lady in the cave is REALLY on to something, you can't trust whats revealed to Teddy, anagrams be damned, theres every chance your simply watching a broken-resculpted mind being tricked or led into the intended reveal, which is the aim of the island experiments, or its supposed to be heavily implied from motherlovers reveal it just as credible that there is a agenda to messing around with peoples brains/memories/perceptions, as the idea of Teddy being nuts & creating elaborate fantasies himself, and it ends on a beautiful, vague yet heavily implied tragedy of an individuals self-outward damage-destructive nature, against that a organised institution or social group that represents the ideological & authoritative precident in this sense...something really important or relevant about modern post-1984 times to say... no?...its just Teddy was crazy and the twist absolutely should be taken at face value and nothing more?....you should think about that next time your Case Officer wants to to chug some new ant-whatevers with no known long term side effects just because he wants to help your crazy brain that only checked in to find out why it couldnt sleep properly before they all found out its because your crazy? And, while your at it, like waterboarding, reconsider that maybe that electro-shock therapy was all for the good of it back then?...!?....oh... <p> Well, at least this is not like Inception, where its clear to me at least in some kind of super-objective shared sense what the movie is really about or getting at.<p> But like Shutter Island, i can't help experiencing Scott Pilgrim the way i describe, and think its great on this level...i hope im not trashing every reason there is supposed to be to ACTUALLY like it....
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if you cant deal with that, to be narcasistic...." is what i meant to say sorry
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if you cant deal with that, to be narcasistic...." is what i meant to say sorry
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I couldn't really get down with Pilgrim. My top 5: 1.Inception 2. Black Swan 3. Harry Potter 7 4. Tron Legacy 5. Runaways. I still haven't seen many of the films including True Grit
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nice 2 meet ya. I had the toy too and remember it well......lol.
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can download it, it leaked ages ago. non-comprehension of screener leaks must account for at least 75 percent of harry's inflated sense of cinematic superiority
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I wouldn't even put this anywhere near a top 10 list of films. It was all pastiche. Style over substance. The film is a video game, structured like one, repetitive like one -and a very empty one at that. It doesn't capture any of the psyche of the generation it represents except for the surface. With the exception of a few clever visuals (that are used far too often) this film could be used to cure insomniacs or teach a ham-fisted course in postmodernism. Very boring stuff, indeed.
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Jan. 8, 2011, 11:30 p.m. CST
Harry led me to Bronson last year ... so I had hope for A Serbian Film...
by emu47
Which turned out to be one of the best movies I'd ever seen. So I trusted him on A Serbian Film. Now? Jesus, Knowles, what'd you recommend this to us for?!? I think it's a well-made movie, actually, as far as the acting and cinematography and direction are concerned ... but, holy hell, man--apart from shock value, that story has zero merit. And this from me--a guy who loves and adores The Human Centipede! What's funny is that now I don't even feel right about putting the 'Pede on my own Top Ten list. I just feel dirty, and I envy anyone with the sense to turn away. If I could cue the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark here, I would. Only damnation and face-melting results in looking into that nightmare. But I heard such things, and I watched anyway. Why? Probably because Drew, Harry, and the guy at Film Threat said it transcended its material. Lies. This is 100% torture porn. Well-made torture porn, but torture porn nonetheless. Anyone arguing otherwise is absurd.
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Serbian Film definitely not.
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... But A Serbian Film is more disgusting than Sex and the City 2. And I didn't think that was possible.
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Jan. 8, 2011, 11:41 p.m. CST
Wow, 2012 MUST Be The End Because I Agree W/Harry's #1
by www.valiens.com
"Scott Pilgrim" is absofuckinglutely the movie of the year. I wish it would be up for Best Pic, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Effects, and Best Editing. Probably it will be up for Best Jack & Shit. This movie is jaw-dropping genius from curtain to curtain. The script is hysterical, the art direction is amazing, the cast is mostly stellar--It's one of those movies that you wonder how the fuck ANYONE could put that together coherently. Part of me wonders if they didn't. Perhaps the human eye and the viewers' movie/pop culture sensibilities filled in the blanks while watching it. Whatever the case, there hasn't been a movie this now-for-something-completely-different ambitious that nailed it on every level since... I'll say it... "JFK."
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A gorgeous film that--fuck the pun--put me to sleep. Hey, I know: Why not have dense blocks of dialogue telling us what you're going to do instead of doing it for about an hour like we're all dumb assholes who won't get the weaving of levels of consciousness? Jesus, with that shit. And someone who's a fan tell me who you were routing for. Was it the corporate dupe or the corporate shill? Seriously? A movie about one corporation stealing power from another--and I'm supposed to give an ass? I don't. I don't give an ass. "Inception" blows.
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Sup bros, just signed up today because of this very same topic. Here's my opinion of his list, particularly Scott Pilgrim & A Serbian Film. First off, I really liked SP. I feel like it's a fun film, and that's all it really tries to be. Would I put it at #1? Not really. Perhaps for special effects, but not as an overall film. But seriously, I don't see what's up with all the incredible loathing for the film. I'm fairly sure that a good amount of people who comment saying negative things about it are taking it way too seriously. Guys, calm your raging e-pen0rz down. You're not impressing anyone by calling Scott Pilgrim blatant hipster trash. About A Serbian Film, I'm honestly interested in seeing this film. Accuse me of being sick, a pervert, or waste of human flesh (Although I'm fairly sure those who troll AICN talkbacks don't have much of a right to judge), but it seems like an interesting film. I watch movies to be immersed into a whole new experience, and Serbian Film seems to tell a story that no one has had the guts to tell. Having a movie as sexually explicit as Serbian Film seems to be an entertaining departure from the pious Puritan society we see so often. Welp, that's my two cents. Flame away, boys.
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your bored dad before making you; thats the problem, not Inceptions plot or dialogue.
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of harry's inflated sense of cinematic superiority"<p> That or not judging a films quality properly from a screener copy i guess
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Despite the various references of Geek Culture which consists of Videogames, Superheroesque fight scenes and Anime which i am a fan of, the story ultimetly falls flat on it's ass. However, I do acknowlege the effort that was made during this retelling of Boy meets Girl flick. The music from Scott's band, Sex Bomb is reminicent of the early punk material (The Damned, often comes to mind.) and the cameos from certain comic thespians were appreciated, i mean how often would you see Superman,(Routh) Captainn America (Evans) The Punisher (Jane) and Wolverine (Jackman) in one film? Like I said previously, this film is more about kinetic flash over substance and i expected better from Wright, that said, he has a knack for action sequences but the story and some of the dialog kills this movie from being anywhere near the top 10. Ramona is kinda hot.
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I'll leave it to the good Mark Kermode, the UK's finest film reviewer - and a longtime champion of horror, connoisseur of exploitation... Basically a very cinema-educated erudite critic steeped in more movie knowledge than many of us. Quite rightly, he sees completely through A Serbian Film, past any purported allegory, and points out what it is: Exploitation. Fuck Harry and everyone for championing this movie. People who buy the crap the makers say about it, and are actually - despite their assertions of superiority over the ones who "don't understand it" - too stupid to recognise that whatever ham-fisted knuckleheaded commentary the makers insist they were going for are entirely secondary to putting the sickest, most vile misanthropic images up there on the screen. I fucking HATED this flick - but not as much as I hate the pseudo-wannabe-intellectual legitimising of it. Please everyone listen to this, Kermode fucking nails it. He always does. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLiwki7-dSE
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There's an enormous difference between saying a film is THE BEST FILM OF THE YEAR and saying that it's MY FAVORITE FILM OF THE YEAR. The line has blurred for you, Harry. Time for a vacation to clear your head a bit before you start your 2011 list. Regain your critical perspective before you offer additional reviews.
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It crashes Google Chrome, the Talkback system has become needlessly annoying. When you were touting a complete overhaul I thought there was a chance you'd be dragging it into at least 2001. If that Talkbacks suck, there's really no reason for anyone to come here anymore, and that would be a shame. And whilst I'm on a rant, Harry - please, please, I beseech you! STOP using the word "giggle" as some kind of punctuation. On here, on your Twitter updates... A 40 year old man shouldn't write like a 15 year old girl. And "giggle" is the same as "LOL"... in that no one has ever actually giggled when they write "giggle" or laughed out loud when they typed "LOL". Fucking annoying to the point it actually makes me want to skip your articles.
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was a great film! Go see it... hilarious, and full of twists... and the basis is true! It's a bit like Raising Arizona mixed with Catch Me if You Can with Ace Venture... and gay scenes abound (which I guess some people can't handle). But it's seriously great. And has a heartfelt spirit to it that I think was artificial in Raising Arizona, was a bit numb in Catch Me if You Can, and didn't exist in Ace Venture.
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My favorite movie of 2010 as well. I took a co-worker to see this movie, he had never heard of it, nor did he know what to expect. Even though he paid for his ticket it was like I had given him a present.
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Yuck. I really am shocked and disgusted that Harry would champion this film and encourage people to seek it out. It's exploitative movie-making at its worst and completely morally bankrupt. A couple friends and I watched it a few weeks ago, having no idea what it was about or what its contents included. We had heard rumors that it was the most "shocking movie ever." We like shock cinema, so we downloaded it. After our viewing, we were all numb. It was absolutely vile and inexcusable. I still feel ashamed and dirty. And I'm embarrassed to say that I even watched the whole thing. It doesn't matter, Harry, that its not "real" and only special effects. The fact that you took pleasure out of watching what this film depicted is disturbing. But even more disturbing is the fact that you are urging others to watch it.
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you egotistical, self serving, stomach stapled but still fat as fuck asshole.
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... to A SERBIAN FILM being on Harry's list of favorite movies. like a lot of people, I read the Wiki description, and I know it's something you couldn't pay me to see. Several people brought up HUMAN CENTIPEDE, or wonder if the movie would still be offensive if the perpetrator had a striped shirt and blades for fingers. Good question, but I don't really think the comparison is valid. Those horror flicks are preposterous, and meant to be so. They excite a childlike blood-lust and ghoulish glee. Something like SERBIAN FILM is completely different. It's meant to scar and sicken the part of you that feels empathy. To push, bend, or toughen that part of you that is outraged or devastated by the suffering of the most vulnerable and defenseless. I'm not religious, but I can't help feeling that there has to be something wrong with that. Apparently the filmmakers claim some dubious symbolic/metaphoric justification that elevates the material, but somehow I doubt this is the SCHINDLER'S LIST of newborn porn. I'm currently reading BLOOD MERIDIAN, a very grim book with several hard to read scenes of butchery and massacre. I'm still trying to figure out exactly why (apart from the obvious differences of quality and quantity) one seems like art, and the other like exploitation. I guess that since I won't see the movie, I'll never really know...but I think the baby roasting on a spit in THE ROAD is a key example. The horror if that image hits you like a kick to the stomach, but it's just a hint...the barest glimpse before the author turns away in disgust to give us a sense of just how far the world has fallen. The goal isn't to rape (for lack of a better word) your conscience. I feel like I should have some sort of In Conclusion paragraph here, but I'm coming up blank.
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Jan. 9, 2011, 3:42 p.m. CST
...I used the word "exploitation" in the post above, but...
by FlickaPoo
...it doesn't seem nearly strong enough in this case. At this point, "exploitation" brings to mind delightful images of jiggly boobies in cheap 70s drive-in movies, not newborn porn.
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Harry, A Serbian Film has been picked up for US distribution and is going out with Invincible Pictures and they are planning a 200 screen release around Feb 2011.
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Jan. 9, 2011, 4:59 p.m. CST
for whatever rason I was not even able to comment in this thread for days, lol
by fat_rancor_keeper
this site makes no sense
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Pretty sure the Academy won't see it that way, but fuck'em - the film worked on every level, it knew exactly what it was trying to be, and it delivered in spades.
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Well said. Now I know exactly who this tripe appeals to. Thank you.
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The fact that Inception and Toy Story 3 are not on the list and a movie about pedophiles who rape newborns and make snuff films is, tells me all I need to know about you Harry.
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What happened to Kick-Ass? Here's my own top ten: http://lokinfly.tumblr.com/post/2675699492/my-top-ten-films-of-2010
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Yet you understand the "symbolism" and "message" of A Serbian Film, a movie about pedophiles, newborn baby rapers and snuff films? You're a sick man Knowles. I hope you never have children.
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"Scott Pilgrim" was my least favorite film of 2010. Takes all kinds I guess..
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By being brainwashed to love crappy bullshit movies like any Mickey Bay or Jar Jar Abrams's SHIT TREK, people get so jadded and dumbed down they forget how a truly great entertaining movie looks like. Like INCEPTION. The lesson to be learned is: if you enjoy stupid retard horrible shit like ABRAMS TREK, you will no longer know what's a good movie is and fail to mention in the best of the year list. It's sad.
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... should get their geek card revoked FOR LIFE! What epic failure!
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not long after I saw inception I saw the expendables. No two films are the same. its ridiculous to say that hollywood should make some films at the expense of others.
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if you dont like star trek. then dont go see it. but you saw a film you didnt like and that makes you a hypocrit.
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"TRUE GRIT... my pick for BEST FILM OF 2010. It still is. Except on this list." IS THAT TRUE GRIT IS HIS "REAL" "SERIOUS" PICK FOR BEST FILM.
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It doesn't bother anyone that the movie is 99% BS??? The founder of facebook is on record saying that nothing in the movie happened in real life other than the way he dresses. Sorry but, even if the movie is fictionally good it still sucks on the grounds of what it was supposed to stand for.
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Harry, I've long suspected that you are not much more than a glorified pimp for the film studios which provide you the screeners you review. You have now removed any and all benefit of doubt. To even suggest 'A Serbian Film' as a legitimate work of cinema deserving of any consideration makes a mockery of film criticism. No, I have not, and never will, viewed that vile movie. I have read far more than I care to about it, and can safely say that despite your proclamations about it, that movie is torture porn of the lowest kind. I am disappointed that you give any semblance of legitimacy to such shit. You are not displaying any superior sense of taste of judgment in validating that movie. You are not showing how intelligent you are by defending it. You are not ahead of any curve in your appreciation of it. It is no better than watching Faces Of Death, or 2 Girls 1 Cup. It is literally shit, and should not be mentioned by any legitimate film critic as anything other than pure, exploitative garbage. You do not gain credence with this inclusion in your list. If I were in the film industry, I would not allow any connection between you, your website, and my product. You are a strange human being. On one hand, you profess the childlike wonder and appreciation for some films that many people can share and relate to. On the other, you clamor for true cinema cred by praising questionable and worse movies in some sort of misguided attempt to elevate your persona above that of a mere fanboy. Please do some soul searching and ask yourself what you really want out of life.
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If all those films are better than the town the they must be some good.
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..aka "the pretty lightshow with no script/heart/sole/any logic" didn't somehow land at number one (or even make the FatSlob's list) But figure he'd choose another "empty light/noise show that only appeals to socially/emotionally retarded geek losers" as his number one (and he's a shill for the movie..). If Harry's opinion hadn't long ago become a JOKE of pathetic drooling manboy ID, I'd write more to counterpoint his "opinion" but he's right about one thing...he doesn't care what other (normal, intelligent people) think and NO ONE cares about your opinion you Tubby ass wanker. Eat more lard Jabba....
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Mine. 1. The Social Network/Inception 2. True Grit 3. Black Swan 4. Sweetgrass 5. The Town 6. Carlos (only saw the long version) 7. Harry Potter and the whatever it was called this time, but if the second half of it sucks I guess this won't count 8. The King's Speech 9. 127 Hours
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Jan. 11, 2011, 5:04 p.m. CST
"if you enjoy stupid retard horrible shit like ABRAMS TREK"
by MattmanReturns
"you will no longer know what's a good movie is and fail to mention in the best of the year list." Wait a minute Asimov, buddy... I enjoyed Star Trek... and I think Inception belongs at #1 on the top ten... is my opinion no longer relevant? :)
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you cant have room for both. its either one or other. that is the way he seems to operate. he hates a particular film which he pays to see anyway but loves the movies of christopher nolan
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Was it good? Yeah. But top ten good? Not in my opinion. I liked it the first time I saw it when it was called: The Matrix and Total Recall. My guess is the director felt a bit guilty about making a big summer popcorn movie, and to regain some kind of auteur cred he deliberately left the ending vague. To me, that was a cheap trick and cop out and something you see in a lot of student films.
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soooo true, ive only been coming onto this website the last year or so but reading harrys reasoning over inception and ts3 made me realise just how dumb this guy is. i then looked back to see what he thought of the matrix sequels just for curiosity and found the werewolves bullshit hilarious! then he randomly did a 180 and loved revolutions!? Il hand it to ya harry your reveiws are pretty tragic but at least theyre comedic and surprising. except with ur sp dicksucking marathon continuing, seriously get over it and watch a good film, like you said your 40 years old.
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As far as I can tell, I'm the only person who found A Serbian Film hilarious. It was Reefer Madness for porn. I let a few drops go when Milos skull-fucked that guy to death. It was an unimaginative Peeping Tom.
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Jesus, not a very subtle attempt by this asshole director to internationally shit on his own country. America has had it's hand in more than one genocide, but I would never sell my homeland down the fucking river like this guy did. On the other hand (as Larry David would say) Pretty, pretty, pretty good horror film.
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I still don't think A Serbian Film sounds like my cup of tea either.
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Don't blame the movie for what the director has made.
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