10: Conversations with Other Women
This little piece of heaven on earth was shot completely in split-screen, an invigorating an innovative thought that could bring new boundaries to filmmaking. But forget the photography, Conversations, starring a set-jawed Aaron Eckhart and a pouty Helena Bonham Carter, is not only smilingly funny, but also deeply textured, complex film reminding all of us of Before Sunset. It's truer and more human than most other films that attempt to recreate Linklater's film. Yet, this clever and innovative film is certainly a treat for me and my film-loving attitude. In other words, it put a smile on my face.
9. Hollywoodland
Ben Affleck is yummy. So is Diane Lane. So this well-done neo-noir thriller/drama recounting a possible homicide in the death of 1950's Superman George Reeves, played by the astounding Ben Affleck, showing that he still has that acting talent shown in Good Will Hunting, except to a greater degree. While, Adrien Brody disappears into his role of a detective, I could watch a film entirely basis of Reeves and Toni Mannix (a splendid Diane Lane) and that might as well be my #1 film of the year. Despite Brody, this noirish, understated masterpiece of Allen Coulter was not generally embraced by critics. I, in fact, did embrace it.
8. The Last King of Scotland
Forest Whitaker won an Oscar. Yay. But there's more to life than winning an Oscar, from cruelly dictating Uganda with an adulertous wife and a charming persona. Meet Idi Amin. Like Adrien Brody in the aforementioned Hollywoodland, Whitaker disappears into the role. However, after this, I watched American Gun on DVD, also with Whitaker, and I found it hard to believe this charismatic tyrant could also play other characters. Whitaker plays Amin so well that it's hard to believe that Amin himself is not in a documentary. Meanwhile, James McAvoy plays his doctor, who has an affair with Kerry Washington (Amin's wife), topped with marvelous acting and Gillian Anderson as McAvoy's wife. I loved this film, and Whitaker's my homie.7. Half Nelson
Ryan Gosling never got a chance to bloom. I love the man. And Half Nelson is a homage to all his work of the years, from the little-known The Believer to the romance of The Notebook, yet Half Nelson is the best yet. He plays Dan Dunne, a school teacher, the type that I wish I always had, who wants his students to learn, yet somehow ends up in a drug-addled comatose every night. When one of his students (Shareeka Epps, revealing that talent has not completely dried up with Dakota Fanning in child actors) finds out his addictions, they begin an unlikely friendship. And I like unlikely friendships. This reminds of the upcoming Clean (upcoming on this list), with astounding performances from Gosling and Maggie Cheung. Well, just watch this movie.
6. Stick It
Now occasionally there is a film that only you enjoy. And for me, it's Stick It. Yes, it's about elite gymnastics and stars a female Hilary Swank eight years younger, but still, it's a film that defines who I am, and this is quite the film. Jeff Bridges, meanwhile turns up as a legendary gymnastics coach, while Missy Peregrym, reeking of Hilary Swank, delivers a performance better than Million Dollar Baby or Boys Don't Cry. It's a chick flick. It's a comedy. But, hey, I liked it. Of course, I preferred Vanessa Lengies's ass-kicking bitchiness (above) to Abigail Breslin's screaming pipsqueak beauty queen, or Nikki SooHoo's addictive (yes, I watched at least three times) gymnastic/dance routine to "Come Baby Come" more addictive than Ryan Gosling's crack addiction. (Er...never mind) Still, this film was ultimately quotable, from "It's not called gym-nice-stics." to "What's with all the closed-captioning? I'm not mute!" or "You get to fall on your face, your ass, your back, your knees, and you're pride! It's a good thing I didn't like falling- I LOVED IT!" You go, gurl. Make Jeff Bridges cry, Missy! Bitch, MAKE 'EM CRY, MISSY! MAKE HILARY SWANK CRY!
Oh well, the top five will be coming up soon. For your information, those are the the Chubby Hippo nominees.
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