Re: Harry's Top Ten Films of 2010!

I loved Scott Pilgrim (and feel Edgar Wright has given us his third straight
genre hit). I also feel it will have legs on DVD / BluRay and become a cult
classic regaining its investment on the longer timeline, like Office Space
and Firefly, other hits that initially landed with a thud but grew in
popularity through word-of-mouth. But is it the Best Film of 2010?

Pound-for-pound, it certainly was among the most entertaining. Personally,
I'm beginning to lean toward  Inception as best SF, Scott Pilgrim as best
genre film, and True Grit as most pleasantly unexpected, the best surprise
hit. But I'm thinking Toy Story 3 was my overall best film. (I'd like to
give an Honorable Mention to How To Train Your Dragon.)


Johne Cook
| http://raygunrevival.com | http://authorculture.blogspot.com |


On Thu, Jan 6, 2011 at 10:09 AM, Thurman Allen II <microserf88-/[email protected]>wrote:

> I don't usually follow Harry Knowles or AICN, but I wanted to post this
> because he echoes many of the same thoughts and feelings I have about his
> choice for best film of the year.
>
> To see all his picks, follow this link:
> http://www.aintitcool.com/node/47938
>
>  ------------------------------
>  *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.
>
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