A recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald noted that none of the world's top ten grossing films in 2010 represented the real world. In fact all of the top ten films were made wholly or partly on a computer. It was probably inevitable, but I find this rather sad. It would seem that many people are looking for a cheap thrill or an escape from reality, rather then a true and authentic story. Hollywood of course delivers this in spades, especially delivering on the sequel. Sequels, sequels everywhere and this trend doesn't look to stop in 2011. So it wasn't a vintage year for film, but there was still enough to catch the eye. There were some Hollywood films that were intelligent and well written and perhaps Australia made the finest film in its recent history. I had a hard task to decide on my number one film of 2010, but in the end I went for the film that had the best script seen for quite a few years. In fact I will very surprised if this remarkable film doesn't dominate the upcoming film awards season.

1. The Social Network, directed by David Fincher.
A near flawless film from beginning to end. Aaron Sorkin's script was pitch perfect in this tale of the phenomenon that is 'Facebook'. Once again Fincher reminded us again that he is one of the finest directors working today. His films are seamless, with every scene dissolving perfectly into the next. In this one he captured quite perfectly the generation that we live in, but more then that he captured the drama of life that surrounds us all. There is betrayal, jealousy and incrimination galore. There are no good and bad characters on display here either. It's vitally real and clearly human.

2. Animal Kingdom, directed by David Michod.
Every single plaudit that came to this superb film was well deserved. An ensemble cast of some of Australia's finest came together to produce cinema dynamite. This was a crime story without the glamour and artifice. It was grit under the fingernails and dirt on the skin. At times shocking and too brutal to watch it left me gasping for more. Michod is a major talent to watch and Ben Mendelsohn has never been better.

3. The White Ribbon, directed by Michael Haneke.
A disturbing film to be sure, but a utterly vital one. Beautifully shot in Black & White, this Micheal Haneke film is mysterious, disturbing and totally intriguing. The story of a small German village on the eve of WW1 is a tale of caution against puritanical behaviour. At times frightening, some scenes will shock you with their intensity and stark truth. It leaves you with a mass of questions, but that has to be a good thing.

4. Blue Valentine, directed by Derek Cianfrance.
Remarkable portrait of a marriage in two parts. The joyous beginning and the heartbreaking disintegration. This is a film that explodes with painful honesty. Stunningly tender and brutally honest, we live under the skin of two characters drawn together and then pulled part. The performances are honestly astonishing. Ryan Gosling is great as per usual, whilst Michelle Williams has never, ever been better.

5. Inception, directed by Christopher Nolan.
An intelligent thriller that will have you spellbound through out. Visually dazzling and incredibly entertaining, it is also thoughtful and even profound at times. The effects are quite breathtaking, but it all adds to the story that is multi layered and considered. The cast is uniformly excellent, especially Page and Levitt. Christopher Nolan is making Hollywood blockbusters that manage to feed the mind as well as entertain. My only criticism is that a film this big sometimes lets the human element escape.

6. Up In The Air, directed by Jason Reitman.
Smart and perceptive, Up In The Air is intelligent and thoughtful film making. Clooney is flawless as the professional with the full, but perhaps hollow lifestyle. His encounters with two women give him pause to enunciate and then reflect on his life. A pitch perfect script from Reitman enables this film to be as a good a reflection on our modern lifestyle as you are likely to see. This film also doesn't give in to the predictable ending.

7. The Messenger, directed by Oren Moverman.
Firstly, why does a film as great as this take nearly a year to hit our screens. Secondly, I should say screen, as it is only showed at the Chauvel. This is a superbly written, powerful drama about the job of two army men who have to report casualties of war to nearest of kin. It beautifully captures the pain and anguish of such times, aided by startling performances from Foster and Harrelson.

8. Greenberg, directed by Noah Baumbach.
Intelligent, poignant film that slowly investigates the lives of troubled people. Ben Stiller is superb as the sometimes unlikeable Roger Greenberg, a man trying to figure out his place in life. Moving to his brother's house in LA doesn't help his situation but he finds a lost soul in Florence who is also struggling with life and relationships. This a carefully observed film, superbly written and shot. The characters are real and fallible.

9. A Prophet, directed by Jacques Audiard.
Brutal, compelling story of Malik, a young Arab, sentenced to six years in a French Prison. To survive he has to carry out any task for Cesar, the Corsican who effectively is control of the jail. Malik is a survivor in an immoral world, managing to make his way through the system. Realist to the core this film magnetically shines a light on the underbelly of society.

10. Winter's Bone, directed by Debra Granik.
Stark, bleak and unrelenting, this film picks you up and drops you deeply into the poverty stricken Ozarks of Southern Missouri. Unflinchingly realistic, this slow burning drama tells the dramatic tale of Ree, trying to locate her criminal father so she can hold onto her family. Jennifer Lawrence is outstanding as Ree in this tale of conflict, intrigue and heartbreak.

Films I plan to see in 2011-
Somewhere
The King's Speech
Black Swan
True Grit
The Fighter
Catfish
127 Hours
Rabbit Hole
The Tree Of Life