The Kings Speech (2010): Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helana Bonama Carter

The Kings Speech won Best Film of 2010!  Brilliant.  The film was hands down the best of the year.   Everyone in the theatre clapped with uplifting enthusiasm and joy.  This emotionally gripping true story is about a speech therapist, Lionel Logue, Rush, helping the future King George VI, Firth, have the courage to overcome a stuttering impediment and become King George VI with a clear voice on the brink of WWII.  Banter between Firth and Rush is unforgettable. Firth, won Best Actor for the film and deserved every inch of the golden statute. Witty and engaging. Reminding all that helping others is the ultimate reward in this life. Hollywood film at it's finest hour.

RENT:  A Must SEE!  Do not miss this film.  Even Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed the film about her father.

The Social Network (2010): Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake

The Social Network was perhaps the most influential film of 2010.  Why? Because the story is about the evolution of Facebook, which today allows people to interact on a broad scale basis between  friends, family, colleagues and complete strangers across continents.   The film is based on Facebook, founder Mark Zuckerberg, Eisenberg, a Harvard student who developed the social network program. Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, Garfield, in the film claim Zuckerberg stole the social networking idea, while at Harvard.  In the end, the Winklevoss brothers and the co-founder were paid handsomely.  Timberlake is wickedly brash as Napster founder, Sean Parker.  Brilliant film on the evolution of The Facebook - Facebook. Interesting examination of college culture or for that matter group dynamics. To be or not to be...That is question. The story is well written, acting superb and overall a riveting film.  When it is all said and done - or all is fair in love and war - Facebook is here to stay.  Thank you - Zuckerberg.

RENT:  Must see!  And, then comment on Facebook!

The Fighter (2010): Mark Walhberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo

Based on a true story about Dicky Eklund, Bale, and Micky Ward, Walhberg. The tale revolves around Eklund, a former regional Welterweight boxing champion who has a cocaine addiction and the brother, Ward, who is an up and coming boxer.  Excellent and uplifting film about two brothers and the crazy world of boxing. The sibling rivalry, addiction, family dynamics and elements of boxing - create a riveting movie. The acting is superb.  Bale won Best Supporting Actor and Melissa Leo won for Best Supporting Actress in 2010.

RENT:  Drama - Feel Good Movie!

True Grit (2010): Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin

Remake of the original True Grit (1969) starring John Wayne and Kim Darby.  Premise -US Marshall, Rooster Cogburn, Bridges, and Mattie Ross, Steinfeld, track down her fathers murderer.  True Grit (2010) outshines the 1969 version with witty dialogue, western grit along with entertaining camaraderie between Bridges, Damon and Steinfeld.   Of course, the script is by the comedic Coen brothers.  Hailee Steinfeld, nominated in 2010 for Best Supporting Actress in a leading roll is terrific as Mattie Ross.  Brilliant acting, excellent script, rough and tough setting, tense, laughter too - better than the original. A Western that takes no mercy - harsh in a brutal world. Bridges is amazing as Cogburn and Damon is hilarious.

RENT!   Definite must see! 

Black Swan (2010): Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel

Black Swan is a disturbing psychological thriller based on a ballerina's physically and mentally gruelling role in the ballet - The White Swan.  Portman, won an Oscar for Best Actress in 2010 for this movie. The portrayal of Princess Odette, White Swan, is brilliant along with the pirouette into insanity by becoming the Black Swan.  The film is deeply twisted and darkly meshed with jealousy, betrayal, lust, self loathing and a crazy parent with a  few typical Hollywood movie scenes.  Not uplifting or for the faint of heart. 

PASS!  Unless enjoyment is found wallowing in dreary and depressing stories about dysfunctional personalities.  Seeing The White Swan at a ballet theatre seems more promising.

Black Swan (2010) Trailer: