We pick the ten best Hollywood flicks of the year... Unlike other commercial filmmakers, Christopher Nolan is one filmmaker who likes to believe that his audience is not dumb. So, after 'Memento', 'The Prestige' and 'The Batman' series, he gave us a mind-bending thriller with a wonderful blend of performance, story, music and dazzling special effects. A film about dream invasion, this heist movie is complex, ambiguous and at the same time highly enjoyable. Result? Overwhelming positive reviews, discussions and great box office return. It keeps you guessing, thinking and interpreting till you pick your jaw up off the floor. The film is destined to become a modern classic.
The Social Network
Based on from Ben Mezrich's book 'The Accidental Billionaires', David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin showed with 'The Social Network' that they too excel in data management like its protagonist Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook. An enormous amount of information with betrayal, court cases and double crossing, this film had a very odd mission to pull off %u2013 to make computer programming exciting. Fincher did it with utmost clarity and a definitive style. Special mention for Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake for the background score. This is a true masterpiece of the internet generation. Fincher should keep his fingers crossed for the Oscars.
Based on from Ben Mezrich's book 'The Accidental Billionaires', David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin showed with 'The Social Network' that they too excel in data management like its protagonist Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook. An enormous amount of information with betrayal, court cases and double crossing, this film had a very odd mission to pull off %u2013 to make computer programming exciting. Fincher did it with utmost clarity and a definitive style. Special mention for Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake for the background score. This is a true masterpiece of the internet generation. Fincher should keep his fingers crossed for the Oscars.
Toy Story 3
The third installment of the 'Toy Story' series brought to life the adventures of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and other toys dealing with a doubtful future as their owner Andy prepares to leave for college. Like all the films from the canon of Pixar, this film is a worthy conclusion of a trilogy with beautiful animation, brilliant vocal performances and a superbly crafted script. Laugh-out-loud funny and at the same time deeply moving, it pays homage to all the jailbreak films. We should thank Pixar team for such wonderful creations; their cinematic efforts truly go to infinity and beyond.
The third installment of the 'Toy Story' series brought to life the adventures of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and other toys dealing with a doubtful future as their owner Andy prepares to leave for college. Like all the films from the canon of Pixar, this film is a worthy conclusion of a trilogy with beautiful animation, brilliant vocal performances and a superbly crafted script. Laugh-out-loud funny and at the same time deeply moving, it pays homage to all the jailbreak films. We should thank Pixar team for such wonderful creations; their cinematic efforts truly go to infinity and beyond.
How To Train Your Dragon
The plot follows Hiccup, a young Viking in a mythical Viking world that thrives on slaying dragons. After finally capturing his first dragon, he finds that he no longer has the desire to kill it and instead befriends it. The film has some breathtaking flights of fancy; you can almost feel the wind on your face as Hiccup and Toothless soar through the air, coast above the water, and cut through rock formations. Definitely thrilling animation and a racy plot make it insane fun for the viewers. That's the reason; it went on to become a big hit despite getting a slow start at the ticket window.
The plot follows Hiccup, a young Viking in a mythical Viking world that thrives on slaying dragons. After finally capturing his first dragon, he finds that he no longer has the desire to kill it and instead befriends it. The film has some breathtaking flights of fancy; you can almost feel the wind on your face as Hiccup and Toothless soar through the air, coast above the water, and cut through rock formations. Definitely thrilling animation and a racy plot make it insane fun for the viewers. That's the reason; it went on to become a big hit despite getting a slow start at the ticket window.
Shutter Island
Based on Dennis Lehane's 2003 novel of the same name, this film tells the story of U.S. Marshal Edward 'Teddy' Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio), who is investigating a psychiatric facility located on the island named in the title. Though not at par with master filmmaker Martin Scorsese's greatest works, this film is the evidence that he is having great fun with old-fashioned genre material. For a typical fan of psychological horror genre, the story might be the same old thing, but the way this atmospheric thriller is presented on screen with fine performances and outstanding production values deserves applause. Paramount pushed its release last year, so it might get a few nod from the academy this year.
Based on Dennis Lehane's 2003 novel of the same name, this film tells the story of U.S. Marshal Edward 'Teddy' Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio), who is investigating a psychiatric facility located on the island named in the title. Though not at par with master filmmaker Martin Scorsese's greatest works, this film is the evidence that he is having great fun with old-fashioned genre material. For a typical fan of psychological horror genre, the story might be the same old thing, but the way this atmospheric thriller is presented on screen with fine performances and outstanding production values deserves applause. Paramount pushed its release last year, so it might get a few nod from the academy this year.
The Ghost Writer
Based on Robert Harris' novel 'The Ghost', this film tells the tale of a ghostwriter hired to complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister and rest they say, thrill ensues. Written by Harris and Roman Polanski, this unnerving political thriller shows a master director in complete control of his craft. The film might lack the punch of Polanski's masterpieces but it profits from taut screenplay, slick direction and a commendable performance from Ewan McGregor. Polanski shows us again that he's a maverick when it comes to suspense %u2013 the narrative is a greeting getaway from the feather-light plots of commercial potboilers.
Based on Robert Harris' novel 'The Ghost', this film tells the tale of a ghostwriter hired to complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister and rest they say, thrill ensues. Written by Harris and Roman Polanski, this unnerving political thriller shows a master director in complete control of his craft. The film might lack the punch of Polanski's masterpieces but it profits from taut screenplay, slick direction and a commendable performance from Ewan McGregor. Polanski shows us again that he's a maverick when it comes to suspense %u2013 the narrative is a greeting getaway from the feather-light plots of commercial potboilers.
The Town
Years back, Ben Affleck showed great promise as a writer with 'Good Will Hunting', and then he threatened to become totally wooden during his 'Bennifer' days. Thankfully, he decided to turn director with 'Gone Baby Gone'. With his second film 'The Town', adapted from Chuck Hogan's novel 'Prince of Thieves'; he is suddenly up there as a commendable director. A marvelously crafted film, this is a character-driven crime thriller with the right dose of action, drama and not to forget, comic relief. Almost at par with genre classics like 'Dog Day Afternoon', we will have great expectations from Affleck's next flick.
Years back, Ben Affleck showed great promise as a writer with 'Good Will Hunting', and then he threatened to become totally wooden during his 'Bennifer' days. Thankfully, he decided to turn director with 'Gone Baby Gone'. With his second film 'The Town', adapted from Chuck Hogan's novel 'Prince of Thieves'; he is suddenly up there as a commendable director. A marvelously crafted film, this is a character-driven crime thriller with the right dose of action, drama and not to forget, comic relief. Almost at par with genre classics like 'Dog Day Afternoon', we will have great expectations from Affleck's next flick.
Kick-Ass
A film about a normal teenager who wants to become a real-life superhero meets his biggest challenges when he meets the real villains in the big bad world. 'Kick-Ass' directed by Matthew Vaughn, was widely controversial for its profanity and extreme violence. Based on the comic book of the same name by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr, the movie has amazing with ultra cool quotient but it does have a substance underneath. Edgy and relentless fun, the genre of superhero films has been shaken and stirred with its appearance in theatres. You end up rooting for an 11 year old girl killing the bad guys, it also manages to comment on the violent action it creates and celebrates.
A film about a normal teenager who wants to become a real-life superhero meets his biggest challenges when he meets the real villains in the big bad world. 'Kick-Ass' directed by Matthew Vaughn, was widely controversial for its profanity and extreme violence. Based on the comic book of the same name by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr, the movie has amazing with ultra cool quotient but it does have a substance underneath. Edgy and relentless fun, the genre of superhero films has been shaken and stirred with its appearance in theatres. You end up rooting for an 11 year old girl killing the bad guys, it also manages to comment on the violent action it creates and celebrates.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Hollywood did not have some great movies coming out this year, so the penultimate film from the 'Harry Potter' franchise is making this cut despite being not so great. Here boy wizard Harry and his friends run against time to destroy the Horcruxes and discover the existence of three powerful objects in the world of wizardry that can master death: the Deathly Hallows. Special mention for Nagini's attack and mindboggling animated tale of 'Three Brothers'. Darker in tone than the previous films, it breaks the typical mold and gets the audience ready for a finale that promises to be spectacular. But it feels like there should be an intermission, not a seven month wait.
Hollywood did not have some great movies coming out this year, so the penultimate film from the 'Harry Potter' franchise is making this cut despite being not so great. Here boy wizard Harry and his friends run against time to destroy the Horcruxes and discover the existence of three powerful objects in the world of wizardry that can master death: the Deathly Hallows. Special mention for Nagini's attack and mindboggling animated tale of 'Three Brothers'. Darker in tone than the previous films, it breaks the typical mold and gets the audience ready for a finale that promises to be spectacular. But it feels like there should be an intermission, not a seven month wait.
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
It's one of those rare sequels which seem to have a creative drive than the financial motivation for its making. Following Oliver Stone's acclaimed movie on financial market, this story takes place 23 years later in New York City and is woven around the recent financial crisis. Stone again showed us what a master storyteller he is and Gordon Gekko again impresses us with his 'Greed is Good' theory. Michael Douglas and Shia LaBeouf make this journey fun, if not quite riveting. Again a compromised choice for the top 10.
It's one of those rare sequels which seem to have a creative drive than the financial motivation for its making. Following Oliver Stone's acclaimed movie on financial market, this story takes place 23 years later in New York City and is woven around the recent financial crisis. Stone again showed us what a master storyteller he is and Gordon Gekko again impresses us with his 'Greed is Good' theory. Michael Douglas and Shia LaBeouf make this journey fun, if not quite riveting. Again a compromised choice for the top 10.
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