2012 Movies: #41, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36 & 35

Ref: Mulhern

#41: Brave
While this was a cute film overall (and the animated short was, as Mulhern indicated, quite splendid), it doesn't hold a candle to my favorite animated film of recent years, How to Train Your Dragon.

#40: Voyage to the Moon (restored)
This documentary and restored short film offered an intriguing look into the early days of motion pictures.

#39: Pitch Perfect
An enjoyable, lighthearted film that prompts singing along and holds up to repeated viewing, despite an entirely unnecessary gross-out plot element.

#38: Prometheus

The preview looked too scary, so I didn't see it.

#37: Ruby Sparks
Part indie fantasy, part commentary on how finding the perfect partner isn't always what it's cracked up to be, the film goes a little dark but is ultimately pleasantly quirky.

#36: Last Day at Lambeau

A fan-centric look at the drama surrounding the last playing years of the quarterback that everyone loves to hate (or hates to love).

#35: Only the Young
While not offering sweeping social generalizations, this documentary shared an insightful look into the lives of its three main characters as they come of age during the Great Recession.

2010 Movies: #12, 11, 10 & 9

Ref: Mulhern

#12 The Kids Are All Right

The Kids Are All Right was a well-written look at family life in the post-traditional paradigm. All the characters are uniquely drawn, and Annette Bening and Julianne Moore are convincing as a couple long in love but chafing at routine. As the movie opens, they know that said routine is about to be disrupted by their daughter's departure to college. What they don't realize is that another type of disruption entirely is about to result from their family's introduction to their biological father.

Everything about The Kids Are All Right feels realistic - the family dynamic, the titular kids' curiosity about their father, the little spats and quirks that Bening and Moore demonstrate in their life together, Mark Ruffalo's cool careless exterior and relational awkwardness. Clues are planted early on that come into play as the storyline moves inexorably toward betrayal, discovery and resolution.

I give it bonus points for the fact that Annette Bening looks exactly like my aunt.

#11 Toy Story 3

I'm glad I managed to see this one just in time (i.e. before the Oscars). I haven't seen either of Toy Story 3's predecessors in a number of years so the overall story arc is a little fuzzy, but I think this series resonates so much with people for a couple of different reasons. The toys remind viewers of their childhoods and highlight the bittersweet elements of growing up, but they also stand in for the viewers, experiencing camaraderie and loss in the same way that we do in life.

The animation is once again excellent, though not as groundbreaking as the first time it appeared. Still, it's interesting to think back to the original film and how its style fundamentally changed animation.

(I did like How To Train Your Dragon more... because I love Toothless!)

#10 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

My grandmother bought my little brother a Harry Potter paperback way back when, and I was hooked. While never being disappointed with any of the movies, I've had my favorites, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is now among them despite its understandable lack of resolution.

It's so fortunate for the franchise that the three child actors selected to carry these films have grown up well, with talent to spare. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have settled into their series roles nicely, and their closeness during the last several years likely plays a role in their success as an ensemble. I hope we'll see continue to see good things from them after next year's final installment closes the curtain on the magical world.

B's assessment of the action in Deathly Hallows is right on the money - there's a lot going on even when our heroes are hiding out in the forest and plotting and planning their next move. Visual effects were used nicely, I thought, such as when *spoiler alert* Hermione hides behind an invisibility field a breath away from a pursuer. Even better, the story stuck closely to that of the book and was just as evocative. I shed a tear. I'm sure you did too.

Very much looking forward to next November's final showdown.

#9 Animal Kingdom

Didn't see this one (shocker, especially when you juxtapose Mulhern's synopsis with my love of Valentine's Day).

2010 Movies: #16, 15, 14 & 13

Ref: Mulhern

#16 Never Let Me Go

B and I saw Never Let Me Go on a romantical date. He coined the descriptor "soul-crushingly depressing" immediately after exiting the theatre, where the marquee indeed advertised, "Never Let Me Go featuring Future Spiderman Andrew Garfield."

Mulhern is right on the money on this one. It's a film I enjoyed seeing once because it was well-written and -acted, artistic and arresting. It's also creepy and heart-rending, showcasing sparse scenery and sparser prospects for those it follows. But I don't know if it's one I would enjoy popping into the DVD player on a whim because of its sheer weight.

Another excellent showing by Carey Mulligan.

#15 The King's Speech

The King's Speech was a wonderful film, well-deserving of its accolades to date. I disagree with B's assessment of pacing issues - I thought all the characters and scenes were captivating, even those featuring the brother. The interactions between the king and his daughters were touching, especially the penguin scene, as were the relationships between the king and his wife and the king and his therapist.

While it may have lacked some historical accuracy, The King's Speech felt real, employing excellent period costuming and immersing performances. Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter are all outstanding. I'd put this one on any must-see list.

#14 Winter's Bone

I missed this one and am sad that I did, although it sounds soul-crushingly depressing.

#13 How to Train Your Dragon

I loved this movie! It's one I would consider buying a 3D TV to see again, just because all of the flying scenes were so amazing. I also tried to get my sister to name her new vehicle Toothless (big, black and sturdy - what's not to like?).

A couple of corrections to Mulhern's review:

It's Night Fury, B, not a Nightmare. Gotta know your dragons. Brush up.

And Toothless isn't so much missing teeth as... well... *spoiler alert* hiding them a la Wolverine's claws. Surprise!

I think How to Train Your Dragon works well because its basic building blocks are so strong. Even though the tale itself is an animated fantasy, it incorporates the same elements that any successful story would. Enthralling, suspenseful storyline? Check! Believably flawed but relatable characters? Check! Stirring score? Check!

It is, as the trailer suggests, "a great adventure for all ages." I am definitely anticipating the sequel. I hope it's just as good!

2010 Movies: #33, 32, 31, 30 & 29

Ref: Mulhern

Five at once? You've got to be kidding, Mulhern!

#33 Hot Tub Time Machine

No clue - didn't see it. I did take a photo with B at the HTTM display, though. It was like we were in the hot tub time machine! He had a flat top.

#32 The Other Guys

Here's another case of The A-Team - I remember enjoying this movie, but don't remember much about it.

#31 MacGruber

Way too gratuitous for me. (Sorry - I know this one is much beloved.) I was hoping to like MacGruber, but it was too much of a parody. I felt like the film pulled a Family Guy, making every gag run on about five minutes longer than necessary. I can attest to the fact that Mulhern enjoyed it thoroughly, however.

#30 She's Out of My League

I have a soft spot for Jay Baruchel now that he's played Hiccup, the greatest young animated action hero of our time, in How to Train Your Dragon (3D), but I liked him in She's Out of My League independent of this. I thought the movie did a pretty good job of toeing the over-the-line line without completely crossing it (see: MacGruber). Some parts were less to my taste than others, but overall it kept my attention and made me cheer for the (at-times moronic) heroes.

Plus - bonus - Krysten Ritter as the eccentric, sometimes caustic but well-meaning friend.

#29 Morning Glory

Mulhern, sis and I saw this at the 10:30 a.m. showing on a Saturday morning. (Yes, I still needed popcorn despite it being well before noon.) Critical panning notwithstanding, I quite enjoyed this lovely and funny film. Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford together were great in their mutual loathing, and Rachel McAdams convincingly portrayed a sweet, idealistic career girl trying to be a mature professional despite challenging coworkers and circumstances. I'd see this one again, even though the bangs and fashion choices left something to be desired.

Weather vane!