Empire's pick of the year's releases
Each December, the writers of Empire get together and vote for their favourite films released during that calendar year. All our writers put together a top ten list, all of which are then compiled into a final verdict on that year’s releases – and please note that, since this reflects the UK release schedule, films like True Grit and Black Swan were not eligible this time around, whereas Precious and A Single Man were. But now read on to learn about the films you should have seen in 2010…
6. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Edgar Wright’s first ‘Hollywood’ movie is his best yet: a slacker rom-com musical with big fights instead of big numbers. What, you haven’t seen one of those before? Michael Cera actions up as the titular nobody who comes into his own after meeting the girl of his dreams (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), while the Seven Evil Exes he has to fight off have most of the fun playing the most gleefully dastardly characters this year. With game-inspired fight sequences and endless nods to 8-bit classics and pop-culture touchstones, this is dizzily paced and seriously entertaining. One of the year’s great soundtracks too.
4. Up In The Air
Jason Reitman’s assured film is part character study, part romance, part comedy and all quality. While a travelling salesman has long offered dramatic meat for films and plays, a travelling redundancy consultant offers a less obviously sympathetic character to work with. But it’s in the minutiae of travel that this comes alive – George Clooney’s Ryan Bingham and his obsession with air miles, his advice on packing, the encounters with lovers and victims of his lay-offs. And why there are elements of rom-com, of indie ‘dramedy’ and of Oscar bait, it’s none of these and all the better for it. Clooney, meanwhile, dazzles.
Empire for the rest
xoxo
Carrie
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