2010 Honorable Mentions

THE FIGHTER

Director David O’ Russell crafts the real-life tale of an underdog boxer into a best picture nominee with THE FIGHTER. Mark Wahlberg boxes his way towards a championship as prize fighter Micky Ward. Although his route to the title is tough, Micky’s bigger bout is with his antagonistic, but well-meaning family. O’Russell’s dissected family dynamics before, but not nearly as well in this realistic and emotional family drama. Melissa Leo and Christian Bale lose themselves in self-destructive, but hopeful characters.

TOY STORY 3, TANGLED and HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

Although no animated features cracks my top ten in 2010, it was still a fine year for the genre. TOY STORY 3, TANGLED and HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON each brings something unique for kids and their parents.

TOY STORY III picks up where one and two left off, dazzling us with thrilling action sequences, laugh-out loud jokes and heartfelt moments between Woody, Buzz and the rest of Andy’s favorite toys.

TANGLED is a throwback princess movie in the standard Disney mold. Although the lead characters are rather bland, the humor stemming from the film’s sidekicks was on-the-mark, and the magical moments are highlighted with a romantic scene on the sea and a terrific twirling montage with Rapunzel’s golden locks.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is Dreamworks finest from 2010. A friendship between former foes in a Viking and a dragon is reminiscent of another foreign friendship between an extraterrestrial and a boy named Elliott. Although not as exquisite as E.T., DRAGON still soars with terrific aerial shots and coliseum encounters, and even benefits from the 3D technology that many pictures still struggle to get right.

WINTER'S BONE

It’s not often that films cut to the core of basic human necessities, but WINTER’S BONE serves up a drama that is equally thrilling and moving. Jennifer Lawrence, at only 19, conveys a deep determination, tough attitude and wisdom beyond her years as the heroine of this gutsy tale of a teenager who must find her estranged dad to save her family and home. WINTER’S BONE is a riveting look into a slice of life that screenwriters typically avoid.

Photos courtesy of Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures, Dreamworks Pictures and Roadside Attractions