Every year in December, I go through the same thing: I look at the giant list of movies I’ve seen and sigh and hem/haw and freak out because omfg I can’t find 10 that I think were “the best”. Which is stupid, because I know it’s totally personal, and everyone’s list is going to be different, and there probably are only like 3 people who will even read this list anyway, and they are all my friends whom I’ve told the list to…(welcome to a glimpse inside my self-centered, paranoid mind). 

Anyway, this year I decided to take the easy route by naming the 10 that I thoroughly enjoyed enough to buy and watch over and over again—but to spare you any pain, I also included 5 of what I thought were the absolute WORST this year, so you can avoid them at all costs.

BEST
1. Inception: I can’t stop thinking about this movie. Like, ever. Brilliant acting, action, suspense, thrills, and special effects. I love you, Christopher Nolan.
2. Toy Story 3: Yeah, it’s a weeper. But it’s also hilarious. This is an example of what every animated film should be. 
3. Black Swan: If there’s one thing Aronofsky knows how to do, it’s obsession. And honestly Natalie Portman rocks it so hard in this movie that I was kind of surprised.
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Man som hatar kvinoor): There is no way you can ever convince me that an American remake is needed. This was perfect, as is.
5. Marwencol: Another weeper, but this time, it’s real. I challenge anyone to watch this and not be fascinated (and touched) by it.
6. Cairo Time: What can I say? I’m a sucker for movies about women who are a little lost and then find themselves again. Plus, every shot of Cairo is mind-blowingly beautiful.
7. Micmacs (Micmacs a tire-larigot): A band of outcasts execute elaborate pranks on a pair of arms and weapons dealers, Jeunet style. Just thinking about  it makes me giggle.
8. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: Michael Cera + comic book villains + hot chicks kicking ass + video game sound effects. Love, love, and love.
9. Going the Distance: Mock me if you want, but this is one damn fine romantic comedy.
10. Greenberg: I believed every second of what happened to Greenberg in this movie could/has/will happen to someone. Believable, thoughtful, well-written, and I don’t care what anyone else says: Stiller was good.

WORST
1. Sex and the City 2: AKA: stereotypes in Abu-Dahbi, with SO much cultural disrespect that I almost threw popcorn at the screen. Oh wait, I mean threw up.
2. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice: Basing an entire movie on a short from Fantasia? Bad. Casting Nic Cage? Worse. To quote my dad after he read my review “You REALLY didn’t like that movie”.
3. Clash of the Titans: A slap in the face to the fantastically cheesy Ray Harryhausen creature-filled 80’s original. YOU CHANGED THE STORY ALMOST ENTIRELY, you jerks. Oh, and Zeus sucked.
4. A Nightmare on Elm Street: Again with the remakes. And mangling of the story. And makeup so thick you can’t even tell Freddy is talking. What is wrong with you people?
5. Valentine’s Day: Packing your film with an ensemble of beautiful people does not automatically make it either cute or romantic, especially with LOL-nods to Julia Roberts being in Pretty Woman. Also, Jessica Biel’s Kara may be the most insulting female character ever written.