Best Scenes From the Films of 2010

It’s almost March 2011, but given that the Academy Awards have not yet taken place, I feel discussing movies from 2010 still to be relevant. The best pictures and actors and directors have been discussed and debated ad nauseum, so I thought I’d talk about something I think very interesting: what are the best scenes from movies in 2010? There are few great films, like The Social Network, where the sum is greater than the whole of their parts. While a great movie, it didn’t have that one scene that stood out. I will warn you, there will be SPOILERS. This post also lets us include great comedies in the “best of...” discussion. So without further adieu, in descending order, the Best Scenes of 2010:

12. “Wee Man Midget Fight”, Jackass 3D:
In one of the more enjoyable movies of 2010 this particular scene made me so excited because it utilized my two favorite things about Jackass scenes: story and outsiders reactions. Just great use of the “piling on” story telling technique. Enter scorned boyfriend, he brings in his midget friends, they fight, in come midget cops, and just when you think it’s over, midget paramedics! I just love that no body in the bar broke it up. You can’t break up a good midget fight. Law

11. “Gettin’ Her Daddy’s Bones,” Winter’s Bone:
I wasn’t completely sold on Winter’s Bone the movie, but this scene can not be denied. It fully encapsulates the world that is created. Seeing Ree reach down and grab the hand of her deceased father was haunting and moving. I wish the best scene from this movie included John Hawkes, but alas, chainsaw dismemberment wins out.

10. “Hallway Fight,” Inception:
Another movie I wasn’t particularly high on, but it’s stunning visuals were just that: stunning. This fight was imaginative and innovative. Cut together with scenes from other states of dreams, it really showed the thought in the choreography. I’m pretty amazed JGL never hit his head on a boom mic or camera while flipping around.



9. “Fake Sex,” Easy A:
I’m not entirely sure why this movie didn’t get more run. Emma Stone delivers a comedic tour de force in this modern day retelling of Scarlet Letter. The inciting incident in this film is just top notch comedy. I particularly loved when Brandon , played by Dan Byrd, exclaims, “Can you smell that?” I just loved seeing two kids stumble through the sounds and motions of sex having never actually done it.

8.“Fall of Big Daddy,” Kick-Ass:
What is with awesome fights in hallways in 2010? Oscar snub Chloe Moretz as Hit-Girl, gives us not only one of the best scenes of 2010, but definitely the most “bad ass.” There’s just something about watching an 11 year old deliver merciless head shots to several henchman. This scene is made infinitely better coming off the heels of perhaps the best line of the movie, “Show’s over mother f*ckers.” I can’t wait for the sequel to come out.

7. “I Won’t Dance,” Step Up: 3D:
I think I’m going to lose some of you here, but hear me out. The Academy Awards honors, acting, directing, writing, original songs, etc. It’s long overdue to include a Best Choreography category. Dance is a vital part of entertainment and we shouldn’t dismiss it. This scene was absolutely perfect. Danced brilliantly by Adam G. Sevani and Alyson Stoner (of Missy Elliot music fame), they take us on a playfully journey of their entire relationship. Very smart choreography utilizing several styles and really giving us that throwback Fred Astaire/Ginger Rodgers feel of old movie musicals make it one of the best of 2010.



6. “Building of OP Restrepo,” Restrepo:
This scene from the great documentary really captures the dangers these men faced. Making such a bold move in the deadliest place on earth was breathtaking filmmaking. I still can’t believe these scenes were captured so vividly on camera.

5. “Final Dance (or Swan Song),” Black Swan:
I know a lot of people will say “the scene” from Black Swan was between Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman, and while that scene was all well and good, the final sequence was better. Black Swan had me on the edge of my seat the whole movie. Aronofsky weaved a tale of mystery and drama in such a thrilling way that when the film culminated in the brilliant fade to white, I was left speechless.

4. "Where it All Goes Wrong," Blue Valentine:
This whole movie was a sucker punch to my gut of emotions. We were lead to believe that this relationship was built on this primal sense of love, and it would carry them for the rest of their lives. But the flame of passion burnt out. During their romantic getaway to the "future room" we are hit such a real scene, were almost sick watching. We get to watch Ryan Gosling, in perhaps the best performance of the year, see his marriage slip away from and his reaction is spot on. He fights so hard for her, but she's already gone.

3. “Self Administered Arm Amputation,” 127 Hours:
I’m so glad I saw this movie in the theatre. The amount of uneasiness in the theatre during this scene was palpable. I must admit, even I got a little bit squeamish at the sight. First he has to break his arm in two directions, then use a poor excuse for a knife to basically tear his arm off? Ouch. I really like how he attempted it earlier, but even staring death in the face, he couldn;t tolerate the pain or sight of it. He basically had to die for a minute and come back to realize it had to be done. The sound effects and camera cuts make this scene so visceral and memorable.

2. “The Incinerator,” Toy Story 3:
Seeing those toys that we have come to love so much join hands in solidarity as they come to grips with their fate is easily one of the most memorable and touching scenes of 2010. Watching each toy struggle for a minute before they realize they’re out of options and the best way to go out is by being with your loved ones was so moving that I shed tears. Real ones. I don’t know how you did it Pixar, but you made you made me examine my own life and think who I would like to meet the incinerator with. Coming to grips with my mortality is not something I like to think about, but I was forced after this scene. Truly a provocative scene.

1. “Holding Court on the Streets,” The Town:
There was something so absolutely perfect and human about the moment Jeremy Renner takes a sip of the discarded soda before he meets his fate. I can’t fully comprehend what it would be like to get one last pleasure of this world before I die. I’m sure most people would think sex, or a delicious steak, or a smile from their spouse, but Renner couldn’t have seemed more pleased with the taste of that flat old soda. I wonder just how hightened your senses are the moment before you die. The act is so simple, yet in that most human of moments, it made the scene completely memorable and unforgettable. Congratulations Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner and The Town you have earned the Best Scene of 2010 award from me!

Winter's ApeDonkey: Netflix reviews - 12/28/10

 I have to be honest it took me a lot longer to write this post than usual. Could be the general malaise of the Christmas holidays or it could be that outside of the documentaries there really wasn't a great movie in the bunch. Even the best of them Winter's Bone had a couple great performances but was just a good movie. All the documentaries I've recommended below are good to great and should be seen by anyone who loves to watch docs. So if you're making your list of what to see based on my recomendations and I know you are, start with the docs, move to Winter's Bone then see if you have time to see the rest. If not, you'll be ok.

The Kids are All Right - See it - I hate Mark Ruffalo's face. I don't know what it is about the guy but I can't stand him. Somehow, I was able to get past my anti Ruffalo feelings and enjoy this movie. Annette Bening and Julianne Moore both give good performances. There's nothing truly great about this film but the central plot is interesting enough along with the performances of Moore & Bening make it worth watching.






Winnebago Man - See it - Jack Rebney embodies all that is good in this world. He's angry. He doesn't give a shit and he's got something to say. After watching the Jack Rebney Winnebago outtakes Ben Steinbauer was moved to track down Rebney to find out who this "Angriest Man on Earth" really is. What he finds is a guy who is out of touch with the world and how creations like youtube have turned him into a revered celebrity in some circles.





Exit Through the Gift Shop - See it - I probably switched whether or not I thought Mr. Brain Wash was real probably 20 times over the course of the movie. The fact that the movie was directed by Banksy leads me to believe that it is more of a commentary on the world of art and the artificial art market created through media buzz. Whether it's a real documentary or an elaborate hoax, it's very well done.






The Living Wake - Skip it -Netflix described this movie as an absurdist black comedy. I think a better description is "a steaming pile of shit." I hated every second of it. I added it to my queue because I like Jesse Eisenberg. You let me down Jesse. You really did.








Dealing Dogs - See it - This is a pretty good doc exposing the black market dealings of some very large kennels who are selling dogs for research purposes. The way the dogs are cared for and treated is dispicable and the fact that these kennel owners have created a market where stealing peoples pets at selling them for as little as $15 is worth it makes their existence that much worse.




Winter's Bone - See it - My assessment is great performances by Jennifer Lawrence and John Hawkes, good movie. I know @bcstagg disagrees with this but then again he's probably never gotten lost while taking a short cut in Arkansas and ended up on the Dolly clan's mountain. I'm more than certain, if I had actually gotten out of my car, I would have ended buried up some holler with hillbilly hump holes drilled in me. Anyway, the movie is worth it for the performances alone.





The Trotsky - See it - I'm a Jay Baruchel fan from his days on Undeclared. He's carved out a niche as a complimentary character actor in movies like Knocked Up and Million Dollar Baby. So it's nice to see him in the lead role of good movie. I was not much of a She's Out of My League fan. Baruchel delivers as Leon a seventeen year old high school student who believes he's the reincarnation of Leon Trotsky. When his wealthy father tries to teach Leon a lesson by making him attend public school, Leon finds a worthy adversary in the dictatorial school principal.




Shadow Company - See it -Interesting doc about how wartime jobs once performed by the military are being farmed out to private armies, security forces and mercenaries. There's a lot of insight provided by actual working "mercenaries" on how they go about choosing jobs, the issues that arise and the moral delimas that go along with their line of work. The doc also does a nice job presenting the history of soldiers for hire and their place in today's world.



Dancing Outlaw - See it - If I told you there was a documentary about a huffing, mountain dancer who will punch a hole in your face if you cook his eggs wrong, is that something you might be interested in?  Yeah I thought so. Jesco White became a legend after this 1991 documentary profile. He and his family are absolute gold in front of the camera. Netflix only carries the sequel so you'll have to do a little work to get the movie but it's well worth it. I was lucky enough to get to see it courtesy of @SeanINCypress and docdaddies.com.