10. “A Single Man”
An incredibly elegant and moving look at emotional devastation via loss, former Gucci fashion designer Tom Ford‘s debut feature-film resembles the work of a filmmaker midway through a consistent career, not the work of a newb just out of the starting gate. And Colin Firth — an actor who never quite fully impressed previously — is outstanding as a dead man walking; a teacher reeling from the death of his male lover. It’s a splendidly crafted, immaculately detailed film that thankfully doesn’t trade style over substance and soul.
9. “Anvil! The Story Of Anvil”
Yeah, Sacha Gervasi‘s metalhead documentary about loveably lunkheaded Canadian metal heads Anvil was included in our best of 2008 list, but technically came out this year. The doc is so good and affecting that even if you loathe metal and are intolerant of loser schlubs, I daresay you will still love this winning, touching and funny documentary to death. It’s a tribute to brotherhood and the well-worn resilience required in the face of massive adversity in order to keep chasing your dreams.
8. “A Serious Man”
An inscrutable treasure from the Coen Brothers. If you thought the ending of “No Country For Old Men” was puzzling but breathtaking, then the awe-inspiring conclusion of this suburban, comedic drama about universal punishment will leave your jaw on the floor. Michael Stuhlburg puts in a breakthrough performance as the loyal husband and devout Jewish father trying to be a good man, but is still punished by the universe at every turn. The film also features one of the most puzzling prologues of any film this year. It’s the Coen Brothers’ modern-day “Barton Fink,” an odd but wonderful puzzle that likely will be studied for ages.
7. “Bright Star”
Jane Campion returns to her element — the romance period piece — with stunning results. Abbie Cornish has always been good, but here she’s commanding and outstanding — she carries this lovely film (the cinematography, music and general aesthetics are exquisitely crafted). However, its greatest strength is its delicate carefulness, as if you can feel porcelain fingers move and eyelashes flutter. Campion conveys the butterflies flush of emotion in your stomach and the crestfallen rush of heartache devastatingly.
6. “The Hurt Locker”
Kathryn Bigelow‘s ‘Hurt Locker’ is a kind of reverse action film. While heart-pounding detonations go off and shots are fired, this film, set during the conflict in Iraq, is actually more powerful for the action that doesn’t happen. Defusing bombs is the name of the game for enlisted adrenaline junkies who get off on handling live wires — damn if there has been an “action film” this tense, riveting and intelligent in years. Bigelow excels in setting pulses racing when seemingly nothing is happening. Case in point? Jeremy Renner‘s paralysis in a grocery store, overwhelmed by the choice of cereals in the real world, is one of the most breathtaking scenes in the film. Living with a job where every day might be his last, he’ll never be the same.