Before the 2010 wrap party ends, Gail needs to reflect on the 50 plus movies she has seen this year. Think of this list as a party favor.

Movies That Lived Up To Their Hype

These films were actually worth that ever increasing ticket price.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. It is one of my favorite films in the series. The kids are growing up.

The Social Network. This film is nearly perfect. Excellent writing, directing, acting and a compelling true story.

Avatar. Ok, it was released in the waning days of 2009, but I didn’t see it until 2010. I watched it again on HBO recently and I am glad I saw it in 3D/Imax.  I loved seeing this film in the theater.

Little Gems

These excellent films were not hyped, but deserve a big audience.

Jack Goes Boating. Great characters, great cast and a moving and funny story. Score one for Philip Seymour Hoffman and his Labyrinth Theater Company.

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. I am still thinking about this film. Even if you are not a Rivers fan, see it.

City Island. This delightful film is a must see. It is funny and moving.

An Education. Smart, interesting and based on a true story. It also has a great cast.

Much Ado About Almost Nothing

This list is much longer than I would like.  I do not understand the loud buzz surrounding these films.

Black Swan. Yes, this highly stylized thriller looks cool and has some great performances. But why the fuss?

True Grit. I like the Coen brothers too, but this western is not all that special.

Alice in Wonderland. It is too childish for adults and too adult for children. What a waste of a good cast and 3D effects. Perhaps it is time to help Tim Burton down from his pedestal?

Inception. Ok, it is exciting and fun, but instantly forgettable. No, it is not the deep life changing film some claim.

Stone. This film literally buzzed with insect sounds that made me want to hit something. Robert De Niro turning in his usual good performance does not automatically make a good film.

Guilty Pleasures

These films might not be for everyone and they may not even be good, but I really enjoyed them.

Burlesque. This film was so much fun. How can you not like Cher and Stanley Tucci?

Nine. I know. I am the only one who liked it.

Eat. Pray. Love. It had its faults, but it appealed to me.

Sex and the City 2. I will follow these women anywhere, even to Abu Dhabi.

Documentaries Can Be Fun

In this category is a great one, a good one and an uneven one, but all three are worthwhile.

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. Great.

Waiting for Superman. Good.

Babies. Uneven.

Worth Catching On Cable or DVD.

These small, good films came and went quietly, and that is a too bad

Hereafter. It may not be Eastwood’s best, but this is a good film worth watching.

Cairo Time. The pace is a little slow, but Patricia Clarkson and Alexander Siddig shine in this subtle film about affairs of the heart.

The Kids Are All Right. This may be the biggest film in the small category, but this film is funny and moving, and full of likeable characters and excellent actors.

Cyrus. I really enjoyed this sweet quirky comedy.

Greenberg. Noah Baumbach’s witty comedy grated on some, but I found it funny, compelling and moving.

Solitary Man. Michael Douglas is just terrific in a film that really worked for me.

May I Have A Clothespin For My Nose?

That these comedies are not funny is the least of their faults.

Dinner for Schmucks. Let’s just call it Movie for Schmucks. Enough said.

Grown Ups. Wouldn’t it be hilarious to get four guys who used to be on Saturday Night Live and let them be hilarious in a film? Uh, no.

Date Night. Wouldn’t it be hilarious to put Tina Fey and Steve Carell in a movie together and let them be hilarious? Uh, no.

You Again. This film is so bad that I could not bear to review it. Even worse, it should be charged with the crime of wasting female talent. The ridiculously talented Kristin Chenoweth, Betty White, Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis and Sigourney Weaver bravely squeeze what laughs they can out of this horrendous hemorrhoid.

Is Anyone Else Sick Of Steve Carell, But Not Jonah Hill?

Steve Carell had the bad taste to appear in both Dinner for Schmucks and Date Night, and makes a convincing case for Carell being overexposed and not that funny,

Jonah Hill is charming and funny in two better comedies, Cyrus and Get Him to the Greek.

Sucker for Romance

This sucker for romance laments the dearth of good rom coms in 2010. Still, I found a favorite romantic moment to keep me warm during the cold winter months of 2011.

Letters to Juliet. This chick flick is ok, but seventy somethings Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero are thrilling in supporting roles here. The real life lovers had an off and on romance for years and finally married. They met in the 1967 film of the musical Camelot, where they played star crossed lovers Guenevere and Lancelot. To see them kiss again in a film is a special thrill. If ever I would leave you indeed.

Overall, 2010 was a bit of a cinematic disappointment. Let’s hope for better in 2011. Happy New Year to all of you film lovers.  May the worst film you see in 2011 be better than the best film you saw in 2010.

Gail sees a movie appears every Wednesday.

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