Top 11 Movie Posters of 2010

While my best films of the year list is not even close to being ready as there are so many movies left I have to see, filling in the gap is a different kind of year-end list. The following are the Top 11 movie posters of the year.

11. Jack Goes Boating

The design for Philip Seymour Hoffman's directorial debut is elegant, simple and the use of blues just really looks great.

10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

It really captures the mood of the first installment to the franchise's big finish. Hermoine, Ron and Harry are all grown up now, and this tells us. They're running from something all right.

9. The King's Speech

This is a whole bunch better than any of the other posters for this movie out there. A mouth and a microphone: perfect.

8. Tiny Furniture

I love how the type for the tagline of the film is the same size as the actual title and, not only that, also comes first. Clever and fitting to the quirkiness of this small, independent film.

7. Love & Other Drugs

Two attractive leads naked together in bed? Catches your attention. And ideal for the poster as the movie is largely about two attractive leads naked together in bed.

6. The Human Centipede

Trashy as trash can be. And perfect. Obscured just enough but still able to show that, well, three people have been sewn together.

5. Somewhere

Reminiscent of the poster for Sofia Coppola's "Lost in Translation," its prominent use of background is great plus the subtle inclusion of both leads.

4. Inception

Shifting, bending, perspective-changing, a labyrinth of a poster just like the film "Inception" itself and presenting not just a select choice of leads but everyone.

3. Rabbit Hole

Beautiful. And showcasing Nicole Kidman's range of emotion, as well.

2. I Am Love

I love how the title expands across the entire poster and how the typography covers everyone's face except the woman who matters: Tilda Swinton.

1. Black Swan

Arguably the most iconic movie poster of the year. Natalie Portman's white porcelain face against a white background. Ominous with her dark eyeshadow and crooked crown. Simply awesome.

TRON: LEGACY Review

"TRON: Legacy" (2010)

The original music from Daft Punk, which magnificently combines the pounding adrenaline rush reminiscent of Hans Zimmer's scores for "Inception" and "The Dark Knight" and the techno synthesizer rhythms of the '80s, is not only the best part of "TRON: Legacy" but arguably IS "TRON: Legacy." The movie, directed by Joseph Kosinski, is a triumph in sound and visual design, a movie rightfully playing to the pleasures of the eyes and ears more than the mind.

The digital world Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) enters to find his father, Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), who disappeared inside for 20 years, is shimmering in glossy blacks lined with neon-colored lights. It's sleek, sharp and has an electronic liquid texture from the programs' suits and helmets to the path of light a zooming lifecycle leaves in its wake during an exhilarating duel. It is a world wonderfully rendered with the use of CGI and great style, and the movie is clever in the way it sucks you in.

At the movie's opening, a message appears on the screen stating how some portions of the film are deliberately presented in 2D. Now just as you might be thinking, "Well, what does that mean?" you'll know exactly when to use the 3D glasses. The opening and closing sequences take place outside the digital world. Enter the world, put your glasses on. Otherwise, leave them off. It's simple and a totally innovative way to use the technology along with a smart way to get the audience to feel like they themselves have been plugged in. The dimness of 3D is actually an advantage when viewing the digital world because blacks become darker and the neon colors pop more creating even more contrast. It works to wonderful effect.

Jeff Bridges plays two characters who are essentially the same man: one is Kevin Flynn while the other is Clu, the digital version of himself he created in order to assist him in expanding his virtual frontier. Clu, however, doesn't age and is a much younger Jeff Bridges. Seeing him is a blast from the past compared to when we're introduced to the haggard and grey Jeff Bridges we know today who we'll soon be seeing in "True Grit." The motion capture technology used to make Bridges look younger is convincing, and he's also convincing when arguing with himself.

Meanwhile, Michael Sheen shows up as a David Bowie look-alike spinning around a glowing cane and chattering madly with a stark white grin.

Now, I've gone this far without even mentioning the plot. Why? Well, it kind of sucks. It's entirely hokey with some of the most pivotal lines delivered in an equally hokey fashion. It isn't so much bad acting as it is actors dealing with such preposterousness in the only way they know how: straightforward. I have no familiarity with the original "TRON" (1982) or what this sequel means for the franchise and for Disney 28 years later.

But I know I had fun. I had fun with Daft Punk's soundtrack as the movie acted like a backdrop playing to their beat to the point where the French electronica duo makes a cameo at a futuristic nightclub. "TRON: Legacy" is completely devoted to its look and sound, but why wouldn't it be when it looks and sounds this good?

17th Annual SAG Award Nominations

The nominations for the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were announced this morning, and they stand as one of the very best predictors for the acting nominations we'll see at the Oscars. How does this list of acting nominees look against the likes of the Golden Globes and the Critics' Choice? Let's take a look.

Leading the nominees were "The King's Speech" and "The Fighter" with four each.

Outstanding Performance by a Cast went to "Black Swan," "The Fighter," "The Kids Are All Right," "The King's Speech" and "The Social Network." It's looking more and more like "The Fighter" has the strongest full cast recognition, but any of these nominees are likely to take this award.

The SAGs did not honor the two leads of "Blue Valentine" as other award nominations have, which opened up spaces for others to slide in.

Colin Firth for "The King's Speech" led the nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role followed by James Franco for "127 Hours," Jesse Eisenberg for "The Social Network," Jeff Bridges for "True Grit" and, replacing Ryan Gosling, Robert Duvall for "Get Low." This boosts the veteran's chance for an Oscar nomination for this role.

Ousting Michelle Williams in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Leading Role was Hilary Swank for "Conviction" boosting her Oscar chances. Lesley Manville for "Another Year," who has also received some notice, got skipped. With her was the expected bunch of Annette Bening for "The Kids Are All Right," Jennifer Lawrence for "Winter's Bone," Nicole Kidman for "Rabbit Hole" and Natalie Portman for "Black Swan." It is really between Portman and Bening for this one, and whoever wins here will most likely take home the Oscar, too.

Mark Ruffalo of "The Kids Are All Right" is turning into more of a lock as he again got nominated for supporting actor. Joining him in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role were Christian Bale for "The Fighter," Geoffrey Rush for "The King's Speech," Jeremy Renner for "The Town" who's gaining momentum and, lastly, the surprise of John Hawkes for "Winter's Bone" over the other likely candidate, Sam Rockwell for "Conviction." The lack of appreciation and nominations for Andrew Garfield of "The Social Network" still upsets me. His Oscar chances are now looking slim.

I'm pleased to say, though, that Mila Kunis is now officially a lock for "Black Swan" as she got nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role. Still surprising to note she is getting recognition over Barbara Hershey, but warranted praise nonetheless. Joining her was Helena Bonham Carter for "The King's Speech," Hailee Steinfeld for "True Grit," Melissa Leo for "The Fighter" and Amy Adams for "The Fighter." Jacki Weaver who has been taking the supporting actress awards by storm is absent. For the Oscars, it is really between whether she or Amy Adams will make the cut as the rest are nearly locked in.

The nominations for this year's SAG awards throw a rather hefty wrench into the suspected acting nominees--John Hawkes, Hilary Swank, Robert Duvall--while also securing a surefire lock for others--Mila Kunis, Hailee Steinfeld, Mark Ruffalo. Time will only tell who the Academy will pick.

Click here for a complete list of the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominations.

Stay tuned to find out who the winners are on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at 8 p.m. on TNT and TBS.

68th Annual Golden Globe Award Nominations

This morning the nominations for the 68th Annual Golden Globes, presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, were announced. Leading the nominees was "The King's Speech" with seven nods followed closely by "The Fighter" and "The Social Network" each with six.

The biggest surprise of the morning? "The Tourist," which not only got nominated for Best Picture Musical or Comedy but also its two stars, Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. Meanwhile, the movie just got done being panned by critics upon its release. Figure that one out.

The nominees for Best Picture Drama were "Black Swan," "The Fighter," "Inception," "The King's Speech" and "The Social Network." Notable absences included "True Grit" and "127 Hours." I guess we now understand why the Oscars bumped this category to 10. I'm picturing the HFPA awarding "The King's Speech" this one. I'm also picturing them being wrong for the Oscars again. Last year they awarded "Avatar" over "The Hurt Locker."

"The Kids Are All Right" led the nominees for Best Picture Comedy or Musical by a landslide and will without a doubt win now that it has been placed in a separate category from the other big contenders. Its fellow nominees included "Alice in Wonderland," "Burlesque," "Red" and, yes, "The Tourist." Why? To get Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp to show up to the award ceremony. In any case, I'm actually quite upset "Love & Other Drugs" got snubbed here. A worthy comedy. And what about "Easy A," the charming teen comedy starring Emma Stone? Also surprising is the absence of James L. Brook's new comedy, "How Do You Know."

Best Director nominees lined up with Best Picture Drama, and they were Darren Aronofsky for "Black Swan," David Fincher for "The Social Network," Tom Hooper for "The King's Speech," Christopher Nolan for "Inception" and David O. Russell for "The Fighter."

The nominees for Best Actor Drama were Jesse Eisenberg for "The Social Network," Colin Firth for "The King's Speech," James Franco for "127 Hours," Ryan Gosling for "Blue Valentine"--kudos to the HFPA for that one--and, yet to get much attention for his lead role, Mark Wahlberg for "The Fighter."

Best Actress Drama is perhaps one of the most interesting categories now that Annette Bening is out of the running shoved into the Best Actress Comedy category. The nominees were Halle Berry for "Frankie and Alice," Nicole Kidman for "Rabbit Hole," Jennifer Lawrence for "Winter's Bone," Natalie Portman for "Black Swan" and Michelle Williams for "Blue Valentine," another kudos to the HFPA. It's tough to say, but I'm going with Natalie Portman on this one without Bening in there.

Accompanying Annette Bening for "The Kids Are All Right" is her co-star, Julianne Moore, in the category of Best Actress Comedy. Bening will most likely win over Moore, but it's nice to see her finally getting noticed. Joining them were Anne Hathaway, who deserves the win if it weren't for Moore and Bening, Emma Stone for "Easy A," and, yes, nobody knows why but Angelina Jolie for "The Tourist."

Best Actor Comedy was a painfully lacking category this year. The nominees were Johnny Depp for not only "Alice in Wonderland" but also "The Tourist" along with Paul Giamatti for "Barney's Version," Kevin Spacey for "Casino Jack" and Jake Gyllenhaal for "Love & Other Drugs." Honestly, I don't care who wins here.

Joining frontrunner Christian Bale for "The Fighter" in the category of Best Supporting Actor were Michael Douglas for "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps," Andrew Garfield for "The Social Network," Jeremy Renner for "The Town" and Geoffrey Rush for "The King's Speech."

Mila Kunis is getting some real steam as she was nominated again for Best Supporting Actress for "Black Swan." Surprising, really, that she is getting noticed over Barbara Hershey. In any case, it's well deserved. Joining her was Amy Adams for "The Fighter," Helena Bonham Carter for "The King's Speech," Melissa Leo for "The Fighter" and frontrunner Jacki Weaver for "Animal Kingdom" who has already been winning this one in the award circuits.

Without the division of Original and Adapted, there's tough competition in Best Screenplay with Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy for "127 Hours," Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg for "The Kids Are All Right," Christopher Nolan for "Inception," David Seidler for "The King's Speech" and Aaron Sorkin for "The Social Network" all in the running. Sorkin has got this one locked.

It's surprising to note "True Grit" got shut out entirely, even Jeff Bridges. Apart from that, and the travesty of "The Tourist" making its way into the rankings, these nominees are becoming pretty standard. Again, I predict the HFPA is going to award the most to "The King's Speech" including Colin Firth for Best Actor along with the top prize of Best Picture. Curious to note, too, that the HFPA awarded all four actors of "The Fighter" with a nomination. Usually Wahlberg or Adams get left behind.

As the trend has become, the Critics' Choice Awards are now more of an indication of what the Oscars will look like. And for good reason. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association really is a mixed bag. Popularity or quality? You tell me.

Click here for an entire list of the 68th Annual Golden Globe nominations.

And find out who wins on Sunday, January 16, 2011 at 8 p.m. on NBC!