Top 20 Most Influential People of 2010

 

20.) Olivia Wilde –

          Movie/Show: Tron: Legacy

Why: Because she’s so fun and funny and she manages to look awesome while sporting an asymmetrical hairstyle.  She made her Tron character, Quorra, strong but still innocent.  She plays one of the most hated characters on House but still keeps an awesome attitude. I’m so happy that she’s proving all the haters wrong by becoming a star.

         

19.) Gina Bellman-

          Movie/Show: Leverage

            Why: Because she’s over 40 and gorgeous and doesn’t have to dress like a slut to prove it *coughLisaEdelsteincough* Because she gets to play a con artist.  Because her Leverage character, Sophie, lies and fools everyone for a living.  That fills me with so much hope for female characters, I can’t even say.  Sophie is strong, intelligent, and fun loving.  She’s nurturing without being overly being smothering or stereotypical about it.  We need more characters like her on television.

18.) Sam Rockwell-

          Movie/Show: Moon

            Why: Because I never gave this man a second thought until I was blown away by Moon.  That was one of the most beautiful performances in one of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen.  It’s a crime that he was overlooked at Oscar time.  He’ll make that movie stay with me for a long time.  I now know that he’s an actor to keep an eye on.

17.) Helen Mirren-

          Movie/Show: RED

            Why: Because she handled a lot of big guns in RED.  She kicked so much butt in that movie that it’s ridiculous.  She had nearly every fist pumping moment in that movie.  Here’s a woman in her mid sixties starring in an action movie and stealing every scene she was in.  If that’s not talent than I don’t know what is.

16.) Arthur Darvill-

          Movie/Show: Doctor Who

          Why: Basically, for being what Jack and Mickey couldn’t be; a successful, fulltime male companion to the Doctor.  For not settling for being second best.  For actually getting the girl instead of playing back up to the Doctor.  Arthur’s character, Rory is sweet, smart, and incredibly loyal.  He waited for Amy for 2,000 years.  What guy can say that?  He’s going to get to play one half of the first ever married couple of the TARDIS and I can’t wait.

15.) Freema Agyeman-

          Movie/Show: Doctor Who, Law and Order: UK

            Why: On Doctor Who, she played my favorite companion, Martha Jones.  Martha was pragmatic and stronger than she was ever given credit for.  When she saved the world, she did it on her own, using her brains.  She wasn’t given superpowers to do it like Rose and Donna were.  Martha deserves more love than she gets.  At least on Law and Order: UK, people freaking appreciate her.  Freema just has the bubbliest personality and she always seems so happy and energetic.  She’s like a ray of sunshine.  I hope she continues to get good roles because I guarantee that I’ll happily follow her career wherever it goes.

14.) Kyle MacLachlan –

          Movie/Show: Twin Peaks

            Why: Because, frankly, Agent Cooper is one of the greatest television characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching.  By looks alone, I figured stereotypical FBI agent, cynical, stoic, cold, is going to hate being in this town.  What did I get instead?  A happy, friendly, open to believe anything guy who loved the town and the people in it.  MacLachlan made the show for me.  He put it on another level.  He’s not all that terrible looking either.

13.) Billie Piper-

          Movie/Show: Doctor Who, Secret Diary of a Call Girl

            Why: On paper, Rose Tyler is a pretty vile character.  She’s selfish and treats her family like garbage.  She walks around believing that she’s the most important girl in the universe (and the Doctor’s more than happy to indulge that belief).  She’s jealous of any woman who so much as looks at the Doctor.  Luckily, Billie Piper played her and she brought a charm and sweetness to Rose making it impossible for me to hate the character.  Billie went from a mediocre pop princess to a surprisingly capable actress.  I love her even more on Secret Diary of a Call Girl because she’s carrying the show there.  Other characters flit in an out but you’re with her character completely, inside her head.  Billie plays the drama as well as the humor with a dignity she seems to always carry with her even when she was singing Honey to the Bee.

12.) John Barrowman-

          Movie/Show: Doctor Who, Torchwood

            Why: Because another year has gone by and he’s still my hero.  He is unashamedly himself no matter what.  He makes me want to be like him.  He has a passion for life that I’ve never felt.  He loves his career, he loves his family, and he loves his partner.  He has worked very hard to get where he is.  Best of all, he is always incredibly gracious to his fans.  He knows that we love him and he loves us right back.  Plus, he’s the hottest man on the planet.  True story.

11.) Alex Kingston-

          Movie/Show: Doctor Who

            Why: Because I hated the character of River Song in series 4 and Alex went and turned her into one of my favorite female characters of all time in series 5.  River is just about the flirtiest flirt who ever flirted.  She would do anything for the Doctor and she clearly enjoys knowing something he doesn’t know.  I can actually take River seriously as a love interest for the Doctor.  That’s something I was never able to buy with Rose who was just a silly little child.  She’s so mysterious as well.  Who is River Song?  I can’t wait to find out.

10.) Emma Stone-

          Movie/Show: Easy A

            Why: For being the surprise of the year.  I’d seen her before but she was never given the chance to shine like she was in Easy A.  She was funny.  She’s a young woman who is pretty and funny.  Who would have thought that was possible?  It’s rare that a woman gets to be both and pull it off in Hollywood.  She proved to me that she’s star material.  I’m excited to see what comes next for her.

9.) Carey Mulligan-

          Movie/Show: Doctor Who, An Education, Never Let Me Go, Wall Street Two

            Why: So Sally Sparrow became an Oscar nominated star.  That’s amazing.  It was over a year ago when I just knew Carey Mulligan as Sally Sparrow from one of the greatest Doctor Who episodes of the new series.  Now look at her go.  She’s become a much respected young actress and she’s getting fantastic roles to really show off her talent.  It’s always a good thing when a Doctor Who actor hits it big and as of now, she’s the biggest success story they’ve got.

8.) Matt Smith-

          Movie/Show: Doctor Who

            Why: Because he took on a daunting task.  He took over the role of the Doctor from David Tennant.  You’ve gotta be pretty brave to try that.  What’s more, he did a great job.  His Doctor has been the best thing about series 5.  Smith is the youngest actor to ever play the role but really seems the most like a very old man trapped in a young body.  His Doctor is a total nerd and captures the manic energy in a different way than both Tennant and Eccleston.  I can’t credit him enough with making the last series worthwhile and letting me keep my love for the show and the character.

7.) Dwight Schultz –

          Movie/Show: The A-Team

            Why: Because I discovered The A-Team this year and he’s by far the best part of the original show.  He was so funny on that show.  The man is extremely talented and it’s a shame that he didn’t have bigger career.  Obviously, he had comedy down.  But Fat Man and Little Boy showed me that he could play straight drama just as well.  Schultz made me hate Oppenheimer and love Murdock.  I don’t know how the others could keep up with him on The A-Team, especially Mr. T (that’s not a shot at Mr. T…okay yes it is).  The more Murdock was in an episode, the better the episode was.  Simple as that.

6.) Dirk Benedict-

          Movie/Show: The A-Team, Battlestar Galactica

            Why: Okay, truth be told, I have mixed feelings toward the man.  He comes across as pretty sexist and occasionally douchey.  But, the man cured himself of cancer by changing his diet.  No surgery or medicine, he just trusted himself.  That’s pretty amazing.  He’s led a fascinating life, whether I agree with his opinions or not.  He raised his two kids on his own and I admire a man who is willing to do that.  Plus, onscreen, he was ridiculously charming and handsome.  Jeez, was he hot back in the day. 

5.) Jessica Biel-

          Movie/Show: The A-Team

            Why: Because she played the token female in an action movie but she did it with dignity.  She was more than the love interest.  The only time she even kissed the leading man was a plot point and not purely a romantic thing.  She was one step behind the guys the whole time.  She had her own lackeys for crying out loud.  She was driven and ambitious.  She didn’t take crap from anyone.  As my sister put it, “she’s scary.”  But, I don’t think she crosses the line into just being a rigid bitch as often happens in these movies.  She has every reason to be mad given her situation.  I usually hate anyone who is not automatically on my favorite character’s side but I like her.  She makes me want to be tougher.  Plus, how many former 7^th Heaven stars can say that they still get regular, high profile work?  Yeah, that’s what I thought.

4.) Bradley Cooper-

          Movie/Show: The A-Team

            Why: Because for some reason I didn’t fall for this guy in The Hangover but it suddenly clicked with The A-Team.  Maybe it was because he was kind enough to walk around with his shirt off for a while during it.  He’s so nice and genuine in interviews.  He’s a big movie geek too, which is always a plus.  He’s funny, he’s sexy, and he’s charismatic.  He needs to do more action movies because he definitely has it in him.  But, he should also keep doing comedy because he’s too good at it to give it up.  He also needs to keep his hair long.

3.) Edgar Wright-

          Movie/Show: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

            Why: This guy is the only non actor on my list.  He’s a writer and director and he had to be included.  I wish he would make more movies than he does because he is one of the most meticulous directors around.  There is so much detail in his work.  He obviously cares about what he’s doing and has a passion for it.  I have to watch his movies several times to catch new details each time.  I’m sure I still haven’t spotted them all.  He’s a genius and he’s tragically underrated.

2.) Melinda Culea-

          Movie/Show: The A-Team

            Why: Oh, this woman.  She just got a crappy deal.  She was phased out of the show in early season two due to a persistent and misogynistic George Peppard (I hate him).  As Amy Allen, she was a surprisingly talented actress.  She brought weight to the show and to the character.  She did have good chemistry with Schultz and Benedict and there was so much potential in her character.  I hate that it was never realized.  They could have done things with the character of Amy.  Instead, more often than not, she was in the background.  Still, when she was allowed to shine, she really did.  She had more going on as a character than it appeared.  She could be manipulative.  She may have been soft spoken but she was extremely determined and she went after what she wanted and made no apologies for it.  She had a blast getting in on the action with the guys (on the rare occasions she was allowed to).  I love the character for all of that and I love the actress for trying in an impossible work situation.

1.)  Sharlto Copley-

          Movie/Show: The A-Team, District 9

            Why: I am endlessly fascinated by this man.  He’s so wacky but clearly very smart.  What amazes me is that he didn’t start out as an actor.  He was a successful behind the scenes man.  He ran his own business.  He was a producer among many other things.  He fell into stardom almost by accident.  When his friend Neill Blomkamp made District 9, Copley was only supposed to produce but Blomkamp eventually decided that he wanted him to play the lead.  For someone who was not a professional actor, he completely carried that movie.  And that movie was wonderful.  Copley’s story is so unique and I wish him nothing but continued success in this new chapter in his life.  Also, he’s hot and I’m shallow.  What?

 

Top Ten Films of 2010

Possible Spoilers ahead.  You have been warned.

#10.)  Love and Other Drugs

            I am not a fan of romcoms.  I can probably count the ones I actually enjoy on one hand.  But, I like Jake Gyllenhaal and I like Anne Hathaway so I thought I’d give this one a chance.  I’m glad I did.  This is a romantic comedy that actually remembers the comedy part of the genre.  This is a romantic comedy that stars two actors who have talent.  Love and Other Drugs is about a young drug rep named Jamie Randall who falls in love with Maggie Murdock, a woman struggling with early onset Parkinson’s.  The two leads have great chemistry and are one of the more believable onscreen pairings that I’ve seen in this type of movie.  The supporting cast, particularly Josh Gad, provide a lot of laughs and the elements of drama and comedy blend very well here.  Plus, as a child of the 90’s, I was happy that the movie was set in the mid 90’s.  Loved that soundtrack.  It was a blast from the past.

# 9.) Shutter Island

            Creepy, atmospheric, and haunting.  Shutter Island is about a Federal Marshall named Teddy Daniels who goes (along with his new partner) to Shutter Island where a woman went missing from an insane asylum.  This is one of those movies that try to make you feel like you’re the one going crazy.  Bizarre editing makes you question if you’re sure you really just saw what you think you just saw.  This film has a brilliant cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, and Michelle Williams (who is just freaking scary in this).  There are quite a few twists and turns in this, even so, the ending is not totally unpredictable, but still somehow works, probably due to how strong the actors are.  This film was originally set to be released in September of 2009, but for some reason was pushed back to February 2010.  Thus, making it a nice addition to my list

# 8.) Frozen

            This film has a very simple premise.  Three young people get stuck on a ski lift as the mountain shuts down for the entire week.  I wasn’t sure they could drag that out for an hour and a half and keep the suspense but they do.  Parts of it were difficult to watch.  For instance, at one point one of the characters breaks their legs (and by breaks, I mean shatters) and watching him try to move himself forward at all was horrible.  The characters are likeable and honestly, there isn’t much that they could have done in their situation and I feel that they made the best decisions that they could under the circumstances.  Also, I’m never going skiing again.

# 7.) Daybreakers

            There are so many vampire movies out there today that it’s difficult to come up with an original or at least originalish story for them.  Daybreakers features a world where humans are the minority after a vampire virus has infected most of the human population.  With more and more vampires and less and less people, the vampires are desperately trying to find a solution for the blood shortage crisis that’s getting worse and worse.  Ethan Hawke stars as Edward (really?  They went with the name Edward?), a vampire filled with self-loathing.  He meets a group of people who think they are on the verge of a cure for vampirism.  This movie isn’t scary but man, is it gory.  It’s cool to see what a vampire run world would look like and it remembers not to take itself too seriously.  It’s nice to find something a bit more original these days when everyone is jumping on the vampire bandwagon.

# 6.) Red

            Who in the world would pass up the opportunity to watch Helen Mirren fire a machine gun?  This movie was just insanely good fun.  About a group of former CIA agents who are now being hunted down.  Every character has enough to them to make the world seem real and full.  I particularly enjoyed Brian Cox and John Malkovich.  They provided most of the laughs for me.  And I’m always appreciative of the sexy Karl Urban.  I feel like the plot itself was not all that exciting, but all the actions scenes were well choreographed.  I never would have thought of using a gun to bat a grenade away from me.  But then, I guess that’s why I’m not with the CIA, or a screenwriter.

# 5.) Inception

            The big blockbuster of the summer.  And for good reason.  This is a rich and engaging story and is easily one of the stand outs of the year.  It’s about a group of people who break into people’s dreams and steal information from them.  This is another Leonardo DiCaprio led film and also another one where he’s being haunted by his dead wife.  Oh well, the rest is amazing enough to overlook that one superficial similarity to Shutter Island.  Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Dileep Rao, and Cillian Murphy make up most of the supporting cast.  What I love about this movie is that there really is no villain.  The team has a target but even he is not really a bad guy.  The only villain is merely a product of Cobb’s (Leo DiCaprio) mind.  If I have one complaint, it’s that the dream worlds were a little too organized and normal.  It wasn’t quite surreal enough for me (despite the anti-gravity scene).  Still, this is one that stays with me.

# 4.) Easy A

          By far the best teen comedy I’ve seen since Mean Girls.  A teenage girl named Olive becomes the focus of all the school gossip when someone overhears her telling her best friend that she lost her virginity.  Unfortunately, Olive was lying to her friend.  After a male friend begs her to act like she slept with him, all the guys start making deals with Olive for the same treatment.  This is the first time I’ve really been impressed by Emma Stone.  That girl is so charming and funny and effortlessly carries this movie.  I didn’t know she had it in her.  Her family (mother, father, younger brother) is a huge source of comedy in this.  Her parents are played by Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson.  It’s so refreshing to me to see a teenager in a film actually get along with her parents, joking around with them, and just generally having a good relationship with them.  Not all teens constantly fight with their parents.  Amanda Bynes plays a character I never pictured her as.  Thomas Haden Church plays Olive’s favorite teacher and he has some great delivery.  I went into this movie with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was.  It’s a hilarious movie that everyone should check out.

# 3.) The Social Network

            The story behind Facebook.  I never would have thought it would have been such a dramatic one.  It almost makes me ashamed to be on Facebook, because frankly, if this movie is accurate, Mark Zuckerberg is a jerk.  Mark (Jesse Eisenberg) gets this idea for Facebook (and by gets, I mean steals) and gets his best friend Eduardo, played by Andrew Garfield, to finance it.  Unfortunately, Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) gets involved and easily manipulates Mark.  The film is told in flashbacks as Mark faces two lawsuits.  The script is nearly flawless.  This is not a short movie but not once did I wonder what time it was or when it would be over.  I was captivated the entire time.  Mark is an incredibly difficult character to like.  He simply doesn’t seem to understand that human’s have feelings.  He doesn’t understand why the things he does hurt the people around him.  All my sympathies were firmly with Eduardo and Garfield did a great job playing a guy trying desperately to stay afloat and keep what he rightfully deserves.  I was also impressed with Timberlake, even though Sean is even more unlikeable than Mark because he is calculating and deliberately cruel.  Frustrating and thoroughly fascinating.  This movie has to be seen by everyone.  It’s too good to be overlooked.

# 2.) The A-Team

            I wrestled and wrestled and wrestled with where to place this movie on my list.  Objectively, it’s a pretty average movie.  I know that.  I know it has problems.  I know that The Social Network is a better made movie than this.  However, in terms of which movie has personally touched my life the most, this one wins out.  Since seeing it back in June, I have sought out the original show and fell in love with it.  That led me to watching many other things starring the actors of the show and the movie, the original Battlestar Galactica, District 9, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Rocky III (yes, I actually willingly watched a Rocky movie.  I’m so ashamed).  I’ve bought posters, books, and action figures.  I’ve made fanvids, I’ve written fanfic and I’ve obsessively counted the days until the movie comes to DVD.  Because I adore the characters of Hannibal, Face, BA, and Murdock so much in any way, shape, or form, this movie took the number 2 spot.  This is an origin story for the team.  It is about their original arrest and trial and how they came to be on the run.  The actors clearly had a lot of fun with it and the four leads are a joy to watch.  In addition to them, Jessica Biel and Patrick Wilson deserve a mention to for adding to the film.  The action is over the top and the whole thing is ridiculous fun.  Watch the flying tank scene and you’ll see what I mean.

# 1.) Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

            Edgar Wright is officially my favorite director.  What I love about him is that it is obvious from his films how much he actually cares.  There is so much detail and thought put into his movies that I feel his soul in everything he makes.  I don’t often feel like that about a director.  Like his other films, this one has a large group of characters and they’re all so distinct that the whole world he’s created feels real.  Even characters with only a couple of scenes feel fleshed out.  There are so many characters I love in this.  Scott’s fake high school girlfriend, Knives, his band mates, Stephen, Kim, and Young Neil, his roommate, Wallace, his sister, Stacy, and  his enemy, Julie.  I could go on, but I won’t.  This is the most unique film I’ve seen all year.  I initially didn’t want to see it because I’m tired of Michael Cera but once I found out Wright was directing, I was sold.  The story is about Scott Pilgrim who has his heart set on the new girl in town, Ramona Flowers.  Unfortunately, in order to be with her, he has to defeat her seven evil exes.  The first fight scene is a little jarring because it’s so over the top and out of this world but once you learn to go with it, the whole thing is one great ride.  The use of music in this was very impressive.  I don’t recall music being that big a part of Wright’s previous films, and he did a great job making it fit here.  Chris Evans, Brandon Routh, and Jason Schwartzman play a few of Ramona’s exes and each ex (though most of them only get a scene or two) are memorable and must be defeated in a different way.  This movie is not for everyone.  Not everyone will get it but if you get it, you’ll love it.

Let The Right One In

In today’s take on vampires, it can be hard to remember that vampires are supposed to be monsters.  It can be hard to remember that they are supposed to be threatening and dangerous.  It can be hard to remember that they are supposed to feed on human blood. 

            Let the Right One In is like a breath of fresh air in reminding us that these creatures of the night are killers.  On the surface, Let the Right On In is similar to Twilight. A young, ordinary person intrigues a mysterious vampire and slowly they fall in love.  However, Let the Right One In is a much darker look at the world and the people in it.  It deals with issues such as bullying and pedophilia.  It is very violent and does not hold back in its portrayal of murder.  Yet somehow in the midst of all this horror, it finds away to be a touching love story, in a really twisted way.  That’s what I love about this movie.  Because the world can be a horrible place, but you can still find genuine love in it.

            Let the Right One In is about a 12 year old boy named Oskar.  He is regularly bullied at school and dreams of getting revenge on his tormentors but he does not have the courage to go through with it.  Soon, Eli moves in next door with her adult caretaker.  The two strike up a friendship that blossoms into something more.  Eli encourages Oskar to fight back and Oskar shows Eli how to just enjoy someone’s company.  As time goes by, Oskar discovers that Eli is not the girl he thought she was.

I understand the romanticism of vampires.  I am a huge fan of Buffy and Angel.  This movie itself is a love story.  It’s just that I feel that vampires are getting too tame.  Like dogs instead of wolves.  Eli, despite her love for Oskar, is still a monster.  She will kill to survive and there are several points in the film where she truly looks like an animal. 

I like the fact that it is a story on a small scale too.  It does not get deep into the mythology of vampires or any other supernatural beings.  It really does not go into Eli’s back story either.  These things are not really relevant to the story about two people finding each other and loving each other through all obstacles.  This is a story about the world that they wrap themselves up in.  This is about Eli trying to eat real food because Oskar wants her to.  This is about Oskar giving Eli his Rubik’s cube.  This is about children living in a horrific world. 

            After researching the film and the book, there are a few things that I wish the director (Tomas Alfredson) had been clearer on.  There were a few things in the film that I never understood until I went and read what their purpose was.  This ranged from who certain characters were to what certain shots were supposed to mean.  I will not get into the specifics because I do not want to spoil anything important.  Much of the film is open to interpretation.  And this review is simply my interpretation.

            Its flaws aside, as far as vampire films go, this one ranks pretty near the top.  There is something so eerie about the whole thing.  I got the sense that even before Eli showed up; Oskar already lived in an unsafe world.  The bullies constantly harassing him, his seemingly disinterested parents, and the way the film was almost always surrounded by darkness and a sense of unrest.  For children so young, the two leads (Kare Hedebrant as Oskar and Lina Leandersson as Eli) do a remarkable job carrying a pretty adult story.  I highly recommend this one