The film slate for 2010 didn’t look as promising as 2009 coming into the year.  Somehow, it turned out even more disappointing than expected as for every diamond in the rough there were five films that could barely pass the test of mediocrity.  Fortunately for us, those very rare films that would be list-toppers in *any* year also happen to have a handful of new classics and even masterpieces among them.

The following is not just a top ten list but a collection of films from 2010 that defined what makes going to the theater such an awe-inspiring experience.  From filmmakers at the top of their craft to actors blossoming into veterans, these are the ten films of the year that remind us why movie theaters are sanctuaries of entertainment.  For the purpose of organization, each film will be numbered but quite a few are just as memorable and relevant as the next…

10. Unstoppable
The inclusion of Tony Scott’s (Ridley’s brother) newest film on this list is still a surprise even to me.  Its not going to win any awards or be remembered for a commentary on the human condition, but it certainly was the best popcorn flick of the year.  Loosely based on a true story, Unstoppable was pushed with a marketing campaign and title that looked and sounded like another bland action film.  I was among the many who underestimated the film, though.  Denzel Washington and Chris Pine (Star Trek) light up the screen trading verbal spars while Scott directs with practical (non-CG) visual effects and an unabashed sense of fun.  It’s the kind of mindless action that would make even Michael Bay jealous.

9. 127 Hours
Director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 28 Days Later, Trainspotting) ambitiously took on the true story of Aron Ralston, a thrill-seeking enthusiast that spent five days stuck, literally, between a rock and a hard place.  James Franco delivers a career-changing performance as the real life climber by carrying the film solo for over an hour with unrestricted intensity.  Grin and bear the desperate situation, followed by the gruesome climax, and Boyle and Franco reward you with one of the most uplifting endings of the year.

8. How to Train Your Dragon
The first of two computer animated films on the list, Dragon further proved that DreamWorks can write heartfelt stories that appeal to both kids and adults alike.  With animation more organic and larger in scope than anything the studio has done yet, the story of Hiccup and Toothless is not only fun and engaging but emotionally resonant.

7. The Town
Until a few years ago and his successful directorial debut with Gone Baby Gone, many were wondering what happened to Ben Affleck.  Little did anyone know that he was brewing up something as powerful as The Town. As its director, star, and writer, Affleck delivered the best crime thriller since The Departed and one of the best of the last decade.  Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) and Jon Hamm (TV’s Mad Men) stand out among an excellent ensemble cast.

6. Toy Story 3
It wouldn’t be a year-end list without a Pixar film, and 2010 is no exception.  With a script that made adults shed a few tears and the playful, comic tone of the first two films, Toy Story 3 dignified itself as the rare second sequel that bested its predecessors.  It also showed more heart and embrace of the effects of the passage of time than most films with real live people can ever hope to.

5. The Fighter
Yet another film based on a true story: this one of boxer “Irish” Mickey Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and the relationship with his brother, Dicky Ecklund (Christian Bale), who helped him train before going pro in the 1980s.  Featuring an excellent supporting cast (Amy Adams, Melissa Leo), The Fighter‘s ability to captivate and entertain makes it perhaps the most satisfying boxing film since Rocky.  If that weren’t enough, Bale steals every scene.  Thirty seconds into the film, you won’t see Bruce Wayne…just an actor at the top of his game, disappearing into what deserves to be the role that finally gives him an Oscar.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I
While never quite regarded on the highest level, the Potter films have still entertained and captured the spirit of the books more than should have been possible.  Even still, director David Yates finally found his footing (partially helped by the wise decision to split the final book into two films) with this first part of the finale.  By far the most moving, desperate, and darkest Potter film to date, Hallows: Part I offers the ideal character-driven setup for the grand finale while succeeding on technical and emotional levels that almost make it look like part of a completely different franchise.

3. The King’s Speech
The true story of King George VI, portrayed brilliantly by Colin Firth, and the speech impediment that plagued his life as a public speaker couldn’t have been more charmingly told.  Geoffrey Rush gives one of the best performances of his career as eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue.  The relationship between the two traverses between touching and comical as the two lead actors carry this stylish period drama toward a crowd-pleasing end.  Watch for Firth to be taking home an Oscar.

The Elite Two…

There’s no way in good conscience that I can separate either of the final two films as each are deserving of the top spot for very different reasons.  That said, the hands-down two greatest films of 2010 and two instant classics:

The Social Network
There’s no simple way to say it: The Social Network is the closest thing to Citizen Kane since…well, Citizen Kane.  Director David Fincher (Fight Club, Se7en, Zodiac, Benjamin Button) took on the task of telling the modern tale of the creation of Facebook when, on paper, it sounded almost impossible to turn into an engaging film.  That was before screenwriter Aaron Sorkin was given the proverbial paper.  Combined with Fincher’s incredible attention to aesthetics and mood, Sorkin’s script offered the sharpest, wittiest dialogue any film has given us in years.  A very likely Best Picture-winner, this tale of Mark Zuckerberg and his creation will forever be a perfect time capsule of our generation in its representation of how we continue to shape modern culture.

Inception
If you saw it, then you’re still talking about it…and that’s just one of many reasons it belongs at the top of this list.  Director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight, Memento, The Prestige) had been crafting this original mind-bender for over a decade when, following the mega-success of a certain comic book film in 2008, he was finally afforded the chance to turn it into a reality.  With an original script that challenges and rewards viewers, visuals that rely on epic practicality instead of CGI misuse, music that lives up to the grand scale of the story, and a cast of actors (led by the always-reliable Leonardo DiCaprio) that brings to life every detail of Nolan’s vision, Inception is the pièce de résistance in original, character-driven blockbuster filmmaking.  Whether this cinematic symphony is Nolan’s career masterpiece remains to be seen, but it could just as well be.