Ten to See: The Social Network Edition

As you hopefully know, last year's best movie, The Social Network, is out on DVD today, just in time for the Golden Globes (where I'm predicting it will win, though The King's Speech could certainly pull an upset).  I'm excited to revisit the film again and revel in the brilliance of the various components; thus, today's Ten to See focuses on the people who made 2010's standout picture the modern marvel it is.

David Fincher
Zodiac - Fincher's Se7en is the crime thriller the director is most known for, but this 2007 tale starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo is every bit as compelling and has accumulated a cult following since its release.  Like Se7en, this murder mystery plays like a labyrinthine riddle with plenty of grisly twists and turns.  Plus, it marks the start of Robert Downey Jr.'s triumphant return to superstardom.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Too often dismissed as overlong, sentimental Oscar bait, Fincher's dreamy take on the F. Scott Fitzgerald short story takes its source material and uses it to leap far beyond the page.  A simple tale becomes a globe-trotting journey to find love with the beautiful (if slightly wooden) Daisy, played by Cate Blanchett.  The film employs gorgeous visuals, one of Brad Pitt's finest performances, and a great score by Alexandre Desplat to create a wholly magical experience that is grounded in our reality even as it feels subtly larger than life.

Aaron Sorkin

Charlie Wilson's War - Sorkin's screenplay is my favorite part of The Social Network, but it's not the first great screenplay the immensely talented writer has turned out.  Charlie Wilson's War didn't get the credit it deserved despite its A-list cast, including heavy-hitting stars of yesteryear Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.  It's an interesting story that is well-told by Sorkin, and the film features one of Philip Seymour Hoffman's best performances to date.

Jesse Eisenberg
Adventureland - This charming look at summer teenage lovin' at an amusement park served as a semi-breakthrough role for Eisenberg, who came off as a cooler Michael Cera but proved to be so much more.  His chemistry with Kristen Stewart (who shows that she isn't always horribly awkward) is great, and the potential hinted at here has blossomed into the soon-to-be-Oscar-nominated talent everyone loves today.

Zombieland - Another -land Eisenberg conquered, fighting zombies alongside Woody Harrelson and Emma Stone proved to be a huge commercial success for the young actor.  The goofy, gory action comedy plays like an American Shaun of the Dead without ever feeling derivative or unnecessary.  It's smart, bloody fun, and Eisenberg gets props for playing Columbus, named for my beloved city (which, according to the film, was totally wiped out by the zombie invasion).

Solitary Man - Eisenberg shared the screen with the legendary Michael Douglas in Solitary Man.  Douglas plays a car dealer who loses everything and is faced with the burden of finally growing up.  He plays a great creepy old man, and Eisenberg makes a great disciple as an awkward college student craving some confidence.


Andrew Garfield


The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus - This acid trip from the colorful mind of Terry Gilliam garnered most of its attention for being Heath Ledger's last role, but it's also significant as one of Andrew Garfield's first meaningful film appearance for American audiences.  Garfield is great as Anton, who basically gets dragged along without ever being heard, but it's the wild dreamscapes that are the film's most notable success.

Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1974 - I wasn't a fan of the entire Red Riding trilogy (poor sound quality made it nearly impossible to follow the various plot threads throughout the three films), but the first entry is a solid crime thriller, thanks in large part to Garfield's great work.  The other chapters fail to capture the mystery and polish of this first entry, but after seeing 1974, you may be unable to resist the lure of more.

I'm Here - Chances are you've never heard of this movie, and it's not surprising, as it's a short film that you can actually check out online.  In fact, the only reason it came to my attention is because of the writer/director: one of my favorites, Spike Jonze.  The film is a touching love story about two robots living in a dangerous world.  Garfield plays Sheldon, a selfless robot who donates his body parts to the wo-robot he loves as she gets into various scrapes.  It's a darling little story that you have no excuse to miss.

Rooney Mara
Youth in Revolt - Mara has a small part in this film (she auditioned for Portia Doubleday's role originally), an overlooked comedy that marked Michael Cera's return to the cool table.  While Cera essentially plays the same character he's always played, he branches out by developing a darker, disrespectful alter ego to great comedic effect.  It's a funny movie that deserves more attention than it received.