The best and worst movie moments of 2010

In theaters today: Another Year [limited], Blue Valentine [limited]

New on DVD/Blu-ray: The American, And Soon the Darkness, Resident Evil: Afterlife

With all its flaws and triumphs, the year in movies came to a close last week. As awards contenders like The King’s Speech and Blue Valentine seep into middle America through slowly-widening distribution, and we continue the long slow slog to the Oscars on Feb. 27, here are 10 movie moments and highs and lows of 2010.

The best talking back to your elders moment

In The Social Network, Jesse Eisenberg’s Mark Zuckerberg uses an opposing attorney’s “Do I have your attention?” volley to eviscerate him while boasting of Facebook’s superiority to any website his clients could have ever developed without him.

Best faux documentary moment

When Exit Through the Gift Shop, the gonzo “documentary” about illusive and world-famous street artist Banksy, turns from the curious quest of a young artist to meet Banksy to Banksy himself manipulating the young acolyte.

Worst rumor that gave me nightmares

Eddie Murphy as the Riddler.

Most overrated performance

Ben Stiller in Greenberg. It was a dulled, moping turn for the comedic star who tries and fails to pull off Larry David’s sardonic wit. I wish we had been given a version of this film with the originally intended cast of Mark Ruffalo and Amy Adams.

Biggest rug-puller moment

Inception director Christopher Nolan for cutting to the credits just as that spinning top began to wobble…or did it?

Busiest bee

James Franco. What didn’t the 32-year-old actor do in 2010? He completed or advanced at least four separate graduate degrees, carried the critically lauded 127 Hours and Howl, co-starred in Date Night, Eat Pray Love and William Vincent, and directed several short films of his own. To top off a whirlwind 12-month stretch, he will co-host the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony.

Best popcorn flick that your film snob friends will chide you for enjoying

Tony Scott’s lean runaway train thriller Unstoppable is no deep thinker, just a solid and inventive All-American action movie.

Worst accents

Jeff Bridges and Josh Brolin in True Grit. The film is a fun ride, but Bridges’ Wilford Brimley-with-a-mouthful-of-gravel voice should have been left by the wayside. If the Coens wanted Brolin to sound just like Raising Arizona manhunter “Tex” Cobb, they should have cast “Tex” Cobb.

Best film of 2010 that won’t make an impact in America until 2011

Animal Kingdom. This Australian crime drama follows a 17-year-old as he enters the family business, a matriarch-run armed robbery and drug ring. The film introduces us to the talented Luke Ford and give us more of the underrated Guy Pearce—always a good thing.

The stick-with it moment

The release of The Fighter, a film Mark Wahlberg produced and shepherded through years of development hell and casting and director changes. The movie ought to earn Christian Bale his first Oscar and signal the return of director David O. Russell on top of giving Wahlberg the defining role of his career.