Geeks love to champion films but it seems that this year, they either stayed away or couldn’t convince anyone other than their Internet friends to go to the movies. “Kick-Ass” and “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World” failed to set the box office on fire, but perhaps most deserving of mainstream appreciation and fanboy admiration, Matt Reeves‘ “Let Me In” was unfairly and unfortunately overlooked when it hit theaters last month.
As much as his taste can be dubious — in past years the author has listed the likes of “Death Race,” “Lakeview Terrace,” “The Ruins” and “The Last House on the Left” as his favorites — Stephen King gets applause from us this year for topping his best of 2010 movies list with “Let Me In,” a move we hope will get the film the exposure it needs. The remake of Tomas Alfredson‘s cult hit “Let The Right One In,” is arguably even better, delivering a more realized world, strong performances from both Kodi Smit-McPhee and Chloe Moretz and solid special effects. Reeves nailed the tone and tenor the film required, while delivering a film that is more emotionally satisfying and rich than its predecessor. Oh yeah, and the score by Michael Giacchino is ace. In fact, don’t be surprised to find it on our list of the best flicks of year when we get ours out later next month.
Anyway, check out the rest of King’s list after the jump. It’s not entirely terrible, just don’t expect anything resembling arthouse fare. And this might be the only place you’ll find the ridiculous “Takers” on any year end lists. [EW print edition via /Film]
10. Green Zone – “one Iraq war movie that puts story and suspense above shrill outrage.”
9. Jackass 3D
8. Monsters
7. Splice
6. Kick-Ass
5. Takers – “This satisfyingly complex cops-’n’-robbers movie features great performances … and the armored-car heist is the best action sequence I’ve seen this year.”
4. The Social Network – “succeeds where Michael Douglas; Wall Street sequel fails.”
3. Inception
2. The Town – “Bad title, fantastic movie. … a strangely intimate film”
1. Let Me In