Top 10 New Orleans films of 2010

Top 10 New Orleans films of 2010
December 27, 2010
By Mike Scott
The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com

On Friday (Dec. 31), I'll close out 2010 by releasing my list of the top 10 films of the year. Just to whet your appetite, until then I've been releasing a list of other lists -- with one landing each day -- in a variety of categories.

Yesterday, I released my list of my 10 favorite documentaries of 2010.
Today, I turn my attention to the year's best New Orleans films.
Is your favorite film on the list? Add you two-cents in the comments section below.
TOP 10 NEW ORLEANS FILMS OF 2010
10. "The Expendables" Big. Fiery. Stallone.
9. "Cigarettes and Nylons." Chances are you missed this locally shot little drama -- mostly because it was made for French TV. It played at the New Orleans Film Festival, however, and for a short while at the Chalmette Movies. C'est bon.
8. "Secretariat" Disney's Lafayette-shot horse tale was solid but not the cinematic champ I had hoped it would be. I dare you not to get caught up in those beautifully shot racing scenes, however.
7. "Youth in Revolt" Parts of this Michael Cera teen comedy were shot in Shreveport. It was slipped into the release calendar last January, and a lot of people missed it. It's a fun little movie though, and worth a watch.
6. "The Last Exorcism" This low-fi creepout made the most of its tiny budget, riding some fine performances -- most notably from newcomer Ashley Bell -- to raise countless goosebumps. (Missed it? It comes out on DVD on Tuesday; see today's DVD page for more.)
5. "Cairo Time" This quiet, patient drama actually was shot in Cairo, not here in Hollywood South, but it stars our Patti -- local actress Patricia Clarkson -- and she shines in the lead role.
4. "The Big Uneasy" Harry Shearer's documentary on what really went wrong after Hurricane Katrina is as important as it is edifying. I only hope more people get to see it.
3. "Cyrus" This wonderfully cast, wonderfully acted dramatic comedy wasn't shot here, but it makes the list by virtue of the fact that it was directed by the locally raised directing team of Mark and Jay Duplass. Oh, and because it's a smart and enjoyable little romp.
2. "Welcome to the Rileys" For director Jake Scott's locally shot drama to work, he needed at least one knockout performance. He got three of them, from Kristen Stewart, James Gandolfini and Melissa Leo.
1. "RED" The locally shot Bruce Willis action film -- co-starring Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Richard Dreyfuss -- was just plain fun. Does it deserve a Golden Globe nomination for best comedy/musical? That can be debated. But I still can't wait for the inevitable sequel.