Marshall Fine wrote up a first half of the year report (lots of these floating around lately).  And his top five are kind of interesting:
5. Shutter Island
4. Winter’s Bone
3. Toy Story
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
And
1. “The Ghost Writer”: Roman Polanski’s personal troubles returned to the headlines, just as his best film in ages hit theaters. Based on a novel by Robert Harris, this chilly, wind-swept tale captured the peculiar dilemma of a modern writer (Ewan McGregor) called in to finish ghost-writing the memoir of a recently retired British prime minister (Pierce Brosnan). But from the moment he arrives at the former P.M.’s compound on Nantucket Island, everything seems to fall apart. Polanski is the master of building details into suspicions and keeping you in tension for long stretches – before paying off beautifully. It’s hard to imagine a smarter, more involving film this year.
The “problem” with Ghost Writer, a film many are saying is really great, is obvious. ¬†No one will touch it with a ten foot pole. ¬†The last time I went down the Polanski road I ended up at the police station filing a report about threats of violence.
But I guess one must ask the question, is it a good movie? ¬†Does it matter if it’s a good movie? ¬†One cannot separate the film from Polanski. ¬†This is why I have been blanking it out in terms of Oscar. Despite the voices of support for the director, despite the length of time it’s been since his crimes were committed – there is still no way anyone is going near this film. ¬†It would shock the hell out of me if they did.
But I thought Fine’s list was interesting.