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It’s also the generic, Oscar-bait-ness of the film that annoys me a little. Sure, it is what it is, and I accept that, but think of the possibilities if Rush’s Lionel Logue had been the main character. Since his threads are thin at best, we can only see glimpses of his relationship with his wife, children, and himself, but they’re far more interesting than seeing Firth’s brother, Guy Pearce, have an affair. The film could have gone in such different, edgier directions.

I can’t fault The King’s Speech for what it’s not, though. With the exception of Helena Bonham Carter, the acting is at least notable, the direction is, once again, crowd-pleasing and acceptable, and the screenplay does what it needs to do. It’s a fine film. I think anyone who thinks that it’s the best picture of the year, though, has seen too few 2010 films.

6. Toy Story 3

Pixar’s not infallible. Well, nothing in the film industry is (besides Richard Jenkins), but for some reason people think that everything Pixar makes is perfect. Most of their movies are above average, to say the least, but for every Monsters, Inc. and WALL-E there has to be a Finding Nemo and a Cars (and, um, a Cars 2...). I would be perfectly fine with this very good track record if people hadn’t come to exaggerate Pixar’s greatness. It seems, to me, that people feel compelled to love any Pixar movie that comes about.

That’s not to diss Toy Story 3. It’s very good. It’s beautifully animated with some very good 3D (surprising, eh?). The story’s solid and the voice-acting is fine. It just is a little bothersome...it’s almost pathetic. Not just the fact that Andy, going away to college, has to give up his toys (when I left for school, I didn’t think twice about losing my once-beloved collection of stuffed animals…because I was 18-years old), but also because unlike what people seem to like to believe, there is no Toy Story saga. This isn’t really a conclusion to anything; if it is, it’s to something that didn’t need to be concluded.

What annoys me about Toy Story 3 is its automatic pedestal placement; this is also evident in the film itself. It may not be as smug as failed Oscar hopefuls Somewhere or Blue Valentine, but it knows it’s good and that people will love it. Too bad I didn’t. It’s definitely not even the best animated film of the year (Despicable Me obviously is, although it would be great if The Illusionist won as well). I guess the world’s idolization of Toy Story 3 will be a double-edged sword when we’re treated to Cars 2 later this year.

7. Winter's Bone

One of the most-used adjectives I’ve seen to describe Winter’s Bone is “harrowing.” It’s true that it’s harrowing. It’s also frustrating. There’s an overwhelming sense of things being left out with the express intention of almost making the audience feel dumb. The plot isn’t confusing (although the title is stupid), but there are just too few connections evidence in the film itself.

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