Ah, the end of another year of cinema. The time when many of us cozy up to the fireplace, grab a hot cup o' jo, and begin the arduous task of compiling our favorites of the year. We scouring forums, previous reviews, viewing lists, other people's tops, and try to decide what best works for us. Like a chess master we manipulate the names along our text editor strategically analyzing the best positioning. Does this belong above that? Should I move this up two places and over to the right? In all honesty, any proper best of list requires work.
Yet, there are so many things that must be taken into account we can at times forget that there's more to the list than just movies! For example timing: When should I post my list? Pre-New Years, Around the Oscars, or whenever the hell I please? So, as per my usual custom, I've come up with a handy guide to help you make your analysis of the films of 2010 as good as it can possibly be.
Main Considerations:
Acceptance - That's right ladies and gentlemen, the first step in any great list is acceptance. You must accept that no matter how hard you tried you weren't able to see every 'great' movie of the year. As well, you must be willing to accept that your opinion will change over time. Your number one movie now may struggle to make your top ten a few years from now. Opinions change as we change, all you can do is the best with what you know when you make the list.
Rules of the Year - You might not think of this from the get-go but I notice a lot of inconsistencies with blogs and professional websites in how they determine the 'year' of a film. You need to decide before you start what qualifies for the year of a movie. The three main times are the year it was first shown to festivals, the year it was released in its home country, and the year it was released in your country. Now IMDB bases it off the first two, but most bloggers and critics, I read, utilize the third. It's not the most important, but knowing which one you're going to use helps keep your lists fluent and without overlap in the coming years.
Pick your Style - This may seem a bit obvious, but you would be surprised. The very first thing you should do is determine what kind of list you're making. Despite what many may argue, most of us (at least subconsciously) differentiate 'Best' and 'Favorite.' For example, you may have given The A-Team the same score as King's Speech and True Grit (*cough cough* Mad), but do you consider it to be a film of equal value? These decisions must be thought through in great detail if you wish for your list to be understood and well received.
Explain Thyself! - Whether you link to your previous reviews or insert a couple of comments, be sure you can back up why you put films where you put them. If your torn on two films put them in a tie and just explain your love for each of them (but please, if you're going to do a tie it doesn't mean you get to 'add' more films to your list - two movies = two movies!!! - sorry, pet peeve). Also, describe what you love (or hate) about them. Saying how you feel about them will bring people in to your world and explain why you did the things you did - giving credence to your list.
Be Yourself - Please, please, please don't include a film on your list JUST because it's on other people's list. If you don't want it there, damn them all. It's your list, do what you want with it. Lots of bloggers will try and bend their opinion to squeeze in a film or two in the 10 spot just because other people like it. However, by doing that you're invalidating your own opinion. Stick to what you know and love. As long as you do that, no matter what criticism comes your way, you're just fine.
To be honest, the rest of the decisions you need to make are arbitrary, just go with what you feel is right and let the rest flow.
So, what are the top things you consider when making a list? Do you feel I left out something vital/crucial?
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