Was this written before anyone had seen "Avatar," or did that film not register for the reviewers? It's hard to believe it didn't make someone's top or bottom list.

What I find amusing is that, if you follow the reviews in the PA Weekly, there are plenty of movies that play in local theaters that are never reviewed by these critics. I am surprised that they can put together a Top 10 list--they should clarify it by saying that these are the best films that they have seen--not necessarily the best films released during the year.
Also of note is the fact that some of these critics are a part of the SF Critics group that announced it's annual awards way before all of this years movies were released

These two critics "Picks" seem to be in line with my "What Not to Watch"

Best movie I saw this year was Pirate Radio.

Re. Jeanne Aufmuth's comment that Michael Jackson was "the world's all-time greatest act": Has she seen all the entertainers in the world in the last 100 years? Before that? Michael Jackson was a good singer, stylish and entertaining. He was a fine dancer, who had a few moves that he repeated over and over. But...the best entertainer ever in the world? Patently ridiculous, and a common error of those who can't see past glorifying the entertainment preferences of their short "era". It's easy to name several entertainers who were as good or better just in the last few decades.

A Single Man is memorable in that it chronicles the loss of a loved one, but as a film it has so many defects it shouldn't be on any 'best' list.
There was so much repetition in it, like the closeups of eyes, dozens of them, and the loving and repetitious views of the Mercedes, its hood ornament, the interior etc. The car was a character in the movie. I wonder how much money the producer received from the Mercedes product placement.
The protagonist's luxurious lifestyle -- that house! which is not explained. It could easily have been explained.
The charm of his beloved completely escaped me. Yes, love is irrational, but I kept looking for some quality that would be endearing, and I didn't find any.
The woman who loves him is forgotten. She is a caricature.
Other minor things that bothered me, he got mad at the frozen sliced bread so he couldn't have breakfast. Like, didn't he own a toaster?
And the end is a cop-out. I think he couldn't think of a good end to the film.