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The films in my top 10 list pretty much fell into place this year with very little debate and consideration.

For instance, when I walked out of the Carousel this July so completely moved by "Winter's Bone," I was fairly certain I had seen my favorite movie of 2010. And though I encountered two potential usurpers later on in the year, my conviction on this stance remains unshaken.

So here are my choices. Keep in mind that I have yet to see possible choices "True Grit" or "The Fighter" because their studio was not able to screen them before deadline.

1. "Winter's Bone"

My favorite hero's tale since "The Dark Knight" is the story of a young girl (Jennifer Lawrence) who ventures into the brutal, meth-scarred hills of Missouri to protect her family.

Lawrence's performance was a terrific introduction to a great new talent, but the star of the show is John Hawkes — "Deadwood" and "Eastbound and Down" veteran — who proves he is one of the best actors alive.

2. "The Social Network"

Director David Fincher uses the real-life story of Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg to weave a "Citizen Kane" for our times.

It was ironic and later kind of sad to depict the man who's responsible for countless millions of Internet "friends" as someone who has no actual friends in real life.

3. "Black Swan"

Few films will divide audiences more this year than Darren Aronofsky's psycho-drama set in the emotionally and physically grueling arena of professional ballet. I stand on the pro side of the debate.

No film was more beautiful -- or arresting -- and Natalie Portman's portrayal of a skilled but repressed and high-strung dancer is no less iconic than Gloria Swanson was in "Sunset Boulevard."

4. "Exit Through the Gift Shop"

There's a chance that this documentary could be a hoax baked up by renowned graffiti artist/playful rogue Banksy. Even then, the potential "lie" behind the ascension of eccentric poseur Thierry "Mr. Brainwash" Guetta speaks volumes of truth about the street art movement as well as the contemporary art world in general.

5. "Inception"

A reward from Warner Bros. for the millions raked in by his two Batman movies, Chris Nolan's so-called vanity project turned out to be an exciting and more than accessible sci-fi heist film that takes place inside people's dreams.

So much for Hollywood success going to people's heads.

6. "Toy Story 3"

I have little faith that "Cars 2" will be any good, but Pixar deserves kudos for taking Woody, Buzz and the rest of the toy box gang where they along with family films have never gone before. Sent to a day care where toys are demolished by hyperactive toddlers, these characters we've known for ages face a post-apocalypse as well as the fires of hell in the only American trilogy that ends just as good as it began. Eat that, "Star Wars," "The Godfather" and "Lord of the Rings."

7. "The Ghost Writer"

Say what you will about the controversies surrounding Roman Polanski (I probably agree with you), but his murder mystery set in the world of high-stakes publishing has an electricity from start to finish.

Thanks to Polanski's bold, skilled work behind the camera, watching the meek ghostwriter (Ewan MacGregor) accomplish simple tasks like crossing the street seemed far more tense than any scene from a recent James Bond film.

8. "Shutter Island"

When Paramount bumped the film's late 2009 release to the historically awful movie month of February, I was worried director Martin Scorsese had a major bomb on his hands.

Turns out it was one of the year's best films. A tragedy in the guise of a detective mystery, this, along with its sister film "Inception," prove leading man Leonardo DiCaprio knows how to pick good movies.

9. "Splice"

My wild horse pick of the year was criminally under-watched at the time of its release.

That said, I predict this twisted and sincere monster flick will find its admirers the way all true cult films do: on home video.

10. "Waking Sleeping Beauty"

This no-holds-barred account of the power plays and back-room dealings behind the struggle, rise and fall of Disney Animation's creative rebirth during the late '80s to mid '90s is fascinating.

The interviewees are brutally honest about the drama that spawned "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King," and as a result, I walked away with an even greater appreciation for these modern classic films.

Contact Joe Scott at movieshowjoe@gmail.com