1. Black Swan
Natalie Portman goes dark – and deadly – as a top-ranked Gotham ballerina who dances off the rails. It’s the year’s most provocative movie.
2. The Fighter
The riveting drama stars Mark Wahlberg as a boxer who can’t drop his crackhead trainer brother (Christian Bale).
3. The Kids Are All Right
Annette Bening and Julianne Moore play cozy lesbian moms whose lives are upended when sperm donor Mark Ruffalo reenters their world. A generous, moving treat.
4. Blue Valentine
Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams get emotionally naked in a fascinating look at a marriage on its last legs.
5. Toy Story 3
The sequel – in which the toys feel abandoned by their college-bound owner – is heartfelt and hilarious.
6. Alice in Wonderland
Visionary director Tim Burton turns 3-D inside-out with Johnny Depp as a manic, memorable Mad Hatter.
7. Inception
Leonardo DiCaprio nails his psychologically troubled leading man in this mind-blowing sci-fi brainteaser. Costar Marion Cotillard offers another sexy, stellar performance.
8. Winter’s Bone
In this gritty indie mystery, newcomer Jennifer Lawrence must find her meth-cooking dad – dead or alive.
9. True Grit
The Coen Brothers’ talent peaks in a Western about a teen avenging her dad’s death.
10. The Social Network
Jesse Eisenberg brilliantly embodies Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, who forever changed the way we connect. Aaron Sorkin’s script sets records for snappy dialogue.