Movie Mazzupial's best movie soundtracks of 2010

Lists! I love lists! Which is why I particularly love this time of year because lists on the best insert-something-here’s of the year are dished out across the interwebs and I go into a geeky, reflective coma. So although the final preparations are still being made to my 10 best films of the year list (it posts Friday, fittingly on the last day of 2010) expect a swag of lists this week as I look back at the worst films of the year, the gold star-worthy films, best movie posters AND this – my pick of the best movie soundtracks of the year. Prepare to agree to disagree.

Tron: Legacy

The iconic, robotic and electronic duo Daft Punk clearly found their dream project when it came to scoring Tron: Legacy. Their mechanised and digital soundtrack to the Disney film sees them extend beyond their usual shtick thanks to the use of an 85-strong orchestra. My only gripe is the songs, though climatic and beautifully arranged, are too short with most well under the three minute mark.
Standout track: Tron Legacy (End Titles) – Daft Punk

Fantastic Mr. FoxCould you make a more Wes Andersoney soundtrack? I mean, really? The answer is no, no you couldn’t. Hence this is why, once you wipe all the H&M scarf-wearing hipster germs off it, the Fantastic Mr. Fox soundtrack really is quite, erm, fantastic due to a cocktail of original score tracks from the always impressive Alexandre Desplat and lyrical songs from the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys and, of course, Jarvis Cocker.
Standout track: Fantastic Mr. Fox aka Petey’s Song – Jarvis Cocker

BurlesqueAlong with The Fighter and Tangled, this falls into the category of soundtracks which are out now (or nowish) while the film doesn’t dock until January. That doesn’t take away any of its fabulousness though, and I do mean fabulousness. From a Cher power ballad to yet another beautiful Sia and Agulira collaboration, the Burlesque soundtrack may only be 10 tracks long, but every one of them hits like the strength of Christina Agulira’s castrating vocals. Standout track? Ha! There’s too many to choose from, but the highlights definitely are Cher’s When You’re Good To Mama -esque Welcome To Burlesque, Agulira’s train track dirty grind on Tough Lover and the flashy Express. But at the end of day, the winner is *drum roll* the potentially Golden Globe-winning best original song Bound To You courtesy of a Sia and Agulira collab.
Standout track: Bound To You –Christina Agulira

The Kids Are All RightFor a film about lesbians, this is anything but hasbian thanks to a soundtrack as deliciously sunny and indie as the film. I will argue my point through the following artist buffet – David Bowie, Fever Ray, Joni Mitchell, Little Dragon, Uh Huh Her, Fever Ray. So there.
Standout track: Sundown Syndrome - Tame Impala

The Princess and the FrogDisney returned to their 2D animated magic with this flick, released in Australia mid-January, and the stellar soundtrack really brought it home. Dreamgirls Anika Noni Rose stepped up from backing singer to full-throttle dynamo with her vocals on standard Disney fairytale ballads while legend Randy Newman brought that New Orleans authenticity to the soundtrack. Even RnB lad Ne-Yo risked getting his ass kicked penning the sweet and catchy Never Knew I Needed.
Standout track: Almost There – Anika Noni Rose

The Twilight Saga: EclipseThink what you will about the films, The Twilight Saga soundtracks are consistently beautiful, haunting and eye-opening. While whatever I-used-to-have-integrity indie band gets legions of tween fans with the main single off the album, it’s the supporting tracks that really have bite (boom tish). The uber highlights this time are My Love – Sia, Rolling in on a Burning Tire – The Dead Weather, Lets Get Lost – Beck and Bat For Lashes and Edge Of My Dreams – Lisa Mitchell.
Standout track: Chop and Change – The Black Keys

Kick-AssTo fulfil every cliché related to this film ever – the Kick-Ass soundtrack is, well, kick-ass. It would be hard to find a selection of songs that get across as much action, style and general awesomeness as the film, but thanks to the Prodigy, Primal Scream, RedOne, The Hit Girls and The Pretty Reckless - it does.
Standout track: We’re All In Love - The New York Dolls

Step Up 3DSo the Step Up movies may be suffering from a severe case of the Chu flu, aka the illness designated to the fuzzy and oh-so-pop leanings of director Jon M. Chu, but the dance scenes still rock thanks to awesome choreography and a fresh soundtrack. Mixing dance and hip hop tracks with underrated gems, like Tear Da Roof off from Busta Rhymes, proved to be a successful formula. The film may be flawed, but once again the Step Up soundtrack digs up songs with some of the slickest production values going round.
Standout track: Move (If You Wanna) - Mims

Iron Man 2 Let me clarify, I’m not talking about the original score. I’m of course referring to the AC/DC companion album which grabs their music by the balls and throws it on a soundtrack that walks the rock star image Tony Stark likes to talk.
Standout track: Back In Black – AC/DC

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World

There’s garage rock, then there’s the Scott Pilgrim soundtrack which sounds like garage rock inside a Coke can being kicked along a Canadian side street. Translation: EPIC! Indie/alternative pied piper Beck is the genius behind original tracks from Sex Bob-Omb which absolutely shine in their literal, gritty intensity (all sung and played by the cast too). Even the linking tracks teeter from The Rolling Stones classic (Under My Thumb) to a vaguely more mainstream offering from Metric (Black Sheep) and just to throw you completely out of whack, something from someone you’ve never heard of (hello Beachwood Sparks).
Standout track: Garbage Truck – Sex Bob-Omb