Top 10 Movies of 2009

Well, it's that time of year again when we start making our top ten list of movies of the year. All the major critics had done this already, but since I do not have unlimited, free access to films, I was forced to postpone my list. I've seen over 80 movies this year, and some were good and some were bad. Here's what I consider to be some of the year's best. First, here's my list of honorable mentions; this would by my 11-20 list.

Honorable Mentions: Brothers, Capitalism: A Love Story, An Education, Inglourious Basterds, Fifty Dead Men Walking, Drag Me to Hell, Tetro, Coraline, Moon, Star Trek

10. UP IN THE AIR

Despite being severely overpraised, this is a very enjoyable and satisfying picture, one that leaves you grinning and pondering all the way through. Jason Reitman is getting better with each new film, and I can’t wait to see his next movie which will probably be the masterpiece I’m looking for. Still, I did find this film quite entertaining, and the performances from George Clooney, Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick help as well.

9. THE HURT LOCKER

Another film that is the victim of overpraise but also manages to find some great elements to provide. Kathryn Bigelow does deliver a tight drama within her direction, knowing exactly what moments require tense suspense and which ones require quiet drama. Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty deliver strong performances as well. If it weren’t for the mediocre script, this would be the masterpiece that everyone else thinks it is.

8. AVATAR

After a twelve year hiatus, there was a lot of doubt as to whether or not James Cameron could deliver on a film of this proportions. Well it looks like he proved them wrong. What we got from him was not only an extremely entertaining film from a vast visual spectacle, but, I would argue, an interesting story to go along with it. Some of the dialogue’s execution is an issue, but I think Cameron has created a new classic that indulges both on action and story.

7. A SINGLE MAN

This is a very impressive debut from a filmmaker who has a great eye for visual storytelling. The pallet of the film is drenched in a gorgeous 1960s tone that is captured to perfection. However, the one thing that does make this movie outstanding is the performance from Colin Firth, who is able to capture so much depth and emotion from very little movements. His scenes with Julianne Moore are also terrific, and the film even finds a bittersweet ending that fits perfectly.

6. IN THE LOOP

If you haven’t heard of this film, then I urge you to look it up immediately. This is an incredibly smart and sophisticated satire that looks at the US and UK politics leading up to an unnamed conflict in the Middle East. There are a lot of quick rifts throughout the screenplay, and the performance by Peter Capaldi delivers some of cinema’s best use of cursing. I found very few breaks in this film to not laugh, and I hope others can also. Good news is this film will be available on video on Tuesday, so go out and see it.

5. CRAZY HEART

I’m glad everyone is clinging onto Jeff Bridges because he does deliver a career best performance, one that is charming, emotional and complex without being too showy. But I would also say that this film offers more than just Bridges. First time writer/director Scott Cooper also creates a film that encompasses a world that is filled with tragic redemption and surprising hopefulness. Many people call it a country music version of The Wrestler, but I actually prefer this film over that one.

4. A SERIOUS MAN

Leave up to the Coen brothers to deliver yet another film that you can’t quite get your head around but still offers up an intriguing subject. I’m still not entirely sure what I witnessed, but Joel and Ethan still provide a film that indulges on an intellectual level and dares you to dissect its crazy avenues. This is a movie that has a lot of re-watch value, something that even their Best Picture winner No Country for Old Men lacked.

3. WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

I was a little skeptical as to whether or not Spike Jonze would be able to make a sustainable feature film out of this literally paper-thin source material. But he pulled it off and pretty much made a $100 million art-house film. However, I think that’s the best way to handle this material, and every emotional point that is felt in that book is here as well. Jonze delivers a film that captures the sense of childhood, and I was amazed at how emotionally involved I got within the story and characters. Max Records also delivers a great performance that is without the feeling of gimmickry. A tremendous film indeed.

2. (500) DAYS OF SUMMER

A fan of the modern romantic-comedy I am not, but every once in a while there is one that comes around that offers a little twist that makes it enjoyable. Eternal Sunshine is one and so is this, a sort of Gen-Y Annie Hall that is constructed in a disjointed matter that is executed flawlessly by the screenplay and direction. The two leads, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, provide great performances. In particular, Gordon-Levitt is another actor who knows how to convey so much while doing so little. A sweet, funny and extremely enjoyable film.

1. PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL “PUSH” BY SAPPHIRE

It seems that the online community has now jumped ship on this film, but I will still beat my drum loudly for it. Throughout no other film this year did I become as emotionally involved with the characters, story and performances as with this film. Lee Daniels creates a movie that finds all the right tones to strike, and the performances are sublime. Newcommer Gabourey Sidibe shows a character that finds strength in humor throughout all her struggle, and Mo’Nique better take the Oscar for her monstrous portrayal as the worst mother in cinema history that still manages to find depth among the hate. I don’t care what all the haters say: this is the best film of 2009.