You will not see the following list of movies anywhere on my list due my inability to see them when they were out either due to me being poor or just not being able to see every movie that comes out.
A Single Man, An Education, The Box, Bronson, The Cove, Crazy Heart, Gomorrah, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, Invictus, The Lovely Bones, The Messenger, Ong Bak 2, Paranormal Activity, Ponyo, Precious,The Princess and the Frog, The Road, Sin Nombre, Thirst, Where The Wild Things Are
There are a few honorable mentions that almost made the list but not quite. In alphabetical order:
Adventureland, Black Dynamite, Duplicity, I Love You Man, The Informant!, Observe and Report, Public Enemies, World's Greatest Dad
Now for my favorite movies of 2009.
25. Sherlock Holmes
I'm not sure what some people were expecting with this movie but I had a blast. Sherlock Holmes might not be the most well written or amazing movie of the Christmas holiday but it's a hell of a good time. Downey and Jude Law are great as Holmes and Watson respectively. The plot was far more complicated than I had anticipated and I found the detective aspects actually quite inventive and interesting.. I will admit that Rachel McAdams is pretty useless and the pace is a bit slow at the start, nonetheless I would love to see future installments.
24. Taken
If you are looking for a straight forward, in your face action movie look no further than the Liam Neeson vehicle Taken. Taken tells the story of a ex-CIA type civilian and his quest to get his daughter back from nasty bad guys. That's it, no twists, hardly any turns. In many ways this might be the most straight forward movie of the year. Neeson goes Bourne-style all over Paris resulting in something that is realistic but still extremely entertaining. Also Liam Neeson versus a boat. Guess who wins?
23. Coraline
Any other year and this film would probably be the best animated movie of the year. Coraline would likely garner a lot more attention and top 10 spots as well. Unfortunately for Coraline, it was released earlier in the year and as a result many people are forgetting about it. I love the look of the film, the stop motion animation and of course the overall creepy feeling the film exudes. The 3D aspects are the best of the year for animation and I love the voice acting cast. Why isn't it higher? Well my main problem is that the movie doesn't really make me laugh, cry or gasp like many of the other animated movies of 2009 did.
22. Watchmen
Like every geek on the planet, I love the Watchmen graphic novel. However, unlike everyone else I did not think it was unfilmable. Tough? Yes. There are problems with the movie, lots of problems. Keep this in mind though, this is likely to be the closest to a true Watchmen movie that you will ever see. The look of the movie, the borderline absurd faithfulness to the source material, and of course Jackie Earle Haley really make this an enjoyable movie. The ending really brought it down for me. I don't mind changing the ending but thematically and logically it makes no sense whatsoever with regards to the villain's mastermind plan. Overall a pretty good Watchmen movie and a very enjoyable superhero movie.
21. State of Play
This is not a movie for everyone and certainly not a movie for today's moviegoing audience. Why might you ask? Well for one it's a smart, suspenseful political thriller that has one hell of a point about journalism and where it's headed. Second there are no leg humping racist robots which apparently the public adores (for the record the second Transformers movie is enjoyable but the bad kind of enjoyable). Smart, crafty movies like this and Duplicity are a dying breed, it's unfortunate that no one seems to be interested. Great performances from Crowe and McAdams, the writing is top notch despite having a by the book ending.
20. Avatar
OMFG! How could I not put Avatar in my top 10?? Simple question really. Amazing, groundbreaking visuals do not make up for a piss poor, derivative script. The dialogue is shit, the characters one-dimensional, the story is about as "meh" as you can get. It didn't help that the acting isn't even mediocre aside from Zoe Saldana who was the best of the bunch. With that said the visuals are amazing. The IMAX 3D theater experience was the best I had this year and most likely one of the best I ever had period. James Cameron deserves every penny he gets from this and I'm so psyched that it may top Titanic for all time domestic and worldwide. Despite being blatant Native American ripoffs, the Na'vi are amazing to watch and the world of Pandora is incredibly vivid. Honestly not only one of the most enjoyable movies of the year but great for movie-making and 3D technology in general.
19. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Talk about a surprise. Pretty much anything without the name Pixar on it I immediately dismiss as second rate. I know I know, this is unfair but the reality is that unless the movie is extremely entertaining or hilarious all the way through it just isn't on the same level as Pixar films. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is an amazing feat for two reasons. It's hilarious nearly the whole way through and it's an honest to goodness animated disaster movie. It's quirky and ridiculous without coming across as too hip or above itself. This is one of my biggest surprises of 2009.
18. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
*The following does contain what could be considered a minor spoiler at the end. Don't read further if you have not seen the movie.*
Unlike many HP fans I am able to distinguish between Harry Potter the books and Harry Potter the movies. They are different versions of the same story that manage to feel the exact same. It's fitting that the films have gotten progressively darker with each new film. Just like the books, the stakes are raised with each entry and the shadow of death literally looms throughout. The film is gorgeous, honestly if it doesn't at least get nominated for cinematography then something is seriously wrong. I have to it's not my favorite movie of the series but it's pretty close. Sure there's a lot missing but at least it keeps the same tone and brings in incredible virtuoso performances. I'm of course talking about Jim Broadbent as Slughorn, fucking brilliant casting and acting.* POSSIBLE SPOILER* Unfortunately they still can't handle death sequences worth a damn.
17. Zombieland
Originally conceived as a television series, Zombieland is the story of a few survivors scouring the post apocalyptic wasteland of America in hopes of finding Twinkies and a little bit of fun. Unlike past zombie movies, Zombieland's character revel in the circumstances handed to them. Instead of starving or freaking out they greet the situation with a bottle of beer and a shotgun. Woody Harrelson is fantastic as Tallahassee, a freak zombie killing fanatic who seems to have a few screws loose. The movie is quick, to the point and creative as hell (how about that opening title sequence?). My only problem is Jesse Eisenberg, didn't like him in Adventureland and didn't like him here.
16. The Brothers Bloom
I love Rian Johnson's last film, Brick. Great writing and amazing production on such a low budget. When The Brothers Bloom was announced, I felt like it was going to be a little more mainstream. More of the type of movie that anyone can enjoy not just the quirky, weird indie crowd. Unfortunately the movie never really received a proper release and as a result not many people saw the film. It's a damn shame as The Brothers Bloom is a great con movie with smart writing and excellent performances from all three main actors. Initially I liked the movie but on subsequent viewings I am learning to love this movie. Looper can't come soon enough.
15. (500) Days of Summer
If there's a crowded genre in today's film world it's the romantic comedy. You can only write this formula so many ways: woman meets man, complications happen, man fucks up or woman fucks up, they get back together, the end. Most of them are too simple, unrealistic and not funny. Every so often though there comes a nice bottle of water in a pile of mud. (500) Days of Summer is a welcome breath of fresh air in a genre that most people could not care any less about. Yes it's indie. Yes it's quirky. Yes it's about love. What this is not is a love story just as the tagline suggests. This movie is the rare take on relationships from the male perspective, a romantic male's perspective no less. The acting and story structure are the highlights here. If you want something different, look no further.
14. Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Every quote on the movie poster is completely 100% justified. Anvil! The Story of Anvil is one of the best movies about rock n' roll ever made and certainly the best heavy metal documentary released thus far. The film is incredibly biased and made from a fan's perspective but honestly that doesn't even matter, it's real and it's as uplifting as it is heartbreaking. I can't help but compare this release to the Metallica documentary Some Kind of Monster. Where that was looking in on a major metal band emoing out about a midelife crisis or how they are ever going to make a new record as good as their old stuff; Anvil is looking in on a band that was big but is now relegated to bar shows and in some cases playing for as few as 3 people. It's a damn shame it didn't get a nomination for Best Documentary at the Oscars.
13. Drag Me To Hell
Remember when Sam Raimi used to make old school cheesy horror comedies like Evil Dead? Fortunately so does he as this is one of the better comedies to come out in 2009. That's right I said comedy not horror, although it's definitely the best of that genre too. Despite being marketed and sold as a straight up horror movie I feel that Drag Me To Hell has much more in common with cheesy 80's and 90's horror/comedy flicks than anything else. The effects seem to be dumbed down intentionally to give it this gross out cheese vibe. One of the most entertaining films of the year that hardly anyone saw.
12. The Hangover
The Hangover was surprising for a number of reasons. The trailer didn't do much for me. The stars haven't really impressed me before theatrically. The last few Todd Phillips movies have not been the greatest so his track record was against him going into it. Luckily none of this matters as The Hangover was surprisingly hilarious. The plot is more or less Dude Where's My Car? but in Las Vegas and a person missing not a car. But the parts are greater then the whole with scenes that are as hilarious as they are memorable. Zach Galifianakis owns just about every scene in the movie and I am so glad that this guy is finally getting his due. The Hangover may not be the funniest movie on the list but it's definitely worth a watch or two.
11. Fantastic Mr. Fox
I really like all of Wes Anderson's movies. I've been a huge fan since Rushmore, for some reason the quirky weirdness surrounded by complex family and adult themes works well for me. I can definitely understand why people would not be a fan as his material can become to quirky and too indie for the director's own good. Fantastic Mr. Fox is Wes Anderson's best movie and honestly his best shot at a mainstream appeal. The stop motion animation is incredible and only outdone by the amazing voicework by an ensemble cast. The story is loosely based on the original Roald Dahl book and I really think it's for the best. I love the original story but the story here is so much more interesting and entertaining. The movie in-cussing-credible and you should see it.
10. Moon
If there is any movie that will not get the praise or attention that it deserves it will certainly be Moon. Everything from the inventive special effects and model work to Sam Rockwell's tour de force performance reeks of old school science fiction. Duncan Jones's debut picture is something you will not necessarily expect to like. If you have seen the trailers or heard anything about the movie, it's been marketed as a thriller which isn't exactly wrong but halfway through the film you will realize that there is a lot more to the film. That being said it's way out there and it's true science fiction so it's unlikely that the movie will really make a splash until long after it's been released. Sam Rockwell was robbed of an Oscar nomination.
9. City Island
The next two movies were the best comedies of the year. That being said I would say their positions on the list can be interchanged with each other. I saw this movie at the Tribeca Film Festival and I believe it was the World Premiere so I am not surprised that this movie is not being talked about. I think the actual release date is sometime in March 2010 so be on the lookout. Everything about this movie is rock solid. The acting is perfect, the writing is witty and funny and director Raymond De Felitta nails the pace of the film. This could have easily be a by the numbers family dramedy in the vain of Little Miss Sunshine but City Island offers so much more than that in terms of original writing and even a complex story that's surprisingly easy to follow. There's a reason it won the Audience Award at Tribeca and it's because it's that damn good.
8. In The Loop
Here's another movie I caught at the Tribeca Film Festival but this particular movie was actually released in small doses throughout the year. There really is not stand out element of the film as the whole thing is hilarious. Throw together The West Wing, The Thick of It and Dr Strangelove and just maybe you might have a an idea of what this movie is like. The movie includes the best dialogue of the year with insults that you couldn't make up even if you tried. Peter Capaldi steals the movie just as Galifianakis owns The Hangover. The best political satire in a long, long time.
7. Star Trek
Star Trek has to be the most entertaining movie of the year. It reminded me a lot of Iron Man in 2008. It's good enough to be critically acclaimed but it's a little too popcorn to be taken seriously come awards time. It's impressive technically and features surprisingly solid acting for a large cast of young people being put into iconic roles. I have to say this is probably the geekiest movie of the year. Since The Dark Knight there has been no movie that had me grinning from ear to ear more than Star Trek. Sure there are plot holes and certain story aspects are added specifically to get from point A to point B but that doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment you will get from it. Great movie, much better then Avatar in my opinion as far as popcorn fantasy/sci-fi goes.
6. A Serious Man
The Coen Brothers are some of my favorite filmmakers. They really have own little style from the way the direct the movie to even the words on the page. A Serious Man is no different. This is the most mature and personal of their films yet. Equal parts humorous and depressing the movie really says something different to each person that sees it. The movie is based around a character that really can't get anything to go right in his life and his journey on figuring out why everything seems to be going wrong. Michael Stuhlbarg is great in the lead role, perfectly embodying this everyday guy who just can;t seem to get his life on track. Honestly there is so much to this movie it would take me forever to really get into it. Just know that if you like the Coen Brothers, you will love this film.
5. Inglourious Basterds
Simple, if you like Quentin Tarantino you will like and maybe love Inglourious Basterds. Aside from In The Loop, this is the best scriptwriting of the year. The acting is pretty spot on with the obvious star of the bunch being Christoph Waltz. Without his performance the movie would not have been as good and it likely would not have made the splash that it did when it came out. The only problem is that the marketing of the movie was way off. If you watch this thinking it will be a Brad Pitt oriented action movie, you will be disappointed. There is lots of dialogue and really only 5 or 6 scenes but like another movie on this list has the most intense scenes of 2009.
4. District 9
I expected to like this movie, I did not expect to love it. This is the best science fiction movie in years and deserves every bit of praise it's getting and then some. The marketing team did a great job of not giving away too much of the movie in the previews but just enough to get people to come out to the theaters. I will say this is the only movie this year where I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen next. The movie features some of the best special effects of the year on a shoestring budget. Honestly the effects look 10x better then GI Joe and that movie was made with 150+ million dollars. District 9 was made for under 30 million dollars. Absolutely amazing and jaw dropping. Any other year this would have been my favorite but alas there are better movies of 2009.
3. Up
Peter Docter has created the most emotionally resonant movie of the year and it's animated. Pixar continues their massive dominance of the animated movie market with not only the best animated feature of the year but definitely worthy of the Best Picture Oscar nomination it recently received. Funny, action packed and most of all emotionally charged, Up is everything an animated movie should be. Kids will love it and adults will love to identify with it. If you aren't crying during the first 10 minutes then you are not human. If you don't laugh at Dug the talking dog you have no sense of humor. If you aren't on the edge of your seat during the high flying conclusion, well maybe you just aren't as afraid of heights as I am. Incredible movie.
2. The Hurt Locker
Here is the most intense movie of the last few years. Never before have I been on the edge of my seat as often as I was during the 120 minutes of this movie. I would say that the movie is greater in its parts then it's whole but for this particular movie it's definitely not a bad thing. Every single scene is a bombshell thanks to fantastic directing, powerful performances and a setting that is relatively rare. This is the rare war film that does not take a position, instead it presents a realistic depiction of what soldiers go through in battle. Anyone who loves the art of film making needs to take note of the expert job that Kathryn Bigelow does with a difficult piece of material. This may not be my favorite movie of the year but it deserves to win Best Picture and I hope it does.
1. Up In The Air
So why Up In The Air? To put it simply I love the story here. It might not be the most positive or optimistic movie of 2009 and I would certainly say it's the exact opposite of 2008's Best Picture winner Slumdog Millionaire, but this is an instance where the characters and the plot go hand in hand. Everything is wonderfully written despite Reitman not taking a clear stance on the subject matter. I feel like the subject matter is very similar to State of Play, these are completely different films but the overall questions each movie asks are very similar. State of Play chose to take a pretty clear stance whereas Jason Reitman really leaves it up to the audience. I wouldn't necessarily give Up In The Air the Best Picture award mostly because The Hurt Locker is just as good but also a technical achievement as well. Up In The Air was my favorite movie of 2009 and will be something I revisit in the future.
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