2009 was a pretty weak year at the movies. I would argue that not more than one or two of the following movies that made it onto my list of the best films of the year would have made it onto last year’s list. That said, the following are my choices for 2009′s best movies:Â
Top 10 Films of 2009 |
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1. “Up” | This is easily Pixar’s best movie to date. The poignant tale of an old man who will stop at nothing to fulfill a promise he made to his deceased wife will touch even those with the coldest of hearts. Full of laughter, adventure, and thrills, this is a must see film.
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2. “Up In The Air” |
Both funny and serious, this story of a man detached from life (George Clooney), who is most comfortable traveling first class on an airplane accumulating miles then he is developing real relationships is timely and important. It is a statement about our times and how we as a society have grown far less intimate with one another since the invention of technologies like text messaging. A truly great film. |
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3. “Knowing” |
If you were among the many who simply dismissed this movie as just “another NIcolas Cage movie” you missed the best science fiction movie of the year. Directed by Alex Proyas (“Dark City”), the movie is more than just a disaster film about the end of the world. It is about the nature of human beings and asks relevant questions like, are we even worthy of being saved? Â |
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4. “Inglourious Basterds” | Quentin Tarrantino out did himself with this alternate tale of World War II. It is highly inventive, with some of the best dialogue in a movie all year. The opening chapter of the film will have you on the edge of your seat. Christophe Waltz delivers an Oscar worthy performance as a truly scary Nazi. |
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“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ By Sapphire” | One of the most harrowing films about the abuse of women and children you will ever see. It is so heartbreaking and disturbing that if you are anything like me, you will probably never want to see it again. Newcomer Gabourey Sidibe steals the film and should earn the Oscar for Best Actress if there is any justice in the world. |
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6. “Crazy Heart” | This year’s “The Wrestler.” Jeff Bridges delivers an Oscar worthy performance as a once famous country western singer who is now down on his luck. A battle with the bottle saw his career and fame slip away. Now supposedly sober, he finds inspiration in Maggie Gyllenhaal. This is a very good movie. |
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7. “(500) Days of Summer” | For anyone who ever fell in love with the wrong girl and struggled to get over her, this is your movie. Joseph Gordon-Levitt falls in love with Summer (Zooey Deschanel), who tells him she has no interest in falling in love with him, and basically uses and abuses him until she finally breaks up with him and leaves him devastated. The movie is a fascinating look at what one most go through to mend a broken heart. |
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8. “Bright Star” |
Based on the three year romance between the Irish poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw) and the love of his life, Fanny Braun (Abbie Cornish). Â The best of this year’s period dramas. The love story is bitter sweet and prove that true love is eternal; even death can’t end love. |
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9. “Avatar” | Story wise, James Cameron’s return to mainstream movie making is a little lacking. Not boring, but basically a rehash of plots done much better. Essentially “Dances with Wolves” in space, the action is briskly paced though, and the actors, especially Sam Worthington do an excellent job. The real standout of this film is of course the visuals. Cameron creates a world like no one before him, and the 3D technology is groundbreaking. I can’t wait to see what Cameron does next. |
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10. “Star Trek” | J.J. Abrams reboot of the “Star Trek” franchise was a rousing success. When I first heard what he had planned, I was skeptical. But this new version was action packed and exciting. The actors they chose to inhabit the roles made famous by other actors did a terrific job, especially Zachary Quinto as Spock, Chris Pine as Kirk, and Karl Urban as Bones. This is one movie I am looking forward to seeing a sequel to. Â |
Along with my list of the top 10 movies of the year I am providing my list of the best 5 performances (in order) in each of the 4 top acting categories that I think are most deserving of Oscar nominations:
Best Actor |
Best Actress |
| George Clooney – “Up In The Air” | Gabourey Sidibe – “Precious” |
| Jeff Bridges – “Crazy Heart” | Meryl Streep – “Julie & Julia” |
| Morgan Freeman – “Invictus” | Sandra Bullock – “The Blind Side” |
| Ben Whishaw – “Bright Star” | Carey Mulligan – “An Education” |
| Sam Rockwell – “Moon” | Abbie Cornish – “Bright Star” |
Best Supporting Actor |
Best Supporting Actress |
| Christoph Waltz – “Inglourious Basterds” | Mo’ Nique – “Precious” |
| Stanley Tucci – “The Lovely Bones” | Anna Kendrick – “Up In The Air” |
| Peter Sarsgaard – “An Education” | Melanie Laurent – “Inglourious Basterds” |
| Paul Schneider – “Bright Star” | Natalie Portman – “Brothers” |
| Matt Damon – “Invictus” | Vera Farmiga – “Up In The Air” |
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