The Best Films of 2009

Well, it's Oscar night, so I think it's time for me to look back over the past year and pick out my favorite films of 2009. Yeah, I know, it's March, and most people do this sort of thing at the end of December. You know, when lists like this are relevant. But, as a regular paying filmgoer, I prefer to hold off until I get to see as many films as I can. And since many of the big Oscar-nominated films usually expand slowly (sometimes very slowly) into wide release from December-February, I prefer to wait until the day of the Oscars themselves to post my picks.

As usual, I will be naming my favorite film of the year first, followed by the great films. The great films are the ones that I really enjoyed, so they can be dramas, action, comedies, kid's films, whatever. A great film is the kind you truly get into, and it can belong in any genre, I believe. Then, I'll be listing my top 10 favorite actor and actress performances. Aside from the "Best Film", all of these choices are in no particular order.

So, with that all out of the way, let's get down to the real important stuff - the movies.


THE BEST FILM OF 2009

THE HURT LOCKER - When I saw this movie back in August, I told myself that I was almost certain there would not be a better movie that year. I was right. Director Kathryn Bigelow achieved something that was almost impossible. First, she made a spellbinding action and suspense story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, without straying into contrived situations or melodrama. This is one of the most real depictions of military life I've seen on the screen. Second of all, she made a movie about the Iraq War that was not politically charged. The movie follows the daily lives of some members of an Army bomb squad. They deal with the fact that everyone around them could be an enemy, and the pulse-pounding depiction of their job diffusing bombs is some of the most heart-racing moments ever captured on film. This is a near-perfect film, from the performances and the scripting, right down to the atmosphere. No movie transported me completely into its story and its setting like The Hurt Locker.


THE GREAT FILMS OF 2009 (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER):

AWAY WE GO - This is a simple story elegantly told. An unmarried couple (played by John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph, both giving the performances of their careers so far here) go on a cross-country search for the perfect home to start their upcoming family before their first child is born. This episodic movie manages to be comic, thoughtful, touching, and beautiful all at once. Director Sam Mendes has created a joyful little movie that is very laid back and sweet, but still manages to hit very hard with its emotions. This is a wonderful film that caught me off guard. It's also simply fun to watch.

CORALINE - A lot of people think filmmaker Henry Selick will never top his debut film, The Nightmare Before Christmas, but I think he easily has with Coraline. This is an absorbing and whimsical dark fantasy that's targeted at kids, but I think most adults will be equally intrigued. Young heroine Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning) finds adventure in her own home when she discovers a secret hidden doorway that leads to an alternate world that seems perfect and fun at first, but quickly turns dangerous when she learns the true intentions of the malicious ruler of the world. Like the best children's stories, it teaches a lesson without being preachy. It's also imaginative, filled with moments of genuine suspense, and very clever and funny. The stop-motion animation used to bring the characters to life is also astounding to watch. Coraline is joyous from beginning to end.

UP - Another animated film? You bet! 2009 was a strong year for animation, and there are two more to come on my "Great Films" list. Almost every year, Pixar proves why they're not only the top at what they do, but also why they truly understand the art of storytelling and character. This is no more evident than in Up, which I feel to be their most heartfelt and personal film. The idea of an elderly man going on an adventure by tying thousands of balloons to the roof of his house and flying away sounds far-fetched and whimsical, and it certainly is. But this movie also manages to be very honest and human with its characters and emotion. The opening 15 minutes or so (depicting the lead character's life up to the point the story opens) are probably the most lyrical and beautiful moments I can remember from any film this past year. Anyone who doubts the emotional power of animation (and I know you people are out there) needs to see this movie.

DISTRICT 9 - The little summer movie that seemingly came out of nowhere. While most people were being wowed by Michael Bay's moronic Transformers sequel, this movie snuck in under the radar. Thanks to a great marketing campaign and early word of mouth, the film turned into a small phenomenon. Of course, it also helps that District 9 is a truly gripping movie. My pick for sci-fi film of the year. It starts as a pseudo documentary, depicting a futuristic Earth where aliens have been living amongst us for years, and are treated like third class citizens, forced to live in slums. It then evolves into a personal story as one man (played by Sharlto Copley), originally sent to evict the aliens from their homes, becomes drawn into their world by means out of his control. Like the best of science fiction, it creates a fantastic yet plausible world and premise, as well as offers some commentary on our lives and society in general. The film also is beautiful to look at, despite having been made for a fraction of the cost of just about every summer blockbuster you can think of from last year. A great feature debut filmmaker Neil Blomkamp.

FUNNY PEOPLE - This movie did not get a lot of love or attention from critics or audiences when it came out last summer, and I'm really surprised that it didn't. This was an absorbing and emotional comedy-drama that defied a lot of cliches and conventions. It starts out as a "disease movie" when a major comic star (played by Adam Sandler, giving one of the best and underrated performances of the year, believe it or not) discovers that he has cancer, and begins reflecting back on his career and the mistakes he made in his personal life when he realizes he does not have long to live. But, the movie does not turn out how you would think. It's not a depressing movie, and it's not a story of redemption. It's honest, it's truthful, and it's completely engaging. A lot of people complained that the film was too long or that the entire third act was pointless, but I strongly feel that this was one of the few films that used every minute it had. I know a lot of people disagree with me on this one, but that's what opinions are for. Everybody has one, and in my view, this is an underrated great film.

PONYO - The next animated film to appear on my list is an import from Japan, and comes from the mind of the most celebrated Japanese animation director, Hayao Miayzaki. Ponyo is a magical and captivating film for children, which adults will find hopelessly charming, funny, and sweet. This take on the Little Mermaid fairy tale follows a 5-year-old boy named Sosuke and the friendship he builds with a magical and smart little goldfish named Ponyo. When the two become separated, the little fish uses her powers to become human and track him down. The movie is absolutely enchanting from beginning to end. The traditional hand-drawn animation is also an absolute wonder, and a reminder that as impressive as CG animation can be, it must never completely replace traditional animation. The film was just recently released on DVD, and I hope people will give this one a chance.

UP IN THE AIR - This was one of the most personal films to come out in 2009. It's the rare film that actually listens to the characters, and lets their lives unfold up on the screen without any contrived plotting or melodrama to get in the way. It follows George Clooney as a man with an odd and unenviable job position - he travels the country, firing people for other companies. We're introduced to his world, his ways, and his values, and then we get to slowly see them all get turned around when two women enter his life - a co-worker (Anna Kendrick) who thinks things at his job should be done differently, and another who he feels his first personal attachment to in a long time (Vera Farmiga, wonderful here). This is a wonderful film for so many reasons. It's intimate, and the characters seem completely real and complex, more so than any characters I met at the movies last year. This film continues to prove why rising young filmmaker Jason Reitman is one of the best and most consistent directors working today.

THE INVENTION OF LYING - My favorite comedy of 2009, and another underrated gem in my eyes. British comic Ricky Gervais (The Office, Extras) stars, co-wrote, and co-directed this intelligent and highly hilarious look at an alternate world where nobody can tell a lie, and speaks their mind at all times. His character is a man who doesn't seem to have much going for him in life, until he discovers the ability to lie and control the world around him, making things finally work out for himself. This is not just a funny movie, but also a bold and challenging one, taking views on values of people and religion, and holding them up to sharp satire. A strong supporting cast including Jennifer Garner, Louis C.K., Rob Lowe, Tina Fey, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Edward Norton round out what I feel is one of the smartest movies of last year.

THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX - Based on the classic chiclren's book by Roald Dahl, indie filmmaker Wes Anderson took a giant gamble with this stop-motion animated tale, and it paid off big time with the most original and clever family film to hit screens last year. An electric voice cast including George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, and Jason Schwartzman brought the film's cast of woodland characters to life, as they try to outsmart some greedy farmers and save their homes. The movie perfectly captures the offbeat style and humor that Anderson is known for, and hardly ever misses a single beat. The fact that this film failed to find an audience during its brief theatrical run is a true tragedy. Hopefully audiences will discover this whimsical and intelligent film on DVD.

That concludes the Great Films. Now let's look at the Honorable Mentions, where I list the films I enjoyed the past year.


HONORABLE MENTIONS:

The International, He's Just Not That Into You, Watchmen, I Love You Man, Duplicity, Monsters vs. Aliens, Sunshine Cleaning, Tokyo Sonata, Adventureland, Observe and Report, State of Play, Earth, The Soloist, Star Trek, The Hangover, Bruno, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, (500) Days of Summer, Moon, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Julie and Julia, Inglourious Basterds, World's Greatest Dad, Taking Woodstock, Extract, 9, Surrogates, Whip It!, Zombieland, Where the Wild Things Are, Capitalism: A Love Story, Paranormal Activity, A Serious Man, A Christmas Carol, The Men Who Stare at Goats, Precious, The Blind Side, Brothers, The Princess and the Frog, Invictus, It's Complicated, Sherlock Holmes, Crazy Heart


MY 10 FAVORITE PERFORMANCES BY AN ACTOR IN 2009:

Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)
George Clooney (Up in the Air)
Jake Gyllenhaal (Brothers)
John Krasinski (Away We Go)
Joseph Grodon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer)
Tobey Maguire (Brothers)
Michael Stuhlbarg (A Serious Man)
Sam Rockwell (Moon)
Adam Sandler (Funny People)
Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)


MY 10 FAVORITE PERFORMANCES BY AN ACTRESS IN 2009:

Amy Adams (Sunshine Cleaning)
Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)
Zooey Deschanel (500 Days of Summer)
Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air)
Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air)
Mo'Nique (Precious)
Maya Rudolph (Away We Go)
Gabourey Sidibe (Precious)
Meryl Streep (Julie and Julia)
Hilary Swank (Amelia)

That wraps up this year's list. Here's to hoping that 2010 is filled with more wonderful films and performances. Enjoy the Oscars tonight.

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