If you think picking the best films for any one given year is easy, try 2009 with the most diverse genre’s, slick CGI magic and A-list actors taking on some amazing roles. Of the hundreds of movies I have seen this year only a little over 30 were memorable enough from which to consider for my following top ten. Although probably only a small percentage may end up on the short list for best film by the Academy of Arts and Sciences, never-the-less the choices below either impressed, shocked, spun me around, informed, inspired but mostly entertained me to the point that I would want to see them again and again.
Although I liked each of the films equally, some of the things that came into play were, originality, quality, direction, acting and repeat viewing value.
My number one choice is AVATAR, an amazing film from start to finish. The imaginative storyline featuring original characters involved in a fight to save their world is far and above anything I have seen in 2009. Screenplay, cinematography, special effects, directing, supporting actress, sound
The bleak father/son survival film THE ROAD fills second. Taking me to a place I would imagine Hell would be like, the expertly filmed story created a feeling of dread that is not easily forgotten. Actor, supporting actor, directing, cinematography, make-up, costumes, screenplay
A heartbreaker and an eye opener, PRECIOUS is a stunner of a movie about survival within the oppressed lifestyle to which she was born. The whole cast delivers impeccable performances in this story about an abused child living day to day by a thread, praying she will find a way out of the mire. Actress, supporting actress, directing, make-up, costumes, screenplay adaptation
In fourth place I chose INGLOROUS BASTARDS, an over-the-top bazaar comedy. The revenge film dishes out a huge helping of ‘whoop-ass’ on the Nazis. 40’s wartime costume designs, period perfect sets and explosive cinematography provide the ideal elements in which Quentin Tarantino directs his stellar cast. Actor, supporting actress, Supporting Actor, direction, cinematography, costumes, screenplay
It’s another day so get on the plane and head out to discharge another group of employees at a major company that is downsizing. That’s the life of the main character in UP IN THE AIR. The film takes a look at a modern day problem through the eyes of a man on the ebb of his career wanting to reach nearly unobtainable goals. Screenplay, Actor, supporting actresses, direction
INVICTUS a true account of Nelson Mandela’s rise to power and uniting of the people in South Africa takes the sixth spot in my top 10. The film features a powerful performance by Morgan Freeman, passionate direction by Clint Eastwood and a taught feel good inspiring storyline. Actor, supporting actor, adapted screenplay, make-up
What would you do if your former profession was a CIA Operative and your daughter gets kidnapped in a foreign country? That’s the premise of TAKEN and the whirlwind hunt, chase and brutal interrogation leave a wake of unimaginable devastation. The fast paced film is a knuckle biter from start to finish and takes seventh place. Acting, screenplay, cinematography, make-up
Hitting a nerve about war, THE HURT LOCKER shows the pressure put on special tactical units that deal with obstacles not easily removed. The taut drama depicts some very harrowing scenes involving disarming improvised explosive devices during the Iraq war. I could feel the suffering long after this film ended and still do. Sometimes war is more devastating on the inside than the one they are fighting on the outside. Actor, supporting actor, direction, cinematography, screenplay
Lightening it up a bit, my ninth choice is SHERLOCK HOLMES, a raucous adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat from its brutish beginning to the riotous ending. Laced with humor, smart deductive reasoning, incredible chase scenes on a amazing set that captures London’s late 1800’s, the film takes more than one visit to absorb all the fun. Actor, supporting actors, direction, screenplay, cinematography, special effects, sound
2012 is an amazing ride that takes you on a journey to the top of the world where life’s very existence depends on a miniscule percentage of Earth’s population. Played out on what seems at times a never-ending rollercoaster with dips and twists that make the frenzied plot insignificant to the entertainment the computer-generated images provide. While the movie’s storyline cannot hold a candle to the aforementioned nine, it’s the pure adrenaline the film provides that makes in great. Special effects, cinematography, sound, direction, storyline
Tie with number 10 is a very funny and original comedy called THE HANGOVER. The waking up the next day and finding your best friend gone, the expensive Las Vegas suite you rented a wreck, a touchy tiger locked in your bathroom and an abandoned baby storyline has to be the most creative I’ve seen in long time. The comedic timing, twists and imaginative pratfalls are far and away memorable and repeat viewing worthy. Acting, screenplay, direction, make-up
Of the other twenty plus films that I thoroughly enjoyed this past year the following could easily have been in a top ten if I were to select best movies by genre.
Comedy: Zombieland, Good Hair, Next Day Air, Taking of Woodstock and A Serious Man.
Horror/Sci-Fi: Drag Me To Hell, The Fourth Kind, District 9 and The Final Destination, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Action/Adventure: Public Enemies, Star Trek, Terminator Salvation, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and Angels And Demons.
Biography/Documentary: Invictus, Food Inc., The Cove, The Blind Side and Michael Jackson’s This Is It.
Drama: Shrink, American Violet, The Stoning of Soraya M., and Everybody’s Fine.
Crime Drama: Law Abiding Citizen and State Of Play.
Action/Thriller: Crank High Voltage, Ninja Assassin and Push.
Animation: Up, Coraline, Ponyo, 9, Princess and the Frog, Monsters vs. Aliens and A Christmas Carol.