Best of 20009: Movies...

Now that we're settling in to the new year, I'm assuming most of you overspent as much as I did and are now looking for ways to stay in and pass the time without passing over any money. Well redbox or netflix these movies if you're bored because they're all really good (or at least I think so). I was busy for the last couple weeks of 2009 so absent from this list will be anything that came out around christmas that I haven't had a chance to see yet (Sherlock Holmes, Crazy Heart etc...also I goofed and never saw Precious but I'm pretty sure that'd make the top 5). As I went back through all the movies from last year, I realized that I saw a lot. Possibly the most I've seen in any year, so this list is really full of quality films (I'm going to leave out some of my faves like Underworld and Crank 2 because most of you don't care about those movies). When I make this list I usually jot down any movie I think might be in the top ten and then whittle it down and some of this years close calls were: Julie and Julia, Zombieland, District 9, The Hangover, Paper Heart and Funny People. Anyway, without further ado....

10.) Watchmen
This one makes the top ten by the skin of it's teeth. I moved it in here because I own the 'ultimate directors cut' which really does the book justice and gets into the politics a little more which is really what fuels the story.

9.) Up
Not as strong as Wall-e but still another classic from Pixar. Those guys really know how to tell a story and have incredible pacing. I still get teary eyed every time I see that opening montage over the credits.

8.) The Brothers Bloom
I'm officially moving Rian Johnson into my short list of favorite directors. His follow up to 2005's Brick is a real gem. Not too many writer/directors have his knack for knowing exactly what they want at every aspect from colors to lighting to performance and it's nice to see someone new like this. It also helps that he had Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo being an awesomely hilarious pairing as brothers.

7.) (500) Days of Summer
Hard not to like a movie starring two of my favorite actors. Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel killed it. Despite the bittersweet and somewhat weak ending, it still kills overall. Great movie with a cameo from my girl Minka Kelly from Friday Night Lights at the end sealed the deal.

6.) Good Hair











Chris Rock killed it. This was one of the best documentaries I've seen in forever. It was funny, insightful and really really really good. This needs to be at the top of everyone's must see list for documentaries.

5.) Away We Go
As some of you may know, I hate Sam Mendes. I think his characters are boring, bland and one dimensional. That said, it took a screenplay written by one of my favorite writers, Dave Eggers, to get him to make a movie I love. I hate The Office, but John Krasinksi is great and Maya Rudolph killed it.

4.) Fantastic Mr. Fox












Wes Anderson. What more can I say? He's the bees knees. It seemed like he rushed through Darjeeling Limited (not just the pacing but the writing as well), but this move moved really well and I thought Clooney did a great job as Mr. Fox.

3.) Star Trek
This movie was awesome. Action packed and a great reboot of a franchise that had gotten really old, stale and dated. You do not need to be a Star Trek fan, nor do you need to see a single episode or any movie of any Star Trek series. This really stands on it's own and I've watched it with a few people now that have gone in skeptical and come out on my side. Rent it or buy it but definitely watch it and watch it again. A good sound system/tv is a plus for this.

2.) Moon



















Sam Rockwell completely dominated every other performance by any actor I've seen this year. The story is great, the acting is off the charts and the special effects are incredible considering the budget. It comes out on dvd very soon so add this to the top of your netflix queue. Seriously. You won't be disappointed.

1.) Avatar
This might be a little fresh in my memory, but really, it was the best movie going experience of my life. Not as good a 'film' as Moon, or a few others, but seeing it in IMAX 3-D really makes this an event. This sort of transcends movies and makes it more of a show or a spectacle than anything. James Cameron, as of today, officially has the number one and two highest grossing movies of all time. He hit 1.13 billion with this and Titanic is sitting high on that iceberg at number one, practically untouchable at 1.8+ billion which is insane. I think this movie can over take it considering it's only been out for 3 weeks but another 700 million is a pretty lofty goal.

So there it is. The best of 2009. Check them out. If you disagree, let me know. If I missed something, please let me know.

Go big.

-M, p, z & shredder

oh ps - here is a list of some of the worst movies of 2009. Try and avoid if you haven't already made my mistake...

Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, Observe and Report, The Informant, Transformers, Wolverine