- Ruth 2:12
I feel like I've been a bad blogger lately, but now that I have seen most of the movies of the 2009 season (it runs from Feb to Feb every year for us normal folk due to limited releases and slow roll outs) I wanted to let you know which ten you really shouldn't miss. I have a couple movies left to see, so these selections potentially could be altered slightly, but I doubt it.
The Best of the Year
1. Inglourious Basterds
This is the best picture of the year. For me, when I go to the movies, I want to be entertained. From the suspenseful opening "chapter" to the slam bang Tarantino finish, for my money, "Basterds" is deserving of the honor of not only my best film of the year choice, but of the Oscar come March.
2. Away We Go
3. Up
4. (500) Days of Summer
5. Broken Embraces
6. The Hangover
7. Crazy Heart
8. Up in the Air
9. The Fantastic Mr. Fox
10. Food, Inc.
But what about....(movies I didn't forget to put on my list)
Avatar - I LOVED the experience of "Avatar" and I encourage everyone to see it. I am planning on seeing it at least one more time in theaters. When I watch a movie though, I need more than just special effects...even if they are AWESOME as in the case of "Avatar". I didn't hate the story here, but it's been done before. And with all of the other great stories, this movie just didn't crack my top ten. Think about this on DVD and not in theaters and it just loses something. It is a very good movie though...just not good enough.
The Hurt Locker - This movie was gripping, intense, and had a powerful ending that I can still remember even months after seeing it. This would have made my top ten (probably 2 or 3) if not for one HORRIBLE scene in an otherwise near perfect movie. The portion of the film where our hero runs off into an Iraqi village in search of a boy who may or may not be dead lost me completely. It was insulting and ill-conceived - and while it didn't ruin the movie for me, I cannot pretend I didn't notice.
District 9 - I reviewed this earlier on my blog. Great concept. So-so execution. When I wasn't being amazed, I was bored to death.
An Education - I can understand and appreciate this movie. Personally though, I don't have to love it. Quite frankly, it was the "ick factor" that did me in.
A Serious Man - Seriously overrated.
The Blind Side - The feel good film of the year. I really enjoyed it, just not good enough or original enough to crack my top ten.
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire - I really admire this movie, and it would be in the top 15 for sure. It's an important movie for some, and a hard one to watch for others.
The Worst of 2009:
Please note - I don't actively try to seek out crappy movies, so some of the dumb teen flicks and sappy rom-coms aren't on here. These are more based on how let down I was.
1. The Invention of Lying
2. The Last House on the Left
3. The Lovely Bones
4. The Ghost of Girlfriend's Past
5. The Ugly Truth (the only good thing about this movie is that Bobaloo from "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" has a cameo/extra type role in it!)
What were your favorites and least favorites? Peace!
Hey, Dan! Thank you for sharing your favorite movie picks for 2009. I've only seen two of the movies on your list, those being "Up" and "Avatar". I loved "Up". It had all the right components for a good film, from the dialogue to the animation and everything in between. As for "Avatar", I must concede that while I greatly admired the vast amount of work put into it and thoroughly enjoyed the stunning visual effects, I felt as if the message of the movie did not extend beyond the two main characters. I would have liked to see a more intimate incorporation of the other characters and the way contact with an otherworldly tribe led each of them to brighter and bigger understandings. I may be analyzing to deeply. What are your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Singer