Movies of 2009
Matthew’s view
Before I get into my reviews I’d like to give a little bit of information about my perspective and what I look for in a good movie. To give examples I’ll list a couple of my favorite films along with short description of why it was chosen, each representing a different genre.
Comedy: Thank You For Smoking
This movie is quick, smart, well written and well thought out. The main character in the film has depth and faces moral dilemmas, all the while embarking on a personal journey to find what he really values in life. The film is well acted and uses comedy a conduit to carry you through what really matters: its story.
Thriller: Fight Club
Fight Club is a thought provoking film that keeps your mind engaged with beautiful shots and witty dialogue. All of the cast play wonderfully off one another and make this insane scenario seem close to home. The lighting and textures are tied together by the narration of the film, providing a great overall tone for the movie.
Action: Dirty Harry
Classic dialogue delivered by one of the greatest actors of our time. Drama and tension take the reigns as a cop (who doesn’t always play by the rules) hunts one of the most psychopathic killers to hit the screen. The film is accompanied by a soundtrack that truly captures the time and era in which it takes place. The action isn’t huge, but that’s why it’s good. It doesn’t overshadow the interplay between the character’s motives, struggles or feelings. So while the plot isn’t deep it works on a more simplistic level.
Science Fiction: The Empire Strikes Back
Although I’m using this movie as an example of science fiction, the wonderful thing about it is that it incorporates so many other elements into its story. It’s an adventure movie, a love story and an action flick that is set in a wonderful universe that never once lets you think that you’re not in a galaxy far, far away.
My rating scale goes from one to five, accompanied by a facial expression to mark my personal feeling about the film. (For now the faces will be written out, in the future they will be illustrated) With my star rating I will try to be as objective as possible.
Well gang, as you’re all well aware the year of 2009 has come to an end, and with it, its list of movies. So here we are, a year in review from the best to the worst of em.
The Top Ten
A thought provoking film that still manages to make you laugh at some of life’s big questions.
2. Up In the Air 4 ½ (Contemplative face)
A film about life and what we take personal stock in.
3. Precious 4 (Pleasantly surprised face)
An engaging story that makes you care for the main character while bringing attention to a troublesome issue.
4. 500 Days of Summer 4 (Heartfelt face)
A hilarious love story presented in a fresh way.
5. Up 4 (Enchanted face)
An encouraging film that tells you that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.
6. Where the Wild Things Are 4 (Enchanted face)
A beautiful film about relationships and what it means to grow up.
7. District 9 3 ½ (Pleasantly Surprised face)
A sci-fi film that has both action and depth.
8. Coraline 3 ½ ( Enchanted face)
A terribly creepy story brought to life through excellent animation.
9. Drag Me To Hell 3 ½ (Laughing face)
A film that does exactly what it sets out to do. It manages both genuine laughs and scares without sacrificing one or the other.
10. Inglorious Basterds 3 ½ (Satisfied face)
A movie that makes great use of tension and has one of the most satisfying endings I’ve ever seen.
The In-between
11. Hurt Locker 3 ½ (Intense face)
One of the most intense and engaging films of the year.
12. Avatar 3 ½ (Disappointed face)
Although undoubtedly one of the best looking films ever made, it falls short in plot and occasionally acting.
13. Observe and Report 3 ½ (Laughing face)
Although silly, it does exactly what it sets out to do.
14. Adventureland 3 ½ (Heartfelt face)
A heart-warming film about relationships and life goals.
15. Paranormal Activity 3 ½ (Scared face)
It’s difficult to make a good horror movie but by getting you close to the characters and building tension the film sets you up for scares.
16. Star Trek 3 (Entertained face)
A blockbuster with more than just bells and whistles.
17. Watchmen 3 (Disappointed face)
An otherwise decent movie suffers from its soundtrack.
18. Moon 3 (Enchanted face)
Great environments backed by great acting put you right in the space station.
19. The Men Who Stare At Goats 3 (Smirking face)
20. The Road 3 (Contemplative face)
A film that makes you consider humanity and what it means to live in a society.
21. Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 3 (Entertained face)
22. Fantastic Mr. Fox 3 (Smirking face)
23. Zombieland 2 ½ (Entertained face)
A movie that sufficiently balances its comedy and drama but never really finds its tension or heart.
24. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 2 ½ (Puzzled as to why wizards are so lame face)
25. The Hangover 2 ½ (Disappointed face)
While it’s true that this movie might make you laugh, it lacks heart and lasting value.
26. 9 2 ½ (Disappointed face)
A film with great animation and adventure that doesn’t seem quite complete.
27. Orphan 2 ½ (Pleasantly surprised face)
A modern day horror film that gave a good twist to the “evil little child” story.
28. Sherlock Holmes 2 ½ (Entertained face)
29. Funny People 2 ½ (Disappointed face)
The film never seemed to find balance between its comedy and drama, subtracting from the film as a whole.
30. Next Day Air 2 ½ (Laughing face)
31. The Informant! 2 ½ (Disappointed face)
32. The Box 2 ½ (Disappointed face)
What could have been a great film gets lost in its own bizarre little world.
33. Terminator Salvation 2 ½ (Entertained face)
Bottom Ten
34. The Invention of Lying 2 ½ (Disappointed face)
A hilarious idea and first half. The second half of the film moves into a topic that I think just didn’t fit. In short the movie was just as half as it could have been.
35. Public Enemies 2 (Semi bored face)
Un-engaging and poorly paced.
36. He’s Just Not That Into You 2 (Smirking face)
37. The Proposal 2 (Entertained face)
38. Friday the Thirteenth (2009) 2 (Entertained face)
While it was better than every movie in the series but the first it still suffered from standard slasher movie problems.
39. Fast and Furious 1 ½ (Entertained face)
40. The Collector 1 ½ (Laughing face)
41. Dragonball Evolution 1 ½ (Laughing face)
42. X-Men Origins : Wolverine 1 (Laughing face)
43. Saw VI 0 (Depressed face)
This abomination has no actual characters and a very un-clever plot. Instead of legitimate scares it attempts to make you cringe from special effects. Is that really what we want from cinema? Cop outs? It’s hard for me to enjoy a film when the only reason it’s made is to get a quick buck. I award Saw VI worst film of the year.
Hey now, Dragonball Evolution had a better story than Avatar and it cost 2 dollars less.
Also, I always get this strange feeling when people list Star Wars as a definitive sci-fi film. Yeah, sure, technically it’s Sci-fi, but it’s really just a fantasy movie with a sci-fi aesthetic.