Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Top 10 of 2009
As 2011 winds down, it's time to take a look back. I feel like I've seen enough movies from 2009 to rank my top 10 of the year. As always, it's a little delayed because I see most movies through Netflix, and I have a pretty long queue. 2009 was a pretty strong year for movies, with several that I really liked a lot. So without further ado, here's the list:
10. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
There is a reason why these books are so popular. The mystery of trying to figure out what happened to a teen who disappeared decades ago is engrossing. The film version (from Sweden and subtitled - the American version comes out later this month) stays very faithful to the book. It also adds some tense scenes that keep you guessing even though you know the outcome (I had just read the book when I saw the movie).
9. It's Complicated
I saw this movie on a plane last year, and was pleasantly surprised by it. It probably appeals to an older demographic, but I still found it very funny. Meryl Streep is always good, and holds her own comedically with Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. The scene where Alec is naked in front of his laptop is hysterical.
8. Inglourious Basterds
I have not always been a big fan of Quentin Tarantino's work, but he crafts a very compelling story here. This movie benefits greatly from one of the more memorable villains in recent years (played perfectly by Christoph Waltz). I didn't think this was a masterpiece, but there are several scenes that are so well done that they will stick in your memory for quite some time.
7. Up
I just got around to watching this and WALL-E, both from Pixar. While I thought the latter was a little better, there is great emotional impact from a couple scenes in Up, especially the beginning sequence. Pixar continues to churn out hits, and this is just as good for adults as it is for kids. The visuals are also tremendous.
6. Funny People
Adam Sandler certainly has an interesting track record (to put it kindly). But some of his best work is when he tries doing more drama. There is definitely a lot to laugh at here - Seth Rogen and Sandler work very well together. But what makes this movie stand out is it has heart as well. You root for Sandler to get back together with Leslie Mann's character. I really enjoyed this film.
5. Avatar
Probably the most talked about movie of 2009, and one that James Cameron worked on FOREVER. The best thing it has going for it is its imagination. This visual world that Cameron created is a wonder to look at. The plot is really secondary (which is good, because the plot is not all that compelling). It wasn't my favorite movie of the year, but it earned its awards for creativity alone.
4. The Hangover
This isn't exactly a scientific measurement, but I'm pretty sure no new movie in the last 5 years has made me laugh more than The Hangover. There are so many classic quotable lines in here - probably the most from any movie since Anchorman. Zach Galifianakis is a household name now because of it. It doesn't hold up quite as well when you are watching it for the tenth time, but there is a reason why you watch it again and again.
3. (500) Days of Summer
It is sometimes tough being such a Zooey Deschanel fan, sitting through dreadful movies like The Happening and Yes Man. But this is a pleasant change from that - her best movie. It captures really well the emotions of going through a relationship, from the awkward meeting phase to the painful breakup. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is well cast as the guy who she puts through a lot of pain. Equal parts funny and sad, it's a great watch.
2. Up in the Air
What a perfect time for a movie like this to come along. The scenes that show people reacting to being laid off felt very true to life. George Clooney is perfect here as Ryan Bingham, a guy who spends most of his life on an airplane. I also really liked Anna Kendrick in this breakout performance. It drags a little bit towards the middle, but hits you with an emotional punch to the gut near the end. This is one of the rare instances that the movie is better than the book.
1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Yes I know I'm in the tank for Harry Potter. And I don't apologize for it. This is the only movie I gave a 10 out of 10 for 2009. This sixth film and the fourth (Goblet of Fire) are my two favorites in the series. It balances so well the teenage angst with the larger problems facing this world. From start to finish, it held my interest for every second.
As 2011 winds down, it's time to take a look back. I feel like I've seen enough movies from 2009 to rank my top 10 of the year. As always, it's a little delayed because I see most movies through Netflix, and I have a pretty long queue. 2009 was a pretty strong year for movies, with several that I really liked a lot. So without further ado, here's the list:
10. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
There is a reason why these books are so popular. The mystery of trying to figure out what happened to a teen who disappeared decades ago is engrossing. The film version (from Sweden and subtitled - the American version comes out later this month) stays very faithful to the book. It also adds some tense scenes that keep you guessing even though you know the outcome (I had just read the book when I saw the movie).
9. It's Complicated
I saw this movie on a plane last year, and was pleasantly surprised by it. It probably appeals to an older demographic, but I still found it very funny. Meryl Streep is always good, and holds her own comedically with Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. The scene where Alec is naked in front of his laptop is hysterical.
8. Inglourious Basterds
I have not always been a big fan of Quentin Tarantino's work, but he crafts a very compelling story here. This movie benefits greatly from one of the more memorable villains in recent years (played perfectly by Christoph Waltz). I didn't think this was a masterpiece, but there are several scenes that are so well done that they will stick in your memory for quite some time.
7. Up
I just got around to watching this and WALL-E, both from Pixar. While I thought the latter was a little better, there is great emotional impact from a couple scenes in Up, especially the beginning sequence. Pixar continues to churn out hits, and this is just as good for adults as it is for kids. The visuals are also tremendous.
6. Funny People
Adam Sandler certainly has an interesting track record (to put it kindly). But some of his best work is when he tries doing more drama. There is definitely a lot to laugh at here - Seth Rogen and Sandler work very well together. But what makes this movie stand out is it has heart as well. You root for Sandler to get back together with Leslie Mann's character. I really enjoyed this film.
5. Avatar
Probably the most talked about movie of 2009, and one that James Cameron worked on FOREVER. The best thing it has going for it is its imagination. This visual world that Cameron created is a wonder to look at. The plot is really secondary (which is good, because the plot is not all that compelling). It wasn't my favorite movie of the year, but it earned its awards for creativity alone.
4. The Hangover
This isn't exactly a scientific measurement, but I'm pretty sure no new movie in the last 5 years has made me laugh more than The Hangover. There are so many classic quotable lines in here - probably the most from any movie since Anchorman. Zach Galifianakis is a household name now because of it. It doesn't hold up quite as well when you are watching it for the tenth time, but there is a reason why you watch it again and again.
3. (500) Days of Summer
It is sometimes tough being such a Zooey Deschanel fan, sitting through dreadful movies like The Happening and Yes Man. But this is a pleasant change from that - her best movie. It captures really well the emotions of going through a relationship, from the awkward meeting phase to the painful breakup. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is well cast as the guy who she puts through a lot of pain. Equal parts funny and sad, it's a great watch.
2. Up in the Air
What a perfect time for a movie like this to come along. The scenes that show people reacting to being laid off felt very true to life. George Clooney is perfect here as Ryan Bingham, a guy who spends most of his life on an airplane. I also really liked Anna Kendrick in this breakout performance. It drags a little bit towards the middle, but hits you with an emotional punch to the gut near the end. This is one of the rare instances that the movie is better than the book.
1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Yes I know I'm in the tank for Harry Potter. And I don't apologize for it. This is the only movie I gave a 10 out of 10 for 2009. This sixth film and the fourth (Goblet of Fire) are my two favorites in the series. It balances so well the teenage angst with the larger problems facing this world. From start to finish, it held my interest for every second.
