Favorite Movies of 2009

Admittedly, I don’t make it to the theater as much as I’d like to these days. Many reasons exist that contribute to my theater-going deficiency, namely the cost of seeing a movie at the cinema, the growing number of consistently rude and chatty people in the audiences, and the somewhat meager, lackluster fare that’s available today. However, I did make it out to theaters to see nearly 30 movies in the past twelve months, so given that 2010 will soon be upon us, I’ve decided to pull together my favorite movies of 2009 (so far). It seems I’m all about lists this December.

Now, these films aren’t my proclamations for “best movies” of the year, just those that I thoroughly enjoyed and ones which managed to rise above most of the fluff and drivel. This also can’t be considered a comprehensive list, as I still have a post-it note here with at least ten movies that round out my must-see films of 2009. Nevertheless, I give you my favorite flicks (thus far) of 2009:

Sunshine Cleaning
In truth, Sunshine Cleaning is a 2008 movie, but it didn’t hit wide release in theaters until March of 2009. This quirky, Indie drama follows Rose (Amy Adams), a single mother desperately searching for the finances to send her precocious son to a private school. In order to raise the money for tuition Rose teams with her sister, Norah (Emily Blunt) to start a biohazard removal/crime scene clean-up service. As the sisters work to clean up the messes left behind by the chaotic lives of others, they must learn to reconcile their own differences and overcome a troubled past if they hope to prosper in their newfound venture. The film deals with some dark subject matter and poignantly explores grief and family dysfunction but maintains a positive outlook and contains some solid situational laughs. Alan Arkin also turns in another noteworthy supporting role as the sisters’ eccentric father.

The Hangover
Listed third on Moviefone’s poll of 2009’s best movie of the year, The Hangover was the summer’s big comedy smash hit. When three friends (Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis) finally regain consciousness after a riotous night of bachelor-party carousing, they can't seem to locate their friend, Doug (Justin Bartha), who's supposed to be tying the knot in a matter of days. As the trio frantically searches for Doug, they begin to unravel the crazy shenanigans that occurred the night before in their drunken escapades. The Hangover is a flat out funny movie, chock-full with humorous situations, hilarious dialogue, and a breakout performance from Zach Galifianakis as Doug’s scruffy, soon-to-be brother-in-law.

Up
Up, Disney-Pixar’s latest in a line of impressive animated films, follows 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen (voiced by Ed Asner), who sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. By tying thousands of helium balloons to his house, Carl flies away on his voyage with Russell, an 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer, unexpectedly in tow. Together, the improbable duo embarks on a thrilling adventure full of unfamiliar terrain and jungle creatures. The nearly four minute montage in the beginning of the film is some of the finest filmmaking I’ve ever seen and Michael Giacchino’s score beautifully complements the lush images, making it my favorite film score in years.

Julie & Julia
This movie chronicles the story of Julia Child's start in the cooking profession in Paris (1949) alongside that of blogger Julie Powell's year-long challenge (2002) to cook all the recipes in Child's culinary classic “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” Writer-director, Nora Ephron (Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail) has a gift for making movies that are simple pleasures and Julie & Julia is no exception. Like the food within it, this movie provides comfort and warmth powered by its superb cast. Meryl Streep’s cheerful performance as Julia Child proves once again that she can nail any accent and Amy Adams as Julie Powell does a fine job of “playing into a cliché so that it becomes tolerable, even viable” as Michael Phillips so deftly put it. Stanley Tucci shines (once more) as Child’s adoring husband and Jane Lynch’s brief appearance as Child’s sister adds even more charm and laughs! Julie & Julia has already nabbed two Golden Globe nominations for Best Picture and Best Actress – Musical or Comedy.

District 9
I’ll admit, I was a little weary going into this sci-fi thriller that seemed to be garnering so much buzz. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised to see that District 9 lived up to all the hype. When aliens land on Earth (over Johannesburg, South Africa, to be specific), the human inhabitants of the area force the “Prawns” into a rigid containment zone known as District 9. In time, Wikus Van Der Merwe (Sharlto Copley) is selected by his company to lead a field operation and forcibly evict the population of aliens from the refugee zone. The events that take place during Wikus’ inspection of the alien slums leave him in a precarious position, isolating him from his family and colleagues and causing him to rely on the help of the Prawns. District 9 rises above the typical alien invasion movie and, instead, writer-director Neill Blomkamp delivers a unique, semi-documentary style film that is both provocative and innovative.

In the Loop
This political satire, based on the popular British TV series, “The Thick of It,” chronicles the (fictional) coordinated build-up to the Iraq war through a series of absurd meetings between U.S. and U.K. assistant secretaries of state and defense. When a docile British Cabinet Minister, Simon Foster (Tom Hollander) makes a series of slip-ups and inadvertently appears to back the war on prime-time television, he immediately attracts the attention of the Prime Minister’s venomously belligerent communications chief, Malcolm Tucker. Soon, the Brits find themselves in Washington, where diplomatic relations collide with trans-Atlantic spin doctors and a game of back-and-forth political discourse quickly spirals into an insurmountable “mountain of conflict.” In the Loop is a scathing, but sharp comedy that’s definitely worth seeking out!

Inglorious Basterds
I’ve steered away from most Quentin Tarantino films, not believing he’s as great as others (and the director himself) like to believe. So I was hesitant to see Inglorious Basterds, but, instead I came away from it fairly impressed. In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds," led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) are chosen explicitly to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. Meanwhile, in Paris, a Jewish cinema owner, Shosanna (Mélanie Laurent) is forced to host a Nazi movie premiere. Seeing a golden opportunity, both Shosanna and The Basterds plan to carry out a score-settling scheme to take out the group of high-ranking Nazis, but “The Jew Hunter," Col. Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) could be the one adversary to stand in their way. Tarantino gives viewers a new, audacious take on a World War II story with a provocative alternate ending, combining different elements to create an interesting nod to the art of filmmaking. Christoph Waltz’s performance was chilling and fantastic, one that will quite possibly bring him Oscar gold.

Where the Wild Things Are
A lot of anticipation and buzz surrounded Spike Jonze’s long-awaited adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book. While faithful to the look and feel of the book, Jonze also added his own special touches to Where the Wild Things Are, exploring so adeptly the imagination, emotions and basic needs of young kids. In Where the Wild Things Are that young kid is Max who envisions running away from his mom and sailing to a far-off land where large talking beasts crown him as their king, play rumpus, build forts and discover secret hideaways. Along the way, Max’s collected experience as a young child come together in this imaginary world he’s created and is represented in the Wild Things around him. Ultimately, Max moves to take control of his world and figure out the right thing to do. Jonze creates a beautifully realized film from Sendak’s book, especially with the significant technical achievement of the creatures, a combination of computer-generated effects and muppetry (costumes created by The Jim Henson Company). The soundtrack from Karen O also lends to the wonderfully exuberant feeling of the film. Essentially, viewers (of any age) can identify with the essence of childhood (both the good and the bad) captured in this unique rumpus!

Up in the Air
Selected by the National Board of Review as the Best Film of 2009 and already receiving six Golden Globe nominations, Up in the Air has certainly garnered widespread accolades. Director, Jason Reitman (Thank You for Smoking, Juno) continues to surprise and delight at the helm of each new film. Up in the Air is a smart, timely adult dramedy that follows Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), a man who leads an empty life out of a suitcase and racks up major miles flying around the country firing employees on behalf of companies. When an arrogant young college grad, Natalie (Anna Kendrick) develops a method that will allow termination without ever leaving the office - essentially threatening the existence Ryan so cherishes, he’s determined to show the naïve girl the error of her logic by taking her on one of his cross country firing expeditions. As Natalie starts to realize the disheartening realities of her profession, Ryan begins to see the downfalls to his own way of life. Vera Farminga, who plays fellow frequent flyer, Alex, with whom Ryan bonds, is quickly becoming one of my favorite contemporary actors and she proves why with her solid performance in this film. And George Clooney is always nice to look at (along with his fine acting). Do yourself a favor and go see what all the buzz is about with Up in the Air.

Sherlock Holmes
Guy Ritchie has had his share of flops and, though I’d never seen any cinematic adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's infamous characters, I was a little worried that Ritchie would reinvent them with an updated, edgy, rough and grimy touch…and he did…but it works! Sherlock Holmes pulled in $65.4 million in its opening weekend, making it the best Christmas opener in history. The movie definitely has a contemporary feel to it, with fast-paced, swashbuckling action sequences, quick cuts, dazzling special effects, and rapid dialogue (though full of Holmes’ usual wit). In this incarnation, Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and Dr. Watson’s (Jude Law) most recent case concerns Lord Blackwood, a man who murdered in the name of his black magic. Finally hanged for his crimes, it comes as an unpleasant surprise when he literally rises from his grave. And so it is up to Holmes and Watson to find him and stop him before his killing spree devours the whole of England. Ultimately, Sherlock Holmes should be enjoyed for what it is: a rollicking good time! It may not rake in a bunch of awards, but it’s an entertaining crime adventure.


2009 movies still on my list to see:
(500) Days of Summer, A Single Man, An Education, The Young Victoria, The Lovely Bones, It’s Complicated, Invictus, NINE, Precious


Have a very Happy New Year! Wishing you all the best in 2010!