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Kristen's Top 10 Best Movies of 2009
Reported by Kristen - 09:44 PM 2009.12.28
 It's the best part of the year when I can list my favorite films of the current year. There's just something about giving your opinion on what was deemed “the best,” essentially closing the year that is ending and anticipating the year that is to come. Who know how these ten films listed will hold out over the test of time, but for 2009 they were seen as the best of the best. Unfortunately some will probably disagree with the absence of such films like The Hurt Locker, but if they weren't seen by me then they weren't included. Agree or disagree hopefully these will end up on your Netflix queue or DVD shelf in the future.10.Star Trek: If someone had said about the beginning of 2009 that a Star Trek movie would be making this list, I would have had to resist the urge to laugh in their face. Directed by J.J. Abrams whose work I've loved since Alias, it was surprising by how enthralled I was by the exploits of the Starship Enterprise. Having never seen an ounce of Star Trek in my twenty-one years the movie was accessible to new fans and had some tidbits in there for old fans (none of which I noticed obviously). The cast had a fantastic chemistry and it propelled actor Chris Pine into leading man territory finally along with turning in fantastic performances from Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldana. It's such a fun movie I ended up buying it, and for a person who isn't into the universe of Star Trek, that's a big sign for how amazing this movie is. 9. Away We Go: It's sad that this movie isn't on as many Best-Of lists as it was expected to be when it was first released, probably since it was released as a summer movie instead of an end-of-the-year awards picture. Director Sam Mendes received a verbal lashing from me last year with the dismal mess Revolutionary Road, but here he redeems himself with the sweet tale of two 30somethings looking for a home to raise their child in. It has a beautiful romance between actors Maya Rudolph and Jon Krasinski, and is both funny and poignant. It's a Juno for adults without all the quippy dialogue and has a strong message about what makes a home for the adults of today. A smart and witty dramatic comedy that will hopefully gain more attention as the years progress. 8. The Cove: There were several documentaries I wanted to put on this list, and that's saying something since I don't generally indulge in the genre. Documentaries are hit or miss but everyone needs to see The Cove. Following a gang of animal lovers as they attempt to expose the heinous dolphin slaughters going on in Japan, this movie will make you sob whether you're an animal rights person or not. The Cove could be seen as a bleeding heart PETA video, but the movie also exposes the Japanese government's attempts to sell mislabeled dolphin meat rife with mercury to the country's citizens. It's one part animal rights crusade and another part social commentary and one doesn't have to see the animals being killed to connect with them in several scenes of lively dolphins interacting with humans. When the killing cove is shown and the film honestly exposes the killing of dolphins you'll be enraged and saddened that something like this is happening today. Look for this to score the Best Documentary Academy Award as it will pull in even the most coldhearted movie lover. 7. (500) Days of Summer: Romantic comedies are so cliche it's ridiculous as they usually only go a few different ways, even if they attempt to be “quirky.” (500) Days of Summer may be about “boy meets girl” but as the narrator says “it's not a love story.” The movie shows real love and heartbreak as a boy who believes in romantic, story-book love, meets a disillusioned girl who doesn't believe in any of it. Actors Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel have amazing chemistry and their emotions are all real. The movie is funny but only because of the real-life situations involved. When Tom has his dance sequence while walking through the park, the audience connects with him because they've felt that when they were in love. It's connections like those that make the movie a new breed of romantic comedy that doesn't pander to sentimentality, but attempts to show love in a real form that anyone can relate to. 6. Sherlock Holmes: Yes a movie that just came out over the weekend is ranking fairly high on this list. It's difficult to add on to my review of the film but this movie is a strong restart to the Holmes franchise. Robert Downey, Jr. makes Holmes a smart-ass with a brilliant mind while Jude Law makes Dr. Watson both suave and a man not to be trifled with. Rachel McAdams is fantastic as Irene Adler and director Guy Ritchie makes his film both gritty with a slight noir feel. There's not a whole lot to add except that Holmes is a great film. 5. Precious – Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire: There's been quite a bit of backlash with the film Precious as the months have gone on, mainly that it's so depressing that audiences aren't getting the right meaning from the movie. Precious is the story of a young girl in the projects attempting to live with having two children in an incestuous relationship and not crumble under the power of her domineering mother. Setting the story aside, it's the performances in this movie that make it worthy of praise. Gabourey Sidibe is phenomenal as Precious and Mo'Nique is nothing short of terrifying as her mother. It's these two actresses that propel the story forward. You are both saddened and shocked by the conduct and circumstances these two are in, and while it may see heavy-handed or melodramatic, the emotion is real. Add to that a star-making role for Paula Patton as a sympathetic teacher and you have the making for a serious awards contender. 4. Inglourious Basterds: Fans of director Quentin Tarantino thought this movie would never be made, but it exploded onto movie screens to delight fans, new and old, with a bloody good time. Presenting an “altered” form of history the movie delights in the alternate reality where taking out Adolf Hitler could have really come to pass. It's also incredibly funny with Tarantino's rapid-fire dialogue and gory violence. The subplots involving a German movie theater run by the beautiful Melanie Laurent at times made the movie feel like a genuine 1940s foreign war film that just happens to have a David Bowie song playing (highlighting the director's fantastic musical preferences). This a war movie for people who don't want to get bogged down in the trenches and it ranks high in the director's overall canon. 3. Up: Disney and Pixar have not only delivered another successful animated film, but it's by far their best ever. Up is the bittersweet tale of stodgy Carl Fredrickson (voiced by Ed Asner) and the adventure he takes when he ties thousands of balloons to his house. With breathtaking animation and a story that brings up questions of life, death, and what constitutes a full life, the movie will tug on your heartstrings and make you laugh out loud. It'll be hard for the studio to top such a touching film and while some say it isn't exactly a kids movie, it will delight kids just the same while making the adults in the family appreciate their life all the more. 2. An Education: It was a difficult decision on whether to make this number one or not and in the end I could only see it as second best. That's not to say that An Education isn't a flat-out perfect film. Detailing the May-December romance between a young girl (Carey Mulligan) and the older man who steals her heart (Peter Sarsgaard), the movie is utterly gorgeous and sweet. The romance may sound disturbing but this isn't Lolita, far from it. Mulligan is graceful and precocious, yes similar to Audrey Hepburn as many critics are quick to say, and her character is merely a young girl who thinks like an adult. Her character Jenny finds comfort in a relationship with the much older David as she thinks with adulthood comes the ability to talk about interesting subjects and see the world. Their relationship may turn sexual, but it's never tawdry or disturbing, a lot of it being offset by the 1960s time period. Essentially the movie is a coming-of-age film as Jenny realizes that heartbreak hurts the same no matter the age, and that some adults are just as irresponsible as children. If you missed this in theaters it's one to buy on DVD. 1. Up in the Air: The majority of the critics out there have cited director Jason Reitman's Up in the Air as the best of the year, and I wanted to try something different but it just didn't work. Up in the Air is a movie that will make you think while being wrapped up in the world of Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) professional lay-off man. A man who can't spend more than a day in his own home, he can only have relationships based on concierge cards and firing people. Reitman crafts a film that is relevant to the current employment crisis, including real testimonials from people who have lost their jobs, but also tells the story of what makes a successful relationship with three very different perspectives. It's a movie that benefits from multiple viewings to discuss all the different themes that crop up. A film that sticks with you until the next year is worthy of the best film of the year. These honorable mentions were great, but just didn't have that spark to make it into the top 10. They include: Public Enemies, The Hangover, Jennifer's Body, Zombieland, and Nine. MORE editorials NEWS
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