Top 10 Films of 2009

10. Moon
Wow. The feature debut of Duncan Jones is pretty freakin' amazing.
Echoes of 2001 lead the mind to expect a couple of scifi conventions.
Most of these prove wrong and the story takes you in a genuinely
interesting and unexpected direction. I think there could be much more
done with the concept that surrounds the main character, but regardless
I feel like this is such a strong outing that there is nothing but the best to be expected
from Mr. Jones.

9. Watchmen
Okay, a lot is working against this movie at first glance.
There are some crappy performances at some points,
but at the same time there's so much to applaud. The theme
in cinema nowadays is dark and gritty. This film
is more fitting now than ever. The design and
craftsmanship that went into the film is so
fantastic I don't think you can deny how beautiful
it looks. The very fact Snyder tackled this film
and did so with a passing grade is amazing.
Like it or love it, squid or no squid, this is one of the best
superhero films ever......right behind The Dark Knight.

8. A Serious Man
The Coen Brothers! To be honest, I wasn't even sure if
this would scratch top ten quality. Then I got to the
ending. Overall it seems on the surface level a
well rounded production that is better than your average
film. The thing that pushes above and beyond is
the nature of the ending and how well that ties
into the theme of the film. I applauded the damn
thing when nobody else did. It's pretty good.

7. Inglourious Basterds
Thank you Tarantino. Thank you very much. Honest
to god this is the first film since probably Pulp Fiction
that has justified his use of Earth's oxygen. Great
script and enjoyable performances across the board.
Seriously, if you're not into the scifi/fantasy of the rest
of the list, at the very least check out this and number 2.
Oh Brad Pitt you amuse me so.

6. District 9
Oh district 9. I barely knew if I wanted to watch it, but when I did I was
not sorry. It's a quaint little film that is most certainly made for those
who are baptized in the world that is scifi. I have to say though, that the
way it was shot and the story that was told was pretty memorable. It's not
so much what's going on, but the fact that somebody bothered to tell a
story like this. It's fitting in nicely with the gritty and dark nature of cinema
(which I think will run its course soon enough). Great little movie, up this far
on the list because I think it truly deserves it. Good day.

5. An Education
Wow. This was one of the last films I watched. Not as late in the game
as Moon, but still I found it to be fantastic. Seriously it's beautifully shot
scripted, and acted. The score is nothing too spectacular, but it is again
another well done part of the production. Seriously, go watch
this film. I mean, watch all of my top ten, but this is on the same level
as the next few choices in that I don't think I could be more pleased
by the quality of it.

4. Neon Genesis Evangelion 2.0: You Can (not) Advance
Most of you will not see this for a while. I loved Evangelion as a
television series, and End of Eva was amazing. When 1.0 came out
I was sort of struck by the....that was nice..I guess bug, and it was, honest.
It was a decent retelling of the first five episodes of the series, but 2.0
does what every good sequel should. It's bigger, louder, and a thousand
times more dynamic than 1.0. Also, this is where Eva begins to divert into
a new set of stories and possibilities. It's awesome, and I highly recommend
this to any fan of animation, but see the first movie.

3. Star Trek
HECK YES! The first Trek film (remember...I'm a TOS-y sort of
Trekkie, not TNG) since the original or Undiscovered Country
to be truly awesome. The first Trek film tried to emulate 2001 and
some people dug it, and a whole lot didn't. This one pulls an emulation of
Star Wars and I dig it....as do a whole lot of others. The thing that makes
the film work, aside from the AMAZING score by Giacchino, is the nature of
a reboot that is actually not a reboot. It's a branching off from a pre-existing
continuity. It's unique and I love it. Also worthy of praise is the script, while
not that amazing manages to convey so much of what the characters
represent. The performances by Quinto and Urban are of the best
in the film. My only complain is that Nero sucks as a villain...

2. 500 Days of Summer
For all who roll their eyes at my number one choice
feel free to consider this the best film of the year.
Why? It has all the makings of the best film of
the year, but it didn't have the extra umf for me.
Excellent performances by Joseph Gordon Levitt,
who boggles the mind with his work in Rise of Cobra.
Seriously, why waste him on that movie? The script
and direction is all tight and hip and I'm unashamed
to say I love it. Also....Zooey Deschanel. Nuff said.
She's been designed for a film like this and finally
she's been put to excellent use.

1. Where the Wild Things Are
Okay, why do I enjoy this film so much more than all other
films this past year? Probably a lot of it has to do with some
darker aspects of my childhood and the rearing tactics
of my mother. A lot of it has to do with that actually.
In fact that element of the film, coupled with the superb
visuals and music make me love it on a level
most would roll their eyes at. Also, I feel like putting it at
the top may make the two or three people who have
seen this question their own dislike of the film. It's hard to
identify with if you have an exceptionally pleasant relationship
with your parents.I'm usually very much against allowing the
judgement of a film to become so subjective as this, but
I'm allowing it this once simply because it speaks to the
imaginative child within me. That, and I'm glad somebody outside
of japan is using Suitmation.