The Ten Best Films of 2009
2009 was an excellent year for movies (2008 overall was a dud), these were the ten best films...
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- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsBrad PittDiane KrugerEli RothIn Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a plan to assassinate Nazi leaders by a group of Jewish U.S. soldiers coincides with a theatre owner's vengeful plans for the same.The man who brought us "Reservoir Dogs", "Pulp Fiction", and "Kill Bill" has finally brought his highly-anticipated WWII film, "Inglourious Basterds" to the screen. Quentin Tarantino lives up to the hype in his highly-stylized, albeit not so factual, war epic with the intertwining stories of a Nazi-detective (Cristoph Waltz), a Jewish-French survivor (Mélanie Laurent), and a group of misfit, Jewish-American soldiers also know as The Basterds (Brad Pitt and company). The Basterds are focused on one thing and one thing only: "Killing Nat-zis."
The opening scene takes place in 1940 French farm country, where Col. Hans Landa (played by a vicious and brilliant Cristoph Waltz) has arrived on a family's farm who he believes is sheltering Jews. The scene is a long one, filled with the witty Tarantino dialogue we have all come to love. As the end of the scene nears, Mr. Tarantino gives us the chills with the eerie music and the inevitable climax (yes the scene itself has a climax!) that is about to unfold, and we see the true evil of Waltz's Col. Hans Landa and his Nazi brethren. If Cristoph Waltz doesn't get an Oscar nomination, I will be greatly surprised. At the end of the first scene, we see a girl escape (Mélanie Laurent) Landa's Jew-massacre, who will vow revenge on the Nazis who killed her family.
Next we see The Basterds, led by the hilarious Brad Pitt. He lets he and his fellow soldier's "distaste" for Nazis and their leader be known. The stories of Shoshanna, Col. Landa, and The Basterds all collide in the final scenes of the film, and it is both literally and figuratively explosive! I'm not going to give anything else away, but the rest of "Inglourious Basterds" delves into the sick and brilliant mind of Tarantino, who gives us one hell of a stylish and unique interpretation of WWII.
The acting is amazing, Brad Pitt was meant to be Lt. Aldo Raine, and is comical to the last. Cristoph Waltz gives an Oscar-worthy and menacing performance of one of the greatest villains in film history. Our leading ladies (Laurent and Diane Kruger) fit well into the story and dazzle in their respective roles. Tarantino definitely puts his stamp on both the script and in the direction, as the viewer sees and hears many songs, lines, and stylish undertones that they have seen in previous Tarantino films. "Inglorious Basterds" is not for everyone. It is a gory, biased, and non-factual WWII film. Many will be turned off by the nonfactual accounts of the film but then I guess that means that those people must hate the "Indiana Jones" films as well... However, if you have seen and liked Tarantino's other films than you'll be just fine. If you have not liked Tarantino's other films, I'm puzzled as to why you would watch this in the first place, because you will hate it. The running time is a tad long and some of the scenes are paced a little too slow, but all in all, "Basterds" delivers and it delivers more than well.
Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds" is a glorious masterpiece and is the best film of 2009 thus far. It's heavy and stylized action and witty dialogue shock and make us laugh all at the same time. "Basterds" was worth the wait and I'll add it to my collection of other Tarantino masterpieces when it comes out on DVD. "Basterds" is a movie-lover's movie and does not disappoint. - DirectorLee DanielsStarsGabourey SidibeMo'NiquePaula PattonIn New York City's Harlem circa 1987, an overweight, abused, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that she can re-route her life in a better direction.Powerhouse performances, Geoffrey Fletcher’s harrowing script, and Lee Daniel’s (“Shadowboxer”) bold direction highlight the potent story of an overweight, illiterate, and impoverished teen living in Harlem named Precious (An amazing Gabourey Sidibe). She is pregnant with her second child (due to rape by her own father), and she lives with her violent mother (A brilliant but scary Oscar-winning performance by Mo’Nique), all while trying to attend an alternative school so she can turn her life around. It is a lot to handle, but in the end, you witness the birth of a soul.
- DirectorJames CameronStarsSam WorthingtonZoe SaldanaSigourney WeaverA paraplegic Marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home.James Cameron’s dream has become reality in the visually outstanding epic about a paraplegic marine (Sam Worthington) dispatched to the forest moon of Pandora on a unique mission who becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels has become his home. “Avatar” is more impressive on a technical level than an actual piece of storytelling, but it is nonetheless an imaginative and absorbing film that will change the ways movies are made forever.
- DirectorPete DocterBob PetersonStarsEdward AsnerJordan NagaiJohn Ratzenberger78-year-old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway.Another masterful work of art from Pixar (You know, that tiny company responsible for “Finding Nemo” and “Wall-E” among others), “Up” is exciting, hilarious (Kevin cracked me up), and heartfelt. The opening montage had audiences literally crying, and is arguably the best scene of 2009. “Up” is one heck of an adventure, impeccably crafted with wit and depth.
- DirectorDavid YatesStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintAs Harry Potter begins his sixth year at Hogwarts, he discovers an old book marked as "the property of the Half-Blood Prince" and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort's dark past.As Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) begins his 6th year at Hogwarts, he discovers an old, tattered book marked with a mysterious disclaimer: ‘This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince.’ He also learns more about Voldemort’s dark past, with the help of Dumbledore (Michael Gambon).
“HBP” is by far the most balanced film of the series. It is thrilling, dark, but also occasionally quite funny and charming. It is also visually stunning and emotionally satisfying. “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” is without a doubt the best of the series. - DirectorKathryn BigelowStarsJeremy RennerAnthony MackieBrian GeraghtyDuring the Iraq War, a Sergeant recently assigned to an army bomb squad is put at odds with his squad mates due to his maverick way of handling his work.Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow does one hell of a job taking on the Iraq War, which is both an unpopular war and unpopular cinematic choice amongst critics and audiences. (Remember “Rendition” or “Lions for Lambs”? Me neither.) “The Hurt Locker” is a well-acted (Especially by Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie), intensely shot, action filled war epic. It is ferociously suspenseful and entertaining, and is thus far the greatest of the recent dramatizations of the Iraq War.
- DirectorLone ScherfigStarsCarey MulliganPeter SarsgaardAlfred MolinaA coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in 1960s suburban London, and how her life changes with the arrival of a playboy nearly twice her age.A coming-of-age story set in suburban, 1960s London, about a teenage girl (Carey Mulligan) who is Oxford-bound with a lot of promise, and how her life changes when she meets a charming playboy (Sarsgaard) nearly twice her age. Mulligan gives a standout performance as Jenny, in this not-so-perfect but enjoyable British coming-of-age film that transmits lessons of irony and morality.
- DirectorTom FordStarsColin FirthJulianne MooreMatthew GoodeAn English professor, one year after the sudden death of his boyfriend, is unable to cope with his typical days in 1960s Los Angeles.Fashion designer Tom Ford makes an impressive directorial debut with “A Single Man.” Colin Firth is brilliant (And should have won an Oscar) as a man who feels completely lost after the sudden death of his partner Jim (Matthew Goode). “A Single Man” is a good-looking film with impeccable art-direction, a powerful score, and beautiful costume design, as well as exceptional performances and direction.
- DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsMichael StuhlbargRichard KindSari LennickLarry Gopnik, a Midwestern physics teacher, watches his life unravel over multiple sudden incidents. Though seeking meaning and answers amidst his turmoils, he seems to keep sinking.The Coen Brothers ("No Country for Old Men," "Burn After Reading") have done it yet again with the black comedy "A Serious Man." Larry Gopnick (Michael Stuhlbarg) is a midwestern professor who watches his life unravel through multiple sudden incidents. Though seeking for meaning and answers he seems to stay stalled. Blending dark humor with profoundly personal themes, the Coen brothers deliver on almost every front. "A Serious Man" is however, in no way easily accessible. It's a "hate it or love it" film so beware (If you decide to skip this film, at least watch the trailer it is pretty funny!).
- DirectorMichael MannStarsChristian BaleJohnny DeppChristian StolteThe Feds try to take down notorious American gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, and Pretty Boy Floyd during a booming crime wave in the 1930s.Michael Mann’s (“Heat,” “Collateral”) latest is a well-crafted, competent, and technically impressive gangster flick with charismatic lead performances. Johhny Depp (“Pirates of the Caribbean”) is solid as ever as notorious 1930s gangster John Dillinger, whose infamous bank robberies have made him a sort of celebrity during the Depression-era. The sudden rise in crime has J. Edgar Hoover (a brilliant Billy Crudup) desperate for his newly created FBI to take down gangsters, such as Dillinger. Enter Agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale), an ambitious crime fighter sent to Chicago to capture Dillinger and his gang. Marion Cotillard is a scene-stealer as Dillinger’s girlfriend, Billie Frechette.