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10) Star Trek:
J.J. Abrams reboot of Star Trek defied all odds. It was a reboot/prequel/sequel with a cast semi-known actors playing roles made iconic by the most ravenous fan base on this side of the Atlantic. Yet some how Abrams has the perfect mix of loyalty to the source material, and eye for a great story. I haven't had this much fun aboard a federation ship since First Contact and the promise of a new Star Trek franchise over the next few years has me all excited about trek all over again.
9) Up In The Air:
With Juno, Jason Reitman was overshadowed by the presence of Diablo Cody, the defacto face of the behind the scenes making of that film. I had a feeling Mr. Reitman had a more important impact then he was given credit for, and now in the wake of his follow up that feeling has been proven true. Up In The Air is an expert mix of drama, comedy and tragedy with performances that funnel the tone of the film into a real roller coaster of emotions for the audience. Clooney is great, which is to be expected, but the real stand out is Anna Kendrick who is brilliant as a young, seemingly perfect, new whiz kid who we learn is just as deeply flawed as the rest of the characters in the film.
8) Avatar:
Nothing more needs to be said about the visual splendor that is the world of Pandora. James Cameron can create a world just about as good as anyone who has ever tried and Avatar might just be his crowning achievement technically. However, it was the story that cemented its place on the list. Yes it is very reminiscent of other stories, but its the way that Cameron is telling this timeless tale that makes it so gripping. I have seen it twice since it came out, and both times this near 3 hour behemoth flew by as if it were half as long. The story might not be the most original, but it has never been told better.
7) District 9:
While I personally don't think this film is quite as original as every one else makes it out to be, mostly because I have seen Alien Nation, you cannot deny this movie is amazing. From the psudeo documentary style of the early portions of the film, to the exciting, almost buddy action film finale, this is clearly a film made by a film fan, for film fans. The technical prowess is astounding and if it weren't for the Avatar factor, this would be the film everyone is talking about as the new gold standard in digital film effects.
6) Up:
Disney Pixar has done it again... That might be the 5th time I have said that, and it seems I might never stop. Pixar's track record is flawless, and this year Up extended their winning streak. No film in 2009 has as much emotion in it's entire run time then Up flaunts in the first 10 minutes. This is a deep and smart film that quite literately has something for everybody. The characters are top notch, the animation is as quality as you can get and the ending is the prefect kind of happy, which makes for a thrilling cinema experience.
5) Inglorious Bastereds:
Quinton Tarintino is very good at making films he wants to watch. The good news is that those films are also films that I want to watch. This was one of the worst marketed films of the year, but once I realized it was structured like the Kill Bill films I knew I was in for a fun ride. From the very polite way every one was killing each other, to the beyond tense scenes in the Bar and movie theatre this film captured an aspect of WW 2 from the perspective of caricature that leads to an ending that differs from historical accuracy. But who cares, it was a wild and fun ride.
4) Black Dynamite:
There was no more quotable, funny, or down right awesome film this year. A blaxplotation film that straddled the line between campy parody and kick ass flick with expert precision. I personally don't know how many people in the world would enjoy this film as much as I did, but when Black Dynamite has to travel to Kung Fu Island and battle the fiendish Dr. Wu and his Kung Fu treachery every one should be hooked into this fun romp through a by gone era in a by gone genre.
3) Coraline:
This is a film best watched in the dark, the mood, tone and overall feel of this film is so perfect for a dark evening viewing I almost think it should be mandatory. Henry Selick, the director of Nightmare Before Christmas, fashioned a world so complex and gorgeous that you will be enthralled like never before. The stop motion animated genre has been a niche type of film-making for the better part of the last 2 decades, but Coraline represents the pinnacle, the top of the mountain. The perfect blend of style and story, Niel Gaiman's world could have never been better realized then with Selick's master craftsmanship. Even the ancillary elements of the film are great, the Voice acting is tops and the score is amongst my favorites of the year. Coraline is the kind of film that can be enjoyed as often has you have the time to sit and watch it.
2) Watchmen:
There has been no more unappreciated film this year then Watchmen. Zack Snyder did the impossible, he made the greatest graphic novel work on the big screen, and dare I say improved the story in the process. This film is a detailed, complex, and deep look at a world in which super heroes exist. He plays the film strait and unwavering which allows you to believe the struggles of men in tights, the seismic shift when someone actually develops real powers and the corruption that lies in his wake. This film has too much going on to give any sort of synopsis here, but suffice to say no film in which men and women wear superhero outfits has even been so incredibly thought provoking. I knew this film would be right up my alley when it came out, 9 months later my mind still likes to swim in the cinematic world created by Snyder and Alan Moore. Watchmen is superb!
1) Drag Me To Hell:
I said it at the time and still believe it to this day. Drag Me To Hell is a perfect film. No it is not the greatest film ever made, but it is not trying to be. Sam Raimi wanted to go back to the low budget, shock horror world that he trail blazed in the 80s. He perfectly melds the horror of Evil Dead, the humor of Evil Dead 2 and the scale is small and grand all at the same time, something he almost got perfect in Army of Darkness. All of his thrills were earned and chill educing, all the humor is so well laid out that you are never given full release from the horror, just moments of venting. This is a master work from a filmmaker that seemed disinterested with this type of film making for the last decade. This film also boasts my favorite score of the year, classic Christopher Young, and a great performance by underrated actress Allison Lohman. If I had to find a flaw in this film it is simply the lack of Bruce Campbell, a Sam Raimi staple, but that is hardly a fair argument for a film that gets everything else so very very right.
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