Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The Best Films of 2009

Well, who's to say they're the best? ...but they're my favorite films of the year, so take it or leave it.

In review, here's my post on 2008's best and worst.

And now, on with the list:
(btw - click on these images for hi-res)

10. The Imaginarium of Doctor ParnassusAn excellent film from Terry Gilliam, wildly imaginative as usual. Plus, Tom Waits as the devil is sheer brilliance!

9. KnowingAn early surprise this year, Knowing is a story about a man who must come to terms with the end of the world. And trust me, the end is well worth it.

8. The Princess and the FrogA return to Disney traditional animation, and a return to the story quality of the days of Lion King. So good!

7. TetroA beautiful and personal film by Francis Ford Coppola.

6. MoonI'm pretty sure this is going to get snubbed by the Oscars this year, but Sam Rockwell delivers the performance of a lifetime in this awesome space drama.

5. Where the Wild Things AreSheer joy. Spike Jonze delivers a riotous romp and a touching emotional story, all in one film.

4. District 9Another huge surprise, and a breath of fresh air for 'alien invasion' movies. Gritty yet epic.

3. A Serious Man
The Coen Brothers give us a film that is so hilarious and yet utterly depressing at the same time. It's painful how closely it reflects real life.

2. The Brothers BloomOne of the best mixes of cleverness, emotion, and hilarity I have ever seen. A stylish con man story that keeps you guessing, and a perfect payoff.

1. UpPixar strikes again, this time with the most emotional movie of the year. I love this movie so much.



(Honorable Mentions: The Lovely Bones, Star Trek, (500) Days of Summer, Avatar, and Sherlock Holmes.)


THE WORST LIST: (pretty self-explanatory, right?)

3rd worst: Terminator: SalvationThis had high potential. So in a way, it had the farthest to fall. ...And yes, Christian Bale. I am trashing up your scene.

2nd worst: Transformers 2: Revenge of the FallenWhen I saw the first Transformers, I asked myself, "how could they possibly screw up a movie about giant robots any worse than this?" ...and then came the sequel.

1st worst movie of the year: WatchmenAn utter piece of trash, the only redeemable quality was some Bob Dylan music in the soundtrack. Otherwise, this movie completely and utterly fails. And it's a shame, too, because the graphic novel is so excellent. In a way it's ironic that director Zach Snyder thought he was being so faithful to the source material. Spare yourself. Do not watch this movie.

There you go. I hope this has been helpful.

Ciao!

3 comments:

ChrisHartwe77 said...

Interesting list Kevin... VERY interesting...

Kevin Christensen said...

I'd like to see your list, Chris. ...Oh wait - did you even WATCH 10 movies last year?

Alisa said...

Good lists, Kevin - I 'specially agree with #1 :)