Top 10 Movies - 2009

Article by Todd Plucknett

Posted - 1/18/10

2009 was a strange year for film. There were a lot of great films to get released, yet there were nowhere near as many masterpieces as the usual year. Most of the films on this list would not have been considered in many other years. Sure the top 2 or 3 are worthy of best of the decade consideration, but almost all of the others are not close to that ranking. It was a solid year in film, but I must conclude that it was probably the weakest of the decade, or it at least challenges 2008 for that title. Note: there are still a few I need to see that could make my final list, such as The White Ribbon, Mother, A Single Man, and Bright Star.

Honorable mention: Funny People, Lorna’s Silence, Medicine for Melancholy

10. (500) Days of Summer (directed by Marc Webb). This was a wonderful little film that actually made it a lot bigger than I thought it was going to. I am a huge fan of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, so when I heard about this film, it was instantly among my most anticipated. It was so much better than I could have expected, mainly because it was so different. The humor was not obvious. It was painfully humorous and fresh. Its original way of telling the story only made the experience better. The performances are terrific. It really is the Annie Hall of this generation. I can only hope that in time it will be hailed as such.

9. Somers Town (directed by Shane Meadows). This is a little independent film from the UK. It is a brilliantly simple, yet immensely funny and emotional tale of two unlikely friends in a rundown part of London who set their sights on the same girl. It is another masterful work by Shane Meadows, who also made the brilliant Dead Man’s Shoes and the film that introduced us to the wonderfully talented star of this film Thomas Turgoose, This is England. This film may be short (just shy of 70 minutes) and have very little story, but it is as sweet and authentic as anything I have seen this year. Basically, the characters just hang out for an hour, which is totally fine with me. It’s probably the best hangout film since Dazed and Confused.

8. The Hurt Locker (directed by Kathryn Bigelow). I saw this film nearly a year ago. Long before its theatrical release, I had been hyping this movie up to everyone around me, only hoping that some people would see this little independent war picture. I never would have dreamed that it would be as successful as it is. This gripping thriller in the form of an Iraq war movie is one of the most intense experiences I have ever had watching a movie. Along with that, it is an important film about the psychology of the soldiers overseas. Never is there a political statement or a speck of sentiment that so often comes with current war pictures. It is just a nearly flawless and thrilling film that may be the best film we will ever have about Iraq. Calling it the best film of the year is a stretch, but it is impossible to deny its impact and importance.

7. Fantastic Mr. Fox (directed by Wes Anderson). Oh, how I adore Wes Anderson pictures! This little animated gem may be his best film. I never expected it to be this good. I always thought Life Aquatic would never be matched by this extraordinarily original filmmaker. It is the typical crime-based story that Anderson loves. The characters and voice work are flawless. The laughs are huge. It is vintage Wes Anderson, without some of the smug idiosyncrasies that polarize most of his other films’ audiences. From the very first frame until long after the credits, I had a smile on my face. I can only beg for more from this comedic genius.

6. Anvil! The Story of Anvil (directed by Sacha Gervasi). This is probably the best documentary to come out this decade. It is the story of the widely influential, yet almost virtually unknown (or at least forgotten) ‘80s heavy metal band Anvil. Their two remaining members, best friends Robb Reiner and Lips, still work tirelessly to get record deals. Everyone says that their music is irrelevant and could never be marketed in the industry. This film is an uplifting and poignant story about friendship, fame, and never giving up on your dreams. Robb and Lips do everything to make you hate them, yet in the end, you cannot help but root for them. It is deeply moving and genuinely hilarious. I cannot imagine a more appealing music documentary.

5. Up (directed by Pete Doctor). This is a film that just shows that Pixar is at the top of their game. Not only are they creating the best animated films year in and year out, but the films are also among the best of their respective year. This is a film that does not have the political undertones like WALL-E, but it still is a master class in storytelling. The first 15 minutes or so are given to a silent film getting to know the main character. It is as beautiful of a sequence as Pixar has ever created. The movie is just so infectious and sweet. Russell and Carl may be the most appealing on-screen team of the year. Everything with Dug and his gang just proves that Pixar must make a film about dogs. I cannot wait for Toy Story 3.

4. Avatar (directed by James Cameron). Ever since I saw the initial teaser trailer for this film, I could not wait to see what it was all about. When I heard about the $500 million budget, I was skeptical. It sounded like it was bound to fail. This record-shattering sci-fi picture is a return to glory for James Cameron. It may be blunt in its political statements, and it may have borrowed its first half from Dances with Wolves or Pocahontas, however, it is as thrilling and beautiful as anything I have ever seen. The visual effects are revolutionary. Only someone with the imagination (and budget) of James Cameron could completely create another reality and have the audience completely buy into it and get lost in it. Additionally, it is the best use of 3-D I have ever seen. Its aspirations were through the roof, and its execution was just as good. It was Cameron’s passion piece, and while it is not his best film, it can be hailed as his masterwork.

3. District 9 (directed by Neill Blomkamp). This was the biggest surprise of the year. I was not expecting anything from it. The trailer looked lame. I am not the biggest sci-fi fan in the world. I could not have been more wrong. Everything about this film was just about perfect. The way the first part was handled with the documentary flavor was absolutely the right tone. It made the audience consider the situation as reality. Following that, I was glued to the screen for the remaining running length, never for a moment losing my attention. The performance by Sharlto Copley was among the best debut performances in years. Its gritty style was what made the film unique, along with the underlying political themes. It may not have been as fascinating visually as Avatar, but they were used in a way that made it painfully realistic. The main character’s mutation was especially difficult to watch because of its nearly flawless visual effects. Sequel?

2. Where the Wild Things Are (directed by Spike Jonze). Ok, this is basically a tie for first. Ask me on another day, and it will probably be flipped around. Anyway, this masterpiece by Spike Jonze is as beautiful and authentic as any film to come out this decade. As a big fan of the book as a kid, I was naturally eagerly awaiting this adaptation when it was first announced. I was blown away by its beauty and imagination. It completely captures the little quirks of what it is like to be a kid. The voice work is as good as there has ever been. The characterization of the things is what takes to the film to another level. From the very instant that Max reaches the land of the things, it is pure magic. It is unforgettable, and whenever you think back on it, it is impossible not to at least smile. It was marketed as a children’s film, but it is much more of a drama than is common for this type of film. Its nostalgia and depth are the appeal of the film, and everything technically from its score to its art direction is top notch. I cannot wait to see it again.

1. Inglourious Basterds (directed by Quentin Tarantino). Big surprise, right? I could not deny Tarantino. While it is basically a tie for first, I can see this film sticking around longer in my all time top list than the abovementioned film. It is more groundbreaking, entertaining, and took more risks. That said, there are flaws, which is something that Where the Wild Things Are did not have. Either way, on this day, Tarantino takes the top spot. This World War II film is as ballsy as any film I have ever come across. Only a master storyteller like Tarantino could blatantly change history the way he did and actually make the audience get caught up in a film that, for all intensive purposes, is about scalping Nazis. It is not that simple, though. There is a classic spaghetti western-style revenge tale involving a girl who is getting payback for the men who killed her family. It is about a love of film and a celebration of filmmaking. It is as entertaining as anything I have come across, taking the side of Pulp Fiction and The Departed as the quickest two and a half hours ever. The beginning scene is as brilliant of a scene as Tarantino has ever crafted. The conclusion is haunting and nearly perfect. I can now understand why Tarantino took so long coming out with this film, trying to find the right ending and trying to take it from the page to the screen. It was probably the biggest challenge he has ever had, which was only compounded by the seemingly unreachable expectations for the film. This is just one of the many reasons why I consider Tarantino to be the best screenwriter of all time. And as said by the final line in the film, this may well be his masterpiece.