This year in movies was pretty swell. It’s tough to beat the year of the Dark Knight, but I’d say I wasn’t disappointed with 2009. Granted, we did get the terrible Terminator 4 and Transformers 2, but beyond the sequels are some incredible films that stand out to me. Sadly, I can’t say I’ve seen them all, and I’m sure I’m not remembering the earlier ones as well as the last ones I’ve seen, but in no particular order, my favorite movies of ’09:
- Star Trek
Fantastic movie that actually got me interested in the mythos of Star Trek. JJ Abrams is probably my favorite creative mind in the business. - Watchmen
Okay, so I didn’t like it as much as the graphic novel, but the three hour director’s cut felt like so much less. I got sucked into the movie the second time around and honestly, that opening scene of the Comedian’s death was nothing but amazing. - Zombieland
There’s a chance that Shaun of the Dead is no longer my favorite zombie movie. But I don’t want to say that because I love Shaun of the Dead. I will say they share the spot and hope that one day Shaun meets up with Tallahassee to kick ass. - (500) Days of Summer
Yeah, I’m a sucker for films like these. I fell in love with Zooey Deschanel the day I watched it. The awesome soundtrack helped a bit too. - District 9
I posted my review for this movie and said it was a good movie. And I still think it’s a good movie, though a part of me only has it on this list because I am still impressed with what Neil Blomkamp can accomplish and I want more from him. Whether I want more prawns, that’s a question I can’t answer. - The Hangover
Hilarious film, and not the “let’s do drugs before watching” kind (though it wouldn’t hurt). I’m worried that it’ll suffer sequelitis, but so long as Zach Galifianakis is in it, I’m there. - The Hurt Locker
I actually think I watched this in ’08. It hit the internet long before it was released here. But people are treating it at an ’09 movie so I will too. Incredible movie. I normally hate war movies because they try so hard to make us hate the enemy by dragging patriotism out of us. I get it, the US is good, everyone else is bad. But what makes this movie great is that it doesn’t focus on ‘sides’ but rather the effect that war has on a man who has one hellova job. Ton of tension and suspense too which made for a great experience. - Up
Pixar. How I love thee. Up was fuckin’ fantastical. ’nuff said.
Honorable mentions are Inglourious Basterds and Paranormal Activity, or can just be considered the last two and make my list an even ten. IB was good, but I wasn’t wowed. And I thought the movie would revolve around the Basterds but instead I felt they were more secondary characters than anything else. Paranormal Activity was a blast in theaters, but the second time around on DVD with a small group, the effect was lost. Can’t consider it THAT good if it can’t hold up the second time around.
I still need to see a lot of movies as well. A Serious Man, Moon, Where the Wild Things Are, Avatar, Sherlock Holmes, and Fantastic Mr. Fox. Those movies I could easily see being movies I’d prefer over the honorable mentions. Just gotta get around to ‘em.
Update 1/4: Catching up on my movies and I just saw Up In the Air. Even though it came late in the year, it’s definitely a fantastic film that easily fits into my list. It’s a little depressing, but it was pretty uplifting too. Another great film from director Jason Reitman.