Top 10 Movies of 2009 That I Saw
I haven’t posted on New Movie Friday since the summer and haven’t reviewed anything since the beginning of the year, but that’s going to change in 2010. Yet, even with the lack of posting here, I was still going to the movies most weeks and posting a lot of 140 character instant reviews over @NewMovieFriday on Twitter. Overall, I ended up a bit light on the movie front this year, as I only got to the theater 40 times.
So, thought I’d get things restarted by listing my Top 10 movies of 2009. Below you’ll find my rankings of these movies with a little bit about why they were my favorite movies of the year.
Top 10 Movies of 2009 - That I Saw
- Star Trek - Going into the year, this was probably my most anticipate movie and for it to live up to the hype made it all-the-better. It really did a good job of rebooting a series and giving it new life. Can’t wait for the next one.
- Up - Oddly enough, this may actually be the best movie I saw this year, but it gets my second place. I had no real expectations for this one, as I don’t normally watch animated features, but if I recall, it was the only new option that week. The first part of the movie is absolutely brilliant, as it conveys so much with only picture and music, no dialogue. It was like a magnificent animated silent film.
- Inglorious Basterds - I wasn’t sure what to make of this one going in, but it was just outstanding. It might just be Tarantino’s “masterpiece.” It was dramatic and sad, yet unbelievably funny in places.
- Up in the Air - I don’t mind a movie that gets you thinking, as long as it is also entertaining. This movie does just that. Also, what would you do if you had 10 million miles?
- Sherlock Holmes - The duo of Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law was great. They played off each other remarkably well. If you don’t mind a little action with your deductive sleuthing, then you will enjoy this as much as I did.
- The Hangover - This was by far the funniest movie of the year. I went in skeptical, cause many comedies in the raunchy genre have brought plenty of raunchy, but very little comedy. This brings plenty of both, but I haven’t laughed that much at a movie in a while.
- District 9 - Was very light on the details going into this one, but came out with an appreciation for the special effects. They were seamless. It was a really good movie to boot, even if not wholly original as many deemed it to be.
- Defiance - This was just a great movie based on true events with a fantastic cast lead by Daniel Craig Casino Royale. Yes, technically it was released on the last day of 2008, but I didn’t see it until it was released nationwide on January 16th, 2009. So, I’ve included it on my list.
- Taken - This movie just kicked ass. It gave you just enough setup and then bam! It barely took a break until he got his daughter back. It was the best pure action flick of the year.
- Avatar - This is a great movie, but the 3D special effects overshadow what is really a basic plot that we’ve all see before. Also, I’m getting tired of sci-fi type movies that portray the humans in story as the assholes. This is a trend I hope comes to an end soon.
The next 10 would be: He’s Just Not the Into You, I Love You, Man, Fanboys, The Taking of Pelham 123, The Soloist, State of Play, Law Abiding Citizen, The Proposal, Fast and Furious, and A Christmas Carol.
And, the next 10 would be: Public Enemies, Surrogates, Gamer, Angels & Demons, Fired Up, Watchmen, Terminator Salvation, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Race to Witch Mountain, and Ninja Assassin.
The bottom 10 movies I saw in 2009 would be: The International, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra, 2012, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, 12 Rounds, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li, Push, and Dragonball Evolution.
Think something should’ve been higher on my list? Do I have something to high? What were your top 10 movies of 2009? Let me know in the comments.
What New Movies Start Friday, June 19th, 2009?
There are six movies opening this week. Two are opening everywhere and four more open on a limited basis.
Opening Nationwide on Friday, June 19th:
Movie: The Proposal (PG-13)
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson & Betty White
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Synopsis: A book editor finds out that she will have to leave the country, but to keep that from happening she comes up with the plan to marry her male assistant. To keep up appearances they travel to his hometown of Alaska to meet his family and get through a fake wedding.
First Thoughts: Not exactly original, but I’ve always liked Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds from his days with another guy, a girl and that pizza place.
Movie: Year One (PG-13)
Starring: Jack Black, Michael Cera, Oliver Platt, David Cross, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Hank Azaria & Olivia Wilde
Genre: Comedy
Synopsis: A duo of hunter gatherers get sent away from their village for being too lazy and they end up taking an epic journey around the ancient world.
First Thoughts: Even with what looks like a strong cast, this just looks stupid. I haven’t laughed once at anything associated with this movie. Not the trailers, the ads, or Black and Cera during the NBA Finals.
Movies in Limited Release:
- $9.99 - Animated sci-fi about a slacker that may have found a book with the meaning of life.
- Dead Snow - Horror comedy about a group that gets hacked up on a snow trip.
- The End of the Line - Documentary narrated by Ted Danson based on the Charles Clover book of the same name.
- Whatever Works - Larry David in Woody Allen’s latest.
For New Movie Friday there are two new movies to choose from this week. They are The Proposal and Year One. What new movie looks good to you this week?
What New Movies Start Friday, June 12th, 2009?
There are six movies opening this week. Two are opening everywhere and four more open on a limited basis.
Opening Nationwide on Friday, June 12th:
Movie: Imagine That (PG)
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Yara Shahidi, Thomas Haden Church, Nicole Ari Parker, Ronny Cox & Martin Sheen
Genre: Family Comedy
Synopsis: A man that is so focused on his career that time with his daughter has become small. While trying for a promotion and keeping the competition at bay, he starts to lose it. But, his daughter invites him into her imaginary land and introduces him to those that live there. In doing so, he finds being a kid again can be fun and maybe the answer to all his problems.
First Thoughts: Could be fun to take your young ones, but doesn’t interest me.
Movie: The Taking of Pelham 123 (R)
Starring: Denzel Washington, John Travolta, James Gandolfini, John Turturro, Luis Guzman & Michael Rispoli
Genre: Thriller
Synopsis: A subway train full of passengers is taken hostage by a group of hijackers. They are threatening to kill all of them if their do not get the million dollar ransom they are demanding.
First Thoughts: The cast is great and the movie looks good. It’s the one I will be seeing this weekend.
Movies in Limited Release:
- Call of the Wild 3D - A young girl nurses an injured wild dog back to health and trains him for a sled-dog race.
- Food, Inc. - A look at the nations food supply.
- Moon - A source of energy has been found on the moon and it is mined by one man under a three year contract living alone on the far side of the moon.
- Sex Positive - The story of AIDS activist Richard Berkowitz and Michael Callan advocating for the practice of safe sex in the early 1980s.
For New Movie Friday there are two new movies to choose from this week. They are Imagine That and The Taking of Pelham 123. What new movie looks good to you this week?
What New Movies Start Friday, June 5th, 2009?
There are eight movies opening this week. Three are opening everywhere and five more open on a limited basis.
Opening Nationwide on Friday, June 5th:
Movie: The Hangover (R)
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham, Justin Bartha & Jeffrey Tambor
Genre: Comedy
Synopsis: A guy and three of his buddies head for Vegas a couple days before his wedding for a stag party. Things get out of hand and when the friends wake up the next morning, they can’t remember what happened the night before and the groom is missing. They attempt to retrace their footsteps from the night before, hoping to find their friend and get him back in time for his wedding.
First Thoughts: This looks terrible, but in a good way. This is the movie I’ll be seeing on Friday.
Movie: Land of the Lost (PG-13)
Starring: Will Ferrell, Danny R. McBride, Anna Friel & Jorma Taccone
Genre: Adventure Fantasy Comedy
Synopsis: A washed up scientist gets sucked back in time, way back. He doesn’t have any weapons, is not very skillful, and lacks the smarts to deal with the place he is now in. With him is his research assistant and a redneck survivalist. Dinosaurs, slow Sleestaks, weird bugs, chase them, but they come to rely on a primate called Chaka to help them.
First Thoughts: The trailer for this doesn’t really draw me in, it’s basically Will Ferrell being Will Ferrell, which means lots of being really loud.
Movie: My Life in Ruins (PG-13)
Starring: Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, Harland Williams, Rachel Dratch & Alexis Georgoulis
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Synopsis: A Greek American tour guide takes groups of tourists on tours around Greece. They all seem to want to just buy the t-shirt and not really take in the history and beauty of the tour. But, things take a turn for the better when a special tourist arrives one day and show her how to have fun with the tours and maybe even find love with someone she’d never even given a second look.
First Thoughts: Looks like a good role for Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding). Will probably see it at some point down the road.
Movies in Limited Release:
- Away We Go - Romantic comedy starring John Krasinski (TV’s The Office) and Maya Rudolph (TV’s Saturday Night Live) about an expectant couple that are traveling the country looking for the perfect place to plant themselves and raise a family.
- Downloading Nancy - Psychological drama starring Maria Bello and Jason Patric about two people that meet online.
- Seraphine - Period film about French painter Serephine Louis, who was a gifted self-taught painter.
- Tennessee - Road movie about two brothers heading back to their hometown in search of their estranged father.
- Unmistaken Child
For New Movie Friday there are two new movies to choose from this week. They are The Hangover, Land of the Lost, and My Life in Ruins. What new movie looks good to you this week?
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