My top-10 films of 2009

Many people have asserted that this has been a somewhat lackluster year for film, and while I have a fairly large list of movies I personally enjoyed, I can't exactly not support that sentiment. Its really strange really, because we had so many great films, including most of the 10 nominations (maybe with the exception of the might-as-well-be lifetime movie The Blindside), as well as other lesser known films such as Moon and Adventurland. Rather,I think peoples interest in film was just a little lower this year, which may sound funny given that James Cameron broke his own records with Avatar this fall. But that is exactly my point, for many people (myself not included) the major flagship for American cinema was a slightly generic 3D sci-fi epic about blue alien catpeople. And it doesn't help that many of the years supposed blockbusters like Watchmen and GI-Joe turned out to be duds or in the case of Transformers 2 and Wolverine Origins they turned out to be abominations of film.

Having said and in the spirit of the oscar season I wanted to go over what films I will always remember as being the highlights of 2009. First is my official top 10, which includes some of the nominees for best picture.

01 – The Hurt Locker – Emotionally complicated and brooding, this slow burn of a war thriller sets new expectations for the genre. A fully realized character study with something to say. Shot with confidence and skill, this movie will stand well along the likes of Platoon and Apocalypse Now .

02 - Up in the Air – Jason Reitman swings another home-run that cuts right down to the core of the human condition. A wonderful adult dramedy.

03 - District 9 – Socio-political sci-fi action thriller. Brings to mind the greatest in its genre but brings something new to the table as well. A love or hate experiment in genre perhaps, but one that I can’t stop watching.

04 - Inglorious Bastards – Tarantino’s tightest script since Pulp Fiction set in a fictitious WW2 nazi occupied France. This has the Tarantino stamp of aproval which comes with great characters and dialogue you can always depend on. Here he single handedly rewrites well documented history and basically makes an american foriegn film. Twisted take on history that makes you remember why it’s fun to go the movies.

05 - Away We Go – Best movie by Sam Mendes since American Beauty and a great coming of middle-age story about two young lovers trying to find a place they can call home. Some critics hated it, and for the life of me, I can’t see why.

06 – Up – Another home run by Pixar, a heart melting piece about aging and young ambition. Equally funny and melancholy, but nevertheless entertaining and eye catching.

07 – Where the Wild Things Are - Spike Jones turns a classic children’s book about running away from home and chilling with some furries into an art-film for kids. This movie fully realizes a fantasy that warns kids about escapism instead of encouraging it.

08 - Star Trek – One of the summers true highlights and testament to the notion that J.J. Abrams is truly a sci-fi force to be reckoned with. Humor and action briskly handed to you in equal servings makes for the ultimate popcorn movie and in mny humble star-wars biased mind it outshines/outdates all of the previous films in the well established franchise. Personally I think this movie is far more reasonable then the heavy handed and bloated Avatar.

09 - I love you Man - Somehow forgotten already, this might be the most heavily quoted movie of the year, alongside The Hangover. The ultimate bromance; Jason Seagull and Paul Rudd’s chemistry makes for a hilarious and enjoyable comedy. The third act is a little dissapointing as it really tries to force conflict on a movie that probably doesn't need it, but in the end you still come out of the film happy and wanting more. But I am not asking for a sequal as it would drain the lifeforce out of this film like an evil twin fetus.

10 – (500) Days of Summer - Both funny and painfully real, this movie is the best break-up movie since Eternal Sunshine and Zoe Deschannel and J-lett make a wonderful pair of lovers who can never seem to get comfortable. It's slightly unbeleiveable that someone like Joseph Gordon Levitt would be so insecure about women, but he playes the role well, and this is arguably Zoe's carreer defining role. This movie playes around with gender reversal as the man is seen as the heartbroke romantic, and the girl is detached and aloof.