Dustin’s Top Ten Films of 2009

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Jan 072010

This list was pretty difficult to compile simply due to the fact that there was a lot of good flicks this year.¬† There are some that didn’t make my final cut and as I mentioned in yesterday’s Breachcast, that decision was made minutes before we recorded.¬† So some of the movies that I enjoyed a lot but didn’t necessarily feel made the list are Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Adventureland, and Funny People. I know I mentioned more in this week’s Breachcast, but I don’t remember.

At any rate, without further ado here are my top ten films of 2009 in order from good to great-

10 – Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

An especially hard film to watch was what I was expecting. ¬†What I wasn’t were the outrageously perfect roles as portrayed by some surprising people. ¬†Who knew that Mariah Carey could act let alone be seen without make up? ¬†But damned if she doesn’t pull off the role of a social worked flawlessly. ¬†Then Gabby Sidibe as the titular character is just agonizing to watch. ¬†But it’s Mo’Nique’s frighteningly realistic turn as Precious’ mother that really steals the show. ¬†Just give her the damn Oscar already. ¬†Unless you’re scared she’ll throw a TV at you.

9- Zombieland

One of the funnest times I’ve had at the movies this year. ¬†The zombie genre can be a really tired thing but infusing this much energy and laughter can really make the difference. ¬†I’m sure my list might be the only one that has Zombieland on it but man if I didn’t have a blast watching this movie. ¬†It was really everything I wanted from a movie with this sort of title. ¬†Plus Woody Harrelson is just a straight up bad ass. ¬†I very much look forward to the sequel as they’ve established a pretty nice zombie universe for themselves.

8- Avatar

As I mentioned in the podcast, I wasn’t quite as taken with the story of Avatar as I anticipated, but the effects and technical achievements were beyond my expectations. ¬†I never believed that motion capture as a tool could get me to sympathize with a character so much. ¬†But here in this film, I get to feel many emotions as I get to learn about the Na’Vi through Jake Sulley’s (Sam Worthington) eyes. ¬†It’s one of those films that has so much going on that even the most hardened cynic will come away with at least something they appreciated it. ¬†I welcome James Cameron back for more shit like this. ¬†We missed you, dude.

7- Up in the Air

Perhaps not quite the knock your dick in the dirt type film that every fucking blog on the internet sold it to be, Up in the Air does well to prove that Jason Reitman is a very talented director. ¬†He’s three for three with this film, Juno, and Thank You For Smoking under his belt. ¬†I’m betting there will be some Oscar noms come February, but I just don’t see this one taking the crown. ¬†As for the film itself, it’s funny, tragic, and at times very touching. ¬†Plus for anyone that’s travelled in the post-9/11 era, it’s a great deconstruction of what the whole process or lifestyle amounts to. ¬†With some great performances from George Cloony, Vera Farmiga, and Danny McBride, this film certainly constitutes one of the best films of the year. ¬†Go see it as soon as you can.

6- Star Trek (2009)

Completely catching me off guard this summer was Star Trek. ¬†I’m not a Trek fan nor have I ever seen any of the movies. ¬†At the time I saw Star Trek, I had three episodes of the original series consumed and unfortunately, I haven’t gotten further than that. ¬†But after watching this one, I couldn’t wait to get started on all kinds of Trek madness. ¬†Hands down, this movie lives and breaths by Chris Pine’s role. ¬†His role a James T. Kirk is immediately endearing to audiences. ¬†It probably doesn’t hurt that he’s a “head first” type dude. ¬†The kind of guy that would go straight into a bar fight where he’s easily out numbered. ¬†I’ve watched this movie now four times and even with all the plot holes, I still love it. ¬†Fuck, I want to watch it right now!

5-The Hangover

When I saw the trailer for this one, I figured it would be ok and if anything would legitimize director Todd Philips after a string of shit flicks he’d made. ¬†But then I nearly choked on my fish and chips at the Alamo while watching The Hangover and I knew this movie was more than just a come back. ¬†What is now the third highest grossing R-rated film (barely being The Matrix Reloaded and vastly trailing The Passion of the Christ), this movie became somewhat of a cultural phenomena almost the day the after it released. ¬†It took on the same demographic blending success that Wedding Crashers did four years ago. ¬†I for one enjoyed it mostly for the simple plot (call me a traditionalist). ¬†And it also helped that it was funny as all get out. ¬†I’ve seen this one four times already and I could see it another 40.

4- Winnebago Man

This is sort of my “Asshole Pick” because I’m willing to bet no one reading this has seen this movie. ¬†Winnebago Man was viral before the phrase even existed. ¬†People used to trade VHS tapes of a man getting very angry during the shoot of a Winnebago promotional video in the 1980s. ¬†Eventually it got on Youtube and the man known as the title character (actually named Jack Rebney) became infamous. ¬†A University of Texas at Austin professor sought out Rebney in order to document the man’s life as it is now. ¬†The movie ranges from flat out hilarious to damn near sob inducing and takes an interesting look at what happens to these people that bring us joy at the cost of their humiliation. ¬†I can’t say it enough- if you’re afforded the opportunity to see this film, do yourself a kindness and watch it.

3- Inglourious Basterds

This one was originally around six or 7 on my list but after watching it again, I’m completely enamored with it. ¬†Tarantino, although polarizing at times, just makes some astounding cinema. ¬†This movie just grabs you by the balls and doesn’t let go. ¬†I recall my first trip through just being so tense because I couldn’t tell what was going to happen in any given moment. ¬†It’s also nice to see a film that takes its time and doesn’t just go for the money shot without making the audience work a bit. ¬†I really enjoy this flick. ¬†And it helps that the BluRay has some of the best audio and video I’ve experienced on a home release.

2- District 9

I found out about this movie maybe two months before it came out. ¬†I’ve still only watched it once but it’s left an impression. ¬†The ability to compare an alien life form to that of apartheid in South Africa is at first glance a rather difficult sell. ¬†But I for one was convinced from the first frame on this one. ¬†Everything feels real, likely because of the shakey cam. But the action is not only awesome but really brutal. I thought I might get tired of seeing people explode but no, it’s fucking awesome. Not much else to say really. ¬†This is Sci-Fi at its best.

1- Up

I know I’ve talked this one to death and that this pick will come as no surprise, but I really love this movie. ¬†Pixar continually raises the bar on their films and they have quite a benchmark to over come this year. ¬†The one thing I haven’t really mentioned when talking about this movie is how much of a kid it turns me into. ¬†The sequence where the dogs are chasing our heros out of the caves is just pure adventure. ¬†From the music to the precarious situations, I turn into a blubbering mess. ¬†If you haven’t seen this movie and consider yourself a Pixar fan, by all means, close your laptop and go find a copy. ¬†You’ll thank me later.

That about wraps it up. ¬†It was a really great year for movies and I look forward to this time next year when we’re reminiscing again.