Jon’s Best Films of 2009
It needs no introduction, it simply is the Best Films of 2009 by me, Jon Peters, and based on what I felt and thought on all of the films I’ve seen from January 1st to December 31st. What a tough cookie to crack, especially when I’ve seen hundreds of films theatrically and direct-to-DVD. How to judge and organize films, documentaries, animation, horror, is a question I asked myself. Before you begin, feel free to remind yourself of what we thought at the Mid-Year Report (here). See how many stayed the same in our eyes, and what changed. Now, here’s my format and enjoy!
Best Direct-to-DVD Horror Film: Laid to Rest (read the original review here)
Best Wide Release Horror Film: (TIE) Zombieland (read the original review here); The Collector (read the original review here).
Best Documentary: The Cove (read the original review here)
Best Limited Release Film: Medicine for Melancholy (read the original review here)
Honorable Mention Films: Che (here), The Girlfriend Experience (here), Coraline (here), Food, Inc. (here), and Observe and Report (here).
And now (insert drum roll) my Best Films of 2009, all in alphabetical order:
(500) Days of Summer
You know ladies, guys can be crushed from break-ups as well, as this film does so wonderfully well to depict. A great soundtrack, a clever premise and construction of the falling in and then out of love, with two solid leads, makes for one superb film.
Antichrist
Brutal, sickening, demented, and sorely misunderstood. There are images here so talked about, that will never leave your memory, but Von Trier gives us more than some gore scenes. The story of a couple’s descent into depression is harrowing, yet beautifully photographed. One of the prettiest films of the year, as well as, a borderline masterpiece. A modern Salo: Or, the 120 Days of Sodom. (read the original review here)
Avatar
I was one of this film’s biggest skeptics, until I saw it in the glorious IMAX 3-D. Say what you will about it’s simple story arc, it’s the event of the film, with the scope of Cameron’s vision, that makes the culture of aliens so appealing. This is what the Star Wars prequels should have been: a spectacle of effects, story, and event. (read the original review here)
Goodbye Solo
An intimate film about a friendship and tragedy and hope. Some superb acting, with Ramin Bahrani’s distinct direction. A small film in terms of budget, but a great film that I hope finds some Oscar love. (read the original review here)
Hunger
Riveting and heart-wrenching, a film I’m sure many of you haven’t caught theatrically. Please get the Criterion DVD soon, because you’ll be treat to some astounding filmmaking of the Irish Hunger Strike. There’s a 25 minute scene done in one take that is as powerful, as any 90 minute feature. (read the original review here)
The Hurt Locker
In a star making role, Jeremy Renner anchors this unique Iraq war film, that doesn’t parade heroism. Some people are just war junkies, and this film explores the why. (read the original review here)
Inglourious Basterds
Tarantino’s best script. Granted the whole Mike Myers sequence could have been deleted, the first 45 minutes are so good, who cares? Funny, epic, a sprawling American fantasy of how WWII should have ended. (read my original review here)
The Messenger
A heart-breaking look at the team sent out to notify loved ones that their kin has died in war. Ben Foster is excellent, as is the under-appreciated Samantha Morton. (read the original review here)
The Princess and the Frog
Disney return to the Princess formula and cell animation is a stunning showcase of wonderful animation, great songs, and great storytelling. Pixar is not needed this time. (read the original review here)
Up in the Air
A keen look at both our economic woes and a man finding redemption, makes for a comedy that could nab the one Oscar, comedies don’t win: Best Picture.
What are you favorites from this year? Feel free to leave a comment!
16 Comments
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Hell yeah for LAID TO REST. I f’n loved that movie. Nothing totally original, but it’s brutal as hell. Plus it’s got a HOT leading lady. Plus I’m a pretty big Kevin Gage fan. This man needs to be known to others outside the direct to DVD fans. He’s a fine actor.
Jon Reply:
December 29th, 2009 at 6:06 am
Heck yeah, glad that got some love. It was a great year for horror, kind of tough picking, because there was so many I liked. Even Saw 6.
My favorites of 09:
1. Watchmen
2. Avatar
3. Star Trek
4. Terminator: Salvation
5. Transformers 2(yes, you read right).
Jon Reply:
December 29th, 2009 at 6:08 am
I liked Watchmen second time around a bit more in the Director’s Cut-maybe another honorable mention?
Star Trek was a tough cookie to leave off.
Terminator: Salvation…a blast, and I’ve defended it since May. But better films out there, obviously, IMO.
Really, Matt? Transformers 2? It’s not because of Megan Fox is it?
Matt Keith Reply:
December 29th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I know it was an (very)odd choice, but I thought it was just fun as hell watching Robots beat the **** out each other. Thats an automatic “win” for me.
Jon Reply:
December 29th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
What’s a win in Transformers 2? That it ended lol…no actually it was a fine summer popcorn film, although I still didn’t like it as other summer films.
It’s because Michael Bay is awesome!
Melissa Molina Reply:
December 29th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Michael Bay isn’t awesome, he’s just a lucky son of a bitch to be where he is now. Transformers 2 is the equivalent of looking at a Maxim magazine while watching two kids play with their robot toys for nearly three hours.
Matt Keith Reply:
December 29th, 2009 at 10:31 am
@Donny
Ditto. M. Bay rules.
Jon Reply:
December 29th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Oh, Donny. He’ll only continue to be awesome if he continues to cast Megan.
Michael Bay is a director that isn’t afraid to do what it takes to make the big bucks and continue doing one of the greatest jobs in the world. He doesn’t take himself seriously, he laughs off criticism and he knows how to dominate the box office. If we as a movie-going audience have to watch Megan Fox run around on screen and bend over motorcycles in really short shorts, then I guess that’s what we have to do.
Melissa Molina Reply:
December 29th, 2009 at 11:09 am
I’d rather have Michael Bay condensed into commercials. I have a better time swallowing him as a commercial and music video director than trying to take him some what seriously as a feature filmmaker.
Jon Reply:
December 29th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Someone’s bitter over Bay.
The man’s numbers speak for themselves. For every hater there are 10 people willing to pay to see his flicks. Michael Bay for President!
Melissa Molina Reply:
December 29th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
That’s why the studios hire him, same goes with Brett Ratner. For them it’s not the quality of the films but the quantity of money they can acquire from them by having one huge spectacle of a feature. It’s basically like showing off fireworks at a person instead of acting out a story. Sure, the fireworks are pretty and catch your eye, but the play people would remember more, which is what these directors will never have.
sometimes all we need is fireworks.