Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Best of 2009: movies



While 2009 wasn't a terrible year for movies, it wasn't the best one, either. I didn't catch all of the films that I wanted to, but of the ones that I did see, these are the best:

1. Inglourious Basterds - Tarantino's return was all I hoped it would be. Well, almost all, as I was expecting it to focus more than it did on a Dirty Dozen-esque band of soldiers. Brad Pitt made me laugh and Christoph Waltz was outstanding.

2. Watchmen - I may be the only person to hold it in such high regard, but I really dug this extremely faithful adaption of the funny book. Saying "it could've been worse" is not high praise...but, really, it could've been much more worse.

3. Up - Pixar magic.

4. Up in the Air - Jason Reitman magic.

5. The Hangover - Hands down the funniest movie of the year and it still holds up on repeat viewings. I'm glad the world is finally discovering the genius of Zach Galifianakis.

6. Moon - Sam Rockwell gave an excellent performance as a man isolated in space (or is he?). It's a shame that he seems to be getting overlooked this awards season.

7. District 9 - Who would've thought that a relatively low budget South African alien flick would be better than most of the ludicrously expensive Hollywood blockbusters? Or more poignant than all of the Oscar bait?

8. Star Trek - Before this I had never seen a full episode of the series or any of the movies. I'm no Trekkie, but I had a blast watching this. Not enough Simon Pegg, though.

9. Zombieland - Obligatory Zombie Movie In Micah's Top Ten. This was the second most fun I had in theaters all year.

10. Taken - Liam Neeson is the Irish Jack Bauer.

Scariest movie I've seen in a long time:
Paranormal Activity

Jeers for not getting a wide release and thus I didn't get a chance to see it:
The Slammin' Salmon

Great parts, lackluster whole:
Where the Wild Things Are

Good, but didn't meet my sky high expectations:
Big Fan

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wanted to see Moon, but I must have completely missed it coming out in theaters. :(

Micah said...

I don't believe it got a wide release. I almost caught it the week it was at our arthouse theater, but plans to go with a friend fell through. So I resorted to, uh, "borrowing" it from the internet over the weekend and playing it on my Xbox. Sam Rockwell, if you're reading this, I do intend on buying the DVD at some point.

But it's really good. I highly recommend it. If there was any justice, Rockwell would get the Oscar.

cw said...

well of your list i've only seen the last 3 (though most of the others are in my queue). 8 and 9 were very enjoyable, and you know how i feel about 10 - hated it so much i forget why i hated it.

Micah said...

I'll practice some unauthorized distribution and get you Moon and Big Fan tomorrow. I'd lend you Watchmen, but I don't think you'd like it (especially since I only own the 3+ hour "Ultimate Cut").

jasdye said...

apparently Liam Neeson is playing the Irish badass Hannibal in the new A-Team movie.

i love it when my childhood is rapped...

Micah said...

Sure, I'll bitch when it comes out...but I'll also likely go see it.

herodotus said...

incredibly...i agreed with most of your list. though, i am a bit surprised at the absence of sherlock holmes....

Micah said...

Look at who surfaces! You know, we're not so different, you and I. And I can explain the lack of Sherlock Holmes: I haven't seen it yet. But it's on my list.