The Ten Best Films of 2009 That I Saw
by Scott Hardie on December 29, 2009
10: Thirst - A priest must cope with having become a vampire. It's a psychological power struggle between two outcasts with their souls on the line. Slow but very methodical in its effect; every moment matters.
9: Gran Torino - Completely predictable, but still very powerful. An old man befriends a troubled teen and teaches him what it means to be a man when lives are on the line.
8: Up - Hilarious and exuberant. Another Pixar masterpiece. The emotional punch of the opening minutes, which rivals the death of Bambi's mother, gives the later adventures a critical gravity. Great fun for all ages.
7: Push - The only movie on this list that didn't get wide critical acclaim. Superhero deconstruction tales are commonplace these days (this isn't the only one on this list), but this one was smooth and very stylish, and it charms worked on me.
6: Coraline - As good as The Nightmare Before Christmas, with bizarre fantasy visions come to life with incredible attention to detail. Children should love this tale for many years to come. It should have been released at Halloween.
5: Star Trek - Abrams figured out how to make the old series fast, cool, and fun (really fun) again. This is terrific entertainment for fans and non-fans alike, and I can't wait to see more.
4: Watchmen - Like all fans of the novel, I have a few minor quibbles with Zack Snyder's interpretation. But he preserved 95% of the incredibly rich layering of themes in this post-modern superhero epic, and that makes for one outstanding tale.
3: Revolutionary Road - Kate Winslet is the best actress of her generation, and shows why once again in this stirring drama. Leonardo Di Caprio shows a husband consumed with fear and denial. Better than Todd Haynes's Far from Heaven.
2: Ponyo - Miyazaki deserves all of the praise he gets as a master animator and storyteller. Even this minor, post-"retirement" film is a treasure. Even the tiniest details are crafted with loving attention.
1: Nothing but the Truth - Rod Lurie fictionalizes the Valerie Plame scandal and crafts another riveting political drama in which a heroine won't sacrifice her principles no matter how much she pays for it. This is a bracing criticism of Americans who traded their values (and common decency) for perceived security during the Bush administration, and Kate Beckinsale plays the Christ figure who suffers for all of them. Very powerful and thought-provoking stuff.
The Full List
It ruled: Nothing But the Truth, Ponyo, Revolutionary Road, Watchmen, Star Trek, Coraline, Push, Up, Gran Torino, Thirst, Sunshine Cleaning, Adventureland, Angels & Demons.
It was ok: Sherlock Holmes, The Men Who Stare at Goats, The Time Traveler's Wife, The Soloist, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chocolate, Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach, Surrogates, Knowing, Chandni Chowk to China, Tales of the Black Freighter.
It sucked: Paper Heart, Fanboys, Under the Hood.
Six Replies to The Ten Best Films of 2009 That I Saw
Amy Austin | January 2, 2010
Uhura... and that was indeed one of the best character developments. I hardly think the casting could have been any better.
Lori Lancaster | January 3, 2010
[hidden by author request]
Jackie Mason | January 21, 2010
[hidden by author request]
Scott Horowitz | November 11, 2010
I know this is late... but Fanboys was awesome!!!
Scott Hardie | November 12, 2010
I really wanted to like it. I was sympathetic to what it was trying to do. It just didn't pull it off for me. :-\
Logical Operator
The creator of Funeratic, Scott Hardie, blogs about running this site, losing weight, and other passions including his wife Kelly, his friends, movies, gaming, and Florida. Read more »
What We Kept
One winter in the mid-1970s, my grandfather Donald was hospitalized with a serious infection in his foot. Being diabetic, he went out of his way for years to avoid any infections or other hazards, but his luck had run out. On Christmas Day, he was informed by the doctors that they would have to amputate his foot the next morning. Go »Sinners and Losers
Last week, Katherine Harris publicly denounced the first amendment, calling it "a lie" and said that we were supposed to be a nation of religious law. She also said that not to vote for a Christian is to vote for sin. (link) Apparently in Florida that gets you elected: Yesterday she enjoyed a landslide 50% victory over her competitors in the Senate Republican primary despite a bumbling campaign. Go »21 Days
Any advice for what to do with my last three weeks of living single? Kelly will now move here on February 4, due to various factors. This, it goes without saying, rules. Go »Chatt Story
Kelly and I are home from a brief road trip to Chattanooga. The primary reason for going was the wedding of an old friend of Kelly. The ceremony was beautiful, held on the banks of Fall Creek Falls Lake, with some of the best-written vows I've ever heard, at once personal and profound. Go »Meow Mix
Thanks Evgeni: Cat Music. Go »
Jackie Mason | January 2, 2010
[hidden by author request]