BEST OF 2009
After a long wait which I am sure you were all on the edge of your seats. It is time for my end of the year best of movies list for 2009 so without further ado
BEST FILMS I SAW FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR
CASABLANCA
A CHRISTMAS TALE
THE WORLD OF SUPER EL BEASTO
DISAPPOINTING
PUBLIC ENEMIES
PAPER HEART
BROTHERS
JENNIFER’S BODY
HONORABLE MENTION
THIRST
TWO LOVERS
AWAY WE GO
OBSERVE & REPORT
DEAD GIRL
THE WATCHMEN
THE BROTHERS BLOOM
DEAR ZACHARY – Not a film from this year but so powerful if it did it would be my #1 but since I saw it this year I decided to include it here
UP
THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX
A PERFECT GETAWAY
AVATAR
ADVENTURELAND
CRANK 2
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
TWO LOVERS
TOP 20
20. TRICK R’ TREAT
19. WORLD’S GREATEST DAD
18. WHIP IT!
17. MEDECINE FOR MELANCOLY
16. THE HANGOVER
15. PRECIOUS
14. OUTRAGE
13. INGLORIOUS BASTERDS
12. BIG FAN
11. UP IN THE AIR
10. TYSON
9. IN THE LOOP – Which should be nominated for best original screenplay and best supporting actor
8. THE MESSENGER
7. ZOMBIELAND
6. STAR TREK
5. GOOD HAIR
4. BLACK DYNAMITE
3. 500 DAYS OF SUMMER
2. DISTRICT 9
1. THE HURT LOCKER
I didn’t see
BROKEN EMBRACES, A SERIOUS MAN, THE WHITE RIBBON, CRAZY HEART, BRONSON, THE INFORMANT
THE SOLOIST (2009)
Directed By: Joe Wright
Written By: Susannah Grant
Based On The Book By: Steve Lopez
Cinematography By: Seamus McGarvey
Editor: Paul Tothill
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx, Catherine Keener, Stephen Root, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Rachael Harris, Tom Hollander
The film is perfectly fine entertainment of a film that really doesn’t have a plot. Sure it’s a fascinating fact based story that may have been better explored as a documentary or maybe even better reading about it but the film leaves a lot to be desired as not much really happens except that it makes the main character feel better by discovering and trying to help a talented homeless schizophrenic . Which is pretty much the plot of the film.
Everyone does a perfectly serviceable performance I really like Robert Downey Jr’s look. Jamie Foxx’s performance doesn’t really hit me hard as it seems like his intention sure he is a spot on mimic but the performance seems exactly like that a act or impersonation in it’s not really ground in any sort of reality though it is based on a true story. It feels empty with no heart which is how the film feels. It tries to get you emotional in many scenes but fails to do so.
The film plays like a contemporary movie that seems only made to try and be oscar bait and a crowd pleaser. Like the film THE BLIND SIDE only the later seemed to know how to appeal to the masses this film seems more directed at a more artsy audience. That is why it feels so basic with artistic touches and indulgence.
Other then the two main characters we really never get to know any characters. Which is especially daunting as the film has a established supporting cast. So we never get to know the past of the main characters as far as what they tell us. Like we know Steve as played as Downey Jr. has demons but we only get hints at it. But in the film we are supposed to believe he faces his own to help another person but other then having serious looks on his face and seeming vulnerable we never know exactly what he has to overcome. The film also introduces a character who insists that Jamie Foxx’s Character needs to find god and religion but the first time he suggests it he goes ape-shit. So when right before a recital he tries the same plan again it’s hardly surprising that he messes him up. If this was a traditional film he would be seen as a villain but here he is a normal supposedly intelligent side character.
The film just seems like it is desperate to pat itself on the back especially by including actual homeless people as characters and extras. That it feels false and like a waste of time. I just hope Joe Wright picks better material for his next film to show off his talent rather then waste it on drivel like this that requires more of a workman like director with not as much creativity.
GRADE: D+
EXTRACT (2009)
Cast: Jason Batemen, Kristen Wiig, Dustin Milliagan, Ben Affleck, J.K. Simmons, Mila Kunis, Gene Simmons, Clifton Collins Jr., David Koechner, Hal Sparks, Tom Virtue
Written & Directed By Mike Judge
Cinematography By: Tim Shustedt
Editor: Julia Wong
No one quite does satire or the mundaness of life like mike judge. The fun of this movie is that like his show king of the hill it involves normal characters that see so real you could swear you know someone just like each of them but he then throws these characters into increasingly outrageous situations that are believable.
The comedy is dry and subtle which is why I liked this film so much. It’s a film to discover that never goes over the edge. it’s best if you not know what happens other then. Jason Batemen’s character owns a flavor extract company and is involved in a domino effect involving lawsuits, a con woman, and his best friend a bartender.
The film is pretty cut, dry and simple it’s entertaining but not something you remember too much longer after watching it. I nice slice of life that is a good time passer. That is Funnier the more you think about it. It just never really reaches a tone or settles on a point of what it all means. It just seems random no center almost like it is meant to be a character study that is supposed to be about the workers of this factory but just becomes about Jason Bateman and his challenges.
It’s a return to form for the director as this is another workplace comedy this time it is seen more from the boss’s point of view and instead of cubicles this takes more of a look at a factory setting. What works for mike judge is that he writes movies with characters that you feel like you have meet or known in your life.
Ben Affleck returns to the screen in a role more suited for him. The supporting role the comic relief instead of the leading man can do no wrong type characters. It reminds me of his comic roles in movies like DAZED & CONFUSED
The problem with the film is that one of the main reasons things happen in this film is that Bateman’s character is trying to make a deal to sell his company. Everything that happens threatens to mess up the deal so he has to straighten things up. It drives the events of the film but is treated as a second thought then a real problem. Almost like another side story that is not interesting.
Jason Bateman’s Character is neurotic and exaggerated as a person in his position would be that you can understand if this was another filmmaker’s movie but since this is a mike judge film it seems not to fit in the laid back characters and world of this movie. In fact during this movie nothing feels like it is on the line it all feels random and inconsequential staying true to the films laid back nature
GRADE: C+
HACKERS (1995)
CAST: Johnny Lee Miller, Angelian Jolie, Matthew Lillard, Jesse Bradford, Angela Watson, Fisher Stevens, Lorraine Bracco, Wendell Pierce, Marc Anthony, Renoly Santiago
Directed By: Iain Softley
Written By: Rafael Moreu
Cinematography By: Andrzej Sekula
Editor: Chris Blunden & Martin Walsh
More noted for stars Johnny Lee Miller’s Romance and quickie marriage afterwards then anything else. But the movie is a good time capsule of styles and computer technology of the early 90’s since computer technology is always updating so fast them marveling at software that by now is epically slow seem like a ancient artifact.
The film is a totally unbelievable cyber thriller with too old actors playing teenagers. It also has Fisher Stevens Hamming it up as the films villain. Who like most villains is more brains then brawn. The only thing this movie opens your eyes to is how easily technology can take over our lives and be troublesome. This film tries to make hackers look like rockstars. The film isn’t bad it’s entertaining as long as you are not looking for too much in it.
Even for it’s time period the film looks like it was filmed cheaply great for a indie but bad for a studio film.
There is really no reason for Lorraine Bracco to be in this film. She serves no purpose other then for the villain to have a accomplice to explain his evil plan to sort of a audience surrogate. The writers still could hae found a better way to include the audience. Maybe at the time she added star power to the film, being that she is a academy and Emmy award nominee.
It’s the story of Gabe who was a 11 year old hacker who took down a business and the feds arrested him starting out a new life in New York five years later he is not allowed anywhere near a computer. He is initially a outcast but finds friends in a group of hackers who don’t know his past a wannabe member of the crew steals a file that a master hacker was using to ransom the government saying it would sink a oil tanker. The master hacker who is a consultant for the FBI wants the file back and blackmails jabe to help him get it back. While placing all the evidence on the wannabe.
What will happen watch and you will see. This is a perfect film to watch when nothing else is on or to put on while you do other things just to look up once in awhile to see where it’s at. Angelina Jolie was already setting herself apart frmo the cast with her amazing beauty here you really notice her eyes. That you can tell she was a star in the making.
There is nothing wrong with making smart people or nerds cool but this film makes hackers and hacking cool as a form of teenage rebellion though it has worldwide consequences and the finale is ridiculous showing hackers as a community. Though in life they seem more antagonistic and competitive with each other.
The film definitely doesn’t age well and feels more like a fad film. Cool for when it came out but years later you look at it and laugh. You can’t believe you once thought this was cool though when it hit theatres it still felt aged or like the film was talking down to the audience.
I have unfortunately seen this film way too many times as it was in constant rotation at my job when I worked at Tower Video. We were a young staff and could only play PG-13 and under movies and who ever was on register picked the films to play and this was one of the go to films if you really couldn’t think of anything good to play. Sometimes we got to play Rated R films in the evenings. Other titles that were on constant rotation were BLUE STREAK, BLACK KNIGHT, EMPIRE RECORDS, WHAT’S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN And MALCOLM X. plus the video collections of Michael Jackson, The Cure, Madonna. I used to try and expose the customers and staff to undiscovered gems via screening the film throughout the store, but instead they liked movies like this.
It is fun to see a movie made just when the internet was coming into play. I say check it out if you can’t find anything else.
GRADE: D+
VAMPIRE MOVIES
In honor Of TWILIGHT: NEW MOON being a success and Ruining a new era of moviegoers with it’s Romeo & Juliet with vampires storyline. I am rather tired of all this romanticism of vampires everywhere all of a sudden in books on television and in movies. Can a slasher get a hug. Vampires are always so Romantic, distinguished and classy sort of like the myth applied to Europeans. That I tend to like the films that give you more of a realistic portrayal. That look at it as more of a curse you have been infected with. That make it seem more like a drig addiction you have been infected with that you can’t quit or you die. One of the problems is that there has been plenty of films with vampires in them that don’t really feel like or to me count as vampire movies. I have decided to make a list of vampire movies that might be more entertaining then any TWILIGHT movies.
THE GOOD
- The Lost Boys
- Let The Right One In – if you haven’t seen it go now
- Near Dark – A Classic
- Thirst
- Blade 2
- Bram Stoker’s Dracula – Campy But I like the Design of the film and enjoyed it as a child and surprisingly still do
- Interview With the Vampire – Though the book is better
- Buffy The Vampire Slayer: The Series
- Angel: The Series
- Vamp
- Fright Night
- From Dusk Til Dawn
THE BAD
- Underworld 2 – Actually more enjoyable then the original but still more style then substance
- Blade
- My Best Friend Is A Vampire – Cute and Cheesy
- Buffy The Vampire Slayer: The Movie
- Shadow Of The Vampire
- Fright Night 2
- The Hunger
- The Addiction
THE UGLY
- Underworld – more style then substance
- Blade: Trinity
- Queen Of The Damned
- The Forsaken
- Innocent Blood – Good idea, Bad Follow Through
SNOW ANGELS (2007)
Directed By: David Gordon Green
Written By: David Gordon Green; Based On The Novel By: Stewart O’Nan
Cinematography By: Tim Orr
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell, Olivia Thirlby, Amy Sedaris, Tom Noonan, Nicky Katt
I consider this a coming of age film less for centering around kids which most coming of age films caress at the center even though this film does have teenage characters this is more of a coming of age film for the adults who populate this story it is a sobering story that shows that most of these characters in there own way need to grow up and are in the process of doing it.
The main story of annie and Glen are like two characters who populate a country song once in love and as they grow older seperate but find they need each other because the days of dreams are coming to a end and reality is hitting hardcore. I think there story will ring true with a lot of audience members as it is a story that is happening more and more in different cultures around the world.
The film just like it’s snowy scenery has a emotional coldness and stillness that adds a hovering cloud of doom and desperation that is a cloud that never leaves this film.
The True Revelation here is Kate Beckinsale I have never really seen her in a dramatic part before and she goes with full flying colors she is excellent especially in the quiet emotional moments she has as much talent as she has beauty. Not that the rest of the cast is weak it is surprising to see Amy Sedaris who I have only seen in comedies in a dramatic part for once it’s a nice change. Sam Rockwell is good but I have come so accustomed to seeing him do great in any role he has taken it’s just a given he is going to be excellent why he is not touted in the same great acting circles as Ryan Gosling and Leonardo Dicaprio is puzzling maybe because he is rarely in studio films and constantly is working in the independent film arena.
David Gordon Green continues his style as the modern equivalent to Terrence Malick as chronicler of small town American life and exposes more of the reality of the situations that characters find themselves in without overdoing it as much as mainstream cinema will allow. I mean he doesn’t make Mumblecore movie about hipsters or go with ultra realism as Kelly Richert director of old joy but he definatley has a original voice all his own when it comes to cinema he is a gifted director and this film isn’t a disappointment not as good as his previous work but a good standard
I say rent but prepared it’s not a feel good film which makes it all the more realistic people don’t pay for being wrong or bad life just goes on nothing comes out the way you expect it too.
GRADE: B-
CLOSER (2004)
Cast: Clive Owen, Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman
Directed By: Mike Nichols
Written By: Patrick Marber
Cinematography By: Stephen Goldblatt
Editor: John Bloom & Antonia Van Drimmelen
The beautiful thing about this movie is the words the language used which is both smart and cruel it’s amazing how sentences can hurt and destroy so much
This is not a film to watch if you are looking for action it’s more about Character , Drama and situations then anything else. This is just a adult relationship drama and everything here is beautiful.
This is a drama but feels more like a horror movie there are so many scenes of emotional violence that this is like watching a massacre. Since there are only four characters it’s easy to get to know the characters even though they don’t talk about there pasts much you get to know them so much that you feel the pain and despair that they do.
The Switching allegiances, mind games and harsh words make this like a british David Mamet film though you can tell the film is based on a play for it’s limited locations and exclusive intimate closed spaces that the action takes place in. Mike Nichols wisely knows how to open the film up to make it looks sumptuous.
Even though the cast is all good the person who walks away with the film is Natalie Portman this is what award winning acting is all about een thought she didn’t even get nominated it was a chance for her to escape her shackles of her teen and lightweight roles to show that she is not only grown but a fully sexual being. From her scene in the strip club where even though she is taking orders she is in total control while also letting herself be completely vulnerable by actually telling the truth for one of the first times in the film. To when she is being vulnerable when she is supposed to be running away with the love of her life. Mike Nichols also knows how to make this beautiful lady into a goddess with color, dress and showing just enough skin.
Cate Blanchett was originally cast in the Julia Roberts role she played the role in the play that Julia Roberts plays but she got pregnant and could not do the role so she was replaced by Julia Roberts who does pretty good in this role since this is really one of the few times where she plays a three dimensional character that is kind of like her usual self of being likeable but also capable of being hateful. There is no cutesy sweet girl we are used to here. Jude Law and Clive Owen were both also in the play but here they switched the roles they originally played. Both are too perfection.
The film also has a beautiful opening scene with the song the blower’s daughter by Damien rice that this movie seem to put on the charts for people to discover which in itself is a haunting song that hovers over the rest of the film
A definite must see
WHATEVER WORKS (2009)
Written & Directed By: Woody Allen
Cinematography By: Harris Savides
Editor: Alisa Lepselter
CAST: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr., Samantha Bee, Michael McKean
The film feels more like a play then a film just a play that uses a lot of exterior locations. Not that good of a play but a ok farce. The film just feels lazy like it has no energy. Which is a shame as it was coming off a Actual good film VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA
The main Attraction to see the Film is star Larry David but the results are not quite as good as you would think it would be. While playing a character it’s not too much a departure from him playing himself. Only here he is more of a downer and a scientist.
Usually in films the main character is supposed to change or at least learn a lesson from the beginning to the end. Here his character is basically the same and learns nothing. He just changes his outlook a bit.
The Film is about a cynical Scientist who decides to take in a southern runaway and marries her then all of a sudden her parents come to new york to be reunited with her and take her back home and find themselves under the spell of New York to change there lives and be there true selves.
Woody Allen has said that this was not a new script he wrote recently but a script he wrote in the seventies that he never really finished so he stuck it in a drawer and only recently found it and finished it. Maybe there was a good reason he hid it away back then. He was a lot sharper of mind and probably realized it wasn’t that good or original so e hid it away now he seems to be running out of steam so he finally makes it because he really can’t think of anything. That is also how the film plays no insight or effort it just lays there. While some of the ideas are still there and funny it feels uninspired.
One of the main problems of the film is that there never seems to be anything at risk for any of the characters in any way shape or form. No emotional changes they just seem to exist and very few things happen then they change slightly. The only real change is in lifestyle for the two supporting characters who come to New York and stop being repressed and open up to a new lifestyle. Yet it happens so quick and gimmicky it just feels false.
Even the ending is too neatly wrapped up in a cute cookie cutter kind of way.
I am a huge woody Allen fan and a big Larry David film and found this disappointing not as bad as Allen’s recent dreadful output but not too much better either. As usual it has it’s charms but if the film was made by any other director it would be considered subpar. It’s only noteworthy because of Mr. Allen and Mr. David. Watch only if you are a completist.
GRADE: D
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