Top 10 Films of 2009

Below I am detailing in limited detail my Top 10 movies of the year. I wanted to include The Wrestler and a few others, because they were released in the UK in 2009, but I’ve left them out for the sake of the top ten.

10. Zombieland

I know people that would say this was the film of the year, and it was the best zombie movie ever. For me, Shaun of the Dead is the best, and I made the mistake of going into this zom-rom-com (which it is) thinking it was trying to be SotD, but it really isn’t. It is less deadpan, more American, and it is fun. Throw in a cameo by Bill Murray and a few mad zombie kills and you have a really enjoyable movie. It should consider itself lucky to beat Adventureland into the top ten, because while I did enjoy this movie more, I had more of an emotional connection to the characters in Adventureland than this, where the characters were pretty flat.

9. Bronson

There is very little I can say about this film. It is technically very well done. Tom Hardy puts in an amazing performance as Charles Bronson. There is nothing really wrong with this film, but aside from the lead acting it doesn’t really jump out at me as anything amazing. It is well worth the watch.

8. I Love You, Man

Why did no one seem to watch/like this film? It was brilliant. The on-screen chemistry of Paul Rudd and Jason Segal cannot be denied. The movie’s biggest asset is its very simple idea that is crafted phenomenally into this hilarious film. Ideally, you must have an acting, developing or recent bromantic relationship to really understand the premise.

7. District 9

I loved this movie’s concept, its angle, its script, everything ... but the camera was way too shaky. So shaky in fact that it distracted me from this great film. It is such a unique and creative film; everyone should tip their hats to the imagination of the film makers. Anyone who is not impressed by it is missing something. Look at the many layers this story has. It begins with the overtone of immigration (aliens to South Africa) and turns into a dark comedy as the aliens’ rights are abused (come on, if you don’t find an alien being called ‘Christopher Johnson’ funny you should have your head checked). Then you get to the emotionally wrenching moments that are done so convincingly. Watch it, because I know a lot of people haven’t.

6. Watchmen

Having not read the graphic novel I did not have a single complaint about this movie aside from it being a little long. Some have complained that it didn’t stay entirely loyal, but haven’t looked at the graphic novel since it did remain loyal, except it didn’t have the comic book kid (well it did, but they were cut, watched the longer version of the film), and the ending has the cities being destroyed not by Dr Manhattan’s energy signature, but by a GIANT SPACE OCTOPUS! Which, let’s be honest, sounds retarded. I’m glad they made those few changes, because this film was fun, exciting and cool as out.

5. (500) Days of Summer

This film made me care about Joseph Gordon-Levitt and hate Zooey Deschanel (HOW DARE she do that to him!). This romantic comedy is not like other romantic comedies. It was completely honest and realistic about relationships and that was very refreshing to me. The humour was clever and subtle, which I do love on a level I cannot explain. I only wish that every time I have sex I can go out onto the street and fantasies a song and dance parade too. Who needs Hugh F’N Grant?

4. Up

Pixar are a mile ahead of every other animation studio. With this beautiful film they have, once again, taken a very lovely idea and turned it into this slick and smooth film that appeals to kids and adults. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry. This was not a surprise though; I’ve loved most of Pixar’s films and liked the rest aside from Cars, which I didn’t dislike at all. This I would rank below Toy Story and Wall-E as my favourite Pixar film.

3. Star Trek

I was not a fan of Star Trek, but I’ve never really been a fan of sci-fi. I always considered you a bit of a wanker if you actually joined the debate of Star Trek vs Star Wars by taking one side and refusing to accept the other. This film though was brilliant, and if you haven’t watched this or just chose not to like it just because you like Star Wars then you’re a dick. The brilliance of this film comes from the director, JJ Abrams, who made this movie with an early explanation to make everyone happy. It may not follow the Star Trek mythology to the last detail, but that is because the universe in which it takes place is different, and I don’t want to spoil it with detail. It is great in every area.

2. Fantastic Mr. Fox

Okay, I don’t normally do this, but for this I make an exception ... this is the best animated movie I have ever seen. Yes, it even beat Toy Story, which I thought wouldn’t be overtaken ever. Americanisation can suck on it, because there is nothing at all offensive. It has taken the fairly short (classic) book by Roald Dahl and expanded it with a little bit at the beginning and a tiny bit at the end, with everything else being in the booking. The animation works so well for this film, and I don’t want to refer to stop-frame as ‘simple’, but what we see on the screen in the finished product just works so amazing well because it looks very simple. More than this, it is funny in the very best way: clean, harmless, family friendly, but still laugh out loud funny. Like Up there is something here for everyone.

1. Inglorious Basterds

No offence, but it is here by a mile. Words cannot describe how much I love this film. As a huge fan of Quentin Tarantino, I can say with great confidence that this is his masterpiece (reference to the movie intended, very intended). People can complain all they want about Brad Pitt not being used a lot, but this film was never about it, Aldo Raine isn’t the main character really, Shosanna Dreyfus is. Complain about the historical inaccuracies too, because that is just a reason why you will never enjoy anything like most people enjoyed this film. The script is next to perfect with a very odd but delightful blend of awkwardness, cunning witism, and subtle humour – and those are what I consider three sides of this films square, the fourth being the violence. While I’m at it, best opening to a movie ever, Hans Landa will go down as one of my favourite villains of all time, and Teddy Fucking Ballgame was not as annoying as others have said. Also, props to Tarantino for being so brave to use a mainly German cast. Excellence.

--------

I hope you enjoyed that.