The Best of 2009

After ringing in the new year, it's time to reflect back on the best movies of 2009. Before I get to my top 10, here are a few honorable mentions, starting with the best:

-Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
-Precious
-The Hangover
-Invictus
-Where the Wild Things Are

Now on to the best movies of the past year:

10. Adventureland

Poorly marketed as a “Superbad”-esque comedy, “Adventureland” is one of the most underrated films of the year. In this nostalgic dramedy, Greg Mottola presents a beautiful coming of age story that is both touching and realistic. He doesn’t sugarcoat the difficulty of the post-collegiate world, but in his subtle yet poignant storytelling, he offers a glimmer of hope for those struggling to find their way.



9. Avatar and Star Trek (tie)

These two films made 2009 an incredible year for sci-fi blockbusters. “Avatar” is possibly the most visually stunning film of all time, its photorealistic CGI and special effects changing the face of 3D technology. J.J. Abrams’ reimagining of the “Star Trek” franchise pays homage to the original series while creating an intriguing universe all its own. “Avatar” soars because its visual appeal creates an epic moviegoing experience, and the originality of “Star Trek’s” storytelling makes it much more than just another remake.





8. (500) Days of Summer

The narrator of this romantic comedy declares upfront that “this is not a love story,” and what results is a refreshingly original take on the genre. Funny and quirky in the best way, the film dares to explore what most romance films ignore: relationships that, while significant, are just not meant to be. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are also perfectly cast in the lead roles.



7. A Serious Man

The Coen brothers’ films are never simple and straightforward in their meaning, but that is precisely what makes them so interesting. Michael Stuhlbarg is superb as a Jewish man watching his life unravel in 1960s Minnesota. Only the Coens could combine dark comedy with themes of faith and life’s unpredictability so seamlessly.



6. An Education

Carey Mulligan’s nuanced portrayal of a 16-year-old girl learning life’s tough lessons through her relationship with an older man carries this beautifully crafted drama. Set against the backdrop of 1960s London, “An Education” tells a clever tale of the balance between what is taught in the classroom and what young people learn outside of it.



5. Fantastic Mr. Fox

Wes Anderson’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s story is as offbeat, funny and oddly charming as Anderson’s live action films, which is precisely what makes it so clever. The beautifully detailed stop-motion animation combined with Anderson and Noah Baumbach’s witty dialogue is a truly fantastic treat for viewers of all ages. In an age of big-budget CGI, “Fantastic Mr. Fox” is an old-fashioned breath of fresh air.



4. Up

Pixar adds another hit to its long list of successes with “Up,” a moving film that manages to lift audiences’ spirits and breaks their hearts all at once. The film’s visually dynamic look and well-rounded characters will stay with viewers long after the film’s end. Its opening montage alone is masterfully crafted, telling Carl and his wife’s entire love story in mere minutes with no dialogue yet an abundance of emotion.



3. District 9

Perhaps the year’s most surprising film, Neill Blomkamp’s “District 9” riskily and fearlessly combines science fiction thrills with the drama of social justice issues. Simultaneously a heart-racing action flick and an apartheid allegory, “District 9” sends a message without being preachy and entertains with its documentary-style storytelling. Its star, first-time actor Sharlto Copley, is also a true talent, creating a complex performance opposite his CGI counterparts.



2. Up in the Air

This is Jason Reitman’s most personal film to date and perhaps the best performance of George Clooney’s career. “Up in the Air’s” sharp script and talented cast make it a gem of a movie. The film offers both a timely look at economic suffering and a man’s slow realization that even in the face of that suffering, opening yourself up to those you care about is the real key to happiness. In its insightful examination of downsizing, technology, relationships and loneliness, “Up in the Air” weaves a tragically beautiful tale.

1. The Hurt Locker

Kathryn Bigelow's fierce portrait of a bomb squad's rotation in Iraq is a tense ride, leaving audience's palms sweating and adrenaline rushing as they share the characters’ feelings that in a war zone, no one is ever safe. The film’s lack of a political agenda leaves room for a war story that is gritty and real. Jeremy Renner’s and Anthony Mackie’s strong performances and Bigelow’s detailed direction make “The Hurt Locker” the most accurate fictional depiction of the Iraq War presented onscreen.