by Brett Parker
As I look over my inevitable list for the Top 10 Movies of 2009, I couldn't help but notice that a romantic comedy, a Star Trek movie, and a Judd Apatow comedy dominate the top of it. This could seem very unusual in any other year, but it comes across as strangely appropriate for 2009, a year of overwhelming pop comforts. At a time when the country is still trying to pull itself out of grueling struggles, it made sense that most of our big screen entertainment was edible pop nourishment; movies that played creatively on generic comforts to lure us back into theaters. And why not? In its elemental form, movies are meant to present dazzling distractions from our personal problems and the mundane tendencies of the everyday world.
While heavy indulgence in commercial comforts can often be a rather unsettling thing, the works of 2009 managed to add delightful jolts to the cinematic universe. James Cameron's Avatar not only re-imagined and rejuvenated the thrill of 3-D movies, but altered long-discussed concerns over theater attendance by becoming the highest-grossing film of all time. It seems that award shows also played off of comfort food to razzle things up: The Hangover won best picture (comedy/musical) at the Golden Globes while hit crowd pleasers like The Blind Side, District 9, and Up nabbed Best Picture nominees in the Oscar's transparent “ten-nominee” expansion. It's obvious these awards shows are desperate for higher ratings, so they're taking a cue from Hollywood's current rake of appealing commercialism.I don't feel 2009's cockeyed pop drunkenness, however, calls for great concern or controversy. I had a notably wonderful time at the movies this year. These waves of pleasantness were extremely alluring and made narrowing my favorites down to 10 choices exceedingly difficult. I adored my personal favorites like a wild lover and I want to shine an obsessively romanticized light on just about all of them. If you haven't seen any of the following 10 films, then seek them out immediately and hug me later:
1) (500) Days of Summer
The best movie on the subject of breaking-up I’ve ever seen. First time director Marc Webb h
as crafted a superior romantic comedy that is not only brutally honest and uncompromising, but has a zestful and playful spirit. It’s a vivid relationship movie that also employs a wildly creative visual style. Stars Joseph-Gordon Levitt and Zoey Deschanel wonderfully create distinct personalities that evoke great sympathy from us. We can greatly see ourselves and the people we’ve dated in their performances. For a film to be an achingly realistic portrait of breaking-up that manages to sneak a bright-eyed optimism into the material is some kind of wonderful. This film is quite simply an accumulation of everything I’ve ever wanted to see in a romantic comedy.
as crafted a superior romantic comedy that is not only brutally honest and uncompromising, but has a zestful and playful spirit. It’s a vivid relationship movie that also employs a wildly creative visual style. Stars Joseph-Gordon Levitt and Zoey Deschanel wonderfully create distinct personalities that evoke great sympathy from us. We can greatly see ourselves and the people we’ve dated in their performances. For a film to be an achingly realistic portrait of breaking-up that manages to sneak a bright-eyed optimism into the material is some kind of wonderful. This film is quite simply an accumulation of everything I’ve ever wanted to see in a romantic comedy. 2) Star Trek
Even though my original review nitpicked at its flaws, the new Star Trek reboot kept luring me back to th
e theater for repeat viewings and proved to me that it’s an undeniable rush of exciting adventure. It wonderfully employs a hip sci-fi rhythm that honors the celebrated traditions of the franchise while jazzing things up for a new generation. Avatar may have the more impressive effects, but Star Trek has more appealing, heart-felt characters. Chris Pine is the epitome of cool in his portrayal of Captain Kirk and Zachary Quinto impresses with the emotional depths he reveals in Spock. This Star Trek is the best-looking, best-acted, most compelling, and coolest film in the franchise’s history. There is no denying the appeal, the energy, and the heart of this intergalactic thrill machine.
e theater for repeat viewings and proved to me that it’s an undeniable rush of exciting adventure. It wonderfully employs a hip sci-fi rhythm that honors the celebrated traditions of the franchise while jazzing things up for a new generation. Avatar may have the more impressive effects, but Star Trek has more appealing, heart-felt characters. Chris Pine is the epitome of cool in his portrayal of Captain Kirk and Zachary Quinto impresses with the emotional depths he reveals in Spock. This Star Trek is the best-looking, best-acted, most compelling, and coolest film in the franchise’s history. There is no denying the appeal, the energy, and the heart of this intergalactic thrill machine. 3) Funny People
Perhaps the most revealing film ever made about the inner-workings of the comedy trade. Fu
nny People is fascinating in the way it lets us into the world of stand-up comedians, showing us how they compete with each other, infiltrate the varying aspects of show business, and use their humor to combat their deepest inadequacies. Director Judd Apatow gravitates away from being an exceptional comic director and towards an artist of humanism as he unearths complex and unsettling depths from star Adam Sandler, giving one of his best performances as a narcissistic comedy star. Sandler’s performance, like the film itself, knows how to make you laugh hysterically and shake you deeply at the same time.
nny People is fascinating in the way it lets us into the world of stand-up comedians, showing us how they compete with each other, infiltrate the varying aspects of show business, and use their humor to combat their deepest inadequacies. Director Judd Apatow gravitates away from being an exceptional comic director and towards an artist of humanism as he unearths complex and unsettling depths from star Adam Sandler, giving one of his best performances as a narcissistic comedy star. Sandler’s performance, like the film itself, knows how to make you laugh hysterically and shake you deeply at the same time. 4) Public Enemies
Michael Mann once again proves that he's a master of action drama with this unsettling and mysterious meditation on legendary crime figure, John Dillinger. In telling the story of the infamous prohibitio
n-era bank robber, Mann highlights the underlying poignancy and emotional ambiguities present in his myth, once again denying audiences typical pop theatrics and asking them to examine the true depths of crime and its players. The great Johnny Depp plays up his roguish charms and rebellious spirit to lure us into his portrayal of Dillinger, yet he never flinches away from the man's cold and dark nature. Both Mann and Depp employ expert talent in unearthing troubled depths within criminal archetypes we never fully sensed was there.
n-era bank robber, Mann highlights the underlying poignancy and emotional ambiguities present in his myth, once again denying audiences typical pop theatrics and asking them to examine the true depths of crime and its players. The great Johnny Depp plays up his roguish charms and rebellious spirit to lure us into his portrayal of Dillinger, yet he never flinches away from the man's cold and dark nature. Both Mann and Depp employ expert talent in unearthing troubled depths within criminal archetypes we never fully sensed was there. 5) An Education
When it comes to coming-of-age tales regarding young women, you'll be hard-pressed to find a mo
re intelligent, exuberant, and entertaining tale than An Education. The film is a romantic celebration of life, a portrait of London on the brink of the swingin' sixties, and a thoughtful meditation on femininity all at once. Carrey Mulligan pours such radiant loveliness and glowing independence into her role that she has certainly earned comparisons with Audrey Hepburn. And while the American Peter Sarsgaard is probably the last person you'd think of to play a swingin' British hipster, he nails his role with astonishing conviction. An older man courting a younger girl may sound like a creepy and cynical concept, but the wonderful script by the great Nick Hornby brings out the wild romanticism and biting wit in this stylish and joyful story.
re intelligent, exuberant, and entertaining tale than An Education. The film is a romantic celebration of life, a portrait of London on the brink of the swingin' sixties, and a thoughtful meditation on femininity all at once. Carrey Mulligan pours such radiant loveliness and glowing independence into her role that she has certainly earned comparisons with Audrey Hepburn. And while the American Peter Sarsgaard is probably the last person you'd think of to play a swingin' British hipster, he nails his role with astonishing conviction. An older man courting a younger girl may sound like a creepy and cynical concept, but the wonderful script by the great Nick Hornby brings out the wild romanticism and biting wit in this stylish and joyful story. 6) A Single Man
Fashion Designer Tom Ford makes an impressive effort with his debut film; an intriguing work that exami
nes heartbreaking loss, unspeakable suppression, and the sly ways beauty and hope can sneak into our everyday world. Ford labors for sublime visual beauty in showing us the universe of George, a gay college professor trying to conceal his deep emotional wounds sustained after the death of his longtime lover. At the centerpiece of this hypnotic jewel is a fantastic performance from Colin Firth, one I wish wins him the Oscar for Best Actor. A Single Man is that rare film that knows how to endlessly dazzle your eyes while constantly jabbing at your heart.
nes heartbreaking loss, unspeakable suppression, and the sly ways beauty and hope can sneak into our everyday world. Ford labors for sublime visual beauty in showing us the universe of George, a gay college professor trying to conceal his deep emotional wounds sustained after the death of his longtime lover. At the centerpiece of this hypnotic jewel is a fantastic performance from Colin Firth, one I wish wins him the Oscar for Best Actor. A Single Man is that rare film that knows how to endlessly dazzle your eyes while constantly jabbing at your heart. 7) The Box
Richard Kelly further proves that he is one of the most complex and enigmatic of filmmakers by once again
presenting audiences with a mind-bending cinematic puzzle with no easy answers. Things start off simple enough: a financially-strapped married couple will be awarded a large cash reward if they push a simple button...but someone they've never met, somewhere in the world, will die. From there, Kelly casts off into his existential and trippy depths that examines conflicted people trapped between ominous doom and startling spiritual realizations in a supernatural purgatory. Audiences were baffled by this heavy-duty horror piece, but students of Donnie Darko and Southland Tales know that Kelly presents alluring challenges for the most intelligent of moviegoers that cannot be taken at face value. The Box is no exception; it's a tense and dizzying work of mystery that enticingly invites repeat viewings.
presenting audiences with a mind-bending cinematic puzzle with no easy answers. Things start off simple enough: a financially-strapped married couple will be awarded a large cash reward if they push a simple button...but someone they've never met, somewhere in the world, will die. From there, Kelly casts off into his existential and trippy depths that examines conflicted people trapped between ominous doom and startling spiritual realizations in a supernatural purgatory. Audiences were baffled by this heavy-duty horror piece, but students of Donnie Darko and Southland Tales know that Kelly presents alluring challenges for the most intelligent of moviegoers that cannot be taken at face value. The Box is no exception; it's a tense and dizzying work of mystery that enticingly invites repeat viewings. 8) Up in the Air
Jason Reitman has crafted a masterful dramedy that is extremely of-the-moment yet has timeless ideals
that will be strongly felt by future generations. In telling the story of a traveling corporate man who fires people for a living, Reitman explores hard truths and anxieties about the Great Recession we're currently in; illuminating employee lay-offs and technological detachment. The casting of George Clooney in the lead role also provides a hard-looking deconstruction of his star image; that of a care-free hedonist blind-sided by matters of the human heart. What is so touching, and sometimes bittersweet, about Up in the Air is its realization that the love and emotions deep within our souls will still thrive on even in the most detached and crumbling of societies.
that will be strongly felt by future generations. In telling the story of a traveling corporate man who fires people for a living, Reitman explores hard truths and anxieties about the Great Recession we're currently in; illuminating employee lay-offs and technological detachment. The casting of George Clooney in the lead role also provides a hard-looking deconstruction of his star image; that of a care-free hedonist blind-sided by matters of the human heart. What is so touching, and sometimes bittersweet, about Up in the Air is its realization that the love and emotions deep within our souls will still thrive on even in the most detached and crumbling of societies.9) The Brothers Bloom
Rian Johnson presents us with a quirky con caper that has the bouncy energy of a childrens tale and the 
yearning emotions of an adult melodrama. It's a con game where the bruised hearts of the con artists are given more attention than their strategies, proving more touching than you'd initially expect. Johnson, like his last outing Brick, dishes out old school charms packed with a colorful and playful elegance. With exotic locations, gorgeous fashions, and an absorbing folk-rock vibe, The Brothers Bloom is a whimsical romp way too pleasing to ignore.
yearning emotions of an adult melodrama. It's a con game where the bruised hearts of the con artists are given more attention than their strategies, proving more touching than you'd initially expect. Johnson, like his last outing Brick, dishes out old school charms packed with a colorful and playful elegance. With exotic locations, gorgeous fashions, and an absorbing folk-rock vibe, The Brothers Bloom is a whimsical romp way too pleasing to ignore.10) Broken Embraces
Pedro Almodovar has always shown a masterful taste for both passionate melodrama and brilliantly compl
ex self-reflexivity. Here he fuses the two into the same playful and illuminating ideal and the result is a spellbinder that ranks among his very best. By observing a beautiful cinematic starlet (played wonderfully by Penelope Cruz), Almodovar shows us how a love for a woman can strongly resemble a love for cinema. Both can inspire wild passion, crushing heartbreak, treasured memories, and gut-wrenching truths. Using his vibrant camera and lush colorings, Almodovar highlights with great cleverness how the formalities of cinema and passionate relationships can be driven by the exact same matters of the heart.
ex self-reflexivity. Here he fuses the two into the same playful and illuminating ideal and the result is a spellbinder that ranks among his very best. By observing a beautiful cinematic starlet (played wonderfully by Penelope Cruz), Almodovar shows us how a love for a woman can strongly resemble a love for cinema. Both can inspire wild passion, crushing heartbreak, treasured memories, and gut-wrenching truths. Using his vibrant camera and lush colorings, Almodovar highlights with great cleverness how the formalities of cinema and passionate relationships can be driven by the exact same matters of the heart. Honorable Mentions:
Avatar
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Paranormal Activity
Two Lovers
Tyson
Sherlock Holmes
Avatar
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Paranormal Activity
Two Lovers
Tyson
Sherlock Holmes
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