Written by Stan Robinson on Friday, 15 January 2010 00:39
Randy Montgomery’s “Best Movies of 2009!”
December was a time to reflect on the hundreds of films released over the course of the previous twelve months. There were plenty of blockbusters to consider, as well as several smaller independent films that I had the pleasure of viewing, which made a lasting impact. I may be one of the only critics in the country to not include the mega-hit Avatar in my top ten list, but there were just too many others vowing for my attention. The following list are my “Top Ten Films of 2009.” (Listed in alphabetical order)
Brothers
The Burning Plain
District 9
Goodbye Solo
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
Julie & Julia
Star Trek
Up
Up in the Air
Of the best movies, my number one pick is The Hurt Locker. Director Kathryn Bigelow’s edge of your seat war pic about officers in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit within the U.S. Army’s Bravo Company stationed in Iraq packs a punch. Jeremy Renner’s performance is also noteworthy. This one came and went out of theatres quickly. While audiences didn’t flock to it, critics did take note, and trust us… it is an absolute must-see. In 2005, I had the opportunity to see an emotionally charged Danish film called Brødre. The story followed two brothers and the aftermath left on the family when one was pronounced dead during the war in Afghanistan. Brothers, The Hollywood remake starring Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal was just as powerful. Watch for the performances by the young girls that play Maguire’s daughters. This is just as good, if not better as the original.
My guess is that you have never heard of The Burning Plain and probably for good reason. The indie played the Phoenix Film Festival but received little love in theatres, although I am not sure why. Intertwining lives connect in this difficult to follow (but well worth the trouble) drama that features mesmerizing performances by Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger. An intricate plot makes for some fancy editing and strong acting. It captured my attention.
Politically charged and intellectual; words not usually used to describe a sci-fi flick about aliens hovering over earth. But District 9 is a well-written, smart film about colonizing space creatures into the slums of South Africa. While the stars of the film were from another planet, the impact they had on their surroundings and the response from locals translates into any language in the world on the immigration debate and the relocating of individuals. Brilliant.
Goodbye Solo played for a few weeks at Harkins Camelview 5 and audiences that took the risk on this little-known film were greatly rewarded. Set in a small town in North Carolina, the plot follows two men of extremely different backgrounds and their odd friendship that culminates into the most memorable endings ever. If it weren’t for The Hurt Locker ‘s heart-pounding bomb sequences, this low-budget film would be my #1 pick of the year.
Quentin Tarantino has come up with some crazy stories before, but none have been as brutal, or as ingenious as Inglorious Basterds. The “basterds” are a group of Jewish- American soldiers that were chosen to stop Hitler and stop the Nazi Army during WWII. No one said this is supposed to be historically accurate. Fans of WWII films and cinephiles will love this bloody romp. Although broken down into “chapters,” I would not study this film for a history exam.
I cannot cook. I cannot even make toast without setting off the smoke detector, but I love The Food Network and I loved Julie & Julia, a likeable film about French cooking maven Julia Child and a New York City blogger who chose to devote her life to making every recipe Child wrote in world famous cook book. This was a late summer sleeper hit that had “awards” written all over it. Yummy and funny!
Being a “Trekkie” had never crossed my mind until I saw 2009’s Star Trek. The classic story had been remade for the umpteenth time, but this go-around was unlike any other. It played out much more as a traditional drama than a campy science fiction television series. The performances, storyline and special effects were enough to make me a fan and make this one appear on my Top Ten list.
The first thirty or so minutes of Disney/Pixar’s UP were enough to qualify it for my “best of” list for the year. The remaining hour was a bonus. Far and away the studios’ most touching and heartfelt production to date. Not mention one of the most creative and funny. You will fall in love with the animated human characters and get a kick out of the animals. Pack your bags, you’ll want to go on an adventure of your own.
Being proud of my Southwest Airlines’ A-List Card (having flown nearly two-dozen round trips last year), I had to somewhat identify with George Clooney’s character in Up in the Air. Clooney stars as a lonely soul whose main purpose in life is to rack up airline miles while he flies around the country firing people for work. His mission changes when he meets a fellow female frequent flier and love blossoms in various hotel rooms.
So there you have it… you have some work to do. Head out to your multiplex to catch Brothers, The Hurt Locker and Up in the Air. The rest you can find on DVD (or put them in your queue for when they are released). Here’s to 2010! Off to screen my next film…
Stan Robinson’s “Best Movies of 2009!”
New Year’s signals the start of the movie award season. The “People’s Choice Awards” gave you, the movie going audience, the opportunity to voice your choices for the best movies and performances. Each year at this time, movie reviewers around the world assemble our choices for the best movies of the past year! As a member of the Phoenix Film Critics Society, we voted in more than twenty-five categories, from our best movies to best stunts. Of the 164 movies I reviewed in 2009, these are my best movies of 2009. Best Movies of 2009! (In alphabetical order)
Avatar
Brothers
District 9 I
nglorious Basterds
Nine
Precious
Sherlock Holmes
Star Trek The Informant!
The Road
The Young Victoria
Up in the Air
Of the best movies, my best picture is “The Road”, starring Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee in a post-apocalyptic story of a father and his young son trying to survive by any means possible, in a world now without rules, laws, or loyalties. The two central characters virtually carry the movie with more than 75% of the screen time and the directing style of John Hillcoat, slowly and certainly steadily, draws us into the film!
“Avatar”; directed by James Cameron, has set a new bar for the next generation of sci-fi adventure fantasy movies. Incorporating the latest in technology, merging with traditional filmmaking techniques including 3-D which didn’t leap out at you but drew one into the world he created, shouldn’t be missed!
“Brothers”; with a story centering on a young man who comforts his older brother’s wife and children after he goes missing in Afghanistan, presents a milieu’ of circumstances for armed forces personnel in the war zone, and on the home front, with exceptional performances by Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman and Tobey Maguire.
“District 9”; writer/director Neill Blomkamp, on a very limited budget, delivers a first rate sci-fi thriller cinematically and story wise, of extraterrestrials who’s space craft runs out of fuel and are forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth and find an ally in a government agent who is exposed to their biotechnology.
“Inglourious Basterds”; Writer/ director Quentin Tarantino once again dazzle’s us with his unique chapter style of story telling of Nazi-occupied France during World War II, and a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as “The Basterds” who’s objective is to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. It’s irreverent, funny, entertaining, and presented as only Tarantino can! “
Nine”; Directed by Rob Marshall, who won an Oscar® for the musical “Chicago” (2002), delivers another musical/drama with outstanding performances by the cast, with his story of a famous film director who struggles to find harmony in his professional and personal lives, as he engages in dramatic relationships with his wife, his mistress, his muse, his agent, and his mother!
“Precious”; Director Lee Daniels, with many of his cast of first time actors and recording artists in dramatic roles, presents a poignant story that takes place in Harlem, of an overweight, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child and invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction. It’s an uneasy story to watch yet has one mesmerized by the very depth of basic story.
“Sherlock Holmes”; This presentation of the fictional character with the most movies appearances in cinematic history is an intriguing look at the Detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal partner Dr. Watson who are drawn into a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England. Actor Robert DowneyJr., Jude law deliver award caliber performances.
“Star Trek”; Director J. J. Abrams who has honed his skills on the award winning TV series “Lost”, undertook and succeeded in bringing to the screen, a chronicle of the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members. With many Star Trek TV series’ and movies since 1966, J. J. Abrams presents a fresh view of the timeless phenomenon of Star Trek. “The Informant!”; Actor Matt Damon steps completely out of the dramatic role of Jason Bourne and gained 30+ pounds for the comedy/drama of the story, based on the true events, of The US government’s decision to go after an agribusiness corporate empire with a price-fixing accusation, based on the evidence submitted by their star witness, vice president turned informant, Mark Whitacre.
“The Young Victoria”; a view of Alexandrina Victoria, who became Queen at 18 years old and reigned as Queen for 63 years, longer than any other British monarch before or since, and is the longest of any female monarch in history. The movie presents the splendor, pomp and circumstance of the time, and the insightfulness of her reign known as the ‘Victorian era’ (1837-1901), a period of industrial, political, scientific, and military progress in the United Kingdom.
“Up in the Air”; Actor George Clooney gives us a like-able character with an unlike-able job, a job that has him traveling around the country firing people, and leads an empty life out of a suitcase with which he finds his own brand of enjoyment, until his company does the unexpected: the ground him! George Clooney’s skill of intertwining comedy and drama is the unifying force that makes this movie a treat to watch. So, there you have it, my best movies of 2009! What are some of your favorite movies of the past year? Let me know,
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Being proud of my Southwest Airlines’ A-List Card (having flown nearly two-dozen round trips last year), I had to somewhat identify with George Clooney’s character in Up in the Air. Clooney stars as a lonely soul whose main purpose in life is to rack up airline miles while he flies around the country firing people for work. His mission changes when he meets a fellow female frequent flier and love blossoms in various hotel rooms. 
“Avatar”; directed by James Cameron, has set a new bar for the next generation of sci-fi adventure fantasy movies. Incorporating the latest in technology, merging with traditional filmmaking techniques including 3-D which didn’t leap out at you but drew one into the world he created, shouldn’t be missed! 
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