Once the end of the year rolls around, there's practically a best-of list for everything—the best restaurants, the best tech gear, the best songs, the best blogs...and yes, even the best movies, too.
As I've told many of my readers (and fellow movie-going friends) this year, it hasn't exactly been a stellar year at the cineplex. As a critic for Crosswalk.com, I've truly seen the good, the bad and the ugly...70 flicks (of varying levels of quality) in all. Truth be told, there's practically been 10 bad movies for every good one.
But there have been a handful I've truly enjoyed, so with no further adieu, I'm taking off my critic's hat and revealing my 10 (personal) favorites of the year (in no particular order).
(500) Days of Summer—Who knew that a cheesy Hall & Oats pop song could be the perfect scene-setter? Yes, that's just one of the many revelations in (500) Days of Summer. In what's been a particularly horrible year for rom-coms (see The Ugly Truth, Confessions of a Shopaholic, He's Just Not That Into You), (500) Days of Summer was a proverbial breath of fresh air, thanks to engaging leading performances from Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, an offbeat script and a sheer lack of predictability, a rarity in the romantic comedy universe.
Star Trek—I'm definitely not a Trekkie, but I absolutely loved, loved, loved J.J. Abrams' inventive reboot of the S.S. Enterprise. It was the perfect summer movie with a little something for everyone.
The Soloist—I still don't know why this didn't do better at the box office...maybe it's because the trailer looked a little shaw-shanky. Thankfully, the movie delivered in every possible way with Robert Downey Jr. really shining as the selfish newspaperman who is forced to examine what it really means to help someone in need.
Public Enemies—Michael Mann serves up a shoot 'em up picture with real style. Oh, and in case you were wondering, Johnny Depp's pretty terrific in the John Dillinger leading role, too.
Julie & Julia—I'm a sucker for Nora Ephron movies, and Julie & Julia is no exception. In a rare case where a film far surpasses the quality of the books its based on, Meryl Streep is pitch perfect as Julia Child, the larger-than-life woman who helped Americans learn how to cook French cuisine with aplomb.
Up—Proving you don't always need words to make a real emotional connection (cue the scene detailing the ups and downs of Carl and his late wife's life together), Up succeeds on a variety of levels as a lonely, old curmudgeon learns how thrilling life really can be once you actually leave the ground.
Whip It—A total guilty pleasure with a great soundtrack and plenty of girl power, the world of roller derby gets a new heroine when alterna-girl Bliss (Ellen Page) signs up for the fun.
Up in the Air—In a year where corporate downsizing was reality for so many Americans, writer/director Jason Reitman certainly has his finger on the pulse of the culture with a heart-warming, funny story that finally gave me a newfound respect for George Clooney as an actor.
New Moon—Yes, I realize I'm hardly in the demographic, but I thoroughly enjoyed the next chapter in Bella, Edward and Jacob's story. Not only did it capture teenage heartbreak so well, but it was a thrill to watch from start to finish. And in case you're curious, yes, I'm still Team Edward.
It's Complicated—Meryl Streep sparkles yet again in a comedy/drama that had me laughing all the way through. Like most of Nancy Meyers' stories, it's 100% female wish fulfillment, but it's still a joy to watch (especially when she whips up those chocolate croissants in that gorgeous Santa Barbara kitchen of hers).
Honorable Mention: The Fantastic Mr. Fox, An Education, Food, Inc., Coraline, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, The Proposal, The Princess and the Frog
Good list. Out of them i really liked "500 days of summer" and "up" movie. In fact, you have missed one great movie of the year 2009 ie. "Avatar". I liked it very much.
Posted by: Avatar | January 18, 2010 at 07:16 AM
I don't know why, but I'm having a really difficult time getting excited about "Avatar." Every time I see a preview, I feel very ho-hum about it, despite the technical achievements. Maybe one day...
Posted by: Christa | January 18, 2010 at 04:55 PM