10. Sherlock Holmes
Who doesn't want to watch Robert Downey Jr. play Tony Stark with a British accent?!
Regardless of the rock 'em sock 'em style of Guy Richie, this version of Sherlock Holmes is refreshingly faithful to the original stories; Holmes is an arrogant prick and a drug addict & Watson is finally not presented as an old fat guy (it's like Smee from Peter Pan, all the movie adaptations make him this lovable fat guy when he's a creepy bastard in the original story). This is defiantly Richie's best since Snatch, and highly entertaining with good chemistry between Downey & Jude Law.
9. Fantastic Mr. Fox
A very quirky and offbeat comedy. Wes Anderson redeems himself after The Darjeeling Limited, which I found to be an unintentional parody of himself. One thing that this movie gets right is the attention to the little things; there are so many small details in every scene and sometimes they are totally irrelevant but they are great, adding a deeper texture to the world the movie has created. Plus, it's fun to watch good stop-motion animation.
8. A Serious Man
I love me some Coen Bros. They make movies in so many genres/styles but you can always tell it's them. That said they have few types of comedies such as the Burn After Reading, quirky-fun style and the Fargo, dark-quirky style. A Serious Man falls under the latter. This is a dark dramedy, and it's great.
7. Up
I watched this one in 3D, and it was pretty cool. You know, because it was made to actually BE a 3D movie, unlike Alice in Wonderland or Clash of the Titans. The beginning of this movie is so sad for a happy-go-lucky Pixar flick. I think the Oscar nomination was for that opening montage alone, it was very powerful. The rest of the movie is also really good, I'm glad to say. There's some funny stuff, some touching stuff, a talking dog, what more do you want? Balloons? Well there's lots of those.
6. Star Trek
Star Trek is usually more about exploring than blowing stuff up, but this movie is a blast (Pun, SO intended)! A reboot that's clever about getting a new audience while not pissing off the hardcores, Star Trek is the best action movie of 09.
5. Ponyo
The Little Mermaid told Miyazaki style. Hayao Miyazaki is amazing and creative as all Hell, Ponyo is no different. It's the type of movie that just makes you feel good watching it, with it's wonderful animation & rich characters. I don't like to throw around words like enchanting because I find them cliché, but it applies so I'll have to live with it.
4. Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
Nick Cage is one of those actors you either love or hate. If you're like me, you're in the love-camp and he's absolutely phenomenal in this movie. This is an over-the-top (in every respect) dirty cop thrill-ride. Incredibly dark humor and an insane performance from Nick Cage makes me a happy camper.
3. Inglorious Bastards
This is the one on the list that I'm sure most people would have seen already. I don't need to go too deep into it here. QT has done it again! Brad Pitt is awesome, and we can finally say we have a WWII epic where it's okay to laugh and enjoy yourself. Only thing I have an issue with is Eli Roth as the Bear Jew – I wish that Adam Sandler had played him as QT originally intended (instead he made Funny People). I'm not a Sandler fan, but I can totally see him as that character and doing an awesome job, where I found Eli Roth's attempt at it distracting.
2. (500) Days of Summer
From the very start this movie tells you what's up, and you still don't listen. That's okay though, because regardless you're in for a really fun time. Feeling very real while still being incredibly off the wall, (500) Days of Summer is one of the most creative Rom-Coms I've seen a in a while. There are some very unique techniques used to display a character's wishes that I don't want to spoil for you here. Trust me and see this movie.
1. Where The Wild Things Are
A children's movie that's really for adults.
Where The Wild Things Are perfectly personifies of all the frustration, conflictions and confusions that come with childhood. It's not for everyone, and you shouldn't expect a happy-fun time because for a "kid’s movie" it’s scary and sometimes heartbreaking. That said, it's also breathtakingly beautiful in both its aesthetics and ability to be so simple yet so deep at the same time. Directed and written by Spike Jonze (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich), this movie takes a children's picture-book with few words and fleshes it out into a rich story full of fully realized & unique characters you can relate to, even if they are monsters. There's funny banter, really creative ideas, and pure, genuine emotion flowing throughout the entire film. I've already watched it three times and loved it, I've no doubt it's my favourite film of the year.
Bonus - soundtrack was done by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs lead singer Karen O, and it's Awesome-O (pun, also intended).
------------
I hope you enjoyed the list, and if you haven't seen those movies it's pretty obvious that I think you should get around to it when you can.
2009 did pretty alright and 2010 has already had a standout with My Name is Khan. I'm certain that Inception & Scott Pilgrim vs. the World will also rock; I hope to be discussing those next year come Top 10 time. Now go watch some movies!
