Sunday, February 21, 2010

Top 10 of 2009: #'s 10-6

            So, after doing a little research for this post, and trying to put the year in movies in perspective, I realize that I might have a problem.  I’ve seen 55 movies that were released in 2009.  55.  I’ve seen 55 movies from 2009.  Look again…that’s not the number of movies I watched in 2009…that would probably be somewhere in the range of, oh, ~175.  Seriously, how am I still married?  I’m baffled.  Yes, there are a couple of award winners that I have yet to see (including BP nominee Precious, and foreign-film The White Ribbon (which I would kill to see)).  But overall, when you read blog entries like this one, you can be pretty sure that I’ve at least seen enough movies to have perspective on the issue.  The only thing I ask is that you keep reading my blog so that least I can justify watching that many movies.  If I can justify it, then I might stay married a little longer.  So in essence, by you reading my blog, you’re really saving my marriage.  Are we clear?  Thanks.  Today I’ll discuss my 10-6, and tomorrow or the next day I will release my 5-1.  As always, everyone feel free to comment on mine and give me your personal top 10. 

#10. Fantastic Mr. Fox

            I’m not a huuuuuuge Wes Anderson fan (I liked Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums, but loathed The Life Aquatic and was ambivalent about The Darjeeling Limited and Bottle Rocket).  Fox, though, is probably now my favorite of his films.  It’s a great commentary on the male desire to be a “fox” while simultaneously being a great husband and father.  Somehow, Clooney gives one of his best performances just by using his voice, and the stop-motion animation is nothing short of spectacular. 

#9.  Up In the Air

            Following Fox is Clooney’s live action film directed by Jason Reitman of Juno and Thank You For Smoking fame.  The story and directing are pretty good, but what really pushes it over the top for me is the acting.  Clooney gives the second best performance of his career (behind Michael Clayton) and Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick are stellar.  All three were nominated for Oscars.


#8.  Inglorious Basterds

            I can’t resist Quentin Tarantino films, and although this isn’t my favorite of his by a long shot, it was a really enjoyable movie.  The thing with Tarantino is that you know what you’re getting when you walk in: gratuitous violence and great dialogue.  This one doesn’t disappoint with either.  Christoph Waltz gives an amazing performance as the villain Nazi colonel, and is the frontrunner for the best supporting actor Oscar.  What really makes the film is the dialogue-heavy scenes that are riddled with tension; it keeps you on your toes about what is going to happen next.

#7.  In the Loop

            One of the funniest movies I’ve seen in a long time.  Based on the British TV show by the same name, this political satire has some of the wittiest (and dirtiest) dialogue of any film I’ve ever seen.  It’s sort of shot in a mockumentary style, which really works because it almost makes you believe that politicians really are this clueless.   If you are into smart comedy, this is the movie for you.

#6.  Up

            Pixar strikes again with this one.  Of all the good things I could say about this movie, let me just say that the first 10 minutes of the film is possibly the best, most emotional 10 minutes of film as there is out there.  The only reason it’s not higher up on my list is because I felt like some of the more “kiddie” aspects of the film got in the way a little too much, like the talking dogs and the huge bird they were after.  Having said that, this is the only film since I can remember that made me cry…(alright, fine, besides Marley & Me).

Come back tomorrow for #'s 5-1

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm just so glad Up in the Air is not in the Top 5... since it's no good.

adamsrearwindow said...

You may be even more mad about a couple in the top 5.

Emily said...

Just an FYI for you: Up IS a kid's movie (hence the "kiddie" aspects of it). But agreed that the first ten minutes is very emotional and is a commentary about marriage and virtue in an of itself.

adamsrearwindow said...

Fair enough, although I think WALL-E and Ratatouille managed to be both "kiddie" and "adult" simultaneously, while in UP it was more of an either/or. Still loved it though, obviously, I'm just saying that's the thing holding it back from being higher on the list.