Top 50 Films of 2009 (50-41)
I'm counting down the best 50 films of 2009. Some pretty good films were left off this illustrious list, which is a shame. I'll comment on each film, giving my opinions and reasoning behind my picks. I will post ten a day, so without further ado, here's 50 through 41. Enjoy.
#50. The Road (Directed by John Hillcoat) - Having read the award-winning book by Cormac McCarthy, this film was a letdown. That being said, their are many reasons to see this film. The cinematography is sensational and Viggo Mortensen (Eastern Promises, A History of Violence) is phenomenal. I definitely recommend the book over the film.
#49. It's Complicated (Nancy Meyers) - Alec Baldwin (The Departed, Along Came Polly) is hilarious and the storyline is wonderful. Of course Meryl Streep (Adaptation., Doubt) is fantastic as usual. If you like Baldwin in '30 Rock', then you should enjoy this film.
#48. State Play (Kevin Macdonald) - Russell Crowe (3:10 to Yuma, American Gangster) and Ben Affleck (Good Will Hunting, Daredevil) are effective enough to make this film worth a view. This is a decent little political drama with an effective ending. Based on a hit British TV series.
#47. The Girlfriend Experience (Steven Soderbergh) - Another good Soderbergh (The Informant!, Traffic) film, there's nothing he can't do. This is a film about a New York City call-girl, but it's not what you think. It stars real life porn-star Sasha Grey.
#46. The Men Who Stare At Goats (Grant Heslov) - Worth a watch because of the performances by George Clooney (Michael Clayton, Up in the Air) and Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski, Crazy Heart). This is an amazing true story about the U.S. military looking into psychic powers and Jedi forces.
#45. Adam (Max Mayer) - Good lead performances by Rose Byrne (28 Weeks Later, Sunshine) and especially Hugh Dancy, in this quirky romantic drama. Dancy plays a man with Asperger's Syndrome. Good stuff here.
#44. Fantastic Mr. Fox (Wes Anderson) - Quite possibly Anderson's (The Darjeeling Limited, Rushmore) worst film to date, yet still good. It's very different from anything that he's done before. Not your typical Pixar or DreamWorks animated production.
#43. The House of the Devil (Ti West) - One of the best horror films of the year. Builds suspense and has some very creepy imagery. Fantastic performances from the entire cast. The ending is definitely worth the wait.
#42. Land of the Lost (Brad Silberling) - I realize everyone hates this film, and yes, it was a major letdown. But it gets funnier, and funnier every time I see it. Will Ferrell (Step Brothers, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy) can do no wrong by me.
#41. Drag Me To Hell (Sam Raimi) - Spider-Man directer Sam Raimi takes on this horror/comedy and it really shines. It's creepy, it will make you jump, and it will make you laugh...mission accomplished.
#50. The Road (Directed by John Hillcoat) - Having read the award-winning book by Cormac McCarthy, this film was a letdown. That being said, their are many reasons to see this film. The cinematography is sensational and Viggo Mortensen (Eastern Promises, A History of Violence) is phenomenal. I definitely recommend the book over the film.
#49. It's Complicated (Nancy Meyers) - Alec Baldwin (The Departed, Along Came Polly) is hilarious and the storyline is wonderful. Of course Meryl Streep (Adaptation., Doubt) is fantastic as usual. If you like Baldwin in '30 Rock', then you should enjoy this film.
#48. State Play (Kevin Macdonald) - Russell Crowe (3:10 to Yuma, American Gangster) and Ben Affleck (Good Will Hunting, Daredevil) are effective enough to make this film worth a view. This is a decent little political drama with an effective ending. Based on a hit British TV series.
#47. The Girlfriend Experience (Steven Soderbergh) - Another good Soderbergh (The Informant!, Traffic) film, there's nothing he can't do. This is a film about a New York City call-girl, but it's not what you think. It stars real life porn-star Sasha Grey.
#46. The Men Who Stare At Goats (Grant Heslov) - Worth a watch because of the performances by George Clooney (Michael Clayton, Up in the Air) and Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski, Crazy Heart). This is an amazing true story about the U.S. military looking into psychic powers and Jedi forces.
#45. Adam (Max Mayer) - Good lead performances by Rose Byrne (28 Weeks Later, Sunshine) and especially Hugh Dancy, in this quirky romantic drama. Dancy plays a man with Asperger's Syndrome. Good stuff here.
#44. Fantastic Mr. Fox (Wes Anderson) - Quite possibly Anderson's (The Darjeeling Limited, Rushmore) worst film to date, yet still good. It's very different from anything that he's done before. Not your typical Pixar or DreamWorks animated production.
#43. The House of the Devil (Ti West) - One of the best horror films of the year. Builds suspense and has some very creepy imagery. Fantastic performances from the entire cast. The ending is definitely worth the wait.
#42. Land of the Lost (Brad Silberling) - I realize everyone hates this film, and yes, it was a major letdown. But it gets funnier, and funnier every time I see it. Will Ferrell (Step Brothers, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy) can do no wrong by me.
#41. Drag Me To Hell (Sam Raimi) - Spider-Man directer Sam Raimi takes on this horror/comedy and it really shines. It's creepy, it will make you jump, and it will make you laugh...mission accomplished.
The House of the Devil
State of Play
The British TV series "State of Play" is worth a watch, especially if you love your British Mini Series. Also "My Name is Khan" is another interesting film with a main character living with Asperger's Syndrome.
ReplyDeleteI know you love your British TV. I highly recommend the made-for-TV trilogy "Red Riding." I don't believe it's available on DVD to rent around these parts. It's available on instant viewing on Netflix though.
ReplyDelete