Best of 2009 - Films
Sunday, February 28, 2010 It's that time of the year again, and like last year, I will pretend that you guys care about my opinion and recommend the films that I liked the most during 2009. After this one I'll do one for TV shows, books and music as well.
So here we go with the Films...
- INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS: Some people think I'm nuts, but this is my favorite Tarantino film.
- UP: Only Pixar can make an incredible movie where the hero is an old man, and be one of the best animated films of all time. I'm worried about Pixar's creativity now with Toy Story 3 and Cars 2 coming out, but so far they are incredible.
- WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE: This film was underrated and misunderstood. Maybe because it's a little scary for kids. Regardless, it captures the book and the imagination of kids and even adults. It's also visually incredible.
- AVATAR: Duh. I don't know why I recommend this because everyone has seen it twice already. If you did not see it, you should be watching it now. Double points to Cameron for bringing some original content to the world instead of another remake, reboot or sequel.
- MOON: I went to see this at last years South by Southwest having no idea what it was. I loved it and was even more impressed after I learned more about how it was done, met the Director Duncan Jones and heard him talking about the film and what he wants to do next. He will be big.
- UP IN THE AIR: This was getting a lot of attention, then it faded away with all the talk about Hurt Locker and Avatar. It's a great film, very well written. George Clooney is at his best. For someone who spends so much time traveling all over the place, I love the concept of being surrounded and isolated at the same time.
- 500 DAYS OF SUMMER: It was about time someone made a film about how relationships really are. Complicated and ever changing. This was hilarious and sad at the same time.
- THE HANGOVER: Funniest film I've seen in a long time.
- DISTRICT 9: Talking about originality...
- WORLD'S GREATEST DAD: Bobcat + Robin Williams + Daryl Sabara = Genius. This is one of the funniest and underrated films of the year. I don't know what failed with the marketing strategy and letting more people know about this film because it's really great.
- FUNNY PEOPLE: Apatow was hoping for an Oscar with this, but unfortunately the film was not a hit commercially or critically. Nobody even talked about it since it came out last summer. Too bad because it's a good movie, solid writing and really good performances by Adam Sandler and especially Eric Bana (who only gets about 20 minutes of screen time). I think being too ambitious killed its chances.
- THE HURT LOCKER: I don't know if this will win Best Film at the Oscars over Avatar. Both of them were fantastic in their own way. If it was up to me, I would have given Kathryn Bigelow the Oscar for Point Break :) But this is also a must see film and I suggest that if you cannot watch it in the theatre, watch it with a great television, surround sound and the lights off.
- THE INFORMANT!: This film is on the list because Matt Damon is brilliant and hilarious on it. Trust me.
- EL SECRETO DE SUS OJOS: Unfortunately this is one of the few foreign films that I was able to see this year, but it was one of the best I've seen in a while. It's not out in the U.S. yet, but the film is nominated for an Oscar so hopefully there will be a release here soon.
- WHATEVER WORKS: Woody + Larry = Gold.
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