Best Films of 2009

So I realize that I have been lacking a bit on the rankings portion of the blog, but lately I've been trying to watch as many films as possible from 2009 so that I could form my personal list of my favorites from last year. There are still a number of movies that I would like to see that could possibly make my list but have yet to come out on DVD such as A Prophet, The Road, The White Ribbon, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Most Dangerous Man in America, Ajami, and Me and Orson Welles. When I get the opportunity to watch these films I'll be sure to include them on the blog and also mention if they would have ended up making my top 10 list of 2009. Overall, I though 2009 was a fairly weak year for Hollywood. Here are my personal favorites beginning with number 10.

10) The Hurt Locker
The Hurt Locker is easily the best film ever made about the war in Iraq (I don't consider Brothers a war film). Not only does it give the audience a feeling of what life is like as a soldier in Iraq but it also works as a character study of a man who is obsessed by his desire to fight. The film has earned all the rave reviews and awards it has received and I believe it will go down as an important film in American history.

9) Brothers
One of my favorite directors is Jim Sheridan , who more often than not successfully captures the hardships of human emotions (Check Out My Left Foot if you have not seen it). In Brothers Sheridan explores the relationships between a family plagued by the memories of war. After returning home from severe trauma in Iraq, Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) begins suspecting his wife (Natalie Portman) of having an affair with his brother (Jake Gyllenhaal). Are his instincts correct or has the hardships of being in Iraq left him paranoid? This film successfully demonstrates how war can affect one's personal life and an individual's family. It is also another great film by one of Hollywood's best filmmakers.

8) Watchmen
Unlike most other superhero movies, the heroes within Watchmen are not necessarily good or evil but are simply human beings (with the exception of Dr. Manhattan). Every one of the so-called heroes have different reasons for dressing up as a Batman wannabe, yet from one degree or another they all feel as if they need to try and make a difference in the corrupted world they live in. This film is a massive character study as well as fictionalized look at criminal life in American cities (the city is meant to be New York). This was easily the best superhero film of 2009.

7) Avatar
Sure the story may not have been original, but the visuals are by far the most impressive of any film ever made. Avatar is like a spectacular fireworks show, you may have seen them before but never as big or as awe-inspiring. One of the best times I had at the movies this year.

6) Moon
Moon is a superior small budget film thanks to its original story, clever dialogue, great visuals and a fantastic performance by Sam Rockwell. Besides District 9, this was the best science fiction film of 2009. Although it was made for less than a couple million dollars, it is much more entertaining than the majority of high tech films released.

5) Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
Bad Lieutenant is one of the most interesting pieces of filmmaking of 2009. At times it can get a little weird, but if you enjoy movies that challenge viewers and keep you guessing, Bad Lieutenant should not be missed. Both Herzog and Cage are allowed to unleash their inner creativity and the result is unlike anything you've ever seen before.

4) Sin Nombre
What I love about foreign films is that they often make viewers realize the hardships of common people in other parts of the world. Sure most of us have our day to day problems but the majority of Americans do not have to worry about starving to death or getting killed in a war. Sin Nombre follows a Latin American family as well as a young gang member who are all attempting to escape the brutal criminal life and poverty plaguing most Latin American cities. After watching this movie I completely sympathized with all illegal immigrants who are simply trying to make a better life for themselves. This is an amazing movie and one of the most powerful films of the year.

3) (500) Days of Summer
There was no film over the past year that I could relate to more than 500 Days of Summer. The emotions felt and expressed by the main character in this film are exactly what most people go through after a hard break-up. Yet the great thing about this film is it demonstrates the humor in those situations and despite how miserable you may be at the time, everyone goes through the same thing and eventually learns from it. There is something unique and superior about a film that strives to be honest. In this aspect 500 Days of Summer is one of the best romantic comedies of the decade.

2) District 9
Sure the action sequences are visually stunning but District 9 is so much deeper because it demonstrates how people naturally treat anybody or anything dissimilar as less superior. The aliens in this film are not necessarily evil, but because they look different and have their own way of life they are treated as savages. When the main character begins transforming into an alien himself, the scientist do not attempt to help him but want to use his body as a means to acquire power. Despite being a film about aliens, this film feels realistic because it explores pragmatic human instincts and emotions. It is easily the most original and best sci-fi film of the year and decade.

1) Up in the Air
Up in the Air is not a movie that supports the actions of a particular character. Instead it simply presents realistic relationships and allows the audience to decide for themselves who is right and who is wrong. This is what makes Up in the Air so clever. This movie is one of the smartest movies I've seen in years, which for me makes it one of the best films of the decade.