Admittedly, I haven’t caught a few titles that I think were pretty important over the year, and because of that this, the list may be subject to change at some point, but for now and for what I have seen this is my final list. Movies I haven’t seen but feel like have the potential of making the list are:
Up In The Air, Invictus, Sherlock Holmes, The Hurt Locker, and 9.
So, I have the feeling a lot of people are going to hate my list, but these were my favorites from 2009!!!!!!!
10. Paranormal Activity
After all the hype, and then the inevitable backlash, I didn’t really have any hopes or dreams for Paranormal Activity, though nightmares was something that I desperately desired. The verdict is all positive from this movie fan, though I do understand why some didn’t like, and here’s what it boils down to: If you are a believer in paranormal or have had your own personal experiences this movie will more than likely scare the poo out of you. If you don’t believe or have experienced no such events yourself, the likely possibility is you just aren’t going to get it. This year I spent my Halloween watching Paranormal Activity and the Ghost Hunters marathon, so already you may have an inkling where I have my allegiance. Nonetheless, even non-believers should have a distinct respect for what this film actually did achieve, scary or no.
9. The Hangover
The hype over scored this flick a bit much for me, but overall it was still a pretty hilarious movie, just not the funniest of the decade. One thing The Hangover isn’t, is predictable. It takes you on a wild ride that is far from your average buddy, stoner, slap stick comedy. It’s crude, insane, and without any regard for anything resembling a story making sense, but by the end this is a completely reasonable resolve to the blanket of mayhem of a bachelor party in Vegas gone completely bonkers. A satirical play on the theme “What Happens In Vegas Stays In Vegas”, The Hangover is smart beneath it’s simplistic exterior.
8. Watchmen
The world is filled with lies, violence, and hatred, but one of the things Watchmen really looked into was how misplaced some of humanities anger truly is. It explored this ideal which has been discussed and looked into with songs and film for decades, but what I enjoyed was that it wasn’t patronizing in it’s lessons, and never swayed from the story it was telling. Even Rorschach was flawed, but these flaws of humanity are all subjective. I fully appreciated some of its ambiguity, and loved how double layered everything was. Watchmen was massively complex, yet a viewer sitting down for a simple story with some action, could fully appreciate this as well. It’s not an adrenaline rush like “The Dark Knight” was, so don’t expect that, but it had it’s own sense of infallible urgency that constantly pushed the lengthy film ahead. By the end I was convinced this was a phenomenal movie, and I realized a few days later that it wasn’t anything about the movie that bothered me, it was that I agreed with the ending, and even now it bothers me that I do because if I was better I wouldn’t, but we can’t all be Rorschach, and I guess that’s what makes us human.
7. Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince
I have no problem with the series being handed over to David Yates. He clearly knows what is great about Harry Potter novels, the characters, and how to convey and make that translate onto film. The Half Blood Prince captured some of the magic that was lost in the Goblet of Fire but maintained the intensity of the Order Of The Phoenix. It hit all the levels of entertainment that has made the story and it’s films a success. The Half Blood Prince is now high on my list of favorite Harry Potter films.
6. Zombieland
For a person who doesn’t really have the stomach for a full on zombie movie especially when I become emotionally invested in the main characters, Zombieland is the exact kind of movie to appease all aspects of my horror, comedy, and compelling character desires all in one movie. It was unpredictable but at the same time comfortably uncomplicated. There are moments that will have you laughing hysterically, feeling slightly revolted, and even at moments touched, because believe it or not this “road trip” is just as much a “coming of age” flick as it is anything else. There are some genuine moments. Simply, this is a ride unlike any other you’ve ever been on at the movies before.
5. Star Trek
Why make another Star Trek film? Why reinvent beloved characters that have essentially left their legacy behind to be enjoyed not repeated? J.J. Abrams and his spin on the infamous series and character’s is why. I’m one who loathes unecessary remakes and gets tired of repetition instead of new original concepts, but what Abrams did with this franchise was a brilliant rebirth to the character’s and their stories that us Trekkies have grown to love and live for in the past three decades. This is a film for those that have supported and adored over the years to experience a fresh beginning, while simultaneously opening a door to a new generation that may find themselves in love with a franchise that made Science Fiction more than a strange little genre for oddballs to enjoy, but opened a connection to the mainstream threw special effects, action, and compelling characterizations.
4. Up
Yep. Pixar does it again. Do I sound like a broken record? For all you youngin’s who missed the generation of vinyl, a record would play the same spot over and over again on occasion, and while there is nothing similar about one Pixar film to another, there is certainly a consistency for bringing out incredible heartfelt ingenuity in a way that hasn’t even been close to accomplished or created. I sit, dumbfounded, yet again, by Up, which is very likely my favorite Pixar film, and certainly easily fits in my TOP FIVE of 2009 so far, and in contention for the #1 spot. I laughed, felt my heart wilt, and was genuinely entertained on multiple levels. Have I mentioned this is an animated film for kids, and that my four and six year old got just as much out of it as I did? Not many films are this dynamic or good enough to flourish such a feat with such ease.
3. District 9
When thinking intense and original, District 9 is a bit of each, one of the most creative movies of the decade and executed with exceptional precision. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen and told in an unorthodox manner that made the subject matter seem ever the more fresh. With a clear political commentary, it doesn’t overwhelm and allows itself to be an entertaining Sci-Fi action flick with an overwhelming sense of violence and ferocity. Some of the films elements have been explored before but never quite like this. Intelligent and gripping this is one of the movies that will continue to expand the possibilities for the science fiction genre.
2. Inglourious Basterds
Watching a Quentin Tarantino movie is one of the greatest events a movie goer can have. Each of his films are so strikingly different, yet they all still have a common thread and feel about them. The personal touch of Tarantino’s personality reigns deeply in each of them. He goes down as one of the greatest film makers of all time. It’s a bold statement but one I have no problem arguing. There is something personal about his films, but also his own love and adoration of them that somehow bursts into each scene, each minuscule moment. Every detail feels like it was put together with love and the greatest respect and attention. This is what the movies is about. Go see Inglourious Basterds this instant.
1. Avatar
No one in the universe has the imagination of James Cameron, and if they do, they don’t have the ability to convey it into the world of film. Not like he does. Avatar was the best film of 2009, and one of the best films to come out this entire decade. Suck on that you haters. You’ll eat up what’s been fed with a smile on your face, because it’s that damn good. Avatar is unlike any movie I have ever seen. Cameron takes a simple, almost cliche story, and makes it an authentic tale about two races, two people, and the world that lives and breathes around them. The fairyland of Pandora becomes a reality and you as a viewer are lucky enough to have been invited to see it through the eyes of Jake Sully.
Voter Results:
| Avatar | 8 | 22% |  |
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Star Trek | 5 | 14% | |
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New Moon | 4 | 11% | |
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Inglourious Basterds | 4 | 11% | |
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Other answer… | 3 | 8% | |
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District 9 | 2 | 6% | |
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2012 | 2 | 6% | |
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Invictus | 2 | 6% | |
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Up | 2 | 6% | |
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Up In The Air | 1 | 3% | |
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Zombieland | 1 | 3% | |
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Watchmen | 1 | 3% | |
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Sherlock Holmes | 1 | 3% | |
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Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince | 0 | 0% | |
Write Ins: The Hurt Locker, The Road, and The Hangover with one vote each
Did you agree with this Top Ten? Rate it and let us know how we’re doing.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Glad to see I am not alone in putting Zombieland in my top ten, I think a certain amount of movie snobbery keeps it out of some peoples!
I agree. A lot of the movies on this list are fun or blockbuster movies, but just because they are doesn’t mean they aren’t good films.
I’d have Up In The Air on mine as well as Invictus, so I definitely suggest a viewing, but I like your list, it’s different and fun.
Okay, admittedly I haven’t seen the Hangover all the way through, i lost interest at some point, and honestly i think its over-hyped. it may belong on some list somewhere, but not in the top 10.
Paranormal Activity and Watchmen both deserve nods, due to what they did for their respective genres. Watchmen was the first movie based on a graphic novel that was almost a panel for panel recreation, and while there were subtle differences, it was still an under rated work of art. Paranormal Activity took the Blair Witch formula and the current “ghost hunters/adventures…” trend, and did it well (although after having seen the alternate ending, think that it should’ve been left in)
I love how Half Blood Prince received no votes, but somehow still made it to #7. While not the worst of the Potter series, it certainly was rather disappointing. I’ve had a problem with the gaps and the “artistic license” that has been taken with this franchise in the past, and although much of HBP was accurate, it was still one of the most disappointing book-to-film adaptations that I’ve seen recently.
I wholeheartedly agree with the picks of Inglorious Bastards, District 9, and Zombieland not just because they were popular, but they were just really well done. I’ll get a backlash for this, but Avatar definitely DOES NOT belong at number one. Firstly, it was released way too late in the year to be given the number one spot. Secondly, James Cameron has limited imagination at best. The Terminator franchise was ripped off from Sci Fi stories, and the thief strikes again with Avatar. The basic idea was stolen from a Sci Fi story “call me Joe,” and elements of history, and mistreatment of different races, so yes, it is cliched as you say. I hate how people put cameron on a pedestal, “so im laying him on a slab.” I’ll admit, the gimmick of 3D and the special effects were indeed amazing, but after reluctantly seeing Avatar, i came away with nothing but reinforcement of my original distaste for the film.
Star Trek, as a franchise reboot was probably the best in that genre, it brings the next generation (no pun intended) into the world of the Enterprise, and the origins of the original characters.
The pure fact that you did a top 10 of 2009 list without seeing some of (what i think are the best films of the year) makes this list a moot point. Invictus was certainly deserving of a high marking. Morgan Freeman is the epitome of great acting and a mirror image of Mandela. As one of the few Rugby films, the historic aspects and the romance of the game are displayed brilliantly. Sherlock Holmes, while a bit hokey at times, was all a fan of the books could’ve asked for. Finally, i believe that when you see “9″ you’ll realize that it deserves to be on this list over and above “Up” (although i would give an honorable mention to “cloudy with a chance of meatballs cuz i loved that book as a child, and the movie was awesome!)
btw, u should totally do a poll/article on the “most anticipated films of 2010″
I didn’t make my list hoping I would impress anybody else or based on what other people voted for. I made my list based on the films I saw THIS year that I liked. Other than the Top Five or so I wasn’t really impressed with much this year though. I enjoyed Harry Potter but wasn’t overjoyed by it along with the Hangover, which I think I would have like more if not over-hyped. Paranormal Activity I really respected but isn’t a film I see myself loving in the long run. My top five or so I passionately loved and can get behind and I dismiss your Cameron and Avatar comments entirely because I feel your opinion isn’t at all objective. And I thought Cloudy was OK. It had some cute moments but was way more geared to a child audience for me to get into it.
However my list isn’t moot because I didn’t see some films that I wanted to see. If I waited for three or four more months to make this list it would be irrelevant and pointless. These are the movies I saw in 2009 that were made in 2009 and so this is my list love or hate it.
Although, I will have both a poll and article about most anticipated of 2010. I’ve been working on it for about a week! Should be up soon! Thanks for the suggestion!
I like your list Heather….good job!!!
I loved Avatar and IB, but I hated District 9. I was a dragged out Science Fiction TV show episode, and a show that probably got canceled in it’s first season at that. Not impressed.
I’m suprised Precious isn’t on there. I would put it at least #3. Or are we only talking blockbusters?
I haven’t seen Precious or Hurt Locker!
Excellent list Heather. I haven’t seen Paranormal activities or Harry *burp* Potter but it’s hard to argue with anything that is on the list. I would put 500 Days of Summer in there and the Hurt Locker instead of those two I haven’t seen I guess
Staring from the top: Having seen all of the movies that you feel have potential to make your list, but you haven’t seen, I can honestly say that all of them were good, but none were great. None would make my top ten list. I can’t believe someone said that 9 was better than Up. Ridiculous. The only animated film that gives Up a run for its money was The Fantastic Mr. Fox.
I’m surprised you say you’ve seen about firve movies this year that impressed you. I feel quite differently. I’m trying to organize an FYC list for this year’s Camademys, which will be announced after seeing three more films (The Lovely Bones, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassius, and The White Ribbon), and I’m dying. There’s so many good movies that I know I’m going to have to leave of my list, and it’s depressing me. Crazy, crazy I tell you.
I agree with Rob, that this list is indeed moot, but for different reasons. Basically I feel it’s moot because it’s not a mirror reflection of what I would have put, and is therefore an invalid opinion.
Now, if I may quote you: “He [Tarantino] goes down as one of the greatest film makers of all time. It’s a bold statement but one I have no problem arguing.” Well, I’ll argue with this. I feel you’re completely full of shit. Fuck this comment. Where do you get off with all this “…one of…” talk? One of? One of!?!? That’s bull, and I feel you should make a public apology for your ignorance.
Not a bad list. A bit mainstream, but this was a very strong year for mainstream filmmaking, that it’s hard to argue. There’s a couple films here I would argue against (Paranormal, Harry Potter), and others I wouldn’t expect to make many lists, but am glad that they made yours (Zombieland), and others that I would agree belong as the absolute best of the year (Do I need to spell it out?), but for each example, whether I agree or not, you make an interesting arguement for your own affection toward said film. Always a fun read, Heather.
Okay Lizard King, I shan’t ever utter such blasphemy against Tarantino if others refrain from doing it against James Cameron for me.
You know I have nothing but love for Tarantino. He is the master. I can’t say how happy I am that such two wondrously constructed movies came out in the same year. But honestly, I’ll give the win to IB on being a better movie overall. I just loved Avatar more.
I really do wish I had seen more movies this year. I started off strong but then a lot of personal things left me homebound and unable to visit a theater for quite a few months, a few months where some really good movies happened. In fact Avatar was the first movie I had seen in the theater since Inglourious Basterds. Hence things being more on the mainstream side, but I really was impressed with the mainstream movies this year. The only one that really disappointed me was WOLVERINE.
Love a good banter Lizard King. I can’t wait for the Camademy’s!!!!!!!!
You’re inspired me to make a similar list on my own blog. However, it might be more fun to do Worst of 2009, but that’s just how I roll. Thanks though! (I know I commented above but I realized I wanted to say thanks for posting)
That is great Movie Mistress and Thank You!
Actually my Top Ten for next week is the Worst of 2009. You can expect to see a lot of Rom Com’s on mine. Hahahaha. I can’t wait to see your lists.
Heather, I can’t believe a list can upset so many people.
@ Robert Denner: you said “Avatar definitely DOES NOT belong at number one” I have to say it does belong at number one because it is the film that gave Heather the most pleasure this year. This is a movie blog not a democracy, Heather’s opinion is the only thing that matters here. As far as Avatar taking its ideas from other films, this is what I had to say on the subject: http://fandangogroovers.wordpress.com/2009/12/25/avatar-dune-same-story/ You went onto say “The pure fact that you did a top 10 of 2009 list without seeing some of (what i think are the best films of the year) makes this list a moot point.” It is unlikely that any one person will see all films released in a year. I for example live in England and films some people are suggesting for top tens haven’t bee released here yet. I also haven’t seen many animated films as they don’t interest me, consequently I haven’t seen Up, does this make my list “a moot point” too? If so it could be argued that the more new release films you seen in a year the more valid you opinion is. I don’t agree with that philosophy but if I did would have a pretty good grounding having seen over a hundred 2009 movies.
@ The Lizard King: You say “I feel it’s moot because it’s not a mirror reflection of what I would have put”, forgive my I have to ask; this is a satirical comment made in jest isn’t it, you are basically saying that only your opinion counts. I hope it was a joke! It would be funnier if is wasn’t a joke and you believe this but I have to assume for your sanity that it was joke!
@Heather. I know you have seen my list. Three of your top ten made my top ten and I enjoyed the other five that I have seen. If anything seeing a lot of films can confuse the list, it was hard pushing films I loved out of the top ten, in some cases out of the top twenty. I didn’t give star ratings last year but if I did I can honestly say I would have given by top 4 films Five out of Five stars and numbers 5 to 45 would have got at least four stars. In some way I enjoyed all the films I saw up to number 88. My bottom ten included Duplicity and Law Abiding Citizen that made it to some peoples top ten. They are all opinions, we are all entitle to them!
Ha! I knew it was going to incite anger in people. I knew because there are a lot of commercial choices there, but also Avatar being #1. But thank you for coming to my defense. It is one thing to disagree and another to discount ones opinion entirely because they are different than yours.
I couldn’t bring myself to seeing Duplicity but almost went to see Law Abiding Citizen because a friend recommended it, so it seems a wise choice that I waited for DVD for each.
Duplicity had good reviews and Law Abiding Citizen had okay reviews and most people I know who saw them liked them, I just hated them! Duplicity was supposed to be witty and clever and it just wasn’t.
you go Andy…Robert Denner is a dufus
I hope you don’t take offense, but you have a guy’s list. You have some great picks on your list.
The Hurt Locker will be out of DVD next Tuesday.
No offense taken, in fact I think it’s a complement!
I can’t wait to see it.
The Movie Mistress,
You posted whilst I was ranting below. Just to respond to your comment. A bottom ten is harder than a top ten as unless you are a paid critic you tend to avoid films you think you will hate. If you only see ten or twenty carefully selected movies in a year you may only be disappointed by one or two making your worst ten include things you like.
For what its worth my bottom ten for 2009: (1 being the worst)
10 Duplicity
9 The Final Destination
8 Halloween II
7 Fighting
6 Law Abiding Citizen
5 Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen
4 The Uninvited
3 Knowing
2 Blood: The Last Vampire
1 The Spirit
I haven’t come across your blog before so will check it out for your top ten.
Heather looking forward to your top/bottom ten next week!
I agree with Knowing. What a tragic, awful excuse for a movie, but I didn’t think Transformers was that bad. It was pointless, sure, but the action was so much fun that I overlooked the nonsense. It’s a fun popcorn movie.
I see that in terms of movie compatibility, you+me is a perfect match! Branden noted that you “have a guy’s list,” but ain’t no shame in that … here’s to all the ladies out there who’d rather see sh*t blow up than two abnormally attractive people swooning over each other.
Though I’ll cop to the fact that I have not yet seen “Avatar” (I KNOW), I can’t find anything on your list to disagree with. “Zombieland” and “Star Trek” are two movies I saw twice in theaters because they were so entertaining; ditto that for “The Hangover,” which better make Zach Galifianakis a superstar.
“Up in the Air” and “Precious” are two 2009 films that I think everyone should see, and I know deep in my heart of hearts that you’d like “Sherlock Holmes” — it’s a much more physical, action-centered take on the world’s most famous detective (besides Adrian Monk, of course).
I agree 100% M.Carter. I think we are superfemale moviegoers. I like action and science fiction any day over than a weird Rom Com. Most of which FAIL at being anything even remotely good.
You guys have me all geared for these movies that I need to hit the theater for or are finally coming on DVD. Thanks for all the comments everyone!!!!!!
Good list. My brain can never process when a movie was made so I always skip the best of list making but these were all good, or great movies. Granted I haven’t seen Avatar yet but I’l fix that this Saturday!
Bravo !!!
Oh, and I tapped you for a Kreativ Blogger Award … for many reasons, really, but mainly because your blog is one of my favorites and you were one of the early supporters who encouraged me to aim high with my site. Feel free to participate if you have the time.
See, we stick with a top 5 format to simplify the process for us (we need all the help we can get), but your list makes me wish I’d gone with a top 10 too, ’cause there was so much great stuff that didn’t make the cut that really should have been in there somewhere.
Looking back at The Hangover, I remember feeling that it was “pretty funny” through most of it, and what made it special was leaving everyone laughing their asses off on their way out of the theatre thanks to the most hilarious credit roll I have ever seen. So, Hangover was good, but it really owes a lot to its own credits (not in the way that all movies do) for what made it most memorable.
I can’t believe that Watchmen couldn’t top Harry Potter on your list… but it’s your list and not mine. At least you remembered Watchmen, most people think it came out the year before.
Funny that you make a distinction between ghost movies and zombie movies. Not many people would differentiate. If I had seen Zombieland last year, it really might have had a shot at the top 5.
I definitely need to give District 9 another viewing. I thought it was great, but I worried that I was too caught up in the hype and didn’t have the proper perspective on the film to include in my top 5. So original, and so could have a shot at best picture… if the academy actually watches it.
Avatar, eh? It did a lot of things very well, but what it didn’t do was tell me something I didn’t already know. It showed me some new things, but I can’t be sure that would be the best reason to declare it was better than Star Trek, which also showed me things I’d never seen before. I agree that it has the goods to justify being on so many top 10 lists, but it lacks the density that a film like Inglourious Basterds has in spades.
Great list! Always great to remember how good we had it this year.