The Year End Review - 2009

So 2009 has come and is....almost gone. So I've decided to list my favorite films of the year. This includes only the ones I was able to see, some in theaters and others on DVD. Feel free to post your favorites and even your not so favorites. Now on to the list!

Having seen the teaser trailer for this and being completely in awe by the visuals I did my research. I soon found out that it was being adapted from a bestselling graphic novel from the 80's. I got my hands on a copy and read it in about 2 days. The depth and complexity to it was astounding. Such a rich multi-layered story with even deeper characters. I knew adapting it would be no easy venture for Zack Synder, let alone anyone else.

I jumped at the chance to see it in IMAX and although the seats were not the best ones I ever had I was not disappointed. Zach Synder achieved what he set out to do, adapt this phenomenal graphic novel onto film. Although not every detail from the book was used it was close enough. The sheer volume of information would have turned this nearly 3 hour film into about 4-5 hours. His goal was to make something that would please the fans as well as hold up against mainstream audiences. With even slight differences in scenes and especially the ending the bulk of the film stayed true. Even the almost poetic dialogue was kept intact for the most part, something that was necessary. Granted I have to say Zynder is not a visionary director, he is very much a stylized "Hollywood" director. And his trademark slow motion effect is sprawled throughout the film. But even he himself said he just used the novel as his storyboard, how can you screw that up? Then again it would have been interesting to see any other directors take on the novel. Names like Terry Gilliam, Darren Aronofsky and Paul Greengrass were mentioned for years. These directors being so creative and original as they are  would have made this film entirely different. And you could imagine the A-list actors that would have been cast. The decision to cast virtual unknowns was wise indeed.




There were some exceptions such as  miscasting Ozymandias and the young Silk Spectra, who wasn't necessarily miscast just played way too young. For any fan of the novel Ozymandias was a brute all American man with rugged good looks.  The man they chose was weak looking and just a tad bit flamboyant. And Silk Spectra was spot on looks wise but the actress played her as if she was 25 when in fact in the novel she came off as being between 30-35. The rest of the cast played there parts well. Billy Crudup as Dr. Manhattan, seriously this guy needs more credit. Every single performance he has given has been amazing and this was no exception. And as for the rest of the cast, played to perfection by each actor. I still could not imagine anyone else portraying the Watchmen characters as well as they did.

This was the first film I saw in theaters this year and a great one at that. If anything I felt it was too short, but that's what the definitive cut is for. Just last month the final cut was released, the version with everything that was left out put back in. With a 4+ hour run time it's safe to say Synder did adapt this novel accordingly.

Up next on my list is JJ Abrams Star Trek.

A truly enjoyable experience at the movies and in IMAX even more so. Being a fan of star Trek I looked forward to this flick since it was announced. I grew up on re-runs of the classic TV series and grew to love Star Trek: The Next Generation. Not to say you would have to have some knowledge of the prior series and even films. JJ Abrams made this for everyone, a stand alone film that anyone who just loves movies could enjoy.

Simply put this is simple effective filmmaking at it's best. The cinematography was always on point and the special effects were near flawless. And the cast was so on point and not just physically. The actors did their homework, one in particular Anton Yelchin who played "Chekov". This kid is amazing, the accent was perfect, the performance even better. Another actor who is truly underrated, I hope to see him more often in the future. Granted this wasn't a perfect flick but it re-booted a long running franchise and did it with intelligence. It made going to the movies fun again.

District 9

A fresh original idea and one of the very few that came out of 2009. Neill Blomkamp has a very bright future ahead of him.

This only proves how a lot of imagination and a great well paced story doesn't need a huge budget. You are thrown in to this situation which feels like a documentary on the Discovery Channel. A glimpse of a part of our world that has been dealing with unexpected "visitors" for the past 28 years. Then the whole pacing changes into full blown narrative film. And by now the characters are embedded in your brain and you feel sympathy for them and not at all the characters you might think. The effects were flawless, but never overbearing. Just the right amount of action thrown in to the mix. And the players were even better, the performances of the leads were spot on.

District 9 explores the evils of human nature. It lays out how the world really is. How anyone can be influenced to think that everything is "alright" and never question authority. Below is the original short film which it is based on.

Spike Jonze made me feel like a kid again.... and I loved it.

When I heard that my all time favorite kid's book was being adapted into a film my eyes widened. But then I wondered, who could capture such a classic story into a full length film and not make it into a bunch of Hollywood crap? Spike Jonze did just that and then some. I remember reading this book for the first time, I was around 7 or 8 years old. It captured so accurately and exquisitely what it's like to be a kid. At that very moment I felt lost, my imagination taking over. There I sat in the school library as I was transported to that small boat;  to that island that seemed......so real.



I felt like Max and like nearly every other kid, misunderstood. But at that age no one takes you seriously, your just a child. But my God, the feelings, the emotions of that time. The sense of such innocence and such curiosity. The whole world was yours for the taking. No one could ever stop your imagination or how far it could take you.

 Amazing how Spike Jonze could take this book and adapt it so brilliantly. Watching it I was transported to that day in the library, innocent, carefree, full of hope. But now it was different, as an adult the entire tone of the book took on new meaning. Max was simply misunderstood like any kid his age, he acted out like any kid his age would. He wanted the whole world to look and listen to what he had to say. His escape was this "other" world of The Wild Things. A fabrication of every single thing in his real life, maybe even the way he wanted everything to be. The Wild Things in fact being bits and pieces of his own personality.

True that this film is not for kids, I don't think that was it's intention. It's a trip down memory lane, a smack upside the head to every person over the age of 25. To remind us what it was like to be 8 years old. And for those of us who still live each and every day with that child inside of us. The part of us that dares to be different and always think outside the box no matter how crazy it may seem. Bravo Spike Jonze.... bravo.


Inglorious Basterds...........

Quentin Tarantino knows how to make a great film and this one is no exception. The opening scene had me floored; never had I seen such exquisite filmmaking since a Hitchcock flick. Quentin is at his prime, a master work of someone having dealt with years of haters and naysayers. And what would the world be without these people, they are the fuel to our fire no?

Unfortunately I didn't catch this one in theaters. I could imagine the excitement of the audience, hardcore fans of Tarantino jam packed into the theater waiting for the film to begin. It reminds me of the release of Grindhouse, opening night. The line made it's way around the theater, the multitude of people from all over. The mood inside is why you go to the movies, people cheered when the lights went dim but as the movie played they watched and listened.

Tarantino's influences come from years and years of studying, what most would call watching movies. It's evident in his work that he has done his homework but has definitely created his own unique style in the process. Inglorious Basterds is no exception he's at the top of his game here. I mean what could you expect, he had this script simmering for over 10 years just waiting for the perfect moment. And when he knew it was ready he unleashed it to the world.

And last but certainly not the least..........UP.

I have yet to see a Pixar film I didn't like and it seems that they only get better each and every time.

And yes I'm not afraid to admit I cried. The first 10 minutes or so take you on so many emotions finally leading up to a devastating moment to the viewer. You'd have to be made of stone not to be affected by it.

UP is another film I didn't catch in theaters and I wish I had. A great mix of characters and an all around wonderful story about love, life and loss. In the end it truly makes you appreciate those little things in life and the family and friends you share it with.  Life is an adventure and you should never let it pass you by. Just go for it!

So there you have it, my list of the best films of 2009. I'll have to admit I watched more classic films more than anything this year. And there are others that were really good such as "The Orphan" and "9". These were excellent films but just didn't make the cut. Until next year folks. Have a Happy and safe New Years! Bring on 2010!