Picspam: Favorite Films of 2009
So, it's nearing the end of another year. Time flies. What can I say about 2009? A little disappointing to be honest. I'd rank the year maybe 6th for the decade, with 2007, 2001 and 2002 being the best. I gave only one 10/10 this year (to Inglourious Basterds) while there were four perfect scores in 2007. Overall, the year had a lot of great acting performances in decent to good movies. For some reason, not many of them added up to make really great films.
Films that I haven't seen yet that could potentially get on my favorites:
Nine, A Single Man, Crazy Heart, The Last Station, A Serious Man, Broken Embraces
Honorable Mentions:
(500) Days of Summer
Directed by Marc Webb
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel, Clark Gregg, Minka Kelly
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 86%
Personal Rating: 8/10
Domestic Gross: $32 million
Best Oscar Prospects: Best Original Screenplay and longshot Best Picture
A sweet, quirky and honest romantic comedy, (500) Days of Summer is a realistic depiction of a relationship between two 20-somethings in Los Angeles (though the city looks nothing like what's shown in the movie).
Star Trek
Directed by J.J. Abrams
Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Eric Bana, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, John Cho
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 95%
Personal Rating: 8.5/10
Domestic Gross: $258 million
Best Oscar Prospects: Techs and longshot Best Picture
The only blockbuster this year that actually exceeded expectations, this reboot was fun, exciting and the perfect way to kick off the summer movie season.
Up in the Air
Directed by Jason Reitman
Starring George Clooney, Anna Kendrick, Vera Farmiga, Melanie Lynskey, Jason Bateman
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 89%
Personal Rating: 8.5/10
Domestic Gross: $4 million and counting
Best Oscar Prospects: Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actress x2, Adapted Screenplay
The prohibitive favorite to take Best Picture this year, Up in the Air is a timely and funny look at a man who fires people for a living. George Clooney basically plays a non-famous version of himself and Anna Kendrick lights up the screen in this dramedy.
An Education
Directed by Lone Scherfig
Starring Carey Mulligan, Alfred Molina, Peter Sarsgaard, Olivia Williams, Rosamund Pike, Emma Thompson
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%
Personal Rating: 8.5/10
Domestic Gross: $7 million
Best Oscar Prospects: Best Actress, Supporting Actor, and Picture
While I had serious issues with the film's 3rd act, An Education is worth watching for a star-making performance by Carey Mulligan as well as terrific supporting turns from Alfred Molina, Olivia Williams and Rosamund Pike.
Bright Star
Directed by Jane Campion
Starring Abbie Cornish, Ben Whishaw, Paul Schneider, Kerry Fox
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 83%
Personal Rating: 9/10
Domestic Gross: $4 million
Best Oscar Prospects: Costumes, Cinematography, and Actress
This gorgeous period film about the romance between John Keats and Fanny Brawne has beautiful cinematography, sets and costumes, as well as great performances.
In the Loop
Directed by Armando Iannucci
Starring Tom Hollander, Peter Capaldi, James Gandolfini, Mimi Kennedy, Gina McKee, Anna Chlumsky
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 95%
Personal Rating: 9/10
Domestic Gross: $2 million
Best Oscar Prospects: Best Original Screenplay and maybe Supporting Actor
One of the smartest and funniest films I've seen in a while, this political satire depicts the bumbling politicians in the lead up to a certain disasterous war. This movie is filled with hilarious and witty one-liners, most of them delivered by Peter Capaldi.
Up
Directed by Pete Doctor
Starring Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%
Peronsal Rating: 9/10
Domestic Gross: $293 million
Best Oscar Prospects: Best Animated Feature, Score and Picture
Pixar never fails to impress, even as their stories become more unconventional. One of the most notable things about this film is the wonderful score by Michael Giacchino.
Inglourious Basterds
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Melanie Laurent, Diane Kruger, Eli Roth, Daniel Bruhl
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 88%
Personal Rating: 10/10
Domestic Gross: $120 million
Best Oscar Prospects: Best Supporting Actor, Picture, Director and Techs
I think I've pretty much spammed this movie to death and I have nothing more to add except that it's a blast to watch everytime.
Comments?
Other Previous Picspams:
Tom and Summer, (500) Days of Summer HERE
Spock and Uhura, Star Trek HERE
Victoria and Albert, The Young Victoria HERE
Carl and Ellie, Up HERE
Memorable Dress in Film HERE
The Cast of Rob Marshall's 'Nine' HERE
Grey's Anatomy: Derek-Meredith-Addison Triangle HERE
Inglourious Basterds: The Dresses of Operation Kino HERE
Inglourious Basterds: Christoph Waltz as Col. Landa HERE
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Fashion HERE
Les Parapluies de Cherbourg HERE
My Personal Oscar Ballot (as of November 2009) HERE
Cruel Intentions vs. Dangerous Liaisons Comparison HERE
The 2007 Oscars in FYC Ads HERE
Cast My Life HERE
Decade Picspams:
My Top 15 Films of the Decade
The Decade: Best of the Franchises
The Guilty Pleasures