Craig the Movie Geek's BEST AND WORST MOVIES OF 2009 (so far...)

Now it’s time for Craig the Movie Geek’s Best and Worst Movies of 2009!

First, a disclaimer!  There are quite a few movies that I haven’t had a chance to see yet --- either they slipped past me in the theatre, or they didn’t bother to come to Saskatchewan.  I really want to see movies like Up in the Air, The Hurt Locker, and The Road (which opens in the New Year at the Roxy in Saskatoon for those people who keep asking me about it).  So the honest-to-goodness list doesn’t really happen until spring 2010, but for our purposes, if you’re looking for something great to rent or see when it does hit video, this list should help you out.  These are in no particular order...

THE BEST:

The Fantastic Mr. Fox AND Coraline --- in fact, I liked the trend this year of family movies that could appeal to both children and adults.  Both Where the Wild Things Are and Pixar’s Up were also amazing movies that came out this year that fit that bill. 

Inglourious Basterds --- Quentin Tarantino’s really, really fun WWII movie with one of Brad Pitt’s best performances in years and a BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR by Christoph Waltz as the Nazi “Jew Hunter.”

Food Inc --- an engrossing documentary about the secret the food companies don’t want you to know about --- just what’s going into your food and how is it affecting your health, your community, the environment, and your children’s futures.

Avatar --- maybe not one of the ‘best’ stories of the year, frankly, we’ve seen it before.  But it’s probably one of the movies you NEED to go see, especially while it’s still in the theatre.  James Cameron has re-imagined how movies are going to be seen in the future with this pioneering 3D movie.

Star Trek --- it’s not just for nerds now!  The JJ Abrams reboot of this franchise brought in new audiences with it’s all out summer popcorn movie fun.

Drag Me to Hell --- not for the squeamish!  Sam Raimi (Spider-man 2, Evil Dead) returns to his horror/comedy roots for this devilish tale!  Now, here’s a movie that could have been in 3D! 

Watchmen --- probably too much for some, but Zack Snyder actually filmed the movie version of the graphic novel that elevated comics to the status of literature; something they said could never be done.   

Sugar --- usually I hate sports movies, but this is one of the best sports films I’ve ever seen.  It’s the story of the baseball factories of the Dominican (where Sammy Sosa came from) and follows a young ball player as he is sent to America to get his shot at the big time.

The Hangover --- this frat boy Vegas comedy actually rose above its fratboy leanings to deliver some great gags.

Whatever Works --- again, not for everyone and the ending kind of gets lame, but if you like Woody Allen and Larry David, you won’t want to miss this one.

Moon --- Sam Rockwell should get a nomination (and lose to Christoph Waltz) for his portrayal of a guy working on the moon who starts to unravel...sort of...directed by David Bowie’s son.

Zombieland --- it suffers in the third act, but Zombieland is a rip-roaring good time movie about survivors of a zombie holocaust (brought on by the food from Food, Inc?).  It’s not as good as Shaun of the Dead, but it’s a great combination of comedy and horror.

 

Julie and Julia --- I could do away with Amy Adams’ scenes, but Meryl Street stands out as Chef Julia Child, the woman responsible for making snobby French cooking simple and attainable for the rest of us.

Paranormal Activity --- this movie suffered from over hype, but it was still a pretty fun time with a fun story and some great scares.  It was made on a tiny budget, and like The Blair Witch Project, it picked up steam and made a lot of money. 

Cold Souls --- Paul Giamatti is brilliant (duh) playing himself.  He needs help with a role he can’t nail and decides to trade souls --- in the process, his soul becomes a victim of ‘soul trafficking’ and he has to get the darn thing back.  Both a compelling existential drama and a wryly funny movie. 

Anvil: The Story of Anvil --- a real life Spinal Tap, featuring the ups and downs of Canada’s own metal band Anvil, who were almost famous and after about 30 years, still haven’t given up on the rock and roll dream.  This is a movie for anyone, not just music or metal fans.  It’s both sad and inspiring.

District 9 --- a visceral action thriller about alien aparteid and a dark secret.

A Serious Man --- The Coen Brothers’ new one, about a guy whose wife wants to ditch him because his inept brother won’t leave the house.  It’s no “No Country for Old Men,” but it’s a darn good time.

Honorable Mentions:  Sin Nombre, 500 Days of Summer, The Brother’s Bloom, State of Play, Tyson

 MOVIES TO LOOK FOR OR MOVIES I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO:  Crazy Heart, Up in the Air, The Hurt Locker, The Road, An Education, Bad Lieutenant, Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, The White Ribbon (new Michael Haneke!), Antichrist, Julia, The Lovely Bones, The September Issue, The Informant, The Cove,

WORST:

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen --- I actually liked the first Transformers movie, but this one was a noisy, incoherent, overlong mess.  Michael Bay is a turd. 

 

Couples Retreat --- what’s the point of having such a good cast and Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau back together again if you’re going to make utter garbage? 

Year One --- I wanted to like this one, and there are a couple of laughs in there.  But ultimately, the jokes run out quickly and the movie becomes pretty unwatchable.

Land of the Lost --- another movie I thought would be fun, with Will Farrell and the hilarious Danny McBride (watch the HBO show ‘Eastbound and Down.’)...but alas...nope.

 

Angels & Demons --- I hate Dan Brown at the best of times (I’ve heard it called books for people who don’t read), and though this movie moves along faster than the reviled, idiotic Da Vinci Code, it still spirals into stupid coincidences and a ridiculous story that ends 20 minutes before the movie does.  I can’t believe both Tom Hanks and Opie are involved in this mess.

 

MOST DISAPOINTING:

Funny People --- I thought this was going to be the next fun Judd Apatow vehicle (like Knocked Up or 40 Year-Old Virgin), but instead I was treated to this polarizing movie.  I found half of it to be really smart and funny.  However, the movie takes an abrupt left turn halfway through and becomes a whole different flick that isn’t about funny people at all.  I do like that the ending was not clichéd, by the way.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine --- I love comic books.  I love comic book movies when they work.  And I dig Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.  But this movie was made by morons or something.  For starters, why do an origin story on a character whose charisma is based on the fact that he is meant to be mysterious?  Throwing in a silly story and Ryan Reynolds mugging for the camera didn’t help.  I expect this kind of crap from Daredevil, but not from Wolvie.

What are your picks of the year?  Agree or disagree on anything?  Did I miss anything obvious?  Have you seen any of the ones I haven’t had the chance to see?