The 2009 RopeofSilicon Movie Awards and Full Recap
A final look back at 2009 before we move on to 2010
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For the second year in a row I am handing out a personal collection of awards from the past year as my final piece looking back at the year that was allowing us to begin looking forward to 2010. Like last year this batch of RopeofSilicon Awards will start off the following six page recap by awarding those I believe were the best in categories such as Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Director and Screenplay. I will kindly remind you everything below is my opinion, and my opinion alone. These aren't Oscar predictions, they are simply my choices for the best of the year so please feel free to agree, disagree and present your own opinions on each category in the comments below and
With all that said, if you haven't yet checked out my Top 25 Films of 2009 you can do that here as this article does not award a Best Picture. I begin this post with the more prestigious categories and then move on to the likes of Best Ensemble Performance, Overrated Film, Best Villain, Most Surprising Film, Best DVDs and Blu-rays, etc. Then comes a list of favorite quotes, followed by a list of Best Posters and finally my favorite trailer from 2009 and a list of films I am looking forward to in 2010. However, be on the lookout for a top ten list of most anticipated 2010 films later this week.
Now how about we get started? There are six pages of stuff to go through so take your time and I hope you enjoy what I've put together…
RUNNERS UP: (in alphabetical order by movie)
- Tom Hardy, Bronson
- Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
- Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker
- Tahar Rahim, A Prophet
I really want to see Colin Firth's performance in A Single Man go home with the Best Actor Oscar even though I believe it will go to Jeff Bridges who delivers a performance that turns Crazy Heart's mediocre script into a highly watchable feature.
Firth is probably best known for his work in the BBC's "Pride and Prejudice" and his role opposite Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones's Diary, but should everyone get a chance to see him in A Single Man as George it may end up becoming the first character out of their mouths when talking about his work. Firth's quietly emotional performance can be felt from the outset. Tom Ford's adaptation of Christopher Isherwood's novel gave him room to emote rather than spell it all out with dialogue and he nails it.
SPECIAL NOTE: If I had one more runner-up slot I would have mentioned Alden Ehrenreich in Francis Ford Coppola's Tetro.
RUNNERS UP: (in alphabetical order by movie)
- Zoe Saldana, Avatar
- Penelope Cruz, Broken Embraces
- Carey Mulligan, An Education
- Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
I almost gave this to Zoe Saldana for Avatar and relegating Meryl Streep's performance in Julie and Julia to runner-up status seems like a crime considering had it not been for her performance that film would have been unwatchable. However, after seeing Precious and then seeing numerous interviews with actress Gabourey Sidibe afterward there's no way I could consider anyone else for this honor.
Sidibe comes off as someone so far removed from the pain and torture her character goes through in Precious that it astonishes me the emotional heights she was able to reach. Surrounded by capable talents and the menace that is Mo'Nique as her abusive mother, Sidibe delivers a character I will not soon forget.
RUNNERS UP: (in alphabetical order by movie)
- Alfred Molina, An Education
- Stanley Tucci, Julie and Julia
- Christian McKay, Me and Orson Welles
- Liev Schreiber, Taking Woodstock
It was the perfect combination of actor and script as Quentin Tarantino found the perfect man to cast as his "Jew Hunter." Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds grabs you immediately with his eccentric introduction leading up to his request for milk, his pipe and his later insistence we wait for the creme. He's a man you love to hate.
However, I would also like to pass on a certain appreciation for my complete list of runners-up. Alfred Molina was superb in An Education and Stanley Tucci as Julia Child's husband Paul in Julie and Julia was excellent as Streep's other half. Liev Schreiber was the best thing about Taking Woodstock and had it not been for Waltz I would have handed this award to Christian McKay for his performance as Orson Welles in a heartbeat.
RUNNERS UP: (in alphabetical order by movie)
- Samantha Morton, The Messenger
- Paula Patton, Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
- Marion Cotillard, Public Enemies
- Julianne Moore, A Single Man
I walked out of Precious with a small sense of hope, but at the same time I walked out praying I never meet anyone as vicious as Precious's mother Mary (Mo'Nique). Known as a comedienne, I never would have expected this out of Mo'Nique. I typically avoid films with her as the headliner such as Phat Girlz. However, she proved here that she's got more to her than just obvious jokes and she absolutely deserves to be recognized.
RUNNERS UP: (in alphabetical order by movie)
- Marc Webb, (500) Days of Summer
- Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
- Jacques Audiard, A Prophet
- Michael Haneke, The White Ribbon
This was the hardest category for me by a mile. It was such a close race I am not even entirely happy with my runners-up as I wanted to include James Cameron (Avatar), Wes Anderson (Fantastic Mr. Fox) and Jason Reitman (Up In the Air). For these reasons it may surprise some to see Marc Webb included as a runner-up for (500) Days of Summer, a film that didn't even make my top 25 or the eight films in my honorable mention, but I really liked his work on that film and it was the major reason I interviewed him.
Of course, when it comes down to it I had to make a decision and stick to it and I can't deny Quentin Tarantino even though Jacques Audiard's A Prophet beat out Inglourious Basterds as my favorite film of 2009. Tarantino's work in Basterds is simply magnificent. All the way down the line it's a film that has grown on me every time I watch it and its Tarantino's control and mastery of his script and his actors that make it an absolute joy.
RUNNERS UP: (in alphabetical order by movie)
- Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, (500) Days of Summer
- Thomas Bidegain, Jacques Audiard, Abdel Raouf Dafri and Nicolas Peufaillit, A Prophet
- Bob Peterson, Pete Docter and Thomas McCarthy, Up
- Michael Haneke, The White Ribbon
It probably comes as little surprise Tarantino's script for Inglourious Basterds also tops my list as his piece of revisionist history really stuck with me and — as you will see on the following pages — certain portions still stick with me.
I would also like to point out, though, that Peterson, Docter and McCarthy's script for Up was particularly beautiful and so well paced with a certain level of maturity mixed with comedy you don't typically find in animated features. Haneke's script for The White Ribbon is daring, cold and haunting and the film itself is particularly rewarding for those with the patience to allow it to slowly unfold. The original script for (500) Days of Summer is just that, "original," and deserves attention for it's non-linear yet entirely cohesive story even if the film itself didn't end up one of my favorites of the year, and the script for A Prophet was nearly the winner here as its intensity and ability to create a character was one of the best.
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That was a great read. I agree with you on most of what you said, and even if I don't agree with you on something (most overrated film, best actress and best ensemble cast, to be exact), you express your opinion so well that I don't even want to argue. It's a matter of taste, we gotta deal with it.
Anyway, so I did a pretty similar year breakdown article for my blog several days ago, and I figured, why not post it here too.
Best Film – Inglourious Basterds (runner-ups: 500 Days, Hurt Locker and A Prophet)
Best Director – Kathryn Bigelow (runner-ups: QT, Marc Webb and Zach Snyder)
Best Actor – Christoph Waltz
Best Actress – Carey Mulligan (runner-up: Mo'Nique)
Best Original Screenplay – Neustadter and Weber for (500) Days (runner-up: QT)
Best Original Score: Karen O for WTWTA (runner-ups: James Horner, Christopher Young and Alan Silvestri for Avatar, DMtH and A Christmas Carol respectively)
Best Soundtrack: Watchmen (r-u: Pirate Radio, 500 Days and Adventureland)
Unexpected pleasant surprises: G.I. Joe (it was everything that TF2 needed to be and wasn't – that is, spectacular mindless fun, not a boring unfunny VFX overload), Sherlock Holmes (had a good script and was closer to the original stories than I would ever have expected)
Disappointments: The White Ribbon, The Brothers Bloom, Transformers 2, Precious, Funny People
Best Drama: The Hurt Locker / A Prophet
Best Comedy: Black Dynamite
Best Horror: PA
Best Animation: The Princess and the Frog (haven't seen Mr. Fox yet)
Anl Award for uncontrollable imagination: Richard Kelly, "The Box"
Best Comeback: Sam Raimi / Walt Disney Animation
Breaktrough Actor: Sharlto Copley
Best Quote: "Your knowledge of scientific biological transification is only outmatched by your zest for kung fu treachery!" (Black Dynamite)
Best Scene: Shosanna and Frederick Zoller's last scene in Inglourious Basterds (runner-ups: expectation/reality scene and dancing in the street scene in (500) Days, "married life" montage in Up, the Italian scene and the killing of the Dreyfuses in Basterds, the opening scene in Star Trek)
Best Trailer: Where the Wild Things Are's first teaser. Breath-effing-taking.
@Nick: You know, I should have made up another category so I could discuss The Box, glad you mentioned it. Also, I didn't do a music category because I was pretty much left bored when it came to music this year, perhaps that's another reason The White Ribbon appealed to me so much.
Thanks for adding your list!
Hey Brad, very nice wrap-up. Nice to add that Anticipated 2010 list at the end too and I especially enjoyed the posters section (totally agree with Invictus). Great job, keep up the good work!
Hey Brad, nice list. I am curious though how you thought ‘(500) Days of Summer’ was one of the best written films (although I am not sure if you meant “original” as in not based off anything else, or “original” as in the original script before it got rewritten) and one of the best directed films, but not one of your top 25 of the year. Don’t get me wrong, I did not think that ‘(500) Days of Summer’ was one of the best year either, but if a film is one of the best directed and written I’d assume it would be one of the top 25 of the year.
@Cory: Because I don't think you don't necessarily have to love a film in order to respect the talent used to make it. It's a film that simply isn't for me but I can understand and respect the love so many people have for it considering how well made I think it is. I hope that makes sense.
@Brad Brevet:
Definitely. Kind of like a best vs. favorite type of thing.
How is Toy Story 3 not on the most anticipated of 2010?
I'm surprised that neither Kick-Ass nor Toy Story 3 made it onto your Most Anticipated of 2010 list. Either way, great article, Brad. I agree with just about every one of your choices. It's really great that some people still think Precious is great even after the major backlash it's recently been having.
Great to see you're looking forward to Fish Tank. I saw it a few months back and was left speechless.
Best Film: District 9 (Haven't seen Inglourious Basterds or Up in the Air)
Best Breakthrough Actor: Sharlto Copley (He was excellent)
Best Actress: Zoe Saldana (She did an excellent job)
Best Actor: Lot of choices but i am goign to go with Woody Harrelson in Zombieland
Most Overrated movie: Up (I HATED this and WALL-E)
Most Underrated Movie: Pelham 123 (I loved it)
Best Poster: Inglourious Basterds
Worst Poster: X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Star Trek
@TS:
Also, need to add:
Best Trailer: Inglourious Basterds
Worst Trailer: Alvin and the Chipmunks 2.
Most anticipated movies of 2010:
Clash of theTitans- Looks awesome
Iron Man 2- Looks epic
Toy Story 3- Very excited
Inception- Looks interesting and good
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Shutter Island
The Wolfman
And IMDb has been saying that there will be a 4th Austin Powers in late 2010. That would be great.
This was a really fun article, thanks. And I agree with you on Gabourey Sidibe – I wish she was getting more credit and publicity. Although I totally fail to see the brilliance of Alfred Molina's performance in An Education, as it didn't stand out to me at all.
Sorry, but coming from someone who's not that fond of animation whether it's Pixar, Dreamworks, and what not..UP and most assuredly, last year's Wall-E were among the finest of their respective years and the decade.
A fine article. Though there are some picks wherein I lean towards another film/actor, the picks were solid nonetheless.
P.S.
While the majority favor the Toy Stories and Finding Nemo, imho, Pixar's last 3 films were their best achievements, and if I'd have to pick one of those 3, it's the little trash compacting robot by a mile.
@Brad Brevet:
Great read Brad… the micellaneous categories were very interesting.
I need your opinion on something…it's a general question I've often thought of but never found a good answer for. Here goes…shouldn't the best screenplay and director automatically go to the year's best movie; whichever one someone decides to pick. Because that movie must have had the best direction and screenplay to have made it the best? I often pick separate ones for each category but always question myself to whether that is logical.
What about A Serious Man as one of the best scripts of the year? Its got a lot of religious overtones and really makes you think about what you just saw after watching it.
@Dave: I agree, Pixar is on a roll (as they always have been) seeing as their last three films are all great and deserved more acclaim in there respective years. Sure, they all got amazing reviews, but none obviously was nominated for best picture. Ratatouille raised the bar as it received 5 nods, more than any other animated film (maybe tied with Beauty and the Beast; i forgot). The next year, WALL-E beat that with 6 nods. Up is no exception; I believe it should be nominated for best picture not only because of Pixars track record, but because it was brilliant with itself.
Love it or Hate it Transformers 2 and Terminator Salvation had sick posters!
Don't like all the hate for UP IN THE AIR. Its incredible. You shouldn't diss it. GREAT MOVIE.
@Oscar Smarty: I'm not sure who you are addressing since there isn't any hate for Up in the Air in the comments or the article. Are you sure you're commenting on the right site?
Brad, I always enjoy your analysis on performances, and I certainly appreciate you making a distinction between best and favorite. As always, however, I find your concept of good writing and good direction frustrating – it always seems like your analysis comes down only to technical proficiency in both categories, with no respect for… literary excellence in writing, or overall consistency of tone and style with directing. No respect for irony, poetic justice, or small nuances of dialogue that reveal more about a character than any action. Those areas are where I celebrate film, and apparently also where the Academy does, year after year.
It takes a technically proficient writer to write Up, The Hurt Locker, or Inglorious Basterds, but I believe it takes a genius to write Up in the Air, Precious, or A Serious Man.
Your opinion is your own, of course, but I wanted to air my frustration.
What a terrific article to summarize your favorites that 2009 had to offer!
After reading your explanation in the article and in the comments section, I can see why you recognized Marc Webb in your director category, although I'm interested, are there any other directors you would put in that same category — directors that helmed films you didn't love, but you respect the acclaim nevertheless? (Perhaps Neill Blomkamp?) I'm not a District 9 fanboy or anything, but based on your mediocre feelings towards District 9, he seems like a name you might consider for that category.
As far as your other awards go, I will have to wait a couple more days until I see A Single Man. I've been dying to see it, but it just hasn't expanded very quickly. I definitely agree with Waltz, Mo'Nique, and Sidibe, and I love the inclusion of Paula Patton in your supp. actress category. If you ask me, Precious had the three best female performances of the entire year.
Since Best Director was your toughest category, which is completely understandable (probably my toughest as well), I will share the five I would've chosen, but there are a handful more just as deserving of those 4th and 5th spots. Very tough calls:
Lee Daniels, Precious
Werner Herzog, Bad Lieutenant
Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds (WINNER)
John Hillcoat, The Road
Definitely looking forward to all you have listed for 2010, but I'd have to add:
-The Fighter(David O. Russell, Bale, Wahlberg, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo)
-The Rum Diary(Depp, Eckhart, Ribisi)
-Jack Goes Boating(PSHoffman's directorial debut)
-Rabbit Hole(John Cameron Mitchell's first mainstream film, Eckhart, Kidman)
-Greenberg(Ben Stiller, Jennifer Jason Leigh, directed by Noah Baumbach)
-Father of Invention(Kevin Spacey, just sounds like a hilarious idea)
-The Green Hornet(Interested to see if its the good Seth Rogen, or the bad Seth Rogen, also to see what Christoph Waltz does)