Top 25 Movies of 2009: Movies #11 – 20
The ten that gave me reason to go to 25
 | Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire |
I had a rough, rough time placing Precious, but this is where that rewatchability factor plays a part in a film's overall placement on my list. This film is absolutely phenomenal. It's one of the best dramatic film of the year and I would recommend everyone see it at least once. I was floored walking out of the theater after watching this film, which contains two of the best female performances of the year from Mo'Nique and Gabourey Sidibe, not to mention some noteworthy performances from Paula Patton and Mariah Carey. Despite everything that goes down in this film, the fact I left the theater with the feeling of hope is a testament to its quality.
 | The Hurt Locker |
Ironically enough, the DVD for The Hurt Locker just arrived and I have it playing in the background as I am typing up this list. It's only the second time I have seen this film and that opening scene (featured to the right) is still one of the best I have seen in a long, long time.
The Hurt Locker and its director Kathryn Bigelow (my interview with her here) have been racking up award season kudos from critic's groups across the nation. While I wouldn't mind seeing Bigelow take home the Best Director Oscar, I just can't see giving it the big prize, which at the moment it looks like it just may be on its way to getting.
 | Up In the Air |
This was about as high as Up in the Air could have gotten on my list and it wouldn't be this high had I not watched it over the holiday weekend. As I mentioned recently, while walking out of the theater after watching this film I wasn't sure what I thought of it. Afer further discussion with peers, and even during the process of writing my review, I began to like it more and more, but still something was bothering me.
This film hits a major high during the exchange between George Clooney and J.K. Simmons. Afterward, it decides what the two characters discussed isn't what the film is going to be about, which was a big letdown for me.
However, this film has a genuine quality to it, and the one thing about disappointing moments in good movies is you are able to look beyond them once you've come to grips with them. I am starting to do so with Up in the Air, but only time will tell if my opinion goes up or down over the coming years.
| QUICK NAV: | #21-25 | #11-20 | #1-10 |
That's it for this installment, but you can continue to explore the rest of my Top 25 using the navigation directly above. Also, be sure to take part in the nomination process as I am hoping to figure out the top ten films as decided by the RopeofSilicon readers. Round 2 of voting has already started so click here to get involved.
See you tomorrow with the final ten films.
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I must say Brad, with Hurt Locker and Up in the Air on the outside looking in, im super excited to see your top 10, with big hopes for Basterds and Avatar :D
I also thought Paranormal Activity was one of the best cinematic experiences of this year and the most terrifying movie I've ever seen, however I have know idea how it will hold up on a second view.
The thing about this movie is not the story, the scares, the acting (lol) or the directing or anything. It's just that it made me feel so ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED that I just wanted the movie to end so my suffering could too, and I say that as the best compliment possible!
Can it make me feel that way again? I don't think so.
So that's it. May not be a good or inventive movie (like Blair Witch was, 10 years ago, that one still holds up really well), but as a experience, it's one of a kind!!
Great list Brad…looking forward to the rest.
Sensational list Brad…was very surprised to see Paranormal Activity that low down as expected it to be in your top 10, or at least in the top 15! Then even more surprised that Precious is so low too…
I agree with you on both, I thought that Precious was a glorified Opera episode with some superb acting whilst Paranormal was a great cinema experience, but nothing more than that.
Nice list, but now I have no idea what's in your top 10! I'm sure Avatar will be there, but after you put Up in the Air, Precious, and The Hurt Locker below it, I really have no clue what you're gonna put in the top 10.
Predicting Brad's Top 10:
Will be there:
In the loop
Avatar
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Inglorious Basterd
An Education
Might be there:
(500) Days of Summer
Up
Star Trek
I'm disappointed you felt that way about Up In The Air. I thought it was Death of a Salesman for a new generation. I completely agree about Bigelow and the Academy–it doesn't quite deserve the award, though a nomination is certainly due, but it will probably end up winning.
And I completely agree with you on Paranormal Activity. I think the division of opinion lies in how people interpreted the pacing. I've heard some people say it was too slow, whereas I thought it was structured so perfectly I was yelling "Oh s***!" when the (spoilers) Demon dragged her down the hall and the last scene (spoiler end). I've never been so involved in a horror film the entirety of my film experience.
I am a little bit confused why Precious and The Hurt Locker were outside of the top ten, and Up in the Air jumped ahead of them. Did the first two disappoint on your second viewing, while Up in the Air improved? That's what it seems like, I just want to make sure.
I didn't like PA much at all, but other than that, good list so far, Brad!
I enjoy reading your opinion on all of these films, but I must say (just getting back from my second viewing of Up in The Air) that I somewhat disagree about the scene from Up In the Air between J.K. Simmons and George Clooney, in terms of what the film is about. That being said, I think we both agree that it's one of the first great scenes of dialogue in the film and that it takes the film to a different level.
Bob's (J.K Simmons) volatile reaction spurs Bingham to talk about change. The idea reinventing of yourself for the not only your family's well-being, but your own happiness and fulfillment. And you start to see that Bingham might actually want to change, that his isolation and distance isn't caused by an overwhelming loathing of people due to his career choice. Anna Kendrick and Vera Farminga's characters really allow him to ease up and open up to others. And they give him a different perspective on relationships, the former spurring and challenging him to try and change. But when he finally does take the effort with both his sister and Farminga's character, we see that things don't always work out and how it ends up creating more distance in his life (though he does make some amends with his family).
So when we see him standing in front of the endless listing for flights at the end of the film, we finally understand the reasons for the isolation and the distance he wants to create in his life. And I think that the essence of the dialogue with Simmons and Bingham is really about taking that plunge and allowing yourself to change and be vulnerable. Things just don't always work out the way we want them to.
@David Lee: Your take on that conversation is fascinating, because I interpreted it completely differently. I didn't see it as a conversation about change, I saw it as a conversation about chasing your dreams and how so many of us abandon our dreams. As a result I lost my connection to Bingham because we never learned what his dreams were outside of seeing he was a good basketball player in high school.
So when he goes about trying to make a change I didn't see it as him looking at it as a choice or him chasing his dreams as much as he saw it as a forced necessity. Considering how smart his character is I would have thought he would have heard the words he was saying up to that point, but he had just gotten so good at his spiel he was hardly aware.
I agree with your opinion on the ending, but I didn't see him standing in front of the endless listing for flights as an understanding of his isolation. I saw it as a symbol of his isolation.
I'm very happy you shared though, especially since your interpretation of the film also hinges on the conversation Bingham has with Bob. Thanks for your comment!
Am I the only one who thinks District 9 should be the winner by far? Tell me who else can compete for a Best Actor Nom? Never mind the guy had Zero Acting experience. Avatar was an exceptional visual/artistic experience, but it stopped there- who's to say a film can't be just simply that- maybe so..
Brad,
I'm looking forward to your top 10. I love reading your reviews, which I consider the best ones out there. You have a really good take on movies and I enjoy reading your commentary. Thanks for doing a great job!
Top five prediction:
1. An Education
2. In the Loop
3. Fantastic Mr. Fox
4. Bronson
5. Inglorious Basterds
@PinstripedJon:
I think you are on the money with those. I am going for those 8, plus Bronson and the Damned United.
Top 10 predictions….
Not in a specific order….
500 Days of Summer
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Inglorious Bastards
Avatar
The Blind Side
Star Trek
Up
An Education
In the loop
sherlock homles?
I disagree with PA, but if you liked it that's great. It was difficult for me to get into at the theatre, people were talking , crunching popcorn, walking past to got potty, etc so for me I really couldn't get into the atmosphere.I think that it would've been a lot scarier If I had watched it alone in the dark by myself. However, The House of the Devil creeped the shit out of me, I know you didn't care for it though. I saw that one in theatres as well and there was dead silence the whole time, which made the atmosphere a lot creepier. I also had trouble sleeping after it.
I'm glad you included Sunshine Cleaning, I just bought it on DVD and that is a film that I could watch over and over again. Emily and Amy ( who showed more range) both did a great job.
I also watched PE over, I honestly didn't see squat Marion did (though I agree that she was fantastic in Nine) except be charming, but I did see the film again and I still liked it.