My Favourite Movies Of 2009
Rather self-indulgent I know, but these are my favourite films from the past year...1. Fantastic Mr. Fox
This one is no surprise to anyone who knows me as I adore Wes Anderson and just about anything he does. A couple of years back I even got to ask him a question at the London Film Festival and it was my highlight of the year, sad I know, but you get the point: I am a fan of Wes. And this movie is very Wes, despite being a beloved Roald Dahl tale and animated (stop-motion to be precise), because like his other films it's filled with quirky details and his subtle sense of humour. Wes' movies always have a sense of innocence about them but this one was also full of sweetness and fun. And maybe most importantly, it was fully accessible for the young 'uns too: those around me in the cinema seemed to completely love it.
2. The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus
I'm probably one of the few people who has liked nearly all of Terry Gilliam's flights of fantasy. While it's easy to love Brazil (one of my all-time favourite movies), I even secretly enjoyed such critically lambasted Gilliam-helmed movies such as The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen and The Brothers Grimm. But I have to admit even I was bitterly disappointed by the dark, unsettling and confused Tideland. Thank God then for The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus, a real return to form for the director. It was almost derailed by the death of Heath Ledger but the idea to finish the movie by replacing him in the fantasy sequences by other actors (best of all Johnny Depp) is not only inspired but actually helps enhance the movie. Critics called it a mess, but I couldn't disagree more, I loved every second. Plus, Tom Waits as the Devil? I rest my case.
3. Drag Me To Hell
It's not often you walk out of a horror movie grinning, but that's exactly what I did after seeing Sam Raimi's fantastic gore-filled fright-fest Drag Me To Hell. Genuinely scary with more than a few moments that make you jump out of your chair, it was also huge, huge fun and harked back to Raimi's Evil Dead movies and the best 80s horrors. A nostalgic treat indeed.
4. Moon
Directed by David Bowie's son Duncan Jones, Moon was one of my big surprises of the year: a hugely atmospheric, tense and beautifully acted space chiller, it's full of unexpected twists and turns and looks absolutely stunning. I wrote about the movie and its cool robot Gerty before back in July. You can read it here
2. The Imaginarium Of Doctor ParnassusI'm probably one of the few people who has liked nearly all of Terry Gilliam's flights of fantasy. While it's easy to love Brazil (one of my all-time favourite movies), I even secretly enjoyed such critically lambasted Gilliam-helmed movies such as The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen and The Brothers Grimm. But I have to admit even I was bitterly disappointed by the dark, unsettling and confused Tideland. Thank God then for The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus, a real return to form for the director. It was almost derailed by the death of Heath Ledger but the idea to finish the movie by replacing him in the fantasy sequences by other actors (best of all Johnny Depp) is not only inspired but actually helps enhance the movie. Critics called it a mess, but I couldn't disagree more, I loved every second. Plus, Tom Waits as the Devil? I rest my case.
3. Drag Me To HellIt's not often you walk out of a horror movie grinning, but that's exactly what I did after seeing Sam Raimi's fantastic gore-filled fright-fest Drag Me To Hell. Genuinely scary with more than a few moments that make you jump out of your chair, it was also huge, huge fun and harked back to Raimi's Evil Dead movies and the best 80s horrors. A nostalgic treat indeed.
4. MoonDirected by David Bowie's son Duncan Jones, Moon was one of my big surprises of the year: a hugely atmospheric, tense and beautifully acted space chiller, it's full of unexpected twists and turns and looks absolutely stunning. I wrote about the movie and its cool robot Gerty before back in July. You can read it here
5. Inglourious Basterds
It's funny, you can try and write him off but Quentin Tarantino always comes back with something interesting and no matter what you think of the man or his reputation Inglourious Basterds was definitely interesting, ending up in unexpected places. I was riveted throughout and utterly surprised yet again.
6. Where The Wild Things Are
What a strange little movie this was, I can't even imagine what little kids would make of it (maybe more sense than most of the adults who saw it) but this charming tale of a little boy who runs off to a land of monsters touched my heart, and I've never even read the book it's based on. Spike Jonze made it look unlike any other movie yet completely natural and sometimes dreamy. Because of this I have a feeling this will age better than many of the other special effects-laden blockbusters that also came out this year.
6. Where The Wild Things AreWhat a strange little movie this was, I can't even imagine what little kids would make of it (maybe more sense than most of the adults who saw it) but this charming tale of a little boy who runs off to a land of monsters touched my heart, and I've never even read the book it's based on. Spike Jonze made it look unlike any other movie yet completely natural and sometimes dreamy. Because of this I have a feeling this will age better than many of the other special effects-laden blockbusters that also came out this year.
7. Up
There's no doubt that DreamWorks Animation has been challenging Disney of late and I've heard many people go crazy over the likes of Shrek and Madagascar but for me they've always lacked some of that magic that whenever I see a Pixar movie is instantly there. On the page a tale of an old man floating off in his house sounds plain bizarre, more of a short than a movie, but Pixar once again manage to turn it into something totally different yet still funny, entertaining and hugely heartwarming. Not many CGI movies can make you cry but if you don't feel at least a little tear forming during this special and unique film I think you are probably beyond redemption.
8. Gran Torino
I've always been a fan of Clint Eastwood's directorial efforts and this was probably my favourite of his in years. For one thing, not only is he a brilliant storyteller, he's also a absolutely superb actor (he has remained behind the camera for most of his recent efforts) and this film sees him at his very best: it takes an actor of great skill to make us care about an old racist codger within the space of two hours and he certainly managed that. Plus his snarls are legendary.
9. I Love You, Man
In the absence of a proper Will Ferrell comedy this year, I Love You, Man more than satisfied by need for silliness and confirmed my love of Paul Rudd (also brilliantly funny in Role Models this year), while Jason Segal keeps getting better. Sure there were embarrassing moments and wince-inducing set-ups but how could I not love a movie with two dudes playing Rush covers in their garage and going to secret Rush fan club gigs? I wrote about it before here
10. District 9
I don't know why but a lot of movies this year reminded me of films of my childhood, from Drag Me To Hell (80s horror) to Moon (70s sci-fi thrillers) and this pseudo-documentary, District 9, which reminded me of something John Carpenter might have made 30 years ago. Energetic, smartly written (with political undertones) and with an unusual protagonist, it looks suitably grimy and the aliens are brilliantly done (through producer Peter Jackson's Weta Digital apparently) and most importantly is exciting throughout. When I came out of the movie theatre I heard someone calling it silly but what sci-fi movie isn't and this is one of the best of the year.
There's no doubt that DreamWorks Animation has been challenging Disney of late and I've heard many people go crazy over the likes of Shrek and Madagascar but for me they've always lacked some of that magic that whenever I see a Pixar movie is instantly there. On the page a tale of an old man floating off in his house sounds plain bizarre, more of a short than a movie, but Pixar once again manage to turn it into something totally different yet still funny, entertaining and hugely heartwarming. Not many CGI movies can make you cry but if you don't feel at least a little tear forming during this special and unique film I think you are probably beyond redemption.
8. Gran TorinoI've always been a fan of Clint Eastwood's directorial efforts and this was probably my favourite of his in years. For one thing, not only is he a brilliant storyteller, he's also a absolutely superb actor (he has remained behind the camera for most of his recent efforts) and this film sees him at his very best: it takes an actor of great skill to make us care about an old racist codger within the space of two hours and he certainly managed that. Plus his snarls are legendary.
9. I Love You, ManIn the absence of a proper Will Ferrell comedy this year, I Love You, Man more than satisfied by need for silliness and confirmed my love of Paul Rudd (also brilliantly funny in Role Models this year), while Jason Segal keeps getting better. Sure there were embarrassing moments and wince-inducing set-ups but how could I not love a movie with two dudes playing Rush covers in their garage and going to secret Rush fan club gigs? I wrote about it before here
10. District 9I don't know why but a lot of movies this year reminded me of films of my childhood, from Drag Me To Hell (80s horror) to Moon (70s sci-fi thrillers) and this pseudo-documentary, District 9, which reminded me of something John Carpenter might have made 30 years ago. Energetic, smartly written (with political undertones) and with an unusual protagonist, it looks suitably grimy and the aliens are brilliantly done (through producer Peter Jackson's Weta Digital apparently) and most importantly is exciting throughout. When I came out of the movie theatre I heard someone calling it silly but what sci-fi movie isn't and this is one of the best of the year.
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