Top 10 Movies 2009

Honorable Mention
This was an unbelievably beautiful movie in every way.  Released on Earth Day, it shows awe inspiring clips of the beauty of the planet and the animals which inhabit it.  There are many stunning and breathtaking moments.  The movie shows that our Earth truly is fully of beautiful.  

Top 10 2009


#10 Star Trek  PG-13 
This movie puts JJ Abrams on the map as a top director. The origin story and the freshness through which you see Star Trek was surprising.  A great fresh take on this old franchise.  

#9  Invictus  PG-13
Clint Eastwood has been so impressive in his later career tackling important issues in his films.  This movie was no different.  Highlighting Nelson Mandela’s leadership, character, and vision of unifying South Africa’s racial divides by supporting the White national rugby team following his 27 year imprisonment.  A bit heavy handed in the sports segments, but the political and leadership segments make it worth it.

#8 Where The Wild Things Are

Tanner and I enjoyed this movie based on the classic children’s book by Maurice Sendak.  A.O. Scott of the New York Times has written the definitive word on this movie.  He ranked it #1 on his 2009 list and also included it on his best movies of the decade.  Read his brilliantly written essay here about this movie and why making movies that honestly portray the challenges kids face is vital.  

#7  The Brothers Bloom

An off-beat, quirky movie that was enjoyable and entertaining.  Adrien Brody is always likeable and this vehicle was also a warm tale about the brother’s complex relationship.  

#6  Up  PG

Of course Pixar gets a spot here.  In fact, this might have been my favorite Pixar film yet.  It was so original and heartfelt.  Everyone who watches this movie loves it.

#5  An Education  PG-13

Set in the early 1960s, this movie tells the story of a high school girl preparing for Oxford, but changing her plans after meeting a charismatic older man. Carey Mulligan has been hailed as the next Audrey Hepburn and she shows a great range here. The title says it all.  This girl really does get an education in many things. 

#4  The Hurt Locker  R

This movie was gripping from beginning to end.  Many scenes break from convention and go in new places many films never do.  Kathryn Bigelow will probably win the Oscar for her direction.  I think this will become the classic film about the Iraq war much as Platoon and Apocalypse Now are for Vietnam. 

#3  Avatar  PG-13

When the credits rolled after 2 hours 40 minutes, the first word I said was “Wow.”  I had zero interest in this movie in November.  I was so surprised by how riveted I was by the story and especially by the world of Pandora.  It was even better in 3-D.  Don’t wait for video!

#2  Up In The Air  R  

This movie captured an authenticity in people that few movies do.  The direction was superb, and the performances were all solid.  The backdrop about corporate downsizing was also timely and relevant.

#1 Fantastic Mr. Fox  PG

I saw this film twice in the theatres– once with Tanner and once with Delaney. What a great multi-layered kid/adult movie!  This is possibly Wes Anderson’s best movie yet, and certainly his best since Rushmore.  Pure creativity and talent are on display at all times!  Not enough people saw this movie.  I hope you check it out.

Top 10 Movies 2008

Introduction

Welcome to my 5^th annual Top 10 Movie List.  This year was a very good year for movies.  A few years ago, I remember having to work quite hard to find 10 movies to recommend.  This year, the challenge was deciding what to leave off the list.  I hope you find something you like!

The Hidden Gem From the Past

The Station Agent (2003)  R

Although I am five years late on this one, it is one of the best movies I have seen recently. I was touched by the genuineness of this film.  It was written and directed by Thomas McCarthy, who also wrote and directed The Visitor.  Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, and Bobby Cannavale are excellent.   What could have been a movie trying to hard to be offbeat and quirky, strikes a note of perfection.    

Honorable Mentions

I enjoyed these movies immensely, but there wasn’t room for them on the final list.

Top 10  2008

#10 The Express  PG

This was a great movie to take my 7 year old son to.  It taught great lessons of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.  But more importantly, it taught about racial injustice through the inspiring true story of Ernie Davis, a gifted running back who played for Syracuse University and was the first Black football college player to win the Heisman Trophy.  If you haven’t seen it (which you likely haven’t because no one did), get it in your Netflix queue.

#9 Wall-E  PG   

The fact that Wall-E is #9 on the list tells you what a great year this was for movies.  WALL-E tells a beautiful story of a little robot who gets a personality. Eve, the sleek, quick shooting robot, adds a great dimension to the movie.  The film is full of great moments all the way through.  The scene of Wall-E floating and dancing through space with a fire extinguisher is one the best of the year.

#8 Vicky Cristina Barcelona  PG-13

Woody Allen continues his great work in Europe with this funny story.  Everyone will talk about Penelope Cruz, but I really enjoyed the acting of Rebecca Hall quite a bit as well. Very funny and dramatic when it needs to be. Woody Allen is recapturing some of his early magic with his past two movies. 

#7 Doubt  PG-13

Set in the Bronx in 1964, the movie revolves around the guilt or innocence of a priest suspected of sexually abusing an alter boy.  John Patrick Shanley adapted and directed his Tony award and Pulitzer Prize winning play.  Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman deliver great performances. The very fact that Krista and I came to the exact opposite conclusions about the priest’s  innocence when we left the theater shows that the director conveyed the exact message he hoped.

#6 Kung Fu Panda

My love for this movie is probably unjustified, but it is so full of awesomeness it could have been in the top three! It has a wise script sprinkled with eastern philosophy, beautifully animated scenes, fantastic kung fu, and an inspiring story line.  Jack Black is hysterical as the Panda and Dustin Hoffman’s character as Master Shi Fu is perfect.  This movie contains my favorite line from any movie this year when the wise turtle tells Master Shi Fu, “There are no accidents.” It has been my mantra and guiding inspiration all year long!  

#5 Slumdog Millionaire  R

You can’t help but love this little movie that almost went straight to DVD and instead ending up sweeping the Oscars!  Danny Boyle directed this movie (he also directed “Millions” which was high on my list in 2005), so I had a feeling I would like this as well. The actors do a great job (particularly the youngest set) and the direction and story are original and moving.  The Bollywood style dance number at the end galvanized the spirit of the whole movie.

#4 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button  PG-13

This is truly a curious movie. After 3 hours of watching this man age backwards, I was left with a feeling of having seen one of the most mythical, original, and strangely enjoyable movies of the year.  It is hard to put into words what this movie left me with, but I strongly recommend it.  Check the literal at the door and go along with the myth of the movie - it will make more sense to you. 

#3 Vitus  PG-13

This is a Swiss movie that tells the story of a piano prodigy and the impact this has on him and his family. I absolutely loved everything about this movie.  The performances do not include a lot of the heavy handed conventions used in American moviemaking that ruins good movies. This is a rare accomplishment and one of the best foreign films I have seen!  Please check it out – you won’t be disappointed!

#2 The Visitor  PG-13

Richard Jenkins gives a brilliant performance as a burned out professor finding new meaning in life. The movie is perfectly paced so that we fully understand the characters, what made them who they are and how their current life circumstances change them.  The immigration theme may turn off some, but I loved this movie primarily because of the powerful performance by Jenkins.  I hope you will watch it.

#1 Frozen River  R  

This was a fantastic movie! Melissa Leo plays a mom living in upstate New York whose husband left and gambled away their savings. Her kids have limited opportunities and she can’t get full time work. She unexpectedly finds herself smuggling illegal immigrants into the United States through Mohawk Reservation territory. It is original, compelling, heartbreaking, and perfectly done. The best movie of the year!

Top 10 Movies 2007

Introduction

I hope you enjoy the 4^th installment of my top ten movie list.  After a flurry of strong movies at the end of the year, I believe this list contains many great movies - and even a few truly exceptional ones at the top. I hope you find something that you can enjoy.

Top 10  2007

#10 The King of Kong  PG-13

A rare documentary to make the list, the only way to describe this movie is oddly compelling.  It is about a man who tries to break the world record for Donkey Kong set in the 1980s.  It takes you into a parallel universe of video gaming – a lot of man children hanging out in arcades trying to break 20 year old records on old favorites like Pac Man, Centipede, and Galaga.  The most interesting part is the contrast between the challenger and the world record holder – one a high school teacher, and the other, a reclusive narcissist who gets more odd as the film goes on.  This is a very different movie, but totally interesting and worth your time.  

#9 Lars and The Real Girl  PG-13

Another very off beat movie.  Once you get past the premise (a man thinks his blow up sex doll is his real life girlfriend), the movie has quite a lot to offer.  It has some great performances and is very well done.  Pleasantly surprising and touching.   

#8 I am Legend  PG-13

Probably everyone reading this saw this movie.  I saw it over Christmas in theatres and it was excellent.  I thought Will Smith did a great job of portraying a scientist trying to survive an unexplained end of the world scenario.   The story is told well and the pacing is not what the previews imply.  It is a much quieter, thoughtful movie and worth checking out. 

  

#7 The Lives of Others  R

This movie won the Best Foreign Film Academy Award.  It is set in East Germany in 1985 then the government made it their point to know everything about the lives of its citizens.  It follows the life of an writer and his actress girlfriend and explores the consequences for them, and surprisingly, for those who watch the intimate details of their lives. 

#6 Michael Clayton  R

I haven’t thought much of George Clooney as an actor for quite a while.  But this movie, and his performance, is impressive.  It tells the story of a fixer in a law firm and explores the consequences of large legal battles on the individuals within and outside of the corporations.  It is well done and smart.  Tom Wilkinsen and Tilda Swinton give solid supporting performances. 

#5 Into The Wild  R

Sean Penn directed this movie about a boy who sells all he has, burns his money, and goes on a quest to Alaska to discover meaning and purpose in life.  Emile Hirsch gives a great performance as the main character and there a lot of great supporting performances.  But the real key is the directing which is a straightforward telling of a true story based on John Krakauer’s book.  You won’t be disappointed.  

  

#4 The Darjeeling Limited  R

After the Life Aquatic, I thought Wes Anderson had run out of ideas and he needed to direct someone else’s scripts.  He came back strong with the Darjeeling Limited.  It has more depth than his other movies with the same style that he is known for.  Adrian Brody is a great addition to his normal cast.  Owen Wilson is also very good as the oldest brother trying to get them to connect on their spiritual journey in India.  The movie has more to offer than you would think – particularly about the depth of connection through relationships.  I was pleasantly surprised.  

#3 Letters From Iwo Jima  R

This movie was the companion to Flags of Our Fathers which made my list last year.  The movie is in Japanese subtitles.  It tells the story of the battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of the Japanese soldiers who were on the island.  Clint Eastwood has done something impressive here by helping the audience see the horror of war by letting us see the enemy as individuals, husbands, fathers, and sons who are fighting to bring honor to their country and return home to their families.  

#2 The Namesake  PG-13

A thoughtful and touching movie that tells the story of an Indian family immigrating to America.  The beauty of this movie is its ability to tell the story from three perspective – the father, the mother, and the son without making a point to do so.  This is a wonderful exploration of cultural identity and love of family.  The performances are true to life.  The father/son relationship is the heart of the movie.  I loved this movie from beginning to end.

#1 There Will Be Blood R

This movie rocketed up the list after I watched it  Daniel Day Lewis gives one of the most memorable performances I have seen as Daniel Plainview – an oil prospector in the early 1900s.  The first 15 minutes of the movie has no dialogue and its sets the tone for the rest of the film.  The movie chronicles this man’s rise to power during California’s oil boom.  To me, the main characters symbolize the struggle between capitalism, religion, and power during America’s early 20^th century.  Watching the continually shift of power between the two main characters is unlike anything I have ever seen in a movie.  The direction by Paul Thomas Anderson in incredible.  Amazing.

Top 10 Movies 2006

Introduction

This was not the strongest year at the movies. But I think the top two movies on the list were important and powerful.  I hope you enjoy the list and find something you enjoy. 

Top 10 Movies 2006

#10 The Pursuit of Happyness  PG-13

This is the story of one man’s struggle to provide for his family in the face of poverty and discrimination.  It is compelling and worth seeing.  I thought it was a good movie, but not a great movie.  However, I thought Will Smith’s acting was great.  He captured a very real portrait of a person struggling to get by with all of the stresses that accompany a life not blessed with privilege.  He was multi-dimensional and moving.  If you haven’t seen it, it is worth watching. 

#9 Babel  R

This movie captures the universality of the human experience with three strong interlocking storylines.  It can get a little much in places, but overall, it is an ambitious movie with moving dramatic performances.

#8 Dreamgirls  PG-13

I enjoyed this musical quite a bit.  The movie was really fantastic.  I liked Jennifer Hudson and she was the story of the year winning the Oscar for her first movie.  Beyonce was also very good.  And I loved Eddie Murphy as Jimmy.  His performance alone was worth watching the movie. 

#7 Thank You For Smoking  R  

This is a witty, biting, satire about the lobbying industry in Washington.  Aaron Eckhart is very funny in this role and the script is clever and sharp.  The rights for the book on which it was based were purchased in the early nineties and it sat on the shelf for almost 15 years.  It was adapted for the screen and directed by Jason Reitman who does it proud.  

#6 Talledega Nights – The Ballad of Ricky Bobby  PG-13

This movie is laugh out loud funny!  This was the only movie all year I saw twice and both times I was rolling on the ground.  It is the most quotable movie to come out since Fletch.  Will Ferrell plays Ricky Bobby a NASCAR driver who hits the top then comes tumbling down after a French driver (Sacha Baron Cohen) steals the spotlight.  The dialogue between Ferrell and Baron Cohen is hysterical.  For weeks, Krista wondered about my sanity as I would go around the house saying “Ricky Bobby” in a drawn out French accent.  It is the funniest movie I have seen in years.     

#5 Cars  G

Wow.  Two movies about NASCAR in one list.  (Considering I never watch NASCAR, that is saying something.)  Pixar animation has never put out a bad movie and they don’t disappoint with Cars.  Of course, it helps to see the movie with a 5 year old.  But I can’t deny the fact that I cried when Lightning has the chance to leave Radiator Springs and chooses to honor his commitment to the town.  The movie is funny and thoughtful.  The story teaches the values of selflessness, friendship, and loyalty – something of a rarity in many movies today.  

#4 Rocky Balboa  PG

I first read about this movie in a New York Times interview with Sylverster Stallone and I knew then that the movie had great potential.  This movie is not about Boxing as the marketing campaigns implies.  Rather, it is about aging and examining the life one has lived.  Sylvester Stallone wrote and directed this movie and it is moving, touching, and inspiring.  The movie has a quiet tone and returns to understanding the personal struggles of the characters.  It deals with the realities of parenthood, fame, and loss.  The score by Bill Conti is fantastic.  Don’t be fooled by jokes about Rocky VI.  This is a wonderful film!

#3 Casino Royale  PG-13

When I heard there would be a new James Bond movie I had no interest in seeing it.  The last one I saw was Goldeneye in 1995.  But the movie had over 95% positive reviews nationwide.  The movie was fantastic and highly entertaining.  In fact, for me, it is the best James Bond movie I have seen.  It goes back to the roots of Bond before he had 00 status.  Daniel Craig, who was largely criticized by hard core fans of the franchise for having blond hair and not being good looking enough, can flat out act.  He brings a realism and humanism to the role that all of the other Bonds have not had.  Eva Green, who plays the role of Vesper, plays his equal – which is so refreshing in a Bond movie. Instead of being a disposable sex object, she is intelligent, witty, and competent.  The movie resurrected the Bond franchise.  Craig has 2 more Bond movies in his contract.  Hopefully they can capture the magic they did with this one.

#2  Flags of Our Fathers  R

Clint Eastwood’s movie about the flag bearers at Iwo Jima is compelling.  Some people did not like this movie, but I thought it told an important story and really examined what it means to be a hero and why people do what they do in war.  The story examines the lives of 3 men who were all involved in the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima.  However, there raising was actually a second raising of the flag and just happened to be captured by a photographer who had missed the first raising.  The men who raised it were deemed heroes by the government and were sent on an extensive PR campaign around the US to raise bonds to fund the war.  While they were greeted as heroes every where they went, they never felt that way since all they really do was raise a pole and place a flag a top of it.  They fraud they felt standing in front of cheering crowds in America, while they remembered their friends who died in combat on the island, shed light on the discrepancy between the governments’ efforts to take advantage of a public relations opportunity and the overlooked ramifications war has on the individuals involved. 

#1 Children of Men  R

This movie explores the social consequences of global infertility.  The movie begins 18 years since any baby had been born--leading most societies to war and chaos.  It then follows the journey of a small rebel group protecting a  young pregnant woman who they need to deliver to the human project (a group of scientists looking for the cure of infertility).  In my opinion, Alfonso Cuaron is one of the next great directors.  He brilliantly shows the ramifications of this situation ranging from chaos and global despair to the smallest glimmer of individual hope.  Don’t expect any explanations for the premise.  Cuaron is quoted as saying that exposition is one of the great weaknesses in filmmaking today.  What he does show you is the imagined world if this ever happened.  There are at least 2 scenes which are just astounding in their ability to communicate the film’s themes of despair and the beauty of life.  This is a great movie and one that will get more popular over time.  It is definitely worth watching.