The Top 5 of 2009 (That I've seen)

First, as an aside - why in the hell are The Roots on Jimmy Fallon every night? They're way too talented to be associating with his goofy, unprofessional ass. If Jimmy Fallon was one of my friends (which would be impossible, since he's a little dipshit), he wouldn't even be considered a funny one.

Now that August is almost over and a solid chunk of the year's films are behind us, I'm going to rate what I believe to be the year's best releases thus far. One quick disclaimer.. I have yet to see or never saw "Up", "500 Days of Summer" (due to a medium-sized obsession with one zooey deschanel (the whole singing thing is uber hot), i would see the shit out of if i had a female to see it with.. so if you're female and in cincinnati and not into impish hipsters, hit me up. it's not exactly the type of movie you go see alone or with a couple of guys) or "Moon", all of which are supposed to be outstanding. At any rate, here is the 2009 top 5 as I see it, that is, only including movies that I have in fact seen. Here goes nothing.


5. Inglourious Basterds - 88% on RT, My Rating: 8

Few filmmakers in Hollywood are as controversial as Quentin Tarantino. Among my circle of movie-loving friends, opinions run the gamut from "hack" to "brilliant". While I'm more apt to fall into the latter category than many, I don't give him the credit that some fanboys are willing to. I love Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill 2, and am lukewarm about Jackie Brown, Kill Bill 1 and Death Proof. I went into Inglorious Basters with moderate expectations, I was expecting a violent, stylized death-fest along the lines of Kill Bill 1, with some fun characters and terrific dialogue. What I got was something completely different. There's violence, sure, but it really is an afterthought in a fun, non-linear mission movie with some awesome dialogue, memorable characters, beautiful shots and sets and terrific performances. This was one of my biggest cinematic surprises in some time. Some complain about Tarantino's pacing and lack of a tight script, I just sit back and enjoy the ride. Brad Pitt (who is displaying his underrated talent with every new role - for me, it's been evident since True Romance) is great, I particularly enjoyed the performances of Melanie Laurent (marry me, please), Christoph Waltz and Michael Fassbender as a french Jew hell-bent on revenge, an SS colonel known as the "Jew hunter" and a British operative. Pulp Fiction it is not, but it is a solid, solid piece of work that probably gets better on re-watching. All in all, I'd say Tarantino's take on the WW2 mission film was a rip-roaring success. He plays games with the language and subtitles (for instance, everytime someone says "oui" in french, the subtitles said "oui", which I got a big kick out of), and there's quite a lot of humor buried under a surprisingly powerful story. At times funny, revolting, sad and horrifying, this is really a very solid film. If I have a complaint, it's with the pacing... and that comes from the movie trying to do too much. There are too many characters getting too much time, and that detracts from what's really going on. There's a period of about an hour where you completely forget that the Basterds exist. That, and that alone is keeping this film away from the "9" territory, it attempts to do too much and falls short. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed it... even while nursing an atomic Hofbrau-induced hangover. If you like any of Tarantino's other work at all, you absolutely cannot miss Inglorious Basterds. I'd advise anyone to give it a chance, it's a lot of fun.


4. Public Enemies - 67% on RT, My Rating 8.6

It wasn't what people expected or wanted. And that's why I love it. Only Michael Mann would have the balls to make an $80 million art film with A-list talent. Michael Mann makes shoot-outs that should embarrass the rest of Hollywood... they are so goddamned awesome. This is one of those movies that I'm going to watch over and over.. I can tell already. A film about an American legend, by an American legend. This is an important piece of Americana. If you missed it on the big screen, I'm sorry for you. Don't go into it expecting the Untouchables or some shoot 'em up. Go into it expecting to find a quality character study, absolutely gorgeous shots and set design, and meander along for the ride. Its not a cheap beer that you chug down, it's a fine wine, savor it, for there aren't many people out there capable of making a film like this.



3. Star Trek - 95% on RT, My Rating 8.8

J.J. Abrams has huge balls. Not only did he put something like "LOST" on network TV, he had the balls to make a movie featuring Kirk, Spock and co. with completely unknown actors. Anytime you're dealing with a franchise as beloved as Star Trek, you've got to be careful, because the nerd mafiosi will rip you to shreds for any misstep. This film exceeded everyone's expectations, by a large margin. This is about as watchable as a movie can get. Far away the highest grossing entry into the Star Trek pantheon, no small feat when we're talking about a 12 film series. Really damn close to a perfect sci-fi/action movie, and it does so much more than re-boot the franchise... it re-invigorates it... leaving the star trek universe healthier than ever. The casting is inspired, and this one stacks up as probably the best of all the star trek pictures... I'm anxious as hell for the sequel, and will watch this on DVD at least 50 times.



2. District 9 - 89% on RT, My Score: 9

Now here is the surprise of the summer. a truly original film with a lot to say, that looks awesome. part mockumentary, part allegory, part action film, District 9 literally came out of nowhere and is an important entrant to the sci-fi pantheon. this really is one of the best films to come out in recent years. No one knew what to make of this one when the viral marketing and leaked stills first hit, but the excitement grew as the trailers were released. After the first reviews came out? Wow. This film manages to be an allegory of race and the human condition while simultaneously criticizing human greed, governments and multinational corporations, and having a compelling story that will keep you at the edge of your seat. The film feels completely real, and the first half hour or so is unreal in terms of just how authentic it really feels. When it ramps up into action mode, the effects are unbelievable, and put a lot of the high-cost blockbusters to shame. For me, the only thing holding this one back from all-time status is a completely unlikable lead character. I just didn't care about Wikus at all, and actually wanted him to die. But that's a minor critique, and probably had more to do with the South African doofus playing the character than the character himself, and in no way cheapens the importance of this film. At a time when everything is recycled and borrowed nonsense, a breath of fresh air like this is just what the doctor ordered.



1. The Hurt Locker - 98% on RT, My Score: 9.2

An incredibly visceral and powerful film about a new war for a new generation. This is the first film of value that's been made about the Iraq War, and its a great one. Basically a series of vignettes that only come together towards the end, this film manages, like all the best war movies, to say so much about war without passing judgment on it. The film is more about the human condition and what war does to the people involved than about this or that political persuasion or opinion. For that, is it all the more valuable and powerful. The biggest names in the film (Ralph Fiennes and Guy Pierce) are in it for all of... 15 minutes, and your mind will be blown by the unknowns occupying the rest of the time. It feels like a documentary, that's how real it is, and pencil this one in for director and best picture oscar noms right now. possibly acting nom for jeremy renner also. the cinematography is outstanding, intense, and makes you feel like you're there. this film is one that grows on me the more that i think about it... and i'm sure will only improve with time. if you live somewhere where its actually showing, stop wasting time and see this terrific picture.