Movie Reviews by Tom Clift can now be found at http://reviewsbytom.blogspot.com

2011-02-24T20:44:00.003+11:00

Visit http://reviewsbytom.blogspot.com for all future reviews and other writing by Tom Clift

My Top 10 Films of 2009

2010-06-23T15:05:00.004+10:00

Almost six months after the end of 2009, I've finally gotten my act together and put together my definitive list of what I consider the Top 10 movies of 2009. If you remember, I actually made this list at the end of last year, but because many of 2009's most prestigious films didn't get released in Australia until the beginning of 2010, I'm redoing the list.

Ironically however, there is only one new movie to be added, and I actually saw it in 2009 not 2010. And yes, that is my way of saying that last years Best Picture winner The Hurt Locker did not make the list (it would have come in at number 11). There has however been quite a bit of order swapping after I had the chance to watch all of the films a second or third time.

As for the way I ranked my list, it comes down to what I want to rewatch. Of all the movies to be released in 2009, there were exactly ten that I either own or want to own. Based on this critera, the movie that was cut from my original list is Samson & Delilah; definitely a great movie, but not one that I have any desire to rewatch.

So without further adieu, here are my top 10 films of 2009

10. The Box
dir. Richard Kelly

"Somebody pushing your buttons?"

It wouldn’t be a really good list unless it had at least one movie on it that no one else will agree deserves to be there; at least I’m getting it out of the way early. And I fully admit, this mind bending science fiction thriller, written and directed by Richard Kelly, the man behind the equally weird Donnie Darko and Southland Tales, has its problems. It’s dense, confusing, and at times laughably ridiculous. And yet despite this, the disquieting atmosphere that Kelly brilliantly creates makes The Box, I believe, one of the best movies of the year. The indecipherable riddle of a plot is as fascinating as it is confounding, and what’s more, Kelly is a master of visual composition. The way he frames his shots, the use of strange imagery, alongside the eerie music and strong performances had me in a constant state of captivated unease. The Box is a masterpiece of uncertainty, and the most satisfyingly unsatisfying movie I have seen in a long time.

9. Drag Me to Hell
dir. Sam Raimi

“I desire the SOUL of Christine Brown. We will FEAST upon it while she festers in the grave!”

A stupendous, gratuitous, over the top horror comedy tour de force, Drag Me to Hell is hands down the most brilliantly excessive movie of the year. Sam Raimi, the man behind the Evil Dead trilogy proves that there is a science to being gross; over the course of this film he bombards his heroine with a seemingly never ending supply of blood, bile, mucus, maggots and internal organs before finally having her flounder around in an open grave during a thunder storm, a scene for which she might have well have been topless. Drag Me to Hell is also at times a legitimately frightening horror film, but first and foremost it is a brilliantly campy comedy, filled with this master director's signature B-movie style; slow tilts, dutch angles, cheesy special effects and even a talking goat. This is Raimi at his finest.

8. The Cove
dir. Louie Psihoyos

“We tried to do this story legally”

Presented by the Oceanic Preservation Society, this film has a very specific agenda: to highlight the atrocities that take place during the annual dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan and to convince an audience of the evils of dolphin exploitation by any means necessary. The Cove is a brilliant motion picture; centered predominately on a group of activists who are attempting to get video footage of the killings, the film plays like the tensest of thrillers only with real life stakes, and use of night vision and thermal cameras (as well as the brilliant score by J. Ralph) all enhance the sensation of genuine peril. And when we finally see the footage itself, it is more gut wrenching than you can possibly imagine. Emotionally devastating, incredible thrilling and undeniably convincing, The Cove will stick with you long after it finishes, and will no doubt provoke many conversations about both the issue it highlights and the means that it uses to do so.

7. Watchmen
dir. Zack Snyder

“We're society's only protection”

Unnecessarily violent, strangely convoluted, with a bizarre soundtrack and performances that range from fantastic to…considerably less than fantastic, Zack Snyder’s film is never the less the absolute best adaptation of Alan Moore critically acclaimed graphic novel that we were ever going to get, slavishly loyal and visually spectacular. I fully admit my bias here; I love the comic book and could not wait to see the film, and Snyder almost fully delivered the Watchmen movie I wanted to see (and this from someone who flat out hated his previous directorial effort, 300). And while Malin Akerman left something to be desired as Silk Spectre, the rest of the cast performed admirably, capturing the graphic novels rich characters with consummate skill. Even the alterations that were made to the ending got my seal of approval, and by the time this movie was finished I was chocked full of geek joy. Unfortunately then that annoying My Chemical Romance song started playing over the closing credits…oh well. Even so, I would best describe this film as one of the most flawed masterpieces you will ever see, and a wonderful companion to one of the best comics ever written.

6. Inglourious Basterds
dir. Quentin Tarantino

“Au revoir, Shosanna!”

I definitely have my problems with this film; to me it represents Tarantino at his most self indulgent, and the final few minutes of the movie infuriate the hell out of me. Never the less, Inglourious Basterds is a fantastic film, and one that only improves with repeat viewings. Scenes of brilliantly constructed tension are weaved around signature pulpy B-movie tributes, just as the two storylines, one following a group of American soldiers behind enemy lines and the other a young Jewish woman hiding out in Paris, weave around each other before coming together in the films climactic final showdown. And although it has been said many times before, German actor Christoph Waltz gives one of the best performances of the decade as the charming Col. Hans Landa, a character who makes every scene he is in an instant classic. From the glorious opening chapter which stretches on and on with an ever-growing sense of unease, it became clear that Landa will be remembered as one of the greatest villains in film history, and one of the best characters Tarantino has ever written. Inglorious Basterds is a tribute to one man’s love for cinema and so for anyone who feels the same way, the film is an absolute must see.

5. (500) Days of Summer
dir. Mark Webb

“You should know up front; this is not a love story.”

Jumping up from the number ten spot on my original list, (500) Days of Summer is definitely a film that rewards repeat viewings. What could have been irritating overly quirky hipster porn was instead the sweetest and most ingenious romantic comedy of the year. The thing that makes the movie work so well is the way that it is structured: we jump back and forth from the very first moments of boy meets girl to the heartbreaking dying days of the relationship between hopeless romantic Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and "just looking for a fun time" Summer (Zooey Deschanel). The script from Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber and the direction from first time filmmaker Marc Webb breathes new life into this, the stalest of genres; this film is wonderfully inventive, featuring musical numbers, fantasy sequences and some of the most genuine and heartfelt dialogue you will have the pleasure of hearing all year. And despite not being a love story, (500) Days of Summer will have you believing in the power and potential of love.

4. Mary and Max
dir. Adam Elliot

“You are my best friend. You are my only friend.”

A superb mix of sweet drama and the most twisted of black comedies, Adam Elliot’s feature length debut is a thematic sequel of sorts to his previous short films, most notably the Academy Award winning Harvey Krumpet, and is without a doubt my favourite Australian film of 2009. The quirky Claymation goes perfectly with the offbeat story about a lonely Melbourne girl, voiced sensationally by Bethany Whitmore and then Toni Collette, who becomes pen pals with middle aged Asperger’s sufferer from New York, voiced by the always incredible Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Rounding out the cast is Eric Bana as Mary’s neighbour Damian and Barry Humphries who delivers the often hilarious narration with perfect deadpan tones. Mary and Max is clearly a labour of love and you will marvel at the details you can find in the gorgeous hand crafted animation. And despite Elliot’s sometimes cynical sense of humour that lends itself to some very morbid plot turns, this movie is ultimately a heartwarming tale about the indescribable power of friendship.

3. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
dir. Phil Lord & Chris Miller

“You may have seen a meteor shower, but I bet you've never seen a shower "meatier" than this”

The only new entry on this list, and surely a surprise to many. And yet after two theatrical viewings and four more on DVD, I am happy to declare that Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is by far the funniest and most rewatchable movie of 2009. Despite appearing to be a simple kids movie, the humour in this film is almost unwaveringly hilarious, with recurring gags and references that make the movie grow better with each viewing. The animation is worthy of a Pixar film, and the final third of the movie actually put it in the running for one of the best action pictures of the year as well. And the voice cast will leave hardcore movie fans absolutely drooling: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, Mr. T, Bruce Campbell, Andy Samberg and Neil Patrick Hariss...as a monkey. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is a very silly, silly movie, and one I absolutely adore.

2. A Serious Man
dir. Joel & Ethan Coen

“Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you”

A tragic comedy based on the biblical story of Job, A Serious Man is the most thorough and controlled film the Coen’s have ever made, and may very well challenge Fargo as my favourite in their entire body of work. The total decimation of every aspect of Larry Gobnick’s personal life; familial, marital, professional and of course spiritual, is so devastating that we should for weep for the man and yet Joel & Ethan’s script is so perfect, their direction so ingenious, that we cannot help but laugh. On top of that, this film offers one of the best performances of the entire year from unknown actor Michael Stuhlberg, a man who embodies the constant confusion and agony of the central character with hilarious despair, as well a brilliant array of quirky minor characters, meticulous production design and a really terrific score from Carter Burwell. Of course we also get all the frustrations that come with a Coen brother’s movie; the inaccessible story, scenes that seem to go nowhere and an ending that…well, let’s just say it doesn’t exactly wrap things up. Despite this, as the end credits rolled after my third theatrical viewing of A Serious Man, I couldn’t help but smile wryly; the fact of the matter is these frustrations only serve the film, itself another slice of enigmatic cinematic brilliant from the two most talented directors working today.

1. Up
dir. Pete Docter

“Sometimes, it's the boring stuff I remember the most.”

What can I say about Up? It’s probably not as clever a film as A Serious Man, the animation perhaps not as memorable as in Mary & Max, and I’m sure that I will revisit movies like Inglorious Basterds and Watchmen far more often. But on pure emotional resonance and wonderfully crafted storytelling, Pixar’s latest is without question my favourite film of 2009. This movie is beautiful to look at, incredibly touching, amusing, adventurous and endlessly fun to watch. I’ve gushed about the film in reviews, podcasts and even to random people I meet in the street. Someone asked me recently when the last time I’d cried was; as you would expect I made the usual macho show of acting like I never cry, and then pretended to have to search deep into the recesses of my memory to recall so distant an event. But of course I knew that the answer was during this films incredible opening act, featuring that wonderfully poignant montage that somehow manages to communicate a lifetime of love without the use of a single word. From there it explodes into a fun-filled adventure story, before returning to the idea that Pixar explore so well: the power of friendship. One for the ages, Up is intelligent, entertaining and incomparably breathtaking.

The Plus Trailers end of year spectacular part 2: My top 10 films of 2009

2009-12-31T00:01:00.009+11:00

If you haven't read Part 1, in which I discuss all the films of 2009 that won't be making my top ten, you can check it out here.

It’s customary to begin any list of the best of anything with a disclaimer explaining how it isn’t really a list of the best, about how it’s just a work of opinion, that the author might have missed something and that everyone is entitled to make up their own mind about what the best of anything is made up of. For my list of the top ten films of 2009, the disclaimer comes in three parts.

First off I want to mention that some films released in 2009 in North America don’t hit screens down under until early 2010. Because of this, I will be republishing a more definitive list of the year’s best sometime in March of next year after all the stragglers have caught up. Of the films yet to be released, there are six that I anticipate will present a challenge the current top ten. They are: Up in the Air (January 7th), Fantastic Mr. Fox (January 7th), In the Loop (January 21st), The Road (January 28th), Precious (February 4th) and finally, after the longest of waits, The Hurt Locker (February 25th). I might also give outside chances to Invictus (January 21st). Of course only time will tell.

Secondly, I want to give a shoutout to some of the movies that just missed out on making the list. All in all there were nineteen films that I would have considered candidates for a place in the top ten; all nineteen of which I hope to re-watch before I compile the Best of 2009 Mach 2 list. In case you’re interested, my 19 to 11 films of 2009 currently sit like this:

19. District 9 dir. Sharlto Copley
18. Observe and Report dir. Jody Hill
17. Der Baader Meinhof Komplex dir. Uli Edel
16. The Brothers Bloom dir. Rian Johnson
15. Balibo dir. Robert Connelly
14. Sherlock Holmes dir. Guy Ritchie
13. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince dir. David Yates
12. Avatar dir. James Cameron
11. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs dir. Phil Lord & Chris Miller

Finally (and I swear this is the last thing), I would like to just say a little about how this top ten list is structured. Basically you can break it down into four sections. The first section consists of numbers ten, nine and eight. These are obviously movies I’ve loved, but in all honesty I wouldn’t be devastated if they were gone come the new list. It’s at pick number seven that things really get tough; from here on in these are truly my favourite movies of 2009. Seven, six and five are all terrific movies, but interestingly I didn’t find it that hard to pick an order for them.

At number four however there is another big leap in quality; two, three and four are stunning films, and unlike seven, six and five, there was a lot of trepidation and even some last minute rearranging of the order. Finally we reach number one. And this is truly the number one. Like The Dark Knight in 2008 (although this year’s pick is nothing like that film) my number one film of 2009 is so far and above my favourite film of the year that it makes my number two film of the year look like number twenty six…whatever that is.

If you know me, then you almost certainly know which film more than any other this year I absolutely adored. But if you don’t know me, then you’re probably getting sick of reading about how I made the list and probably just want to get on with it. So without further ado, here are my top ten films of 2009.

10. (500) Days of Summer
dir. Mark Webb

“You should know up front; this is not a love story.”

What could have been irritating overly quirky hipster porn was instead the sweetest and most ingenious romantic comedy of the year. The reason (500) Days of Summer works so well is because of the way that time is structured. We jump back and forth from the very first moments of boy meets girl to the heartbreaking dying days of the relationship between hopeless romantic Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and just looking for a fun time Summer (Zooey Deschanel). The script from Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber and the direction from first time filmmaker Marc Webb breathes new life into this, the stalest of genres; this film is wonderfully inventive, featuring musical numbers, fantasy sequences and some of the most genuine and heartfelt dialogue you will have the pleasure of hearing all year. And despite not being a love story, (500) Days of Summer will have you believing in the power and potential of love.

9. The Box
dir. Richard Kelly

"Somebody pushing your buttons?"

It wouldn’t be a really good list unless it had at least one movie on it that no one else will agree deserves to be there; at least I’m getting it out of the way early. And I fully admit, this mind bending science fiction thriller, written and directed by Richard Kelly, the man behind the equally weird Donnie Darko and Southland Tales, has its problems. It’s dense, confusing, and at times laughably ridiculous. And yet despite this, the disquieting atmosphere that Kelly brilliantly creates makes The Box, I believe, one of the best movies of the year. The indecipherable riddle of a plot is as fascinating as it is confounding, and what’s more, Kelly is a master of visual composition. The way he frames his shots, the use of strange imagery, alongside the eerie music and strong performances had me in a constant state of captivated unease. The Box is a masterpiece of uncertainty, and the most satisfyingly unsatisfying movie I have seen in a long time.

8. Samson & Delilah
dir. Warwick Thornton

“True love”

Over the years, movies have caused in me all kinds of emotion, from joy to anger to sadness to despair. However Samson & Delilah, the feature film debut of director Warwick Thornton, is the first film I can ever remember making me feel ashamed. A bleak story about two Aboriginal teens who leave their remote settlement and travel down to Alice Springs, Samson & Delilah is a devastating reminder of the appalling living conditions of many indigenous Australians around this country. The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, the sound design is incredible and in key moments distressingly effective and the two central performances are absolutely sensational. There are scenes in this film so powerful and confronting that I was left feeling ill; for a film with almost no dialogue, Samson & Delilah speaks volumes.

7. Drag Me to Hell
dir. Sam Raimi

“I desire the SOUL of Christine Brown. We will FEAST upon it while she festers in the grave!”

A stupendous, gratuitous, over the top horror comedy tour de force, Drag Me to Hell is hands down the most brilliantly excessive movie of the year. Sam Raimi, the man behind the Evil Dead trilogy proves that there is a science to being gross; over the course of this film he bombards his heroine with a seemingly never ending supply of blood, bile, mucus, maggots and internal organs before finally having her flounder around in an open grave during a thunder storm, a scene for which she might have well have been topless. Drag Me to Hell is also at times a legitimately frightening horror film, but first and foremost it is a brilliantly campy comedy, filled with his signature B-movie style; slow tilts, dutch angles, cheesy special effects and even a talking goat. This is Raimi at his finest.

6. The Cove
dir. Louie Psihoyos

“We tried to do this story legally”

Presented by the Oceanic Preservation Society, this film has a very specific agenda; to highlight the atrocities that take place during the annual dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan and to convince an audience of the evils of dolphin exploitation by any means necessary. This is a very one sided film and I cannot speak to its accuracy truthfulness or even to the full nature of its agenda. What I can speak to is how effective it is. The Cove is a brilliant motion picture; centered predominately on a group of activists who are attempting to get video footage of the killings, the film plays like the tensest of thrillers only with real life stakes, and the brilliant score and use of night vision and thermal cameras further enhances the sensation of genuine peril. And when we finally see the footage itself, it is more gut wrenching than you can possibly imagine. Emotionally devastating, incredible thrilling and undeniably convincing, The Cove will stick with you long after it finishes, and will no doubt provoke many conversations about both the issue it highlights and the means that it uses to do so.

5. Watchmen
dir. Zack Snyder

“We're society's only protection”

Unnecessarily violent, strangely convoluted, with a bizarre soundtrack and performances that range from fantastic to…considerably less than fantastic, Zack Snyder’s film is never the less the absolutely best adaptation of Alan Moore critically acclaimed graphic novel that we were ever going to get, slavishly loyal and visually spectacular. I fully admit my bias here; I love the comic book and could not wait to see the film, and Snyder almost fully delivered the Watchmen I wanted to see (and this from someone who flat out hated 300). And while Malin Akerman left something to be desired as Silk Spectre, the rest of the cast performed admirably, capturing the graphic novels rich characters with consummate skill. Even the alterations that were made to the ending got my seal of approval, and by the time this movie was finished I was chocked full of geek joy. Unfortunately then that annoying My Chemical Romance song started playing over the closing credits…oh well. Even so, I would best describe this film as one of the most flawed masterpieces you will ever see, and a wonderful companion to one of the best stories written in the last hundred years.

4. Mary and Max
dir. Adam Elliot

“You are my best friend. You are my only friend.”

A superb mix of sweet drama and the most twisted of black comedies, Adam Elliot’s feature length debut is a thematic sequel of sorts to his previous short films, most notably the Academy Award winning Harvey Krumpet, and is without a doubt my favourite Australian film of 2009. The quirky Claymation goes perfectly with the offbeat story about a lonely Melbourne girl, voiced sensationally by Bethany Whitmore and then Toni Collette, who becomes pen pals with middle aged Asperger’s sufferer from New York, voiced by the always incredible Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Rounding out the cast is Eric Bana as Mary’s neighbour Damian and Barry Humphries delivering the often hilarious narration with perfect deadpan tones. Mary and Max is clearly a labour of love and you will marvel at the details you can find in the gorgeous hand crafted animation. And despite Elliot’s sometimes cynical sense of humour that lends itself to some very morbid plot turns, this movie is ultimately a heartwarming tale about the indescribable power of friendship.

3. Inglourious Basterds
dir. Quentin Tarantino

“Au revoir, Shosanna!”

I definitely have my problems with this film; to me it represents Tarantino at his most self indulgent, and the final few of the movie infuriate the hell out of me. Never the less, Inglourious Basterds is a fantastic film, and one that only improves with repeat viewings. Scenes of brilliantly constructed tension are weaved around signature pulpy B-movie tributes, just as the two storylines, one following a group of American soldiers behind enemy lines and the other a young Jewish woman hiding out in Paris, weave around each other before coming together in the films climactic final showdown. And although it has been said many times before, German actor Christoph Waltz gives one of the best performances of the decade as the charming Col. Hans Landa, a character who makes every scene he is in an instant classic. From the glorious opening chapter which stretches on and on with an ever-growing sense of unease, it became clear that Landa will be remembered as one of the greatest villains in film history, and one of the best characters Tarantino has ever written. Inglorious Basterds is a tribute to one man’s love for cinema and so for anyone who feels the same way, the film is an absolute must see.

2. A Serious Man dir. Joel & Ethan Coen

“Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you”

A tragic comedy based on the biblical story of Job, A Serious Man is the most thorough and controlled film the Coen’s have ever made, and may very well challenge Fargo as my favourite in their entire body of work. The totally decimation of every aspect of Larry Gobnick’s personal life; familial, marital, professional and of course spiritual, is so devastating that we should for weep for the man and yet Joel & Ethan’s script is so perfect, their direction so ingenious, that we cannot help but laugh. On top of that, this film offers of the best performances of the entire year from unknown actor Michael Stuhlberg, a man who embodies the constant confusion and frustration of the central character with hilarious despair, as well a brilliant array of quirky minor characters, meticulous production design and a really terrific score from Carter Burwell. Of course we also get all the frustrations that come with a Coen brother’s movie; the inaccessible story, scenes that seem to go nowhere and an ending that…well, let’s just say it doesn’t exactly wrap things up. Despite this, as the end credits rolled after my third theatrical viewing of A Serious Man, I couldn’t help but smile wryly; the fact of the matter is these frustrations only serve the film, itself another slice of cinematic brilliant from the two most talented directors working today.

1. Up
dir. Pete Docter

“Sometimes, it's the boring stuff I remember the most.”

What can I say about Up? It’s probably not as clever a film as A Serious Man, the animation perhaps not as memorable as in Mary & Max, and I’m sure that I will revisit Inglorious Basterds and Watchmen far more than I do this one. But on pure emotional resonance and wonderfully crafted storytelling, Pixar’s latest is without question my favourite film of 2009. This movie is beautiful to look at, incredibly touching, amusing, adventurous and endlessly fun to watch. I’ve gushed about the film in reviews, podcasts and even to random people I meet in the street. Someone asked me recently when the last time I’d cried was; as you would expect I made the usual macho show of acting like I never cry, and then pretended to have to search deep into the recesses of my memory to recall so distant an event. But of course I knew that the answer was during this films incredible opening act, featuring that wonderfully poignant montage that somehow manages to communicate a lifetime of love without the use of a single word. One for the ages, Up is a truly breathtaking film.

The Plus Trailers end of year spectacular part 1: 2009 in review (get it...'review'?)

2009-12-30T12:45:00.010+11:00

Part 2 has now been published and can be viewed here!

What a year it has been! From multi-million dollar record breaking blockbusters to micro-budget breakout hits, 2009 has been a truly remarkable year for movies. We saw a young captain Kirk beat an aging John Connor at the box office, while two plump mall cops endeavored to keep law and order in their respective domains with very different results. We saw a lot more of one particular Austrian talk show host than we might have wanted to, and looked on in horror as Charlotte Gainsbourg did things with a pair of rusty scissors that we never, ever needed to see.

Megan Fox on the other hand just had to make do with getting her leg humped by an irritating little robot.

Lucky bastard

We got reboots, remakes, sequels, prequels, spinoffs, offshoots, adaptations, origin stories, reimaginings and even one director who saw fit to rewrite history, as well as every kind of talking animal you could possibly imagine; dogs, cats, frogs, foxes (some with the dulcet tones of Mr. George Clooney, others simply announcing that chaos does in fact reign) singing chipmunks, alien prawns and ten foot tall surfs with USB ports in their hair to name just a few.

For some 2009 may be remembered as the year of the bright blue computer generated erogenous zone, combining the occasional Na’vi nipple slip with the ethereal glow of Dr. Manhattan’s ever glowing package. But whist these were no doubt highlights, for me 2009 will be the year I remember as the beginning of my education in cinema. I have been a movie fan for a very long time, but it was only this year that I really started making an effort to see as many theatrical releases as I could. A large part of that is because of this blog (which I started in the last week of 2008) and my subsequent involvement in the Large Association of Movie Blogs. I actually missed my one year anniversary, but I’d just to take this time to thank all of you for reading, commenting and giving me the forum to write about something I really enjoy.

LAMB overlord Dylan Fields will not allow you to lecture him

So with the barrel of the new year staring us in the face like an enormous rail gun capable of taking out a supposedly indestructible Decepticon with a single blast, I thought I’d reach into the ~~purse~~ satchel (Indiana Jones has one) and pay tribute to each and every trip I took to the cinema this year. Counting the occasional repeat viewing of a film I really enjoyed, I have been to the movies seventy eight times since January 1st, most of which I enjoyed. Of course this is a record I fully plan on bettering come 2010.

What follows are my brief thoughts on each and every film I saw in cinemas this year, with ten exceptions; those ten are my favourite ten films of 2009, and that list will be published a little later this year (i.e., tomorrow). Technically a lot of the movies early on this list are 2008 films by virtue of the fact that they were released in the US in 2008, but us Australians have to make do with the delayed releases we are given. I do hope you’ve enjoyed the movies this year has given us; I know I have. Even if some of these reviews don’t make it seem like I did.

"Am I missing a tooth?"

(note: when applicable, each film title is also a link to the full length review of that film I published throughout the year)

The Day the Earth Stood Still dir. Scott Derrickson
It’s fair to say I didn’t start the year off particularly well with this bland remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic about an alien who travels to earth with a dire warning for mankind. Keanu Reeves was at his most Keanu Reeves-ish, and although I thought the opening act was pretty strong, the predictable storyline and over reliance on CGI and product placement made this a very easy film to forget.

Let the Right One In (Låt den rätte komma in) dir. Tomas Alfredson
This Swedish horror film about a twelve year boy who falls in love with a girl his age who just happens to be a vampire already has a cult following and an English language remake in production. Wonderful in all the ways Twilight wasn’t, it is touching, romantic and, best of all, really really bloody. One of the most pleasant surprises of the year.

Bolt dir. Chris Williams & Byron Howard
A fun little animated kids film about a talking dog who thinks he has super powers. Not particularly mind-blowing, but loud and funny enough that your average three year old will have a blast. Miley Cyrus’s voice does make me want to kill myself though.

It’s A Free World dir. Ken Loach
A typically depressing tale from British director Ken Loach shot in a minimalistic, docudrama style, Free World follows a single mother who starts up a business that provides immigrant labour cheap. The opening and closing scenes demonstrate the brutal cyclicality of the issue, and will leave audience members drained. Never the less, it’s a very well made and effective film.

Doubt dir. John Patrick Shanley
This powerful drama about a possible case of child molestation in a church run school was number five on my top ten films of 2008. Featuring no less than four incredible performances – two of which come from perhaps the two greatest actors alive today – Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman as well as Amy Adams and Viola Davis will blow you away, and the ambiguous nature of the story will let you make your own conclusions as to what if anything actually transpired. Phenomenal stuff.

They could save Academy voters a lot of time by simply mailing all the acting awards to these two every year

The Wrestler dir. Darren Aronofsky
Featuring a career resurrecting performance from Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler managed to overcome it’s fairly simplistic story about a washed up athlete down on his luck thanks to terrific direction from Darren Aronofsky and the raw, captivating work of it’s leading man. For whatever reason I wasn’t as enamoured with it as many others were, but a still definitely a fantastic film.

Waltz with Bashir (Vals im Bashir) dir. Ari Folman
This Israeli documentary about a civilian massacre during the 1982 Lebanon War is one of the strangest movies I saw all year. Almost entirely animated, the film makes use of the normal “talking heads” documentary techniques, but is also filled with stylized action, surreal visuals and bizarre, dreamlike tangents that explore the nature of memory and war. A one of a kind film, it also features one of the most gut wrenching endings I have ever seen. Highly recommended.

Role Models dir. David Wain
A very funny and also very sweet film about two slackers in their 30’s played by Sean William Scott and Paul Rudd, who are forced to enter into a big brother type program that pairs troubled children with adult friends/caretakers as part of their judge ordered community service. Once they are paired with their youngsters, a foul mouthed ten year old and a bespectacled loner respectively, hilarity pretty much ensues. Not a film that’s going to change how you look at comedy, but consistently funny and generally well acted.

Gran Torino dir. Clint Eastwood
Featuring what may very well be Clint Eastwood’s final performance, this film about a racist war veteran who inadvertently finds himself involved in his local Hmong Chinese community is a pretty conventional drama that goes for a little too long, could probably have done with some fine tuning script wise, and featured a few supporting performances from non-actors that would have definitely benefited from another take. Still, Eastwood is solid both in front and behind the camera as always, and he alone makes Gran Torino worth a watch.

I’ve Loved You So Long (Il y a longtempts que je t’aime) dir. Philippe Claudel
This French drama about a woman who moves in with her sister’s family after being released from prison for murdering her son features atrocious dialogue, a monotonous, directionless storyline and one of the most cowardly and irritating endings of the year…and of course, the critics loved it. Pretentiousness begets pretentiousness it seems, and I’ve Loved You So Long almost takes the place of the most over-praised foreign film of the year…almost. The performances, particularly from Kristen Scott Thomas and Elsa Zylberstein as the two sisters are admittedly phenomenal, but even they cannot save this film from its pathetic and melodramatic script.

"I don't think our movie is very good" "I know, but it's in French so no one will say anything"

Milk dir. Gus van Sant
Although it may have seemed like a very conventional biopic, the terrific direction by van Sant, inventive nature of the narrative structure and excellent performances from the entire cast which includes Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin and James Franco helps this film, the true life telling of the career of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay public official in United States history, rise above the pack. And of course Sean Penn’s performance as the man himself was one of the best of 2008, and well deserving of the Best Actor Oscar that it garnered.

The Class (Entre les murs) dir. Laurent Cantet
This French docudrama set in an inner city Parisian school follows the exploits of an unruly English class. This is a very simple film in which not much actually takes place, and this is both its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. I was at many times bored during this film, but there are also moments of terrific drama and emotion and performances are all superb. Like another French film I’ve already mentioned, The Class was universally praised by critics; personally I wasn’t crazy about it, but I certainly don’t regret seeing it.

Revolutionary Road dir. Sam Mendes
With the subtlety of a sledge hammer, director Sam Mendes attempts to explore the claustrophobic, repressive nature of American society in the 1950s. The terrific performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet cannot distract from the overwritten script, nor can they hide the fact that Mendes made a far better film that explores the same themes ten years prior with American Beauty. The production design and costumes are great, but you can see all that in Mad Men, with a much better storyline to go with it.

The Spirit dir. Frank Millar
Nothing in this film makes sense; the dialogue is laughably bad, the performances are as over the top as they come, and the visual style of the movie is like a five year old trying to recreate Sin City with crayons. Everyone involved in this movie has egg all over their faces, but they have managed to accidentally create one of the funniest movies I’ve seen in a long long time. The Spirit truly is so bad it’s good

Valkyrie dir. Bryan Singer
A surprisingly tense thriller about the rogue Nazi plot to assassinate Hitler, Valkyrie features strong performances from Tom Cruise and a cast of veteran supporting actors, is sleekly directed by Bryan Singer and very nearly manages to convince you that the outcome of the story could be a good one. Which of course it isn’t. Don’t be put off by the true to history ending and the antics of its leading man though; Valkyrie is definitely worth checking out.

Eye eye Tom! (get it...eye? It's funny because he's only got one)

Changeling dir. Clint Eastwood
While I wasn’t crazy about Gran Torino, I’d definitely take it over this film, a melodramatic, poorly paced period drama that is also about half an hour too long. The second act shows a lot of promise, but ultimately I found myself caring far more about one of the subplots than I did about the struggle of the movies lead character, played admirably by Angelina Jolie.

The Reader dir. Stephen Daldry
I just don’t care about this movie. The acting is great, particularly from Kate Winslet, and the story is definitely solid. But at the end of the day The Reader has a far too conventional three act structure and offers nothing new to the enormous list of holocaust movies already out there.

Rachel Getting Married dir. Jonathen Demme
The god awful hand held camera work very nearly makes this movie unwatchable, but the drama of the story and the great performances from Anne Hathaway and Rosemarie DeWitt manage to save it. It’s also sometimes a little too indie for its own good; you will probably be able to tell within the first couple of minutes whether this is a movie for you. For the record, I did mostly enjoy it.

Frozen River dir. Courtney Hunt
Although I never got around to reviewing it, I would strongly recommend everyone check out this well made drama about two working class women who smuggle illegal immigrants between Canada and the United States by driving across a perilous…you guessed it…frozen river. It’s a pretty depressing little film about the things desperate people will do; the barren setting is stunning to behold and Melissa Leo gives a terrific performance.

Blindness dir. Fernando Meirelles
Despite it being released halfway through March in Australia, this is still counted as a 2008 film. Many critics were unkind to Blindness, and admittedly the story does have its problems. But on a technical level this movie is superb, and much of the drama in the first two thirds I thought was absolutely captivating (not to mention devastating). I’d rank it as the most underrated movie I saw this year, and had I not already completed my best of 2008 list before seeing it, it would have easily breached the top five.

An astounding technical achievement that was severly misunderstood

W. dir. Oliver Stone
A political satire/drama about the presidency of George W. Bush, there is a lot of good to be found here, especially in the downright brilliant final twenty minutes. The cast is outstanding, with Josh Brolin especially managing to create a sympathetic portrait of arguably one of the most hated men alive today.

Knowing dir. Alex Proyas
My god…this movie was so retarded. The dialogue was awful, and Nicolas Cage…well let’s just say he wasn’t good. But as frustratingly bizarre as Knowing was, it’s never boring and it’s certainly got elements that make it unique. Probably worth seeing for the sheer WTF factor, but don’t expect a good movie by any stretch of the imagination.

Dragonball Evolution dir. James Wong
The worst movie I saw all year. Thinking about it makes me angry. The plot, acting, special effects, dialogue, direction and every other thing makes a movie a movie flat out sucked. Dragonball Evolution is an idiotic piece of garbage that should be wiped from the face of the earth. Do a good deed this New Year and go and burn then DVD. And I don’t mean copy it; I mean literally light it on fire and watch it melt. I assure you it’ll be a hell of a lot more fun that actually watching the film.

Duplicity dir. Tony Gilroy
While it had the potential to be a fun and flashy espionage comedy, the script is too convoluted for its own good, and Julia Roberts and Clive Owen both seem…tired. I certainly didn’t hate Duplicity, and it’d probably improve on repeat viewing. But I don’t think I can be bothered finding out.

Easy Virtue dir. Stephan Elliot
A high class social comedy set in 1930s England, Easy Virtue was at its best points a very funny film, and at its low points an irritatingly silly one. The highlights are easily Kristen Scott Thomas and Colin Firth, who are both are their most scathingly…British. Ultimately though I didn’t care enough about the movie to even be bothered reviewing it. But if you’re into this kind of film then you’ll probably have a blast – I know my parents did!

My GOD! She couldn't be more British is she was eating a scone!

A Pain in the Ass (L’Emmerduer) dir. Francis Veber
Oh look, it’s another French movie I hated! But this wasn’t a melodramatic wank; quite the opposite. This was one of the most stupid and immature comedies I have ever seen, and yet everyone in the cinema seemed to think it was hilarious…except for me that am. If you think people getting hit in the face is funny for ninety minutes then see A Pain in the Ass. Personally I thought the title was fitting.

The Boat That Rocked dir. Richard Curtis
Way too long, unfocused and just plain unfunny, this British comedy from the director of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Love, Actually felt incredibly dated, and although most of the performances were good (Phillip Seymour Hoffman can do no wrong), the characters they played all had one definable personality trait that quickly became annoying.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine dir. Gavin Park
Hated by X-Men fans everywhere, Mike Mendez of Big Mikes Movie Blog put it best when he said that Wolverine had a better story arc in X-Men 2 than he did in his own movie. The highlights were Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber and Ryan Reynolds (in the ten minutes of the movie he’s in at least), but the story was filled with holes, the constant mutant cameo’s served no purpose, and Gavin Park cannot direct action to save his life.

Tulpan dir. Sergey Dvortsevoy
And the winner of the Margaret Pomeranz award for the most irritating pretentious boring and yet critically beloved coz it’s not in English masturbatory piece of shit goes to (drum roll please.)

The Baader Meinhof Complex (Der Baader Meinhof Komplex) dir. Uli Edel
See! I don’t hate all foreign films. The Baader Meinhof Complex is both a comprehensive crime thriller and an astonishing true story about the Red Army Faction, a communist terrorist organization in West Germany during the 60s and 70s. Unfortunately the movie is a bit too long, and the second half (although excellent) takes a dramatic tonal shift from the first. Never the less, it’s definitely worth seeing, and the acting is excellent.

One of the best foreign films of the year should even appeal to a fairly mainstream crowd

Star Trek dir. J.J. Abraams
I wasn’t quite as crazy about this movie as everyone else was (I like a little story with my CGI), but in terms of high octane spectacle and balls out sci-fi entertainment, it’s hard to go past this reimagining of the long thought deceased Star Trek franchise. J.J. Abrams is one of the best action directors working at the moment and I’m not ashamed to admit that I can’t wait to see the sequel with him at the helm.

Angels & Demons dir. Ron Howard
It was better than The Da Vinci Code. And yes, I realize that’s very faint praise.

Observe and Report dir. Jody Hill
Writer/director Jody Hill might be one of the most subversive talents working today, and his second feature film is one of the most interesting (and on a side note one of the best edited) films of the year. Observe and Report is at times hysterically funny and at other times incredibly dark and disturbing, filled with graphic violence, drug use and a controversial scene of date rape. Seth Rogen gives an amazing lead performance as the mentally unstable Ronnie, a mall security guard determined to catch a flasher at all costs. It’s not always a fun or pleasant movie, but it’s one I’m really interested to watch again.

Terminator Salvation dir. McG
While it is undoubtedly a crime against the once great Terminator franchise, this movie more or less stands on its own. The story is pretty average, but the action is good, and although Christian Bale phones in his performance as John Conner, Sam Worthington and Anton Yelchin are probably two of the biggest new talents of 2009.

The Hangover dir. Todd Phillips
It’s funny. Not as funny as everyone seems to think, but still definitely funny. I’d put it just below Role Models. Go on...tell me I'm wrong.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen dir. Michael Bay
Not the worst movie of 2009, but definitely the one I most regret seeing. Awful storyline, poorly paced action, offensive characters, terrible dialogue, atrocious acting, an hour of unnecessary “plot” (in the loosest sense of the world) and a massive worldwide gross that will further inflate the ego of Michael Bay, a sometimes talented but never the less misogynistic, racist douche bag of a director. I just to take this opportunity to formally apologize to all my friends who I convinced to see this piece of shit; I swear the trailer looked good.

To bad it didn't transform into a decent fucking movie

Disgrace dir. Steve Jacobs
A little seen Australian production, Disgrace is based on the novel of the same name, and is set in South Africa. John Malkovich plays a disgraced college professor, who goes to live with his daughter on her farm, only to be unable to assist her when she is raped by local gang members. A bleak and distressing movie with little resolution by the end credits, I am still hesitant to recommend it despite the excellent performances, strong script and unobtrusive direction. It’s a movie you appreciate, not one you enjoy.

Sunshine Cleaning dir. Christine Jeffs
A quirky black comedy/family drama about two sisters who start a human remains disposal business, Sunshine Cleaning makes the most of its premise and its star, the always adorable Amy Adams. Not brilliant, probably not worthy of the four stars I gave it at the time, but definitely worth seeing at least once.

Brüno dir. Larry Charles
Despite being excited to see this film, Sacha Baren Cohen’s follow up to the at times hilarious Borat, I managed to let Brüno pass me by in theatres and ended up seeing it on DVD. And after watching it, I don’t really regret not paying $14 for it. It’s got it funny parts, mainly in the second half, but Cohen’s targets seem a lot less thought out than they did in Borat and at many places he doesn’t seem to get the reaction he wants, leading to behavior that is just idiotic as opposed to satirical. The trailers were hilarious, the film somewhat less so. Still, it’s worth a rent.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince dir. David Yates
Not much to enjoy if you’re not a fan of the books, but diehards like myself should really love this dark and surprisingly emotional film, which I think is easily the best entry into this franchise. Some great action direction and (believe it or not) really strong performances from the fast maturing cast, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the first Harry Potter movie I have really liked and it made me really excited to see was David Yates can do with The Deathly Hallows.

Public Enemies dir. Michael Mann
A good performance from Johnny Depp is countered by a bland performance from Christian Bale (not really his fault considering the blandness of his character). The story is okay, but Michael Mann’s digital cinematography is disastrous, constantly pulling you out of the film and making many of the action scenes indecipherable.

If your movie about gangsters staring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale is boring, you have a very serious problem

District 9 dir. Neill Blomkamp
Of all the films of 2009 that didn’t make my top ten, District 9 is the one I’m most eager to see again. Although I thought the story wasn’t all that strong, the documentary style, ingenious film making techniques and political allegory, along with the great special effects and lead performance from Sharlto Copley, make District 9 one of the most memorable movies of the year, and probably one of the most unique films of the decade. It’s also proof that decent original concepts still exist and can find an audience.

Coraline dir. Henry Selick
Another film that I think was probably a little overrated, Coraline is a dark children’s tale about a girl who finds a secret door that leads to a mystical but sinister other world. A bit slow starting off, once the film gets going it’s very enjoyable, and the animation and design is excellent. Coraline herself is one of the most insufferable protagonists of 2009, but even so the movie is a lot of fun.

Sorority Row dir. Stewart Hendler
I mean…I don’t know. It’s not a good movie…the acting and direction is all pretty substandard, and the story is weak. But it’s a slasher movie, and if you’re into that kind of thing (which I most certainly am) then there’s plenty to enjoy here.

Surrogates dir. Jonathan Mostow
A disappointing sci-fi snooze fest that fails to live up to the enormous potential of its premise, instead choosing to take the easiest and most clichéd route every time, from the cop with a dead son to the final reveal as to who the true villain really is. But hey, Bruce Willis is cool, right?

Balibo dir. Robert Connelly
This drama/thriller about the real life killings of five journalists in East Timor following the Indonesian invasion in 1975 is very well directed and acted, and the structure of the story keeps the audience engaged for the entire runtime. It was at times a little formulaic, but it’s still another great entry into what has been a very strong year for Aussie film, and the final words of the lead character will no doubt provoke a twinge of patriotism in any Australian watching.

One of the highlights in a seminal year for Australian film. And it didn't even have any drug addicts in it, which made for a nice change

Antichrist dir. Lars von Trier
The most controversial film of the year is also a movie on which that my opinions have varied drastically. After my first viewing I said that the first hour of the film is “within the realm of a true masterpiece”, and although I found the sexual violence that has made the movie infamous totally unnecessary and in fact counterproductive (not to mention gross), I still gave the movie four and a half stars. Upon second viewing my opinions totally changed, and I found myself…well, kinda bored. The cinematography in the movie is gorgeous, but ultimately I think Antichrist is a pretty empty film with little else to recommend itself aside from the brilliant performances from Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsburg. Then again, I think Antichrist is a movie that people should see, if only so they can have an opinion on it. Because it certainly makes for some interesting conversations.

Moon dir. Duncan Jones
A slow moving contemplative sci-fi drama shot on a very small budget, Moon still manages to look incredible and has one of the best performances of the year from Sam Rockwell, who is pretty much the only actor in the movie. Backed by a score from the incredible Clint Mansell, this is one of the undiscovered gems of the year and along with District 9 and to a lesser extent Star Trek and Avatar, it shows that all is not lost for science fiction.

An Education dir. Lone Scherfig
Without a doubt, the best reason to see this period drama set in 1960s England is the performance of lead actress Carey Mulligan, who is absolutely astounding as a very smart but never the less naïve high school girl who is swept off her feet by a charming older man. It’s a pretty predictable film and the last ten minutes are atrocious, but overall this is still a very strong though rather conventional drama.

The Brothers Bloom dir. Rian Johnson
Two thirds brilliant caper film, one third somewhat disappointing drama, The Brothers Bloom is an incredibly energetic movie filled with endlessly entertaining performances, terrific design and first rate direction. Unfortunately the third act is a little too ambitious, as writer/director Rian Johnson tries to take us to a darker and more emotional place rather than continuing with the lighthearted fluff that we were all enjoying so much. But even with the disappointing conclusion, The Brothers Bloom is a great piece of motion picture fun, and Johnson is one of the most promising new talents in Hollywood.

"The trick to not feeling cheated is to learn how to cheat"

2012 dir. Roland Emmerich
Stuff blows up. I like that.

Capitalism: A Love Story dir. Michael Moore
Michael Moore’s documentary about the economic crisis is probably his weakest film to date. Typically unfocused and broad, it jumps all over the place, offering many fascinating ideas but only spending a few minutes on each one. It lacks the humour and the emotion of his prior works, and although it manages to pull together in the last half hour for a fairly satisfying conclusion, I found his final “call to arms” more annoying than I did inspiring. And this from someone who agrees with his politics.

Zombieland dir. Ruben Fleisher
Nothing like a bit of Zombie killing to get you laughing. Zombieland is a fun, funny, bloody comedy with a really likable cast and a great sense of style. It’s well paced and well directed, and has one of my favourite opening credit sequences of the year. Good times.

Where the Wild Things Are dir. Spike Jonze
Seven years in the making, this adaptation of the beloved children’s book is technically marvelous, filled with breathtaking cinematography, terrific camera work, a great soundtrack and incredibly subtle special effects. It is also a very ambitious project, far darker and more intelligent than your averages kids fare. And yet save for the opening twenty minutes, I felt a complete emotional disconnect between myself and the characters on screen, and as impressed as I was by the visuals, it wasn’t long before I found myself checking my watch. Where the Wild Things Are is a film I wanted to love but instead it takes the place of the biggest letdown of 2009.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs dir. Phil Lord & Chris Miller
I might be alone in this, but I thought Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was the funniest movie of the entire all year. The humour will definitely entertain kids, but it also totally works for adults, and even in the more emotional and/or dramatic places in the movie there are plenty of jokes to be found. On top of that the animation is beautiful and very inventive, and even the action is more thrilling than anything Michael Bay, McG or Roland Emmerich churned out this year. If I were to make a top eleven of 2009 list, this movie, which I’ve seen twice in theatres, might just nudge its way in.

Avatar dir. James Cameron
Believe the hype. This is the epic that James Cameron promised us. The CGI, the 3D, the performance capture is all better than any special effects you have ever seen. Avatar is a visual feast and the world of Pandora and the creatures that inhabit it make this film the most impressive movie you will experience all year. The story, characters and dialogue are nowhere near as groundbreaking, but still provide enough emotional attachment to keep the movie grounded. And the final action sequence will blow your puny little mind.

Story takes a backseat to action and effects. And who are we to complain?

The Informant! dir. Stephen Soderbergh
This comic retelling of an unbelievable true story follows Mark Whitacre (played amusingly by a very chubby Matt Damon), an upcoming executive at an international corporation who becomes an informant for the FBI. With the design and music of a 1970s film, The Informant! isn’t all that entertaining for about the first forty five minutes, but the second half, when Whitacre’s web of lies comes crashing down around him is both entertaining and totally gob smacking.

Paranormal Activity dir. Oren Peli
Going into this film more than a month after it hit theatres here in Australia (making is many months since it began garnering attention in the US), it was sort of hard to separate the film from the worth of mouth. First there was all the word of mouth talking about how petrifying it was, with the usual “most frightening movie ever made” and “scariest thing since [insert title of scary movie here]” poll quotes. Soon after we got the backlash, the “most boring thing I’ve ever seen” and the “this movie is a piece of [insert expletive here]” Personally I wasn’t really frightened by the film, but I still thought it was at times tense and certainly inventive enough to recommend. And who knows, maybe you’ll be one of the terrified ones.

Sherlock Holmes dir. Guy Ritchie
I literally just got back from seeing this film, a fun mystery/adventure with a supremely entertaining cast of reliable actors and some great directorial flourishes from Guy Ritchie, who manages to pull himself of the slump he's been in since his brilliant directorial debut with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels in 1998. I'm counting the days until Sherlock Holmes 2.

And that about does it. Tune in tomorrow for the best of the best of the best (now posted, view it here). And if you have time before then, maybe go and see a movie. Hell, I probably will.

To a wonderful year. Cheers!