Top 10 Movies of the Year

As 2009 draws mercifully to a close, it is time for the obligatory ten best list. Since I am an aspiring film critic and every self-respecting film critic does this, I figure I may as well start practicing. Here then are the ten movies that made my year.

10. Avatar

James Cameron's triumphant return was well worth the wait. While the story was not that original, the performances of the actors and the look of the film made it a delight. For me this was the first time 3D actually worked and was not just a gimmick. If you see it in 2D you are really cheating yourself. I felt like I was really running through the jungle on Pandora and swooping through the air on the backs of dragons/birds. The third act is all-out action but not mindless and excessive. I knew how an why the story got there and was really rooting for the main characters. Cameron further cemented his legacy especially as a visual director. Between "Avatar," "Titanic," and "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" he has proven that he knows how to show and tell a story effectively.

9. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Thankfully this was the year that the Harry Potter movies got back on track. After the cinematic disaster that was "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," the magic of J. K. Rowling's books was restored with the sixth installment in the series. Unlike "Phoenix" one did not need to have read the book to follow the storyline this time around (although it still helps in places). In addition to being darker and grittier in terms of the overall story, this movie brought back more of the humor and even more importantly brought back the relationships between Harry, Ron, and Hermione to the center. This movie remembered that fans love these movies and books because of characters they have come to know and love and not just pyrotechnics. Here's hoping the two-part seventh movie ends the franchise on a high note.

8. Food, Inc.

If you want to be terrified of everything in your fridge, this is the documentary for you! Next to "Supersize Me," this is the most eye-opening feature I have seen on the food industry. No this isn't just a bunch of liberal propaganda telling you to save the trees and go to the farmer's market. Through the likes of authors Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser, ("In Defense of Food" and "Fast Food Nation" respectively), this movie shines a light on the practices of factory farms, the influence of the food lobby on Washington, D.C. and ultimately our plates, and also what the consequences of the Western diet are.

7. Sherlock Holmes

Here's a movie I never even imagined seeing, let alone putting on my ten best list. Guy Ritchie's movie probably won't win any awards, but so what? I am so tired of every movie having to be socially relevant or a serious drama to be worthy of praise. This movie was just plain fun! It reminded me why I go to movie to begin with: to escape. That isn't to say it is a mindless action picture. Quite the contrary. Sherlock Holmes is still solving mysteries with his trademark logical deductions. "Sherlock Holmes" did something so few action movies have been able to do lately: generate adrenaline and stimulate brain cells.

6. Public Enemies

Johnny Depp proved once again this year that he is one of our most talented actors. He looked, talked, and embodied John Dillinger in Michael Mann's film. Depp's supporting cast deserves equal credit, especially Marion Cotillard fresh off her Oscar-winning performance in "La Vie en Rose." The movie had action and style. It was a fascinating character study and well worth seeing. With "Public Enemies" Michael Mann continued to build his reputation that has been growing since he was one of the creators of TV's "Miamai Vice" and directed "Heat" and "The Insider."

5. Away We Go

With all the formulaic romantic comedies and road movies out there today, this movie was a breath of fresh air. This movie did not have one false not and the ending rand true without being sappy. John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph had great chemistry as the main characters and all the supporting actors they meet on their journey are fascinating in their own way, especially Allison Janney and Maggie Gyllenhaal. This movie didn't make a big splash at the box office, but maybe some people thought it looked to strange. I found it refreshing.

4. Paranormal Activity

The weekend that "Saw VI" opened I went to see this movie instead. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I made all year! This was a movie that actually lived up the hype. If I were to describe it to someone who knew nothing about I would say, "The Blair Witch Project" but less nauseating camera work." Unlike most of the unnecessary gore fests that cane out this year, "Paranormal Activity" was more in the Alfred Hitchcok suspenseful and scary tradition. Instead of blood, guts, and overblown special effects, this movie relied more on things that were more or less believable, such as doors opening and closing by themselves or lights turning on and off on their own. This movie made me sleep with the lights on which very few horror films have made me do recently. If you like suspenseful or psychological thrillers I highly endorse this film, but don't see it alone!

3. Up

Every time Pixar puts out a new feature I always think there is now way they can keep topping their previous releases that have been such high quality. This year they proved me wrong again with "Up" a delightful and heartfelt movie for both kids and adults. Kudos to Ed Asner for some great voiceover work as Carl Fredricksen, the protagonist. With gorgeous animation and a great original screenplay, this film ranks right up there with "Toy Story" and "Finding Nemo" in the great achievements of Pixar. I have a feeling "Up" will be a family classic for years to come.

2. Star Trek

This movie restored my faith in the "Star Trek" franchise. After "Nemesis" a few years ago I felt extremely disgusted with what had happened to one of my favorite TV shows and movie franchises. I decided if this new movie didn't work I would never go to a "Star Trek" movie again, which would break my heart as a lifelong Trekker. When I read about the casting for this movie I was puzzled and skeptical to say the least (Zachary Quinto as Spock? Really?). Credit where credit is due: the new cast brought back the spirit and sense of wonder of the original TV show. The movie was smart, funny, and plenty of bang for your buck. Next time hopefully Simon Pegg will get more screen time as Scotty. But then, I can always use more Simon Pegg. Making things even better is that this movie seems to be bringing in lots of new fans as well. Hopefully it will be warp speed ahead to the release of the next movie.

What was the best film of 2009? Drumroll please...

1. District 9

2009 was not only the year of the triumphant return of "Star Trek" but also the resurrection of smart science fiction. Few films this year made me think as much as "District 9." Every time I thought I knew where it was going I was proven wrong. It took twists and turns where I least expected and had me on the edge of my seat the whole way. What also sets this film apart is that it showed you could have social and political commentary without being preachy or obvious. It tackled immigration, apartheid, and much more in very subtle yet thoughtful ways. By the third act rolled around I was really invested in the main character and the action sequences meant something. Hopefully science fiction will continue to make a comeback in 2010.

"Sherlock Holmes" a Pleasant Surprise

I must admit I wasn't quite sure what to expect with the new "Sherlock Holmes" movie. When I first saw the ads I was skeptical. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law? What could these two actors possibly bring to Holmes and Watson, two of the most enduring fictional characters of all time?

Full disclosure, part of my skepticism comes from the fact that I have come to know and love the Holmes stories through the Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce black and white movies made way back in the 1940s. For me they are the standard and will always be the quintessential Holmes and Watson.

But back to the new movie. What must be said first is that this movie is never boring. It took many twists and turns I did not expect. It kept me guessing just as the original Arthur Conan Doyle stories did. The plot: an occult sorcerer named Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) who at the beginning of the film is caught by Holmes and Watson, executed, and somehow rises from the grave. As to how this is accomplished, well, it's not so elementary my dear Watson. The plot involves a secret order that even involves members of Scotland Yard and also a plan to essentially destroy the British government. That's all I can say without giving the story away.

This film, directed by Guy Ritchie, does excel at being true to the spirit of Sherlock Holmes. There are always logical explanations for the various plot points, Holmes and Watson are a great dynamic duo, and of course you have the delightful backdrop of Victorian England. The sets and costumes really took me back to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's vision in the stories. What I also appreciated about this movie was that while there was a lot of action, none of it was mindless. It wasn't fighting for the sake of fighting, or things being blown-up for the sake of pyrotechnics. My favorite sequence involves the Tower Bridge, which is not completed yet in the movie, and that's all I will say.

Over the last few years I have slowly come over to the Robert Downey Jr. fan club. It started for me with a small role he has in "Good Night and Good Luck," and then solidified with "Ironman," (this was another surprise considering the adds made it look like a mindless action movie). Jude Law is not just comic relief but brings real weight to Dr. Watson. Special kudos to Rachel McAdams, who in this movie gets her best part since "Red Eye." It should also be noted that the end of this movie leaves the door open for a sequel (not that the story has a completely open-ended conclusion mind you). This is good news, because with this movie I am dying for another round of sleuthing with this Holmes and Waston. Bottom line: I highly recommend this immensely entertaining mystery!

In Review: Avatar

Okay, so I could not resist the hype. I broke down and went to see "Avatar" this weekend. When I first heard about this movie I had no desire to see it, but that was long before I started reading about all the technological breakthroughs and how its director, James Cameron, had the idea for ten years but the technology hadn't caught up with his vision. Well, it is now 2009, and the technology is there front and center. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely!

Lest you think the movie is all about special effects, it most certainly is not. The story is about a paraplegic marine named Jake Sully who goes on a futuristic mission to a planet called Pandora in place of his brother who has died. Jake fits perfectly into his brother's avatar which is... well, from my understanding something that is grown from human and virtual reality tissue. It allows you to go into a world virtually, leave the virtual version of yourself there, and then come back to reality. Jake is sent to gain the trust of Pandora's native people, find out what they want, and then get them to move so Earth can get a mineral it needs that is in great supply on the planet.

The plot is sort of like a high-tech, futuristic version of "Dances with Wolves." Soldier is at first scared of natives, then becomes friends with them and appreciates their culture, then ends up joining the fight to save the natives from conquerers. But there is more to it than that. The story is handled with real emotion and by the time I got to the last act I was very invested in the characters and was literally on the edge of my seat. While I thought I knew where this movie was going, I was proven wrong in many places.

Of the visuals all I can say is: sit back and enjoy the ride! While I did not see this in Imax I did see it in 3D and you should too. In the past 3D has not worked for me. I always found it gimmicky and annoying. Here, Cameron and his team have done a fantastic job of using the 3D technology to make you feel as if you are really on Pandora and riding around on the backs of flying dragons and swooping down in a vast jungle.

My two minor quibbles with the movie are the villain and some of the dialogue. The story of the military as bad guys has been done and it's getting old at this point, along with the environmentalism sub-plot. The dialogue is at times a little on the clunky side, but when that happened I just sat back and let myself absorb the scenery. Still, it is a very involving story because of the actors, especially Sam Worthington as Jake and Sigourney Weaver as Grace, the head scientist.

James Cameron is no stranger to special effects. In "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" he gave us the breakthrough of liquid metal, in "The Abyss" a similar thing was done with water, and even if you despised "Titanic," you have to grant that when the boat sank it did so with great style. Bottom line: see "Avatar" and enjoy the ride!

Hollywood Should Learn From Streep

Yesterday, in what came as a surprise to no one, Meryl Streep was nominated for more awards. She was nominated for two Golden Globe awards (in the same category no less) for her work in two comedies: "Julie & Julia" and "It's Complicated." I mention this not because I feel obliged to add to the acclaim she has received over the years, but to make the point that the rest of Hollywood could learn a lot from Meryl Streep. Why? Let me count the ways.

First, I never read about her in the tabloids. The only time I ever hear from her is when she is out plugging a movie or actually doing something that is of value. In the 24/7 news cycle this is all the more amazing. The story about Meryl Streep is that she is great at what she does and that's it. End of story. Take note Lohans and Hiltons of the world.

Second, she has done such a wide variety of roles that you can't typecast her. She was great as the Dragon Lady in "The Devil Wears Prada," mesmerizing in "The Deer Hunter" and "Kramer vs. Kramer," was a great and scary nun in "Doubt," played a courageous whistle blower in "Silkwood," played a great fictional version of Carrie Fisher in "Postcards From the Edge," and if that weren't enough, she proved in "A Prairie Home Companion" and "Mama Mia!" that she can sing too. It's called versatility people!

Finally, she just has a pleasant personality. She isn't a celebrity with a new cause every day acting like they're better than us regular folk. No, every year she just reminds us what a class act she is by just being herself. They don't give out awards for being classy, but if they ever do, I'm sure Meryl Streep would have plenty of them in her overflowing trophy case.

In Review: Away We Go

Sometimes movies come along that you start off being not so wild about but then they kind of grow on you. That's how I found myself experiencing "Away We Go," an off-beat, quirky comedy from Sam Mendes of "American Beauty" fame (or infamy, depending on who you talk to). "Away We Go" is not just a romantic comedy but also a great road movie. It centers on Burt Farlander (John Krasinski) and Verona De Tessant (Maya Rudolph), a couple expecting their first child and trying to decide where to raise it. They travel everywhere from Phoenix to Montreal looking for the perfect place to raise their child. Along the way we meet all kinds of colorful characters, which would normally be a cliche in a movie like this, but are refreshingly not.

My favorite is the couple they meet up with in Madison, Wisconsin. No, it's not just because the couple happens to live in Wisconsin which is also my home state. This couple embodies people left over from the 60's hippie movement and are very believable. The couple (Maggie Gyllenhall as LN, that really is the name of her character, and Josh Hamilton as Roderick) make the characters in the musical "Hair" look normal by comparison. What makes them so odd? Let me count the ways: they live in a "continuum house" (which sounds like something right out of "Star Trek") , they forbid strollers for their children and they have a communal bed where they let their children sleep with them.

Don't just see it for that reason alone, however. There is a wonderful supporting cast, including Allison Janney and Jim Gaffigan. John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph carry this movie and they do it extremely well. With this movie and "Leatherheads" it is clear that John Krasinski is not just the cutest guy in "The Office" but also has big screen potential. Without saying anything that will give away the ending, let me just say that I found the end of this movie refreshing. It's a message that should ring true for lots of people. Go check out this gem on DVD.

Reflections on "The Exorcism of Emily Rose"

I know it seems odd to be watching something like "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" during the holiday season. Seems more like something for Halloween right? I must confess, I just saw this film for the third time. It's still just as riveting as the first time I saw it. This is even more interesting given that a film that discusses religion and spirituality would develop an agnostic as a fan. I love horror films, but so few about demonic possession are any good. Frankly when I finally saw "The Exorcist" several years ago I was stunned at how disappointed I was. I found it gimmicky, laughable, and a waste of the talents involved (especially director William Friedkin and star Ellen Burstyn).

"The Exorcism of Emily Rose" works because Jennifer Carpenter as the possessed girl is so convincing (in fact rumor has it the production of the film saved money because of all the things she was able to do with her body). Also, the way the story is told is fascinating. The movie is "based on real events" (how close the movie is to reality is any one's guess). Basically Emily Rose start having feelings of possession when she started college. At first she is given medical treatment and then she stops that and turns to Father Moore (Tom Wilkinson). Eventually Father Moore ends up doing an exorcism which fails and the next day Emily is dead. Moore is put on trial for the negligent homicide of Emily Rose. The story is told mostly inn flashbacks via courtroom scenes.

What makes the courtroom drama aspect more interesting is that the attorneys on both sides are playing against their beliefs. Erin Bruner (Laura Linney) is an agnostic and is defending the priest and Ethan Thomas (Campbell Scott) is the churchgoer prosecuting the man of God. Interestingly the film does not really take a side. The prosecutor represents the scientific argument against Father Moore and the defense attorney argues just as convincingly the spiritual defense of Father Moore.

Maybe the reason I keep returning to this movie is that I am agnostic myself and this movie isn't preachy. It asks but does not provide easy answers for very profound questions regarding beliefs and spirituality vs. science. Was Emily Rose's death Father Moore's fault? We never really know. The movie leaves you thinking and wanting to talk about it. What more could a viewer ask for?

Favorite Movie of All Time

For my first real discussion-oriented post, I would like to hear what your favorite movie of all time is and why.

Picking a favorite all-time movie is difficult. For me, when I consider acting, screenplay, and all the major elements of film I have to go with Casablanca. It has great characters, brilliant acting, one of the best screenplays, and of course, "As Time Goes By" which I can never listen to without thinking of this wonderful movie. What I also love about this movie is the stellar supporting cast. It wasn't just a showcase for Bogart and Bergman, but also had Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet, and Claude Rains (who almost steals the movie). On top of it all, this movie has characters who are complex and in the end do things for the greater good. I cannot imagine the movie ending the way it did back in 1942. It does not have a cliched "happy ending." In that respect, Michael Cutiz's 1942 movie remains near and dear to my heart. So, what about you? I'm anxious to hear from all of you out in the blogosphere!

Movie Blog: Take 1!

Greetings fellow movie geeks! This first post is just to tell you a little about why I started this blog. Well, obviously I LOVE movies. I've been a film geek ever since I watched "Siskel and Ebert" way back in my youth. Eventually watching them argue about film so passionately kind of rubbed off on me and thus began my love affair with cinema. Eventually I started reading film reviews (especially Ebert's), took what film classes I could at UW-Eau Claire, and started spending a lot of time using Netflix, going to the theatre, and that was it. Now I have become an addict and will literally spend entire days watching not just DVDs of movies, but watching all the bonus features because I am very interested in how movies are made. So basically I started this blog as a place for me to opine about movies and movie related topics and also to have what I hope will be lengthy discussion (in some cases arguments) about film. Please check back as I will try to post often.