10 Best Movies of 2009

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans , The Wrestler , Inglourious Basterds , Thursday 10. December 2009, 16:50 Was 2009 a good year for the film buffs around the world? I would call it rather average. Still there were at least 10 movies that I can call truly great, if not masterpieces. Here they are... in reverse order:
I took into account the movies produced in 2009 as well as those produced before but released into theatres in 2009 (in United Kingdom).

10. Los abrazos rotos (Broken embraces) by Pedro Almodovar

What is the worst thing that can happen to a film maker? Someone cutting the movie for you! There is no doubt that Pedro Almodóvar was more lucky than the director Harry Caine and was allowed to make the final cut himself. In "Broken Embraces" he shows his great affection for cinema-making while still managing to tell us a fresh, funny and dramatic story about love, jealousy and sick desire. Very unique, one of his best.

My full review: Torn Pictures, Broken Embraces

9. Lebanon by Maoz Shmulik

A war drama that makes you experience the war as if you were part of it. Scary, breath-taking, powerful. Reminded my of Wajda's Kanal and Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket, but in this one we're watching the "bad guys" who turn out to be as frightened and uncertain as the ones being attacked. Is it a movie you'll be thinking of for a long time? Probably not. War is evil - this is the main message. We all know it. And we all hope it won't happen to us. Lebanon only reminds us of it.

My full review: Lebanon [London Film Festival]

8. A Serious Man by the Coen brothers

Not as serious as some of the other serious Coen movies (like Fargo or No country for old men) and not as silly as the most silly ones (Ladykillers, Intolerable cruelty, Burn after reading). Complex, entertaining, but not as fun-to-watch as I'd like Coen films to be. I also didn't like the editing too much, some scenes seemed not to seamlessly merge with others, making an impression of being put together in a hurry. Still, an interesting movie that leaves you with questions to answer.

7. Public Enemies by Michael Mann

This is an epic movie! Very realistic U.S. 30's. Interesting documentary-like narration and camera work. And a great story above all! Neither the gangsters nor the policemen are glorified. Mann doesn't judge, only tells us a story of crazy people leaving in crazy times. Just the proper ratio of action and dialogue. It's hard to find many faults in this flick. As far as action dramas are concerned, this one It at least as big as Heat or maybe bigger. Highly recommended.

My full review: Public Enemies are just regular fellows

6. Fish Tank by Andrea Arnold

"Life's a bitch and then you die". A great little movie about growing up. And about a teenage rebel with a cause. And about the simple fact that family is important. Mia is perhaps a neighbour of the pals from Somers Town. Or perhaps she's the daughter of Randy from The Wrestler? Well, just watch it if you can to see how you should be making movies when you have a ridiculous budget and a home-use digital camera.

5. Fantastic Mr. Fox by Wes Anderson

Great fun, more for the adults than for the kids I guess, due to many verbal jokes that can leave the young ones pretty puzzled. Uncompromising, surprising, charming, surreal simply fantastic... If it only had a bit slower pace to allow us to celebrate the life of Mr Fox and his colleagues, I would even call it a masterpiece. Oh, and the music was fantastic as well, reminded my of track choices by Mr. Tarantino. Unmissable.

4. Up in the Air by Jason Reitman

An astonishingly good aeroplane (romantic?) comedy with fantastic George Clooney and very good Anna Kendrick. Life has no purpose and we all know it, but the most cheerful moments are those we share with others. A pretty obvious conclusion, but when you watch the movie, you may find it deeper than it sounds.

My full review: Up in the air [London Film Festival]

3. Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans by Werner Herzog

Herzog flirting with the mainstream. You can still feel the unique touch of the German master but the film is way more conventional than his other features. The risky project of remaking the classic turned successful because of two things: Nicolas Cage being the ideal candidate for a cocaine-addicted cop on the edge of falling and the fantastic absurd humor that Herzog added to the previously serious script. Great fun and very touching at the same time. Best film of the London Film Festival.

2. The Wrestler by Darren Aronofsky

Thanks to the great Rourke and fantastic climax building using music, sound, cinematography and "this something" added by Aronofsky, "The Wrestler" is a powerful and engaging movie that I watched with my jaw dropped up until the final "Ram Jam".

My full review: The Last Ram Jam

1. Inglourious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino

By far my favourite film of year 2009 and one of the best in the whole century.

Many believed that even a quasi-serious war movie would be too much for him. Having been disappointed by his latest features, I was very sceptical before watching the Basteds. I did not expect a masterpiece. But it came close to one! Christopher Waltz owns this film and even though the script is poor at times, great cinematography and acting by Waltz, Laurent and rest of the cast makes up for that. Funny and entertaining. Best Tarantino in years!

My full review: Who's the bastard?

What have I missed?

There are a few movies that are probably great but I missed them somehow during the year. Not many though, as I tend to watch all the watchable new flicks that come to the theatres. The movies that I missed include: Jim Jarmush's The Limits of Control, Chinese City of life and death by Chuan Lu, Polish Rewers by Borys Lankosz, Sweet Rush by Andrzej Wajda and Un prophète by Jacques Audiard (winner of London Film Festival).

And yes, I know we haven't seen the most anticipated movie of the year, James Cameron's Avatar. I bought the tickets, I'm gonna see it, although I'm not expecting a masterpiece, as many of you probably are. If it changes my life, I'm gonna change the list... but frankly (basing on the trailers and the news about the plot), I seriously doubt it.

Why isn't movie X on the list?

If you're wondering why I haven't placed Duncan Jones's Moon or Michael Hanake's White Ribbon on the list, just take a look at my list of ratings from 2009, read my reviews and this should probably give you the answers. Also, feel free to leave comments suggesting your favourites of year 2009!