As 2009 comes to a close, I am tempted to make a "Favorite Films of the Decade List." For one, because I love movies, and also, because I make lists. It's what I do. Some people shave their shoulders. Some people pose nude to put themselves through law school. I make lists.
But technically, you did not count down to the end of the decade late Thursday evening. The theory is that there was technically no Year 0. It went from 1 BC to 1 AD. Therefore, 1 AD was the first year, and 10 years later, at the end of 10 AD, the first decade ended. Thus, this decade officially ends after December 2010, not 2009.
So my list is going to have to wait one more year. Shit.
While this would have surely been the Grand Poobah of movie lists, I shall appease your movie-list thirst with a Little Poobah instead...
So here it is!
My ten favorite films of 2009:
T10. Moon
If for no other reason, Sam Rockwell plays like 90% of the characters in this movie. And he does it quite well. How does he get snubbed by the golden globes while George Clooney is considered a near lock to win?
T10. Funny People
Only gripe: it was too long. Comedies aren't supposed to be two and a half hours long. And also people aren't supposed to be crying in the middle of them. People like my sister. But it was pretty good none-the-less. Plus I am a pretty huge Jason Schwartzman fan and he's awesome in his small role.
9. In The Loop
The only foreign film on this list. It wasn't subtitled, which was a struggle at times, because I don't understand British. But the parts I did understand were hysterical--like the scene where Toby's girlfriend learns that he cheated on her on his business trip to Washington D.C., then asks if his tryst-mate had big tits: "Yes, she's got massive tits, you should look them up on google earth..."
8. Zombieland
"GOD DAMN IT, BILL FUCKING MURRAY!" The movie is awesome by itself, but a cameo by the legend himself puts this over the top. Bill Murray is the kind of guy that could do the most mundane thing, like eat a ham sandwich, and it would be absolutely hysterical--and he proves it in Zombieland. If you like Zombie flicks or Bill Murray this is a must see. If you like both, this is likely one of your 10 favorite films of the year.
7. I Love You, Man
This really hits the nail on the head. It's just really well done and the kind of comedy that I aspire to write. What I liked most about ILYM was the attention paid to supporting characters. They're all so well developed and really drive the plot as opposed to having an extrinsic feeling like in so many other comedies. They aren't there for fluff. They contribute. Take any one of them out, and the movie isn't as good as it is. Also, the awkwardness of Paul Rudd's character had me cringing and laughing at the same time.
6. Avatar
I already addressed this. I believe I wrote that watching Avatar was like having my eyes fellated by Jesus Christ himself. Go see it.
5. The Hangover
You've seen it. You quote it. You referenced it in the airport on the way to Vegas.
"It's not illegal, it's frowned upon. Like masturbating on an airplane. [I'm pretty sure that's illegal too]. Yeah maybe after 9/11 when everyone got so sensitive. Thanks a lot Bin Laden. [Either way, you have to be super smart to count cards. It's not easy.] Maybe someone should tell that to Rainman because he practically bankrupted a casino and he was a Ruh-Tard." This movie doesn't work without Zach Galifianiakisiajsisnasduisj. He makes the movie.
4. The Brothers Bloom
Rian Johnson instantly vaulted himself up my list of favorite writer/directors. Johnson's sophomore effort maintains the feel of an enchanting story-driven piece that made me love his debut feature Brick, but shows a marked improvement in Johnson's directorial skills. This is the kind of film that you know within the first 15 minutes exactly how it's going to end--but it goes about it in a way that you somehow didn't see coming. As the movie says, the perfect con is one where everyone gets what they want in the end...
3. Inglourious Basterds
It didn't take long for me to realize that this movie was going to be fucking awesome. Basterds begins with one of the best opening scenes in the history of cinema. I'll put it up there behind Touch of Evil as the second best ever. QT bothers me sometimes with his tendency to make his pictures more about himself than the story or the stars, but he really manages to do both with Basterds. The Jew Hunter and The Bear Jew? Uh, yes!
2. 500 Days of Summer
From the moment I turned to page 1 of the script almost one year ago, I knew this was going to be good.
Page 1: "NOTE: The following is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental."
Page 2: "Especially you, Jenny Beckman."
Page 3: "Bitch."
How AWESOME is that?!? Three sentences and I was hooked. Not to mention the utter brilliance of the story and use of time-change to juxtapose "Crazy in love" Tom against "Miserable in love" Tom. And it just works. It was very hard keeping this "anti-love story" out of the number one spot. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, by the way, is a future Oscar winner. Mark it down.
1. Adventureland
I was so pissed when I finished watching Adventureland for the first time.
- How does a film this well-written and well-made go so unheralded?
- How come I didn't think of this first?
- How come there can't be more like it?
- How does Kristen Stewart's New Moon make more money at the box office in one day than Kristen Stewart's Adventureland makes at the box office overall?