Top Ten Films of 2009

Honorable Mentions:
Star Trek
Fantastic Mr. Fox
District 9
Zombieland
Black Dynamite
Sugar
In the Loop
Avatar
Where the Wild Things Are
The Messenger 

10. Coraline: Often overlooked in favor of the more technologically advanced Avatar, Henry Selick's take on Neil Gaiman's children's novel boasts a narrative maturity that James Cameron should study. Dark and dreamy, Coraline is creative and smart with visuals that cause children and adults alike to gape in wonder.

9. Up in the Air: I'd like to think Jason Reitman's dramedy is well timed, and not merely opportunistic, but I was enormously affected by the film's sentiments as well as a near-perfect performance from George Clooney. Up in the Air boasts a smart script, a fine soundtrack, and deftly created characters, but it's most remarkable for its ability to walk the line between cynical and sweet. (My review at CinemaSpy)

8. An Education: The wonderfully authentic performance from young actress Carey Mulligan is getting most of the attention for this mid-century drama, but Nick Hornby's script is one of the year's best as well. An Education is a stylish coming-of-age drama that injects the tired drama with a shot of originality.

7. Up: From its bittersweet opening sequence, Pixar's Up takes the mind and heart in unexpected directions. Directed by Pete Docter, the imaginative film manages to perfectly capture both the evolution of love and the sheer silliness of a dog's mind. (My review at CinemaSpy)

6. Red Cliff: John Woo's action epic returns the talented director to his former glory. The big-budget film boasts large-scale battle scenes that would make Peter Jackson proud, but it never strays from Woo's own gorgeous trademark visual style. (My review at CinemaSpy)

5. Anvil! The Story of Anvil: I expected to giggle at this engaging rock doc, but I didn't expect to cry (which I did). The story of a struggling Canadian metal band provides plenty of Spinal Tap-level laughs and becomes one of the year's best comedies, but it's impossible not to become attached to the group as they try to make it big after decades of hard work.

4. Drag Me to Hell: Sam Raimi might have made his name for most moviegoers with his Spider-Man trilogy, but this horror-comedy is far more entertaining than any superhero story. Equal parts gore and glee, Drag Me to Hell bounces viewers between laughing and squealing in terror, turning a screening into an almost aerobic experience.

3. Inglorious Basterds: Quentin Tarantino's historical revenge fantasy incorporates all the director's hallmarks, but it somehow never feels too talky and its 2 1/2 hour running time sprints by. In a film populated by big stars, the best performance in Inglorious Basterds belongs to Christoph Waltz, an actor who most viewers didn't recognize but he gives an indelible turn as a perfectly created villain.

2. The Hurt Locker: Though it features a much smaller budget than its action-driven brethren like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, this supposedly small war film is a billion times more exciting. The Iraq-set action moves the story forward,  but it never neglects plot and character in its pursuit of tension. (My review at CinemaSpy)

1. Bright Star: Jane Campion's take on John Keats's real-life romance is swoonworthy but never sappy. It's a beautifully shot love story that transcends time and its period-drama genre, with the film's PG rating belying an affectionate sexiness.  (My review at CinemaSpy)