My Top Films of 2014.

Spending the end of 2014 packing up my life and moving across the country and then unpacking for the last month was not conducive to being timely about my annual Top Films post! But here we are, and hopefully I can press publish before we hit February. While I lagged a bit in written updates, I definitely saw a lot of movies in 2014. Jesse remarked a few weeks ago that he actually saw more movies in 2014 than any other year because he finally gave in to my every film-going whim and said yes when I invited him. It was a grand time to see a lot of movies with my husband; in years past I certainly saw more movies alone. I am smiling big right now -- I feel like something has been conquered! And it's a good thing that lot of the movies I dragged Jesse to were pretty good.

And so, I unveil, my favorite movies of 2014... as it exists today, subject to different order or whims of mood on other days -- but the beginning of this list is pretty solid.

01 BOYHOOD

Linklater strikes again for the second year in a row! I wasn't sure what to expect with Boyhood; when the film began I was like why is this is starting out with Coldplay's "Yellow"? And then I was taken back to when I first heard that song... twelve years ago. And then: I understood. As the movie unfolded, following a family and their world through the eyes of their son Mason, I was mesmerized by the way in which the director/writer Linklater and the actors were able to create--more than anything--an immersive feeling. It's definitely part nostalgia because there was a lot I recognized (the big sister/little brother dynamic to name one). The story is simple, but the way in which Linklater filmed the movie (aside from the once-a-year-for-12-years thing) evoked such a quietly thrilling perspective on a childhood journey. I saw it twice in theaters, and the first time I was lucky enough to meet Richard Linklater and the main actor, Ellar Coltrane. I might have known then, back in July, that it would be the best film I saw this year.

02 WHIPLASH

This movie surprised me. As I was putting together this list I was surprised that it came in at #2. But, the best films I saw this year provoked emotional reactions from me. Whiplash not only hit me emotionally, but physically as well. Seeing this film on the big screen, with the music almost another character between the two main characters (played superbly by J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller -- an actor whose hype I never understood until this film), the tension on screen froze up my body as well. When the lights went on in the theater, I let out a breath I must have been holding without realizing. An excellent script, fascinating directing, and good acting. A solid, great movie... if you must watch it at home, watch it with the volume loud.

03 UNDER THE SKIN

A beautiful, eerie, dark film that captivated me from the start. A somewhat silent film that still told a story, at once otherworldly and yet recognizable. It was uncomfortable, mostly, but enthralling. I like having to pick up the clues in a film to understand what's happening; my brain was churning through this whole viewing. The end culminates into a tableau of alien horror--based in a true, familiar, sad reality. The incredible visuals elevate the story to an even higher plane.

04 SELMA

I'm not one for biopics; I've always been more of a fan of fiction and creative storytelling as opposed to depicting fact -- mostly, I'd like to leave it to documentaries. Trust me, no Hollywood film based on a true story is going to get every fact correct. Fellow true story Academy Award nominees American Sniper, The Imitation Game, Theory of Everything, Foxcatcher -- all have "fact" issues. Let's also talk about facts -- how a different perspective sees facts differently (it took a show like The Affair to really demonstrate that outrightly) -- and how Selma is from a perspective most films don't show, it's a familiar story told from someone else's valid perspective. Hurrah for that perspective! The predictability and remake barrage has bored me in the theaters; Selma told a great story freshly, and well. And the LBJ historical critics? The film is more than fair to his legacy, I didn't understand it's criticisms as I watched. As written in the New Yorker in defense of this film: "Indeed, there is no moment in “Selma” where King really thanks Johnson or, Hollywood-style, puts his hand on his shoulder and tells him, “You’re a good man.” If that’s what the “Selma” critics crave, there are plenty of movies that offer it." It's just stunning to me that this is the film being attacked; it's a great film. The acting, the script, the directing are superb. As a woman, it's truly amazing and stupefying to make realizations mid-film like "wow, I'm watching more than one scene of two women speaking to each other." That's because the film was directed by a woman. And that's why it's important: representation and balance on many, many levels. Ava DuVernay is a gifted director, and I look forward to more of her work. As the film ends with a speech by the extremely talented David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King, Jr., there's a point that the crowd in the film begins to clap, and I was jolted as many people in the theater erupted into applause as well. I couldn't help but agree.

05 THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

Wes Anderson, usually an acquired taste, seemed to have hit something this year with audiences -- was it the ending? Either way, I'm glad more people are on board. I mean, a Wes Anderson film is nominated for an Academy Award?! What! But it's a great film, a movie that retains Anderson's style and whimsy and humor with punctuations of disturbing darkness -- so colorful, and yet -- that ending. The directorial effort on display, the camerawork, set design, and images are all wonderful. I've never liked Ralph Fiennes as much, it was just a perfectly played role. I was excited by this film (saw it twice in theaters) and I've never been more excited for what Anderson has planned next.

06 ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE

Under the guise of treating my husband to a special event by one of his favorite directors, I bought tickets to a screening of Only Lovers Left Alive that included a post-film concert of the soundtrack live. Jesse loves Jim Jarmusch--Dead Man is his favorite film of all time--and I thought, hey, maybe Tom Hiddleston will show up? Two birds, one stone, you know what I mean? Sadly, Hiddleston did not, but we watched with Jarmusch a few rows behind us. I'm smiling as I type this because it really was a fantastic night: the entire Sunshine Theater in New York was booked for Only Lovers, decorated and dimmed, eerie music playing as we waited for the film to begin. And what a film! Gothic and beautiful and TILDA and funny and me thinking, huh, this is really Jarmusch? It's, in my opinion, his most accessible film. I played the soundtrack on loop for months afterwards--those guitars!--and perhaps that was because we saw that soundtrack played live amongst sets reconstructed from the film??

Me in Adam's studio

I don't know what PR firm handled that event, but that's how you promote a film--centering every detail to recall the film, and make it memorable. The film itself was perfect for the treatment given the acting, the directing, but also the essential music.

07 WILD

Here's a film I was excited for because I read the book -- and I was happy that Cheryl Strayed's flawed, beautiful, persevering spirit was captured so well by Reese Witherspoon and the movie. Most of the moments in the book are depicted similarly, there are many passages in the book I read and felt so visceral and gut-punching, and the film accomplished that as well. Though there were parts that made me nearly look away from the page (something that's not happened very often while reading anything), the film managed to sliver them in, and I liked the way the film's script and directing handled Strayed's small but engrossing story.

08 SNOWPIERCER

Yeah, this movie has its flaws and some weird special effects, but damn if it isn't a great ride of a film. It's a spectacle in the best way -- with twists and turns that kept me guessing, and I love not knowing what's about to happen in a movie these days. Chris Evans impressed me most here than any other work he's done, and the cast of characters, dystopian story, and jumble of metaphors provided a lot of fun for the viewer. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie from beginning to end.

09 BELLE

Here's a true story that's never been told on the screen! And despite earlier protests in this post, I really just loved this movie because of it's heartache and uplift, for its superb acting in Gugu Mbatha-Raw (she will win an Academy Award one day -- she should have been nominated for this), and for its sweeping period directing (I really, truly, love sweeping period films. LOVE THEM). Another film that depicts a time in the past, that still attests to the issues we face in the present. (And like Selma, it also co-stars Tom Wilkinson? And was directed by a woman!)

10 BEGIN AGAIN

Woah woah woah left field, right?! I mean, I wanted to put 22 Jump Street here (that's not really a joke) but this one came in late and under the radar at the tail end of 2014. And wow! I remember loving Once, and when I started this movie I had no idea it was by the same filmmaker. I had heard mere blips about this movie. Nobody was like: Hey, Jessica, you might like this, it's got good music and heartfelt storylines and wonderfully rendered characters that don't fall into gender tropes -- so, this is me telling you: watch this movie. (You know who did recommend it to me? Jesse's dad! My father-in-law suggested this film!) Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo are grand. Adam Levine is also in this movie, but he's not as grating as I expected. And the soundtrack is on repeat -- did you hear the featured song in the film "Lost Stars" is nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars? -- little did I know Keira Knightley could sing in that singer-songwriter style I love. The emo girl in my heart, she was satisfied.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS (that probably, given my mood, could have made my Top Ten -- 2014 was a *#$&!& great year in movies in my opinion)

WE ARE THE BEST! - currently streaming on Netflix, this Swedish film about a trio of pre-teen girls who start a punk band made me smile with glee. Punctuation point! Similar to Boyhood, there's something recognizable about watching these girls' journey in adolescence.

IDA - a black and white Polish film that searched down corridors I was not expecting. Awe-some.

22 JUMP STREET - if you know me, you know why. Best comedy of the year. Channing Tatum 4 Lyfe. Something Cool.

THE EDGE OF TOMORROW - on the insistence of one of my best friends, I relented and watched this Tom Cruise flick, and then watched it again the next night (he may or may not have gifted me the movie on iTunes for my birthday). This is a GREAT movie. Tom Cruise, yet again, proves why he's a great star and actor. Emily Blunt, you rule. I had one minor quibble, but other than that: spectacular.

GONE GIRL - one of my favorite theater-going experiences on opening night. You could almost hear the difference between the people who had read the book against the shocked waves of those who hadn't. There's some mishandling of the material, but I love watching that dark, brooding Fincher directing, unapologetically.

BIRDMAN - spectacle, spectacle, not GREAT, but damn good. A little too clever, perhaps? The cinematography shines above all else.

BLUE RUIN - WHAT IS THIS AMAZING MOVIE? It's streaming on Netflix right now and I urge you to watch it immediately. Jesse and I were -- I'm about to use this word -- gobsmacked as we watched. I won't even mention anything about it, just watch it.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY - because it was the most entertaining film I saw all year.

THE ONE I LOVE - SCRIPT. Low budget science fiction might be my favorite screen spectacle; I loved that this is essentially sci-fi but more grandly about human romantic relationships. A more cynical Eternal Sunshine, but worth the ride all the same. Plus, Moss + Duplass! And though I love low-budget sci-fi there's still something about...

INTERSTELLAR - I didn't even know if I liked this movie upon first viewing. But after several conversations (SEVERAL!) and me watching myself slowly to fervently start defending it, I really love that there's a director like Nolan out there who gets the big bucks to tell unpredictable stories in IMAX.

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OH YOU WERE VERY GOOD, TOO

THE GUEST
LOVE IS STRANGE
OBVIOUS CHILD
FRANK
THE DROP
X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST
THE IMITATION GAME
CHEF
VERONICA MARS
THEY CAME TOGETHER
NEIGHBORS
MALEFICENT

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I MEAN, OKAY? BUT I EXPECTED MORE FROM YOU!

INHERENT VICE
LUCY
FOXCATCHER
HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE
GODZILLA

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MEH 

CAPTAIN AMERICA: WINTER SOLDIER
THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU
BIG EYES
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
THE JUDGE
SPIDERMAN 2
AMERICAN SNIPER

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#NOPE

NOAH
THAT AWKWARD MOMENT
DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

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And now, your thoughts! What were your favorites?? What did I miss? I have a list of films still to see -- Nightcrawler, The Babadook, Two Days One Night among them.


Some of my past top film posts: 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013

My Top Films of 2012.

There were so many good movies in 2012! It was quite hard to come up with this list of my favorite ten. I could have easily made a Top 20, there were so many creative, innovative, beautiful, funny, sad, and original movies--there was something fresh about movies this year.

01 Anna Karenina

As I sat in the theater watching the opening minutes of Anna, there was a huge smile on my face. I had no idea what was happening or why, exactly, but I loved what I was taking in because it felt new even though it was based on an old story. Director Joe Wright takes one of my favorite novels of all time and sets it in a theater--on its stage, mezzanine, rafters, and lobbies. Screenwriter Tom Stoppard does justice to the emotions and characters of the novel and so do all the players from Keira Knightley to Jude Law to Domhnall Gleeson. It is different and above all beautiful. I saw it twice in theaters just to witness its power again.

02 Looper

This film also blew me away in a completely different genre. I'm so excited that director/writer Rian Johnson was nominated for Best Original Screenplay for the Writer's Guild Awards. I can only hope the same honor is bestowed when it comes to the Oscar nominations this Thursday! I really do love smart action films (see also: Hanna). Johnson's vision was spectacular, and his story riveting. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, and Bruce Willis were all superb. I enjoyed every minute and surprise in this movie.

03 Zero Dark Thirty

I wasn't quite sure the movie I would be seeing when I sat down to watch this, but ultimately it was engrossing. The story unfolds methodically and sharply, and Jessica Chastain is brilliant. The story is told so objectively, I don't think there should be any media fuss about this 'politics' of this film. It's a great film, based on a true, intense story and I couldn't--and still can't--stop thinking about it. I will probably want to see it again in theaters.

04 Moonrise Kingdom

Joyous, magical, funny Wes Anderson! I remember seeing this opening weekend and sitting next to my best friends grinning from ear to ear for most of the movie. Having just rewatched this on New Year's Day, I have to say the word for it is: delightful. And the story is fun and it looks great--I enjoy Anderson's aesthetics. His casts are always superb, too. (Sidenote: on the blu-ray, there's an special feature called "Set Tour with Bill Murray" and it's hilarious. I recommend watching it!)

05 The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I remember reading the novel years ago, but seeing it come to life was a strange experience--it may be the best novel-to-film rendition I've seen. Perhaps because it was directed by and written for the screen by the novelist himself, Stephen Chbosky. I wanted to embrace Charlie, played by Logan Lerman, just as I had when I read the book. I loved Patrick (Ezra Miller) and Sam (Emma Watson), and wanted them to be my friends, too. Just like the book, the film understands high school and doesn't condescend towards its teenage subjects. One of the best, and emotionally true, movies set in high school.

06 The Avengers

How to get a super-big action movie with tons of superhero characters done right? Call Joss Whedon! Not only did the characters each get their fair share of the story, but it was told well and looked great. Even Scarlett Johansson's character of Natasha Romanoff was improved 1000% from her introduction in the Iron Man series (leave it to the creator of Buffy to finally get a female character right). But above all, the action! The pace and special effect were incredible! Exclamation points!

07 Prometheus

RIDLEY SCOTT, y'all. Visually, this movie ruled. The wide shots alone were stunning. Scott's scope is truly 'epic' and I'll say it here now, if Disney wants a great director for their upcoming Star Wars film, Scott should be their first choice. The story really angered some people, but I wasn't bothered at all while watching the film. I was grossed out at times, but I totally loved it. Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender were great.

08 Amour

I only just recently saw this, but it has an entrancing power that takes hold. I've seen director Michael Haneke's films before, and I was not expecting something so sad. The film is about an elderly Parisian couple, Georges and Anne, whose relationship is tested when the health of one begins to falter. Haneke's shots quietly astound from beginning to end--the viewer is brought into these lives through lens. It's a depressing movie, for sure, but I like that it doesn't gloss over emotions or become melodramatic. It resonates.

09 Life of Pi

I love Ang Lee, but I wasn't sure whether I would take to this story of a boy lost at sea with a tiger. However, as soon as the movie began, I was swept away by Pi(scine), the tiger, his tale, all the philosophical questions it asks, and the wonderful, beautiful way the movie looked. I was audibly gasping at points during the movie--and I saw it in 3D and loved it in 3D, as a person who hates and avoids 3D whenever possible. A truly awe-inspiring experience.

10 Silver Linings Playbook

I didn't know much about this movie going into it, except that it had a pretty good cast and it was directed by David O. Russell, he who last made The Fighter. I didn't realize I was watching something that could be categorized 'romantic' until halfway through the movie. I liked the odd characters and the way they interacted (I'm a Sorkin fan, so I know how to suspend disbelief when it comes to dialogue) and I laughed out loud a lot. Also, I think I may have fallen in love with Jennifer Lawrence during this movie.

On another day perhaps these ten would be switched around, depending on my mood, and you might see some of these Honorable Mentions in the top ten as well --

Lawless
The Sessions
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Magic Mike
21 Jump Street
The Deep Blue Sea
The Cabin in the Woods
Argo
Skyfall
Chronicle
The Impossible
Oslo, August 31st
Safety Not Guaranteed
The Hunger Games

Pretty good:

Django Unchained, The Amazing Spiderman, The Beloved, Compliance, Headhunters, Friends with Kids, Take This Waltz, Snow White & the Huntsman

Okay:

The Master, The Dark Knight Rises, The Loneliest Planet, 28 Hotel Rooms, The Paperboy, Premium Rush, The Woman in Black

Didn't Like:

Les Miserables, The Lucky One, This is 40, Smashed, Sinister

The Worst:

Ted

Still haven't seen: Cloud Atlas, Lincoln, Flight, Rust & Bone, Seven Psychopaths, Holy Motors.

I saw a lot of movies this year! Sometimes the mark of a good year is how many movies I actually make sure to see. I should note that there were some great performances even in the movies I didn't like--Anne Hathaway in Les Miserables and Leslie Mann in This is 40 were wonderful, but the directors of their movies were the culprits of my disdain for the films as a whole. And I loved Joaquin Phoenix in The Master, but the film failed me in its story (I also may be the only person that didn't like Phillip Seymour Hoffman in it). Ann Dowd in Compliance was one of the top performances of the year, and I hope she gets more recognition for it. Nicole Kidman in The Paperboy, Tom Hardy in Lawless, both Helen Hunt and John Hawkes in The Sessions were all wonderful. And I don't understand why Michael Fassbender's David from Prometheus is getting no love from the awards this year, either.

My entertainers of the year, however, are without a doubt Channing Tatum and Jennifer Lawrence. Who knew Tatum could be as funny as he showed in 21 Jump Street? Or smart with bringing Magic Mike to Steven Soderbergh? Lawrence impressed me immensely years ago in Winter's Bone, but this year as Katniss in The Hunger Games and Tiffany in Silver Linings Playbook she's won me over completely. Not to mention all her late night and red carpet interviews; the girl's witty and hilarious, and I want desperately to hang out with her.

I don't think my top ten would match anyone else's--which is why I love this diverse year of movies--so what were your favorite films of 2012? If you have a list posted somewhere, please link it! What was your worst film of 2012? Let's talk movies!

Some of my past top film posts: 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011

My Top Films of 2010

It's been a bad year for films: I'll say it. There were far too many rehashes and sequels and wholly uncreative movies out in 2010. Looking back at last year's post of my top films of 2009, I'm astounded at how many more quality movies there were. And that list would have changed, too! I hadn't seen A Single Man or Moon until this year, and they would have garnered spots right up there for sure. (A Serious Man would have been filed under worst, sah-rry).

But back to this year - there were most definitely films that rose above. I believe the top five especially are exemplary of good films that chose in one way or another to feel new or, not redundant. There's a gleam of innovation and creativity there, and for that I love them.

01 Black Swan

Now, there are a lot of themes here that are quite conventional - anorexic ballerina, doubles, mirrors, murderous ambition - but director Darren Aronofsky, lead Natalie Portman, and the sounds of the film formed something beautiful and original as I watched. The rising intensity of the film played like horror, and I relished in seeing a modern, well-made horror film.

02 The Social Network

Because the rhythm of Aaron Sorkin's writing will always rope me in. I don't care at all that this "based on a true story" movie isn't really at all: the writing, David Fincher's dark and moody directing (after Benjamin Button I was getting nervous...), the score, and the surprisingly great young actors were enough for me to watch in glee from the first scene on. Not to mention that as as BU girl, I remember signing up for the first inception of Facebook. Speaking of...

03 Inception

Oh, how daring for a movie to be not only smart and artistic but mainstream. I love movies that continue in your mind long after they're over; seeing this in the theater with friends several times was always fun because of the many conversations that would ensue afterwards. I love movies that create conversations. Not to mention those visuals, that script, and another score for Christopher Nolan - a director my father and I kept our eyes on after seeing Memento in the theater so many years ago. Another film that had us talking for weeks afterwards.

04 The Kids Are All Right

Hilarity at it's best! The only thing that surpassed the perfectly tuned acting of Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska, and Josh Hutcherson was the script itself by Stuart Blumberg and Lisa Cholodenko. I appreciate a good comedy because it seems to come along so rarely - well a good comedy that is also non-offensive, I should say.

05 Blue Valentine

On the opposite of comedy is this film, starring Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. The film is wretchedly uncomfortable and I don't think I could see it again. But there's something to be said for a movie that makes you squeam not because somebody is being bludgeoned to death, but because you see a couple trying to make things right, trying to combine their lives into one and not always succeeding. Those minor details of real life are so often passed over in film, but this one puts them front and center. And juxtaposes them in a "duet" (as the director said at the screening I saw) of a couple's relationship during two different times.

06 Winter's Bone

I saw this movie pretty early on in the year, but it's stuck with me over the months. I think the lead actress, Jennifer Lawrence, along with John Hawkes, are astounding. The movie is slow-paced and eerie; the scenery cold and dank. Scenery like this is usually used in awful horror films; there's a different, far more realistic eerieness residing in this film.

07 The Fighter

I think I loved this film because I went into it expecting a heavy-handed drama about boxing (not exactly my cup of tea) but was pleasantly surprised by a really funny movie. Sure, there's some real dark stuff going on here at times, but the best parts are when Christian Bale is on screen as Dickey, a crack-addicted former boxing champion from Lowell, Massachusetts. At times I thought he overplayed it a bit (not that I minded) - but after seeing real video of the person which his character is based on, he's right on. Christian Bale bordered on funny in American Psycho, but you know, I'm more used to him as the brooding Batman or sickening insomniac in The Machinist. Him, plus the other supporting characters really make the film, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

08 True Grit

I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this film, either. It was a remake (though, thankfully, not of a film that came out in my lifetime). But I always like Coen Brother-directed movies. However, what most blew me away was lead actress (this is NOT a supporting role no matter what the awards are deeming it) Hailee Steinfeld. It's hard to think of a thirteen-year-old actor who's not playing cute or cloying or precocious. The rest was also great, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

09 Scott Pilgrim vs The World

What a love it or hate it film! I loved it. I enjoyed all the risks it took in the visuals and story because, hey, at least I'd never seen it done before. It felt like a ride and it made me grin in its silliness. I had to give it the thumbs up for being so daring. (Also, anybody think Zach Snyder should take more tips from Edgar Wright? Just me?)

10 Toy Story 3

Well, because Pixar. They know good story. Find something non-good or enjoyable in this film. Seriously. I can't. It's great.

And the rest!

Pretty honorable: The King's Speech, Vincere, Micmacs, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Shutter Island, Going the Distance (I'm serious, I love this movie), Easy A, Exit Through the Gift Shop

Pretty fun: Iron Man 2, Kick Ass, The Crazies

Pretty meh: Catfish, Just Wright, Love and Other Drugs, Due Date, Machete, The Runaways

Pretty full of issues for me to like it at all: The Town, I Am Love (I will debate anybody over a cup of coffee and a slice of pie on these two films, oof.)

Movies I've yet to see: 127 Hours, Casino Jack, Another Year, Animal Kingdom, The Ghostwriter, Please Give, Never Let Me Go (ugh, want to see it so badly!)

Whaddya think? What are your faves? Anything I missed?

PS Happy New Year - have an enjoyable evening!

My Top Films of 2009

I think I realized upon making this list that I enjoy films with true innovation incorporated; a non-tired formula, a breathtaking frame, something that might have looked crazy on paper but perfect on film, etc. I liked a lot of movies this year, and it was probably the hardest time I've had narrowing this list down - I had to cut some films I thought were near perfect like Bright Star and Precious because I so enjoyed another film even more. That's hard to say for many other years of movie-going; I had to add a second half of the list enumerating those who were also top ten material, and perhaps in another year could have been numero uno. What are your top ten movies?

01 Star Trek

I was surprised myself when I learned that Star Trek was my favourite film this year. Perhaps I shouldn't have, as I saw it FOUR TIMES in the theaters. But when putting this list together I'd face two movies against each other and ask myself which one I liked more. Star Trek won every time! JJ Abrams delivered such an original take on the old (boring!) franchise and added in some fresh talent (Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana) to a truly captivating and smart story. I never thought I'd say I liked Star Trek, but here I am, and Abrams has been entertaining me for years!

02 Broken Embraces

I am in love with every single frame of this film. I think ENTHRALLED is the word. While watching I wanted to scream, "TE AMO ALMODOVAR" from my seat: it's all so beautiful even in tragedy. Penelope Cruz was mesmerizing, as she always is when working in one of his films. As a film lover, there was almost nothing better than this ode to art and filmmaking.

03 The Hurt Locker

I wasn't sure what to expect from this war film, but I was completely captivated from the start. The movie is tense and introspective; it's not a typical war movie driven by politics. It's almost a character study of a man as soldier, and the changing effects of war on his person. The movie has action and director Kathryn Bigelow certainly knows action (she directed Point Break), but there's also a level of intimacy here that draws you in more than any explosion.

04 District 9

With Star Trek, 2009 was a banner year in science fiction film. (Remember how last year ended with the dismally awful The Day the Earth Stood Still?!) In the same way that sci-fi movies/literature used to be (is it still?) powerful in their metaphors-as-commentary, District 9 hit the scene in Orwellian tradition. Not only did I enjoy the film on an intellectual level, but it was packed with action, emotion, great special effects, and a lead character you cheered for. Sharlto Copley wins for best debut acting I've seen this year.

05 UP

Just when I thought Pixar couldn't top Wall-E comes this lovely, tragic, and hilarious gem. I saw it twice in the theaters and cried both times. I may even tear up thinking about it now (what a loser). It looked amazing and the story was near-perfect in it's unfolding; I always feel insanely happy after watching it.

06 Inglourious Basterds

I can't deny how much I enjoyed Tarantino's WWII let's-rewrite-history extravaganza. I was most skeptical when it was in production: Tarantino's doing a movie about Nazis? But, it proved to be the least jumpy film he's made in the last few years, with wonderfully paced scenes and brilliant acting. I don't know if anyone can beat Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa; perhaps my favourite character of all the movies I've seen this year. Not to mention Melanie Laurent as Shoshana and the rest of an fantastic ensemble cast. Well done indeed, Mr. Tarantino.

07 I Love You, Man

I was so surprised. I seriously love this movie though.......man. It was probably my least favourite theater-going experience ever, but I still laughed to the brink of crying and did so again when I watched it on a plane a few months later. Comedies these days tend to rely on old tricks of the trade over and over and over again: let's be grosser, sexier, more outlandish. There was some heart here with minimal stupidity and just straight up comedy. It didn't do what most comedies have done to me in the past few years: offend me or my brain. And for that, I love it. I was surprised, also, to learn that Entertainment Weekly bestowed it as the #4 movie on their year-end list and to wit - "Hamburg crams I Love You, Man with gags as wild as anything in The Hangover (only far better executed). Yet what makes the film a keeper is its understanding that a strong friendship can be as complicated as a romance because it is a romance." Agreed!

08 The Fantastic Mr. Fox

What can I say? I love Wes Anderson, but his movies tend to be too cartoony for the stories he's telling (not a fan of The Life Aquatic or Darjeeling Limited), and with this film all I can say is: you've found your medium, Wes! Go for it! The film made me laugh with the characters, get sad with the characters, and want to dance around with FURRY ANIMATED CHARACTERS. I love you, Mr. Fox.

09 500 Days of Summer

I am going to refer to a section of the post I wrote when I first saw the movie:

[500 Days of Summer] could be a little heartwrenching at times, but it was mostly funny. As much as it reminds you of the crap parts of relationships, it also reminds you of the good stuff. The feeling of a mutual smile or thought, the feeling of requiting a crush, or the feeling of keeping a good moment always.

It's still true and you can read the rest of it which includes praising the GREAT performances by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel right HERE.

10 Whip It

I really, truly fell in love with this movie. Maybe I feel this way because I've always been obsessed with film, but Whip It is probably similar to the movie I would make if I were a filmmaker. I totally got director Drew Barrymore's thinking through the entire movie: there's far too many films with girls as wilting flowers, with girls who don't get along with other girls, with girls whose aspirations amount to "have a boyfriend" or "be a sexpot." Perhaps it navigated too many of these themes and could seem a bit cluttered, what with the sport and the interesting plotline of a daughter's relationship with her mother, among others - but it was FUN and well-acted and relatable and hilarious. And it made me super excited to see what Drew will cook up next.

Ah, the rest of my list, all who were serious contenders for top ten placement (but here in no particular order) - the whys and whynots:

An Education
Why: a story with nuances rarely played out well on the big screen, fine cast and great acting
Why not: gah, it was so hard not to put this in my top ten!

Bright Star
Why: Campion's one of my favourite directors and she doesn't disappoint here - the beauty of this film is in its subtleties, and I was in a trance watching
Why not: again - it was so hard not to put this in my top ten

Jennifer's Body
Why: because it was hilarious, smart, had the power to make me not hate Megan Fox, and it featured many a Motion City Soundtrack poster
Why not: a decent but flawed movie in a sea of big contenders

Sunshine Cleaning
Why: great ensemble; was in step with all of the characters and loved the humor
Why not: sometimes fell flat

Avatar
Why: made me a believer in whatever technology Cameron cooked up to make it look the way it did - those landscapes and animals and people were lovely to watch
Why not: the story was a bit predictable

Precious
Why: probably the most dramatic film I saw this year, full of sadness and tension
Why not: little too real, too sad to truly say I "enjoyed" it, though it's a great, great film

The Hangover
Why: LAUGH RIOT, and Galiafinakis' character alone
Why not: uses some of those old comedy standbys that are funny, but not innovative in any way

Big Fan
Why: quite an original film to be sure, and had the power to make me feel uneasy
Why not: that feeling of uneasiness can't be enjoyed over and over again

The Road
Why: great book, wonderful translation of it to screen
Why not: that book was so depressing in itself that I don't think I needed the visuals, it was almost scarring to watch

Away We Go
Why: I'm a huge Sam Mendes fan and there was some real hilarious truths within the film
Why not: got a bit kitschy at times

Good, but not good enough:
Drag Me To Hell
The Brothers Bloom
The September Issue
The Proposal
The Blind Side
Coraline
2012
Sherlock Holmes

Not a fan:
Public Enemies
The Informant!
Watchmen
Bride Wars
The Girlfriend Experience

WORST MOVIES OF THE YEAR:
He's Just Not That Into You
Wolverine


Highly Anticipated in 2010:
Iron Man 2
Inception


And of course, there are those movies I've yet to see, which therefore, I couldn't include on any lists:
Where the Wild Things Are, Up in the Air, Nine, Invictus, A Single Man, A Serious Man, The Lovely Bones, etc.

FYI: I'm actually on my way right now to go see Up in the Air, so some part of this list may change by the end of tonight!

UPDATE: I remembered a few other movies (there are now TWO worst movies of the year!) and also I really liked Up in the Air - but I can't even fathom starting to insert it among this list. It's definitely TOPS material though. I feel like I should give it the same "settling time" I gave to the other films. 

Oh Seven Recap: My Top Films of 2007.

01 Juno
02 Lars and the Real Girl
03 Superbad
04 Across the Universe
05 Michael Clayton
06 No Country for Old Men
07 Eastern Promises
08 Hot Fuzz
09 Stardust
10 Zodiac

Honorable Mentions: Knocked Up, Sicko, Grindhouse, 300

Totally BLEW: Spiderman 3, Pirates of the Caribbean 3

This list would probably be completely different if I had seen any of the following (perhaps a re-edit will come after I accomplish these viewings?): There Will Be Blood, Atonement, American Gangster, Gone Baby Gone, Charlie Wilson's War, La Vie en Rose, Angel-a, The Host, Interview, The Lookout, The Nines, Sunshine, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward..., Once, The King of Kong, The Shadow of the Moon, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Away from Her, Control, 3:10 to Yuma, Rescue Dawn, The Lives of Others.

Seriously, I compiled this list over the course of December and now that Jesse's mom sent me Fandango bucks for Christmas (yay!), I plan on making it happen asap!

Most Anticipated: Cloverfield, The Dark Knight, The Time Traveler's Wife, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (new Fincher!)