JOE says:
- UP - Pixar hit a grand slam with this one. How daring for an animated film released by Disney to show blood, death, loss of an unborn child, loneliness, a 'broken' home, and more. This epic adventure is STUNNING, fun and possibly their best film to date.
- MOON - Sam Rockwell acts to HIMSELF (a la Bruce Campbell, "Evil Dead II") throughout this sci-fi lunar psych. thriller. Rockwell has already established himself as a leading underdog who can act his ass off, and this is no exception (if not, a masterpiece). On top of it all, you get to hear a placid, creepy Kevin Spacey-voiced computer!
- WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE - If you don't know the illustrated book by Maurice Sendak, check it out. If you haven't seen this movie, check it out. But it's not really for little kids as much as adults. AMAZING emotion in this Spike Jonze film.
- THE WRESTLER - Aranofsky (dir) and Rourke will make you depressed... but it's a 'good depressed'. Rourke truly came back with this film, and the acting is stellar from all sides.
- ROYAL BANGS, "Let it Beep" - This album is their third release, and it's a GREAT mix of keyboard, distortion, yelling, melodies and pop-rock tunes. REALLY uplifting music that will make you thrash and smile at the same time.
- JULIAN CASABLANCAS, "Prazes for the Young" - a solo effort from the singer/songwriter of THE STROKES is a huge leap in the direction that band was already going, with a bit more new-wave stylings. Very catchy, crossing many different styles (western, 80s, gospel, etc) that will get you singing along.
ADAM says:
- KNOWING - This bad boy wins the "Best Worst Movie" award...whatever you do, don't pay to see it. That kind of takes away from the novelty of Cage's acting.
- BLACK DYNAMITE - although you wouldn't normally shine a positive light on 'blacxploitation' films. This movie knows what it is, and it's comedic gold pimp-juice.
- DISTRICT 9 - If, there is a way to make aliens from another space seem really real Peter Jackson, and his team are the ones to do it. I admittedly loved the mech warrior, and space ship design stuff. This movie made me forget I was watching a sci-fi thriller, and in this blogger's opinion a good foundation makes a taller tower.
So what did YOU like in 2009?
nglorious Basterds
ReplyDeleteFantastic Mr. Fox
Coraline
District 9:
ReplyDeleteI thought the balance of "documentary" footage and "real" movie was perfect. It was sci-fi, but it was ugly and gritty. Having it set in Johannesburg was brilliant.
Monsters vs. Aliens
I LOVE monsters. Plus for some reason I like movies that have that 50's cold war feeling about it. (Iron Giant for example)
Paranormal Activity
The build up was well done, plus the reason it's so scary is that it gets you whenever you are most venerable. Your warm safe bed is no longer safe.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Don't fight it. just give in to it's brilliance. :o)
GREAT additions.
ReplyDeleteI am a BIG fan of Coraline and Mr. Fox. District 9 was great and I missed PARANORMAL Activity.
I'm going to watch DRAG ME TO HELL soon, so that may be on the list.
Definitely, was surprised by how good Up was. Need to watch the other three!
ReplyDelete(500) DAYS OF SUMMER - I have not been captured by a movie like this in a long time. The harsh reality of love and lost is epitomized in Joseph Gordon-Levitt's performance, the soundtrack, and the visuals of this film.
ReplyDeleteAVATAR - Pocahontas in Space and I loved every minute of it. Visual eye candy.
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS - Alternate Universe World War II never looked so good. Christoph Waltz's performance was the best of this year. Loving and hating someone so much at the same time is nearly impossible but he did it flawlessly.