Best Films of 2009

I have been awful this year about writing reviews and posting them. So, I'm going to cheat a little bit, and just post a top ten list for this year. I also plan on posting top ten lists for the decade - the decade's best albums, film's, and performances (both male and female). So, without delay, here are the my best rated films of 2009.

10) STAR TREK - I actually managed to write a review of this one. The film was very well put together, and the cast knew what it was doing. The film was entertaining and borderline philosophical at times, and made good effort to familiarize non Trekies with the delusional world of Star Trek. (B+)

9) ZOMBIELAND - Probably best seen with a few drinks, this film also touched on some human issues (such as the superman complex and adolescent struggles) while both lauding and satirizing the zombie film genre. A very memorable performance by Woody Harrelson and a cameo by Bill Murray also helped. (B+)

8) SHERLOCK HOLMES - Robert Downey Jr, perhaps the coolest actor in Hollywood, sure did convince me of his authenticity in this role. The visuals were stunning, and the story was enticing. It did justice to the legendary mystery solving Brit. (B+)

7) NINE - Not well received by the critics. Bugger knows why. Although not as good as CHICAGO, Rob Marshall managed to take a fairly mediocre musical and make it sexier, loading it with even more raw talent. A very good translation to the screen with incredible performances from everyone. The best part of the film? Fergie's take on 'Be Italian', or the new song 'Take it all', where we see Marion Cotillard at her sexiest. (B+)

6) (500) DAYS OF SUMMER - Although Summer was as cold as Estella from 'Great Expectations', we come to see the painful aspect of falling in love and learning to cope with one of the harshest realities of adulthood. Anyone who doesn't fall in love with Joseph Gordon-Levitt in this film doesn't have a soul. (B+)

5) THE HURT LOCKER - Kathryn Bigelow explores an aspect of insurgency culture that isn't even explored in the mainstream press - the bomb squads that risk their lives to keep streets safe in Iraq. Although I would have liked to see some more political aspect of insurgencies (IR geek. Sue me.), the film made us feel and really helped project the importance of our soldiers' role. (B+)

4) AN EDUCATION - This movie came to me when I most needed it - when I was questioning why exactly I was even going to school, and what the point of my whole existence was. Why are we being educated? Why must be habituate in the system? Carey Mulligan's performance was raw, vulnerable, and just incredible. (B+)

3) THE BROTHERS BLOOM - A quirky film about con-men that enhances the roles of friendship, family bonds, and love in the big scheme of our lives. It was funny and emotional from front to finish and makes the viewer feel less guilty about loving these characters with such blatant personal flaws. (A)

2) UP IN THE AIR - An honest take on the prospect of America at the turn of the decade. How was technology changed us, and how will it continue to shape and change our lives? Bold performances from the entire ensemble and both a well composed comic and serious tone make this film a truly necessary experience. (A)

1) INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS - I went into the film disliking Tarentino, thinking he was nothing but a hack. I left thinking he was brilliant. He is still in his true form and he is unapologetic about his style. He delivers a beautifully written story that makes you think 'What if?'. Easily his best work. (A+)

RYSH NOMINEES 2010

These were just released a la Erica Nullin from the Rysh Guild. Here are the nominees for this year (And I relish in the fact that my voice was heard on 'The Brothers Bloom'!)

For Best Picture,

1. (500) Days of Summer
2. The Hurt Locker
3. Inglourious Basterds
4. Nine
5. Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
6. Up In the Air

For Best Director,
7. Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker
8. Clint Eastwood for Invictus
9. Lee Daniel for Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
10. Rob Marshall for Nine
11. Jason Reitman for Up In the Air
12. Quentin Tarentino for Inglourious Basterds

For Best Original Screenplay,
13. Mark Boal for The Hurt Locker
14. Ethan Coen & Joel Coen for A Serious Man
15. Dave Eggers & Vendela Vida for Away We Go
16. Rian Johnson for The Brothers Bloom
17. Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber for (500) Days of Summer
18. Quentin Tarentino for Inglourious Basterds

For Best Adapted Screenplay,
19. Geoffrey Fletcher for Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
20. Nick Hornby for An Education
21. Spike Jonze & Dave Eggers for Where the Wild Things Are
22. Anthony Minghella & Michael Tolkin for Nine
23. Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman for Star Trek
24. Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner for Up In the Air

For Best Actress in a Leading Role,
25. Marion Cotillard for her role as Luisia Contini in Nine
26. Mélanie Laurent for her role as Shosanna Dreyfus in Inglourious Basterds
27. Helen Mirren for her role as Sophia Tolstaya in The Last Station
28. Carey Mulligan for her role as Jenny Miller in An Education
29. Gabourey Sibide for her role Clarice ‘Precious’ Jones in Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
30. Rachel Weisz for her role as Penelope Stamp in The Brothers Bloom

For Best Actress in a Supporting Role,
31. Penélope Cruz for her role as Carla Albanese in Nine
32. Vera Farmiga for her role as Alex Goran in Up in the Air
33. Anna Kendrick for her role as Natalie Keener in Up in the Air
34. Rinko Kikuchi for her role as Bang-Bang in The Brothers Bloom
35. Diane Krüger for her role as Bridget von Hammersmark in Inglourious Basterds
36. Mo’nique, for her role as Mary in Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

For Best Actor in a Leading Role,
37. George Clooney for his role as Ryan Bingham in Up in the Air
38. Daniel Day Lewis for his role as Guido Contini in Nine
39. Johnny Depp for his role as John Dillinger in Public Enemies
40. Colin Firth for his role as George Falconer in A Single Man
41. Morgan Freeman for his role as Nelson Mandela in Invictus
42. Joseph Gordon-Levitt for his role as Tom Hansen in (500) Days of Summer

For Best Actor in a Supporting Role,
43. Daniel Brühl for his role as Frederick Zoller in Inglourious Basterds
44. Woody Harrelson for his role as Tallahassee in Zombieland
45. Anthony Mackie for his role as Sgt. JT Sandborn in The Hurt Locker
46. Christian McKay for his role as Orson Welles in Me and Orson Welles
47. Peter Sarsgaard for his role as David Goldman in An Education
48. Christoph Waltz for his role as Col. Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds

For Best Performance by an Ensemble Cast,
49. (500) Days of Summer
50. Inglourious Basterds
51. Nine
52. Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
53. Up in the Air
54. Zombieland