1) Up in the Air
Directed by: Jason Reitman
Writer: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner
Starting: George Clooney, Vere Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman
Plot: With a job that has him traveling around the country firing people, Ryan Bingham leads an empty life out of a suitcase, until his company does the unexpected: ground him.
What We Say: In a year of many great films, Jason Reitman's 3rd feature film is pitch perfect. It tackles its love story through the idea of self worth. Is life only valuable when you get to spend it with somebody? Do personal accomplishments have to take a back seat to companionship? It's Clooney in a role that fits him. It might have been too safe for Cary Grant, whom Clooney is often compared to, but a good choice. The film balances its sharp script with great performances and a message that creeps up on you. There's a lot to love.
2) Up
Directed by: Peter Docter, Bob Peterson
Writer: Peter Docter, Bob Peterson
Starting: Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer
Plot: By tying thousands of balloon to his home, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn't alone on his journey, since Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years his junior, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip.
What We Say: Another spot-on Pixar tale that tells such a heartfelt tale it hopefully will change people's perception on animated films. Sure it has its silly moments, but its serious undertones and amazing storytelling make for one of the best films of 2009.
3) District 9
Directed by: Neill Blomkamp
Writer: Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell
Starting: Sharlto Copley
Plot: An extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth suddenly finds a kindred spirit in a government agent who is exposed to their biotechnology.
What We Say: Wow an action movie this highly ranked on an offbeat best of list? District 9 does so many things right. To name a few: It's inspired choice for the lead, setting, it's documentary style, it's overall fun and well paced action plot with a few, "How-the-heck-is-he-going-to-get-out-of-this-situation" moments, it's low budget but amazing special effects and alien design, and an ending that is arguably perfect. The closest an action movie has come to perfection in a long, long time.
4) Moon
Directed by: Duncan Jones
Writer: Duncan Jones, Nathan Parker
Starting: Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey
Plot: Astronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet's power problems.
What We Say: In an amazing year for science fiction, Moon does what the genre does best: Captivate the mind. This extremely low budget yet amazing looking film is a throw back to many of the great thinking-man's scifi tales. In what is one of the worst snubs of this Oscars, Sam Rockwell steals the show with his one man (or is that two man) performance. It's a shame more films aren't made like Moon, but when they are don't miss them.
5) Where the Wild Things Are
Directed by: Spike Jonze
Writer: Spike Jonze, Dave Eggers
Starting: Max Records, James Gandolfini, Forest Whitaker
Plot: An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story, where Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world--a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler.
What We Say: Probably the most polarizing film this year. Some got it, whiles others couldn't see past its dark edge. It might have helped some filmgoers if they knew what they were getting themselves into. We've been brainwashed for too many years by the simplicity of kid flicks and forgot what it's like to be challenged by one. This is a pure Spike Jonze's film. Know that. It might not have been the obvious choice for director for a mainstream film, but in one of the rare cases, a truly inspired decision was made hiring Jonze. The result is an incredibly deep film that asks viewers to travel down the rabbit hole and experience a film with a real soul.
6) Fantastic Mr. Fox
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Writer: Roald Dalh, Wes Anderson
Starting: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman
Plot: Angry farmers, tired of sharing their chickens with a sly fox, look to get rid of their opponent and his family.
What We Say: Delightful. In another inspired choice of director, Wes Anderson brings his wit and charm to this retro-looking claymation adventure. It's not as deep as Up or even Coraline, but it oozes fun. Great art style and voice casting make this Roald Dahl classic come alive and delight the pants off us.
7) A Single Man
Directed by: Tom Ford
Writer: Tom Ford, Christopher Isherwood (novel)
Starting: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore
Plot: A story that centers on an English professor who, after the sudden death of his partner tries to go about his typical day in Los Angeles.
What We Say: It's director John Ford first feature film and it shows, both good and bad. For what it lacks in depth, it makes up with in style (fitting for a fashion designer turned director). In one of the more European feeling American films in 2009, A Single Man manages to place a spell on viewers with Ford's color, editing and style techniques and Colin Firth's surreal performance. Viewers are hypnotized for the film's entire run time. A fascinating flick to be sure.
8) The Road
Directed by: John Hillcoat
Writer: Cormac McCarthy (novel), Joe Penhall
Starting: Viggo Mortensen, Robert Duvall
Plot: A post-apocalyptic tale of a man and his son trying to survive by any means possible.
What We Say: While watching The Road, I remember thinking audiences don't get to see a film like this very much. It's a brutally realistic take on the end times. The film doesn't give us any reason (or CGI explosions) to explain the cause. The film picks up a few years afterward and depicts what life would be like when society falls apart and all food/plants/animals are gone. Everything is a struggle and life is hangs on by a thread. At times the film is deeply depressing but incredibly honest in its depictions. It's an incredible experience to watch, let alone live through.
9) Inglorious Basterds
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Writer: Quentin Tarantino
Starting: Brad Pitt, Eli Roth
Plot: In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis.
What We Say: Quentin Tarantino is one of the most talented director working today. He's this generation's Spielberg, Coppola, Scorsese. His previous films have all been amazing pieces of filmmaking and in Bastards he matures. He created one of the most powerful, yet nonviolent interrogation scene ever. He crafts a three hour film with only five chapters and makes the film seem intimate and epic all at the same time. The trailer oversold the film in the wrong way for many people and when they didn't get nonstop Nazi killing, they felt robbed. What those people fail to see was the amazing performances and sharp script that managed to make a WW II movie feel fresh again. One viewing of Basterds isn't enough to see the full scope of Tarantino brilliance. Can't wait to see what else he has up his sleeves.
10) A Serious Man
Directed by: Coen Brothers
Writer: Coen Brothers
Starting: Michael Stuhlbarg, Richard Kind
Plot: A black comedy set in 1967 and centered on Larry Gopnik, a Midwestern professor who watches his life unravel when his wife prepares to leave him because his inept brother won't move out of the house.
What We Say: It may seem like minor Coen bros film, but fall for that trap. A Serious Man is all about Michael Stuhlbarg. Working off the Coen bros' script, Stuhlbarg is joy to watch. He steals the show, but the rest of the cast isn't lagging behind. The Coens nailed the casting down masterfully and create one of the best acted film of 2009. Like Tarantino, the Coens are actor directors and A Serious Man shows how much that matters. Fantastic script, fantastic cast and great directing. The Joel and Ethan do it again.
Check back soon for our Deeper Cuts #11-20
Jesus Rocks! Christians are hypocrits!!
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