Top Ten Films of 2009

2009 was an interesting year for film. On one hand instant classics like the terrifying Antichrist were made, on the other a glorified CGI version of Ferngully, known as Avatar, became a sensation; eventually making the biggest gross of all time (not adjusting inflation). I'm not sure what to make of this year in film; it was a bit of a disappointment, but there were some films which made it very exciting. Here are the top ten which I consider "best". Reasons will be made in point form.

 
10. Life During Wartime

 - Pee Wee Herman as a ghost of a suicidal man

- Strange dark humour

- A depiction of American life post 9/11

-Odd yet wonderful actors

9. This Is It

 - Extremely wonderful editing which makes 100 or so rehearsals look like a full concert

-Obviously great music

- The last time you'll see Michael Jackson perform

8. Moon

 - Crazy sci-fi that will have you thinking long after the movie is finished

- Directed by Duncan Jones, son of David Jones aka David Bowie

7. Fish Tank

- Great melodrama

-Intense coming of age story

-Impressive script with marvelous dialogue and wonderful acting

- Gives Pulp Fiction and Scarface a run for its money in terms of brutal language and shocking characters

6. Sin Nombre

-Perhaps the third best Mexican film of the 21st Century (First being Y Tu Mama Tambien, second being The Devil's Backbone)

5. Mother

-Shocking melodrama/mystery/ thriller

-Pulse pounding and tear jerking

4. Antichrist

- Not for the weak of heart

-A controversial film which landed Lars Von Trier in hot water

- Brutal opening slow motion scene

3. Broken Embraces

-Complex themes of passion, obsession, wealth, desire, jealousy, guilt, family and creativity

-Director Pedro Almodovar's greatest work

- Great mix of comedy and drama

  
2. The White Ribbon

- Winner of "Best Foreign Language" Oscar at the academy awards

- Outstanding cinematography

1. White Material

- A battle of the sexes and races

- An image of a torn country and a woman who is rejected by her home

-Strong statements about the dehumanizing effects of war

-Shocking, yet realistic