Top 10 Movies We Are Thankful for In 2009
Happy Thanksgiving to all! This year we thought we would take sometime to look at ten of the films we are most thankful for. They might not be the best movies of the year, as this is not the point of the list, but rather the ones that we really enjoyed and are thankful for being made, thankful for their lessons, thankful for their addition to a series and whatever other reasons we can give for being thankful for these movies. Some of these movies you may have not seen and there is some movies in 2009 we have yet to see that we know we will be thankful, one in particular, Avatar. We hope that you all have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!
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#1 – UP Personifying a wonderful adventure mixed with a tale about life and love, Disney/Pixar’s magic of storytelling continues bringing us the most unlikely hero combination, a 9 year old boy and a 76 year old man. Memorable characters in the form of the lovable Dug and Kevin, the rare bird, are just some of the reasons why UP is the best film of the year. The 3D presentation wasn’t gimmicky, which is good but it wasn’t immersible either. A testament to the film is that it works in both formats equally as well, a testament to its brilliance as a story. Dug is the best thing ever and he should have is own movie. |
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#2 – STAR TREK What seems like an easy number 2 pick, this reboot, revision by director JJ Abrams and Damon Lindelof, was something that marveled in terms of entertainment mixed with classic Trek. Chris Pine’s portrayal of the classic Kirk was great but the idea of giving the classic crewmates something more to do throughout the film was wonderful. Zachary Quinto benefited from Leonard Nimoy’s tutelage for Spock and the dramatic score by Michael Giacchino packages the film as an entertaining space opera that has revamped the timeless franchise for another 40 years. |
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#3 – 500 DAYS OF SUMMER There is a reason we love this movie and its the funny and believable look at a short term relationship and how it affects one man. Great music, montages and a unique way of storytelling 500 Days of Summer, we thank you for giving us a love story that is not a love story. A clever, offbeat romantic comedy, 500 Days of Summer is refreshingly honest and utterly charming. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are sesationally delightful. |
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#4 – INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS We are certainly very thankful for this latest Tarantino masterpiece as it is one the best movies all year. That quintessential Tarantino style of storytelling with just some of the craziest antics every seen in a WWII movie ever. Brad Pitt was hilarious but it was the ensemble cast the made the film work as a whole. Oh yeah the emergence of Christopher Waltz as Col. Hans Landa was awesome as he stole the show. A classic Tarantino genre-blending thrill ride, thats violent, unrestrained, and thoroughly entertaining. |
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#5 – DISTRICT 9 Based on the story by Neil Blomkamp from a short film called Live in Joburg, the South African special effects designer caught the eye of filmmaker Peter Jackson with this imaginative sci-fi story as a replacement from a failed Halo movie endeavor. Technically brilliant and emotionally wrenching, District 9 has action, imagination, and all the elements of a thoroughly entertaining science-fiction classic. Sharlto Copley, the film star, has now emerged as a very sought out movie star. |
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#6 – ZOMBIELAND We are immensely thankful for this film as it was so much damn fun. Wood Harrelson was perhaps brilliant but we are not sure because its Woody Harelson. That being said this was a fun and comedic look at zombiefied post apocalyptic world. Wickedly funny and featuring plenty of gore, Zombieland is proof that the zombie subgenre is far from dead. |
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#7 – THE HANGOVER Another buddy comedy with a twist, Todd Phillips returns to his Old School roots to bring us a bachelor party gone bad when 3 friends wake to find their buddy groom missing in Vegas with no memory. A hilarious mystery of tigers in bathrooms, crying babies, Mike Tyson and the magic of Vegas partying, this movie was funny as hell. The cast was perfect as well with Bradley Cooper poised to be a star soon and Zack Galifiankis bringing some new edgy, Belushi-esque comedy to the screen. |
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#8 – Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day How could you not be thankful for one of the best cult classics in years finally getting a sequel that many thought would never happen. 10 years after we were graced with the saints of south boston in eclectic filmmaker, Troy Duffy’s pulp cult story, we finally get to learn more about the boys and the family’s mysterious history in this new sequel that is just as funny and just as action packed as the original Boondock Saints. |
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#9 – HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE The 6th installment of the Harry Potter franchise, this one is perhaps the best in tone and mature storytelling. Not to mention its representation of morality and conflicts that arise with morality made it for a great mature story. Dark, thrilling, and occasionally quite funny, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is also visually stunning and emotionally satisfying. A great bit of teenage moments that make you smile. |
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#10 – ADAM One of our dark horse films of the year coming out of Sundance. Adam was a very delightful and funny film that carried itself with lots of heart. Sure there were some years but the awkward growth of a man with Asperger’s syndrome as he finds love and himself amidst New York City was such a great story. Hugh Dancy’s elegant performance as a man with Asperger’s Syndrome elevates Adam, an offbeat but touching romantic comedy. |
About the Author
Kevin is a film freak, just ask him something movie related and he lights up like a Christmas tree. Originally his destiny was to go to film school, hit LA and try and become the next big thing. Circumstances change but in college, he fell in love with writing. After several failed attempts in starting a legit and hip school online magazine for his university Kevin moved into the blogosphere for himself and began Kevin’s Rant which in 2007 morphed into Fused Film. Kevin has contributed articles on other sites like Geeks of Doom and FilmShaft, he has also been a guest on podcasts for MovieViral and The Film Feed at FS.Net. His favorite movie of all time is Empire Strikes Back, he loves his Chucks, he is an avid Stargate fan and classic rock is his music scene. Email him at: kcoll@fusedfilm.com Follow His Twitter: FusedFilm
View Comments to Top 10 Movies We Are Thankful for In 2009
by Anonymous
On January 4, 2010 at 3:11 pm
You had me until boondock stain 2. i LOVED the first one and the second was total poo. poor writing, poor dialogue, just ridiculous. it was work for me just to stay in the seat. haven't let a movie beat me yet though… i like your other picks though
by Anonymous
On January 4, 2010 at 7:11 pm
You had me until boondock stain 2. i LOVED the first one and the second was total poo. poor writing, poor dialogue, just ridiculous. it was work for me just to stay in the seat. haven't let a movie beat me yet though… i like your other picks though
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