10. Erasing David
David Bond has nothing to hide… but does he really have nothing to fear?
Shocked and appalled by the amount of data corporations and government hold on us, David decides to do something extraordinary. He disappears off the grid for 30 days and hires a couple of private investigators to track him down using whatever data they can find on him. Will they find him before the 30 days are up?
Erasing David was not only felt heartfelt but a clever way of making a problem we all face into a fun and watchable documentary; and really that’s where it succeeded for me.
9. Avatar
Yes, the story’s flat and the colonel is such a cliche antagonist that it’s laughable and ‘unobtanium’ is the worst name invented for a mineral ever. But it is the most visually stunning thing we have seen in cinema in a good while. James Cameron directs it beautifully. You just sort of wish he wouldn’t write the damn thing. That said, I can’t wait to see it again at the IMAX.
8. The Girlfriend Experience
See it with someone you ****.
Steven Sodebergh’s experiment is a beautiful piece of cinema verité. The cinematography really is breathtaking. Sasha Grey’s, yes, that Sasha Grey, performance as Christine is compelling. I’ve grown to like the story too, though that did take a second viewing.
7. (500) Days of Summer
Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love. Girl doesn’t.
I can never resist a good old indie kid love story and Days of Summer is as good as they come. The non-linear storyline is very well executed and as you would expect, a great soundtrack scores the film. Goofy smile on your face guaranteed.
6. District 9
You are not welcome here.
I wasn’t expecting the documentary style when I went into see it and I think they’ve pulled it off very well. The migration / District Six themes are what makes the film for me and it’s cleverly done. Impressive feature debut from Neill Blomkamp.
5. October Country
Every family has its ghosts.
Donal Mosher and Michael Palmieri film Mosher’s family for a year from Halloween to Halloween. The film, inspired by Donal’s photography is one of the most beautiful pieces of cinema I’ve ever seen. The family are all such compelling characters. You’ll find it hard to watch at times but it is a must watch. Easily my favourite documentary of the year.
4. Humpday
Sometimes male bonding can be taken a little too far.
Ben and Andrew haven’t seen each other for 10 years. Ben has married and settled down, Andrew is still living the ‘Kerouac’ lifestyle. In a drunken one-upmanship at a party, they mutual dare each other into entering ‘Hump Fest’ the amateur porn festival. What can they make that’s edgy? How about two heterosexual guys having sex? An artistic rendering if you will. Can they do it? And who’s going to tell Ben’s wife, Anna?
I love Humpday. It’s only semi-scripted so you’re still getting that mumblecore bounce between the actors - Mark Duplass and Joshua Leonard are perfect - but at the end of the day it’s a story about 2 friends who’ve grown apart and it’s beautifully told. Couple that with just how funny it is and the ‘will they, won’t they’ tension and you have a great movie.
3. Star Trek
The future begins.
I was never a Star Trek fan growing up and have only watched the odd episode on TV, but I loved Star Trek. JJ Abrams just makes it feel so fresh, Chris Pine’s ‘bad boy Kirk’ is endearing and Zachary Quinto is scary good as Spock. Two hours of pure fun.
2. Up
Amazing bit of storytelling by Pixar. They just knock it out of the ballpark again and again. Possibly the most grown up film so far by Pixar too. Loved it.
1. Moon
Really, no competition. What an amazing debut by Duncan Jones. Hats off to Sam Rockwell for the Oscar worthy performance. Kevin Spacey’s GERTY is just as compelling. Beautifully shot, lovely score by Clint Mansell and a great script. Watch it. Watch it now.
(Moon also happens to win best film poster of 2009.)
And that’s a wrap.
P.S. There are three films I wish I got a chance to see before writing this. They are: Up In The Air (Technically not out till 2010 in the UK), Nowhere Boy and Where The Wild Things Are. They may have very well been on this list if I had a chance to see them.
What are your favourite films of 2009?
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