Hello all, this is it, my top 5 movies of 2009. It's a list, the bread and butter of all lazy writers, and I'm darn proud of that.
2009 has been an interesting year for movies with surprise hits, huge let downs, delays, and "wow we can smell the suck 100 miles away"-ness everywhere. Want to cry a little inside? Ice Age 3 was the SECOND HIGHEST grossing movie of 2009 at $883.7 million (thanks mostly to a HUGE international fan base outside of the US & UK). Want to feel vindicated? The Hangover is at #9 with $459.4 million. I can imagine Ed Helms and Zach Galifinakis are enjoying their champagne pools and caviar/saffron baths.
Keep in mind, I'm a 23 year old male who doesn't like going to movies alone (either with girls or friends.) I haven't seen every movie this year, not even close to it. These movies mentioned in this post I have seen (except for Transformers, I refuse, saw the first, don't need to see the second). I haven't seen Precious, Up in the Air, Hurt Locker, etc. Those might or might not influence my final list, but this list is reflective of what me and my friends wanted to see, saw, and liked.
So with little a-doo, here is Joe Matt's top 5 movies of 2009. I have chosen these because I still want to see them again, now, and feel like that they have given something back to the community, besides raping little girls, which Transformers does. And now, in no particular order...
Top 5
The Hangover
You ready to let the dogs out? This movie, coming into summer, was on no one's radar, yet hit with the force of a megaton blast. Hilarious, clever, and well acted, The Hangover took all of our worst nightmares and dreams, put them up onto a screen to laugh at and embrace. But what makes this a top 5 movie is its quotability and blending of genres. How many people have mentioned sofa pizza, missing a tooth, tigers in the bathroom, or called random babies Carlos since this movie came out? And how many movies, off the top of your head, are comedic mysteries? Between the main characters, and their post drug/alcohol blackout, they have almost one full working brain to solve the most important question since Carmen, where in the world is Doug? White Doug of course...
UP
Pixar.
Ok you want more, fine. UP is what happens when you let talented directors do what they want and get advice from Disney legends. Carl's story of expansion, love, loss, and loneliness sets the ground work for the oddest, off the wall adventure this past year. Talking dogs, self-aware giant birds named Kevin, evil old childhood heros, and learning to move on from the past make this a movie I will never forget. I dressed up as Russell for Halloween for christ's sake! This movie is also Pixar's first chance at 3D, and succeeds amazingly well, avoiding the Monsters vs Ailens "woah it's coming at you" tricks yet making the audience feel like they payed for something extra.
500 Days of Summer
The opening narration to this movie says it all. While this is a story of love, it is not a love story. And it sure as hell isn't a love story. From bitter loss to torment, 500 Days is the retelling of a story of love and loss as seen through a man. Not a women being dumped by Hugh Grant or some other jerk, but nerds at a greeting card company. What makes 500 Days of summer fresh and new isn't the witty writing ("I don't know how to tell you this honey, but there is an Chinese family in our bathroom") or chemistry of Zoe and Joe (I've always wanted to type that), but it's the Pulp Fictiony method of story telling. We don't see them meet, date, "adult time", go stagnant, break up, see eachother, then brake off for good in order. We see them as how we look back on our relationships: a mess and splatter of memories and feelings, of ours and others, through the course of 500 days. It isn't perfect, but it's honest.
Inglourious Basterds
The movie has finally come out. What was supposed to come out BEFORE Kill Bill is here, and it isn't what anyone thought it would be. It's not a remake of Inglorious B., the Italian flick, nor is it a WWII movie. It's a spaghetti western with a heavy coat of Nazi occupied France splattered all over it. Joseph Goebbels as the far off enemy ring leader, Hans Landa is the evil law man of corruption and evil, while Aldo is the new sheriff riding into town to save the day (when he's not doing snuff.) Oh and there's the Bear Jew.
It indulges in itself, knowing in full well, and you knowing in full well, Hitler isn't going to die in a bunker, there will be a trunk shot of some sort, and that the music will kick your butt. I know people who hate this movie, but I love it and I love Tarantino.
Those people can shut up.
Zombieland
Another genre hybrid, the comedy/buddy travel/zombie movie Zombieland showed that you can have fun with the end of the world. Focusing on the comedy and fun rather than the horror (even more so than Shaun of the Dead), Zombieland used the end of the world as a method for exploring relationships, personal issues, and the best cameo in the world (and it ain't Bob Marley.) The layout and structure of the movie was episodic for a reason: it was supposed to be a TV show. Imagine weeks and weeks of content, with new Zombie Kills of the Week, and new rules to live by. Instead we got a movie, and hopefully, many more to come. Instead of having trilogies of mediocrity we have now, lets bring back the serials of the past.
Trends of 2009
-The year 3D took off. We saw some Real 3D movies in the past, but with UP, Toy Story, Avatar, and many others, these mainstream movies re-introduced the concept of 3D to the general public. Box office receipts have never been the same.
-I believe that 2009 is signaling to studios that just because a franchise is popular doesn't mean it needs a relaunch in the new millennium. While we did get Star Trek, we also got GI Joe, Land of the Lost, and more others. The light is finally clicking, Spiderman, Iron Man, and Star Trek didn't get audiences because it was their childhood on film, they got them because of the incredible writing, art direction, and vision, despite it being their childhood on film. 2010 will be the last year of the new franchise. You will see extensions of franchises even more in the future. While you won't see new ones pop up, you will see the 2's, 3's, and 4's come out even more.
-Low budget risks, like District 9, will become more popular, as they allow new film makers a chance at making realistic, great movies without the $100+ million budget.
-In continuing with District 9, look for riskier movies to take a riskier jab at advertising, focusing on the quirky, strange, and frightening aspects of movies instead of the generic voice over with lots of action and some s-e-x appeal. Imagine if District 9 had a TRADITIONAL trailer.
-The hybrid comedy has matured and will moved beyond the "rom-com" and parody. Look at The Hangover and Zombieland for examples of this, and in the future more hybrid comedies will come out. The days of having the "teen comedy" and "traveling comedy" aren't over, but they'll be the McDonalds to the In-N-Out of the "sci-fi non-parody comedy" and so forth.
-The fan requested model of distribution will become more popular for indie and smaller films. Methods used for Paranormal Activity and Boondock Saints 2 will be expanded, allowing for companies to add more theaters in places with higher demand, while throttling back in more passive areas.
-Animation is back. From the Disney/Pixar power house to other studio's efforts, the dry spell of CG crap is over. While I believe Shrek 4 will fizzle out at the box office (everybody loves it when you take their favorite characters parts, replace them with annoying reverse qualities in an alternate universe) the power behind Princess and the Frog, Coraline, UP, and *sigh* Ice Age, shows that story and animation is king, and just because it's CG doesn't mean crap (*cough* Happily Never After *cough*)
Musings
-District 9 > Avatar
-While The Hangover had more laughs, I laughed harder with Zombieland
-The swiss-cheesing of Hitler's head in Inglourious Basterds is the 5 seconds thesis of that movie
-Why the heck do people still give Michael Bay money to make movies? They're shallow, immature, and indulgent.
-I like 3D, but can we get a discount if we bring back our glasses and reuse them?
-Adventureland is a great way NOT to sell a movie, and how NOT to end a movie
-UP is the best pixar movie. I can't believe I'm saying this, but Toy Story 3 has to work hard to top it.
Hope you liked me year in movies review! Leave a comment to agree/disagree!
2009 has been an interesting year for movies with surprise hits, huge let downs, delays, and "wow we can smell the suck 100 miles away"-ness everywhere. Want to cry a little inside? Ice Age 3 was the SECOND HIGHEST grossing movie of 2009 at $883.7 million (thanks mostly to a HUGE international fan base outside of the US & UK). Want to feel vindicated? The Hangover is at #9 with $459.4 million. I can imagine Ed Helms and Zach Galifinakis are enjoying their champagne pools and caviar/saffron baths.
Keep in mind, I'm a 23 year old male who doesn't like going to movies alone (either with girls or friends.) I haven't seen every movie this year, not even close to it. These movies mentioned in this post I have seen (except for Transformers, I refuse, saw the first, don't need to see the second). I haven't seen Precious, Up in the Air, Hurt Locker, etc. Those might or might not influence my final list, but this list is reflective of what me and my friends wanted to see, saw, and liked.
So with little a-doo, here is Joe Matt's top 5 movies of 2009. I have chosen these because I still want to see them again, now, and feel like that they have given something back to the community, besides raping little girls, which Transformers does. And now, in no particular order...
Top 5
The Hangover
You ready to let the dogs out? This movie, coming into summer, was on no one's radar, yet hit with the force of a megaton blast. Hilarious, clever, and well acted, The Hangover took all of our worst nightmares and dreams, put them up onto a screen to laugh at and embrace. But what makes this a top 5 movie is its quotability and blending of genres. How many people have mentioned sofa pizza, missing a tooth, tigers in the bathroom, or called random babies Carlos since this movie came out? And how many movies, off the top of your head, are comedic mysteries? Between the main characters, and their post drug/alcohol blackout, they have almost one full working brain to solve the most important question since Carmen, where in the world is Doug? White Doug of course...
UP
Pixar.
Ok you want more, fine. UP is what happens when you let talented directors do what they want and get advice from Disney legends. Carl's story of expansion, love, loss, and loneliness sets the ground work for the oddest, off the wall adventure this past year. Talking dogs, self-aware giant birds named Kevin, evil old childhood heros, and learning to move on from the past make this a movie I will never forget. I dressed up as Russell for Halloween for christ's sake! This movie is also Pixar's first chance at 3D, and succeeds amazingly well, avoiding the Monsters vs Ailens "woah it's coming at you" tricks yet making the audience feel like they payed for something extra.
500 Days of Summer
The opening narration to this movie says it all. While this is a story of love, it is not a love story. And it sure as hell isn't a love story. From bitter loss to torment, 500 Days is the retelling of a story of love and loss as seen through a man. Not a women being dumped by Hugh Grant or some other jerk, but nerds at a greeting card company. What makes 500 Days of summer fresh and new isn't the witty writing ("I don't know how to tell you this honey, but there is an Chinese family in our bathroom") or chemistry of Zoe and Joe (I've always wanted to type that), but it's the Pulp Fictiony method of story telling. We don't see them meet, date, "adult time", go stagnant, break up, see eachother, then brake off for good in order. We see them as how we look back on our relationships: a mess and splatter of memories and feelings, of ours and others, through the course of 500 days. It isn't perfect, but it's honest.
Inglourious Basterds
The movie has finally come out. What was supposed to come out BEFORE Kill Bill is here, and it isn't what anyone thought it would be. It's not a remake of Inglorious B., the Italian flick, nor is it a WWII movie. It's a spaghetti western with a heavy coat of Nazi occupied France splattered all over it. Joseph Goebbels as the far off enemy ring leader, Hans Landa is the evil law man of corruption and evil, while Aldo is the new sheriff riding into town to save the day (when he's not doing snuff.) Oh and there's the Bear Jew.
It indulges in itself, knowing in full well, and you knowing in full well, Hitler isn't going to die in a bunker, there will be a trunk shot of some sort, and that the music will kick your butt. I know people who hate this movie, but I love it and I love Tarantino.
Those people can shut up.
Zombieland
Another genre hybrid, the comedy/buddy travel/zombie movie Zombieland showed that you can have fun with the end of the world. Focusing on the comedy and fun rather than the horror (even more so than Shaun of the Dead), Zombieland used the end of the world as a method for exploring relationships, personal issues, and the best cameo in the world (and it ain't Bob Marley.) The layout and structure of the movie was episodic for a reason: it was supposed to be a TV show. Imagine weeks and weeks of content, with new Zombie Kills of the Week, and new rules to live by. Instead we got a movie, and hopefully, many more to come. Instead of having trilogies of mediocrity we have now, lets bring back the serials of the past.
Trends of 2009
-The year 3D took off. We saw some Real 3D movies in the past, but with UP, Toy Story, Avatar, and many others, these mainstream movies re-introduced the concept of 3D to the general public. Box office receipts have never been the same.
-I believe that 2009 is signaling to studios that just because a franchise is popular doesn't mean it needs a relaunch in the new millennium. While we did get Star Trek, we also got GI Joe, Land of the Lost, and more others. The light is finally clicking, Spiderman, Iron Man, and Star Trek didn't get audiences because it was their childhood on film, they got them because of the incredible writing, art direction, and vision, despite it being their childhood on film. 2010 will be the last year of the new franchise. You will see extensions of franchises even more in the future. While you won't see new ones pop up, you will see the 2's, 3's, and 4's come out even more.
-Low budget risks, like District 9, will become more popular, as they allow new film makers a chance at making realistic, great movies without the $100+ million budget.
-In continuing with District 9, look for riskier movies to take a riskier jab at advertising, focusing on the quirky, strange, and frightening aspects of movies instead of the generic voice over with lots of action and some s-e-x appeal. Imagine if District 9 had a TRADITIONAL trailer.
-The hybrid comedy has matured and will moved beyond the "rom-com" and parody. Look at The Hangover and Zombieland for examples of this, and in the future more hybrid comedies will come out. The days of having the "teen comedy" and "traveling comedy" aren't over, but they'll be the McDonalds to the In-N-Out of the "sci-fi non-parody comedy" and so forth.
-The fan requested model of distribution will become more popular for indie and smaller films. Methods used for Paranormal Activity and Boondock Saints 2 will be expanded, allowing for companies to add more theaters in places with higher demand, while throttling back in more passive areas.
-Animation is back. From the Disney/Pixar power house to other studio's efforts, the dry spell of CG crap is over. While I believe Shrek 4 will fizzle out at the box office (everybody loves it when you take their favorite characters parts, replace them with annoying reverse qualities in an alternate universe) the power behind Princess and the Frog, Coraline, UP, and *sigh* Ice Age, shows that story and animation is king, and just because it's CG doesn't mean crap (*cough* Happily Never After *cough*)
Musings
-District 9 > Avatar
-While The Hangover had more laughs, I laughed harder with Zombieland
-The swiss-cheesing of Hitler's head in Inglourious Basterds is the 5 seconds thesis of that movie
-Why the heck do people still give Michael Bay money to make movies? They're shallow, immature, and indulgent.
-I like 3D, but can we get a discount if we bring back our glasses and reuse them?
-Adventureland is a great way NOT to sell a movie, and how NOT to end a movie
-UP is the best pixar movie. I can't believe I'm saying this, but Toy Story 3 has to work hard to top it.
Hope you liked me year in movies review! Leave a comment to agree/disagree!
