With 2010 upon us, it is time to pick my favorite films of 2009. Some of these films are givens that appear on many yearend lists, but there are a few that may surprise or even outrage some of you. Some of you might not agree with my choices and that’s okay…. Opinions are what make the world go round. You’ll notice that some films are conspicuously absent from my list, but remember these are my favorites. I’m not saying they are the best movies of the year, just the ones that I connected with the most. Without further adieu, my list of the films that entertained me the most this year.
My Top 10 Favorites
1 
Avatar
Not only is Avatar my favorite film of the year (I’ve seen it three times already!), it is absolutely one of the best films of all time. James Cameron has proven that there is no limit to his talent and his imagination knows no bounds. Avatar is a feast for the senses, with a strong story, incredible action sequences, brilliant performances and several important social messages as well. If you haven’t seen this film yet, run, don’t walk to your local theatre and check it out. More than a film, Avatar is a cinematic experience of epic proportions. If this movie doesn’t take home the Best Picture trophy at this year’s Academy Awards I may never watch them again.
2 
Star Trek
J.J Abrams has done the impossible with his revised version of the stalwart sci-fi series. He managed to make Star Trek cool, bringing new fans to this decades old property while also pleasing the original Trekkies. Fueled by his obsession with time travel and alternate dimensions, Abrams has managed to start the series over while keeping the events of the original series and films intact. The storyline was terrific, the action was a blast and the cast managed to pay homage to the actors who played the roles before them without becoming caricatures. I look forward to the future voyages of the U.S.S. Enterprise.
3 
Inglorious Basterds
Fifteen years after Pulp Fiction blew our minds, Quentin Tarantino has finally lived up to his potential as the geek god of cinema. Although not quite as good as Pulp Fiction (seriously… what could be?), Basterds is a tense, dialogue driven masterpiece that is much better than any film Tarantino has made since. Even if this revenge fantasy, World War II movie isn’t for you, it is worth watching for Brad Pitt’s delightful turn as leader of the Basterds and for Christoph Waltz’s diabolical performance that blends great charm with atrocious malevolence. Basterds is quite the glorious film.
4 
Up in the Air
Anchored by a brilliant and charming performance by George Clooney, director Jason Reitman’s film taps into the anxieties and emotions of America’s current economic meltdown like no other film in recent memory. This adult dramedy sizzles with a brilliant script that delicately balances screwball comedy with hopeless despair. If Avatar doesn’t take home the Best Picture prize, I can only hope that Up in the Air is the film that beats it.
5 
Zombieland
Zombieland is a splatteristic, gory, jump out of your seat, action packed, horror film that also happens to be one of the funniest films of the year. Anchored by terrific performances (especially Woody Harrelson in the best role of his career), Zombieland is a must see horror/comedy delight. There is even an hysterical cameo from Bill Murray which in itself makes Zombieland worth watching. Better than Shaun of the Dead or Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead remake, Zombieland is the definitive zombie movie.
6 
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Unfairly trashed by critics, G.I Joe is exactly what it is supposed to be; a live action cartoon. As a fan of the comic books and cartoon series from the 80’s, I was a little nervous about this big screen adaption, but director Stephen Sommers captured all the magic of the source material. The chase scene on the streets of Paris featuring Joes in accelerator suits is one of the most exciting action sequences I’ve seen in quite some time and black clad ninja Snake-Eyes is too badass for mere words to describe. Yo Joe indeed.
7 
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Sure Up got all of the accolades this year, but Meatballs is the most consistently enjoyable animated film since Toy Story. The film is hysterical, employing great sight gags, silly inventions (I love the rat birds) and great voiceover work from an accomplished cast that includes Bill Hader, Anna Faris and Neil Patrick Harris. Meatballs isn’t just a funny movie though; it also happens to be action packed and may be one of the best romantic comedies of the year as well. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is the best kids film of the year.
8 
Watchmen
Let me start by saying that after seeing Watchmen, I understand why the reviews were so polarizing. I understand how someone could watch it and hate it. I also understand why someone could love it. I myself fall into the latter category. I freaking loved it! Director Zack Snyder has created a film that is a visually astonishing masterpiece and also serves as one of the best cinematic experiences of my life. The story is terrific (I don’t know why some found the plot difficult to follow), the acting superb and the action scenes are pure visual poetry. Quite simply, Watchmen is one of the best comic book films of all time.
9 
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
With this latest installment, Harry Potter cements itself as the best film series in modern history. There’s not much I can say that will convince those who are not a fan, but those who love the books and the five films before it, understand that Half Blood Prince is yet another magical installment in this fantastic series.
10 
The Taking of Pelham 123
I love when John Travolta plays a villain and his performance here is his most malevolent turn yet. Director Tony Scott has done an amazing job tapping into our post 9/11 fears and has crafted a tense, nail biter of a film that will leave you breathless. Pelham also features yet another accomplished performance from Denzel Washington as a beleaguered everyman thrust into an impossible situation.
The Hangover - Rioutously funny the first time you watch it, upon repeated viewings this comedy feels a bit… well… hungover.
Taken – Liam Neesom is the epitomy of cool in this slick, revenge thriller.
Paranormal Activity – A film that proves it doesn’t take millions of dollars and gory special effects to scare the hell out of an audience.
Adventureland - A sweet, funny coming of age tale that almost anyone can identify with.
I Love You, Man – The title sums up exactly how I feel about Paul Rudd.
Sherlock Holmes – Robert Downey Jr. as the famous detective. “Nuff said.
The Hurt Locker – A riveting film about the war in Iraq anchored by a brilliant performance from Jeremy Renner.
Funny People – More a character study than a comedy, this may be the most underrated film of the year.
District 9 – The first half of this movie is exceptional, unfortunately it turns into the bastard stepchild of Transformers and Terminator midway through.
Up – A cute animated film that was completely overrated. It doesn’t come close to the majestic grandeur of Pixar hits such as Wall-E, Toy Story or The Incredibles.
My Least Favorite Films of the Year (in no particular order)
1 
Where the Wild Things Are
Director Spike Jonze has delivered a beautiful film with its washed out, minimalistic color scheme but everything else falls flat. He has infused his normally, edgy filmmaking to this film and on that level he has achieved some success. While I’m all for filmmakers expressing their artistry, I just don’t feel it is appropriate to do so in a movie fashioned around a children’s book. We have plenty of time in our lives to expand our minds as we get older, but those first few precious years should be surrounded by fun and laughs. I truly despised this film and I don’t believe it deserves to be celebrated in any way (except for its discovery of Max Records). Don’t take the kids. They will either be bored, scared, or confused. More than likely a mix of all three. If you are a fully fledged adult, you might enjoy the beauty of the film, but that’s about it. If you are of college age and experimenting with as many drugs as I did at that time in my life, then you will enjoy every trippy moment of Spike Jonze’s Where the Wild Things Are.
2 
Orphan
Orphan can be summed up in one word… ridiculous. In all fairness to the film, I have to be honest and say that the horror genre is my least favorite, especially those featuring murderous children. I did go to the theatre with an open mind, but Orphan is an over long, tedious film with a twist that I saw coming from a mile away. That’s not to say everyone will see the twist coming, but a large portion of the audience will. The only saving grace of the film comes in the form of terrific acting by all the leads. I shudder to think how scary Orphan would’ve been with a lesser cast.
3 
Knowing
Nicholas Cage has made some really terrible films over the course of his career (and I’m sure there will be more) but Knowing makes some of them look like classics. This film is ridiculously bad in every shape and form. Cage is at his very worst here and shares zero chemistry with co-star, Rose Byrne. The plot is incomprehensible involving aliens and the end of the world. The action sequences are tedious and uneventful. Long story short… I hated this movie as much as I loved Avatar.
4 
Law Abiding Citizen
A man’s family is killed by brutal thugs and when the justice system fails to punish them correctly, he decides to take matters into his own hands. I’m down with this plot, but Citizen takes things to a level of sheer stupidity. If Gerard Butler’s anti-hero just went after the men who actually killed his family, I could almost enjoy this movie, but really how am I supposed to root for a character who kills innocent people as well? Butler kills off people in ways that would make Saw’s Jigsaw blush adding to the inanity of the movie. Anytime Butler squares off with co-star Jamie Foxx, their exchanges generate about as much heat as an igloo. Law Abiding Citizen is an awful movie with an awful twist and the fact that it made money at the box office scares me a little bit.
5 
Terminator Salvation
This unimaginative addition to the series lacks all of the fun and excitement of the other three films. It is also lacking the most crucial elements of the other films; time travel, great action, humanity, heart, a central villain and characters that you care about. Christian Bale as John Conner does nothing but yell in this movie and displays zero charisma. Sam Worthington (so good in Avatar) gives an incredibly boring performance and every other actor in the film is squandered given absolutely nothing to do. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s presence is sorely missed here as well. To sum it up, Terminator Salvation is a soulless movie, lacking any trace of the humanity the main characters are so fiercely fighting to defend.
Jennifer’s Body - How Diablo Cody went from writing Juno to this crap is a mystery for the ages. Note to Megan Fox… being hot does not make you a great actress… just ask Cindy Crawford.
Saw VI – Do I really have to say why?
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past – Clever premise, poor execution.
Angels & Demons – Tedious and boring, this film is the perfect cure for insomnia.
The Box – Okay, so after three terrible movies in a row (Donnie Darko, Southland Tales and The Box), why does Richard Kelly still get to make movies? It is time for him to embrace his destiny as manager of Burger King.