The Cinematic Honourable Mentions of 2009
I enjoy going to movies. I enjoy the whole spectator sport of movies. For that reason, I have become really good at letting go when I watch a movie. I don’t try to pick it apart and waste time predicting exactly what’s going to happen next. I like watching it unfold and getting lost in it all. For that reason, I have to admit that I’m pretty forgiving of movies and will be generally entertained unless the movie fails to pull me in. These next movies are some of the ones that succeeded in entertaining me. They didn’t blow my mind, but I had fun watching them, which is specifically their goal.
Away We Go – People I like being likable in a movie about people my age not knowing what to do with their lives. Hard not to identify or enjoy this one.
Black Dynamite – Wow. The trailer led me to expect very specific things from this movie. It’s not going to win any awards, but if you can watch it with a few friends you will be extremely entertained. Great lines.
Drag Me to Hell – Sometimes you feel like watching a good old fashioned gypsy-curse movie. Not being a ‘Spider-Man’ fan, I was elated when Sam Raimi returned to his roots of delivering purely entertaining, campy horror.
Fantastic Mr. Fox – This movie should probably be in the “Must See” list. But then sometimes I wonder if I really liked the movie as much as I thought I did, or if I just automatically love everything Wes Anderson does, simply because he hasn’t let me down yet. For me, Michael Gambon and Willem Dafoe stole the show on this one. I could watch a prequel with just their characters.
Gomorrah – I don’t know why I liked this movie. I didn’t follow it exactly. I got lost when characters that looked nearly identical to other characters started doing things in different places. Maybe this one should go in the “I forgot it” list. I do know that it was gripping and entertaining, though.
I Love You, Man – Even if you didn’t love this movie, I would be shocked if you weren’t at least entertained the whole way through. I developed a severe fear of Rush because of this movie. I also want to hang out with somebody named, or nicknamed, Jobin. Badly.
Inglourious Basterds – This movie would have made it into my “Must See” list, if only it was more consistent, but then I guess it wouldn’t really be Tarantino if it was consistent. The opening “chapter” may be one of my favourite pieces of film in a long time. Similarly, Christoph Waltz’s Col. Hans Landa may be my favourite performance of the year. However, some of the rest felt like it missed the mark it was shooting for. Then again, almost all of it was visually stunning to watch.
JCVD – Jean-Claude playing himself. It was hard for this to go wrong.
Land of the Lost – I wasn’t expecting much out of this one, but I liked the actors involved and I was pleasantly surprised when all four of us that saw it together laughed out loud a few times.
Let The Right One In – Vampires are also big right now (for better or worse). In the midst of the pile of vampire drivel that has been bombarding me, (with the exception of ‘True Blood‘), this felt like the undead making their version of ‘The Crying Game.’ It was weird and unsettling, but brilliantly done and a great reminder that some movies have to be made by people outside of North America. That different angle on things can really make a film.
Men Who Stare At Goats – I went to see this because I wanted to see the people in it having the conversations they were having in the trailer. They did, and the characters were just as interesting and bizarre as I had hoped. Sadly, there wasn’t much else and I found myself enjoying the performances but wondering how, when, and if it was going to end. It did, a little later than I wanted it to, and the story still wasn’t really there.
Star Trek – I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one. The classic ‘Star Trek‘ is a lot to live up to. At least newer ones can start to escape the direct comparisons with a TV classic that so many grew up watching. I have to give credit where credit is due; every single person held up their end of the bargain. It was exactly what it should have been – exciting from start to finish with a perfect blend of overhaul and homage.
Taken – Liam Neeson’s “kick-assedness” in this film actually spawned a new adjective in my group of friends. After this movie, referring to someone’s actions as being “neesey” is a huge compliment. Only after this movie, am I ok with the thought of Liam Neeson starring in the A-Team remake. I also want to see a Taken / Man on Fire team-up sequel.
And now for the Late Addition:
The Road – This movie makes it onto my “like” list and at the same time, prevents itself from making it onto my “love” list by succeeding at what it was attempting: all of the actors and filmmakers did everything perfectly to create a cinematic reproduction of a feeling. If one movie could sum up one emotional response, ‘The Road’ is bleak.
– Pig
