Strat's 20 of 2009

The last year of the decade, while not on the same level as the last of the 90s, certainly had its fair share of strong films from around the world. It's amazing that 10 years ago an independent movie was shot on video (The Blair Witch Project) and 10 years later, several movies nominated for Best Picture were shot on video (District 9 and Avatar).

20. Tokyo! (foreign drama)

What happens when French sensibilities meet Japanese culture? Here's the answer: a little surrealism, a little existentialism and a little artsy in 3 short films about the city.

19. The Informant! (comedy)
Soderbergh is truly a hit or miss director. This is where he returns to the form of making entertaining films.  Matt Damon delivers an wonderful performance as a FBI informant that doesn't quite know how to confess the truth.

18. The Men Who Stare At Goats (comedy)

I'm sure the pitch to make this movie with Ewan McGregor learning "Jedi mind tricks" from George Clooney was enough to get this made. It's almost as funny as "Catch-22" back in the day.

17. The Cove (documentary)
If you've ever wondered why Japanese fisherman are so obsessed with dolphins and the government cover up of capture and slaughter of these creatures this is the definitive take on this matter.

16. Invictus (drama)

Oh, Mr Eastwood has returned to tell us about history, national pride and sports - in South Africa. Or you can just see it because Morgan Freeman is awesome. 

15. Art & Copy (documentary)

If you ever studied advertising or work in the field or just appreciate the emotional power and creativity of ads this is the documentary that you should see.

14. The Fantastic Mr. Fox (animated comedy)

So George Clooney is done trying to rob casinos. Now he does chicken coops. Best stop-motion animated film I have since since Corpse Bride.

13. TiMER (sci-fi/comedy)

I discovered this movie on Netflix so I'm not sure you'll find it through other means. It's very low budget, but the story is simple yet effective. Not often comedy visits sci-fi without being a spoof, but this movie manages to not only do that, but tug at your heart.

12. Gomorrah (foreign drama)

So what would Goodfellas be like if it were set in modern Southern Italy? Here ya go.

11. Funny People (comedy/drama)

I heard this movies wouldn't be that funny. It isn't. However, it is a fine drama with enough comedic touches.

10. Precious (drama)

What can I say? The acting is phenomenal and a testament to the screenplay and direction. I didn't even realize who Mariah Carey was in it, until I looked it up later. Wow.

9. Star Trek (sci-fi/action)

Probably the most "fun" movie of the year. No real message, just a great popcorn movie in space.

8. Avatar (sci-fi/action)

It's definitely a technical achievement that must be seen at the highest quality possible. Cameron paints a beautiful world that you really want to live in if it weren't so damn dangerous.

7. An Education (drama)

So are our parents really looking after our best interests? Do we really know what's best for ourselves? Is education really more important than wealth? Great questions explored here along with the emergence of the film's budding young starlet.

6. Brothers (drama)

Absolutely the best pure dramatic film of the year. Solid acting all around from a star-studded cast including Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Tobey Maguire in a surprising role. Never in this film do you feel like a choice was made just to try to manipulate you in an insincere way.

5. 500 Days of Summer (comedy)

The best movie I will probably not see again for a long while for personal reasons. Other than that, it's the best tough love indie comedy since Garden State.

4. The Hangover (comedy)

This movie really is the revitalization of the screwball comedy set in the wackiest place on earth for one: Las Vegas. It's fun to watch again and again.

3. Inglourious Basterds (action/comedy)

Tarantino's best movie since Pulp Fiction. It's no surprise that the movie begins with a a pretty evil character engaging in a cat and mouse dialogue with another man, before killing people just like a certain Jules did 15 years earlier. Leave it to Tarantino to make a historical movie that purposely thumbs its nose at major historical facts for story and laughs.

2. Up in the Air (comedy/drama)

Meet Ryan, the man who sits in first class and does the most dastardly deed imaginable - he lays people off for a living. Not only that, but he lives his life without any real connections to other people. Until he picks up a few cute sidekicks out on the road.

1. Up (animated/comedy)

What can I say? After the first 10 minutes of the movie if you haven't cried you don't have a soul. If by the end of the movie, you haven't laughed you don't have a sense of life. Best Pixar movie ever. Probably only until the next one? Those Pixar guys are that good.