Top 10 Movies of 2009
10. Inglourious Basterds
I’ve had a bar mitzvah, taken Jewish studies classes at UCLA, idolized Steven Spielberg all my life but nothing and I mean nothing has made me more proud of being Jewish than Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds. The film is just way too much fun and I loved every second of it.
9. This Is It
This year we saw the death of the world’s biggest superstar, Michael Jackson. When Jackson passed away in June, he was arguably at the lowest point of his career. He never surfaced after his second highly publicized molestation trial, he was being called a drug addict left and right and he became one of the most made fun of figures of the ‘oo’s. The film ‘This Is It’ directed by Kenny Ortega perfectly captured the genius of Michael Jackson and showed that he still had “IT.” Thanks to this remarkable concert film, Michael Jackson’s legacy will live on. I cried from the opening credits of the film to the very end and I can’t even describe how amazing the midnight showing was. It was literally like the audience was sharing such an amazing experience as we clapped, cheered and cried together.
8. 500 Days of Summer
500 Days of Summer completely caught me off guard, I went into it expecting another melodramatic, mildly funny chick flick but instead I was left completely floored. The movie was full of creativity and originality than reinvented such a tired and dead genre. The movie was at times painful to watch as director Marc Webb perfectly captured the awkwardness, the uneasiness and the pain of falling in love with someone. Zooey Deschanel truly made everyone fall in love with the Summer Finn but it was Joseph Gordon Levitt who represented us all. Everyone has had a Summer Finn in their life and everyone has had an EXPECTATIONS/REALITY scene play out, its something I go through on a daily basis. That brilliant scene alone was why 500 Days of Summer easily finds itself as one of the top films of the year.
7. Up
Pixar hit it out of the ballpark…..AGAIN! I remember seeing the trailer for Up the first time and thinking it looked absolutely terrible. The story in the trailer was one which was sloppy and confusing. Instead of trying to sell the film on its characters and plot line, the trailer highlighted the look up the film. I remember sitting in a theater in Los Feliz getting ready to watch Up and thinking, “This is it, Pixar’s first dud!” Within the first 10 minutes of the film, I found myself crying harder than I have in any other film of the year. The relationship montage is one the most heartbreaking sequences in film history. It proved that animation is not just for kids but is an art form that can instantly connect to your heart.
6. District 9
District 9 is one of my favorite sci-fi films of all time. The underlying political messages as well as themes of poverty, racism, war, government, etc…etc…is unending. I do not think that there is any other film that you can analyze more for deep rooted messages than District 9. Other than being a thoroughly intellectual film, the movie is always ridiculously entertaining. There is nothing better than a film which can entertain and educate and that is exactly what District 9 does. It seems that more than half of the current news stories on CNN directly correspond with something from District 9. Often I lose track of which is imitating the other.
5. The Princess and the Frog
With the exception of many Pixar films, I would have to say that The Princess and the Frog is my favorite Disney 2D film ever made. The message which the film deliver is one about hard work, dreams, and true happiness. Unlike the majority of Disney princess films, nothing comes easy to Princess Tiana. Instead of thinking that all her dreams will come true by wishing on a magic star, she does quite the opposite and overworks herself to try and get to her dreams. The movie is one which is full of hope that anybody’s dreams can come true if they work hard and truly believe. The film also highlight the fantastic culture of New Orleans which includes songs that you will be singing as you leave the theater. The movie is the whole package, it’s funny, charming and will leave you in tears. It’s simply a must see!
4. A Single Man
I want into this film directed by Tom Ford knowing that it would be a beautiful film because….it was directed by Tom Ford. What I got after seeing the film was not only was it a beautiful film but it was also a beautiful story. A Single Man literally left me speechless. The main character of the film George played by Colin Firth is charming, intellectual and views life with a slightly pessimistic perspective. In short, I do not think I have ever related to a character more in cinema that George. In fact, Tom Ford has stated that much of George is based on his life so it sounds a lot cooler to say that I have never related to someone more than how I do to Tom For. This movie and the back story of how Ford made it spoke to me in ways that no film has ever before. It was after viewing this film that I finally had a new zest for life and a newly discovered passion for the arts all over again. I do not think there is anything more powerful than a film which inspires you to live your life to its fullest as well as inspire you to create art. Absolutely beautiful!
3. Sin Nombre
Like many of the movies on this list, Sin Nombre is gritty and almost too realistic. The film gives you an inside look into the world of gang culture as well as shes you the dangers involved in all of it. You see the psychological imprisonment that goes along with being a member of a gang. The film also demonstrates the extremes many go through on a daily basis to try and cross the border and make it to America. I left the theater feeling thankful for being apart of this country as well as having a new found respect for many immigrants especially illegal immigrants that literally risk their lives to get her. The film will scare you, rattle you a bit and give you a greater appreciation for the many advantages that we have even if the majority of us take them for granted.
2. The Stoning of Soraya M.
I have never been to a movie-going experience like the one for The Stoning of Soraya M. As the movie ended and the credits rolled, there was silence in the theater. As the sold-out theater poured out into the lobby, more than 70% of the audience emerged sobbing. As I went to the bathroom, there were grown men with tears rolling down their face. I can only imagine that it was the same reaction a church would have upon viewing The Passion of the Christ. That film did not really speak to me (because I am Jewish), but The Stoning of Soraya M. transcends religions. It is a film about the human condition–how a country is able to treat the women of its population as dirt. The Stoning of Soraya M. is an eye-opening film about the brutal world of radical Islam set in Iran.
1. Precious
Oprah said that “Precious is a film that will split you open.” The first time I saw the film, I did not know exactly what she was talking about. After a 2nd, 3rd and 4th viewing, I suddenly found myself in shambles while watching the film. Precious is quite possibly one of the most depressing and difficult films to watch but there is also such a strong backbone of hope and laughter that comes with all of it. The first time I saw Precious, I was too shocked to cry. When I started going through a difficult time myself, I found myself looking to Precious as a story of hope and strength. If Precious was able to overcome all the obstacles in her way that anyone can, if Precious did not give up then what gives me the right to give up. Out of any film that has come out in 2009, I feel that it is Precious that has taught me the most lessons about life and that will continue to guide me along my journey. It is a beautiful, heartbreaking and difficult film to watch. I often found myself sick to my stomach but by the end of the film, I had hope. Hope that Precious could find happiness and hope that I could find happiness. Thank you Lee Daniels for making such a beautiful film and thank you Sapphire for writing such a difficult story with such a powerful message.