01/07/10

I’ve been promising a back-to-format column for a couple of weeks. Meh. I can’t let go of 2009; not yet. I recently spent the better part of four days watching 15 films released in 2009, the goal being to find something better than Inglourious Basterds, the film I listed as my favorite of 2009 in a previous column. Basterds is great, but just doesn’t feel like a FotY-level flick. Below you’ll find some excerpts from my journal written during those four or five indulgent days.  

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Recently listed as my No. 2 film of the year, I began to wonder if I’d overrated - or maybe even underrated - this damn-near-arthouse blockbuster. Like 2008’s The Dark Knight, Prince is a prime example of how to spend money in Hollywood. This film is an epic with an amazing cast (David Thewlis!), incredible cinematography (the battle scene in the field!) and some of the best set designs (the new Weasley house!) I’ve ever seen. As far as children’s fantasy films go, this very French-mod styled flick is top shelf - and often surprisingly mature - stuff that reminds of Gilliam and Jeunet. Better than the Basterds? No man.

Up In the Air - Lots to love, lots to forget. I’m especially torn on this one. Here’s the final thought that made me realize that this isn’t a great film, but only a good one: imagine if Bill Murray - or even the abovementioned Thewlis - had been cast in the Clooney role. The promise was on the page, Clooney just lacks the range.

Precious and The Road - Dark flicks, these two. I prefer The Road by a baby’s mile, but both are solid and relentless. Precious was real-to-life right down to the written-in Sunkist soda ads. Kind of made me hate people, honestly. The Road is one of my favorites of 09, and could move up on that list with repeat viewings. Beautiful stuff, even when ugly. Neither top QT, but The Road is a maybe a new classic.

The Limits of Control and Drag Me to Hell - Two great directors here. Limits, more than anything he’s done maybe ever - or at least since Down By Law - paints Jim Jarmusch as a filmmaker in love with photography and composition. The film is slow, and for good reason; if you love beautiful compositions, cinematography and color as much as Jarmusch, you need time to soak in the beauty. Not much happens here, but it’s a moving, mysterious ride. Doesn’t quite match the bubble gum fun of Basterds, but comes very close. Sam Raimi’s new film employs many of his old B-movie gags to great, nostalgic effect. The best horror film I saw in 2009 and certainly the blast the critics said it was. Limits, on the other hand, is much better cinema than the idiots framed it as.

Humpday and Paper Heart - My girlfriend, who is more mature than me, begged me to turn Paper Heart off as soon as it got rolling. It’s somewhat interesting in it’s approach, but definitely a young person’s movie that’s too cutesy for it’s own good. Gagging here in retrospect. Humpday, on the other hand, was fantastic. My pick for the best of the mumblecore genre and I’ve seen ‘em all. The premise of the film doesn’t work but the acting and buddy elements are pitch perfect. I have friends like this; these conversations feel real. Now in my Top 10 for 09.

Adventureland and I Love You Man - These were my two favorite commercial comedies of the year - both 100 times as good as that Hangover junk. If I were 22 and not 29 right now, I’m almost certain Adventureland, maybe my new favorite teen film, would be my top pick for 2009. I Love You, Man is a great buddy film fueled by two very funny actors and a lean collection of pitch-perfect gags. It's not high art or every beautiful cinema, but the film is, no doubt, a hoot.

Avatar, Paranormal Activity and Extract - Both good enough, but neither did an incredible amount for me. Extract was funny and predictable and I imagine I’ll like Paranormal more with repeat viewings. Both good, neither great. Not enough room here to get into my, umm, immoderate feelings for Avatar. If you’re curious, head over to the film reviews archive on this site and check out our review.

Gomorrah and Sin Nombre - I could write a series of columns just about these two films, especially Gomorrah. Both hit me hard, and while I’m tempted to list Gomorrah as my favorite of 2009, I can’t pull that trigger. As original, interesting and solid as it is, it feels like the work of a filmmaker still finding his voice. It’s a big voice, and those are hard to find. Tarantino has found his, and thus, Inglourious Basterds stands, thus far at least, as my favorite film of 2009. 

Written by G. William Locke