1. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
Tarantino tricked mainstream cinema goers into seeing what is essentially a multi-lingual art house film, and we loved every minute of it! Many critics pronounced the boy wonder down and out after the commercial failure of Deathproof and mixed reaction to The Kill Bill franchise. Instead of churning out a safe sure fire action extravaganza,Tarantino produces what is perhaps his riskiest work to date; changing the history of the second world war, 20 + min scenes, multi-lingual dialogue, a cast comprised of mostly unknowns, Eli Roth! But Tarantino delivers on all counts making Inglourious Basterds the most interesting, original and enthralling film of 2009.
2. NOWHERE BOY
Debut feature film director Sam Taylor Wood creates the most movingly poignant portrayal of John Lennon to date, blasting through the myth, revealing the superstar at his most human. Wood's achievement lays in the fact that you forget you are watching a film about a rock legend in the making, instead focusing on the story of a complex young man torn between the women he loves. Stellar performances come from all, particularly a break out performance by Aaron Johnson who does well to avoid caricature, making Lennon his own. Add one of the best soundtracks of the year and you have an absolute must see.
3. DEFIANCE
Based on the true story of Belorussian partisan fighters the Bielski brothers, Edward Zwick crafts a tense but moving tale about the will to survive in the face of overwhelming odds. Where Defiance succeeds the most is in character development as you grow to love each of the brothers played superbly by Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell. Whilst the script could have been tighter the power of the story alone will keep you gripped to your seat from beginning to end.
4. SHERLOCK HOLMES
Guy Ritchie churns out a rollicking, fun-filled adventure flick that is by far the most superior popcorn movie of the year. Every pre-conceived notion you thought you had about Holmes mythology flies out the door (for the better i might add) as Ritchie's vision contains far more laughs, action and thrills than poor old Basil Rathbone or any other Holmes imitator could ever hope to imagine. Despite meandering a little through the second half of the film Robert Downey Jnr and Jude Law chemistry as well as Ritchie's signature film making style make this one of the most enjoyable film experiences of the year.
5. PRIDE AND GLORY
Widely criticised for being too generic, Pride and Glory still managed to pack more punch than any other thriller in the marketplace this year. The movie, which centers around corruption in the New York City police force, showcases actors Edward Norton and Colin Farrell at their finest. The script is tight and the film fast paced. A tense cat and mouse game features throughout, keeping you enthralled from go to woe. Despite featuring quite a few formulaic conventions indicative of the genre, Pride and Glory delivered much bang for your buck.
6. JULIE AND JULIA
Perhaps the film that surprised me more than any other this year was Julie and Julia. Far from playing like your typical romcom the film makes for one of the most delightfully heartwarming experiences of the year. Nora Ephron, rebounding from the disastrous Bewitched, manages to deliver a film that is sweet without being corny, delivering genuine laughs along the way. The stories of Julia Child's Parisian exploits in the 1950's and post nine eleven cubicle worker Julie Powell are interwoven seamlessly with Meryl Streep proving why when it comes to acting, she is in a class all by herself.
7. GRAN TORINO
Gran Torino is the perfect example of a movie that is not exactly film making at it's finest, but is so entertaining that you can't help but forgive it's many flaws. Ok, so it's basically Dirty Harry retired and living in supurbia, but it still makes for great viewing. Eastwood does his usual shtick as the disgruntled tough guy determined to rid his neighbourhood of a dangerous gang of youths. It's his picture, and he is the reason the film works so well despite rather lackluster performances from the supporting cast.
8. THE LOVELY BONES
This film is an example of a good film that had the potential to be so much more than the finished product. That being said, The Lovely Bones will still make for one of the most interesting film experiences of the year in that you will not forget it easily. The subject matter is tough and the film as a whole is rather haunting. It's a shame Jackson couldn't have spent less time on rather mediocre special effects and more time on character development but all in all, considering the generally run of the mill lackluster fare flooding the marketplace, the originality alone of The Lovely Bones qualifies it as a must see.
9. MAO'S LAST DANCER
The little Aussie gem that could, Mao's Last Dancer will make you long to get out your dancing shoes and pirouette around the house. The film tells the story of Chinese ballet dancer Li Cunxin and his struggle to stay in America where he can pursue the career he desires, free from Communist party dictates. Despite some of the pivotal moments in the film falling rather flat, the beautifully choreographed dance sequences as well as the inspirational tale of Cunxin itself makes Mao's Last Dancer a cracking piece of entertainment.
10. THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS
John Boyne's amazing novel is brought to life in a beautifully crafted film by director Mark Hermann. The film chronicles certain events of world war two as seen through the eyes of a young german child. The performances are exceptional particuarly the two young children, Asa Butterfield and Jack Scanlon, who in many ways carry the film. Other notable mentions must go to Vera Ferminga as a naive wife and Rupert Friend as a sadistic young german officer. The film is well paced and the script is heartbreakingly poignant. The main fault of the movie lays within the fact that everyone has a British accent despite the German setting, this is to often done in films today and serves to destroy much of the credibility of the picture.
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