Films of 2009


I saw 6 films on the silver screen in 2009.

1. Milk
Gus Van Sant's masterful return to form, starring the ever impressive Sean Penn and a host of terrific supporting character actors, including James Franco, Emile Hirsch and my man Josh "Brand Walsh" Brolin. Full review here.

2. Star Trek
J. J. Abrams visionary re-establishing of a forlorn franchise. Great story, cast, music and visuals, but a weak villain. No further complaints, though. Full review here.

3. Three Idiots
A Bollywood offering, which we only saw because (almost) everything was sold out when we wanted to experience the first 3D live action movie, Avatar. Don't laugh (or do laugh, but in a good way) : Three Idiots has infectuating dancing sequences, a brilliant screenplay in Hindi and English and hilarious actors - including one with a speech impediment - and makes for the guilty pleasure of 2009.
Milk may be 2009's best movie, but Three Idiots is the best comedy annex multiplexperience. Three hours and a half of straight giggles. Go and see it for yourself!

4. This Is It
Not a movie per se - so a tough one to rate in a yearly rundown - this documentary of the Michael Jackson concert series-to-be in London captures The Gloved Genius in all his doubting glory. A bittersweet present from Sony, but a miracle of a time document. Luckily the cameras were rolling during the rehearsals. What a top comeback it would have been. Ah, well, so be (this is) it. Rest in peace, Mr. Michael Jackson. Full review here.

5. Slumdog Millionaire
The big Oscar muncher is a cute, uplifting flick. Not the best movie ever - and certainly not a contender for Milk or the non-nominated The Dark Knight in the Best Picture category - but a small masterpiece in its own right. Full review here.

6. He's Just Not That Into You
The excellent romantic comedy about what men want, featuring an ensemble of Hollywood's finest. Full review here.



Purchases in random order

HD DVD

Death Proof
The very last HD DVD ever with an ironic title (for HD DVD wasn't really death proof) is quite a collectible. This Germany-only edition was printed in 2008, but held back until a domestic high definition version was released. Death Proof didn't arrive on an American Blu-ray until the beginning of 2009, which explains the strangely late German HD DVD. Great picture and sound, but the movie is a bit bleh. You can do better, Tarantino.

Casablanca
The bona fide classic from the 1940's. I have yet to play it, though.

Disturbia
The excellent scarefest starring Shia LaBeouf and Sarah Roemer, with a perfect soundtrack and score. Full review here.

Brokeback Mountain
The epic cowboy lovestory that makes me weep - and not gently. Kudos to all involved. Full review here and here.

The Mummy
Brendan Fraser steals the show as the poor man's Indiana Jones in one of my favourite rollercoaster movies (as in : "just go along for the ride"). The visual effects hold up surprisingly well after a decade and Arnold Vosloo is a sublime villain with a menacing smile and a daunting presence.

HD Scape - American Landscapes
The worst HD DVD of all time! It just a slideshow collage of landscapes. Why did they even release this?

Meet Joe Black
The most touching romantic tale of all time : a compelling, three hour journey that never drags. It should have been even longer in my book. Meet Joe Black is an underrated masterpiece, with Brad Pitt (has he ever been better!?) and Anthony Hopkins (in one of his finest roles).


Blu-ray

La Môme [La Vie En Rose]
The biographical picture based on French singer Edith Piaf's life, featuring a groundbreaking performance by Marion Cotillard. You have to see her to believe her.

The Simpsons Movie
Not a masterpiece or a milestone in the history of cinema, but a damn funny yellow flick. Chuckles and laughs ahoy! Full review here.

Home Alone
For reasons unknown, Home Alone is currently receiving severe backlash in retrospective reviews. Most reviewers seem to fail to understand why it was such a big hit. I, for one, will always love this postmodern Christmas classic : memorable quotes ("Too bad Acey ain't in charge no more!", "Snakes? Snakes? I don't know no Snakes!" etc.), a solid cast and brilliant music by living legend John Williams. What's not to love?
The disc includes a fantastic audio commentary, with director Chris Columbus and star Macaulay Culkin exchanging well-spirited quips and jokes. "I'm such a ham!" Culkin exclaims at one point. Yes, you were, but you were a very fine ham.

Superbad
A raunchy comedy with heart, boasting numerous quotable lines : "I am McLovin!", "My first wife (subtle pause) was a whore", "You know Yoda? From Attack Of The Clones?", "Cock block", "You look like Aladdin", "I got a boner", "Family Jules" etc.

The Goonies
My second favourite movie ever in high definition. The disc has the best non-technical, non-film school audio commentary ever, because all 7 kids and director Richard Donner are present. Josh Brolin : "That's real gas, you know. Everything used in this movie was real." (pause) Richard Donner : "Except the actors". And more.

UP
Pixar's tenth masterpiece. Full review here.


LaserDisc

The Abyss
Is "1989" the best year for contemporary movies? Back To The Future II, The Little Mermaid, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade etc.
I have not yet seen The Abyss, or any James Cameron movie for that matter, but I will someday. This LaserDisc is a beautiful box set, including the director's cut and special features.

Pavarotti and friends
A must, if just to hear Brian May's heartbreaking rendition of "Too Much Love Will Kill You" and Aaron Neville's hilarious interpretation of "Ave Maria".

Ed Wood
Tim Burton's biographical picture about the alleged "worst director of all time". I did not have the chance to check it out, but most sources call it a great movie.


UMD

The Goonies
My second favourite movie ever for Sony's portable PlayStation. OK picture, acceptable 2.0 sound, no English subtitles, no extra's. More cons than pros, but it's great to have the movie on the move. And I know the film by heart, so I don't need subtitles.

The Nightmare Before Christmas
Pristine portable presentation of the Henry Selick/Tim Burton joint. Fine picture, sound and even a selection of the DVD's special features. Nice!


VHS

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
Just "$1" in my local video library. Of course, I bought it before Jackson's passing, because that fact would have jack(son)ed up the price. Moonwalker is a messed-up mix of video clips, live performances, concept pieces and a story about a smooth criminal. If nothing else, it confirms the fact that Michael Jackson was taking strong drugs long before 2009.



Julian De Backer, 12 January 2010