It seems silly to post a year-end list before the year is actually over, yet a number of film commentators were gleefully posting their top ten films of 2009 during the first week of December. How dare they choose their favourite films before seeing Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squekquel! Not to mention Avatar, which surprisingly is the only film to make both mine and Katina’s — the two main critics here at Cut Print Review — top 10 lists of 09. That said, Australian films were given strong representation by us both, which is a testament to the quality films being produced in this country…but ultimately ones that don’t have wide appeal, or the marketing budget to widen their appeal. But that’s another discussion all together, so let’s just cut the chatter and get down to business.
Ten Best Films
In this blackest of black comedies, Irish funnyman Dylan Moran helps makes the worst series of events imaginable downright hilarious.
The critically adored directorial duo of Joel and Ethan Coen delivered a hilariously off-beat look at family and religion in A Serious Man. It’s certainly not for everyone, but what Coen film is?
8. The Cove
A documentary that plays out like a spy thriller, The Cove sheds damming light on the atrocious Dolphin culling business in Japan. A seriously entertaining film that also packs a potent message.
7. Up
From the animation studio that can do no wrong, Pixar’s Up boasts thoughtfully constructed characters who embark on a classic adventure ripe with humour.
6. Mary and Max
The first feature length clay animation from Oscar winning director Adam Elliot was a unique, funny and heartfelt film about finding friendship in the unlikeliest of places. The animation is full of character, the voice-acting is sublime and the simple story relatable in more ways than you’d care to admit.
Hooray! A vampire film that actually depicts being a blood-sucker as a burden and not a pre-teen turn on! Atmospheric and engrossing, Let the Right One In blends classic horror with a touching young romance, which is authentically realised by the talented young cast.
4. Avatar
James Cameron can continue being a smug, self-proclaimed ‘King of the World’ because Avatar was a gorgeous film visually and emotionally. The very definition of cinematic escapism.
3. Lake Mungo
Far better than its North American counterpart Paranormal Activity, this cleverly deceptive ghost story is credibly told via a documentary setup. The result is a terrifyingly atmospheric film that doesn’t rely on excessive gore or jump scares. Hollywood, take note.
Featuring one of the best baddies in cinema since 2007’s No Country For Old Men with Col. Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz), Quentin Tarantino’s skewed take on World War II was one of the most sadistically satisfying movies of the year. From the delectable dialogue to ‘that’ bar scene, Basterds is an instant classic.
1. Balibo
The only film I reviewed this year to receive 5 stars was Robert Connolly’s remarkable political thriller Balibo, which is based on the true story of five Australian journalists who went missing in East Timor during the 1974 Indonesian invasion. Not only does Balibo dare to lift the lid on tightly kept secret in Australasian politics, it manages to be both highly compelling and deeply moving at the same time. The best piece of Australian cinema I’ve seen in many, many years.
Honorable mentions:
State of Play, The Wrestler, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, Drag Me To Hell, Milk
Five Worst Films:
No, it’s not a case of ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ with G.I Joe. The film is just bad.
Painfully unfunny and totally confused as to its target audience.
You get what you pay for with slasher films , but this sloppy reboot of the Friday the 13th franchise makes you wonder why bother paying at all.
Godawful direction, loathsome characters and the most ridiculous excuse for a story made Transporter 3 a certified stinker.
1. Imagine That
Eddie Murphy’s worst to date (which says a lot) is supposedly about a child’s imagination… yet imagination is one of many things this film completely lacks. The only flick I saw this year that I seriously considered walking out on.
Guilty Pleasures:
2012, The Final Destination 3D
There’s a lot to critique about these two films, but I still had more fun that I’d care to admit watching them.
Most Underrated:
Unremarkable, yes. But Terminator Salvation wasn’t as bad as everyone says. I preferred it over Terminator 3, to say the very least.
Most Overrated:
Julie & Julia, Samson & Delilah, Away We Go
The Aboriginal Australian drama Samson and Delilah has had awards thrown at it like confetti, but I actually found it quite tedious. Having seen the plight of Aboriginal Australians first hand, the all important shock value of the subject matter didn’t have the desired effect. I was further disengaged by the one-note screenplay and what I thought to be bland performances by the two leads. That said, I am glad it was such a success. It has opened up many ignorant eyes and put Aboriginal cinema on the map internationally, which is certainly something to applaud.
What I (regrettably) missed:
Mao’s Last Dancer, Departures, An Education
2009 According To… Katina Vangopoulos
There’s a whole mixed bag within a year of cinema, but you can always pick out the good lollies from the duds. My selection has a wide range, which is what I hope serious movie-goers also hope to achieve. But we can’t forget those duds – see the next page for my worst five of the year.
Ten Best Films:
10. 17 Again
Surprised? Some would be. But it’s great to let yourself go sometimes. See my Guilty Pleasures.
Scott Hicks’ return to Australia shows a moving tale of a family healing its wounds that stays with you.
The Aussie favourite this year was a wonderful debut for Warwick Thornton, and showed that our Indigenous community deserves more notice.
7. The Hangover
This crude comedy has all the laughs, smarts and quotes to boot; a great plot and even better cast.
This is the most tragic of comedies, and it’s the reality this music documentary poses that makes it so compelling.
5. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Ok, so I’m a sucker for the Boy Wizard. But the films are truly getting better as they go along.
This Spanish gem deserved its impressive awards haul – a heart-wrenching story that’s unforgettable.
3. Avatar
The most recent, but it lived up to the year-long hype. What 3D was remodelled for, and worth it.
Unexpectedly haunting with an almost sickening twist, this drama leaves you speechless.
1. Watchmen
Uncannily adapted from its novel version, this anti-hero film strips the sugar and leaves you with the barest of its characters’ souls.
Five Worst Films:
5. Confessions of a Shopaholic
Although Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy had decent turns, this shopaholic ran out of cash pretty quickly.
This crime film was applauded in home country Italy but fails to create interest in the characters or pay attention to the various subplots.
3. $9.99
An Australian claymation dud, with even A-list voices unable to save it from the distracting ugliness of the characters.
A disengaging Turkish drama seen on the festival circuit that failed to get a general release.
A Seth Rogen film where he’s not creatively involved was a gamble. They observed, and reported that it didn’t pay off.
Most Overrated:
Critics and fans alike were divided on this film; it was definitely relevant for Italians but it was hard for an international audience to gain any understanding or carry any sympathy.
Most Underrated:
Cedar Boys, Van Diemen’s Land, Into The Shadows
Yes, they’re all Australian; 2009 had the best quality output in years and audiences hardly recognised it. These films show untold sides of our culture, while Into The Shadows also importantly looks into our industry’s problem…
Five Guiltiest Pleasures
We all have them. Usually in the form of comedies that we think are hilarious but no-one else finds funny. I know from experience. So here’s my personal top five for 2009.
I’ve never had huge issues with Sandra Bullock. And being a journalist, her passion for words actually stuck with me a bit after the crazy plot.
4. Bandslam
Teen films are more often than not overly cheesy (and nowadays musically-themed). With Vanessa Hudgens bearable, this film had a bit of edge to it.
Ok, while it did drag on a bit, you still wanted to laugh with these guys stuck together on a ship.
2. Bang Bang Wedding (To Gamilio Party)
The craziness of my Greek heritage never gets old, so to see even bigger extravagance on film was a hoot.
1. 17 Again
Ok, I’ll say it: I’m Team Zac. Not just for the looks – this film showed his comic ability and the one-liners from this film are hilarious. Extremely fun.
Tearjerkers of 2009
Ok, so this is the embarrassing list, where I reveal just how much the waterworks spill out. And alarmingly, it seems to be quite often… but with death and destruction, what else am I meant to do?!
5. Samson & Delilah
The true tale of these troubled teens gets you teary as Samson falls further into a spiral of destruction.
4. Quiet Chaos (Caos calmo)
This Italian drama with veteran Nanni Moretti is a slow heartbreaker as a father tries to deal with his wife’s death.
3. Camino
The death of Spaniard Camino is inevitable, but her good faith makes you think about the important things.
Fear of the unknown is what gets you bawling at the film’s halfway point – and you can’t stop.
Personally, I saw this just days after The Time Traveller’s Wife. But here the waterworks began five minutes in. And again, the tears hardly stopped.
What I (regrettably) missed:
Balibo, Moon, Up, Beautiful, Inglourious Basterds
Follow the author Anders Wotzke on Twitter.
![The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo [2011] (Review)](/wp-content/uploads/girl-with-dragon-tattoo-2011-poster11-e1326691158273-150x150.jpg)