The Top 10

Let me preface this by saying two things:

1) I haven’t seen every movie that came out this past year, but since I’ve been chomping at the bit to make my list, this is what’s happening.

2) Some of the scores I gave these movies at the time I reviewed them don’t necessarily reflect their place on the list. Had a long time to think about these, some have aged better than others, but these are the ones that stuck with me the most. Funny how that works out.

And that’s it. So without further ado, let ‘er rip…

10. Avatar – lived up to the hype and then some

9. The Road – horribly publicized and still not as good as the book, but a fantastic adaptation by a fantastic director all the same

8. (500) Days of Summer – the feel-good movie of the year, best romcom I’ve seen in a good long while

7. Two Lovers – the best thing Joaquin Phoenix has ever done for this world; yes, even better than rapping

6. The Hurt Locker – one hell of a powerful ride, need to see this one again

5. A Single Man – Colin Firth deserves that damn Oscar, phenomenal movie otherwise

4. Anvil! The Story of Anvil – best doc of the year, hard to beat the real-life story of Spinal Tap (first review I ever wrote, too)

3. Precious – not exactly a pick-me-upper, but a freakin’ powerhouse all the same

2. Inglourious Basterds – Tarantino’s long-awaited return to form, bonus points for a career-defining performance by Christoph Waltz and Brad Pitt in his best role since Tyler Durden

1. Up – the only 10 I gave out and the only one that truly deserved it

Well, there ya have it, folks. Still need to see A Serious Man, A Single Man, Big Fan, World’s Greatest Dad (which is waiting for me at home), An Education, Fantastic Mr. Fox, In The Loop and Crazy Heart, but since a handful of these are out of theaters and won’t be on Netflix for a while, I’m thinking this is a pretty solid list as is.

2009 – a damn fine year for movies if I do say so myself.