Comahan's Top 25 Films of 2009

Simply put, my favorite film of the year. Carey Mulligan anchors this movie, delivering the best female performance of 2009, with her older, deceitful, game playing lover Peter Sarsgaard doing his usual good work. The reason though, that I believe I enjoyed this film so much, is that Mulligan's character is so much like me. "To go to Paris and Rome, and listen to jazz, and read, and eat good food in nice restaurants. To have fun!" Was what she wanted, and I cant think of anything better. Perhaps I, like her, need an education in life, to learn that there's more to it all than that. ****1/2 out of *****

Do you believe in love? Fate? Thats whats at the center of this sometimes delightful, sometimes gloomy look at Tom Hansen's relationship with Summer, a girl whom he believes is 'the one'. Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel earn top marks for their performances here, perfectly sliding into their roles as the leads of one of my alltime favorite films. ****1/2 out of *****

The biggest movie of all time, Avatar did a wonderful job of, pardon the cheesiness, transporting me into its world. There are a LOT of movies that I just sit there and shrug at during the credits, most movies in fact. But this was one of the few that I actually had jitters after. It wasnt until I was interrupted by a comment from a friend during this film that realized how utterly into the movie I had been without noticing it. I cant tell you how unbelievably rare it is for me to have that feeling. ****1/2 out of *****

Comparable to 'The Wrestler' of the year prior, Jeff Bridges and Crazy Heart did the same thing that Mickey Rourke and The Wrestler did in 2008 - deliver a very solid story anchored by an unbelievable performance. Jeff Bridges gets my vote for best performance, male or female, lead or supporting, in 2009 for his turn as Bad Blake. Throw in Ryan Bingham's rendition of the 'The Weary Kind', and you have one of my favorite films of 2009. ****1/4 out of *****

Up in the Air is the most charming film of 2009, but that should come as no surprise since it was George Clooney in the leading role. Unfortunately for Clooney, his great performance in this film is overshadowed by Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart, but thats taking nothing away from the effort that Clooney gives here alongside Vera Farmiga, who is just as good as George is, with the only difference being that there wasnt a Jeff Bridges type performance to block her from being the best in her field. ****1/4 out of *****

Viggo Mortensen is brilliant in this role, delivering a top 3 male lead performance of the year in this gritty post apocalyptic tale of a father and son trying to survive. A film I had anticipated for quite some time before its release, I was extremely happy with the end result, though it seems I might be one of the few. ****1/4 out of *****

What more can be said about Christoph Waltz in this film? He was absolutely perfect, and topped my list of best male supporting performances of 2009. But he was just part of what made this movie work. Tarantino is at his best here, delivering his best effort since Pulp Fiction. ****1/4 out of *****

This is tough for me, as not only is Mr Fox my favorite animated film of 2009, but I could make an argument that its my favorite overall film of 2009. So why is it so far down in the top 10? Your guess is as good as mine, but I think it deserves better in the end, as this was one of the more clever and comedic movies of the year. ****1/4 out of *****

Beautifully shot, beautifully directed, beautifully acted, this is one of the best 'War' films ive had the pleasure of seeing. The suspense that this film achieves without falling to typical storytelling means of doing so is one of the things that stands out most for me, though its the cleanliness and splendid cinematography that steals the show. ****1/4 out of *****

The top of the list when it comes to 'fun films' of 2009. But its so much more than that. If Jesse Eisenberg wasnt already on the scene as a fine young actor, he is now as he does great work in this wonderful, realistic coming of age love story that has no heroes, no villains, just real people in real situations that had me connect with the film the entire way through. **** out of *****

Star Trek, District 9, and Moon. Which will win out as #2 in 2009's Sci Fi rankings behind Avatar? For me, it was Moon, which presented one of my favorite 'looks' and 'feels' for a film all year, with its clean white sharpness and depressing loneliness. Sam Rockwell was excellent in his role of numerous Sam Bell's, narrowly missing out on my 5 favorite male lead performances of the year. **** out of *****

I certainly didnt expect Everybody's Fine to be this good, but to me, it was. Robert De Niro is fabulous, while the sentimental story clicked for me, making this one of my favorite films of 2009, and my highest ranked film outside of the top 10. **** out of *****

Drew Barrymore's directorial debut is no doubt a successful one, as she gives us one of the finest movies of the year. A late addition to my list, Whip It is up there with Zombieland, Adventureland, and Pirate Radio as the most fun film of 2009, once again reaffirming my fondness for Ellen Page. **** out of *****

One of several great Sci Fi films in 2009, District 9 stood out thanks to the wonderful docu-style that it was presented in, as well as the unique story it told. Delivering great visuals on a rather small budget, this Neil Blomkamp film was one of many that contended for a top 10 spot on my list. **** out of *****

One of the better 'fun films' of the year, Pirate Radio left me with a smile on my face at its conclusion. Rhys Ifans and Philip Seymour Hoffman highlight this movie, bringing to life one of the golden ages of music. **** out of *****

If you know me, you know that Im a sucker for well made period and costume dramas, and this film succeeded in capturing my love of the genre. Abbie Cornish and Paul Schneider delivered great performances, while the costumes for Bright Star were, in my opinion, the best of 2009. ***3/4 out of *****

Admittedly, Ive never seen as much as a single scene from any other Star Trek movie or series. However, after seeing this film, I wanted to. A fantastic mix of drama, action, and humor, Star Trek was one of several Sci Fi movies that delivered in 2009. ***3/4 out of *****

Fast becoming one of my favorite actors, Michael Sheen knocks another performance out of the park as Brian Clough, the manager of the Leed Utd football team. My favorite sports film of 2009, The Damned United beats out Invictus by a fair margain. ***3/4 out of *****

One of the more wonderfully shot films of 2009, The White Ribbon is a throwback to the whodunit's of the past, though its most extraordinary accomplishment might be the fact that it was able to successfully cast children in major roles and have me not loathe them in the end. Shocking indeed. ***3/4 out of *****

Smart, witty, and at times crude, In the Loop is one of the more refreshing and original films of 2009, with Peter Capaldi stealing the show as the foul mouthed Director of Communications for the UK Prime Minister. ***3/4 out of *****

Certainly a film that I will never forget, several of its scenes are etched in my memory forever. That being said, there is a very good movie hidden underneath the shock and gore, with Charlotte Gainsbourg delivering one of my favorite female lead performances of 2009. ***3/4 out of *****

A rather poignant look at post-war trauma, and the effects such a thing can have on a man and his family. All of the leads are in top form, but its Peter Parker himself that delivers a career best performance, redeeming him following the disappointment of SpiderMan 3. ***3/4 out of *****

Perhaps the biggest surprise of 2009 for me, I went into Zombieland with very low expectations, and ended up coming out thinking that this was one of the funnest films of the year. Never have I enjoyed random zombie violence more. ***3/4 out of *****

Wonderful first act lost me a bit as the movie went on, Up isnt one of my favorite Pixar films, but it was a fine movie nonetheless, with the highlight being the unbelievably perfect scene showing Carl and Ellie growing old together. ***3/4 out of *****

A little weak in areas, with several scenes I could have done without, Nine was a disappointment in my eyes, which is unfortunate as it was probably the 2009 film I was most looking forward to seeing. This film was carried by how beautifully it was shot, and by the performances, as there's certainly no lack of fantastic acting here, led by the always amazing Daniel Day Lewis. ***3/4 out of *****