The Best of 2009

The year 2009 is in the books.  That of course means that it's time for your friendly, neighborhood critics at Movie Bangerang to reveal what we thought were the year's best films.  Instead of individually listing our favorites, we decided to combine our lists.  It should also be noted that we will continue to see movies released last year as time goes on, so the list is subject to change.  We have decided, in our wisdom, to narrow it to five. Enjoy!


5. Avatar


It may not have been a perfect movie, but there's no denying it - "Avatar" is a thrilling and ambitious ride and is visually the most incredible movie out there.  This is a film that will be remembered for years to come and one that has earned a spot on our list of the best of the year.

4. The Princess and the Frog


While we have been getting nothing but non-musical computer-animated movies from Disney for quite some time, directors Ron Clements and Jon Musker brought back the old Disney feel with "The Princess and the Frog" and took us all back to the glory years.  Hopefully this level of excellence will continue in their future efforts.

3. (500) Days of Summer


A quirky, hiliarious, and insightful romantic comedy that never ceases to entertain.  Director Marc Webb uses a variety of storytelling techniques to drive this original and unforgettable film.

2. Star Trek


This is probably the most surprisingly good movie to come along in some time.  "Star Trek" is so brilliant and memorable in every way from the interesting characters to the awesome action scenes.  It's simply unbelievable that they were able to make a movie watchable and exciting to fans and non-fans alike.  This is a great sci-fi film.

1. Up

One of the most beautiful sequences in recent movie history sets the stage for a story that resonates with viewers young and old.  "Up" is one of, if not the funniest, best-looking, and most complete films Pixar has ever created.  It also happens to be the best film of the year.

(500) Days of Summer

Right from the get-go, this is a film that separates itself from the pack.  It establishes its quirky mojo right out of the gate and engages the audience the whole way.  This is a very real and relatable romantic comedy told in a very unconventional and hugely entertaining way.  From split-screens to musical numbers to dramatic reenactments, the movie keeps you hooked wondering not only what's going to happen next, but how the filmmakers are going to present it.  To boot, the whole story is told out of order!  Some of the dirty humor definitely could have been cut back a bit.  It feels a little out of place. Regardless, this is a funny and fascinating film that definitely deserves a look.

Bryce ***1/2
Chase ***1/2
Landon ***1/2
Logan ***1/2

BANGERANG SCORE: ***1/2

My Sister's Keeper

Where does "My Sister's Keeper" suffer? What was wrong with it? Some questions with answers that may or may not surprise a few. I have never read the book, so I don't know how well they compare. But I've seen the movie, and I'll tell you. Nothing was redeemable about it. Every character is annoying, it's oddly predictable, it's over-the-top sappy, and it is unbearlingly long. I could name a couple of more, but I think the point is clearly made.

Landon *1/2

BANGERANG SCORE: *1/2

Sherlock Holmes

In many ways, "Sherlock Holmes" is a breath of fresh air in a never-ending procession of bland cookie-cutter action and suspense thrillers. It dares to be different - maybe a little too different at times. Director Guy Ritchie really puts his mark on this one with dizzying camera work, a pounding score, and a blazing pace that jumps quickly from scene to scene, really impairing your ability to enjoy the great characters and sharp dialogue. The performances by the two leads, Robert Downey Jr. (quickly becoming one of my favorite actors) and Jude Law, were great. If not for Ritchie's heavy handed directing, this would've been much more enjoyable.

Bryce **1/2
Landon ***

BANGERANG SCORE: **1/2

Up

The kings of the animated craft have done it again. "Up" is the best film Pixar has released in years and quite possibly the best they've ever made. That's no small praise given the studio's track record. There's something timeless and unquestionably profound about this tale of a seemingly bitter old man embarking on an incredible adventure in the twilight of his life. Some of the adventures he finds himself in are a little too wacky for my taste, but there's an underlying human story woven throughout the film that's as real and compelling as any you'll ever seen. Like all great movies, this one sticks with you long after the credits roll and makes you look at life in a new light. It's funny, it's touching, it looks great, and it's going to be just as relevant 50 years from now as it is today. What more could you ask for? This is a great film.

Bryce ****
Chase ***1/2
Landon ***1/2
Logan ***1/2

BANGERANG SCORE: ***1/2

Invictus

Expectations were high leading up to "Invictus" and deservedly so. The source material is compelling, the previews were nothing short of rousing, and Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, and Matt Damon are some of the most talented men in the business. Unfortunately the finished product couldn't quite cash the check written by the aforementioned promise. The performances by the two leads are top notch but the movie suffers from an unfocused narrative that can't quite decide if it wants to be an in-depth biopic or a run-of-the-mill sports story.  Freeman and Damon's performances may warrant a viewing despite these shortcomings but the overall package is a bit of a let down by Eastwood's lofty standards.

Bryce **1/2

CHIEF SCORE: **1/2

State of Play

There's nothing like a good old fashion crime thriller to sooth the soul. "State of Play" is just what the doctor ordered. Sure it's not the deepest or most ambitious who-done-it you're likely to see, but it just seems to hit all the right notes we've come to expect from the genre: high tension, great performances and a plot with a few solid head-spinning twists. This thing will keep you guessing until the end. This is a thoroughly enjoyable flick that is definitely worth a look.

Bryce ***
Chase ***

BANGERANG SCORE: ***