Greetings, readers.
It’s been a while, I know. This installment has indeed taken me longer than I’ve gotten you used to; for that, I apologize. A new year is upon us, and like many before it, its first couple of weeks were ones spent attending to things I had neglected over the holidays. Writing this article was one of those things.
I was recently asked what my favourite movies from last year were. I thought about it for some time and came up with a small list. Admittedly, 2009 was a better year for film with top-notch features from Tarantino, Wes Anderson, and Spike Jonze. Last year, however, was not without highlights. Here are my favourites in the order they were released:
- Greenberg: Noah Baumbach delivers another heartbreakingly beautiful comedy in this one. It is the sad story of confused individuals, trying to find themselves and their place in the world. Forty-year-old Roger, a carpenter, returns to LA and stays at his brother’s house while the brother’s assistant, a timid twenty-six-year-old, looks after the house and dog. Through this encounter, the two learn about themselves and eachother.
- Toy Story 3: This is one of the best sequels ever made. Andy, the toys' owner, is all grown up. And the familiar gang of toys, alongside a few new faces, find themselves in all kinds of trouble as Andy heads off to college. The story and dialogue are written in that signature Disney style that appeals to the young and old alike. Pixar Studios could not have made this look any better; the animation and rendering are impeccable!
- You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger: Even after having put out a movie a year since the late-sixties, Woody Allen still finds a way to create a charming and witty story about love, lust, rationality (and the lack of), infidelity, success, and failure. The themes are very familiar to Allen, but I still found this more amusing and well presented than most of his recent ones.
- My Dog Tulip: This beautifully animated film is based on the book by JR Ackerley, a twentieth century English writer. As the title would suggest, the movie is about the writer’s relationship with his Alasatian dog, Tulip, and how that relationship has changed the two’s lives. If you have a dog, I’m sure you will love this; if, like me, you do not, it will make you want to adopt one.
- The Social Network: Not the Facebok Movie! You’ve likely already seen this, but if you haven’t, I highly recommend it. It’s about the trials (literally and figuratively speaking) and tribulations of the creation of Facebook. It’s smart, funny, and beautifully shot. A complete package. And at the risk of looking like a total nerd: Amer Alkhatib likes this.
- Four Lions: This is probably my favourite movie of the year! It’s a shocking and hilarious look at a group of failed Muslim terrorists residing in England. It was written by the creators of Channels Four’s Peep Show, so you can expect that sharp brand of English humour throughout, and split your sides laughing.
- Tron: Legacy: This movie marked my first 3D experience. I was skeptical, I admit, but as soon as put on those silly glasses and the welcoming screen flashed, I knew I was in for something special. Yes, the story is predictable in most parts, and it isn’t all that interesting. But the filming, graphics, action, and score made it one of the most exciting movies I’d seen in years! Add to that a Jeff Bridges that sounds comically similar to the Dude (of the Big Lebowski), and you’ve got a winner!
- True Grit: I am convinced that everything the Coens touch turns to gold. This Western tale of retribution and payback is the brothers’ first film of the genre, and they’ve made it with such finesse and mastery, all while keeping their signature touches. The dialogue is sharp, the casting and acting superb, and the cinematography is nothing short of spectacular.
With that, I will conclude this entry and wish you all a happy new year. I would love to hear from you about your reactions to this list. And if you have any titles you think I should add, let me know.
