Top 10 Best Films of 2009 Countdown (1-5)

Posted Friday, January 8, 2010, at 11:47 AM

Reel Revue Top 10 Films of 2009

(The countdown continues...)

5. The Hangover

I have said this movie was the best comedy this year, but this movie was quite possibly one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Todd Phillips, who directed another comedic classic Old School directed a solid film oddly enough with a B-Level cast as the lead actors (Justin Bartha, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifinakis). Also, the scene of Mike Tyson air drumming to "In The Air Tonight" by Genesis was one of the best scenes of the year.

4. Star Trek

I was a big fan of the original films, I actually went to the acquatic park where Star Trek 4 was shot. When I heard word, that JJ Abrams, fresh off the success of the monster flick "Cloverfield", was planning a film where a young crop of up and coming stars will play the legendary roles of Kirk and the original crew, I was a little skeptical. But this film was exciting to watch, the action sequences rocked and Chris Pine made himself known in Hollywood with his portrayal of Captain Kirk.

3. District 9

I'll be honest, I'm not really a fan of Peter Jackson's films, I am one of the few people in the world who hasn't seen any of the Lord of The Rings films, although I thought his remake of King Kong was excellent featuring a surprising performance from Jack Black.

With District 9, I checked this film out only on hype alone, and this movie proved it. Now of course, this film doesn't feature any familiar actors, but Sharlto Copley, who plays the lead government agent who comes into contact with an alien substance that slowly turns him into one of the aliens he's deporting from District 9, in my view was the breakout star of 2009.

2. Invictus

This is the second last minute entry to this countdown, as Clint Eastwood continues his success as a director with Invictus. The film features Morgan Freeman starring as South African leader Nelson Mandela, for Freeman this was a "career defining" role, and in my view no actor could have portrayed Mandela any better. Matt Damon closed out his 2009, with a strong performance as the captain of the South African Rugby team who with influence from Mandela leads his team to the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

1. Up In The Air

Last year, The Dark Knight was my overall choice for Best Movie. For most of the year, District 9 and Star Trek was in a close race for best movie, until Christmas weekend, when I saw Sherlock Holmes, Invictus and the Best Movie of 2009.

George Clooney, delivers an academy award worthy performance as Ryan Bingham, a man who makes his living traveling to workplaces around the country and conducting employee layoffs for bosses too cowardly to do it themselves.

The supporting cast also features worthy award winning performances including the female leads Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick (Twilight) who are both in the running for Best Actress at the Golden Globe awards.

The National Board of Review and the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association have named Up In The Air the best picture of 2009. The film has received eight Broadcast Film Critics Association nominations, six Golden Globe nominations and three Screen Actors Guild nominations.

When Oscar time, this film should rack up several nominations for Clooney, Farmiga, Kendrick and director Jason Reitman who has also directed two great films "Juno" and "Thank You For Smoking."