BEST MOVIES OF 2009

For my last blog, I thought it would be appropriate to find a list of the best movies created this year. I found that a few weeks after the midpoint of 2009, the Chicago Tribune had an article of the best films of 2009. To read the article, click here. Below is the list...

1. Adventureland
2. Azur and Asmar
3. Coraline
4. The Hurt Locker
5. In the Loop
6. Of Time and the City
7. Sugar
8. Summer Hours
9. Up
10. Waltz with Bashir

TOP 20 GREATEST MOVIES

We all have those lists of movies that we have yet to see. Some may be new movies, or some older, famous films that always get the reaction "YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT?!?" Well, a perfect list is simply a list of the greats. The American Film Institute released a new edition of the Top 100 Greatest Movies list in 2007. Below is the top 20 on that list. (Click here to view the official list.) So, if you have a chance, consider one of the best.

1. Citizen Kane (1941)
2. The Godfather (1972)
3. Casablanca (1942)
4. Raging Bull (1980)
5. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
6. Gone with the Wind (1939)
7. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
8. Schindler's List (1993)
9. Vertigo (1958)
10. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
11. City Lights (1931)
12. The Searchers (1956)
13. Star Wars (1977)
14. Psycho (1960)
15. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
16. Sunset Blvd. (1950)
17. The Graduate (1967)
18. The General (1927)
19. On the Waterfront (1954)
20. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)

Yes, it's a little older, and in black and white. But, IT's A WONDERFUL LIFE is one of my family's holiday favorites. Watching the movie on Christmas Eve has been our tradition for as long as I can remember.

The 1946 film nominated for five oscars: Best Actor in a Leading Role for
James Stewart, Best Director for Frank Capra, Best Film Editing for William Hornbeck, Best Sound/Recording for John Aalberg, and Best Picture. It won a Cincema Writers Circle award in Spain for best foreign film. Frank Capra also won a Golden Globe for best motion picture director.

George Bailey is a businessman who has lost his purpose in life. He plans on commiting suicide on Christmas Eve, but an angel is sent to him to prevent him from such drastic measures. Most of the film is about George Bailey's life leading up to this point, starting with his childhood.

IT's A WONDERFUL LIFE is a great story about being thankful for what you have and focusing on what really matters when times are tough. It is funny, sad, and totaly original. There's no better old film to watch with family around the holidays.

My Grade: A+

SHATTERED GLASS (2003)

I recently watched SHATTERED GLASS in a class at school. The 2003 documentary was directed and written by Billy Ray, and it is a true story about a journalist who is caught for fabricating 27 of his 41 published articles for the "The New Republic" magazine. Click here to read some of those articles.

The documentary featured Hayden Christensen as Stephen Glass. It depicts him as a young and seemingly talented journalist rising to fame. After working at the magazing for three years, his editors start to notice some made-up sources, quotes, and eventually whole stories. It shows his career being shatterd and his whole life crumbling into pieces.

I found the film to be quite interesting actually, and a big step into the reality of journalism. The shocking tale of Glass' unusual career came to me as a huge surprise. I never thought that anyone at a professional job for a popular magazine could even think of fabricating their stories, let alone more than half of them.

One thing about SHATTERED GLASS that bothered me was the actors. Almost every one of them was annoying and their personalities were extremely irritating. I especially couldn't stand the character of Stephen Glass. The whole time i just wanted to say, "You are an idiot."

My Grade: C+

THE BLIND SIDE (2009)

Based on a true story, THE BLIND SIDE is a film currently in theatres. It stars Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, and Quinton Aaron. It's an inspirational sports film about a family who adopts a boy named Michael Oher.

He was homeless and lost, with no family or anyone to look to. Michael was from a broken home, with a drugee mother and no-show father. When he's given a shot at a Christian school, a family (the Touhys) take him in and help him fulfill his potential as a football player.

The film was heart-warming and inspiring. It showed a genuinely kind family who wanted nothing more than to give some help. Bullock, who portrayed the mother, Leigh Anne Touhy, gave what may be her best performance ever. She is kind and gentle, but strong-willed and confident. Click here to watch an interview with the real Leigh Anne Touhy.

Oher ended up going to Mississippi University, and getting drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2008 draft. It's a truly happy story that will make you feel like a happier person. Whether or not you like football, you'll love THE BLIND SIDE.

My Grade: A+

ELF (2003)

As the Christmas season comes around the corner, it's time for those much loved Christmas movies to start airing again! ELF, a 2003 comedy (rated PG) is one of my favorites to watch around the holidays.

Starring Will Ferrell, this film is about an Elf named Buddy who goes to New York City in search of his birth father. When Buddy finds his father, he realizes that he is nothing like he expected (he's even on Santa's "Naughty List").

The film had seven wins and two nominations. One was a 2004 Golden Trailer award for Best Comedy. Will Ferrell was nominated for a Best Comedic Performance award at the 2004 MTV movie awards. He was also nominated for a Choice Movie Actor award at the Teen Choice Awards. Finally, it was nominated for another Teen Choice award for Choice Movie - Comedy.

ELF is an original story that definitely brings some laughs. Will Ferrell delivered a great performance, as always. The story is creative, but classic. It's not the greatest Christmas movie ever made, but on a night in during the Christmas season with your family? Why not?

My Grade: B+

THE WAITRESS (2007)

THE WAITRESS is one of my personal favorites. It stars Keri Russell as a pregnant waitress who is unhappily married to an abusive man named Earl.

The waitress, Jenna, has to deal with her disrespectful husband who takes all the money that she works hard for for himself. Jenna becomes determined to win a pie contest, which would enable her to free herself of Earl and live on her own with her baby. (She has a strange gift for making the most creative pies.) When she begins an affair with her new doctor, she starts to realize that she really does have a shot at happiness.

Unfortunately, the director of the film, Adrienne Shelly, was brutally murdered in her apartment by a construction worker before the movie was released. It was first suspected as a suicide, but it was later found that the constuction worker was intent on robbing her apartment, and ended up killing her.

Shelly's husband started a foundation in her name that gives a number of grants and film school scholarships, and also gives awards for films that oppose violence against women. Click here to read more about the foundation.


Some people say the only reason the film got attention was because of this, but it is truly a very original, different romantic comedy. It is heart-warming and inspiring, witty and clever. It's an empowering story for women about breaking free of abuse. Jenna doesn't realize her talents and abilities, but after she ends her abusive relationship, she gains more confidence, and truly becomes a happier person.

My Grade: A+

NEW MOON (2009)

Yes, I am a Twilight fan. I'm not a crazy (read each book 17 times and make t-shirts for the movie premiere) kind of fan. But, I read the books and I thought the first movie was just fine.

For the very few of you that don't know, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON is a sequel to the first, extremely popular film, TWILIGHT. They are based on Stephenie Meyer's first two books of the Twilight saga. The books are about a girl named Bella who falls in love with a vampire named Edward who lives an "alternative life-style" as a vampire. In the saga, Bella is faced with struggles from living with her single father to fighting off crazy vampires who want to kill her.

NEW MOON starts with Bella's birthday, when an incident with one of the vampire brothers causes Edward to worry about his future with Bella. He ends up leaving her, which puts her in a state of depression. It doesn't exactly show women's independence and portrays Bella as a girl who couldn't live without her boyfriend.

In Edward's absence, NEW MOON focuses a lot more on a different member of the cast, Jacob (Taylor Lautner). He and Bella become very close friends, while Jacob wishes it was more than just friends.

The special effects in the movie were clearly much better than the first. They definitely had a lot more money to spend, and it showed. The effects with the wolves were surprisingly realistic. Click here to watch a "Behind-the-scenes Wolf Pack clip." However, the acting was terrible, and the movie was drawn out and for the most part, boring. Most of the time the dialogue was akward and unnecessary.

The next movie of the Twilight Saga, Eclipse, will be coming out on June 30. Hopefully it's better than the second!

My Grade: C-

P.S. I LOVE YOU (2007)

P.S. I LOVE YOU is not exactly recent, but another great (sad) story for a movie night. It it about a widowed young lady who discovers a series of notes from her deceased husband, an Irishman with an entertaining personality. It stars Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, and Lisa Kudrow.

The movie takes you through the ten notes Holly's husband left her as she mourns her great loss with her family and friends. The notes take her back to memories and moments with him that help ease the pain of her loss. Click here to watch the official trailer.

I think that the movie is an awesome story about coping with a huge loss in a very clever, entertaining way. The letters from her husband lead her to many funny and unexpected situations. The performances by all the actors are very compelling. Hilary Swank won best international actress at the Irish Film and Televisions Awards. The movie was also nominated for a Golden Trailer and Teen Choice award.

My Grade: A-

A WALK TO REMEMBER (2002)

A WALK TO REMEMBER is a little bit of an older movie (it came out in 2002). But it is one of my all-time favorites.

The movie stars Mandy Moore, Shane West, and Peter Coyote. It's about a rebellious teen who, when a prank goes terribly wrong, is forced to participate in community service activities. Through his service, he spends a lot of time with people that are nothing like his group of friends. He ends up getting involved with a girl who has a very strong faith and a devastating secret.

A WALK TO REMEMBER is a story of faith and courage. It shows a boy who is lost in life, and a girl who is very different from him. I can't really go into detail without giving the whole movie away. (Click here if you want to read a more detailed, spoiler-filled summary.) But it's a sad and inspirational story about teens who have to deal with a very difficult situation.

Many could argue that it's depressing and cheesy, and if you don't like love stories, it's probably not the movie for you. But if you're in the mood for a good cry, A WALK TO REMEMBER is definitely the way to go.

My Grade: A

MY SISTER'S KEEPER (2009)

MY SISTER'S KEEPER is another new release that came out over the summer. This drama stars Abigal Breslin and Cameron Diaz. The film is about a young girl suffering from leukemia. Her parents conceived a child in order to be a donor for her. When the girl is in need of a kidney, the mother (Diaz)wants her daughter (Breslin) to donate her kidney to her sister. Shockingly, the girl seeks a lawyer in orer to file for medical emancipation from her mother.

Many of you know that the movie is based on Jodi Picoult's novel. I read the book and saw the movie, and the movie was a terrible let down. One of the greatest parts of Picoult's novel was her surprise ending, which left me speachless. The film was totaly different, and had no where near the same impact. Click here to read some of what was said about the book.

However, the acting in the film was outstanding. Diaz accomplishes the role of a distraught, mentally and physically exhausted mother much better than I expected. Overall, the plot was okay, but is nothing close to Picoult's thrilling and tear jerking novel.

If you haven't read the book. Do it now. If you haven't seen the movie, you haven't missed out on much.

My Grade: D

THE PROPOSAL (2009)

THE PROPOSAL, a comedy/romance, came out in June, and is now available for rental. It is about a man (Ryan Reynolds) who is an assistant to a pushy and demanding boss (Sanda Bullock.) When Margaret (the boss) discovers she's about to be deported to Canada, her assistant aggrees to marry her in promise of a premotion. Betty White also stars in the movie as "gammy" The film is rated PG-13.

Most of the film takes place in Rockport, MA. The crew spent weeks turning it into Sitka, Alaska, where Reynolds and Bullock are supposedly visiting in the film. Click here to see a photo gallery of what they turned into Sitka.

THE PROPOSAL is definitely a fun way to spend an evening. It will make you laugh, but it probably won't be your favorite movie of all time. It's not exactly a unique or unpredictable plot line, but it's definitely entertaining. The acting is funny and believable, I reccomend it for all ages.

My Grade: B

THE STEPFATHER (2009)

THE STEPFATHER is a remake of the 1987 classic of a serial killer who joins and destroys one family after another. In this thriller, a boy (Gossip Girl's Penn Badgley) returns from military school to find that his mother has found a new husband, who seems just perfect to all their family and friends. However, the boy, Michael, suspects that there's something more to his stepfather-to-be. Michael and his girlfriend (Amber Heard) start looking into his past and become worried about the safety of the family. Click here to watch the official trailer.

Predictable is probably the first word that comes to mind when I think about THE STEPFATHER. However, the surprise ending and suspenseful moments make up for the lack of originality.

Overall, the film is an average portrayal of a very interesting topic. The concept of an evil step-father or mother will always be a classic topic. But THE STEPFATHER is just another generic horror film that will keep you entertained.

My Grade: C+

THIS IS IT (2009)

Now in theatres, THIS IS IT is a documentary about the great Michael Jackson himself. It features Jackson's life from April until June of 2009 while he prepared for his 50 sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena. The film is a combination of interview and rehearsal footage, and also includes some backstage footage. Kenny Ortega, well known as director of High School Musical 1, 2, and 3, directed the film.

When I saw the movie Thursday night, I was not expecting much. I went in late, and the theatre had about six other people in it. I'm not a big Michael Jackson fan myself, but I enjoy his music and I definitely think he had some real talent. Unfortunately, within five minutes I was bored out of my mind.

Rehearsals are not meant to be watched, and that's why they're rehearsals. Constant stopping, nagging about minor details, and repetition of the same thing over and over is all rehearsing is about. No one wants to see that in a movie. The interviews were a litle more entertaining, and it did leave me with a little better impression of Jackson as a person. Everyone he worked with seemed to have something good to say about him. But in the end, I left the show early asking myself why I wasted the seven dollars.

My Grade: C-