The 411 Movies Top 5 9.04.09: Week 181 - Top 5 Movies of Summer 2009

Posted by Trevor Snyder on 09.04.2009

With the season officially coming to a close, members of the 411 crew take a look at their favorite summer movies of 2009.



THE TOP 5 MOVIES OF SUMMER 2009

TREVOR SNYDER

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Drag Me To Hell - You know it's a pretty darn good summer when a movie like this isn't even cracking my Top 5. Because, believe me, this film was pure joy for a horror nut like me, as Raimi proved he still has it, and put much of the recent horror outings to shame.

Up - About the only bad thing I can think to say about Up is that it wasn't as amazing as Wall-E. Still, it was your typical Pixar outing…meaning it was awesome.

The Hangover - I kinda consider The Hangover to be this year's Superbad = a movie that came with so much hype you couldn't help but be worried, but then it turned out to totally live up to that hype.

THE TOP 5

5. District 9

X-Box devotees might hate me for this, but thank God that Halo movie never happened. District 9 was born out of its ashes, and I just can't imagine that Halo would have been anywhere near as original or exciting as this. It's always nice to see something that feels new in the summer movie season – typically a time where the same old formulas and ideas are just recycled. What Neill Blomkamp pulled off here is nothing short of incredible, and it paid off. Think about it – a South African film with no major star, an unknown director, and a $30 million budget was actually the #1 movie in America during the summer. That alone could earn it a spot on this list – the fact that it actually was as good as the word-of-mouth promised is just the icing on the cake.

4. Moon

What should be a star-making performance by Sam Rockwell anchored this brilliant sci-fi film, essentially a one-man show about an astronaut in the final days of his corporate gig on the moon. It's tough to talk about this one without giving away some of its better secrets – suffice to say it should be a must-see for anyone who likes their science fiction to be as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

3. Star Trek

Man, what a great year for science fiction. Not only did we get the two original films mentioned above, but of course there was this – one of sci-fi's top franchises reborn and bigger and ever. There's been a lot of talk about how this was the Trek film that was going to win over even non-Trek fans, and it was that. But take it from someone who already was a fan, as well – this was exactly the shot in the arm the property needed (and that's coming from someone who actually liked Star Trek: Nemesis). While other big franchise pictures like Wolverine, Terminator: Salvation, GI Joe and Transformers 2 disappointed (in terms of quality, at least – I realize most performed fairly well), Trek was this year's Iron Man and Dark Knight - the blockbuster that won over critics and audience alike. It's almost impossible to now remember a year or so ago, when there were many convinced this movie was a bad idea.

2. The Hurt Locker

I love war movies, but The Hurt Locker is a war movie that I never even realized I wanted to see. There is very little actual combat in this film, and yet it packs just as much – if not more – thrills and tension into its running time as most of its more violent peers. It also deserves credit for being the first Iraq movie not to get bogged down in politics, but to instead simply focus on the day-to-day lives of the men over there…in this case, the men of the Army bomb squads. I've always thought of Kathryn Bigelow as a pretty solid director, but I never thought she had a masterpiece like this waiting inside her.

1. Inglourious Basterds

I think Hurt Locker is technically the better movie, but there is no doubt that Inglourious Basterds was my favorite movie of the summer, and almost certainly the one I will end up re-watching over and over in the future. This could have been such a letdown, given that I've been eagerly awaiting it ever since Tarantino first started talking about it years ago. Thankfully, it was worth the wait, and upon a second viewing I would even go so far as to say it's Tarantino's best film since Pulp Fiction. Every single performance is excellent (and especially Christoph Waltz), every line of dialogue memorable, every choice of music inspired. Like Hurt Locker, it's a war movie that's not quite a war movie. We just didn't know what a great thing that was until we saw this one.

SHAWN S. LEALOS

Disclaimer: I have to have seen the movie to list it here. Just because another critic said it kicked ass, I can't claim it is great without seeing it.

Disclaimer #2: I consider the summer season to have started May 1 with the release of X-Men Origins: Wolverine (which did not make my list), so everything after that is a "summer movie" to me. I consider that it ended last weekend with Halloween and The Final Destination (which did not make my list either).

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Public Enemies - The movie was hugely disappointing. Michael Mann took a great movie and made it plodding and mostly boring. Christian Bale sucked the life right out of every scene he was in. However, Michael Mann making a bad movie is still better than most people out there today and both Johnny Depp and the supporting cast were decent. The shootout in the woods was the highlight.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, while flawed in areas, is a great addition to the series and ranks at the top as one of the best films in the series so far.

Drag Me to Hell - Sam Raimi is back and takes us on a thrill ride with Drag Me to Hell, the best horror movie to come out this summer. He makes us laugh, jump and grow nauseous all at the same time. It's the most fun I had at the movies until I saw Inglourious Basterds. This might be the closest we ever come to a new Evil Dead movie

THE TOP 5

5. STAR TREK

I have never been a big fan of Star Trek. I enjoy the original television show for what it is - cheesy, goofy sci-fi. I think I enjoyed The Next Generation more than most people but didn't care about any of the other televised spinoffs. Out of the ten movies, I only really like Wrath of Kahn. I went into J.J. Abram's Star Trek reboot as a non-fan. When I came out of the movie, I believed Abrams made the movie that will unite all fans, trekkies and mainstream alike. Abrams has finally made his successful leap from TV to film. In his sophomore effort he has tackled a franchise that could have killed a lesser man and came out with the greatest Star Trek movie of all time. The cast is spectacular, from Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto to Simon Pegg and Anton Yelchin. Even Tyler Perry is inoffensive in his small role. The direction keeps the movie moving at a brisk pace and the score keeps your heart pounding at every beat. As a "Star Wars guy" I came into the movie simply curious at how they would deal with the origin story. I left the theater a fan. Star Trek is the first great movie of the summer and set the bar in a summer full of blockbuster sequels.

4. DISTRICT 9

Following Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (bubble gum fun) and Terminator: Salvation (a rescue movie), I was beginning to wonder if there was going to be an intelligent science fiction movie in theaters this year. With District 9 and Moon, my prayers have been answered. District 9 has, at its core, a very interesting science fiction-like premise. Neill Blomkamp proves he is a force to be reckoned with. In District 9, he has crafted a smart, stylistic science fiction film trumping every other film in its genre to come out in the last couple of years. The alien design is solid and the weapons and machinery are cool. However, what makes this film so great is the fact it is a smart film containing real world problems, revealing something about ourselves, regardless of how dark and sobering the truth is. The best science fiction holds up a mirror to the world and allows us to see a distorted version of ourselves. It is not a perfect movie but it is fantastic science fiction.

3. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

Inglourious Basterds is a proto-typical Quentin Tarantino movie. If anyone has paid attention to his career they would know he is a writer first and foremost. This movie has some of the best dialogue he has written since Pulp Fiction. When the film opens we see a title card "Chapter One: Once Upon a Time ... In Nazi Occupied France." This should tell you everything you need to know about this film. It is a fairy tale, a parable, a story of what might have happened during World War II if the Basterds existed. In much the same way as Pulp Fiction did, there are separate but intercutting stories featuring various characters, but unlike Pulp Fiction everything in this movie collides at the end in an explosive finale. Quentin Tarantino has been talking about Inglourious Basterds for a long time now. With this much anticipation built up it would be easy for the movie to be crushed under its own expectations. Tarantino never allows that to happen writing his best dialogue in years, crafting a movie that is entertaining and suspenseful all the way through and never allowing the movie to be anything but a fun time. Brad Pitt is excellent in his role as the head Basterd but the breakout role in this film is Landa. Christopher Waltz knocks one out of the park with his amazing portrayal of the Jew Hunting detective. If you love dialogue driven, fun, suspenseful films overlaid with a violent, inventive, daring storyline this is the best movie you could ever hope for.

2. THE HANGOVER

Simply put, The Hangover is the best comedy I have seen in a very long time. It is this year's Pineapple Express and is better than even that movie. This movie is a machine gun firing a joke a minute and has very few misses. I have never laughed as hard throughout an entire movie, start to finish, as I did with this one. The Hangover takes a funny idea and makes it hilarious. This is Todd Phillips' masterpiece, eclipsing even Old School by a mile. The cast is first rate. Bradley Cooper is going to be a huge star and I hereby proclaim Zach Galifianakis the second coming of John Belushi. The jokes fly by a mile a minute, whether it is a well played one liner, a gross out sight gag (Galifianakis leaves nothing left to the imagination by the time the credits role), or situations which continue to get more and more ridiculous as the movie wears on. Even the small roles, such as Mike Tyson's appearance to Ken Jeong's Asian mobster who thinks Alan being fat is hilarious, are spot on. There is nothing wrong with this movie at all. It is a perfect comedy and has set the bar very high for future comedies to reach.

1. PIXAR'S "UP"

Pixar has always gone above and beyond the typical children's animated movie storylines. This isn't just a movie about friendship and loyalty and discovering oneself. Yes, those traits are on display in this film but it also shows us very real, very adult topics such as the treatment of the elderly in today's society, the loss (read: death) of a loved one, the realization that all your dreams have not come true, the lack of parental love for a child, and the disappointment when you finally face your heroes. Pixar has created odd couples in the past that play off each other in memorable ways. Woody and Buzz give each other what they need to survive and move on to the next stage in life. Wall-E and Eve complete a union that not only helps save all humanity but also finds the actual meaning of their existence. In Up, Carl and Russell find each other broken and in pain and by the end of the film have given each other the pieces missing in their lives. It is a fantastic story amplified by a magnificent musical score that works hand in hand to take you from heartbreak to excitement to contentment in what might be the best movie of the year. Up is a perfect movie.

LEN ARCHIBALD

I won't rank "the best" – I can't do that subjectively. Sorry, that's how I roll. Quick shout out to Funny People, Drag Me to Hell, Orphan (who knew?), 500 Days of Summer and Cold Souls. In alphabetical order…

HONORABLE MENTIONS

District 9 - In any other year, this would be by far the smartest sci-fi flick (that goes to another great film on this list), but I think Rod Sterling is smiling thinking about this modern day Twighlight Zone-like tale of aliens, segregation and apartheid.

Public Enemies - It was not Michael Mann's or Johnny Depp's best effort – but when you're Michael Mann and Johnny Depp, even their worst day is still better than 95% of the stuff that's out now.

Up - Pixar is flawless. They're the only animation studio that can be mentioned in the same breath as Studio Ghibli and proved it again with a story marketed to kids where the lead character is a crotchety old man. That's that.

THE TOP 5

5. The Hangover

This was by far and away, the funniest film of the summer – perhaps the year – perhaps the past five years. I honestly went in a little apprehensive, thinking it was going to be more of a raunchy Will Farrell "stoopid" comedy, but I was off by a continent mile. Part mystery, part coming-of-age "morality tale" (if you want to take it that far) and part School of Zanuck gag-a-minute romp, Todd Phillips' film showed that Judd Apatow doesn't have the market cornered on the Rated-R comedy. It also made Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis (especially Zach Galifianakis) superstars…Deservedly so. Oh, Mike Tyson giving us his best Phil Collins=EPIC WIN.

4. The Hurt Locker

Katheryn Bigelow's magnum-opus. This may wind up getting some serious Oscar buzz, and I wouldn't be shocked (or disappointed) to see it walk away with some major golden hardware come award-season. Jeremy Renner's turn as a bomb-difuser in Iraq is one of the best performances so far this year. There is not a false note, an untrue moment or a need to "wake" the audience up. War may be a drug but this film might be the fix. Everyone should have seen this yesterday.

3. Inglorious Basterds

Tarantino gives Brad Pitt, Christopher Waltz and Melanie Laurent Oscar-caliber characters and dialogue and they make the most of it, generating the most fun - and most satisfying conclusion to a film this summer. Tarantino loves movies, movie characters, movie scores and movie dialogue and it shows. After a dose of this baby, I'm ready to go scalp some NATZI'S myself! Pure inspired and joyous filmmaking.

2. Moon

This is what is called "hard" science fiction – and it may be the hardest and best to come along in a good while. In fact, I will be so bold to say in 20 years, this will be mentioned with 2001: A Space Odyssey and Solaris as one of the all-time greats. It certainly took the best elements of those two sci-fi masterpieces (evolution of man vs. machine; understanding the meaning of "self") and ran with it to the end zone. Sam Rockwell showed Tom Hanks and Will Smith how to truly do a "one man show" and blew them out of the water. If this doesn't end up on everyone's "Best of 2009" list, I'll be a sad panda.

1. Ponyo

The greatest of today's animators once again showed why he's the best. Assembling a "who's who" of voice talent including Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson and Tina Fey, Hayao Miyazaki takes the literal story of a fish out of water and crams it with so much life, energy and magic that it's unfair to the rest of the creative world. Miyazaki already has Howl's Moving Castle, Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro as certifiable classic films…He has enough ideas in one movie to make five – AND kids or adults can enjoy it. I will shout about this film and Miyazaki until Jesus returns – which may be a long time depending on your outlook, but it will be worth it.

STEVE GUSTAFSON

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Star Trek - Put me on the same boat as the other people who were "Not-Star-Trek-Fans-but-now-are-because-of-the-movie". I'm still surprised how much I liked this film.

Up - It KILLS me not to have this in my Top 5. Pixar proves yet again that it take an idea that looks weak on paper and turns it into something magical.

Inglorious Basterds - Watching this made me wish QT was making more movies.

THE TOP 5

5. The Hangover

This comedy gave me the biggest laughs and it was like watching my life on the big screen. That alone gets it in the TOP 5. It also introduced the comedy gifts of one Zach Galifianakis to the masses, propelled Bradley Cooper into movie star status, and makes us wonder why we don't see Ed Helms in supporting roles more often. Plus, it helped soften Mike Tyson's image, made us look at Dr. Ken Jeong in a whole new light, and remind us, "... what happens in Vegas stays, in Vegas... Except herpes, that shit will come back with you."

4. Moon

I know this summer has caught some flak from moviegoers as being weak on entertaining offerings but I beg to differ. We had PLENTY to choose from. Take Moon. Sam Rockwell put on an acting clinic as Astronaut Sam Bell. Isolated for three years on the moon, he works alongside his computer, GERTY, sending back to Earth parcels of resources that has help curb our its power problems. This guy can't wait to get home and see his wife. But just as he sees the light at the end of the tunnel, that's when things get crazy. This movie is proof positive that you can make weighty science-fiction and still be hella entertaining.

3. The Hurt Locker

I've been trying to spread the word on this one. The best two words to describe this movie are relentless and intense. While using Iraq as it's location, this isn't a political drama filled with talking heads. This is straight dramatic action that keeps your eyes peeled to the screen the entire time. In the crazy chaos of war, Bravo company, a team of bomb technicians must come together in a place where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be a bomb. Jeremy Renner is a wonder to watch and you'll be blown away by the attention to detail all throughout the movie. SEE THIS FILM!

2. District 9

Do I need to write something here? Shouldn't this be obvious? District 9 flew in under the radar but it can be considered an industry changer. Introducing a new director, Neill Blomkamp, to the mix, he reminded us that you can make a great film for $30 million. This science-fiction flick had action, suspense, and a message! I'll be watching Mr. Blimkamp's career with great interest.

1. (500) Days of Summer

Before I continue, I want to admit that I originally was going to put Transformers 2 in this spot but that would be a pathetic and blatant attempt to rile up the faithful and good readers of 411mania. Plus, we ALL know Transformers 2 was the worst drivel to come out of 2009 and its numbers have been inflated worldwide. I don't think anyone would dispute that. Moving on...

Here's a movie 95% of you probably never saw. It had story. It had acting. It had heart. While a majority of films that came out this summer overloaded our senses, (500) Days of Summer didn't need gimmicks to keep the audience entertained. Joseph Gordon-Levitt proves he is a master thespian! He took a character that EASILY could have been unlikable, whiny, and annoying and made him into someone the whole audience could relate to.

Next week, we'll take a look at which Fall movies we're looking forward to the most. Tell then, feel free to follow me on Twitter and check out my personal blog at Night of the Living Trev. Have a great week.