Top Five Films Of 2009

Elizabeth Haley counts down her favorite films of 2009

By: Elizabeth Haley

Posted: 2/5/10

In a year filled with changes and overwhelming uncertainty many found comfort in escaping for a few hours in a movie theater. Traveling though various worlds of fantasy found on the big screen is one of my favorite pastimes. Over the course of 2009, I went to see many movies. Some good, so not so good, and some so excellent I feel the need to share them.

I have compiled a list of my top five best films of 2009 based strictly on my personal opinion. I rarely read reviews and if do, I read them after I see a movie. It is just a little strategy so I can make up my own mind about something I have seen and not have my opinion clouded by what Roger Ebert has to say. I do however pay close attention to hype about upcoming movies from various magazine articles and blogs. I often choose to see a movie based on who is starring in it, as well.

The top movies I have chosen for this year are all fairly different, but at the same time share common themes of love, friendship, trust, and freedom. For the most part they are character focused movies. Each film left me feeling good and more informed about the way human beings interact and make important decisions in life. At the risk of sounding cornier than I already do, I feel I learned a great deal from these five movies released in 2009.

That said, here are my top five best films of 2009.

5. "Nine"
Directed by Rob Marshall, "Nine" is a truly beautiful movie-musical, with a cast that rivals the Best Picture of 2006, "The Departed". "Nine" is filled to the brim with big and talented movie stars: Daniel Day Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Sofia Loren, and Fergie. I was sucked into this movie from the very beginning. The film takes place in early 1960's Italy and follows a very famous director (Lewis) on the verge of creating a highly publicized production, delving into his dramatic relationships with the women in his life. The storyline is entertaining and the musical numbers outrageous. The scenery and the costuming are stunning. "Nine" is one of the best musicals I have ever seen.

4. "Adventureland"
This film came out in April of 2009 and I liked it so much, I actually saw it twice in theaters. It pays homage to the 1980's in a way that does not mock that era, but makes me want to go back in time and live in it. It also harkens back to all the great 80's movies I watched when I was little. "Adventureland" takes place during the summer of 1987 and follows a recent college graduate (Jesse Eisenberg) who is forced to take a job at a local, crappy amusement park, a job that gives him the best summer of his life. This film is funny in a quick-witted sort of way. It also stars Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Kristen Wiig, and Bill Hader. The music is also really good in this movie. The fantastic soundtrack includes David Bowie, The Cure, The Replacements and Lou Reed.

3. (500) Days of Summer
"(500) Days of Summer" is an off-beat romantic comedy starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zoe Deschanel. I love this movie. It goes into totally uncharted territory when it comes to "love story" type films. It is a story about a woman, Summer, who does not believe in true love and a man, Tom, who truly does. Tom falls for Summer. Summer doesn't fall for Tom. It sounds depressing, but it is actually quite uplifting, sweet and funny. Another interesting part of this film is that the story is not in chronological format. This movie takes place in present day L.A., so the setting is beautiful. The wardrobe in this movie is great as is the music. The soundtrack features The Smiths, Regina Spektor, and Feist, among others. "(500) Days of Summer" had me contemplating love and relationships for a good week after I saw it and I think that is a good thing.

2. "The Hangover"
I have confession; I saw this movie three times in theaters this past summer. I think this movie is really hilarious and original. "The Hangover" is the perfect comedy, in my opinion. So much crazy stuff happens in this movie thatI am not going to bother summarizing it. The cast is incredible in this film. It just won the Golden Globe for best comedy/or musical of the year, as well. If you want to improve your overall wellbeing please do yourself a favor and rent it.

1. "Up in the Air"
"Up in the Air" starring George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick is the best movie of 2009. This movie is really incredible. George Clooney is beyond charming as a man who travels across the country firing people for a living while formulating his personal philosophy about life. He prides himself on having no home base or baggage, and then his world is turned upside-down when new technology, introduced by a young colleague (Kendrick), grounds him. Clooney's character is determined to prove the errors of the new technology and becomes responsible for training a na've colleague on the ways of the "firing business." The duo takes to the air and while traveling, Kendrick discovers more about the realities of the job and Clooney more about his lifestyle issues. This film is smart, witty, honest, and, like Clooney, very charming. "Up in the Air" encouraged me to question my own philosophy about life. Leaving a movie theater able to apply the fantasy to my own reality comprises an excellent film, in my opinion.