My Movie List: 2009 Edition - Part 1

I have been thinking about my favorite films lately. Especially with a plethora of good movies coming out this year and some already out thanks to this winter season. Films are clouding my thoughts as of late. Although I usually have a top movie list ready for a class or when a friend asks me. Well at least I did before my hard drive crashed. But at the end of the decade it seems important to get it down. Especially when it is so fresh on my mind.

I think at the end of every decade great movies come out, well at least this 09 (Watchmen!) looks promising and the last decade, 1999 (Matrix!), was amazing for film. I better get my top list in before 20 more films take the place of my current ones.

Get ready because this list is pretty intense. So as a film buff and pure film fan here it is:

Shawshank Redemption

This is a beautiful movie full of power and metaphors. I love a good tear-jerker and aside from being one of the best movies ever made in my eyes, I just cant stop quoting or watching this movie over and over.

Dumb and Dumber

Highly debatable, but I absolutely love this movie with its terribly funny and memorable scenes that are, oh so, unforgettable. Jim Carrey at his best (Comedy-wise) is all I can really say. This was also one the first DVDs I ever owned and I don’t regret it.

Cable Guy

This is such a great film. Panned by critics, but you know what? Fuck critics. I love this movie! Again Jim Carrey during his prime. If you were thinking of, Cable Guy the Stand-up comic, you Fucking suck.

The Passion of the Christ

This is an incredibly strong story from one single event in history. This has been a highly criticized movie for good and bad remarks, but I don’t care. No matter what happens I tear up every time when I see Jesus carry that cross. This pretty much marks the end for Mel Gibson's acting career (Say it aint so!).

Braveheart

Pretty dam good. I must say Mel Gibson knows what he is doing. This is like pre-passion. I felt for the Scottish the whole way through and of course it was a nice epic love story pieced together throughout the entire film (Piece by piece).

Payback

I had to add this movie. Aside from Braveheart this is my favorite Mel Gibson movie and I just love to Fucking watch it. It is so brutal and awesome. Best advice is to not watch the directors cut. This is also a remake, but like Hell if I am going to watch some old 60's-70's flick.

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

I get an amazing sensation throughout the whole movie to go kill some Mother Fuckers myself, but the real killer for me is in the dialogue (Dare I say just the stares they give) between the characters. Such intensity. This is a Clint Eastwood classic. Aged like a fine wine.

Pulp Fiction

Too dam good. What else is there to say about Tarantino’s best movie? Of course he has done several great films, but I personally prefer this one over all his others every time. And the dialogue, just too many to quote. “Describe what Marsellus Wallace looks like!” “It’s the one that says Bad Motherfucker on it.”

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

This is my epic movie of choice (Sorry Star Wars, your dead to me). Well-done and a long paced film. Without the other two I feel complete. When I saw this movie as a kid (Well teen) I had no idea what I was in store for and wanted more. Of course I was surprised by the trilogy and loved the finale. But nothing beats number one.

American Psycho

This is like a dream come true. Going inside the mind of an upper class psychopath. Well it should not be, but it was for me. Although the trailer put my off at first as it looked like a slow paced psycho film (Which it was). I guess I surprised myself to really like a sick film that is taken rather analytically and of course sexually. Plus Christian Bale just makes it too dam interesting to not watch.

Silence of the lambs

No complaints, I love this movie. Again I was scared at first but then slowly intrigued. “It rubs the lotion on its skin. It does this whenever it is told!” I really enjoyed every God dam scene. This is probably the only movie were I enjoyed Jodie Foster’s performance (Aside from Taxi).

Fight Club

This is too easy. Probably Brad Pitt and Edward Norton's finest film, but it is the crazy story that really gets to me. I was amazed by how much was put into the plot. I mean two characters as one is pretty fucking trippy when you really think about it. Plus I love the random fighting that, technically, did not help move the plot along (Awesome fillers though).

Seven

Ok I lied; this is probably Brad Pitt’s finest. And Morgan Freeman did so dam well. Hell Freeman practically pulled Pitt through the whole plot. I like to watch this movie with other people and just discuss it all night long. Aside from the ending, which seems to be aging (Or was it the lust sin scene?), this movie is exceptionally tasty.

Inside Man

Finally Spike Lee! I can finally find a movie of his that is fun to watch again and again. All the characters and especially Denzel's performance, this is an amazingly fun film to watch.

Training Day

Now this is Denzel's Fucking best. This cop drama is intense and the fact that it happens all in a day makes it even better. I really like every scene. No joke. Watch this movie if you have not yet.

The Sixth Sense

This was scary and delicious. This is just a great film even if you know the twist. Even if it launched a certain directors Night for an underwhelming film career. The dam ghosts still give me the creeps especially the psycho lady with the kitchen knife.

Akira

As an anime fan this is a classic. No jokes though it is really one of the best anime’s I have ever seen. This movie got me interested in the entire super powered over the top action oriented pop anime that has taken over the Internet into subbing frenzies. And did I mention an over the top Fucked up story about teens coming of age?

Oldboy

Amazing finale and the story is just so original. I was really amazed by the complexity of this film. It has been a long time since a twist really got to me in a movie (Sixth sense). Plus this is a Korean first for me and I had no issues with the culture differences. Also this is the second part to an amazing trilogy, but I think this one is the best. Oh yea, an American remake is probably on its way.

The Matrix

Even though the passion has died since I saw it, I love this movie. Before, part 2 and 3 killed 1 for me, I could not stop watching Neo fight some unstoppable agents. To some this is one of the best geek movies ever. And I just like watching great action scenes, which this movie has plenty of.

Pineapple Express

No question or doubt in my mind, this is a terribly funny and well put together comedy. I was more impressed by how the story played out though. If you can skip the shitty black and white opening (Thank God for DVDs), this movie is funny from point A to point B.

Tropic Thunder

Great comedy. Hands down Ben Stiller can still do his shit. I love this film. So much goes on in this movie of a movie and of course the trailers in the beginning. A must see.

Zoolander

This is the film that practically made Stiller his own. Technically a parody on the model world, but I like to think this movie just loves to poke fun of the glamor that is Hollywood. "Orange Mocha Frappachinos!"

Meet the Parents

This is the romantic comedy to see with your girlfriend. Hell, see it with your family or by yourself and you will still laugh. It gets me every time how Stiller's girlfriends family pronounces his name, Focker, so suggestively.

There's Something About Mary
I was surprised to hear that some people did not like this film. Even more surprised to know the people that did Dumb and Dumber (Farrelly) made this (Shocked and pleased at the same time). This is Diaz's best movie in my opinion. I might be a sheep in a kettle for liking this film, but by God I am a black sheep (Good movie too).

Leon The Professional

Well shit, some movies age well. Tis’ the season to kick some ass. This movie kicks so much ass for the underdog. What’s not to like? Great setting and interesting friendship between Leon, the assassin, and the girl (Natalie Portman, kid version). All around this is just a great film to watch from beginning to end (I say that a lot).

American History X

I almost wish this whole movie were in black and white. It was really artsy and yet so dramatically deep. I felt like I was watching the truth unfold from a long metaphorical poem. A great intense film with Edward Norton at his best, no joke.

Heat

Talk about intense. This film has a great balance in characters and scenes. Even the colors crawl like paint on a canvas. And who can forget the epic shootout (Used in GTA so many times)! This is the movie for me. Technically it was my favorite for a long time and it always will be, but I like too many films.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

I laughed hard every time. OK I lied, I still laugh. This movie just kicks comedy in the ass. Before our decade could act stupid with low-grade humor, this is where our roots came from. All hail the shrubbery!

Gladiator

Action, love, betrayal! An unexpected epic of action. I love watching this film, it is so sweet. Although the director's cut yet again killed it for me. But back to the original theatrical version for the best taste of violence.

Amistad

Am-a what? It is true not many have heard or like this movie (At least the people I ask). Amistad is my historical film to love. With the actor from Gladiator (Djimon Hounsou) playing what he does best (End slave joke here). This was an unexpected tearjerker. But being as historical as it is, you must connect with the story to really love it because there is a hidden love for the story and the characters. And hey Anthony Hopkins acts his ass off for such little screen persuasion (aka Screen time).

Jurassic Park

Most love Spielberg for Jaws, but I was alive for the Dinosaurs. A fun filled action flick. The first time I saw this I swear I did not blink once. Every time I see it now, I feel like the movie goes by way too quick. God this is a great movie. Its like Jaws on an island and instead of a mechanical shark we get CGI dinosaurs!

Mission: Impossible

This is where Tom Cruise hits home and spy movies are just fun to watch. Even though 007 has the money on spy films, I always like this first film of unprecedented sequels. Although number 2 was sick, nothing beats a trilogy like number 1.

Speed

Neo! Well whats his name, Jack (I had to look that up)? Easily one of the best rental films ever and a basic concept taken to extraordinary lengths. My favorite scene would have to be the part when his partner (Jeff Daniels) just closes his eyes to his impending death.

Ghost in the shell

This anime film blew me away. Before the Matrix, people had this and it is so deep. I feel like I am in another world while watching this. If you like sci-fi and have never seen this then you are missing out. The animation quality is superb as well the incredibly story. Although I would just ignore the sequels and series to a lesser extent.

Fargo

Hell, speaking of another world, this movie takes me out to a snowy wasteland. I actually prefer this one over, No Country for Old Men, that the duo Joel and Ethan directors did. I just connect with the characters more and the ending is delicious. Plus I saw Fargo after No Country ( I was doomed from the start).

Amadeus

Thank you college! I got something out of all those useless GE classes. I saw this in my art class and it was an instant hit. It even popped up in another class as I analyzed film. This is another historical film, about the classical composer and pianist Mozart, with fiction of course mixed in. This is musically the best film you can watch without going and seeing a musical. A personal best for quality and it is aging well.

Daft Punk: Interstella 5555

Ever do LSD? No need. Watch this musical film and embrace. No joke this is seriously a good film to watch. It brought 2 of my favorite worlds together anime and trance.

The 40 year old virgin

Too funny for words to describe. Initially the box art through me off, but it took an interview from the lead (Steve Carell) with David Letterman to entice me. Several scenes are instant internet classics and Seth Rogan, where the Hell did he come from?

Requiem for a Dream

Personally I could do without this film, me being into drugs an all, but that is just how powerful it is. It is hard not to get sucked into this movies world. Highly likable characters and a sick plot full of drugs, sex, betrayal, ahhh! Great film.

The Fountain

Some felt that this film did not live up to director Aronofsky's (Requiem) vision. Others simply did not get this movie. Well I did. I even remember when I saw it, my first break while working at the movie theaters during my first year of college. I hated the job, but loved the movie. It is a bittersweet symbol of love, life, and freedom.

The Boiler Room

Not too shabby for first time director Younger (Appropriate name). I also saw this in class during my High School years. Loved it and bought the DVD the same year. A hidden gem for those who like Glengarry but did not really get it.

Terminator 2

Probably my favorite Arnold flick, although Predator and Kindergarden Cop kick ass! But this movie that spans a triligoy plus so much more media is worthy of a top list. But T2 is ultimately the best one full of limited effects and maximum action.

Superbad

The most fun I have had laughing about a high school flick in a long time. The duo (Hill, Cera) do their best to entertain and try to dine in the pleasures of women and parties. I knew this was going to be good just from the 70's styled intro. At least I think it was 70s'.

Starship Troopers

Oh how could I forget this tragic love story of alien warfare and heroism learned from a future football game. I even met, well saw Casper Van Dien, the lead actor in this movie up at Wondercon. He looked exactly like he did 10 years ago (13?) when the movie came out. If movie magic does not count for something, I don't know how these people stay and look the same for such a long life span. Anyways... This is a fun sci-fi action movie with a bitter sweet love story wrapped up in it. Do not miss this one.

Gattaca

Finally I could not forget this movie. Taught in schools for the future of genetics, cloning, etc. Just a really interesting and thought provoking film. Worth a watch and discussion.

Honorable Mention: Rush Hour 1 and 2, The Mummy, Stargate, Star Wars 4-6, City of God, Friday, Predator, Frequency, Into The Wild, Team America, Bowfinger, and Minority Report.
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This is the end of Part 1. I will put up part 2 real soon. The focus of part 2 will be on a current list of movies that are still good, but not instant classics to me yet.

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- Peace