AVATAR—James Cameron’s brilliantly mounted sci-fi fantasy
is a masterful use of 3-D. Despite the script’s sometimes uneasy mix of juvenilia and metaphysics 101, it’s also
an undeniably visionary and substantial cinematic achievement to be reckoned with.
CORALINE—in a year of great animated films, a real work of art.
EVERY LITTLE STEP--the rehearsal and casting process for the 30th Anniversary Broadway revival of A CHORUS
LINE is a must-see for both movie and theater lovers; dense, revelatory, thrilling, and the best documentary of the year.
THE HURT LOCKER—Astonishingly-directed and photographed Iraq war drama transports the viewer front and
center to the conflict, bringing new meaning to the phrase "war is hell".
THE INFORMANT! A comic masterpiece of tone near-perfectly directed, written and acted; and one of the most original
whistleblower movies ever made.
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS—unfettered, creative, revisionist movie history; a colorful, witty, dramatic, breathtaking
WW2 Nazi fantasia offering catharsis, great storytelling and a sensational script with superb dialogue. (If you ever wanted
to make a case for righteous revenge, this stunning movie does it like no other).
ME AND ORSON WELLES—The most enjoyable movie of the year. Author Robert Kaplow described it best: "a romantic
comedy about the way we are both hurt and exhilarated by our attempts to create art."
PRECIOUS—Searing, unforgettable urban drama is the year’s most viscerally affecting release. Arguably
messy racial mise-en-scene is mitigated by transcendent acting and direction.
THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG—The return of hand-drawn animation and a great movie musical.
THE ROAD—Absorbing, nightmarish , futuristic fable about Survival. (Post-viewing: go home, turn on your
kitchen sink faucet, and you’ll have a new appreciation for the concept of running water).
A SERIOUS MAN—Quintessential Coen Brothers in total command of their art.
A SINGLE MAN—Tom Ford’s observant, poetic fable about loss glows with a career-defining performance
by Colin Firth.
STAR TREK—Exceptional and vastly entertaining synthesis of the "Star Trek" franchise, reconfigured and
re-energized for yet another generation. Note perfect prequel. Note-perfect "Star Trek".
12—Rigorous, compelling and authoritative Russian version of "12 Angry Men".
UP—Pixar’s best to date (and that’s saying a lot).
WATCHMEN--a fascinating achievement
—arguably a better event than a movie. Violent, sprawling, numbing, sexual, captivating, memorable,
and…that rarity: epic, expensive—and, though poised for commercial consumption—utterly uncompromised in
its vision.
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE—Dark and imaginatively rendered classic which (optimistically) presences the
plight (and angst) of the 21st Century child.
© 2009 Tim Sika/Celluloid Dreams
