The 3 Best Movies of 2009
Here are the 3 best movies of 2009 that got our adrenaline pumping and the dynamite exploding. We love good movies and have seen hundreds in our time.
- The Messenger. You know that gut-wrenching moment in any war-related film where a mother or father or wife opens the door to find two military men on the doorstep, and their presence alone signifies that inconceivable tragedy? Oren Moverman’s powerful debut is full of them — making this drama starring Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson (in career-best performances) one of the year’s hardest films to watch. But The Messenger movie also one of the most rewarding, an insightful character study that’ll leave you moved.
- The Cove. Widespread love for dolphins dates back to the days of ‘Flipper,’ and comes full circle with this expose of their mass slaughter occurring in Japan (some 23,000 are killed a year), download The Cove the best documentary of the year. Louie Psihoyos’ doc is equal parts thrilling and heartbreaking — he crafts a mission to uncover the slaughter as a full-on caper; the film then climaxes with one of the most devastating (and disturbing) scenes ever committed to non-fiction filmmaking.
- Up. Everyone knew Pixar’s latest was going to be good (it’s Pixar, duh!), but nothing about “an old man attaches balloons to his house and flies away” prepared us for the heartbreaking sadness, the meltingly tender love story, the wondrous journey and the irrepressible sense of fun that permeated this truly exquisite film. It’s no small thing to say this, but Up the movie might just be the best movie Pixar’s ever made.