The experts’ 3 Most Interesting 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 download The Messenger movie also one of the most rewarding, an insightful character study that’ll leave you moved.
- The Hangover. Not since ‘Borat’ have we laughed as hard (and constantly) as during ‘The Hangover,’ the rare laugher in which nearly every scene is hysterical. Sure, it made Bradley Cooper leading man material, but the real stars are breakout Zach Galifianakis — who steals every single scene he speaks in — and Ken Jeong’s (making stereotypes hilarious as Mr. Chow). Add in Ed Helms’ missing tooth and a Phil Collins-loving Mike Tyson, and that’s the formula for laughing till you cry. The Hangover 720p the biggest comedy of all time for a reason.
- Up in the Air. With three feature films now under his belt – ‘Thank You for Smoking,’ ‘Juno’ and now this instant classic — is there any doubt that 32-year-old Jason Reitman is one of Hollywood’s best directors? George Clooney somehow makes a corporate downsizer (topical!) lovable and magnetic in a superb lead turn (his best yet), while Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga kill as the distinctly powerful women who change his life. Up in the Air online is a near-perfect film that is at times bitingly funny, at other times heartrendingly sad — sort of like life, come to think of it.