Worst Films of 2009
10. Where The Wild Things Are - A surprise choice? Not really this has to be the most overrated film of 2009, most of the critics lauded how great it was, but in reality it was a slow, dull film adapted from a 14 page book turned in to a sub-2 hour movie where nothing really happens, then on top of that they remove the 2 best parts of the book (The bedroom becoming the forrest and the Sea Monster), then market the film to Children despite it being aimed at adults?
9. Surrogates - Not Bruce Willis's finest hour. A drawn out experience that doesn't know whether it's an action film or social commentary.
8. Gamer - Again another film that thinks it's cleverer than it actually is.
7. Sorority Row - Out of all the teen stalk and slash movies, this came top of the pile and that's no mean feat as there were plenty of candidates.
6. 12 Rounds - Former WWE Champion John Cena got another chance after the equally appalling The Marine and continues his dominance of being out acted by a plank of wood.
5. 2012 - Never has a disaster movie been such an actual disaster. Far, far too long, painful to watch, dialoge to make you cringe and action sequences that make a James Bond film look like a true life documentary (A trainee pilot pulling off moves that the Red Arrows would be in awe of anyone?).
4. Fast & Furious - The fourth part of the series had high hopes after the original cast agreed to return, however a beyond stupid plot and very ropey effects added up to one of the biggest disappointments.
3. Knowing - For the second year in a row Nicolas Cage proves that he is a truly awful actor blessed with being able to pick the worst films. Brilliant idea, execution beyond awful.
2. Bride Wars - Rom-coms are generally hit and miss, but this film starring the usually dependable Anne Hathaway was incredibly bad, maybe more because of Kate Hudson, but this was devoid of comedy, good humour and that feel good factor that is required. Came very close to being number 1 worst, however...
1. Year One - walked away with the title of worst film of the year, with Jack Black and Michael Cera doing there best to outdo each other in the worst actor in the worst film stakes. From the moment Jack Black picks up and eats some dung you realise that this is a sign of what the film actually is. Beyond terrible and avoid at ALL costs...
Best Films of 2009
10. Zombieland - The best Zombie comedy since Shaun of the Dead, featuring cameo of the year from Bill Murray, this is unmissable.
9. Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs - A brilliant year for 3-D CGi movies adn just about edges out UP and Monsters Vs. Aliens, which really should all share this spot, however Meatballs stands out due to casting excellence on the voice cast (Mr.T, Neil Patrick Harris & James Caan in particular) and creativity. Where the Wild Things are could have learned a lot from this on how to convert a classic childrens book into a brilliant film.
8. The Hangover - Simply the finest comedy of the year, featuring the second best cameo of the year (Mike Tyson) and some brilliant set pieces. Hilarious, it's like an adult American Pie (The first one)
7. District 9 - Almost the Sci Fi movie of the year, but still an essential film to watch, Peter 'Lord of the Rings' Jackson produces and gives the directorial reigns to a new director who he was going to get to direct the Halo movie until it fell through. Glad it did as this is one of the most intelligent and exciting films of the year.
6. Star Trek - Star Trek is back and given an overhaul by Lost's JJ Abram to simply amazing effect. There's enough of the old in there to keep the die hard Trekkers or Trekkies (Depending on your preference)happy. Amazing outer space effects and clever plot device to allow the new look Star Trek to (Boldly) go in whatever direction they choose. Great cast too.
5. Avatar - Quite simply the biggest movie of all time, utterly stunning 3-D and sets a whole new bench mark on how things should be done. at a bum busting 3 hours, the 3-d may be hard for some to take, but this is absolutely essential viewing. The Future of 3-D movies is here.
4. Let The Right One In - Forget Twilight, you want to see a proper Vampire film with kids, scares and gore, plus a cracking cast and script? Well here it is. Let the Right One is simply chilling and brilliant.
3. Frost/Nixon - A Tour De Force of acting masterclass from Michael Sheen and Frank Langella. Directed by Ron Howard about one of the turning points in TV History. Unmissable and edge of your seat viewing.
2. Moon - A simple premise, directed by the son of David Bowie and featuring 2 actors of which only 1 you see. Sounds a bit odd? Possibly boring? Well you'd be wrong as this is one of the most fascinating movies of the year featuring Sam Rockwell , who surely will knocking on Oscars door come March time. If you are looking for something a bit different from your usual Sci-fi blockbuster, try this you won't regret it.
1. The Wrestler - Mickey Rourke was robbed of the Oscar earlier this year for his performance in Screen One's film of the year for 2009. Gripping, heartbreaking and pretty acurate portayal of Randy 'The Ram' Robinson as a broken down, washed up wrestler looking for one more chance with both his career and his daughter. Gets down and dirty with the sometimes seedy world of the independent wrestler and thier life on the road. Stunning brilliance from evceryone involved, especially Rourke who puts in the performance of a lifetiome to make this simply brilliant and the best thing to hit the big screen in 2009.
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Also, while not fitting into either category of being exceptionally bad or good there is one film I would recommend from the 'Guilty Pleasure' file and that would have to be Escape To Witch Mountain. While it's not about to win any Oscars anytime soon, Witch Mountain manages to be a throwback style of kids adventure film from Disney, which we haven't seen in years. Much of this is down to the presence of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, who is well suited to this kind of family action movie, featuring thrills, effects, broad comedy and an exciting story. Make sure you check it out at some point.
Coming in 2010
2010 seems to be a big year in terms of action movies and sequels with a lot to look out for this year. In the action stakes you have two of the most anticipated films of the last few years in the shape of The A-Team and the Expendables. The A-Team needs no introduction really and features Liam Neeson in the role of Hannibal and the UFC's Quniton Rampage Jackson as B.A. Then there is Sylvester Stallone's The Expendables featuring a veritable whose, who of the action world. With Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Dolph Lungdren, Bruce Willis & even the Governator himself Arnold Schwarzenegger this is adding up to be a huge movie. Also, worth looking out for on the action fronts will be Kick Ass and Green Zone which are both due out soon.
On the sequels front you have Iron Man 2 featuring Mickey Rourke as Whiplash and Scarlett Johansson as Black Cat. Also the world awaits Toy Story 3(-D) as Woody and Buzz hit the big screen one more time in 3-D along with Shrek 4 or Shrek Forever After to give it, it's proper title. Then the first part of the final part of Harry Potter with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Prt 1due. Finally a blast from the past receives a long overdue sequel also in 3-D, Tron. Or Tron Legacy to be exact. Wall Street gets a sequel and so does Sex & the City.
Robin Hood returns in the shape of Russell Crowe and the sword and sandals get s dust off with several movies including Prince of Persia (Adapted form the console games), Centurion and The Eagle of the Ninth. Finally it's worth keeping an eye out for Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (3-D), Precious, The Next installment of the Twilight Saga in Eclipse and the next film from The Dark Knight's Christopher Nolan Inception.
In the next edition, we will expand on some of these films and take a close look at the Top 10 Films to get Excitable about in 2010.
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