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The ten best animated films of 2009

4 hours ago | blogs.suntimes.com/ebert | See recent Roger Ebert's Blog news »

True, the once neglected art of animation has undergone a rebirth in both artistry and popularity. Yet having escaped one blind alley, it seems headed into another one: The dumbing-down of stories out of preference for meaningless nonstop action. Classic animated features were models of three-act stories: Recall "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" or "The Lion King." The characters were embedded in stories that made sense and involved making decisions based on values. Now too many stories end in brain-numbing battles, often starring heroes the age of the younger audience members. Here is no food for growth and for the imagination, just brainless kinetic behavior.

The year saw more animated films intended instead for adults, and a film like "Waltz with Bashir" used the freedom of the form to show matters unthinkable in a live action feature. Several of these films were true crossovers, truly freed from the demographic vise. »

- Roger Ebert

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Relive the best of 2009's movies... in three minutes

12 hours ago | EW.com - PopWatch | See recent EW.com - PopWatch news »

Hats off to YouTube user Zack Young, who expertly edited this three-minute montage featuring clips from many of this year's most memorable (and not so memorable) movies. The video compilation, joyously set to Arcade Fire's "Wake Up," makes 2009 seem like a much stronger year in cinema that I personally think it was, but there's nothing wrong with looking on the bright side of things. I especially appreciated the inclusion of the year's excellent animated output, such as Fantastic Mr. Fox, Up, Ponyo, Coraline, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Only major exclusion in my mind: the absorbing baseball drama Sugar. »

- John Young

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Atomic Popcorn’s Top 10 Movies of 2009

25 December 2009 7:11 AM, PST | Atomic Popcorn | See recent Atomic Popcorn news »

So I would like to start this Top 10 list off with something I call the 5.. oh who am I kidding. Here are five films that, had I seen them, might have been in my Top 10 List for 2009.

1. Up in the Air – Had the chance to interview Reitman and due to family reasons was unable to do it. Also had a chance to see the film weeks in advance and couldn’t make it.

2. Fantastic Mr. Fox – this is a movie that I am sad I missed. Something special about this world that they have built, and something special about this all-star cast of actors. A truly special (-looking) film.

3. The Hurt Locker – I don’t know how many folks have said, “Watch this movie — it’s amazing!” Well, so far, I haven’t touched it. I have nothing against it, just matters of time and priority.

4. Up – I know, I know, »

- Matthew

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Crazy Heart

25 December 2009 5:00 AM, PST | The Scorecard Review | See recent Scorecard Review news »

Crazy Heart

Directed by: Scott Cooper

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall

Running Time: 1 hr 50 mins

Rating: R

Release Date: December 18th (limited)

Plot: An old country singer (Bridges) with a drinking problem tries to pull himself together with the help of a young lover (Gyllenhaal) and the support of those who have always loved his music.

Who’S It For?: Country music fans who crave another film about an entertainer washed up by his inner demons. Fans of Jeff Bridges will be satisfied watching him take on some serious drama, but they won’t be blown away.

Expectations: From one glance at the trailer, it appeared that Crazy Heart was about a country music legend who tries to get back in the songwriting saddle one last time. I expected Bridges to be more grizzled than usual in this emotional underdog story that would probably echo »

- Nick Allen

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John’s 10 Biggest Movie Surprises of 2009

24 December 2009 12:56 PM, PST | ReelLoop.com | See recent Reel Loop news »

I’ll be up front with you: the list you’re about to read wasn’t what I had in store for you. As I sat at my desk and prepared to crank out what would be another top ten list of 2009, I realized that I was utterly ill-equipped to do so. As many great films as I witnessed this year, I missed just as many that I’m sure I’d enjoy: A Serious Man. The Fantastic Mr. Fox. The Hurt Locker. The Brothers Bloom.

I know. Just thinking about it makes me sick. But I saw enough to be confident in saying that 2009 was an extremely good year for movies — from blockbusters to indie pictures, we’ve witnessed some great films and surprising debuts from unique filmmakers.

What follows isn’t a list of the “best” films of 2009, but instead is a list of the most surprising, excellent »

- John Cooper

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Moviefone's Top 50 Films of 2009

23 December 2009 1:02 PM, PST | Cinematical | See recent Cinematical news »

As we here at Cinematical have kept busy pumping out our Best of the Decade lists, as well as our unique, exotic and random end-of-the-year lists, our pals over at Moviefone locked themselves in a room and slaved over a list of what they deem to be the best 50 films of 2009. Looking over the list there aren't a whole ton of surprises, though I give credit to the person (or persons) who more than likely fought hard to get World's Greatest Dad on that list at number 38. You are a hero in my book.

Honestly, when I look at their top 10, I wouldn't mind it at all if these were the 10 films duking it out in the Best Picture category at the next Oscar ceremony. Of course there's no way in hell films like The Hangover will find their way onto that nomination list, but you never know. Their top »

- Erik Davis

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Henry Selick on the Pressures of 'Coraline'

23 December 2009 11:32 AM, PST | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »

By Steve Pond

In what has been a very good year for animated features, Henry Selick’s “Coraline” sometimes feels overlooked alongside the juggernaut that is “Up” and the new critics fave “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” But Selick’s dark, creepy and delightfully imaginative take on Neil Gaiman’s novel, the first animated film to be released in 2009, remains one of the year’s most favorably-reviewed films, and a heavy favorite to land one of the five slots in the expanded Oscar animation ballot.

Before “Coraline,” Selick was »

- Steve Pond

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Boos! & Whoop-doos!: 12 Months of Toilet Plunkers and Dumpster Diamonds!

23 December 2009 9:55 AM, PST | MovieWeb | See recent MovieWeb news »

The End of 2009? Whoop-doo! This year has been one hellatious shit storm from the get-go. Pregnant ladies and babies, The Great Depression Part II, pig flu, more than a handful of horrible shootings, a balloon boy, Tiger's indiscretions, and our first black president. Not to mention more dead celebrities than I can shake a stick at. Every time I turned around, some other atrocious calamity was happening right before my eyes. Making 2009 one of the most interesting years of this entire decade. According to Michael Ruppert in his film Collapse its only going to get worse before it gets better. Yes, the Teens are going to see more than half of your friends and family dead. Take account of the folks around you. By the time 2020 rears its ugly head, most of these people will be gone. Turned to dust and painful memories. My advice to you this coming New Year? »

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'Hurt Locker' Ok with Ok Critics

23 December 2009 9:46 AM, PST | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »

By Steve Pond

Finally, the Oklahoma Film Critics Circle has revealed its picks for the year.

In a list full of the expected names – “Hurt Locker,” Bigelow, Clooney, Streep, Waltz, Mo’Nique – one oddity stands out. “Fantastic Mr. Fox” wins the award for Best Animated Film, but on the “Best 10 Films of 2009” list, it comes in at number nine – two spots below “Up,” which last time I checked was also an animated film.

Best Film of 2009: 
"The Hurt Locker"

Best Director:&nb »

- Steve Pond

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Good Morning, Oscar: December 23

23 December 2009 9:24 AM, PST | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »

By Steve Pond

In this morning’s roundup of Oscar news ‘n’ notes from around the web, “The Hurt Locker” just keeps on winning, and James Cameron tries to coin a catchphrase.

The annual Village Voice poll of movie critics is out, and “The Hurt Locker” is on top. The rest of the top 10, in order, is “Summer Hours,” “A Serious Man,” “Inglourious Basterds,” “35 Shots of Rum,” “The Headless Woman,” “Police, Adjective,” “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “Two Lovers” and “Up. »

- Steve Pond

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More Top 10s: Film Comment, Village Voice, Cahiers du Cinéma

23 December 2009 1:02 AM, PST | AwardsDaily.com | See recent AwardsDaily news »

Thanks to cdmc, via forum posters Cédric and Cricket. Film Comment Top 10: The Hurt Locker – Kathryn Bigelow, U.S. The Headless Woman – Lucrecia Martel, Argentina/Spain/France/Italy Summer Hours – Olivier Assayas, »

- Ryan Adams

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Detroit, Chicago, Utah, Etcetera

22 December 2009 4:45 PM, PST | FilmExperience | See recent FilmExperience news »

In past years I have sort of enjoyed the slow trickle of critics organization announcements, but this year they all gushed through journalism's infrastructure so quickly I lost track immediately in the deluge. I'm also slightly suspicious that nobody cares this year (or am I projecting?) since it's about the fifth year in a row with a large degree of consensus. Some years consensus makes a great deal of sense. Others, not so much. Since this happens every year now, I think it's a sure sign that all we ever needed was a few big groups. I'm still a bit perplexed why all of these little groups don't merge to become something more awesomely super-sized.

But in case you do care (and because I have a photoshop problem) here's a few more chosen because these are cities or states where I've actually lived or visited frequently.

Chicago Film Critics

Picture »

- NATHANIEL R

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Golden Satellites Go For The Hurt Locker And Jeremy Renner

22 December 2009 6:47 AM, PST | cinemablend.com | See recent Cinema Blend news »

The Golden Satellite Awards aren't the most meaningful of the end-of-the-year awards-- they're voted on by the mysterious International Press Academy, which seems like a splinter group from the Hollywood Foreign Press-- but at least they're willing to shake up the status quo a bit. While giving the top prize to critical favorite The Hurt Locker, they also gave their top dramatic acting prizes to Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) and Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Stoning of Soraya M.), neither of whom have shown up too frequently in awards season. The Fantastic Mr. Fox also took home Best Animated Feature, and Nine won Best Picture, Comedy or Musical. THR posted the full list of movie winners, which you can see below. Is it a prediction of who will win at the Golden Globes next month? Nah. But it might be fun to pretend. Motion Pictures Actress in a motion picture, drama »

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Houston Film Critics Hail "The Hurt Locker" as Best Picture!

21 December 2009 9:56 PM, PST | Manny the Movie Guy | See recent Manny the Movie Guy news »

Yet more awards for Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker!" The Iraq-war drama scored high with the Houston Film Critics Society. Bigelow picked up the Best Director award and Barry Ackroyd for Best Cinematography.

The complete list of the winners of the Houston Film Critics Society Awards:

Best Picture: .The Hurt Locker.

Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, .The Hurt Locker.

Best Actor: George Clooney, .Up in the Air.

Best Actress: Carey Mulligan, .An Education.

Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, .Inglourious Basterds.

Best Supporting Actress: Anna Kendrick, .Up in the Air.

Best Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, .Up in the Air.

Best Animated Film: .Up.

Best Cinematography: Barry Ackroyd, .The Hurt Locker.

Best Documentary: .The Cove.

Best Foreign Film: .Sin Nombre.

Best Original Score: Michael Giacchino, .Up.

Best Original Song: .Petey.s Song. by Jarvis Cocker, Wes Anderson & Noah Baumbach,.The Fantastic Mr. Fox. »

- Manny

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Chicago Film Critics Awards 2009

21 December 2009 2:55 PM, PST | Alt Film Guide | See recent Alt Film Guide news »

2009 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2009 Chicago Film Critics winners: Dec. 21, 2009 ("*" denotes the winner in each category)   Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker (Jonathan Olley / Summit Entertainment)   Best Picture * The Hurt Locker Inglourious Basterds A Serious Man Up in the Air Where the Wild Things Are Best Foreign-language Film Broken Embraces Red Cliff Sin Nombre Summer Hours * The White Ribbon Best Documentary * Anvil!: The True Story of Anvil Capitalism: A Love Story The Cove Food, Inc. Tyson Best Animated Feature Coraline Fantastic Mr. Fox Ponyo The Princess and the Frog * Up Best Director * Kathryn Bigelow (-) The Hurt Locker Joel & Ethan [...] »

- Anna Robinson

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DVD update: When Oscar voters received these campaign screeners

21 December 2009 12:40 PM, PST | Gold Derby | See recent Gold Derby news »

The general membership of the motion-picture academy received these DVDs around these dates: Dec. 18 — "Crazy Heart," "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince," "The Princess and the Frog," "Broken Embraces," "The Last Station," "The White Ribbon," "It's Complicated" Dec. 15 — "Nine," "Fantastic Mr. Fox," "Monsters and Aliens" Dec. 12: "Me and Orson Welles," "Loss of a Teardrop Diamond" Dec. 11: "Invictus," "Star Trek," "The Lovely Bones," "Up in the Air," "Creation," "Inglourious Basterds," "The Road" Dec. 10: "Public Enemies," "It's Complicated," "This Is It," "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" Dec. 7: "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" Dec. 5: "Brothers" Dec. 4: "Capitalism: A Love Story," "The Men Who Stare at »

- tomoneil

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Best of the Decade #7: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

21 December 2009 10:20 AM, PST | FilmJunk | See recent FilmJunk news »

The #7 film on Film Junk’s list is a recent favorite, and as such is probably at a higher ranking than it would be had it come out years before. Regardless, I am very pleased that despite the gang’s split votes regarding the decade’s animation, Fantastic Mr. Fox has emerged as a consensus pick, allowing us one more chance to pimp this thing out while it is still in theaters. As the decade began, Wes Anderson was King Shit of Indie Mountain, coming off of the modest success of Bottle Rocket and the breakout of Rushmore. While The Royal Tenenbaums was still well loved, for others it opened the door to the criticisms that continued to dog the new auteur throughout the decade: a reliance on the same themes of rich kids with daddy issues, Futura, old LPs, and senseless character quirks. To make things worse, Wes was »

- Goon

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Synecdoche New York: The Film of 2009

21 December 2009 9:22 AM, PST | t5m.com | See recent t5m.com news »

Rather than hit up another top ten list of films from the last 12 months (mine would probably include The White Ribbon, A Prophet, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Milk, Fish Tank,  A Serious Man and Encounters at the End of the World amongst others) I instead decided to put one egg in one basket. Its a weird egg too so I must apologise. You know one of those ones with two yolks in it or a smaller egg? One of those that people might say is actually from 2008... you know?... one of them... Over the last 8 months I have seen Charlie Kaufman's almost unpronounceable first film as director, four times. I suppose its power the first time around was its comedy (yes it is in there) and its overwhelming ambition as a piece of film-making. In short at first glance I thought it was fascinating, exhausting and totally unique. Like forcing »

- Neil Innes

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'Hurt Locker' Leads Pack with Four Wins at 2009 Satellite Awards

21 December 2009 2:51 AM, PST | Rope of Silicon | See recent Rope Of Silicon news »

The winners of the 2009 Satellite Awards were announced and The Hurt Locker was again the big winner with four awards including Best Picture (Drama), Director for Kathryn Bigelow, Actor (Drama) for Jeremy Renner and Film Editing. Precious won for Supporting Actress (Mo'Nique) and Adapted Screenplay while Christoph Waltz continued to rack up Supporting Actor awards for his turn in Inglourious Basterds.

Perhaps most surprising to me is the continuous stream of victories for Meryl Streep in Julie and Julia, again, not because I didn't like her performance, but up until the critical awards began being announced Carey Mulligan in An Education was the clear front-runner. However, I am beginning to think the tide has turned and Streep's excellent turn as Julia Child may be able to take home the Oscar.

I have listed the complete batch of winners below, take a peek and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments. »

- Brad Brevet

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THR Critics’ Top 10 Films of 2009

20 December 2009 10:35 PM, PST | AwardsDaily.com | See recent AwardsDaily news »

via… THR Kirk Honeycutt The White Ribbon Up Precious The Hurt Locker District 9 Avatar The Cove In the Loop A Serious Man Up in the Air After the cut, »

- Ryan Adams

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2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

1-20 of 804 articles from 2009   « Prev | Next »

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