Top 20 Movies of 2009

So we now reach the end of my Best of 2009 lists, finishing with my favorite medium, movies. Going to school, it's tougher for me to see as many movies as I would like. There is only one theater near my school and it sucks; we're talking a 4 screen theater attached to a mall, that seems to mostly screen family films and mindless mainstream horror movies. Needless to say, most of the movies on my list were ones I caught in the second half of the year, either on DVD or in theaters when I was visiting home. There were some really terrific movies this year. My top 3 are pretty much interchangeable, with me loving each an equal amount, but for different reasons. With that being said, let's get to it.

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20. The Road



The Road is a powerful film. It's depressing as all hell, but powerful nonetheless. I'll admit up front that I haven't read Cormac McCarthy's widely acclaimed novel on which the movie is based, but based on what I've heard about it, I think the movie gets across the main ideas of the story. It's hard to really recommend the movie to everyone, because it's such a draining, dismal experience both emotionally and visually. The wasteland that the two main characters (simply named Man and Boy) make their way through over the course of the film is stunning in it's dreariness. The sky is constantly filled with dark, smog-like clouds and the ground is constantly littered with all sorts of debris. The most noteable thing in this movie, and the thing that makes it all worthwhile, is the relationship between Man and Boy, a really touching father/son relationship that is fully realized with a great performance by Viggo Mortensen. It's definitely a downer for the most part, but still worth checking out.

19. Zombieland



The perfect antidote to The Road in terms of movies set in a post-apocalyptic world. This movie is an absolute blast with nearly every scene having laugh-out-loud lines and great action set-pieces. I'll admit, I was a bit leary of Zombieland when I first saw the trailer. It didn't look bad per se, but I could only think that after Shaun of the Dead, another zombie comedy would just be pointless. I was happy to be proved wrong, as this movie definitely has it's own sharp sense of humor. The world that the movie creates is a very clever one, with Jesse Eisenberg acting as our link to it, constantly there to explain the rules of survival. Woody Harrelson is also really strong in the movie, looking like he's having a ball as the redneck, zombie killing machine known as Tallahassee. However, the film keeps him from being a cartoon by giving him a lot of charisma and even a good dramatic moment late in the film. The movie also has one of the best cameos of all time, which shouldn't be spoiled in order to truly enjoy it.

18. World's Greatest Dad



It's really hard to talk about this movie without spoiling a pretty big surprise that happens fairly early on in the movie. All I'll say is that it's a very smart, very dark comedy that is a great satire on how tragedy can manipulate everyone's perception of a person. Robin Williams is at his best in this movie. I've always liked him most when he downplays his persona, going more for the quiet, beaten-down man, rather than the overgrown child he tends to frequently play, and the performance he gives in this movie is very subtle, but also full of depth.

17. Observe and Report



I already touched upon in my mention of Eastbound & Down how much I appreciate Jody Hill's dark, cynical sense of humor. His style is fully realized in Observe and Report. The film had the misfortune of being released shortly after Paul Blart: Mall Cop, a movie with a similar premise on the surface, but couldn't be more different. What we're treated to here is a pitch-black look at how a troubled man can misinterpret the American dream. Ronnie Barnhardt is an interesting character; he takes his job as head of mall security much too seriously, to the point that it causes physical harm to others. Seth Rogen's portrayal of him is wonderful in that Rogen isn't afraid to make the character completely despicable, yet still giving him a sympathetic side.

16. Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs



2009 was an amazing year for animated films. People finally started figuring out what Pixar does right and found out how to make an animated film that both children and adults can enjoy, without making blatant, tongue-in-cheek pop culture references. Based on the trailer, I didn't think that this movie has much to offer, but upon actually seeing it, I was pleased to find an extremely funny and overall fun movie. Bill Hader finally gets a lead role (albeit in animated form) as Flint Lockwood, who immediately becomes one of the best geek characters in recent memory. The movie uses the often seen story of a character who can't relate to his father, but this movie does it in a very refreshing, and actually touching way. The animation is also really solid, going less for the more realistic style and just going for pure cartoon, which becomes a treat for the eyes. Also, Neil Patrick Harris does the voice of Flint's assistant monkey, Steve, who just needs to be seen to be fully appreciated.

15. Paranormal Activity



2009 was also a great year for horror. There were a few shining examples of what has been missing in horror films lately. With Paranormal Activity, it's an example of a horror film actually being scary. Granted, the movie seems to divide people in their reaction to it, but I found it terrifying. The movie does so much with so little, wringing tension from the simplest of scenes. Everytime the repeated night-vision shot of Katie & Micah lying in bed came up, my stomach immediately went into knots, waiting to see what would happen next. The film is a slow burn, slowly upping the stakes until it almost becomes unbearable at the end. Aside from this, the film works because the two leads have such strong chemistry. It's really hard not to sympathize with Katie. Katie Featherson gives so much sweetness and fear in her performance that your heart really breaks for her as you witness her slow mental and physical torture and realize her inevitable fate.

14. Drag Me To Hell



This is an example of how horror can be fun. Sam Raimi proves he still has it by making one of the most insane, fun horror movies of all time. We're given the relatively simple set-up of a girl being cursed by a gypsy and Raimi just lets loose for the next hour and a half. Despite having a PG-13, the movie has some genuinely gross moments. All sorts of fluids end up being sprayed on the heroine, usually in her mouth. Raimi isn't afraid to take things to a silly place; the movie features an anvil being dropped on a someone's head and a talking goat, but it just works in it's sheer ridiculousness. Alison Lohman does a good job in the leading role of Christnie, making you care about what she's going through, and Justin Long actually does an admirable job of what is usually the thankless boyfriend role. Overall, if you're willing to embrace the lunacy, it's a hell of a fun time.

13. The Hurt Locker



The Hurt Locker is the movie I've seen most recently (as in last night), so it's hard to fairly assess it with such little retrospect. However, upon initial viewing, it's safe to say it's one of the most intense movies I've ever seen in my life. It follows a group of soldiers in Baghdad, whose job it is to defuse roadside bombs. The group is led by Sgt. Will James, brilliantly played by Jeremy Renner, who does his work in such a reckless fashion that for a good deal of the movie, I just want to yell at him "Be careful, dammit!". Director Kathryn Bigelow does a wonderful job of displaying just how dangerous the job these men do every day is. Among the tense set pieces though is a good look at how the dedication these men give to their job affects their normal lives. The final moments of the film with Sgt. James are very haunting and say a lot by saying very little.

12. Star Trek



I'm not a huge Star Trek fan. I haven't seen a single episode of any of the series and haven't seen one of the movies. My only knowledge of the universe and characters are through pop culture references and bits of information from my roommate. So the fact that I enjoyed this movie as much as I did speaks volume for how well it works and what a phenomenal job J.J. Abrams does. This is, simply put, Star Trek for beginners. You're able to learn about all of the essential characters and really feel for them. There are some really great action scenes, a lot of emotion, tons of genuinely funny moments and a wonderful cast. My only complaint...not enough Simon Pegg.

11. Fantastic Mr. Fox



This was quite the pleasant surprise. I'm a fan of Wes Anderson, but I know his style can be offputting to others, and even I'll attest to the fact that the trailer left a lot of questions to the quality of the movie. So I was very pleased to find that this movie was nothing but pure charm. Charming is really the best way to describe the movie; from the hand-crafted feel of the stop-motion animation to the very subtle voicework to the extremely dry sense of humor, the movie just won me over. I loved spending time with all of these characters. I'd love to see them in future adventures. It's just a case of an already talented director maintaining his trademark style while reaching out to a wider audience.

10. Up



It's Pixar. What else can you say? They are inarguably the masters of animation right now and don't seem to be losing that title anytime soon. They manage to keep challenging themselves narratively as well. With WALL-E, they made their protagonist a robot, now it's a cranky old man; not exactly the best draw for people. But Pixar makes it work. The opening 10 minutes are some of their best work ever. If you don't get a bit choked up throughout this movie, you may not have a soul.

9. Trick 'r Treat



By far, one of the best horror movies I've ever seen. It was horribly mistreated by Warner Brothers, having been finished about 3 years ago, constantly being pushed back, only to eventually be dumped straight-to-DVD. But the wait was definitely worth it. The final result is a brilliant mix of Halloween and Pulp Fiction, presenting four interweaving stories all taking place on Halloween night and dealing with the rules of Halloween. The movie manages to be both creepy and fun. It also gives one of the best portrayals of the holiday on film. The less known about this film before going in, the better, so I'll just say that if you miss creative horror, give Trick 'r Treat a watch.

8. I Love You, Man



Probably the funniest movie of last year, in my opinion. Paul Rudd and Jason Segel work together perfectly and all of the supporting cast has something to offer. Overall, the movie had a very relatable theme for me. For some people, like me and Paul Rudd's character, it's simply difficult to try and make male friends. Rudd perfectly displays the awkwardness of trying to socialize with people and it leads to moments both hilarious and cringe-inducing. Among anything else, it's simply just a funny movie.

7. Funny People



My love for the work of Judd Apatow is no secret. Since Freaks and Geeks, I've really connected with his stories and characters. Funny People is a step in a different direction compared to his past work and the result is his most mature work. The performances are really strong. Adam Sandler gives his best work to date, completely dissecting his past career and Seth Rogen shows a subtle new side to his usual on-screen persona. There have been many complaints about the structure of the film and it's 2 and a half hour length, specifically on the detour the film makes in it's final third, but I think it works. Apatow and the cast create such strong characters that I was willing to spend as much as time as possible with all of them.

6. Coraline



The biggest surprise of last year for me. I was expecting a lightweight animated movie, but was treated to a film that was thrilling, frightening, funny, enchanting and honest. The character of Coraline is one of the truest portrayals of a kid in a movie since Monster House. She acts like a real kid, from the way she gets frustated with her parents to the way she acts when she's alone, trying to keep herself entertained. The best part of this movie, however, is the gorgeous visual style brought to life by Henry Selick. The stop-motion animation works perfectly and all of the sets have a wonderful depth to them. I was also surprised at how effective the scary moments in this movie are. It doesn't disrespect children by making things light; the stakes Coraline faces are real and you are right there with her in her fear and sense of wonder.

5. Adventureland



This is one that grew on me over time. I enjoyed it upon first viewing, but it wasn't until thinking back on it and then eventually seeing it again where I realized what a strong movie it actually is. It's a wonderful comedy-drama where the emotions the characters are going through translate really well to the viewer. Jesse Eisenberg continues his line of solid work as the shy, nervous James, Kristen Stewart takes a step-up from those other movies by playing a flawed, deeply troubled girl and Martin Starr does solid work as James' bitter friend at the titular amusement park. If I had to find any comparison, it would be with that of the late, great John Hughes; that is, a movie that portrays teenagers in an honest light by making their stories equal in humor, humiliation and heart.

4. District 9



District 9 gave me hope. It's proof that there are still new filmmakers out there with original ideas and a unique vision. Neill Blomkamp managed to make a truly stunning debut film. It's the type of film that reminds me of the endless limitations of filmmaking. Blomkamp creates a fascinating world in District 9, a world in which aliens co-exist with humans, but are treated as low-class citizens and branded with the derogarty term "prawns". Aliens are certainly not a new territory in film, but the movie presents them in a new, fresh way. They're not here to destroy the world, they're just trying to survive and make it back home. One of the main characters is an prawn given the name Christopher, and despite being a mostly CG creation and not speaking any English, he becomes the most genuine, sympathetic character in the film. However, the true shining performance goes to newcomer Sharlto Copley as Wikus Van De Merwe. The transformation that Wikus goes through in the movie is extremely engaging and it's almost impossible not to feel for him. In the end, we're given a movie that manages to have both awesome action sequences and a strong message brought to life with strong characters.

3. Up In The Air



Jason Reitman has proved himself to be one of the strongest young filmmakers working today. As much as I loved Thank You For Smoking and Juno, I found his latest film to be his strongest work yet. George Clooney gives his best performance to date as Ryan Bingham, a man who spends a good deal of his life traveling from city to city by plane for his job, which is firing people for companies who are too afraid to do so themselves. Reitman made a great choice by having the majority of the people that Ryan fires be portrayed by people who actually lost their jobs. He simply told them to react how they wish they would have reacted in the moment and the results are truly moving. Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga both do wonderful work as the female leads, each displaying a wide range of emotions. The film works as well as it does because it doesn't take the expected routes you're used to. There are some genuinely surprising developments in the final third of the film, but they work so well because it gives a great portrayal of the way life can surprise you.

2. (500) Days of Summer



I really connected with this one. As flawed and neurotic as Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Tom Hansen is, I related to him more than I have with a movie character in a long, long time. Tom is a character who has crafted his ideas about love from movies and pop songs. He takes the smallest cues from Zooey Deschanel's Summer as life-changing events and believes that they are perfect for each other based on very vague details. When it all starts to fall apart, he immediately blames her without looking at himself. I'm embarrased to admit, it's a situation I've been in many times before. But that's why the movie works as well as it does. We're not used to seeing a main character who's so delusional and is so influenced by pop culture. It made the lessons he learns throughout the film all the more effective as it was something different yet relatable. Aside from the strong characterwork, the film also has an extremely unique and creative visual and narrative style. All of these details mixed together makes for one of the most original movies I've seen in a long time.

1. Inglourious Basterds



Man, did I love this movie. I could go on and on about why I love it. There are just so many details that make it work perfectly. As much as I love Kill Bill, I think this is Quentin Tarantino's best work since Pulp Fiction, and with repeat viewing, it's totally possible it could surpass that classic in my mind. Tarantino takes the war genre and completely turns it on his head, in his own specific way. The film is made up largely of scenes featuring people sitting at a table and talking, and yet, these scenes are some of the most brilliant and tense ever put to film. The cast is fantastic. Brad Pitt completely chews the scenery in the best way possible as Lt. Aldo Raine, giving a hilarious performance. Melanie Laurent is enchanting as Shosanna Dreyfus, the heroine of the film, who it's impossible not to be won over by and fall in love with just a little. All of the supporting characters work well too, from Eli Roth's cocky Sgt. Donny Donowitz to Daniel Bruhl's layered performance as Nazi war hero Fredrick Zoller. And then there's Christoph Waltz as Col. Hans Landa. Holy shit. If Waltz doesn't get an Oscar for his performance, there's something severely wrong with Hollywood. From his very first moment on screen, Waltz creates an iconic character and one of the best villains of all time. He has been given the nickname "The Jew Hunter" and his known for his keen interrogation skills. Any scene featuring Landa is filled with tension and Waltz completely brings all attention to his character. Tarantino again splits the film up into chapters and they work perfectly here. From the quiet menace of the first chapter, "Once upon a time...in Nazi-Occupied France" to the edge-of-your-seat tension of the fourth chapter, "Operation Kino" to the astonishing action of the final chapter, "Revenge of the Giant Face", Tarantino simply knows how to tell the story. When everything comes together and we're treated to the climax of the film, it completely pulls you in; it gave me one of the most visceral reactions to a film I've ever had. The movie is also a celebration of film itself in a way. By having Shosanna work at a movie theatre, we are treated to several film references and the culmination of the story relies completely on film itself. It fully displays why film is such an art to be appreciated and it's just one of the many reasons I thought Inglourious Basterds was not only the best film of 2009, but one of the best films of all time.

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And there we have it, my best of 2009. There were still a lot of movies in 2009 that I would have loved to see but didn't get a chance to; I'm still kicking myself for not getting a chance to see Where The Wild Things Are. But overall, it was a really solid year for film. It brought movies that would usually be ignored to a wider audience and really helped remind me why I love movies so much. I hope anyone who actually read this enjoyed it. I'm going to try to update this somewhat frequently with my thoughts on movies and television. Stay tuned!

Top 15 TV Shows of 2009

In the way that 2009 was the year I paid less attention to music, it was also the year I paid much more attention to television. Over the summer, I made it a point to watch some of the cable shows that I was either behind on, or were getting huge critical acclaim, but I hadn't yet seen. By doing so, I discovered some fantastic shows, while still enjoying some old favorites.

15. How I Met Your Mother



This has become quite the comfort show for me. Even when it's not at it's best (which isn't often), it still just makes me feel good and makes me laugh. Despite having a laugh track, it manages to be one of the most clever sitcoms on television with a great small ensemble. Last year's episodes actually featured some big shake-ups storywise, with Ted losing his job and becoming a teacher, and more importantly, Barney & Robin becoming a couple. Among this, there was the return of some great recurring gags, such as Slapsgiving, and some hilarious comedy segments, such as Marshall's slideshow songs in "The Sexless Innkeeper".

14. Eastbound & Down



It's hard to find a comedy this bitter and dark on TV these days. The main character, Kenny Powers (brilliantly played by Danny McBride) is foul-mothed, sexist, racist and an all-around asshole. However, McBride has enough charisma to make him hilarious. In a very short season (6 episodes), the show manages to pack in a quick but fulfilling story about Kenny attempting to redeem himself in his hometown. The supporting cast is just as good from John Hawkes' quiet performance as Kenny's brother to the hilarious oddity that is Steve Little's performance as Stevie Janowski, a band teacher obsessed with Kenny. The season ends on a perfect note by finally giving Kenny some triumph, only to take it all away.

13. Community/Modern Family





These are both new comedies that are just getting started and finding their style, but are both off to a very funny start. They both take a very simple concept and add something fresh to the genre. Community does so by adding a very self-aware, clever sense of humor and Modern Family does so by just being very smart and genuinely funny. The two shows also both have fantastic ensembles that work together perfectly, the two notable stand-outs being Community's Danny Pudi as the pop-culture obsessed Abed, and Modern Family's Ty Burrell as the desperate-to-be-hip father Phil. While the two are still finding their footing, I can't wait to see what else they have to offer.

12. Flight of the Conchords



A couple months ago, Flight of the Conchords announced that they wouldn't be bringing their show back for a third season. It's a shame, because the second season displayed how great the show could be. As great as the songs were in the first season, a lot of the comedy in between fell flat. They really stepped things up this season, with the in-between comedy being just as good as the songs, if not better in some cases. Having said that, there were some fantastic songs in this season from the super-catchy "Sugalumps" to the awesome rap "Hurt Feelings" to my personal favorite, Jemaine's ode to ex-girlfriends, "Carol Brown". It's sad that the show won't come back, but they definently ended things on a strong note.

11. 30 Rock



What can you say about 30 Rock that hasn't already been said? It's one of the smartest, funniest shows on television and last year was no exception. Whereas the beginning of Season 3 really fumbled the use of guest stars, the rest of the season found a way to use them with hilarious turns by Jon Hamm as Liz's naive, doctor boyfriend and Salma Hayek as Jack's feisty girlfriend. The show also managed to fit in some pretty good small story arcs, with the appearance of Jack's father at the end of Season 3, and the search for a new cast member at the beginning of this season. Tina Fey is one of the strongest voices in comedy right now and 30 Rock continues to be as strong as ever.

10. Dexter



Dexter has a difficult task in that the weight of the show rests on Michael C. Hall's shoulders. His performance as Dexter Morgan is so entrancing that any scene without him has a chance to fall flat. While Season 3 had it's moments, it really didn't live up to the epicness of Seasons 1 and 2, and the way Jimmy Smits' Miguel Prado left the show was really anti-climactic. Thankfully, the show stepped up this year in giving Dexter a new opponent with John Lithgow's Arthur Mitchell a.k.a. The Trinity Killer. Lithgow gives an absolutely terrifying performance, completely erasing any notions one would have of him previously. The season gets off to a slow start, with Lithgow's short scenes being one of the few highlights, but once Arthur and Dexter meet, the season just gets better and better. The side characters are more of a mixed bag. While Debra's story is very interesting and leads to some of Jennifer Carpenter's best work, the season-long arc involving Angel and LaGuerta's relationship is awful, and probably the worst thing the show has ever done. However, the Trinity storyline is so good that most of the faults can be forgiven. It all leads up to the absolutely stunning final, tragic moments of the season, which promise to take the show in an interesting new direction.

9. Supernatural



Supernatural is an interesting creature. It gets written off a lot for being on the CW. The fact that a good portion of the fans are girls constantly saying how hot the leads are doesn't help matters either. But if you can get past all that you'll find one of the most compelling dramas on television right now. As good as the show was in it's first 3 seasons, Seasons 4 and 5 really changed things and made it into a very, dark mature show. It's evolved from a show about two brothers hunting monsters every week into an epic story about two brothers stuck in the middle of a war between God and Lucifer. On top of that, we find out that Dean and Sam are the vessels for the angel Michael and Lucifer, respetively. That's some heavy shit to dive into for a show on the same network that houses Gossip Girl. One of the best things the show has done is introduce the character of angel Castiel. It really brought a great new dynamic to the show and Misha Collins' performance never fails to impress. Castiel is also the focus of two very dark episodes in Season 4, "The Rapture" which shows his tragic backstory and "On The Head Of A Pin", which might be the best episode of the show ever. It's not all doom and gloom though. Supernatural has a great sense of humor about itself. The writers are very well aware about their fandom, and while they poked at the fourth wall in the past, they broke right through it last year when Sam & Dean discovered a book series called "Supernatural", about two demon hunting brothers named Sam & Dean. While this story development could have easily been mishandled, it actually led to some very important story developments, some very clever comedy, and a great new character in the form of Chuck Shurley. It's always great to see a show change and develop into something great and Supernatural has done so in a way that really deserves to be noticed.

8. Chuck



This is an example of a show that really stepped things up in it's second season. The first season was fun, but nothing really stood out. In Season 2, everything just began to click better. The cast became more comfortable with each other and the writers just made the stories more and more exciting and fun. It all culminated with the arrival of Chuck's father, played by Scott Bakula, which led to a few season-ending episodes that are just as fun and impressive as any action movie.

7. Parks and Recreation



Parks and Recreation suffered from numerous comparisons to The Office from the very beginning and they were true to a degree. The 6 episode first season was amusing, but not very funny or interesting. The first season ended on a hopeful note with "Rock Show" which finally began to give the show more emotion and give the characters some depth. The second season was almost like watching a different show. Much like The Office, the writers found a tone that worked and it led to a very funny show with a lot of heart. However, P&R has managed to find it's own tone and kept it from being a carbon copy of it's predecessor. Each cast member has something to offer, right down to minor supporting characters such as the constantly down on his luck, Jerry. It's become a show that works because it's simply watching a group of people you love to spend time with.

6. Sons of Anarchy



I had no interest in this show when I first saw the ads for it. The idea of watching the trials and tribulations of a biker gang every week held no interest for me. However, as the second season progressed, I kept hearing how amazing the show was, so I decided to give it a shot. I was surprised to find that the biker angle was a very small part of the show, and at it's heart, it's a extremely well-written drama about family. The second season took things to a very dark place and each episode just built the tension to an almost unbearable point, with each viewer just waiting for everything to snap. The show takes big risks by consistently killing off important characters and having their characters do very bad things, despite it being for somewhat good intentions. It all led to an extremely intense finale, full of death, excitement and tragedy, which has me highly anticipating Season 3.

5. Dollhouse



Ah, Joss Whedon. Despite being one of the most talented and loved writers of this generation, he just can't seem to catch a break. First, the brilliant Firefly was horribly mishandled and quickly dumped by FOX, then Angel got cancelled far too early. When Dollhouse was announced to air on FOX, fans instantly banded together to try and save the show. When the show finally debuted, it had a rocky start. It was good, but the first 5 episodes just weren't living up to the Whedon name. With the much-lauded 6th episode, the show took a noticeable step-up and continued to get better and better. The second season took things to a whole new level with some of the episodes becoming just as good as the best episodes of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel. The story and character developments and overall increase in quality in the past few episodes just makes it more and more heartbreaking that the show is about to end. Regardless, it's a miracle that the show got a second season at all and a few months from now, we'll have the entire series on DVD as a great 26 episode reminder of the talent of Joss Whedon.

4. The Office



I don't have a lot to say about why I love The Office. I think it is probably (along with the UK original) the best television comedy of all time. It is uniquely hilarious while also having a great deal of drama and heart. Last year kept up that tradition while also adding a new depth by making some reflections on the current economy. With the Michael Scott Paper Company and bankruptcy arcs, we really got a good look at how the economy is affecting failing businesses, yet the show did it in a very funny, approachable way. Despite anything else, the show is known for it's relationships. We got another chapter in the surprisingly touching story of Michael & Holly. We also got the long-awaited wedding of Jim & Pam, which was handled in a terrific fashion and made it almost impossible to not get a little teary-eyed.

3. LOST



I could go on and on about how much I love LOST. I have spent countless hours analyzing the show through books and on the internet and it is by far one of my favorite shows of all time. Season 5 just continued this by making a very bold choice in embracing the idea of time travel. It had touched upon it before in Desmond-centric episodes, but it took things to a whole new level to have the on-island Losties hopping through different decades and spending the second half of the season in 1977. I never would have thought from the first season that the show would be telling the stories and the season ends on a note where I have no idea what to expect in the final season. It's very rare for a show to constantly keep you guessing, which is why LOST is such a fantastic, important show.

2. Breaking Bad



This is another one of the critically acclaimed shows I decided to check out and, man, am I glad I did. By doing so I was treated into a piece of brilliant dark comedy and drama in the story of Walter White. While the first season wasn't able to fully display the greatness of the show due to a shortened season, the second season more than made up for it. From the haunting opening, featuring a charred teddy bear in a pool, Season 2 of Breaking Bad displayed that great drama means taking risks. The show goes down some dark roads but remains all the while fascinating. The thing most worth mentioning though is Bryan Cranston's performance as Walter White. He erases any thoughts of Malcolm's dad by playing a once quiet, meek man who slowly transforms into a monster. Breaking Bad has much in common with the movies of The Coen Brothers, in that it features very troubled characters doing questionable things, but done so in a brilliant form of storytelling. The third season begins in about 2 months and I, for one, can't wait.

1. Mad Men



Mad Men is a show that's kind of difficult to describe in terms of what makes it so great. It's just something that needs to be experienced. Everything about it is just perfection from the portrayal of the '60s to the dialogue to the music to the visual style to the brilliant cast, with Jon Hamm in particular giving an iconic performance as Don Draper. The third season made a big shift in focus, giving much more attention to the home life of Don and his wife, Betty. While taking some focus away from Sterling Cooper could have been a risk, the writers managed to pull it off with some brilliant story developments. There are a number of stand-out episodes from the haunting dreamlike state of "The Fog" to the dark comedy of "Guy Walks Into An Advertising Agency" to flat-out awesomeness that is the season finale, "Shut The Door. Have A Seat". Mad Men is definitely revolutionary television, it is giving us something we haven't ever seen before and doing so in a way that is endlessly engaging.

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So that's it for television. I'd also like to give notice to It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Party Down, which all had very funny seasons and United States of Tara, which showed a lot of potential in it's debut season. I should hopefully have my Best Movies of 2009 up by the end of the week!

Top 10 Albums of 2009

2009 was an interesting year for me in terms of music. In past years, I consistently got a lot of albums. Not only would I buy a new album from any band I liked even slightly, I'd be more than willing to pick up an album from a new band that just looked like they could have potential. This could often lead to disappointment, but then there were the times where I would discover a great new band, which made it all worth it. 2009 was different though. I don't want to go so far as to say I started caring about music less, but I just wasn't as active in finding new music. The majority of new bands I saw were simply either hopping on what was currently popular, or just aping bands who did a certain style years ago, and in a much better way. Needless to say, I started listening to older music in 2009. I FINALLY got around to listening to the full catalogue of The Beatles. I know, I know, what took me so long? Don't get me wrong, I was a familiar with a great deal of their work, but 2009 was the year when I actually went down and listened to all of their albums from start to finish. I'm not going to go into too much detail right now; I only want to repeat what many other people have said before me in that music would not be what it is today if it weren't for them.

So while I wasn't as strongly drawn to music in 2009 as I had been in previous years, the albums I did connect to, I did so in a very strong way. Some of them were just on a base level of audible enjoyment, and some of them were on a deeper level. So here they are...

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10. Weezer-Raditude


People have gotten way too harsh on Weezer. You can't read a review of any of their new albums without hearing some variation of "They're not as good as they were on The Blue Album or Pinkerton" or "When is Rivers Cuomo going to start writing songs like he used to?". It not only gets tedious to hear, but it's basically the "fans" saying that they want Rivers Cuomo to be miserable. As fantastic as their first 2 albums are, there's a lot of reports that say that Rivers wasn't exactly the happiest person to be around at the time; he was full of angst, secluded, and was more or less a dick to the people around him. The fact that he's now enjoying life should be seen a good thing. It would be one thing if the music was bland as a result, but the band is still full of melodic energy. And while the lyrics may not be as honest as they once were, they're just fun. Raditude seems to just be a celebration of good times. "I'm Your Daddy" is right up there with some of the bands work in terms of raw energy, the dance anthem "Can't Stop Partying" with Lil' Wayne could be a huge hit if given the right attention, and anyone who thinks that Rivers can't make a closing number full of power and emotion only need listen to "The Underdogs", the closing track on the deluxe version. Sure, Weezer may not be the same as they used to be, but they're still making powerful songs and are having fun doing so.

9. Muse-The Resistance


Despite getting a huge profile boost in the past year thanks to exposure on the soundtrack to a certain movie (that will remain unnamed), Muse is still one of the most underrated bands in the world right now. The musical talent these 3 guys have is outstanding, particularly with frontman Matt Bellamy. Muse has always had traces in both electronic music and classical music. While their last album, Black Holes and Revelations tended to dabble more in the electronic side of things, The Resistance embraces a classical style. From the Queen like chanting on "United States of Eurasia (+Collateral Damage)" to the French bridge in "I Belong To You", the album really displays Matt Bellamy's talent on the piano. The album finishes off with the 3-part, mostly instrumental "Exogenesis: Symphony", which just furthers my belief that Matt Bellamy needs to compose the score to a film.

8. Death Cab For Cutie-The Open Door EP


It might seem an odd choice to place on my list a collection of 4 songs left off the band's previous album and one alternate version of a song on the album, but the songs on this EP are perhaps stronger than the majority of the songs on the still very good album, Narrow Stairs. The EP really displays everything that Death Cab For Cutie does best. "Little Bribes" is a bluesy opener with a good sense of melody, "A Diamond and a Tether" is a melancholy but powerful song, "My Mirror Speaks" features some of the strong guitar work the band is known for, and "I Was Once A Loyal Lover" is just all-out fantastic power pop song, brought together with crunchy guitars and a pulsing drumbeat. Even the alternate version of "My Talking Bird" stands out, with only Ben Gibbard's voice and a ukulele giving a new haunting take on the song.

7. I Give Up-Nobody Cares


Over the past few years, Get Set Go has become one of my favorite bands, and Mike TV has become one of my favorite songwriters, so it's needless to say that I would enjoy the debut album by I Give Up, Mike TV's side project. While the album maintains some of the songwriting and musical styles established by Get Set Go, it also adds new elements. Piano is much more prominent (with the extremely talented Shmedly) and the songs just have a certain feel to them that seperate them from the work of Get Set Go. It's also a very dark album, as the always honest Mike TV touches upon several problems he deals with, both personal and on a wider scale. I'm all for a songwriter wearing their heart on their sleeve, which is why Nobody Cares is another fantastic, honest work by Mike TV.

6. Relient K-Forget and Not Slow Down


It's really stunning to hear how much Relient K has changed their style in less than a decade. Who would have thought that the fun pop-punk band singing about the Sadie Hawkins Dance would turn into a piano-heavy pop-rock band singing about hope, faith and all other sorts of deep emotions. The band's sixth official album took me by surprise on first listen and I wasn't sure what to make of it. The band's sly sense of humor was gone and even the pop-punk style was virtually absent. But after repeated listenings, I really got to appreciate the musical and lyrical depth of the album. Singer/songwriter Matthew Thiessen wrote the album after breaking up with his fiancee and the lyrics are some of his most painfully honest. The music truly stands out as well, with several tracks blending seamlessly into creative and inspiring outros and bridges to the next tracks. All in all, it's just a case of a talented band continuing to show their true potential.

5. Say Anything-Say Anything


My love for the music of Say Anything and the lyrics of Max Bemis is no secret. I feel Bemis is one of the most overlooked, talented songwriters in the world right now. His words have a terrific mix of honesty, humor, biting cynicism and hopeful romanticism. The self-titled album is a culmination of everything the band has done up to this point. It manages to maintain a very subtle narrative, while also letting the songs feature strongly on their own from the fun energy of the first single "Hate Everyone", to the orchestral pop of "Do Better", to the anthemic closer, "Ahhh...Men". Say Anything should be huge as the music they are making definitely has something to say.

4. Regina Spektor-Far


Regina Spektor is probably my favorite female singer/songwriter right now. She can do both beautiful ballads and fun, upbeat songs. She also has a certain quirkiness to her, specifically in her voice, putting on a thick accent in "Machine" and imitating a dolphin in "Folding Chair". On Far, Spektor tells small slice-of-life stories with nearly every song. She creates characters and, through song, relates stories about everyday life that anyone can enjoy.

3. The Decemberists-The Hazards of Love


I'm a sucker for concept albums. I love the idea of telling a story through song as it is, so telling a story over the course of an entire album is a dream come true to me. The Decemberists have always been a very narrative, literary band, but The Hazards of Love has them fully embracing it, as we hear the the tragic, mythical love story of William and Margaret. As great as the story is, the music is just as strong with the band trying a bit of a heavier tone along with their trademark sound they've developed over their strong career.

2. God Help The Girl-God Help The Girl


It was extremely hard not to place this at #1. I absolutely fell in love with this album the instant I heard it. The soundtrack to an in-development film project by Belle & Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch, God Help The Girl features some of the best melodies and most beautiful female vocals I've heard in years. Lead female vocalist, Catherine Ireton, has a very specific style of singing that won me over immediately and the lush, orchestral pop sound that Murdoch places along with it is a perfect fit. This too is a narrative album, and the story, the lyrics, the music and the vocals all blend together to make a perfect pop album.

1. Manchester Orchestra-Mean Everything To Nothing


I firmly believe that the sophomore album by Manchester Orchestra is one of the most important rock albums of all time. You know how Nevermind and OK Computer are revered? That's the attention this album should be getting. Each of the 11 songs on this album are perfect rock anthems, full of passion and energy. Andy Hull's vocals are raw and real, so refreshing in this era of Autotune. The guitars, whether soft or loud, work perfectly. The band manages to mix several different rock styles while still maintaining a consistent, original sound that I don't think I can even compare to any other band. Mean Everything To Nothing is indie rock in it's purest form and if you don't give it a chance, you're truly missing out.

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So that's it for music. While I didn't listen to as much as in past years, the albums I did enjoy really stood out and spoke to me on a strong, personal level. Stay tuned for more of my Best Of 2009!

Introduction

Just a brief introduction as to what this blog will be about. I previously had a LiveJournal page, and while I did talk about movies and television every now and then, I also talked a lot about the mundane details of my everyday life, which I realized nobody probably cared about and even I got bored reading in retrospect. So I decided to make a blog solely devoted to movies and television, which is what I really love writing about. Occasionally, I might write about other somewhat related things, such as music or pop culture, but it will mainly be movies and TV. I hope to get a lot of people to read this, so here goes nothing. My first blog posts will be my Best of 2009 lists for music, television and movies, which I hope to have it the next week or so.