Pauly's Best Films of 2009

Divided into my Top 9(take that Top 10 and Top 5 lists!) and some other films I though were great, but not worthy of "Top" status. No list is in any particular order.

Top 9:

Big Fan - This film reminds us that sad, obsessed fans existed before the interwebs. Great film in the tradition of Scorsese's King of Comedy and Taxi Driver.
The Box - This film stirred up a lot of deep, meaning of life, questioning everything thoughts in me. A film that will benefit from many repeat viewings.

A Serious Man - The Book of Job via the Coen Brothers. My jaw dropped after the last two scenes.

Up - Holy crap. Beautiful, beautiful film. Anyone who doesn't love this should expect a punch in the face from me.

Moon - Sam Rockwell, acting opposite Sam Rockwell. Kevin Spacey doing non-shitty work! Multiplicity on the moon.(Not really, but that's how I picture a quote from some TV film critic on the poster if this film was released wider...and if it was a comedy.)

Inglourious Basterds - For years, Hollywood has entertained audiences by killing Nazis on screen. But never like this. Every scene that Colonel Landa is in is simply amazing.

The House of the Devil - Wonderfully tense film. You will never have more fun waiting for something to happen.

Zombieland - I saw this 3 times in the theaters. That is a personal first. Not the greatest zombie movie ever, nor the most faithful to zombiology, yet one of the most fun. Plus, Bill Murray kills in his cameo. (If you haven't seen it yet, fuck you)

Star Trek - A fun popcorn version of Star Trek. Good move on filling the cast with character actors and semi-unknowns.

Other films of note:

Observe and Report - A great riff on Taxi Driver.

Coraline - Beautifully animated, though it dragged a little.

The Fantastic Mr. Fox - This close to making the top 9 into a top ten...this close.

Drag Me To Hell - A slapstick fight with an old woman that also manages to be a little scary. It is strange to see a Sam Raimi horror comedy without Bruce Campbell, though.

The Road - Definitely worth seeing, but not a "great" film.

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans - Nic Cage. Bat. Shit. Crazy. Also, a fairly subdued and chubby Val Kilmer.

District 9 - The allusions to Apartheid kinda fall apart when the aliens are fucking disgusting and fairly violent right? But an enjoyable sci-fi flick nonetheless.