I have the laziest roommates!

2009 Movies

I read two different movie critics' top 10 lists today, which got me thinking about my favorite movies of the year. Since I am unfortunately not a paid professional movie watcher, I've not yet seen Precious, The Hurt Locker, 500 Days of Summer, Moon, or Up in the Air - and I have heard that all 5 of these are terrific. So, from the movies I have been able to watch in 2009, these, in no particular order, are my top 10:

Gran Torino: Clint Eastwood can do no wrong. Only he could pull off this role as a bigoted old crank with a heart of gold.

Watchmen: I was intrigued by the idea of flawed superheroes. Even though it was set in an alternate history version of the 1980's, the themes were just as relevant to today's world. And that smokin' hot love scene in the airship - hallelujah!

Avatar: Seriously. Why haven't you seen it yet?

Star Trek: I was never a fan of the original series, but have always enjoyed the Star Trek movies. This one was a very exciting prequel that stayed true to the original characters. I especially liked Zachary Quinto as Spock.

Inglourious Basterds: Classic Tarantino: over-the-top violence, loud music, suspense, and dark humor. Plus, the best villain since No Country for Old Men.

Where the Wild Things Are: I was expecting something really different. This was not at all a movie for kids. The exploration of raw emotion through the wild monsters was very powerful and moving.

District 9: A new twist on an old story: learning empathy for the oppressed by being forced to join them in adversity. Very well acted and directed.

The Hangover: I laughed like crazy. Enough said.

Up: My favorite of the Pixar films so far. Up was very sweet and clever, and the talking dogs were just hysterical.

Zombieland: I like scary movies served up with a large helping of campiness. Zombieland got it just right.

Man on Wire

I watched a lovely little documentary tonight: Man on Wire. It's about tightrope walker Philippe Petit, who traveled between the roofs of the twin towers just a few months before I was born in 1974.

Man on Wire is a movie about risk and reward, about chasing a passion, and about achieving the impossible. I heartily recommend it. Petit knew he could very well die in pursuit of his dream and if he survived, there was no doubt he'd be arrested. Furthermore, he had no idea how in the world he would orchestrate such a stunt. But it did not matter, Petit went forward with the mindset that success was guaranteed. No hesitation.

Fortunately, few of us need the adrenaline rush of standing on a cable a quarter-mile above the ground. My default nature is to play it fairly safe - to look for the predictable. For me, choosing a new piece of furniture is an exhilarating accomplishment! So, I guess risk is in the eye of the beholder. Regardless, I understand the desire to push oneself beyond comfortable boundaries. It is really the only way to feel alive. Top-notch support team, no safety net, and as Petit admonishes, "live your life on a tightrope."