1. Brothers (released December 2009)
Brothers is a solid melodrama starring three of today’s most talented young actors: Toby McGuire, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Natalie Portman. Grace (played by Ms. Portman) is shaken to the core when she receives news that her husband, Sam, (played by Toby McGuire) was killed during his combat in Afghanistan. To help her cope, Sam’s brother (Jake Gyllenhaal) helps her take care of her two daughters. They strike up a relationship. Not too long after, they receive news that Sam is actually still alive and the bonds of marriage, love, and family are tested. This is an intriguing drama that takes the audience on an emotional rollercoaster.
2. Inglourious Basterds (released August 2009)
This is truly one of Quentin Tarantino’s masterpieces to date. He weaves a hardcore plotline of a group of mercenaries in the U.S. Army who are sent out to kill Adolf Hitler and any German Nazi who gets in their way. Inglourious Basterds touts a commanding cast and is a fun and action-packed drama that takes us on a great ride. You’ll be rooting for the “Basterds” till the very end.
3. Invictus (released December 2009)
Invictus is the powerful story of how Nelson Mandela united South Africa through the human spirit’s joy of competition and sports. In order to bring his people together and to overcome the divisions of race, Mandela rallies his country’s rugby team to triumph at the 1995 World Rugby World Cup Championships.
4. Taken (released January 2009)
Taken was a breakout hit that landed in movie theatres with a fierce punch and kick. Liam Neeson plays the unlikely hero who sets out to Europe when his daughter is kidnapped and caught up in the seedy underworld of sex slave trade. This action drama is non-stop and was a delight to watch.
5. Where the Wild Things Are (released November 2009)
We read this beloved child’s story when we were younger and now it’s translated onto the big screen. Everyone can see apart of themselves from this story when we watch Max escape the real world and into the world where he is King. But sometimes, as in reality, we realize things aren’t as easy or simple as they seem.
6. District 9 (released August 2009)
When a strange alien ship gets stranded above Johannesburg, South Africa, the government is forced to set up refugee camps for these foreign intruders. Life is hard for them and the citizens forced to live in the same city as these “aliens.” It’s an exciting adventure as we follow Wikus and his struggles with his governmental duties and his exposure to the alien world. We see a literal comparison with our present world’s struggles with acceptance of illegal aliens.
7. State of Play (released April 2009)
State of Play is a political drama that weaves together government intrigue and the media’s hand in telling the story. Russell Crowe isn’t one of my favorite actors, but he does a superb job as the lead investigator, Cal McCaffrey, at the Washington Globe. His interests are conflicted though when one of his best friends who happens to be a high profile congressman gets tangled in a murder-sex scandal. Does Cal do his job and tell the whole story or protect his long time friend from a career ending scandal?
8. American Violet (released April 2009)
American Violet was a suberb drama that tells the tale of a struggling woman caught up in the tragic racial profiling of African Americans in a small town in Texas. This movie has honest performances and really shines a light on some of the troubling social stigmas the world still possesses.
9. Precious Based on the Novel Push by Shapphire (released November 2009)
This movie tells the tale of “Precious.” She’s a 16-year old who lives a rough life: pregnant for the 2nd time, has an abusive mother, no father, and she’s obese. So as you can see she’s not the luckiest girl to walk down a high school hallway, but her story is a hopeful and honest tale of the strength of the human spirit.
10. Blind Side (released November 2009)
This movie is one of the most touching I’ve seen this year. The Blind Side is the true story of Michael Oher, a boy who exemplifies the American Dream. Michael was homeless before he was taken in by the Touhys. But the family and Michael soon learn that they have so much to learn from each other and from that comes a bond that runs strong and deep. Later, Michael becomes one of the most successful NFL football hero stories of all time.
