The Messenger will be released in Springfield in late January.
5. The Hangover – Did I laugh harder at any film this year? Absolutely not. But what is a true testament to this film is that I laughed during my second and third viewing of it just as hard. Three mismatched buddies (Bradley Copper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifainakis) try to locate their missing friend who is to be married the next day, after their evening in Las Vegas goes horribly awry. No other film had the sort of word-ofmouth buzz that this film did and it was well deserved. It is the rare comedy that doesn’t run out of steam but continues to deliver the laughs even through the end credits. An instant comedy classic.
6. Fantastic Mr. Fox – Director Wes Anderson’s best film since The Royal Tenenbaums is this adaptation of the Roald Dahl book about a fox (George Clooney) who’s feeling restless after having settled down. To shake his midlife crisis, he embarks on a plan to steal from the three farmers in his neighborhood, who retaliate with disastrous results. In this era of computer-generated animation, Anderson resorted to stop-motion animation and the results are astounding. Visually fun and with a message for kids and adults, this is the one film that needs to be discovered by a wide audience.
7. Precious — This harrowing tale from director Lee Daniels is difficult to watch but the compelling story of its subject – 16 year-old Precious – screams out to be witnessed. Impregnated by her father twice, obese and illiterate, this young lady is seemingly at a dead end. However, a placement at an alternative school and the guidance of a caring teacher (Paula Patton) may provide her with the means to escape her abusive mother (Mo’Nique). In the title role, Gabourey Sidibe gives a compelling performance, telling in that she makes us believe this young woman retains a flicker of hope, despite her trials.
8. An Education – Coming-of-age stories don’t get better than this. Lone Scherfig’s film tells the tale of Jenny (Carey Mulligan) a 16-year-old living in the London of the early 1960s who longs to escape her humdrum life and experience the world. She gets her chance when an older man (Peter Sarsgaard) woos her and promises to show her the world. Needless to say, not everything is as it appears with this gent and the lessons Jenny learns are made all the more poignant thanks to Mulligan’s honest, touching turn. A true charmer.
9. It Might Get Loud – Yeah, it was cool seeing Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), the Edge (U2) and Jack White (The White Stripes) get together and jam. But what makes this documentary special is director David Guggenheim’s ability to get each of them to open up about what drives them artistically and reveal the impetus that inspired each to take a radical approach in creating their art and living their lives. Far from being just a lesson on how to do a successful chord change, it is a primer on how to approach life.
10. Knowing – The world was destroyed quite a few times this year, but this thoughtful approach from director Alex Proyas (Dark City) was perhaps the most profound. Its main character, a widowed physics professor, begins to question his lack of faith in the face of Armageddon. This is not an empty special-effects extravaganza, but rather a thoughtful mediation on the comfort faith can provide in the face of personal and societal disaster. Nicolas Cage, the film’s star, has had a rough year, but his performance here is a reminder of how effective he can be.
11. Seven-way tie – Henry Selick’s haunting 3-D nightmare Coraline… Duncan Jones’ existential space odyssey Moon…Sam Raimi’s fun horror flick Drag Me to Hell…Clint Eastwood’s rugby drama Invictus… J.J. Abrams’ inspired Star Trek reboot… Oren Peli’s low-budget fright-fest Paranormal Activity… Phil Lord’s funny and inspired 3-D flick, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
