The Best of 2009 So Far
July 2nd, 2009 | 3:30 pm est |
All the changes the Academy continue to make to the Oscars have me thinking about the awards even earlier than usual this year, and since we’ve reached the beginning of July it seems like a natural time to look back over the last six months. So, with that in mind, here’s a completely arbitrary and personal look at the best of 2009 so far. All things being equal, it’s shaping up to be a very good year:
Best Picture:
Away We Go
The Brothers Bloom
Duplicity
Two Lovers
Up
Best Director:
Rian Johnson – The Brothers Bloom
Henry Selick – Coraline
Tony Gilroy – Duplicity
James Gray – Two Lovers
Pete Docter - Up
Best Actor:
Robert Downey Jr. – The Soloist
Jamie Foxx – The Soloist
Clive Owen – Duplicity
Joaquin Phoenix – Two Lovers
Paul Rudd – I Love You, Man
Best Actress:
Sasha Grey – The Girlfriend Experience
Gwyneth Paltrow – Two Lovers
Julia Roberts – Duplicity
Maya Rudolph – Away We Go
Tilda Swinton – Julia
Best Supporting Actor:
Jason Bateman – State of Play
Zach Galifinakis – The Hangover
Chris Messina – Away We Go
Mark Ruffalo – The Brothers Bloom
Tom Wilkinson – Duplicity
Best Supporting Actress:
Kathy Bates – Cheri
Melanie Lynskey – Away We Go
Carrie Preston – Duplicity
Isabella Rossellini – Two Lovers
Vinessa Shaw – Two Lovers
Best Original Screenplay:
Rian Johnson — The Brothers Bloom
Tony Gilroy — Duplicity
John Hamburg and Larry Levin — I Love You, Man
James Gray & Ric Menello — Two Lovers
Pete Docter & Bob Peterson and Tom McCarthy — Up
Hey, pretty good lists! I’m glad I’m not the only one nuts over Away We Go, Two Lovers, and The Brothers Bloom.
I hconfess I found Up lesser Pixar; I think I would swap it out with Coraline…
Shalom, y’all!
L. Bangs
Actually, I would probably put in Adventureland…
Shalom, y’all!
L. Bangs
No Drag Me to Hell?
I think this list is pretty good, but I can’t help but feel that there are things missing.
I expected Up, Brothers Bloom, and Duplicity to be on the Best Movies list, and I am glad that Henry Selick and Paul Rudd get appearances in their respective lists, but I must ask: Why do this year’s two highest rated films, The Hangover and Drag Me to Hell, appear so little? DMTH doesn’t even appear at all! I realize neither film is a very good Best Picture nominee, but they both deserve to be based on how good they are in their own genres.
Also, where in the world is Star Trek? I figured that would deserve a Best Picture nod over, say, Away We Go.
Hurt Locker? Hello thought props to The Brothers Bloom and Duplicity.
Hi Perry. Minor slip up. Joaquin Phoenix not River as Best Actor. I like your list so far!
Hi Perry. You did mention the new 10 Best Picture Nominees rule, so how come I only see 5 on your list? Maybe then movies like Coraline and Watchmen would have a chance.
River Phoenix – Two Lovers Is it a mistake？
Excellent list. I haven’t seen “Away We Go” yet, but I hear nothing but good things…also, I love the nomination of Zach Galifinakis for “The Hangover”, which I would say is the best comedy of the year (”Bruno” pending).