Youth in Revolt (2009) - There are two ways to view this coming-of-age comedy starring Michael Cera. It’s either a pretentious cliche of a film or a surrealist teen sex comedy with shades of Rushmore. I’m in the latter camp - I loved the smart dialogue and absurd situation comedy. It’s clever and light and cynical fun. Recommended

Flickan som lekte med elden (The Girl Who Played With Fire) (2009) - The stakes are higher and the action more dense but much of the intrigue that made the first of the trilogy so interesting is missing here. There is a comparatively conventional plot line that becomes increasingly absurd as things progress. From a technical standpoint things are all good, though the performances seem flat and there is nothing that Lisbeth can do now to shock. Average

Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) - A needless remake of the brilliant and suspenseful 70s classic. It’s not a terrible film, there is a lot to like and Tony Scott gets the pacing nice and tight, but it goes over the top and the new twist ending is a tiresome post 9/11 cliche. Average

Män som hatar kvinnor (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) (2009) - The first of the trilogy based on Stieg Larsson’s best selling books is another in a string of great foreign thrillers to come along in the past few years. While I’m never going to be able to identify with a character like Lisbeth and the feminist subtext of the film, I can still appreciate a damn good thriller, even the ones with flaws. I really hope the David Fincher helmed US remake will stick a bit closer to the book in regard to Lisbeth’s motivations in the case, but otherwise I’m all in favour of a revisit of these characters. Recommended

Mammoth (2009) - Lukas Moodysson (Lilja 4-ever) offers up another thought provoking piece of cinema - this time with some heavyweight star support from Gael García Bernal and Michelle Williams (unfortunately not the best performances of either careers). The themes of this films stuck with me for days after viewing and I was quite affected by the way it attacks globalization and capitalism in such a legitimate way. The fatalistic exploration of the direction we are all heading is disturbing - we are out of balance and the only solution is to hold the course? Or maybe I am giving this film too much credit - whatever the case, it is a beautifully directed guilt-trip. Average

Away We Go (2009) - Well this is certainly the end of my interest in Maggie Gyllenhaal. But that's hardly much of a review. There's of lot of great ideas explored here by director Sam Mendes - at its simplest this is a mid-30s couple trying to find their place, both literally and figuratively. What's great is that the attempt is an honest and bittersweet look at becoming an adult and the concept of starting a family. Where it lacks is that the the two leads are so emotionally numb that the result is both uninteresting and soulless. Average

Micmacs (2009) - A long awaited new film from Jean-Pierre Jeunet - described by the man himself as Delicatessen meets Amélie. While Jeunet’s films are always visually ‘busy’ this latest effort has the most packed into it - combined with a tangled vigilante plot which seems needlessly elaborate. It will take a repeat viewing to fully comprehend but as expected the attention to detail alone makes this recommended viewing. Recommended

Charlie & Boots (2009) - Quite adequately described as a great Aussie road movie with Crocodile Dundee and ‘that guy who played Kenny’ (Shane Jacobson). I think the older generation will get a kick out of this - it has its moments - and then there are other times when it feel like it was sponsored by the Australian Tourism Board. Average

The Proposal (2009) - It’s open slather for using Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock as an excuse to watch obviously lightweight chickflicks such as this. Or maybe I’m just a big Mary Steenburgen fan. Either way you get what you expect in this role-reversal romcom about at high-powered book editor and her assistant played by Ryan Reynolds.  Average

The Messenger (2009) - Treading a similar ground as The Hurt Locker, in this Middle East war fallout film Woody Harrelson stars as an officer who partners up with another young officer to inform families of fallen soldiers of their bad news. The subject matter is handled respectfully and is well acted, though at times feels like a collection of emotions rather than a story that goes anywhere. Recommended

Duplicity (2009) - When a film boast of a clever twisty tale with cracking dialogue and one-upmanship I go in expecting David Mamet grade shenanigans. That’s not quite what Tony Gilroy (The Bourne Trilomogology) was serving up here. I feel like even if I had it explained to me, I still wouldn’t find Julia Roberts' and Clive Owen’s strange fuedings interesting. There are moments of spark but it’s too clever for its own good. Average

Brothers (2009) - Irish director Jim Sheridan (In America, In The Name of the Father) adapts a well regarded Danish film, Brødre, about the lives of two brothers, one of whom goes missing while serving in Afghanistan. This is a strong film with a great script, and I look forward to seeing the original, but the handling comes off a little shallow and melodramatic for my liking. A lot of great work was also undone by a hokey closing line and Bono singing. Average

Drag Me To Hell (2009) - Perhaps Sam Raimi’s intention was to make a mainstream B horror/gore film and showcase all the tricks he believes he still has. I found none of this worked for me. It’s not dark or absurd or original or clever or funny, and there is no psyhological angle or clever twist. It’s a collection of cheap devices, largely relying on sound FX alone, moving at a dragging pace to nowhere. Avoid

Crazy Heart (2009) - The real surpise with this film is that some people seem surprised to discover Jeff Bridges can act. While this is certainly is greatest dramatic role, he has been nominated for an Oscar four times prior to this film. However, he is truely outstanding here, and if the Academy set up a category for ‘charming looks’ then Maggie Gyllenhaal would be a front runner for her support role here also. Unfortunately this washed-up-country-singer performance wont attact the audiences - if only they had thought to include a secret heartthrob cameo... Recommended

The Informant (2009) - “The gluconate guy, he’s out of a job.” - I’m not sure that Steven Soderbergh was aiming for a laugh-out-loud film, but Matt Damon’s utterance earned a rare one from me (not a spoiler - it’s in the trailer). I liked that we have a more realist portrayal of corporate whistleblowing - it’s dull and the humour is in the mundane detail. Unfortunately there was not enough of the kitschy quirky detail to last the distance. Average

The Young Victoria (2009) - I was never going to have a lot of enthusiam for a film that retold the early days of Queen Victoria’s rule - but I still found the events engrossing, even if the passion was lacking. It’s as beautifully made as you would expect - the costumes and sets are stunning. Interesting sidenote, this is the followup film from director Jean-Marc Vallée’s cult favourite C.R.A.Z.Y in 2005. Average

The Lovely Bones (2009) - If this film, about the murder of a young girl, had been made with the sincerity and tone of last year’s acclaimed ‘Changeling’, instead of Peter Jackson’s attempt to target the Twilight crowd, then I might have seen the best film of the year. Instead the result is a collection of beautifully crafted dramatic scenes intercut with long and garish fantasy scenes that take the film nowhere and severley dimish the emotional impact. Obligatory snarky comments: Hey Peter, save some of those endings for the DVD. Oh, and Mark Wahlberg, your line reading and presence were just awful. Average

Amreeka (2009) - An immigrant solo mother and her teenage son move from occupied Palestine to Illinois in order to create a better life. The cultural conflict that arises will surprise no-one and what results is essentially a ‘through-the-eyes’ film expressing writer/director Cherien Dabis’s impressions of US/Arab race relations post 9/11. There’s a crowd-pleasing resolution that belies the tension that film works hard to create, but it’s still a compelling drama with honest emotions. Average

Where the Wild Things Are (2009) - Regular readers will know I’m generally not a fan of a) films with angry kids, and b) the fantasy genre. But Spike Jonze has succeeded here in capturing the wonderment of the world of a nine year old - and there are few directors working today who possess the imagination to pull this off. The melancholic tone and themes of escape may be a bit much for the younger audience, but I couldn’t have hoped for a better adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s book. Recommended

The Blind Side (2009) - Based on the true-life story of American football player Michael Oher and his progression from living on the street to college football fame. Sandra Bullock picks up her first Oscar nom for this role, and while her performance is a bit jarring in the early scenes, once the film settles in her performance is genuinely well acted. They story itself is as uplifting as you would expect (though not strictly adhereing to the real life events) and I found it refreshing to see a Hollywood film that promotes hard core Republican values in a positive manner. It’s these values and the way the film makes fun of prejudice that will likely turn a lot of people off, but for the rest it will be a fun heartwarming tale. Recommended

Invictus (2009) - Morgan Freeman is well cast in this hagiographic look at Nelson Mandela who engages with the Springbok captain (Matt Damon) over the course of the 1995 Rugby World Cup to inspire unity in the country. Clint Eastwood does a sound job with direction but the one-dimensional script and complete lack of tension makes for dull viewing. The subject matter would however make for a great documentary where the issue of life after apartheid and “that game” could properly be explored using the perspective of the players and team management. Average

The Limits of Control (2009) - Critics may argue that Jim Jarmusch is out of ideas and has resorted to a self indulgent film stripped bare of dialogue and loaded with obscurity in an attempt to snare a little critical acclaim. Perhaps that’s what Ebert was suggesting when he awarded it half a star. Certainly compared to his last film, Broken Flowers, this offering appears to insist more on using whatever you bring to it. I was bringing a lot. The landscape and soundtrack alone make the journey more than worthwhile. Recommended

The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) - This must have sounded great on paper - a funny and intelligent satire that isn’t too far from the truth. George Clooney playing an agent who is part of an experimental U.S. military unit trained in the use of psychic powers. And parts of it worked - mostly just the parts with goats unfortunately. Average

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) - Wes Anderson’s love for the richness of details combined with Roald Dahl’s unique storytelling abilities are a winning match here. The lovable characters rendered in quirky stop-motion animation appear to have more life in them than anything blue you might see this year in 3D CGI. Anderson sticks with his regulars for the voice talent, and complements the lineup with George Clooney and Meryl Streep. Recommended

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) - Fans of the first will likely be happy to get more of the same, albiet with a slightly more contrived storyline this time around. All the original cast are back and this time there is the added bonus of Amy Adams who plays Amelia Earhart - and is generally the highlight. It's an easy to watch family drama the plays it close to the well worn formula. Average

A Serious Man (2009) - The Coen Brothers are back to their bleak best with this portrayal of 1960s Jewish suburbia. Perhaps it is best described by Todd McCarthy in Variety as "the kind of picture you get to make after you've won an Oscar". On the surface is a comic depiction of isolation and unhappiness (but also hope), yet underneath are many disconnected plot-lines that combine to form an existential riddle. The performances are all strong and technically it's another strong work from the Coens' with Roger Deakins once again on cinematography duties. Recommended

Avatar 3D (2009) - James Cameron, known for big budget 'cautionary tale' films is at it again, this time highlighting environmentalism and indigenous rights, or possibly just the current state of studio effects and sound engineering. It's pure entertainment and delivers on its promise to take CGI to new levels. Alas, it very quickly becomes clear that the story, along with the characters' motivations and the indigenous non-agrarian society, is a complete nonsense and kills any attempt to enjoy the film beyond the surface visuals. I would like to say there are a lot of good ideas here, except none of them are original. The imagery, the struggle, the environmental and anti-war themes - all reduced to their simplest most cliche forms. Average

The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans (2009) - It's difficult to comprehend the type of film Werner Herzog was trying to make here, and whether he thinks he succeeded. Nicolas Cage playing a rogue detective on the edge of sanity is both the best and worst thing going - nobody does crazy quite like Cage. It's dark and messy but entirely watchable. It's good to see Xzibit has progressed from his 'Yo dawg' phase. Average

Observe and Report (2009) - There was nothing redeemable in the 14 minutes I endured.  Avoid

Funny People (2009) - Writer/director Judd Apatow returns with a comedy/drama which is (thankfully) closer to Knocked Up than any of his other more recent productions. Adam Sandler plays a successful comedian and actor who is diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and spirals into a depression which leads him back to stand-up. Its title is intentionally ironic as the humour is derived largely from socially awkward moments - it’s really a film about the choices we make in life and the loneliness of fame. Recommended

Zombieland (2009) - From start to finish, this is easily the best horror/comedy since Shaun of the Dead. In some respects Zombieland makes for a more entertaining ride, though the comedic delivery is not matched. It’s almost a must-see for the Bill Murray cameo alone. A sequel in 3D is already in the works. Recommended

The Invention of Lying (2009) - Ricky Gervais has done well here with what is esentially a one-joke film. Granted the story is entirely predictable - in fairness its ambitions lie more with risque comedy and quotable gags than creating a believable alternate reality. After a strong start things crawl in the last half as the characters are revealed to be generally unlikeable and the quirky inconsistencies lose their charm. Average

(500) Days of Summer (2009) - Set the time-of-death for the hipster movement to the release date of this film. Two actors I have previously admired partake in sickeningly trite romcom that consists of little more than derivative vignettes which unfold in a superficially non-linear style. There are no genuine moments, no subtlety, just a calculated marketing brochure of a film. Avoid

Antichrist (2009) - Lars von Trier’s most challenging and graphic work to date has polarized viewers and critics alike. It’s a disturbing vision that is unlikely to prompt too many repeat viewings, but is an unforgettable experience from one of the most original and inventive directors of this generation. Stated as a homage to Tarkovsky, but Lynch fans will also be right at home with the allegorical and metaphysical undertones. There are brave performances from Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg - the more I reflect on this film the more I value the achievement. Recommended

Up 3D (2009) - The latest Disney/Pixar has proven to be another enormous success both critically and in the box office. Thematically, this is a great avenue for animation - a 78-year-old man setting out to fulfill a lifelong dream of exploring the South American wilds. Why am I grading it as average? I cannot flaw the visuals, they are perhaps my favourite of all the Pixar films and the 3D was tastefully employed, but ... the story is weak. In essence, once Carl Fredricksen makes it to South America the plot takes on a level of absurdity that betrays the mood built up by the first act. Carl’s journey is still endearing and enduring, but the worn off charm never returns and the character arcs of supporting characters never add up to much. Average

District 9 (2009) - Finally a sci-fi B movie for the attention deficit generation. What we basically have here is an alien immigration story shot in an inconsistant faux-documentary style which rehashes the been-done-better theme of societal assimilation. It’s entertaining for a few minutes before it becomes tiresome as the now cliché almost mockumentary style humour subsides and the film evolves into a conventional action flick. There’s a tonal identity crisis going on with the narrative, which is at times tounge-in-cheek but has illusions of social commentary - though it’s thin on an real sense of morality. IMDb currently lists this as the third highest rated Sci-fi movie in history. Average

Inglourious Basterds (2009) - While in production, Tarantino viewed this script as his ultimate masterpiece. An alternate history of WWII, set in Nazi-occupied France, yet told in a spaghetti western style. Tarantino has never been too concerned with having his stories hold up to purposeful analysis, and Basterds is further proof of this. It’s success ultimately comes down to Tarantino’s style of creating numerous individual moments of scripted genius, and by formulating the unpredictability of each scene. Recommended

Los abrazos rotos (Broken Embraces) (2009) - Expectations were at an all time high after Volver, with Pedro Almodóvar once again teaming up with Penelope Cruz - this time in his biggest budget feature. The story is a complex array of characters put in compromising situations and played out over interwoven timelines. It’s got plenty of the Almodóvar trademarks, great visuals and a lot of emotion and drama, but few of the lighter moments that we have come to expect. It’s still well worth seeing, but I really feel like there is a lot of film missing - supposedly there was an hour edited out to get the runtime down. The complexity will no doubt reward multiple viewings. Recommended

Public Enemies (2009) - Michael Mann brings together Johnny Depp and Christian Bale to head a ’30s gangster drama following the life of John Dillinger and the Feds’ attempts to capture him. I would have liked to see it head more in a Malick direction - though there were some signs of greater depth. Mann has done well not to burden the viewer with the inner machinations of gangster life and character outlines. The hi-def digital production at times makes you feel up close in the action, and other times like a really bad home movie. Overall though, this is great American storytelling. Recommended

Adventureland (2009) - Superbad director Greg Mottola has followed up one of the best comedies of 2007 with another charming coming-of-age teen dramedy - albiet with a little more actual romance this time. If I hadn’t enjoyed Superbad so much I would be worried that I was getting too old and cynical to enjoy films like this. It’s a self described ‘indie comedy’ with neat and tidy emotions and a calculated soundtrack - harmless fun. Average

Sunshine Cleaning (2009) - Comparisons to Little Miss Sunshine are damaging to expectations. It doesn’t have the feel-good life affirming kick of LMS. There’s just not enough substance here. It’s fun to watch and the acting is strong but it keeps you at arms length. Average

Looking For Eric (2009) - Ken Loach takes a break from his more well known social and political topics to direct a lighter socialist realism comedy-drama about a football fanatic who needs to get his life back on track. The balance is perfect and Loach captures the message of a need for hope without making apologies for the often claimed lack of aspirations in English culture. The success of the film owes a lot to Loach’s longtime screenwriting collaborator, Paul Laverty. So many memorable moments and lines to savour. Recommended

I Love You Man (2009) - I’ve noticed that films depicting males as emotionally inferior, and often inept, have beome increasing popular. It’s humorously taken to social-norm challenging lengths here - with Paul Rudd in lead and on a desperate search to find a new B.F.F. It’s entertaining enough, but never rises above that safe chick-flick level of humour. I think the New Your Post described it best: “Watching this movie is like listening to Michael Jackson tell you what real men are like”. Average

Moon (2009) - It’s quite a tricky task to pull off a credible sci-fi homage film in the modern era - even with the best intentions. Duncan Jones has brought together so many good ideas and the production is certainly above average for the genre - largely helped by the minimal use of CG. But by the end you are right to feel cheated by the events that unfold. You will need to believe that the human story is more important than the feasibility of what actually occurs. Entertaining film, but Tarkovsky this ain’t. Average

In The Loop (2009) - Trust the British to show America how to do political satire at its blackest since Dr Strangelove. Everything is believably absurd as Bush era politics are dealt to with relentless barrage of sharp dialogue from clueless bumbling bureaucrats. It’s clever, well executed, and most importantly funny. The only real weaknesses lie with a lack of any coherant plot and a few lines coming off sounding awkwardly rehearsed. Recommended

Brüno (2009) - Sacha Baron Cohen once again rolls out the stereotypes, cultural sight gags and prank interviews that have become his trademark. It’s often very funny, but my main two criticism of this film are the same for that of Cohen’s previous - Borat. Firstly, the comedy comes at the expense of others. I consider this to be the lowest form of entertainment. While there are some clever improvised lines his main tool is using the reactions (and beliefs) of others to entertain the audience. Secondly, the context is (deliberately) a mess to the point where the audience cannot tell what is staged and what is scripted. It’s a style that holds you at arms length and detracts heavily from the experience. Average

The Hangover (2009) - The last few years have seen a rise in ‘bromace’ films - this one has some fresh faces and just hit the box office zenith. As I suspected, if you’ve seen the trailer then you have easily seen the best of this film about a bachelor party in Las Vegas that gets out of hand. The surprise for me was just how unfunny the connecting scenes are, and how little I cared about finding out about the series of events that led to their predicament. Average

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) - I won’t go as far as many critics and suggest that Michael Bay’s big budget sequel to the well received Transformers is incomprehensible. But I will posit that this is just a fruitless search for something meaningful. The entertainment comes from the evolution of the characters, though much of the great dialogue from the first episode is missing here. There are plenty of epic battles and prolonged actions scenes of Megan Fox in slow motion but this time around they seem dull. It’s not fun, or funny, or funtastic. Average

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) - A shopping mall is overtaken by a gang of organized crooks and ... why am I still writing? Kevin James wasn’t terrible, but the entire premise and delivery serve to illustrate how difficult it is to pull off good slapstick comedy in a modern setting. Avoid

The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls (2009) - Documentary profiling New Zealand’s comedic, singing, dancing, lesbian twin sisters. It’s well made with a good mix of old footage and interviews with people who have known them throught their long career performing together. Even if you’re not a fan their journey is life-affirming and inspirational. Recommended

Sin Nombre (2009) - A great entry in the category I like to call the ‘immigrant road movie’. It follows the journey of a beautiful young Honduran woman who, along with her father and uncle, attempt to cross up into the United States. It’s a visually gorgeous film and a heartbreaking story - you could watch it without the subtitles and still be moved. Recommended

Lesbian Vampire Killers (2009) - I have an idea of how I would have made this a brilliant film - but it’s an idea that differs greatly from what was presented here. This is just a throw-away attempt at comedy that fails both in the ‘so bad it’s good’ category, and in its obvious attempt to be the next Shaun of the Dead. Avoid

The Escapist (2009) - I would class this British prison break thriller as a genuine ‘crowd-pleaser’ - the kind of film that has high ambitions to both entertain and to satisfy on some kind of intellectual level. While it does avoid many of the cliches associated with the genre, it doesn’t have the kind of twist needed to take it to the next level. Recommended

Terminator Salvation (2009) - Christian Bale should have been calling the screenwriter the f***ing amateur. The rare combination of humour and terror that made prior episodes (even Rise of the Machines) such a hit is missing and the whole ridiculously contrived plot takes itself too seriously. Visually, the new look beached bleak landscape is a distraction and the characters all seem dull and superfluous against the onslaught of McG’s FX. Avoid

Star Trek (2009) - I have seen and enjoyed most of the Star Trek films and even bought into the hype that came with this J.J. Abrams prequel. This is a success story on how a franchise can be reborn by cleverly taking the elements and attributes people know and giving them a modern treatment. The unfortunate result in this instance is a mindless exercise in filmmaking with a generic plot designed to appeal to teenage fanboys. Average

Monsters vs Aliens (3D IMAX) (2009) - The latest offering from Dreamworks studio and they are running pretty hot after the success of last year's Kung Fu Panda. This time there are the usual array of interesting characters, but once again, the story isn't Pixar grade. There are a lot of sight gags mixed with classic Sci-Fi references, and Reece's Susan/Ginormica character is adorable. As a total experience (in 3D) I would recommend it for animated fans - but as an entry in the annals of film history it's nothing special. Average

Watchmen (2009) - I'm not a fan of the graphic novel adaptation genre, so I'm rating a film and not the faithfulness to source material I will never read. Having said that, everything you see here is as you imagine the filmmakers intended - it's a stunning visual realisation. But the film as a whole only held me until the Comedian's funeral, then things got a little suffocated with syrupy dialogue and gratuitous use of music. It only ever recovers in patches and the plot is not a strong point, nor is the climactic ending. This might sound overly critical - my expectations were exceeded and there are numerous reasons to get out and see this in the theatre. Recommended