2009 Best Reviewed Movies

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2009 Movies

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Toy Story 2 in 3-D
100% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 161 reviews
"Toy Story 2 employs inventive storytelling, gorgeous animation, and a top notch voice cast to deliver another rich moviegoing experience for all ages, one that's arguably even better than its predecessor."
Toy Story in 3-D
100% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 76 reviews
"As entertaining as it is innovative, Toy Story kicked off Pixar's unprecedented run of quality pictures, reinvigorating animated film in the process."
Still Walking
100% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 60 reviews
"Hirokazu Kore-eda's film may seem modest at first, but this family drama casts a delicate, entrancing spell."
Up
98% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 280 reviews
"Another masterful work of art from Pixar, Up is an exciting, hilarious, and heartfelt adventure impeccably crafted and told with wit and depth."
Anvil! The Story of Anvil
98% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 134 reviews
"A touching, uplifting and inspirational rockumentary about an aging metal band, both hilarious and heart-warming in equal measure."
The Song of Sparrows
98% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 41 reviews
"A heartfelt, affecting parable, The Song of Sparrows is another gem from Iranian director Majid Majidi."
The Hurt Locker
97% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 217 reviews
"A well-acted, intensely shot, action filled war epic, Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker is thus far the best of the recent dramatizations of the Iraq War."
The Class
97% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 146 reviews
"Energetic and bright, this hybrid of documentary style and dramatic plotting looks at the present and future of France through the interactions of a teacher and his students in an inner city high school."
Food, Inc.
96% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 106 reviews
"An eye-opening expose of the modern food industry, Food, Inc. is both fascinating and terrifying, and essential viewing for any health-conscious citizen."
Revanche
96% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 81 reviews
"With Revanche, Götz Spielmann has crafted a debut as surprising as it is suspenseful."
Star Trek
95% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 297 reviews
"Star Trek reignites a classic franchise with action, humor, a strong story, and brilliant visuals, and will please traditional Trekkies and new fans alike."
Crude
95% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 64 reviews
"Dynamic, tightly arranged, and deliberately provocative, Joe Berlinger's Crude is a sobering, enraging wake-up call."
An Education
94% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 179 reviews
"Though the latter part of the film may not appeal to all, An Education is a charming coming-of-age tale powered by the strength of relative newcomer Carey Mulligan's standout performance."
In the Loop
94% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 167 reviews
"In the Loop is an uncommonly funny political satire that blends Dr. Strangelove with Spinal Tap for the Iraq war era."
The Damned United
94% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 127 reviews
"Better than your average football pic, Damned United is carried by another star turn from Michael Sheen as Brian Clough."
Good Hair
94% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 81 reviews
"Funny, informative, and occasionally sad, Good Hair is a provocative look at the complex relationship between African Americans and their hair."
The Maid
94% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 64 reviews
"Catalina Saavedra's devastating performance would be reason enough to see The Maid, but Sebastian Silva's empathetic direction and finely tuned script only add to the movie's pleasing heft."
Home
94% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 35 reviews
"Disconcerting and sometimes eerie, this enigmatic French film is an assured directorial debut."
Fantastic Mr. Fox
93% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 209 reviews
"Fantastic Mr. Fox is a delightfully funny feast for the eyes with multi-generational appeal -- and it shows Wes Anderson has a knack for animation."
Sugar
93% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 120 reviews
"Sugar is an exceptionally-crafted film -- part sports flick, part immigrant tale -- with touching and poignant drama highlighted by splendid performances."
Summer Hours
93% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 99 reviews
"Olivier Assayas' contemplative family drama handles lofty ideas about art and culture with elegance and lightness."
Of Time and the City
93% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 55 reviews
"Terrence Davies' heartfelt, sometimes funny new feature documentary is part scrapbook, part confessional."
Drag Me to Hell
92% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 228 reviews
"Sam Raimi returns to top form with Drag Me to Hell, a frightening, hilarious, delightfully campy thrill ride."
Ponyo
92% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 158 reviews
"While not Miyazaki's best film, Ponyo is a visually stunning fairy tale that's a sweetly poetic treat for children of all ages."
Lemon Tree
92% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 66 reviews
"A positive and personal Israeli film that offers an understated and thought-provoking vision of the West Bank troubles."
Under the Sea 3D
92% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 50 reviews
"Technically and visually dazzling..."
Il Divo
92% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 48 reviews
"While the web of corruption in this Italian political thriller can be hard for a non-native to follow, the visuals and the intrigue are compelling and thrilling in equal measure."
Up in the Air
91% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 260 reviews
"Led by charismatic performances by its three leads, director Jason Reitman delivers a smart blend of humor and emotion with just enough edge for mainstream audiences."
District 9
91% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 258 reviews
"Technically brilliant and emotionally wrenching, District 9 has action, imagination, and all the elements of a thoroughly entertaining science-fiction classic."
Precious
91% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 218 reviews
"Precious is a grim yet ultimately triumphant film about abuse and inner-city life, largely bolstered by exceptional performances from its cast."
Crazy Heart
91% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 199 reviews
"Thanks to a captivating performance from Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart transcends its overly familiar origins and finds new meaning in an old story."
Gomorra
91% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 139 reviews
"Portraying organised crime with an unflinching realism, this gritty and searing Italian crime masterpiece pulls no punches."
Every Little Step
91% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 95 reviews
"Fascinating and insightful, Every Little Step is a thoroughly engrossing behind the scenes look at Broadway performers."
Zombieland
90% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 215 reviews
"Wickedly funny and featuring plenty of gore, Zombieland is proof that the zombie subgenre is far from dead."
Moon
90% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 182 reviews
"Boosted by Sam Rockwell's intense performance, Moon is a compelling work of science-fiction, and a promising debut from director Duncan Jones."
The Messenger
90% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 154 reviews
"A dark but timely subject is handled deftly by writer/directer Owen Moverman and superbly acted by Woody Harrleson and Ben Foster."
Hunger
90% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 115 reviews
"Unflinching, uncompromising, vivid and vital, Steve McQueen's challenging debut is not for the faint hearted, but it's still a richly rewarding retelling of troubled times."
Coraline
89% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 232 reviews
"With its vivid stop-motion animation combined with Neil Gaiman's imaginative story, Coraline is a film that's both visually stunning and wondrously entertaining."
A Serious Man
89% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 205 reviews
"Blending dark humor with profoundly personal themes, the Coen brothers deliver what might be their most mature -- if not their best -- film to date."
Sin Nombre
89% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 115 reviews
"Part harrowing immigration tale, part gangster story, this debut by writer/director Cary Fukunaga is sensitive, insightful and deeply authentic."
World's Greatest Dad
89% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 115 reviews
"World's Greatest Dad is a risky, deadpan, dark comedy that effectively explores the nature of posthumous cults of celebrity."
Red Cliff
89% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 113 reviews
"Featuring some impressively grand battlefield action, John Woo returns to Asia and returns to form in the process for this lavish and slick historical epic."
O' Horten
89% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 85 reviews
"Bent Hamer's latest is a droll, deadpan comedy filled with strange touches and melancholy charm."
Inglourious Basterds
88% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 267 reviews
"A classic Tarantino genre-blending thrill ride, Inglourious Basterds is violent, unrestrained, and thoroughly entertaining,"
Adventureland
88% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 207 reviews
"Full of humor and nostalgia, Adventureland is a sweet, insightful coming-of-age comedy that will resonate with teens and adults alike."
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
88% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 136 reviews
"Befitting its unorthodox origins, this Bad Lieutenant benefits from Werner Herzog's typically fearless direction and a delightfully unhinged Nicolas Cage in the title role."
Jerichow
88% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 34 reviews
"Minimal and intriguing, this Teutonic retreading of The Postman Always Rings Twice is tense and ominous throughout."
500 Days of Summer
87% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 209 reviews
"A clever, offbeat romantic comedy, 500 Days of Summer is refreshingly honest and utterly charming."
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
87% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 137 reviews
"Quirky humor, plucky characters and solid slapstick make this family comedy a frenetically tasty time at the movies."
Big Fan
87% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 87 reviews
"Featuring Patton Oswalt's sympathetic portrayal, Big Fan humorously and effectively captures the dark and lonely world of a sports fanatic."
Lorna's Silence
86% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 93 reviews
"Subtle and emotionally bleak, this gripping thriller features the Dardenne brothers' recognizable penchant for realism and very strong performances."
The House of the Devil
86% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 91 reviews
"Though its underlying themes are familiar, House of the Devil effectively sheds the loud and gory cliches of contemporary horror to deliver a tense, slowly building throwback to the fright flicks of decades past."
A Single Man
85% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 177 reviews
"Though the costumes are beautiful and the art direction impeccable, what stands out most from this debut by fashion designer Tom Ford is the leading performance by Colin Firth."
Me and Orson Welles
85% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 151 reviews
"Me and Orson Welles boasts a breakout performance by Christian McKay and an infectious love of the backstage drama that overcomes its sometimes fluffy tone."
The White Ribbon
85% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 136 reviews
"The White Ribbon effectively utilizes tension and a bleak atmosphere to deliver a thought-provoking examination of nascent fascism."
Soul Power
85% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 73 reviews
"Featuring some incredible performances from many 70s soul legends, Soul Power is an exhilarating snap-shot of a bygone era."
Skin
85% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 62 reviews
"Sophie Okonedo, Sam Neill, and Alice Krige do wonderful work in Skin, delivering performances whose strength is underlined by the incredible real-life events upon which the movie is based."
Black Dynamite
85% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 59 reviews
"A loving and meticulous send-up of 1970s blaxsploitation movies, Black Dynamite is funny enough for the frat house and clever enough for film buffs."
Treeless Mountain
85% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 54 reviews
"Intermittently wondrous and harsh, this sensitive drama about two abandoned sisters gives time and space to the intimate and beautiful moments of childhood."
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
84% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 257 reviews
"Dark, thrilling, and occasionally quite funny, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is also visually stunning and emotionally satisfying."