Before tonight's Oscars, here are the ten films I saw that were the best. In addition, I've included those films that didn't quite make it, but also deserve honorable mention.
1. KNOWING
This film was not beloved by as many viewers and critics as it should have. I think it was great! Knowing is a sci-fi film that's engaging, suspenseful, and a story that's not afraid to ask a very important question: Is the universe and all events that happen in it determined by something or someone or is everything simply the unfolding of random chance? The special effects are terrific and Nicolas Cage stars in his best movie since The Weather Man, and I'd say surpasses it.
2. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY
Rarely do I see a film like this where I'm disturbed, engaged with the movie's suspense, and genuinely uneasy even a few hours after the movie's over. Stylewise, it's in the same vein as the Blair Witch Project, with the main character documenting the enfolding events using his own camera. But this movie is creepier than Blair Witch in my opinion. Roger Ebert correctly points out that horror films need not rely on quick cuts to create their desired effect. This movie relies on long shots and no music, definitely separating it from the pack. That's something the new Wolfman movie could have learned from.
3. UP
A strong candidate to win the Oscar for best animated film. On one level, it's consistently entertaining with great characters. It's got some great humor too, I could tell Pixar was not going through the motions with this one. On another level, it teaches us some important lessons about love and friendship. With Wall-E last year and Up this year, Pixar is churning out some timeless tales that combine humor, drama and messages that everyone can appreciate.
4. WE LIVE IN PUBLIC
This film and the next film on my list are about men who avoid close relationships, making their work what drives them instead. We Live In Public is a documentary about Josh Harris, a man ahead of his time who saw the direction the internet and the computers were taking us before most people did. Harris creates several experiments using people and technology that illustrate how technology can easily break down relationships if we use it irresponsibly. If only Harris understood that.
5. UP IN THE AIR
Director Jason Reitman makes yet another film that has made my top ten list. George Clooney's character Ryan Bingham thrives on moving, taking flights all around the country to fire employees for corporations with bosses too scared to do it themselves. When his company decides to conduct their layoffs over the internet instead of in person, Ryan must train a young female hotshot how to do his job right, as he's convinced she knows nothing about firing people. The interactions he has with her and also with a woman he often hooks up with while traveling are fantastic and the ending to this film took me completely by surprise.
6. 500 DAYS OF SUMMER
A great comedic drama about Tom Hansen, a guy going through the emotions of being involved with a girl he absolutely adores, while she doesn't quite feel the same way. Tom's scene of excitement at the beginning of his relationship with Summer is so humorously fantastic, yet very realistic on an emotional level. If you did not see this in theaters, rent it asap.
7. SIN NOMBRE
Sin Nombre deals with two stories, one about Willy aka El Casper, a teenager running away from his gang after avenging the death of his girlfriend. Only problem is the person he killed was the gang leader, so he decides to stow away on a train that his leader originally intended to rob. The other story is about a family determined to cross the border with hundreds of other illegal immigrants on the top of a train. This is the same train Willy and his gang attempt to hijack. This is an excellent film, though not a feel good movie.
8. AN EDUCATION
Jenny Miller is a good student and hopes to attend Oxford University upon graduation. One day she's given a ride home by a middle aged man named David Goldman. Jenny finds David very charming, especially when he uses this charm to persuade Jenny's parents to allow him to take her to concerts, clubs and eventually to Paris. Jenny receives an education outside of the classroom that she will never forget. Whether she decides to abandon her potential inside the classroom I will not reveal here, but there is a twist at the end that Jenny never sees coming. This is a great film that hasn't been seen by that many people, but I encourage you to rent it when you have a chance.
9. THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE
Steven Soderbergh often enjoys making low budget, independent films along with his larger commercial releases. This is another one of his experiments, which I think works very well. Sasha Grey plays Christine, an expensive call girl who will take the part of her client's dream girlfriend, going out to dinner, listening to his small talk and problems and at the end of the evening, a bit more, if he wants. Christine is interviewed by a journalist, who's fascinated by her and also how she can juggle her line of work and maintain a real relationship with her boyfriend. As this film makes clear though, I would never want to be in her boyfriend's shoes. This is a rare look into a profession that brings both excitement and heartache, false relationships and wrecked ones.
10. SITA SINGS THE BLUES
What an original film this is! Put together mostly by one woman on her computer, the film tells two parallel stories. Sita Sings The Blues is very colorful and imaginitive in its animation, as simple as the movements for many of the characters appear. This movie unfortunately did not make it to mainstream theaters due to legal issues involving the music, but it found an audience online and was given a lot of attention at Ebertfest this past April. It's a film that passed under the radar of most viewers but is well worth your time.
HONORABLE MENTION: Brothers, District 9, This Is It, Big Man Japan, The Blind Side, Disney's A Christmas Carol, Funny People, I Love You Man, Julia, Julie & Julia, Moon, Passing Strange, Trucker, Tyson, You The Living, Zombieland.
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