The Top 20 Movies of 2009: Part One

We decided to double the year end list of the films most loved by Criticker users, because twenty is more fun than ten, and allows for the recognition of flicks definitely deserving of it. Besides, the Oscars are doing it too.

So here you have the films didn’t quite make it to the head of the class. Stay tuned for Numbers 1 through 10 tomorrow.

20) Tyson – Avg Tier 6.86

“Biased in that it’s quite sympathetic towards Tyson, no doubt because it’s told from his perspective as he narrates the entire documentary, however it does provide some much needed depth to a man that’s been completely demonized by the media. I still think Mike is certainly “off” but this documentary explains why. Tyson opens up in the interviews and you get to see him as a real person and as a father; Tyson faux-boxing with his daughter was a beautiful thing to see.” – doctor7

19) An Education – Avg Tier 6.98

“Witty and whimsical, charming and callous, sensational and sinister. Mulligan is an absolute revelation, the screenplay is well-paced and funny, and Scherfig manages to add her usual heart into what could potentially be a very bleak story. One of the year’s best.” – bown

18) Zombieland – Avg Tier 7.02

“Top notch entertainment. The opening credit sequence kicks things off in style, and the movie is just a ton of fun from start to finish. I had high hopes for this, and they were matched 100%. The social commentary is typical of zombie films, and thankfully the film keeps it to minimum, allowing us fully bask in the bloody mayhem and carnage it creates. Has there been a better cameo in all of cinema? Serious question. That it was filmed in my local amusement park just made it that much more fun.” – Tripwyre

17) Coraline – Avg Tier 7.05

“This is another entry into the ‘fairy-tale-for-adults’ genre, and is a (thankfully) better plotted and more character-driven film than ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’. The 3-D is not intrusive but is actually a pleasant supplement to the film – and while some of the animation includes some bizarre editing, the brilliantly-stylized third act completely makes up for it. Top-notch design and story – and props to Teri Hatcher for underrated voiceover work” – jacobb1313

16) Anvil! The Story of Anvil – Avg Tier 7.23

“At once both depressing and uplifting, a cry for living your life without regrets, and a look at what happens, when those regrets start creeping in. Heartwrenching.” – KMcNeil

15) Star Trek – Avg Tier 7.36

“Damn fun movie! No one will mistake it for intellectually ambitious science fiction, but what it is is action-adventure spit-shined to Hollywood summer movie perfection. As a lifelong Star Wars hardcore I’m embarrassed at how much more muscular, witty, energetic, and fun this movie is than the whole prequel trilogy put together. A generic villain and haphazardly bombastic score are the only blemishes. This, Batman Begins, and Casino Royale together form the 00s Trilogy of Reboot Greatness.” – Ytadel

14) (500) Days of Summer – Avg Tier 7.37

“This film is a breath of fresh air! All year long we’ve been harassed by a slew of cliche-ridden, insipid, and even cringe-worthy romantic comedies. Finally, what we have with 500 days is a romantic film that gets almost all things right. It does not choose to compromise for the sake of commercialism. What we get is an offbeat film that is eccentric but not indulgent, sad but not melodramatic, quirky but not over-the-top, and just fun all the way through.” – RaymundLi

13) Where the Wild Things Are – Avg Tier 7.41

“‘Where the wild things are’ is full of messages that can’t be realized by (most) children. Jonze created a movie for the small and the big, for all dreamers and for those who know the feeling of being lonely.There is one wild thing in all of us. Like Max build a refuge where only things can happen that he wants, we try to escape to a place where everything might be good. But it’s not more than a castle in the sky, just an illusion… This movie is one of the best 2009 and I am mighty impressed” – NathanDarko

12) The Hurt Locker – Avg Tier 7.47

“(2nd viewing) A nerve-wracking, gripping, psychological thriller. My appreciation for the meticulous craftsmanship behind this film has grown considerably since my last (and first) viewing. Bigelow deserves all the credit she’s been receiving so far and Renner is one reckless SOB. It could’ve used some coherence instead of presenting a series of set pieces but it’s still great and one of the best recent war movies I’ve seen.” – fredericg54

11) In the Loop – Avg Tier 7.56

“Was there a second of this film not dedicated to making me laugh? If there was I’m not sure I remember it. Funniest film I’ve seen all year.” – Melvin Smif

Tomorrow, the top ten!

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