My Take on Holiday Movie Season 2009

Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy in The Blind Side.

There was an excellent mix of movies. But there was not a good new movie about Christmas this year. I did not wish to pay to be part of the disappointing 3D take on A Christmas Carol (2009). Of course, I have not seen everything but of the ones I have paid to see I would rank them as follows.

1. Avatar - changes how movies are made, thank God George Lucas did not write dialog to this sci-fi adventure.

2. Up in the Air - good "old fashioned" movie about relationships staring a real star.

3. The Blind Side - feels good long after it's over, Sandra is respectful of the region it takes place and of her real life character.

4. An Education - a refreshing take on both a period film (1960s) and on a coming of age story. Excellent cast.

5. The Fantastic Mr. Fox - animation was very witty, voice casting was excellent, despite all of that did not bond with characters.

6. It's Complicated - I enjoyed two other films (The Holiday and Something's Gotta Give)by the film's director more. Another case of a great cast with chemistry making a predictable formula work.

7. Sherlock Holmes - relies too much on action and end-of-the-world plot. Shame it did not use the characters better. Did not enjoy Holmes being a rolled-out-of-bed slob.

8. Nine - too many stars saying look at me. Both the stars and the musical numbers that happen outside of real time prevent you from giving a damn about anything other than a few eye candy moments. A movie about the movie making business should certianly be able to survive characters breaking out into song.