Films of 2009

I followed a rule for years that movies either had to have limited/wide releases in the U.S. or played at film festivals in Cannes, Sundance, Toronto or Telluride for inclusion on yearly lists. Documentaries were eligible regardless of release method. T.V. movies and direct-to-video releases were not eligible for the list. Non-U.S. releases could be eligible depending on critical or popular acclaim in their home country. I try to be consistent when applying this rule, but my application may occasionally drift.

★★★★

Watchmen The Chaser Avatar The Cove

★★★½

The Road Inventing L.A.: The Chandlers and Their Times The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans District 9 The Hangover Moon Brothers at War (500) Days of Summer The Last House on the Left Shall We Kiss Star Trek

★★★

Best Worst Movie Brothers Drag Me to Hell G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra Knowing Ninja Assassin The Obama Deception Pandorum Paul Blart: Mall Cop 17 Again Saw VI Shuttle Surrogates 2012 Terminator: Salvation Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Up Zombieland

★★½

Crank: High Voltage Fast & Furious The Proposal Sacred Places The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 Train Where the Wild Things Are

★★

18-Year-Old Virgin My Bloody Valentine 3-D This Is It

★½

The Final Destination Halloween II Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

★

The Hole

½ star

zero stars

Miss March

2009 movies not listed here: The direct-to-video release American Pie Presents: Book of Love.