Top Five For 2009 Interview
Written by Jason Reed
Film
Narrowing down all of the great films that have been released this year to just five was a terribly difficult task. These were just some of my personal favourites.
1. ‘Let the Right One In' only had a limited release but that shouldn't dissuade people from tracking it down. This film is a fantastic antidote to the current 'tween' vampire craze. Based on a book of the same name by Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist, 'Let the Right One In' will help to redefine the vampire genre. Understated, clever and chilling, this story of a young isolated boy and the girl next door is one to see before the inevitable Hollywood remake.
2. 'District 9' was received with much hype and anticipation and was worth every bit of praise it garnered. After an alien race becomes stranded on earth, they are forced to live in slum-like conditions, whilst the government exploits them and their technology. Written and directed by Neill Blomkamp and produced by Peter Jackson, this was an intelligent and provocative look at segregation and racism in South Africa, cleverly packaged within a science fiction/ action film.
3. ‘The Wackness' was another great film with only a small release. Josh Peck plays Luke Shapiro, a high school graduate and pot dealer, who exchanges his hash for therapy with local psychotherapist Jeffrey Squires (Sir Ben Kingsley). Set to a superb hip hop soundtrack from the 90s, the film charts not only the coming of age story of a young man on the streets of New York, but the influence that this music had on that generation.
4. ‘Samson and Delilah' could be described as a teenage love story set in the desert, but that doesn't go nearly far enough to portray the depth and emotion that this film is freighted with. Set in a rural community, Warwick Thornton has created an utterly absorbing Australian film with layers of raw emotion, barely restrained just below the surface. Every Australian should see this film. It's powerful, evocative and will stay with you.
5. ‘A Serious Man' was an extremely enjoyable black comedy from the Coen Brothers. The film carried a feeling of impending doom as it wreaked havoc upon Larry Gopnik's life. There is no doubt that Joel and Ethan are masters of their craft. They write and direct their material flawlessly, whilst also meticulously constructing each shot. This is filmmaking at its best and a movie that will need more than one viewing.
In 2010, keep your eyes peeled for a new film from Australian filmmakers the Spierig Brothers, titled 'Daybreakers', the latest Martin Scorcese film 'Shutter Island' will be out and of course, how could you not love Nazi zombies in 'Dead Snow'?
