Seeing as it’s Thanksgiving and all, it’s only right that we look back over 2009 and pick out a few movies that we’re thankful for. Ya know, films that moved us, shook us or opened up our minds to new, creative, original ideas. The sort of movies you’ll watch again, or tell your friends to watch, or maybe even store away in an attic so that you can bring it out and share it with your children down the line.
While you think about which films you’re thankful for this year, here are five I’m thankful for.
Watchmen
Though it was a tad too long for some, and not all that entertaining for others, I’m just thankful that Zack Snyder and Warner Bros. had the balls to actually make a live-action Watchmen movie, let alone one that was extremely faithful to the source material (and in some cases, a little too faithful). The cast was spot-on, and Snyder managed to take a graphic novel most of us grew up reading and transform it into a beautiful, poetic film that, in the years to come, will certainly find its place amongst some of our favorite cult classics.
Where To Watch It: On DVD and Blu-ray now
Star Trek
I remember growing up with some pretty cool Star Trek films only to watch the franchise slowly die a painfully uninteresting death. But then J.J. Abrams and his crew came along and revived Star Trek, transforming it into a pretty badass franchise with a whole new cast full of exciting up-and-comers. Now folks (young and old) can’t wait for the next Star Trek film, and for that we should be thankful.
Where To Watch It: On DVD and Blu-ray now
Moon
As you can see my list is heavy on the sci-fi films, and mainly because I think we had a bit of a sci-fi renaissance in 2009 with some fantastic genre films. A smaller one that might not be on your radar was Moon, starring Sam Rockwell (in an Oscar-worthy performance) as an astronaut nearing the end of a three-year stint working on the moon who discovers something (or someone) that may prevent him from finally traveling back home. I’m just thankful this film exists, and that it proves sometimes the best science fiction movies come wrapped in tiny budgets.
Where To Watch It: Moon arrives on DVD and Blu-ray on January 12th.
District 9
I hope you haven’t forgotten yet about this summer’s smallest (and loudest, in terms of critical reaction) blockbuster. With Peter Jackson’s help, the world was introduced to an amazing new talent in director Neill Blomkamp, and with him came a smart summer alien movie that had themes and messages, as well as some pretty fantastic explosions, weapons and chase sequences. After Blomkamp lost the opportunity to direct a live-action Halo movie, I’m just thankful no one forgot about him and that Jackson and Co. subsequently gave him a chance to tell an original story on his own terms.
Where To Watch It: District 9 hits DVD and Blu-ray on December 22nd.
Avatar
I know, Avatar hasn’t even arrived in theaters yet, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have anything to be thankful for. Seriously, we should be thankful for James Cameron and his ability to stage such an elaborate piece of filmmaking for our viewing pleasure. We should be thankful that even if the movie isn’t as great as we all hope it will be, it should still provide the most entertaining and exhilarating moviegoing experience of the year (and maybe even the decade).
Where To Watch It: Avatar hits theaters on December 18th.
Now it’s your turn – which films are you thankful for this year?
