As the closing credits roll for 2009, this column is two months shy of its year anniversary. In the spirit of the holidays and that almost anniversary, it is time to look back at the 41 movies Gail has seen and give out some awards.

Movies I Would Marry

Star Trek  I wish that I could slip into a black hole and travel back in time so I could see this film again for the first time.

Every Little Step  This documentary about the auditions for the revival of A Chorus Line made me laugh, cry and tremble with excitement. I did not want this film to end.

A Serious Man  Many may disagree, but I think this is the Coen Brothers’ best film. It is screamingly funny and profoundly serious. The writing, directing and acting are seamless.

Maybe not Love, But I am Deeply in Like

Me and Orson Welles  Fascinating and enjoyable, and it made me feel good.

Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire   I give this film top grades in all categories. Parts are painful to watch, which is why I would not want to see it again.

Up in the Air   This film is interesting, funny and relevant today.

Whatever Works  I confess that I like all of Woody’s films. It may not be his best, but it is very funny, thoroughly enjoyable and has a great cast.

Books Are Still Relevant  Even when I did not like the film, I still wanted to read the book.

Up in the Air   Based on the novel by Walter Kirn.

Me and Orson Welles Based on the novel by Robert Kaplow.

Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire   The novel is even part of the title.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon   Based on the novel by Stehenie Meyer.

The Men Who Stare at Goats  Based on the book by Jon Ronson.

Brief Interviews with Hideous Men  Based on the novel by David Foster Wallace.

Whip It  Based on Derby Girl by Shauna Cross.

Julie and Julia Based on two books, My Life in France by Julia Child and Julie and Julia by Julie Powell.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince   Based on the novel by J.K. Rowling.

He’s Just Not That Into You  Based on the book He’s Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys by two Sex and the City writers, which was based on a line from the television series. 

The Real Chick Flicks  These films have female writers and directors and four of them have main characters who are women.

Whip It Shauna Cross wrote the screenplay based on her own book. Drew Barrymore directed.

Jennifer’s Body Diablo Cody wrote the script and Karyn Kusama directed.

Bright Star Jane Campion wrote and directed. 

Julie and Julia Nora Ephron directed and wrote the screenplay, based on two books by female writers.

Sunshine Cleaning  Megan Holley wrote the script based on an NPR story about two women crime scene cleaners. Christine Jeffs directed.

Most Underrated Films

Jennifer’s Body This is a horror movie for adults. It is scary, but not too scary, smart and funny. I loved it.

Humpday   A funny and interesting film about two guys. The actors improvised many of the scenes.

The Merry Gentleman   This quiet and thoughtful film is very different from other thrillers.

Sunshine Cleaning  This is a film about small successes, and surprisingly, it made me feel good. And it stars Amy Adams, Emily Blunt and Alan Arkin.

Paper Heart  Charlyne Yi is charming and offbeat, and her mockumentary is delightful and surprisingly moving.

Best Performance While Standing in a Dung Pile  It is hard to be good, when the movie is not. But these actors managed to do just that.

Michael Cerveris (Subject #15) and Frankie Faison (Subject #42) in Brief Interviews with Hideous Men . Both actors give strong and moving performances, despite the poor script.

Glenn Kenny (Erotic Connoisseur) in The Girlfriend Experience. This real life film critic is hilarious, and provides relief from the overpowering stench of this film.

Paul Schneider (Charles Armitage Brown) in Bright Star. Schneider brings levity and charm to this pretentious piece of puke.

Carlos Ponce (Salvadore), Peter Serafinowicz (Stanley) and Jean Reno (Marcel) in Couples Retreat.  These three actors are very funny in a film that is not.  Watch their supporting performances and ignore the rest of the film.

Zach Galifinanakis (Alan Garner) and Ken Jeung (Mr. Chow) in The Hangover. Jeung is hilarious and Galifinanakis is hilarious and charming. These two are the best things in this film.

Cherchez La Femme

The Men Who Stare at Goats  I cannot find a female anywhere in this film.

The Better Kristin Stewart Film

 Adventureland .  It did not get the hype of The Twilight Saga: New Moon, but this much better film is funny, touching and worth watching.

Much Ado About Very Little

Angels and Demons  It was big, expensive and filmed in Rome, and very forgettable.

The Hangover  I still do not get it.

Bright Star  It garnered some good reviews, but in this case, Jane Campion and John Keats do not equal a good film.

You, Stand Over There.  Three actors stepped behind the camera and made their directing debuts in films in which they appeared.

Drew Barrymore, Whip It.  Barrymore directed this charming film like a veteran.

Michael Keaton, The Merry Gentleman . Keaton shows sensitivity and a deft hand in this low key thriller.

John Krasinski, Away We Go. Krasinski had trouble with the material, but shows promise.

Most Promising Coming Attractions for 2010

Sex and the City 2. The countdown until May is on.

The First Film I Will Review in 2010

Nine. Check here next week.

 

Happy New Year to all of you film lovers.  See you at the movies next year.

 

Gail sees a movie appears every Wednesday.

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