Page 18 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • January 20, 2010 Critic’s picks: The 10 best films of 2009 by Dennis Seuling In a look back at the films of 2009, one thing stands out. It was a year of variety. Offerings ranged from small, independent films to Hollywood blockbusters, and Rrated comedies, creepy horror films, feature-length animation, impressive foreign films, period action dramas, and even a musical. Following, in reverse order, are this critic’s selections for the year’s best films. “Adventureland.” This is the bittersweet story of James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) who, on graduating from college in 1987, looks forward to traveling through Europe that summer and attending Columbia University’s graduate school in the fall. These plans evaporate when his father is demoted and cannot pay for the European trip. Turned down by traditional employers for lack of experience, James finally gets hired at a local amusement park, Adventureland. Eisenberg has an endearing, sweet personality that works perfectly here. The humor is not forced and gags are not overemphasized. Buoyed by excellent supporting performances from Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Kristen Stewart, and Martin Starr, “Adventureland” combines comedy, period drama, and likeable characters. “Inglourious Basterds.” Quentin Tarantino dared to rewrite the history of World War II and turned out a quirky film in the process. Telling three stories that eventually converge, the film stars Brad Pitt as the officer in charge of a group of JewishAmerican commandos assigned to conduct a reign of terror against the Nazis. The film features wonderful dialogue and excellent supporting performances, especially by Christoph Waltz as a ruthless German SS officer assigned to locate Jews hiding in Nazi-occupied France. “District 9.” Metaphor can be the kiss of death in movies, if it is emphasized to the point that the viewer’s attention wanders from the storyline. This is not the case in “District 9.” Director Neill Blomkamp presents a fast-paced action picture set in South Africa with a computer generated space-ship and creatures that look like human-sized insects and a none-too-bright civil service employee as a leading character. The creaturesface tremendous bigotry to emigrate through Mexico into the United States, where her father has a new family. They ride clinging to the tops of freight trains because inside the box cars are robbers, rapists, and murderers. The Mexican authorities patrol to round up the scared emigrants and either arrest or deport them. In Mexico, the teenage Casper (Edgar Flores) is a gang member who still has a remnant of decency. He has just brought in a new recruit, 12-year-old Smiley (Kristian Ferrer), who is subjected to a brutal initiation. The paths of Casper and Sayra cross when Li’l Mago, assisted by Casper and Smiley, attempt to rob Sayra’s group. A confrontation between Casper and L’il Mago results in Casper’s fleeing and going into hiding as he is hunted down by his own gang. Director Cary Fukunaga provides a disturbing portrait of gang mentality and the countless obstacles immigrants must endure before ever reaching the U.S. border. “Sin Nombre” may be tough to take, but it is extremely rewarding and the performances from an unknown cast are exceptional. “Julie & Julia.” The main attraction of this film is Meryl Streep’s on-the-money performance as Julia Child. The story follows two intertwined tracks. To get some excitement and purpose into her life, Julie Powell (Amy Adams) decides to make every one of the recipes in Child’s “The Art of French Cooking” and starts an online blog charting her progress. To get some Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci in ‘Julie & Julia,’ one of the 10 best films of 2009. and have essentially been confined to the filthy, crime-ridden neighborhood of the film’s title. It’s hard not to think of South Africa’s history of apartheid as the aliens are ghettoized and treated with derision. Though it borrows plot points from other films, “District 9” reveals an unforced political theme that considerably enriches the movie. Staged TV news segments lend a documentary feel and suspense. “Up.” This film won me over in its first 10 minutes when, in a wordless sequence, the story of elderly balloon salesman Carl Fredericksen (voice of Ed Asner) is revealed. Viewers see him with childhood friend Ellie, their growing romance, courtship, marriage, and life together as they save up for a dream trip to Paradise Falls. But they grow old, and Ellie dies. When it looks as if Carl will be forced to live in a retirement home, he attaches thousands of helium-filled balloons to his house. The balloons rip the house from its foundations with Carl inside and he sets out to accomplish the journey to Paradise Falls. The 3-D animation is spectacular in this Disney/ Pixar release, and it has a solid, interesting story. Along the way, Carl acquires a few sidekicks. But making the central character a senior citizen is a first. “Up” is an animated movie the entire family can enjoy. “Sin Nombre.” Sayra (Paulina Gaitan) is a Honduran teenager hoping for a better life. With her father and uncle, she hopes excitement and purpose into her life, Child studies French cooking while living in France with her diplomat husband (Stanley Tucci), and the rest is culinary and entertainment history. Adams is charming, but this is Streep’s picture. Her chameleon abilities transform her perfectly into the quirky, opinionated Child through speech, mannerisms, reactions, posture, costumes, and makeup. For sheer enjoyment, “Julie & Julia” makes the list. “The Hurt Locker.” Kathryn Bigelow directed one of the best movies about soldiers in war with this vivid, suspenseful film about a team whose job is to locate and defuse bombs in Iraq. Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner) is a fascinating character and Bigelow’s handling of suspense in one of the movie’s strongest ingredients. Sgt. James approaches each device, not knowing whether this will be the bomb that ends his life and the lives of his team. Shots of local spectators enhance suspense as viewers wonder if they are interested onlookers or terrorists. “Up in the Air.” For moviegoers who want solid dramas geared toward adults, this movie is proof that intelligent films with well-developed characters exist. George Clooney stars as Ryan Bingham, a man whose job is to fire people for his clients, using a combination of charm, psychology, advice, and experience to make a (continued on Crossword page) Only $12.00 TUESDAY NIGHT SPECIAL Served 6pm - 8pm Our Top “Six” Entrees KIRKERS Regular Menu Also Available SAUERBRATEN with Red Cabbage & Potato Pancake WIENER SCHNITZEL Plain Veal Schnitzel served with Red Cabbage & Potato Pancake “WURSTS” Combination of “3” Bavarian Sausages, Knockwurst, Wiesswurst and Bratwurst with Saurkraut and Hot Potato Salad STUFFED SHRIMP with Crabmeat BROILED or FRIED SEAFOOD COMBO Filet of Sole, Shrimp, Scallops and our Signature Crab Cake PRIME RIB Slow Roasted for maximum flavor (while supplies last) ~ Served with choice of Soup or Salad, Potato & Vegetable ~ www.kirkers.com • All Major Credit Cards • Open Mon. - Sat 11:30 - Midnight • Closed Sunday 237 Diamond Bridge Ave, Hawthorne • 973-427-7700