175 - Crazy Heart

The formula was similar to The Wrestler, but this film had Jeff Bridges going for it and that was the difference maker. But lost a bit in all the fireworks is Colin Farrell who actually did a great job as well. The country songs were really good and I can see why this film easily gets your attention.

174 - Peacock

This film would not have gone that much further without Cillian Murphy. It was hard to not wonder why people could not see the same person in Emma and John, but Cillian's performance deserves credit.

173 - The Devil's Backbone

One of Guillermo Del Toro's first films, The Devil's Backbone is a very unique and well-crafted story. It's a very rich mix and while the ghost story plays an integral part, the film is rich in characters, history, and concept. I also particularly liked the cinematography.

172 - Spirited Away

Miyazaki's Spirited Away is visually rich and I think that's what I enjoyed the most. Chichiro, for some reason, reminds me of Radical Ed (from Cowboy Bebop)...I guess if Ed ever played a straight-up role Chichiro would be it :).

171 - The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

It's sad to think that Heath Ledger is gone. This film really exposes a talent that was obviously beginning to flourish. It was a nice touch to have Johnny Depp, Jude law, and Colin Farrell fill in for some of his scenes, as if it were meant to be that way. I particularly liked how straight-up a character was given to Verne Troyer. As for Terry Gilliam's imaginarium...no one better to do this one.

170 - Finding Nemo

A lot of people have given special mention to Finding Nemo in Pixar's portfolio. Its a great movie, no doubt, and in the same caliber as all the Pixar productions so far, but I have to say it doesn't stand out for me as much as Monsters Inc, The Incredibles, and Wall-E. That's not to take away the excellence in development. Watching the special features always gives you a lot of appreciation for the hard work. With such a creative and intense environment, Pixar can do no wrong.

2009 Marker (yes, its that late!)

This has gotta change. Over the years my year end marker has been drifting late into the following year. Anyway, on to what was 2009!

2009 was a downturn in my Netflix journey...its not for lack of interest, just lack of time. Plus, I've been enjoying Netflix on my Roku, so there is a big chunk of streaming that is not documented here in Ion Cannon. Among them include The Office, Lost (not yet done ;) ), and a few TV episodes and movies here and there....so I guess the journey has just changed, that's all.

Still, the selection this year was not as great as 2008. That explains the short honor roll. Or maybe I just made too many bad choices.

Kate the Great - she had a number of films out, but The Reader is my personal favorite. She really brings a lot of tension to a character and that really draws you to the story.

Amy Amy! - it was also a great year for Amy Adams. Here fragile characters in Doubt and Sunshine Cleaning....those suffering eyes....how could you not melt with compassion?

The Steven-O experience- Steven Soderbergh's experiments should really get more acclaim (like 2005's Bubble) and his work on The Girlfriend Experience was a great immersion into one of society's dark alleys.

Jarmusch is still God - well, to me anyway :). Not everyone liked The Limits of Control. And that's fine. It was a journey I very much enjoyed.

Rie Miyazawa - just had to seek her out, and that lead to some nice discoveries like Hana and Tony Takitani.

Le Honor Roll

1. Doubt
2. The Reader
3. Waltz with Bashir
4. Sunshine Cleaning
5. The Girlfriend Experience
6. The Limits of Control
7. The Wackness
8. Religulous
9. Hana
10. Wendy and Lucy
11. Tony Takitani

169 - Up in the Air

In the "cold-hearted-gets-conscience" mold (like Jerry Maguire), Up in the Air is a very good film. I particularly like Vera Farmiga's character. I also liked the twist near the end. This would very much be also aligned to Bruce Willis' character in "The Kid", but that was a Disney movie so you can pretty much expect a fairy tale ending....not so with this one. 'First time I've ever seen Anna Kendrick and she was very good, too!

168 - An Education

I had been waiting to finally see this film. I won't deny that I very much like Carey Mulligan. If I had to isolate one trait, it would be her low voice. Its perfect for blunt delivery. But the film, I think, is not enitrely a success because of her alone. The unsung heroes for me are Alfred Molina and her friends (Amanda Fairbank-Hynes and Ellie Kendrick). If you watch the deleted scenes from the DVD, there so much more to enjoy from he ensemble cast's performance. I had initially thought this film would rival Adrian Lynne's Lolita (which I really love and would be very tough to beat) but it possesses its own character.

167 - Sid and Nancy

It's gritty...it's punk....its rough....and it's a love story. Gary Oldman's Sid Vicious is not necessarily a study in self-destruction...actually a bit on the side of passiveness. I see there was a template to Gary Oldman's drug-infested characters in later films.

166 - Whip It

There are no surprises in this feel-good story directed by Drew Barrymore. Not much of a stretch for Ellen Page, but a really good turn for Kristen Wiig. Nice to see Juliette Lewis, too.

165 - Gran Torino

How does an aging Clint Eastwood flex his inner Dirty Harry? By acting his age...and using his wits instead. Well, he does get to point a gun at people :)....but his imaginary one really is the killer.

164 - The Hurt Locker

I have to say I think I'm a bit saturated with modern warfare films, and I feel it on this one....but it's worth noting that this film is well done. It follows in the same path of adrenaline as Black Hawk Down. And does prove a point...to be a bomb tech takes mental slant...you just can't do it if you're not one crazy 'mother ;).

p.s. some very nice "Executive-Decision like-Segal" cameos...Guy Pearce and Ralph Fiennes ;)

163 - The Night Porter

Other than her bit parts, I've only really known Charlotte Rampling in Swimming Pool. Having finally seen The Night Porter, I feel sad to have missed out on a lot of her work. If by any chance you've seen Maggie and James in Secretary, I say you have to see Charlotte and Dirk Bogarde in The Night Porter.

162 - Love and Honor

As tender and elegant as Twilight Samurai, Love and Honor left me speechless. It's beautifully crafted and truly worthy of its title....which can easily be taken for granted. Again, Yoji Yamada has shed light into other sides of Samurai life that are truly worth noting, and admiring. The story of Mimura and Karo is not unusual, but the delivery and minimalism of dialogue highlights the creative precision of this great film.

161 - The Limits of Control

A Jim Jarmusch film is a journey, not a destination. I enjoyed travelling with the lone man, meeting a bunch of odd characters (among them Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, and Gael Garcia Bernal). The Limits of Control is a photographer's delight. Every five seconds or so you will spot a great shot.

160 - 47 Ronin

It's been done so many times and referenced in many different ways.....but I wanted to see it again. Kon Ichikawa's version is truly magnificent. The attention to detail in Japanese architecture kept me glued to the screen and the way in which the story was told made me truly feel like I was watching a legendary manga novel live. It doesn't hurt to see Rie Miyazawa, as well, such a welcome face :).

159 - Away We Go

Having seen The Office....I honestly feel like I'm watching a Jim Halpert movie :). It's a great story and I like how it was written to treat each stop in their trip as stories in themselves, and yet feature in the background the perseverence of the couple.

158 - Local Color

I think there really was a great story that was the basis for the film, but the presentation fell somewhat short.

Armin Mueller-Stahl felt like good casting, but either the script needed more interpretation or directing may have kept it too tight, I honestly don't know. Perhaps in order to preserve moments that inspired the film, a lot of the storylines or dialogue took a back seat. Trevor Morgan, in a role that would be a good fit for either Tobey Maguire or Elijah Wood, doesn't really bring that much to the character. I'm biased about Samantha Mathis, but here again it feels like the script has kept her from doing anything meaningful.

The film does have its merits in its commentary about art, which I found both amusing (way to go Ron Perlman ;) ) and insightful.

157 - Blade of the Immortal

I've followed the graphic novels for quite some time and while the artwork is faithful to the original, watching it was somewhat weird when you've gotten used to following the story in comic form. I think I'll stick to the graphic novels.