Examiner Movie Critic Sally Kline ranks her 10 best films of 2009 1. “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ By Sapphire” – The year’s best film was also its most moving. I felt changed on a deep level after viewing this drama of a girl’s modest transcendence above relentless abuse by her parents and the neglect of society. Marked by the fearless acting of Gabourey Sidibe and Mo’Nique and the soulful direction of Lee Daniels, its characters are so human, so real. We are forced to rethink the concepts of hopelessness and evil by them.
2. “Up” – The year’s sweetest film, and best animated one, took an unusual buddy team on a grand balloon adventure of colorful spectacle, goofy humor and intergenerational bonding. This latest Pixar triumph idolizes a senior citizen eluding the retirement home and a fat kid from a broken home as its swashbuckling heroes! And a short silent film within the film, depicting a couple’s life together, is the most memorable movie nugget of 2009.
