The 3 Best Movies of the Decade
Here are the 3 best movies of 2009 that got our adrenaline pumping and the dynamite exploding. We love good movies and have seen hundreds in our time.
- The Messenger. You know that gut-wrenching moment in any war-related film where a mother or father or wife opens the door to find two military men on the doorstep, and their presence alone signifies that inconceivable tragedy? Oren Moverman’s powerful debut is full of them — making this drama starring Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson (in career-best performances) one of the year’s hardest films to watch. But The Messenger download also one of the most rewarding, an insightful character study that’ll leave you moved.
- Invictus. Clint Eastwood’s true-life tale of how newly elected South African President Nelson Mandela (a spot-on Morgan Freeman) teamed up with the captain of the nation’s rugby team (Matt Damon) to unite the apartheid-torn land with a run at the 1995 World Cup hits all the right notes. Invictus download is both an inspirational sports drama and a portrait of an inspired leader, with Oscar-caliber performances from its two leads and a heavy helping of that magical ingredient: feel-good.
- Up. Everyone knew Pixar’s latest was going to be good (it’s Pixar, duh!), but nothing about “an old man attaches balloons to his house and flies away” prepared us for the heartbreaking sadness, the meltingly tender love story, the wondrous journey and the irrepressible sense of fun that permeated this truly exquisite film. It’s no small thing to say this, but the movie Up might just be the best movie Pixar’s ever made.