Roger Ebert's 20 (not 10) best films of 2009
Posted Monday, December 21, 2009 at 1:23 PM Central
Last updated Monday, December 21, 2009 at 1:27 PM Central
by Tim Briscoe
I gained a new-found respect for Roger Ebert in 2009. This is the year he started Twittering. Through his many tweets I've learned more about this very intelligent man.
As his Twitter feed shows, Ebert knows much more than just movies -- but know movies he does. He remains this country's leading film critic and justifiably so. No other writer has the credibility on films as Ebert does.
He recently posted his 10 best films of 2009. Like any good self-contradicting blogger, his top 10 is actually a list of 20. Ebert has split his favorites amongst two lists, one for mainstream films and the other for independent productions.
Both have some very interesting omissions and surprising inclusions. There are a few here you'd never expect on any critic's 10 best -- let alone the top critic's annual choices.
Here are Ebert's lists. Both take the easy route and simply order them alphabetically. It'd be nice to know Roger's very top choice for 2009.
Visit the Chicago Sun-Times to see Ebert's description and brief review of each entry. I've included the DVD/Blu-ray availability as of today. For the estimates, sign up to be notified when each is announced with an exact date.
Roger Ebert's Top 10 Mainstream Films for 2009
- Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans - DVD/Blu-ray in March most likely
- Crazy Heart - Probably April
- An Education - Should be March
- The Hurt Locker - On DVD/Blu-ray Jan. 12
- Inglourious Basterds - Now on DVD/Blu-ray
- Knowing - Now on DVD/Blu-ray
- Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire - Could be March or April
- A Serious Man - Very expected in February
- Up in the Air - Could be March or April
- The White Ribbon - Not until May or so
Roger Ebert's Top 10 Indie Films for 2009
- Departures - On DVD only Jan. 12
- Disgrace - Not sure, maybe April
- Everlasting Moments - Might be a while
- Goodbye Solo - Now on DVD only
- Julia - Now on DVD only
- Silent Light - Now on DVD only
- Sin Nombre - Now on DVD only
- Skin - Not sure, maybe April
- Trucker - On DVD only Jan. 5
- You, the Living - On DVD only Jan. 12
Before you get all upset, Ebert does give Avatar his Special Jury Prize -- for what it's worth. I hate to beat a dead horse, but I'd expected to see animated flicks like Up represented here.
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