The Top Ten Films Of 2009

There were some underrated films this year, too - The Men Who Stare At Goats was a quirky, feel-good classic, while unjustifiably slated sci-fi Pandorum featured an ingenious plot and a commanding central anchor in Ben Foster. There were also some overrated ones - Duncan Jones' Moon was scuppered by a sluggish pace and a ludicrous ending, while District 9 squandered an interesting premise with clichéd characterisation, tedious gore and a plot that stole bits and pieces from much better sci-fi movies.

Among this year's worthy awards contenders are Avatar, Public Enemies and An Education. The latter two featured some impeccable acting, with An Education in particular offering a standout turn from Carey Mulligan, while Avatar was a breakneck, immersive thrill-ride as well as a visual treat.

2009 was a good year for animation, too, with Up, Coraline and Fantastic Mr. Fox all providing entertainment for the entire family. The fun didn't stop with kids films either - horror comedy Zombieland was a wildly inventive zombie movie that also prompted the question: just where has Woody Harrelson been all these years?

In order, these are my top ten films of 2009.

10. Paranormal Activity
Plays on primal fears (the uncertainty of what lies in the darkness, what happens when we sleep) through the simplest of ways (a fixed shot of a haunted bedroom) and scared audiences of 2009 into submission.

9. Where The Wild Things Are
The truest evocation of childhood ever committed to film. A beautifully shot parable that's too complex for children, this is instead a film about being a child, for adults.

8. Funny People
Dark 'dramedy' from Judd Apatow. A sharp character study of self-obsessed comedians, with Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen both giving career-best performances.

7. The Hangover
High concept comedy at its best that never outstays its welcome. Kudos to the four leads - their chemistry and technique ensures that the film is always entertaining.

6. The Wrestler
Mickey Rourke delivers what should've been an Oscar-winning portrayal of the titular ageing wrestler with a soulful performance that makes the movie mesmerizing.

5. Inglourious Basterds
Quentin Tarantino's madcap re-writing of WW2 history. Like Pulp Fiction in terms of its eclectic cast and pulpy dialogue, and is almost as tremendously enjoyable.

4. Star Trek
Top effects, top action, top acting. A surprisingly accessible franchise reboot that, unlike most modern Hollywood movies, isn't afraid to be fun. Blockbuster of the year.

3. (500) Days Of Summer
A laugh-out-loud, intelligent and true-to-life rom-com featuring indie king and queen Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel (respectively). Bittersweet and brilliant.
(special mention must also go to Greg Mottola's Adventureland, which proves, along with (500) Days, that the rom-com still has some life and originality to it)

2. The Hurt Locker
An Iraq war thriller about the personal rather than political effects of the conflict that never preaches, features superb acting throughout and has the most exhilarating set-pieces of the year. Believe me when I say that this is the best war film of the last ten years.

1. Let The Right One In
Film of the year. An original, '80s-set horror that is really more of a haunting tale of unconditional love and the difficulty of adolescence as young Oskar, a Swedish schoolboy, befriends mystifying neighbour Eli, a young girl who claims to be a vampire. Let it take you in and you'll find it hard to tear your eyes away.