1/8/10
OK - let's start with the 2010 Golden Globes and Academy Awards. This is what I've seen so far...these are opinions - I hope they help.

(500) Days of Summer - This is a cute movie with great, charismatic leads. I was a bit bored with it, tho.
A Single Man - Beautiful film with great acting. I want Julianne Moore's house and wardrobe. Colin Firth could win. I cannot believe that SOB Tom Ford can also make movies! At times it does look like a perfume ad, but hey, what do you expect?
An Education - You'll be talking about this one for a while. This is a perfect movie: tense, romantic, incredible and well acted. And it's based on a true story - think about it and talk about it. Can you believe these parents?
Blind Side - Not bad - a really great story - and they don't go for the easy emotion.
District 9 - I already bought this one. It is sci fi, action, social commentary with out every mentioning the issues at hand. It's an alien movie, and you'll be asking questions about it forever.
Duplicity - I loved this movie! Julia and Clive have chemistry and the dialog is spicy hot.
Hangover - Best movie of its kind since Animal House
Informant! - This movie is hilarious, but at some point you realize that you shouldn't be laughing at all - this is scary stuff made funny.
Inglourious Basterds - Tarantino rocks. I loved that this movie was in acts - he is still developing his craft.
Invictus - Perfect straightforward tale. Eastwood is top three or 4 American director. Some people thought this was dull; maybe they were expecting Gran Torino? I was entranced and now need to get a book on Mandela. He is super-human. I think MF will win best actor, but I haven't seen Crazy Heart yet.
It's Complicated - I don't like Nancy Meyers movies. The world she creates is so perfect and sanitized that I feel a bit pissed off. However, she makes movies for women over 40, and nobody does that. She gets the best stars. There are belly laughs in this movie due to the quality of the stars. Alec Baldwin has no shame.
Julie and Julia - Meryl Streep is amazing. She transcends labels like "chick flick". Every guy I know liked the movie because of her.
La Nana - the first movie in a year that surprised me. It is tense, but not a horror flick. It is not a thriller, but it is psychological. I loved this film.
Precious - Lee Daniels made an amazing film. I have never felt tense and horrified and pissed off like when watching this film. Monique - who knew?
Sherlock Holmes - Great chemistry and dialog. Great art direction. The plot is ridiculous. Watch it for a new, fun Sherlock and Watson. I think Arthur Conan Doyle w/b OK with this.
Up in the Air - this is a very funny, very clever drama. I cannot believe these performances. If you like Vera F here, watch the Boy in the Striped Pajamas.
Where the Wild Things Are - an amazing film that was amazingly created and filmed. Why didn't more people see it? I highly recommend it for the beauty alone, plus the world created in this child's mind.
Young Victoria - I've seen it twice in the theater, and I will buy it. If you like a good romance, this is the top of the list.