With "Inglourious Basterds" Coming To DVD, Quentin Tarantino's Top 8 of 2009
His new hit film “Inglourious Basterds” will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray tomorrow and Quentin Tarantino is coming clean on his favorites of 2009. No, “Inglourious Basterds” is not his favorite film of the year, despite the fact that it was plain in his writing that he seemed to truly love the film. His list, unlike the norm of 10 or 5 was an even 8, perhaps referencing the “Crazy 88′s” in “Kill Bill” or perhaps just because he felt like it. Coming in at 8th on the list is “An Education” starring Peter Sarsgaard the film is about how a girl’s life drastically changes as she’s swooped off her feet by a much older man. The critically loved, but audience debated “Precious” came in 7th on QT’s list. I myself haven’t seen the film, but have heard very mixed results from those around me that have, many people literally telling me that they actually hated the film.
Another mixed reaction film comes in 6th with Seth Rogen’s box office bomb, “Observe and Report”…I did hear that the humor was uncompromising and some people, apparently QT included, really enjoy that style. Obscure Thai film “Chocolate” comes in 5th place on the list. The film has an extremely off-beat premise, and is essentially about an autistic girl, who happens to be a martial arts master, goes after gangs that owe her family money when they fall into financial trouble. The premise really almost makes me feel the need to see this, sounds like a really fun revenge flick.
Finally a film that I’ve seen, his 4th pick is “Up in the Air” which is now being called an “oscar front-runner” after the National Board of Review gave it it’s top prize last week. The movie is excellent on all fronts, well written, well acted, directed with great skill, etc… Good pick QT. His #3 choice is actually one film that I really thought was a disappointment, Judd Apatow’s “Funny People” about the pains of being a rich sell-out stand up comic didn’t connect with me, and obviously left audiences feeling cold too as the film made just 52 million on a budget of 75 million. It’s take is nearly 100 million less than Apatow’s last directorial effort, “Knocked Up”. Box office isn’t everything, but I believe the film suffered there because it’s message and themes just didn’t resonate with people. They most certainly didn’t with me, but Tarantino thought otherwise.
The next choice is a slightly expected one for me on Tarantino’s part, with “Drag Me To Hell” coming in just below the top spot. Sam Raimi has a very over-the-top style that I definitely see resonating with a filmmaker like Tarantino. The two should almost work together as producing partners or something. I could see them getting along really well. His pick for the best film of the year is kind of a shocker because he doesn’t show any affinity for it in his own film’s. J.J. Abrams hit block-buster “Star Trek” tops QT’s list as the best film of 2009. It was a really fun movie, but I don’t think I would put it up that high, especially with other great films like “The Hurt Locker” and the aforementioned “Up in the Air”. Prior to making the list QT admits to not seeing “Avatar”, “The Lovely Bones”, or “Invictus” so it’s possible his picks may shift a bit. Particularly with his obvious liking of big sci-fi, “Avatar” could seemingly knock something off the small list. There you have it folks, Quentin Tarantino’s fave films of ’09.
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