In my second installment of my Top 10 movies of 2009, I outline my top 5.  2009 was a stellar year for sci-fi with 4 of the top 5 coming from that genre. Although these are ranked from 5 to 1, all of these movies could be ranked number 1. Based on the fact this is a Top 10 list, I have stuck to the norms and placed them in an order that works for me.  Enjoy…

Number 5

YIAG Rating: 9/10

Sam Rockwell plays a lunar-based astronaut harvesting an invaluable resource meant to save the earth.  While on the moon, accompanied only by his computer colleague GERTY, something rather interesting happens nearing the end of his scheduled work term…

With very little knowledge of this movie or expectations (which is in my opinion, the ideal way to go into a book or movie) I was so completely surprised by the way this film was crafted and came together.  The incredible performance given by Sam Rockwell, one of Hollywood’s most under appreciated actors, left me wanting to see more. Kevin Spacey, as GERTY, gave his usual strong (yet creepy) performance as Sam Rockwell’s computer assistant/colleague.  This is my first Duncan Jones film, but hopefully not the last. I plan on checking out his 2002 film Whistle as soon as I can find it.

Number 4

YIAG Rating: 9/10

In a brilliant business move, Star Trek has been rebooted to the joy of fast-food restaurants, toy makers and theatre owners.  Shrugging off decades of material and record numbers of spin-offs, the creative geniuses behind this new Star Trek have skillfully reimagined the Star Trek universe to something more interesting to crowds of today.  All of you trek fans of yesteryear can begin to hate on me in the comments…now.

I was one of those kids that was in no uncertain terms a “Star Wars Kid”. Although I liked a few (read: two) of the original Star Trek movies, the movies and shows always seemed a little bland or flat to me.  Well, JJ Abrams has converted me, assisted indirectly by the over indulgent work of George Lucas’ in his new Star Wars movies (yes, I’m looking at you Jar-Jar).  I am now a Star Trek convert! There…I said it.  Although I won’t be donning pointy ears anytime soon…

Number 3

YIAG Rating: 9/10

As opposed to Moon mentioned above, I entered the 3D Imax theatre with bucketloads of expectations for this film.  Not only was this a James Cameron epic sci-fi movie, it was filmed using technology that was created for the sole purpose of realizing the material in 3D.  This is a massive twofer for us geeks.

Well, James Cameron did not disappoint.  While many questionable reviews point out the formulaic and predictable storyline, I personally got everything I wanted…entertainment.  No other movie in this Top 10 list entertained me to the level of Avatar.  And while I can agree and appreciate some comments regarding the lack of depth or originality, I have to remind people what they went in to see in the first place.  This was a beautifully created and rendered (pun) story that started exciting and stayed exciting to the credits.

Note: As of this writing, James Cameron’s epic sci-fi film has already surpassed the $1B mark internationally, making him the first director in history to have two movies in that category (Titanic).  Of special note, neither of his two +$1B movies are sequels either.

Number 2

YIAG Rating: 9.5/10

Pixar has to be the most consistent creative hubs in Hollywood. I cannot think of a Pixar movie in the last 5 years that wasn’t both highly successful and extremely entertaining.  Having said that, the plot for this movie had me scratching my head… An old man uses thousands of balloons to float his house away on a trip of a lifetime. Well, Up ended up being one of the most critically acclaimed movies of 2009, my favourite animated movie of all time and one of the best movies of the last decade IMHO.  Not only is this a funny and charming story for both kids and parents, but it’s also filled with important messages without being overbearing or preachy (unlike Wall-E).

Directed by Pete Docter, who has a writer/director portfolio that includes Wall-E, Monsters Inc and both Toy Story’s (doesn’t get much better than that). Bring your kids or go with someone special…you will not be disappointed.

Number 1

YIAG Rating: 9.75/10

What can $35 million get you in Hollywood today? Well, it could get you a badly produced romantic comedy starring one of the lesser liked cast-members of Friends or possibly another Uwe Boll video-game adaption that goes straight to video or it might just get you the movie of the year and a sci-fi one at that.  It’s hard to believe that Neill Blomkamp (who was also the director once attached to the failed Halo movie) was able to craft a movie with the depth, special effects and quality that he did with just slightly more money than some A-list Hollywood actors get for a single movie.  Let me just stress that this movie isn’t a great $35 million movie…it’s a great $200 million movie.  From the effective, but not overdone effects, to the story, to the stand-out performance of the year by Wikus Van De Merwe, this movie left me wanting so much more (in the good way).  Like many great science fiction movies, this movie is inevitably NOT about aliens from outer space, but uses them as an effective metaphor to tell a story much deeper and more disturbing than anything fantasy related.  If you haven’t seen this yet, grab the Blu-Ray tonight and prepare to be impressed.  Best movie of the year in a year of excellent movies.