Amidst the landfill of remakes and Oscar bait that was released in 2009, there were some really unique, mind-blowing movies in the mix as well. We here at Мишка did our best to let you guys know what was fresh and what was shit – as good as a group of non-professional movie critics could, at least. From documentaries to comedy to dramedy and (of course) horror, we covered the gamut of Hollywood turds and diamonds. Thank you so much for reading and commenting and everything!

The Bloglin’s 20 Best Films of 2009 was compiled from previous reviews and polling contributors. Not all but most of the movies in the list were originally reviewed on the Bloglin and they are not just rehashed from the previous posts. Enjoy and feel free to tell us how wrong we are in the comments.

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Honorable Mentions

• Gamer: Ultra-violence, super campy, great production design and world building, and Michael C. Hall dancing. (Original Bloglin review)

• The Informant: The most underrated movie of the year. Matt Damon carried the movie and looked cool with a mustache.

• World’s Greatest Dad: Robin Williams got a bit of redemption in this black comedy written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait. Ending was kind of shit though. (Original Bloglin review)

• Precious: It was like Gummo in an urban setting and with a morbidly obese black girl instead of that kid who looks like a baby mouse.

• Fantastic Mr. Fox: I didn’t see it, but Dr. No really, really dug it. (Original Bloglin review)

• Up in the Air: A typical movie dealing with disconnection and the drain of modern life, but I’ll watch anything with Clooney. It left me wanting to see it again while not being to put my finger on why I love it so much. Maybe it’s just typically beautiful, with an emphasis on both words. (By Caffeine Powered)

• The Hangover: Proof that comedies don’t have to be breast fed by Apatow to become instant classics. Great vehicle for hipster-darling Galifianakis.

Now onto the list…

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20) The Rockafire Explosion Movie [Connell Creations] // Director: Brett Whitcomb

Obsession is something I think most of us at the Bloglin can relate to – especially obsession with collecting things related to our childhood. This documentary explored this world of obsession in a touching an honest manner and comforted us in the knowledge that we are not alone; there are other maniacs out there. And one of them is named Chris Thrash and he’s reconstructed the Rockafire Explosion in his shed. The neighbor’s daughters come over to watch Thrash’s robots play music…nothing weird about it.

Original Bloglin review (Click Here)

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19) Funny People [Universal] // Director: Judd Apatow

Being a contemporary examination of the “sad clown,” this was one of the big surprises of 2009 in my book. Way better than I thought it was going to be. Apatow, Stiller, and Rogen brought the laughs, sure, but pitch-perfect drama as well. Or, “dramadey,” whatever. A lot of people bitched about the film’s length and the the sort-of abrupt resolution, but fuck them. Have you ever fought with a close friend? That’s how friends make up – they joke around about it and pick up where they left off.

Original Bloglin review (Click Here)

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18) Anvil: The Story of Anvil [Abramorama] // Director: Sacha Gervasi

Equal parts depressing and hilarious, Anvil reminded us all to never give up on our dreams – even if we have to borrow $20,000 from our relatives who didn’t follow theirs, but have far more money than us. Not since King of Kong have I found myself cheering for guys so down on their luck; guys with such perseverance and devotion. But, you know, I think their music sucks.

Not originally reviewed on the Blogin

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17) Brüno [Universal] // Director: Larry Charles

Sitting down with a known terrorist and telling him that Bin Laden looks like a “dirty wizard” instantly gets your movie on the list. Sacha Baron Cohen continued to push the envelope and peoples buttons with the follow up to the uber successful Borat, putting his life in danger along the way. No one is currently doing satire like Cohen, and this time around he took on the fashion world, homophobes, masculinity, the mass media, etc. There was also a dancing penis that screamed “Brüno!” It’s just too bad his stable of characters has run dry. Maybe he could redo the Ali G movie, because that sucked.

Not originally reviewed on the Bloglin

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16) Up [Pixar] // Directors: Pete Docter & Bob Peterson

Yeah, I know. It seems almost obligatory to include a Pixar release, but I can’t help it. Up is the animation behemoth’s most adult film; addressing old age, death, the raw. They use simple conventions which almost force you to cry, but fuck it, the movie got me. The montage in the beginning is some of the most depressing cinema I’ve ever seen! The 3D was tight, the old dude was tight, and they pretty much nail what I imagine goes on inside a dog’s head.

Original Bloglin review (Click Here)

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15) The House of the Devil [Magnet] // Director: Ti West

Writer and director Ti West masterfully builds up suspense throughout House of the Devil, until its demonically abrupt ending. But it’s what happens from point A to B that makes this movie so fucking great. Atmospheric and moody suspense reminiscent of Rosemary’s Baby are at the movie’s core, and I think West does some really creative things with the camera. The “twist” at the end is kind of lame and unnecessary, but it doesn’t take away from the movie’s many positive qualities.

Original Bloglin review (Click Here)

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14) The Brothers Bloom [Summit] // Director: Rian Johnson

Following up his debut film Brick, writer/director Rian Johnson left behind noir for his take on the con movie. From the moment the opening narration by Ricky Jay begins, you feel like you’re watching a classic from 50 years ago. It’s a sweeping romance and elaborate con movie so rich with detail that I highly suggest a second viewing to catch everything going down in the background. Truly one of the most satisfying cinema experiences of 2009.

Original Bloglin review (Click Here)

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13) The White Ribbon [X-Filme/Sony] // Director: Michael Haneke

Michael Haneke’s (Funny Games, Caché) The White Ribbon was one of the most mesmerizing and disturbing movies of 2009. With crisp photography, Haneke tells the tale of a damned town in northern Germany in 1913 and the retaliatory acts of violence and displacement plaguing its citizens. Shit gets progressively more unnerving as the movie goes on, as does the village brutality and thematic similarities to Lord of the Flies.

Not originally reviewed on the Bloglin

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12) In the Loop [IFC] // Director: Armando Iannucci

“I wish I could punch you into paralysis.” A spinoff of the BBC series The Thick of It, Armando Iannucci’s In the Loop examines the intricacies of political rhetoric – especially the ambiguity of the word “unforeseeable.” It also examines how awesome it is to hear Brits/Scots repeatedly say “fuck off” and “cunt.” Peter Capaldi’s Malcolm Tucker is now one of my favorite TV/film characters. The dude could seriously make the devil put his tail between his legs using only colorful language. But, yes, alongside all of the impressive use of curse words, In the Loop is also a tremendous political and cultural satire.

Not originally reviewed on the Bloglin

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11) Taken [20th Century Fox] // Director: Pierre Morel

“…if you let my daughter go now, that’ll be the end of it. But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you..and I will kill you.” And so went one of the most badass monologues ever, from 2009′s most campy yet entertaining action flick. Liam Neeson was straight-up hypnotic as Bryan Mills, a father hell-bent on retrieving his daughter from horned up Albanian reprobates. I’ve rewatched it a couple times and I just fast forward to when Neeson touches down in France – because it’s balls out insanity for the rest of the movie. I could watch Neeson buck Albanians forever.

Original Bloglin review (Click Here)

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Tomorrow we’ll give you the second part of our Best Films of 2009 with numbers 10 through 1!

- Oh Mars