Looking back on the films of 2009, there were hits (Taken, The Proposal), mega-hits (The Hangover, The Blind Side) and some misses (Sasha Baron Cohen’s Brüno, and Judd Apatow’s Funny People both which “underperformed” at the box office). Trends ranged from Mall Cops (Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Observe and Report) to 3-D (the My Bloody Valentine remake to James Cameron’s groundbreaking Avatar). And speaking of Cameron, his ex, Kathryn Bigelow, made perhaps the finest war film of the decade, The Hurt Locker (left).

2009 also had a fair share of films set or shot in Philadelphia. There were indie features--from The Answer Man with Jeff Daniels and Lauren Graham, Mark Webber’s Explicit Ills and Tom Quinn’s New Year’s Parade; Documentaries filmed in Philly included Pressure Cooker, set in a Frankford high school cooking class and In a Dream about South Street artist Isaiah Zagar; Lastly, and late-ish Peter Jackson’s Oscar hopeful, The Lovely Bones (coming January 15, right) was filmed in Paoli. And local boy Bradley Cooper appeared not only in the huge hit The Hangover, but also in the modest hit He’s Just Not That Into You, and the fizzle, All About Steve.

There were many excellent films released in Philadelphia this year. In addition to The Hurt Locker, my top picks would include Summer Hours, an elegiac French film about a family splitting an inheritance; Humpday (left), a darkly funny mumblecore indie about two straight guys agreeing to make a gay porn film; Precious, Lee Daniel’s searing drama about an overweight, illiterate, abused teen; and In the Loop a hilarious and incisive dissection of government SNAFUs and posturing about war.

Yet there were a handful of great titles that got lost in the shuffle. These films never quite found an audience, and they all deserved to. So eschewing a traditional Top 10 list, below are a ten films (in no particular order) to look for on DVD.

The Great Buck Howard
John Malkovich owns the title role of The Great Buck Howard, a washed-up “mentalist” (inspired by The Amazing Kreskin) looking to make a comeback. Malkovich, who could easily overplay this smarmy lounge lizardy-like character captures him perfectly, fabulously, right down to his odd-colored hair, his corny catchphrases, and his overexerted handshake. The film also understands the magic of the illusion business and what makes it so irresistible to both performers and their admirers. A real sleeper (a film that surpasses one’s low expectations).

Herb and Dorothy
A wonderful documentary about the Vogels, a mild-mannered New York couple who amassed an astonishing collection (over 4,000 pieces!) of conceptual and minimalist art on a meager salary in their tiny rent controlled apartment. This fascinating portrait of a remarkable couple proves that amateur collectors can take a labor of love hobby to an unprecedented level.

Drag Me to Hell
Sam Raimi took a break from Spiderman to unleash this fun comedic thriller. In this B-movie, a mild-mannered loan officer (Alison Lohman) gets cursed by a gypsy and taken for the ride of her life. Gleefully funny and nasty without being excessively cruel, this popcorn flick is terrific right up to the predictable end.

A Perfect Getaway
Steve Zahn, and Mila Jovovich are on their honeymoon in Hawaii when they meet Timothy Olyphant and Kiele Sanchez. Alas, there are killers on the loose in paradise and a big twist most viewers won’t see coming. The actors are all fantastic, with Sanchez a standout, and Olyphant oozing appeal.

Whip It
Drew Barrymore made a fine directorial debut--and sadly, no one noticed. This whip-smart comedy/drama concerned a young would-be debutante (Ellen Page of Juno fame, showing her moxie) who joins a roller derby team, and finds herself. Funny, sweet, and action-packed, this one should have found an audience outside just fans of the game.

My One and Only
A thinly veiled dramatization of George Hamilton’s life as a teenager--the perpetually tanned actor produced the film--My One and Only is a poignant period piece. Ann Deveraux (Renée Zellweger) is the wife of a philandering bandleader Dan (Kevin Bacon) who hits the road with her teenage sons George (Logan Lerman), and Robbie (Mark Rendall). The expected reversals of fortune occur, but despite its predictability, this film is incredibly winning and surprisingly moving.

Bandslam
Todd Graff’s set in a high school musical featured Vanessa Hudgens in a supporting role, yet her fan base steered clear of this film about a David Bowie loving teen who manages a high school battle of the bands contest. A real winner.

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call
New Orleans Even if viewers hate Nicolas Cage, he was so amazingly amusingly unhinged here, it was hard not to love him and this darkly funny, cynical film. A remake almost in name only, Bad Lieutenant: POCNO was giddily entertaining, and maybe the most fun to be had in theatres all year.

 

THE SEQUELS:
The sequels Crank II: High Voltage and Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day were no masterpieces, but both were tremendous fun. Crank II because Jason Statham is always great to watch when he’s shirtless, or “cranked” up, or both. Meanwhile, Boondock Saints II was probably an unnecessary sequel, but one so enlivened by the scene stealing Julie Benz and the manic Clifton Collins, Jr.  that viewers could forget the leads and just focus on their hilarious antics.