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AFI Names Its Top Ten Movies and Television Shows of 2009

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (27)

coraline.jpg

By tradition, we don’t do our Top Ten Lists of the Year until the first week of the new year (giving us more time to catch those Christmas releases), but AFI has come out with its Top Ten of 2009, for both television and the big screen. Their top ten movies of the year give me some pause — either it’s a mediocre list, or 2009 really didn’t have better offerings, although to be honest, I did like all the ones listed below that I’ve seen, and I won’t quibble with them being on a top ten list; some of them (The Hangover), just wouldn’t be on my top ten list. I am glad to see some love for Sugar, though — a very under-appreciated gem. The inclusion of The Hurt Locker, in addition to its success in some of the other movie awards this week from city-wide film critics societies, suggests that it may give Up in the Air a run for its Oscar money (and deservedly so).


Coraline
The Hangover
The Hurt Locker
The Messenger
Precious
A Serious Man
A Single Man
Sugar
Up
Up in the Air

As for the top ten television shows, well, I didn’t realize there were ten great shows this year, and this list sort of bears that out (plus, no “Dexter”? Or “30 Rock” or “Community” or even “Better Off Ted”? Shiiiiiit).

“The Big Bang Theory”
“Big Love,”
“Friday Night Lights,”
“Glee”
“Mad Men”
“Modern Family”
“The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency”
“Nurse Jackie”
“Party Down”
“True Blood”

Here’s a pretty montage, in case you’re into that sort of thing.









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Comments

Mine's pretty similar, but I'll refrain from making this definitive until the actual end of the year. But I'd add the following:

Moon
Funny People
District 9
Star Trek


Posted by: George at December 14, 2009 11:19 AM

I love Party Down. It is in NO WAY Better than Dexter or Breaking Bad. So it fits on that list perfectly. Maybe they're not on the list because it would be unfair to shows like "The No.1 Women's Detective Agency"?

Posted by: Mikey Likes It at December 14, 2009 11:32 AM

Finally, some love for Party Down.

Posted by: Doric at December 14, 2009 11:35 AM

Yeah, that list of TV shows is a joke. I really thought "Breaking Bad" was the best thing on this year, and it was starting to get some traction among viewers. I do agree on "Party Down" -- that is a funny show. I tried and tried to like "Nurse Jackie," but in the end, it just wasn't very interesting.

I'd like to see Zombieland on the list of films.

Posted by: socalledonlycousins at December 14, 2009 11:39 AM

"Coraline"

Ok AFI, I forgive you for your past fuckery. Nathaniel over at The Film Experience has hinted before at some possible campaign growth for Coraline in Animated Feature and has point blank mentioned how a lot of people really love this movie at recent screening events. I know my dream of a Best Original Score, Adapted Screenplay, Animated Feature, Visual Effects, Director, and Picture nomination set will never happen, but at least I know I'm not alone on my special crazy island of dark childrens animation.

Posted by: Robert at December 14, 2009 11:52 AM

I watched EVERY episode of Nurse Jackie, and for the life of me, the only thing I can remember is Peter Facinelli (P-Fac when he's rapping) gyrating wildly with his doctor's badge and grabbing boobs. I think the show is much better in my head, though far less coherent.

And I didn't mean I didn't like Party Down, by the way. Is the new season going to have Jane Lynch or Jennifer Coolidge?

Posted by: Mikey Likes It at December 14, 2009 11:55 AM

This list makes me realize that if there had been a movie titled, "Up, Man!" it would have swept the Oscars.

And what the hell is The No.1 Women's Detective Agency? I thought Murder She Wrote went off the air.

Posted by: Kayanne at December 14, 2009 12:08 PM

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency is a show on HBO starring Jill Scott and Anika Noni Rose. It's a pretty good show actually...

Posted by: Trouble at December 14, 2009 12:15 PM

Sweet Jesus, I'm a sucker for a montage. It's why I love sports movies: you're almost guaranteed a training montage.

I'm gonna go watch some CSI: FORENSICS MONTAGE!

Posted by: SavageCats at December 14, 2009 12:24 PM

Does anyone else watch Glee and fast forward through the music? I feel weird watching Glee for the plot.

Posted by: Mikey Likes It at December 14, 2009 12:27 PM

I like Party Down a lot, although I hope that next season, they focus more attention on Ron (Ken Marino is the best ever) and much, much, MUCH less attention on the "romantic" storyline between Henry and Casey. I like Adam Scott and Henry is an okay character but becomes really boring and almost insufferable when it comes to the relationship with Lizzy Caplan's character. I hate to say it, but I don't care for her at all as an actress and her character is just a jerk.

Posted by: Mandy at December 14, 2009 12:32 PM

Whew. If Modern Family wasn't on there I was gonna have to choke a bitch.

Posted by: stardust at December 14, 2009 12:42 PM

No Dexter? No LOST? No Breaking Bad? No Sons of Anarchy? No Hung? No Californication?...

Oh I see. The put "No.1 Ladies' Detective..." on there to prove that they can laugh with the black peoeple. Even though that show is about as funny as me ripping my toenail out the other night. It's nothing more than the same jokes/situations painfully recycled and rewritten every week in a different order. Not to mention stereotypical.

It's kind of like an unanimated version of Family Guy with chubby Island chicks.

Please stick to what your monicker denotes AFI...

Film.

Posted by: PissBoy at December 14, 2009 12:48 PM

Hey, Mikey, I actually do the exact opposite. *shrug*

And after last night, "Dexter" should be at the TOP of that list.

I am glad that "Modern Family" got some love, though.

Posted by: Jelinas at December 14, 2009 12:49 PM

Thanks, Trouble, I was trying to throw in an Angela Lansbury joke, but your no-nonsense matter-of-factness works, too.

But on a more serious note, while Coraline was really beautiful to look at and used 3D exceptionally well, the movie dragged in some portions. But it was still pretty good... Although for best animated feature, my heart belongs to UP!

Posted by: Kayanne at December 14, 2009 12:54 PM

For a moment there I thought this was going to be a list of the band AFI's top films of the year. Bummer. Coraline is lovely though.

Posted by: Steph at December 14, 2009 1:07 PM

Other then "Glee," "Mad Men," and "True Blood," I don't watch any of the others.

My shows.

"Sons of Anarchy"
"Glee"
"Mad Men"
"True Blood"
"Lie to Me"
"Castle"
"Heroes"
"Dexter"
"Fringe"
and my every cheesy "Legend of the Seeker"

Posted by: DeistBrawler at December 14, 2009 1:08 PM

Dexter
Fringe
30 Rock
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Big Love
and duh The Wire

Posted by: Moon Buggy at December 14, 2009 4:03 PM

That list BLOWS. The only movie that belongs on the list is "Up". 'course the only movies I've SEEN on the list are Coraline and Up so maybe I should reserve judgment.

As for their TV list, I watch one show on there, True Blood. And as much as I like it, there is no WAY it deserves a top 10 mention. Where is LOST and Sons of Anarchy? This list=fail.

Happily Netflix shipped Hangover and Inglorious Basterds today so I will be able to finally see them both.

Posted by: TylerDFC at December 14, 2009 4:13 PM

Even though the TV list is crap, I can't completely hate it since they listed Party Down. I feel like that amazing show was falling into the void of the forgotten. Seriously, I'd put it up on the same level as It's Always Sunny in the amount of roommate-scaring gut-busting laughter it draws out.
Of course, I may be biased. Seeing all the Veronica Mars peeps doing new, crazy characters may contribute to this level of enjoyment.

Posted by: gee. ay. at December 14, 2009 4:33 PM

Coraline is one of the freakiest, most gloriously original things I've ever seen.

Those of you that still haven't seen it, you are missing an ineffably immersive experience.

Posted by: Bluesilver at December 14, 2009 4:53 PM

I'm 50/50 on that tv list. Where's the love for "Community"? I'm enjoying that show more than "The Office" or "30 Rock" this year.

Posted by: MelBivDevoe at December 14, 2009 5:05 PM

Star Trek should have been on the best movies list. I got my sons Coraline, Star Trek, Up, and The Sword in the Stone dvds for Christmas and it is killing me not to break before Christmas.

Kayanne: Up, Man was my favorite movie this year and AFI can fuck off for leaving it off the list. LOL

Posted by: Mebe at December 14, 2009 9:05 PM

30 Rock is garbage. Parks and Recreation and Community have it beat.

Posted by: Jen at December 14, 2009 9:46 PM

Heads up people, 30 Rock isn't nearly as good as it was two years ago.

Posted by: Mr. Tusks at December 14, 2009 10:05 PM

Furthermore, don't let the Emmys fool you, they run on 50% inertia.

Posted by: Mr. Tusks at December 14, 2009 10:07 PM

No Dexter? No LOST? No Breaking Bad? No Sons of Anarchy? No Hung? No Californication?...

Posted by: PissBoy at December 14, 2009 12:48 PM

I was with you there until Hung. That show just wasn't funny. Rescue Me has to be on the list.

Posted by: ed newman at December 15, 2009 12:10 AM