2009's top 10 DVDs (From Bournemouth Echo)

2009's top 10 DVDs

11:55am Friday 18th December 2009

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10: This is Spinal Tap (15)

A 25th anniversary edition stacked with comprehensive extras, but none better than the film itself, as English rockers mount a US tour as their new album Smell My Glove is about to hit the shelves. One of few ’80s films not to have aged terribly, and Rob Reiner’s finest hour.

9: Star Wars Robot Chicken 2 (15)

STOP-motion has never been so idiotically rendered than by Robot Chicken, and their Star Wars parodies are second to none. Witness the Stormtrooper and his daughter in a bring-your child-to-work day and two AT-ATs have a race during the battle of Hoth.

8: In The Loop (15)

PRETTY much a feature-length episode of The Thick of It, but there’s nothing wrong with stretching out one of the best TV series around. Peter Capaldi is on his usual brutal form but meets his match in an American general played by James Gandolfini.

7: Star Trek (12)

BIG, shouty revamp of the original series, cunningly scripted to erase every storyline the original cast were involved in. That may sound horrendous to the rabid Trekkie, but let’s imagine a world in which Star Trek V never existed and tell me you’re not overcome with tearful gratitude.

6: Gran Torino (15)

CLINT gets all growly and threatening in what may be his last appearance in front of the camera. If it is, it’s a hell of a way to bow out. Eastwood is a crotchety man unhappy with the way his neighbourhood is changing. But it may not be enough just to growl anymore.

5: Waltz with Bashir (18)

A STORY based on Ari Folman’s attempts to reclaim forgotten memories of his part in the 1982 Lebanon conflict. The animation employed here takes some getting used to, but it’s a compelling puzzle that slides into place with horrific inevitability.

4: Slumdog Millionaire (15)

AN OSCARS darling that foolish, excitable marketing types tried to push as a feel-good film, which is all very well if child torture makes you feel good. Nevertheless, Slumdog is a tremendous story that does require a level of reality restraint, but if you can manage this you’re away.

3: Moon (15)

DUNCAN Jones (he born of David Bowie) threw us this unexpectedly excellent sci-fi that a lot of people said deservingly nice things about. It’s the future and Sam Rockwell works on his tod on the moon, but there’s an incident, and when Sammy wakes up he may not be so alone.

2: Let the Right One in (15)

THE undead in surprisingly understated Swedish thriller that’s unlikely to have played at a cinema near you. Poor bullied Oskar is fascinated by his new neighbour: pale, skeletal Eli, who rather likes the dark. Safe to say their relationship isn’t all sunshine and lollipops...

1: The Wrestler (15)

Mickey Rourke in an unintentionally life-mirroring take on a faded wrestling star, and two relationships: one which he tries to salvage with his daughter, and another he endeavours to start with an exotic dancer. The screenplay is given a weighty punch by Rourke’s portrayal.

Now we want to know what your favourite films of 2009 have been - add your comments below

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