Best Films of the Year So Far...

I try to stay steady with my movie going experiences this past year, I at least average one movie per week at the theatre. Due to my long absences over the summer, I haven't had time to write about every film I saw, but I hope to make up a Summer overview of films within the coming days. For now, before we get into the main awards season push of the film season, I just thought I'd share with you the films that stood out for me so far...

1. Good Bye Solo: My first film I saw directed by Ramin Bahrani who has become the new director to see over the past few years. "Good Bye Solo" is so far my favorite film of the year. It tells the story of a cab driver named Solo who goes out of his way to help a lonely old man who has thoughts of suicide. What could've been a run of the mill Hollywood movie with big inspirational music becomes something unexpected. Bahrani makes it more about the lives of these men than about any big moral to be learned. I also appreciated Bahrani's minimal approach to the story by not adding anything to take us away from the characters, nor feeling the need to explain everything in great detail to us. This is a film that respects its audience, and when I left the theatre, my heart was full. Both lead actors give two of the best performances of the year.

2. Up: Pixar's strongest film to date about old widower who turns his house into one big hot air baloon to travel to Paradise Falls, where he and his wife always wanted to go. A very mature film for younger audiences, but like "Good Bye Solo", it respects them enough without having to dumb it down. Pixar always takes on challenging themes for their subjects, this may be their most soulful picture. Add to that, a bunch of robot talking dogs, and you also a hilarious films that's full of pathos.

3. Inglorious Basterds: A film I actually had to see a second time in order to decide whether or not I liked it. Quentin Tarantino's war epic sometimes seems to be a jumbled up mess of a movie, but after looking at it again, I found method in its madness, not only does it include some of Tarantino's best dialogue and most intense scenes, it can also be seen as commentary on the power of cinema itself.

4. I Love you Man:: Paul Rudd should get an Oscar nomination for his dead on, original portrayal of a poor yuppy schlub who's in search a best man at his wedding, but I have a feeling, he'll get looked over. The film probably wouldn't have worked as well without Rudd's performance, nor Jason Segal as the man who would become his true bromance.

5. The Hangover: The second funniest movie I've seen this year is this tribute to "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas". While some people were disappointed with the films rather simple solution, I found the trip to be more fun than its destination. Some great comic moments happen after a night in Vegas goes horribly wrong leaving one of their buddies missing on his wedding day. The film takes some unexpected turns, that keeps you guessing all the way through. It's not just a comedy, but also a mystery where you just gotta ask yourself, what exactly happened the night before?

Some honorable mentions: Steven Sodebergh's "The Informant!", the stop motion animated movie "Coraline", the pleasant if self-conscious "(500) Days of Summer", the Iraq war drama "The Hurt Locker", Michael Mann's somewhat misunderstood "Public Enemies", and Sam Raimi's triumphant return to horror with "Drag me to Hell".