of movies and the best this past year.

i'm getting very excited thinking about blogging about my favorite books and movies from this past year.
very excited.
is that weird?

i love top ten lists (or top 5).
i love finding out what is bringing
joy to a peson
in the moments of each day.
honestly, i think i could create a top ten list for anything
every single day and be quite content.

i'm not sure how close i must be to the new year to write back on the movies and books
i loved so......
i'm starting TODAY!
i couldn't wait.... *grin*
if you care to see what movies i loved last year. see my old blog (and post). {side note: finding that post was hilarious bc i semi read all my other posts over on xanga. wow. hilarious. can't believe i started writing over there back in 05! SO glad to have that journal readily available to view and laugh at now. also, so glad for forward motion!!}

without further adieu:

i back linked to imdb and the trailers in case you need

(like me)

more information *smiles*
{NOTE: i just doubled checked all my links and realized that i used "further adieu" on my post about movies from last year on xanga. WOW! i must really like that word!! too funny}

1. Defiance: by far my favorite movie of the year. From the company I was with when I first saw it to seeing it multiple times it just got better and better. I love Liev and anything he does. This was brilliant. I love stories of men who despite everything decide to stand for what is right. such a lovely story it made me cry. Also a rare hollywood movie that is close to the "real" story; kudos.
   
2. slumdog millionaire: love this movie. it deserved every accolade it received at the oscars. love how it brought to light what life is like for so many without glorifying it or pitying the poor. it also makes me cry.
3. away we go: could be the best "indie" movie of the year for me. original, classic, hilarious, and surprisingly touching. it also made me cry at the end (surprise, surprise...). best soundtrack of the year too; love alexi. i think i love jim (err...john) more and more every day. *smiles*
   
4. harry potter & the half blood prince. (sorry mom and dad. know you hate that i love everything harry). brilliant. just brilliant.
5. i've loved you so long: I have a very soft spot for french films and for kristen scott thomas. i tend to always think both are lovely through and through. this is such a simple and quirky film on the love between sisters. plus it subtly promotes adoption which makes me LOVE it. its heartbreaking. if you want to cry watch it, otherwise you should probably just skip it. what a good story!
   
6. inglorious bastards: if you can get over the ridiculous amounts of violence this is one of the most clever scripts i've seen in a long time. i thought it was supposed to be a comedy, which it sorta was, but it was full of heart and desperate broken people too. it was sad and real and quirky. i really liked it but don't recommend it for everyone. it was hilarious to see ryan from the office too. cracked me up.
   
7. up: what a surprising film! i haven't seen an animated (or real for that matter) film with the main relationship being one of old man and little boy. again, i cried a lot during this movie. i found the way the two played off of each other so endearing. PLUS, it had balloons in it. i have a thing for balloons. also, the fat little faces were adorable, loved this animation!
   
8. taken: i loved this movie for shedding light on women who are captured and sold into sex slavery. i loved this movie because of the love a father had for his daughter and his willingness to do whatever to get her safe and home again. i also loved this movie because i love liam, and luc besson wrote it; i love him too.
   
9. sometimes in april: the people i know who lived through the genocide in Rwanda say this is the most accurate portrayal of what it was really like those 100 days. not an "easy" watch, but should be a mandatory one. plus the guy who plays charles minor from the office is the lead character, which is strange but fascinating. he is SO good in this movie. think outside your worldview and go rent this. it will break your heart but in the good sort of breaking...
   
10. madagasscar two: escape from africa: i see this probably twice a week. it is the "staple" afternoon 'nap' movie for the school. because i'm alone a lot and some of the boys sleep i usually put a movie on to keep the other boys quiet. this is what they choose. the fact that i've seen it roughly 50 times and still find it absolutely hysterical has to say A LOT. i love king julian so much, he's my favorite.
    
11. state of play: saw this with my brother. LOVED it. jason bateman makes me wanna pee my pants plus it was an allstar cast in general and kept me guessing. loved this movie.

(i know, i know...i couldn't pick just 10. so sue me)

have yet to see (silly africa) but think i will LOVE

1. where the wild things are
2. 500 days of summer
   
3. the brothers bloom
4. the blind side and
   
5. the boys are back
   

what are your top ten movies of the year?!?!