by Colleen Schuler, e-Management

Marketing Manager Colleen Schuler is our resident film critic here at e-Management. She insisted that we take a break from our run-of-the mill blog postings on issues surrounding project management, disaster recovery, green computing, and risk management to focus on more serious topics such as drama, romantic comedies, and thrillers. *smile* We agreed to her demands because she is irreplaceable, irresistible, and her word is golden. Without further ado, here is Colleen’s Best & Worst of 2009…Who knows, you might even find time in your busy schedule to catch these in theaters, home video, or on-demand. Since, the holidays are coming some of these may even make great stocking stuffers!

Curious Case of Benjamin Button:

Loved this movie. I loved the art direction on this and now I know why – it won an Oscar for this.

Slumdog Millionaire:

There’s a reason this movie won 8 Oscars! It’s sad, sweet, funny, and uplifting. A “slumdog” is a contestant on a game show – and who is he to know the answers? Wonderfully told.

Gran Torino:                                                                

Clint Eastwood at his most curmudgeonly. His neighborhood has changed – and so does he. A story of redemption.

The Informant:                                                         

Oh my goodness. Mark Whitacre (excellently played by Matt Damon), a vice president of an agricultural company, turns whistleblower on his company’s price fixing scheme. As the story unfolds you wonder how this guy can be so naïve…or something! Guest appearances by the Smothers Brothers…and yes, I realize I’m dating myself!

State of Play:                                                               

Russell Crowe plays a journalist whose friend, a congressman (Ben Affleck), is in hot water. Good suspense. The only disconnect I felt was that the two characters are supposed to have been college roommates – but it didn’t jive with me.

Star Trek:                                                                       

Fun, fun, action flick! It’s cool to see this revisionist approach to how the original characters first meet. If you’re a Trekkie, you’ll want to see this.

Away We Go:                                                               

This dramedy (comedy-drama) is about a couple trying to figure out where they will put down their roots when the baby comes. (The grandparents have the nerve to go to Europe!) Some very funny and tender moments.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:

Finally, volume 6 of the book series on the big screen! If you’re an “HP” fan, you’ll like it. The 3-D version (the first 12 minutes of the film) is cool but not essential. Volume 7 will be split into two movies; the first one to come out next year. Can’t wait!

500 Days of Summer:                                           

Not a romantic comedy—you’re told that up-front—but you keep wishing. Told from the guy’s perspective. Bittersweet; nicely done. Liked the soundtrack – a good mix.

The Proposal:                                                               

Yes, this is formulaic and it might remind you of another movie starring Sandra Bullock. But it’s funny! Bullock and Ryan Reynolds make it work; Betty White is a stitch. Saw it twice!

He’s Just Not That Into You:                                                     

Funny and sweet movie about relationships. And not too sappy for the guys to see!

Duplicity:                                                                                                

Corporate intrigue played by beautiful people. What’s not to like? Interesting twists!

X-Men Origins:                                                                                    

Wolverine: I didn’t hear great reviews about this, but I enjoyed it. The story mainly focuses on Logan (Wolverine) and Victor (Sabretooth) who are brothers, and the beginnings of the break in their relationship.

The Invention of Lying:  

What if you lived in a world where others can’t lie but you can? Sound scary?! This film starts off slowly but gets funnier as it progresses.

Paul Blart: Mall Cop:                                                                                                                                

I watched this so you don’t have to waste your money! I loved Kevin James in Hitch and he did OK in this movie. But the film suffered from a bad plot and poor writing.

Well, November seems to be a promising month! Here are few upcoming movies that I want to see…

Skin: Based on a true story of Sandra Laing, set in South Africa in the 1950s, this movie is about a black child born to white Afrikaners (who don’t know they have black ancestors). Sandra has to face the ramifications of apartheid. Stars Sophie Okonedo, Alice Krige, and Sam Neill; in theaters now; limited release (Landmark’s E Street Cinema).

La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet: This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m a former tutu and toe shoe wearer so this film sounds appealing to me! A documentary; opens November 4 (limited release).

2012: OK, call me a sucker for the big-special-effects-end-of-the-world movies! Let’s hope it has somewhat of a plot! Stars John Cusack, Chjwetel Ejiofor; opens November 13.

The Blind Side: Based on the true story of Michael Oher – a homeless African American teenager becomes an integral part of the Touhys, a wealthy, white family. A paradigm shift for all. Stars Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw; opens November 20.

So, what is your assessment of my best & worst list? Also, what movies would you recommend that you’ve seen or would like to? I’d be interested to find out. Let’s chat!