Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Nick Cheung Ka Fai
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Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Nick Cheung Ka Fai
One of the 9 Challenges I posed to myself at the beginning of the year was to take a picture of the poster for all 2009 releases I see & create a slideshow of the images. I think one of the most interesting things about the process was to realize what isn't here as much as what is. A lot of the 2009 films I've seen I saw at festivals therefore don't appear here, and I sure do like seeing horror films at the theatre. There are a few oddball omissions of images of films I saw at rep theatres, nothing for films seen on TMN or DVD. Other weirdest includes no poster at the theatre when I saw Moon, literally not being able to find the image of The Fourth Kind, which is just creepy. And the biggest shock was one time I forgot my camera.
One of the 9 Challenges I posed to myself at the beginning of the year was to take a picture of the poster for all 2009 releases I see & create a slideshow of the images. I think one of the most interesting things about the process was to realize what isn't here as much as what is. A lot of the 2009 films I've seen I saw at festivals therefore don't appear here, and I sure do like seeing horror films at the theatre. There are a few oddball omissions of images of films I saw at rep theatres, nothing for films seen on TMN or DVD. Other weirdest includes no poster at the theatre when I saw Moon, literally not being able to find the image of The Fourth Kind, which is just creepy. And the biggest shock was one time I forgot my camera.
It feels like the general tone of 2009 for film was that it was an okay year, but when I look back at the films I've seen, from the movie memories lists to festivalling to the favourites listed below, I think it was actually a pretty freaking awesome year. It was a real challenge to cull down my list to the 30 films below, and they are out pulled from the 104 films I saw out of this years 314 theatrical releases in Toronto. That's a new record for me, although several of the films I saw at festivals either this year or in years past. To make those 30 selected more clear, I've categorized them into 3 categories: The Good are solid entertainment choices which aren't necessarily flawless but I felt were enjoyable and often underrated, The Great are films that are all films that are not only great but also connect on an emotional level which gives them extra depth and The Excellent is reserved for films that I consider truly flawless. Titles are listed alphabetically under each list, and are linked to reviews if one is up.
Looking to make your own list? Check out list of 2009 releases alphabetically or by release date.
The Good
Fanboys
Orphan
Paranormal Activity
Push
Stone of Destiny
Terminator Salvation
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
The Great
Adrift in Tokyo / Tenten
Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Bright Star
Coco avant Chanel
An Education
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
It Might Get Loud
Little Ashes
Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire
Star Trek
Tokyo Sonata / Tôkyô sonata
Whip It
The Excellent
Bronson
C'est pas moi, je le jure! / It's Not Me, I Swear!
Every Little Step
The Hurt Locker
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
In the Loop
Moon
Pontypool
A Single Man
Up
The Young Victoria
Best Experience (Tie): Attending the World Premiere of Strigoi at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival, an absolute gem of film, and later meeting director Faye Jackson and producer Rey Muraru at the pub. Also seeing Valhalla Rising at TIFF was a huge highlight of the year, and it had a fantastic intro and Q&A with director Nicolas Winding Refn and actor Mads Mikkelsen.
Funnest Screening: Best Worst Movie screening at Hot Docs 2009 with Bob and Trista. I'd not laughed that hard in a long time and the film had more than a few unforgettable moments, plus a great Q&A with director, cast & crew.
Favourite Film that didn't get a theatrical release here in Toronto: Outlander
Favourite Saying: "Curtains" - Watchmen
Disappointments: Gamer, The Princess and the Frog
Weirdest occurrences: My Bloody Valentine x 2. 1) Deciding not to go to the screening of My Bloody Valentine (1981), which turned out to be a good idea as that freezing cold night turned out to be the night of the West End Blackout. 2) Going to see My Bloody Valentine 3D to see if I could 'see' in 3D. If felt like I could, so I left and went to Taken instead but later while watching U2 3D I realized I only see a miniscule fraction of the 3Dness of 3D films.
2009 releases I'm surprized I didn't see: Rumba, Che, Sunshine Cleaning, TOKYO!, Departures, Cairo Time, The Informant, The September Issue, Pirate Radio and The Private Lives of Pippa Lee
Awesome festival films that I can't wait for people to see their brilliance: The Disappearance of Alice Creed, The Loved Ones, Valhalla Rising, Strigoi, Black Dynamite, Hunting Down Memory / Jakten På Hukommelsen and My Greatest Escape / Ne me liberez pas, je m'en charge
More Festivalling Goodness: It feels strange that I got out to fewer festivals in 2009 but I did really enjoy all of them: Hot Docs 2009, Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2009, Toronto International Film Festival 2009, Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 and Worldwide Short Film Festival 2009
Great films seen in 2009 that are from previous years: The New World, Oceans Twelve, Persona, Into the Wild, Titus, No Country for Old Men, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, The Orphanage, Last Life in the Universe, The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, Onibaba, 3-Iron, The Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three (1974), Farewell My Concubine and Lust, Caution.
That was my year. How was yours?
It feels like the general tone of 2009 for film was that it was an okay year, but when I look back at the films I've seen, from the movie memories lists to festivalling to the favourites listed below, I think it was actually a pretty freaking awesome year. It was a real challenge to cull down my list to the 30 films below, and they are out pulled from the 104 films I saw out of this years 314 theatrical releases in Toronto. That's a new record for me, although several of the films I saw at festivals either this year or in years past. To make those 30 selected more clear, I've categorized them into 3 categories: The Good are solid entertainment choices which aren't necessarily flawless but I felt were enjoyable and often underrated, The Great are films that are all films that are not only great but also connect on an emotional level which gives them extra depth and The Excellent is reserved for films that I consider truly flawless. Titles are listed alphabetically under each list, and are linked to reviews if one is up.
Looking to make your own list? Check out list of 2009 releases alphabetically or by release date.
The Good
Fanboys
Orphan
Paranormal Activity
Push
Stone of Destiny
Terminator Salvation
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
The Great
Adrift in Tokyo / Tenten
Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Bright Star
Coco avant Chanel
An Education
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
It Might Get Loud
Little Ashes
Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire
Star Trek
Tokyo Sonata / Tôkyô sonata
Whip It
The Excellent
Bronson
C'est pas moi, je le jure! / It's Not Me, I Swear!
Every Little Step
The Hurt Locker
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
In the Loop
Moon
Pontypool
A Single Man
Up
The Young Victoria
Best Experience (Tie): Attending the World Premiere of Strigoi at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival, an absolute gem of film, and later meeting director Faye Jackson and producer Rey Muraru at the pub. Also seeing Valhalla Rising at TIFF was a huge highlight of the year, and it had a fantastic intro and Q&A with director Nicolas Winding Refn and actor Mads Mikkelsen.
Funnest Screening: Best Worst Movie screening at Hot Docs 2009 with Bob and Trista. I'd not laughed that hard in a long time and the film had more than a few unforgettable moments, plus a great Q&A with director, cast & crew.
Favourite Film that didn't get a theatrical release here in Toronto: Outlander
Favourite Saying: "Curtains" - Watchmen
Disappointments: Gamer, The Princess and the Frog
Weirdest occurrences: My Bloody Valentine x 2. 1) Deciding not to go to the screening of My Bloody Valentine (1981), which turned out to be a good idea as that freezing cold night turned out to be the night of the West End Blackout. 2) Going to see My Bloody Valentine 3D to see if I could 'see' in 3D. If felt like I could, so I left and went to Taken instead but later while watching U2 3D I realized I only see a miniscule fraction of the 3Dness of 3D films.
2009 releases I'm surprized I didn't see: Rumba, Che, Sunshine Cleaning, TOKYO!, Departures, Cairo Time, The Informant, The September Issue, Pirate Radio and The Private Lives of Pippa Lee
Awesome festival films that I can't wait for people to see their brilliance: The Disappearance of Alice Creed, The Loved Ones, Valhalla Rising, Strigoi, Black Dynamite, Hunting Down Memory / Jakten På Hukommelsen and My Greatest Escape / Ne me liberez pas, je m'en charge
More Festivalling Goodness: It feels strange that I got out to fewer festivals in 2009 but I did really enjoy all of them: Hot Docs 2009, Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2009, Toronto International Film Festival 2009, Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 and Worldwide Short Film Festival 2009
Great films seen in 2009 that are from previous years: The New World, Oceans Twelve, Persona, Into the Wild, Titus, No Country for Old Men, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, The Orphanage, Last Life in the Universe, The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, Onibaba, 3-Iron, The Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three (1974), Farewell My Concubine and Lust, Caution.
That was my year. How was yours?
Simon Yam Tat Wa, Chris Li Yuchun
courtesy of singtao.com
This was the hardest year of movie memories to cull down by far. Not only is the year still so close in mind, but there are so many films I can't consider as they don't meet my own criteria of films seen theatrically (many 2009 releases I saw at festivals, often in previous years) and no series included. Oddly, because series aren't included that means I can't put going to the midnight and opening night screenings of The Twilight Saga: New Moon nor seeing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince all the way out in Nova Scotia while visiting my sister Suzie! I've also excluded many (but not all) films that I know will be on my Favourites of 2009 as this is about movie memories not favourites... although some of those paths do cross!
Curious as to what years past have brought in movie memories? Take a stroll down memory lane with me in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Also have a look at what others have to say in the past 10 years in film with the Films of the Decade Link List.
Films listed in the chronological order in which I saw them at the theatre. As always this is a movies memories list not a favourites list - but don't worry those will be up soon enough.
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li
I'm still a little mystified about Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, because overall I found it to be a fun adventure-ish film but I was stumped on who the target audience was supposed to be. Considering it had a young female lead who does martial arts I thought it would be young women but there were a few things would make it think it wasn't that - one of which was that there was no romantic interest but for some reason I don't think it was done for the same reasons I appreciated.
Watchmen
I'm no fan of this film but seeing it with a theatre full of guys that were over the moon was quite the experience. Right before the previews started a really excited teen came in with his granddad, which I'm sure that had nothing to do with the 18A rating ;). Although I certainly was not the target audience it was nice to see a film that was really made for and appreciated by the fans.
Star Trek
I'm a huge Star Trek fan, and watched all the films in my Countdown to Star Trek Marathon in anticipation of the new Trek film. That kept me busy as I had avoided all the previews, trailers and images from the film as I had hoped I could so I was seeing it with completely fresh eyes. I went to a late night screening the day before opening (during Hot Docs no less), listened to my iPod on full in line and while waiting for the film. I wouldn't let anyone tell me anything about the film at all... even if it took physically walking away. Oh the lengths I will go to for Trek. Thank goodness the movie was good after all that!
Little Ashes
I really enjoyed this film, and I even saw it twice in the theatre and both had memorable experiences. The first time I actually had a conversation with an audience member after the film about art (the film is about the artist Salvador Dalí, the writer Federico García Lorca and filmmaker Luis Buñuel) and it was very pleasant - and I normally don't do that. The second time I saw it with my Mom at the Carlton. We were 2 of 4 people there. The other 2 guys sat 2 rows directly ahead of us (?) and one guy often randomly raised his hand / arm in the air. It was so weird.
District 9
This film is one that definitely had the most interesting advertising for it with posters everywhere with a phone number to inform on illegals and such. It was pretty amazing to see a foreign film kick butt at the box office and get people in seats but I didn't love it, in fact I was rather disturbed by not just the violent but literally the crowds reaction to it which included cheering. It's one of those cases where I don't understand how people can't see the flip side of the story, especially in this example, but feel free to cheer along with the action and play oblivious to any commentary at all.
Whip It
Previously I've sited films like The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters on my 2007 list for being experiences where I felt I was in the audience of my peoples. Whip It is a film where I felt I was with my tribe. It really speaks to a current culture of women, and it's refreshing to see a femme film that isn't a romance, features active women, has a cast with a fair age range with characters in different situations. And it has a lot of heart. I'm still miffed it opened the same weekend as Zombieland and almost everyone I know went to see that instead. Also has the best line of the year: Be Your Own Hero.
Fame (2009)
This one is way more about the experience than the film itself which didn't really hold a candle to the original. But, I got to see it with all the ladies in my family while Suzie was visiting, so her, Jamie, my Mom and I all treked out to the theatre together. It was also the first time I saw The Twilight Saga: New Moon trailer on the big screen and I think, I might have yelped. Sigh.
The Fourth Kind
I saw this film before I'd heard any big brouhaha about it being not authentic with the 'found footage' and I'll tell ya - it scared the crap out of me in a way no film has in years, like wake up in the middle of the night scared. To be honest, I was happy to find out it wasn't true because that would have been just way to much. This also makes it a particularly unique experience as I can't go back and see it that way again because the moment is gone. I wonder what I'd make of it on a second viewing.
Ninja Assassin
I still giggle when I think of how much I loved this film and the reason is - it's exactly what you would expect it to be ... but more. The trailer gives a great sense of what it's about but doesn't tell you everything which is in my eyes, perfect. I also am completely inspired and in awe of the work Rain did to get into the physical condition he's in during the film. It's amazing.
Invictus
It's always a joy to see rugby on screen, but to see a film that shows the 1995 World Cup - which I remember watching as I was playing rugby at the time was a very special and unique experience. Add that it's about Nelson Mandela bringing a country together? I couldn't really ask for more than that. Was inspirational and nostalgic all at the same time.
Late night screening of Star Trek at the AMC was one of the highlights of the year
This was the hardest year of movie memories to cull down by far. Not only is the year still so close in mind, but there are so many films I can't consider as they don't meet my own criteria of films seen theatrically (many 2009 releases I saw at festivals, often in previous years) and no series included. Oddly, because series aren't included that means I can't put going to the midnight and opening night screenings of The Twilight Saga: New Moon nor seeing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince all the way out in Nova Scotia while visiting my sister Suzie! I've also excluded many (but not all) films that I know will be on my Favourites of 2009 as this is about movie memories not favourites... although some of those paths do cross!
Curious as to what years past have brought in movie memories? Take a stroll down memory lane with me in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Also have a look at what others have to say in the past 10 years in film with the Films of the Decade Link List.
Films listed in the chronological order in which I saw them at the theatre. As always this is a movies memories list not a favourites list - but don't worry those will be up soon enough.
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li
I'm still a little mystified about Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, because overall I found it to be a fun adventure-ish film but I was stumped on who the target audience was supposed to be. Considering it had a young female lead who does martial arts I thought it would be young women but there were a few things would make it think it wasn't that - one of which was that there was no romantic interest but for some reason I don't think it was done for the same reasons I appreciated.
Watchmen
I'm no fan of this film but seeing it with a theatre full of guys that were over the moon was quite the experience. Right before the previews started a really excited teen came in with his granddad, which I'm sure that had nothing to do with the 18A rating ;). Although I certainly was not the target audience it was nice to see a film that was really made for and appreciated by the fans.
Star Trek
I'm a huge Star Trek fan, and watched all the films in my Countdown to Star Trek Marathon in anticipation of the new Trek film. That kept me busy as I had avoided all the previews, trailers and images from the film as I had hoped I could so I was seeing it with completely fresh eyes. I went to a late night screening the day before opening (during Hot Docs no less), listened to my iPod on full in line and while waiting for the film. I wouldn't let anyone tell me anything about the film at all... even if it took physically walking away. Oh the lengths I will go to for Trek. Thank goodness the movie was good after all that!
Little Ashes
I really enjoyed this film, and I even saw it twice in the theatre and both had memorable experiences. The first time I actually had a conversation with an audience member after the film about art (the film is about the artist Salvador Dalí, the writer Federico García Lorca and filmmaker Luis Buñuel) and it was very pleasant - and I normally don't do that. The second time I saw it with my Mom at the Carlton. We were 2 of 4 people there. The other 2 guys sat 2 rows directly ahead of us (?) and one guy often randomly raised his hand / arm in the air. It was so weird.
District 9
This film is one that definitely had the most interesting advertising for it with posters everywhere with a phone number to inform on illegals and such. It was pretty amazing to see a foreign film kick butt at the box office and get people in seats but I didn't love it, in fact I was rather disturbed by not just the violent but literally the crowds reaction to it which included cheering. It's one of those cases where I don't understand how people can't see the flip side of the story, especially in this example, but feel free to cheer along with the action and play oblivious to any commentary at all.
Whip It
Previously I've sited films like The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters on my 2007 list for being experiences where I felt I was in the audience of my peoples. Whip It is a film where I felt I was with my tribe. It really speaks to a current culture of women, and it's refreshing to see a femme film that isn't a romance, features active women, has a cast with a fair age range with characters in different situations. And it has a lot of heart. I'm still miffed it opened the same weekend as Zombieland and almost everyone I know went to see that instead. Also has the best line of the year: Be Your Own Hero.
Fame (2009)
This one is way more about the experience than the film itself which didn't really hold a candle to the original. But, I got to see it with all the ladies in my family while Suzie was visiting, so her, Jamie, my Mom and I all treked out to the theatre together. It was also the first time I saw The Twilight Saga: New Moon trailer on the big screen and I think, I might have yelped. Sigh.
The Fourth Kind
I saw this film before I'd heard any big brouhaha about it being not authentic with the 'found footage' and I'll tell ya - it scared the crap out of me in a way no film has in years, like wake up in the middle of the night scared. To be honest, I was happy to find out it wasn't true because that would have been just way to much. This also makes it a particularly unique experience as I can't go back and see it that way again because the moment is gone. I wonder what I'd make of it on a second viewing.
Ninja Assassin
I still giggle when I think of how much I loved this film and the reason is - it's exactly what you would expect it to be ... but more. The trailer gives a great sense of what it's about but doesn't tell you everything which is in my eyes, perfect. I also am completely inspired and in awe of the work Rain did to get into the physical condition he's in during the film. It's amazing.
Invictus
It's always a joy to see rugby on screen, but to see a film that shows the 1995 World Cup - which I remember watching as I was playing rugby at the time was a very special and unique experience. Add that it's about Nelson Mandela bringing a country together? I couldn't really ask for more than that. Was inspirational and nostalgic all at the same time.
Late night screening of Star Trek at the AMC was one of the highlights of the year
Taking a look back over the year through the eyes of the Box Office is an interesting way to see what the year was like. There were the big films throughout - Watchmen, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, The Twilight Saga: New Moon and Avatar, there were the surprizes: Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Taken, Zombieland and the Blind Side, and I'm sure there were bombs too but this is a look at the #1's.
Canadian Box Office
Only one film claimed the fame of three straight weeks running and that was The Twilight Saga: New Moon, and we knew the film would do well but that is extraordinary. On the flip side to that one of the biggest surprizes was Paul Blart: Mall Cop sticking out the #1 for not only it's first but also it's second week. Strong word of mouth films came were The Hangover landing the #1 spot in its 2nd week and Inglourious Basterds took the #1 spot on it's 1st and 3rd week. Longevity award goes to Slumdog Millionaire which topped the charts in it's 15th & 16th week which was the weekend before and after the Oscar Awards where it sweeped, winning 8 awards. Out of the years 52 weeks, 36 times the #1 spot went to a film in it's debut week.
North American Box Office
In terms of North American Box Office, all but 13 weeks were the same between the Canadian and North American Box Office #1, three of those 13 weeks went to Tyler Perry films, and many others went to films in their debut weeks where there #1 persisted in Canada for two straight weeks. Out of the years 52 weeks, 39 times the #1 spot went to a film in it's debut week.
UK Box Office
Watching the box office over in the UK has been really interesting and often the same films end up at number one but not all are released on the same weekend. It's also a great opportunity to get an idea of UK films to look forward to when they make their release over here on this side of the pond. It also had a three week running box office topper with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Out of the years 52 weeks, 33 times the #1 spot went to a film in it's debut week.
Click through on date to see box office detail for the individual weeks. To see list of 2009 Box Office #1 by Weekend Gross click here.
Canadian Box Office #1's for 2009
Jan 2, 2009 - Marley & Me (2nd week)
Jan 9, 2009 - Bride Wars (1st week)
Jan 16, 2009 - Paul Blart: Mall Cop (1st week)
Jan 23, 2009 - Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2nd week)
Jan 30, 2009 -Taken (1st week)
Feb 6, 2009 - He's Just Not That Into You (1st week)
Feb 13, 2009 - Friday the 13th (2009) (1st week)
Feb 20, 2009 - Slumdog Millionaire (15th week)
Feb 27, 2009 - Slumdog Millionaire (16th week)
March 6, 2009 - Watchmen (1st week)
March 13, 2009 - Watchmen (2nd week)
March 20, 2009 - Knowing (1st week)
March 27, 2009 - Monsters vs. Aliens (1st week)
Apr 3, 2009 - Fast & Furious (1st week)
Apr 10, 2009 - Hannah Montana: The Movie (1st week)
Apr 17, 2009 - 17 Again (1st week)
Apr 24, 2009 - 17 Again (2nd week)
May 1, 2009 - X-Men Origins: Wolverine (1st week)
May 8, 2009 - Star Trek (1st week)
May 15, 2009 - Angels & Demons (1st week)
May 22, 2009 - Terminator Salvation (1st week)
May 29, 2009 - Up (1st week)
June 5, 2009 - Up (2nd week)
June 12, 2009 - The Hangover (2nd week)
June 19, 2009 - The Proposal (1st week)
June 26, 2009 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (1st week)
July 3, 2009 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2nd week)
July 10, 2009 - Brüno (1st week)
July 17, 2009 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (1st week)
July 24, 2009 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2nd week)
July 31, 2009 - Funny People (1st week)
Aug 7, 2009 - G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (1st week)
Aug 14, 2009 - District 9 (1st week)
Aug 21, 2009 - Inglourious Basterds (1st week)
Aug 28, 2009 - The Final Destination (1st week)
Sept 4, 2009 - Inglourious Basterds (3rd week)
Sept 11, 2009 - 9 (1st week)
Sept 18, 2009 - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (1st week)
Sept 25, 2009 - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2nd week)
Oct 2, 2009 - Zombieland (1st week)
Oct 9, 2009 - Couples Retreat (1st week)
Oct 16, 2009 - Law Abiding Citizen (1st week)
Oct 23, 2009 - Law Abiding Citizen (2nd week)
Oct 30, 2009 - Michael Jackson's This Is It (1st week)
Nov 6, 2009 - Disney's A Christmas Carol (1st week)
Nov 13, 2009 - 2012 (1st week)
Nov 20, 2009 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (1st week)
Nov 27, 2009 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2nd week)
Dec 4, 2009 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (3rd week)
Dec 11, 2009 - The Princess and the Frog (1st week)
Dec 18, 2009 - Avatar (1st week)
Dec 25, 2009 - Avatar (2nd week)
North American Box Office #1's for 2009
Jan 2, 2009 - Marley & Me (2nd week)
Jan 9, 2009 - Gran Torino (5th week)
Jan 16, 2009 - Paul Blart: Mall Cop (1st week)
Jan 23, 2009 - Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2nd week)
Jan 30, 2009 -Taken (1st week)
Feb 6, 2009 - He's Just Not That Into You (1st week)
Feb 13, 2009 - Friday the 13th (2009) (1st week)
Feb 20, 2009 - Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail (1st week)
Feb 27, 2009 - Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail (2nd week)
March 6, 2009 - Watchmen (1st week)
March 13, 2009 - Race to Witch Mountain (1st week)
March 20, 2009 - Knowing (1st week)
March 27, 2009 - Monsters vs. Aliens (1st week)
Apr 3, 2009 - Fast & Furious (1st week)
Apr 10, 2009 - Hannah Montana: The Movie (1st week)
Apr 17, 2009 - 17 Again (1st week)
Apr 24, 2009 - Obsessed (1st week)
May 1, 2009 - X-Men Origins: Wolverine (1st week)
May 8, 2009 - Star Trek (1st week)
May 15, 2009 - Angels & Demons (1st week)
May 22, 2009 - Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (1st week)
May 29, 2009 - Up (1st week)
June 5, 2009 - The Hangover (1st week)
June 12, 2009 - The Hangover (2nd week)
June 19, 2009 - The Proposal (1st week)
June 26, 2009 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (1st week)
July 3, 2009 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2nd week)
July 10, 2009 - Brüno (1st week)
July 17, 2009 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (1st week)
July 24, 2009 - G-Force (1st week)
July 31, 2009 - Funny People (1st week)
Aug 7, 2009 - G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (1st week)
Aug 14, 2009 - District 9 (1st week)
Aug 21, 2009 - Inglourious Basterds (1st week)
Aug 28, 2009 - The Final Destination (1st week)
Sept 4, 2009 - The Final Destination (2nd week)
Sept 11, 2009 - Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself (1st week)
Sept 18, 2009 - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (1st week)
Sept 25, 2009 - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2nd week)
Oct 2, 2009 - Zombieland (1st week)
Oct 9, 2009 - Couples Retreat (1st week)
Oct 16, 2009 - Where the Wild Things Are (1st week)
Oct 23, 2009 - Paranormal Activity (1st week)
Oct 30, 2009 - Michael Jackson's This Is It (1st week)
Nov 6, 2009 - Disney's A Christmas Carol (1st week)
Nov 13, 2009 - 2012 (1st week)
Nov 20, 2009 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (1st week)
Nov 27, 2009 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2nd week)
Dec 4, 2009 - The Blind Side (3rd week)
Dec 11, 2009 - The Princess and the Frog (1st week)
Dec 18, 2009 - Avatar (1st week)
Dec 25, 2009 - Avatar (2nd week)
UK Box Office #1's for 2009
Jan 2, 2009 - Yes Man (2nd week)
Jan 9, 2009 - Role Models (1st week)
Jan 16, 2009 -Slumdog Millionaire (2nd week)
Jan 23, 2009 - Slumdog Millionaire (3rd week)
Jan 30, 2009 -Slumdog Millionaire (4th week)
Feb 6, 2009 - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (1st week)
Feb 13, 2009 - Bolt (1st week)
Feb 20, 2009 - Bolt (2nd week)
Feb 27, 2009 - Slumdog Millionaire (8th week)
March 6, 2009 - Watchmen (1st week)
March 13, 2009 - Marley & Me (1st week)
March 20, 2009 - Marley & Me (2nd week)
March 27, 2009 - Knowing (1st week)
Apr 3, 2009 - Monsters vs. Aliens (1st week)
Apr 10, 2009 - Fast & Furious (1st week)
Apr 17, 2009 - Monsters vs. Aliens (3rd week)
Apr 24, 2009 - State of Play (1st week)
May 1, 2009 - X-Men Origins: Wolverine (1st week)
May 8, 2009 - Star Trek (1st week)
May 15, 2009 - Angels & Demons (1st week)
May 22, 2009 - Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (1st week)
May 29, 2009 - Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2nd week)
June 5, 2009 - Terminator Salvation (1st week)
June 12, 2009 - The Hangover (1st week)
June 19, 2009 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (1st week)
June 26, 2009 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2nd week)
July 3, 2009 - Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (1st week)
July 10, 2009 - Brüno (1st week)
July 17, 2009 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (1st week)
July 24, 2009 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2nd week)
July 31, 2009 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (3rd week)
Aug 7, 2009 - The Ugly Truth (1st week)
Aug 14, 2009 - The Time Traveller's Wife (1st week)
Aug 21, 2009 - Inglourious Basterds (1st week)
Aug 28, 2009 - The Final Destination (1st week)
Sept 4, 2009 - District 9 (1st week)
Sept 11, 2009 - District 9 (2nd week)
Sept 18, 2009 - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (1st week)
Sept 25, 2009 - Fame (2009) (1st week)
Oct 2, 2009 - Fame (2009) (2nd week)
Oct 9, 2009 - Up (1st week)
Oct 16, 2009 - Up (2nd week)
Oct 23, 2009 - Up (3rd week)
Oct 30, 2009 - Michael Jackson's This Is It (1st week)
Nov 6, 2009 - Disney's A Christmas Carol (1st week)
Nov 13, 2009 - 2012 (1st week)
Nov 20, 2009 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (1st week)
Nov 27, 2009 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2nd week)
Dec 4, 2009 - Paranormal Activity (1st week)
Dec 11, 2009 - Disney's A Christmas Carol (6th week)
Dec 18, 2009 - Avatar (1st week)
Dec 25, 2009 - Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (1st week)
Taking a look back over the year through the eyes of the Box Office is an interesting way to see what the year was like. There were the big films throughout - Watchmen, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, The Twilight Saga: New Moon and Avatar, there were the surprizes: Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Taken, Zombieland and the Blind Side, and I'm sure there were bombs too but this is a look at the #1's.
Canadian Box Office
Only one film claimed the fame of three straight weeks running and that was The Twilight Saga: New Moon, and we knew the film would do well but that is extraordinary. On the flip side to that one of the biggest surprizes was Paul Blart: Mall Cop sticking out the #1 for not only it's first but also it's second week. Strong word of mouth films came were The Hangover landing the #1 spot in its 2nd week and Inglourious Basterds took the #1 spot on it's 1st and 3rd week. Longevity award goes to Slumdog Millionaire which topped the charts in it's 15th & 16th week which was the weekend before and after the Oscar Awards where it sweeped, winning 8 awards. Out of the years 52 weeks, 36 times the #1 spot went to a film in it's debut week.
North American Box Office
In terms of North American Box Office, all but 13 weeks were the same between the Canadian and North American Box Office #1, three of those 13 weeks went to Tyler Perry films, and many others went to films in their debut weeks where there #1 persisted in Canada for two straight weeks. Out of the years 52 weeks, 39 times the #1 spot went to a film in it's debut week.
UK Box Office
Watching the box office over in the UK has been really interesting and often the same films end up at number one but not all are released on the same weekend. It's also a great opportunity to get an idea of UK films to look forward to when they make their release over here on this side of the pond. It also had a three week running box office topper with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Out of the years 52 weeks, 33 times the #1 spot went to a film in it's debut week.
Click through on date to see box office detail for the individual weeks. To see list of 2009 Box Office #1 by Weekend Gross click here.
Canadian Box Office #1's for 2009
Jan 2, 2009 - Marley & Me (2nd week)
Jan 9, 2009 - Bride Wars (1st week)
Jan 16, 2009 - Paul Blart: Mall Cop (1st week)
Jan 23, 2009 - Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2nd week)
Jan 30, 2009 -Taken (1st week)
Feb 6, 2009 - He's Just Not That Into You (1st week)
Feb 13, 2009 - Friday the 13th (2009) (1st week)
Feb 20, 2009 - Slumdog Millionaire (15th week)
Feb 27, 2009 - Slumdog Millionaire (16th week)
March 6, 2009 - Watchmen (1st week)
March 13, 2009 - Watchmen (2nd week)
March 20, 2009 - Knowing (1st week)
March 27, 2009 - Monsters vs. Aliens (1st week)
Apr 3, 2009 - Fast & Furious (1st week)
Apr 10, 2009 - Hannah Montana: The Movie (1st week)
Apr 17, 2009 - 17 Again (1st week)
Apr 24, 2009 - 17 Again (2nd week)
May 1, 2009 - X-Men Origins: Wolverine (1st week)
May 8, 2009 - Star Trek (1st week)
May 15, 2009 - Angels & Demons (1st week)
May 22, 2009 - Terminator Salvation (1st week)
May 29, 2009 - Up (1st week)
June 5, 2009 - Up (2nd week)
June 12, 2009 - The Hangover (2nd week)
June 19, 2009 - The Proposal (1st week)
June 26, 2009 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (1st week)
July 3, 2009 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2nd week)
July 10, 2009 - Brüno (1st week)
July 17, 2009 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (1st week)
July 24, 2009 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2nd week)
July 31, 2009 - Funny People (1st week)
Aug 7, 2009 - G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (1st week)
Aug 14, 2009 - District 9 (1st week)
Aug 21, 2009 - Inglourious Basterds (1st week)
Aug 28, 2009 - The Final Destination (1st week)
Sept 4, 2009 - Inglourious Basterds (3rd week)
Sept 11, 2009 - 9 (1st week)
Sept 18, 2009 - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (1st week)
Sept 25, 2009 - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2nd week)
Oct 2, 2009 - Zombieland (1st week)
Oct 9, 2009 - Couples Retreat (1st week)
Oct 16, 2009 - Law Abiding Citizen (1st week)
Oct 23, 2009 - Law Abiding Citizen (2nd week)
Oct 30, 2009 - Michael Jackson's This Is It (1st week)
Nov 6, 2009 - Disney's A Christmas Carol (1st week)
Nov 13, 2009 - 2012 (1st week)
Nov 20, 2009 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (1st week)
Nov 27, 2009 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2nd week)
Dec 4, 2009 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (3rd week)
Dec 11, 2009 - The Princess and the Frog (1st week)
Dec 18, 2009 - Avatar (1st week)
Dec 25, 2009 - Avatar (2nd week)
North American Box Office #1's for 2009
Jan 2, 2009 - Marley & Me (2nd week)
Jan 9, 2009 - Gran Torino (5th week)
Jan 16, 2009 - Paul Blart: Mall Cop (1st week)
Jan 23, 2009 - Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2nd week)
Jan 30, 2009 -Taken (1st week)
Feb 6, 2009 - He's Just Not That Into You (1st week)
Feb 13, 2009 - Friday the 13th (2009) (1st week)
Feb 20, 2009 - Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail (1st week)
Feb 27, 2009 - Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail (2nd week)
March 6, 2009 - Watchmen (1st week)
March 13, 2009 - Race to Witch Mountain (1st week)
March 20, 2009 - Knowing (1st week)
March 27, 2009 - Monsters vs. Aliens (1st week)
Apr 3, 2009 - Fast & Furious (1st week)
Apr 10, 2009 - Hannah Montana: The Movie (1st week)
Apr 17, 2009 - 17 Again (1st week)
Apr 24, 2009 - Obsessed (1st week)
May 1, 2009 - X-Men Origins: Wolverine (1st week)
May 8, 2009 - Star Trek (1st week)
May 15, 2009 - Angels & Demons (1st week)
May 22, 2009 - Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (1st week)
May 29, 2009 - Up (1st week)
June 5, 2009 - The Hangover (1st week)
June 12, 2009 - The Hangover (2nd week)
June 19, 2009 - The Proposal (1st week)
June 26, 2009 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (1st week)
July 3, 2009 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2nd week)
July 10, 2009 - Brüno (1st week)
July 17, 2009 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (1st week)
July 24, 2009 - G-Force (1st week)
July 31, 2009 - Funny People (1st week)
Aug 7, 2009 - G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (1st week)
Aug 14, 2009 - District 9 (1st week)
Aug 21, 2009 - Inglourious Basterds (1st week)
Aug 28, 2009 - The Final Destination (1st week)
Sept 4, 2009 - The Final Destination (2nd week)
Sept 11, 2009 - Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself (1st week)
Sept 18, 2009 - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (1st week)
Sept 25, 2009 - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2nd week)
Oct 2, 2009 - Zombieland (1st week)
Oct 9, 2009 - Couples Retreat (1st week)
Oct 16, 2009 - Where the Wild Things Are (1st week)
Oct 23, 2009 - Paranormal Activity (1st week)
Oct 30, 2009 - Michael Jackson's This Is It (1st week)
Nov 6, 2009 - Disney's A Christmas Carol (1st week)
Nov 13, 2009 - 2012 (1st week)
Nov 20, 2009 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (1st week)
Nov 27, 2009 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2nd week)
Dec 4, 2009 - The Blind Side (3rd week)
Dec 11, 2009 - The Princess and the Frog (1st week)
Dec 18, 2009 - Avatar (1st week)
Dec 25, 2009 - Avatar (2nd week)
UK Box Office #1's for 2009
Jan 2, 2009 - Yes Man (2nd week)
Jan 9, 2009 - Role Models (1st week)
Jan 16, 2009 -Slumdog Millionaire (2nd week)
Jan 23, 2009 - Slumdog Millionaire (3rd week)
Jan 30, 2009 -Slumdog Millionaire (4th week)
Feb 6, 2009 - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (1st week)
Feb 13, 2009 - Bolt (1st week)
Feb 20, 2009 - Bolt (2nd week)
Feb 27, 2009 - Slumdog Millionaire (8th week)
March 6, 2009 - Watchmen (1st week)
March 13, 2009 - Marley & Me (1st week)
March 20, 2009 - Marley & Me (2nd week)
March 27, 2009 - Knowing (1st week)
Apr 3, 2009 - Monsters vs. Aliens (1st week)
Apr 10, 2009 - Fast & Furious (1st week)
Apr 17, 2009 - Monsters vs. Aliens (3rd week)
Apr 24, 2009 - State of Play (1st week)
May 1, 2009 - X-Men Origins: Wolverine (1st week)
May 8, 2009 - Star Trek (1st week)
May 15, 2009 - Angels & Demons (1st week)
May 22, 2009 - Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (1st week)
May 29, 2009 - Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2nd week)
June 5, 2009 - Terminator Salvation (1st week)
June 12, 2009 - The Hangover (1st week)
June 19, 2009 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (1st week)
June 26, 2009 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2nd week)
July 3, 2009 - Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (1st week)
July 10, 2009 - Brüno (1st week)
July 17, 2009 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (1st week)
July 24, 2009 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2nd week)
July 31, 2009 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (3rd week)
Aug 7, 2009 - The Ugly Truth (1st week)
Aug 14, 2009 - The Time Traveller's Wife (1st week)
Aug 21, 2009 - Inglourious Basterds (1st week)
Aug 28, 2009 - The Final Destination (1st week)
Sept 4, 2009 - District 9 (1st week)
Sept 11, 2009 - District 9 (2nd week)
Sept 18, 2009 - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (1st week)
Sept 25, 2009 - Fame (2009) (1st week)
Oct 2, 2009 - Fame (2009) (2nd week)
Oct 9, 2009 - Up (1st week)
Oct 16, 2009 - Up (2nd week)
Oct 23, 2009 - Up (3rd week)
Oct 30, 2009 - Michael Jackson's This Is It (1st week)
Nov 6, 2009 - Disney's A Christmas Carol (1st week)
Nov 13, 2009 - 2012 (1st week)
Nov 20, 2009 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (1st week)
Nov 27, 2009 - The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2nd week)
Dec 4, 2009 - Paranormal Activity (1st week)
Dec 11, 2009 - Disney's A Christmas Carol (6th week)
Dec 18, 2009 - Avatar (1st week)
Dec 25, 2009 - Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (1st week)