Trade Ya: Top 10 Movie Lists for Free DVDs

By Robert Wilonsky Thu., Dec. 17 2009 at 12:40 PM

Categories: Free Stuff! Free Stuff!, From the RTF Dept.

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Forthcoming later today is this year's Unfair Park holiday-season auction benefiting North Texas Food Bank, which features not one by several one-of-a-kind, locally produced items. But while we wrap up this year's goodies, first this giveaway.

Yesterday I posted the Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association's tops-of-2009 list. But what say you about the year's best movies? I ask only because I've got a stack of titles to dole out to the Friends of Unfair Park -- nine DVDs all told, including Star Trek, Bruno, Food, Inc., Valentino: The Last Emperor, the 70th anniversary Gone With the Wind double-disc set, the 50th anniversary North by Northwest special edition, Battlestar Galactica: The Plan, Robert Rodriguez's Shorts (the kid loves this) and Heroes Season 3. And I'm throwing in a Glee: The Music, Volume 1 disc -- the one featuring Lake Highlands boy Mark Salling's rendition of "Sweet Caroline" -- to round up the number to an even 10.

I was going to give away the whole stack all at once, but I've decided to divvy it up one at a time -- to spread around the holiday cheer, dig? So, here's the rules. Post your year-end Top 10 favorite movies. Those who cook up the most creative, thoughtful and original lists, as chosen by yours truly, will win a free DVD, which you'll have to come down to Unfair Park HQ to pick up. (Do leave your real e-mail address when you post, thanks, along which title(s) you'd like -- but no guarantees). Competition closes at 5 p.m. today. And ... go.

Update at 4:48 p.m.: Contest closes shortly -- let's say 5:10 p.m. That's because I just procured more discs, including a second Food, Inc., so I will expand the list of winners. The new titles: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Inglorious Basterds, Orphan and Trick r Treat. My many thanks to Jennifer and Cynthia in our promo department.

Update at 6:22 p.m.: In the comments, you'll find the list of winners with corresponding titles. I had some extra DVDs lying around, on top of the added titles earlier, so I think we hit 19? Hell, maybe we can cover everyone who played when the promo department opens back up in the a.m. Thanks to all for playing.

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Robert, When will you be getting around to posting your Ten Worst of 2009 List? That's always so much fun to read.
I'd try to get here by 5:30 if you want something for weekend watching.
Thanks, Robert. What time does the office close, anyone?
Thank you robert and DO. Great fun reading all these lists. bill
Yay!! Thanks!!!! :) Ill have something to watch over the holidays! Thank you Robert! and thank you DO!!! I really love you guys!You guys are awesome!!!
Sweet! Thanks so much. I love the music from Glee.
Wow, thanks! It's like Christmas in December! (I totally stole that line, which I love.)
And here's your list of winners, along with the title of the DVD that will be waiting for you at the front desk at 2501 Oak Lawn, Suite 700, first thing tomorrow morning. In the end, I had 19 discs. As for those who didn't win, thanks for playing -- nothing personal, I just ran out of DVDs and went as far as I could before hitting "E" on the gas tank. If I can convince promo to fork over a few more discs, I will send you an e-mail. (Oh, wait -- I just got a Vampire Killers, for whoever posted earlier and got left out and wants.) John (at 1:06 p.m.): Gone With the Wind Knottygirl: Star Trek, of course AmyS: Shorts Brandon: Bruno, poor guy Bill Holston: Inglorious Basterds KSK: Food, Inc. J. Michael: Food, Inc., by request and for daring to put Big Fan on your list (my No. 1 of the year) Jeff Cormier: Harry Potter, because, really, No. 3? Jay: North by Northwest, for also being a big fan of Big Fan Kacey: the Glee soundtrack, for daring to put Crank 2 on your list. Jen: Trick r Treat, for daring to refer to it as Halloween's It's a Wonderful Life Joseph B: Valentino: The Last Emperor, because, judging from your smartly put-together list (Summer Hours, The Cove, Adventureland, Sin Nombre), I think you will appreciate this fine documentary Pamela Ruiz: Heroes Season 3, because if you like Star Trek, well, this one has 10 times the Zachary Quinto ... Doug: Battlestar Galactica: The Plan, because if like Star Trek ... well, ya know. Tom: my personal copy of Anvil: The Story of Anvil, among the greatest docs, rock or otherwise, ever made. That's for the Bringing Up Baby reference. Shelby: Southland Tales -- dunno, seems like something you might dig? And, really ... Fanboys? That's guts. Oakcliffer: Valentino, because I have an extra copy and it's on your list, simple as that MD: Robert Altman's Thieves Like Us, because I took had Fantastic Mr. Fox at No. 5 AngryMimi: Surveillance, from David Lynch's daughter
Inglorious Basterds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks to all. The contest is closed. I will post winners shortly.
1. The Hurt Locker 2. District 9 3. Away We Go 4. UP 5. Star Trek 6. The Wrestler 7. Milk 8. Inglorious Basterds 9. 500 days of Summer 10.Sunshine Cleaning
^^^ My bad, on the above submission. I thought it was top 10 of all time.
1. Breakfast at Tiffany's 2. Goodfellas 3. The Last Days of Disco 4. The Big Lebowski 5. Die Hard 6. Purple Rain 7. Mean Streets 8. Where The Boys Aren't Part 7 9. White Christmas 10. Pal Joey
Brandon says: Tom: That's the first time I've seen the word, 'tiger', in lower-case in three weeks. ********** Hey, can Brandon get a prize just for this? Soooo true, my friend!
This was hard-I didn't see a lot of the big releases of the year. In no particular order 1. Orphan-creepy kid flick with way cool twist, loved this movie 2. The Road-so bleak and hopeless, but I think it's apocalypse done right 3. Coraline-Up was good, but I preferred this, if nothing else for the creepy button eyed doppelgangers 4. Paranormal Activity-not the greatest movie, but I won't soon forget the experience of seeing it in a packed theater with everyone holding their breath. Really fun 5. Bruno-made me laugh harder than anything else this year 6. Taken-because even the trailer gave me chills ('what I do have are a very particular set of skills') Liam Neeson is a badass 7. The Informant!-Matt Damon can do anything. Loved this movie 8. Trick 'r Treat-fun, spooky little Halloween movie-totally that holiday's It's a Wonderful Life 9. Every Little Step-A Chorus Line seems dated but it was really interesting and involving to watch the casting process and root for favorites 10. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince-because every HP movie is magical
Still a few more to see, but as of right now: 1. Public Enemies- No one films guys walking around in complete and utter coolness like Mann nowadays, the closest thing we've got to Jean Pierre Melville films. 2. Summer Hours- god I love Assayas.... to go from a schizophrenic, abstract thriller like "Boarding Gate" to this subdued family drama is stunning. 3. The Cove- I had to look away from the screen a couple times... something I never do. 4. Adventureland- Feels so right. 5. Sunshine Cleaning- isn't Emily Blunt absolutely gorgeous. And she can act too! 6. An Education- Eschews so many of the genre tropes. 7. In The Loop- Because it's easy peezy lemon squeezy. And you have to watch it twice just to catch how fast the laughs come. 8. The Road- Does the book justice. And that great final line. 9. Two Lovers- I wish Games Gray got more attention. The textures and look of his films is so classical and moving. This one has heart as well. 10. Sin Nombre- We're witnessing the emergence of a great new talent.
1.Sin Nombre- because I am mexican and this movie has made me so proud since the 1st time I saw it 2.Its Complicated- "hahahahaha!", thats how I was for more than 3/4ths of the movie!! need I say more? 3.500 days of summer- the only cool love sotry of the year; perhaps it is because it isnt a chick flick! because I have watched it 5 times already and until this day, causes tears, laughter, anger and hapiness in my soul 4.Inglorious Basterds- because there is sooo much hotness throughout the movie, coupled with ridicuolous action and a very well written and entertaining plot 5.Boondock Saints 2- because it is an honorable return of the brothers and because Sean and Norman and awesome people who care about their fans--and know how to have a good time :) 6.District 9- Oh my God! Can you BELIEVE it is Charlto Copley first and only acting role!!? I couldnt!! He was THAT good!! I aboslutely loved the plot as well! Really makes us humans seem monster-like. 7.Drag me to Hell- granted that the title for the movie TOTALLY turned me off, the fact that it got so much up roar made me actually watch it and I have to say, it has been years since a "scary" movie has actually had an interesting plot and has actually been--well, good. So thumbs up to this movie for proving me wrong! 8.Zombieland- One of the funniest/gorriest/randomest movies Ive ever seen! It deserves to be here because no one expected it to be so good in so many ways I cant explain! 9.Startrek- for making my first star trek experience awesome! Action, boys, and an intellectually moving plot: BINGO! 10.The Road- I couldnt stop crying--for hours even after the movie was over. Such a lonely, moving movie about the end of humanity. I think this movie was overlooked by many and it deserves to be in top movie categories so here I am doing it justice! Id really like to have STartrek. PLEASE!
Whoops! I loved my favorite movie of 2009 so much, I forgot the name of it. 1. It Might Get Loud.
What? No Mall Cop on this list?
10. Taken - Pretty great movie, even though it is unbelievable that teenagers would be following U2 around. Maybe more like Taylor Swift or Hannah Montana? Yes? But Liam Neeson is definitely the man. 9. Crank 2: High Voltage - Cannot go wrong with Jason Statham. Great sequel to a movie that kinda goes under the radar. 8. The Proposal - Only because Sandra Bullock's chant "from the windowwwwsss... to the wall... to the wall" was the funniest and out of place thing I had seen all year. 7. Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen - I didn't like it as much as the first one, but it was still awesome. Fell asleep the first time I tried to watch it, but watching it again made me realize it is a good movie - Wheelie's quote of "You may be hot, but you're not too bright" (talking to Megan Fox) was hilarious. 6. Public Enemies - My sister's boyfriend suggested we check it out. I'm all for any movie with Johnny Depp, and this one did not disappoint. 5. Up - I rented it for the kids I work with, and they enjoyed it. But I think I enjoyed it more than they did. 4. The Hangover - I think most people will put this somewhere on their list. Carlos the baby, come on! The whole movie is full of laughs. 3. Ninja Assassin - I'm not one for blood and gore, but this movie actually got my attention. I watched it and never cringed, even though I'm a pussy. 2. Star Trek - Didn't want to see this since my ex boyfriend is a big Star Trek fan. He'd force me to watch episodes and movies, and it was just no fun. I'm sorry, I'm a lame girl. But this movie was actually exciting, new, and great. I'm glad my friends made me watch it because I love it. 1. Zombieland - Funniest movie I had seen all year. Even funnier than The Hangover. The Garland quote had us cracking up for minutes. So happy to see Glee as a DVD to win. That's my alltime favorite show... I'm beyond obsessed! Rachel Berry is so crazy, it's rad.
1. Zombieland 2. Inglorious Bastards 3. Coraline 4. The Hangover 5. Halloween 2-Rob Zombie 6. Where the Wild Things Are 7. Public Enimies 8. Extract 9. Jennifer's Body 10. All about Steve
10 Inglorious Bastards - Brad Pitt as a redneck Nazi killer (as opposed to a redneck murderer in Kalifornia and just redneck in Thelma and Louise) 9 Up - Beginning of the movie was a pleasant surprise 8 Land of the Lost- Really was nothing like the tv series, but still pretty funny 7 The Hangover - Naked Chinese dude hopping out of a trunk and kickin ass, nuff said District 9- For having the balls to make the main characters nothing more than big shrimp and actually pointing it out in the movie. Also it was an allegory on apartheid, had nothing to do with America 6 2012 - So predictable, and yet, i watched it, so they win 5 Surrogates - Disney took a good plot and did nothing with it, yet i watched it, so they win again 4 Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs Food falling from the sky, what more do you want? 3 Halloween 2 It just sucked, and i'm big fan of Zombies Corpse/Devils Rejects movies, very disappointing 2 Star Trek Horny Uhura nuff said 1 Zombieland The Rules alone make it worth seeing And my choice would be Star Trek
Robert probably wouldn't approve of a list that consisted of Up 10 times in a row. Not true, WashHater. It's among my Top 10'ers of the year. Only, AmyS beat you to it.
1. Inglorious Basterds-How could Hans Landa be creepier than Anton Seguir? 2. UP-What would the Cleveland Show look like if it were done by Pixar? 3. The Hurt Locker-What took the Point Break director so long to make another good movie? 4. Where the Wild Things Are-In the 70's, would there have been a cooler name than Max Records? 5. Fantastic Mr. Fox-Why is this all the way at number 5? 6. The Hangover-Did YOU see a funnier movie this year? 7. Public Enemies-Who wants more films from Michael Mann? 8. Watchmen-Is there another film with a big blue wang? 9. Nine-Isn't this convenient? 10. District 9-Was this the biggest surprise of the year to anyone else? Robert I would love North by Northwest, but would appreciate anything offered. Thanks!
Wish I could participate in this, but seeing as how I can't stomach going to theaters any longer, I haven't even seen ten movies that came out in 2009 to make a list from. And Robert probably wouldn't approve of a list that consisted of Up 10 times in a row.
Forgot to leave my email address but I didn't with this post.
10. The Proposal - better than I expected. not a bad popcorn flick 9. Star Trek - They did a great job on this redux 8. The Hangover - instant cult classic 7. Big Fan - hopefully award season doesn't overlook this one 6. Public Enemies - terrible editing, great acting 5. Inglorious Basterds - The mighty return of Q 4. A Serious Man - *see Big Fan 3. Up in the Air - could only lose out to one non-animated picture 2. Up - This was another gem from the pixar gang 1. The Hurt Locker - Best picture of the year North by Northwest, please?
I didn't see 10 movies this year. But last night I did PPV Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince. So, 10-1) Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince Because.... Magic. Bruno, anyone?
1. Star Trek - because I will forever love crazy cheezy scifi. 2. Nixon/Frost - was totally caught off guard that it was so intense and I cried at the end. HOW STUPID IS THAT? 3. New Moon - I'm on "Team Jacob" cause Edward is fugly. 4. District 9 - America is the evil warlord of all the world. 5. 2012 - Once again because America is the evil warlord of the world. And who doesn't love Woody H. as a freaky old hippie type engulfed in conspiracy theories? 6. Inglourious Bastards - Because I secretly want to kick Nazi butt. 7. Taken - Liam was surprisingly great in that movie and addressed one of my worst fears...note to self...remember everything you can. 8. Wolverine - Have to be faithful to the Hughman. 9. Boondock Saints - I want them to be real. 10. 9 - Actually I hated this movie, but I saw it, and needed a #10 for the list.
Considering only what I have seen: 1. Away we go. 2. Star Trek 3. Watchmen (Wish I could see Director's Cut but only on blu-ray) 4. Sin Nombre (haunts you) 5. Up 6. Wolverine 7. Taken 8. Julie and Julia 9. Observe and Report 10. Valentino: The last emperor
My list: Up in the Air The Hurt Locker Precious The Lovely Bones Bruno Public Enemies A Serious Man Funny People (500) Days of Summer It's Complicated Those are the DVDs (and one BluRay) I have received so far as awards screeners, so naturally, they are my favorites, even though I've only watched one of them.
WAY too much stuff I haven't seen yet. But, in no particular order, and with categories: Best Hope for Serious Scifi: Moon Best Blend of Action and Message: District 9 Best Adaptation: Watchmen Most Hopeless: The Road Best Scam: The Informant! Most Manly: The Hurt Locker Most Hilariously Fucked-Up: Observe and Report Most Infuriating: Capitalism: A Love Story Most Hilariously Gory: Zombieland Most Jewish, Ever: A Serious Man I missed "Food, Inc." so load me up!
BTW, RW, I know you were disinterested in "Paranormal Activity", but I predict productions of this ilk will prove to democratize film production in the same way Rap democratized pop music. For better or worse . . .
1. Fantastic Mr. Fox (because wes anderson proved he can totally do kid movies) 2. Up (got to take my sister to her first movie ever! also it had my new favorite pixar short. and the dogs were spot on as far as what they would really say) 3. A Serious Man 4. Moon (just freakin' awesome. love old school filmm aking) 5. Star Trek (because they didn't ruin it) 6. Disctrict 9 (must better than i expected) 7. Harry Potter (well i actually fell asleep on the Inwood couches, but finished it last week..) 8. Ninja Assasin (not so sure yet, still in blood shock, but the fighting was cool) 9. Fanboys (can't lose with a movie about star wars geeks) 10. Rear Window (since it's an old movie, i put it last. but all hHtchcock needs to be seen in the theatre) i would love North by Northwest, but if that's taken, i'll take Robert Rodriguez's Shorts.. because he's crazy.
SQUIRREL!
Dude, we all have PS3's now. DVD collections are so passe'. District 9 Food, Inc. A Serious Man In the Loop The Hurt Locker Drag Me to Hell Up Star Trek Watchmen Inglorious Basterds
Bills� List of 2009 the Serious Dude�s trip to the theatre Limited to Films I�ve seen: A Serious Man My number one for this year. A good man,a mensch, but is he? Is there a G-d? Is there destiny for each of us? Leaves more questions that answers, but that�s a good thing. Tyson This was a edge of your seat look at a man, James Toback�s brilliant documentary I found myself drawn to sympathy for this very complex man. Up It is one of the moist poignant portraits of growing old together and real love and affection in film, at least in my opinion. It creates an honest and touching portrayal of youth, love, old age, death and grief, with no dialog. Splendid. Funny People I loved this portrait of men. Very good friend movie, as distinct from buddy movie. The Cove The surreptitious manner of film, alone makes it worth watching. The Hurt Locker Visceral, film making at its best In the Loop Astonishing look at how Washington insiders probably do operate, more realistic than a documentary, sadly. State of Play Lots of twists and suspense. Tetro Not Coppola�s best, but still quite interesting Pirate Radio Here for the Soundtrack, all seriousness without music is soul killing Would have been on the list, if I�d seen it yet: the Road, waiting for the Boy to Return form College for a Father Son Journey of your own, although we'll try to avoid canabalism
Tom: That's the first time I've seen the word, 'tiger', in lower-case in three weeks.
1. It's Gonna Get Loud - More proof that Jack White is the coolest living human. 2. The Hangover - Carlos. Stop right there. 3. Up - Dogs that have voice translators as collars? I'm in. 4. Drag Me to Hell - First horror movie that I've had any interest in since, well, never. Does Dusk Till Dawn count? 5. Star Trek - Not a trekkie, but this one sucked me in. ...And that wraps up every movie from 2009 that I saw. The rest of my list is pure speculation. 6. Inglorious Basterds - Can QT ever go wrong? And I've heard the promo of Brad Pitt prounouncing it, "Nat-zi" which always pleases me. 7. Fantastic Mr. Fox - Stop-motion animation is cool. 8. Bruno - Someone explained to me--rather--acted out a scene, where Bruno visits a fortune teller and then proceeds to, well, three words: Air Rusty Trombone. 9. Gentleman Broncos - Someone sold it to me as FOTC meets Napolean Dynamite. I love both of those things. 10. Funny People - YouGoLiveInUtah.blogspot.com liked it. It must be good. Give me Bruno. I want to see this 'Air Rusty Trombone' in action.
10. The Hangover - Best comedy of 2009, love the use of photographs at the end. 9. Watchmen - The Big Budget Hollywood movie that didn't follow the Big Budget Hollywood formula. 8. The Road - Not as good as the book, but then again most films aren't. 7. The Messenger - A great script & using real locations made it all feel real. 6. Up in the Air - I once had a job where I lived in airports and hotels. 5. Big Fan - Watching this film you would never know that Patton Oswalt knows nothing about sports. Plus I'm a sports talk radio junkie. 4. Moon - Sam Rockwell was great playing a man show to the voice-over of Kevin Spacey. 3. Bad Lieutenant - Cage + Herzog = CRAZY & I loved every second of it. 2. Inglorious Basterds - Tarantino is back baby! 1. The Hurt Locker - I hate to be like every critic's top 10 that I've read, but it's that good. * Seeing Crazy Heart tonight & Avatar tomorrow, so my list could change. (Food Inc., Shorts)
1. Star Trek 2. Star Trek 3. Star Trek 4. Star Trek 5. Star Trek 6. Star Trek 7. Star Trek 8. Star Trek 9. Star Trek 10. Star Trek Why, you ask? Because it's the only dang movie I got to see in a theater this year, which is truly pathetic. It was really good, though. Way better than Star Trek IV with the whales, though not as good as Star Trek II--The Wrath of Khan. And if you ask me, Star Trek V was more like Star Trek, the Sweded version. It was that bad. Anyway, it was good to see Star Trek back to it's fun self with the alternative reality and all. I would've been really mad if I had sprung for a babysitter and had to sit through another lousy Star Trek Generations. (I was rooting for Malcolm McDowell and the Nexus in that one, it was so bad.) So, did I win anything for being so pathetic and nerdy? I'd happily take Star Trek (go figure) or the Glee music.
1. Up - because it made my teenage son cry. 2. Up - because it made my husband cry. 3. Up - because I haven't laughed so hard at a movie since Old School. 4. Up - because I haven't cried so hard at a movie since Lassie Go Home. 5. Up - because I haven't laughed and cried so much at one single movie since Terms of Endearment. 6. Up - because the music is a beautiful part of the story. 7. Up - because it made me think about it all that day and the next. 8. Up - because even thinking about it now makes me cry. 9. Up - because even though it wasn't "real" acting, it was real. 10. Up - because I can't think of any other movie this year that had a message so beautiful and uplifting.
1. Inglorious Bastards 2. UP 3. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince 4. Hangover 5. Star Trek 6. Where the Wild Things Are 7. The Informant 8. The Road 9. The Hurt Locker 10. Coraline Love the Observer, but Wilonsky's writing? It's terrible... Just kidding. jffcrmr.
1. The Hurt Locker 2. Inglourious Basterds (best opening scene of the year) 3. A Serious Man (The Coens should set all their films in Minnesota) 4. Up (Pixar can do no wrong) 5. Fantastic Mr. Fox (ditto for Wes Anderson) 6. Humpday (Who knew playing chicken with regard to making gay porn would be a decent plot?) 7. The Informant (I can't believe this is based on a true story) 8. Up in the Air (George Clooney = the closest we'll ever get to another Cary Grant) 9. Avatar (I haven't seen it, but how could a quarter-billion-dollar movie about 10-foot-tall blue cats go wrong?) 10. The Hangover (They stole the tiger idea from Bringing Up Baby!) I'd love North by Northwest!
Baseball Films - can't wait for the Rangers. (really)? 1. Field of Dreams 2. Bull Durham 3. Major League 4. The Natural 5. The Bad News Bears (1976) - the joy of Little League 6. The Sandlot - the joy of sandlot baseball 7. Eight Men Out 8. The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings - James Earl Jones in a baseball uniform...priceless 9. A League of Their Own 10. The Pride of the Yankees - can't beat Babe Ruth on film I'd like Food, Inc. Nothing like knowing what's in ballpark nachos before eating them!
6. 2012 - Because until the day i saw it, i thought it starred Nic Cage For this comment alone, Gone With the Wind is now off the table. Congrats, John.
1. Boondock Saints 2:All Saints Day - Because I got to meet the guys at the Anjelica Screening 2. Slammin Salmon - Same as above 3. Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince - Because I'm a 7 year old inside 4. New Moon - Because my wife says so 5. Star Trek - For making me interested in Star Trek for the first time in my life 6. 2012 - Because until the day i saw it, i thought it starred Nic Cage 7. The Hangover - Ken Jeong is super duper 8. Land of the Lost - Because with enough booze, any move seen at the Galaxy Drive-In is fun 9. Coraline - I'm a sucker for 3d 10. Crazy Heart - Haven't seen it yet, but I can just about guarentee it wouldve made the list. Gone With the Wind please! Complete my mothers X-Mas present!