The Hurt Locker (2009)

Director Kathryn Bigelow expertly builds tension with each wire cut by bomb specialist Jeremy Renner in an Iraq war picture refreshing void of ideology. Renner gives a superior performance, his character part reckless artist, part John Wayne.

d: Kathryn Bigelow | imdb.com | trailer | “Charlie Rose”
opening sequence | Die comfortable. | cell phone

Chéri (2009)

Still sexy and regal at 51, Michelle Pfeiffer plays a courtesan in waning and in love with the much younger Rupert Friend (Chéri). Pfeiffer fights her age and Friend his arranged marriage in 1920s Paris as their charming love story turns to one of longing.

d: Stephen Frears | imdb.com | trailer | Haven’t I been worth it?

Away We Go (2009)

John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph search for the perfect place to raise their expected baby in a sweet road picture, and both deliver unaffected comic performances. Allison Janney, Jim Gaffigan and Maggie Gyllenhaal provide wonderful satires of bad parenting.

d: Sam Mendes | imdb.com | trailer | You got lucky, sister.

Whatever Works (2009)

Woody Allen directs Larry David, who essentially plays Allen — a neurotic, cynical genius who falls in love with young runaway Evan Rachel Wood. He’s fun to watch, and Wood’s naiveté is adorable, misunderstanding David’s world view, then co-opting it.

d: Woody Allen | imdb.com | trailer

Year One (2009)

Harold Ramis returns to writing and directing with a sophomoric prehistoric effort. Jack Black plays Jack Black and Michael Cera his straight man. The movie has been made before — “Life of Brian,” “Wholly Moses” and “History of the World: Part 1.”

d: Harold Ramis | imdb.com | trailer | Holy of holies | Stoned

The Proposal (2009)

Sandra Bullock forces assistant Ryan Reynolds to marry her, so she won’t be deported to her native Canada in a throwback to the romantic comedies of the 1930s. But there’s too much sentiment and not enough chemistry or comedy between Bullock and Reynolds.

d: Anne Fletcher | imdb.com | trailer | We’re getting married.