BY CHERALYN BARRINGTON
Lions’ Pride Assistant Layout Editor

Michael Oher (played by Quinton Aaron) and his adoptive mother Leigh Ann (played by Sandra Bullock) have a touching moment.

The year 2009 brought America many new movies to love, hate, and remember; here is a list of the most memorable.

1) The Blind Side
With a remarkable performance by Sandra Bullock as the adoptive mother of the now NFL star Michael Oher, The Blind Side is a heart-warming hit. It tells the beautiful true story of a homeless African American boy and the rich white family that took him in and gave him a second chance at life. With a spectacular cast also including country singer Tim McGraw, The Blind Side definitely tugs on a few heart-strings.

2) Avatar
This majestic film combines humans and CGI’s (computer generated images) to create a breath-taking masterpiece. Director James Cameron, who also directed Titanic, manufactured a colorful, mystical world called Pandora which is inhabited by the blue, extremely muscular and nine foot Na’vi. The spectacular 3-D imagery paired with an intriguing story line makes this movie a very enjoyable watch.

3) The Hangover
This side-splitting hilarious comedy charmed many with its bold, uncensored humor. It tells the story of three men who bring their soon-to-be wed pal to Las Vegas for one last hoorah before the wedding.
Little did they know the trip would turn out to be the bachelor party from hell with laugh out loud twist and turns around every corner. With extremely comedic actors and a cameo from Mike Tyson and a Tiger, this film is knee-slapping, tooth-pulling fun (You’ll have to watch the movie to get that one!).

4) New Moon
Bella and Edward are back and Jacob has a secret: he’s a werewolf. The movie is action packed and surpasses its precursor Twilight by miles. The script is better, the story is more interesting, and overall the movie is much more enjoyable. For Twilight fans or those drawn toward the fantasy genre, this is a must see.

5) Star Trek
Beam me up, Scotty! In 2009 Star Trek’s big screen arrival pleased Trekkies and non-Trekkies alike. The movie fresh with a new cast, features
Chris Pine as an arrogant but likable Captain Kirk, and Zachary Quinto as Spock. Leonard Nemoy also reclaims his role as a much older Spock from the future. The movie has an entertaining plot and very likable characters.

6) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
In 2009, Harry Potter fans everywhere were thrilled when the 6th part of the series hit the silver screen. The movie delivered with its beautifully captured images, dark nature, and giggle inducing humor. With a captivating plot, great script, and good humor, this film could be one of the best Harry Potter movies to date.

7) Up
Although it might seem like this film predominately appeals to children, the characters are so real and true to life that it allows the watcher to get connected to them. The movie captures raw emotion in the 78 year-old balloon salesman who, when faced with life’s difficulties ties thousands of balloons to his home causing it to float away. He winds up on the greatest adventure of his life, and meets many interesting characters along the way.

8) Zombieland
Zombieland was constructed in a unique fashion and contrary to its title is actually a comedy. Instead of making this movie a horrifying slasher flick, it brings humor to escaping and destroying rabid zombies. With a cameo from an ever-funny Bill Murray, this movie is truly satisfying.

9) 500 Days of Summer
This is not a typical love-story. It accurately depicts real-life. It laughs in the face of perfect Cinderella-type love stories. 500 Days of Summer is refreshingly realistic as it takes the watcher through the rocky, intimate, and often adorable relationship of Tom and Summer. Tom is a hopeless romantic and Summer does not believe in love. These two mash together to create a masterpiece filled with beautiful colors and great music.

Honorable mentions: I Love You, Man, Public Enemies, The Time-Traveler’s Wife, It’s Complicated, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Drag Me To Hell, Sherlock Holmes, The Uninvited, He’s Just Not that Into You.

Courtesy of iwatchstuff.com

Wolverine (played by Hugh Jackman) in X-Men Origins: Wolverine striking a fierce pose.