Let the Wild Rumpus Begin

In the world of film, it was the year of the number nine. There was the animated film 9, the sci-fi parable District 9, and the musical Nine (itself an outgrowth of the movie 8½). All these films are worthwhile projects, one was among our top picks, and each is aimed at moviegoers older than the age of 9. For these things we are grateful, but here's the rub: We are ready to move beyond nine. So, contrary to the lists in the other editorial departments of the Chronicle, we are sticking with Top 10 lists. Call us troublemakers or call us conventional; let the wild rumpus begin.

The only film to appear on all three Chronicle reviewers' lists is The Hurt Locker. Usually, that causes a movie to be a shoo-in for the No. 1 spot in the group's combined tally. Yet The Hurt Locker came in at the No. 4 spot on the combined list, leaving the top contenders to films that appeared on only two individual lists but high in each reviewer's ranking. Our combined No. 1 movie, A Single Man, opens next Friday, Jan. 8, in Austin. Other titles are still in the theatres, while many others are already available for rental. All told, we think these lists offer a good picture of the Chronicle reviewers' tastes and provide a lot of good suggestions for movies to catch up with.

For individual Top 10 lists from Marjorie Baumgarten, Kimberley Jones, and Marc Savlov, see below.

'Austin Chronicle' Top Films of '09

1) 'A SINGLE MAN'

2) 'A SERIOUS MAN' (tie)

2) 'WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE' (tie)

3) 'MOON'

4) 'THE HURT LOCKER'

5) 'IN THE LOOP'

6) 'ANTICHRIST' (tie)

6) 'THE BEACHES OF AGNÈS' (tie)

6) '12' (tie)

7) 'BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS' (tie)

7) 'GOODBYE SOLO' (tie)

7) 'UP' (tie)