State of The Race 2009: Mid-Year Review, Best Picture

It's seems like the last oscars only happened a few weeks ago, and here we are, 6 months of the year have flown by like dust in the wind. We've seen only a few Oscar-bait like contenders stick the landing while many of the year's pre-ordained popcorn flicks have impressed, some not so much (I'm looking at you wolverine). So in terms of themovies that have seen release stateside, here are the best of this half of the year so far.

Best Picture Contenders: Only two movies so far this year have qualified in the Hut's eyes as worthy of Best Picture nominations, the first of which is Pixar's 10th triumph in a row, UP (pictured right). It was a confidently handled poignant action/adventure comedy that succeeds on many different levels. Up brought to the screen great and memorable characters in the form of the cantankorous old coot Carl and a loyal, loveable dog named Doug, not to mention the amazing vocal performances delivered by Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer and UP writer Bob Peterson. The movie also features Pixar's characteristicaly beautiful animation, good direction by Monster's Inc. helmer Pete Docter and a decent screenplay by Bob Peterson who also voiced the aformentioned Doug. What qualifies this as a Best Picture contender in my eyes is the sum of its parts all of which are great, but what clinched it for me was the beautiful, poignant scene chroncicling Carl's relationship with his wife Ellie from childhood up until Ellie's death, which to tell you the truth had me on the verge of tears, a rarity for me. UP is hands down fantastic. In the end, despite Pixar's lack of ever making a movie that was not one of the year's best, UP probably will be denied everything but the Animated Feature award. And that folks is a shame.

The only other Best Picture contender I've seen so far this year is Star Trek, a movie which hands down was the funnest time I've had in a cineplex this year. J.J. Abrams took a tired franchise, rebooted it and added a shiny new look and feel that was a hit on every level. Abrams fun, fresh direction combined with great editing set up the best paced live ation film so far this year, Michael Giacchino's score(as well as his UP score) was phenominal, his opening number gave me chills. And best of all was the acting. Chris Pine, Zach Quinto, Simon Pegg and Bruce Greenwood were all fantastic. Pine bringing a brash arrogance, Quinto a hot headed calmness and Pegg some much needed humor. Leonard Nemoy's appearence brought the film the needed credibility and pathos to connect with the original series. It's technical achievements will no doubt net the film at least 3 to 5 nominations but as far as it's best picture chances go, things are looking slim. If The Dark Knight couldnt do it, Star Trek won't, but you'd be hard pressed to find a better live action movie so far this year.