That’s right, 9. There’s still a week and a half left and I’ve got a few more movies to see. From everything I’ve heard, at least one of them should make it onto my top ten list. So alas, I’m saving a spot.

District 9

This apartheid analogy in alien form is being hailed as the most influential science fiction film since Blade Runner, and rightly so. First time feature director Neil Blomkamp managed to deliver a sci-fi film high on action, adrenaline, political allegory, impressive special effects, and even a few laughs. The real kicker? It was all done for a measly $30 million. Are you listening James Cameron?

The Hurt Locker

Kathryn Bigelow’s picture about bomb disabling technicians working in a battle zone is a tense and visceral, yet almost completely apolitical war drama. Not so much about the war in Iraq as it is about the fine balance between control and chaos, it is both an unbearably suspenseful action thriller and an observant character study of heroism and recklessness in brutal conditions.

The Cove

The Japanese government and the International Whaling Commission did their best to keep the annual dolphin massacre in Taiji under wraps, but thanks to the tireless efforts of Ric O’Barry, Louis Psihoyos and a committed team of determined activists, it is a secret no more. Part horror, part spy thriller, part corruption expose, and part redemption tale, The Cove is documentary filmmaking at its best.

Up

It gets a little tiresome reviewing Pixar movies. Visually stunning? Check. Technically superb? Check. Raises the bar for animated films? Check. Heartwarming story? Check. The one element that sets Up apart from all the others is the collection of scenes chronicling a loving marriage ended by age. The touching montage might just be the most deeply affecting piece of storytelling of the year.

The Road

The Road wins the prize for most depressing and difficult to watch movie of the year. Bleak, and slightly horrifying, it’s an intensely compelling story of a man and his son searching for salvation in a post-apocalyptic America. The art-house version of 2012, The Road makes it abundantly clear that there is nothing exciting or glamorous about the end of the world. You won’t want to see this one more than once, but you won’t need to – the stark and disturbing images are depressing enough to last a lifetime.

Star Trek

The success of the popular franchise prequel came as something of a surprise and accomplished a nearly impossible feat: it satisfied legions of fervent trekkies and managed to enlist a boatload of new fans. A pretty much flawless prequel to the iconic TV series and subsequent movies, this Trek is more action-oriented than past efforts and features some breakout performances from its young cast. It could have been a disaster, but film captain J.J. Abrams managed to make it work. Take that Phantom Menace.

A Single Man

There are two things that make A Single Man stand out from the crowd: Tom Ford’s uber-stylish direction, and Colin Firth’s outstanding performance. Ford’s directorial debut is immaculately composed, each shot more stylized than the last. But truly it’s Firth’s performance as a man shrouded in private grief, sleepwalking through life, that makes this movie great. Exquisite at every turn, the movie follows the actions of a resolute man on the day of his life he’s decided will be his last.

Inglorious Basterds

This over-the-top revenge fantasy puts a Tarantinoesque spin on the war movie genre and turns it into a kind of spaghetti western. The result is a delightfully violent and stylish WWII romp. Not one to let historical accuracy get in the way of a good time, Tarantino tells the story of WWII the way many of us would have liked to see it go down, blazing flames and all. Even if you’re not a Tarantino fan, see it for Christoph Waltz. His portrayal of the “Jew hunter” will make your skin crawl.

Avatar

Ok, the plot is predictable, the dialogue pretty cheesy, and the pacing a little uneven, but Avatar makes the list because from a visual standpoint, it’s a knockout. A breathtaking mix of CGI and motion-capture animation, Avatar is a grandiose flight-of-fancy that begs to be seen on the big screen. As far as the story goes, it’s a new age fantasy rooted in history that leans a little too close to melodrama. But who cares? It looks wicked cool.