In 2021, I originally picked J.J. Abrams' Star Trek, but I think Phil Lord & Chris Miller's animated featured, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, is pretty incredible. I wouldn't call 2009 a strong year for movies, but Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was definitely an absolute highlight of the year, and one of the best animated movies in recent years... and it made me excited to see what Lord & Miller might cook up next...

"Come on, Steve. We've got a diem to carpe!"

Honorable Mentions: 2009's Star Trek sort-of sequel, sort-of reboot was a big surprise. It was Star Trek for people who loved Star Wars, and a way to reinvigorate the franchise. For those deeply attached to the original series, it's a tough pill to swallow, but using a time travel element - and the presence of Leonard Nimoy returning as Spock - they were able to more naturally bridge the old with the new and charter a pathway along a new timeline. It's a fun Star Trek entry, and arguably one of the best in the film series.
        - John DiBiase