2009: Women Owned the Movies

James Vernier for the Boston Herald:

Women made the biggest box-office waves of 2009. As Julia Child, Meryl Streep served up a delicious summer comedy, “Julie & Julia.” Bella Swan, also known as Kristen Stewart, returned for another “Twilight.” Newcomer Gabourey Sidibe was “Precious,” and as her hideous mother Mo’Nique gave an Oscar-worthy performance. Kathryn Bigelow outmanned the men with her nerve-shattering, Iraq-war-set drama “The Hurt Locker,” and may become the first woman to win a Best Director Academy Award. Sandra Bullock was box-office queen thanks to “The Proposal” and “The Blind Side.”