After more than five years and several films created through 3-D computer animation, Walt Disney Animation is returning to the medium it used better than anyone: ink and paint. Disney’s triumphant return to traditional cel animation, The Princess and the Frog, opens this weekend in theatres, making it the studio’s 49th feature-length animated movie. But before seeing if Disney animators have still got it, let’s recount their past achievements with a top ten list presented here in chronological order.

This past year was defined by big change, shocking revelations, and the rampant power of celebrity. We saw underdogs soar, goliaths tragically topple, and watched our favourites say goodbye, whether we wanted them to or not. Without further delay, let’s revisit some of the most interesting stories of 2009.

The months at the beginning of the year are typically the time that Hollywood studios lets their end of the year awards bait films go wider or where they try to burn off all those movies they’d rather not know they made. Keeping that in mind, here’s what’s coming up between now and springtime.

Never underestimate the power of a prairie-upbringing on one’s creative abilities. Winnipeg’s own Propagandhi has long been one of the most intense (in studio and in concert) acts around, and this year saw their release of the tongue-in-cheek Supporting Caste (get it?): one part brutal riffs plus one part aggressive percussion plus one part witty and cutting lyrics equals Best Hardcore Album of 2009. Our favourite Winnipeg HxC kids offered sinful delights on Supporting Caste such as a response to Don Cherry’s moral indiscretions (xenophobic/sexist remarks and his heavy-handed support of the “War on Terror”), “Dear Coach’s Corner”, and a social and political statement on the hypocrisy of eating meat, “Human(e) Meat (The Flensing of Sandor Katz)”.