The Best Films of 2008
I think it's fair to say I'm a cinephile, seeing how I've seen 145 in theater settings this year, and nearly 100 of them weren't in release at the time. As I'm putting together my list of the best films of 2008, I notice that in most cases, the films feature outstanding ensemble casts, that interact with each other very well.
They're in alphabetical order for simplicity. They're a combination of good stories, outstanding performances, and great representations of genre. And not being on this list doesn't mean I didn't enjoy other films; it was hard to pair the list down to so few. That being said, the best films, with few exceptions, did not come from the big studios.
The Chaser (Chugyeogja)
Directed by Hong-jin Na
Written by Won-Chan Hong, Shinho Lee, Hong-jin Na
Not that the rest of the film's cast aren't good, but Yun-seok Kim's Joong-ho is the so riveting, and the story is so wrapped up around him, that the rest of the cast is there to truly support him. Joong-ho is an ex-cop turned pimp who's angry another one of his girls who owes him money has disappeared. Soon, he realizes that there's more going on that runaways or stolen girls. What makes this a truly outstanding film is that there is a major reveal early in the story, and it still keeps you tense in your seat. That, coupled with some foot chases that have more drama than anything you see with pyrotechnics and cars. See the original if you can; it's getting an American remake, but it's so good, I saw it twice at Fantastic Fest. You can track down the DVD, and if you have a newer Philips DVD player, they are thankfully region free.
Dance of the Dead
Directed by Gregg Bishop
Written by Joe Ballarini
The losers who couldn't get a date for prom end up having to save the town from Zombies. Simple plot, well executed, with an amazing mass zombie appearance scene. This was so well received by SXSW audiences, it sold out all three screenings, and non-badge holders were only able to get into the last screening because they moved it to a bigger screen, and it was the last night.
The Dark Knight
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan
This is what a hollywood blockbuster should be; smart, beautiful, with outstanding acting. Cine-snobs should love the earlier work of the Nolans (Memento, anyone?), and just about everyone who sees movies has seen Batman Begins. But if you see it for nothing else, you must see it for Heath Ledger's Joker. I knew he would do the role justice, but he even blew me away.
Dear Zachary
Directed by Kurt Kuenne
Written by Kurt Kuenne
I know, you're sick of my raving about this one. This documentary is one that no one who's seen it hasn't reacted strongly and positively to it (that I know, at least). It's a damned shame that it's been neglected during awards season. I still think it's a combination of breaking the rules of documentary making, and the intimidating subject matter of those who know the story. If you don't know, don't look it up before seeing it. It's out on DVD in February.
Let the Right One In (Låt den rätte komma in)
Directed by Tomas Alfredson
Written by John Ajvide Lindqvist (screenplay& novel)
Swedish coming of age vampire story. Seriously. And it's very good. It's the darling of movie bloggers, and for good reason. It's still playing at the Alamo after coming out last month there. The premise is this; Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant) resents being bullied, which happens to him on a daily basis. Then a young girl and an old man move in to a unit in the same building. Eli (Lina Leandersson) reluctantly befriends Oskar, and things start getting really interesting in the neighborhood. Two scenes didn't work all that well for me as they were done, so it didn't completely wow me, but it's a must see for any cinephile. Atmospheric and subtle, this is a thinker's horror film.
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Directed by Bharat Nalluri
Written by David Magee and Simon Beaufoy (screenplay), Winifred Watson (novel)
I love old fashioned screwball comedies, and this is a great adaptation of one, with a truly outstanding ensemble cast. Miss Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) loses her job as governess and inadvertently becomes the social secretary of Delysia (Amy Adams), an actress juggling three suiters, including Michael (Lee Pace), Of course, there has to be a heavy, played to perfection by Mark Strong. If a portion of your favorite films are in black and white, you need to add this one to your library. The dailogue is smart and snappy, and the acting superb. Just see it for the banter between Adams and McDormand, but then I'd have to add the chemistry between Adams and Pace, and McDormand and Cairin Hinds, but then I'd keep going and name the whole cast.
Rocknrolla
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Written by Guy Ritchie
So what if Guy Ritchie returned to his roots; they're very strong and entertaining roots. Crime capers with gangs and cross purposes, double crossings, and ineptitude make for one entertaining film, with an incredible soundtrack to boot. Old school, Russians, and the Wild Bunch, with a sexy accountant and a missing rockstar thrown in for flavor. It's a lot of fun, from the robberies, to the "sex" scene between Gerard Butler and Thandie Newton. Just make sure you don't stop watching when the credits start, there's a treat in the early credits.
Slumdog Millionaire
Directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan (co-director: India)
Written by Simon Beaufoy (screenplay) and Vikas Swarup (novel)
This brings new meaning to ensemble cast, although the best work is three sets of actors playing the primary characters at three stages of their lives. Co-director Loveleen Tandan earns all the credit she gets for her part in casting and directing in India. With original music by Indian superstar, A.R. Rahman, and the most lively, colorful subtitles you have ever had the honor to read, and the vibrant cinematography of Anthony Dod Mantle, this is an unforgettable film. Each actor playing Jamal at different ages capture the character seamlessly (Dev Patel/ Tanay Chheda/ Ayush Mahesh Khedekar), and the same goes for Latika (Freida Pinto/ Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar/Rubiana Ali) and Salim ( Madhur Mittal/ Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala/ Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail). Again, stay through the credits; you'll be dancing in your seats.
Son of Rambow
Directed by Garth Jennings
Written by Garth Jennings
Best tagline ever: Make Believe. Not War. And it lives up to it. This and JVCD are the two films that epitomize Alamo Drafthouse films. I think if you don't like either, you're just not an Alamo person. The story is simple; In the 1980s, Will is the outsider because his religion doesn't allow him to see any media, even filmstrips at school. Lee Carter is the school blacksheep, and the two form an unlikely friendship when Will happens to see First Blood, and the pair set out to make a sequel. It's sweet and funny, and altogether delightful.
The Visitor
Directed by Thomas McCarthy
Written by Thomas McCarthy
Widower Walter Vale is sleepwalking through his life, until he goes into New York for a conference and finds strangers living in his apartment. It's all about connection, from the lack of it, to those forged in the unlikeliest circumstances. The entire cast is outstanding, from Haaz Sleiman's joyous smiles as Tarek, Danai Gurira's nuanced reserve as Zainab, but most of all, Hiam Abbass, ans Mouna, Tarek's mother. This is not a film for the average film goer; it's quiet and subtle, much like McCarthy's earlier work, The Station Agent. But you'll fall in love with the characters.
They're in alphabetical order for simplicity. They're a combination of good stories, outstanding performances, and great representations of genre. And not being on this list doesn't mean I didn't enjoy other films; it was hard to pair the list down to so few. That being said, the best films, with few exceptions, did not come from the big studios.
The Chaser (Chugyeogja)
Directed by Hong-jin Na
Written by Won-Chan Hong, Shinho Lee, Hong-jin Na
Not that the rest of the film's cast aren't good, but Yun-seok Kim's Joong-ho is the so riveting, and the story is so wrapped up around him, that the rest of the cast is there to truly support him. Joong-ho is an ex-cop turned pimp who's angry another one of his girls who owes him money has disappeared. Soon, he realizes that there's more going on that runaways or stolen girls. What makes this a truly outstanding film is that there is a major reveal early in the story, and it still keeps you tense in your seat. That, coupled with some foot chases that have more drama than anything you see with pyrotechnics and cars. See the original if you can; it's getting an American remake, but it's so good, I saw it twice at Fantastic Fest. You can track down the DVD, and if you have a newer Philips DVD player, they are thankfully region free.
Dance of the Dead
Directed by Gregg Bishop
Written by Joe Ballarini
The losers who couldn't get a date for prom end up having to save the town from Zombies. Simple plot, well executed, with an amazing mass zombie appearance scene. This was so well received by SXSW audiences, it sold out all three screenings, and non-badge holders were only able to get into the last screening because they moved it to a bigger screen, and it was the last night.
The Dark Knight
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan
This is what a hollywood blockbuster should be; smart, beautiful, with outstanding acting. Cine-snobs should love the earlier work of the Nolans (Memento, anyone?), and just about everyone who sees movies has seen Batman Begins. But if you see it for nothing else, you must see it for Heath Ledger's Joker. I knew he would do the role justice, but he even blew me away.
Dear Zachary
Directed by Kurt Kuenne
Written by Kurt Kuenne
I know, you're sick of my raving about this one. This documentary is one that no one who's seen it hasn't reacted strongly and positively to it (that I know, at least). It's a damned shame that it's been neglected during awards season. I still think it's a combination of breaking the rules of documentary making, and the intimidating subject matter of those who know the story. If you don't know, don't look it up before seeing it. It's out on DVD in February.
Let the Right One In (Låt den rätte komma in)
Directed by Tomas Alfredson
Written by John Ajvide Lindqvist (screenplay& novel)
Swedish coming of age vampire story. Seriously. And it's very good. It's the darling of movie bloggers, and for good reason. It's still playing at the Alamo after coming out last month there. The premise is this; Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant) resents being bullied, which happens to him on a daily basis. Then a young girl and an old man move in to a unit in the same building. Eli (Lina Leandersson) reluctantly befriends Oskar, and things start getting really interesting in the neighborhood. Two scenes didn't work all that well for me as they were done, so it didn't completely wow me, but it's a must see for any cinephile. Atmospheric and subtle, this is a thinker's horror film.
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Directed by Bharat Nalluri
Written by David Magee and Simon Beaufoy (screenplay), Winifred Watson (novel)
I love old fashioned screwball comedies, and this is a great adaptation of one, with a truly outstanding ensemble cast. Miss Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) loses her job as governess and inadvertently becomes the social secretary of Delysia (Amy Adams), an actress juggling three suiters, including Michael (Lee Pace), Of course, there has to be a heavy, played to perfection by Mark Strong. If a portion of your favorite films are in black and white, you need to add this one to your library. The dailogue is smart and snappy, and the acting superb. Just see it for the banter between Adams and McDormand, but then I'd have to add the chemistry between Adams and Pace, and McDormand and Cairin Hinds, but then I'd keep going and name the whole cast.
Rocknrolla
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Written by Guy Ritchie
So what if Guy Ritchie returned to his roots; they're very strong and entertaining roots. Crime capers with gangs and cross purposes, double crossings, and ineptitude make for one entertaining film, with an incredible soundtrack to boot. Old school, Russians, and the Wild Bunch, with a sexy accountant and a missing rockstar thrown in for flavor. It's a lot of fun, from the robberies, to the "sex" scene between Gerard Butler and Thandie Newton. Just make sure you don't stop watching when the credits start, there's a treat in the early credits.
Slumdog Millionaire
Directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan (co-director: India)
Written by Simon Beaufoy (screenplay) and Vikas Swarup (novel)
This brings new meaning to ensemble cast, although the best work is three sets of actors playing the primary characters at three stages of their lives. Co-director Loveleen Tandan earns all the credit she gets for her part in casting and directing in India. With original music by Indian superstar, A.R. Rahman, and the most lively, colorful subtitles you have ever had the honor to read, and the vibrant cinematography of Anthony Dod Mantle, this is an unforgettable film. Each actor playing Jamal at different ages capture the character seamlessly (Dev Patel/ Tanay Chheda/ Ayush Mahesh Khedekar), and the same goes for Latika (Freida Pinto/ Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar/Rubiana Ali) and Salim ( Madhur Mittal/ Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala/ Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail). Again, stay through the credits; you'll be dancing in your seats.
Son of Rambow
Directed by Garth Jennings
Written by Garth Jennings
Best tagline ever: Make Believe. Not War. And it lives up to it. This and JVCD are the two films that epitomize Alamo Drafthouse films. I think if you don't like either, you're just not an Alamo person. The story is simple; In the 1980s, Will is the outsider because his religion doesn't allow him to see any media, even filmstrips at school. Lee Carter is the school blacksheep, and the two form an unlikely friendship when Will happens to see First Blood, and the pair set out to make a sequel. It's sweet and funny, and altogether delightful.
The Visitor
Directed by Thomas McCarthy
Written by Thomas McCarthy
Widower Walter Vale is sleepwalking through his life, until he goes into New York for a conference and finds strangers living in his apartment. It's all about connection, from the lack of it, to those forged in the unlikeliest circumstances. The entire cast is outstanding, from Haaz Sleiman's joyous smiles as Tarek, Danai Gurira's nuanced reserve as Zainab, but most of all, Hiam Abbass, ans Mouna, Tarek's mother. This is not a film for the average film goer; it's quiet and subtle, much like McCarthy's earlier work, The Station Agent. But you'll fall in love with the characters.
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