Great films have the ability to take the mere experience of watching a movie as entertainment and provide a profound emotional transformation. A great movie strikes a chord with your emotions – whether it’s fear, laughter, sadness, adrenaline etc. For lack of a better word a great film hits you in the gonads. Few films hit me in the gonads this year. There were lots of really good films but few which hit me where it counts. Click on the film titles to link to my reviews of each film.
Two films hit the gonads harder than any other this. Danny Boyle’s thrilling journey into the mean streets of Mumbai hit me with extreme force. Via the Indian version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” we get to see the Dickensian life of a young Indian street kid and his lifelong journey to reconnect with the love of his life. Music and imagery bombard us with such exhuberance, you’ll leave the theatre with a renewed sense of energy.
The second film which stands high above all others this year. A triumph on all levels of filmmaking. By far the most emotionally truthful film of the year. Mickey Rourke embodies the sad, tragic life of a has been wrestler. "The Wrestler" is as funny as it is tragic and triumphant. A phenomenal film.
Ron Howard has never been this high on any of my Best of Lists. Usually his workmanlike direction and middle-of-the-road inoffensiveness makes for tepid viewing. Sure “Frost/Nixon” is not controversial cinema but it is sharply drawn and challenging political film about two complex men going head to head on national television with personal reputation and political history at stake.
I seemed to be the only one who even saw this film let alone put this on my top ten list. Andrew Garfield’s BAFTA Award winning lead performance anchors this gem about a young reformed murderer who gets released into society and how he adapts to a new life and a new identity.
Michael Haneke’s remake of his own 1997 film is as frightening as horror movies come. Other than his own original there is no other film to compare to this disturbing experiment in terror. Haneke’s home invasion flick is an assault on its audience, a concerted attempt to mimic the terror, discomfort and agonizing pain of a home invasion. Haneke hits the gonads with shockingly visceral fear and dread. Be warned about this one, it’s for highly disciminating tastes - of bad taste for some.
This German/Turkish co-production went through the festival circuit in 2007 and received its theatrical release early this year. Told in the multinational character hopping style of “Babel” and the complex religious themes of Krzysztof Kieslowski, director Fatih Akin’s film tells the story of a young man who travels from Germany to Turkey to find the family of his father’s deceased wife. As the story changes its point of view we get a unique viewpoint into how the lives of Akin’s characters have unknowingly affected each other.
John Patrick Shanley’s morality tale of a nun who accuses a priest of sexual molestation with no evidence other than her suspicion is a great showcase film for a quartet of great actors - Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis and especially Meryl Streep.
Sure Batman was a great film, but we all expected that. “Iron Man’s” greatness and success was so unexpected it deserves higher recognition that “The Dark Knight”. Great casting elevates the standard comic book genre origin story into accessible and highly entertaining cinema on all levels. Downey Jr. is interminably magnetic as Tony Stark and, Gwyneth Paltrow'snd Jeff Bridges' infectious personalities breath life in their template genre characters.
No need to shower this film with more praise, but the IMAX projection was the event of the year, and should revitalize the theatrical experience.
Gus Van Sant’s fine biopic of Harvey Milk is mainstream enough to be accessible for general audiences, but with enough of his personal stylistic exclamation marks to lift it above most other films of the genre.
Here's the other 10 which didn't make the big list:
11. WALTZ WITH BASHIR
I welcome this profound new addition to the art of animation more than any of the films made by Pixar. Since the advent of computer animation we’re continually bombarded by decent but mostly disposable films made for kids (though enjoyable for adults). Ari Folman’s war memoirs of the 1982 Israeli/Lebanese War is as creative, original and inspiring as anything in “Wall-E”.
12. THE STRANGERS
Bryan Bertino’s debut feature has the same innate skills of visceral fear as a young John Carpenter. His task on the familiar home invasion subgenre of horror is one of the scariest films I’ve ever seen.
13. TROPIC THUNDER
By far the best comedy of the year. Ben Stiller’s absurd high concept go-for-broke comedy gets even better the second time around
14. HAPPY GO-LUCKY
Sally Hawkins’ portrayal of a permanently effervescent school teacher is effectively annoying. Her relationships with her family, friends and even her driving instructor stem from a disarming happy-go-lucky personality.
15. REDBELT
Who knew David Mamet watched Mixed Martial Arts, let alone was a black belt in Jiu Jitsu. His passion for this sport is palpable as he crafts a unique sports film - part con game, part philosophical essay on the art form. Mamet slyly subverts our expectations, crafting a clever and thought-provoking mix of "Rocky" and "House of Games".
16. THE RUINS
A great low radar horror film about a group of kids under siege by an unknown plague atop an ancient Mayan ruin.
17. SHOTGUN STORIES
This authetic self-produced indie film makes a profound statement on violence, reminiscent of Sam Peckinpah’s “Straw Dogs” or Terrence Malick's "Badlands".
18. INSIDE (AKA L’INTERIEUR)
A benchmark in the new genre of French horror. This astonishingly violent thriller combines bloodcurdling gore with great low level John Carpenter-esque tension.
19. YOUNG PEOPLE F*CKING
The best Canadian film this year. The finished product is better than its salacious title. A surprisingly touching and insightful film about relationships and the act known as ‘the nasty.’
20. WALL-E
Though the second half walloes too much in the animated cuteness of the robot, the first half makes it the most cinematically inspired of all the Pixar films.
THE BEST DOCUMENTARIES OF THE YEAR
This top five list is even more highly recommended than much of the top twenty listed above:
1. MAN ON WIRE
Simply stunning telling of Frenchman Philippe Petit’s attempt to cross the twin towers by high wire in 1974. Using truly cinematic recreated footage, James Marsh’s doc is crafted with more suspense and tension than most thrillers.
2. SURFWISE
An almost unbelievable story of the first family of surfing, The Paskowitz’s, who took their family on a camping trip of surfing for over 20 years.
3. PLANET BBOY
A stunning film about the global phenomenon of ‘breakdancing’ – an artform which has expanding in creativity and credibility since what you remember from the 1980’s.
4. ALL TOGETHER NOW
A great documentary about the joining of two artistic institutions – Cirque du Soleil and The Beatles.
5. ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD
Werner Herzog's idiosyncratic story of his journey to Antarctica.
THE BEST PEFORMANCES OF THE YEAR
Best lead performances - Actor:
Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)
Two films hit the gonads harder than any other this. Danny Boyle’s thrilling journey into the mean streets of Mumbai hit me with extreme force. Via the Indian version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” we get to see the Dickensian life of a young Indian street kid and his lifelong journey to reconnect with the love of his life. Music and imagery bombard us with such exhuberance, you’ll leave the theatre with a renewed sense of energy.
2. THE WRESTLER
The second film which stands high above all others this year. A triumph on all levels of filmmaking. By far the most emotionally truthful film of the year. Mickey Rourke embodies the sad, tragic life of a has been wrestler. "The Wrestler" is as funny as it is tragic and triumphant. A phenomenal film.
3. FROST/NIXON
Ron Howard has never been this high on any of my Best of Lists. Usually his workmanlike direction and middle-of-the-road inoffensiveness makes for tepid viewing. Sure “Frost/Nixon” is not controversial cinema but it is sharply drawn and challenging political film about two complex men going head to head on national television with personal reputation and political history at stake.
4. BOY-A
I seemed to be the only one who even saw this film let alone put this on my top ten list. Andrew Garfield’s BAFTA Award winning lead performance anchors this gem about a young reformed murderer who gets released into society and how he adapts to a new life and a new identity.
5. FUNNY GAMES
Michael Haneke’s remake of his own 1997 film is as frightening as horror movies come. Other than his own original there is no other film to compare to this disturbing experiment in terror. Haneke’s home invasion flick is an assault on its audience, a concerted attempt to mimic the terror, discomfort and agonizing pain of a home invasion. Haneke hits the gonads with shockingly visceral fear and dread. Be warned about this one, it’s for highly disciminating tastes - of bad taste for some.
This German/Turkish co-production went through the festival circuit in 2007 and received its theatrical release early this year. Told in the multinational character hopping style of “Babel” and the complex religious themes of Krzysztof Kieslowski, director Fatih Akin’s film tells the story of a young man who travels from Germany to Turkey to find the family of his father’s deceased wife. As the story changes its point of view we get a unique viewpoint into how the lives of Akin’s characters have unknowingly affected each other.
7. DOUBT
John Patrick Shanley’s morality tale of a nun who accuses a priest of sexual molestation with no evidence other than her suspicion is a great showcase film for a quartet of great actors - Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis and especially Meryl Streep.
8. IRON MAN
Sure Batman was a great film, but we all expected that. “Iron Man’s” greatness and success was so unexpected it deserves higher recognition that “The Dark Knight”. Great casting elevates the standard comic book genre origin story into accessible and highly entertaining cinema on all levels. Downey Jr. is interminably magnetic as Tony Stark and, Gwyneth Paltrow'snd Jeff Bridges' infectious personalities breath life in their template genre characters.
No need to shower this film with more praise, but the IMAX projection was the event of the year, and should revitalize the theatrical experience.
10. MILK
Gus Van Sant’s fine biopic of Harvey Milk is mainstream enough to be accessible for general audiences, but with enough of his personal stylistic exclamation marks to lift it above most other films of the genre.
Here's the other 10 which didn't make the big list:
11. WALTZ WITH BASHIR
I welcome this profound new addition to the art of animation more than any of the films made by Pixar. Since the advent of computer animation we’re continually bombarded by decent but mostly disposable films made for kids (though enjoyable for adults). Ari Folman’s war memoirs of the 1982 Israeli/Lebanese War is as creative, original and inspiring as anything in “Wall-E”.
12. THE STRANGERS
Bryan Bertino’s debut feature has the same innate skills of visceral fear as a young John Carpenter. His task on the familiar home invasion subgenre of horror is one of the scariest films I’ve ever seen.
13. TROPIC THUNDER
By far the best comedy of the year. Ben Stiller’s absurd high concept go-for-broke comedy gets even better the second time around
14. HAPPY GO-LUCKY
Sally Hawkins’ portrayal of a permanently effervescent school teacher is effectively annoying. Her relationships with her family, friends and even her driving instructor stem from a disarming happy-go-lucky personality.
15. REDBELT
Who knew David Mamet watched Mixed Martial Arts, let alone was a black belt in Jiu Jitsu. His passion for this sport is palpable as he crafts a unique sports film - part con game, part philosophical essay on the art form. Mamet slyly subverts our expectations, crafting a clever and thought-provoking mix of "Rocky" and "House of Games".
16. THE RUINS
A great low radar horror film about a group of kids under siege by an unknown plague atop an ancient Mayan ruin.
17. SHOTGUN STORIES
This authetic self-produced indie film makes a profound statement on violence, reminiscent of Sam Peckinpah’s “Straw Dogs” or Terrence Malick's "Badlands".
18. INSIDE (AKA L’INTERIEUR)
A benchmark in the new genre of French horror. This astonishingly violent thriller combines bloodcurdling gore with great low level John Carpenter-esque tension.
19. YOUNG PEOPLE F*CKING
The best Canadian film this year. The finished product is better than its salacious title. A surprisingly touching and insightful film about relationships and the act known as ‘the nasty.’
20. WALL-E
Though the second half walloes too much in the animated cuteness of the robot, the first half makes it the most cinematically inspired of all the Pixar films.
THE BEST DOCUMENTARIES OF THE YEAR
This top five list is even more highly recommended than much of the top twenty listed above:
1. MAN ON WIRE
Simply stunning telling of Frenchman Philippe Petit’s attempt to cross the twin towers by high wire in 1974. Using truly cinematic recreated footage, James Marsh’s doc is crafted with more suspense and tension than most thrillers.
2. SURFWISE
An almost unbelievable story of the first family of surfing, The Paskowitz’s, who took their family on a camping trip of surfing for over 20 years.
3. PLANET BBOY
A stunning film about the global phenomenon of ‘breakdancing’ – an artform which has expanding in creativity and credibility since what you remember from the 1980’s.
4. ALL TOGETHER NOW
A great documentary about the joining of two artistic institutions – Cirque du Soleil and The Beatles.
5. ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD
Werner Herzog's idiosyncratic story of his journey to Antarctica.
THE BEST PEFORMANCES OF THE YEAR
Best lead performances - Actor:
Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)
Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon)
Andrew Garfield (Boy-A)
Josh Brolin (W)
Greg Kinnear (Flash of Genius)
Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man)
Best supporting performances – Actor
Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder)
Russell Brand (Forgetting Sarah Marshall)
John Malkovich (Burn After Reading)
Anil Kapoor (Slumdog Millionaire)
Best lead performances – Actress
Meryl Streep (Doubt)
Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married)
Sally Hawkins (Happy Go-Lucky)
Keira Knightly (The Duchess)
Naomi Watts (Funny Games)
Best supporting performances – Actress
Viola Davis (Doubt)
Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler)
Gwenyth Paltrow (Iron Man)
Rosemary Dewitt (Rachel Getting Married)
Hayley Atwell (The Duchess)
BEST ACTION SCENES OF THE YEAR
Batpod Chase (The Dark Knight)
Climatic Battle (Prince Caspian)
Hellboy vs. The Golden Army (Hellboy II)
Opening Mumbai Chase (Slumdog Millionaire)
Iron Man vs. F22- Raptors (Iron Man)
Rambo vs. Burmese Army (Rambo)
FUNNIEST SCENES OF THE YEAR
Sleepwalking (Step Brothers)
Brad Pitt’s telephone call with John Malkovich (Burn After Reading)
Opening Fake trailers (Tropic Thunder)
ACCLAIMED FILMS I JUST DIDN'T LIKE
RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
A CHRISTMAS TALE
THE WACKNESS
BELLA
THE BEST STAND ALONE SHOTS/SCENES OF THE YEAR
Under the pool shot in LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
The repeated awakening scene in WALTZ WITH BASHIR
The MIA train montage in SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Batpod Introduction in THE DARK KNIGHT
The ghostly appearance of Beatrice Dalle in INSIDE
Slo-motion frothing guard dog in STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
WORST FILMS OF THE YEAR
THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS
If you can’t believe the single concept of an eight year old not understanding that people who where striped jumpsuits living behind a fortified fence with barbed wire is not a prison of some sort may like this film.
THE LOVE GURU
Outdated Austin Powers-type humour.
10,000 BC
More garbage from Roland Emmerich
VANTAGE POINT
Completely ridiculous high concept actioner
SPEED RACER
Simply unwatchable
THANKS FOR READING. HAPPY 2009!
Andrew Garfield (Boy-A)
Josh Brolin (W)
Greg Kinnear (Flash of Genius)
Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man)
Best supporting performances – Actor
Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder)
Russell Brand (Forgetting Sarah Marshall)
John Malkovich (Burn After Reading)
Anil Kapoor (Slumdog Millionaire)
Best lead performances – Actress
Meryl Streep (Doubt)
Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married)
Sally Hawkins (Happy Go-Lucky)
Keira Knightly (The Duchess)
Naomi Watts (Funny Games)
Best supporting performances – Actress
Viola Davis (Doubt)
Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler)
Gwenyth Paltrow (Iron Man)
Rosemary Dewitt (Rachel Getting Married)
Hayley Atwell (The Duchess)
BEST ACTION SCENES OF THE YEAR
Batpod Chase (The Dark Knight)
Climatic Battle (Prince Caspian)
Hellboy vs. The Golden Army (Hellboy II)
Opening Mumbai Chase (Slumdog Millionaire)
Iron Man vs. F22- Raptors (Iron Man)
Rambo vs. Burmese Army (Rambo)
FUNNIEST SCENES OF THE YEAR
Sleepwalking (Step Brothers)
Brad Pitt’s telephone call with John Malkovich (Burn After Reading)
Opening Fake trailers (Tropic Thunder)
ACCLAIMED FILMS I JUST DIDN'T LIKE
RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
A CHRISTMAS TALE
THE WACKNESS
BELLA
THE BEST STAND ALONE SHOTS/SCENES OF THE YEAR
Under the pool shot in LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
The repeated awakening scene in WALTZ WITH BASHIR
The MIA train montage in SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Batpod Introduction in THE DARK KNIGHT
The ghostly appearance of Beatrice Dalle in INSIDE
Slo-motion frothing guard dog in STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
WORST FILMS OF THE YEAR
THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS
If you can’t believe the single concept of an eight year old not understanding that people who where striped jumpsuits living behind a fortified fence with barbed wire is not a prison of some sort may like this film.
THE LOVE GURU
Outdated Austin Powers-type humour.
10,000 BC
More garbage from Roland Emmerich
VANTAGE POINT
Completely ridiculous high concept actioner
SPEED RACER
Simply unwatchable
THANKS FOR READING. HAPPY 2009!
4 comments :
Thanks for this exhaustive and insightful recap of 2008. I've been remiss in my film watching and plan to use this guide as a starting point to catch up. Happy new year and keep up the great writing.
Nice work Alan. Now I have a concise To Watch list. I absolutely agree with your number one; however, I'm surprised you didn't like Let the Right One In.
Hey Kara,
About "Let The Right One In", for me, it was one really good scene at the end, but everything else was slow and uneventful.
I was very, very close to seeing Boy-A in the theater and then for some reason skipped it. One of the AICN guys featured it on their 08 list so you are not quite alone in acknowledging it.
Time for me to go and rent this one.
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