What a roller coaster ride this year turned out to be. While many of the critically lauded films fell short of impressing me, I found solace *wink* in areas I least expected. While '08 can never boast in being an all-time best in regards to overall film quality, I found a few films at the top that I would rank amongst the best this decade has to offer. Here are the 10 I appreciated most:
The Cream10.
Milk
Chronicling the latter years of political activist Harvey Milk, Gus Van Sant presents a stark reminder of the atrocities people can be led to when driven by hate and intolerance. It is a socially relevant, compelling near-masterpiece as far as biopics go. It's primary flaw - a criminally underdeveloped antagonist, which lessens the film's overall impact, but not nearly enough to not warrant a spot on this list.
9.
Blindness
An appealing twist on a genre flick,
Blindness captures the claustrophobia, uncertainty and survival instincts of the best "quarantine"-centered films. What sets it apart is that there are no monsters, just people reduced to uncivilized creatures by fear and the unknown. It is technically sound, and well-acted, and probably the most unfairly criticized film of the year. Many found it self-important and improbable. I found it mesmerizing.
8.
Slumdog Millionaire
Critics' darling and awards season sweeper,
Slumdog Millionaire does not disappoint. It is a classic love story portrayed in a most original way. Few films this year have been more memorably directed, edited and shot. This will probably walk away with the biggest prize at tomorrow night's Oscars and, of the nominees, I have no objections.
7.
The Wrestler
Score another one for Darren Aronofsky, who manages to silence critics by proving he can "play it straight."
The Wrestler can be compared to a requiem, and is a slow, tragically beautiful depiction of a broken man's attempt to recapture faded glory. Mickey Rourke delivers a performance that will be remembered for years to come.
6.
Quantum of Solace
Even with it's lackluster reviews, I found QoS to be almost surreal in it's serenity, beauty and melancholy. Daniel Craig once again proves that he is the quintessential Bond, and Olga Kurylenko is one of the most beautiful Bond girls
ever. In my opinion, the pinnacle of the year's achievements in both editing and cinematography.
5.
Doubt
As far as stage play adaptations go, this is one of the best I've seen in a long time. It's presentation is virtually flawless, and led by the ever reliable Meryl Streep, it is complete with
four standout performances. Despite many people claiming that it's convictions are far too easy to determine, I'm one of the few that believes it is all open to interpretation.
4.
Chop Shop
One of the most "real" and authentically portrayed films of the year. When you watch
Chop Shop, you aren't watching actors, but a true-to-life depiction of the ins and outs of a chop shop through the eyes of a boy on the cusp of adolescence. All year there hasn't been a performance that is able to match the raw naturalness of Alejandro Polanco. He never seems to be aware that a camera is even present, and this masterclass of "exhibitionist acting" as I call it is what makes the film work.
3.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Hands down, this year's funniest film, that features not one, but two of the best original songs I've seen in film all year. This film's "rewatchability" factor is sky high, as I've seen and enjoyed it at least 8 times already. Complemented by a standout, reappearing cameo by Paul Rudd, this memorable ensemble nails every delivery, and will likely leave even the most reserved in stitches.
2.
WALL·E
Quite possibly the cutest film I've ever seen. I enjoyed it so much, I battled long and hard mentally when deciding my #1 film of the year. With the use of minimal dialogue and some impressive as ever sound mixing,
WALL·E's hard work and dedication, which showcases so much endearing personality that you forget he's a robot, will melt even the coldest of hearts.
1.
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
As harrowing, engaging and affecting as any documentary (or film) I've ever seen. What starts out as a project to acquaint a baby boy to his fatally murdered father, ends up a story that reaches to the depths of the soul. Directed, narrated and scored by Kurt Kuenne, I can't remember ever being this moved by a piece of non-fiction since
Hoop Dreams. The crowning jewel of the year's achievements.
The stockVicky Cristina Barcelona, Definitely, Maybe, Keith, Let the Right One In, Rachel Getting Married
