I saw several movies in the last twelve months that were not 2008 releases but still shook me up and I couldn't get out of my head. These stuck with me long after I finished them:
Morvern Callar--Not for all tastes, but this film burrowed into my psyche and set up permanent residence. Scottish party girl Morvern Callar (Samnantha Morton) returns home on Christmas Eve to find her live in author boyfriend has committed suicide. Morvern's next steps are wholly unexpected. A fascinating study of the vacuousness of party culture with a lead character you can never pin down. Morton has never been better. Great soundtrack.
A Face in the Crowd--Fans of "The Andy Griffith Show" must see this film starring Andy Griffith as a charismatic, but evil to the core, fount of folksy wisdom. Lonesome Roads is a drifter discovered by a reporter who helps him rise to stardom, inadvertently unleashing a monster of a man. A neglected classic.
Lake of Fire--Director Tony Kaye ("American History X") lets all sides in the abortion debate speak for themselves. While it probably won't change anyone's mind, it does a good job of showing the impact of abortion on all parties. I did, however, find myself fast forwarding through some of the film's more graphic scenes.
After the Wedding--A synopsis of the film might lead you to believe that its a weepy, twisty soap opera. That the film keeps surprising you, but remains convincing and grounded is a testament to the actors and director. A wrenching drama about family secrets, guilt, and learning to cope with loss. I did not see a better drama this year.
In addition, when I first watched The Strangers, a 2008 release, I thought it was just a creepy horror film, but it stuck around in my head, gave me nightmares for weeks, and made me feel generally unsafe. Not the least bit of fun, but I had reevaluate it and grudgingly respect the craft of a movie that so completely unnerved me.
And now, the The Best Director(s) of 2008:
Ari Folman for Waltz with Bashir--"Bashir" is an animated documentary about the director, a former Israeli soldier, trying to remember/come to terms with the trauma he lived through and helped inflict in Israel's first war with Lebanon. This movie grabs you from its visceral opening scene and by using animation, the director successfully conveys how he can't separate his dreams and hallucinations from the reality of the war he lived through. Unlike any film I've ever seen.
Jonathan Demme for Rachel Getting Married--Demme successfully creates the impression that he is not a manipulator of cast and crew, but a videographer capturing a dramatic wedding and its preparation. The roles feel lived in and the filmmaker disappears.
Cristian Mungiu for 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days--The film is unflinching and frequently disturbing, but crafted to perfection. Mungiu tackles a controversial subject, but avoids becoming preachy. He has meticulously crafted every element, but is never invasive. The sound design alone is a marvel.
And now, at last, The Ten Best Movies of 2008:
10. Tropic Thunder--The year's funniest film. Rude, crude, and hilarious. Robert Downey Jr.'s performance is astonishing.
9. Boy A--Though the film falters in its conclusion--its a little too on the nose--this story of a lost boy is not to be missed.
8. Wendy and Lucy--A story about those living in poverty that impacts, but is not didactic.
7. The Dark Knight--I don't love Christopher Nolan's direction of action scenes, but the actors were captivating and the morality satisfyingly muddy in this umpteenth re-imagining of Batman.
6. Paranoid Park--Languorous and non-linear, this is a moving take on coping with guilt. Cathartic, but it begs for viewer patience.
5. Waltz with Bashir--See description above.
4. Rachel Getting Married--A better, more moving wedding tale than any recent similarly themed rom-com.
3. 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days--Upsetting and truly sad, but essential viewing. Viewers may want to consider reading a few plot descriptions before watching this film.
2. Happy Go Lucky--Uplifting without being mawkish. Loopy optimist Poppy tries to heal the world and comes face-to-face with a deeply wounded man who may be beyond saving. A truly healing film.
1. Wall-E--An original sci-fi vision that is a wonder to behold. The animation is beautiful and graceful. The first act is among cinema's best.
Tomorrow (or sometime before Sunday night): my less than enthused Oscar preview.
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