So, let’s begin.
10. Let The Right One In
I have given so much press to this movie over the last few months that I should really be getting a cut of the profits. A Swedish film that follows the blossoming romance between a bullied twelve year old boy and an eternally young vampire girl, Let The Right One In is original, touching and (as a plus) extraordinarily violent.
Let The Right One In is playing at the Nova in Carlton. You can find my full length review here.
9. Valkyrie
I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this film, a taut and exciting thriller about a plot orchestrated by rogue Nazi officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Directed by Bryan Singer and starring Tom Cruise, this film is beautifully shot, well acted and is far more suspenseful than it should be given that we all know the ending.
Valkyrie will be released on DVD in 2009. You can find my full length review here.
8. Waltz With Bashir
This bizarre animated documentary was Israel’s nomination for Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards, and what a film it was. Waltz With Bashir tells the story of Ari Folman, an ex-Israeli soldier turned filmmaker trying to piece together his memory of the brutal Sabra and Shatila massacre during the Lebanon War. This movie is mesmerizing, surreal and features one of the most devastatingly brilliant endings I have ever seen.
Waltz With Bashir will be released on DVD on April 1st. You can find my full length review here.
7. Man On Wire
I promise this will be the last foreign film on my list! Man On Wire is a French documentary that follows Philippe Petit, a tightrope walker who in 1974 embarked on an illegal mission to walk from one tower of the world trade centre to the other. Part doco, part heist film, the re-enactments will have you on the edge of your seat, and the interviews provide a fascinating look into the mind of a man who dreamed of walking on air.
Man On Wire is available on DVD now.
6. Milk
Sean Penn is brilliant in this admittedly conventional biopic about the life of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man in United States history to be elected to public office. Gus Van Sants direction is beautiful, the supporting cast is terrific and Penn gives us a protagonist who we can truly get behind.
Milk will be released on DVD in 2009. You can find my full length review here.
5. Doubt
Meryl Streep plays Sister Aloysius, a conservative nun who believes that her parish’s priest Father Flynn (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) has sexually assaulted a young boy. I know that not many people loved this film as much as I did, but the incredible performances and feelings of uncertainty (hence the title) that were showcased in this adaptation of John Patrick Shanley’s award winning play left me breathless.
Doubt will be released on DVD in 2009. You can find my full length review here.
4. WALL-E
Who didn’t love this film? Possibly Pixars greatest achievement, this wonderful love story between two robots in a post apocalyptic future was a hit with adults and children alike, and even jaded teenagers such as myself may have shed a tear or two (I admit nothing.) Not only is it beautiful to look at, WALL-E is also a very funny satire of consumer culture.
WALL-E is available on DVD now.
3. In Bruges
Morbidly funny and superbly acted, In Bruges is the feature film directorial debut of Irish playwright Martin McDonough, and follows two hitmen (Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson) on vacation in the medieval town of Bruges (it’s in Belgium) after a hit goes horribly wrong. I loved every moment of this movie: truly the most underrated film of 2008. Ralph Fiennes costars.
In Bruges is available on DVD now.
2. Slumdog Millionaire
As always, there has been a lot of backlash against this film since it won the Academy Award for best picture, but I say screw the cynics! Everything about this movie is so energetic and filled with life, from the soundtrack to the editing to the amazing direction by Danny Boyle. Despite some horrific violence in the vein of City of God (well, not quite that bad) Slumdog Millionaire will ultimately leave you feeling good about humanity.
Slumdog Millionaire will be released on DVD on May 1st. You can find my full length review here.
1. The Dark Knight
I guess there's not a lot to say: This movie is AWESOME, and everyone has seen it. More than anything, The Dark Knight really is a modern epic on par with The Lord of the Rings and Titanic in terms of sheer scale. The cinematography, the performances, the score, the costumes are all just so grandiose, and Christopher Nolan proves himself as one of the greatest directors of our generation.
The Dark Knight is available on DVD now.
What were your favourite films of ’08? Comment now!
