Most Favored Movies of 2008

Just for clarity: I find the whole "best of" thing, as well as the whole numbered list "thing," to be ridiculous.

In case of curiosity, though, some of the movies I have enjoyed from the past year, in order of release.


4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days

Far from a date movie, this haunting, evocative film from the brilliant Romanian director Cristian Mungiu is what great art should be--both provocative and insightful. Heavy though never ponderous, the subject matter is handled with restraint, much like the film’s color palette, wherein occasional bursts of color punctuate the oppressive, industrial surroundings. 4 Months rightly won the Palme d’Or at Cannes for its suspenseful portrait of raw emotion, of real life and the choices and circumstances that constrain us.

The Band's Visit

One of those beautiful little movies, poignant without pretension. And so enjoyable and entertaining, which may be the even harder task. An Egyptian Police band gets lost in Israel, and ends up in a small village, where the countries and cultures and lives can meet, face-to-face.

The Visitor

It’s difficult to explain what makes The Visitor so great without divulging the small surprises and larger revelations that render it both heart-wrenching and joyful. The film intrigues in even the smallest, most intimate details. Take the title: Who is the visitor? Is it the lonely college professor (Richard Jenkins) who belongs neither in his university nor in his empty home? Is it the squatter he discovers in his long-vacant New York City apartment? The Oscar crowd, with its sights perennially set on the films with hallowed December release dates, paid The Visitor scant attention upon its arrival this summer. Not to be missed.

WALL-E

Just a joy to watch. Robots and romance, freedom and flying... You cannot ask for more. Thank you, Pixar!

The Dark Knight

It's hard to say why exactly, but I don't feel as strongly about this movies as when it came out. Even still, solid, solid, solid. And I don't even like superhero movies.

Pineapple Express

Arresting the slide of Apatow Productions comedies with a very modern, very funny, very absurdist stoner film. In fact, I wasn't even sure this genre had any life left in it (or ever?)

Tropic Thunder

Thank you for making me laugh, again. Not perfect, but a remarkable movie, if only for gathering so much celebrity--for the sole purpose of mercilessly mocking Hollywood, and the practices of its celebrities.

Quantum of Solace

Avant-garde James Bond? Yes, please. The Times took umbrage for the revenge driven plotline, but it seems to speak to our times. Messing with the formula a bit, keepin' it fresh. Pierce Brosnan's films grew exponentially less rewarding as the series tried to top itself. Hopefully the reinvention will continue.

Milk

Gus van Sant, Sean Penn = so so much pretension.

But they pull off a moving biopic, though sadly timed. It's tough times, reflecting on the passage of Prop 8, which complicates the message of this movie a bit.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

A beautiful film, especially with the increasingly talented David Fincher at the helm (Fight Club, Se7en, Zodiac), showing he can do something other than dark, ominous tales of death. Although that might partially describe this film, it's more about hope

Slumdog Millionaire

OK, this is out of order, but only because this might be my favorite movie right now (best for last!).

Original and inventive, blending genres and cultures, forging an intense (but also uplifting) drama, this may speak to me and perhaps the wider country better than any other movie right now.

Danny Boyle also has to be one of my favorite directors right now. Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, and the incomparable (and absolutely unknown) Sunshine.

And now this. Thank you!