2008: The year in film
The top ten must-see movies of the year and ten to avoid
In the world of film, 2008 will be remembered as the year in which the industry proved it could thrive even when the economy did not. Never before were there so many films that grossed over $200 million (six) at the box office, with three of them going past $300 million, one of them becoming the second highest-grossing feature of all time. Thankfully that film, The Dark Knight, was no empty pirate feature, but the year’s best movie. Blockbusters continued to dominate in the summer months as studios still subscribed to their make or break strategy, while the year’s more thoughtful features were saved for the later months. And along the way, as always, there were some wonderful gems that were under-viewed and some awful disappointments that should never have seen the light of day. What follows is one humble critic’s take on the best and worst the cinematic world had to offer in 2008.
THE BEST OF 2008
The Dark Knight ~ There wasn’t an American film made this year that was as ambitious as this or one that examined more effectively what we’ve become as a nation since 9/11. Gotham City is our country, Batman is our protector and he’s forced to look at the effect of his fight on crime and change his methods once chaos comes to town in the person of the Joker.
Without question, Heath Ledger’s performance as the pop icon villain was mesmerizing, but what stays with you is the tragedy that befalls the film’s hero, who’s forced to compromise his beliefs and become something he never intended to be in the face of inexplicable tragedy. The Dark Knight will continue to resonate long after 2008, a statement few films made this year can claim.
The Visitor ~ Another film connected to 9/11, this examination of a university professor (Richard Jenkins) who tries to save an illegal immigrant from being deported shined a light on our country’s inhumane treatment of detainees and the callous approach to their humanity. Moving and containing a degree of anger that erupts at the end, this was one of the most moving and thought-provoking features of the year.
In Bruges ~ The best foreign film no one saw, this wry black comedy stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two hit men who’ve been sent to Belgium by their boss (Ralph Fiennes) for a job. What they don’t realize is that one of the killers will be ordered to kill the other, which sets up a crisis of conscience for them both where they end up questioning their own moral codes. Violent, funny and with a great twist ending, this is the sort of film Quentin Tarantino used to make.
Tropic Thunder ~ Sure, Ben Stiller’s comedy which lampooned all things Hollywood was offensive and that was precisely the point.
This war movie parody skewered movie star egos, greedy execs and vacuous agents while taking pot shots at addle-brained audiences and the empty entertainments they eat up. Uproariously funny, this film took no prisoners and kudos must be given for all involved, including Robert Downey Jr., for putting themselves in the crosshairs.
Man on Wire ~ If you’re a fan of heist films, be sure to see this documentary by James Marsh, as there was no better entry in that genre this year. Using archival footage and recent interviews, the movie recounts the efforts of Philippe Petit and his crew to break into the newly constructed World Trade Center in 1974, string a wire between the towers and pull off one of the most daring high wire walks ever recorded.
In the end, the feat is seen not only as an example of daring but an act of consummate beauty.
Frost/Nixon ~ Hey, Gov. Blagojevich, here’s a movie you need to see right away. Ron Howard’s adaptation of the acclaimed play provides a behind-the-scenes look at the famous interviews between David Frost and Richard Nixon, giving us an intimate look
