at each man’s motives. While Frost is seen as an opportunist, Nixon comes off as a proud man who has come to justify his illegal activities, only to realize the error of his ways. As Nixon, Frank Langella actually makes us sympathize with the fallen leader, giving us a man who longed to be at the center of everything but was a perpetual outsider. (Frost/Nixon will open locally in January.)
Milk ~ Director Gus Van Sant’s look at the political career of gay activist Harvey Milk is a moving account of one man’s fight for civil rights for all and the tragedy that results when he meets intolerance to his cause. As Harvey Milk, Sean Penn rediscovers a joy in performing that has been absent in his work for years and seeing his resurrection is a thing to behold.
Moving and all too current, this is a film that is, regrettably, as relevant today as when its events occurred. (Milk will open locally in January.)
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days ~ This film from Romania charts the harrowing efforts of one young woman’s efforts to procure an abortion for her friend in a country where this is illegal. The man they find who will perform the procedure takes advantage of them and once the deed is completed, the emotional toll it takes on these two women is experienced by the audience, which comes to share in the horror of their situation. Shocking and at times almost too much to bear, this film forces you to rethink your stance on this controversial issue.
Swing Vote ~ The best American film no one saw this year, this look at our corrupt political system and the hope it still contains at its core was far too timely for audiences to embrace. Too bad, because they missed a great performance from Kevin Costner, as a lovable loser forced to change his life when the fate of the presidential election lands in his lap, and newcomer Madeline Carroll, as his daughter who acts as his conscience. Here’s hoping this one finds new life when it’s released on DVD.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button ~ David Fincher’s unique film looks at the ageold theme of living life to its fullest through a different spectrum as its main character is born 80 years old and ages backwards. In the title role, Brad Pitt delivers a moving performance, as does Cate Blanchett as the woman who loves and cares for him, despite his unique predicament. Thought-provoking and moving, this film has a haunting quality to it that’s hard to shake.
THE WORST OF 2008
Pride and Glory ~ Edward Norton and Colin Farrell star as cops in New York awash in corruption.
The biggest crime committed here by director Gavin O’Connor is that he does nothing but foist a collection of clichés on an unsuspecting audience.
Nobel Son ~ This overreaching kidnap caper got bogged down with a story too confusing for its own good and was populated by characters we could care less about. Even with Alan Rickman, Mary Sttenburgen and Danny DeVito, among others on board, this was nothing but dull.
The Day the Earth Stood Still ~ This remake of the Robert Wise classic was flawed, but not from the casting of Keanu Reeves in the lead, nor from the efforts to modernize it as an environmental warning. The fault lies in the script that had enough holes in it to fly countless UFOs through.
Bottle Shock ~ In addition to directing Nobel Son, Randall Miller also made this stinker about small California winemakers trying to crack the European market. Instead of charming, this feature was far too calculated to be believed.
Righteous Kill ~ Al Pacino and Robert De Niro starred as partners on the New York police department trying to solve a series of grisly crimes. If anything, this film proved that the wattage on this pair’s star power has drastically dimmed.
College ~ It never occurred to me that this college sex comedy starring Drake Bell of the TV sitcom “Drake and Josh” would be any good. I simply had no idea it would be so insultingly bad. No higher education or entertainment to be had here.
Four Christmases ~ Reese Whiterspoon and Vince Vaughn go slumming in this ode to family dysfunction during the holiday season.
Mindless slapstick and sophomoric humor fill this 88 minutes of your life that you’ll never get back.
The Happening ~ What’s happening here with the latest from director M. Night Shyamalan’s latest? Only more proof that the talent behind The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable was a fluke and that all film cameras should be taken away from him before he sins again.
Wanted ~ Was there a film with more talent on board that was as insulting as this one? Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman are usually sure bets, but this ridiculous tale of assassins in the service of a secret society was far too loud and far too dumb to be believed.
My Best Friend’s Girl ~ Dane Cook, Kate Hudson and Jason Biggs all inched a bit closer to career suicide with this offensive modern take of Cyrano De Bergerac gone wrong. The characters were offensive, their actions revolting and I was left with nothing but the need for a hot shower.