Jul 10 2008
My Favorite Films Of 2008 So Far…
These are my favorite movies of 2008. This list may be drastically different from many others’. This list is not stating that these films are the best (from an award winning perspective), it is stating the films that I have enjoyed the most. Films should be about enjoyment, we don’t always have to be caught up in the Oscar buzz. These films in particular have left an impression on me so much that I constantly quote lines from them. All five of them are completely different from one another, therefore they have their own uniqueness that makes these films great in their own way.
5. Be Kind Rewind: An homage to all of the great directors of the past that made films without computers. Be Kind Rewind in not afraid to look at some modern filmmakers as “sell outs”. Michele Gondry pokes fun at the large video chains, most noticeably Blockbuster for an overstocked collection and misinformed employees. Those who are fans of Gondry’s past films such as Eternal Sunshine and The Science of Sleep would already know his desire to make films as they should be. Jack Black was amazing in this film as well.
4. In Bruges: Martin McDonagh brings out Colin Farrell out for his second film. Films about a person’s conscience eating them alive has been done before, but I can’t recall one which involves a hitman. Colin Farrell was great in this film. The movie was interesting due to the fairy tale setting of Bruges. This city in Belgium exhibits such beauty, yet the characters are so dark. Acts of cold blood are a common theme in the film. The film has a story book setting, but does not have the cliche’ story book ending.
3. Funny Games: This is one of the most disturbing films I have ever seen. Michael Haneke has no sympathy for any character in his film. The actors in the film were nothing short of amazing. They perfectly captured the horror of the film. This film teases you in so many ways. The innocent victims in the film are so warm for one another, yet the boys in white find humor in tearing them apart. You hope for the family’s survival, but Haneke does not let you hope for long. You will begin to doubt that there is any good remaining in this world.
2. Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Simply the funniest film since Superbad. Forgetting Sarah Marshall topples The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up with little effort. I initially doubted Jason Segel as a front man. After seeing very little of him in Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared, and Knocked Up, I thought he was funny but overshadowed. I was wrong. This film is funny on so many levels and has become one of my favorite comedies. The film is smart. Many find the film funny because they have experienced episodes in their own lives that may be similar in the movie. It has gratuitous sexual innuendos, yet I would not call this a typical “guy movie”.
1. 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days: Great direction, unbelievable acting. This was not only my favorite films of the year, I believe it was the best. So honest and daring Cristian Mungiu was for making this film. The topic of back alley abortions is highly controversial. I believe he captured every emotion of a person that would be experiencing at a time like this. The film however goes deep beyond the abortion. The lives of the characters are highly complex and emotional. The characters are so well developed and greatly executed. Brilliant film!
We are little past the halfway mark this year. I am looking forward for all of the great films to come this year, especially during the winter. We’ll just have to see if any films can top my five favorites.
