1. There Will Be Blood
As I mentioned on my best of list last year, There Will Be Blood would be making an appearance this year since it was release in February 2008 here in Australia. Not only is it the best film of the year, its one of my favourites of the last decade. Daniel Day Lewis gives one of the best performances I've ever witnessed. Utterly brilliant.
2. Wall-E
In a perfect world, every film released would be made by Pixar. Mind-blowingly incredible from start to finish, and the fact that Pixar created some of the most likable characters of the year, and that they happen to be robots is a testament to their abilities. They are 9 for 9 so far (I don’t consider Cars a bad film, no matter what anyone tries to say), and cannot wait for Up this year.
3. The Wrestler
When the first images from this film were released, my expectations dropped quite considerably. There Mickey Rourke was, in his bright skin tight shorts and long bleached hair, and I had no idea how Aronoski would be able to pull it off. But he did. Equal parts funny and moving, without being too over the top with either, and Mickey Rourke knocks the role it out of the park.
4. The Dark Knight
The most exhilarating movie experience in years. From the opening scene, this film grabs a hold of you and doesn't let you go for the entire run time. It's everything you could want from a superhero film. But all that has already been said countless time before.
5. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Another film released early in the year in Australia, but has stayed with me since seeing it. A beautiful film thats based on a story that seems to unbelievable to be true. Both completely depressing and uplifting at the same time.
6. The Visitor
I had no expectations for this film other than I like Richard Jenkins and was a big fan of Thomas McCarthy’s previous film The Station Agent. But god I loved this film. Manages to be about something important without ever preaching, and features incredible performance from all involved.
7. Boy A
I saw this at the Melbourne International Film Festival knowing little more that it was inspired by the Jamie Bulger case in 1990. I was blown away at just how good this film was. Andrew Garfield does such an incredible job in the lead role, which makes you question whether people deserve a second chance. It may have been made for television in the UK, but it’s a moving as any film you’ll see.
8. In Bruges
The film that will restore faith in Colin Farrel. Who knew a film about hanging out in Bruge could be so awesome?
9. The Orphanage
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome back classy horror! The Orphanage is a film that is beautiful to look at, features an amazing lead performance by Belén Rueda, yet still contains enough scares to rival any other horror film released. Please Hollywood, stop with the endless remakes and torture porn and follow Spain’s example.
10. Burn After Reading
No one does comedy like the Coens. Sure, it’s not up there with their best films, but even their lesser films are still brilliant. Fast paced, witty, well acted, and everything you come to expect and more from the Coen Brothers.
4 comments:
Excellent choices!
Love the inclusion of In Bruges, my favorite of all in your list. I have it recorded on my DVR and plan on watching it sometime this week. I still have yet to see Boy A, but it looks great.
Burn After Reading has some of the best one-liners, most of them delivered impeccably by Malkovich. No one can say 'f***' the same way he does...
I gotta say, it was a pretty dull year of movies... I struggled to find 10.
But the good films that came out were great. Some of the blockbusters were pretty awesome too,
Dull year in general, yes, but it was a great year for documentaries. Might I suggest Trouble the Water, Man on Wire, and Waltz with Bashir? Unless you've seen them already, of course. I'm particularly a fan of Waltz with Bashir, which should be seen on the big screen at. all. costs.
Man on Wire was great! Waltz With Bashir i have here somewhere but havent gotten around it it yet. Really want to see Trouble The Water, but hasn't surface in Australia yet...
Another great film I forgot about was Transsiberian... Incredible movie.
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