06 January 2009

FILM : The 2008 List

In tradition to this list and this list, I think a 2008 fave list would be a great start to a new year. Bear in mind, I haven't watch Milk, The Wrestler, Benjamin Button, etc - those critically acclaimed movies that was released in 2008. This list is purely based on the films that I watched last year (..and it ain't much).

I'll try to keep it short and sweet. Here's my top 11 favourite films of 2008.


11. Dunia Baru The Movie (Hitler Zami)
The only local film on the list. I enjoyed the series, and the film version is not bad either (read my review here). For local film appreciations go to Ajami's blog, who is busy giving out those AFA's chicken trophy..haha.

10. Tropic Thunder / Zack & Miri Make A Porno / Pineapple Express (Ben Affleck/ Kevin Smith/ David Gordon Green)
Three equally funny films, full of laugh-out-loud moments with great storytelling and wonderful acting. If you're not a fan of Tom Cruise (..like me), go watch Tropic Thunder and be surprised. Definitely the best comedic performance of 2008.

9. In Bruges (Martin McDonagh)
This black comedy is about hit men on vacation, featuring a career-best turn from Colin Farrell. The script was cleverly written and had a lot of heart.

8. Quantum of Solace (Marc Forster)
I know my review wasn't too positive, but I have a soft spot for Bond. Clearly the best action film of 2008.

7. Lust, Caution (Ang Lee)
The most underrated film of 07/08 is also the most erotic. I always admire the ability of Ang Lee superbly tackling every genre of films and this time he successfully recreated the setting of Japanese-overrun wartime Shanghai. I can sit and stare at Tang Wei for days.. she hits me deep, right in the heart.

6. Speed Racer (The Wachowski Brothers)
Critics hated it, but this digitally-assembled explosion of movement and light is probably the most avant-garde film in 2008. Read my review here.

5. Let the Right One In (Tomas Alfredson)
Swedish vampire movie anyone? It probably sounded like I was describing a B-grade gore, slasher flick. But you'll be surprised of this gorgeous coming-of-age tale of young love between a shy Swedish boy and the little girl vampire who moves in next door and agrees to be his girlfriend without either of them realizing the implications. Beautiful.

4. The Chaser (Na Hong-jin)
This little gem from South Korea won multiple awards at the 45th Daejong Film Festival (Korea’s equivalent to the Oscars). It's not your average serial-killer + antihero film. A bit horrifying, a bit provocative, a bit sad and surprisingly a bit funny but overall a wonderful, engaging film.

3. Slumdog Millionaire (Danny Boyle)
I managed to see this one on the last week of 2008. It's really such a beautiful film, just something very different from Boyle's previous work, mainly because of its Mumbai setting, its rags-to-riches underdog storyline and just a lot of really delightful and exciting sequences. The cast of young newcomers and some Bollywood veterans (Anil Kapoor as Jalaluddin Hassan anyone?) was simply delightful. My pick for this year Best Director.

2. Man on Wire (James Marsh)
This gorgeous documentary tells the unbelievable tale of the French tight-rope walker Philippe Petit who planned the elaborate wire walk between the Twin Towers in 1974, over 100 stories above imminent death. Watching it feels like watching an exciting bank-heist film, with a seamless melding of interviews, stills, re-enactments and archival footage. A celebration of athleticism, architecture, beauty and crazy ambition, this film definitely inspires me to go out and chase my dreams, because nothing is impossible.

1. The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan)
Is there any doubt about my no 1 pick? A masterpiece. Read my review here.


Biggest dissapointments : Wong Kar Wai's My Blueberry Nights and Fernando Meirelles's Blindness. 2 amazing directors with serious duds. I'm sure these 2 great artist will come back strong on their next film.


Where's your list?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aku admire kau. Aku takut letak TDK nombor satu, nanti orang pandang jelek pulak, terutamanya kat forum-forum filem yg agak elitis. Belom tengok The Wrestler ke? - seorang lurker yg jumpa blog ni kat links tontonfilem

Edd Vedder said...

kenapa nak takut letak TDK no 1? Filem tu sememangnya layak berada di atas. Pedulikan forum2 filem yg elitis tu. Mereka ada cara tersendiri utk nilai sesebuah filem. Jelik di mata mereka tak semestinya jelik pada kau jugak. Yang penting pendapat KAU bukan diaorang.

Blum tgk The Wrestler.. kalau dh tengok, aku pasti ianya akan berada di top5 list aku.

Zaini said...

ip man?

=)

fadz said...

TDK mmg best, aku ikut ko bro, haha, and i was sad TDK langsung tak dinominate sbg best picture dlm Oscar. Takpe, Saturn Awards ada.

I hate Lust, Caution, but u hate My Blueberry Nights kan?

Nazim Masnawi said...

Hey, nice list, man. Aku aching for your Man on Wire full review. Kebanyakan orang suka filem tu (terutamanya rakyat Amerika, dan khususnya New York) sebab the whole WTC thing yang menjentik nostalgia dia orang. Aku still suka, tapi aku rasa aku termiss something yang membuatkan kau suka filem tu lebih dari tahap aku suka.

Edd Vedder said...

zaini welkam..
ip man belum tonton.

fadz..
Tang Wei, bro. Tang Wei.. Ada satu scene masa dia pusing ke belakang dan tenung tepat ke arah kamera dgn matanya yg tajam.. Jantung aku terberhenti setengah saat.

Nazim..
thanks bro. Man On Wire full review? Mungkin tak kot.. tapi biar aku tulis di sini.

Aku tak tahu kenapa, tapi semangat film tu inspiring bagi aku. I mean, here's a guy.. yg actually buat benda yg memang tak masuk akal, bahaya dan takda tujuan.. tapi sebab minat, cita-cita dan semangat dia.. dia sanggup go all the way untuk achieve it.

Tapi lepas tu, takde org amik kisah sangat pun (except yg terlibat dgn filem ni) dengan apa yg dia dah buat.. tapi itu semua tak penting sebab dia dah capai impian dia.. Shit! Bukankah itu yg mak bapak, cikgu, lecturer kita dok suruh buat dari kecik sampai besar..?? Chase your dreams.. So in some way, filem ini about that journey in everyone's life, and how u can achieve it.

..itu yg aku suka.

Ajami Hashim said...

sedih sgt coz slumdog takder nari2 atas bukit & tukau2 baju lima-nam pasang masa nari! huaaa!