Top 10 Films of 2008

10


Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
★★★★ / ★★★★

Even though Michael Cera plays the same type of character (“Superbad,” “Juno”) in pretty much every movie, I love him for it because he’s the master of awkward teen comedy. He has great comedic timing and he always gets his audience to care for his character in under twenty minutes. This film is about the adventures of Cera and Kat Dennings in one night–from finding the drunken Ari Graynor, dealing with the ex-girlfriend Alexis Dziena, having good fun with the gays (Aaron Yoo, Rafi Gavron, Jonathan B. Wright), to attending a “Where’s Fluffy” concert. If one looks at the overall picture, it may not amount to much because it’s directed more toward high school and college students, but it’s undeniably cute and has its genuinely funny moments (that Ellen Degeneres bit was hilarious!). We also get cameos from John Cho, Eddie Kaye Thomas, and Kevin Corrigan. There’s also a plethora of music references that range from The Cure to Shout Out Louds. Overall, the picture is very hip and energetic but could have used a bit more meaning. Honestly, I was also glad to see Asians in this film because I think we are underrepresented. Also, the idea of Cera having band members (and best friends!) who are gay but not flaming was a fantastic idea. I enjoyed Yoo and Gavron because I saw a bit of myself in them. (I would’ve liked to see at least one kiss between Gavron and Wright because they look so cute together!) This picture gave me a feeling of “American Graffiti,” (a weaker) “Before Sunrise,” and “Before Sunset.” Other than the movie not adding up to much (Maybe that’s the point.), I have no problem with it at all. Not all movies have to be meaningful to be beautiful and appreciated.

9


Encounters at the End of the World
★★★★ / ★★★★

Prior to watching the documentary, I expected to see strange creatures and jaw-dropping landscapes of Antarctica. What I didn’t expect was fascinating human stories of those who live, work, and research that unknown continent. This film really opened my eyes; this may sound stupid but when I think of Antarctica, I think of penguins and endless desert of ice. I don’t think about people actually living there for years–not just living there for the sake of work but actually living there because they feel like they belong there. Werner Herzog (“Grizzly Man,” “Rescue Dawn”), the director, features different kinds of people who have some kind of amazing stories tell. Their stories are so out there, so unbelievable to the point where I thought, “Wow. I hope when I’m old and wrinkled I’ll have my own interesting a story to tell younger generations.” The researchers also reminded me why I chose to pursue a Biology degree. They are so passionate with what they do, I feel like they’re having fun instead of working. They treat their big accomplishments (such as discovering new species of organisms) like little victories and they’re off to do more research the next day. One day, I want to be like them–doing what I love so it doesn’t feel like work. I liked how Herzog would sound sarcastic when he would ask the researchers stupid-sounding questions, but in truth, he really wants to know the answer. Comedic moments like that made this documentary less somber, which I thought was a good decision. As for the images that the film had to offer, I’ve never seen ice look so magical and poetic. There was this one scene involving a penguin that chose to walk toward a mountain thousands of kilometers away. It would mean certain death to that penguin because it’s walking away from its flock and food source. Suddenly, the way Herzog asks why the penguin walked in that direction made me tear up. It made me think about life and how mysterious and beautiful it is. The underwater scenes blew me away. There are so many weird-looking creatures–I’m really creeped out by them but at the same time I wanted to touch them. I highly recommend this film because it’s kind of like a tour of Antarctica. Not only do the audiences get to hear seals communicate with each other, go through survival training during intense ice storms, and see hypnotic landscapes, they also get a chance to think philosophically: how it’s a priviledge for humans to live on this Earth and how one day we will become extinct and nature will regain its place.

8


Cloverfield
★★★★ / ★★★★

There was supposedly a lot of hype surrounding this film but I never felt any of it. Maybe it’s because I am not that involved with the mainsteam or maybe, unknowingly, I didn’t want to hype it within myself. Either way, I think it’s a great accomplishment for several reasons. I didn’t expect to be scared at all but once the first earthquake started, I was completely involved. I didn’t mind the chaotic dialogue, the shaky camera, and its lack of realism; since the whole film was seen through a video camera, I felt like I was there with them, running from death itself–everything else didn’t matter. People complain a lot about the lack of steadiness of the camera because it made them dizzy. In other films, it would’ve been a disaster but in this movie, it was flawless. I appreciated the fact that we were limited to that camera, the things we were supposed to see and not see. This is definitely the first solid film of 2008.

7


Revolutionary Road
★★★★ / ★★★★

Even though “Revolutionary Road” is set in the 1950′s, it’s still very relevant today. Directed with such skill by Sam Mendes (“American Beauty,” “Road to Perdition,” “Jarhead”), he tells the story in a non-linear fashion and it works because the audiences are asked to immediately contrast how the couple was like when they met and after they’ve been together for a couple of years. I will be surprised if Leonardo DiCaprio and/or Kate Winslet do not get nominated for an Oscar. Even though I don’t think this is DiCaprio’s best performance, I think this is one of his most mature and he deserves to be recognized. It’s about time he wins an Oscar for consistently giving us characters that are both memorable and worth caring for. Winslet is magnificient in every movie I see her in and this one is no exception. To be honest, the reason why I loved this film is that I got to watch these two extremely talented actors (with great chemistry) scream at each other for long periods of time; they gave me some sick satisfaction because they are so good at it. I keep reading complaints from reviewers about the selfishness of the characters and how that quality makes it hard to relate to them. I cannot disagree more–I think selfishness is what makes them relatable because that’s a quality that everyone has whether he or she realizes it or not. And it’s not like the characters are selfish for no apparent reason: DiCaprio thinks his job is pointless but won’t quit because he knows that he has to provide for his family, while Winslet is desperate to move out of suburbia because she’s dying on the inside and craving for some excitement. All that frustration is not expressed in a healthy way so they lie, play mind games with each other, and become selfish because they couldn’t get what they need from one another. I thought the film was raw and realistic; at some points during the film, it made me reflect on my childhood when my parents would fight in front of me. Mendes managed to catch the awkwardness, shame and crushed egos after a big argument. In fact, one of my favorite scenes in the film was the morning after a big fight and how Winslet and DiCaprio pretended like nothing happened. I thought that scene was haunting because that’s when I realized that they act more like strangers when they’re peaceful with each other. In some ways, even though the tone of the film is sad and depressing, there are pockets of darkly comedic moments. I don’t know what it is about me but I always find something amusing when it comes to depressed rich people living in suburbia. This is the kind of movie that I would recommend to couples everywhere who think that they’ve fallen in love after only going out for a short amount of time. In essence, this is a cautionary tale for people who believe in love at first sight.

6


Forgetting Sarah Marshall
★★★★ / ★★★★

Judd Apatow is building quite an empire. I think this is one of the best ensemble cast of the year because they made this film consistently funny from beginning to end. Although this film reminded me of the tragic “The Heartbreak Kid,” this is infinitely better because it is bona fide in its humour and it has a big heart. Jason Segel’s nudity is hilarious but despite that, it could serve as a metaphor because the audience really did see his character for who he is, his failures and successes. I’m glad Kristin Bell’s character is not made to be the “villain” of the story. It’s close to real life because the audience eventually discover why she broke up the relationship (and for good reasons). Jonah Hill and Russell Brand are nothing short of hilarious. Paul Rudd is great as always. Although he stole every scene he was in, I wish he had more screen time. Memorable scenes run abound such as the dracula song, the crime scenes, the puppet show, and little snippets here and there that are worth quoting. Even the credits has something special in it. This is one of my favourite films of the year so far. Watching it with friends makes it all the more rewarding so don’t watch it alone!

5


Flight of the Red Balloon, The
★★★★ / ★★★★

I’ll just come right out and say it: I think this film is a masterpiece. Hsiao-hsien Hou did an amazing job in directing and shaping this homage to “The Red Balloon.” I can’t really make comparisons with that classic children’s film because I haven’t yet seen it while writing this review. However, from what I read from people’s blogs who have seen both, they claim that it captured the original’s main themes. All of the actors were impressive in their own way. Juliette Binoche is still electric even though she’s a bit more broken down here than in her other movies. I liked the pluckiness of her character but didn’t like the fact that she pays more attention to her career than her son. Simon Iteanu, who plays Binoche’s son, is sublime as a lonely boy but doesn’t make us feel too sorry for him. He shows that he’s strong in some ways, whether it comes to distracting himself with pinball machines or playing a role in his nanny’s movies. Fang Song plays the nanny who I think made the movie that much more interesting. Her style of acting is so nonchalant but there’s something about her that’s caring and welcoming. I wanted to be her friend by the end of the movie. Several other plot elements include Binoche’s conflict with her tenant (Hippolyte Girardot) and, of course, the mesmerizing observation of the red balloon, which symbolizes youth, friendship, and loss. The classical piano music that accompanies some of the scenes and the use of bright colors made the picture that much more poetic. Most people will say that “nothing much happened” but that’s the point: to watch a slice of life. Watching this homage is like eating and savoring my favorite kind of cake–pretty much everything about it worked and I have nothing negative to say about it, which is very rare.

4


Dark Knight, The
★★★★ / ★★★★

Do I think this is the best superhero movie ever made and in comparison to what? Yes, I think it is the best superhero ever made (as of July 2008) and it’s about five times better than the great “Spider-man 2.” Do I think this is one of the best films of the 2000′s? Yes, I do because it not only works as a first-rate superhero film, it also works as a gritty suspense-crime thriller (some scenes are as heart-pounding as “The Departed”) influenced with noir films from the mid to late 1950′s (such as “The Killing”).

That said, I am both impressed and mildly disappointed with “The Dark Knight.” I have two reasons why I was disappointed: the film was not I expected it to be and the so-called twists in the story weren’t twists for me at all because I’m very familiar with the story of Batman along with the citizens and villains of Gotham City. I know the director, Christopher Nolan, means well when it comes to closely following the story of Batman; however, that comes with a price: the movie became almost too predictable. (Don’t get me wrong–I love the fact that Nolan is sticking close to the mythology and providing us great movies for my favorite superhero.) So, when certain events happen, I was sometimes apathetic to them because I knew whether a character will die or live to fight another day. But I emphasize this: some of the twists I did not see coming at all, so those few unpredictable twists almost make up for the shortcomings.

Jumping back to first reason why I was slightly disappointed, I expected the film to be more like the first movie. I wanted to know more about Bruce Wayne’s childhood and his relationship with his parents. I wanted a structure–a solid beginning, middle, and end. This film feels like one action scene after another–kind of like a long middle, if you will. On the other hand, that is not exactly a bad thing because a lack of structure and chaos is what this movie is aiming for, kind of like what the Joker is all about. And that’s why I think this film is so brilliant: the thing I don’t like about it is so fitting; it’s feels so wrong to me but it feels so right when it comes to the movie’s ongoing theme. Also, one could argue that this is a continuation of “Batman Begins” so a beginning is not necessary and neither is an ending because the next chapter is yet to come.

As for the actors, Christian Bale solidified himself as the best Batman because he was able to play his character with such complexity by having a gray moral compass. Although his intentions are good, the repercussions of his actions are sometimes negative. Maggie Gyllenhaal is a big improvement from Katie Holmes by playing Rachel Dawes, who is torn between two lovers. While Holmes comes off as whiny and irksome, Gyllenhaal is tough but vulnerable. Aaron Eckhart effectively showcases a character that supports the Joker’s hypothesis. Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, and Michael Caine were actually given more important roles this time around so their characters are able to grow and the audience can understand their motivations a bit better. I just have to mention Cillian Murphy’s return as the Scarecrow, despite his small screen time, because he was completely brilliant as a once major villain turned into an ordinary criminal. Not only does his return tie up some loose ends from “Batman Begins,” his return reminds us that Scarecrow is child’s play compared to what the Joker is about to bring to Gotham City. If one is familiar with the mythology, it could be a hint (or serve as a ripple effect–a statement regarding the circular nature of the Batman universe) on what could happen in the third movie. Last but not least, Heath Ledger did an excellent job as the Joker. Ever since I was younger, I’ve always thought of the Joker as menacing more than anything else; the laughs come in BECAUSE his actions are so cruel and sadistic to the point where it’s darkly comic, NOT the other way around.

Actors who’ve played Joker in the past often make that dire mistake of being funny more than half of the time. Ledger understood the Joker’s core: he introduces chaos to the world for no reason. As one character gravely stated, “Some men just want to watch the world burn.” Those characters often make the most terrifying and memorable villains. Since their motivations are unknown and they have nothing to lose, that evil can never be purged. Ledger’s performance definitely reminded me of the ultra-violent Alex in “A Clockwork Orange.” Do I think Ledger deserves at least an Oscar nomination for his role as the Joker? Most definitely. Does he deserve to win? Maybe. Only time will tell until or if someone else can do a better job playing a supporting actor role.

It was a great pleasure watching “The Dark Knight” despite its flaws because I knew that my favourite superhero’s story is finally told with such focus, complexity, and heart. I can only hope that the next film will be just as good as “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight.”

3


In Bruges
★★★★ / ★★★★

All I could say as the credits started rolling was, “Wow.” I relished every minute of this film because it managed to successfully fuse two of my favourite genres–dark comedy and suspense thriller–in an elegant and astute manner. Granted, three-fourths of the movie leaned toward the former and the rest leaned toward the latter but it does not mean it’s less rewarding. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson have such great chemistry. As the picture progressed, we get to realize that their characters weren’t just fellow hitmen–they were more like father and son. I was surprised by how much emotionally invested I was with the characters regardless of their occupation. The filmmakers were able to show that they, too, are people and are capable of feeling remorse and giving someone another chance for redemption. Never have I seen Farrell deliver as great (and as complete) a performance as in this movie. Farrell and Gleeson are pitch-perfect here. I must also commend Ralph Fiennes for giving a menacing (and funny) performance as the boss of Farrell and Gleeson. Even though he’s a killer like the other two, he has his own principles as well. He didn’t give as much screen time but we get to understand his motivations just as well. Lastly, I must give kudos to Martin McDonagh for writing and directing such a great first feature film. I was a big fan of his short film “Six Shooter” and I hope he releases more witty films like this one. All of that said, let me finish this review by stating that “In Bruges” is one of the best movies of 2008 so far.

2


WALL-E
★★★★ / ★★★★

Unsurprisingly, I’m impressed with WALL-E in so many levels. I think out of all the Pixar films released to date, this is the most atmospheric: from the post-apocalyptic Earth where WALL-E is sent to deal with waste to outer space where WALL-E discovers what he was meant for. The environs reminded me of the ravaged London from “28 Days Later” to the deserted New York City in “I Am Legend.” Despite the eye-candy visuals for children, there were many layers to this film for adults. For instance, there were comments about the way we push our environment to its limits, our neglect for our physical bodies due to recent developments in technology, our eating habits, and our proclivity (whether we are aware or not) toward hiding behind anything that’s available so we wouldn’t have to deal with reality. All of those were dealt with humor… but if one really looks closely, “WALL-E” really does have important messages that we shouldn’t ever forget. Loneliness and finding love are other themes that are tackled masterfully between WALL-E and EVE. Those themes culminated during the last few scenes of the movie which, I must admit, had major tearjerker moments. Even though WALL-E and EVE were robots, it’s hard not to feel for their struggle because love is universal. Although this works as a modern silent film, this also works as a fusion between animation and live-action. Those techniques are uncommon in modern cinema but they are so masterfully sewn into the story to the point where it is genius. Lastly, references like tape recorders, sporks, iPods, and Windows can be found throughout and they are hilarious. This film is definitely worth seeing in theaters and buying on DVD because it deserves multiple viewings for offering a simple but timeless story.

1


Milk
★★★★ / ★★★★

This film made me so proud to be a part of the LGBT community. Sean Penn. Emile Hirsch. Josh Brolin. Diego Luna. James Franco. Alison Pill. Victor Garber. Joseph Cross. Lucas Grabeel. When I saw the aforementioned names a few months ago on IMDB when they were still filming in San Francisco, I knew I had to watch “Milk” and that I would love it unconditionally. Thankfully, it managed to surpass even my highest expectations. Gus Van Sant have directed impressive films in the past (“My Own Private Idaho,” “Good Will Hunting,” “Elephant,” “Paranoid Park”) but I thought he would tell the story of Milk with a more commercial style. I was elated when I saw his signature awkward camera angles, forcing the audiences to watch crucial scenes via a reflection on a whistle or mirror and everything inbetween. Having seen the brilliant 1984 documentary “The Times of Harvey Milk,” I knew of the events that are about to transpire in Van Sant’s film, but that never stopped me from hoping that somehow reality and fantasy will trade places and give me a happy, satisfying ending.

The performances are nothing short of electric. Sean Penn deserves an Oscar nomination because he fully embodied Harvey Milk. From the clips the documentary showed, Penn had the mannerisms of Milk to a tee to the point of disbelief. From the majestic speeches he delivered to the more intimate moments with his lovers, I found myself thinking that I’m not watching Penn act like Milk, he IS Milk. He delivered his lines with such quiet power and wit, sometimes it’s difficult to tell if he’s simply joking or poking fun of someone (or both). It was also refreshing to see him smile so much because I’m used to seeing his more serious side (“21 Grams,” “The Interpreter,” and particularly in “Mystic River”). As for Emile Hirsch, who plays Cleve Jones, I’ve seen every movie he’s in and loved all of them (“Imaginary Heroes,” “The Emperor’s Club,” and “Into the Wild” stood out to me), but this is the film that he shines in every single frame when he’s not the main actor. He has this rare talent of mixing energy with quirkiness to make an extremely charismatic character, despite his (sometimes horrendous) hairdos. Last but certainly not least, James Franco, who plays Scott Smith, made me feel safe every time he speaks. He understands his character’s complexity so whenever he and Penn would kiss or hug or converse at the dinner table or the bedroom, you get this feeling that they’re made for each other.

Despite all of the actors’ positive qualities, their characters are far from perfect. Milk is especially flawed because he has the tendency to put his goals in front of his friends and even his own well-being. He cares so much for the advacement of everyone else’s rights that he forgets that he’s not invincible, that it’s alright to take a break once in a while and get away from all the political madness. As for Brolin’s Dan White, he’s not portrayed as a complete monster. He is portrayed as a man who cares and desperately wants to provide for his family; a man who stands up for his beliefs but at the same time suffocated by such beliefs; a man who sees so much changes before his eyes, that he’ll do anything in his power to stop such a powerful force. If we can learn anything from both Harvey Milk and Dan White, it’s the fact that one person can make all the difference.

My friend who I went to see “Milk” with said that he wishes that this film came out before people got to vote on Proposition 8 in California, which aims to “restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman and eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry” (Wikipedia). I was amazed with the many parallels that this film had with today’s issues (Milk and his army battles Proposition 6–which would have called for the state to bar gays and lesbians from being teachers). On one hand, it makes me feel like we’ve come so far from the 70′s when it comes to accepting, not just gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgenders, but all types of minorities. On the other hand, it makes me feel like we haven’t progressed much at all because society is still stuck in this false idea of heteronormativity.

Putting my political views aside, “Milk” is definitely one of the most important films of 2008 because discrimination is still a monster we have not defeated. We might have scratched it a bit or even cut off its arm, but it recovers every time the envelope is not pushed. People have the tendency to forget something when that something is not in front of them. Even if one does not approve of homosexuality, the film’s craft should be appreciated; Van Sant’s decision to sew in actual footages from the ’70s worked wonders because I felt like I was living in that time period. Astute implications regarding politics and the fusion of public and private spheres are enough to qualify this for a Best Picture nomination. Not to mention Danny Elfman’s majestic score really makes the audiences feel how much is at stake. At some points during the film, I literally wanted to get up from my seat and rally on the streets of San Francisco with them. Definitely see this one with friends or just random people in the cinema (just make sure you’re not alone) because there are a lot of jokes and laughter that are worth sharing. By the end, of course it’s a tearjerker because we get to witness losing the Martin Luther King, Jr. of the gay rights movement. The ending of the picture really put tears in my eyes because the story of the great Harvey Milk is finally put on the spotlight (there were a plethora of behind-the-scenes drama since the 1980′s on how the story should be told, who will direct, et cetera). Maybe this film will even inspire those who are sick of hiding from true selves to come out. I cannot help but smile a little more, stand up a little straighter, put my head a little higher, every time I imagine Harvey Milk declaring, “I am Harvey Milk and I am here to recruit you!”