The Best (and Worst) Movies of 2008 - Page 5

Encounters at the End of the World – Werner Herzog journeys to Antarctica in this documentary to offer his own eccentric perspective on the extremes of nature. His poetically oddball, flatly ironic curiosity to explore peculiar environments (which always ends up becoming a perfect fit), his observations in his narration provide unique perspective and enthrallment on an already unique environment.

Frozen River – With an organically searing performance from the always dependable character actress Melissa Leo, this heartbreaking drama from Courtney Hunt is a timely and stark examination of how economic desperation forces two mothers (one played by Leo and the other also played confidently by Misty Upham) to cooperate in the illegal smuggling of aliens across the U.S.-Canadian border.

Happy-Go-Lucky – British filmmaker Mike Leigh’s movies always combine keen observation of social class with the spontaneity of everyday life and his latest turned his perceptiveness into the concept of bubbly happiness. The film is not a “feel-good” movie in the conventional sense but a deeper, more reassuring one in how even the most good-natured, upbeat person like Poppy (played with such infectious joy and zest by Sally Hawkins) may not be able to make everyone around her happy but can learn to take comfort in how she does not necessarily have to.

In Bruges – The kind of black comedy and thriller mix that only the British and Irish can pull off so effortlessly. Playwright turned filmmaker Martin McDonagh (who won an Oscar for his short, "Six Shooter") starts the movie as a buddy-travel comedy between Colin Farrell’s hothead assassin and Brendan Gleeson’s more soulful hit man and slowly sneaks up and builds a more serious, philosophical core around the concept of Catholic guilt.

Iron Man – A more traditional superhero movie compared to The Dark Knight but one revivified by the light-footed performance from Robert Downey Jr. His work here, along with his role in Tropic Thunder, made the other memorable comeback story (alongside Rourke’s) and Jon Favreau used it as the bedrock to surround his film with pointed Catch-22-style satire, impressive but never overbearing visual effects and a nice romantic chemistry with Gwyneth Paltrow.

I’ve Loved You So Long – A true showcase for British actress Kristin Scott Thomas who delivers the performance of her career in a foreign language (which is certainly worthy of an Oscar nomination though I fear not enough people will have seen it). Playing a woman coming back home to re-adjust to family life after being apart from them for 15 years, this French film is even better than the similarly themed and decent Rachel Getting Married because it relies on greater silences and pools of reserve.

Article Author: moviejohn

Joo-Wang John Lee is a computer programmer at Binghamton University by day and a movie critic by hobby. Upon insistent suggestion from people around him, he finally decided to start critiquing movies in writing instead of just verbal form among his friends. …

Visit moviejohn's author page — moviejohn's Blog