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Dave Fensome 2008 Top Ten
This has been a great year for films for me, with much to choose from whilst compiling this list. I should say that there are a number of films which I’m yet to catch up with, and that I set myself the strict criterion that I had to have watched the movie in 2008 (hence no No Country for Old Men which I watched in 2007 and no Slumdog Millionaire which I watched on the first day of 2009 (and which would have been top three for sure). My list is unashamedly populist, but is that such a bad thing?
1. The Dark Knight – Christopher Nolan
After much agonising and brow furrowing, I realised I had no choice but to make this my film of the year. Is it perfect? No, not by a long chalk, it’s too long, a little bloated, and rushes the most important transformation in the movie. Are there “worthier” and more thought provoking films in this list? Without doubt. However it still gave me more visceral pleasure than anything else I’ve seen this year. From the vertigo inducing opening shots, right through to the final escape it was visually breathtaking throughout. Enough has already been said about Ledger’s beat perfect Joker, but the supporting performance from Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman and Michael Caine are the cement that held this film together. A stunning piece of tentpole cinema.
2. Let the Right One in – Tomas Alfredson
On the other end of the scale in budget and spectacle, this Swedish film from Tomas Alfredson, drew me into its world completely. The story of a young bullied boy’s friendship with a young (if only in appearance) vampire, managed to be an entirely new type of horror film. The monsters in this movie are for you too decide, and the visceral ending is far more subtle than some may have you believe (requiring the same examination of response that Funny Games more blatantly went for). A spikey, touching and beautiful piece of work that I know I will still be watching for many years to come.
3. Son of Rambow – Garth Jennings
A thoroughly charming coming of age tale. Superbly acted by the two young leads and well supported by the excellent Jessica Stevenson. This film managed to capture the way that young boys deal with whatever hand life deals them. This material could have so easily become mawkish slop, and it’s to Garth Jennings credit that it never does.
4. The Wrestler – Darren Aronofsky
After the excruciating The Fountain, it’s great to see Aronofsky back on form. Stripped away from the visual tricks of some of his other works, and focused in on what I consider to be the most convincing performance of the year, this movie delivers an emotional blow, as hard as any that “The Ram” deals out. A very real story about how former heroes live out their days, once the limelight stops, and the burden of returning to normality. I would thoroughly recommend watching the excellent 1999 documentary Beyond the Mat as a companion piece to this film.
5. Wall-E – Andrew Stanton
Pixar have set the standard so high with their animation it seems impossible that anyone will ever come close to them. The much lauded opening sequence is probably the best 20 minutes of film I saw this year. The animation and characterisations are so masterful that you can forgive some of slightly broader strokes once we get to the humans.
6. Man on Wire – James Marsh
A documentary which sounds so limited in scope, ends up being one of the most gripping thrilling films of the year. Yes you know he got away with it, but the tension builds and builds regardless. Phillipe Petit’s personality in itself is enough of a reason to watch this movie.
7. There Will Be Blood – Paul Thomas Anderson
A remarkable piece of work. Whilst Daniel Day Lewis bombastic performance is headline stealer, it was a combination of the score, cinematography and the pace that made this movie so special for me. If it hadn’t stumbled so badly in it’s final 20 minutes this would have been my film of the year.
8. Iron Man – Jon Favreau
Once again showing my comic books roots and populist sensibilities, I’m almost an apologist for including Iron Man here. Almost, but not quite, as I think this film shows John Favreau really finding his feet in how to examine comic book source material, and know exactly which elements make for a good movie, and which don’t. Solid pacing, intersperse the big action scenes with comedy and some nice character work. Robert Downey Junior’s performance is the engine that drives this movie. However the crowning glory of Iron Man is surely in delivering a non-irritating performance from Gwyneth Paltrow.
9. Juno – Jason Reitman
A sweet comedy made bigger than the sum of its parts by so many excellent performances. Jk Simmons, Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, and of course Ellen Page all shine here. I can see the argument for it being overwritten, but in the end don’t think it matters as the overall package works.
10. The Orphanage – Juan Antonio Bayona / Hellboy 2: The Golden Army – Guillermo del Toro
A joint tenth place here for two films from the same camp, but with very different characteristics. Whilst The Orphanage was quiet, slow and creepy and affecting, Hellboy was loud, brash and thematically throwaway. However the visual design present, and how jaw droppingly creative every frame of the Troll Market scene is, meant there was no way I could exclude it. To me these movies make a perfect double feature.
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Author: Dave Fensome
Dave Fensome loves heavy metal and comic books. Inexplicably he doesn’t live with his parents. When he’s not selling his soul to the man, he writes comedy and manages the band Furyon. Twitter: @davefens
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Movie top ten up on @MarBelle’s excellent Director’s Notes website. Check it out http://tinyurl.com/8s2j6h.
My movie top ten up on @MarBelle’s excellent Director’s Notes website. Check it out http://tinyurl.com/8s2j6h.