Oh, What A Year...

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A sweeping summation of 2008 movies by Neoavant's Matt Shapiro. I don't know, man. An awful lot of flying (or falling) bodies, explosions, and people who got punched. Don't we need to consider (i.e., pay more attention to) the calmer, quieter stuff? I feel there's too much emphasis on Baz Luhrman's Australia in this piece, and nowhere near enough clips of Che. But it made me feel half-good, this thing. 2008 had its share of moments.

Last year Shapiro assembled a first-rate assemblage called "2007: A Year for Drama."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on January 1, 2009 at 5:10 PM

comment #1

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

Yeah, too much Australia and Indy for my tastes. Probably too much QoS, but I'll give that a pass. It *is* Bond, after all.

Nice job, though. Good editing, choice of clips, music, etc.

Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum at January 1, 2009 5:55 PM

comment #2

Sabina E says ...

Yeah, what a year. I was honestly getting fed up with TDK mania, Twilight mania, that I actually miss Pottermania.

A lot of people say that 2008 is such an awful year for films, but I disagree-- I've seen some of the finest films coming out in 08.

but I wish I never saw Indy 4-- that awful, goofy gopher just ruined the whole film for me.

Posted by Sabina E at January 1, 2009 5:56 PM

comment #3

Chase Kahn says ...

This damn near looks like a trailer for 'Australia' -- and what's up with 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' making the cut?

Posted by Chase Kahn at January 1, 2009 6:39 PM

comment #4

BurmaShave says ...

Far too little IN BRUGES and VICKY CRISTINA (wait, is there any?), and the complete lack of LET THE RIGHT ONE IN seems like a major oversight, but it's his usual stunning work.

Posted by BurmaShave at January 1, 2009 7:21 PM

comment #5

ErikGullberg says ...

jeff,

just got back from happy-go-lucky and wanted to reread your review but I couldn't find it! any way you can repost it?

Aside from Eddie Marsan being incredible, I throw my hat into the oppressive side as well. Ugh. Hell indeed.

Posted by ErikGullberg at January 1, 2009 7:36 PM

comment #6

Devin Faraci says ...

Ugh.

Posted by Devin Faraci at January 2, 2009 12:45 AM

comment #7

iamwhoiam says ...

Nice. Not a great year, but it sure had its moments. I'm glad to see some Waltz With Bashir love. Amazing movie.

Posted by iamwhoiam at January 2, 2009 1:06 AM

comment #8

the400blows says ...

Just saw Frost/Nixon. One of the year's best. If Doubt doesn't win the Oscar for Best Picture, then I wouldn't mind it going to Frost/Nixon. Langella should definitely win the Oscar for Best Actor. He embodied Nixon with all his humanity and depravity. Also recently saw Benjamin Button. I do not understand the love for this movie. It's over-rated, including Brad Pitt's performance in it. I never thought I'd say this, but I preferred Forrest Gump over Benjamin Button. At least the music in it was better.

Posted by the400blows at January 2, 2009 1:18 AM

comment #9

BurmaShave says ...

I just watched his 2007: A Year for Action for the first time. May be his tightest work. Guy's an absolutely world-class editor.

Posted by BurmaShave at January 2, 2009 1:27 AM

comment #10

BurmaShave says ...

Also Faraci I'd have thought you of all people could at least get behind images like Seth Rogen's glorious kung-fu leap being set to swelling inspirational music.

Posted by BurmaShave at January 2, 2009 1:27 AM

comment #11

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

"If Doubt doesn't win the Oscar for Best Picture..."

Whoa, bit of a leap there. It doesn't even seem guaranteed a nomination at this point, does it? I'm just asking.

Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum at January 2, 2009 5:07 AM

comment #12

iamwhoiam says ...

Just came back from seeing Benjamin Button. A Forrest Gump wannabe if there ever was one. Enjoyable movie, but way way below FG (i could never understand people who didn't love FG) and hardly the best of the year, even this year. I agree about the performances being overrated, especially Pitt's. Tom Hanks can make me cry even after seeing FG for the tenth time. Pitt really did very little to me.

Posted by iamwhoiam at January 2, 2009 8:01 AM

comment #13

byanyother says ...

And is there anything more irritating than Devin Feraci's one word "ugh"? No, the answer is, there is nothing more irritating. When you've ANYTHING close to what this guy did with these two videos then maybe you can complain about them.

Posted by byanyother at January 2, 2009 8:28 AM

comment #14

MickTravisMcGee says ...

How did this guy know that when I think of the cinema of 2008, I will be thinking about the party scenes from "Cloverfield." Repeatedly. Uncanny!

Posted by MickTravisMcGee at January 2, 2009 9:48 AM

comment #15

Devin Faraci says ...

When I've done anything close to taking clips from movie trailers, splicing them together and playing music over them? I'll let you know as soon as the bug to do that hits me.

Posted by Devin Faraci at January 2, 2009 10:42 AM

comment #16

Chase Kahn says ...

400 Blows: You disliked 'Button' but praise 'Frost/Nixon'? The latter is the most unimaginative, insulting, cookie-cutter film of the year -- also Ron Howard's best movie.

Posted by Chase Kahn at January 2, 2009 11:19 AM

comment #17

/3rtfu11 says ...

To the HE poster who said Gran Torino reminded him of a Cannon Films release you're right. Clint Eastwood for Best Actor (he made me wanna hug John McCain).

Posted by /3rtfu11 at January 2, 2009 12:06 PM

comment #18

Deathtongue_Groupie says ...

Way, WAY too much Australia, but otherwise as good as last year's.

Posted by Deathtongue_Groupie at January 2, 2009 12:35 PM

comment #19

BurmaShave says ...

Faraci, the guy is a first-rate amateur editor. Don't be a dick. Also, apropos of nothing, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD is a masterpiece.

Posted by BurmaShave at January 3, 2009 4:21 PM

comment #20

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comment #21

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comment #22