In 2008,
Iran launched its first rocket into space;
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia;
The Summer Olympics took place in Beijing;
A global financial crisis dominated headlines;
Spotify launched;
Satoshi Nakamoto published a paper announcing Bitcoin;
Barack Obama was elected as the 45th President of the United States of America;
The Marvel Cinematic Universe debuted with Iron Man;
CourtTV became TruTv;
Lehman Brothers and Washington Mutual declared bankruptcy;
Ian Armitage was born;
While Brad Renfro, Bobby Fischer, Suzanne Pleshette, Heath Ledger, Margaret Truman, Roy Scheider, Kon Ichikawa, William F. Buckley, Gary Gygax, Arthur C. Clarke, Paul Scofield, Richard Widmark, Jules Dassin, Charlton Heston, Sydney Pollack, Yves Saint Laurent, Mel Ferrer, Bo Diddley, Tim Russert, Cyd Charisse, George Carlin, Don S. Davis, Jesse Helms, Tony Snow, Estelle Getty, Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes, Jerry Reed, Don LaFontaine, David Foster Wallace, Richard Wright, Paul Newman, Studs Terkel, Michael Crichton, Bettie Page, Van Johnson, Majel Barrett, Robert Mulligan, Harold Pinter, and Eartha Kitt died.
The following is a list of my ten favorite films released in 2008:
10) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) is born in 1918 with the appearance and infirmities of a very old man and, for unexplained reasons, ages backwards.
After his mother dies in childbirth, he’s adopted by a black couple, Queenie (Taraji P. Henson) and Tizzy (Mahershala Ali). While living with them at a nursing home, he forms a lifelong friendship with Daisy, culminating in a brief affair when they briefly appear to be the same age as she marches forward in time and he retreats into a more youthful appearance.
When Daisy discovers she’s pregnant, Benjamin leaves because his condition will make him an unsuitable father.
Adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story, this a melancholy look at the ironic inverse relationship between wisdom / experience and youth / vigor.
The performances are top notch. Brad Pitt is the perfect Benjamin. Cate Blanchett is compelling as adult Daisy. Taraji P. Henson and Mahershala Ali are wonderful as the couple who initially adopt the afflicted boy.
The direction by David Fincher is lyrical, reuniting him with his Seven and Fight Club muse Pitt. Many of Fincher’s films are focused on violence and chaos, but this is a more measured view of the world, although chaos just off screen, knocking on the door.
9) Man on Wire
In 1974, French high-wire artist Philippe Petit recruited several of his friends to surreptitiously set up a wire over 1000 feet above the ground between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Once in place, Petit walked back and forth on the wire for almost one hour. The police infamously put the reason for his subsequent arrest as “Man on Wire,” which inspired the title of the film.
Based on Petit’s book recounting his adventure and using archival footage the team took of their planning, this is a fascinating heist film disguised as a documentary. The planning, secrecy, eminent danger; all of the tropes we love are here, with the added bonus they’re real.
It’s captivating and spellbinding. Petit’s daring feat was amazing in itself, but combining it with a movie about the intricate planning involved is phenomenal.
Because I came of age with Burton’s films, I’m partial to Keaton’s performance as the Caped Crusader, but this is the definitive Batman movie.
What sets Nolan’s trilogy apart from previous versions is his attention to the supporting characters. In previous films, they were little more than fan service. For example, Pat Hingle’s Jim Gordon was in six films, but never developed as anything more than a prop. Jim Gordon is a vital part of the Batman comic universe, and Gary Oldman does the character a great service.
Aaron Eckhart’s version of Two-Face and his origin is compelling; wrapping it up with Batman’s love interest Rachel and her death was a masterstroke.
Ledger’s performance as the Joker takes this to another level. From beginning to end, this is his film and his performance is captivating.
The ending is one of the best of all time; demonstrating the need for hope and faith in a dark world.
7) Frost/Nixon
Richard Nixon was one of the most consequential figures in 20th century American life. Vice President of the United States for eight years, lost one of the most contested and influential elections to John F. Kennedy, defeated in a contest to be California’s governor, bounced back to become President of the United States in a landslide election, reelected, and resigned in disgrace less than two years later.
As part of his post Watergate attempt to restore his image, he agreed to a series of interviews with British journalist David Frost.
Screenwriter Peter Morgan has manufactured a significant career dramatizing recent historical moments, including the Netflix television series The Crown.
Frank Langella is wonderful as the former President. Driven to overcome his insecurities, he sees everything as one big chess game: Watergate was a part, this interview is a part.
Michael Sheen (a frequent Morgan collaborator) is excellent as Frost, portrayed as a glorified tabloid journalist here.
Ron Howard’s career is a true Hollywood success story, and he handles the difficult material with grace.
My affection for this film is informed by my fascination with Nixon. I marvel at how someone who could be at the heart of power for so long and maintain some sense of dignity long after such a catastrophic political scandal.
Rebellious teenager Jan kidnaps Agnes’ child. The boy attempts to escape and, after an accident, dies. Jan is imprisoned for murder.
Years later, Jan is released from prison and serves as an organist at a local church where he befriends a single mother and her son. Agnes sees Jan and, haunted by the death of her son, is convinced he’s a threat to another young child.
This is a heartbreaking story about mistakes, forgiveness, redemption and human frailty.
5) Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
Kurt Kuenne meticulously crafted this documentary about the life and murder of his friend, Andrew Bagby, by his mentally unstable girlfriend, Shirley Turner. After Shirley announced she was pregnant with Andrew’s child and fled to Canada, the case became a complicated legal labyrinth. While Andrew’s parents sued for custody and pleaded with the Canadian courts, Kurt documented the process.
The heartbreaking end is infuriating because it was obviously preventable, and, in the aftermath, there have been reforms to the Canadian justice system.
It’s a powerful film about friendship, love, memory, dedication, family, mental illness, and an indictment of the legal system.
When Rachel Buchman (Anne Hathaway) leaves rehab to attend her sister’s wedding, long-buried feelings resurface.
Hathaway has never been more devastating, and Debra Winger proves she can still bring it in a small, but emotionally powerful part as the Buchman matriarch.
It’s a lovely film about familial bonds, disappointment, and forgiveness, refusing to sugar coat things or wrap them in a bow. The discomfort is allowed to linger and fester in this raw, intense film.
3) John Adams
This is an American approximation of Shakespearean history: a dramatic telling of the life of one of the most forgotten Founding Fathers. I loved Giamatti’s performance. My adoration of Laura Linney’s work is deep and profound. David Morse is a prolific, under appreciated character actor; his work as George Washington is stellar.
Tom Wilkinson is a delight as Benjamin Franklin, one of the most influential voices in American history. Rufus Sewell was bringing life to Alexander Hamilton a decade before Lin Manuel made him a seminal figure.
This is a fascinating look at a young America’s first foray onto the world stage. It reminds us politics is played by people with personalities and agendas beyond public perception.
I understand the series took historical liberties and historians might be offended, but the spirit of what it said is true.
2) The Class
Francois Marin teaches French to a poor Parisian class composed of students from all sorts of backgrounds and nationalities.
This is a searing look at the ancillary problems which derive from the drive for diversity. Children’s attitudes about education are invariably filtered by their experiences. Shoehorning a single, monolithic view of what an education should be to students who don’t see the need for such an education is difficult. Doing so while combating entrenched opposition to one another because of their backgrounds makes the task daunting to even the best educators.
Unlike most films featuring teachers in difficult circumstances like Stand and Deliver or Dangerous Minds, this movie isn’t interested in a feel good ending, but highlights the nigh impossible task of finding a workable solution.
1) Departures (2008)
When Daigo Kobayahsi loses his job, he moves into his childhood home with his wife. He responds to an advertisement to “assist with departures,” but is horrified to learn it’s a mortuary, not a travel agency.
In Japan, dealing with the deceased is “unclean” and Kobayashi is ashamed of his accidental career. His wife leaves him and his friend, Yamashita, abandons him.
When Yamashita’s mother dies, Kobayashi performs the encoffinment; during the ceremony, his wife and friend realize the importance of his work.
Despite the numerous masterpieces from Kuroswa and Ozu, this was the first Japanese winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
It’s a beautiful film about the common humanity in the realization all paths lead to the same end.