Best Picture of 2008

[tunerfreak87]

I hope the best for The Dark Knight.

[masoud90]

Okay.
These are my top movies of 2008 that have a great chance of getting nominated...and ps, MILK has gotten some shitty reviews believe it or not.

- Revolutionary Road (although it's either a hit or a miss...great cinematography).
- Frost/Nixon (Another great film from the creator of the Queen).
- Curious Case of Ben Buttons (The make-up/set design was fantastic and so was the narrative).
- The Reader (Great narrative with great cinematography)
- Slumdog Millionaire (Met Danny Boyle and the film was sensational)

[Bobby Henderson]

Sam Mendes usually has some great imagery in his movies. However, I'm still strongly rooting in favor of The Dark Knight for the Best Cinematography Oscar.

The TDK crew actually filmed a significant portion of this movie in true 15-perf 65mm IMAX format (rather than the usual fake and bake phony baloney blow up from 35mm or digital video nonsense). Not only that, they made it look great. In the process they also destroyed a $300,000 IMAX camera during a car chase scene. TDK deserves a LOT of credit for going way above and beyond the call of duty in filming a major motion picture.

From what I understand, extra points should go to TDK for getting the 8K digital intermediate standard off the ground, using Baraka as a test case. Baraka on Blu-ray wound up being one of the best looking releases ever to hit home video -if not the best.

[bruce_pullen]

Folks, folks, folks, what's up with Wall*E? I mean, really. The film is a shoe-in for the Animated Picture Oscar, but the Oscars have always had a bias against animation. It's never been legitimate. Beauty and the Beast (1991) is the only one that made it. Only to loose to Demme's Silence of the Lambs; may I say, adult-fare.

I may be alone. But I find Wall*E, technically sound, but morally questionable. Opening shot: We begin on a planet littered with mountains of trash. We see endless croppings of trash, as though it's common. As our hero heads home, he passes numerous Buy & Large signs (hmmm...... could it be Wal-Mart??), and finally we see B & L's spokesman Fred Willard (who looks exactly like George Bush) raising his hands, in a dead-on Nixon imitation. Where's Ron Howard?

Don't forget the whole business of green, seen everywhere (especially in the second half). The leaf symbol, anyone? "What is earth," says the Captain. …Later, he talks to the plant, like a human being.

With this in mind, I ask the director, "Is this drama?” Showing humans as parasites, and plants as people, is this serious? Shoving Al-Gore into animation, disguising ideology as entertainment, is this reasonable? I feel, this is where were going. Still, I'm shocked to see so many adults who seem to buy it.

Wall*E has moments, but its naked agenda, negates it, as a classic. Kung-Fu Panda is equally accomplished, and doesn't resort to preaching. What happened to stories of good and evil? Now, we get grey and greyer. Or in this case, green and greener. Walt Disney would be ashamed. So would Tex Avery.

I consider Wall*E, no different than Eisesnstein’s Battleship Potemkin (1925). Or Riefenstahl's Triumph of the Will (1934), both were propaganda, and so is Wall*E. Its cuteness, its effective charm, makes it, all the more offensive. Because, it's wares were designed, to pull a Poppins. "A spoon full of sugar, makes the medicine go down," indeed. “In the most delightful way,” she says. Listening to everyone, praise the picture, I think back to Birth of a Nation (1915). It was a sensation. It created film grammar. But, now, it’s stained with the weight, of its end. The Klu-Klux Klan riding to the rescue. That’s all, anyone remembers (really), even Ebert.

I feel this, is Wall*E’s fate. In time, it will be “that Green Picture”. That’s all, anyone will remember. And it will join, The Jazz Singer (1927), Freaks (1932), as curio pictures, nothing more.

Given the past, I feel Wall*E is unworthy, of anything outside the Animated Oscar. In time, many would regret the choice. We would look back, embarrassed. Like the Germans, post-Adolf. Or the Academy, after snubbing Private Ryan, some things never die. So, why start now? Because it’s hip?

In the end, will it be nominated? ..I’d say there’s a 50-50 shot. Given its chances, at Animated Feature, past failures, and Academy trends, I’d say probably not.

As for, what I think will be nominated, here’s my list.

2008 Academy Award Nominees: Best Picture

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire

Reasons:

1. Button, because of guilt, of past Burton neglect.
2. The Dark Knight, because of the accolades and Heath Ledger.
3. Frost/Nixon, because of Ron Howard. And Richard Nixon, Oscar loves “true” stories.
4. And biopics, Milk is Brokeback II.
5. And every year, there’s that cheery flick.

The Winner: The Dark Knight.

It is the one picture, that appeals to the Academy (as a whole).


My choice: 2008 Best Picture Nominees

(Based on what I’ve seen)

The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Lakeview Terrace
Rambo
Wanted

1. It is a masterpiece. Endlessly watchable, poignant and crushing. It is simply, one for the ages. The Dark Knight, is a seminal watershed.

2. Populist popcorn, at it’s most daring. Screwball comedy, structured drama, all unveiling with pin-point accuracy. It is a slam-dunk.

3. Small moments, moving drama, it’s refreshing to see a minority baddie. Jackson, does commendable work, in top notch pot-boiler. The film speaks to many things.

4. The film shines with seismic force. It builds and builds. Some would balk, I know better. Rambo is real. Despite, what critics say.

5. Amazing picture, the film moves. Performances shimmer, Wanted rewards, multiple viewings. Ask yourself, is this amusing? Then ask, did I try, to be amused?

Runners’ Up

The Bank Job
The Changeling

Winner:

The Dark Knight

It is the film of the year, and maybe the decade. What else, can I say. It meshes perfectly with past Oscar winners.

No Country For Old Men, The Departed, desperation is in.

[bruce_pullen]

Who has seen it?
Is it another sleeper?
That would be my question?
Eastwood is a machine.
Without seeing it, it's hard to know.

The Changeling was an amazing achievement. Unforunately, it appears to be forgotten, at this point.

[bruce_pullen]

Kung-Fu Panda, is a much better film. That would be my vote: for Best Animated Feature.
I have respect for Wall*E. However, it's manipulated narrative, disqualifies it, from consideration.
Kung-Fu Panda, is storytelling without agenda. That is the ideal.

[bruce_pullen]

Best Picture:

"And the winner is: Zach and Miri Do a Porno"

Kevin Smith's Speech: "Zach and Miri Do A Porno, was a labor of love. I couldn't have done it, with God. As well, as my parents, if not for them, I wouldn't be here. Your lifetime of support, inspires me."

(Sighs). I hope your joking. We go from: Gone With the Wind (1939), and Casablanca (1942) to Zach and Miri Do a Porno (2008).

Well.., cinema is dead.

[gamer4eva]

The Dark Knight
In Bruges
Wall•E
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
The Wrestler

[bruce_pullen]

In Bruges?

...In Bruges?

..Okay, In Bruges...

With all due respect, explain: In Bruges, please...??

[bruce_pullen]

In Bruges (2008) , starts well, and ends well.

Unfortunately, the middle is a complete failure. The midget, the drugs, the love-affair, all of this, is untidy. It goes on and on. Farrell and Gleeson, have chemistry, but they have nothing to say. There are witty lines, here and there. But the film, is a burger, whose middle is spam, not beef.

And sadly, that's where it fails. A mid-section that lacks coherence or grace. The film is cool. I'll give it that. But coolness, doesn't grant you a pass; if the film doesn't, deliver the goods.

Understand, the beginning and end, are quite interesting. But there's nothing to make either matter, in between.

Note: Finnes’ wife. Now, that's someone, you could film.

[crey014]

Originally Posted by bruce_pullen

Folks, folks, folks, what's up with Wall*E? I mean, really. The film is a shoe-in for the Animated Picture Oscar, but the Oscars have always had a bias against animation. It's never been legitimate. Beauty and the Beast (1991) is the only one that made it. Only to loose to Demme's Silence of the Lambs; may I say, adult-fare.

I may be alone. But I find Wall*E, technically sound, but morally questionable. Opening shot: We begin on a planet littered with mountains of trash. We see endless croppings of trash, as though it's common. As our hero heads home, he passes numerous Buy & Large signs (hmmm...... could it be Wal-Mart??), and finally we see B & L's spokesman Fred Willard (who looks exactly like George Bush) raising his hands, in a dead-on Nixon imitation. Where's Ron Howard?

Don't forget the whole business of green, seen everywhere (especially in the second half). The leaf symbol, anyone? "What is earth," says the Captain. …Later, he talks to the plant, like a human being.

With this in mind, I ask the director, "Is this drama?” Showing humans as parasites, and plants as people, is this serious? Shoving Al-Gore into animation, disguising ideology as entertainment, is this reasonable? I feel, this is where were going. Still, I'm shocked to see so many adults who seem to buy it.

Wall*E has moments, but its naked agenda, negates it, as a classic. Kung-Fu Panda is equally accomplished, and doesn't resort to preaching. What happened to stories of good and evil? Now, we get grey and greyer. Or in this case, green and greener. Walt Disney would be ashamed. So would Tex Avery.

I consider Wall*E, no different than Eisesnstein’s Battleship Potemkin (1925). Or Riefenstahl's Triumph of the Will (1934), both were propaganda, and so is Wall*E. Its cuteness, its effective charm, makes it, all the more offensive. Because, it's wares were designed, to pull a Poppins. "A spoon full of sugar, makes the medicine go down," indeed. “In the most delightful way,” she says. Listening to everyone, praise the picture, I think back to Birth of a Nation (1915). It was a sensation. It created film grammar. But, now, it’s stained with the weight, of its end. The Klu-Klux Klan riding to the rescue. That’s all, anyone remembers (really), even Ebert.

I feel this, is Wall*E’s fate. In time, it will be “that Green Picture”. That’s all, anyone will remember. And it will join, The Jazz Singer (1927), Freaks (1932), as curio pictures, nothing more.

Given the past, I feel Wall*E is unworthy, of anything outside the Animated Oscar. In time, many would regret the choice. We would look back, embarrassed. Like the Germans, post-Adolf. Or the Academy, after snubbing Private Ryan, some things never die. So, why start now? Because it’s hip?

In the end, will it be nominated? ..I’d say there’s a 50-50 shot. Given its chances, at Animated Feature, past failures, and Academy trends, I’d say probably not.

I really like your way of thinking. It made me look at it from a different angle. However, that kind of reasoning also exposes a different agenda.

[bruce_pullen]

"I really like your way of thinking. It made me look at it from a different angle. However, that kind of reasoning also exposes a different agenda."

What agenda?… Please explain.

I have no goal. Other than, what I see.

... I’m merely tired, of Wall*E being hugged, without a background check.

The film has been embraced by the press. As though, Peter, Paul, and Ringo are back.

Unlike Ratatouille, the film has nagging issues, of form. That seems to me, is being ignored for some reason.

I care for film, enough, to point this out.

Wall*E could be Governor Blago. Sadly, no one’s on the lookout.

[bruce_pullen]

Kung-Fu Panda is my agenda. I hope, one day, films will entertain only. ..Naive of me? Perhaps, yet, if we never try, how will we know?

Snow White, Pinocchio, Fantasia: that is animation. The ideal of myth and function, wrapped up, into one. Don’t forget, Walt Disney believed in fairies. The dust of legend, lead him forward. Why else call it (Disneyland), the Magic Kingdom?

Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, those are stories. Based on oral tradition, and the lore of ages, these whisk children away, in their wake.

Bringing them back, eventually, the stories lived on, well into adulthood. Lady and the Tramp, Jungle Book, they left their mark. Unlike today, those tales were linked, to the past.

Wall*E is something else. A test case, in “What-If”

Is its’ values, something people want?

In addition, is it worthy of Oscar? Or, is it propped up, by its “values”?

Is it harmless, or a threat? I guess, we’re never know.

Kung-Fu Panda is tradition. The apprentice, the master, the growth of the hero; the past coming back, the peace bought through victory. This is film-making, that inspires, not propaganda.

[bruce_pullen]

Watch the human sub-plot, on the spaceship.

Jon. The red suit. The blue suit, the lack of care: people don't matter.

This section, feels like a band aid, not narrative.

This is one, of several points, that weaken Wall*e's tone.

[bruce_pullen]

Is the Bank Job? One of the best films of 2008?

What is your opinion?

Is it, in your 5 choices? Yes or No?

[fighthefutureofhd]

Originally Posted by MAPdead

I completely disagree with you about The X-Files: I Want To Believe. Bad script, bad acting , and come on it had Xzibit in it lol horrible. I was a hugh fan of the series and I liked the first film but IWTB failed in everyway.

and i completely disagree with you. i think the writing's sharp and the acting is absolutely amazing. i didn't say a word about xzibit did i? besides, what's so bad about xzibit? the x-files had jesse ventura and alex trebek on one of their most critically claimed episodes and one that is regarded as a fan favorite. jesse ventura?!?!?! xzibit in my mind is better. i don't think xzibit was or is a shakespearean actor, but he wasn't that bad in the movie. i actually thought he was going to be awful, but he was actually not half bad. certainly better than dogget.

[CobraTi]

At this point my top movies of the year are
1) Dark Knight
2) Slumdog Millionaire
3) Wall-E

I have high hopes for Benjamin Button, The Wrestler, and Gran Torino but have not seen them yet.

In terms of what I think deserves the big award (of what I've seen). . .Slumdog. I dont truthfully believe it has a chance in hell though unfortunately.

[SOLIDSNAKE]

The Dark Knight !!

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by fighthefutureofhd

and i completely disagree with you. i think the writing's sharp and the acting is absolutely amazing. i didn't say a word about xzibit did i? besides, what's so bad about xzibit? the x-files had jesse ventura and alex trebek on one of their most critically claimed episodes and one that is regarded as a fan favorite. jesse ventura?!?!?! xzibit in my mind is better. i don't think xzibit was or is a shakespearean actor, but he wasn't that bad in the movie. i actually thought he was going to be awful, but he was actually not half bad. certainly better than dogget.

“Absolutely amazing”, you say. You mean the Lifetime channel?

Blah, blah, do I have the operation? Blah, blah, I don’t believe in the supernatural. Blah, blah, what about our son? Blah, blah, blah, I don’t do this anymore. Blah, blah, where’s Mulder?

“The writing’s sharp,” in what way? Sharp, as in the T.V. company? Certainly, not witty or sophisticated, this is workshop quality. Scully drives over to Mulder’s “secret location” to ask him, to come back. Then, we find, she’s been living there, the whole time. Ohhhhh…, great structure, thanks Chris.

And do we have to get, Mulder and Scully, repeating the same spiel, for the umpteenth time? “I believe.” “I don’t.” Something happens. Then: “I think I believe.” “I think I believe, too Mulder.” (Sighs).. If this is great writing, watch Casablanca, then get back to me.

In all honesty, was there any acting? I wanted to scream.

“AAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!” A raping of all things X-Files, the longer this went, the more my skin peeled. The domestic stuff killed me. It wasn’t acting. It was the Osbournes.

What can I say? It’s a disappointment. Where’s the beef? Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, I mean really. I understand, talk is important, but, give me a break, the X-Files is more than that.

The visuals, the suspense, the empty spaces: the X-Files is atmosphere. Tooms, Shapeshifters, and bees, the mystery was thick, and the answers weren’t coming. Darkness was great, when left unexplained. The Malboro man, strange cars, big mysteries, that was mastery.

This: is dinner theater, bloated by a half-an-hour.

Billy Connoly, is the only highlight.

The opening scene works, because the leads weren’t in it. After that, the film goes downhill.

X-Files: I Want To Believe, film of the year? Maybe at the Razzies.

Note: The death of Amanda Peet, is so convenient. She asks them for help. She dies. Xzibit, becomes the villain (in the third act). Yeah!!!!, great writing.

Also: There's Skinner, in a trailer park. Is this the kitchen sink?

[Edo]

i would have to say The Dark Knight