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Sr. Rose’s Top Films of 2008

Sr. Rose’s Top Films of 2008

Last updated on: January 5, 2009 at 3:37 pm by Sister Rose

Sr. Rose’s Top Films of 2008 2009-01-05T15:37:07-07:00 Sister Rose

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My 2008 Top Films

2008 was a dark year for films and I saw 120 movies all together. Many were artistic and interesting but in general, 2007 and 2006 were much better; those films leapt out at me, and I loved many of them. I didn’t care that much about 2008 films but some I did like and enjoy. Other films I liked less but they will get awards because some aspect or other was brilliant: themes, acting, cinematography, directing(e.g. Revolutionary Road; The Reader; Milk). And no, even though I may stand alone, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button did not make my list.

(I reserve the right to add and delete from this line-up!)

slumdogmillionaire

1. Slumdog Millionaire – Original, inspiring, moving, filled with light.

pranzo

2. Pranzo di Ferragosto – (A mid-August lunch) A small Italian film by Gianni di Gregorio. A middle-aged bachelor cares for his aged mom and gets stuck with three other old ladies over Italy’s mid-August holiday. Charming and funny. The best film at the Venice Film Festival – too bad it was not in competition (and hoping someone will release it in the USA).

young_at_heart

3. Young@Heart – Stand up and cheer, folks! Life is worth living to the max until the end; senior citizens rock!

wall-e-wave-749751

4. Wall-E – Disney’s darkish commentary on the environment may the cleverest and most positive picture they have ever done.

visitor

5. The Visitor – Who is a visitor? My neighbor. A thoughtful, small film with a global heart.

class

6. The Class – Intriguing power struggle through language in a multi-ethnic urban Paris high school classroom.

dark_knight_onesheet

7. Dark Knight – Deep, dark, complex and Heath Ledger excelled.

son_of_rambow_ver3

8. Son of Rambow – Touching British coming-of-age film about two lonely boys who make a movie about a missing father; loved it.

streep-doubt

9. Doubt – Broadway makes it to the screen once again in a story that explores power hierarchies in the church, school, parish against the back ground of the clergy abuse scandal

happy_go_lucky2

10. Happy-Go-Lucky – A good woman knows who she is and chooses to be happy and caring; she refuses negativity; a human, sweet, small film crossing the pond.

in-bruges-movie-131

11. In Bruges – Honor among assassins and unexpected redemption amid violence

defiance

12. Defiance – Based on a true story of three Jewish partisans who saved hundreds of Jewish lives during World War II by hiding out in the forests of eastern Poland and Belarus.

frost-nixon

13. Frost/Nixon – On acting alone, Langella and Sheen deserve honors.

appaloosaposter

14. Appaloosa – Ed Harris can do no wrong; here he does it all: acts, directs, composes; wonderful.

horton_hears_a_who_1416

15. Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who – The awesome pachyderm delights with themes of human dignity, community and the common good.

lastchanceharveyposter

16. Last Chance Harvey – No one can say “Shut up” with so much affection as Emma Thompson. It’s never too late for gentle romance.

RAPEUROPAm 2ndposter

17. The Rape of Europa – The search for the art of European Jews stolen by the Nazi’s is an intriguing and compelling story. In place of reconciliation, or in addition to it, comes restitution, here – restoration of beauty to the people from whom it was so tragically taken.

Film Reviews

Sr. Rose's Top Movies 2008; Top Films 2008; Best Movies 2008

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