10. Valkyrie
Though not a terribly great film, I still felt it was decent. Good supporting cast, with performances from Bill Nighy, and Tom Wilkinson. Interesting Cinematography, and good sound. I felt that the end was surprisingly not too overdone in any department. The only thing that spoils the film are its various plot holes, and the Tom Cruise. Tom Cruise isn't a bad actor, but really overdoes it in this film. Other than that, A good picture.
9. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The final installment of the Indiana Jones saga goes out with a bang in the fourth movie. It has good performances, a lot of cool action sequences, and of course, a snake joke. This film might have garnered some more acclaim, but it has a lot of flaws. The story is kind of a disgrace. They brought back Indie's girlfriend from Raiders, which was dumb. Rather than have a more religious centered plot , it was aliens. That's simply not Indiana Jones. I didn't really like how he survived in a fridge, at the beginning. I certainly did not like the inclusion of Area 51. But the film has great art direction, Harrison Ford, and a great score.
8, Bolt
It's been awhile since a truly long time since a great animated Disney film. At least one that didn't have to to be Pixar. Though the actual plot is relatively unoriginal and dull, the concept is the real seller. A famous dog doesn't know he's famous. Plus there's a cool hamster in a plastic ball. Not a bad film.
7. Kung Fu Panda
Now this film really is something. A panda who aspires to become a kung fu master in ancient China. The film is funny, and charming. But what's not to love about a Martial Arts Panda? The film has funny dialogue, and great voice performances by Dustin Hoffman, Jack Black, and a great cast.
6. Paranoid Park
Really an underrated film that would've been more recognized, had it not been for its March release. It's a film that did not have remarkable acting, or a super amazing story, but it's a really pretty film. It has the greatest Cinematography. It's mesmerizing to watch, and quite relaxing. It has relatively great direction by Gus Van Sant, and good editing. Great film.
5. Iron Man
The first truly great film of the year, Iron Man is actually a cooler Batman, with a better origin story. He's rich, the owner of weapons manufacturing company, and has a friend who works for the military. Robert Downey Jr. does a great job portraying such an intriguing protagonist. It really was the year of RDJ. The visual effects are nothing short of fantastic. The first really good edited film of the year. Good story, and a nice cast.
4. The Visitor
Richard Jenkins gives an Oscar-worthy performance in Todd McCarthy's indie wonder. Not a technical maverick, it's screenplay translates well to the screen, and has a great supporting cast. It really is one of the best of 2008.
3. WALL-E
Pizar strikes again with a sci fi comedy worthy of a Best Picture nomination. It's the third best Pixar film, behind Toy Story, and Ratatouille. It's an animated film that tells a really original story, but one as old as time (reference to Beauty and the Beast is intentional.) it hs good cinematography, if an animated film could have good camerawork. It's well edited, and well directed. It's enjoyable, and fun to watch. The first Best Picture worthy film of 2008.
1. (Tie) The Dark Knight & Slumdog Millionaire
I couldn't decide which film I liked best. They're both so different, but very similar. They're similar in that they both havve great adapted stories, great music, fantastic editing and cinematography, both have standout supporting actors, and are both simply awesome. They have different themes, comcepts and ideas, and different stories. The Dark Knight is the ultimate battle between good and evil, whereas Slumdog is a fight for the human spirit. The protagonists differ largely. One is a genius socipath, the other is the vastness of India. They're both great, but for different reasons, and are my favorite films of 2008.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
BAFTA Winners
Here are the British Oscar winners.
Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Woo Hoo! Slumdog wins again.
Director: Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
See Picture
Actor: Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler
So Penn doesn't get the BAFTA. Too bad.
Actress: Kate Winslet for The Reader
I think she'll win the Oscar now.
Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight
The Oscar is all his. He deserves it.
Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Woody Allen usually gets Oscars for people in the Supporting categories.
Original: In Bruges
The Brits do love to reward their own.
Adapted: Slumdog Millionaire
The love for this film is infinite.
Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire
It was either this or The Dark Knight, so I guess they chose this one.
Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Not really a surprise.
Editing: Slumdog Millionaire
Well deserved.
Costumes: The Duchess
Nothing to say. Not a surprise.
Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Well deserved.
Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Really a visual film.
Sound: Slumdog Millionaire
The film wasn't that good.
Score: Slumdog Millionaire
Well it did have a nice score.
Animated: Wall-E
Duh.
Foreign Film: I've Loved You So Long
Doesn't matter tremendously, because it wasn't nominated at the Oscars, due to ineligibility.
Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Woo Hoo! Slumdog wins again.
Director: Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
See Picture
Actor: Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler
So Penn doesn't get the BAFTA. Too bad.
Actress: Kate Winslet for The Reader
I think she'll win the Oscar now.
Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight
The Oscar is all his. He deserves it.
Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Woody Allen usually gets Oscars for people in the Supporting categories.
Original: In Bruges
The Brits do love to reward their own.
Adapted: Slumdog Millionaire
The love for this film is infinite.
Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire
It was either this or The Dark Knight, so I guess they chose this one.
Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Not really a surprise.
Editing: Slumdog Millionaire
Well deserved.
Costumes: The Duchess
Nothing to say. Not a surprise.
Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Well deserved.
Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Really a visual film.
Sound: Slumdog Millionaire
The film wasn't that good.
Score: Slumdog Millionaire
Well it did have a nice score.
Animated: Wall-E
Duh.
Foreign Film: I've Loved You So Long
Doesn't matter tremendously, because it wasn't nominated at the Oscars, due to ineligibility.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
More on The Nedloh Film Awards
If there are any films you feel are deserving recognition that I neglected to post, feel free to leave a comment of the film, actor, or actress you would like to see part of this list. Thanks.
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