Reviewing the Year: 2008

We're almost halfway through 2009, but I don't care. I don't fully decide what's the best until I've seen at least everything I wanted to, or felt like seeing. Hence, here are finally what would have been my picks for the best (and worst) of last year. First "category", the Most overrated:

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

It's a pretty movie, a nice one even. But most of the time it passed for pretentious, shallow effects that while having a great story to tell, it fell flat. The production is marevlous, Blanchett it enchanting, Swinton magnificent and Henson is adorable but other than that, it doesn't hold much weight. Empty work disguised behind Fitzgelard's tale and those awesome effects. Best of the year? Definitely not. To me it resembles more an epic summer blockbuster rather than the awards film it was. I really liked it the first time, the second time was ok, and seeing it one last time two weeks ago I noticed the amount of flaws it had. If it was for me, it would have never been close to the "bests" of the year. Oh and Pitt's performance is probably the most ridiculous praised thing I saw last year. 

Doubt

Big failure for John Patrick Shanley. Why? You have an acclaimed play that you bring to life with some of the most acclaimed actors this generation, and you don't deliver greatness. Basically, it's only flaw was the direction, if Shanley hadn't been so proud he would've turned the ropes to someone more capable. However, the witty and smart screenplay plus the great (but not awesome, like it could) cast saved it from being a disaster. Not a bad movie, but definitely one with the potential to have been a great one. 

Slumdog Millionaire

Loved the movie, then why is it here? Just as a small complain to those in charge of giving out the awards. It's a fantastic, uplifting movie full of heart, but the thing got out of hand. Taking home every possible award, even some guilds recognized it as the "best" in fields it really doesn't stand out. Costume Design? pleeaaseeee Proof of how crazy everyone went over it were the Academy Awards. It was a good winner for the major prize, and Boyle's statue was more than deserved, but obviously some people just wanted to give it as many awards as possible. The sound was actually great, but how it won over 3 movies trully astonishing in that field this year is beyond me.

Other than these there weren't any good-bad movies receiving undeserved love this year. Possibly Frost/Nixon since it's just outside my top 15 of the year, but I still liked it quite a lot and it didn't exactly receive lots of love.

NEXT: some techs + 1st acting