My Favorite Films of 2008

Some of these films I've seen at festivals, and they might not ever show up in your local theater. At the top of my list are two festival films from last year's list but which only came to theaters in 2008.

1.The Pool (USA). Set in India, a poor, 18-year-old man/boy's tentative quest for a better life. The story is so simple, the acting so natural. Even a surprise ending. And none of it maudlin.
2.4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (Romania). A young woman helps her friend get an illegal abortion in communist Romania. Long, contemplative takes root this thriller.
3.Lion's Den (Argentina). A possibly innocent young inmate's baby is taken from her. Fascinating, complex character.
4.The Wave (Germany). Thriller based on the true story of a high school autocracy project gone awry.
5.Red (USA). Brian Cox's tour de force as an old man who sinks to extreme means to get an apology from the teens who killed his dog.
6.Momma's Man (USA). A young family man visits his parents and can't seem to bring himself to leave. More thoughtful and less humorous than it sounds.
7.The Wrestler (USA). Terrifically told and acted story of an aging wrestler. I don't like pro wrestling but I loved this, including the humorous and poignant backstage moments.
8.Happy-Go-Lucky (UK). A cheery young woman deals with life's less cheery. An absolutely winning performance from Sally Hawkins.
9.Worlds Apart (Denmark). Some caricaturing, but mostly very thoughtful and moving look at a 17-year-old Jehovah's Witness's romance with an older outsider.
10.Hunger. (UK). The most challenging film on this list for content and storytelling techniques both. A story of brutality against IRA prisoners in 1981 somewhat abruptly switches from a couple main prisoners to Bobby Sands' 1981 prison hunger strike. The brilliant use of long takes is not for the impatient.

Other standouts: One of my favorites from Sundance 2007, Teeth, got released in theaters early 2008. Also, Frozen River, I've Loved You So Long, Shotgun Stories, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, and Kisses.