Top 10 of 2008

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (David Fincher)
2. Rachel Getting Married (Jonathan Demme)
3. The Wrestler (Darren Aronofsky)
4. Snow Angels (David Gordon Green)
5. The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan)
6. Synecdoche, New York (Charlie Kauffman)
7. In Bruges (Martin McDonagh)
8. Burn After Reading (Joel and Ethan Coen)
9. Dear Zachary (Kurt Kuenne)
10. Milk (Gus Van Sant)

A haunting story about redemption

"The Wrestler"
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood
****/****

Great directors are those who often re-invent themselves after a few films. Darren Aronofsky has just re-invented himself with his 4th feature, "The Wrestler." Aronofsky has also resurrected an acting career in Mickey Rourke, who was more than left for dead a decade ago.

The topic of wrestling has never been tackled in a film, the documentary "Beyond the Mat," has been the only true look into professional wrestling done by a film-maker. I grew up a wrestling fan as a kid, I would order every Pay-Per-View event, and if I was lucky I would go to Cleveland or Pittsburgh to view one. The whole idea of a scripted wrestling match done by trained athletes could seem ridiculous to some, but millions of fans have followed the sport for decades.

"The Wrestler," successfully shows the end of an era for a wrestler who was big in the 80's but has faded into obscurity. Mickey Rourke plays Randy "The Ram" Robinson, an 80's fan favorite, who is now at the end of his time, he now wrestles in local gyms, halls, and run down arenas. He is broke, alienated from his daughter, and alone. He leaves in a trailer in Jersey, where he regularly can't pay the rent. When he doesn't have a low-paying wrestling gig on the weekend, he goes to a strip club to see his favorite dancer Cassidy, played by Tomei.

Aronofsky takes a very indie approach to making this film, the budget was only 6 million, and Aronofksy shoots the whole film hand held. There are no fancy shots, or edits, only an actor and a director telling an intimate story. The film doesn't capture the high-caliber wrestling shows that the WWE would represent, but the lower level circuits that travel through small towns to put on shows. Aronofsky captures the behind the scenes real life stuff with authenticity. All of these wrestlers are friends looking out for each other, before the match they go over what they will do in attempt to fire the audience up. After one brutal fight that Randy is involved in, he walks back to the dressing room with medics waiting to treat him, he suffers a heart attack and wakes up in a hospital.

Mickey represents Randy in every sense of the word, they are each other through and through. While most of the other wrestlers have different persona's in the ring, Randy doesn't, he IS Randy "The Ram" . After Randy's heart attack, he attempts to visit his estranged daughter Stephanie played effectively by Evan Rachel Wood. They're relationship now means the world to a man that can no longer do what he loves. When the opportunity comes around for "The Ram," to face a rival opponent in the ring on the 20th anniversary of their last match, he must risk his health and career on one last match.

The film could have been over-wrought with cliches, but screen-writer Robert Siegel humanizes the 3 main characters in the film. Mickey Rourke's career-comeback has stemmed from this brutally honest performance; his physical ability along with his battered real life persona have created a likable character that wants redemption.

Marisa Tomei as the love interest/stripper is deeply touching, she along with Randy, depend on their bodies to live, a strong parallel that connects them. Tomei, along with Rourke will get nominated for their tough performances.

Films like these don't come along often, original ideas blended with a realistic approach by a director who based his last 3 films on style more than story. Aronofsky's vision, along with his ability to awaken a forgotten actor, have proved to be worthwhile in this exhilarating tale of a man who has become the product of his environment. "The Wrestler," is in limited release now, but should expand wide in the coming weeks, its as true a film as you will see this year.

A relevant topic that speaks to any decade.

"Milk"
Starring: Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, James Franco, Diego Luna
***.5/****

Sean Penn disappears into this chameleon like role as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay male elected into public office in San Francisco in 1978.

It’s easy to forget that Penn is Harvey Milk, this is a sign of a great performance.
Director Gus Van Sant has made his name directing minimalist dramas about youth; his themes of death and alienation have consumed his last three films. With "Milk", Van Sant re-invents himself, other than Good Will Hunting, this is Van Sant’s most accessible and straightforward film. He manages to re-create the 1970’s time period with documentary style footage from that decade. This plays more like a docudrama than anything, giving the viewer the notion that they are living this film, which I felt. Most of the film takes place on Castro street in San Francisco, a widely gay populated area where Harvey Milk first opened a camera shop on Castro street, making it also a place to congregate and hang out. The camera shop later turned into a campaign center for Harvey, as he and his followers populated the area with their liberal ideas and hopes.

James Franco is possibly the films biggest surprise. He has had a quite a year, and is clearly breaking out with his performance in Milk. He plays Scott, Harvey’s on and off lover, Franco brings subtlety and emotion to what could have been an easy throwaway role.

Emile Hirsch shows new range, as Cleve Jones, a hands on gay activist who fights alongside Harvey Milk throughout the film. Hirsch who was directed by Penn in “Into the Wild,” has made a name for himself as one of the best young male actors working today.

Josh Brolin is somewhat of a mystery throughout this film, his character is truly the wild-card in the cast and in the film. Brolin has come off a red-hot 2007, and continues to find success with any role he consumes. He played George Bush, and he also plays a demanding city supervisor named Dan White. Brolin can say more with silence than many other actors, his stillness is haunting and his presence alone is noteworthy. White and Harvey are dynamic together, always needling each other for support and favors.

The film is a history lesson, and a relevant one at that. This film couldn’t’ have come out at a better time, 2008 saw changes that will go down in history, just like the changes that Harvey Milk stood for in the 1970’s.

The film also manages to pack in a plethora of information and characters, in just under 2 hours. Van Sant’s pacing is spot on, and his shots are always precise. "Milk" is a smart breed of acting, writing and editing, with all of the key characters representing something. In the end, the film transcends the usual biopic standards, creating a powerful and worthwhile experience.

Mendes, Leo and Kate provide 1950's angst, and a bit more

"Revolutionary Road"
Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates, Michael Shannon
***/****

Not many directors can dramatize suburban angst better than Sam Mendes. A director of darker themed films, Mendes' 4th film is "Revolutionary Road." This domestic drama re-unites Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet for the first time since "Titanic."

The film, based off of the cult novel by Richard Yates takes place in the mid 1950's. It tells of two young dreamers, Frank and April. When they both meet at the start of the film they are instantly attracted to each other. Frank speaks of returning to Paris as soon as possible, "People are alive there, not like here," he says. April is immediately drawn to his desire and ambition. April of course is a struggling actor, who has just starred in a badly reviewed local play as we see that she eventually married Frank.

They have two kids and a nice suburban home with red shutters. Frank commutes to work via train everyday with his gray suited, cigarette smoking co-workers, while April attends to the home like a nice and proper stay at home mom. They have everything and nothing. The film transports us right into their struggling marriage, they aren't happy anymore; all of their young dreams have vanished into this air as life as taken ahold of them.

Frank is the guy you would see in a 1950's magazine or newspaper, his styled hair, the proper suits, and the occasional affair with a new trainee just after martini's at Frank's place of choosing.

April craves and wants more, she figures she can convince Frank to move them to Paris, once and for all. A new life will be waiting; April can work, and Frank can pursue dreams other than being a 9-5 office worker. Paris is a dream, a symbol of fresh beginnings that Frank and April hope can save their marriage. When several things get in the way of that dream, the Wheelers crumble from the inside out, making for some heavy dramatic scenes played out in this haunting yet beautiful suburb.

Some fine supporting performances are turned in by Kathy Bates, who plays a realtor who one days brings her mentally unstable son to visit Frank and Wheeler; the son played by Michael Shannon breathes some comic relief and truth to the story. He sees right through the Wheelers, and pegs them for who they are, two people who want to play "house."

Mendes does a fantastic job with the mood and setting of the film. His shot selection is revealing, devastating, and true. He has yet to make a bad film, this being his 4th. His wife Kate Winslet has already won The Golden Globe, and could easily win the Oscar for her brutally honest depiction of a fractured female with no escape from unhappiness.

"Revolutionary Road" is certainly bleak in tone, but if your a fan of "Mad Men," the novel by Yates, or Kate and Leo, this film will appeal to you.

Frost/Nixon provides solid characters, but is light on the dramatics

"Frost/Nixon"
Starring: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Sam Rockwell, Oliver Platt, Kevin Bacon, Rebecca Hall
***/****

Ron Howard is a likeable director known for connecting with audiences; he makes relatable films that usually include real life stories and forgotten characters. His filmography includes such films as, "Apollo 13," A Beautiful Mind," and "Cinderella Man."

With "Frost/Nixon," Howard re-creates the interviews between playboy talk-show host David Frost, and legendary President Richard Nixon. The film was adapted from a play, in which both actors, Michael Sheen and Frank Langella, orginally portrayed their respected characters.

Having never seen the play, I can only assume that Ron Howard felt enthused by the idea of having more liberties and freedom by having shown this story on the screen rather than the stage. With that being said, the film plays like a standard history lesson.

Michael Sheen plays David Frost, a highly regarded TV personality in Britain, Frost schemes along with a few researchers to interview Richard Nixon after his initial resignation. Frost's crew are played by strong character actors such as Sam Rockwell and Oliver Platt, both whom would love to make Nixon confess to covering up Watergate.

Now to Frank Langella, an aging and overlooked actor who has never garnered the attention for a performance until this film. Langella's re-creation of sorts is original and familiar. Langellas wears a droopy face, and tan skin giving off the recognizeable figure of "Tricky Dick." Langella will surely receive his fair share of award-circuit mention as he relishes this dream role. I also want to mention Kevin Bacon, who plays one of Nixon's key advisors, Bacon is one of those past leading men, who have come to accept and thrive in supporting roles.

The film plays like a boxing match, in which both characters try to gain the upperhand through a series of taped interviews. Sheen has the right amount of charisma and charm to play off of the complicated and layered character of Nixon, these two make a solid on-screen pair.

With a few things holding this back from being great, "Frost/Nixon," remains a solid re-creating of history, where once again Ron Howard has proved to be on of the most consistent working directors.

A sad, but important documentary

"Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father"
Starring: Kurt Kuenne, Zachary Andrew, David Bagby, Kate Bagby, Andrew Bagby
***.5/****

Kurt Kuenne is a documentary film-maker who has made home movies ever since he was a kid. Growing up he had a close friend named Andrew Bagby, everyone loved Andrew, many adjectives could define the man. Their friendship remained intact as they reached adulthood. With "Dear Zachary," Kuenne has decided to document Andrew's life for his young son Zachary . For those who haven't heard of this true life story, I will briefly tell of it, so people can hopefully discover this film on their own.

Andrew Bagby was your average Joe, he came from a good family, most notably two lovable parents named David and Katherine. They raised Andrew to become the man he was up until his life was taken from him. The person who took his life was his ex-girlfriend Shirley Turner. Police later gathered evidence, but Shirley skipped town and went to Newfoundland where she was eventually able to walk freely without justice.

As Kuenne tells this powerful and heartbreaking story, he reveals portions of it slowly. He talks to a lot of Andrew's family, friends, and colleagues. The film runs only about 95 minutes, but will likely draw anyone in from the start.

As the film progresses, we found out that Shirley was eventually pregnant with Andrew's baby, most of the film is about the struggle of custody over Shirley and Andrew's parents to keep the child. As soon as we feel the story is predictable, another layer is revealed which I will not tell about.

This story is meant to be sought out, it's a film about ordinary people facing the daily grief and loss that makes us human. Kuenne has crafted a documentary about strong people, weak people, and the laws that connect us.

Seek "Dear Zachary" out at your own risk, the film will knock you out again and again.