Musings on Film in 2008

I was thinking of posting a "10 Best Films of 2008" article until I realised I haven't actually bothered to watch ten films released this year. Instead, here are a few random thoughts I've had about the year in cinema that was:

Guilty Pleasure of 2008: Gran Torino

Some might tell you there's no formula for making a successful movie. Try getting these hypothetical cynics to tell that to Clint EastwoodClint Eastwood. He's turned himself into a McDonald's for critically successful films that are, at their core, pulpy Hollywood escapism.

Gran Torino is the story of a Korean war veteran who trains a young bullied nerd to put down his books, swear at others and drink beer like Clint. Only in this way can he become a man and defend himself from the Asian gang that's terrorizing him. It's American foreign intervention done right and wouldn't look out of place as a brainless Reagan-era action film, yet Eastwood has a skill for turning pulpy trash into critically lauded trash. His films always seem to turn a profit while being seen to have a little more substance than your average Hollywood release.

Despite the artsy pretensions of critics, it's the baser elements of Eastwood's work that make them successful. Along with the entertaining story of a scary old guy opening his heart, here's what you get to see Eastwood do in the film:

- Be a hilarious racist
- Take a bath (while his dog watches on)
- Swear at his sons, his neighbours, himself, a priest and various ethnic minorities
- Become Jesus
- Sing

I don't know how he gets away with it, but it's a laugh riot.

Worst Film of 2008: Australia

Is "Australia" as bad as everyone says it is? To be honest, I don't know. I've never seen it, and neither should you. The critical and commercial death of "Australia" (at least overseas) will bring a certain amount of hope to the idea of a few decent films coming out of this country in the future.

It would be my hope that everyone involved in the production of this film will have the integrity to say to themselves "Hey, I contributed to making a piece of shit that died in the arse at the box office. Maybe I should find another line of work". Thus leaving a space to be filled perhaps by someone with a little bit of originality or even (gasp!) talent. It's unlikely, though it did happen in America a long time ago and caused a bunch of great films to come out in the 70s.

I'm also hoping the next time someone is wondering what to do with eighty million dollars, they might decide to fund eighty films with budgets of one million dollars, thus giving pretty good odds of something decent being produced, rather than putting all their eggs one basket. That this was a basket directed by Baz Luhrman (who caused untold worldwide mental damage with the A.D.D. afflicted Moulin Rouge and as a result should never have been allowed near a camera again) should make it no surprise that the film was beaten to a pulp by critics overseas, who weren't caught up in the hype-machine we got here in Australia.

Two Great Films Still Not Available on DVD in 2008: Tom NoonanTom Noonan's "What Happened Was" and "The Wife"

Tom Noonan's film "What Happened Was" has only two characters and one apartment as a set, yet it's incredibly entertaining and insightful. "The Wife" has four characters and takes place in one house, yet its characters and situations are so gripping I can't imagine anyone not being enthralled by it. While both films are low on external "incidents", the insights on human nature given to us by Noonan make them two of the most important films of the 90s. Sadly, they probably won't ever be available on DVD, so do anything you can to see them.

Fun Thing to do in 2009: Avoid the Cineplex Altogether

It's tough to see an original film at the movies these days. It's nothing new to say that most Hollywood productions are sequels or spin-offs from comic books, TV shows, roller coasters etc. Those that have seemingly new stories will use tried-and-true Hollywood formulas to such an extent that nothing in the film surprises and you're left with the feeling of seeing it all before.

So why bother? As long as people continue paying to see the same old garbage, that's what we'll continue to get. So when you're thinking of shelling out to see "Wolverine" later this year, why not give it a miss and do something fulfilling with your time? Go for a walk, read a book or whinge on the internet about how crappy Hollywood films are. Your wallet and brain will thank you.

Best film of 2008: Happy-Go-Lucky

Mike LeighMike Leigh is an artist capable of sharing deep and complex ideas about life and human nature, and he does it through characters that are so multi-layered and realistic it's scary. "Happy-Go-Lucky" commends those who live without preconceived notions and systems of belief while itself forcing its audience to abandon prejudices of their own.