Even in their lesser films, one can say their top directors. Each film is expertly done, and here with A Serious Man, they’re in prime form. The way they filmed the retro 1960s look, staging of scenes, and more importantly, for the comedic aspects, the set up, delivery, and punch-line for the laughs, prove that they are one of the few directors working, that are consistently putting out strong films, year after year. A new Coen Brothers film every year? Works for me.

Unlike their other comedy (and let’s be honest, that their comedy is far different than what most would broadly categorize comedy as) films, A Serious Man is far more ambiguous, yet still highly enjoyable. Most won’t get everything in the film, and I won’t blame them. This much is certain: Larry Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg) is a happy middle class Jewish family man, with a nice career as a college professor, until one day everything starts to unravel. I will say the film feels like it’s an inside joke for the Coens and their fellow Jewish friends, since there’s plenty of talk and happenings that deal with Jewish religious practices, and while a strict knowledge isn’t needed to enjoy the film, it might help reveal some of the more ambiguous ideas they have. I will say that maybe only the Coens can make a film like this, something that feels like their most mature picture, but despite that damn ambiguous word, second by second, A Serious Man is highly entertaining.

At times, A Serious Man feels like a religious fable as told by the Coens, in that Coen Brothers way of telling things. In some interviews, they gleefully remarked on how much fun they had coming up with more bad things for their character of Larry Gopnik to go through, and an acute viewer will get a sense that maybe, if anything, A Serious Man is a modern retelling of the Old Testament story of the Job, and no matter how much pain and suffering Job goes through from God, he still has undying faith for Him. That’s easy to see. Larry is constantly asking for rabbi’s help and advice, and no matter how much crap he goes through, like a wife planning a divorce, trouble making brother who lives on his couch, work issues with a student trying to pay him off for a better grade, racist hick neighbor, he never repents and always beliefs. God is unseen, but you make the case God in A Serious Man is the Coen Brothers and of course, Job is Larry. How much more can Larry take? At the end, the Coens let it all out on him, and we will never know.

Even more interesting, is the pre-title Yiddish vampire fable. How does it tie into the happenings of Larry, I don’t really know, but that’s the fun outside of the humor, albeit dark humor, of A Serious Man. The Coens are on a hot streak, no doubt about that, and while some really won’t want to wrestle with what they’re doing here, that’s fine, because the rest of us will enjoy their stellar collection of characters and welcome Larry Gopnik into their stable of memorable characters. Michael Stuhlbarg, a relatively unknown stage actor, who plays Larry, might have just turned in one of the best male lead performances in 2009.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Film:

The Coens are coming off an incredible sweep at last year’s Academy Awards, mounting last year’s most dominating film, No Country for Old Men. I don’t know how much personal thought they put into choosing their next project after winning the two biggest Oscars, Best Picture and Best Director, but fans will ponder. It’s too bad most will even question this, as Burn After Reading is a really good film. If No Country for Old Men is like pitching a no-hitter in baseball, anything else is impossible to stand up next to such perfection, but the Coen Brothers come out for their follow-up, and pitched superbly, like a two-hit gem.

The plot is simple enough; two dimwits find a CD that could contain some ’secret FBI shit’, as Chad (Brad Pitt) puts it, but in reality it’s just the working memoirs of an ex-agent (the wonderful John Malkovich), Osborn Cox. But the Coens just run with it, as everyone knows it’s just memoirs except for every character in the film, sans Cox. This the film plays out like a spy film, similar to the films the Cold War era gave us. Everyone’s paranoid, the music is pulsing, and tension runs high. Except that the film follows ‘morons in a league of morons’ as Cox put it.

There are plenty of chances for the Coens to put in dark humor and they do. JK Simmons has a brief part as a head honcho at the FBI, but steals the ending right out from most of the perfectly cast actors. Brad Pitt nearly steals the show with his Chad, who’s a lovable gym instructor but clueless as all hell. Clooney runs with his worm of a character, an internet-love seeker with plenty of quirks. To me though, this film is Malkovich’s show. He owns every scene and is in the film’s funniest and best scene with Chad. It superbly written, as Chad is unknowingly blackmailing Cox into what he thinks should be a just reward for the CD. Cox is not amused at the attempt and can see right through Chad’s naivety. Pitt adds these little eye slants that add to his character Chad, who thinks he’s being smart and is involved with something serious. He isn’t and the comedy plays against Malkovich’s serious tone. It’s pretty hilarious scene.

Like No Country for Old Men, the ending is somewhat of a tangent but reviewing it closer fully adds to the overall film experience. While it isn’t as ambiguous as ‘No Country’s’, it helps the overall theme of the film. The film is a satirical look at the spy genre with multiple characters being unwillingly roped into something beyond them.  Each one is as clueless as the next and it’s ultimately confusion by JK Simmons’s character that sums up the film. A September release seemed odd for a follow-up to an Oscar winning picture but was the right move. It’ll allow Burn After Reading the proper time to be correctly evaluated instead of a late fall release which would have put it into thicker scrutiny.

This is a dark film in terms of where it goes to find its humor, but Burn After Reading is a really good film, worth seeing almost immediately if not for Pitt or Malkovich, but for more Coen goodness.

The Blu Ray:

Audio/Video: This isn’t a flashy film but both the audio and the video sound and look nice in high def. You’ll notice nice detail and a full audio ambiance.

Finding the Burn: Sadly, just a few interviews running six minutes. Lame EPK stuff. In HD.

DC Insiders: This feature is a bit better, with deeper interviews and a little longer running at 15 minutes or so. In HD.

Welcome Back, George: A very brief piece on the Coens and Clooney’s three film together.

Conclusion: A different, darkly comic ride with the Coens. A decent high def disc, although in typical Coen fashion slim, very slim extras. Rent for everyone else except Coen fans, which should buy.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Here are this year’s nominees:

The Dark Knight

Vicky Christina Barcelona

The Wrestler

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Doubt

Burn after Reading

Frost/Nixon

The Visitor

Milk

Source: Gold Derby

Like any year, I can only see so much and while I try to see everything, some films either haven’t opened yet in my market (like Frost/Nixon, The Wrestler, Revolutionary Road) or unfortunately, I haven’t got to see for me to consider for this list. There’s been a lot of solid films, ones that are good enough to easily recommend (like Slumdog Millionaire, Role Models, Zach and Miri Make a Porno, and Incredible Hulk) but I just feel these 20 films (10 honorable mentions and 10 best) are worth any effort and any way possible to see, so out of the hundreds of films I did see, I weaved them down to this:

Best Documentary:

1- Up the Yangtze: Stirring and provocative, this documentary needs to be seen as it showcases the evolution of a country’s status before our eyes and the impact it brings to people who need the Yangtze River to survive. It’s simply devastating and beautiful at the same time.

2 – Man on Wire: It had more tension and suspense than any drama this year. The “Artistic Crime of the Century” has a bigger meaning when viewed in our current climate. It’s a must watch, hands down.

3 – Young@Heart: Focusing on a choir group of people no younger than 70, the film is delightful, funny, and heart-warming.

Honorable Mentions: Bigger, Stronger, Faster; Religulous, and Gonzo-The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson.

Best Movie to See with a Crowd: Repo! A Genetic Opera

Best Direct-to-DVD Film: An American Crime

Best Direct-to-DVD Horror Film: Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer

Now, I present you the Best Films of 2008:

Honorable Mentions: (20) JCVD; (19) Burn After Reading; (18) Redbelt; (17) Synecdoche, New York; (16) Son of Rambow; (15) Paranoid Park; (14) Tropic Thunder; (13) Inside (A l’interieur); (12) Trans Siberian; (11) Iron Man

10 – Ballast: Lance Hammer perfectly captures the Mississippi Delta and the people who live there, in this moody drama. Light on dialogue but heavy on emotions, Hammer lets the actors do what they feel naturally as he captures this oncoming storm of sadness in their lives. A fine example of American independent filmmaking.

9 – In Bruges: Sharply written, brutally dark humor, and totally forgotten by most critics this time of year. Coin Farrell is amazing and when he karate chops the midget, it’s about the funniest scene this year. I could go on and on the dialogue but it’s best to just enjoy it yourself. A spicy hit man film that pleases every second of its running time.

8 – Chop Shop: Lots of people are raving about Slumdog Millionaire and giving it a chance at being one of the five for Best Picture comes Oscar time. Scratch that. Here’s my pick for Slumdog’s slot. Gripping camerawork and style, the actors are more real like a documentary, than characters in a narrative, as young Ale tries to cope with his poor upbringing and thrive within the American Dream. Shot on location at Willets Point in New York, you won’t forget the place and its occupants.

7 – The Visitor: A sweeping character study and a look at our bureaucracy towards immigrants, the film is a rousing testament to the human spirit. I saw this in June and I still remember it fondly and as I left the theatre, I had a huge smile on my face. Still do. Remember all of the momentum Richard Jenkins had for a lock on Best Actor? Where did that all go?

6 – Let the Right On In: Many will be turned off since it’s a horror film but it’s as interesting psychologically as anything this year. Alfredson has given us a new definitive vampire story, something that is multi-layered and satisfying on all levels. Vampire films have been down-right stale for a long time and the way this film works and plays with the conventions of a vampire myth is pleasing as it is fun. A great film.

5 – 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days: Highly regarded from some critics from 2007, the vast majority of us caught up with it this year and it’s an unbelievably great film. The story takes place during the Communist reign in Romania during the 1980s and a young lady seeks her friends help about getting an abortion. The film never takes sides, which is key, and only presents the harrowing answers to their decisions under what would happen back then: death. Also, there’s no score to the film and you won’t forget you experience with it.

4 – Wall-E: One of the best sci-fi films in years just happens to be an animated film. It’s beautifully designed, featuring some of the best CG ever and a remarkable story that will stand the test of time for future generations to watch and enjoy. The crowning achievement from Pixar and I didn’t think that was possible after Ratatouille.

3 – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Long, sweeping, and I can guarantee you’ll fight tears; David Fincher has delivered a gem and one that has gotten the attention of the mainstream, which has eluded him thus far in his career. Critics forgotten his Zodiac from last year around award season and they won’t forget this. It’s a splendid story, score, acting, special effects and most of all, unforgettable.

2 – Milk: Gus Van Sant has given us two great films this year, and Milk is the best of them two. I’m amazed on how little not only I knew of Harvey Milk, as well as a lot of other people. Now that I know him, I won’t forget his story, life, and what he fought for. A powerful human drama directed by our best auteur.

1- The Dark Knight: Everyone close to me knew this was coming, but 2008’s best film is Christopher Nolan’s dark, brooding, thematically rich crime epic. Yes, a crime epic. I don’t use the term “superhero movie” with this, it’s so much more. Complex, rich with themes, and a deep story full of characters we care about, there’s no film that moved me or amazed me more this year. Best scene? When Gordon’s son asks why Batman is running, Gordon’s response is the reason this film is the best and the sum of why the character of Batman is so intriguing 80 years and counting.

My friends, that’s 2008! You can go back and reread reviews of almost all of these films if you missed one or wanted to refresh your memory here at Killer Film. Agree or disagree? Post your list below in our comments section!

Here is the full list of this years winners

Best film of the year- Slumbdog MIllionaire

Top ten films of the year: Wall-E.The curious case of benjamin button,milk,the wrestler,defiance, burn after reading,changeling,frost/nixon, and the dark knight.

Best Actor: Clint Eastwood-gran torino

Best actress: Anne Hathaway-rachel getting married

Best director: David Fincher -the curious case of benjamin button

Best supporting actor: Josh Brolin-milk

Best supporting actress: Penelope Cruz-vicky christina barcelona.

For the rest of this years nominees and winners head on over here to the national board of review

Source:nbrmp

this years submitted films include:

“27 Dresses,” “Baby Mama,” “Be Kind, Rewind,” “Bedtime Stories,” “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” “Bottle Shock,” “The Brothers Bloom,” “Burn After Reading,” “Cadillac Records,” “Charlie Bartlett,” “Choke,” “Definitely Maybe,” “Disaster Movie,” “Drillbit Taylor,” “Extra Ordinary Barry,” “Fool’s Gold,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Four Christmases,” “Get Smart,” “Ghost Town,” “Hamlet 2,” “Happy-Go-Lucky,” “High School Musical 3,” “House Bunny,” “In Bruges,” “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl,” “Last Chance Harvey,” “Leatherheads,” “Longshots,” “The Love Guru,” “Mad Money,” “Maid of Honor,” Mamma Mia!,” “Marley and Me,” “Married Life,” “Meet Dave,” “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist,” “Nim’s Island,” “Noble Son,” “Nothing Like the Holidays,” “Over Her Dead Body,” “Pineapple Express,” “A Previous Engagement,” “The Promotion,” “Repo! The Genetic Opera,” “The Rocker,” “Rocknrolla,” “Role Models,” “Run, Fat Boy, Run,” “Semi-Pro,” “Sex and the City,” “Smart People,” “Son of Rambow,” “Soul Men,” “Stepbrothers,” “Swing Vote,” “Teeth,” “Tropic Thunder,” “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns,” “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” “The Wackness,” “What Happens in Vegas,” “What Just Happened,” “Witness Protection,” “The  Women,” “Yes Man,” “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan,” “Zach and Miri Make a Porno.”

Source: Gold Derby