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"Waltz with Bashir," by Israeli Ari Folman. Quite simply, 2008's

71.34.247.27

best film.
It must rank as one of the greatest war films of all time--- yet it is animated and, very unusually, an animated documentary!
A middle-aged Israeli who was part of the army which invaded Lebanon, and who was within "a few hundred yards" of the Sabra and Shatila Massacre in which 3,000 unarmed Palestinian were slaughtered, has a recurrent dream which is oddly lyrical-- with no specificity and no recollection of violence of any sort.
He begins an odyssey to visit his unit mates to see if their recollections can jar his; he also visits a psychologist friend as well as a famous journalist that was one of the massacre's discoverers.
This journey through hell is far more Conradian than the bloated, excessive, indulgent, and romanticizing "Apocalypse Now."
Be warned: because it is a documentary, you will not be able to detach yourself from some of the very disturbing images; this is not really "entertainment" but rather a journey into your own soul with Folman as your hesitant guide.

Follow Ups:

RE: "Waltz with Bashir," by Israeli Ari Folman. Quite simply, 2008's - Daryl Zero 10:03:59 03/01/09 (0)
Not having seen most of the movies out, this has been my favorite this year. I am still waiting to see the French film "The Class" before I make my final choice.

Edits: 03/01/09
It's brilliant...gives perfect meaning to "Let slip the dogs of war"...but the best of 2008? - Tony D. 12:15:02 02/28/09 (8)
There have been so many great and amazingly well crafted/acted films in 2008 that it is hard to put a finger on the 'best' and while WWB is truly a great bit of film making IMO it is not the best that last year had to offer.

I think I can see why you might think it best but if you strip away the filter you are watching it through then...it's a another great film among many of last year.

J.B.
- His filter? Oh, you mean his "bias." - J.R. 08:45:34 03/02/09 (2)
  Less than a thousand dead, probably about 800, murdered by Phalangists
  commanded by the odious Elie Hobeika, in revenge for the murders of
  Bashir Gemeyal and about twenty followers a few days earlier. Regards,
  
  J.R.
  - Actually I was thinking along the lines of a gel or filter that can colour ones perception. - Tony D. 12:24:00 03/02/09 (1)
    What with this being the Films forum and all...but yes, bias is the direct way of expressing what I meant.
    
    BTW, have you seen 'Adam Resurrected'? Jeff Goldblum, Willem Dafoe starring with an excellent cast. I'm kind of surprised that there has not been more buzz around this film, I hope it doesn't get completely lost amid the likes of 'The Reader' etc.
    
    J.B.
    - I'll be checking out "Adam Ressurected"; last night I watched "Everything is Illuminated." - J.R. 06:38:48 03/03/09 (0)
      Sweet and touching without being maudlin. Not overtly political even
      though it dealt with the holocaust. Regards,
      
      J.R.
- Outside of "Let the Right One In," which instantly takes its place among - tinear 12:53:16 02/28/09 (4)
  the best of the horror genre, I can't think of another "great" film, except Bashir. I'd be interested in knowing what "great" films you found in '08.
  - Other than the obvious like 'The Edge of Heaven' ? 'Okuribito' , 'The Class' , 'Gururi no Koto' , - Tony D. 16:01:58 02/28/09 (3)
    'Adam Resurrected'
    
    'Must Read After My Death' Released in Canada in 2008.
    
    I could list more but there was no shortage of great films in 2008 and of course this is an IMO situation where we all have to find our own 'Great Films' list.
    
    J.B.
    - None of the films you mention, except "The Edge of Heaven," has been - tinear 19:49:37 02/28/09 (2)
      released anywhere near here so I cannot comment upon them.
      The Edge I enjoyed but I don't think it's a ***** effort: it uses too many facile plot devices. If indeed it is to make a point, and not just a cop-out to tie up ends to further the drama--- it is inexcusably heavy-handed. This was done many years ago, in Dicken's day, within the novel but was abandoned as self-serving, obvious.
      A good film, yes. But I'd argue nowhere near the pinnacle of disorientation shown in, for example, some of Fassbinder's films.
      Let the Right One and Bashir, I'd argue, favorably CAN be compared to the best in their respective genres and should occupy places not far from the top.
      - See 'The Class', 'Okuribito' and 'Must Read After My Death'. - Tony D. 12:36:24 03/01/09 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: None of the films you mention, except "The Edge of Heaven," has been posted by tinear on February 28, 2009 at 19:49:37
        
        Then decide if you still think WWB is the best film of 2008...'The Class' is IMO a much better film. But like I said this is all IMO.
        'The Edge of Heaven' I disagree with your assessment of this film "it is inexcusably heavy-handed" when it is actually atmospheric and deeply human.
        PS "it uses too many facile plot devices" etc. I gave up on these type of technical/formulation criticisms of film and theatre a while back and I've been concentrating on gleaning the humanity and spiritual qualities of these art forms. Like 'Gran Torino' for instance, it is a flawed film in a few ways IMO but I chose to watch around these flaws and catch the glimpses of truth and beauty that Eastwood offered.
        
        J.B.
        
        Edits: 03/01/09
        
        We agree on, "Gran Torino." That film was near the top of my '08 list. nt - tinear 17:56:26 03/01/09 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: See 'The Class', 'Okuribito' and 'Must Read After My Death'. posted by Tony D. on March 01, 2009 at 12:36:24
        
        d

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