Lists, 1/3.

By David Hudson on 01/03/2009

Today's list roundup needs to be posted a bit earlier than usual because I just can't wait to point you toward this terrific bit of online viewing from Jim Emerson: "The best of 2008 in just under 8 minutes.... Coming soon: Shot-by-shot commentary (or, why I chose these particular shots for my tribute to the year's best favoritest). And, of course, the second annual Exploding Head Awards!"

"Along with the boom in social fantasy, the Depression also produced a boom in social realism, with harsh dramas like 'I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang' (1932), 'Wild Boys of the Road' (1933), 'Dead End' (1937) and 'The Grapes of Wrath' (1940)," writes JR Jones. "Their artistic heir in 2008 was Kelly Reichardt's 'Wendy and Lucy,' my favorite film of the year, which screened at the Chicago International Film Festival in October and opens at the Music Box at the end of this month."

Also for the Chicago Reader, Pat Graham tops his "valedictory list of favorite films for 2008" with Jia Zhangke's "Still Life."

The latest lists at GreenCine: Erin Donovan on "Movies About Women" (#1: "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day") and Craig Phillips's top... well, 11 actually. #1: "Let the Right One In": "Doe-eyed Lina Leandersson as Eli, the lonely (eternally) 12 year old vampire and Kåre Hedebrant's Oskar are an unforgettable pair and you won't shake the ending any time soon."

"Ten is a fine figure with which to tally digits, dimes, and dames, but movies?" asks Marc Savlov. "Not so good. Even the worst year has twice that many overlooked, under-marketed, or unreleased gems that simply beg to be seen, and believed. Hence this addendum list. Ten extremely worthy films (in one case a book) that didn't make it onto my official Austin Chronicle year end canon." #1: "'Heavy Metal in Baghdad' is exactly what it sounds like, and it rocks like few documentaries do."

Yair Raveh is back (and explains where he's been) and has a top ten. His #1: "Synecdoche, New York."

Michael Wilmington at Movie City News on his #1: "Anyone who loves movies or rock 'n' roll, or both, and doesn't get blown away at 'Shine a Light' - the roaring new concert film/documentary with the Rolling Stones, directed by Martin Scorsese - just isn't trying." And: "This year, my pick for best movie and best single DVD are one and the same. Who says you can't get no satisfaction?"

Harry Knowles's #1 Blu-ray: "The Day the Earth Stood Still" - the original, of course.

[Photo: "In Bruges," Focus Features, 2008]

Tags: DVD, The Promise