indieWIRE CRITICS' POLL '08 | Jeannette Catsoulis

This is the latest ballot in indieWIRE's 2008 Critics Poll, continuing the tradition of a national survey of critics by calling attention to the year's best -- and, in many cases, most overlooked -- films, providing a meaningful counterpoint to much of the year-end hoopla. Note that some lists are unranked at the discretion of the critic. For all categories except Best Undistributed Film, eligible feature films had first-run theatrical engagements in the U.S. during 2008. Films without a U.S. distributor, screened anywhere (festival circuit, one-off screenings, etc.), are eligible in the Best Undistributed Film category. The full list of critics poll ballots is available here at indieWIRE and tabulated results are being published by indieWIRE later this month.

Jeannette Catsoulis
New York Times, Reverse Shot, Las Vegas CityLife

Best Film
1 - Hunger
2 - Synecdoche, New York
3 - Wendy and Lucy
4 - Revolutionary Road
5 - The Last Mistress
6 - Happy-Go-Lucky
7 - Gomorrah
8 - The Class
9 - Rachel Getting Married
10 - Let the Right One In
Note: NOT RANKED

Best Performance
1 - Sean Penn, Milk
2 - Michelle Williams, Wendy and Lucy
3 - Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
4 - Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
5 - Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Note: NOT RANKED

Best Supporting Performance
1 - Josh Brolin, Milk
2 - Samantha Morton, Synecdoche, New York
3 - Debra Winger, Rachel Getting Married
4 - Eddie Marsan, Happy-Go-Lucky
5 - Viola Davis, Doubt
Note: NOT RANKED

Best Director
Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky

Best Screenplay
Charlie Kaufman, Synecdoche, New York

Best First Feature
Hunger

Best Documentary
Encounters at the End of the World