indieWIRE CRITICS' POLL '08 | Jonathan Rosenbaum

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.

Jonathan Rosenbaum
Freelance; jonathanrosenbaum.com

Best Film
1 - The Silence Before Bach
2 - The Exiles
3 - Trouble the Water
4 - The Order of Myths
5 - Flight of the Red Balloon
6 - The Lucky Ones
7 - Opera Jawa
8 - Momma's Man
9 - Gran Torino
10 - The Band's Visit

Best Performance
1 - Rachel McAdams, The Lucky Ones
2 - Tim Robbins, The Lucky Ones
3 - Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino
4 - Michelle Williams, Wendy and Lucy
Note: NOT RANKED

Best Supporting Performance
1 - Flo Jacobs, Momma's Man
2 - Eddie Marsan, Happy-Go-Lucky

Best Director
Pere Portabella, The Silence Before Bach

Best Screenplay
Guy Maddin, My Winnipeg

Best First Feature
Charlie Bartlett

Best Documentary
Doc

Best Undistributed Film
1 - RR
2 - 24 City
3 - Of Time and the City
4 - Me and Orson Welles
5 - Summer Hours
6 - Lowlands
7 - Some Photos in the City of Sylvia
8 - Les Plages D'Agnes
9 - End of the Rainbow
10 - Ploy
Note: NOT RANKED