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.
J.R. Jones
Chicago Reader
Best Film
1 – Wendy and Lucy
2 – The Visitor
3 – At the Death House Door
4 – Happy-Go-Lucky
5 – The Edge of Heaven
6 – Standard Operating Procedure
7 – Frownland
8 – Boy A
9 – Frozen River
10 – Lakeview Terrace
Best Performance
1 – Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
2 – Michelle Williams, Wendy and Lucy
3 – Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
4 – Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
5 – Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Best Supporting Performance
1 – Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
2 – Eddie Marsan, Happy-Go-Lucky
3 – Debra Winger, Rachel Getting Married
4 – Ken Jacobs, Momma’s Man
5 – Jeffrey Donovan, Changeling
Best Director
Kelly Reichardt, Wendy and Lucy
Best Screenplay
Thomas McCarthy, The Visitor
Best First Feature
Frozen River
Best Documentary
At the Death House Door
Best Undistributed Film
1 – You, the Living
2 – Les Plages d’Agnes
3 – Is There Anybody There?
4 – Jerichow
5 – Ain’t Scared
6 – Anywhere, U.S.A.
Note: NOT RANKED
Comments
“Wendy and Lucy” has been rated R not to protect children, but to protect parents from their children’s questions.
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