Jeremy and the Movies Best DVDs he bought in 2008

In lieu of my top ten films of 2008 (which will be a long time coming) I've decided to share with you some of the best movies I've added to my DVD collection this year. Some of the films were the first time I ever saw them, while others were early favorites that I just hadn't gotten around to buying. So here in a very random order are my favorite movies I've purchased this past year.Two-Lane Blacktop: After a high recommendation from Kim Morgan and because of my undying love for minimalist cinema and Dennis Wilson, I just had to see this film. Needless to say I was not disappointed. I've never been much of a fan of race car movies or road movies themselves for the most part. However director Monte Hellman makes this film into something more. The ending to this movie is one of the most satisfying yet ambiguous ones I've seen. I intend to revisit this film soon.

The Bicycle Thieves: This film has been on constant top ten lists along with "Citizen Kane" and "Rules of the Game", yet it has always eluded me. It seems like a cliche now to comment on this film's greatness, but the moving story between a father and son as they search for a stolen bike which represents their families lively hood never loses its impact, especially now as we again face harsh economic times.

The Furies: I have a strong affinity with westerns of all kinds, and I consider director Anthony Mann to be a master of the genre perhaps second only to John Ford. This was Criterion Collection's first in what I hope will be a series of Mann films. I'd never seen it before but with Mann directing and Barbara Stanwyck starring along with Walter Huston (in his final film) I couldn't pass it up. It stars a stubborn larger than life land baron (Huston) and a battle of wills with his equally passionate daughter (Stanwyck). It's classic Shakespearean melodrama set in the old west.

The Tin Star: Another Anthony Mann film this time a little less ambitious but entertaining none the less. Anthony Perkins stars as a young lawman who is in over his head with a sinful town. He turns to old pro Henry Fonda for some fatherly advice. The film shares a lot in common with classic westerns "Rio Bravo" and "High Noon" but has its own tone. I wouldn't call it a classic film, but for anyone who's a western aficionado like me it's a must see. Plus it's just fun to see a pre-"Psycho" Perkins playing a good guy along with good old Fonda.

Lubitsch Musicals: 2008 might just go down in my own personal history as the year I got to know Lubitsch. Oh sure I knew of him before, but this time I finally found out just why he was so special. My first steps started with this "Eclipse" series which specifies on overlooked films by famous directors. The Lubitsch Musicals may be my very favorite from this series that I own. Anyone who isn't charmed by these films should go to the nearest hospital and check their pulse.

Man of the West: What do you know? Another Anthony Mann western. This one is a clear inspiration of Shakespeare's "King Lear" told in a panoramic widescreen featuring Gary Cooper is one of his last great roles. Cooper plays a man who is escaping his criminal past only to run into his old gang again run by a maniacal father figure Lee J. Cobb. the film is full of so many great moments and psychological action, it's a must for any film fan.

Vampyr: Dreyer's complex and visually stunning film about a young man who finds himself taken to an unnatural world of horror. Although it's difficult to describe this film as a horror, it definitely contains aspects of the genre. The film is more of an exercise in style and doesn't really follow a linear storyline, but I found it fascinating nonetheless with some of the best examples of shadow and light. I have seen very little of Theodore Dreyer's work but I am intrigued to visit more of his films.

Jules and Jim: I gave up my cheaper version of this film for the much better criterion version. I love all my criterion films, but I think this is my favorite of the collection. Despite the fact that I think this is one of the greatest films ever made, it is full of great special features including various interviews with Francois Truffaut along with a booklet containing some criticisms of the film and a few of Truffaut's own words when he was a film critic. The whole package is a must for any Truffaut fan.

Ikiru: Kurosawa's modern tale of a man who finds out he's dying from stomach cancer and wanting to do something meaningful with his life before he dies is as life affirming as any film gets. This year was the first time I saw this film even though it was on my must-see list for a number of years. It's a comforting film and one of Kurosawa's best, I intend to revisit it more and more, I have a feeling my appreciation for it will only grow.

The Godfather Trilogy: I don't know how many times I've owned this trilogy of films which pretty much should be a fixture on any body's film collection. The first two are masterpieces while the third one can be now seen as somewhat under appreciated. While I think most mafia themed films are a little passe, you can't deny the power of this collection, plus they look better than ever, along with some extra added features for any fan of the films.

To Be or Not To Be: Lubitsch's great satire on the world of actors and Nazis. It trails a fine line between good and bad taste, but remember this is Lubitsch we're talking about and he always keeps things likable and charming even when the subject matter is this dark. All I remember of this film is I laughed really hard and I even when I couldn't think I could love Jack Benny or Carol Lombard even more than I do, I see this film.

The Hitchcock Premier Collection: October was the month of Hitchcock. Even though I loved the new special editions of "Rear Window", "Vertigo" and "Psycho", I was probably more impressed with this neat little box set containing some of Hitchcock's best regarded films ("Rebecca", "Notorious") to his better lesser known films ("Sabotage" "Young and Innocent"). I had not seen some of the films in this set which made me love it even more. This box set would not disappoint any fan of the master.


Other films that deserve special attention: Bresson's "Mouchette" is a wonderful film of a young girl who finds hardship at every turn. I had not seen a Bresson film before and this introduced me to a whole different world of film.

Welles' "Touch of Evil" for anyone who loves this film, the new special edition includes all three versions of the film including Welles' definitive director's cut.

And finally.....Eclipse Series "Silent Ozu" and "An Autumn Afternoon". Yasujiro Ozu is a filmmaking master and I'll never get tired telling everyone that. Whenever an Ozu film pops up I'll be there. "Silent Ozu" focuses on this early work of the 30s when he was reluctant to turn to sound. They include some classic family comedies including his most famous "I was Born But...". his final feature "An Autumn Afternoon" is a last testament to the great director as he re-examines the themes between an old widowed man who is forced to marry of his daughter. The film is more reflective and nostalgic of happier times than more of his earlier work. They are all sublime works by a master filmmaker.