As a companion piece to Woody Allen’s new film Vicky Cristina Barcelona, I used last week’s poll to spotlight the European works of Woody Allen. And while Woody has consistently begun making movies overseas in the past few years after more than three decades specializing in the New York scene, it should surprise no one that the favorite Euro-Woody film of Screengrab readers was the sole eligible film from his “early, funny” years, 1975’s Love and Death. Allen’s gag-filled satire of Russian literature brought in 53% of the vote, followed by his UK debut, Match Point, with 27%. Cassandra’s Dream and Scoop brought in 13% and 7% respectively, while Vicky Cristina garnered no votes whatsoever. So much for the persuasive power of Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz kissing.
This week, as we look forward to the fall “prestige movie season”, it does us good to look back at the best movies of the first eight months of the year. Spring and summer 2008 have brought us a number of very good arthouse releases, plus a better crop of summer movies than we’ve seen in a while. But which are the best? I checked on Rotten Tomatoes to find the most acclaimed films of the year that have received a minimum of 100 rated reviews on the site. The five contenders this week are a diverse bunch, but which is your favorite of the five?
So, what’ll it be? The latest release from the Pixar animation juggernaut? The Palme d’Or winning Romanian abortion drama? An inventive documentary about the man who walked the tightrope between the Twin Towers? The Oscar-winner for Best Foreign-Language Film? Or will it be the most buzzed-about superhero blockbuster in, well, ever? You decide. And remember, the comments section is open. See you next week!
