Independent films continued to be made with passion and on shoestring budgets in 2008, in spite of the shaky economy.  Unfortunately I missed many of them when they were playing near me.

These are the top 5 independent films of 2008 that I am going to make sure I see, all on DVD:

The Wrestler Mickey Rourke, come-back story, directed by Darren Aronofsky. What’s not to want to see!?

Wendy and Lucy After watching the trailer, I like the quietness of this film – kind of like “Into the Wild”: one character, fighting against life.

Rachel Getting Married Any movie that is about family dysfunction, I am all over!  Plus this movie is directed by Jonathan Demme, always a winner.

Ballast Working with non-professional actors, using available light and actual locations, Hammer shows us a world and the people who live there. In time, we figure out how these people are connected, and how they fail to connect.

The Visitor I am a fan of Richard Jenkins, ever since Six Feet Under. The New York Times says: “Mr. Jenkins manages at once to deflect and to earn the audience’s sympathy, and to convey an inner transformation brought about by a shy, unselfish engagement with other people.”

There are so many independent films that are made,  screen at Film Festivals, are incredible and are never seen by the masses.  I hope that with the proliferation of streaming media film sites, as well as community support and demand, more of these films will get their due. Part of the purpose behind Film Pop! is to help make that happen.

Tags: independent film, passion, social media