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It’s time for a roundup of the best films I watched in August. Let me just say, I’m so excited to see the departure of summer. Let me also say, this turned into the aughts edition of the “best of.” Funny how that happens…

A Perfect Getaway (2009)
This is a film that I distinctly remember hitting theaters. Then that’s it; that’s all I remember. It came and went and I never had any desire to learn more about it. That is until a small buzz started. People were seeing this and loving it. So I netflixed it. (The fact that Chris Hemsworth is in it didn’t hurt.) This film blew my mind. I’m aware that is a silly and cliched thing to say, but it did. I had no idea where it was going and that made all the difference. This is an exercise in misdirection. Watch it and allow yourself to be misdirected.

Black Swan (2010)
Late to the party once again… Hype made me wait to see this and I’m really quite glad I did. Enough time has passed that I don’t remember all the bold statements made in regards to this film. I found nothing shocking, frightening or unnerving. The strength of this film (for me) came from the storytelling and the deliberate nature of its unraveling. There was nothing superfluous introduced to the plot. Visually it was lovely, as is typical with Aronofsy’s films. The shots of ballet slippers and the dancer’s delicate frames seemed to highlight the femininity and frailty of the characters. This was in stark contrast to the anger and desperation oozing from all directions. I really enjoyed what this film did and I found the journey of the characters both compelling and well represented. I was also struck by the how relatable Portman’s character was even though it was clear she was irreparably damaged. After all the hoopla, I was genuinely surprised by how much I liked it.

Panic Room (2002)
Truly, this was “catch up” month. Panic Room is 1 of 2 Fincher flicks I haven’t seen. He’s a good director and I like his style, I’m just not head over heels like some seem to be. I enjoyed this twice as much as I did The Social Network. I know, right? I was literally on the edge of my seat throughout. It was pretty funny actually. I kept leaping into the air and gasping. Very rarely do I become that engaged. This was an amazing home invasion thriller. Sad I overlooked it for so long. Also, K-Stew was so good. People need to lay off her.

Fish Tank (2009)
Fassbender’s siren song calls to me. Most of his films are on netflix instant. How can I not watch them? Fish Tank is an amazingly uncomfortable film. During it I tweeted it’s “the perfect film for Fassbender fans with daddy issues.” Aside from the inappropriate relationship The Fass strikes up with an underage girl, it is a heartbreaking look at growing up. While most coming of age stories are somewhat painful, this one is particularly wrenching. It’s a film that’s both hopeful and sad; delicate and gritty.

Hobo with a Shotgun (2011)
There aren’t enough words in the English language to express how much I loved this film. Since its release it’s been divisive. I was really unsure on which side I’d fall. Even as far as half an hour in I was still uncertain I’d be able to get on board. Then, suddenly, I was sold. I’m not entirely sure when it happened, but I accepted the world that had been presented and I willingly entered it. As over the top and borderline goofy as things got, Hobo managed to stay genuine enough to be moving. Hauer’s performance was amazing and the writing was inspiring. At the close of this film I found myself choked up to the point of producing actual tears. Jason Eisner and company crafted something special. They successfully created a genre film filled with meaning and subtext. Isn’t that the point? Shouldn’t genre films be subtlety commenting on society? They nailed it.