Film Review of the Year Part 2 of 8

2008's obituaries where occupied with some of American cinema's great names. But as with most years there was a large number of respected filmmakers, actors and personalities who left an indelible mark on the artform. the two most notable deaths belong to Heath Ledger whose shock departure left a dent in American cinema. With Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Dr Parsanus still to be released with have yet to see Ledger's final performance. The Dark Knight was a indication of the vast talent which has been lost, and a posthumus Oscar nomination must surely be a given. Having already given us the intense Brokeback Mountain, Ledger was fast becoming not only one of the best actors in Hollywood today but one who was building himself a strong reputation of being a serious actor who was more interested in character than celebrity. He will be deeply missed.

Paul Newman was one of the few remaining geniune legends until his death in 2008. described as one of the most likeable and professional actors Hollywood has produced, he left behind a plethora of classic performances which beatifully encapsulated his range and magnetism. Personally though, whenever I think of Paul Newman I will always remember the knowing grin and performances from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Hustler and The Hudsucker Proxy.

Other notable deaths of 2008 which should not be overlooked include
Robert Mulligan, the Academy Award nominated director of To Kill A Mocking Bird
Jack Douglas, star of Carry On films
Forrest J Ackerman, founder of Famous Monsters of Filmland
John Michael Hayes, screenwriter of Rear Window, To Catch a Thief, The Trouble with Harry and The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Ennio De Concini oscar winning screenwriter for Divorce, Italian Style
Richard Widmark, star of noir films Night and the City and Pickup on South Street
Charlton Heston, classic American actor who starred in such masterpieces as Ben-Hur, Planet of the Apes, The Ten Commandments and Touch of Evil
Sydney Pollack, acclaimed director of Tootise, The Way We Were and Jeremiah Johnson
Eli Wallach, actor, best known as the Ugly in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, also in The Godfather Part III, The Magnificent Seven and Once Upon A Time in the West
Karl Malden, actor in films such as How The West Was Won, A Streetcar Named Desire, On The Waterfront and Patton
Kirk Douglas, actor, father of Michael, star of Paths of Glory, Spartacus, The Bad and the Beautiful
Blake Edwards, director of Pink Panther series and Breakfast at Tiffany's
Michael Crichton, author of Jurassic Park, Westworld, Sphere, Rising Sun and The Lost World
Delmar Watson, child actor whose most famous role was alongside James Stewart in Mr Smith Goes To Washington
Gerard Damiano, director of legendary porn film Deep Throat
Zsa Zsa Gabor, actress in Lili and Moulin Rouge (1952)
Herbert Lom, actor in The Ladykillers and long suffering superior to Inspector Clouseau in Pink Panther series
Dino Di Larentiis, legendary italian producer responsible for Danger Diabolik, Serpico, Dune, Blue Velvet and Silence of the Lambs.
Isaac Hayes, singer who wrote theme for shaft and later voiced Chef in South Park.
Bernie Mac, most notably star on Ocean's trilogy
Charles H. Joffe, producer of Annie Hall
Cyd Charisse, long legged dancer, who appeared in Singin in the Rain, Ziegfried Follies and The Band Wagon
Stan Winston. oscar winning special effects maestro who was responsible for work on Terminator, Jurassic Park, Aliens, Predator, Edward Scissorhands, The Thing, A.I. Artificial Intelligence and Terminator 2
Anthony Minghella, director of Talented Mr Ripley, Cold Mountain, English Patient and Truly Madly Deeply. He was a great and support for British cinema.
Roy Scheider, star of Jaws, The French Connection and Klute
Brad Renfro, actor in Bully, Sleepers and Ghost World

All of these people made an significant contribution the cinema in their own unique way. There are some people who passed away in 2008 who completely changed to face of cinema, and for that they will forever be remembered.