It really has been a complicated and difficult year for Spanish film, without any blockbuster success in the billboards, different than in 2007 when The Orphanage or [REC] made box office smash numbers very close to Hollywood super productions.

A list of Spanish movies were added in the first quarter of 2008, international productions like Asterix at the Olympic Games and The Oxford Crimes that made some waves and increased the number of spectators attending premieres.

Following this wake some co-produced films were added as national films like Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Che, the Argentine, Transsiberian or El Greco, but their box office figures turned out to be really regrettable. These are not 100% Spanish produced, so they don't really count as exclusively Spanish films in my Opinion. Anyway, as 2008 is just past us, I made a couple of lists of 5- 100% Spanish films that, in my opinion, represent the best and the worst films of 2008. In this Cineblog you will read the Best and in the next Cineblog I will bring you the Worst.

THE BEST SPANISH FILMS OF 2008:

5th

Una Palabra Tuya -“One of Your Words" This is a film of contrasts with great humanity which tells the story of two friends who love each other in an asymmetrical manner. They try to change their lives and are ultimately in search of a little happiness.

A story that speaks fluently of loneliness, friendship and love, deep and important issues brought to the big screen by Angeles Gonzalez-Sinde in a simple and yet accessible manner, which makes this film have a special charm. The acting by both Malena Alterio and Esperanza Pedreño is really superb.

4th

Solo Quiero Caminar - "I Just Want to Walk" Agustin Diaz Yanes, in his Tarantino-ish form of filmmaking, recreates a quality story of robbery and revenge that is really striking. The performances of Ariadna Gil and Diego Luna, and the emotional relationship of their characters, are the best part of the film.

3rd

Fuera de Carta- “ Chef's Special" Comedy is a genre that always gets good results at the box office, and this one is fresh and funny, with continuous comic gags that pull more than one smile out of you.

Perhaps the direction has some issues that are left to be improved, but the performance of Javier Cámara saves the movie completely and rises to the heights as it is a huge ocean where he swims like a fish in water.

Next to him is Fernando Tejero, who is the perfectly entrusted character to brighten moments, despite being an actor who is completely pigeonholed in these movies.

2nd

Camino- “Road" Javier Fresser brought this film to the big screen surrounded by controversy and fierce criticism made by the institution of the Opus Dei. It was his first intent to do a film away from his usual comedies, but the result could not have been better. Simply stunning, the Madrid director shows us the harrowing story of a young Alexia González-Barros, who with just 11 years of age and with the illusion of knowing her first love had to face a harsh and cruel disease.

His sensitivity and his mastery are really admirable to bring this story to the big screen with momentous issues as intertwined as life, death, religion, faith and, of course, love.

The main characters do a wonderful acting job. Especially the young Nerea Camacho, in her first film appearance, does a totally fantastic portrayal. Carmen Elias shines above the rest in the role of the mother. Her strict and radical religious beliefs lead her to experience the illness, suffering and death of her daughter almost as a religious redemption. This performance has Goya (Latin Oscars) written in golden letters all over for next year.

1st

The Blind Sunflowers by Jose Luis Cuerda. Candidate of the Spanish Film Academy for an Oscar for best foreign film, and surely the best Spanish film of the year without doubt.

Without entering into the political direction of the film, the director did a wonderful job. The atmosphere and the exquisite reflection of the difficult postwar years is well managed, all spiced up with some splendid performances from the main actors. Maribel Verdu is simply masterful, and returns to the big leagues after her fiasco in People of Poor Quality.

Besides her, we find Raúl Arévalo, who keeps growing in each of his interpretations; Javier Cámara, in a serious role away from comedy; and Jose Luis Egido, a fabulous actor who is demanding a leading role.