My Top Ten Films for 2008
Special Mention: Mongol
This film didn't REALLY come out in 2008 (it was eligible for the 2007 Oscars) but it came out in my area in the late spring of 08, so screw the rules. I think the film was pretty damned fantastic. The acting was superb, and the film was a sight to see. So visual, so epic. The film was just a great fun time at the cineplex.
10. Iron Man
A thrilling look at one of Marvel's top tier heros, and with an actor like Robert Downey Jr. in the role, how could you go wrong? Downey Jr and director Jon Faveru bring their all to the project, and it shows in a fun exciting adventure. I am sure Iron Man 2 will be even better.
9. Tropic Thunder
A brilliant comedy from the mind of someone I really dislike...Ben Stiller...but he done good in this well written farce of Hollywood actors. Again, Robert Downey Jr. is perhaps the reason this film is on my list, but regardless, all the actors in the film turn in great performances.
8. Burn After Reading
another fantastic comedic turn from the Brothers Coen. After No Country for Old Men, they returned to the screen with some more of their usual hijinks, which mostly included telling a story about the dumbest people imaginable. A great ensemble cast brings the story to life, but Frances McDormand steals the show as the poor gym worker who gets caught up in the scheme.
7. Let the Right One In
a fantastic take on Vampires (as opposed to...say...Twilight) and also a fantastic little love story, which unfolds in with fantastic mood and setting. It's sad this film won't get nominated for an Oscar, as I feel it deserves it.
6. Time Crimes
Another fantastic foreign film, Time Crimes tells a time travel story in a most unique fashion, and uses the framing of the story to hold the audience in suspense. Is everything fated, or can he stop the things he has set in motion. These questions are brought forth in a fantastic little film that also deserves to be nominated for an Oscar, but sadly it is not in the running.
5. The Wrestler
This film belongs to one person. Mickey Rourke. His performance is brilliant...both inspiring and heartbreaking. Darren Aronofsky does a brilliant job of stepping back and letting Mickey go for the gold, and boy does he get it. Marissa Tomei also gives a wonderful performance as "Randy" the Ram's stripper friend and confidant.
4. The Dark Knight
This is the film I saw the most in theaters this year. A grand total of seven times (Two of them on IMAX) and every time I found something new to blow me away. Of course the main thing about the film is the Late Heath Ledger's incredible character in The Joker, but the film is the gift that keeps giving. Well Directed, Well Acted, Well Shot, this is the best superhero film, in my opinion, ever made, and I think it shall go unchallenged for a long time.
3. Wall - E
Pixar triumphs once again with the story of the robot trash compactor who just wants someone to love. The first half of the film is incredible, as it is silent, besides the noises that the robots, make, and I don't think we need any dialouge to ruin that. The film oddly, does get better though, when the humans are introduced, as it smoothly transitions from romance to action/adventure in no time. Pixar made the best movie of their career here, and it shall be hard to top it (bu UP looks like it'll be just as good)
2. Slumdog Millionaire
I saw this one pretty late in the game, but it still caught me off guard. The premise didn't interest me at all, but at the instance of my friends I watched it, and, I fell in love. The story is simple, but incredibly effective. I found myself trying to help Jamal with his questions on the Indian Who Wants to be a Millionaire. A well done look at a person's life, and an incredible job from director Danny Boyle.
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
This movie was very personal, and I am sure if it had come out last year, or perhaps next year, it would not have scored so high on my list...after all, the script is weak, and the story needed work, but David Fincher brought it all together to tell a story about Life and Death, and how the two are always connected. The film is beautiful to look at and incredibly well acted. David Fincher has delivered my favorite film of the year two years in a row. That's talent.
Special Mention: Mongol
This film didn't REALLY come out in 2008 (it was eligible for the 2007 Oscars) but it came out in my area in the late spring of 08, so screw the rules. I think the film was pretty damned fantastic. The acting was superb, and the film was a sight to see. So visual, so epic. The film was just a great fun time at the cineplex.
10. Iron Man
A thrilling look at one of Marvel's top tier heros, and with an actor like Robert Downey Jr. in the role, how could you go wrong? Downey Jr and director Jon Faveru bring their all to the project, and it shows in a fun exciting adventure. I am sure Iron Man 2 will be even better.
9. Tropic Thunder
A brilliant comedy from the mind of someone I really dislike...Ben Stiller...but he done good in this well written farce of Hollywood actors. Again, Robert Downey Jr. is perhaps the reason this film is on my list, but regardless, all the actors in the film turn in great performances.
8. Burn After Reading
another fantastic comedic turn from the Brothers Coen. After No Country for Old Men, they returned to the screen with some more of their usual hijinks, which mostly included telling a story about the dumbest people imaginable. A great ensemble cast brings the story to life, but Frances McDormand steals the show as the poor gym worker who gets caught up in the scheme.
7. Let the Right One In
a fantastic take on Vampires (as opposed to...say...Twilight) and also a fantastic little love story, which unfolds in with fantastic mood and setting. It's sad this film won't get nominated for an Oscar, as I feel it deserves it.
6. Time Crimes
Another fantastic foreign film, Time Crimes tells a time travel story in a most unique fashion, and uses the framing of the story to hold the audience in suspense. Is everything fated, or can he stop the things he has set in motion. These questions are brought forth in a fantastic little film that also deserves to be nominated for an Oscar, but sadly it is not in the running.
5. The Wrestler
This film belongs to one person. Mickey Rourke. His performance is brilliant...both inspiring and heartbreaking. Darren Aronofsky does a brilliant job of stepping back and letting Mickey go for the gold, and boy does he get it. Marissa Tomei also gives a wonderful performance as "Randy" the Ram's stripper friend and confidant.
4. The Dark Knight
This is the film I saw the most in theaters this year. A grand total of seven times (Two of them on IMAX) and every time I found something new to blow me away. Of course the main thing about the film is the Late Heath Ledger's incredible character in The Joker, but the film is the gift that keeps giving. Well Directed, Well Acted, Well Shot, this is the best superhero film, in my opinion, ever made, and I think it shall go unchallenged for a long time.
3. Wall - E
Pixar triumphs once again with the story of the robot trash compactor who just wants someone to love. The first half of the film is incredible, as it is silent, besides the noises that the robots, make, and I don't think we need any dialouge to ruin that. The film oddly, does get better though, when the humans are introduced, as it smoothly transitions from romance to action/adventure in no time. Pixar made the best movie of their career here, and it shall be hard to top it (bu UP looks like it'll be just as good)
2. Slumdog Millionaire
I saw this one pretty late in the game, but it still caught me off guard. The premise didn't interest me at all, but at the instance of my friends I watched it, and, I fell in love. The story is simple, but incredibly effective. I found myself trying to help Jamal with his questions on the Indian Who Wants to be a Millionaire. A well done look at a person's life, and an incredible job from director Danny Boyle.
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
This movie was very personal, and I am sure if it had come out last year, or perhaps next year, it would not have scored so high on my list...after all, the script is weak, and the story needed work, but David Fincher brought it all together to tell a story about Life and Death, and how the two are always connected. The film is beautiful to look at and incredibly well acted. David Fincher has delivered my favorite film of the year two years in a row. That's talent.
VIEW 5 of 5 COMMENTS
Let's get together next time you're in town, and catch a movie or something.