Dec 31 2008
Best Movies of 2008
In a conclusion to yesterday’s anger-laced spit fire of the worst of 2008, here is the mirror-opposite (in type and tone), doppelganger if you will, with the Best of 2008.
When I sat down to really think about the best movies of 2008 I was blown away by the amount of great films that were released this year. I got to see most of them in the theater, and some were DVD rentals, while others were the gracious and loving gift that we critics get with screener copies so we don’t have to brave the crowds of troglodytes in the theater seats, laced sticky with pop and half eaten candy.
I know I might be taking the coward’s way out like Ebert did this year with his top 20 list, but I think some of these movies deserve much more respect than simply logging them into a numbered order of excellence. So without further ado, the top 10 for 2008 in no particular order.
Wall-E
I have yet to see a studio that constantly surprises and delights me nearly as much Pixar…except for Cars. After Cars, I lost a lot of respect towards Pixar. But with such a strong library, both features and shorts combined, it’s hard to hold grudges toward such a wonderful group of artists and visionaries. Wall-E is beyond this and more. Forever, Incredibles was my favorite Pixar film, it was just the perfect film, but Wall-E bumped it out to my top Pixar flight. With an outstanding script and characters to the amazing way they told half the story without uttering a word, this movie is high among my favorite films of the year. And with over 10 viewings so far, it is not getting stale yet.
Dark Knight
Well, duh. How could you not expect to see this on the best of 2008 list. Now, when it comes to movies, I could give a shit less about the box office revenue. I don’t care if a movie is a block buster. I don’t care how much it cost to make it. I care if the story is exceptional and if the characters are good or not. This movie destroyed the cliche for comic book movies being kid-grade and watered down entertainment. With probably one of the best performances of our generation and reivigorating the creepy villian, Heath Ledger made the movie what it was.
Iron Man
This was a weird movie to go into. With power houses like X-Men 1-2 and Spider-Man 1-2, Marvel had some amazing titles under it’s belt. However… they also have some real bombs stinking up the atmosphere under that same belt like crotch rot. Iron Man did, at no point, disappoint. I tried to play it off like the movie was just ok, but I was in awe at how great it was. The only disappointment was the deleted scenes on the Blu Ray… So happy they cut them out. I’m anxious and worried about the future of the Marvel movie universe.
Kung Fu Panda
Out of left field comes a winner. Wow. I was not expecting anything beyond a fun kiddy movie, and was pleasantly interrupted by a pretty decently made story. With excellent characters that completely, to the T, follow the Writer’s Journey (ala, Star Wars), the movie works on almost all levels. The idea of a sequel terrifies me though. I prefer most of my good film experiences to be singular.
Son Of Rambow
After seeing the trailer on an obscure website, I was hooked. I looked for almost the entire year of 2007 wanting to get this movie. The trailer I saw was for the festival circuit, so little did I know I had to wait much longer than a couple months. When I finally got my screener DVD after a theatrical release I was dumbfounded and not at all let down. The film is amazing on too many levels. Great characters, wonderfully crafted story, and direction on how directing should be done. This is one of the top 3 films of this year.
Planet B-Boy
I got heavy into documentaries this year. Watched some good. Watched some bad. Watched much more truly awful. And watched very few truly wonderful. Planet is one of those if not the top placement for docs. A telling look into the truly dedicated B-Boys (break dancers) of the world, following their every move and desire to win the world championships. You find yourself rooting for almost everyone. Beautifully crafted from start to finish.
Be Kind Rewind
Michel Gondry does it again. From the mind who brought us Eternal Sunshine On The Spotless Mind comes a beautiful tale of two friends, their lives in the community they grew up in and a passion for films far beyond that of most people. Excellent acting by Mos Def (probably my favorite role of his to date) and Jack Black (not to diss, but as a supporting role Black finds his essence and perfection). A truly heart-string pulling little film.
In Bruges
Never have hearing about it, a friend brought this to movie night and I couldn’t have thanked him more for it. The movie blew me away. The script is passionate and just really, really well crafted, the acting was top notch, and direction along side of cinematography and editing meshed an awesome film from first frame to last. While the beginning starts off slow, never do we stop loving the characters.
My Name Is Bruce
While this film will probably not be on anyone elses’ top 10 of 2008, I say it with a reason. This movie knows it is 100% B movie from opening credits on. It knows what the B Movie crowd wants and loves and dishes it out tremendously well. Bruce Campbell acts, writes and directs this tour de force and leaves the audience in absolute glee, smiling from ear to ear with enjoyment.
Mongol
With a surge of biopics flooding the market the last decade or so, some with great war and epic lives to lead, why not throw in Genghis Khan? This movie was, in short of better vernacular, straight up tits. A tear-bringing look in to the life of one of the greatest conquerors this world has ever known. A wicked film that will surely delight, add wonderment, and spur more biopics to come.
Honorable Mentions:
Pineapple Express, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, 21, Tropic Thunder (not to be confused with Tropical Thunder 
), The Counterfeiters, Frost/Nixon, Red Cliff.
Movies I didn’t get to see yet (but willing to bet they would be on the top 10 list):
Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Wrestler, Slumdog Millionaire, Time Crimes, Milk, Australia, Doubt, JCVD, Let the Right One In, RockNRolla.
