My Top Ten Films From 2008
1. The Dark Knight
Yes, I love TDK more than any other film this year. It’s one of the best action movies ever made, and certainly the best superhero film. I can’t wait to see how this does in my Top 50 of 2000-2009. Heath Ledger is of course more than amazing, and the entire cast—I love love Gary Oldman in this—is wonderful as well. Also, Nolan’s use of the IMAX camera is worth an Oscar right there.
2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Magical. Brad Pitt is the best leading actor of the year, putting together a performance I’ll be watching for years. It’s almost better shot than Dark Knight, and reminds me of another of my favorite films, The Aviator, in its use of shifting ‘film stock’ as time passes. Also: the best film framing device since Princess Bride.
3. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
I’m almost angry that liked Dark Knight and Button better than this, because I love love love it. I saw it three times in theaters, and three times on DVD so far, and I love it. I’ve done to death the problems with the script and why they exist, but I’ll be darned if it doesn’t work anyway. I really hope they make a fifth one.
4. Slumdog Millionaire
Really, this top ten, especially the top five, is a list of movies I absolutely adore from this year, for different reasons. Boyle throws us into the world of Mumbai in a way I really didn’t expect from the 28 Days Later director. A must-see.
5. WALL-E
Pixar’s best film since Toy Story, and the best computer animated character ever. Maybe a little preachy? But honestly I didn’t notice. Fabulous.
6. In Bruges
Overlooked gem. Seek this one out, if just for Colin Ferrel’s shifty performance as a hidden hit man for hire.
7. Frost/Nixon
You have to accept that this film isn’t factual and move on. Consider it a complete What If? on the subject of Richard Nixon. Langella and Sheen do a great, great job. I absolutely cannot wait for Morgan’s next film. Ron Howard continues to be versatile. He’s doing Angels & Demons next, and then maybe the Arrested Development film. I’m glad I’m not his agent.
8. Iron Man
Robert. Downey. Junior. Glad to see this guy finally get the due he didn’t get after Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. The man can act up a storm, and Iron Man is a fun superhero romp.
9. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Another unappreciated gem of a film. I hope this gets some sort of Oscar buzz—costuming?—because it should have been seen by more people. Amy Adams delights.
10. Speed Racer
I thought I wasn’t going to like it, and I did. I really, really did. Probably the most falsely-maligned film of 2008. If you have Blu-Ray and HDTV, this must be in your collection.
Bonus: 11-20!
11. Revolutionary Road – Great acting
12. Quantum of Solace – Great action
13. Vicky Cristina Barcelona – Great writing
14. Burn After Reading – Great final scene
15. Forgetting Sarah Marshall – Great jokes
16. Cloverfield – Great concept
17. Body of Lies – Good action
18. Get Smart – Good jokes
19. Hellboy II – Good production design
20. Pineapple Express – Hilarious
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I didn’t find Pineapple Express to be as funny as everyone claimed it to be. The intro with Jack Black was the best part to the movie in my opinion. Indy wasn’t bad either… it just felt lackluster at the end.