2008 in Review

So it looks like my list is littered with a bunch of comedies something I think is somewhat weird, but maybe I needed comedy in my life this year, not sure why. These are the top films as I see it to come out this year, which I saw in this year. This hinders several films from being on here, because I saw them after the first of Jan, but here we go.

The List as a whole, all 72 in order from favorite to least favorite is in the comments section.

Top Ten

The Dark Knight – This is the obvious choice. But it’s not like I’m trying to be sneaky with my picks here, this filmed defied its genre. And as rare as the case may be, the hype surrounding Heath Ledger’s performance was real. He was that good, and all the praise and awards and accolades that come posthumously are worth it. This film will be remembered the longest of all of the films that came out this year.

Iron Man – Yes. The second place is also a superhero movie. I know. And let’s face it, if it wasn’t for Dark Knight we would all still be talking about Robert Downey Jr. performance in this fantastically exciting film. This film was the best superhero movie I had seen to this point. But like Matthew Robinson, brother of Jackie Robinson – who remembers second place?

Wall-E – Ah, the lovable, cute-as-a-button, pull-at-your-heartstrings charm of a robot who simple does his job. What a great little tale that allows Pixar to maintain its track record of perfection. I think the movie fell apart half-way through with a preachy message and a lackluster climax, but the first half of the movie was classic cinema.

Cloverfield – This film is the first real monster movie I have enjoyed. Granted there aren’t many to choose from, but this film was a great fun. It was loud, exciting, and the claustrophobic camera had the perfect angle. The characters were boring and cardboard, but who the hell cares, they all die.

Funny Games –This could have technically been rated PG, if the psychological damage to your child wouldn’t have mattered to you. No violence, no “bad word” that I remember. Just unnerving situations between a family and two uninvited guests. And that isn’t even the best part. This incredibly simple movie toyed with the movie going experience. A must see for movie buffs.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall – I’m a little surprised this movie was this good. I like Jason Segal, but not that much, I like Russell Brand, but not that much, I like male nudity, but not that much. This was a solid comedy who’s emotional core was realistic and true.

Rock'n'Rolla – Guy Ritchie doing what he does.

Tropic Thunder – Again, Robert Downey Jr. makes a film. This film would have been nothing without him, and worse, it would have been too much Ben Stiller, but as it was, this movie was the perfect mix of outrageous comedy and humor.

Sex and the City – Yup, I liked it that much.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno – I’m not sure how this made it to the top ten, but as my excel spreadsheet tabulates it, it did. Yes, I enjoyed it, but top ten? Huh.

Bottom 5:

Leatherheads – George Clooney takes a giant leap to never being invited into my theatre again. We get it. You are charming. But you aren’t charming when you are wasting my hard earned money doing shtick from the 1930. And believe me, it can be done well. Just look at my top ten, Wall-E up there gets to number 3 by doing classic shtick. George, you are no Wall-E.

Saw V – Still? Stop making these, please?! For some stupid reason my wife and I feel the need to go to these when they come out, so if they aren’t made I don’t have to go, right?

27 Dresses – as vanilla as RomComs can get.

Untraceable – Another, female-cop-gets-in-trouble film that Ashley Judd is so famous for. Luckily, she stayed away and Diane Lane took the hit. But, I think Hollywood would be better suited making something with substance than wasting 35,000,000 on this. I couldn’t even remember the plot, I had to look it up on Wikipedia.

Vantage Point – Oh, certainly the worst movie that came out all year. Well, at least that I saw. I know Beverly Hill Chihuahuas (2008) came out this year, so I won’t sink this to the absolute bottom. But good lord, with as many B-rated actors in this film as there were you would think they could do something better. And the concept has been done before, by much better people. What a waste of my brain cells.

Best and Worst from years past.

As I can't watch everything the year it comes out, this is the best and worst of the stuff that I saw this year, but wasn't made this year.

Rocket Science (BEST) – oh, how I loved this movie and its young star. This tale of a young boy’s attempt at getting on the debate team while struggling with a debilitating stutter was pitch perfect. I can’t recommend this enough.

The King of Kong: a fistful of quarters (BEST) – a fantastic little David and Goliath tale about two video game players. This might just make you cry tears of joy.

Hotrod (WORST) – And with that Andy Samberg slinks back into the whole he came from. Never to be seen again?!?

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (WORST) – Oh, my goodness what horribleness is on my screen. I wanted this to stop so badly. This tale of an idiot who runs a toy store is an affront to children everywhere, is this what you think children like, Hollywood?