Chelledun's Top Ten (Okay, Eleven) Favorite Movies of 2008
Mar 02 '09
The Bottom Line I unequivocally recommend that you see everything on this list!
2008 was a year of election drama, economic crisis, and really, really good superhero movies. Below you'll find a list of my eleven favorites. As a caveat, I've seen most of the movies which would be likely to make it on my list with the notable exceptions of Changeling and The Reader.
10. WALL-E - While I didn't enjoy this PIXAR film quite as much as everyone else seemed to, it still deserves a spot on my list. The animation looks as good as most live-action films and the movie scored points with me for its environmental message and ability to tell a story with little dialogue.
9. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - This period comedy/romance is a surprising addition to my list. I fully expected to be annoyed by Delysia, Amy Adams' self-centered, airheaded character, and I was. Fortunately, the talented Frances McDormand gives a strong enough performance to save the day. Miss Pettigrew is a surprisingly sweet film with some funny moments. Think of it as Great Gatsby lite.
8. Forgetting Sarah Marshall - Despite being not quite up to Apatow's normal standards of hilarity, R-rated comedy Sarah Marshall has its moments. Russell Brand's Aldous Snow character is funny enough he deserves a sequel (and, if rumors are right, he's getting one!) and Mila Kunis is a nice departure from the nice girl heroines typically cast in these types of films. If you liked 40-year-old Virgin, Superbad, or Knocked Up you'll laugh at this one too, just maybe not quite as much.
7. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - This second installment of the Narnia franchise didn't perform as well as its predecessor or garner particularly strong reviews, but I actually liked it quite a bit. Prince Caspian has almost the same charm as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and definitely a bit more action. The good news is that although Disney had recently given up on this franchise, Fox has recently picked it up so we'll all get to see at least book three brought to the big screen.
6. Slumdog Millionaire -Indian culture is rich and fascinating and I'm glad to see it getting some positive press. Slumdog's cast of child actors is downright fabulous and makes this film a must-see. While I have a few criticisms of this film - mainly regarding the chemistry between its leads - I find myself still pondering it some months after watching it. Thought-provoking is always good.
5. Incredible Hulk - In a year with less superhero competition, this comic book adaptation would almost certainly have ranked higher on my list. I love Liv Tyler and Edward Norton and neither disappoints. Incredible Hulk is a great popcorn flick that you should certainly rent if you haven't seen yet, although it may lose something when viewed on a small screen.
4. The Dark Knight -Mr_chelledun's favorite movie of the year, this Batman Begins sequel falls high on my list as well. The Dark Knight is everything a superhero movie should be, combining eye candy action scenes with complex characters played by talented actors. In particular, it boasts Heath Ledger in an eerie portrayal of Joker that absolutely lives up to the hype and Christian Bale as a believably buff and tough Batman. I like that the Batman franchise has taken a turn for the more serious and hope to see similar films in the future.
3. Milk - This story excels as a result of its excellent acting, with both Sean Penn and James Franco turning in poignant, believable performances. Milk manages to educate while it entertains thanks to inclusion of actual news clips from the 1970s. While this film's story it ultimately has an unhappy ending, the progression of Harvey Milk's political career is inspiring nonetheless and may just get you jazzed about American political participation. My only criticism? Like practically every other Best Picture nominee, Milk is told through flashbacks. Can't we ever just tell a story in chronological order?
2. Iron Man -While I initially ranked this one below Hulk in my own mind, upon further reflection I have to admit that Iron Man a substantially better film. I've got a soft spot for Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark), in spite of (or perhaps because of) his sordid past, and he's downright compelling in this role. Gwyneth Paltrow is surprisingly fresh and appealing as Stark's personal assistant, Pepper. Thanks to an attention-keeping plot and excellent special effects, Iron Man is a wide margin above your average popcorn movie.
1. (tie) Hellboy II: The Golden Army - Loved. It. This under-appreciated sequel to the original Hellboy film may not top many folks' lists, but this reviewer knows what she likes. Hellboy II is exciting, funny, and touching, all at the same time. Even the soundtrack is great. Overall, Hellboy II is even better than the original and one of the only two 2008 films to receive my coveted five star rating
1. (tie) Gran Torino - Okay, I'm cheating by naming two favorites and Gran Torino is barely a 2008 release, but I don't want to forget to name it next year. Clint Eastwood is brilliant, his supporting cast is brilliant, and this whole entire movie is brilliant. It's completely unique and practically perfect in every respect. I challenge anyone not to love this movie.
*Thanks for stopping by! See you at the movies!
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