Best Movies of 2008
Posted: Dec 23, 2008It was certainly a comic book nerd’s dream year. I know, because I am one.
The comic book based movies not only dominated the ratings wars, they also matured right before our eyes. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the original Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson Batman movie, and most of the sequels were pretty good, other than that godawful one with Governor Arnold as Mr. Freeze and Uma as Poison Ivy. But when Batman Begins hit the silver screen a couple of years ago I saw the Batman I had been longing for onscreen, and when The Dark Knight made it to theaters this year, I was in the zone. It was perfect. An adult, dark vision of the Dark Knight, along with the best Joker one could ever hope for.
I know its been talked to death. Everyone is calling for an Oscar for the late Heath Ledger, and if anyone ever deserved one, it’s him. Still, I will be very surprised if the uppity folks at the Oscars stoop down to sci-fi and comics level. We shall see.
Below are my Top 15. I was going to list ten, but I couldn’t stop myself. I saw a lot of movies in 2008, and these are just the cream of the crop. Let me know if you agree.
1. THE DARK KNIGHT
If I have any complaint at all, it’s the scruffy voice Batman uses to differentiate between personas. Kind of Clint Eastwood on crack. But this movie is an amazing ride, and while every actor in the film is outstanding, Ledger just aced it. I just go back and rewatch his scenes over and over.
2. IRON MAN
I was not a Robert Downey, Jr. fan prior to this year. He just kind of grated on my nerves. Then came Iron Man, based on a comic book I never once read, and I was a fan. Downey sold the character and even made me go back to Richard’s Comic Shop and pick up a couple of Iron Man titles. Absolutely marvelous. (Did somebody say “Marvel?”)
3. WALL-E
One of the funniest, brightest animated films in years, and with such a positive “save the planet” message. Amazing.
4. BURN AFTER READING
The Coen brothers are the bomb. I just love every movie they do, and this one was funny as heck. It was very cool to see both Brad Pitt and George Clooney breaking type with some hilarious character romps. Funny.
5. THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES
I have heard the book is better, but unfortunately, I have yet to read it. Still, to me, the movie would be hard to beat. With Dakota Fanning as the abused daughter of a 1960’s Spartanburg, SC (my home town!) redneck, and the black family downstate who takes her and her friend (and former family maid) Jennifer Hudson in, the movie is both entertainment and history lesson. Queen Latifa rocks the screen too.
6. THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE
Yes, I am a fan. But this is a great movie no matter how you slice it. Spooky. Oh, and Scully is the bomb.
7. SHINE A LIGHT
Martin Scorsese turned out a brilliant live concert film on the Rolling Stones, enhanced by a bit off of stage documentary and a handful of excellent guest stars. The Stones never sounded better.
8. TROPIC THUNDER
A simply hilarious movie about three of Hollywood’s top movie stars teaming up for a war movie that turns out to be real. Stars Ben Stiller, Jack Black and the 2008 golden boy, Robert Downey, Jr, who plays a British actor who plays an African American soldier.
9. LAKEVIEW TERRACE
In a brilliant tale of racial prejudice, Samuel L. Jackson stars as a cop who is out to rid his neighborhood of the interracial couple who just moved in next door.
10. WANTED
As professional assassins go, they don’t get any hotter than Angelina Jolie, and this action packed graphic novel come to life is a non-stop thrill ride.
11. ROLE MODELS
Two guys are sentenced to a summer at Sturdy Wings, where they must act as “big brothers” to a foul mouthed little troublemaker and a teenager who lives in the world of SCA and D&D. The finale, which blends the rock group KISS with swords and sorcery, is worth the price of admission alone.
12. HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY
Ron Pearlman returns as big Red, and there are more creatures and monsters onscreen that there were in Sex and The City.
13. INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL
Harrison Ford can still convince me he is the action hero Indy, although a little more weathered and aged. Still, it’s a fitting fourth installment.
14. THE INCREDIBLE HULK
Only five years after the flop that was the Hulk movie (remember that one? I didn’t think so.) Marvel Comics steps in to produce a real, convincing Hulk, staring Edward Norton and the beautiful Liv Tyler.
15. TWILIGHT
Yeah, it’s a chick flick, what of it? It’s still all about vampires, an I like that. More blood suckers on screen than in Sex and The City.
Keep it Real. Keep it Southern.
Buffalo
Comments
waynep says...
Shine a Light was my number one. Saw it 3 times at imax. Chuck Level was great.
outlawcountry says...
The Dark Knight rocks.
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