Well, my friends, here we are at the very end
of 2008. It has most definitely been one to remember,
and I hope that 2009 is just as good. Here's what I
loved at the movies this year. Enjoy.
- Top 10 Films -
10) Pineapple Express
I don't really understand why this didn't get a better
response from movie-goers. After all, it's essentially
the best 80s style action comedy to hit the big screen in
roughly forever. I wonder if Seth Rogen realizes that
he has done too well too fast? His backlash will be
brutal.
09) The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
This is not a perfect film (seriously, the clock bit and
Hurricane Katrina are straight useless), but it's so
beautifully shot and acted that you can't help but get
caught up in it all. If there was an award for being
clever and/or interesting then this would win easily.
08) Iron Man
Easily the most entertaining flick of the year. Robert
Downey Jr. was fantastic, Gwyenth Paltrow (who I normally
could do without) was adorable and, most importantly, it was
an origin story that was actually FUN. Here's hoping
the sequel can keep the good times going.
07) Appaloosa
As a kid I absolutely despised Westerns, so it really cracks
me up that I found this to be so enthralling. Why
doesn't Ed Harris direct more films? He's really
talented behind the camera. Also, would it be possible
to put Viggo Mortensen in everything?
06) Slumdog Millionaire
I've now seen this a couple of times and, while I still
think that it is a big sloppy mess, I'm convinced that I'll
never tire of watching how the story of two star-crossed
lovers unfolds. Danny Boyle is undoubtedly one of the
best directors working right now.
05) JCVD
I'm not sure that I can recall a film that has managed to
simultaneously smash my heart into a thousand pieces and
fill it with hope, but that's why JCVD did. I
sincerely hope that we get to see Mr. Van Damme continue on
with work that doesn't just see him kicking people in the
face. Although, that wouldn't be the most terrible
thing ever.
04) Wall*E
I don't know how Pixar does it. Actually, let me
clarify, I don't know how they continue to get better
at it. This isn't just one of the best movies of the
year, it belongs on the all time sci-fi list. I
eagerly await to see where they'll be taking me next with
UP.
03) Man On Wire
Did you know that someone tight roped walked between the
World Trade Center towers? I sure didn't, but Man
On Wire is done in such a vibrant way that I'm being
completely honest when I say that it left me feeling as if I
had lived it. All documentaries should be this good.
02) The Dark Knight
Surprise! This is at #2. What more can I really
say about this movie? It is the pinnacle of the
superhero fad that Hollywood is all about right now, and it
makes me feel terrible for Christopher Nolan - there's just
no way he'll ever be able to top this.
01) Let The Right One In
A long time ago there was a rather stylized film that
eviscerated my brain and took my breath away. It was
called Oldboy. This, while maybe not as slick,
had the same effect. If every film you saw in 2008
failed to make a real impact then I beg you to see Let
The Right One In. It'll sweep you off your feet, I
promise.
- Top 5 Worst Films -
05) Australia
I see what Baz Luhrman was going for, but this thing felt
like three separate movies crammed together just for the
hell of it. Talk about your overdone, should have been
a mini-series on ABC kind of catastrophes.
04) Hancock
Does anyone else agree that Will Smith needs to take a
break? He's steadily gone from the great kind of
popcorn fun (Men In Black) to crap like this.
It hurts even more when you realize that this had the
potential to be stellar.
03) Step Brothers/Semi-Pro
In addition to Will Smith, Will Ferrell also needs to take a
bit of a hiatus so that he can figure out how to do
something that doesn't involve yelling or playing an
athlete.
02) Vantage Point
I hate to put this here since it had such good intentions,
but the constant rewinding and cookie-cutter plot made me
want to scratch my eyes out. Sometimes a nifty gimmick
is not a good reason to make a movie.
01) Body Of Lies
Aside from me wanting everyone involved with this to feel a
massive amount of shame for creating such uninspired
nothingness, I want Hollywood to stop making films about the
Middle East. Sure, the situation is terrible over
there and I bet there are plenty of great stories, but
they've yet to find or create anything worth telling.
Time to quit.
- Top 5 Guilty Pleasures -
05) Bolt
This is here because I'm fairly certain I'm not suppose to
like it. Generic plot? Yes. Celebrity
voices? Doubly Yes. On the other hand, is it so
charming that I can't wait to see what else Pixar helps
Disney churn out? You bet.
04) Strange Wilderness
Admittedly, this movie is stupid. The jokes are wildly
immature, much of the movie feels poorly improvised (the end
is essentially a blooper) and the acting is horrific.
Still, I can't help but laugh at it all. Steve Zahn
rules.
03) Baby Mama
This is easily the most generic film that I saw all year,
but I have this thing that won't allow me to resist Tina Fey
and Amy Polar, who are very funny together. Plus, it's
a total feel good story. How can you not like that?
02) Wanted
Some of you will probably say that this is the
dumbest film of the year, but for me it was the first time
that I actually felt like I was watching a video game play
out on the big screen. If you ask me, this kind of
over the top doesn't come around enough.
01) Sex Drive
Yes, I know that countless others have done the "young
people coming into their own" thing a bazillion times.
This, though, was different. Sort of. Ok, not
really. It is what everyone has done before, but you
know what? It had heart and whole lot of laughs.
Give it a shot when it hits DVD.
- Side Notes -
15 Other Films Worth Seeing Role
Models, In Bruges, Redbelt, Burn After Reading, The Foot
Fist Way, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Tropic Thunder, Hellboy
II: The Gold Army, Rambo, Marley And Me, Mongol, Quantum Of
Solace, Zack And Miri Make A Porno, Kung Fu Panda, The
Incredible Hulk
Two Films That
Got Hated On Way Too Much
Speed Racer, Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal
Skull
5 Films That
Are/Were In Wide Release That I Still Need To See
Vicky Christina Barcelona, Milk, Frost/Nixon, Doubt, Rachel
Getting Married
- John Laird
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