The Best Movies of 2008

It’s no mystery that many found 2008 to be a relatively lackluster year, with the majority of the films released receiving mediocre reviews at best.  So, whenever a really good or truly great movie came along, it was a real delight.  Such movies included titles like Iron Man and of course, The Dark Knight.  But most of the best from 2008 weren’t all mainstream blockbusters; they included small films, under-appreciated ones and some Oscar bait.

What follows is my personal, and this time I emphasize PERSONAL, list of the year’s ten best films.  Yet again, if any of you have quibbles with my choices, I’m more than willing to back myself up.

Australia

10. Australia - Perhaps the most under appreciated movie of the year, Baz Luhrmann’s near three hour epic really surprised me in terms of how much I enjoyed it.  “Australia” sports terrific scenery, an adventurous spirit, and a scope that is undeniably magnificent.  Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman are the two leads, starring in the story of two people brought together on an adventure across the landscape of Australia to herd cattle and outsmart greedy land developers and other shady figures.  Amidst all this, the two fall in love and stay that way, even when World War II threatens to tear them apart.  “Australia” essentially combines three separate genres into one film; it’s a romance, a western and a war story all put together very well.  Perhaps my favorite portion of “Australia”  was the war sequence, i.e. the last part.  This is where the film draws the majority of its emotion and at the same time, it’s pretty thrilling.  On top of that, the film’s cinematography is gorgeous.  I’m disappointed it didn’t get a nomination in that category, because the film was simply a wonder to look at on many occasions.  I’m sad to know that more people weren’t willing to take a chance on it, but the film hits DVD on March 3rd, so many of you will get your chance then.

Seven Pounds

9. Seven Pounds - I find it disappointing that not many people were willing to take a chance on the latest Will Smith vehicle Seven Pounds, which is more meditative than most of the star’s previous movies.   But, I could understand most audiences’ hesitation primarily because the trailers and commercials for Seven Pounds refuse to reveal too much about the plot and I’ll try to do the same here.  Smith plays an IRS agent on a mission to drastically alter the lives of seven complete strangers.  He does so by tracking them down and questioning them in order to determine whether or not they are worthy of what he plans on giving them.  The mere fact that very little is told about the story right away shrouds the film in a blanket of enticing mystery that compels us to pay attention and ultimately awards our interest with the payoff we’ve patiently been waiting for.  Will Smith turns in a performance that is muted, enigmatic and emotionally scarred; Ben Thomas is a man still reeling from a personal tragedy in his life, and he finds himself falling irrevocably and hesitantly in love with Emily Posa (Rosario Dawson), one of the seven people he has devoted himself to helping.  Dawson gives a very fine performance, bringing alive both a sadness that compares with Ben’s emotional detachment and also a bright loveliness that contrasts with it at the same time.  Thankfully, Seven Pounds never manipulates our emotions like director Gabrielle Muccino’s previous film The Pursuit of Happyness did.  Instead, whenever the movie hits its emotional points, it feels natural and not like the product of the film beating us over the head with endless manipulations of the characters’ situations.  When the film moves us emotionally, it’s because it has earned the right to.

Body of Lies

8. Body of Lies – People are getting tired of the war on terror, but apparently someone hasn’t told that to Hollywood.  I do admit that I’m growing tired of it functioning as the basis for some of today’s dramas or thrillers, but in the case of Body of Lies, I certainly had no objection to it.  Easily the best spy-related movie since The Bourne Ultimatum, the real strength of director Ridley Scott’s “Body of Lies” is how honest it is.  The film excellently portrays the world of CIA operatives and the dealings of the business and never glamorizes the brutal reality of these situations.  This really did feel like a real-world thriller, one where the heroes never drive cars through buildings or crash them at high-speed and don’t wind up with a single bruise.  Continuing his string of really strong performances, Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Roger Ferris, a CIA agent stationed in the Middle East and tasked with the assignment of gaining useful information which could be used against an elusive terrorist known as Al-Saleem.  Russell Crowe also stars as Ed Hoffman, Ferris’s handler who’s back in Washington giving orders in an impassive drawl and watches from the sidelines as Ferris handles the hard part.  Body of Lies is adapted from a novel of the same name by David Ignatius, which I read before seeing the film and I was grateful to see that most of the source material remained intact.  But what really helps sell this movie is DiCaprio, who once again is a powerful force whenever he’s on-screen.  Mark Strong is also great as Hani Salaam, a contact in the Middle East who possesses considerable leeway over the politics in the region.  Body of Lies is that Hollywood thriller that comes along every once in a while that doesn’t feel like your usual Hollywood thriller; it’s more about the inner politics and complications that arise in such a mission and how they affect the characters rather than the explosions and gunfights.  Not to mention it has an interesting story to back it up.

Wall-E

7. WALL-E – When it comes to the genre of animated films, nobody does it better than Pixar.  If their worst day manufactures the 2 1/2 -star “Cars”, then on their best day, they produce such 4-star masterpieces like “Ratatouille” and last year’s “WALL-E”.  The studio’s first venture into sci-fi surprised and delighted me, as well as millions of other people, and it marked a new milestone for animated films.  “WALL-E” takes place many years in the future and centers around a small robot of the same name whose sole function in life is to clean up the massive piles of garbage left behind by the human race so that one day we may return to Earth.  But over the years, WALL-E has developed a heart and yearns to know what lies beyond the impenetrable cloud of smog encasing the planet.  One day, he gets the opportunity when another robot, this one female, arrives on Earth with a mission and befriends WALL-E in the process.  And before they know it, both robots are whisked away on an adventure into space, where the human race has been relocated.  Now, the views on the ecosystem that are subtly expressed through the setup of the plot personally didn’t bother me, because mainly I refuse to bring politics into the theater and enjoy a film based on its own merits.  That being said, “WALL-E” is a touching romance wrapped in an astounding adventure, one that’s just as exciting for all ages.  WALL-E himself is without a doubt one of Pixar’s most lovable characters and because of that, it’s very easy for us to root for him.  As a matter of fact, I don’t think I’ve cared this much for an animated character since the first “Shrek” back in 2001.  One of the reasons “WALL-E” is one of the best movies of 2008 is because it just makes you feel great after you watch it.  This is definitely the feel-good movie of the year, and the mere fact that I’m using that phrase surprises me because I rarely try to use it.  However, there’s no denying how good I felt after seeing “WALL-E” for the first time I saw it.

Revolutionary Road

6. Revolutionary Road - It’s simply ridiculous how the Academy overlooked this tremendous film when handing out nominations, because not only do its two leads deliver unbelievably great performances, the film itself is also a powerhouse of emotion that’s pretty unforgettable.  This movie especially demonstrates how Leonardo DiCaprio is unequivocally the best actor of his generation.  His performance here carries a sadness, frustration and desperation that only heightens the power of the performance.  How he did NOT get a Best Actor nomination is beyond my realm of logic because this may well be the best performance of his career.  “Revolutionary Road” can be considered an Actor’s movie, and in that sense, it’s extraordinary.  Watch the big fight that he and Kate Winslet have towards the end of the film and you’ll see what I mean.  DiCaprio and Winslet play Frank and April Wheeler, a married couple living life in the suburbs during the 50’s who are going through really rough times.  They discover that the happiness that most other couples share is really an illusion that couples like them hide behind in order to escape the grim truth.  Director Sam Mendes captures this feel of suburban life impeccably, with the themes that accompany this lifestyle playing an important role in the story and where it goes.  There is not one false moment in this entire film; it really does play out like real life.  “Revolutionary Road” can get pretty tough to watch at times due to the realism of what we’re seeing and the tension-filled arguments, especially the ending and what it involves.  Many will find this ending disturbing, but in retrospect, it’s an ending that does make sense.  “Revolutionary Road” is a reminder of just how good DiCaprio and Winslet are together; here’s hoping it doesn’t take 11 years for them to team up again.

Slumdog Millionaire

5. Slumdog Millionaire – Every year, there seems to be an Indie darkhorse that seemingly materializes out of thin air towards the end of the year and takes everyone by surprise as well as sweeping through multiple awards programs.  In 2006, it was “Little Miss Sunshine,” 2007 had “Juno” and in 2008, we got “Slumdog Millionaire”.  Many have claimed this to be the Feel-Good Movie of the year, but I don’t really see why.  This is certainly a great film and the ending is especially uplifting, but the majority of “Slumdog Millionaire” involves material that certainly warrants its R rating.  But that’s not to say that all the praise in general isn’t warranted, because it is.  No other movie in the past few years has gotten me engrossed in everything quite like “Slumdog Millionaire”; this underdog story about a teenager from the slums of Mumbai who goes on the Indian version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” is made all the more gripping by Danny Boyle’s fantastic direction and the exceedingly well-written screenplay by Simon Beaufoy which sequences the events of the story very well.  The reason you care about the outcome of this story is because you’re able to identify with Jamal (Dev Patel), an extremely likable “slumdog” from Mumbai who draws the answer to each question from his past, which in turn causes many to question this, including the police.  As far as underdog stories go, they don’t get much better than this.  Plus, the ending is much more gripping than most climaxes in thrillers these days, again thanks in part to Boyle, whose sense of editing heightens the suspense.  So, would I give the Best Picture award to “Slumdog Millionaire”?  No, because I believe there to be a more deserving candidate in the race this year, but more on that later.  Bottom line, “Slumdog Millionaire” is a must-see film.

Frost Nixon

4. Frost/Nixon – Director Ron Howard has made some really great films; “Apollo 13″, “A Beautiful Mind” and “Cinderella Man” to name a few.  His latest, “Frost/Nixon” is a fine addition to his list and is a movie that proves just how gripping a conversation can be.  “Frost/Nixon” centers around the series of interviews that took place between disgraced former President Richard Nixon (Frank Langella in an Oscar-nominated role) and British T.V. ham David Frost (Michael Sheen).  Here’s the setup: after the Watergate Scandal in the early 70’s, Richard Nixon resigns as President and subsequently suffers a medical emergency which in turn grants him a pardon, therefore leaving the American citizens without answers to the questions surrounding the Scandal.  Much later, British talk-show host gets the idea to interview Nixon, figuring that it’d be a really great idea to pull in ratings.  At first, everyone’s fears of Frost not being a “worthy opponent” seem to be confirmed, but by the final interview, Frost is able to prove that even someone like him can get under the skin of a former President.  “Frost/Nixon” is ripe with excellent performances by not only its two main leads, but also the supporting actors which include Kevin Bacon, Sam Rockwell and Oliver Platt.  Throughout the film, Howard injects clips from single “interviews” with the characters about what happened behind the scenes of the Frost-Nixon interviews; it’s an interesting technique and it works especially well here.  And in addition, you can’t help but be mesmerized by Frank Langella, whose work here is simply outstanding.  Though I think Michael Sheen hasn’t been given enough credit; he’s definitely able to hold his own against Langella.  Chalk another one up for Ron Howard.  Hard to believe these movies came from the man formerly known as Opie.

In Bruges

3. In Bruges – If a movie released all the way back in February can still be as strong and enjoyable in quality as it was the first time around, then you know it has to be something special.  “In Bruges”, (pronouced ‘broozh’)the biggest and best surprise of 2008, is a character piece before it’s a thriller, one with very interesting and very round characters as well as a resonant commentary on the principles one must abide by in their line of work, even when those principles involve dark consequences.  The film also paints a more rounded portrait of the hitman, showing that hitmen can be conflicted and deeply hurt whenever a hit goes wrong; despite their profession, hitmen are still human beings.  “In Bruges” is a compelling combination of thriller, dark comedy and character study featuring comedic dialogue so sharp and smart, you’d think the actors were delivering their lines while performing a magic trick; you’re riveted by what’s transpiring and can’t wait to see what happens next.  Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson star as Ray and Ken, two hitmen sent to the town of Bruges in Belgium by their employer Harry (Ralph Fiennes) after a hit goes tragically wrong.  Farrell gives the performance of his career as Ray, a man wallowing in grief and is forced to confront those painful feelings while staying in Bruges.  Add on top of that Harry himself eventually swinging by to take care of “loose ends”, and you’ve got a satisfyingly simple story that drives a great film.  “In Bruges” was written and directed by Martin McDonagh, and he brings humanity to the script.  “In Bruges” is the little movie from 2008 that could.  Had it not been for the next two movies on my list, “In Bruges” would have been my favorite film of the year.

The Dark Knight

2. The Dark Knight – I know what all you fanboys are thinking: how could “The Dark Knight” NOT be number one on this list?  Well, that’s because it was beaten out by a little movie called “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”.  But more on that soon.  Now…where do we begin?  Well, director Christopher Nolan did an impeccable job of capturing the spirit of Batman yet again amidst an epic crime story that was more than worthy of a Best Picture nomination.  Academy, you sure missed the boat this time.  “The Dark Knight” is yet another milestone, as it marks the new standard that’s been set for the Superhero genre.  Writer/director Nolan has crafted what can be called a masterpiece in its own way; he not only settles for telling a straight-up superhero story, as he and co-writer/brother Jonathan Nolan injects themes of righteousness, morality, succumbing to inner demons and being pushed to the limit that propel everything to a whole different level that a superhero film has never been on before.  Of course, I can’t talk about this film without mentioning the late, great Heath Ledger for his haunting and menacing turn as the villainous Joker.  Ledger is sure to win a posthumous Oscar for his performance here, and it’s well-deserved; he creates a Joker so cruel and sadistic, he makes Jack Nicholson look like Ceasar Romero.  But let’s not discredit another strong supporting performance, this one more subtle and restrained: Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two-Face.  This ain’t the Tommy Lee Jones version, either.  Keeping in line with Ledger, Eckhart brings a dark realism to the film when the transformation is made, and we’re able to sympathize with Dent and feel his pain as Two-Face.  Plus, the film has incredibly entertaining and engrossing action sequences to boot; the armored car chase is sure to be remembered as one of the most memorable action sequences in years.  If Christopher Nolan does decide to make a third film, I trust him enough to make sure that it’ll be as great as it can be.  Superhero movies just don’t get much better than this.

Benjamin Button

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Here it is: the crowning achievement of 2008.  “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is a mesmerizing movie; filled with emotion, wonder and a moving sadness.  The film reminded me of old-fashioned moviemaking, where the characters and the journeys they take being the main focus.  No other movie this year, not even “The Dark Knight”, had me as invested as this one.  Director David Fincher creates a world you want to get lost in; it’s so vividly realized and flawlessly handled, you’d think the movie was a documentary.  The movie is adapted from a short story authored by F. Scott Fitzgerald which was apparently around 25 pages in length and the fact that the film is 165 minutes long says something about how devoted to the project Fincher and the rest of the crew were throughout production.  And that right there is another reason why “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” succeeds so well: because just by watching it, you can tell that it was a passion project.  And that passion translates into some very fine filmmaking.  Brad Pitt’s performance is marvelous, with his Oscar nomination being both inevitable and very well-deserved.  In addition, Cate Blanchett continues her string of fantastic performances here as Daisy, Benjamin’s lifelong friend and love interest.  We all know how this story has to end, but that doesn’t stop us from becoming emotionally invested in their love story and rooting for them.  But another thing Fincher seems to be really experienced at is editing.  There’s one sequence in particular that involves Daisy in the 2nd hour that is brilliantly pieced together and shows just how deserving of the Best Director Oscar David Fincher really is.  “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” has amassed 13 nominations in all, and I hope it wins most, if not all of them.

Do let us know what you thought of the list!!