Film Faves: 2008
Welcome to the second edition of Film Faves. This time I look at my favorite films of 2008.
Just as a reminder, this feature is not to be taken as a serious, unbiased statement on movies. This is a list of the movies I enjoyed most are most likely to watch again or own. It is a favorites list that will feature my top 12 favorite movies of the year. Now, withouth further ado:
2008
12. The Wrestler
The second best film of its year – and among the ten greatest of its decade. This was a powerful, moving, and quiet film with one of the best comeback performances ever. I found the story to be equally intriguing, insightful, and amusing. And I loved the performances by Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, and Mickey Rourke. The Wrestler is a criminally underappreciated film. For more on my thoughts on this film, go here.
11. Hellboy II: The Golden Army
This film unfortunately got overshadowed by the anticipation and release of The Dark Knight. That’s really too bad, because Hellboy II is a perfect example of a sequel that builds and improves on its predecessor. It’s also an excellent example of how CGI, make-up, and puppetry should all be thought of as tools in the same toolbox instead of independent of each other. After all, you can’t build a house with just a hammer. Director Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, Blade II) perfectly blends all these elements to create one of the most imaginative fantasy worlds while still retaining the superhero movie aesthetic. I had a lot of fun with this film.
10. Slumdog Millionaire
I’m probably not the only American who found this film to be incredibly eye-opening. I now understand how it is India has such a high population and, thanks to this film, I will never need to visit. Slumdog is probably the third best film of its year (despite winning for Best Picture). It is a wonderful little fable that is as sobering as it is magical. Watching the trailer makes me anxious to see it again. And the soundtrack kicks ass.
9. Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
This film was a delightful surprise, primarily because of its performances. What is ultimately a tired searching-around-the-Big-City-for-the-drunken-friend plot is elevated by the chemistry of its leads. Yes, I wish Michael Cera would move forward from his awkward teenage hipster persona. But it works very well here. And Kat Dennings is perhaps the coolest girl a young twenty-something could find. A very funny and charming film.
8. Incredible Hulk
This pseudo-sequel to the 2003 failure is exactly what Hulk fans could possibly hope for. It’s a chase film (as all Hulk stories are) with plenty of smashing. Some unique casting provided some surprises (although Jennifer Connelly from the last film was the perfect Betsy Ross). And the introduction of comic villains Abomination and The Leader (who was set up for a sequel), as well as mention of the Super Solder program, was delicious fodder for fans. Check out my June 2008 review here.
7. Zack & Miri Make a Porno
I didn’t think this movie was excellent, but did enjoy this more than other people. Justin Long is hilarious in his scene. And Elizabeth Banks holds her own as the beautiful new foul-mouthed Kevin Smith gal pal. It’s also great to see Jeff Anderson back in something that isn’t Clerks-related. Very funny. Very sweet.
6. Bolt
This was a surprise. What could’ve been yet another sub-par Disney flick turned out to be a jaw-dropping, sweet, well-plotted tale. Jaw-dropping? Yes, just look at that incredible opening sequence! And the CG animation was actually on par with Pixar films; not something that can be said about most animated movies these days. Bolt is a family favorite at my house and one that is worth revisiting for years to come.
5. Role Models
A close second as my favorite comedy of 2008. This movie works as well as it does because of Christopher Mintz-Plasse and his Renaissance Guild plot. If it were just the foul-mouthed black kid or anything else, this movie wouldn’t be nearly as interesting or unique as it is. Plus, the film has a lot of heart in it, as usual in Judd Apatow productions. Sean William Scott is still playing Stifler, but we can excuse that given everything else this film provides.
4. Tropic Thunder
Ingenious. We haven’t seen a film that sends up Hollywood this well in a long time. Robert Downey isn’t just great because of what he does; he’s great because of how the people around him respond to his whacked-out Method actor – and how he responds back. This is an excellent premise that is brilliantly executed. And the fact that it brings Hollywood pariahs Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughy hilarious performances is icing on the cake.
3. Wall-E
A film about a trash compactor that is mostly silent for the first half hour? This film should not be able to exist. But because it’s Pixar, it does – thankfully. Wall-E is a gorgeously animated, stunning, lovely film. If you’re not impressed with this film’s animation then you’re just not paying attention – or too young to know any better. The detail in lighting and realism and beauty of space is unbelievable. Wall-E is a remarkable achievement in a family-friendly package.
2. Iron Man
Who didn’t have fun at Iron Man? 2008 was a great year for both Iron Man and Robert Downey. While Tony Stark was initiating a registration act for superheroes in the comics, he was kicking box office butt. And Robert Downey started the year with a bang with this film and went on to comedy gold with the aforementioned Tropic Thunder, which earned him a couple awards nominations. Iron Man was a basic, yet intelligent superhero flick with global relevance. And Downey was charismatic as hell as Tony Stark. Iron Man would also ignite fanboy message boards as it initiated a franchise cross-over still yet to be fully realized.
1. The Dark Knight
Being a comic book geek and Batman fan, how could this not be my favorite film of the year? Further more, as a movie aficionado, with this film’s depth, sincerity, character development, and plotting how can anything else stack above it? I’ve sung this movie’s praises enough already. Go here for more of my thoughts about this film.
Those are my favorite films of 2008. I hope you found that interesting or at least inspired you to re-watch some of these films. Next time on Film Faves: 2007. What were some of your favorites? Feel free to share your thoughts below in the comments section.
Just as a reminder, this feature is not to be taken as a serious, unbiased statement on movies. This is a list of the movies I enjoyed most are most likely to watch again or own. It is a favorites list that will feature my top 12 favorite movies of the year. Now, withouth further ado:
2008
12. The Wrestler
The second best film of its year – and among the ten greatest of its decade. This was a powerful, moving, and quiet film with one of the best comeback performances ever. I found the story to be equally intriguing, insightful, and amusing. And I loved the performances by Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, and Mickey Rourke. The Wrestler is a criminally underappreciated film. For more on my thoughts on this film, go here.
11. Hellboy II: The Golden Army
This film unfortunately got overshadowed by the anticipation and release of The Dark Knight. That’s really too bad, because Hellboy II is a perfect example of a sequel that builds and improves on its predecessor. It’s also an excellent example of how CGI, make-up, and puppetry should all be thought of as tools in the same toolbox instead of independent of each other. After all, you can’t build a house with just a hammer. Director Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, Blade II) perfectly blends all these elements to create one of the most imaginative fantasy worlds while still retaining the superhero movie aesthetic. I had a lot of fun with this film.
10. Slumdog Millionaire
I’m probably not the only American who found this film to be incredibly eye-opening. I now understand how it is India has such a high population and, thanks to this film, I will never need to visit. Slumdog is probably the third best film of its year (despite winning for Best Picture). It is a wonderful little fable that is as sobering as it is magical. Watching the trailer makes me anxious to see it again. And the soundtrack kicks ass.
9. Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
This film was a delightful surprise, primarily because of its performances. What is ultimately a tired searching-around-the-Big-City-for-the-drunken-friend plot is elevated by the chemistry of its leads. Yes, I wish Michael Cera would move forward from his awkward teenage hipster persona. But it works very well here. And Kat Dennings is perhaps the coolest girl a young twenty-something could find. A very funny and charming film.
8. Incredible Hulk
This pseudo-sequel to the 2003 failure is exactly what Hulk fans could possibly hope for. It’s a chase film (as all Hulk stories are) with plenty of smashing. Some unique casting provided some surprises (although Jennifer Connelly from the last film was the perfect Betsy Ross). And the introduction of comic villains Abomination and The Leader (who was set up for a sequel), as well as mention of the Super Solder program, was delicious fodder for fans. Check out my June 2008 review here.
7. Zack & Miri Make a Porno
I didn’t think this movie was excellent, but did enjoy this more than other people. Justin Long is hilarious in his scene. And Elizabeth Banks holds her own as the beautiful new foul-mouthed Kevin Smith gal pal. It’s also great to see Jeff Anderson back in something that isn’t Clerks-related. Very funny. Very sweet.
6. Bolt
This was a surprise. What could’ve been yet another sub-par Disney flick turned out to be a jaw-dropping, sweet, well-plotted tale. Jaw-dropping? Yes, just look at that incredible opening sequence! And the CG animation was actually on par with Pixar films; not something that can be said about most animated movies these days. Bolt is a family favorite at my house and one that is worth revisiting for years to come.
5. Role Models
A close second as my favorite comedy of 2008. This movie works as well as it does because of Christopher Mintz-Plasse and his Renaissance Guild plot. If it were just the foul-mouthed black kid or anything else, this movie wouldn’t be nearly as interesting or unique as it is. Plus, the film has a lot of heart in it, as usual in Judd Apatow productions. Sean William Scott is still playing Stifler, but we can excuse that given everything else this film provides.
4. Tropic Thunder
Ingenious. We haven’t seen a film that sends up Hollywood this well in a long time. Robert Downey isn’t just great because of what he does; he’s great because of how the people around him respond to his whacked-out Method actor – and how he responds back. This is an excellent premise that is brilliantly executed. And the fact that it brings Hollywood pariahs Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughy hilarious performances is icing on the cake.
3. Wall-E
A film about a trash compactor that is mostly silent for the first half hour? This film should not be able to exist. But because it’s Pixar, it does – thankfully. Wall-E is a gorgeously animated, stunning, lovely film. If you’re not impressed with this film’s animation then you’re just not paying attention – or too young to know any better. The detail in lighting and realism and beauty of space is unbelievable. Wall-E is a remarkable achievement in a family-friendly package.
2. Iron Man
Who didn’t have fun at Iron Man? 2008 was a great year for both Iron Man and Robert Downey. While Tony Stark was initiating a registration act for superheroes in the comics, he was kicking box office butt. And Robert Downey started the year with a bang with this film and went on to comedy gold with the aforementioned Tropic Thunder, which earned him a couple awards nominations. Iron Man was a basic, yet intelligent superhero flick with global relevance. And Downey was charismatic as hell as Tony Stark. Iron Man would also ignite fanboy message boards as it initiated a franchise cross-over still yet to be fully realized.
1. The Dark Knight
Being a comic book geek and Batman fan, how could this not be my favorite film of the year? Further more, as a movie aficionado, with this film’s depth, sincerity, character development, and plotting how can anything else stack above it? I’ve sung this movie’s praises enough already. Go here for more of my thoughts about this film.
Those are my favorite films of 2008. I hope you found that interesting or at least inspired you to re-watch some of these films. Next time on Film Faves: 2007. What were some of your favorites? Feel free to share your thoughts below in the comments section.