Top 5 Movies of 2008

Most Disappointing (tie): Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and my lack of movie viewing
If the latest Indiana Jones movie featured characters that resembled ones from the past movies and didn’t have the words Indiana or Jones in the title than it would have missed a spot on this list good or bad. Truthfully, the movie was forgettable fun much like the first installment of the Mummy franchise. I certainly wouldn’t have run out to catch it but if it came on TV, I would have given it a shot. Unfortunately, since it was one of the most anticipated movies of the summer and the first new Indy adventure in over a decade, it was saddled with expectations. Some might say those expectations were unwarranted but damn it all, this is Indiana Jones and I want to see him act like Indiana frakking Jones.

My other big disappointment is in myself. While I’ve certainly become more of a TV person than a film person over the last few years, this was a new low in viewership. As I write this, I think it’s a damn good thing that 5 of the 10+ movies I saw this year were of outstanding quality or I wouldn’t even have a list.

5. Burn After Reading
I might be reaching by putting this on my top 5 list because the latest Cohen brother’s flick didn’t stick with me, but in the moment, this was one of the best experiences of the year. The mix of farce and slapstick keeps the audience on their toes and Brad Pitt, hair and all, further develops himself as one of our great actors.

4. Tropic Thunder
If not for Heath Ledger, I whole-heartedly believe that Robert Downey Jr. would be the deserving favorite for this year’s Best Supporting Actor Oscar. His portrayal of a true method actor in Tropic Thunder is so layered and so intense that it almost feels out of place in this insider comedy. I think the reason it works though is that this film is funny as hell. In an age of Apatow-mania, Ben Stiller reminds us that comedies don’t have to about sex and relationships; they can also be about mocking each other and ourselves. While I thought there was a little too much of him, you have to give Tom Cruise credit for pulling off his role as a studio head. Likewise, Jack Black should be given similar credit for finding the funny again and being selective about his choice of movies. I’m not a Stiller fan as an actor but he really knows how to direct comedy as this opus proves.

3. Hellboy II- The Golden Army
I want to take Guillermo Del Toro behind the bleachers and get him pregnant. That is how much I love this man’s films. While I was put off by Pan’s Labyrinth, I still find it to be a film I’m fascinated by and love to discuss. I think his studio work is amazing going back to the underappreciated Blade II. Hellboy was a good melding of studio desires with his aesthetics and Hellboy II expands on that and is a perfect marriage. Just an unbelievably beautiful film with humor and drama.

2. Iron Man
Hands down the greatest comic book movie ever. I love the first two X Men, and the new Batman flicks (see below) but this movie is the finest adaptation of a comic book I’ve ever witnessed. It was as if the pages came to life. Robert Downey Jr. was a spot on Tony Stark and for the first time I found an origin story to be truly engrossing. I’ve never been much of an Iron Man fan since he’s sort of the anti Bruce Wayne but if every adventure he has is as fun as this one, then count me in. Oh and by the way, I hope everyone has noticed the Jon Favreau is developing into one of our finest studio directors. Lastly, you have to give props to Marvel who is finally acknowledging the benefit of tying their film universe together.

1.(tie) The Dark Knight and Wall-E
If Iron Man was the best comic book movie of the year than where does that leave Batman and his second, second outing? In my mind, it leaves it as the best picture of the year. Sure, it is based on an iconic comic book hero but I found myself getting lost in the world director Chris Nolan has created. I hardly found myself referencing his first outstanding foray into Gotham, Batman Begins, let alone the hundreds of comic book stories I’ve read. Heath Ledger turned in the performance of the year and the rest of the cast shined. It was a stunning commentary on our society and a philosophical thinker. Plus, things blowed up real good.

Wall-E gave an equally stunning commentary on our society and did so in a completely different way. Pixar hit a home run yet again but did it by poking fun and by poking society's collective fat ass. The first mostly silent 30 minutes is the kind of film making that leaves your jaw firmly planted on the floor. Not only was it the best animated picture of the year but I truly believe it deserves a best picture nomination as well.

Looking Ahead to 2009: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
I hate Twilight and I hate Warner Brothers. Did they move Harry because they were afraid of box office competition from the vegan vamps or was it simply a budget move? Either way it sucks worse than Twilight that we have to wait until next summer. Worse yet the final book adaptation, split into two movies, probably won’t hit the screens until 2010 and 2011 respectively. All that disappointment aside, I cannot wait to see the dark tones of the sixth book on the big screen.