Who needs preliminary chatter – or even a drumroll?
Presenting the best films of 2008 – starting with the creme de la creme:
- “The Dark Knight” – Action, chills, suspense and a morally dense story that got knottier over its extended running time – no other movie could touch it this year.
- “Gran Torino” – Clint Eastwood boils his career down to its essential elements in this tale of an old warrior going into battle for possibly the last time.
- “Iron Man” – In any other year it’s the best superhero effort, but the film has to settle for the Silver. Robert Downey, Jr. is perfection as Tony Stark, and in a just world Jeff Bridge’s turn as Obadiah Stane would be getting Oscar buzz.
- “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” – C’mon, comedies can hang with other Best Picture nominees! And why not “Forgetting,” which featured a winning love story, big belly laughs and a wealth of great supporting players.
- “Man on Wire” – The year’s best documentary. Rent it and dare to disagree.
- “Doubt” – The remarkable play begets a remarkable movie with a killer cast.
- “Burn After Reading” – It took two viewings to appreciate the greatness in the Coen brothers’ latest concoction. And while Brad Pitt may undeservedly get an Oscar nomination for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” his work here may go sadly neglected.
- “Tell No One” – A brutally entertaining French film, a thriller which should serve as a template for mainstream American films.
- “Where God Left His Shoes” – This minor miracle slipped into theaters this month, a sad-sack tale of a destitute family trying to find a home for the holidays. It’s strikingly unsentimental and features a performance that deserves Oscar buzz but won’t get it — by none other than John Leguizamo.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I liked seeing Tell No One on this list. An excellent thriller.
I almost forgot to include “Tell,” Linda … I hope more people check it out when it makes its DVD debut.
As a Coen fan, I was slightly disappointed by Burn. I thought the concept was great (a spy film where none of the players realized that nothing important was happening) but that overall it was lacking something. But I’m planning on checking it out again on DVD, so you inclusion on this list gives me hope!
AS posted, watching this tonight. Better be good — Pitt looks funny – he does funny well…Think the “Thelma and Louise”Pitt. Pre that horrifying fish-lips Jolie….I shall report tomorrow on my valued opinion..
Also, no Slumdog Millionaire? I just saw it yesterday and was really impressed.
I have yet to see any of these movies but there are some that you left off of your list that seem to be on a lot of others. Like:
The Wrestler
Slumdog Millionaire
Frozen River
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
I love your choices. Any list that boasts ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ is fine with me. But I’m starting to wonder about all of the hype regarding these other films. Sometimes I just think its Hollywood insiders hyping certain movies in order stay relevant with the elite film crowd.
Liked both Slumdog Millionaire and The Wrestler … just not enough to bump the films listed. “Button” is really overrated … it’s beautiful but soulless. I confess I haven’t caught up with Frozen River yet.