Top Ten Films of 2008

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Here we are, at the end of another year and with that the top ten movies I enjoyed in 2008. It was an interesting year of comic book heros, comedies, period pieces and loveable animation. Take a look to see if any of these are on your list!

10) THE READER – Kate Winslet has had a busy year! In this little known film all gloves are off (and sometimes clothes as well) in a story of right, wrong and living with the decisions made during war.

9) DOUBT – Streep and Hoffman pull in an amazing performance even if the story could have been better. Just seeing them both on screen going at one another was astounding to watch. Add in Amy Adams and it’s a trilogy of morality!

8) MILK – This is plainly just an amazing piece of filmmaking with Sean Penn giving it his all. Daring to take on the story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician, Penn plays Milk with all the wonder, flair and importance needed to tell this story.

7) TROPIC THUNDER – Ben Stiller and company go all out in this “war” film. It has laughs galore with the help of friends like McConnahey, Black, Downey, and a surprise role given to Cruise who proves he does have a sense of humor.

6) IRON MAN – Another Hollywood bad boy has managed to revive a career, this time it is Robert Downey, Jr. taking on the role of comic book character Tony Stark. No one else could have pulled this off and Downey dosen’t disappoint.

5) THE CHANGELING – Clint Eastwood, the master of storytelling, has done it again with this film. The story within a story within a story invites the viewer in and takes them on a ride about a missing boy, a corrupt LAPD and a mother determined to find the truth – no matter what it takes. Angelina Jolie is a pleasure to watch.

4) VALKRYIE – It has been several years since good things have been written about Tom Cruise and that should change with this film. Set in Hitler’s Germany, it is a story of a plot to assassinate the Furher by those who saw wrong and attempted to make it right.

3) WALL*E – There isn’t a cold-heart that could stay so after viewing this film. This little robot has the heart of a warrior for love! The film is charming to watch but even more so are the hidden messages that Pixar has become so good at and viewers love.

2) FROST/NIXON – Ron Howard takes a historic event in our history and brings it to screen. Sheen as David Frost and Langella as Richard M. Nixon were mesmerizing to watch. Although it is evident what the outcome of this event is, to see these two actors spar it out verbally is something to see.

1) DARK KNIGHT – My sidekick Archie is going to go nuts when he finds out that I’ve chosen this film as the best of 2008. Hey, Heath Ledger is creepy and funny in the role as The Joker, is there anything more awesome than that? This film is just plain astounding to watch, oh and Christian Bale is good as Batman if that helps!

I have to throw in a movie that has made both the best and worst list of 2008 -“The Bucket List” but it is my add in number 11. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman give heart-wrenching performances as two men who are ill and make up their own list of things to do before they die. Never underestimate the power of good story telling, two of America’s finest actors and a box of tissue!

Also, these are films yet to be released that already have Oscar buzz and they are:  Slumdog Millionaire, The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke, Last Chance Harvey with Dustin Hoffman, Revolutionary Road with DiCaprio and Winslet reunited, and Gran Torino with Clint Eastwood. 

There you have it – the list of 2008’s Best Movies! It has been a year of ups and downs for Hollywood and theatres alike. Films, whether good or bad, are a part of our own personal histories. Stories on film that make us feel good, bad, sad or happy and even a mixture of it all. 

But in the end it is all about being taken away for an hour or two into places we otherwise might never go. So cheer on as the awards begin to roll in and get ready for all that 2009 has to offer!

Happy viewing!