Top Ten List - Best Films 2008

10. Paranoid Park - Sometimes Gus Van Sant does mainstream brilliance (Good Will Hunting) and sometimes he does artsy to the extreme (Gerry), but 2008 seems to be the year he is marrying the two together. Paranoid Park is another gem from Van Sant. With it's minimilistic cineamatography, non-linear story telling and mostly non-professional cast, Paranoid Park is a perfectly executed thrilling story. It's exceedingly well done with an interesting story (did a high school skateboarder accidentally kill a security guard?) and great acting from a lot of unknowns. Van Sant has not disappointed me in a very long time (and more on that later!).

09. Revolutionary Road - Revolutionary Road is devastating. I've been going back and forth on whether or not to include this or Doubt on my top ten list. The fact is, Doubt has this purely engaging, wonderfully written and realized script. Revolutionary Road has it's flaws, for sure, but it's so heartbreaking that it's hard to not include it here. Essentially, it's the story about two people who want something more out of their lives. When it comes down to them, life (jobs, kids, money, responsiblity) breaks them down and ruins their dreams. That's sort of something I can relate to. The lead performances by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet and the supporting performance by Michael Shannon are all top notch. This story and movie has its problems, but the emotional punch it packs makes up for any minor problems.

08. Funny Games - This movie gets into your head because it shows absolutely nothing. You are left to imagine what is happening off screen (and director Michael Haneke uses great long takes so it sometimes feels like minutes before you actually find out what happened) and that is more terrifying than seeing anything. The movie is really a superbly crafted intellectual film (it's maybe almost too smart at times, actually). The acting is great - especially from Naomi Watts, the victim and Michael Pitt, the polite and kind potential killer. Also, the ending boat scene? Fricking brilliant!

07. In Bruges - One of the most surprising films of the year, In Bruges is just simply enjoyable on every level. It follows a "job" gone terribly wrong for two Irish hit men who are forced to hide out in Bruges, Belgium, a little place where there is not a lot to do. The forced waiting, sort of like purgatory, gives Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson a chance to shine through some marvelous dark yet comic dialogue. It's a character study with such wonderful interplay. The movie works as a comedy and a satire. It's been a long time but Colin Farrell finally gets to shine as a morally challenged hit man.

06. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - David Fincher's epic story about a man aging backwards is a moving and emotionally harrowing journey through the life of one man. Fincher directs the hell out of this thing which has a great script and great performances (especially from Taraji P. Henson). It starts out a little slow but kicks into high gear in the second half. There are so many moments of brilliance that it makes up for it's uneven beginning. It may be a little long but The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a beautiful journey well worth the time.

05. Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Woody Allen is as sharp and witty as he was thirty years ago. Here he tells the story of two American tourists (Scarlett Johannson and Rebecca Hall) and the romantic entangelments they become involved in with a Spanish painter (Javier Bardem) and his borderline crazy and completely volatile ex-wife (the amazing Penelope Cruz). Barcelona looks beautiful! The cinematography is beautiful (witness the amusement park and the bike riding scenes). This movie also shows how Allen has grown as a filmmaker. Years ago, he stockpiled as many jokes in the film, no matter how silly. Here, thre is a particular moment where a character is set to tell a joke he warns is bad... and Allen cuts out of the scene! He's more interested in the development of these outrageous and well developed characters than telling silly jokes. With writing as crisp, original, witty and smart as it is here, he doesn't need cheap laughs.

04. The Wrestler - This movie is honest and feels so very real. Maybe it's because Mickey Rourke brings a feel of reality to his role. The character, Randy the Ram, has eerie similarities to his own life (wasted youth, struggling with growing older and losing your career, damaging your body and your personal relationships). Maybe it's because Darren Aronofsky is an amazing director. I don't know. Either way, The Wrestler is a gem of a movie, beautifully realized and utterly heart breaking. This movie is gritty, raw, sometimes funny and sometimes very depressing. There's so much compassion here. This is one of the best movies of the year - a tough, funny, dramatic tear jerker. It's a must see. Rourke and Senn Penn will fight to the finish for that Oscar come February and really, I'd be happy to see either win it.

03. The Dark Knight - The Dark Knight is a huge step forward for comic book / superhero movies. For years, those kinds of movies were seen as brainless summer popcorn flicks. The Dark Knight, however, is a whole different kind of movie. It's a well-done, classy, smart film - the kind that will stand the test of time and the kind that should definitely be called a masterpiece. Everything in this movie is so well done - special effects, story line, acting. This movie probably has the best cinematography of the year. And then there's Heath. He deserves the Oscar. That's all I will say at this point. Everything else has already been said. Overall, The Dark Knight is two and a half hours of pure entertainment. There's little to nothing wrong with the movie. All those months of anticipation and expectations? It not only meets them but also surpasses them.

02. Wendy and Lucy - It seems so simple on the outside. Michelle Williams perfectly portrays Wendy, a young woman traveling to Alaska to find a job. She takes her dog Lucy with her and just enough money to make the trip. But then everything starts fo all apart. When her car breaks down and she loses her dog, Wendy's life begins to slowly unravel. It's a quiet film, a short film, a simple film. It's mostly Williams searching every nook and cranny for her dog. But it's raw and surprisingly gripping. It's touching and bittersweet. I cried my eyes out and I'm not afraid to admit it. It's a simple story with a powerful message.

01. Milk - There may be a more touching, gripping, emotional, politically timely, perfect film released this year... but I haven't seen it. Milk is everything a movie should be. Directed by the fantastic Gus Van Sant (director of the year!) and starring Sean Penn (probably the second greatest living actor), the film tells the story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in the late 1970s in San Francisco. The supporting cast is all fantastic - Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, James Franco, Alison Pill. This movie is a celebration of a man who worked endlessly to bring about a change. With the recent passing of Prop 8 (which is much like Prop 6 in the movie), its clear to see that after thirty years, Harvey's fight is still not over. This movie should be a rally cry, a call to people to come together and stand up for gay rights, civil rights, human rights. Milk is perfect.

...And now back to your regularly scheduled program

Now that my experiment is over, it's back to regular blogging. Let's begin with the best (and worst) of the summer of 2008. It was actually a surprisingly good summer for movies. That - or I managed to avoid most of the really bad movies. Either way, here's the best and worst from Memorial Day to Labor Day...

The Best

The Dark Knight (A) - Brilliant in every major way. Solid directing. Witty and intelligent writing. Spectacular special effects. Great performances (Eckhart, Oldman, Bale, Caine, Freeman). One amazing out of this world performance (Ledger). The best of the summer, for sure. The best of the year, possibly.

Sex and the City (B+) - A fun way to spend two and a half hours. If you are a fan of the show, there is no way the movie could disappoint. It's everything you wanted from a Sex and the City movie and more! These women are not fictional characters. They are friends and it's good to have them back.

Pineapple Express (B+) - Sticks and stones and weed and bombs. First of all, what a great usage of Paper Planes. Second of all, we all know that Seth Rogen is funny but holy shit James Franco! What a hilarious scene stealing performance.

Tropic Thunder (B+/B) - I can't decide if it's the movie I love or just the fact that Jay Baruchel is finally on screen again. He's my current celebrity crush and he's as adorable as ever. Also, kudos to Robert Downey Jr. and his hilarious / controversial / brilliant performance.

The Good

Wall E (B) - Adorable, sure. Clever, sure. Cute, of course. There are certain scenes which are unforgettable (the first twenty minutes or so, the fire extinguisher dance scene) but ultimately it might be a little TOO cutesy.

Wanted (B-) - Off the wall craziness. Is it realistic? Absolutely not. Is it fun as hell to watch James McAvoy be an all around bad ass? Hell yeah! There may be a little too much plot actually. It gets in the way of Angelina Jolie throwing cars at buses and what not.

The Decent

Step Brothers (C+) - It's not the smartest or funniest comedy of the summer but it's still funny in a stupid kind of way. Also, the whole Boats and Hoes thing is ridiculously funny.

Hancock (C) - Hancock is sort of hit or miss. It's half of a good movie. The first half is funny and charming and original. Then it takes a turn and becomes a huge cliched mess. Still, Will Smith is the most charming man in all of Hollywood and Jason Bateman has the most perfect comic timing.

The Disappointing

Mamma Mia (C-) - Mamma Mia sure was fun at times. Seeing Meryl Streep jump around on a bed singing Dancing Queen was a hoot! There were moments of pure joy in this movie. Too bad it was spastic and messy overall.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (C-) - Shia was hot. Harrison can still kick ass. But aliens, really? Plus, it was kind of a rip off of National Treasure which was kind of a rip off of the original Indiana Jones movies. Just give it up.

The Strangers (C-) - A less edgy and inferior version of Funny Games, this movie is not scary in any way shape or form. In fact, it sort of grates on your nerves after a while. Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman sure make a pretty couple but could they be any stupider in this movie?

The Bad

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (D+) - Honestly, it was so bad I fell asleep during it. Boring, boring and then when you think it can't get any more boring, guess what? It gets more boring. I forget why I gave it such a generous grade actually? Maybe it was because of my girl crush on Selma Blair.

The Love Guru (D-) - The only decent thing about this stupid, stupid, stupid movie is Justin Timberlake and his ridiculous French Canadian accent walking around in a speedo. That and the Morgan Freeman voice over joke because I not-so-secretly which Morgan Freeman would narrate my life.

The Worst

You Don't Mess With the Zohan (F) - Not even close to being funny. Close to offensive, actually. Adam Sandler is not funny. I repeat, Adam Sandler is NOT funny. Stop making movies, please. You have enough money. Just leave me alone.

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight is a rare kind of movie. It is so overhyped that it's almost impossible to believe that it could live up to your expectations. But guess what? It doesn't disappoint. In fact, The Dark Knight is a huge step forward for comic book / superhero movies. For years, these kinds of movies were seen as brainless summer popcorn flicks. You don't really need to think about them - just sit back and enjoy. It might not be particuarly thought-provoking or intellectual but at least it's a fun way to pass the time - great special effects, so-so acting, so-so story. The Dark Knight is whole different kind of movie. It's definitely not a brainless summer popcorn flick. It's a well-done, classy, smart film - the kind that will stand the test of time and the kind that should definitely be called a masterpiece. The special effects? Great. The storyline? Smart in every way. The acting? Well, it's out of this world (especially by a certain late actor... more on that in a minute). Director Christopher Nolan is back and better than last time. The story picks up a few years after Batman Begins lets off. Batman / Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is still struggling to clean up the streets of Gotham. This time around he may get a little help in the form of White Knight district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) who is the kind of politician who is actually trying to make a difference. He's also dating Bruce's old girl, the love of his life, Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal this time around who is about a hundred times better than Katie Holmes was). The mob (led by Eric Roberts!!!) is uncontrollable but that is the least of Gotham's problems. There's a new villain in town - he's absolutely out of his mind, embracing chaos, anarchy. He says at one point that he makes no plans. He's like a dog chasing a car but he doesn't know what he would do if he actually caught the car. He just acts without thinking anything through - and that terrifies the people of Gotham. His name is the Joker and in the hands of Heath Ledger he becomes the most terrifying, hilarious, downright crazy villain. The late Ledger creates a masterpiece of a performance. I don't see a scenario in which he won't win a posthumous Oscar for his work here. He's amazing and he gives the performance of his much too short life. Then there's that fantastic supporting cast - Michael Caine as the ever faithful Alfred, Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox and Gary Oldman as Lt. Gordon (who really deserves an honorable mention because he's pretty damn good as well). Overall, The Dark Knight is two and a half hours of pure entertainment. There's little to nothing wrong with the movie. Not only does it meet expectations, it surpasses them.

Grade: A