Top 10 Films of the Year

At the end of every year, I look back and reflect on the films I have seen to determine what will be recognized during the Academy Awards.
Last year was not a good year for movies. While some shined through the darkness, most films just faded into oblivion. Some films had high quality, but in small quantities.
In 2008, there was a large number of films with high quality. Superheroes and comedies reigned supreme, while most dramas fell by the wayside. But that’s OK with me because I like superheroes and I like to laugh.
Unfortunately, I have been unable to see some of the films I feel will end up being my favorites, but I will give you my top 10 for 2008 with the warning I may be replacing a few choices in the coming weeks.

10. Kung Fu Panda — Much of the country fell in love with a cute and cuddly robot this summer, but my heart went out to a clumsy, fat panda.
The story of Po (Jack Black), a panda meant for greatness, but held back by other people’s perceptions, is both a hilarious cartoon and a strong film. Po’s journey can make adults and children alike laugh at his antics, feel his hurt and triumph with him in his victories. A must-see for anyone who has ever felt like an oddball or different (this includes everyone in the world.)

9. Pineapple Express — James Franco’s turn as a pot-head drug dealer on the run with Seth Rogan is one of the funniest films this year. At first glance, “Pineapple Express” might seem like a typical stoner movie, but in reality it is one of the best buddy comedy’s in the past several years.
Rogan has established himself as a comedy icon in the past two years, but Franco blows him out of the water with his performance as the simple-minded drug dealer who just wants to be friends with everyone. I can only hope and pray that Franco will continue to dig into his comedy roots and take more roles like this one.
I knew how good the movie was when my wife had to tell me to stop quoting the movie she hadn’t seen every day and pointed out I would just occasionally laugh to myself and mutter a line or two from the film. The sign of a truly great comedy.

8. Iron Man — A dream come true for action lovers and comic book geeks alike. This was a close second to the best comic book film this year. In fact, it is one of the best comic book films to come out in the past several years.
Not only did it mark the beginning of a phenomenal comeback for Robert Downey Jr., it also re-ignited the general audience’s interest in costumed superheroes.
As action packed as it is character driven, “Iron Man” makes it hard not to like for anyone.

7. — In Bruges- This film was only in limited release this year, but had a deep impact on my when I was finally able to watch it.
The movie is marketed as a comedy and has its moments of hilarity, but is more extesential than anything else. I am not normally someone to rave about a film because it is extesential — in fact most of the time if the film makes it a focal point it ends up being a bad movie — but “In Bruges” was poignant in a way which struck me deeply.
I don’t know if everyone would have a similar experience, but I found myself laughing out loud one moment, and pondering life the next.

6. Austrailia- I love a good epic. While a three hour running time is long no matter who you are, the time flies by while watching “Australia.”
If it isn’t the stunning visuals, it is the gripping storyline keeping the audience sucked into every moment of the film. Australia is one of the most beautiful places in the world and Luhrmann makes sure to tap into that beauty and make the audience feel like they are surrounded by the rocks of the “down under” instead of chairs and popcorn.
Besides shooting the scenery, director Baz Luhrmann can take a simple shot of a person riding a horse and shoot it from an angle sure to steal the audiences breath away.

5. Forgetting Sarah Marshall- My favorite comedy of the year far and away. I had looked forward to the film long before I was actually able to sit down and enjoy it, but when I did it was just as wonderful as I had imagined.
Jason Segel is great a front-man, and even better as a writer.
Obviously, it is easier for Segal to make his own words funny, but the entire cast also orchestrates Segel’s words into a beautiful comedic symphony.
Since I first saw the film, I have watched it numerous times and instead of finding the jokes to be stale, I find new things which I hadn’t noticed before and still roll from the things I laughed at the first time I enjoyed the experience.

4. The Dark Knight- I don’t know how anyone could argue this is the best comic book movie to be made in several years.
There are several reasons this film will go down in history as a classic film. One, of course, is Heath Ledger’s brilliant performance as the Joker. Ledger’s tragic and untimely death came at the peak of his career. His shoes will never be filled in this series or by anyone who attempts to play this character ever again.
The new Batman films also explore the dark side of the hero. The film shows even superheroes are people with issues. Batman’s human vunerablity makes the film easier to enjoy because it draws the audience in and connects them with a character as opposed to just having them watch someone or something they could never relate too.

3. Milk — Sean Penn will definitely be nominated for his portrayal as one of the first openly gay politicians in the 70s. Director Gus Van Sant is a stickler for authenticity in his films and his use of camera angles, sets and costumes truly make this biopic a better experience.
It isn’t the best film of the year, but it is close. A cast can make or break a film and, while the story is interesting and fascinating, Penn takes the cake for reasons to watch this film. His transformation into Milk is uncanny and worthy of any recognition he gets.
In a time of change and empowerment, this film stands out as a soapbox for many people to shout their views, but behind the politics is the story of one man trying to make a difference. Anyone can relate to that, no matter what choices they make in life.

2. Slumdog Millionaire- This gripping tale from director Danny Boyle ( “28 Days Later”, “Trainspotting”) tells the story of a young boy who grew up in the slums of India. The boy finds his way onto the show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” and makes a run for one of the highest prizes ever awarded on the show.
His story is told through the questions asked of him on the game show. Dev Patel is great as the lead role of Jamal and his co-star and love interest Freida Pinto is one of the most beautiful women to grace the screens this year.
This story of life and love has every aspect a good film should have: comedy, drama, love and loss.
It is a close second for my favorite film of the year.

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- It is fitting one of the best films of the year opened on one of the best days of the year.
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is a frontrunner for several Academy Awards including Best Picture.
If Pitt’s performance in the film is not the best of his career, I don’t know what is. His portrayal of a young boy in a old man’s body and a wise, old man inside the body of a young man show a range of talent rarely seen and remarkable to watch.
Three of the films actors should be nominated for Academy Awards. Pitt for Best Actor, alongside Blanchett for Best Actress and Taraji P. Henson for Best Supporting Actress.
Henson shines as Pitt’s adoptive mother, a southern women who claims Button as her own. Henson should have been nominated as her turn as a single-mother prostitute with a heart of gold in “Hustle and Flow,” and re-enforces her label of a truly good actress in “Button.”
The film will almost assuredly win “Best Adapted Screenplay” for the gripping script. Taking Fitzgerald’s story and turning it into an epic is not a deed which should go unnoticed.
I may be a sucker for epic films, but I always believe if a movie can grip you for three hours and involve you in the story deserves recognition — like Best Picture.
David Fincher’s work may also be recognized under the umbrella of “Best Director” and —although I’m not an expert — I believe costumes and art director might also have a chance for walking away with an award or two.
I haven’t seen many films this year which hold a candle to “Button.” I haven’t seen everything which came out in 2008, but — currently — this holds the number one slot in my opinion — a must see picture for the holiday season.