5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
What a horrible poster. For a film so weighed with a theme that ‘everything fades’, what a bland and lazy way to try and sell tickets. David Fincher’s movie isn’t the masterpiece it could have been, but it’s a very successful and moving epic that is as lavish and attractive a film as we’ve seen in a good while and there are moments of true brilliance woven within the somewhat melodramatic tapestry from Eric (Forrest Gump) Roth’s slighty fat script. When it works it works in spades, with the early Benjamin Button moments as Brad Pitt’s face is married to another smaller actor’s work to near perfection and effectiveness and Benjamin’s years abroad being high water marks. It could have been one of those rarities, an awards magnet crowd pleaser that succeeds universally, but even in its current form The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a very good film and one that showcases yet another facet to the already incredible body of work of David Fincher.
Current rating: 8.8 out of 10
Contributing factors: Amazing marriage of craft and tech. Excellent work from Brad Pitt, especially as the ‘younger’ Benjamin. David Fincher’s brilliant eye. Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson and (of all people) Jason Flemyng’s solid work. A colorful supporting cast and some breathtaking visuals. The most gorgeous cinematography of the year.
Performance to savor: Jared Harris, whose work as the ill-fated Captain is really strong stuff.
CHUD.com Pull Quote: “The best sap you’ll see all year!”
4. Appaloosa (Pre-Order the DVD)
How does a somewhat generic Western make into the top five list of any year, even a weak one like 2008? Two lead characters that are such perfect complements to each other you’d watch them do anything for two hours. The term ‘bromance’ is one of the dumbest ever coined, but one of the things that make a lot of the best movies work is chemistry between the male leads. It’s why Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and the Danny Ocean movies are so effective. It’s why Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is one of the best film of the last ten years. It’s why Appaloosa is a truly wonderful movie when it is superficially carved from Old West 101 textbook. Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris are such a tongue in groove fit as actors and characters here that what transpires is truly secondary. The gunfights, romance (a very weird one involving a very puffy Renee Zellweger), and scenery pale in comparison to two men with a history and some of the best tough guy dialogue I’ve heard in years. Seriously, Frank Miller and Quentin Tarantino need to watch this film to see how it can be done without becoming arch. Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen elevate this movie way higher than it had any right being. And James Gammon is in it too!
Current rating: 9.0 out of 10
Contributing factors: Two great leading characters. The willingness to evolve the romance someplace interesting. Jeremy Irons actually showing up for a performance. Lance Henriksen being excellently Lance-y. Dialogue to savor.
Performance to savor: Viggo Mortensen, sly and subtle, and the kind of men we should all aspire to be.
CHUD.com Pull Quote: “Another excellent Western arrives, and without Clint Eastwood or Kevin Costner involved!”
3. The Wrestler
There was no denying Darren Aronofsky’s ability to inject true emotion into his work after the misunderstood and underappreciated The Fountain after coming out the gate with acclaimed but extremely cold stories in Pi and Requiem for a Dream. That he has distilled his craft to such a fine and raw point with The Wrestler is a revelation, and proof that the man is so much more than we thought he was as a filmmaker. Mickey Roarke is terrific, as is Evan Rachel Wood and the delectable Marisa Tomei (whose work in the 00’s more than proves her odd My Cousin Vinny Oscar wasn’t an anomaly), but the star of the film is Aronofsky and his uncluttered vision. This is a terrific character study, one that avoids the underdog cliches and allows for things we’ve seen dozens of times in various films to take on new meaning. A sneaky little gem of a movie.
Current rating: 9.1 out of 10
Contributing factors: The great acting. Realistic portrayals of people who live on the margins. A phenomenal third act. Darren Aronofsky absolutely on fire..
Performance to savor: Mickey Roarke, a bag of meat pumped up yet amazingly small.
CHUD.com Pull Quote: “Darren Aronofsy rises even closer to the top of the heap with a wonderful and finely tuned classic character study.”
2. Slumdog Millionaire
I am mystified that I came out of this movie so energized. Danny Boyle (and Loveleen Tandan, who probably deserves a fair share of credit as director of the Indian scenes) has come through with an odd hybrid of crime film and love story that really shouldn’t work at all, but does to magnificent effect. Whether it be the City of God-esque childhood scenes or the ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ segments, the thing just pulsates with energy and terrific performance after terrific performance. Especially the child actors. Boyle already proved with Millions that he was capable of being so much more than the edgy British filmmaker folks tried to pigeonhole him as, but this takes him up to the top tier of directors working today. Truly special stuff, and bouyant with hope amist the most dreadful scenarios.
Current rating: 9.1 out of 10
Contributing factors: Inventive filmmaking, great performances, and the willingness to put things in perspective as people in the worst conditions find and cling to their hope. One of those rare ‘inspirational’ films that actually is. Oh, and Freida Pinto is friggin’ smokin’.
Performance to savor: Dev Patel, lots of intensity in that young man. And dance moves, as the end credits reveal!
CHUD.com Pull Quote: “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Danny Boyle may have matched his classic Trainspotting!”
1. Wall-E (Buy the DVD)
If Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton, and Charlie Chaplin were alive today (and exhumed, freshened up, and put into a movie watching mood after all those years in the Hereafter) and allowed to see Wall-E, it’d probably bring tears to their eyes and fill them with enough ideas and dreams to launch a few dozen new animated film ideas. Pixar’s best film (which is saying something) has more imagination and pure storytelling in its opening half than most genres see in a given year and more than a cursory nod to an era where there were no bells and whistles to assist in conveying action and emotion. When it shifts, and it has to to keep from losing its sheen, it evolves into something deeper and smarter than a film like this has a right being. It improves with each viewing and showcases an acute sense of character and elegance that is so uncommon in a business where bigger, faster, and dumber is the status quo. Smart, gorgeous, honed to comedic and dramatic perfection, and truly moving. This is storytelling at its finest.
Current rating: 9.5 out of 10
Contributing factors: The best animation team in the world at the top of their game. Truly lovable characters with more depth than most humans. Strong themes that resonate with adults and plant sparks of curiosity with children. M-O, the cutest little cleaning robot in town.
Performance to savor: Ben Burtt and his hard drive filled with chirps and blurps.
CHUD.com Pull Quote: “The first legitimate animated Best Picture contender.”
Honorable Mentions: Burn After Reading. Religulous. The Ruins. Tropic Thunder. Cloverfield. Gran Torino. Man on Wire. Funny Games.
Wish I’d seen in time: Waltz with Bashir. Revolutionary Road. Rawhead Rex: The Musical.
Wish actually existed: Rawhead Rex: The Musical.
10. Redbelt (Buy the DVD)
Having missed this film theatrically, I assumed it was another middling Mamet film, something he did to pass the time between whatever his tasks on The Unit were and his lifelong attempts at forcefully shoving Rebecca Pigeon before my eyes. How wrong was I. Redbelt is an excellent film, one with a little more polish than I was expecting and a showcase for the amazing acting and physical chops of Chiwitel Ejiofor [pronounced Carl Jones]. Additionally, how on Earth does someone get a terrific performance from the quality wolfsbane [Galaxy Quest excluded] that is Tim Allen? The guy is great in this! Everyone is good in this [Alice Braga is a little sketchy], it’s got some great moments and dialogue and aside from not sticking the landing is both entertaining and intriguing work from Chicago’s finest foul-mouthed export. It’s like Mamet’s House of Games meets Bloodsport, which should be all the motivation anyone ever needs to buy eleven copies of this film, JUST IN CASE.
Current rating: 8.0 out of 10
Contributing factors: Mamet dialogue. Great supporting cast including Ricky Jay, Joe Mantegna, Max Martini, Emily Mortimer, and NO WAY… REBECCA PIGEON!
Performance to savor: Chiwetel Ejiofor, proving that chest hair and muscles are not a dealbreaker.
CHUD.com Pull Quote: “Redbelt will kick your ass, but it’ll adhere to a strict samurai code while doing so!”
9. Let the Right One In (Pre-Order the DVD)
This is a nice, deliberately paced little wonder. It’s certainly not going to win little Kåre Hedebrant any acting awards, but it’s a really cool and vicious tale of first love and lonliness. And a cool and vicious tale about secrets both big and small and how a little girl (maybe) can kick so much ass it ain’t even funny. The star of the film is the cold landscapes of Sweden and the industrial blandness of the early-80’s setting, and there are so many nice long shots that suck you in that it ripens the audience for the little moments that make the film so special. Surely limited by budget, the moments that really succeed are done with inventiveness and class and it makes Let the Right One In even better for it. I won’t spoil them. The hamlet of Blackeburg is not a happy place and seeing young Oskar’s life, it’s the kind of film that could have been a true downer if it wasn’t about a kid who befriends the vampire next door and the results of that friendship. It’s the latest upturn in fantasy and horror films featuring the connection between children and the fantastic and and unflinching one at that. Kids die and it’s great! The best horror films escalate to a conclusion that delivers and this one does so tremendously, culminating with a great climax and a really sublime coda. Really special stuff, and if I could have one action figure this year it’d be “half-trapped-in-ice-guy” from this little gem.
Current rating: 8.5 out of 10
Contributing factors: Excellent pacing, nice wide bisected static shots utilizing the snowy landscape of Stockholm (Motto: It’s not just a syndrome!). Inventive use of imagery. Bursts of terrific violence. Lots of Swedish men breathing way too loudly.
Performance to savor: Lina Leandersson, what with her sad eyes and misshapen sex organs and ability to toss folks around pools.
CHUD.com Pull Quote: “This isn’t the movie about the gatekeeper at Kitty Hawk, but still great!”
8. Frost/Nixon
Some folks dismiss this film superficially based on Ron Howard’s involvement, as if his presence alone emasculated strong material to the point of being middle of the road. Folks, this is Ron Howard, not Rob Reiner. Howard is prone to losing his grip on the edgier aspects of his work but there’s no denying his skill and ability to get performances from sometimes unexpected places. Luckily, everyone in Frost/Nixon is either well-versed from the successful stage version [ie: the leads] or an extremely capable character actor [ie: Sam Rockwell, Oliver Platt, and Kevin Bacon]. This is riveting, bold, and oftentimes very funny movie about a subject that isn’t as weighty as many big-time dramas. Especially since Richard Nixon is a near saint in comparison to some of his successors. Either way, this is a really solid movie loaded with great performances and little moments that elevate it from being a “Ron Howard film” to just being a great film. Almost top five material, but it may end up being one that grows better and better over the years, but at the very worst Frost/Nixon is a must-see for 2008 and possibly one of those sneaky little classics we simply don’t get enough of. And yes, Clint and Rance Howard make appearances, so you can sigh with relief.
Current rating: 8.5 out of 10
Contributing factors: Great acting work by all involved. Surprising heart and humor. Did I mention Clint Howard is in this?
Performance to savor: Michael Sheen, who is utterly engaging as the Frost in the title. Runner-Up: Emilio Estevez, for not being related to Michael Sheen or having anything to do with this film.
CHUD.com Pull Quote: “Holy shit, Skeletor can act!”
7. Iron Man (Buy the DVD)
If this was my list of the most entertaining films of 2008 or of the films I will watch the most times over the course of my lifetime from 2008, Iron Man would probably reign in at either #1 or #2. It’s such a solid movie, bursting at the seams with great moments, perfect design and execution, and possibly the best performance in a comic book movie off all time from Robert Downey, Jr. Yes, including Heath Ledger. Yes, including Vinnie Jones. Iron Man is a throwback of a movie that doesn’t try to rewrite the book in any way, just simply gliding right down the middle with glee and confidence. It works almost wholly, though the climax is flawed and at times it seems as if the film’s ambition had been scaled back by commerce and reality. Either way, Jon Favreau, Downey, and their cast and crew deliver a blast of a movie that takes a character that lacked a foothold in the public consciousness right to the top of the heap, which is a stronger achievement than folks realize.
Current rating: 8.8 out of 10
Contributing factors: Tons of great moments. A wonderful origin. Strong supporting work by all. Great effects. Robert Downey Jr. at the top of his, or anyone’s game.
Performance to savor: Robert Downey, Jr. The best actor alive.
CHUD.com Pull Quote: “Iron Man is an unabashedly joyous triumph for Marvel Studios and comic book movies in general!”
6. Hellboy: The Golden Army (Buy the DVD)
What can I say? We make no apologies about our love for the fat Mexican with the heart of gold and seemingly bottomless pit of talent. No creator becomes more hardwired to their work as Guillermo del Toro and Hellboy II: The Golden Army is the deliverance of the promise from the terrific though hampered by compromises first film. This one is awash in great moments, truly beautiful scenes [the elemental’s “death” may be the most beautiful image of 2008], and a love of the fantastic that isn’t present in today’s world of processed and homogenized products. It’s not for everyone, but it’s films like this that remind me why I love film and justifies all those years reading monster comics and cryptozoology books under the covers as an 8 year-old. Yeah, Guillermo is one of us… but no one alive can shoot film like he does and this is a giant wet kiss of monsters and magic and imagination that transcends personal tastes and genre loyalty.
Current rating: 8.8 out of 10
Contributing factors: Insane amounts of imagination onscreen and an incredible sense of wonder. Fun, colorful characters. Great monster designs. Gruff, pulpy fun all around.
Performance to savor: Luke Goss as the well-intentioned but lost at sea Prince Nuada.
CHUD.com Pull Quote: “The most relentlessly creative and inspired movie since… well, Guillermo del Toro’s last movie!”
I am still firmly of the belief that 2008 has been a disappointment. Evidence of such: Three comic book movies in my top fifteen. Nothing against comic book movies, and these were all great ones, but there ought to be enough truly special material sneaking past the bean counters at studios to allow for a little more rich fare to choose from when it comes to making lists of these that have to account for films we admire as entertainment as well as ones which truly represent the finest filmmaking in a given year. We had virtuosity on display for sure, whether it coming in the form of mainstream Fincher, stripped-down Aronofsky, ever-changing Boyle, or the insanely creative toolbox of Andrew Standon and his team of genii, but the year isn’t one of the more robust ones to remember. I certainly don’t envision a wonderful Oscars showing, though there isn’t really a frontrunner.
Either way, behold my list and hopefully you find stuff to enjoy, disagree with, agree with, and get your click’s worth. Discussion of CHUD’s ‘Top Lists” is here and links to related articles and talkbacks can be found at the end of this three page (don’t forget to read them all!) article.
15. Body of Lies (Pre-Order the DVD)
Not many folks made the effort to see this film, which is surprising considered the combined pedigree of Ridley Scott, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Russell Crowe. While not the kind of wholly successful enterprise people might expect, Body of Lies is a very engaging and hard movie. DiCaprio is really compelling here as a CIA operative who is willing to go to great lengths to do his job while his mentor/handler (Crowe) sips coffee and monitors from the comfort of his home. This is a nice, gritty bit of business and though it’s not loaded with action and big moments, it showcases the continued excellence that Scott has in using his lens to tell a muscular story without going overboard like his little brother. More like the similar Spy Game (though this is better) than the Bourne movies, this is a film without a home in some ways. It’s not as dense as Syriana and not as mainstream as The Kingdom, living in this odd place that just so happens to engage me even moreso. In a world currently without anything capturing my need for good spy flicks, this is a keeper and one that should find a nice home on DVD.
Current rating: 8.0 out of 10
Contributing factors: Good filmmaking, engaging plotlines, and solid acting from all involved. This is the kind of mini-event film we need more of. Something smart and somewhat uncompromising with A-List talent.
Performance to savor: Mark Strong, who with this and the fun RocknRolla has become one of my favorite character actors.
CHUD.com Pull Quote: “Who needs Tom Clancy when you have stuff like this!”
14. Pineapple Express (Pre-Order the DVD)
I don’t this is an outright funnier film than Tropic Thunder (because sorry folks, we’ve pigeonholed people as either Tropic Thunder or Pineapple Express people in life), but it is a better film. My stance has changed over recent months. Especially having seen it four times now. There’s a lot to love, and surprisingly one of my least favorite things about it is Seth Rogen (whose acting schtick needs to evolve pronto lest he lose my love, though his writing is golden). It’s the James Franco show through and through, though some fun is to be had with Craig Robinson and Danny McBride and the like, and seeing this guy emerge as a major force in this and to a lesser extent the disappointing Milk is phenomenal. There’s a lot to love about the messy nature of this film, living between genres (though it never lives up to the action aspirations it does have fun trying) and using the freedom the Apatow brand allows to make for some truly memorable moments. Fun stuff, and definitely one with a nice long shelf life.
Current rating: 8.0 out of 10
Contributing factors: “Throw shit at the wall and see what sticks” lunacy. Bill Hader’s intro. James Franco, second funniest dude of 2008. Plenty of quotable lines and a nice mixture of laughs and oddness.
Performance to savor: James Franco, especially when he’s being all emotional.
CHUD.com Pull Quote: “Not just a drug movie! Thank God!”
13. Doubt
This is a weirdly constructed film, one that relies heavily on ambiguity and is a lot more akin to a play (on which it is based) than the traditional film narrative structure. Superficially it might come off as anticlimactic (why do people pronounce it “anticlimattic”?), but it’s part of the film’s appeal. That said, the story and denouement means nothing in comparison to the verbal sparring and unspoken tension between Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s progressive priest and Meryl Streep’s disciplinarian nun. This is absolute acting manna and a must-see for people who feel that performance is lacking in American cinema. Magnetic stuff, and a solid movie to boot!
Current rating: 8.0 out of 10
Contributing factors: Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep in absolute top-notch form. Meaty exchanges and solid work from Amy Adams in the somewhat thankless role of the neutral person between the two leads.
Performance to savor: Meryl Streep, uncorking one of the best accents she’s ever done.
CHUD.com Pull Quote: “You will believe a priest can… do priest stuff!”
12. In Bruges (Buy the DVD)
What a fun, vulgar, and nutty little oddball movie this is. The playful, violent, and distinctly “Euro” feel of this movie negates all of the bad juju from Jason Statham’s disappointing year [and yes I didn’t like the uneventful bore that was The Bank Job, sorry] and causes me to wonder why the heck Ralph Fiennes doesn’t do more comedy. The guy is insanely funny in this movie and when balanced with Colin Farrell [doing a good Colin Farrell] and the amazing Brendan Gleeson, the result is a mini-classic crime flick. Even without midget damage it’s a blast, which is saying something. Seeing this film so warmly received at the Golden Globes was a total blindsiding but a welcome bit of news despite the lunacy in the other nominations and the fact that the Golden Globes are pretty much nonsense. A really fun movie, one that folks that read this site will eat up like Natalie Portman flavored candy.
Current rating: 8.0 out of 10
Contributing factors: Extreme profanity. Great jabs at Euro culture. Some surprising violence. great work by all three leads. The emergence of Ralph Fiennes as a comedic genius.
Performance to savor: Brendan Gleeson, who is as warming a presence as a hitman could be. Also, he makes a great splash.
CHUD.com Pull Quote: “You may not be able to pronounce it but you’ll love it!”
11. The Dark Knight (Buy the DVD)
Recently Empire magazine called Quantum of Solace ‘The Dark Knight of 007 movies’, which is a testament to both this film’s immediate impact on the lexicon as well as that Magazine’s Achilles Heel in dishing out too many overzealous platitudes in their review section. The Dark Knight is a damn good movie, solid as they get but bursting at the seams to the point of rendering some of its best tools numbed and powerless. It’s not a masterpiece like many assumed, but a damn fine movie just like Batman Begins (is it wrong that I like the first one a little better?). That’s enough for me, because this is an utterly re-watchable movie loaded with great moments and the kind of movies that will allow the comic book adaptations to endure any change (while fun but overdone stuff like Wanted sizzles and disappears from the brain). The acting is terrific. Christopher Nolan is definitely the right man for the job. Warner Bros. pulls no punches in allowing the film to be whatever it wants to be. There’s so much good here. It’s just not the best thing since sliced head, so instead of being #1A on my list of the best films ever thought of it’s a very solid #11 from this year and one that has already proven it’ll stand the test of time. With The Joker out of the way, the only thing I ask for from this series is less rather than more. This is the second highest grossing film of ever and one that’ll probably win a few undeserved statues, you can’t beat it so don’t try, Batpeople.
Current rating: 8.0 out of 10
Contributing factors: Excellent dramatic work. Some great moments featuring the Joker and Two-Face. Christian Bale, aside from Batvoice, is excellent as the Dark Knight. Great supporting work. No Katie Holmes!
Performance to savor: Heath Ledger, but special attention must be also paid to Gary Oldman’s warming and classy work as the Commish.
CHUD.com Pull Quote: “It’s very good and if that isn’t good enough hyperbole for you, too damn bad!”
