Ryan McNeil2008 was a slightly spotty year at the movies, but one that brought with it some cinematic brilliance nonetheless. Part of thinks we should soak it up, since that nasty writers’ strike is bound to have a ripple effect on next year’s offerings. Here’s hoping I’m wrong.
So now it’s traditional for everyone to rhyme off their “Best-Of” lists, and given that I’ve suddenly earned myself the nickname of “Listy McGee”, I’d be remiss if I didn’t offer my two cents. In a neat twist, I truthfully could declare this year a five-way-tie for number one…yes, I loved all of these movies that much.
So by the slightest of margins, here I offer you:
Hatter’s Top Five Films of 2008
#5. MILK… It’s the mark of a great film that can move you deeply, even when you know where the story is headed. That was MILK for me. Perfectly performed by Sean Penn, and beautifully captured by director Gus Van Sant. And not like it needed the help, but world events turned it into a pointed commentary. Here’s hoping its message can soon be understood.
Favorite Moment: The end, and if you haven’t seen it, I’m not telling.
#4. THE WRESTLER… What are you supposed to do when the world is done with you? What happens when you’re only good at one thing, and you can’t do that one thing anymore? THE WRESTLER attempts to tell us, through the tender story of Randy “The Ram” Robinson. Darren Aranofsky dials back the weird this time around, and directs Mickey Rourke to the performance of a lifetime. The kid in me who spent his childhood cheering for WWF idols was heartbroken by this story.
Favorite Moment: Robinson’s soul-searching attempt at re-connecting with his daughter. It’ll cut right through ya.
#3. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE… It seems strange to say this as a blogger intent on sharing my opinions with whoever will listen, but once in a while, you just need to go into a movie blind. That’s how I saw this film, and as such I was unprepared for the uplifting joy it would provide. It’s rare for a film to combine violence, whimsy, poverty, and passion – but this film does it. Believe the hype, and give it a look.
Favorite Moment: When you do see this film, be sure to stay for the end credits.
#2. THE DARK KNIGHT… What can be said about this blockbuster that hasn’t already been said. Maybe this – to all Hollywood suits wanting to cash in on big budget blow-’em-ups, let this be a lesson: Plot does matter. Hire a good director, and actors that bring more than just looking good in tights, and the audience will thank you for it – in abundance. The only question remaining about this franchise is where it can go from here?
Favorite Scene: I could watch Gordon/Batman’s interrogation of The Joker on an endless loop.
#1. WALL-E… By *this* much. No seriously – any of these five films could have landed on top of the list, but WALL-E eeks out top spot because of the sublime charm it unspools. Time will be the judge, but I’ll go out on a limb and suggest that it may well stand up as one of the best animated movies ever made. For the important message about mass consumerism, for how well it built on important movies that came before, and for how darned charming that little guy is, WALL-E is my call for the best movie I saw all year.
Favorite Moment: It’s hard to pick one, but I still get a smile when thinking about WALL-E trying to impress EVE by doing what he does best, and finishing with a “Ta-Dah!” that’s never been said so proudly about a cube of garbage.
Did I forget one? Post a comment and tell me your Top Movies of 2008. Likewise, feel free to make suggestions for next week’s top five.
Three of these I have yet to see, hopefully to be fixed in short order. I do not disagree with either Wall-E or Dark Knight as some of the Best of 2008 though. While i don’t have anything new to add to this list since I’m behind, I’ll get there and come back with a few of my own.
I need to see The Wrestler still, but even without it, your top five and mine will share no less than three films (your top three). In addition, mine will feature Man on Wire. The placement of all these?
No clue yet.
I just put up my own favourites list yesterday. We share WALL-E, but as we discussed, I haven’t seen too many of the year’s theatrical releases, so my list leans to the filmfest stuff I saw (Hot Docs, TIFF, After Dark). I also included some fave performances and older films I saw for the first time this past year.
The rest of your top 5 are pretty much the few big releases that hold any interest for me. I just can’t seem to care much about seeing “Revolutionary Road” or “The Reader” or “The Changeling” or “Doubt” or…well, you get the idea. I’ll probably get to them at some point I guess.
Oh, one last thing…I did indeed watch “It’s A Wonderful Life” (on Christmas evening as a matter of fact). I’ll try to post something about it, but the damn thing got to me during the last 5-10 minutes. I had been resisting up until then…
Fletch – Regretfully I never got to see MAN ON WIRE, though I’m hoping to correct that now that it’s on DVD. As for the placement, it wasn’t easy…and I mean it when I say that I could have easily called this a five-way-tie for first place.
Bob – The whole point of the flick is that last 5-10…good to see it got ya. Amusing how much it really isn’t a Christmas movie though, no?
I'm a little behind on the top-five, having only seen #2 & #1 on your list. Slumdog Millionaire is on my list to get out and see, as well as Gran Torino. Eastwood has had a great run at the movies this decade, so I’m interested to see where that one sits.
Coming up with my own Top-5 will be amazingly simple. I only saw 5 movies at the theatre this year… so they are ordered as such:
5. Iron Man
4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
3. WALL*E
2. Quantum of Solace
1. The Dark Knight
Yep, I knew that it was all coming down to that final scene (which was one of the reasons why I held off seeing it for so long – I kinda already knew the story). I figured I could keep things at bay, but the dam sprung a few leaks.
Gloria Grahame was stunning though wasn’t she?
Awesome list Hatter! I don’t know how you pared it down to 5 films, that in it of itself is a feat!
I still have to get out to see Milk, and I didn’t love The Dark Knight as much as everyone else but The Wrester, Slumdog and Wall-E are all fine picks!
Cheshire – If those were the only five you saw in a theatre this year, then I’d say you know how to pick ’em!
Moxie – Of what’s in theatres right now, I’d say to try and move MILK towards the top of your to-see list. You can thank me at the next meet-up.
Nice post, love your “favorite moments” and agree on all. I haven’t seen The Wrestler yet, but assume it will be near the top of my list for 2008’s best. Slumdog Millionaire, The Dark Knight and Wall-e will be up there too. I haven’t worked out my final top 10 yet, but Man on Wire, Iron Man, Son of Rambow, Tell No One and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button will most likely have spots. OK, that’s 9, what will I do with Young@Heart, Shine a Light and Milk *sigh* Always hard to keep the list to 10. Happy New Year!
Linda, our lists ought to look strikingly similar…
Finally got my list up! It’s actually 26 films with no crossover here… although I did like a lot on your list.
I have to go see Milk!
Is DOUBT too heavy to make the top 5?
That’s a fine list. Wall-E is definitely a contender for my favorite of the year. The Dark Knight definitely transcended its genre and deserves recognition, and Slumdog was amazing, an old school story made modern.
The other two in my top 5, I’d have to say Gran Torino and Rambo. Yeah, Rambo. Why, because I don’t pick for the Oscars, I pick the movies I enjoyed most. I wanted to say Role Models, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, or Pineapple Express, but Wall-E surpasses them all in comedy, so it won out.
Thanks for all the comments gang!
View Askew… DOUBT would easily make my top ten (as would RACHEL GETTING MARRIED, which i finally saw the other day), but these five just had that little bit extra that left me liking them a bit more as a complete film.
Tommy… FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL might very well make my ten as well. As for RAMBO, couldn’t tell ya – didn’t see it. I’m not an academy member either, I just picked these five because they were the ones I enjoyed the most.
What? No Twilight???
😉
I want to see your “5 worst” list!
~ B ~
A great little list, though I have yet to see The Wrestler. Slumdog is holding tight on my #1 spot right now, and WALL*E should make an appearance as well.
So far Milk is the best film I have seen this year. It just barely beats out the others I have seen