14. The Incredible Hulk
This film wasn't as well received as Iron Man but I actually enjoyed it more. It's not as light hearted, and it's a bit more angsty. But what Iron Man lacks in action, The Incredible Hulk makes up for it. The film is literally a non-stop battle royale. The final confrontation between the hulk and the Abomination (played by Tim Roth, creepy as ever) is jaw-dropping and way too much fun. Definitely one of the best action sequences of the year.
Ed Norton is funny and charming when he needs to be, and at the same time, brings a real sense of urgency to the Bruce Banner character. And William Hurt, as a bad ass army dude, is just that - bad ass.
Apparently Norton didn't like the film and thus refused to promote it at the time of its release, prompting speculation that the Hulk character may have to be recast should they decide to make a sequel. Let's hope Norton realizes how good of a film it actually is.
13. Frost/Nixon
One of the big Academy contenders this year, Frost/Nixon is a very entertaining and informative film. Does it deserve to be best picture? Probably not. Frank Langella should be nominated for the Best Actor prize however, in an intense turn as the crooked ex-President of the United States, Richard Nixon. He manages to actually make you feel sorry for the man who completely abused his power as the leader of a nation and famously declared that "when the President does it, it's not illegal". Is it a good thing that we feel sorry for this man? I don't know. That's up for debate.
Michael Sheen also does an awesome job and frankly I'm surprised there hasn't been any talk of him for Best Supporting Actor. This is the year of Heath Ledger so it doesn't really matter, but I'm sure it would still be nice to get nominated.
Go see the film though (if you can find it in any theatres near you). It's great to see the metaphorical boxing match between the ex-President and the entertainer/interviewer.
12. Cloverfield
Yes, this movie seems like it's been around forever. 2008, really? Yup. It came out way back in January and it was definitely the first real movie event of the year.
If you haven't seen this movie yet, I fully recommend it, unless you think you'll get motion sickness. If you don't though, get it. This movie fully immerses you in it, to the point where you literally feel like you're in New York city, trying to survive after the city is attacked by a giant mutant creature, Godzilla-style. It features a cast full of no-names, which makes it all the more real, as you feel like these people are your friends, and you're the one behind the camera.
The director of the film also utilizes the "less is more" idea. You basically only get one or two good shots of the creature, and they don't come until the last quarter of the film. There's also a sequence in an abandoned subway station which is particularly creepy and enthralling.
I only wish I had seen it in theatres.
11. In Bruges
Probably one of the funniest films of the year. Actually, it was probably one of the more serious, emotional films of the year too. Does that make sense?
Fortunately, this film mixes comedy and drama with ease. Brendan Gleason and Colin Farrell (wait, don't leave, he's actually good in this one!) play hitmen who have fucked up (we're not initially told why, though it comes into play) and are sent by their prick of a boss (played fucking beautifully by the always super cool Ralph Fiennes) to go hide away in Bruges, hence the title. Most of the films wisecracks come the two hitmen's interactions with each other, as Farrell's character grows increasingly tired and impatient with the boring and mundane city, while Gleason's character, older and wiser, urges Farrell to chill out and enjoy the free vacation.
Though it is a film about two hitmen, it's actually not a very violent affair until the third act, when Fiennes' man comes into the play. From here, the film really picks up speed.
Go watch. Highly recommended. Also, it's one of those films that may have you engaging in philosophical discussion with whomever you watched it with after it's all said and done (sorry about that really awkward sentence).
10. Pineapple Express
Such a damn funny movie. I've got a friend who literally cannot get enough of this film. And with a good reason.
Centered around a stoner dude (Seth Rogen) and his clueless ganja dealer (James Franco, in honestly, a truly amazing, hilarious performance for the ages), Pineapple Express bridges the gap between comedy and action. Our dynamic duo witness a murder and go on the run, with hilarious far-fetched results.
Not much to say. It's a stoner comedy, so stoners may find it funnier than most, but I can definitely say that for any fan of good comedy, you should be able to find something worthwhile here, whether you're high right now or not.
9. Role Models
I was absolutely not expecting this to be as funny as it was. Like Pineapple Express, this film is a buddy comedy featuring Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott as two dudes who, after being arrested, must either go to jail or spend some time in a Big Brother program. After choosing the latter, they meet their "little brothers" and hilarity ensues.
Paul Rudd seems to be on fire lately, but this film also marks a good comeback for Scott, who, let's be honest, hasn't done a decent film in quite a while. Sure, he plays a Stiffler-esque character here, but he's much more likable, as he's actually a nice genuine guy as opposed to the giant bag of douchiness that he inhabits in the American Pie series. Christopher Mintz-Plasse aka McLovin is also in this film and delivers a shitload of laughs himself.
All in all, a great surprise for me as I was only expecting a fun but ultimately forgettable comedy and instead got a film that, well, cracks the top 10!
8. Slumdog Millionaire
This plays a lot like the film City of God, if you've seen it. It's not quite up to the level of that film, but nevertheless, it is one of the most unique movie experiences you'll have all year. The film follows an Indian dude, who is a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?".
The unique and interesting thing about the film is that it structures its main story through flashback. It does so by relating the life of the "Millionaire" contestant to the questions he is being asked, eventually building up to that particular moment in his life. The film would have been even higher on the list if not for its somewhat schmaltzy Hollywood ending, although I'm probably just being nitpicky.
This film features wonderful performances by the ensemble cast, not to mention an extraordinary directorial job by the brilliant Danny Boyle, who has helmed countless masterpieces including Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, and last year's underrated Sunshine. The film has rightfully amassed a fairly large cult following during its short run in theatres and is absolutely a must-see.
7. Kung Fu Panda
What? A kid's movie? In the top 10? But... but why?
I'll tell you why. This movie is ridiculously funny. Seriously. Jack Black, who voices the titular character, manages to be equally hilarious via voiceover as he is in live action.
Yes, the film does feature an overdone message of "be yourself, no matter what" but what else are we gonna tell the kids? Sure, we could go the route of a certain other kid's movie this year and tell all the kids to stop eating their fat asses to death, but I have a feeling that that one went in one year and out the other ("but mommy! look at the cute robot!").
Not a whole lot more to say. It features a great supporting cast (except for Angelina Jolie, who even manages to annoy me when she looks like a cute furry tiger) but let's not get sidetracked - this is Black's movie, through and through. 75% of the film's laughs (and probably lines) come directly from him.
If you were having doubts because of the whole "kid" thing, trust me when I say push 'em aside, grab a bowl of popcorn and press play.
6. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Going into this film, I'll admit I was a little biased. I love Brad Pitt (he doesn't seem to do bad movies), I love David Fincher (he doesn't do bad movies) and the trailer impressed the hell outta me. And the film didn't disappoint.
I will start off by saying that this is one of Fincher's weaker entries. It's not his best film. Of course, he's still David Fincher. It's kind of like saying that Amnesiac isn't Radiohead's best album. It's still fucking Radiohead for chrissakes!
The film centers around Benjamin Button, played by Pitt, who was born old and literally ages backwards his entire life. Interesting premise, based off a short story of the same name by the classic author F. Scott Fitzgerald. The film follows a Forrest Gump-style narrative, which is not a coincidence, as it is written by the same person.
The entire cast is great in the film, bringing the film to life. I felt as I watched it, that i was living this same life that Benjamin Button is living and as you can imagine, it is quite a task to make someone think they are a backwards aging freak of nature when they aren't.
The best thing about the film is how it looks. The movie is absolutely beautiful. The collaboration between director and cinematographer works amazingly. Almost every scene is sincerely breathtaking. Go see it for this fact alone if nothing else.
The film probably lasts a little too long, especially the tail end of it, but other than that, Benjamin Button shouldn't disappoint true film freaks like me.
....
Okay, so again, super long post so I'll cut it short. My next post will feature my 5 top films of the year (at least one is unexpected!) as well as some of the major disappointments. Au revoir!
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