My favorite movies of 2008

Meant to post this after the Oscars, but best laid plans and all.  Still need to see a lot of the better movies from last year and what I did see leans heavily towards the Tween fair, go figure.

My top movies of 08 are:

1. Iron Man
2. Young at Heart
3. Dark Knight
4. Frost/Nixon
5. Slumdog Millionaire
6. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
7. Kung Fu Panda

Worst five movies from last year or biggest disappointments:

1.  Cloverfield
2. Mamma Mia
3. Indiana Jones
4. Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
5. Tale of Despereaux

In general, I thought it was a weak year for films.  There are a lot of ho-hum films on the list, but nothing that really blew me away.

American Teen – mediocre documentary, felt more exploitative than enlightening.
Bedtime Stories – Not a big Adam Sandler fan but this was perfectly acceptable and the kids liked it.
Burn After Reading – Had some very funny moments, but veered wildly in a different tone half way through.
Cloverfield – Huge disappointment after some good marketing, some ridiculous scenes and weak acting.
Dark Knight – very good film, though the action sequences had too much going on.  Ledger did some amazing work as the Joker.
Definitely, Maybe – Nice romcom, perfectly acceptable.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall – thought that this would be another forgettable flick, but it’s actually resonating with me a bit.   Russell Brand was unforgettable too.
Frost/Nixon – Who knew that preparing for an interview could take on so much meaning.  Good film.
House Bunny – throw away film but not as bad as you would think.
Incredible Hulk – strong recovery from Ang Lee’s poorly received film
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – a weak ripoff of National Treasure of all things.
Iron Man- probably the most fun I had at the movies all year.
Kung Fu Panda – another great animated flick, this time with Jack Black
Leatherheads – ok, but not great, the actors have played these roles many time before.
Mamma Mia – I thought I liked this more than I did, but the singing did not hold up.
Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist – really liked the book, but the movie is lacking.  The two actors don’t make me believe that they are falling in love.
Nim’s Island – weak teen fair, but the kids liked it.
Other Boleyn Girl – not sure anyone was playing the right role in this but I guess everyone looked good.
Quantum of Solace – Bond may be going too far towards realism here.  He rarely has a light moment, but when he does flirt and sleep around, it is wholy unbelievable.
Ruins – not as good as the book, but it held up.
Slumdog Millionaire – an amazing film that deserves its acclaim, though I had others I liked better.
Speed Racer – not as bad as I was led to believe
Spiderwick Chronicles – ehh, its ok.
Tale of Despereaux – Animation was good, but the story was too diffult to follow.
10,000 BC – pleasant surprise in this caveman tale.
21 – good solid film about card counting
27 Dresses – fair to weak romantic comedy.
Vantage Point – Looking at a murder from various points of view.  Again, low expectations that were exceeded.
W.  – Josh Brolin is worth the price of admission, unfortunately no one else is.
Wanted – Fun concept about bullets that can bend, another comic movie.
Young@heart – one of the best things I saw last year.  Really makes you feel for these older people who are trying to find something that will keep them engaged and living.  Music allows them to keep going.

There are lots of films I still want to see from last year like WallE, The Reader, Valkyrie, Tropic Thunder and Pineapple Express.  Hopefully, I can see them soon, before the summer onslought ensues.  Here’s hoping for some more good things to come in the new year.