My Top 10 Movies of 2008 -- 1-5

The Top 10, Cont'd

5. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

"I was gonna listen to that, but then, um, I just carried on living my life."

Yet another romantic comedy to crack the list, Sarah Marshall does an excellent job of portraying the harsh brutality of a severe breakup, while never failing (or stopping) to hilariously entertain. This one grew on me all year--I assumed a rom-com in my Top 5 would be impossible. The charm of the male/female leads, the believability factor (much of it was based on writer/star Jason Segel's life), and some very clever writing all add up to a movie with little fluff--and it's much better for it.

4. Iron Man

"They say that the best weapon is the one you never have to fire. I respectfully disagree. I prefer the weapon you only have to fire once. That's how Dad did it, that's how America does it...and it's worked out pretty well so far."

What a year for Robert Downey Jr--his roles as playboy weapons genius Tony Stark and hardcore method actor Kirk Lazarus (Tropic Thunder) have him back in the good graces of audiences nationwide. Downey's always been respected for his talent, but he makes Iron Man his movie, to the point where no one else would seem right for this franchise. Downey's Stark is a spoiled but troubled prodigy, but it is the actor's talent that gradually shows the clouded morality of a hidden hero. Actor-turned-director Jon Favreau makes this one of the more enjoyable moveis of the year, and doesn't botch the action sequences like many others would have. Can't wait to see the next adventure for this legitimate man of steel.

3. Slumdog Millionaire

"Money and women. The reasons for make most mistakes in life. Looks like you've mixed up both."

Director Danny Boyle is often cited as the "Spielberg of Britain" due to his versatility behind the camera. From Trainspotting to 28 Days Later to Sunshine, he is clearly fearless in choosing his projects. While without a doubt being the unexpected gem of the year, it's no surprise then Boyle handles the Dickensian tale Slumdog Millionaire so masterfully. Like Little Miss Sunshine before it, this indie drama crept up on audiences nationwide via preliminary Oscar talks and massive internet buzz. Considering Boyle used both children and largely inexperienced actors in crafting this wonderful tale of love, poverty, and destiny, it deserves every accolade. Try not to get swept away by this film, I dare ya!

2. WALL-E

"Too much garbage in your face? There's plenty of space out in space! BnL StarLiners leaving each day. We'll clean up the mess while you're away."

It would probably save me some trouble if I just reserved a spot in my Top 10 every year for Pixar. Outside of Cars, their films have never failed to impress or entertain. WALL-E is the most ambitious Pixar creation to date, throwing a Cast Away-like first half at the viewer, then wading into the grim waters of social justice and moral responsibility in the second. It's not out of the ordinary for Pixar films to cater their clever humor to adults, but this time they've pointed their arrow at our generations. While children will love WALL-E solely for the loveable robots, we definitely walk away with more to stew on. If this is Pixar going out on a limb, exploring new territory, being curious as to their potential...let's see more of it.

1. The Dark Knight

"Those mob fools want you gone so they can get back to the way things were. But I know the truth: there's no going back. You've changed things...forever."

By no means my favorite quote from the best movie of 2008, but easily the most applicable. I could have (and have been meaning to) dedicate an entire blog post to the performances found in this movie. Absolutely everyone is noteworthy, but special kudos to Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, and Gary Oldman. What stands out more to me is the scope of this movie. What Christopher Nolan and crew have done with The Dark Knight is nothing less than a turning point for all future "superhero" or comic-book adaptations. This is the film all the rest will aspire to be, and adversely, the film audiences should come to expect from the genre. Using daft story-telling, rock solid performances from top to bottom, and a real-world feel never fully realized in superhero movies before it, The Dark Knight stands alone as one of the truly best films of the 2000s.

My Top 5 Performances of the Year

1. Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
2. Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
3. Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
4. Robert Downey, Jr., Iron Man
5. Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married

HM -- Aaron Eckhart, The Dark Knight