Top films of the year (2008)

The Top Five:

5.  Rock-n-Rolla

     This was a surprising little treat of a film by Guy Richie (Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels; Snatch; Layer Cake; etc.).  In true Richie fashion, the film follows a couple of amateur criminals as they become more and more entangled in the web of London's mob world, only to surface miraculously unscathed and, arguably, all the wiser for it.  It's witty, complex, and beautifully filmed.  Definitely worth a watch!

4.  The Dark Knight

     What could be more enjoyable than a mass-marketed, blockbuster piece of nihilism in which the damsel in distress dies, no one wins (least of all, Batman), and the actor behind one of the most disturbing, frightening villains in all of film is dead in real life?  Ooooooh...sends chills of pleasure down my spine just thinking about it!  :)

3.  Vicky Christina Barcelona

     This is actually the newest addition to my list, having finally seen it this morning!  However, I must admit that, being a fan of Woody Allen, I was secretly reserving a space for this little menage a trois of an adventure, knowing I would fall in love with it at first sight.  Predictable, I know.  Still, I just couldn't help myself.  Even if you are not particularly fond of Woody Allen, you may very well like this film.  However, I must forewarn you:  the ending is a bit unresolved, so if you like your movies nicely packaged, wrapped, and tied with a bow, skip this one and move on to #2.

2.  Wall-E

     I know, I know.  If everyone would just take a moment to stop drooling all over Wall-E they might actually realize it is an animated film!!!  Animation simply isn't supposed to be this damn good!!!  Right?  Guys?  Hello? 

     WRONG: Not only is it good, it really is that good.  Hell, I'm drooling all over the keyboard   as I speak.  I freakin' loved this movie.  The artistry is absolutely breathtaking, the not-so subtle dystopic undertones are still quirky enough to rule out snooty condescension, and above all else, it's endearing in a "the world may be going to hell but at least there's still loooovveee" kind of way.  (I mean, let's face it, I've never felt such an overwhelming compulsion to give a robot a hug.  Ok, maybe a kiss on the cheek too... I am a sucker for heaps of metal with a heart, after all.)

1.  Milk

     It's really quite simple: An inspiring man, an inspiring story, an unforgettable portrayal of both.  The acting is superb, the writing is perfection, and the cinematography is spot-on.  Why on earth Harvey Milk is not in the history books right there next to MLK, Ghandi, Stanton and others just goes to show how warped our society really is.  To Harvey--and all the other nameless faces of equality--here's to you! 

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):

Doubt

Priceless

Iron Man

Man On Wire

Pineapple Express

Most Overrated Movies of the Year:

1. Slumdog Millionaire

     I could--and probably will--write an entire post on why this film doesn't deserve all of the attention and accolades it is getting as of late, but I'll save that for another day.

2. Benjamin Button

3. Tropic Thunder