Best of 2008

One of 2008's best. A weird hybrid of a dark Danny Boyle film and Indian cinema. After spending some time with these engaging characters, it feels like you've actually spent time in India.

A great coming of age film with a vampire twist. I've heard it called "Twilight For Adults", but it so much more than that. It's not just a horror film, its a solid movie.

Went in a bit leery, but the teaming of Fincher and Pitt has not let me down yet. Exceeded my expectations in every way. Fincher creates a touching treatise on perceptions of life, death and aging. Lingering imagery, and great performances from the stars contribute to a winning script. Another Fincher classic.

Didn't seem like a movie. Because of the great script, the fantastic performances and Demme's direction it seemed like you actually spent time with a real family. One of those films you wish they made more of. Almost seems like a Dogma film at times. Nice use of incidental music.

Sometimes the Hollywood machine hypes a movie just to make a buck, but there are rare occasions when a film lives up to the hype and still rarer occasions when you walk away thinking the movie hasn't been hyped enough. This is one of the later. It really is that good.

I am not a fan of professional wrestling, however, this is a powerful film with themes beyond the conventional first glance. The performances are such that you forget the actors behind them and see only the characters. Another triumph in the career of Aronofsky.

Going in, I had my "doubts" about Doubt. Yeah, yeah, Streep. Yeah, yeah Hoffman. I knew it would be good, but the preview left me lacking. Insert a big HOWEVER. This film blew me away. Full of drama, humor and human experience. A film that packs a wallop if you've ever had your struggles with God/religion (and who hasn't?) This is the second performance I've seen Streep give where you hate her, right until the end. Hoffman could have gone over the top with his performance, but instead was just incredibly human and Adams too was in peak form. Check it out.

Incredible performances from not just Langella and Sheen, but the entire cast combined with tight direction and a production design capturing the period in vivid detail all come together as to make you believe you are experiencing a piece of history rather than merely watching a movie.

Adventure, comedy, and heart. Another Pixar winner!

Racist, tough Korean War vet, finds he has more in common with his Asian neighbors than his dimwitted family, while dealing with issues of his own mortality. The story seems like it would be a cliche, but Eastwood manages to make it something more with characters you actually care about.

Funny dark comedy-drama. Being promoted as a straight comedy, but be aware this is a drama and has some graphic violence. Great performances. The film much better than I even anticipated it would be. Some of the comedy is so subtle as to fly over the heads of a conventional audience.

Powerful film about the consequences of silence. Great performances abound. It is little wonder this film was nominated for best picture.

Well acted and directed. Could be the best Van Sant film in years. Sean Penn and Josh Brolin earned their Academy nominations. Although I have to admit, I still prefer the documentary "The Life and Times of Harvey Milk".