Must-see Films of 2008


  1. fdirector
  2. Kevin

2008 Films I want to see.

Page Views
943
Comments
0
  fdirector's Rating My Rating
1
Auf der Anderen Seite (The Edge of Heaven) (On the Other Side) (2007,  Unrated)
2
Australia (2008,  PG-13)
Australia
This is a great Australian film wonderfully portraying the beautiful surroundings of the land of Oz. But worthy of becoming a classic... don't think so.

Australia has a bit too much of everything really and the duration was way too long to make it less of an enjoyable experience.

Full review coming soon
3
Baby Mama (2008,  PG-13)
4
The Bank Job (2008,  R)
5
Be Kind Rewind (2008,  PG-13)
6
Blindness (2008,  R)
7
Body of Lies (2008,  R)
Body of Lies
Review coming soon
8
Changeling (2008,  R)
9
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008,  PG)
10
Cheung Gong 7 hou (CJ7) (Long River 7) (2008,  PG)
11
Cloverfield (2008,  PG-13)
Cloverfield
Review coming soon
12
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008,  PG-13)
13
The Dark Knight (2008,  PG-13)
The Dark Knight
HOLY SHIT! I'm completely blown away! All the great things you've heard about The Dark Knight from every single last detail are simply true. Everything about it, the acting, the direction, the writing, the soundtrack, the action sequences, are all simply mind-blowing.

This being one of my highest anticipated films of 2008 it without a doubt has definitely exceeded all my expectations. After nearly three years of waiting oh how satisfied I am and still shaking from that intense and epic experience. I mean the long 2 1/2 hour duration felt like nothing and went amazingly fast. There were simply no boring parts. Just when you think the film is about to become slow the action sequences keep on coming. Always bigger and improved from the previous one. It will literally keep you on the edge of your seats, breathing heavily and jaws dropping on how unbelievably awesome they are.

Furthermore, Heath Ledger's performance, the oscar worthy act everyone is talking about are all so very true. The Joker is terrifying, yet sometimes funny and steals almost every scene he's in. A particularly favourite scene of mine where the Joker gives his "Why so serious!" speech about how he gets the scars on his face are simply amazing to watch and gives you the chills. Its Ledger's control of voice and movements which defines the character. He can be extremely effective and frightening at one moment and completely funny in the next (the scene where the Joker dresses up as a nurse comes to mind). Whenever he's not in the scene you want his presence back immediately. His performance is truly the film's legacy. Everyone else although all at the top of their games are no match to Ledger. However, I can say that Aaron Eckhart's portrayal as Harvey Dent/Two Face does come very close to stealing the show. Without giving anything away, I'm happy to say that you do get to see him in Two Face form a fair bit in the film.

Now be warned, I know this may look like a mainstream comic book movie and all, but you can't simply zone out, in order to experience the movie to the fullest extent, you have to pay close attention to all its plot details. Besides the plot threads which may be difficult to follow at times, from the beginning to end, The Dark Knight is just a fun ride. You'll see what I mean when you have your own experience.

THE BEST BATMAN OF THE ENTIRE SERIES AND THE BEST FILM OF 2008 SO FAR!
14
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008,  PG-13)
15
Defiance (2009,  R)
16
Diary of the Dead (2007,  R)
17
Doomsday (2008,  R)
18
Eagle Eye (2008,  PG-13)
Eagle Eye
Review coming soon
19
The Forbidden Kingdom (2008,  PG-13)
20
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008,  R)
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Review coming soon
21
Frost/Nixon (2008,  R)
22
Funny Games (2008,  R)
23
Get Smart (2008,  PG-13)
Get Smart
HAHAHAHA... would you actually believe it's really funny. I seriously expected a completely lame and badly scripted film but this is surely some hilarious stuff. With previously no knowledge at all about the original TV series, Get Smart, I had no idea what to expect but having enjoyed Peter Segal's previous film, Anger Management, and hated The Longest Yard, I knew it would be somewhat funny or absolutely dreadful and thankfully it turned out positive. Seriously though, Steve Carell made the film because I reckon that without Steve Carell this would not have been the same funny film it turned out to be. Overall, Get Smart will have you laughing from start to finish. It is consistently funny and throughly entertaining throughout the whole film. This will be funny for most however, if you absolutely despise Steve Carell you should avoid this.

Full review coming soon
24
Hancock (2008,  PG-13)
Hancock
HUH! What the hell was Peter Berg thinking! I mean seriously, Hancock is a clear example where a bad choice from a film-maker can completely turn a film around.

Everything in the film were going so well in the first half and then from the second half it just went completely downhill. It's like Peter Berg suddenly realises he's got no other ideas to the plot. So they then throw in some random twist that only weakens the story with complicated nonsense. It's just that bad which unfortunately completely destroys the film.

Hancock is not a bad movie, its just that the climax ruins the film. A very big disappointment that just happens to be another big special-effects movie.

Full review coming soon
25
The Happening (2008,  R)
The Happening
Now wait a minute, is this the same film that keeps getting terrible reviews from critics and audiences everywhere? I mean I was expecting The Happening to be a total piece of crap or at least a film that was average at best from what they wrote, but it was nothing like that at all. Sure the story is predictable and the actings delivered are kind of shallow with some scenes being undeliberately funny but it was still way better than some films that get better treatment from critics alike (Crank or The Forbidden Kingdom to name a few) . I gotta admit I was pretty surprised with how the film turned out overall and I thought it gave a pretty good and interesting study on how we would react in a time of crisis. I recommend it to all but if you expect too much this is sure to disappoint.

Full review coming soon
26
Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008,  R)
27
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (Hellboy 2) (2008,  PG-13)
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (Hellboy 2)
Its bigger and so much better than the first one. All the elements where the first one fails, the second one succeeds with a much better result.

Full review coming soon
28
Horton Hears a Who! (2008,  G)
29
The Incredible Hulk (2008,  PG-13)
30
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008,  PG-13)
31
In Bruges (2008,  R)
In Bruges
In Bruges is a very pleasant surprise. With a brilliant cast, a clever and funny script (with so many memorable quotes), its a must-see for all those fans of the crime/comedy genre. The violence is gruesome yet awesome and the dialogues are just hilariously funny. I guarantee that you will be surprisingly shocked in how good this film really is. A rare gem indeed.

Full review coming soon
32
Iron Man (2008,  PG-13)
Iron Man
Review coming soon
33
Jumper (2008,  PG-13)
34
Mamma Mia! (2008,  PG-13)
35
Margaret (,  Unrated)
36
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008,  PG-13)
37
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008,  PG-13)
38
Paranoid Park (2007,  R)
39
Pineapple Express (2008,  R)
Pineapple Express
Absolutely hilarious! I just don't know how they do it, but the Apatow-Rogen team just keeps on successfully bringing more and more funny stuff. This is just as good as Knocked Up and Superbad or maybe even a bit slightly improved.

Pinapple Express delivers and satisfies in almost everyway and as usual with a fantastic film comes a great cast. Seth Rogen is funny as always but here, it is surprisingly, James Franco who steals the show. Portraying a stoner perfectly (not that its hard to do) with consistently funny moments in oddball situations. Also, a special mention to Danny McBride as the middle-man drug dealer, Red, who delivers some of the best lines throughout the film, and the two hitmen chasing the leading duo who are both downright funny. However, I did find the characters of both Rosie Perez and Gary Cole uninteresting and honestly a bit tedious.

Overall, its basically good shit man and easily one of the best comedies of the year.
40
Pride and Glory (2008,  R)
41
Punisher: War Zone (2008,  R)
42
Quantum of Solace (2008,  PG-13)
Quantum of Solace
Review coming soon
43
Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008,  R)
44
Revolutionary Road (2008,  R)
45
Righteous Kill (2008,  R)
Righteous Kill
I'm totally speechless...and not in a good way! I mean this must've been one of the most predictable films I have ever seen because this is the perfect example of what a cliched cop movie is like.

With two screen legends finally being cast together after 13 years, I had such high anticipations but why, oh why, did they have to be in this shit one!

Its a big shame and a complete waste of talent!
46
RocknRolla (2008,  R)
RocknRolla
RocknRolla is proof that Guy Ritchie's still got his sense of that special spark that he showed with Lock, Stock and Snatch. Although not quite the same level of the two films, its still a hilarious and enjoyable film that we remember Ritchie for, I guess you can call it his comeback film.

Full review coming soon
47
Semi-Pro (2008,  R)
48
Sex and the City (2008,  R)
49
Shine a Light (2008,  PG-13)
50
Smart People (2008,  R)
51
Speed Racer (2008,  PG)
52
The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008,  PG)
53
Stop Loss (2008,  R)
54
Synecdoche, New York (2008,  R)
55
The Tale of Despereaux (2008,  G)
56
Teeth (2007,  R)
57
Transsiberian (2008,  R)
58
Tropic Thunder (2008,  R)
59
Vantage Point (2008,  PG-13)
60
The Valet (2008,  Unrated)
61
Valkyrie (2008,  PG-13)
62
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008,  PG-13)
63
The Wackness (2008,  R)
64
WALL-E (2008,  G)
WALL-E
A stunning piece of work from the wonders of Pixar! A true one-of-a-kind.
65
Wanted (2008,  R)
66
Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden? (2008,  PG-13)
67
Yes Man (2008,  PG-13)
68
Young at Heart (Young@Heart) (2007,  PG)
69
Babylon A.D. (2008,  PG-13)
70
Cidade dos Homens (City of Men) (2007,  R)
71
Burn After Reading (2008,  R)
Burn After Reading
The Coens are back to familiar turf with what they do best, a hysterical film about well...all sorts of things.

It's quirky and a whole lot of fun.

Definitely one of their best comedies since, The Big Lebowski as well as 2008.

Full review coming soon
72
Charlie Bartlett (2007,  R)
73
Son of Rambow (2007,  PG-13)
Son of Rambow
Bloody brilliant! Just when we have had enough of so many bad films coming out, there is always some special little wonder that becomes an instant classic by surprising us all. Well, Son of Rambow isn't quite there yet but it is definitely one of those surprising treasures and kept me smiling throughout the whole duration. Its just great to see when a film like this comes along.

I first heard of Son of Rambow, when it was widely acknowledged at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. I had so much hopes for this film and without any disappointment, it lives up to all my expectations. Its touching, clever, funny, witty but most of all memorable. Wonderfully delivered by two of its newcoming leads, Bill Milner (Will Proudfoot) and Will Poulter (Lee Carter). Its no wonder Paramount bought this film for a staggering $8 million dollars. The film which can be considered as a spoof of Rambo, turns out to be a much better film.

This little gem is the one of the many reasons that remind us why we as kids fall in love with cinema.
74
Mister Lonely (2007,  Unrated)
75
Rambo (Rambo IV) (2008,  R)
Rambo (Rambo IV)
Review coming soon
76
Leatherheads (2008,  PG-13)
77
The Good, the Bad, and the Weird (Joheunnom nabbeunnom isanghannom) (2008,  Unrated)
78
U2 3D (2007,  G)
79
Miracle at St. Anna (2008,  R)
80
Milk (2008,  R)
81
The Year my Parents Went on Vacation (,  PG)
82
Snow Angels (2007,  R)
83
Then She Found Me (2007,  R)
84
Pinkville (2011,  Unrated)
85
Tokyo (,  Unrated)
86
Taken (2009,  PG-13)
87
Redbelt (2008,  R)
88
Appaloosa (2008,  R)
89
Street Kings (,  R)
Street Kings
Review coming soon
90
Kung Fu Panda (2008,  PG)
Kung Fu Panda
Just when I thought animations couldn't get any better after having seen such classics as Ratatouille and Finding Nemo (to name a few), they simply keep coming and coming. This is exactly the case with Kung Fu Panda. I mean it may not top the films mentioned above but it sure is up there with one of the best animations ever made (well according to me). It is just that good. This is a true spectacle, fun and entertaining for all ages. Even the jokes were funny not trying to achieve too much. It completely blew my expectations away. I highly recommend it to all!



Full review coming soon
91
Igor (2008,  PG)
92
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008,  PG)
93
Towelhead (,  R)
94
The Duchess (2008,  PG-13)
95
The Black Balloon (2008,  PG-13)
96
Blindsight (2006,  PG)
97
Deception (2008,  R)
98
Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights - Hollywood to the Heartland (2008,  R)
99
Motherless Brooklyn (2010,  Unrated)
100
[Rec] (2007,  R)
[Rec]
WOAH! This is some freaky shit! I haven't been scared like this in a long time and watching this at night didn't help either.

Review coming soon
101
Gake no ue no Ponyo (Ponyo) (Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea) (2009,  G)
102
Quarantine (2008,  R)
103
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008,  PG-13)
104
Paris (,  R)
105
Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts (2008,  Unrated)
106
Fugitive Pieces (2008,  R)
107
Saw V (2008,  R)
108
The Wrestler (2008,  R)
109
Lakeview Terrace (2008,  PG-13)
110
Max Payne (2008,  PG-13)
Max Payne
Review coming soon
111
Twilight (2008,  PG-13)
112
War, Inc. (2008,  R)
113
Hamlet 2 (2008,  R)
114
Choke (2008,  R)
115
Recount (2008,  Unrated)
116
Religulous (2008,  R)
117
The Escapist (2008,  Unrated)
118
Red Cliff (Chi Bi) (2009,  R)
119
What Just Happened? (2008,  R)
120
The Reader (2008,  R)
121
Happy-Go-Lucky (2008,  R)
122
Doubt (2008,  PG-13)
123
Chugyeogja (The Chaser) (2008,  Unrated)
Chugyeogja (The Chaser)
Now I have always been a fan and supporter of Korean cinema, but recently the majority of their films have been simply bad, with only a few being widely appreciated by Korean and worldwide audiences alike. Luckily, I am happy to say that Chu gyeog ja (The Chaser) is one of those better films. This little South Korean thriller is also known to be the film that was heavily applauded and praised by critics at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. Believe it! It will seriously keep you on the edge of your seats.

Its no surprise that William Monahan, the screenwriter of The Departed is being hired by Warner Bros. to write for the remake. Sigh.

Full review coming soon
124
Salute (2008,  Unrated)
125
The Spirit (2008,  PG-13)
126
Flash of Genius (2008,  PG-13)
127
Man on Wire (2008,  PG-13)
128
Les Femmes de l'Ombre (Female Agents) (2008,  Unrated)
129
Red (2008,  R)
130
W. (2008,  PG-13)
131
Full Battle Rattle (2008,  Unrated)
132
Ghost Town (2008,  PG-13)
133
Role Models (2008,  R)
134
Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! (2008,  R)
135
Vals Im Bashir (Waltz with Bashir) (2008,  R)
136
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas) (2008,  PG-13)
137
Standard Operating Procedure (2008,  R)
138
Gomorrah (Gomorra) (2008,  Unrated)
139
Ballast (2008,  Unrated)
140
The Visitor (2008,  PG-13)
141
Rachel Getting Married (2008,  R)
142
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired (2008,  Unrated)
143
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson (2008,  R)
144
Encounters at the End of the World (2007,  G)
145
Gran Torino (2009,  R)
146
Låt den Rätte Komma In (Let the Right One in) (2008,  R)
147
Hunger (2009,  Unrated)
148
Battle in Seattle (2008,  R)
149
Klass (The Class) (2007,  Unrated)
150
Okuribito (Departures) (2009,  PG-13)
151
Wa Pei (Painted Skin) (2008,  Unrated)
152
Der Baader Meinhof Komplex (The Baader Meinhof Complex) (2008,  R)
153
Entre les Murs (The Class) (2008,  PG-13)
154
Tummien Perhosten Koti (The Home of Dark Butterflies) (2008,  Unrated)
155
To verdener (Worlds Apart) (2008,  G)
156
Perro Come Perro (Dog Eat Dog) (2008,  Unrated)
157
The Necessities of Life (2008,  Unrated)
158
Last Stop 174 (Última Parada 174) (2008,  Unrated)
159
Les Chansons d'Amour (Love Songs) (2008,  Unrated)
160
Soul Men (2008,  R)
161
Slumdog Millionaire (2008,  R)
162
Sukiyaki Western Django (2008,  R)
163
Last Chance Harvey (2009,  PG-13)

Comments (0)


Post a comment

Recent Comments