5 Best Movies of 08

1) The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger's take on The Joker is absolutely incredible. Yes, he deserves an Oscar nod for it - I'm not saying a win, I'm just saying a nomination. It's pretty amazing that a "super-hero" movie is the strongest outing from Hollywood this year, but the script is so solid, it's set in a believable world, and the supporting cast is stellar. You can't help but get sucked in to The Joker's schemes and can't wait for him to be back on the screen. Add to that the introduction of Two-Face, and this is the most solid rogue's gallery in any Batman film. This film makes the loss of Ledger even harder to take, but stands as a lingering testiment to his talent.

2) Wall E
This is the best Pixar film ever made. Better than Toy Story. Better than Toy Story 2. Even better than Ratatouille. The titular character is one of only three characters on screen for about the first hour or so and I could've just watched them together the whole film. Granted, there was a not-to-subtle message about the Earth and the environment, but the rest of the story is great and the character animation is flawless. As a friend pointed out, it's really a shame that this film can't get a Best Picture nod (it has it's own catagory for Animated Feature) as it's much more enjoyable then The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

3) Iron Man
What a role for Robert Downey, Jr. to make a return with. Reportedly having to fight very hard to land the role, it's now hard to imagine any one else in it. With a sequel already announced, it's going to be exciting to see where director Jon Faverau decides to take the franchise as he and the leads are committed through a trilogy. (Don Cheadale is replacing Terrance Howard, but the rest of the cast remains in place) The effects were fantastic too. It's pretty amazing that two "super-hero" movies have cracked the top 5 in the same year.

4) Marley & Me
Every pet owner should see this movie - regardless if you're a dog person or not. Based off the best-selling book by John Grogan, the adaptation takes some liberties, but doesn't stray too far from the source material. The cast works as Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston are a believable couple, plus the welcome addition of Alan Arkin as John's boss was a nice surprise. The multiple dogs playing Marley steal the show as the casting of them were perfectly done showing how the lab aged as the family grew and relocated. The story itself is really about a new family coming together and the dog is a nice device to accentuate it.

5) Religulous
To say Bill Maher is outspoken is like saying J-Lo has a ridiculous ego: it's an obvious fact thrown into our faces every week. (Maher via his TV show; J-Lo via US Weekly, InTouch, etc.) However, Maher tends to reel it in a bit - until the very end of the film - as he takes an honest ...and sometimes uncomfortable look at religion, but this film is also something that is well overdue. And while most people wouldn't tag Maher as the one they wanted to hear from on the issue, he's also one of the few to finally stand up and bring the issue of religion to life and does so in a comedic yet meaningful way. Everyone should see this film at least once as it's guaranteed to create a discussion.

Honorable Mention (tie): Wanted
I honestly had no clue who James McAvoy was until the credits rolled on this film. His earnest take on patsy-turned-hitman Wesley Gibson was very believable and I was pleased to hear that a sequel is reportedly in the works. (I'm also curious to see if the clever introduction of bending bullets makes it's way into every action film moving forward) Angelina Jolie is the cover girl for the film and does a good job as a femme fatale, but Morgan Freeman was the biggest casting surprise as the deceptive brains behind the whole operation. After reading the graphic novel it's based on, I was glad to see that they took the story in a more realistic way and I'm looking forward to where the franchise goes in the future.

Honorable Mention (tie): Hamlet 2
While not a box office success, I think anyone that has ever been in or appreciates theatre should see this hysterical film. It's done by the producers of South Park so expect the style of humor going in, but all the tolerant folk out there will love this absolute gem...and I defy you to get "Rock Me Sexy Jesus" out of your head after seeing it. Steve Coogan (also in Tropic Thunder) shines as a failing drama teacher who puts all his struggles into a musical that is a sequel to Hamlet - and the rest pretty much speaks for itself. Elisabeth Shue cameos as herself and I'm convinced the movie world is a better place with more Elisaberth Shue in it. I saw this in an unfortunately empty theater the night that I went, but I laughed until my sides hurt and was inspired when I walked out. You can't really ask for much more than that out of a theatrical experience.

5 Pleasant Surprises in Entertainment 08

1) Official Announcement of an 'Arrested Development' Film
I'm what some parents would call a 'late bloomer' to this series as all of my friends that knew of this show kept telling me that I would love it. Finally discovering it on Hulu, I actually was angry at myself for not getting in to this show earlier & have since obtained the entire series on DVD thanks to Amazon. I've also turned many a friend onto it since then. A few months back, I was so excited to hear that a film version was formally going into pre-production despite a potential actor holding out (the consistently over-estimating his sense of worth, Michael Cera) and am overjoyed at seeing what the Bluth Family has been up to since last being seen on the Queen Mary.

2) The Triumphant Return of Robert Downey, Jr.
With Iron Man receiving film of the year mentions due to his take on Tony Stark and now a potential Oscar nomination to alongside his Golden Globe nomination for his role in Tropic Thunder, you could say that Robert Downey, Jr. has had himself a pretty good year. His well documented run-ins with the law and drug addiction while coming up through the Brat Pack days often trump any accolades that came along with his great performances (see Chaplin), but it appears that he's gotten his life back together and is now reaping the benefits of his natural talent.

3) Mystery Science Theater 3000 Celebrates 20th Anniversary
The "cowtown puppet show" that went on to enjoy a 10 year run over two networks and whose cult following is still growing celebrated it's 20th anniversary in style. A featured sold out event at ComicCon 2008 featured the entire cast - past and present - on a panel answering fan questions hosted by admitted MSTie Patton Oswalt. It was also announced that Shout! Factory would now release their shows on DVD (taking over a former partnership with Rhino) and to herald the event, there was a 20th Anniversay Collector's Edition featuring a maquette of Crow and four classic movies bundled together. In an afterlife that has spawned two off-shoots of the format (RiffTrax and Cinematic Titanic), the show continues to receive the love it so richly deserves.

4) "Angels & Demons" Trailer
Being one of seven people in the U.S. that actually enjoyed the film adaptation of Dan Brown's bestseller The DaVinci Code, I was so excited to see an unexpected trailer for the follow up film, Angels & Demons. In my opinion, ithe story lends itself better to being a film and, in an artistic choice, Ron Howard's Imagine Entertainment has made this a film sequel to DaVinci whereas in the novels, DaVinci comes second chronologically. Already causing concerns and outrage in the Catholic church over the films content and location shoots in both Rome and Vatican City, this much anticipated film should cause some waves in 2009.

5) J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" Trailer Debuts
I am not a Trekkie, by any stretch of the the imagination. I enjoyed Wrath of Kahn and even liked First Contact, but I've never invested myself in the Trek mythos nor ever really cared to. However, I must say I am very intrigued following viewing the first theatrical trailer of J.J. Abrams update of the franchise. It's looking to usher in a whole new breed of Trekkies (or "Trekkers," as some die hards refer to themselves as) while still paying an homage to the established fan base. With a very public mud slinging spectacle of William Shatner's frustration not being included in the flim where some of the original cast is (Leonard Nimoy supposedly cameos as an older Spock), the franchise definitely has the attention of the public - here's hoping J.J. delivers with a more solid effort than on Cloverfield.

Honorable Mention: EA Announces Release of The Sims 3
The greatest selling PC franchise of all time returns in 2009 with the third iteration of The Sims series. Every Sims game generates multiple spin-off titles and extra chapters, but when the series itself is overhauled and the next one is released, there's often so much more than just graphical upgrades as new gameplay elements, themes, and concepts are introduced. Here's to many upcoming hours lost in the wonderful world of The Sims.