So, everyone seems to be doing lists like this, I figured I should as well cause I love me some movies. Now, I didn’t see everything that came out this year obviously, so some of your faves might be omitted, flame my comments if you must. From ze bottom!
Honorable mentions go to: Forgetting Sarah Marshall which told a surprisingly strong story for a comedy from the Apatow gang. It also introduced the US to Russell Brand for better or worse. The climax of this movie is absolutely absurd in theory, but is executed so well only a heartless person could keep from grinning. The Rocker was the best surprise of the year. I expected garbage and it delivered laughs in spades. Totally worth seeing. Quantum of Solace was a stylish, tremendous successor to Casino Royale, continuing the more artistic envisioning of the series.
Now, the list!
10. Tropic Thunder
I’ve never seen a comedy on a scale such as this. I actually just watched this one again last night with my sister and was reminded of how vast this one is. I would say I had to remind myself that it was a comedy, but I rarely stopped laughing throughout. Some of you will want to skip this one as the language is indeed gratuitous. If that doesn’t bother you, you already saw it and probably are wondering why it’s not higher on the list. Oh, and on the dvd… swapping out the polar bear cubs for babies… not cool. The bears were meaningfully more funny!
9. Cloverfield
You’re probably thinking, “Oh yeah… that did come out in January…” Cloverfield was a very interesting film, one that I really enjoyed. The use of the handheld cameras made the CG seem far more legit than it normally would in a monster flick and the actors did a great job of selling the story. Well done, JJ Abrams, now don’t ruin Star Trek.
8. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Critics didn’t seem to think too highly of this film and very much pigeonholed it as a teen movie. While the characters are, of course, teenagers, this movie has so much more to offer. For one, the soundtrack is off the hook, it was such a great smattering of indie bands that really set a great tone for the film. It is also just so darn charming. It isn’t going to change your life and it isn’t as heavy and important as some of the other films on this list, but it was a thoroughly pleasant experience. The time flew by and I loved every minute of it. It will take you back to simpler times and if you’re anything like me, will absolutely enjoy the journey. Oh, and the ending… this was one of several movies this year where it’s about “that”, but it’s really about “this”. It was never about “that”, I thought it wrapped up beautifully.
7. Iron Man
This one felt much like Transformers to me. It’s funny, it’s action packed, it moves fast, it makes the most of its license. It was the perfect summer blockbuster. Robert Downey Jr turned in a brilliant performance (that he would later match with Tropic Thunder) and treaded well the line between the pompous party boy and the lovable hero extremely well. By the end of it, you absolutely love Tony Stark and he can do no wrong. This after a film where he does much wrong. Great performances, great action sequences, just a very enjoyable movie all around.
6. In Bruges
Went into this one with high hopes and it did not disappoint. This was dark and inaccessible, just as I prefer my comedies to be. I don’t expect everyone to like this movie, but if this sort of thing is your cup of tea you must see it! Farrell does a tremendous job and though I called the ending, it was a good choice and finished well.
5. Synecdoche, New York
When the credits started to roll, the first thing I thought was “What did I just sit through?” Not exactly what you’d expect for number 5 on this list. The more I’ve thought about this one, the more I’m convinced it’s absolutely brilliant. This is the cadillac example of what I described for Nick and Norah’s ending. On the surface, the plot is very straightforward. The film is not about the plot, however. It’s much, much bigger than that. Search Wikipedia for “synecdoche”, read the definition, then go see the film. Hopefully you’ll come away, as I have, with a deep impression from the “this” on this one.
4. Burn After Reading
Another dark comedy, this one from the Coen Brothers is one heck of a ride. It builds and confusion mounts and the stakes rise and rise and ends on a note that, in my opinion, is sublime. Amazing performances from absolutely everyone in this movie; you can definitely tell that it was very much written specifically for those actors. A very, very funny movie.
3. Doubt
The film adaptation of the critically acclaimed play is an amazing film. Doubt is not a movie that resolves and has a neat, tidy ending that sends you home happy. It is a mirror you are forced to hold up to yourself that examines the deepest corners of your being. The way you feel the events transpired says a great deal about you, for better or worse. The performances of Phillip Seymour-Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Amy Adams are monumental. They carry the film and nail their roles superbly. Viola Davis, however, completely holds her own against Meryl Streep for the short amount of time she’s on screen. To say the scene is powerful does a huge disservice to how hard it hits. There may be lulls in the “action”, but I felt like this movie zipped by before I knew it. See this film no matter what.
2. Slumdog Millionaire
The premise for this movie does not sound like it will make for one of the most emotionally satisfying films I’ve seen in a long time. A slumdog from the streets of India goes on their version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and is imprisoned after he’s suspected of cheating. The film then tells his life story in flashback and grips you. The fact that you form such a strong bond to this individual as a child makes it impossible to not be affected by his woeful tale as he grows up before your eyes. It is a fantastic love story as well as a fantastic rags to riches story. The imagery is powerful, the cinematography beautiful, the ending pure bliss.
1. The Dark Knight
It had to pop-up sooner or later! Everyone has already said so much about this film and rightfully so. My unique voice seems to be that I am alone in appreciating Heath Ledger’s Joker while believing Aaron Eckhart’s Harvey Dent to be a significantly better performance. Ledger’s Joker is insane, unstable, dark and haunting, all positives. However, I feel that the nuance that Eckhart creates as he slowly slips into depravity is masterful. This is not a purely evil man, this is one that has slowly “watched himself become the villian.”
I have yet to see 3 or 4 films that I feel may have influenced this list meaningfully. Chief among which is The Wrestler. It will begin showing in DC in the next day or two which would be perfect were I not home in Cleveland for Christmas. Honestly, I feel like it will be a new #1 on the list as it takes a subject I love and does it more justice than I could’ve ever imagined. There’s also Revolutionary Road, Gran Torino, Rachel Getting Married, Waltz with Bashir, and Time Crimes on the docket. Looks like I’ll be spending a good amount of time at E St in the near future. Awesome.
So what do you think? What’s your list look like?
