They say 2008 has been a down year for film.  I disagree.  This year gave us moving stories from people in the slums (Slumdog Millionaire, The Wrestler), to the ones in the mansions(The Dark Knight, Iron Man), and even one story about a happy little robot who could.

50 years from now 2008 will be remembered for the enormous hits and unbelievable films it provided. I feel many of my top 10 will be among those remembered.

Note: This is the final update for the year.

10. Tropic Thunder

In a year full of higher quality comedies, Pineapple Express and Role Models didn’t make this list, Tropic Thunder has you laughing in every scene and you don’t want it to stop.  The ensemble is cast perfectly, all put into place to highlight their best qualities. For this, Stiller has to be recognized for his Acting/Directing/Writing/Producer role that I think he pulled off perfectly.  And of course, there is Robert Downey Jr., but we’ll get to him later.

Grade: B+

9. Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog is the classic boy loves girl, boy can’t get girl, boy saves the day and gets girl story. Except it isn’t. Under the direction of director Danny Boyle, Slumdog takes the usual Dickensian formula and creates and enthralling film that has you glued to not only the fates of our protagonist and his lady heroine, but to the journey that led him there.

Grade: B+

8. Milk

Biopics follow a certain formula: We meet the protagonist, then he/she tries to rise but is held down, eventually they accomplish a great feat, and in many cases we see there end.  Milk follows that exactly.

“Then why is it #8 on your list,” you say? It’s because the film is not about the details of this man, but in the architecture of hope that he creates.  Also, this film is chock full of actors at the top of their game who have a wonderful chemistry that makes you feel for them.  If it weren’t for Mr. Rourke in The Wrestler, I would give Sean Penn the Oscar for his beautiful take on the late Harvey Milk.

Grade: B+

7. In Bruges

Possibly the most overlooked film of this awards season(to be fair I overlooked it too) is In Bruges, a film written and directed by the highly acclaimed Martin McDonagh. Telling the story of two assassins (Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleason) who are sent to Bruges, Belgium to get away after Ray (Farrell) accidentally shoots a young boy while on a job. The movie begins as a wonderful little character study, and as it goes on it keeps that while also adding sex, drugs, and guns; the perfect recipe for a film. 

Ralph Fiennes gives a wonderful turn as their boss, Harry. He plays it like shmuck asshole, but you can’t but laugh at everything he says. I really hope the Academy acknowledges this film’s existance.

Grade: A-

6. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

The most underrated movie of the year is a hilarious look at getting dumped and dealing with it. It comes as no surprise that this is another Apatow comedy, combining wit, charm, humor, and a little bit of vulgarness to make you fall in love with all the characters; even the aforementioned Sarah Marshall who everyone else hates.  Russell Brand makes his American debut into movies with a bang as the swarmy but charming music star Aldous Snow.

The real stand out here though is the star and writer Jason Segal who is quietly becoming the new face of leading comedic male, even if he isn’t the most beautiful out of the bunch. 

P.S. Segal wrote all the original songs for the film, which he should be getting an Oscar nod or two for.

Grade: A-

5. Wall-E

Wall-E is an interesting film to look at.

First, it is a film with a pretty important message, especially for an animated Disney film. It gives us a look into our future that we may not like, and challenges us to do something about it right now.

Secondly, it is a film that for its genre, plays a lot like that of a high-class political thriller. I won’t spoil anymore than that for people who haven’t seen it yet, but those who did, know what I am talking about.

Lastly, it may be the most adorable film ever made. The scene between Wall-E and EVA where he is trying to impress her should warm anyone’s heart.

I saw Wall-E, the character, as Forrest Gump. Gump’s problems came from his learning disability, which allows him this innocence that is so charming. The same can be said for Wall-E except his isn’t a disability, just the fact that he has been isolated from contact with anything else for its entire life (save for that damn grasshopper).

Grade: A-

4. Rachel Getting Married

I didn’t see this film until late, and it is my last addition to the list, but it wasn’t one i expected to love this much. The entire film is a big jolt to your system and moves you with its portrayal of the family dynamic, and how closely it mirrors any family in this country. The direction is suburb by the great Jonathan Demme, and first time screen writer Sidney Lumet gives us a wonderful story.

The real star and reason to see this movie is Anne Hathaway as the main character, Kym, a recovering drug and alcohol addict who comes home from rehab to attend her sister’s wedding. She gives such an honest and thought-provoking turn that you forget this girl her in all of her old work, and realize that she is one of the most talanted actresses in Hollywood today. I really loved this film, and if didn’t drag just a little bit towards the end it would probably be #2 or #3 on this list.

Grade: A-

3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

This film is also reviewed below, so go there for a little more insight, but I must say that this is a film that I feel will be more well liked in the future and seen as not only an innovative work but also a moving look at death’s role in not only life, but in love.

Grade: A-

2. Iron Man

The ensemble is fantastic and the special effects are the best of the year. I remember seeing the first trailer and thinking this was going to suck.

Boy was I wrong. I remember walking out of the theater 5 months after seeing that first trailer and wanting nothing more than to strap myself in and see it again, which to me is the best thing you can say for a picture.

As for the Iron Man himself, Mr. Robert Downey Jr., Entertainer of the year, whatever yo want to call him. He makes what could have been a shallow archetype of a superhero, into a very interesting, caring, and very charming man. Thankfully for Tropic Thunder he should get the Academy recognition he deserves for this work alone.

How it must hurt to be this good, and still not be number 1…in your genre.

Grade: A

1. The Dark Knight

Wow.

That’s what I said 2 minutes after Gary Oldman gives that final speech that sums up so perfectly what this story is all about.

Where do you begin. The directing is the best in the world, the cinematographer is at least near the best, and the writers are recognized around the globe for their work. Then they decided to be innovators and use IMAX to film 30 minutes of the movie and to use as little CGI as possible. No problem for these guys.

Then there are the actors. The ensemble is phenomenal, all interacting and connecting so well together that it all just feels real.

And of course there is Heath. Not only is it the obvious shame that we lost such a talented person in such a tragic way, but that some feel his performance is only looked upon so well because he is gone. I disagree. This is easily one of the greatest characters ever put on film. How lucky are we that in the last 1+ years we have seen two performances that will forever live in the echelons of film (The Joker and Daniel Day Lewis’ Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood).

If the Academy does not recognize this film with a nomination for Best Picture it will be the greatest travesty ever bestowed by them, for this will be the film that 50 years from now we will look back upon and remember as the best of its time.

Grade: A+