top five of 2008: movies

living in grand rapids is often tough for a film geek, mainly because it takes ages for smaller films to get here, if they ever show at all.  because of this i haven’t had a chance to see two of my most anticipated films of 2008, slumdog millionaire and the wrestler.  so here’s my top five movies of 2008, which obviously only includes those i’ve been able to see thus far.

1. the dark knight

i’m not sure i even need to explain this one.  it’s fucking brilliant, relentless, bleak, heartbreaking, all of the promise of batman begins amped up 100% and mixed with clearly the best performance of the year in heath ledger.  while i’m not sure if it should win best picture, ledger definitely deserves a posthumous best supporting actor win.

2. wall-e

talk about gorgeous.  i can’t even imagine what this looks like in 1080p.  not since the silent era has a character done so much with so few actual words.  pixar can really do no wrong and wall-e is further proof of that.  i have a hunch that this might be the first animated film since beauty and the beast to garner a best picture nod from the academy.

3. forgetting sarah marshall

i actually didn’t think i was going to like this one going in, but i think i enjoy it more and more every time i watch it.  it’s easily the best of the apatow crop from this year.  paul rudd, russel brand, jack mcbrayer, bill hader, the entire support cast is hilarious.  and russel brand, christ.  i get “inside of you” stuck in my head every time i hear it.

4. bigger, stronger, faster*

i’m a documentary junkie.  i really want to see dear zachary, but considering the doc’s i’ve seen this year, bigger stronger faster is my fav.  and i don’t even like sports or care about bodybuilding.  it’s just really compelling and well done and makes you interested in something you would have never thought twice about before.  that’s the mark of a great doc.

5. let the right one in

i’ve talked about this film here before, but i just can’t say enough about it.  the cinematography is breathtaking, the relationship between the young protagonists is honest and refreshing.  it’s a great new take on a tired genre that goes above and beyond standard fare and dares to do something unique.  there’s already a remake in the works, which is troubling.  see the original now.

-srd