ok, ok, ok,......here it is,...geez.

I've worked very hard for you, see.

2008 didn't quite live up to the year 2007 did in films, but that's not to say that there wasn't some great movies to experience this past year. most of the obvious "big ones" did in fact make my top ten list, but I think you'll see a few surprises as well. without further ado, here are my 10 favorite films of 2008 & as always, enjoy, or don't,......

but first a few honorable mentions - (these films were fantastic in one way or another)

In Bruges - This Martin McDonagh-directed gem sees Colin Farrell & Brendon Gleeson as hit men holed up in Bruges, Belgium as they contemplate life, mingle with a dwarf & dutch prostitutes, & avoid "all things mob boss", played brilliantly by RalphFiennes. "Shoot first, Sight see later"

WALL-E - If you didn't see this film, well you should have. It's every bit as amazing as you've heard. WALL-E is a compassionate film that is entertaining, responsible, appealing & visually stunning. Pixar has indeed done it again.

Iron Man - Explosions, Action, Robert Downey Jr - Period!

#10. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Just one of quite a few franchises that were back in action in 2008, Spielberg delivers with a Jones right hook in this 4th installment in the series. Loaded with action & adventure just as Raiders was all the way back in 1981, Kingdom doesn't disappoint. Newcomer to the franchise Shia LaBeouf proves his worth & is poised to carry on the series when legend Harrison Ford gives it up.



#9. Slumdog Millionaire - Master director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, Sunshine) takes a brave step forward in this intimate film about the life of a boy growing up in the slums of Mumbai, India. The protagonist Jamal Malik, 18, is experiencing the biggest day of his life as he is one question away from winning 20 million rupees on India's version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?". Boyle displays a mastery of his craft by intricately weaving multiple flashbacks of Jamal's life throughout his childhood, each flashback in his life yields an answer to one of the shows questions. The heart of the movie is revealed as one central character in Jamal's life continually shows up & explains that she is the one girl that Jamal has loved & lost.



#8. The Fall - For this, we must take a dip: Original review

#7. Quantum of Solace - The 22nd(?) installment in the James Bond series saw a shift in direction from recent formulaic installments. Solace was for me a breath of fresh air, & that's not to say that I don't also enjoy many of the other Bond films. This film for me was just a sleek & trim action film, much in the same vein as the Bourne films. For further discover on this topic, please visit the expert: ROBTRAIN



#6. Vicky Cristina Barcelona - easily one of my favorite directors of all time, Woody Allen is starting to make a habit of making really good films on into his 5th decade of film making. Vicky tells the tale of 2 girlfriends who spend a summer in Barcelona pursuing all things art, music & wine, only to fall in love with the same painter played by Javier Bardem. Little do they know that the volatile ex-wife of the painter is about to re-enter the picture. This film will appeal slightly more to the art house crowd, great cast as well that also includes Scarlet Johansson, Penelope Cruz & Rebecca Hall.



#5. Burn After Reading - the Coen Bros. were back in 2008 after an amazing year in 2007 with another brilliant film. Burn After Reading is one of those funny, intelligent & brilliantly directed films that seems to have everything, & everyone in it. A disc with the memoirs of a CIA agent played by John Malkovich is found by 2 goofy gym employees (Brad Pitt & Frances McDormand) who attempt to extort the recently un-employed agent out of money if he ever wants it back. Chaos ensues as the agents' wife (Tilda Swinton) has an affair with a State Department Marshall played by George Clooney & all roads lead back to the residence of Malkovich's character Osbourne Cox for a discordant finale.



#4. Snow Angels - Director David Gordon Green adds a powerful drama to his CV as Snow Angels takes an in-depth look at the life of a teenager (Michael Angarano), the break up of his parents & his one-time babysitter (Kate Beckinsale) & her marital problems. Set in a modest, snow-covered Pennsylvania town, Green interweaves multiple story lines to tell a realistic, depressing, but altogether power story about relationships, separation & tragedy. (Originally a limited release in 2007)



#3. The Strangers - The single most un-settling, horrific & intense film I have seen in recent memory, The Strangers tells the story of a young couple returning to a vacation house only to be terrorized by 3 unknown assilants with masks on throughout the night. Mood & style are what makes The Strangers a brilliant film & the psychological terror that our protagonists experience is sure to leave a lasting mark on anyone who views the film. Strong performances by Liv Tyler & Scott Speedman make the terror believable. Simply terrifying.



#2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Director David Fincher adds another brilliant film to his long list of greats (Zodiac, Fight Club, Panic Room, Se7en) in this film adapted from a short story by F.Scott Fitzgerald. Button tells the tale of a man born into his 80's & subsequently ages backwards. Button plays out like a grand, almost 3 hour film that you don't want to end, as we follow Benjamin from the end of WW1 to the 21st century meeting many different people & making many discoveries along the way. Ultimately the film is about the joys that life brings, & also the sadness that death bestows upon all of us.



#1. The Dark Knight - Back is director Christopher Nolan & star Christian Bale in the 2nd installment of this new Batman series. But more important than return players was the intoroduction into the series (one of the all time great film performances) of the late Heath Ledger as The Joker. Again drawing from a masterful cast, Nolan weaves another brilliant gem of crime & action in Gotham City. With the help of Lt. Gordon & DA Harvey Dent, Batman sets out once again to rid the city of crime & bring hope in an otherwise dark world. This film is every bit as amazing as you've heard, from the opening bank heist, to the introduction of The Joker, & Two-Face. It's all here.