Best Movies Of 2008

so this is a little late, but i do live in Athens, GA and we're just now getting the majority of the Oscar movies of 08 right now. i really wish they'd change the rules for Oscar consideration and that a movie should have either played in wide release or been out for at least a month in the year of 2008 before it's eligible...but whatever. there are still a few movies left that i haven't had a chance to see (Milk, The Reader, Frost/Nixon) that might be worthy of consideration, but as of right now the following list were my top movies of the year.

The Top 13 Movies Of 2008

1. THE DARK KNIGHT

there's really nothing left to say about this movie. the greatest comic book movie of all time also happens to be one of the coolest/most fucking awesome films of the decade and Heath Ledger's Joker performance will go down as the greatest on screen villain ever.

2. Let the Right One In

Swedish, coming of age, vampire movie. aka my new favorite genre. sweet and tender and gorey at the same time. plus it had the most tense finale of any movie this year. fucking loved it X 1000.

3. Slumdog Millionaire

worthy of all the hype and praise and awards it's getting. Danny Boyle proves why he's one of the most underrated and best directors around. reminded me a lot of City Of God...which is one of my favorite movies of this decade. Slumdog was exciting, suspenseful, moderately violent, well acted, had a great love story, had a feel good ending, and this movie was uplifting without being cheesy. it's got Oscar written all over it and i hope it wins.

4. The Wrestler

hey, do you like being depressed? well this is the movie for you. besides Heath's Joker...Mickey Rourke's Randy "The Ram" was the best performance of the year. a total heartbreaker and soul crusher and a perfect representation of the death of the American Dream.

5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

this was a movie that i really could have cared less about before i actually went and saw it...we'll just say i was totally wrong in my assumption that this looked like a boring period drama. it's a total Forest Gump for adults. David Fincher sends me another reminder that he's the most underrated director in Hollywood whose work is always consistent.

6. Wall E

best kids movie since the Incredibles with the cutest fucking character since ET and R2-D2.

7. Pineapple Express

The Citizen Kane of stoner movies.

8. Iron Man

if Dark Knight was the ultimate example of how you make a serious comic book movie then Iron Man was the ultimate example of how you make a really fucking fun comic book movie. the best Pop Corn movie of the year by far.

9. In Bruges

a perfectly enjoyable little violent dark comedy

10. Son Of Rambow

a hilarious and imaginative kids movie that reminded me of how awesome kids movies used to be in the 80s. great soundtrack and visually innovative.

11. Nick And Nora's Infinite Playlist

one of the most enjoyable teen romantic comedies of all time. the perfect movie for young music nerds in love.

12. Tropic Thunder

another smart/stupid comedy from Ben Stiller that was probably the funniest film of the year (but Pineapple Express gets the edge because of pure weirdness).

13. Gonzo: The Life And Work Of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

a sad and funny portrait of the life of my favorite writer of all time.