The king on his throne
It’ s time for our yearly film rankings list. Here, you’ll find the list of all films released in 2008 that I’ve seen so far, ranked from top to bottom. From dope to rotten. The movies I loved in the order of how much I loved them. If you don’t see a particular movie on the list, it means I haven’t seen it. This list will be updated in the future whenever I happen to catch an ‘08 release. If you feel I missed something great, please let me know and I’ll attempt to seek it out. These are this year’s movies, as I see them.
See our Film Rankings for previous years, here.
Gran Torino may not have been the best movie of the year. I recognize it has flaws, but they didn’t deter my viewing experience. I thought the film was greatly humorous, which I couldn’t begin to expect. Clint Eastwood is absolutely the only person who could have played the role he did, and I feel he did it to perfection. It was the most emotionally engaged I felt all year. I think it has some classic scenes, namely Clint teaching Thao how to talk like a man. It was very much my kind of movie. If you agree with me or not, I’d love to know what you felt about the movie. Also, please know that review was written by The Rake and not me, hence the rating.
I’ll sporadically throw in comments about films as I deem necessary.
Italicized and bold titles link to reviews/trailers/news.
My favorite movie of the year.
I love Batman. He’s my favorite comic character. When Batman Begins was released, I thought it was okay. I was in no way really anticipating the follow-up. All the early reviews and hype ended up sucking me in and I was blown away. I saw this thrice in theaters. It was obviously my favorite movie of the year for a good five months, before Torino. I’m super hyped for the third installment.
Great concept and execution. Expect this to reign supreme on Oscar night.
Should have been nominated for Best Picture, Director, Supporting Actress and Original Screenplay. It’s that good.
My most underrated movie of the year. This needs to be seen by anybody who’s a fan of Guy Ricthie. He’s completely back on top.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Not my favorite Pixar film. I still find it lacking a little bit, as cute as it is. Be sure to check out The Pixar Story on the film’s DVD/Blu-ray.
The Fall
If you love visuals, you have to see this movie. I’m a visual guy. I don’t care for Tarsem’s The Cell, but I thought The Fall was sweet as hell. Definitely to be seen in Blu-ray.
I.O.U.S.A.
Every once in a while I say about a movie, “I think you could go on living your life without seeing it.” This is NOT that film. You must see it. Our country’s fiscal hole is one of the most horrifying things imaginable and this shows you what horror exists and what needs to be done to fix it.
Changeling
City of Men
Very underseen. Completely estranged from City of God, but surprisingly solid.
Son of Rambow
Revolutionary Road
I like this better after I saw it the second time, but must stand behind my review.
Kung-Fu Panda
Cloverfield
Gomorrah
Redbelt
A Christmas Tale
The Happening
Not good, but I don’t think as horrible as is proclaimed. It has a lot of good ideas that Shyamalan seemed to portray in the incorrect light. Yes, the threat of foliage is awesome. Screw anybody that disses it.
Flash of Genius
Religulous
Eden Lake
Lakeview Terrace
JCVD
Righteous Kill
The Ruins
American Teen
Quantum of Solace
Run Fatboy Run
I know somehow seemingly everybody in the world loves this but me. I truly don’t get it.
Hancock
The Promotion
Definitely, Maybe
Role Models
The Secret
Horton Hears a Who
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Wendy and Lucy
The Foot Fist Way
“F you!” while coming from around a corner holding a huge knife trying to scare his wife was genius!
Choke
The Traitor
Vantage Point
Eagle Eye
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Should’ve filmed the Frank Darabont script that Spielberg and Ford approved. George Lucas sucks.
The Incredible Hulk
Proof that a “Hulk” movie will just never be good.
This movie sucks. I know the crowd of people I saw it with early thought the same thing. Tom Cruise is hailed as the best thing about it, but I couldn’t take it. A guy dancing in a fat suit? That wasn’t funny in the trailer for Date Movie. Why is it funny now? I do think it’s a good skewering of Hollywood, but I also think Austin Powers is a good skewering of Bond movies. I still hate them. The inherent reason? Lack of humor.
Get Smart
Passengers
Four Christmases
Leatherheads
Blindness
Max Payne
Saw V
Teeth
Disappointing. I wanted it to be cool. It wasn’t.
Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds
I saw this movie with my niece/goddaughter, because we rarely get to do things together. At least I don’t think I’ll have to sit through The Jonas Bros. movie.
Jumper
Kabluey
Mirrors
Be Kind Rewind
This was certainly the most disappointing film of the year for me. I love Michel Gondry. I proudly own “The Work of Director: Michel Gondry” DVD. I’m amazed by his visual flair. The guy can’t write to save his life. I think Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was a perfect combination of writer to director and with Kaufman now directing himself, it gives me trepidations about where Gondyr’s career will end up. I hope he realizes his shortcomings and finds someone who can match his visual creativity on the page.
Hamlet 2
I certainly go out of my way to not see bad movies. I actively try. Sometimes, however I feel I’m in a position to where i have to see something. Hamlet 2 is a film I saw purely because I wanted to make a trek to the theater. Being supremely unfunny was its chief crime. It was a case where internet rumblings and advertising got to me, although I hadn’t see the trailer before I decided to see the movie. I apparently would’ve been better off.
What no Love Guru or Meet Dave? Must watch for both of them.
I’m surprised Hellboy 2 made it up as far as it did on your list! I’m glad it did, don’t get me wrong, just surprised. One of Del Toro’s Best!