Runner-ups:
1. Pineapple Express (because of James Franco’s amazing performance)
2. Gran Torino (because of the song “Gran Torino” which also should have been nominated for an Academy Award)Top Ten of 2008:
10. Tropic Thunder:
“Tropic Thunder” has a remarkable ensemble cast but it is Robert Downey Jr. who steals every scene he’s in as an Australian method actor who undergoes a surgical procedure to play the platoon’s African American sergeant (Every line of dialogue uttered is pure gold)! 2008 can be considered the Year of Downey Jr. as he made more than a comeback by infusing “Iron Man” and “Tropic Thunder” with the kind of charisma and presence that is rare even in Hollywood. “Tropic Thunder” benefits from a biting yet still playfully understated satire of Hollywood, movie stars, and our consumer culture. The inimitable Nick Nolte has a perfect part as a grizzled “vet” and Hollywood newcomer Danny McBride continues to inject his brand of humor (see “Pineapple Express” and “The Foot Fist Way”) in a bit part as a pyrotechnic expert. One cannot do justice to this film without mentioning a cameo by an internationally recognized (for better and for worse) Hollywood star that is both hilarious and thoroughly “out of character”. A movie this outrageous can not possibly end with a satisfying conclusion so writer/director/star Ben Stiller chooses to go with a great gag for the end credits.
9. Man on Wire:
Framed as a thrilling heist movie, “Man on Wire” is a rare type of documentary that manages to keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing the fate of the protagonist. It’s virtually impossible not to root for Philipe Petit, the titular man on wire who plans from France to one day walk a tightrope between the Twin Towers in NYC. While portraying the insatiable quest of Petit, “Man on Wire” perfectly captures the unfettered ability of the human spirit to dream. And dream big. The minimalist music by Michael Nyman is haunting, somber, and uplifting at the same time. The film uses footage, photos, and reenactments to tell its tale but the acts performed by Petit are nothing short of special effects in their own right. Watching the different players recount the story with passion and real emotions gives the viewers a sense of the immensity of the stunt and how it was bigger than the sum of its parts.
Framed as a thrilling heist movie, “Man on Wire” is a rare type of documentary that manages to keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing the fate of the protagonist. It’s virtually impossible not to root for Philipe Petit, the titular man on wire who plans from France to one day walk a tightrope between the Twin Towers in NYC. While portraying the insatiable quest of Petit, “Man on Wire” perfectly captures the unfettered ability of the human spirit to dream. And dream big. The minimalist music by Michael Nyman is haunting, somber, and uplifting at the same time. The film uses footage, photos, and reenactments to tell its tale but the acts performed by Petit are nothing short of special effects in their own right. Watching the different players recount the story with passion and real emotions gives the viewers a sense of the immensity of the stunt and how it was bigger than the sum of its parts.
I loved Gran Torino! I couldn't believe the awesomeness that was Eastwood's dialogue with people. It was truly a heart-string puller in a surprising way and I loved that he developed such a protective and caring relationship with the neighbors. I knew it was going to be sad, though.
ReplyDeleteI like it a lot too! There were things about it that bugged me enough to exclude it from the Top 10 list, though. Oh, and I saw Gran Torino with Gabe and Em!
ReplyDelete