Top 10 Movies 2008, Part 3 (#4 - 1)

4. The Wrestler:

Speaking of performances, “The Wrestler” is a case where a good film is elevated to greater heights by the awe-inspiring performance of its lead actor. While, Heath Ledger disappeared completely behind the Joker, Mickey Rourke embodies the titular role with a palpable degree of self-awareness. The striking similarity between Rourke’s turbulent career and that of Randy “The Ram” Robinson gives the film an undeniable biographical feel. No one else could have played the role of “The Ram”. Interestingly, this is not the only film on this list that offers a painfully biographical look at its star on this list (more on that later). Bruce Springsteen wrote and performs the title song “The Wrestler” which plays over the end credits. There is one other film in 2008 that can claim a song titled after the film that captures the spirit of the movie as well as The Boss does for “The Wrestler” (more on that later too in the Runner Ups list below). It’s a mystery why this song was not nominated for an Academy Award.

3. The Dark Knight:

This was the 800-lbs gorilla of 2008. A fantastic film in its own right (from the plot to the direction and from the stars to the effects), “The Dark Knight” is going to forever be remembered by the disturbingly brilliant performance by Heath Ledger manifesting the Joker. Ledger was able to surpass “mere” character acting by creating a type of anarchic villain that cannot be reasoned with or understood but resonates with viewers today because of the geopolitical climate of the world we currently live in (I will let you decipher who or what I am referring to). Such an instinctive feel for the zeitgeist produces a terrifying villain who, in essence, is a little too close for comfort and more real than his lowly comic book origins would imply. Director Christopher Nolan (of Memento fame) has crafted a film completely respectful of its source material and totally aware of the world we live in today. The plot plays out like a Greek tragedy and poses difficult questions that are not neatly squared away at the end. In the final analysis, not only is it virtually impossible to envision another actor besides Ledger portraying the Joker, it is also difficult to see how Nolan can craft another Batman film such as this.

2. Let the Right One In:

This Swedish film is the best film released in 2008 that no one saw. “Let the Right One In” is as different from “Slumdog Millionaire” as it gets with three exceptions. Firstly, just like “Slumdog Millionaire”, “Let the Right One In” features remarkable performances delivered by child actors. The best compliment I can offer is that after you see this film, it is hard to imagine how any of the scenes could have been acted better or performed by any other actors. Secondly, both films cannot be labeled as belonging to any particular genre. Just like labeling “Slumdog Millionaire” as a romantic movie is not fully accurate, one cannot label “Let the Right One In” as horror. Finally, both films conclude with perfect endings (even though, the ending for “Let the Right One In” is as far from the uplifting ending of “Slumdog Millionaire” as one gets). A triumph of subtlety and the complexities of human relationships, “Let the Right One In” gets under your skin and stays there long after the movie is over.

1. Slumdog Millionaire:

From the script to the direction and from the acting to the music, “Slumdog Millionaire” is pitch perfect. It succeeds as a Rocky-style underdog tale, a true rags to riches story. The film boasts classic elements of a fairy tale mixed with the very real in its ability to transport the viewer to a foreign land and then inhabit the foreign land with characters that are far from foreign. The fantastic music score is by the great Indian composer A.R. Rahman (known as the Mozart of Mumbai) and has elements ranging from classical Indian music to the most eclectic fusion of Western composition. The perfect execution of filmmaking culminates in one of the best feel-good endings ever captured in a movie. Oh, and don’t leave when the end credits start rolling. Jai Ho, indeed!

A Look Ahead to 2009:

2008 was a great year for film and I can't wait for 2009. Here are the most anticipated movies of 2009 so far:

Wolverine, A Serious Man, Sherlock Holmes, Green Zone, Nine, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Road, Funny People, Bruno, Inglorious Basterds, Up, Public Enemies, Shutter Island, The Tree of Life, and Avatar. We will see if these (and others) make it on the Top Ten Movies of 2009 list!

See ya at the talkies!

Ibad