My Top Ten Movies of 2008 (Finally!)
OK, it has been many a day since my last post, but how can I neglect my top ten movies list?! After much deliberation and some sadness about good movies that didn't make the cut, here are my choices!
10 - Marley and Me - Wow, it has been a long time since I've cried that much in a movie! It is all-around a great story, both as a traditional "pet movie" and as a story of a family.
9 - Australia - The best part of this movie was that it was so pretty! And the shirtless Hugh Jackman! My only complaint is that it was offensively too long, which is why it didn't score higher. I think the heart of the movie is the woman's two relationships (with Hugh Jackman and the boy), so it would've been best left at a simple story to focus on that, rather than strive to be some Epic Saga. But it was still very good =)
8 - Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - This was just adorable. Michael Cera continues to be just priceless, and the two of them were super cute together. I could've done without the lovely "gum" plotline, but I still loved it.
7 - Wall-E - Wall-E and Eve are definitely an OTP to go down in history! The silent scenes with just Wall-E and the Wall-E/Eve scenes were TO DIE FOR! The only reason it didn't rank higher is that I was bored stiff during the scenes on the space ship, which were many. I'm pretty sure every beating heart out there has seen it, but if you haven't, then please buy/rent it today!
6 - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - About a year ago, I was watching Forrest Gump and thought, "I'd really like another good movie to come out that is about a person's life, start to finish." (I'm sure others have come out since Forrest Gump, but I guess I haven't seen them, lol) Benjamin Button was the answer to my prayer. It is certainly one of a kind, and I loved the old-fashioned storytelling feel of the film. It was a bit long, but the story was vivid enough to deserve the screen time.
5 - Bolt - This one was just pretty much pure happiness and fun for me. The connection between Bolt and his girl was sooo sweet, and the cat was one of the best parts of the movie too. The pace of the story was perfect; if I didn't know any better, I'd think it was made by Pixar.
4 - Definitely, Maybe - I always love a good romantic comedy, and I think this one was substantially better than the average. All of the acting was fantastic, there were a large number of uber cute scenes, and it kept me guessing right till the end.
3 - Doubt - This was a very simple movie, but a brilliant one. As you've probably already heard, the acting was phenomenal. The plot was pretty simple, but quite complex at the same time. I really enjoyed the whole movie, but the last scene sealed the deal for getting a high spot on the list.
2 - Sex and the City - Alright, I'm going to confess, I don't generally merit movies based on pure cinematic quality, or the top two spots would look very different. However, I really loved how this movie took the characters that I have grown to cherish and transplanted them into a story that was slightly more serious than the ones I was accustomed to seeing them in. I loved getting the answers to all of my questions, and I think the characters were ultimately very true to themselves.
1 - Seven Pounds - Somehow, this movie got the reputation that it would be one of those carefully crafted films with hints meticulously placed throughout the film and that culminates in an OMG twist ending. Yes, it was that type of movie, but the hints were a bit too obvious and if one is relying upon the shock value of the twist to make the movie, they would definitely be let down.
However, there is a reason it is at the top of my list! When examined by an analytical mind, there are flaws to be found, but this is not a movie where I would recommend poring over fine details. Rather, it is a film that suggests a different way of living, and is optimally viewed with the heart rather than the head. It is a movie that takes some of life's great existential questions, and posits some heartfelt answers.
10 - Marley and Me - Wow, it has been a long time since I've cried that much in a movie! It is all-around a great story, both as a traditional "pet movie" and as a story of a family.
9 - Australia - The best part of this movie was that it was so pretty! And the shirtless Hugh Jackman! My only complaint is that it was offensively too long, which is why it didn't score higher. I think the heart of the movie is the woman's two relationships (with Hugh Jackman and the boy), so it would've been best left at a simple story to focus on that, rather than strive to be some Epic Saga. But it was still very good =)
8 - Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - This was just adorable. Michael Cera continues to be just priceless, and the two of them were super cute together. I could've done without the lovely "gum" plotline, but I still loved it.
7 - Wall-E - Wall-E and Eve are definitely an OTP to go down in history! The silent scenes with just Wall-E and the Wall-E/Eve scenes were TO DIE FOR! The only reason it didn't rank higher is that I was bored stiff during the scenes on the space ship, which were many. I'm pretty sure every beating heart out there has seen it, but if you haven't, then please buy/rent it today!
6 - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - About a year ago, I was watching Forrest Gump and thought, "I'd really like another good movie to come out that is about a person's life, start to finish." (I'm sure others have come out since Forrest Gump, but I guess I haven't seen them, lol) Benjamin Button was the answer to my prayer. It is certainly one of a kind, and I loved the old-fashioned storytelling feel of the film. It was a bit long, but the story was vivid enough to deserve the screen time.
5 - Bolt - This one was just pretty much pure happiness and fun for me. The connection between Bolt and his girl was sooo sweet, and the cat was one of the best parts of the movie too. The pace of the story was perfect; if I didn't know any better, I'd think it was made by Pixar.
4 - Definitely, Maybe - I always love a good romantic comedy, and I think this one was substantially better than the average. All of the acting was fantastic, there were a large number of uber cute scenes, and it kept me guessing right till the end.
3 - Doubt - This was a very simple movie, but a brilliant one. As you've probably already heard, the acting was phenomenal. The plot was pretty simple, but quite complex at the same time. I really enjoyed the whole movie, but the last scene sealed the deal for getting a high spot on the list.
2 - Sex and the City - Alright, I'm going to confess, I don't generally merit movies based on pure cinematic quality, or the top two spots would look very different. However, I really loved how this movie took the characters that I have grown to cherish and transplanted them into a story that was slightly more serious than the ones I was accustomed to seeing them in. I loved getting the answers to all of my questions, and I think the characters were ultimately very true to themselves.
1 - Seven Pounds - Somehow, this movie got the reputation that it would be one of those carefully crafted films with hints meticulously placed throughout the film and that culminates in an OMG twist ending. Yes, it was that type of movie, but the hints were a bit too obvious and if one is relying upon the shock value of the twist to make the movie, they would definitely be let down.
However, there is a reason it is at the top of my list! When examined by an analytical mind, there are flaws to be found, but this is not a movie where I would recommend poring over fine details. Rather, it is a film that suggests a different way of living, and is optimally viewed with the heart rather than the head. It is a movie that takes some of life's great existential questions, and posits some heartfelt answers.