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Raves, faves and flops of 2008

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Top 10 Films of 2008

1. “Slumdog Millionaire” - By far one of the best, most remarkably well-presented films in a very long time. This tale of a street-dwelling boy growing up to win big on India's version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” works because of an incredible story, masterful direction, talented stars and impressive cinematography.

2. “The Dark Knight” - Wow! This is a must-see on IMAX - seeing it on a smaller screen is nearly criminal. That said, “The Dark Knight” is an excellent bit of filmmaking and Heath Ledger's performance, as well as those of the other stars, shines; the story, although dark and foreboding, is spectacular and visually stunning.

3. “The Visitor” - I met star Richard Jenkins this past March at SXSW and worried that his film had arrived a bit early in the year and perhaps a tad too quietly to get the recognition and awards it deserves. It is getting a few nods, but I wonder if it will get its due. I adored the story of a college professor who discovers a pair of illegal immigrants (the victims of a New York City leasing scam) unexpectedly living in his apartment. Certainly, there are the requisite lessons learned, but I thought its message (and an excellent screenplay and cast) make it deserving of being in my top 10.

4. “Milk” - The story of Harvey Milk, an openly gay man who seeks to change the face of politics in 1970s San Francisco. Sean Penn offers perhaps his best performance ever.

5. “Wall€E” - The little trash collector that could save the world - and does. Wall€E delights with its animation, characters and its important message to us all.

6. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” - Really quite “curious” and frankly unbelievable, but a powerful cast and intriguing storyline make this an excellent film.

7. “The Fall” - I loved the film and having a Q&A with the director after the screening made it even more intriguing. A paralyzed stuntman befriends a little girl - both in the hospital recuperating - and he attempts to get the girl to (unknowingly) help him end his life. This movie is beautifully filmed and wonderfully complex in its storytelling. “Pushing Daisies” star Lee Pace makes an excellent showing. I don't think it was at the theater long and that is a real shame.

8. “Rachel Getting Married” - This is a very dark tale indeed for “Princess Diaries” star Anne Hathaway. She plays a recovering addict who is on leave from rehab to attend her sister's wedding. Hathaway outdoes herself in this revealing story about families dealing with the horrors of drug abuse and the collateral damage that results.

9. “The Wrestler” - I did not feel good after watching this film. In fact, I felt drained and sad. The story is most assuredly depressing, but the acting, direction and cinematography excels, making it worth a top 10 seat.

10. “Defiance” - Starring Daniel Craig, “Defiance” is about four brothers who flee from the Nazis into the forest surrounding their town. Set in 1941 and based on a true story, “Defiance” follows the brothers and the ever-growing group of Jewish people who join with them in their efforts to survive. Not uplifting to be sure, but certainly inspiring.

Others that Deserve a Mention:

1. “The Reader” - Excellent acting, brilliant direction and one depressing story.

2. “Gran Torino” - Clint Eastwood shines!

3. “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” - Here is another Woody Allen movie I liked - partly because he was not in it (kind of like “Match Point”).

4. “Bolt” - An excellent animated film for adults and children alike. Not as good theme-wise as Wall€E, but super-entertaining and fun to watch.

5. “Doubt” - Fabulous acting; depressing subject matter.

6. “Changeling” - Cinematic mastery from start to finish. Go Eastwood!

7. “Revolutionary Road” - Same song, third verse. I've often wondered if there is an unwritten rule that Oscar hopefuls should rip one's heart out.

8. “In Bruges” - I loved it, in spite of amazingly foul language, extremely violent subject matter and a well-earned R-rating.

Top 10 Actresses (Supporting or Lead)

1. Kate Winslet - “The Reader” and “Revolutionary Road”

2. Sally Hawkins - “Happy-Go-Lucky”

3. Hiam Abbass - “The Visitor”

4. Anne Hathaway - “Rachel Getting Married”

5. Meryl Streep - “Doubt”

6. Freida Pinto - “Slumdog Millionaire”

7. Amy Adams - “Doubt”

8. Angelina Jolie - “Changeling”

9. Frances McDormand - “Burn After Reading”

10. Nicole Kidman - “Australia”

Top 10 Actors (Supporting or Lead)

1. Frank Langella - “Frost/Nixon”

2. Sean Penn - “Milk”

3. Richard Jenkins - “The Visitor”

4. Brad Pitt - “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

5. Heath Ledger - “The Dark Knight”

6. Dev Patel - “Slumdog Millionaire”

7. Daniel Craig - “Defiance”

8. Ralph Fiennes - “The Duchess” and “The Reader”

9. Mickey Rourke - “The Wrestler”

10. Colin Farrell - “In Bruges”

The 10 Worst Films of 2008

I do believe I missed many of the films - purposely or because they did not screen for press - which may have made my “worst” list this year, but here goes.

1. “The Love Guru” - Worse than number two, but only by genre and asininity. Mike Myers should have quit while he was ahead.

2. “10,000 BC” - By far one of the worst movies of all time. What a colossal waste of time and money.

3. “Ashes of Time Redux” - The first sucked; why torture us with another? Boring!

4. “Fool's Gold” - Perhaps the worst in its genre too, unless a shirtless, shoeless McConaughey deserves better. I think not.

5. “Step Brothers” - A tasteless, ridiculous film about two socially challenged 40-something-year-old men and their imprudent parents.

6. “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” - Proof that great special effects cannot make up for cruddy storytelling and weak casting. A third film in this series should not have been made.

7. “You Don't Mess with the Zohan” - Adam Sandler makes the list with his tale of an Israeli Special Forces soldier who dreams of being a hairstylist. Stupid does not come close to describing this film.

8. “Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay” - In a word - disgusting! When my husband doesn't like it, it is really bad!

9. “Semi-Pro” - No semi here - 100 percent stupid and tasteless.

10. “The Happening” - M. Night Shyamalan needs to go back to the drawing board. His last few films have been horrific, not horror or suspense.

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