Your Film of the Year - 2008

I was gonna poll this but as  film tastes are very unique things so I'll just leave it poll-less.

As much as I loved The Dark Knight (d. Nolan, 2008), and it does rank pretty high in my top 10 of '08, I really think my 2008 FotY has to be the oft-overlooked In Bruges (d. McDonagh, 2008) - absolutely everything about this film stood out to me, and in my opinion, totally excelled: amazing characters, well-written script that sublimely blanced black comedy with some real hard-hitting moments, perfect pacing, great direction and use of the absolutely gorgeous Bruges setting, and a fantastic cast with absolutely no cracks - every actor played their role with distinction.

I simply cannot recommend the film enough. It was unfortunately burdened by the fact that it was released very early on in 2008, I think within a couple of weeks after the 2007-8 Oscars, and is overlooked as a result.

Interested to hear other people's take on FotY 2008 =]

RocknRolla, I'm a sucker for a Guy Ritchie film.

The Wrestler

It was a pretty simple story, but the performance of Mickey Rourke was just so damn powerful and heart wrenching.
Also the cinematography was very real and plain. Gave it an almost documentary feel.
Plus the constant allusions to Randy walking through the curtains to meet a roaring crowd being juxtaposed to him going to a rather empty autograph signing, his trailer park home or his job was pretty clever. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Marisa Tomei being a milf.

ahhh you've just reminded me how much I want to see that film now haha

Wall-E. Loved that film.

Moved to OT ....and my favorite film of 2008 was In Bruges. A movie few people actually saw in theaters (or on DVD) and even less remember. I don't even think Colin Farrell's Golden Globe win did anything to make people watch the film.

"Moved to OT ....and my favorite film of 2008 was In Bruges. A movie few people actually saw in theaters (or on DVD) and even less remember. I don't even think Colin Farrell's Golden Globe win did anything to make people watch the film.
"

In Bruges is truly an underappreciated film. I loved the fact that the trailers hid so much of what the actual film was about and it was beautifully shot. I guess doom is just inevitable when you don't get a big release/a lot of press and come out in late January/early February. I saw the film 4 times in the theater and loved it every single time. I don't think Farrell deserved and Oscar for his performance, but I do believe he should have been nominated at least...it deserved at least a nomination for best original screenplay as well.

"Moved to OT ....and my favorite film of 2008 was In Bruges. A movie few people actually saw in theaters (or on DVD) and even less remember. I don't even think Colin Farrell's Golden Globe win did anything to make people watch the film.
"

Wall-E. Just such a beautiful, artistic, and fun film.

The dark knight

1. The Dark Knight
2. Wall-E
3. Slumdog Millionaire

That is pretty much my list. Benjamin Button and Milk were also great, as was The Wrestler, Frost/Nixon, and Gran Torino.

Wall0E is pretty much the best film I have seen this year, althougBatman and the other movies were great too. I also loved Indy 4.

I enjoyed the Dark Knight as much as the next person, but for me, the most enjoyable and best surprise was The Bank Job.  This was a dramatic take on a real life bank robbery in 1971 (see below).  It starred Jason Statham, and is a real departure from the action films he is known for.  I found it to be a tense, well acted thriller with many good twists, and a satisfying conclusion.  I really can't recommend it enough, especially since I assume most of the people on GB have already seen the mainstream blockbusters like Dark Knight and Wall-E.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0200465
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3671166/Revisiting-the-riddle-of-Baker-Street.html

"Wall-E. Just such a beautiful, artistic, and fun film."

For me it was Doubt, filled with amazing performances and a great story.

Gonna have to go with Wall-E. That movie was just too good.

The Dark Knight or Wall-E would be mine. I need to see some others though.

"Wall-E. Loved that film."

That goes to Defiance,I am a sucker for Edward Zwick movies.

I loved The Dark Knight because of Heath Ledger's performance; as a movie on its own merit, TDK is just a good movie. My favorite film of '08 might have been Iron Man. I didn't get around to seeing any of the highly acclaimed movies, yet I found Iron Man to be a fun movie. It had some witty humor, though never detracting from the drama, and great special effects. I really enjoyed it.

Frost/Nixon was awesome.

Mine's The Dark Knight, I bet no one saw that coming.

Benjamin Button.

"In Bruges is truly an underappreciated film. I loved the fact that the trailers hid so much of what the actual film was about and it was beautifully shot. I guess doom is just inevitable when you don't get a big release/a lot of press and come out in late January/early February. I saw the film 4 times in the theater and loved it every single time. I don't think Farrell deserved and Oscar for his performance, but I do believe he should have been nominated at least...it deserved at least a nomination for best original screenplay as well.
"

"Kush said:

"Red said:

"Wall-E. Just such a beautiful, artistic, and fun film."

I don't know if I'm the only one, but I found Wall-E to fall apart halfway through the film. Once the human aspect was added to the movie it just didn't feel the same anymore. The first half was a beautiful, wonderful film, but the second half was just average with a few good moments here and there."

I can't agree that it falls apart. The first half certainly looks prettier with the lighting and camera effects, but at some point they had to introduce the "people element". Just being a throw back to old Sci-Fi films might be fine for us, and I do feel Wall-E and Eve were expressive enough witout dialogue, but Pixar obviously had bigger ideas in mind than just two robots that fall in love. If you think about it, most of the great love stories have a secondary struggle. It makes for a much more relieving (or tragic) ending."

In Bruges, definitely.

Wall-E. Not Pixar's finest, but definitely a great film.

The Wrestler,among the best of rourkes films IMO

Haven't seen this In Bruges thing, so id have to go with The Dark Knight, then The Love Guru.. Mike Myers FTW

"I can't agree that it falls apart. The first half certainly looks prettier with the lighting and camera effects, but at some point they had to introduce the "people element". Just being a throw back to old Sci-Fi films might be fine for us, and I do feel Wall-E and Eve were expressive enough witout dialogue, but Pixar obviously had bigger ideas in mind than just two robots that fall in love. If you think about it, most of the great love stories have a secondary struggle. It makes for a much more relieving (or tragic) ending."

I didn't see a lot of movies in '08, but I fucking loved Speed Racer.

Frost/Nixon