|
El Guapo's Top Ten Kick Ass Movies Of 2008!
|
|
By George 'El Guapo' Roush on
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
Top Ten Kick Ass Movies of 2008
Now that the year has come to a close, let's take a look at what I thought were the best movies of 2008. These are the little and big gems that you looked at on the theater marquee and thought, "I wonder if this is awesome?" This list will hopefully answer that question. These are the movies that made me want to walk out of the theater and kiss the first old person I ran into.
These movies are the ones that from the 1st - 3rd act were just unbelievable. While they may have had some quirks to them, overall they provided me with a truly enjoyable viewing experience. I already know this list is not for everyone. There will be movies that you don't think should be on the list and some that you think should. That's fine. Stupid lists like this could never please all of the people reading them. And I'm pretty sure this list is going to be much different than other lists you read from other movie websites. Hey, why are you reading other movie websites??
The films I put down I think were the most entertaining of the films I've both SEEN AND REVIEWED of 2008 (minus one film). Clicking on each poster takes you to my review, so you can read about why I thought that particular movie kicked ass. Mind you, I have not seen every film this year. I missed out on little gems like Man on Wire, Happy People and Let the Right One In so forgive me if your favorite isn't on here.
No, Slumdog Millionaire is not on the list. Why? Because I already knew what was going to happen, the film tells you the third act from the beginning, I couldn't connect with any of the characters, I thought the love story itself was weak, and I couldn't buy into the hype. Gran Torino almost made the list, but the teenage actors in it were God awful. Benjamin Button didn't make the list because the last 15 minutes won't make up for the previous 90 minutes of sheer boredom. Yes, The Dark Knight is on my list. I know that some critics didn't put it on their list, but I did. No, it isn't number one, so get over it.
If you happened to miss my Top Ten Crappiest Movies of 2008, then click on those words I just bolded!!
Enough babble. let's get to my ten most kick ass movies of 2008.
Ready?
Set...
GO!
#10
Tropic Thunder
Everything from the marketing to the faux commercials to Booty Sweat to nominating the fake actor in the movie for an Oscar made this one of the funniest comedies I had seen in a long time. Robert Downey Jr.'s performance stole the show, and that performance even continued in the DVD cast commentary. Along with shorts like Rain of Madness, Tropic Thunder proves you can make fun of yourself and have a good time doing so.
#9
Bolt
What? Bolt? Bolt is on your list? Sure it is. One of the most beautifully animated films to come out of the mouse house in a long time, Bolt was a really fun cartoon that reminded me of Walt's older animated treasures. The voice acting was great, especially by Mark Walton as Rhino. It's a shame more people didn't catch this, opting for the crappy Madagascar 2 instead.
#8
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Every guy has gone through a bad breakup and Jason Segel's script about a torn up guy who just had his heart broken is a lot of fun to watch. Taking place in and around the beautiful Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu, Forgetting Sarah Marshall is my favorite of the "Apatow Camp" films. I'm not sure why critics picked Pineapple Express over this one, when this was consistently funny from beginning to end and dealt with issues people face on a daily basis. Like what to do when your bitch ex breaks up with you and goes off to Hawaii with her new rock star boyfriend.
#7
Quantum of Solace
I think I'm the only critic to put this movie on his top ten. Why did so many hate this film? It was packed with wall to wall action, hot chicks, cool fight scenes and massive amounts of stunt work. It also continued the storyline about a mysterious organization that I'm sure will be wrapped up in a future Bond film. Daniel Craig was excellent as usual and I can't wait to bookend this with Casino Royale when it hits Blu-Ray next year.
#6
Speed Racer
This was the love/hate movie of 2008. You either loved it or hated it, there was no inbetween. And that's if you actually caught it in theaters because it was marketed horribly. Me? I loved Speed Racer. It was one of the most visually eye popping movies I've ever seen and I think is way ahead of its time. Sure, 15 minutes could have been trimmed from the top, but this movie wasn't so much about the story as it was about racing on ridiculously awesome looking tracks. The Blu-Ray looks even better so do yourself a favor and watch this. You may hate it, you may love it, but I guarantee you've never seen anything like it.
#5
The Dark Knight
Two words: Bat-Pod. or is that just one word? The Dark Knight took the average comic book movie and turned it on its head, redefining an era in cinema. The excellent acting by the late Heath Ledger and also a wonderful performance by Aaron Eckheart made this one of the coolest super hero movies to ever hit the big (literally with its IMAX scenes) screen. Unfortunately, the story is kind of a mess and seems to jump around like a game of Chinese Checkers. The entire Hong Kong sequence was unnecessary and the ending made zero sense and was only used to set up the third. The villains also made Batman seem like kind of a wuss, who refused to just take out a main bad guy who had been killing people. The Punisher would have ended this crap in about 30 seconds with an M4. But then again, The Punisher doesn't have a Bat-Pod, does he? Go easy on me in the comments fanboys, at least it made the list.
#4
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Woody Allen's best movie in years is also one of the best romantic comedies in years. During the screening we had an earthquake. While everyone else was scrambling around texting people, I sat in my seat, not caring if the roof caved in. I was too into the story about a couple of friends who learn more about love and romance in Barcelona from the suave Javier Bardem than they ever would from some self help book. Vicky Cristina has great acting, beautiful cinematography and an honest, truthful look into the hopes and fears of relationships.
#3
Wall•E
Can't really blame Pixar and Disney for pushing this to be an Oscar contender for Best Picture. If you didn't enjoy Wall•E, then I feel bad that the inner child in you has died. Just when I thought Pixar's movies couldn't look any better, this movie comes along and blows me away. A wonderfully crafted love story is told even with the absence of what we consider normal dialogue to make Wall•E a movie I'm going to continue enjoying for years to come. For some reason, my review of this movie is missing, but I don't care, I'm putting it on the list anyway.
#2
Iron Man
Besides Tron when it first hit theaters, this is one of the only movies I can remember seeing where I said to myself, "Holy shit. This is fucking awesome." Jon Favreau made Iron Man one of the most enjoyable and complete super hero movies to ever blast onto a movie screen. The acting was great, the villain was cool, the suits were awesome and the movie was paced wonderfully. I can't wait for Iron Man 2 to come out. I'm sure it will be just as kick ass as the first one.
#1
The Wrestler
The Wrestler took me by surprise. I had no idea how good this movie was going to be until I left the theater. Mickey Rourke has to be a shoe-in for best actor. His performance as an over the hill retired pro wrestler is a role I don't think any other actor could pull off, especially Nicolas Cage who was originally supposed to be in the movie before Aronofsky told the studio he demanded Rourke play the role. Even if you don't know anything about wrestling, the pain from this man's own life and his personal relationship with his daughter is stuff that only comes along in theaters once in a long, long, while.
Darren Aronofsky, congratulations. You have made the best movie of 2008. Thank you very much.
That's it! The best of 2008 is behind me. I really thought 2008 was a pretty strong year for movies, and hopefully 2009 will be just as memorable. While some films like Milk, Ghost Town, Horton Hears a Who, The Bank Job and Gran Torino missed my top ten, they're only five examples of how much good stuff there was to choose from this year when you went up to the ticket booth.
And in case you were wondering what the head honcho of Latinoreview, Kellvin Chavez, thought was the best of the year, here are his picks with #1 being his favorite:
10. The Bank Job
9. In Bruges
8. Iron Man
7. Frost/Nixon
6. Burn After Reading
5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
4. Let the Right One In
3. The Wrestler
2. Slumdog Millionaire
1. The Dark Knight
Kellvin's Runners Up:
- Man on Wire
- Doubt
- Bolt
- Hellboy II: The Golden Army
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall
- Tropic Thunder
- Kung Fu Panda
- Son of Rambow
- Pineapple Express
- Appaloosa
Agree or disagree with the picks? Make yourselves heard by commenting below or e-mail: george@latinoreview.com
Please have a safe and happy New Year's everyone, and don't drink and drive!!!! I'll see you swinging cats in 2009.
Be good to yourself when you
|
|
|
|
| Comments
|
Good picks...
Commented By: Rocky Tilney on 2008-12-31 15:46:06
A few surprise, but something to fill my netflix queue with this week. Thanks El Guapo!
|
Nice!
Commented By: TheManWithNoName on 2008-12-31 16:09:49
Seeing The Wrestler tonight! I can't wait!
Also I saw Bolt in 3-D with my girlfriend. It was pretty amazing! We also seen Madagascar 2 and both agreed Bolt was better. Back to the 3D of Bolt. It was probably the best looking 3D movie I've ever seen. I wish they'd make more adventure films like Bolt.
|
WOW!
Commented By: Christian on 2008-12-31 16:15:16
I'm surprised that none of you have Australia in your top 10.
|
My Tops
Commented By: Jordan KO on 2008-12-31 16:18:36
here it iz
#1 the dark knight
#2 the incredible hulk
#3 iron man
#4 tropic thunder
#5 quantom of solace
#6 role models
and i still gotta see
Punisher: Warzone and valkyrie
|
Bad list
Commented By: Chris on 2008-12-31 17:01:36
Chavez has much better movie taste than you do.
|
lol
Commented By: El Guapo on 2008-12-31 17:07:43
I love the hate. Thanks Chris, I'll be sure and tell him you said so.
|
eck
Commented By: Dana on 2008-12-31 17:20:22
iron man #2 and TDK #5....wave bye bye to credibility...although I do agree with Sarah Marshall...very good flick.
Tropic Thunder was shit by the way....I have no idea why it is held in such a high regard...Must be Tom Cruises cameo
|
dark knight!!!#!
on 2008-12-31 18:23:33
DUUUUDEEE!! How dare you even compare Iron Man to the Dark knight!!!!!! SHAME ON YOU!
|
jordan is gay
Commented By: mike on 2008-12-31 19:38:45
lmaoo i like ur gay list full of superhero movies... must notget out much good job el guapo although chavez i have to agree wit a bit more
|
Well
Commented By: El Guapo on 2008-12-31 19:40:43
Four of Kellvin's movies I hadn't even seen.
|
Mickey
Commented By: sunnysider on 2009-01-01 06:51:18
More Mickey
|
G Dawg
on 2009-01-01 07:30:26
YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!
|
Kudos
Commented By: HG on 2009-01-01 12:38:24
Excellent list El Guapo! I was excited to see The Wrestler, and I thought Speed Racer and QOS were badass. Although, I was the most entertained by Pineapple Express, with Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Hellboy II trailing closely. PE for me held up the best through multiple viewings. And thank you for being one of the first people that didn't name Dark Knight as the top film of the year. JUST BECAUSE HEATH LEDGER WAS IN IT AND DIED DOES NOT MAKE IT THE BEST MOVIE!!
|
Yeah
Commented By: Peter on 2009-01-01 13:03:36
well, i think the incredible hulk and get smart
should be in this, QoS is awful
|
What??
Commented By: Jess Jones on 2009-01-01 15:41:48
Are you kidding me? Tropic Thunder was like the dumbest movie of ALL time!
jess
http://www.privacy.de.tc
|
For Real?
Commented By: Vim on 2009-01-01 16:02:26
Some of these movies u have chosen were average at best. Speed Racer, Iron Man, Wall E?? But Tropic Thunder was pants.
Maybe this shows 2008 was a bad year for movies.
|
# 1 IS CORRECT
Commented By: JB on 2009-01-01 16:03:43
Way to top off the list with the WRESTLER!!! that movie is by far the most entertaining one that I've enjoyed in a while (aside from the Dark Knight). Great Call
|
Good list man!
Commented By: 420band on 2009-01-02 10:58:22
But forgetting Sarah Marshall was o.k. at best, was really hyped to see that one and Pinapple. but both fell flat. That limey prick wasn't really funny to me at all in Marshall but It was cute but forgettable, and pineapple falls apart at the halfway point but both Franco AND Danny Mcbride were HILARIOUS!
I agree on the Batman, and no doubt IronMan was the best time at the movies in a while for a superhero flick.
|
Good list man!#2
Commented By: 420band on 2009-01-02 11:00:16
And Mickey Rourke blew me away.
that movie stays in your head for a while.
true sign of quality.
|
Speed Racer- CMON!
Commented By: Stan Wingson on 2009-01-02 13:40:54
That was pure, unadulterated ass dude! And no I don't happen to like ass in case you were wondering.
|
Interesting list
Commented By: PrÃncipe Lee on 2009-01-02 15:53:51
Ummm… Que carajo estas fumando?! To each his own and I respect your taste, but personally… no way A film like “Dark Knight†is #5 and having films like Wall E and Bolt on there when awesome powerful films like ‘Doubt’, ‘Benjamin Button’ or ‘Slumdog…’ are not. How do you view or rate films?
My top 10 … 1) Dark Knight 2) The Wrestler 3) Benjamin Button 4) Doubt 5) Frost Nixon 6) Iron Man 7) Man on Wire 8) Slumdog Millionaire 9) Burn After Reading & 10) Rendition – I still have to see a few more films from ’08 (i.e Gran Torino, Milk, 7lbs etc) but thought I’d share mine.
|
twas good
Commented By: Prom on 2009-01-02 22:13:23
I just disagree about batman, didn't see a few of those though so *shrug*
|
Agree to Disagree!
Commented By: Tom on 2009-01-05 05:48:17
I am glad at least one of you put 'Let The Right One In' into their Top 10.... my only question is where is Gran Torino?!
|
GeekingOut
Commented By: S\ on 2009-01-09 16:38:35
Ok, I'll expose my inner nerd here and explaing the end of the Dark Knight for you. The movie really has an interesting symmetry. Harvey Dent (early in the movie) takes the heat for Batman's crimes. So in the end Batman takes the heat for Harveys. Its less about plot than it is about juxtapozing these two characters. Watch the movie again with an eye for the comparisons between the two types of "hero." There is more symmetry than this in the film. Its pretty interesting and adds levels to the movie.
|
MegaMexican
Commented By: poophead on 2009-06-27 16:59:45
Donde estant mes pantalones
|
|
|
|
