Coming soon...My year in review

Normally, now is the time when everyone posts their favorite films of the previous year, and I would love to do the same. However, there are SO many films from 2008 that I have yet to watch (and I'm patiently waiting for them to be released on DVD or Blu-Ray) that to do a list would be imprudent at this time. Rest assured, when the time comes, I will post my thoughts on 2008 and I'll be the only one doing it...in March or April! lol

For now, here's the working list of my favorite moments in film in 2008 in chronological order:

1. Robert Downey, Jr. totally pwning the role of Tony Stark in Iron Man. For such a middle of the road comic book character, Downey, Jr. and director Jon Favreau nailed everything that was good about the character and made what could have been an awful movie a real treat to get me through the putridity that was Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the whatsitsname and M. Knight's The Crappening until TDK made it's way to the big screen.

2. There were several good jokes and pokes at the comic book and TV series, but the best of the bunch to come from The Incredible Hulk was when Banner (Edward Norton) was cornered by a group of Brazilian thugs and he's trying to get them to back off...in Portuguese, the phrase that has become infamous with the character over the years, but it goes horribly wrong as his grasp of the language isn't the best. Instead of the typical phrase, we get "Don't make me...hungry. You wouldn't like me when I'm...hungry. " Too funny!

3. Overall, the entire performance given by Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight, but moreso there were two moments in particular, the first being the disappearing pencil trick and the second being his reaction to the initial failed destruction of the hospital. Oh, and the second time I watched it was my first IMAX experience. WOW!!

4. Overall, I was disappointed by Tropic Thunder, but there were some hilarious moments, the tops being Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller) running across the bridge being chased by the Vietnamese drug army with a child on his back stabbing him relentlessly. Of course, the only thing Tugg could do was toss the child like a rag doll over the side of the bridge and into the river below.

5. Similar to Tropic Thunder, the Coen brothers follow-up to the greatness that was 2007's best film, No Country for Old Men, was a bit of a disappointment. Burn After Reading had it's moments though, including the revelation of what Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney) was building. Also, Brad Pitt ruled all as the clueless Chad Feldheimer!

6. Even though Kevin Smith's latest attempt at breaking away from his Clerks universe wasn't close to being as good as some of his past work, Zack and Miri Make a Porno was MUCH better than Jersey Girl and had several memorable moments. Amongst them were two scenes in particular, including one very unfortunate cameraman (Jeff Anderson) in the wrong place at the wrong time as a bodily function went horribly, HORRIBLY wrong! The other was the introduction to the movie-going world of the term "Dutch Rudder" by Jason Mewes' character, Lester.

7. My first ever attendance of a free preview screening of a film. I've been told that most times, free screeners are for not-so-good films, but in my case, it happened to be one of the best films of the year (so far) in Slumdog Millionaire!

8. The tour de force that was Frank Langella's portrayal of one of the most infamous men in United States political history, Richard Nixon, in the film Frost/Nixon.

9. The absolute radiance of Cate Blanchett in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I know, I know...most of it was due to whatever technique they were using to make she and Brad Pitt look younger or older using CGI and other special effects, but I don't remember Blanchett looking as good as she did in this film and that's saying a lot! I guess this makes up for Spielberg and Lucas ruining a film that had Blanchett playing a Russian dominatrix...

10. The absolute and utter giddiness that was listening to uncomfortable silences and awkward groans of a theater full of senior citizens at a noon showing of what turned out to be a softcore porno for the first thirty to forty-five minutes of The Reader.

Again, I still do plan to post a comprehensive "Year In Review" once I've muddled through what's left of the films I still want to see from 2008. I hope this satiates your hunger until that moment arrives...