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Harry's Picks For The Top Ten Films of 2008!!!

Hated Pineapple and Burn by Aloy	Dec 28th, 2008 12:36:35 AM
Let the Right One In, well, we'll see.
Iron Man was better than Dark Knight. by lalalandlovechild	Dec 28th, 2008 12:39:02 AM
Watched DK again on Blu-Ray and was underwhelmed...again. Watched IM again, too. Loved it even more. Seeing DK again without a rabid audience REALLY highlighted the movie's flaws. I can understand why critics are stiffing it this awards season.
He just HAD to pick some obscure bullshit.... by Toby Wan	Dec 28th, 2008 12:40:02 AM
Swedish crap. The Dark Knight owns this. Search your feelings...you know it to be true.
After watching.. by Harold-Sherbort	Dec 28th, 2008 12:40:11 AM
The Dark Knight at home, I can honestly say that if it wasn't for Heath Ledgers performance, it would have only been a "good" movie. Iwas enthralled when I saw it in the theater,but now I just wait for the Joker's scenes, and it's not AS good as the first time. His Joker deserves to be put up there with the all time great villians of any movie, ever.
THANK YOU, HARRY!!! by Thrillho77	Dec 28th, 2008 12:40:25 AM
Although I would never have Pineapple Express or Burn After Reading in a top 10 (hated Burn, liked Pineapple - but not enough), I completely appreciate you actually making your top 10 this year. I've spent the entire year complaining about it in various talkbacks! ;)
What the motherfudge, Harry? by DougMcKenzie	Dec 28th, 2008 12:40:51 AM
Not listing De Niro in Raging Bull in your great brawler performance roll call is a sin against the Cylon God. Scorsese is literally dialing up the hitman as I type!
Harry, right on re: TDK's Interrogation Scene by YackBacker	Dec 28th, 2008 12:42:22 AM
I read somewhere that Nolan shot that scene very early on in the show, probably Heath's first scene as The Joker, which makes it all the more impressive. It's a perfect interaction- Batman's WRONG in his take on Joker, and Joker knows it. It makes Joker that much more intimidating for the rest of the movie. Excellent writing, awesome direction (the thing was shot so well!). And Bale and Ledger... fucking brilliant together. I have no idea why you chose PINEAPPLE EXPRESS other than you're a gigglebox. But we still love ya.
Let the Right One In is a very good film... by Mostholy	Dec 28th, 2008 12:45:48 AM
but i still preferred TDK and Wall-E in the end. Maybe Milk too.
Iron Man was NOT better than Dark Knight by fassbinder79	Dec 28th, 2008 12:50:12 AM
The list looks good Harry. I'll have to see the swedish vampire flick. My little brother saw it and hated it but we don't always agree. Dark Knight would have been my number one but I can appreciate your making it number 2. Pineapple should be on anyone's best list for this year (if we're being honest with ourselves and not pretentious). The movie was entertaining as hell and I can't wait to buy the uncut Blu-ray when it comes out. I don't know if this movie counts but I would have put Tarsem's The Fall on my top ten for the year. Incredible filmmaking. Burn After Reading would also make my top ten of this year as well as Role Models. Flame me on you want haters it was really entertaining. Anyway, great list, Harry. You've convinced me to see Let the right one and the wrestler.
"some perverse imp having his salad tossed by Natalie Portman" by jimmy_009	Dec 28th, 2008 12:51:04 AM
There was a line, and it has been crossed. Tasteless.
forgot to mention... by fassbinder79	Dec 28th, 2008 12:53:35 AM
Wall-E kicked some serious ass. And Presto was easily the best short film of the year. Pixar deserves the studio of the year award.
chud listed pineapple too by HandsThe Hands of Fate	Dec 28th, 2008 12:54:42 AM
and at number 5
All xlnt choices Harry, except for Button... by quantize	Dec 28th, 2008 01:01:42 AM
Top two definitely deserve to be there..also where was Revolutionary Road? C'mon that was some heavy shit going down in that.
Burn and Pineapple both very deserving also by quantize	Dec 28th, 2008 01:02:35 AM
The Burn hate is just tasteless fucks full of jealousy..it was fucking funny AS
Let the right one in was quite good by mefrog	Dec 28th, 2008 01:02:35 AM
Loved it, and will be on my top ten films this year.
also, Pineapple was lousy... by mefrog	Dec 28th, 2008 01:03:28 AM
but I loved Burn. I'm thinking Hellboy II will be on my list this year as well. So good...
List needs more Rambo. by Its a LION	Dec 28th, 2008 01:09:27 AM
You can't deny it.
Pineapple not lousy... by quantize	Dec 28th, 2008 01:09:58 AM
how the fuck can you say something so patently stupid..totally different humor and sensibility to Burn..and for the kind of film Pineapple was, it was fucking hilarious...loosen the fuck up
Mori also picked Pineapple by wash	Dec 28th, 2008 01:10:38 AM
...over at his new site where barely anyone comments and RSS feeds still don't work. When I saw Harry pick PE too I was like "WTH?". It was decent, but not fantastic. Watching it on weed probably helps.
Damn, and I thought Brothers Bloom was coming out sooner. by heavenlykid	Dec 28th, 2008 01:11:34 AM
Oh well, as long as they don't 'Trick or Treat' the mother fucker I'll be happy. Awesome list harry.
by quantize	Dec 28th, 2008 01:11:51 AM

obscure swedish bullshit....Toby Wan by quantize	Dec 28th, 2008 01:12:36 AM
well done, you just waved a big flag that denotes you as an uncultured boring fuck.
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is... by MaxTheSilent	Dec 28th, 2008 01:19:13 AM
...without question the greatest vampire film ever made. Closely followed by Herzog's NOSFERATU.
Wall*E wasn't even the best animated film of 2008 by Googam_Son_of_Goom	Dec 28th, 2008 01:20:03 AM
Great list, but WallE was pretty awful, actually. The storytelling was ham-handed and misguided in the way it clunked along from Earth to outer space and back, the art direction was pitiful with its 4 or 5 different visual styles which completely blew any sense of aesthetic cohesion and the anticlimatic and altogether unsatisfying and ill-conceived ending made this a one-viewing, non-purchase for me. Both Kung Fu Panda and Bolt were more atisfying and enriching cinematic experiences for me... and even they werent all that good. The short about the magician was worthy of the Pixar name, but that was about it. My fear is that reviewers and the academy will mistake the intent* of trying to make an artsy animated film with a message with actually making a good film. Oh well... soapbox will be put away now.
What happened to Moriarty? by jimmy_009	Dec 28th, 2008 01:21:53 AM
I must have missed this news...
Pineapple was not good by jimmy_009	Dec 28th, 2008 01:23:33 AM
The last hour wasn't even mildly funny or a good action movie.
quantize by mefrog	Dec 28th, 2008 01:23:50 AM
Chill the fuck out dude. Burn was brilliant dark humor, Pineapple was just boring. I laughed occasionally but by the time James Franco (great performance, BTW) busted in screaming FUCK THE POLICE I was ready to move on. And you shouldn't judge my movie taste if you think Benjamin Button doesn't deserve to be on a top ten list...
Great call on Let The Right One In.. but no Synecdoche? by wilsonfisk89	Dec 28th, 2008 01:25:18 AM
What were your feelings on that film Harry? It would be in my top 3 along with Wall-E and Let the Right One In.
Mori is at hitfix.com by wash	Dec 28th, 2008 01:26:42 AM
Kinda ugly site and the functionality has a way to go, but at least Mori is writing pretty frequently there.
Yeah, I check hifix occasionally for Mori's posts... by mefrog	Dec 28th, 2008 01:27:14 AM
But damn, do I miss him.
Wait so Moriarty moves on... by jimmy_009	Dec 28th, 2008 01:27:52 AM
...after all these years with AICN and they don't give him one post parting post? He was the best reviewer this site had. Bummer.
I thought Pineapple Express was very unfunny by Broseph	Dec 28th, 2008 01:33:13 AM
I was looking forward to seeing this movie for months before it was released and just found it really stupid.It seemed like there were lots of pointless characters and events in this movie.i waas really disappointed.I thought Tropic Thunder was far better as well as zack and miri.After pa and forgetting sarah marshall I'm very skeptical about the apatow camp.
And you shouldn't judge my movie taste....mefrog by quantize	Dec 28th, 2008 01:33:18 AM
oh yes i fucking should.
Let the Right One in is way overrated by bullet3	Dec 28th, 2008 01:36:58 AM
Its a solid and interesting movie in how different of an approach it takes to the vampire picture, and it is indeed very touching, but at the same time, its plot is very muddled and kinda skips around all over the place. Its worthy of a top ten spot, but Wall-E and the Dark Knight are MUCH better films.
HOTLINKING!!! HARRY, HOTLINKING! by LHombreSiniestro	Dec 28th, 2008 01:37:39 AM
The Wrestler poster is down, just fyi.
vampire flicks, foreign flicks by jigsaw	Dec 28th, 2008 01:38:51 AM
Let The Right One In had a stunning icy look that would have been complemented well by The Knife, being from Sweden and all. As for the film itself, I wished it was up to more than being a revenge fantasy. The Fearless Vampire Killers still stands as my fave of the genre, mostly because of it's gothic look. And Sharon Tate. And not to totally nerd-out, but where did some of the other foreign heavy-hitters chart for you Harry? Flight of the Red Balloon? Still Life? Silent Light? the Edge of Heaven?
Brothers Bloom by Super Rabbi	Dec 28th, 2008 01:41:08 AM
Not that I don't believe you that it's a good movie, but since it's not theatrically released until next year, shouldn't it be disqualified from this year's list? And by the way, it's Von Erich not Von Erik.
The Dark Knight and The Wackness by Broseph	Dec 28th, 2008 01:42:41 AM
as of right now are my favorite films of the year.Thers still so many out right now that i need to see
Felon by Broseph	Dec 28th, 2008 01:45:58 AM
Is another Damn Good Movie that will be on my list this year.Another Incredible Performance by Val Kilmer
No "House Bunny" "Mama Mia" or "Sex and The City"??? by Turd Furgeson	Dec 28th, 2008 01:48:58 AM
Come on you big softie, you know you wanted those on the list.
The Wrestler by BDT	Dec 28th, 2008 01:58:49 AM
I might have named it one of my top ten for 2008 if I had been able to see it in 2008. Unfortunately it doesn't open at the in Austin until 2009.
AICN is incapable of hosting its own images? by Kurutteru Yatsu	Dec 28th, 2008 02:00:43 AM
That's just embarrassing. I'm sure IMPAWARDS.COM is glad for the publicity though. PS: That would be professional wrestling, not profession, Von Erich, not Von Erik, and nobody believes it's a sport anymore, except for maybe the "It's still real to me, DAMMIT!!" guy. Honestly, do you proofread your work at all?
Agree about interrogation scene in Dark Knight by JacksParasites	Dec 28th, 2008 02:13:30 AM
The other really great scene that did it for me was the last scene in the film with The Joker. I've always loved the psychotic nature of Joker but I rarely ever saw him as Batman's real arch nemesis. Aside from writers always making him seem more successful than other villains, philosophically I never really sold on Joker as the arch nemesis as much as Two Face, who Batman had a personal connection with him and he was much more clearly on the same ledge between good and evil that Batman was on only tilted more towards evil. But the interrogation scene, Alfred's story about the diamond thief, Joker's burning of the cash, and Joker's last scene all show why Joker is the real arch nemesis, how he and Batman will forever be locked in conflict, and how Joker is Batman's philosophical opinion. Batman promotes order whereas Joker promotes chaos and is striving to expose the chaos and hypocrisy of everyone, including Batman. An unstoppable force vs. an immovable object. And if Batman kills him, Joker wins.
But what about Twilight, Harry? by the milf lover	Dec 28th, 2008 02:30:50 AM
you reviewed it as if it was the greatest movie ever made, or was that just you pandering to your wife? Also, no Doomsday on your list means your list is erroneous. Doomsday rules!
Thanks for the list, no thanks for the politics. by BLEST	Dec 28th, 2008 02:36:24 AM
I voted Yes on 8, voted for it back in 2000, and will always do so. Ever seen a set of identical twins where one was gay and one was straight? Yep? How can that be if it's a "genetic trait" that they are born with? Identical twins have the same genetic makeup, and same DNA. It's a choice, or happens due to developmental/environmental influences in early childhood and adolesence. Period. And I don't have to pretend that it's "natural" and have it taught in schools or legitimized by the state if I don't want. It's America, and my vote counts.
Question by WickedChicken37	Dec 28th, 2008 02:37:11 AM
How can a movie not coming out until May 2009 be on a best of 2008 list?
Good list Harry, though Pineapple Express... by zed261	Dec 28th, 2008 02:39:25 AM
has one of the funniest scenes of the year...the one when they are in Franco's apartment, I've suddenly lost interest when it started to change into action buddy movie. My list: 3. Burn After Reading 2. The Dark Knight 1. In Bruges (I can't believe no one even mentioned this one...is it because of the 'fat americans' joke?:)
Curious... by Organs	Dec 28th, 2008 02:46:12 AM
Harry liked Twilight. He loved the latest Indiana Jones movie. Yet, he hated the 1989 Batman? I'm not saying it was a masterpiece, but it doesn't warrant that level of criticism. Heck, I still love it, even after seeing "The Dark Knight". But then, I can't see things in a "rocks/sucks" filter because it's too limiting.
No Statham? by mrbong	Dec 28th, 2008 02:53:41 AM
The Bank Job AND Transporter 3? what more does the man have to do to impress Harry or anyone at AICN?
Pineapple Express is MUCH better upon a second viewing by TheMcflyFarm	Dec 28th, 2008 02:55:28 AM
As does Burn After Reading. And just stop with the "Dark Knight has flaws that become apparent when you watch it at home and it's not that great" nonsense. Don't be ignorant, people.
A "critic"? Really? by Kirbymanly	Dec 28th, 2008 03:02:43 AM
A "critic" or a real writer wouldn't misspell the name of the friggin' movie in his/her article. "Buttons"? Come on. The poster was right there for Zeus' sake! Also, a "critic" reviews more than 12 movies a year on his/her site, newspaper, etc. Also, you just outted the fact that AICN will "get behind" certain movies. That ultimately says that there are others that you will not. Based on what, though? Your passion is there but your ethics as a student of 5 or 6 courses in journalism is not. I thought of misusing a "-" throughout this note but thought otherwise. Christ, this site has gone downhill. Such a shame.
"It’s a film that makes your heart soar. " by thegreatwhatzit	Dec 28th, 2008 03:05:54 AM
Jesus, Harry's fawning, fanboy diatribes make Jeffrey Lyons comparatively look like James Agee. And the choices were way too predictable (trendy, gasbag options). Harry, you'll never be invited to an A-list dinner...maybe a pie with Soup Sales.
Hope those films weren't in order, Harry... by Amy Chasing	Dec 28th, 2008 03:11:43 AM
Despite the numbers. Because surely you can't be comparing these films with eachother. Next time just leave the numbers off - prevents confusion and lets the list keep its credibility.
You have not seen the end of moriarty on aicn by HEADGEEK	Dec 28th, 2008 03:12:11 AM
he just won't be as regular as he had been for quite some time. But occassional pieces you will see.
I fucking LOVED Burn After Reading! by Powers Boothe	Dec 28th, 2008 03:12:52 AM
Missed it during the theatrical release but recently caught it on DVD. I haven't laughed so hard in years. Really underrated film. Benjamin Button was a huge disappointment. It LOOKED gorgeous but I didn't connect with the material. Not enough of a story to justify the bloated running time.
Blest by swinky	Dec 28th, 2008 03:15:25 AM
Identical twins do NOT always have the same DNA. There are many documented cases of one twin having a disease/condition that the other does not. Try doing a little research first, or at least admit you're homophobic instead. Look here: http://tinyurl.com/laij, or here: http://tinyurl.com/2drnrr, or even here: http://tinyurl.com/8vxweb. Although, I doubt you will since these links don't support your ignorance.
What about Soderbergh's Che? by Powers Boothe	Dec 28th, 2008 03:17:37 AM
Am I REALLY the only person on here who's seen it?
The McflyFarm. by Harold-Sherbort	Dec 28th, 2008 03:19:48 AM
It's still, in my eyes, the best movie I saw over the summer. But sometimes when you see a movie over, say, 5 times, you do start to realize some things you don't like about it. It's not taking anything away. I will still watch it, and enjoy it, for a long time. Maybe I shouldn't have smoked the weed before I watched it. Who knows?
Oh yeah.. by Harold-Sherbort	Dec 28th, 2008 03:20:52 AM
..I'm assuming you were talking about my earlier post. If not, sorry. My opinion stands though.
Harry posted something movie-related??? by geraldbeans	Dec 28th, 2008 03:27:14 AM
What the hell is this site coming to??? Next he'll be posting a negative movie review. --- In the meantime, the list..."Man On Wire" was 80 minutes of filler to see a man walk across the Twin Towers. Okay, he's crazy! We get it!! --- Burn After Reading is weird Coen Brothers humor and it doesn't work. Everybody looks like they're trying too hard here --- Slumdog falls apart in the second half. And the lead is boring --- Pineapple Express. Hmmm, well I guess if you like college pot humor it's good --- Milk. Haven't seen it. But it seems like Oscar Bait. --- Benjamin Button. 3 hours? Really? Our dark director friend seems to get more self-indulgent with every film. A few more and he'll be Soderbergh. --- Brothers Bloom looks stupid. --- Wall-E. Agree with poster above. There were like 6 competing styles here. Once we got to the ship, I was no longer interested. --- The Wrestler. Looks like this year's snore-fest Million Dollar Baby. --- The Dark Knight. Great point by above poster. Whenever Ledger's not on-screen, the movie's boring as fuck. --- Let The Right One In. Haven's seen this but if this is one of those stupid vampire flicks that only mega-geeks who've seen every vampire movie ever made and like this one because it "breaks new ground" in the genre, then fuck it. --- So yeah, I pretty much disagree with every single film on the list.
"The Fall" was better by Dingbatty	Dec 28th, 2008 03:31:46 AM
than several movies on this list.
My favorite films of 2008 by Powers Boothe	Dec 28th, 2008 03:38:21 AM
I'm in no way saying these are the 'best' films of the year, simply my personal FAVORITES... 1. Speed Racer 2. The Dark Knight 3. The Wrestler 4. Burn After Reading 5. Synecdoche, NY 6. Che 7. Cloverfield 8. The Bank Job 9. Milk 10. Step Brothers
For the record... Harry had an "S" at the end of "Button" by Kirbymanly	Dec 28th, 2008 03:39:24 AM
Saying this just so I don't look like a jackass in my original post. He's since corrected it since the mention... but he'd never tell you that. Come on, Harry. You can be better than this.
Great list Harry... by polyh3dron	Dec 28th, 2008 03:40:28 AM
I may not agree with all of the placements but it all makes perfect sense when you explain it.. I would have switched Burn After Reading out for Speed Racer.
Also, Che is SHIT by polyh3dron	Dec 28th, 2008 03:41:03 AM
Bloated, unneccessarily drawn out SHIT.
And I'm glad to hear good things about Brothers Bloom by polyh3dron	Dec 28th, 2008 03:43:46 AM
I've been hyped about that one for a while.
Che is amazing... by Greenleaf1	Dec 28th, 2008 03:53:54 AM
...or at least Part 1 was, I haven't had a chance to see Part 2 yet but if the direction and acting are as good (no reason they shouldn't be), it might make my top 10 end of year list. I still have to see The Wrestler as well as a few others before making my end of year list.
Whoopadee doo by TiPPiDa	Dec 28th, 2008 04:13:51 AM
A "CRED" movie as No.1... what a total fucking shocker. The Dark Knight could have been the biggest masterpiece in the history of cinema and it still would have come second to some obscure fucking Finnish movie about a lone cowboy from Puolanka who can talk to fruit, coming to terms with the differences between country and suburban life that Helsinki offers, while his neighbor, a time travelling man sex robot challenges him to question his sexuality. WE GET IT, YOU WATCH MORE SHIT THAN WE DO. YOU FUCKING UBERNERD.
Let The Right One in! by sonnyfern	Dec 28th, 2008 04:14:47 AM
WHOA HARRY! Didn't see that one coming, but wonderful job! It truly is a remarkable flick! I wouldn't say it's the best vampire movie of all time...but I can tottally see someone making that argument. Way to go man.
One of your better top ten lists. Nice. by LoneGun	Dec 28th, 2008 04:17:27 AM
I'm glad that you restrained yourself from putting more unreleased 2009 films on your 2008 list. With the exception of THE BROTHERS BLOOM, this is a pretty good top ten list. Nice to see some comedies in there, too. I'm glad that you mentioned being "hypnotized" by Pitt's performance in BENJAMIN BUTTON. I think that many people are overlooking his fine work in this one, because of the effects and make up. I am surprised that CLOVERFIELD did not make your list. It offered such a unique and exciting new take on the monster movie genre, and if I recall correctly, you referred to the film in your original review as "utter brilliance" or something like that. Also surprised that you didn't include KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL, merely because you seemed so darn passionate about the thing. (Personally, I hated it.) I don't recall even half these films on your list inspiring a review when they came out. Still, nice list.
TiPPiDa by Kirbymanly	Dec 28th, 2008 04:29:02 AM
It is indeed the movie of the year. You didn't see it because the fools that distributed it didn't see how good it was and, most likely, didn't put it out in whatever city you're in. Friends back in CT were willing to see it based on my recommendation but the theater it was playing in pulled it earlier due to lack of asses in seats... which means ZERO advertising. It's not obscure. It's just poorly marketed.
Oh and CLOVERFIELD is up there with the best of the year by Kirbymanly	Dec 28th, 2008 04:34:54 AM
However, it iss sad seeing as that the same person is doing a completely unnecessary re-make of "Let The Right One In". How could someone with such great senseabilities see how that film could be improved on with an American re-make.
I agree with Let the Right One In by drturing	Dec 28th, 2008 04:39:55 AM
Best film of the year, and it was a damn good year for movies. And yet, Let the Right One In accomplished the most with the least. I realized some two months after seeing it that there was a whole other way of looking at the film and its events that I hadn't caught before. It's so perfectly restrained and beautiful and haunting and sad and funny and horrifying. If you love genre movies you must see this film. I also think its one of the greatest depictions of what bullying does to children ever committed to screen - because the main character isn't some noble saintly child who takes his torments with a kind heart... The violence perpetrated on him makes him internally a very violent person, or at least someone dealing with a lot of violent fantasies. Goddamn I want to see it again. Man on Wire wins documentary of the decade if you ask me. Transcends the form.
What about SPEED RACER Harry? by Power_Girl	Dec 28th, 2008 04:43:56 AM
Your review for that was gushing.
by Crimson King	Dec 28th, 2008 04:50:23 AM

Fuck...sorry....I have to agree with Harry... by Crimson King	Dec 28th, 2008 04:58:55 AM
Regarding The Dark Knight...the interrogation scene was amazing. When the Joker is laughing after getting hit...man, Heath is so lost in that role. It's absolutely amazing. That scene alone should have cemented him as the clear winner for Supporting Actor. Also, I love Aaron Eckhart. I mean, knowing already what he would become, I couldn't help but root for him. And even when he turns...I'm still kinda on his side. Eckhart was awesome, and kudos to the Nolans for writing the character so damn well. This movie belonged to Eckhart and Ledger. Bale took a backseat to these guys...and I fucking love Bale. I think he's great. It's a testament to how great this cast is. Oh, and I can't forget Oldman...his Jim Gordon is awesome. At the end, when it's him and Eckhart...powerful shit.
Hey, geraldbeans...are there any movies that you DID like???? by Crimson King	Dec 28th, 2008 05:13:40 AM
Fuck, man... As for Slumdog Millionaire...I fell in love with that movie. All the way through. It was the right dose of brutal reality and uplifting romantic fantasy...Gotta love Danny Boyle for this one.
Hell yeah on The Wrestler by Psycho_Kenshin	Dec 28th, 2008 05:20:18 AM
The Wrestler is epic.
Still waiting for last years list, Harry!! by unionJACKass.webs.com	Dec 28th, 2008 05:22:15 AM
But come on... PINEAPPLE EXPRESS in your TOP TEN FILMS OF 2008!?!?
And BURN AFTER READING was MEH by unionJACKass.webs.com	Dec 28th, 2008 05:24:45 AM
And MAN ON WIRE was alright, but nothing special - except for what the crazy bastard did in it.
The Wrestler Is The Best Film Of The Year by Garbageman33	Dec 28th, 2008 05:27:11 AM
The Springsteen song alone is better than all of Pineapple Express. Especially the part where they're suddenly best friends, not because they've done anything to show that they're friends, but simply because one of them announced it. I hate films that try to show heart without actually earning it. Blasphemous as it may sound, David Gordon Green could learn something from Judd Apatow in that area.
BLEST and HARRY by narky	Dec 28th, 2008 05:27:17 AM
1. Harry never said homosexuality was genetic. He called the proposition despicable. And it mostly is so because it is an overturning (or possibly, in geek website terms, "retcon") of certain citizens' rights that they were already given. Such a proposition should not have even existed in the first place, to be voted on, in my opinion. 2. If you want to say it's ridiculous for homosexuality to be genetic because of twins, one can just as easily say it is ridiculous for homosexuality to be due to nurture because of twins. Twins usually grow up in the same household, in the same environment--but I would not argue either stance because both are extremely flawed. 3. Harry, I am very happy to see such a gay-friendly list. The bro-love in The Pineapple Express, the "I don't know how to quit you" relationship between Ledger and Bale in The Dark Knight, Milk, Burn After Reading (Chad, not confirmed, but come on) and of course Let the Right One In--where the vampire "girl" is not really a girl, as the character says repeatedly. In the novel, Eli is more explicitly a boy than the movie, especially since in the movie it is a female playing the role (I agree with you that she is the best this year), but the relationship between the leads still pretty much feels homosexual in nature nonetheless, for a variety of reasons, and was a joy for me as a homosexual to watch. Even before I knew about the book's major gender ambiguity. 4.I wish I could consider Wall-E as gay friendly (like Let the Right One In, the gender roles are kinda ambiguous... especially considering they're robots) but to me it was aggressively heterosexual at the same time. The human characters metaphorically "making" those babies and starting a new society, as if all people need to do is stop isolating themselves and procreate, just really did not sit right with me at the time for some reason...but maybe that's just my own thing I need to get over. I think you've convinced me to give it a second chance and see the good in it (I also just plain didn't think the story was that remarkable), but I hope I'm not disappointed again.
I hope you have an umbrella, narky by Garbageman33	Dec 28th, 2008 05:33:18 AM
You'll need it for the shitstorm.
further confusion that I just noticed by narky	Dec 28th, 2008 05:35:51 AM
You list Let the Right One in as best picture, yet in the description for Wall-E, you call that the best romance of 2008. Do you not consider Let The Right One In to be a romance? Is it because of the above-described homosexual nature of it that was just harder for you personally to connect to? Did you just not consider it exactly a "romance" in your mind? Is it a genre thing? Or were both romances, but Wall-E and Eve's was a little stronger? And if so, why do you think Let the Right One In is the stronger film?
garbageman33 by narky	Dec 28th, 2008 05:47:05 AM
I forgot my umbrella, but on the upside you've made me excited for The Wrestler, which I was thinking of skipping (really disliked The Fountain).
narky: Let the Right One In by Power_Girl	Dec 28th, 2008 05:54:47 AM
Eli is still a guy in the film. The Director wanted to give an illusion of being ambiguous so the film would have broader appeal so that homophobes could think what they wanted to think and the smart people can keep on knowing Eli is a guy. Eli is still castrated in the film and keeps reminding us He is not a girl, just not directly.
Squeal like a pig, Harry! by joe90025	Dec 28th, 2008 06:00:38 AM
I appreciated Let the Right One In's minimalist take on the genre, but as far as vampire movies go, I'd rank Interview or Herzog's Nosferatu at the top. I feel that the critics who are proclaiming LTROI the "best vampire movie ever" are overcome by the novelty of seeing a child vampire.
WTF Harry?? by Eyegore	Dec 28th, 2008 06:02:55 AM
Here's a simple rule. Your list of the top movies of any year should NOT include movies that don't come out until next year. WTF are you thinking? Don't you get it? Please stop doing this. If you think some movie that you saw in a special screening that doesn't come out until next year is so great, put up a post-it note for next year. This is such a simple concept, I don't see why you don't get it, year after year.
best romance by HEADGEEK	Dec 28th, 2008 06:04:58 AM
The romance between Wall-E and EVA is more romantic TO ME, than the romance between the Boy and Eli. I don't think of them as having a romance, so much as a relationship - that is based upon friendship first. I don't think of Eli in a romantic sense, as much as an emotionally manipulative creature that provides companionship, that is never hinted at as being sexual, at least that I caught. Eli prays on love, I'm just not sure if I quantify that as romantic love or platonic love. No matter, WALL-E and EVA is a great romance and my favorite pure romance of the year. I consider LET THE RIGHT ONE IN to be Horror Drama not Romantic Horror. WALL-E is ROMANTIC SCIENCE FICTION to me.
I Had Express In My Top Ten by RobFromBackEast	Dec 28th, 2008 06:05:20 AM
Also, Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Agree About Cloverfield by RobFromBackEast	Dec 28th, 2008 06:07:07 AM
Really smart fucking film
Joe90025 let the right one in by Eyegore	Dec 28th, 2008 06:08:39 AM
I totally agree with you about this movie being overrated. It was good, but there are a lot of better vampire movies. 'Near Dark' for example. That had a child vampire in it also. As did 'The Lost Boys', and 'Interview iwth a Vampire'...all better vampire movies. Well, Lost Boys was more entertaining anyway. Let the right one is is an art movie. An okay one, but not the masterpiece some people make it out to be.
the hulk harry. the hulk! by Mr_X	Dec 28th, 2008 06:22:46 AM
should have been on that list with iron man
MILK!!!! by qbert455	Dec 28th, 2008 06:24:16 AM
I loved almost every movie Harry mentioned, except LTROI. I went in wanting to LOVE it. I was bored silly. Milk deserves to be #1 in my humble opinion. I laughed, cried, was pissed off, was ecstatic. Amazing film. And, as a gay man, it made me realize how many freedoms I take for granted, and appreciate the struggle my fore-fathers went through to grant me the liberties and rights I have today. And to all you guys out there saying 'it's about gay guys'. No. It's about all of us and how easily our rights can be granted and ripped away (hello Prop 8). My STRAIGHT brother loved the film. My mother loved the film. My dad? Well, he liked it. Do yourself a favor. See it.
Harry Knowles From AICN > Devin From CHUD by IAmMrMonkey!	Dec 28th, 2008 06:32:45 AM
That Devin over on CHUD is a real idiot, isn't he? His hatred of The Dark Knight is starting to really grate on me. At least Harry isn't too proud to admit that he likes the same shit 90% of the global public does without fearing that he's a sheep (and yes, some of Harry's praise-worthy reviews do make me spit out my cornflakes in the mornings but at least he tries to justify them). And thankyou for your praise of Slumdog. That is an excellent movie and I agree with everything you say about Danny Boyle. Nobody ever claims Danny Boyle is their favourite director but I think it's time we started giving him more respect because he's certaintly earned it over the years. For the record, Frost/Nixon was one of my favourite movies of this year. I never thought I'd say that about a movie directed by Ritchie Cunningham based around a series of interviews!
romantic vs. platonic by narky	Dec 28th, 2008 06:37:16 AM
I respect your opinion Harry, and see what you mean to an extent, but it still seems tricky. If the issue of romance is one of sexuality, it's a little weird to me that you see two robots as more sexual than two humans. But it is a cartoon where a cockroach can have the mannerisms of a dog, so if you take things like that into consideration I can more accept it. However, I think maybe you should consider not underestimating the children in Let the Right One In as much as you do. As Powergirl points out, Eli is castrated, so you're right to a degree, but sexual feeling can take many forms, and the two DO lie in bed together and the title itself can be seen as having a sexual connotation. To me, the complexity of their relationship, to friendship and then what it becomes, is a story of romance. I think there were many times the movie COULD have ended up as just Horror Drama, but I believe the ending makes us frame the story otherwise. Also, it's mostly just fun to see the Big Famous Scene as a gesture of romance... as pure as anything..
qbert455 - damn by IAmMrMonkey!	Dec 28th, 2008 06:37:36 AM
I've been convincing myself that I didn't like 'Milk' because I'm a straight guy and couldn't properly relate to the struggles of the gay community. But, if you say that your straight brother loved the movie, it's going to have to make me think a little deeper as to why I didn't connect to the movie when I enjoyed Penn's performance so much. I've recommended it to one of my best friends who is gay and it'll be interesting to see his reaction to it.
qbert455 (part 2) by IAmMrMonkey!	Dec 28th, 2008 06:41:07 AM
Just realised that you didn't enjoy 'Let The Right One In'. Me too! I've been wondering what's wrong with me as everyone is praising it to the heavens, and I LOVE foreign movies AND I'm a huge horror fan. I can't think why it didn't resonate with me but I sure am glad that I'm not alone!
Dude I can appreciate that you love The Brothers Bloom... by beefywhore	Dec 28th, 2008 06:51:48 AM
But it should have gone on a 2009 list and Iron Man should have been on this list.
BTW I also loved Burn After REading very much.. by beefywhore	Dec 28th, 2008 06:55:54 AM
Its the kind of Film the Coens should stick to making. Not that there is anything wrong with No Country...but I always felt it was sort of like if you sucked all the humor and likable characters out of Fargo, you'd end up with No Country for Old Men.
Oh and I know I'm in the minority here... by beefywhore	Dec 28th, 2008 07:03:24 AM
But Near Dark is my favorite Vampire film.
comparing iron man with tdk... by MariusXe	Dec 28th, 2008 07:03:50 AM
is like comparing mad dog and glory to the godfather 2. iron man was nice , but the dark knight was a masterpiece which will still be talked about in 40 years!
Hi BLEST by Fing Fang Foom	Dec 28th, 2008 07:14:43 AM
First Question: If one twin is gay, what's the likelihood of the other being gay? Well, the most widely used numbers are cited from a 1991 study by Northwestern University psychologist Michael Bailey and psychiatrist Richard Pillard of Boston University School of Medicine in which identical and fraternal twins were studied. At least one twin in each pair was gay. The study found that 52 percent of the identical twins were both gay as opposed to only 22 percent for fraternal twins. In other words, there is a 52 percent chance that if one identical twin is gay, both are; and a 22 percent chance both fraternal twins are gay if one is gay. Second: Does this prove that homosexuality is genetic and people are born gay? The data collected about the identical twins provides the most insight since their genetic makeup is more closely linked. Interestingly enough, the "50/50 chance" findings have been used to support both sides of the nature vs. nurture debate. Some argue that since 52 percent of near genetically identical twins are both gay if one is gay, then homosexuality must be genetic. Opponents to the "born gay" theory cite the remaining 48 percent as support for their claim that genetics alone don't account for homosexuality. The answer will continue to be elusive as the ongoing "born or made" gay debate continues.
MariusXe by unionJACKass.webs.com	Dec 28th, 2008 07:22:47 AM
I agree. The same people six months ago were saying it was the best thing since slice bread, but now "it has fault" and shit like that. And I knew for a FACT it would never be on Harry's or Mori's Top Ten of 2008. Just knew it.
Harry by Dr. Death	Dec 28th, 2008 08:12:19 AM
In the end, you're going to look back and wonder why you didn't rate The Curious Case of Benjamin Button as the top film in 2008. It's one of those films that's going to have teh staying power of a Forest Gump or Shawshank...There just isn't going to be a film like it again for a long time.
the pain of living in britain.... by RockLobster800	Dec 28th, 2008 08:34:09 AM
apart from the dreary skys, the dour economic system and the scallies, is that a lot of films on here wont even be out round these parts for a few months. HOWEVER harrys list is quite similar to my own-the first two actually need to be swapped round though (I went to the trouble of downloading Let The Right One In cos I was dieing to see it, and its not out here till april-I mean APRIL for Gods sake
beefywhore by IAmMrMonkey!	Dec 28th, 2008 08:35:22 AM
It's a good minority to be in, my friend.
RockLobster800 by IAmMrMonkey!	Dec 28th, 2008 08:37:31 AM
As a fellow Brit, i share your pain. Thank god for the naughty folk involved in internet piracy, eh?
Absolutely no shame by Bronx Cheer	Dec 28th, 2008 08:39:56 AM
Harry, can you get through one article without debasing yourself and your readers? The "salad tossing" comment was so far out of line, so classless and tasteless, that I simply have decided to give up on you.
Burn after Reading? by mojoman69	Dec 28th, 2008 08:41:54 AM
Harry are you smoking Pineapple Express? This is one of the worse Coen movies since Intolerable Cruelty. It even made Brad Pitt look bad. I also think Wall-E was very overated and often boring.
THe Dark Knight...... by mojoman69	Dec 28th, 2008 08:45:52 AM
Again overrated. Ledger was great, but I HATE Bale as the Batman. He is terrible. I say Bruce Willis as Batman in Dark Knight Returns! With Ed Harris as the old Joker. Now your are talkin"!
WALL-E by Fing Fang Foom	Dec 28th, 2008 08:47:23 AM
was boring and overrated - I fell asleep during it!!! And im a huge geek and an animation fanatic. WHATS WRONG WITH ME? sob sob sob WALL-E is on like everybodys top 10 list!!! I liked Burn After Reading though.
Danny Boyle by BDT	Dec 28th, 2008 08:50:54 AM
Is one of our favorite directors and has been for some time. He's very versatile and knows how to draw the story and characters out using the palette of the cinema. The recognition is long overdue.
My Own Personal Top Ten (because I know you care) by Garbageman33	Dec 28th, 2008 09:07:17 AM
1. The Wrestler 2. Milk 3. Dark Knight 4. Slumdog Millionaire 5. Tropic Thunder 6. Man on Wire 7. Forgetting Sarah Marshall 8. Wall-E 9. Role Models 10. Pontypool
Wow. by PTSDPete	Dec 28th, 2008 09:09:42 AM
As I've posted various times on this very site, I have the same ' Top Twos ' for the year ( yet with ' The Dark Knight ' being obviously first ). And I will say it again : ' Let the Right One In ' and ' The Dark Knight ' this year was what ' No Country for Old Men ' and ' There Will Be Blood ' were in the last year. They were not only great, well made movies, they were brave, noble movies that transcended their genres, transformed the filmic landscape, moving cinema forward, and made them more complex-edgy. Looks like I was kinda right on the money in at least ONE list ! ( Though I'm a bit more partial to 2007's best - and 2007 flicks in general. ) But what striking parallels. Both of them are nihilistic, downbeat, expertly violent stuff ( keep ' em coming ! ). Both are coming to their epical complexity from opposite places. ' No Country for Old Men ', and ' Let the Right One In ' , for example, are micro-level in their deceptive ' Point A to Point B ' plot modesty, in the same breadth that ' There Will Be Blood ' and ' The Dark Knight ' were macro-level, sweeping - albeit grittily grounded - examination of our troubling times ( the former taking on the religious fanaticism and predator economics, and the latter focused on the nightmarish geo-politics ). Both being quite the milestone for their respective directors. And both being so goddamned sleek. Which I guess, obviously makes ' Let The Right One In ' the ' No Country For Men ' counterpart here. From a technical standpoint, this would probably get more mileage from the critics again, on account of it's more polished, assured, and controlled direction . It also stands as a minimalist, low-key benchmark for its genre in the same way ' No Country for Old Men ' was with respect to the action-thriller; though with less upsetting, more satisfying denouement. ( Probably why I preferred the Coen Brothers one a lot more ; it's deconstructed narrative's got this daft cerebral sucker punch. Also might be the reason why I wouldn't really make that vampire flick ' top dog '. Thing is , underneath ' No Country for Old Men ' s parse, spare plot, is a groundbreaking, subversion of genre tropes. ' Let The Right One In ', meanwhile, reveals an otherwise basic, young vampire fairy tale.) At the end of the day, you get out of both of them feeling they are simply great, well-told, well-made movies. Nothing more, nothing less. Which is definitely okay. In the same vein of parallelism, both ' There Will Be Blood ' and ' The Dark Knight ' revolve around the Bastard Neocon - one covering the religiously fanatic, ' wretched, hegemonic unregulated oilman ' bit, and the other the ' sadistic, privatized warmongering fascism ' bit. Combined, they give us the a grander picture of a shit Bush decade that can only apparently live and die with the Invasion of Iraq; putting everything else - other experiences, view of daily life and myth - into the prism of it's bleak, unrelenting, Randian brutality. That, I guess, is what makes both of these the filmic bests in my list. They AREN'T just great movies or great stories; they are something more. They are functionally definitive about our era in that way. That, aside from their grander, and indeed, well-realized, ambitions. Great stories all the same. Regardless, these films are pleasing evidence that the cinema of this time is on a rather upward trajectory, in terms of quality and sophistication; moving in a lot of ways past the achievements of the great predecessors, heightening the level of standards some more, and even traversing new grounds. I just hope the type of temperament that sustains this continues on, so we could gain a lot more classics in months to come. This much has become true though : moviewise, we are definitely further away from the sacharrine ineptitude of the '90s mainstream. No reason to turn the tide back, except fucking Twilight. Let's all really pick up where we left off in the '70s and '80s, shall we ?
Stuck and Inside should be on SOMEONES list by sonnyfern	Dec 28th, 2008 09:11:29 AM
Cause both of those flicks were amazing...
I AM SO GLAD YOU CHOSE THAT MOVIE FOR NUMBER ONE by lavatory love machine	Dec 28th, 2008 09:24:27 AM
even though I would raker 3 after the dark knight and milk
Told U that CLOVERFIELD wouldn't even get mentioned! by Prague23	Dec 28th, 2008 09:29:32 AM
Said from the beginning of the hype, 'no one's going to talk about this film after they 1. discover what the monster looks like or 2. actually see the film and discover what an over-hyped mock 'event film' it really is. Personally I'm not a hater of CLOVERFIRLD, indeed it was way fuckin better than fucking WALL*E which made me feel incredibly less intelligent for having seen it. Whereas CLOVERFIELD just left me feeling sad that J.J.Abrams wasted so much of his talented time/effort helping that 'meh' film get made. I'm done with my rant now. Just saying 'told you so.' Looking forward to catching up on the other, more realistic 'bests' of the year quite soon as the opportunities knock.
BURN AFTER READING.........ACE! by npjs55	Dec 28th, 2008 09:37:48 AM
Malkovich was amazing, one of his best performances.
WALL-E by PTSDPete	Dec 28th, 2008 09:41:27 AM
Fell apart ( sort of ) when they forcibly snuck in that post-'90's corporate Disney-ism at the end. You know, that sort of bullshit ' angry mob ' denouement, where all the second-stringers clumsily band around together to demolish the ending; in a lazy cop-out that reduces all previous set-up, and menace, and message into slapstick, ' Three Stooges ' throwdown. This stupid cynical approach has ruined classic fairy tales ( i.e. ' The Little Mermaid ', ' Aladdin ' ), & esteemed novels ( i.e. ' Hunchback of Notre Dame ', starring Victor, Hugo...and Laverne * shudder * ), and has unfortunately taken down this noble effort down a peg. What was looking to be a lost, earnest '80s sci-fi classic, has been reduced into typically sterile, plasticized fare that doesn't mean what its saying, after all. So they go out and zoom towards the Earth and it all resolves itself, and no worries, and they end up all happy and everything's fine. Its edges got trimmed, and put in a nice, pleasant, package; leaving YOU the audience, with absolutely NOTHING to worry or even think about going out of the theater ! It's a KID'S TOON, dammit ! Couldn't let that precautionary tone stick ! Can't make it too ' traumatic ' for the young 'uns, now ! Fucking hate that infantilizing, Parents Teachers Association, V-chip garbage !
Iron Man was FUN, TDK was dour, WALL-E #1 by GeorgieBoy	Dec 28th, 2008 09:42:55 AM
If you like movies where everything in the world sucks, then TDK is for you. There's nothing FUN about that movie. Iron Man on the other hand is actually ENJOYABLE and FUN to watch. Still, WALL-E is my #1 film of the year. It's a Buster Keaton, silent film, romance, apocalyptic future movie all rolled into one. Hey George Lucas... if you want to learn how to make movies visually (as you claim to know how), watch WALL-E until you learn to CUT OUT YOUR BORING AND CLUMSY DIALOGUE!!!!
In a year when we've had 5 great comic book movies... by The Funketeer	Dec 28th, 2008 09:50:41 AM
who give a crap whether Iron Man is better than Dark Knight or vice versa? Enjoy this summer for what it was because next summer will be crap.
Let the Right One In by thewizardofoz	Dec 28th, 2008 09:57:06 AM
was barely a vampire movie, and was full of plot holes (Why did the old man kill in public spaces anyone). It picked up in the second half, but for my money was very much a mixed bag movie. Love that Pineapple and Burn are on the list :)
The two most OVERRATED films of 2008 were... by Powers Boothe	Dec 28th, 2008 10:02:31 AM
Iron Man and Tropic Thunder. Both were fairly good but the reviews were way too generous. Tropic Thunder felt like it was 19 years too late and Iron Man was a little too ordinary for my tastes. Most underrated? Possibly Hell Boy 2. A huge improvement over the first film and was far more imaginative and witty than anything I saw in Iron Man. Being released a week before The Dark Knight did it no favors at the box office.
Nobody talking about "In Bruges"? by lex romero	Dec 28th, 2008 10:07:33 AM
Maybe it's just a UK thing but there has been a lot of people talking about the suprise they felt at how great it was and not what they expected. Over on Empire boards a lot of people have been proclaiming it one of their years favourites. Yet I've heard no US critics mention it, even though it's made it onto the IMDB top 250, whilst that's not a reliable source of objective quality it is pretty impressive for a fairly small scale film that we all expected to be nothing more than a "wacky comedy".
It's rather amusing that the films Harry gives the... by Powers Boothe	Dec 28th, 2008 10:10:13 AM
most passionate reviews rarely make it to his Top Ten list. I'm quite proud to have 'popcorn flicks' like Speed Racer and Cloverfield sit beside 'highbrow' indies like Milk and Che on my 'best of' list Never be ashmaed of what you REALLY dig, Harry :P
It doesn't seem fair that Brothers Bloom, which won't open wide by Pennsy	Dec 28th, 2008 10:12:31 AM
for another 6 months, gets a mention on this year's list. I think Cloverfield should have gotten an honorable mention (not a top 10, mind you), and Forgetting Sarah Marshall was the best comedy released by the House of Apatow this year, even if Pineapple Express outgrossed it, $$$-wise.
In Bruges? by Powers Boothe	Dec 28th, 2008 10:15:20 AM
I really enjoyed the first hour but felt it (like most films) fell apart during the final 20 minutes or so. I'll give it another look once it gets picked up by HBO or Showtime. I usually like most films more on a 2nd viewing.
In Bruges should be on the list by tombseye	Dec 28th, 2008 10:16:27 AM
Along with Frost/Nixon, Kung Fu Panda (personally I liked it better than Wall-E), and Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Definitely the Bank Job too. I'd knock off the Swedish horror flick and put Dark Knight as numero uno and take out Brothers Bloom and Benjamin Button. Oh and the Bank Job gets on there too. All just a matter of opinion. Instead of an arbitrary Top Ten, people should just have a list of must see movies of 2008 and whatever flicks us readers missed we could then consider checking out. Top Ten's just a spitting contest frankly.
Pineapple-fuckin-Express???????? ? by Speed Fricassee	Dec 28th, 2008 10:18:45 AM
Harry has zero-fuckin-credibility.
Where's The Visitor? and In Bruges? by Speed Fricassee	Dec 28th, 2008 10:19:45 AM
Harry must not have seen any GOOD movies this year.
Worst film of 2008? by Powers Boothe	Dec 28th, 2008 10:20:40 AM
A Woody Allen film from the start of the year titled Cassandra's Dream. Luckily for Ewan McGregor, Colin Farrell and Tom Wilkinson, few people watched it or even remember it.
Yeah Speed, I forgot the Visitor by tombseye	Dec 28th, 2008 10:24:43 AM
That gets on there.
Richard Jenkins should get a Best Actor nomination by Powers Boothe	Dec 28th, 2008 10:30:15 AM
for his work in The Visitor. It's a shame so few people watched that film.
When disappointed. by RowanM	Dec 28th, 2008 10:31:07 AM
I had high hopes for WALL*E and The Dark Knight. Both were very good but I couldn't shake that certain feeling I couldn't quite put my finger on. Disappointemnt probably. A feeling of being underwhelmed maybe. Not my favourite films. From the top of my head, I'd pick Kung Fu Panda and Hellboy 2 (which I avoided in the cinema since Hellboy 1 did not impress me at all.) I enjoyed Pineapple Express and I haven't seen all the movies mentioned.
Im shocked by rogueleader66	Dec 28th, 2008 10:49:32 AM
That there has not been a James Cameron dick sucker in this TB telling us how Ava-fucking-tar is going to "fuck our eyeballs blah blah blah" in 2009. Of course now that I have said this someone will LOL
Yeah Powers, I 2nd Richard Jenkins by tombseye	Dec 28th, 2008 10:50:02 AM
Pretty underrated actor. He was muy bueno in North Country and I remember him as the cop in Wolf! Honorable mention to Hellboy 2, better than the first.
Burn After Reading? by codymr	Dec 28th, 2008 10:54:33 AM
Really? I thought it was good... but not top 10 GREAT. Certainly not one of the Coen's best outings in my opinion. That said, I would have put Benjamin Button higher on the list, even with it's saccharin bits... to each their own I guess.
Dear Zachary is the best documentary of the year by Lovecraftfan	Dec 28th, 2008 10:56:42 AM
That film will rip you up.
Oh and the ending is the best part of In Bruges by Lovecraftfan	Dec 28th, 2008 10:58:26 AM
Those last ten minutes are suprisingly moving. Fanbtastic ending and great movie overall.
IronMan should have been # 1 by JeanLuc Dickhard	Dec 28th, 2008 11:08:47 AM
harry you dropped the ball big time and fell in line with every other poser out there that fell for hype ...your all sheep
No Gran Torino? by AugustusGloop	Dec 28th, 2008 11:13:02 AM
Nobody's even mentioned it in the talkback. Did you see it yet, Harry? Eastwood's best film, ever.
Um Harry..about getting your salad tossed by SomaShine	Dec 28th, 2008 11:13:07 AM
Generally that refers to um..the female gentalia.
Let the Right One is the best of the best by Shub-Wankalot	Dec 28th, 2008 11:14:58 AM
All the films on that list are great, but Let the Right One In reaches the next plateau of awesomeness in its presentation, story, and actors, especially the two children. Immensely satisfying.
Iron Man/TDK by Campion	Dec 28th, 2008 11:21:27 AM
Iron man was a good popcorn, spend two hours watching things blow up movie, and RDJ was great. However that film was so far behind TDK in lasting impact. I saw IM in the theater (once) bought the DVD and watched it (once to date). I saw The Dark Knight twice on the big screen and have watched the DVD at least four times since getting it three weeks ago. There is no contest or comparison between the two. Of the other movies I've seen, The Wrestler was great, Burn after Reading hilarious. Cloverfield? I wanted my money back after that waste of time.
I've only seen 4 of those films... by SoylentMean	Dec 28th, 2008 11:25:22 AM
So I can't say I understand your selections too well. Burn After Reading was interesting, with one of the most memorable death scenes in a film this year (I think you know what I'm talking about, check the animation at the top of the screen), but I wouldn't put it in my top ten. Pineapple Express was the comedy of the year for me so I'd have to agree there. Wall-E was great but I'm torn between that and Kung Fu Panda as my favorite animated movie of '08. The Dark Knight, was pretty fuckin' awesome and if Ledger doesn't get a posthumous Oscar than the Oscars will once and for all have lost any semblance of meaning. The rest of Harry's picks either aren't available in my area, haven't hit theaters yet, or I'm just plain ol' not interested in (I'm looking at you movie with a beverage in its title). It's always fun to read these top ten lists. It's even more fun to disagree.
Here's the best film of 08!! by technotranceporter	Dec 28th, 2008 11:25:46 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =DWBeNUei0SI
Why do people think Eli in Let The Right One In is gay? by GreatOne3	Dec 28th, 2008 11:28:12 AM
When she says she's not a girl, that's because she's not - she's a vampire; a monster. Quit trying to see things that aren't there, just to validate yourself.
TDK is about a 7 out of 10 by Rupee88	Dec 28th, 2008 11:31:35 AM
no way it should be in the top 10 but guess Harry couldn't exclude it without suffering fanboy rage. But maybe he is just another fanboy who has overrated this film so much.
TDK is a 10 out of 10 by jimmy_009	Dec 28th, 2008 11:39:23 AM
Fanboy or not, it is a captivating, thrilling, thoughtful, and most surprisingly -relevant- superhero movie. I can't remember being on the edge of my seat for the entire running length of a film like I was for that one. Even the old lady next to me was into it the entire time. TDK is a knockout. I think the blowback is coming from people who bought into the "TDK is an apology for Bush" bullshit, or the opposite "TDK is a condemnation of Bush". The fact that a superhero movie makes us look at the world around us suggests it's saying something, which, as fun as Iron Man is, you're not going to get anywhere else. To me it's the best movie I saw this year by far.
Hey! I put Pineapple Express on my Top Ten too... by Mr Glass	Dec 28th, 2008 11:55:48 AM
(over at Montreal Film Journal) ...and so did Drew McWeeny at HitPix (or whatever that site is called).
My #1 movie by TiNSeLToWN TeRRoR	Dec 28th, 2008 11:58:12 AM
The Dark Knight.
I would include TAKEN on that list by DarthBakpao	Dec 28th, 2008 12:14:26 PM
Nobody here seen it? Liam Neeson's Taken, anyone? Never before i had so much satisfaction seeing bad guys being butchered one by one on screen by the film's protagonist so efficiently and brutal
DVD release date for Let The Right One In: by Rocco Curioso	Dec 28th, 2008 12:16:11 PM
March 10th, 2009. Harry, ya knucklehead... you should have posted this info.in your article. This movie isn't getting a proper theatrical release, limited or otherwise, in the U.S. As I did years before with Ginger Snaps (a clever AICN recommendation), I'll buy this sight unseen on DVD if that's what it takes to see it. I often find your taste in movies kinda wonky, Harry... but something tells me you hit the mark with this one.
Slumdog is brilliant by ls420	Dec 28th, 2008 12:20:29 PM
my favorite of 08
Harry, I'd love to see a list of your fave 2008 directors by IAmMrMonkey!	Dec 28th, 2008 12:24:36 PM
I need more stuff to read whilst I'm eating my ham sandwiches. Make it so.
Thinking about the Dark Knight...... by connor187	Dec 28th, 2008 12:43:32 PM
I just realized the other day that in the actual movie itself. There isnt one actual real Bat. discounting Batman himself there isnt is there?....strange that.
Didn't really care for Pineapple by Charlie_Allnut	Dec 28th, 2008 12:47:23 PM
It was alright, but top ten? I just didn't think it was that funny. Of course i am not a stoner, though I have found other stoner movies to actually be very funny.
GreatOne: Let the Right One In spoiler by drturing	Dec 28th, 2008 12:54:06 PM
SPOILER SPOILER AVERT THINE EYES *** cause she is a boy, actually. that's what's up with the shot of the mangled genitals. in the book "she" is a boy who was castrated as a child.
Wish I'd seen a few of these by Stormshadow4life	Dec 28th, 2008 12:55:19 PM
Let the Right One In, The Wrestler, and The Brother's Bloom all haven't been released near me yet. But I'll be sure to check them out when I can! As for my top movies: 6) Iron Man 5) Benjamin Button 4) Slumdog 3) The Dark Knight 2) The Orphanage 1) Wall-E
Connor187 by brokenheadstuff	Dec 28th, 2008 01:07:08 PM
agree- strange.. one of my favorite scenes from the first one was the escape from asylum w/bats. upon 2nd & 3rd viewings -theres a lot about the first one i like better than the second
My list is almost identical to yours Harry by TheDark0Knight	Dec 28th, 2008 01:14:30 PM
thats why I love aint it cool I feel like everyone here has the same taste. The only film that didnt make your list thats on mine is Cloverfield
The Brothers Bloom? by Powers Boothe	Dec 28th, 2008 01:14:46 PM
Harry, are you trying to be 'controversial' by picking this as one of your best of 2008? It's your list and you're free to choose whatever you want...BUT...the release date for this film was been changed a number of times (it was originally slated for October 2008 and now has been pushed to May 2008!). I have a friend how watched an early screening and simply said it was "cute." Now, I'm fully aware studios annoyingly change release dates all the time...BUT...I'm really beginning to think THIS means the studio lost faith in the flick. Or...does it mean the studio thinks the film will be a big, early Summer '09 hit? Somehow I doubt it. Not with THAT cast. Anyone here have any info on why The Brothers Bloom was pushed so far in the future? I watched the trailer before a screening of (the massively overrated) Slum Dog Millionaire and wasn't too impressed.
Help regarding the Joker in TDK by dogrobber	Dec 28th, 2008 01:16:42 PM
I finally saw TDK this past Friday (I'm a shut-in at the moment) and I really enjoyed the film, especially the portrayals of the Joker (not suprising given all the Oscar talk) and Dent/Two-Face (which did suprise me - no buzz/very underated). But, and I'm not trying to take anything away from Mr. Ledger, I swear I've seen those exact characterizations-mannerisms-s peech patterns in another movie. I've racked my small brain and can't place the movie (If I'm not imagining it). Did anyone else think that (or are the meds finally taking their toll)?
Seriously by MattGuyOR	Dec 28th, 2008 01:29:42 PM
Anyone in here who is criticizing films they HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN, are stupid, ignorant fucks. End.
The magical villain by Ben Addiction	Dec 28th, 2008 01:31:40 PM
I'm another Dark Knight detractor simply because a magical villain isn't interesting. He has no back story, seemingly unlimited resources, an ability to motivate henchmen to do his bidding even as he's killing them all and burning their money (why are they doing this anyway??), and can hatch complicated plans that involve moving hundreds of oil drums of explosives and sewing bombs into those game henchmen at the blink of an eye, like some half-assed "24" villain. If he can do absolutely anything without a clear motivation to do any of it, that's not compelling. Sorry. And the "is homosexuality a choice" argument is pointless. You can definitely choose your religion and that's protected, so the element of choice is not a deal-breaker on whether your rights should be protected.
My Top Ten by tmanero	Dec 28th, 2008 01:36:33 PM
Harry, that's a suprisingly good list from you, as I have seen most of those movies and agree on most of them. Though, it's a bit of a cheat to just not include Man on Wire in the list and to add Brothers Bloom - you did the same thing about ten years ago sticking Lock, Stock, and....on a top ten list the year before it came out. Great movie, regardless. I have been loading up on movies, the past few weeks, and getting DVD's and I have to say this is probably the best year for film since 2003 - just a strong mix of really good entertainments and true-life stories. I still have not seen The Wrestler or Benjamin Button, but here is my list without them, still pretty strong list: 10) Rachel Getting Married - some critics are overpraising it, too indulgent and melodramatic in parts. But.....Hathaway and Rosemary DeWitt give the performances of the year and the film is quite moving. 9) Burn After Reading - Total agreement, the comedy of the year. I loved that it just STOPS after 90 minutes on the perfect ballsy note. I liked Pineapple Express and saw the whole other lot (Tropic, Sarah Marshall) that got the hype, but for me (and in my top 15) pound-for-pound, the funniest film of the year was Role Models. 8) Wall E 7) Iron Man - Just watched it again and just a dazzling entertainment. Why isn't Downey getting talked about for an Oscar for THIS? Tropic was more of a stunt performance and besides, if Depp could get nominated for Jack Sparrow.... 6) Frost/Nixon - This blew me away, way more entertaining than a film on this subject matter has any right to be. Ron Howard's best film ever, though I have had big issues with most of his other films. 5) The Bank Job - Seek this one out, if you have not seen it, yet. Just a great caper film - makes me really want to see what Statham can do when given meatier roles. 4) Milk 3) The Dark Knight 2) Man on Wire 1) Slumdog Millionaire - Danny Boyle is just a master. You take City of God and Millions - two completely different films that I loved and put them on puree - and this kind of comes out. Makes it sounds lousy, but the film just grabs and you does not let go.
Let The Right One In by WhoDis	Dec 28th, 2008 01:48:07 PM
Run, don't walk to see this movie. I was going to wait until DVD, but I got tired of reading so many great things about it and trying to avoid spoilers. I'm REALLY glad I went to see this in the theater. The movie reminded me of G. Del Toro's indie horror fantasy stuff like "Pan's Labyrinth" and "The Devil's Backbone". I loved the exploration of bullies and how they mold the psyche of the person being bullied. I love the very subtle use of CGI (except for one scene, which it was pretty obvious). I love how they slooowly revealed her vampireness and vampire powers, culminating into that great ending. If DK didn't come out this year, this movie would be my #1 or at least a tie.
dogrobber by screenplay3	Dec 28th, 2008 01:50:38 PM
The joker mannerisms reminded me of Jeff Goldblum The Fly.
Ben Addiction & Dark Knight by WhoDis	Dec 28th, 2008 01:50:48 PM
Mr. Addiction, did you even watch the movie? All your questions were answered in it. Maybe a second viewing is in order.
Except for Pineapple. this is a good list by s0nicdeathmonkey	Dec 28th, 2008 01:57:33 PM
pineapple was a painful sit for me, and I'm no square...
Powers Booth by billypilgrimisunstuck	Dec 28th, 2008 02:01:14 PM
I saw Brothers Bloom at AFI Fest and it was great. By no means the best film I've seen in a while, but coming from the director of Brick, I can see this guy coming into his own. Can't wait to see what he can do next. It's curious that you would automatically assume that Harry just wants to be unique by placing a film no one has seen yet on his list. On the contrary, most people in the industry have seen this film, so it is perfectly fair game to include it on a list. By the way, Slumdog Millionaire is my favorite film of the year.
Avatar is on my 2008 top 10 by JoeSixPack	Dec 28th, 2008 02:01:27 PM
Avatar, Star Trek, Watchmen, and Terminator: Salvation are all on my top 10 of 2008.
wall e is the most over rated film in a long long time by slappy jones	Dec 28th, 2008 02:03:07 PM
i just watched it for a second time to give it another chance and once again as soon as he leaves earth the film is terrible. ok not terrible but incredibly conventional and there is nothing in that ;last 45 minutes original or all that interesting at all. it becomes repetitive bore. i know everyone has a massive bone on for pixar and while i admit they are great this is for me one of their lesser films. the first 45 are masterful. the second - crap. let the right one in is the best film of the year. nice choice harry
wall e is the most over rated film in a long long time by slappy jones	Dec 28th, 2008 02:03:08 PM
i just watched it for a second time to give it another chance and once again as soon as he leaves earth the film is terrible. ok not terrible but incredibly conventional and there is nothing in that ;last 45 minutes original or all that interesting at all. it becomes repetitive bore. i know everyone has a massive bone on for pixar and while i admit they are great this is for me one of their lesser films. the first 45 are masterful. the second - crap. let the right one in is the best film of the year. nice choice harry
I agree Wall-E is overrated by jimmy_009	Dec 28th, 2008 02:12:10 PM
And this is from a HUGE Pixar fanboy. It's so close to perfect, but several choices just tarnish that perfection. My biggest complaint is the way the humans are handled in two different ways. That really sticks out in a bad way and doesn't add anything to the movie. Also after seeing it several times there's just too many story gaps left unexplained. Why could a plant grow inside a refrigerator (or whatever that is)without sunlight? How can this ship travel to what appears to be outside the galaxy? Why would the company create a plan to go back home if they knew it wasn't possible to go back? Why not just delete the original plan from the system? Some things just don't click quite right.
Ok, Whodis by Ben Addiction	Dec 28th, 2008 02:15:39 PM
Maybe is did miss it - so besides just anarchy for anarchy's sake (which is such a lame cop-out in character development that I'm refusing to accept it as a real motivator, given he has no past) why is the Jokerdoing what he's doing? And more to the point I was making above - how is he doing it? I can buy Batman as a character (murdered parents, huge corporation at his disposal to help him develop his cool crime fighting toys). But the Joker? How would you sneak several hundred oil drums of explosives onto a rooftop, two ferries, and a hospital that quickly and avoid detection? Where is he getting those henchmen and why would they follow him after he murders a bunch of them for no apparent reason and burns the cash (cash which, you will remember, was taken to China but somehow magically appears back in Gotham and in the Joker's possession). Even character motivation within a scene is sketchy - let's chase the armored truck because we think Dent is Batman - oh wait! There's Batman in his Batmobile joining the chase - well, let's still chase the armored truck because, um.. it makes a more exciting chase scene. Perhaps you need to watch the film again and see if you can follow any of the villain's motivations outside of the realm of "it's necessary to move the plot along on this big blockbuster movie." Because any type of internal logical consistency isn't there.
Iron Man was fun... by JackSack	Dec 28th, 2008 02:17:37 PM
If you like watching a guy build his super hero suit not ONCE, but TWO times in extended montages. We get it... Tony Stark is smart and can build things. Got it, now lets see him get drunk and kick ass. Iron Man was okay, Downey Jr. rocks as Tony Stark, but the story didn't feel like it had enough gravitas. There wasn't enough at stake. Hopefully they raise the stakes in IM2.
Too bad you didn't get to see REPO THE GENETIC OPERA Harry by CarmillaVonDoom	Dec 28th, 2008 02:18:17 PM
You had a chance down at South Lamar, you must have gone to see 'Let the Right One In' again I imagine. You missed a treat!
Ben Addiction by jimmy_009	Dec 28th, 2008 02:21:15 PM
They touch on how the Joker attracts his people: fear (follow me or you die), attracting people that are unstable or easily manipulated(the schizophrenic guy), or tricking them (the guy with the stomach problems who is promised that the Joker will take them away). These three things perfectly explain how he gets them and fit the Joker to a T. As for not showing the actual planning and setup of what he's doing, I think it works best this way as we know only what Batman, Gordon, and Dent know. It keeps the surprise fresh throughout the movie and helps foster the fear of the unknown, which DK draws on so well from the current fears of terrorism. We don't know what Al Qaeda is doing until they do it. You only get to dissect the hows until after the fact. Personally I didn't see anything that the Joker did that was out of the realm of possibility, especially when you consider he has a gigantic pile of money sitting around.
Harry, you ignorant slut... by Gus Van Rant	Dec 28th, 2008 02:26:33 PM
Where is Iron Man?
Yeah, I kind of felt like Iron Man was just an appetizer... by chaplinatemyshoe	Dec 28th, 2008 02:35:37 PM
for what will hopefully be a superior sequel. It was good, not great, but opened the door for great (like Batman Begins or Spider-Man)
Harry, have you seen Gachi Boy or the doc on Vampiro? by chaplinatemyshoe	Dec 28th, 2008 02:36:31 PM
It's been a great year for wrestling movies...
jimmy_009 by Ben Addiction	Dec 28th, 2008 02:47:23 PM
Using your Al Qaeda example - we know why they're doing what they're doing -religious fanaticism - it motivates their actions. But nobody would believe they could pull those stunts on the fly (they plan for a looong time) and if they did manage to pull off a major attack with two days planning, you'd be a little more interested in how they did it. You probably wouldn't just say, "well, they're crazy, so whatever- case closed". That's why I think the comparison with a mediocre "24" villain is apt- you don't know how they pulled off that elaborate kidnapping or whatever with 45 minutes notice, and they are less interesting because of it. They just can, because they are terrorists, and the plot moves on. The whole hook of these Batman films is that they're a more realistic take on the genre, happening in a real world. But a supervillain who is simultaneously an unhinged nutjob AND a master planner and manipulator who can do anything is just not realistic. And not showing or explaining is not a brave artistic choice - it's a weak cover for not having any idea how to pull off this stuff in your supposedly realistic setting.
Right on, Harry. by colinjbooth	Dec 28th, 2008 03:03:40 PM
Eclectic and Left-field. Good on you for not pandering, that's what a personal best-of list should be all about. Personally i was underwhelmed by Burn, but i can see why people would like it. I went in expecting Lebowski, which it really ain't. Props to Let the right one in. Brilliant book, stunning and chilling film. Happy new year.
Slumdog Millionaire by PeterGriffin1Fan	Dec 28th, 2008 03:04:49 PM
I've seen a lot of movies this year and am hoping to see a lot more, but for my money, Slumdog Millionaire is by far the best film of the year. The storytelling, music, editing, acting, writing all come together perfectly and it takes you through so many emotions that by the end of the film, you're absolutely spent. I'm one of these people that loved Dark Knight, loved Pineapple Express, loved Milk and loved The Wrestler but this movie made me feel angry, depressed, ecstatic, hopeful and satisfied all in one. It's a movie that hits on so many emotions and then you realize this is the same director that did Trainspotting and 28 Days Later and it blows your mind. For those of you that haven't seen it, check it out and try not to walk out of the theater without a huge grin on your face.
The Wrestler #2 for sure though... by PeterGriffin1Fan	Dec 28th, 2008 03:06:49 PM

Ben by jimmy_009	Dec 28th, 2008 03:14:11 PM
I see what you're saying, but planting bombs in generally unsecure locations isn't a huge stretch. Granted planning to escape from prison by using a bomb planted in a guys stomach is a bit of a stretch, but so is base jumping off a building using a cape. Even if it's grounded in reality, it's -still- a superhero movie. I don't see any impossible actions being done by the Joker.
The Reader? Revolutionary Road? Frost/Nixon? by GQtaste	Dec 28th, 2008 03:19:15 PM
Doubt? Elegy w/ Penelope Cruz and Dennis Hopper and Sir Ben Kingsley? And how bout the Doc: "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson?" But you have a film not coming out in four months and of course have Jude Apatow's gang b/c you get paid off. Shit, by picking Pineapple you might as well put Leatherheads instead. Also, I don't know if you consider "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" last year or this year but that was a damn fine film! So was "The Savages." Both w/ Phillip Seymour Hoffman. What a fuckng roll
I don't get the LOVE for Iron Man by the_scream	Dec 28th, 2008 03:24:12 PM
It was funny and passed the time but it isn't the sort of film you'd revisit. There is one decent action scene in the film and that's over in about 3 minutes. Everything else is Downey building, building, and more building. Sure, Downey is great but saw this once and can't be bothered watching it again. Sadly, I bought it on Blue Ray and it's just sitting there taunting me. TDK, on the other hand, I had to force myself to keep it out of my player. I can't get enough of it. Every scene is just superb. Now that I can take my gaze off Ledger's Joker, I'm only now appreciating how good Bale is. He's a tremendous Batman.
Very true WhineyNeativeBitch by the_scream	Dec 28th, 2008 03:38:17 PM

Jimmy_009 by Ben Addiction	Dec 28th, 2008 03:39:49 PM
I'll give you the abandoned rooftops - but the hospital or ferries? It would take about half a dozen large trucks to haul all of that - then to cart them out and disperse all the contents in a working hospital in such a way to create an explosion that size? Wouldn't the hospital staff say "hmmm - someone delivered 10 oil drums into the ICU - that's unusual - maybe something nefarious is going on". The ferry workers would have to be equally clueless "We can't make the next run as scheduled - those odd guys are still unloading their oil drums in the cargo hold." Come on - it is a stretch.
Revolutionary Road :( by Powers Boothe	Dec 28th, 2008 03:40:57 PM
It's only playing in three theatres until it opens properly in January. I watched it a couple of days ago. There's good reason why you're not seeing it on any year end lists. The performances are superb but the film is rather flat. Doubt was equally inert. The performances are way better than the actual film. Most of the 'important' end of year films were a let down. Slum Dog (which I wasn't crazy about) is one of the few films the critics appear to ALL agree on. Unfortunately, the Academy Award for Best Picture is going to either Slum Dog or Benjamin Button :(
Acceptable Except For Burn After Reading by estacado1	Dec 28th, 2008 03:41:50 PM
The movie only made me laugh once.
Gotta love the guys who come on here and... by Powers Boothe	Dec 28th, 2008 03:49:13 PM
bash the picks of others but don't have the balls to list their own favorites. You have every right to dislike Cloverfield and Speed Racer but why not tell us what you DID like? And I'm not just talking about The Dark Knight LOL
Wall-E was CRAP! PERIOD. by TheGhostWhoLurks	Dec 28th, 2008 03:50:45 PM
Boring, rambling and lame. Calling this the best ANYTHING — much less the best ROMANCE of the year — just highlights how little Harry knows about romance... and how bad his taste in films really is. Seriously, this film is like a dumb, beautiful wife who won't have sex. Pretty to look at, but so unsatisfying it hurts and you sit there wondering why you've even wasted your time.
Harry Knows rules! by Evangelion217	Dec 28th, 2008 03:54:30 PM
This is the best, and most honest list that he's made in years. And I thank you Harry, for giving suck a high ranking to "The Dark Knight." It is a pure masterpiece, and easily the best film of 2008. I hope it will get nominated for best picture by the academy. That is all I ask for, I don't even expect it to win best picture from those old elitists. But if it does happen, then I will cry tears of joy all night. :)
Don't mind the list, except... by wookie1972	Dec 28th, 2008 03:59:36 PM
It's just lame to pick a movie that won't be released theatrically in 2008. It's basically saying "ha ha, I saw this and you won't until 2009."
Frozen River by Powers Boothe	Dec 28th, 2008 04:15:50 PM
Forgot about that one. Heard great things. I just put it in my Netflix queue. Thanks.
I really don't get the Pineapple Express love... by Cruel_Kingdom	Dec 28th, 2008 04:16:49 PM
I looked forward to this movie for a year or so, and I so disappointed. Almost everyone I know loves it, and frankly, I guess I just don't get it. There was nothing all that funny in there to me. But no matter how much you loved it, I can't see how THAT movie makes a list of movies that includes such heavyweight greats as Slumdog Millionaire and (my personal fave of the year) The Wrestler. And no JCVD?
Poster SomaShine, Regarding A Tossed Salad by Red Dawn Don	Dec 28th, 2008 04:19:29 PM
Check with urbandictionary-dot-com for the TRUE meaning of TOSSED SALAD. It is quite dirtier than your current understanding. 'nuff said.
Milk was pretty fucking good too... by Cruel_Kingdom	Dec 28th, 2008 04:21:23 PM

Don't you ever talk about Natalie Portman like that Motherfucker by P2Rock	Dec 28th, 2008 04:31:59 PM
I will fuck you up! She is a god damn Goddess. You know it is? Your mother brought you up wrong. Yeah, she probably got a kickstand for a leg. (that is jewish equivalent of stevie wonder and black people re: eddie murphy Delerious, please dont ban me again)But seriously Harry... yuck. Classless... and your totally screwed if she reads this site and you ever want to interview her for a movie. ..... I agree Iron Man should be top 10. Worried only recognition TDk will get is via ledger come oscar. The rest of Hollywood was jealous they were never involved ion the biggest movie of all time AND its a comic book movie. I believe it is bigger than titanic as some movie ticket sales these days are replaced by lazy people who wait for the dvd.Long term DVD sales of this will be way bigger than titanic. My thoughts on titanic Re: Steve Harvey Kings of Comedy .... Peace and Happy New Years to Harry, Mori and all you crazy ass talkbackers
Herzog's NOSFERATU is the best vampire movie ever made. by PotSmokinAlien	Dec 28th, 2008 04:54:34 PM

Now, Harry almost sounds like a professional critic... by ccchhhrrriiisssm	Dec 28th, 2008 05:21:34 PM
...than the fanboy that we used to love and admire for simple honesty. sigh I miss the good ol' days...when this site still had a King Kong background...there were no silly Harry butt-kissing animations...and TPTB (Harry & Co.) didn't give in to the useless Hollywood celebrity fame game. It's been a while, though, hasn't it?
One of the better lists Harry's ever done... by Pdorwick	Dec 28th, 2008 05:38:11 PM
Nothing here is hugely objectionable. I liked he resisted the urge to over rate TDK and included "Let The Right One In". I would've given Wall-E the #1 spot but all 'round: good job.
Benjamin Button was poor by Thot	Dec 28th, 2008 05:40:12 PM
A painful 2hrs and 45 mins. A real wasted opportunity. Burn After Reading was quite good. Brad Pitt's best performance in many years.
Wall-E rant by Silverglade	Dec 28th, 2008 05:40:38 PM
I just felt compelled to post my agreement with those in this thread commenting about how WALL-E was crap. I love PIXAR. I really, really love them. Until now, Finding Nemo was my least fave Pixar flick, primarily because the dad spends the entire movie searching for his son in the ocean.. when his son is not even in the ocean. Never got past that. But while WALL-E is fun, it has no magic like every other Pixar movie I cherish. I have not lost any faith in Pixar, I still love them. But I am not buying Wall-E on blu-ray. Waiting for UP.
WhinyNegativeBitch by BrightEyes	Dec 28th, 2008 06:09:00 PM
Pineapple and Rambo better than Cloverfield? The way you trashed Cloverfield, I wouldnt expect you to put those two on your list.
Gay marriage legislation.... by Quake II	Dec 28th, 2008 06:32:41 PM
To quote Harry in his Milk review....."this movie is the exact right film to heal and unite the factions that will overturn a truly despicable piece of legislation." Yeah, because the majority of California voters were against gay marriage and it didn't pass. In a landslide. Fuck what the majority thinks, right?
But I didn't see Milk by Quake II	Dec 28th, 2008 06:39:22 PM
I just realized that maybe that quote is about what caused Milks death or something....Oooops. Sorry.
People who thinks Harry's tastes are bad, are complete morons. by Evangelion217	Dec 28th, 2008 06:53:30 PM
And "Wall*E" is a damn good film. The people who disagree, have bad taste in quality cinema. Go back to "Norbit."
Get The Dark Knight off that f**ing list by Merriman Lyon	Dec 28th, 2008 06:55:02 PM
TDK is a messed-up, half-baked attempt to shoehorn two movies into one - and then they added some mindless CGI sonar sequences to blind the audience to the weak plot. People who put TDK on their top ten list will be seriously embarrassed when they realise what a mess it is.
Merriman Lyon has bad taste. by Evangelion217	Dec 28th, 2008 06:58:58 PM
And he'll realize that, when he finds out just how masterful "TDK" truly is. It's not a mess, since it is very coherent, is intelligently written, with alot of emotional depth, with fantastic performances, and a great score. And if all you can do is complain about the CGI sonar sequence, then you really have no complaints at all. ;)
Put me in the BENJAMIN BUTTON-hater camp by YackBacker	Dec 28th, 2008 07:01:44 PM
Eric Roth scripted the same gimmicks in BUTTON that he put into his FORREST GUMP. Or did he steal those gimmicks from the guy who wrote the GUMP novel? I don't care, either way BUTTON is a derivative and lazy rehash of GUMP (an overrated bore of a film itself). No, sir. I don't like it.
Ben Addiction... by UltimaRex	Dec 28th, 2008 07:09:33 PM
How did the Joker do it? Simple, he talked them into it. You remember watching the fat man explain how the joker talked him into being a bomb. You remember watching the Joker steal millions from the mob at the start of the movie (you've seen people do stupid things for money...). You definatly remember watching the Joker talk Dent off the rails. It's nowhere near "magical". It's the nuts being led by the (pun intended) batshit loco.
No, there's more to complain about in TDK... by Merriman Lyon	Dec 28th, 2008 07:12:42 PM
The terrible, senseless ending; that last cringeworthy monologue from Gary Oldman (not his fault - no actor could make that fly); the absence of logic and structure in the movie; the bad idea of trying to squash two movies into one; Batman's "voice"; Harvey's "transformation" into a villain - so unconvincing, I doubt even a five-year-old would swallow it; Batman's pointless, time-wasting "detective work"; Ledger putting on a "funny" voice and being called Oscar-worthy (despite the far more skilful performances to be seen even within the same movie); the fact that internet geeks give the movie a "pass" despite its many faults, etc etc. Need I go on?
SPEED RACER: one of the better cinexperiences of 2008 by Chishu_Ryu	Dec 28th, 2008 07:33:00 PM

Merriman Lyon, the voice by I Dunno	Dec 28th, 2008 07:37:27 PM
is the only valid complaint in your post.
What?? by Ben Addiction	Dec 28th, 2008 07:40:33 PM
The Joker talked them into it? All of them? Maybe he had a meeting in the hospital cafeteria with all the doctors, nurses, orderlies, administrators, janitors, and security staff and said, "As you can probably tell from my grotesque facial scars and rotting clown makeup, I am the terrorist who has recently blown up two buildings and the junior D.A.., caused untold havoc downtown with that high speed chase, assassinated the police commissioner and have issued a general threat to the entire city. It was on the news - the Joker - anyone? So, I was wondering if I could plant these oil drums of explosives in your workplace. I'm also kinda gonna need you to stay here and keep working. I totally won't blow you up I swear and am gonna pay you lots of money from that big bank robbery I did downtown where I killed everyone. Did I say kill? I mean pay a lot of money. So how about it?" And as a group they all say, "yeah no problem." Again this strains credulity.
pretty good list homes by applescruff	Dec 28th, 2008 07:45:22 PM
Very happy to see pineapple express on here, its definitely on my list. I'm proud to have written the very first review ever of that movie when I saw it in July 2007. For the record, I also saw "observe and report" in on the warner bros. lot in september, and its not as good as pineapple. Michael Pena owns though. Here's my list for '08, done Ebert-style in no order and its not 10 or 20 or some shit like that. Just whatever was worthy: The Dark Knight (this one's my best of the year though) Wall-E Slumdog Millionaire Man On Wire The Wrestler Tell No One The Signal Speed Racer The Visitor Pineapple Express Rachel Getting Married Iron Man Synecdoche, New York Gran Torino Frost/Nixon Milk The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button Be Kind, Rewind Boy A In Bruges Choke Snow Angels Cassandra's Dream (whoever said this was the worst film of the year is retarded, have you seen Australia, Seven Pounds or Mamma Mia?) Appaloosa The Foot Fist Way Zach and Miri Make A Porno JCVD That about covers the best of. There's other stuff worth seeing this year (like Tropic Thunder,Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Valkyrie etc.) but I liked these best of all. Worst movie of the year is hands down Mamma Mia.
I don't get the love for "Pineapple Express" by Giphangster	Dec 28th, 2008 07:47:08 PM
That was absolutely one of the worst movies I've seen this year. I love Seth Rogen- in Apatow's films. When he writes his own material it's a disaster.
Seems like a good list by CherryValance	Dec 28th, 2008 07:53:04 PM
I haven't seen half of them because of where I live but I'm beginning to wonder how 'Slumdog Millionaire' is supposed to be a shoo-in to win for Best Picture and almost no one includes 'The Wrestler' as a nominee. Everytime I turn around people rank 'The Wrestler higher. How does that work?
As for the Joker's origin... by UltimaRex	Dec 28th, 2008 07:53:08 PM
He doesn't have one. Every Joker origin has been told by the man himself and he changes his story every time. THAT'S WHAT THE CHARACTER IS. Excepting Batman '89. But if you want a origin here's one. There's a nobody who never smiles living in the narrows. He hates everyone but won't do anything about it because he's a chickenshit. One day a nutcase ninja bastard comes along and fear gasses the narrows. He finally comes to with no more fear, a Glasgow smile and NO IDEA HOW EITHER HAPPENED. There you go. Slot that little story into your viewing of TDK and have fun with the joke...
applescruff by IAmMrMonkey!	Dec 28th, 2008 07:54:49 PM
Interesting to see 'Boy A' appear on your list. I almost watched it recently but, having heard nothing about it, declined. Seems I might have made a mistake?
Ben Addiction... by UltimaRex	Dec 28th, 2008 08:01:36 PM
He talked the goons who make up his crew into it sure. Maybe a janitor or two. You don't need the entire hospital...
I wanted to like "LTROI"... by Admiral Nelson	Dec 28th, 2008 08:06:25 PM
I saw it this afternoon in Portland, and unfortunately, I found it really overrated. It's well-made, but EXCRUCIATINGLY slow, with enormous plot holes and plot points that simply go nowhere. After 90 minutes, the film really wore out its welcome -- it's a near-miss, but still a misfire, IMO. Wait for the DVD, or buy the score from www.moviescoremedia.com (it's excellent.) Better yet, rent El Orfanato instead, a film that's both emotionally moving and scary as hell.
Or... by UltimaRex	Dec 28th, 2008 08:10:43 PM
Get goons. Dress goons up as janitors. "Janitors" smuggle bombs into hospital (I'll assume small high explosives rather than lots of oil cans).
Benjamin Button has almost singlehandedly by Negator76	Dec 28th, 2008 08:19:42 PM
...destroyed the appeal of this site. I can't believe that EVERY critic on this site has given it a thumbs-up. It's fucking awful. of the ten or so people I know who've seen it, not ONE has liked it. At. All. It's a plodding, pretentious, pointless slog of a movie. The characters are generic and the love story is monotonous. The characters' actions are contrived completely disconnected from plausible human nature. Even the central conceit of the story is purposeless and irrelevant to the 'themes' it's attempting to articulate. And what the hell is the 'theme', anyway? That we're mortal? No shit. I dig Fincher, I loved 'Zodiac', and I completely adore Cate Blanchett. But after that movie, every time I see Cate Blanchett I'll be rooting for a Hurricane to hit me and take me out of my misery. I got nothing against slow movies. But that thing was FUCKING BRUTAL. It was like someone shot Terry Malick through the frontal lobe and asked him to direct Lord of the Rings. And then they hired a screenwriter to erase all the elves and trolls and magic and shit. And then the studio fired Andy Serkis and hired Brad Pitt to play gollum. And then the crew filmed him taking a shit for three hours. The film shows some promise in the first 45 minutes or so, but just wait until the tugboat sinks and the goofy CGI hummingbird appears. Hope you brought a book and a little LED light to read by. Because otherwise, you're in for a painful 2 hours of suck. DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE!!!
Plus... by UltimaRex	Dec 28th, 2008 08:20:47 PM
Showing every setup would make TDK a 3 and a half hour movie at least and people are already complaining about length (which is a mistake).
Agree that BENJAMIN BUTTOCKS blows. by SmokeFilledTavern	Dec 28th, 2008 08:38:41 PM
Had a bad feeling from the trailer, but I usually like Fincher so I gave it a chance. TERRIBLE!! I think it's worse than Gump which at least had a cool soundtrack.
Everyone I saw Benjamin Button with loved it by Thrillho77	Dec 28th, 2008 09:18:16 PM
And so did I. Just saying.
"I’ll cry giggling like some perverse imp having his salad tosse by Itchy	Dec 28th, 2008 09:19:58 PM
I'm serious, that's the most disgusting mental image I've ever had the misfortune of projecting on the inside of my eyelids. It's also the first time just the mere thought of Natalie Portman engaged in some kind of perverse sexual act did NOT give me a boner. Thanks Harry, you inbred tub of lard.
For BUTTONS, Eric Roth recycled his GUMP script! by YackBacker	Dec 28th, 2008 09:20:44 PM
If film score composers are not allowed to be nominated when they use past works in a current soundtrack, certainly the same prohibition on self-plagiarism should apply to screenplays, yes?
And Iron Man deserves to be somewhere on that list by Itchy	Dec 28th, 2008 09:21:39 PM
a different type of superhero movie than The Dark Knight, but excellent in all respects. And just cancel the Best Actor category this year, because Heath Ledger definately will win it and the douche doesn't deserve the honor. Anyone that kills themselves and involves an Olsen twin is a fuckwad.
Something that's been grinding my gears... by Thrillho77	Dec 28th, 2008 09:22:10 PM
I'm tired of people saying such-and-such a movie was "dark and dreary", but this movie was "fun and enjoyable!!! Just admit that the fun movies are better!!!" TDK was incredibly dark. Very devoid of hope and the classic idea of "fun." But I ENJOYED IT! Just because it was all dreary doesn't mean we were miserable watching it!!! When will people realize that some people legitimately like a dramatic, deeply thematic movie (i.e. "Oscar Bait") - because they actually ENJOY seeing well-made films unfold.
Let The Right One In by TheRealMoriarty	Dec 28th, 2008 09:24:44 PM
Unfortunately, Harcourt J., can't get the nomination because Sweden didn't submit it. They picked "Everlasting Moments" instead, which is exactly what you think an "Oscar-worthy Swedish film" would look like. Disgraceful.
GreatOne3... by Kirbymanly	Dec 28th, 2008 09:25:12 PM
I think you should see Let The Right One In again. There's a shot toward the end that you obviously missed. "She's" not just a vampire.
"Oscar-worthy Swedish film" by Thrillho77	Dec 28th, 2008 09:34:42 PM
An elderly man sitting on a park bench looking melancholy for 120 minutes? Maybe a sad clown rides by on a unicycle?
Danny Boyle is consistent as fuck by SoylentMean	Dec 28th, 2008 09:42:48 PM
I've enjoyed everything I've ever seen by this guy. Which is an amazing accomplishment. Hell, even Spielberg hasn't pulled that off.
Gran Torino should be on this years list... by samuraiyao	Dec 28th, 2008 10:16:18 PM
Eastwood with another gem of a film...
What does "Oscar-worthy" mean anyway? by Chishu_Ryu	Dec 28th, 2008 10:20:16 PM
It means how many emotion buttons the moviemakers can press in the audience to get them all weepy-eyed as they leave the theatre. It means popularity meters and recycled product and the Hollywood machine patting itself on the back for a job well done. Well, I guess that's as good a barometer as any for judging the "best" of what the big studios put out, which is usually regarbled product. But for judging the independent films which truly push boundaries of art? Nah. And certainly not for judging foreign language films. What is that award but an award for how close can you get your movies over there to look like our movies over here? Poppycock!
Jesus Christ Harry! DVD Column! by half vader	Dec 28th, 2008 10:26:26 PM
Yeah I know you wanted to get this list in before the others, and thatdone now. BNAT finished ages ago. Pony up with the "regular" DVD/BD column, will ya? And Never dirty our minds with the image of you and Portman again. You sadistic fucker!
Sorry to come to this late but - twins aren't clones and therefo by Keeper Of Chimps	Dec 28th, 2008 10:27:26 PM
Go to your local community college and take an anthropology class. Oh and Harry you are right on with the Joker. Now the world can finally see why 1989's Batman was such a horrendous movie.
Quake II by Cruel_Kingdom	Dec 28th, 2008 10:30:01 PM
The majority doesn't always mean something is right. There was a time when the majority of voting Americans would have said that blacks and women didn't deserve equal rights, too.
ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO by opinionater	Dec 28th, 2008 10:47:33 PM
Haven't heard your take yet Harry......
Nice list.... by bandus	Dec 28th, 2008 10:54:54 PM
The only thing I would change is the positioning of The Wrestler as #1. I loved Let the Right one in but when I got done seeing the Wrestler my jaw hit the floor.
My top films so far... by mefrog	Dec 28th, 2008 11:20:35 PM
...keep in mind that I have yet to see Revolutionary Road, The Wrestler, In Bruges, The Visitor, or Gran Torino. I think that's really all I have left, but so far I'm looking at... Hellboy II (really underrated, Guillermo's imagination was pouring out onscreen) Burn After Reading Body of War (don't even know what kind of release this got, I saw it at a film festival... really fucking good documentary) Vicky Cristina Barcelona Milk Frost/Nixon Rachel Getting Married (how come NO ONE has mentioned this film? It was brilliant) Let the Right One In (phenomenal twist on the genre) The Dark Knight (naturally) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (beautiful, beautiful film) WALL-E (best movie I've seen in a decade - yep, I said that)
i remember a cute robot... by mfcorleone	Dec 28th, 2008 11:39:33 PM
..named r2d2. fuck you wall*e. get benjamin buttons cock out of your collective mouths. OVERRATED. In Bruges sucked a fat cock, what a contrite piece of worthless shit that film was.
Let The Right One In is very special but not perfect by lavatory love machine	Dec 28th, 2008 11:42:28 PM
the movie is spellbinding, no doubt about it, but it has a few inconsistent elements that could've been done better (and that's why I would rank it number 2 after dark knight): at the beginning Oskar is depicted as being really smart (no smoke on the lungs) but he never does anything smart, it takes him way too long to figure out that Eli is a vampire (and a boy) and at the ending he's too easily fooled into a trap (he believed that the bully's sidekick wanted to be his friend), also the father scene is botched, it was meant to show him as a drunk (from the book) but it makes him look gay and an asshole (maybe it's cultural thing), one thing about it that it's truly great is that most of the people who see the movie fail to notice that Eli is a boy but then when you tell them they come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter, they want to be together and that's it
dogrobber, interesting question by NoHubris	Dec 28th, 2008 11:42:58 PM
In some scenes, the Joker's mannerisms remind me of Big Boy Caprice (a non tongue in cheek version) in DICK TRACY.
Oh an Harry by mfcorleone	Dec 28th, 2008 11:43:44 PM
Stop picking films that havent been released to the public you dipshit. Here's my list you sizzler munching retard. #1 - Watchmen #2 - Sin City 2 #3 - X men Origins: Wolverine #4 - Iron Man 2 My best films of 2008...oh you guys haven't seen them yet? too bad, get bent.
What about encounters at the end of the world? by Coma Baby	Dec 29th, 2008 12:28:20 AM
That'll make my top 10, man on a wire too - how come that's treated seperately? Just saw Benjamin Button - really good but not without some reservations. The hummingbird thing was too much and the Forest Gump similarities distracted me - the movie had it's own box of chocolates line, it's own boat captain, the tour through history - but in any event it's way better than Forest Gump for what that's worth. The short side trip with Tilda Swinton was perfect and the love story with Cate Blanchet was touching and had a great arc to it. Brad Pitt was somehow believable as a 7 year old in a 70 year old's body - setting aside the great special effects, he's underrated. I agree on Let the Right One In. It's definitely the best of the year, hands down. It's moving, fun, disturbing, and beautiful. Pretty much everything you can hope for from a movie. I don't get the love people have for Burn after Reading. Sure, it was clever, well acted, and sometimes funny. But it was totally empty, and, more annoyingly, managed to be smug about how empty it was.
Harry Come on! by laraz	Dec 29th, 2008 12:31:23 AM
Thank you for picking The Dark Knight and Let the right one in, as your top two. But come on! Did you have to be like every other fucking stuck crack head of a critic and put Wall-E in your top ten. Everyone & Anyone forget about Kung Fu Panda! & Pineapple express, you have to be a pot head, smoked once in your life, or have the iq of 40 to find any Seth Rogen film funny! & did you have to pick The Brothers Bloom, it aint even out yet. Its like the golden globes giving nominations to films before they are released! Come on Harry you could of done better, Tropic Thunder should of made its way in or even Boy-A or the bank Job!
Someone here put Speed Racer on their list by Fat and Curious	Dec 29th, 2008 12:59:51 AM
That made me hate each of the other movies you listed, even the ones I previously loved
No Speed Racer Harry?? WTF? by AllPowerfulWizardOfOz	Dec 29th, 2008 01:51:42 AM
Seriously it's a tragedy that this movie is getting snubbed. The critics were wrong on this one and you know it Harry. It was mind blowing. It was original and it deserves an award at least for art direction and special effects. There is nothing out there like it. A true classic IMO. Fucking shame.
Jerking off to Emile Hirsch by Fat and Curious	Dec 29th, 2008 01:56:34 AM
I just realized that since I've beat my dick to the sex scene in Girl Next Door quite a bit, it could be argued that my ejaculations have been products of gazing at Emile just as much as they were to Elisha Cutherbert riding him. Interesting.
Eli is whatever the viewer wants her to be... by Shub-Wankalot	Dec 29th, 2008 02:06:01 AM
...according to Tomas Alfredson, and he's quite content with the multiple interpretations of his film by the audience, and he's not slavish to the book's narrative. Of course, you'll get your self-righteous hardcore book purists who consider the book the bible, but Tomas Alfredson describes his film as a different medium with its own voice and personality, and so the viewer takes away what they want from his eclectic movie.
End Credits on WALL-E tell the separate tale by No-Op	Dec 29th, 2008 02:35:26 AM
I was pleased to note that the illustrations in the end credits of WALL-E chronicle the rebuilding of the earth in a cooperative effort of the humans and robots. I've mentioned this to a number of people who missed that enitirely. Have another watch.
Ben Addiction by xsi kal	Dec 29th, 2008 02:48:12 AM
I completely agree with your issues regarding TDK. The movie flopped for me as soon as it became apparent that the Joker was somehow a magical explosive fairy that could do anything, anywhere, and anyhow. In my opinion, the whole movie hinged on heath's performance... and once his character fell apart for me, the movie itself was laughable. I don't pretend Iron Man was some great triumph of art, but it was more enjoyable for sure... and I don't think either movie had much in the way of lasting significance, so enjoyment ended up being the only measuring stick. I also just watched Wall-E this weekend with my wife, and we agreed it was one of Pixar's less impressive efforts. The movie really started falling apart once they left Earth... and I was not sure if I was more annoyed by the heavy handling of the "message" or the fact that they magically tied everything up with a pretty old bow at the end.
okay time for me to apologise. by TiPPiDa	Dec 29th, 2008 03:49:45 AM
You're right.. Just because a movie isn't commercially saturated doesn't make it obscure, my apologies Harry et al, but my "FUCKING UBERNERD" comment still stands. I'm going to lay myself on the sword and give you my top 20 to pick apart sir. (This is based on movies that I've seen) 20, Mongol 19. Rachel Getting Married 18. Ghost Town 17. Tropic Thunder 16. Transsiberian 15. Forgetting Sarah Marshall 14. Kung Fu Panda 13. Quantum of Solace 12. Synecdoche, New York 11. Iron Man 10. HellBoy II 9. Wall-E 8. Gran Torino 7. Burn After reading 6. Frost/Nixon 5. Milk 4. The Dark Knight 3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 2. Slumdog Millionaire 1. The Wrestler
From James Cameron, director of ALIENS and T2... by Motoko Kusanagi	Dec 29th, 2008 04:09:18 AM
...comes A V A T A R - Fucking your eyeballs in 2009!!! So, who the fuck cares about top ten lists?!?
I laugh every year when I see half the films aren't out in the U by Brody77	Dec 29th, 2008 04:21:51 AM
I haven't even heard of Let the Right One In. Maybe that's a crime in itself, I dunno. My litmus test for foreign films is Brotherhood of the Wolf - in my all time top 5 movies.
Sorry, that should have read "out in the UK yet" by Brody77	Dec 29th, 2008 04:22:33 AM

Let the Right one in a Pedo Film ? by FuryofthefilmFan	Dec 29th, 2008 04:28:13 AM
Spoilers ahead:::I just got done seeing this film and a whole lot left me scratching my head. Maybe those who have seen it can help clarify some things namely Eli's relationship with the first helper. There was some kind of arrangement there that looked like he had emotions for this little girl even jealousy. Second, Eli was very old though she insisted she was still 12 wouldn't she mature despite her body staying young? Like that vampire chick who went mental in Interview with a vampire. So was Eli just using Oskar for companionship? Also there is a split second scene that hinted Eli's true gender but it was kind of confusing.I know she said she was not a girl but I figured she just meant she was a vampire not that she had a willy at some point Anyway, I get the feeling this is the kind of movie i'll appreciate more the second time around, for now too many plot holes and the pedo feel I got from it keep me from putting it on any list I might make.
only a whining idiot... by grendel824	Dec 29th, 2008 04:30:38 AM
... complains about "credbility being strained" in a superhero/crime/drama/action movie. "Gee, I totally buy that a human being can do all the incredible stuff that Batman does and not die within a week, but the fact that a crazy/criminal-genius/villain guy managed to wire too many places to blow without getting noticed (or at least without the director taking sixteen hours of movie time to develop and show how such a thing might be possible in a FANTASY WORLD) - it's just stupid!" I can't roll my eyes hard enough, but I'll try anyway...
LTROI nowhere near 'EXCRUCIATINGLY slow' by quantize	Dec 29th, 2008 05:02:09 AM
That is a bizzare comment...on the scale of plodding and navel gazing Let The Right One In doesnt even register...it moves along just find. Take your meds in future.
Cloverfield a 'best' and 'really smart' ?? by quantize	Dec 29th, 2008 05:06:06 AM
That is fucking gobsmacking, there simply hasn't been a dumber more slack jawed cheap stunt piece of shit committed to screen ever... Some of the tastes here would be well at home licking the walls of a Mens toilet.
Top ten Lists by Potatino	Dec 29th, 2008 05:06:14 AM
Just out of curiosity why do a lot of 10 ten best film lists you read right about this time of year list films released in the last month? Oh and seriously Harry why wasn't Monster X Strikes Back: Attack the G8 Summit on the list?.. Men in monster suits battling it out!.. oh that's the movie I was happiest watching in 2008!
BTW Natalie Portman would be violently ill... by quantize	Dec 29th, 2008 05:08:04 AM
..if she ever had the misfortune to read that Harry..just to put that evil image in anyones mind is psychological rape!
Only clinical declared morons would find Che bloated or shit by quantize	Dec 29th, 2008 05:09:24 AM
really...its called PAYING ATTENTION dumb fucks.
Man, "BLEST", I hope you're pretty old... by Boromir	Dec 29th, 2008 06:32:49 AM
Otherwise, you are bound to be extremely disappointed at some point in the not-too-distant future. I'm sure you won't mind living on the periphery of society with the white supremacists and tax-avoiding cult members though.
Brody77 by quantize	Dec 29th, 2008 06:40:16 AM
That's right...there's a world outside of North America..it makes films too.
not being American = languishing in obscurity? by Spandau Belly	Dec 29th, 2008 06:44:31 AM
Man, that's the most ethnocentric statement of the year. Just because somebody's movie isn't a big hit in your country doesn't mean it's stuck in some cellar somewhere. Sweden is a pretty nice place, maybe the reason this guy made his movie in Swedish is because he was making it for Swedish audiences, which makes you the one who's languishing in obscurity.
TDK fell apart for me when... by IAmMrMonkey!	Dec 29th, 2008 06:45:57 AM
it introduced a guy dressed as a fucking bat fighting crime. That's just stupid. And then they go and introduce a guy dressed as a fucking clown commiting crimes! And it wasn't even set in a real city! Gotham? Where the fuck is that? It was all totally stupid. I stood up, tore off my clothes in anger and began running around the cinema sticking my weener into other peoples' popcorn. I WAS SO ANGRY!
tdk ok, but.... by apfrance	Dec 29th, 2008 08:20:16 AM
Finally just saw dark knight, and enjoyed the hell out of the Joker. Two-Face, on the other hand... The movie lost me when he flipped to bad guy. I just didn't buy it. He was willing to kill Gordon's son as revenge, but not the Joker when he had a gun pointed at his forehead?!? When clearly the Joker was more responsible for Rachel's death? I would have liked the story more if Two-Face offed the Joker right then and there, and continued his revenge spree, taking his mantle as top bad guy. As it is, I enjoyed the movie up to that point, and will watch it again, but wouldn't put it in top-10.
Now, I'm as big a fan... by funwithwords	Dec 29th, 2008 08:25:24 AM
of good Coen Brothers stuff as anybody, but Burn After Reading just doesn’t qualify. Not by a long shot. It’s actually kind of terrible, and terrible in a way that movies made for wide release don’t generally have the opportunity to be seeing as studios don’t generally distribute films that show absolute contempt for both their characters AND their audience. But such is the price of working with geniuses, I guess—even geniuses who have sort of a spotty record over the last decade. With the exception of the few scenes set at Langley between J.K. Simmons and David Rasche, this is a comedy that’s not remotely funny. All the principle characters ham it up and act like it’s a comedy, but there’s simply nothing very funny about any of it, which is, I suppose, why we get to call it a dark or black comedy, a designation that used to be reserved for things that were, at least, funny, but has taken on the meaning of any mean spirited or halfway morose tale that also has characters acting like imbeciles that need not be entertaining, let alone funny.
Harry is right by ducKy72	Dec 29th, 2008 08:43:25 AM
Let The Right One In is THE FILM of 2008. To quote the writer, 'anyone who doesn't like this film is an evil person'.
Awww MAN! by thecheesegrommit	Dec 29th, 2008 08:53:39 AM
Harry! I luv ya and the site, eternally in your debt for that. but dude, sweet Natalie tossing yer salad.....I WILL NEVER GET THAT IMAGE OUT OF MY MIND. DAMN YOU damn you damn y....sniff...
oh yeah by thecheesegrommit	Dec 29th, 2008 08:54:40 AM
great list. I concur.
Burn After Reading isn't even a top ten Coen Brothers film by Garbageman33	Dec 29th, 2008 08:57:51 AM
1. Fargo 2. No Country for Old Men 3. Raising Arizona 4. Blood Simple 5. Miller's Crossing 6. The Big Lebowski 7. Hudsucker Proxy 8. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou 9. The Man Who Wasn't There 10. Barton Fink
TiPPiDa by Garbageman33	Dec 29th, 2008 09:08:00 AM
You have nothing to worry about. That's a really solid list. Well, other than Benjamin Button.
Garbageman by funwithwords	Dec 29th, 2008 09:08:16 AM
I'm not sure if I agree with the order of your top ten, but those are the top ten. Sad. Three of the last four at the very bottom of the pile.
You're right, funwithwords by Garbageman33	Dec 29th, 2008 09:17:02 AM
There's a big drop off between 6 and 7. But I'd put their top five up against anyone. Seriously, which director has a better list?
TDK was pretty good, but Let the Right One In by vaudeville villain	Dec 29th, 2008 09:19:37 AM
has to be the best film of '08. no hype. no GDP-sized budgets. just a great story driven by superb performances. few films have resonated with me as this one has... truly spellbinding. on a sidebar: wall*e, while initially entertaining, falls flat during its final 45 minutes (i wish humans were never introduced into the plot); 'burn' shouldn't even be listed here at all. that aside, great list, harry.
vampires don't have sex, so it's not a pedo film by lavatory love machine	Dec 29th, 2008 09:36:08 AM
did you know that pedo in spanish means fart?
Garbageman by funwithwords	Dec 29th, 2008 09:44:36 AM
I don’t know that I would go so far as to say their top five is the greatest top five in the history of cinema, but it's a stellar accomplishment nonetheless.
As someone who had his salad tossed by Natalie Portman by chaddyd	Dec 29th, 2008 09:50:21 AM
I have to say, Ironman was heads and tails better than the Dark Night. I fell asleep halfway through that sanctimonious piece of shit. Ledger was the only thing notable about that film. Christian Bale sounded like he was constipated and the whole Hong Kong scene was irrelevant to the film. Ironman, however, was exactly what it was supposed to be, a great comic book movie. Great plotline, great acting and a phenomenal villain. I'm sick to death of all the fanboys lauding DK while taking a big dump on Ironman. Fuck you all, kneel before Zod.
The only film that truly matters here is MAN ON WIRE. by Mr. Nice Gaius	Dec 29th, 2008 10:07:37 AM
Do yourselves a favor, if you haven't already seen it, check it out. It's an incredibly moving cinematic experience. I'm really looking forward to checking out LET THE RIGHT ONE IN and THE WRESTLER; I hope I get to see them soon. As for THE DARK KNIGHT, it's a great, great movie. It's not perfect but it's one hell of a ride and it lifts the idea of a "comic book movie" to an all new mature level. To those who want to hate on it - who cares. Shut the fuck up and deal.
Chaddyd by funwithwords	Dec 29th, 2008 10:17:30 AM
While I agree with some of the sentiment you express with regard to TDK, I do have to say that Iron Man was not without its problems. Of course, its problems were similar to the problems of most comic book origin pictures (e.g. weak third act and bland ensemble beyond the hero and nemesis), so maybe its acceptance of the weaknesses of the genre does make it superior to TDK, which still has many of the same weaknesses, but wants to pretend it belongs to a different genre. This shouldn’t be a Dark Knight TB though, there’ve been far too many of them. Personally, I watched Iron Man again over the weekend and think it was kind of ho-hum. In my opinion, and I know everybody disagrees with me, the genre’s real high water mark was the Ang Lee Hulk. Everything sort of went downhill from there.
Wait wait wait wait wait wait wait... by MikeTheSpike	Dec 29th, 2008 10:23:35 AM
Marissa Tomei as a stripper? And this movie isn't your #1, because...?
Marisa Tomei would get naked in a Disney film by Garbageman33	Dec 29th, 2008 10:45:47 AM
I can just hear the conversation she has with every director. "Um, Marisa, would you be open..." "Sure!"
funwithwords, I meant to say CURRENT director by Garbageman33	Dec 29th, 2008 10:51:43 AM
I am in no way implying that the Coen Brothers are the greatest directors in the history of cinema. Although I think they may very well be the greatest pair of Jewish brothers from Minnesota who also edit all their own stuff under an assumed name. So there.
Does TDK really matter... by HoboCode	Dec 29th, 2008 11:00:41 AM
when Hendrick's with cucumber will be fucking your tastebuds this New Year's Eve?
Vampires don't have SEX!?!?!? by FuryofthefilmFan	Dec 29th, 2008 11:04:19 AM
WHAT?? Then what the hell they doin rubbin all over each other all the time for? You seen True Blood?!?! They havin sex ALL the time! Just cuz that little girl acted like she had no idea what sex was doesn't mean she wasn't a Pedo. In fact I'm SURE she was Pedo now that I've seen the film a second time. Not only does she tell her helper off the way a grown woman tells off a man she hates she also manages to kiss this 12 year old kid and in an instant shows what kinda old perverted hag she really is. So I conclude that this old woman was pretending to be 12 to lure some young impressionable kid to being the new helper. This is why ALL vampires MUST die...
'unjustice' by Dan Halen	Dec 29th, 2008 11:18:20 AM
jesus. can you hire a college student to edit your copy for like 20k a year? And please don't tell me it's part of the sight's charm...
I stand by my "LTROI" comments by Admiral Nelson	Dec 29th, 2008 11:21:16 AM
And Quantise, grow up and knock off the "meds" comments. "Let the Right One In" started out great, but after 90 minutes, I GOT IT, and I wanted it to break new ground and say something different, and it didn't. Just because it's in hushed Swedish and filled with bleak snowy "foreign" landscapes doesn't mean you're obligated to pretend to love it so you seem "sophisticated" or "smart" in front of a bunch of AICN Talkbackers. It's an ALMOST-great film that's sadly hampered by plot holes that would be derided as flat-out dumb in an American horror film (SPOILERS: the father kills people in public parks with traffic driving by in the background? Kids kill people in apartment buildings and no one even questions them afterwards? People spontaneously ignite in hospital beds and no mention of it by the media or other people?), and plot points that are brought up yet go nowhere. (And here's a perfectly reasonable question: would this movie be getting the kudos it's getting if it were in English, starring American kids? The fact is, this film is getting the kudos it's getting mainly because of the novelty factor -- it's a weird, well-made Swedish movie about a vampire kid. But if this exact same film was about schoolkids in North Dakota, it would be a direct-to-video release, and you know it.) By the time they get to the swimming pool scene (a genuinely scary and funny moment -- pretty much the only humor in the entire movie, and it involves dismemberment), it was too late to redeem the film. No, I don't want to see Michael Bay-level spastic-editing and explosions, but the film unfortunately exhausted its ideas and my patience 30 minutes before it concluded, and I (reluctantly) can't give it a thumbs-up, even though I really wanted to love it. As I said before, I think it's a near-miss, but a misfire nonetheless. As a horror film involving kids, "The Orphanage" was much better -- it was scarier and more emotionally involving as well.
Dang Harry... by waitingimpatientlyforingloriousb astards	Dec 29th, 2008 11:40:03 AM
I usually find myself questioning your taste, but I have to admit I like your list a lot. Let the Right One In is also my favorite movie of the year, although I haven't seen some of the other limited releases yet. In Bruge is sadly missing though :(
Frustrated by Brothers Bloom release date! by CreasyBear	Dec 29th, 2008 12:01:58 PM
I've been looking forward to this for a long time, watching them postpone and postpone, shoving the release date farther and farther back. For once, I hope they change the release date again, where it's not going toe to toe with a Pixar movie. The target audiences are of course very different, but still . . . I'd like Brothers Bloom to have a decent shot.
"Things Are Worse Than Ever..." by HapaPapa72	Dec 29th, 2008 12:19:08 PM
The Dark Knight and Batman Begins are now tied for me. Heath's Joker makes up for the lack of Batcave (I know, Wayne Manor is being rebuilt, but surely the cave underneath is solid, right? I needs me some Batcave and Batman mixing chemicals and stuff) and some of the lesser performances(William Fichtner's all-of-a-sudden-he-can't reach-for-his-shotgun-while-Jo ker's-back-is-turned monologue about old school criminal honor?!?, random crowd interjectors:"things are worse than ever here!" is my new favorite throwaway-line-to-get-my-SAG-c ard, along with Spiderman's "you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us!" Ugh. The clown gang's banter at the beginning...Tiny "Zeus" Lister's cliche noble criminal...BUT on the plus side... Batman's emphysema growl didn't bug me on DVD as much, and I love that we finally saw Bruce Wayne's scarred and bruised back in a movie. And yes, Heath was great but so was Bale. Just the definitive Bruce Wayne/Batman. The bored playboy routine, the dynamic with Alfred, Lucius, the gadgetry, the detective wheels turning, it's all there. I loved WALL-E but since getting it on DVD, I've watched it once and me and my kids have watched "Presto" about 50 times. Love your list, Harry. Now stay away from my Natalie.
I have never heard of the brother bloom or by emeraldboy	Dec 29th, 2008 12:29:41 PM
let the right one in. I havent seen Man on a wire. I have heard of it= just not seen it yet. Havent seen Benjamin Button. The last Pitt/blanchet film I saw was Bable. one of the most boring, pointless and overly long films and overly hyped films I have seen in years. I thought the dark knigh was very good. Heath Ledger was great but the movie suffered from having too many subplots. I could not believe how badly they handled the Rachel Dawes aspect of the story. at the end. The stupid sonar subplot ruined the movie for me and as I left the theatre. I just could not get excited enough to rave about this movie. I really couldnt. I thought TDK whilst very good was also a little too cold or something.
Oh, and SPEED RACER fucking sucked. by Motoko Kusanagi	Dec 29th, 2008 12:30:39 PM
Big time. No. 1 should be "Tropa De Elite". Nuff said.
funwithwords by chaddyd	Dec 29th, 2008 12:44:55 PM
I agree that Ironman was not flawless (aside from casting). I just think it was unfairly compared to the Dark Knight. I saw Ironman a few weeks ago on Blu-Ray and i thought it held up well. I liked it even better after a second viewing. I had such high hopes for DK and it completely let me down; though, again, Ledger was worth the hype. Nothing else about that movie, however, was. And I'm with you on Ang Lee's Hulk. I thought the best scene in that film was the Nick Nolte speech towards the end. But Nick Nolte is a genius of all things thespian.
Oh yeah, and dogrobber? by HapaPapa72	Dec 29th, 2008 12:45:04 PM
I've mentioned that Heath's Joker inflections/line deliveries/cadences almost brought Jack Sparrow to mind (just without the fake limey accent)... "I know why you choose to 'ave your little (ahem) group therapy sessions in broad daylight, mate...savvy?" I love how hindsight is not only 50/50 but so damn all-knowing and self-righteous... let's wind the clocks back 19 or so years... we (who were around back then) all went Batshit for Burton's Batman. Admit it. Even the people who allegedly "hated" it probably went to see it more than a few times just to prove how much they hated it. That'll show Burton. Granted, Jack's larger than life personality overshadowed his Joker, but like I said, we were all gaga over that damn movie. I know I was. So just wait. Another 20 or so years down the road, some new director we've never heard of yet will put his spin on the decades old tale of the Batman and his arch nemesis the Joker and our smart-mouthed grandkids will say that TDK was stupid and some actor who is probably 6 or 7 right now will be their ultimate Joker. I think movie audiences are destined to do this forever.
Chaddyd by funwithwords	Dec 29th, 2008 01:10:48 PM
That's exactly how I felt, with regard to TDK. I mean, like I said, I consider Hulk to be the high water mark, but I consider(ed) Batman Begins to be a lesser high point, one that totally allowed me to believe in the limitless potential for TDK to be something special. It didn't happen for me, in the same way it seems that it didn't happen for you. It's sad, isn't it? To come here, and listen to everyone talking about it did happen for them? And then trying to have a conversation with them...it's like we all saw different movies in different languages, because The Dark Knight I saw, even after the second time when I lowered my expectations and allowed myself to forgive its many flaws, kind of sucks. I wish I had seen the one that Harry and all these other people saw. It sounds great. Hell, I saw the trailer for that version and all kinds of posters and billboards, it looks awesome! I wish it would have come out in my town.
mr. monkey and grendel 824 by Slaphappy Slim	Dec 29th, 2008 01:19:48 PM
Thank you for the most brilliant and succint rebuttals I have yet read to all of these shit-for-brains who whine about TDK's believeability or lack thereof. It's one thing when a film isn't your cup of tea, but when you start itemizing lists about what is and isn't "believable" in a fucking superhero movie, you're an asswipe. Tell me one thing about Iron Man that WAS believeable. Not one thing. Still loved it, though.
Speed Racer was a pile of dogshit by Cruel_Kingdom	Dec 29th, 2008 01:33:14 PM
Seriously. It made me want to vomit, and not from motion sickness.
Was it just me or was Marisa Tomei crazy hot by Cruel_Kingdom	Dec 29th, 2008 01:35:21 PM
in The Wrestler? I love how she looks hotter the older she gets. Think of how hot she'll be when she's in her 80s. It's the Benjamin Button story come to life--only interesting this time.
What? No nuclear refrigerators? by Abominable Snowcone	Dec 29th, 2008 02:02:23 PM
No "three times it drops?" heh.
That was the one glaring plot hole in The Wrestler by Garbageman33	Dec 29th, 2008 02:25:49 PM
When the frat boys rejected Marisa Tomei and said they wanted someone else. Like Marisa Tomei wouldn't be the hottest stripper in the history of New Jersey. Totally unrealistic. In fact, it took me out of the movie for, oh, about 2 seconds.
Garbageman33 by Thrillho77	Dec 29th, 2008 02:36:30 PM
Hell yeah. She could dance on my pole any day and I'd pay her double.
James Franco does deserve an Oscar for Pineapple Express. by Smashing	Dec 29th, 2008 02:43:33 PM
He layers Saul's character with so much loveability and kindness that I forgot he is a drug dealer who sells to kids, and instead rooted for him to survive, that film blew me away, best flick of the year for me.
I liked Superman Returns and Speed Racer by Smashing	Dec 29th, 2008 02:46:00 PM
Maybe films beginning with SR are my bag?
IAmMrMonkey and Garbageman by applescruff	Dec 29th, 2008 03:06:49 PM
Boy A is fantastic, although quite a downer. It does a great job of capturing what it must be like for a guy to get out of jail 15 years after being put in when he was 14. And garbageman, I was gonna drop Stanley Kubrick, Ingmar Bergman, Fellini, and Woody Allen's top 5 to decimate the Coen's, but then you said current directors. So, I don't know, is Scorsese considered a current director? If not, how about David Fincher?
Top Five Films by Garbageman33	Dec 29th, 2008 03:25:12 PM
To me, the only current (i.e. not dead and still working) directors who could be in the same discussion with the Coens are Woody Allen, Martin Scorcese, Michael Mann, David Fincher, David Lynch, Quentin Tarantino, P.T. Anderson, Wes Anderson and Ang Lee. Actually, that's a lot, isn't it?
Why keanu keep getting.. by emeraldboy	Dec 29th, 2008 03:43:00 PM
work. Woody made the worst film of his career. Casandras Dream. Everything about that film stank.
silverglade by STLost	Dec 29th, 2008 04:04:24 PM
quote from you: I love PIXAR. I really, really love them. Until now, Finding Nemo was my least fave Pixar flick, primarily because the dad spends the entire movie searching for his son in the ocean.. when his son is not even in the ocean. Never got past that. How else is he supposed to find Nemo? He's a fish, and he lives in the ocean. And when they find out where the boat was going (Sydney), they had to swim in the ocean to get there. I don't understand why this is such a problem. NO-OP: good call on Wall-E end credits. It tells the rest of the story along with a pretty nice Peter Gabriel song.
Wall-E by frozen01	Dec 29th, 2008 04:25:09 PM
Can someone please tell me what was so special about Wall-E? The only person I've talked to who's been able to even begin without basically breaking down into tears and screaming "because I said so!" or "because it's soooooo cute!" could only come up with "it's pretty good for a cartoon". The entire movie only had enough plot to fill a Pixar short. The rest of it was filled with scenes of Wall-E picking up trash, scenes of Wall-E walking a shut-down Eve (or Eva?) around (creeeeeepy), scenes of Wall-E floating around in space using a fire extinguisher to propel himself (it's cute, we get it, move on please!) Good plot (for a short), but all the obvious filler made it pretty boring as a feature-length movie. We'd intended to see this in the theaters, but never got around to it, so we rented it when it came out on DVD. Half an hour into the thing, honest to God, my husband was so bored he got up and did the dishes. Keeping in mind, this guy has enough patience to deal with me on a day-to-day basis, yet he didn't even make it 30 minutes into Wall-E before doing the dishes became more enticing. Wow.
To FuryofthefilmFan in regards to LTROI by Dancingforever	Dec 29th, 2008 04:42:30 PM
The dood with Eli is a pedo in the book. in the book she/he also doesn't successfully kill him, he comes back and tries to kill her, kind of like a ghoul I guess. You guessed correctly, Eli is a boy. In the book they go into detail when Eli shares a memory with Oscar. A bunch of old doods cut off his junk and pass it around and chew on it, I shit you not. I like the movie, stylistically it's superb and subtle, however it suffers from the Euro tight face shot syndrome. The problem I have with the story and the film is that it is at it's most basic a love story between two 12 year old boys. Harry, reeling from the wave of shite on the pick, tries to defend his position saying there is no romance between the two. Of course not, they lay in bed together naked and caress each other, share a passionate open mouth kiss, Oscar asks Eli to go steady, then to be his girlfriend. No sir, nothing about any of that would imply anything but the most basic of platonic relationships. Is this the best film of the year or just Harry trying to make a smart pick, you can decide that for yourself but I think the answer is obvious. By the way Harry, if you see a truly brilliant doc, check out Joy Ride, the Wesley Willis story. Not only a physical specimen like yourself, Willis also strikes me as a symbiotic extension to what you would be like if you were a musician.
The Fall by TheHumanBeingAndFish	Dec 29th, 2008 05:15:15 PM
Best film of the year, IMO (Yes, I know it's technically a 2006 release, but it didn't get a wide theatrical release until this year). Roger Ebert put it on his favorite list as well.
Before Adam Sandler was Adam Sandler by McGuffin	Dec 29th, 2008 07:11:26 PM
for the weirdest video you'll ever see, go to youtube and type in: Adam Sandler Dog Police or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =x1bfFNojAvI
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, WALL-E & BENJAMIN BUTTON = all overrated by YackBacker	Dec 29th, 2008 09:50:39 PM
LTROI is the best of these overrated three, and I don't think it's a bad film, but as one TBer said above, the plot holes here are ridiculous. The movie succeeds as a character study between two 12 year-olds, but otherwise, I was not blown away at all.
Posted prematurely, let me finish by YackBacker	Dec 29th, 2008 09:53:16 PM
WALL-E, like frozen01 says above, is not that amazing either. It's cute, it's got a beautiful aesthetic, but the concept is okay- not mind-blowing. And it's dull in many places. And BENJAMIN BUTTON is a rip-off of FORREST GUMP, like I said in an earlier post- written by the same screenwriter no less.
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE = my #1 movie of 2008 by YackBacker	Dec 29th, 2008 09:56:27 PM
Such a wonderful film- harsh reality mixed with the right amount of fable. It's an eye-opening film. These other movies mentioned don't come close to pushing the same buttons.
Love the list Harry by ranma627	Dec 29th, 2008 10:02:16 PM
But I did not like Let the Right One In. That one seriously went over my head. I do not understand the love and admiration that film is receiving. Burn After was a film I did not care for on first glance but upon second viewing, I fell in love with it. It will be on my top ten as well. Pineapple Express was the second best comedy this year, after Burn, but isn't nearly good enough to be on a top 10 and isn't nearly as good as Slumdog Millionaire. Must be out of your mind there. Also, you forgot the awesomeness that was Cloverfield and Man On Wire should have been on the list, not separated just because it's a documentary.
also by ranma627	Dec 29th, 2008 10:12:43 PM
anyone complaining about not seeing Let the Right One In. It played very limited, I'm in Chicago, where it's been playing at my indie theatre for well over a month now. Anyways, go to your local torrent website, if you do torrents and you do illegal downloading. They have the dvd screener up.
applescruff by ranma627	Dec 29th, 2008 10:35:51 PM
Awesomeness. Boy A is also one of my favorites of the year. I'm a sucker for a good depressing film. It's a finely acted film that many people have not seen.
Thanks Dancingforever by FuryofthefilmFan	Dec 30th, 2008 01:07:13 AM
Thanks for the response. I knew there was a reason I felt the movie was off .
I was shock!!!! by aportee	Dec 30th, 2008 01:47:27 AM
to see an obscure movie ahead of the dark knight. I thought harry has gone mad. However, when i saw Let the right on in i was floored. EAsily the best movie of 2008. I was tearing up at the end.
Frozen by funwithwords	Dec 30th, 2008 07:55:23 AM
I have to admit that Wall-E, especially the first act, is a bit of a challenge. And I don't mean that to sound remotely condescending. I'm not saying you just didn't get it, or that you're like the folks on the space ship riding around in hover loungers and drinking your food through a straw. I don't mean it to sound like that at all. I really do think the first act of the movie tends to wear a bit thin. I think it's gorgeous and charming, but I also think it runs near the line of being overly long and self indulgent. That being said, I think the first act, for all of its length and pretension, may be the best thing Pixar has ever put onto film (coming from somebody who's a very big fan of Pixar, I even kind of like Cars). For all of the talk about transcendence of genres (Read: The Dark Knight), the first act of Wall-E is probably the most ambitious bit of filmmaking to come out in a decade. It felt like art in the way great moments in Kubrick or Bergman or Malick feel like art. It made me feel uncomfortable, and while that's often a bad thing, it worked for me here. It was almost entirely ambivalent to it's audience, which the filmmakers knew were going to be mainly children, and just existed as an experiment unto itself. Like you said, it's like a long form Pixar short. Limited plot, heightened execution. For me, it worked, even when I felt bored by it, I couldn't help but be amazed. In actuality, I think the movie sort of falls apart when it tries to return to formula. Still, it goes in my top five, maybe top three Pixar films.
Great List! by newbrak	Dec 30th, 2008 04:42:12 PM

so Brothers Bloom is one of the best of 2008... by BadMrWonka	Dec 30th, 2008 05:17:19 PM
even though it doesn't get released til May of next year? say wha? I can't wait to see Let the Right One In...
Some Thoughts on Wall*E by NC Blue	Dec 30th, 2008 10:40:16 PM
It's sort of funny (and sad) to see so much hate directed at WALLE here, when the movie wasn't even in Harry's (or any other AICN writer's) top 2 or 3. Geez, if you can't live with it being someone's fifth or whatever best movie of the year...well...whatever. Sorry you didn't like it, I thought it was fantastic. Not absolute 100% perfect, but hey, what film is? Probably the review that best sums up my opinion of WALLE (and I didn't read any reviews until after I saw the movie) is AICN regular Vern's writeup over on his website: http://www.geocities.com/outla wvern/ReviewsW.html#walle . To that I'll add that WALLE reminded me very much another animated film that I dearly love: THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE. Another film that relies MUCH more on visuals than dialogue, even more so than WALLE does. And, I think, when you have a film like that, it's the subtle visual cues that, if and when noticed, can really bring the film together and make it easier to connect with the characters. In TRIPLETS it was stuff like the pictures in Champion's room, Grand-mere's whistle, the paddleboat rental guy waiting at the very end of the movie, etc. In WALLE I loved the little touches like how EVE sort of shivers with delight when she pops some bubble wrap, or how she solves a Rubik's Cube in about half a second, or how WallE has one of those dumb singing fish in his truck, or how he plays 8,000 rounds of Pong with EVE while taking care of her. I can't really explain WHY I love stuff like that, other than that they are sweet and feel like things that belong in our time, even though the movie takes place 800 years in the future. Well sure, why WOULDN'T a Twinkie survive into the 29th century, we all joke about those things lasting forever anyway. One such little scene isn't enough to anchor the movie, of course, it's the sum of them all that tells about what the characters are like and really does hint that there is something going on beyond their "directives". I don't think it's very fair to decide between WALLE and KUNG FU PANDA which is better, because both go about telling their stories in their own ways (with KFP using more humorous banter along with physical gags), but WALLE is definitely a rare breed of (animated) film.
NORBIT by narky	Dec 30th, 2008 11:48:52 PM
I don't remember who the talkbacker was who made a disparaging comment about "Norbit"...BUT...my husband and I think that Norbit was possibly the best theater-going experience of our lives (and keep in mind we've seen Twilight). Eddie Murphy plays the title character plus two other career-defining roles to Pixar perfection. When Norbit's hilariously obese wife Rasputia (Eddie Murphy, yes, man AND wife) plummets down the water slide, I could barely keep myself from reaching into my pants and touching myself (instead I settled for the fat guy in the seat next to me, boy was he appreciative). So as you can see, Norbit is the best pure romance of the past decade. When Eddie Murphy looks into the eyes of Eddie Murphy, I believe those two were meant for each other. P.S. Cuba Gooding Jr. deserved a second supporting actor Oscar on this one for SURE!!!! I hope the Academy rectifies this by crowning Wall-E (the second best pure romance of the decade) the best picture of 2008. Now I have to pee.
My Top Ten by KennyKilo	Dec 31st, 2008 02:31:33 AM
10. "U2-3D: The I-MAX Experience," 9."The Visitor," 8. "I.O.U.S.A." 7. "Doubt," 6. "Revolutionary Road," 5. "Frost/Nixon," 4. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons," 3. "The Dark Knight," 2. "WALL-E" 1. "Slumdog Millionaire Most overrated: "Milk" Under appreciated: (tie) "Miracle at Saint Anna" and "Reprise"
will there be???? by mojoman69	Dec 31st, 2008 09:01:30 PM
a porn flick call The Curious Case of Benjamin's Butthole? I bet there will!
Spoiled Milk by Sithdan	Jan 1st, 2009 12:53:02 PM
I'm so relieved that Hollywood is around to set society's moral compass. The film community feels its in a place where it can manipulate art to impose its political views on us dumb Middle Americans who can't think for ourselves. BTW, that "truly despicable piece of legislation" Harry speaks of was democratically CHOSEN by the PEOPLE. That's why we have ELECTIONS. No, I think I'm going to pass on the Milk.
Moriarty, it has saddened me for years by Mneth	Jan 2nd, 2009 06:18:59 AM
that our Oscarnomination-shitheads still think it has to be Bergman to have a chance. A swedish film haven't been nominated for years, and still it is the same boring, sad films that are choosen. I had a hope for that they would choos Let the right one in, but I should have known better...
by BraveNewWorld	Jan 3rd, 2009 03:54:47 AM
I'm just grateful to've heard about the Swedish vampire film via that list, wouldn't have otherwise. HD trailer looks intriguing and gorgeous. Looking forward to checking it out.
synechdoche, encounters by foree forehead	Jan 3rd, 2009 08:10:18 AM
agree with the poster above re. "encounters at the end of the world" - better documentary than the slightly overrated "man on wire" for me. more profound on a grander human scale to be sure. perhaps 'arry didn't see it? also: "synechdoche, new york" was my favorite movie this year.
The Von Erichs by nyj_et	Jan 3rd, 2009 10:28:09 PM
I think they would make for an interesting movie. I don't know a whole lot about them, except it seems the movie would most likely end in tragedy. Anyone out there know more about them care to opine?
Just saw LET THE RIGHT ONE IN... by TheGhostWhoLurks	Jan 4th, 2009 10:22:59 PM
Creepy, well-acted and beautifully shot... but best picture of the year? No. However, I DID love "the cat scene" and the scene when Oskar's held underwater. Laughed my head off during both of them! Well done! :)
Kingdom of the Crystal... by Mr Gorilla	Jan 5th, 2009 03:42:02 AM
OK it's not the best film ever made, but I saw it with my missus last night, she hadn't seen it before, and it totally delivered on the thrills and spills - it was really good fun. She didn't know that Marion was going to be in it, and got SO excited when she turned up. She was also aware of the theories linking the Mayans to aliens, so none of that stuff struck her as phoney. The beardy guys did a good job after all... (She still didn't like the monkeys and desert rodents, but you can't have everything...)
Christopher Nolan is a toff. by yodalovesyou	Jan 5th, 2009 04:37:29 AM
He's taking the fun out of movies. Hellboy II was better than The Dark Knight.
Waltz With Bashir was the best film of the year hands down by filmcoyote	Jan 5th, 2009 08:48:36 AM
Amazing, amazing film. Better than the 8 films on this list i've seen and i'd hazard better than Brothers Bloom too. Haven't seen Let The Right One In yet so i'll hold off on that but if you haven't seen Bashir Harry you owe it to yourself to do so
The Brothers Bloom is mediocre. by BigTuna	Jan 5th, 2009 10:42:12 AM
I saw it at the Toronto film fest, and it was very dissapointing. Harry always adds mediocre films to his top 10 from the following year.
xsi kal by most excellent ninja	Jan 7th, 2009 04:43:09 AM
you and your wife should kill yourselves.

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Harry's Picks For The Top Ten Films of 2008!!!

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