It’s a little late but better late than never, right? 2008 was not a good year for movies. The Moose had to think long and hard to come up with 10 movies worthy of a Best Movies list for 2008. I failed. Here is a list of the 9 Best movies of 2008.
1. Wall-E
By far the best movie of the year, Pixar has done it again. This movie works on so many levels which is all the more amazing considering the first half of the movie has no dialogue. Simply amazing.
This moody and atmospheric Swedish import is the best vampire movie the Moose has ever seen. It’s not about the terrors of blood and gore as much as it is about the horrors of loneliness.
3. Gran Torino
Both satisfying and thought provoking, Clint Eastwood shows everyone how to play to an audience’s expectations and then subvert them.
4. Taken
Although released in America in 2009, Taken was produced and released in Europe in 2008, hence it’s place on this list. Producer Luc Besson and his co-writer Robert Mark Kamen have crafted a tense and satisfying kidnapping thriller which Liam Neeson improves on with his resonating performance.
5. Bolt
Disney returns to its roots with this classic animated tale that harks back to the magic of Walt Disney’s laugh and a tear philosophy.
6. The Ruins
A good adaptation of the book, this movie will make you think twice about going off the beaten path in foreign countries. Terrifying.
7. Changeling
Clint’s second movie on this list lacks drama but makes up for it with masterfully crafted tale of one mother’s nightmare in a dark time in Los Angeles history.
8. Iron Man
Ok, this movie isn’t great but it is great fun. Robert Downey Jr. has finally found a vehicle to tap into his energetic and spontaneous talents. Forget Mickey Rourke, this was the big comeback of 2008.
9. You Don’t Mess With the Zohan
An unexpected comedy that combines silly and adult humor to great effect. Adam Sandler’s best and funniest movie since?Happy Gilmore.
June 16th, 2010 at 1:11 am
What? You slam directors like Scorsese and Nolan, and those… things… are what you consider to be good movies. 2008 was a GREAT year for film. The Wrestler… Milk… Frozen River… Che… The Reader… and yes, The Dark Knight… etc… Those films are great. When you praise movies like Taken… The Ruins, the best movie made about evil flowers with the illusion of a message since nothing because that’s fucking retarded… and You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, a film considered by most to be one of the worst comedies of the decade… you can’t slam guys like Scorcese or Tarantino. Yeah, fuck you, you piece of shit.
August 22nd, 2010 at 8:29 am
I congratulate you on you courage for not giving in to herd mentality and in your ability to find real gems in the age of hype. I think you should continue to review newer movies.
September 30th, 2010 at 1:24 am
This guy’s an idiot. Like really… an idiot. like he very much is an idiot. No amount of words can describe this list of great movies in 2008 and the other list of overrated directors. Cinemoose, relinquish your title as CineMoose, and seriously consider leaving the internet and keeping what ever the hell’s going on in your mind to yourself.
May 6th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
I see you do not have a good grasp of grammar. Try donating some money to Michelle Rhee’s StudentsFirst so that the future generation is a little more literate and intelligent than you.
May 6th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
Thanks for the kind words. Would love to, but am too busy working on two different movies right now. Maybe when things die down a little.
May 6th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Hi Louis,
I’ve never had contact with someone who was into coprophilia until now. It doesn’t surprise me that you’d be into Scorcese and Tarantino. How interesting.