2008 was certainly a great year for movies! The theme of the year, as with previous years was centered around the super-hero blockbuster. We saw two films from the Marvel Universe, one from DC Comics and another off the wall super hero movie that was not very super. We had Robert Downey Jr. jump back on the scene as Iron Man and a black man! We had Jack Black as a Kung Fu Panda and a heroin junkie. The year also saw one of the best performances by an actor in recent history. So…what was the best movie of 2008? Let’s count ‘em down.

#10. Speed Racer
I know that many people didn’t like this movie and found it too “cartoony”, but I loved it! Well, maybe not loved but I did thoroughly enjoy the movie. The special effects were very cool, and the new technology used on the colors was brilliant. The story had a typical kids movie script, but it was decent enough to get me through the whole movie. Overall, it was good enough to get the number ten spot on my list.

#9 What Happens in Vegas
If you say you hated this movie, I will find you and “junk punch” you! This movie was hilarious and starred two of the funnier talents in Hollywood. I never get tired of seeing Kelso, err…Kutcher playing a funny role, and acting like a complete jackass. He doesn’t belong in serious roles in movies like The Guardian. The best part of the movie has to be the co-stars that hate each other…good stuff.

#8 Get Smart
What can I say about this movie? It stars funny man Steve Carrell, The Rock and the ultra hot Anne Hathaway in a remake of a classic comedy. Steve Carrell is the perfect actor to play Maxwell Smart…he’s histarical! The star of the movie though has to be Anne Hathaway! The scene where she’s making her way through the laser beam security is just plain HOT! I really enjoyed the movie and the story was great!

#7 Pineapple Express
Seth Rogen is cranking out hits and this movie is no different. This sophmoric, stoner comedy is fan-freakin-tastic. Rogen and his co-star James Franco (Spider-Man Trilogy) play two stoners that witness a cop commit a murder. The ensuing chase is histarical and loaded with the same humor that makes Rogen great!

#6 Kung Fu Panda
I know it is supposed to be a kid movie, but I really enjoyed Kung Fu Panda. I enjoyed it so much that I had to put it at number six in my list. Jack Black leads an all-star cast as the voice of Po, a panda who dreams of becoming a kung fu master like his heroes the Furious Five. The movie has a lot of great one-liners that many adults will find histarical. If you haven’t seen it yet, definitely pick it up…you’ll be glad you did.

#5 Tropic Thunder
I didn’t have a chance to catch Tropic Thunder in theaters, but I did watch it last week on DVD…and I’m glad I did. The movie stars Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black as actors filming a war movie in Vietnam when they get lost and run into drug runners in the jungle. The premise of the movie was good, but a little slow to start out. What made the show was Tom Cruise! His character Les Grossman was hilarious and the closing credits dance scene is too funny for words. I usually can’t stand Cruise or his Scientology cultist ways, but he made the movie.

#4 James Bond: Quantum of Solace
I know what a Quantum Leap is, but I have yet to figure out what a Quantum of Solace is. I don’t care what it is either, because this movie is plain awesome! The last Bond film (Casino Royale) set the scene and QoS picked up where Royale left off. Rumor has it that Daniel Craig won’t return as Bond if another movie is made, I hope it’s not true. Craig is by far my favorite Bond to date…nevermind what other bloggers say. I have thoroughly enjoyed each of the past two Bond films and I hope there is more to come.

#3 Pixar’s Wall-E
What can I say…I love that little robot! The past few releases from Pixar never really made much of an immediate impression on me, but Wall-E is so different. I reviewed Wall-E after I saw it in theaters, and I find something new to like about it everytime I watch it. The effects, cinematography and voice acting in the movie make it my number three pick for best movie of 2008. This is definitely more than a kids movie.

#2 Iron Man
Picking the best movie of the year was a difficult task, and I had to watch both of my top choices a second time to determine which was the best. Well, I didn’t really “have” to watch them, but I did enjoy watching them both again. I chose Iron Man as number two on my list, because of one major factor…the WOW FACTOR! It was a great movie and one that I will be picking up on DVD, but I think the acting could’ve been a little bit better. When the sequel comes out sometime in 2010, I will be in line to see it for sure!

#1 The Dark Knight
How could this not be the best movie of the year? I don’t care about all of those touch-feely, artsy-farsy films! I want action, explosions and special effects that make you wet your pants! The Dark Knight has all of that and the best performance by an actor we will see in some time. It’s sad that Heath Ledger’s life was cut short before the movies release, and I personally hope he gets the Oscar for Best Actor. Everything about this movie is awesome and you definitely have to see it if you’ve been living under a rock and missed it.

Well…that’s all folks! Check back tomorrow for my Top 10 Worst Movies of 2008…it’s sure to stir up some controversy.

~ GrandmasterB