My Nominations for Best (and worst) Films of 2008

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE movies. My DVD collection has reached a whopping 685. I have watched about 85% of the movies I own - the rest are sitting patiently on the shelves, waiting for the day that I decide I am in the mood to watch them. Why would I buy movies I've never seen, you ask? Because they call to me. I have discovered many of my favorite films by taking risks in Blockbuster's "previously viewed" section. Of course, this method has also led to purchases that I strongly regret, but it's worthwhile for the good ones. One of my methods for choosing the "risky" dvd's (not to be confused with risque!) is to look at the cast. Generally, if the cast includes actors such as Glenn Close or Paul Rudd, I know I'm going to love it. These are 2 actors who (again, generally) choose good independent films to be a part of. I stay away from films that star Heather Graham or have titles that begin with "National Lampoon's".

So why buy rather than rent, you ask? Simple: it costs approximately $10 to see a movie in the theater. It costs approximately $5 to rent a dvd from Blockbuster. I never pay more than $10 for a "previously viewed" dvd (I usually spend $3-$7 per dvd), and I very rarely buy a dvd brand new. So I figure that it makes more sense to buy the dvd rather than pay a movie theater to see it there 1 time or rent it and watch it once. If I like a film, I'm going to want to watch it again some day.

However, in 2008 I discovered "Red Box", which is a dvd rental vending machine found in many grocery stores. It costs $1 per night, and it carries most new releases. I have done a lot more renting than buying in 2008 because of this new discovery. (I realized that I could rent 7 movies instead of buying 1!) I've been happy (when it's a crappy movie) to know that I rented rather than bought. And if I love the film, I wait for it to be super cheap at Blockbuster and then buy it. It's been a pretty good system for me, and it has allowed me to see tons of films.

So here are my reviews on the titles that I can remember watching in 2008. (I realize that these are only based on my personal opinions and may be completely uninteresting to everyone else, but who said you have to keep reading?) I would love to get your feedback on any of these films or any from 2008 that I have not included.

27 Dresses- Typical (obnoxious) formula for a chick flick. Ok to have on while sewing or multi-tasking, but I would never buy it or need to see it ever again. The dresses were fun!

Baby Mama- I love this movie. I have watched it 4 times. It is very funny and well-written, not obnoxiously predictable, and has a great cast.

Be Kind Rewind- This movie was very odd. I laughed a lot and there are parts that I remember enjoying, but it wasn't consistent. (Ex: Jack Black's character was sometimes plain stupid, other times he was just quirky.) I liked that it was very unique and unlike anything I've seen.

Birds of America- This movie tried too hard to be quirky and missed the mark.

Charlie Bartlett- I enjoyed this film. I would watch it again...eventually.

Choke- VERY different. I liked it a lot, but most people would probably not feel the same way.

The Dark Knight- Did anyone not like this movie? My only complaint is that it was hard to follow the first time I watched it. (And it was a bit long.)

Definitely, Maybe- This movie was a lot better than the way it looked in previews. It had more depth than I expected and was not the typical chick flick formula. I liked it.

Drillbit Taylor- Pretty awful.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall- I love every movie and tv show that the Judd Apatow crew has a part in (basically the entire cast of "Freaks and Geeks"), so I really enojoyed this movie. (With the exception of the unneccessary full-frontal scene featuring writer/actor Jason Segel). The original Dracula songs are SO good and funny.

The Happening- I didn't hate it. It got a lot of crap from everyone, but I always find something to enjoy in M. Night Shyamalan's films. Still, it could have been a lot better.

Iron Man- I'm not usually into action stuff, but this held my interest and I think ROBERT Downey Jr. is excellent.

Kung Fu Panda- I didn't give it my full attention, but it was cute and funny.

Leatherheads- This movie was very different from what I expected, and very different from most films. It didn't hold my interest after the first hour, and it just kept going.

The Little Mermaid 3- The first movie is my favorite all-time Disney movie, so I decided to give the 3rd (straight-to-dvd) movie a chance. I wasn't disappointed! It featured Ariel and all of her beautiful sisters (which I always wished there was more of in the 1st film) and it had some cute songs and all of the same voices as the first film. Oh, and it takes place before the 1st one and explained how their mom died (too graphically) and why Tritan is the way he is.

Made of Honor- Horrid. An unwatchable chick flick. The only reason I left it on was because I was sewing and didn't have to concentrate on the movie.

Meet Bill- Different. Okay. Kind of weird, but not terrible.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist- This was the first movie I saw in the theater by myself. I liked it, but it's definitely not for everyone. It's probably more for he highschool crowd.

Over Her Dead Body- Eva Longoria. Need I say more? (As in: it was pretty crappy!) The only reason I gave it a shot was because I love Paul Rudd. His parts weren't as poorly written or delivered. I wouldn't watch it again.

Pineapple Express- Hands down: my favorite film of 2008. It has everything - action, drama, SO funny, and bromance.

Role Models- This was another film that was poorly advertised (the previews made it look like a lame "Daddy Daycare" type of movie). I was pleasantly surprised that it was extremely funny and I enjoyed all the actors.

Run, Fat Boy, Run- I was really disappointed as I quickly realized that Simon Pegg did not have anything to do with the writing of this film. He was still funny, but it wasn't the usual Simon Pegg kind of movie. It was a more predictable chick flick.

Sex and the City- I loved the way they continued the series in this movie. My favorite part was all the dresses.

The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2- Ok to have on while sewing/multi-tasking.

Smart People- I liked it.

Step Brothers- SO stupid, but I laughed a lot.

Then She Found Me- I really liked this dramatic film a lot. I had never heard anything about it, but I thought the cast looked good, so I rented it. I was very pleasantly surprised. Helent Hunt wrote it years ago and had to work for years to get it made.

Tropic Thunder- Extremely funny and surprisingly unpredictable. Each actor was very strong in his role. I will definitely own this movie at some point.

The Visitor- This film was very unique. I liked it a lot, but it went on a bit longer than I think it needed to.

WALL-E- I enjoyed it a lot! The animation was amazing, as usual. And for a movie that didn't have much conversation in many parts, it was still captivating. It was definitely my favorite animation of 2008.

You Don't Mess With Zohan- A completel waste of my life. I was sewing and multi-tasking as much as I could during it, but it was still just completely afwul. No redeeming qualities whatsoever.

I feel like I am missing some, but for now this is what I have come up with. For 2009, I think I will just write about them as I see them because that would be a lot easier.

Again, I would love to hear your opinions on any of these films or any I didn't mention that came out in 2008. Thanks!