‘Dark Knight' photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. TM & © DC Comics
Heath Ledger's portrayal of The Joker in "The Dark Knight" has been lauded
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It's amazing how fast 12 months fly by and how many films get released in that span. But now it's time to sift through the contenders and reveal for the first time ever (sounds pretty impressive, doesn't it?) my choices for the best films I saw in 2008, and those that I want to kick one last time for wasting so many hours of my life this past year.
Lyles' 10 best
Director Christopher Nolan's story based on a comic book hero plays out like a crime drama whose hero just so happens to dress up like a bat.
There's the ominous, haunting score; the morality play as the noble and heroic Harvey Dent (backed by a vastly underrated performance by Aaron Eckhart) becomes as corrupted on the inside as he does on the outside; and Christian Bale's effortless transformation back and forth between Batman and Bruce Wayne.
Then, of course, there is Heath Ledger's psychotic turn as The Joker, creating one of the most memorable villains in decades. It's the one movie experience that you have to see on the big screen and shatters the misconception that comic book movies can't be taken seriously.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – In this heart wrenching film, Brad Pitt stars as the title character who ages backwards and finds that life is about love and loss, no matter how one ages. It's one of Pitt's best performances and director David Fincher crafts a magical epic.
Iron Man – "The Dark Knight" is a dramatic film experience, but for a fun, high-stakes comic book movie with a protagonist who's just as fun outside of his costume, Robert Downey Jr.'s turn as the armored hero is solid gold.
Director Jon Favreau successfully proves you don't need a household hero to sell tickets, just a commitment to making a solid story, compelling characters without an over reliance on special effects and most importantly keeping it fun.
Tropic Thunder – Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Downey Jr. poke fun at Hollywood's over-indulgence and actors' haughty attitudes about their work in this absurdly over-the-top action parody that earned big laughs. Tom Cruise's hilarious send-up of studio execs sent it to the top of the pack as the year's best comedy.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall – Russell Brand steals the movie as an obnoxious rock star, but Jason Segel's comedy about getting over his girlfriend has a lot of charm to match the jokes that hold up tremendously well even upon repeated viewings.
The Wrestler – At first glance, the tale of an over-the-hill wrestler seeking one last shot of glory doesn't seem like it could be that deep but director Darren Aronofsky pulls an award-worthy performance out of Mickey Rourke who endears himself quickly and has you pulling for him both in and outside the squared circle.
Frost/Nixon – Ron Howard's look at the televised encounter between disgraced former president Richard Nixon, (masterfully played by Frank Langella) and personality-turned hard-hitting journalist David Frost (Michael Sheen) is riveting and proves that history doesn't have to be boring.
Cloverfield – It'd been years since a good monster flick and with a "Blair Witch Project" shooting style perspective about a monster running amok in New York, this one keeps you guessing and jumping with every turn.
Doubt – Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman square off as a Catholic school principal leery of the new priest's interaction with a student. Top-notch acting from two of the best in the business.
Be Kind Rewind – A movie admittedly for movie buffs who will enjoy watching Jack Black and Mos Def recreate scenes of popular movies that's all about exploring one's creativity and people coming together in the name of fun.
Honorable mention: 27 Dresses, Baby Mama, Bolt and Kung Fu Panda.
Lyles' 10 worst
Doomsday – Kate Beckinsale look-alike Rhona Mitra is so tremendously bad that it's almost worth seeing to amaze yourself that someone actually thought this was a good movie. This is a testament to crappy filmmaking and should receive this year's Uwe Boll award. If this was any indication of the type of action movies to come, then doomsday can't get here fast enough.
Disaster Movie – No other film this year was so appropriately titled. This alleged spoof of summer blockbusters just dares you to laugh, but, not to worry – you won't even chuckle.
Bangkok Dangerous – This action flick about an assassin who finds love and begins regretting his ways would be worth seeing if not for Nicolas Cage. Unfortunately, Cage is the star which means there's way too much this film has to overcome.
College Road Trip – Martin Lawrence all but flushes his remaining bits of street cred in this farce where he teams with the increasingly more obnoxious Raven-Symone about an overprotective father having separation anxiety when his baby girl heads off to college. But, for its lack of jokes, it really needs to hit the road.
First Sunday – Speaking of lost street cred. Oh Ice Cube, what has become of you now? Starring in a comedy with Tracey Morgan about two guys who decide to rob a church just doesn't work when someone's already stolen the script's best lines …
Drillbit Taylor – This was the film that proved that just because Judd Apatow's name is attached to it, it's not necessarily going to be a quality or even slightly amusing film. Owen Wilson plays a slacker (quite the stretch, I know) who offers to protect some kids getting bullied at school. The film lacks the charm to pull off its thin plot.
Step Brothers – Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly had some explaining to do after this poorly-constructed comedy about two older adults who find their worlds turned upside down when their single parents marry each other. This was no "Walk Hard" or "Talladega Nights," movies which kept you laughing non-stop. This one couldn't get you laughing.
The Promotion – Reilly teams with Sean William Scott, who isn't exactly a household name for his performances in dramas in this plodding film about two guys vying for the same promotion. Director Steve Conrad is never sure if he's making a comedy or a drama, resulting in a conflicted boring mess.
Fool's Gold – I like Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey. I really do. "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" was a great romantic comedy, but this silly adventure/romance film just didn't work at all.
The Spirit – Frank Miller goes and ruins the great run of 2008 comic book movies with his spin on Will Eisner's classic hero. From his preoccupation with shooting the film like the unofficial sequel to "Sin City," Samuel L. Jackson hamming it up in every scene and a laughable script that alternates between grim and gritty to slapstick comedy, this is a hard one to follow and sadly even harder to forget.
