Spring Break
The Daily OrangeBest/Worst Movies of 2008
By Rebekah Jones
Posted: 1/13/09, 12:43 AM EST Section: Best of 2008
7. Doubt
Philip Seymour Hoffman. Meryl Streep. A preacher who allegedly molests children and the relentless nun who is determined to destroy him provide an Oscar-winning duo destined to make cinematic gold - which they did. "Doubt" is one of the year's best films and one of the most distressing in recent history. But this film holds a secret - while it is a political thriller about religious hypocrisy, the characters suffer less from God's wrath and more from greed, prejudice and fear of change.
6. Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr.'s career has never been so sweet, and Tony Stark was the perfect character to portray his suave and sexy new persona. A billionaire genius kidnapped by terrorists turned vigilante superhero, Downey Jr. fought his way back into the Hollywood spotlight with his search for justice. In what would have been one of the biggest superhero movies of all time (if not for that other one and a few spiders), an impressive cast led a stunning action film to become the second grossing film of the year, with more than $318 million in box office revenue. A clean and structured action flick, "Iron Man" has made many top lists for 2008, including ours. Oh, plus Robert Downey Jr. Sold.
5. Tropic Thunder
In an age of fart jokes and spoofs, "Tropic Thunder" lit up the comedy film genre with something new - an action comedy that was serious about the action and hard-core with the comedy. Robert Downey Jr. (with his second appearance on this list) stole the screen as the black lieutenant/Australian hunk Kirk Lazarus. His performance was not only Golden Globe worthy, but one of the most convincing and controversial comedy roles written in the last decade. Even better, Ben Stiller proved to the world that he hasn't lost one bit of his humor or edge (or those muscles). Jack Black may have played a pretty typical role, but Matthew McCounaghey and the rest of the diabolical cast crafted the hands-down funniest movie of the year. But let's not forget the biggest comeback of all: Tom Cruise as the overweight and balding movie tycoon Les Grossman. Epic. Simply epic.
Philip Seymour Hoffman. Meryl Streep. A preacher who allegedly molests children and the relentless nun who is determined to destroy him provide an Oscar-winning duo destined to make cinematic gold - which they did. "Doubt" is one of the year's best films and one of the most distressing in recent history. But this film holds a secret - while it is a political thriller about religious hypocrisy, the characters suffer less from God's wrath and more from greed, prejudice and fear of change.
6. Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr.'s career has never been so sweet, and Tony Stark was the perfect character to portray his suave and sexy new persona. A billionaire genius kidnapped by terrorists turned vigilante superhero, Downey Jr. fought his way back into the Hollywood spotlight with his search for justice. In what would have been one of the biggest superhero movies of all time (if not for that other one and a few spiders), an impressive cast led a stunning action film to become the second grossing film of the year, with more than $318 million in box office revenue. A clean and structured action flick, "Iron Man" has made many top lists for 2008, including ours. Oh, plus Robert Downey Jr. Sold.
5. Tropic Thunder
In an age of fart jokes and spoofs, "Tropic Thunder" lit up the comedy film genre with something new - an action comedy that was serious about the action and hard-core with the comedy. Robert Downey Jr. (with his second appearance on this list) stole the screen as the black lieutenant/Australian hunk Kirk Lazarus. His performance was not only Golden Globe worthy, but one of the most convincing and controversial comedy roles written in the last decade. Even better, Ben Stiller proved to the world that he hasn't lost one bit of his humor or edge (or those muscles). Jack Black may have played a pretty typical role, but Matthew McCounaghey and the rest of the diabolical cast crafted the hands-down funniest movie of the year. But let's not forget the biggest comeback of all: Tom Cruise as the overweight and balding movie tycoon Les Grossman. Epic. Simply epic.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 11
rebecca
posted 1/13/09 @ 5:49 PM EST
I think this is one awsome article because i think people should know what the top ten movies are and the overview of the movies.
smart person
posted 1/14/09 @ 8:31 AM EST
You should be ashamed of yourself. 'Twilight' is 10th on your list, but 'The Wrestler' isn't on your list at all? 'Rachel Getting Married' isn't on your best-of list? 'Gran Torino'? 'Synedoche, NY'? 'Frost/Nixon'?
You're no Ebert, that's for sure. (Continued…)
squeeeaker
posted 1/14/09 @ 12:59 PM EST
really? tropic thunder in the top 5, ahead of wall-e? and twilight in the top 10? what are you, a 13 year old girl? either get off drugs or on crazy pills, because you're delusional. (Continued…)
susqubirds
Jay Monahan
posted 1/14/09 @ 3:48 PM EST
Movies of more caliber than more than half of your list:
Happy-Go-Lucky
Frost/Nixon
Vicky Christina Barcelona
The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas
Burn After Reading
Rachel Getting Married
Gran Torino
The Counterfeiters
The Wrestler
Waltz with Bashir
The Class
Paegaen
posted 1/19/09 @ 1:16 PM EST
wow... this is a good example of what the daily orange has become... honestly, sometimes when i go through a paper or the online posts, i am unsure if i am reading a COLLEGE NEWSPAPER or cosmo/disney/teen people/other crap teenie bopper magazine. (Continued…)
Danielle
posted 1/19/09 @ 6:04 PM EST
I agree with most of these, but I was highly disappointed when "Wanted" with Angelina Jolie didn't make it....it was a great movie!
bob raines
posted 9/21/09 @ 9:43 PM EST
HOW can u possibly say twilight is a good movie it is THE WORST MOVIE i have ever seen. even my g/f thought it was the worst movie she has ever seen. (Continued…)
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