Shark’s 2008 top 20 (that were released on DVD before January)
I think I owe everyone at Orange Street an apology.
While I was frantically able to keep up with my TV shows, fantasy sports and my workout routine, the one thing I’ve lost track of after having a daughter in September was my movie schedule. Something had to give — for me it was movies in the theater. I just find it much more important to catch up on an episode of Burn Notice than I do to check out Waltz with Bashir.
Sue me.
So my list is very DVD-centric and not very complete.
2008 TOP 20
1. Paranoid Park. When technology becomes available, I want to have Gus Van Zant’s babies. But not a second before.
2. The Wrestler. Best line of the year – “Then that pussy Cobain came around and ruined everything.”
3. Iron Man. In the conversation for best superhero movie ever, or at the very least, of this decade.
4. Dark Knight. Liked and appreciated it approximately 3841% better on 2nd viewing. If I hadn’t watched it a second time, I’m not sure it cracks my top 20.
5. Man on Wire. How Philippe Petit didn’t become a movie star or some kind of celebrity in the 70s is anyone’s guess.
6. Step Brothers. I immediately watched it a second time to make sure it was as funny as I thought it was. It was funnier.
7. Hamlet 2. The Academy is a bunch of effing wussbags for not including “Rock Me Sexy Jesus” in the best song category.
8. Son of Rambow. Kids. They’re so cute.
9. Taxi to the Dark Side. I really don’t care that much about politics or world affairs, but holy shit George Bush is a douchebag. Whether it was out of laziness, a sense of loyalty or some form of political favors, it’s startlingly obvious he merely hired his drinking buddies to run the country for 8 years.
10. In Bruges. Colin Farrell can act! Colin Farrell can act!
11. Encounters at the End of the World. Jesus, how is it possible to make living on Antarctica enticing?
12. Zack and Miri Make a Porno. The first half-hour or so is as funny as a movie can get. That’s exactly what I remember saying about Chasing Amy. See a pattern here? I think I’m already over Seth Rogen.
13. Charlie Bartlett. If Downey didn’t do two more higher-profile movies in 2008, this would have been his Oscar nominee.
14. The Visitor. Everyone talks about Downey Jr. but 2008 was the year of Richard Jenkins.
15. Burn After Reading. I’m not sure what I was looking for, but it wasn’t this. Still good though.
16. Pineapple Express. I’ve never smoked weed, therefore I didn’t find it as funny as everyone else did. Still laughed a good bit.
17. Tropic Thunder. Ben Stiller needed this one, even if it was almost a scene-for-scene copy of Three Amigos. I was waiting for Jack Black to shoot the Invisible Swordsman and Robert Downey Jr. to do the whole, “Caw, caw, look up here!” routine in that Australian accent.
18. Bank Job. Congratulations, Jason Statham. You’ve finally made a movie I can stomach – and even enjoy.
19. Young @ Heart. When I hear “Fix You” in my head now, it’s not Coldplay singing, it’s the old guys. I’m not sure whether to be happy or sad about that.
20. Semi-Pro. I was astounded/embarrassed/ashamed/thoroughly surprised at how much I laughed at this movie. If it wasn’t for the fact that I’m an ABA enthusiast, I never would have rented it.
WORST OF 2008
Crystal Skull. I’m still not over it and can only marginally talk about it without getting the irresistible urge to staple gun my penis to dull the pain of this movie.
Rachel Getting Married. I hate every character in this movie and don’t feel a fraction of an ounce of sorrow/sympathy/empathy for any of them. I’m pretty sure that wasn’t Jonathan Demme’s intention.
My Winnipeg. The most egotistical, self-righteous piece of garbage this side of The Postman.
27 Dresses. Guess who put this one in the queue? Every bit as contrived, formulaic and horrific as you’d imagine.
You Don’t Mess with the Zohan. The best thing Judd Apatow has done in the last two years was distance himself from this movie.
Be Kind Rewind. Fell asleep. Didn’t care.
Wall-E. Didn’t see it, but I’m convinced Pixar is in league with Satan, so I therefore think it sucked.
Posted by Sharky
Comments(2)
I thought Stepbrothers was pretty funny, but I’m not sure if it could techically even be called an actual movie. I thought semi-pro blew. I had Son of Rambow at home from netflix for over a month and never got around to watching it-I have Man on Wire now-it was Washburn’s number 1. Just checked out Paranoid Park-thought it was kinda meh. Liked it better than Last Days, but not as much as Elephant. I think I prefer more mainstream Van Sant (Milk, Good Will Hunting 1 and 2 etc). I didn’t see Hamlet 2, but Rock me Sexy Jesus is a damn catchy tune.
Shark, no need for apologies. I thought that your list was really good, considering you procreated and everything. I’m actually jealous that you saw a few indies I didn’t get to see.