Movies of 2008

Thumbs up? Thumbs down? 5 Stars? These are the movies I saw in 2007. Since movies cost me $10 each I will rate them on a scale of $10. In other words, were they worth $10 and if not how much should I have paid.

The Savages - Odd movie. Not bad though. Phillip Seymore Hoffman is always good in his roles. It takes place in winter which always makes a movie dark to me. The truths of old age makes you dread it. $7

Charlie Wilson's War - This was a really good movie. I am surprised that it did not get more notice. Tom Hanks is very good but I really loved the character played by Phillip Seymore Hoffman. A crass yet funny CIA agent who does not play nice guy to anyone's opinions he does not agree with. The end is so sad due to the fact that the Taliban tragedy in Afghanistan could have been avoided with such little effort. - $9

The Bucket List - Predictable and a waste of 2 huge talents in Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. Manipulative and too "pat" in it's scenerios. - $5

27 Dresses - Awful. The main character was such a mousy character that I did not give a damn what happened to her which was predictable of course. $2

Fool's Gold - Sorta fun. It takes place in the sunny Caribbean and I saw it in the middle of winter. It was nice seeing the blue water and sky for a couple of hours. That is what saved it. Predictable. $6

Definitely Maybe - Ok. I had to look this up on the net to remember what this was about. I had forgotten it completely. I have to say it was better than what I expected. Kinda charming at times and nicely paced. A bit long if I remember correctly. $7

The Bank Job - Decent movie. Kept you guessing and had some twists in it that made it interesting. Good actors in it and good acting. $8

Drillbit Taylor - Ok. I saw it because I like Owen Wilson but this was a dumb movie. Not believable at all (could not suspend my disbelief). $3

Leatherhead - If I remember correctly it was kinda dull. A few chuckles but not worth the time I spent watching it. About the early days of "pro" football. $6

Nim's Island - There was nothing else playing so I saw this. Definitely a movie for kids and teens. A girl and her father living on a tropical paradise all by themselves. Please. $4

Flawless - I was surprised. Two actors I don't think about one way or another, Michael Caine and Demi Moore, in a nicely paced and interesting story. Demi Moore was pretty good as a woman in a man's world of banking back in the 60s. $8

Smart People - This was a slow paced slice of life movie that was too slow. Tried to be smart but was just a bunch of uninteresting events in uninteresting character's lives. $4

Forgetting Sarah Marshall - I know. I know. Seeing who was in it (many of the same people who were in Super Bad and Knocked Up) I knew what was coming. I got a couple of laughs and I knew what I was paying for so it's my fault. $6

Iron Man - I went to this because I wanted to get out of the house and I could not find anything else to see. I was pleasantly surprised. Very entertaining and funny. I like action movies that are tongue in cheek. It never took itself seriously so it was fun. $9

What Happens In Vegas - Why do I go to movies like this that I know will be predictable. Two badly matched people thrown together and guess what? They end up loving each other! Who could have guessed? - $4

Then She Found Me - Sorry. I can not remember much about this movie, even after looking it up on the net. Must not have made an impression. $5

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Something or other - What a disappointment. Bummer. This was a dog of a movie and I guess I should not have expected it to be as fresh and exciting was the original movies from the 80s. $2

The Fall - Amazing visuals but kinda boring. The story did not substain me and I was ultimately let down. $6

Sex and the City - It does not matter what I say about this movie. If you were a fan of the HBO series as I was then you have seen it and probably enjoyed it. I like it. $8

Get Smart - Mildly amusing and good for what it was. $7

Wanted - Ultra violent and futuristic movie with Morgan Freeman playing the bad guy. Corny. Full of slow motion firing of big guns. Yawn. $4

Hancock - I really like Will Smith and though this plot had some potential but it was just not pulled off. At least for me. He plays a down and out super hero which was the potential. It got silly with the addition of Cherez Theron. $6

Wall E - I really enjoy animated movies and this did not disappoint. It was well done and surprisingly touching. $8

Mamma Mia - I really enjoyed the play and the movie did not disappoint. It was fun and well filmed and acted. Merly Streep can do anything. $8

Pineapple Express - See Forgetting Sarah Marshall. $6

Bottle Shock - This was a very good independent movie (as most independent movies are). Interesting and fun to be taken back to the 70s. The tru story of how a California wine won a wine tasting event in the ultra snobby French wine country. $9

Vicky Christy Barcelona - I was about to give up on Woody Allen but this saved him in my eyes. This was a good movie, well acted, beautifully filmed and directed. It'll make you want to move there. $8

Tropic Thunder - I knew it was going to be a silly movie but I still expected more out of it. Ultimately, a waste of time. $4

Women - A movie full of great female roles with not a single male person it. I mean no where. Not even in the background on the street or in restaurants. And you did not miss them. A good story well acted. $8

Burn After Reading - I adore the Coen brothers. And this did not disappoint. Full of really clever and funny characters and the quirky interactions between them. Count on the Coens for some sudden twists that will make you sit up. $9

Night In Rodanthe - A romantic comedy that was missing the comedy. It was ok as far as acting but a bit of a waste of time. $6

Choke - You really have to like quirky movies. This is definitely quirky. But, I like quirky. A story of a man who makes extra money by faking choking on food in restaurants. I am way over-simplifying this but it was a bit dirty and weird. Good things to be in a movie as far as I am concerned. $8

Zack and Mira Make a Porno - This was raunchy and more or less a NC-17 movie. It was full of porn scenes. I am not a prude by any stretch of the imagination but finding out that a lady in in love with you because she did not f*ck in a scene of their porno movie just does not do it for me. $5

The Changeling - This was an excellent movie. Angelina Joline was very very good in it. I did not look at the screen once and think "Angelina Joline is doing a good job." She was the character she played. Based on a true story I was riveted the entire movie. And it was a long movie. Clint Eastwood is a artist as far as directors go. This would have been my choice for best picture until I saw the next to the last movie listed here. $10

Quantum of Solace - I was so disappointed. The first "new" Bond movie was very good. This was not. A loose plot and I did not know who the villain was. $5

Role Model - I thought this was going to be another Forgetting Sarah Marshall but this turned out to be a fun movie. It revolves around these quirky geeks who play dungeons and dragons in parks on weekends. I was surprised. $7

Australia - They wanted to make an epic movie and failed miserably. It was corny and badly acted and just boring. I would have walked out if I had been alone. $3

Slumdog Millionaire - Amazing. Fresh. Fantastic. Epic in it's scope. This was far and away the best movie I have seen in a very very long time. This is my choice for best picture and will be sorely disappointed if it does not get the Oscar. I could not recommend this movie enough to my friends and so far they have all loved it also. Astonishing in its pace, acting, plot, cinematography, directing and on and on. This is why I go to movies. $20

Curious Case of Benjamin Button - This was a good movie but it was way way too long. Kate Blanchette is wonderful as always and Brad Pitt may get a nomination. It was 3 hours and should have been 2. $8

39 movies. 12 I saw alone. Movie of the year? No contest. Slumdog Millionaire