The Best Movies of 2008
International Relations, Environmental Issues, Love, and Loneliness
Dec 12, 2008
It’s always a struggle to determine the favorite movie selections for any year because there are so many contenders and so many previously hyped films that end as disappointments. For example, the mediocre Made of Honor was billed as the big romantic movie event of the year with some theaters even hosting bridesmaid’s dress competitions for cash prizes. Likewise, new installments of the Indiana Jones and Mummy series failed to generate the excitement that their buzz had predicted.
Thankfully, some films actually lived up to our expectations. Some even exceeded them. So without further ado, these top picks for the best movies of 2008 represent movies that provided pleasant surprises for audiences in terms of fresh storylines, masterful performances, original writing, and big laughs.
Best Animation of 2008
- WALL-E
- A small trash-collecting robot looks for love and helps save the world in this clever and touching animated film from Pixar Animation Studios.
- Starring the voices of Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard, John Ratzenberger
- Director: Andrew Stanton
- Rating: G
Best Comedy of 2008
- Tropic Thunder
- A small group of actors working on a movie in a Southeast Asian jungle must become real action heroes like the characters they play.
- Starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey, Jr., Jack Black, Tom Cruise, Steve Coogan
- Director: Ben Stiller
- Rating: R
Best Documentary of 2008
- Religulous
- Stand-up comic and author Bill Maher travels around the world trying to make sense of religion in this comical, yet biting documentary.
- Starring Bill Maher and a colorful cast of eccentrics
- Director: Larry Charles
- Rating: R
Best Drama of 2008
- The Visitor
- A lonely professor opens his heart to music, love, and laughter after the death of his wife.
- Starring Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Gurira, Hiam Abbass
- Director: Tom McCarthy
- Rating: PG-13
Best Romantic Comedy of 2008
- Sex and the City – The Movie
- This film is for those desperate for another dose of Carrie and her three fast friends from New York City who struggle with tormented love lives.
- Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Chris Noth
- Director: Michael Patrick King
- Rating: R
Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror of 2008
- The Dark Knight
- The Joker terrorizes Gotham City in this exciting special effects flick highlighted by standout performances.
- Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal
- Director: Christopher Nolan
- Rating: PG-13
Best Thriller of 2008
- Traitor
- A shadowy international figure takes the FBI, CIA, and assorted terrorists for a wild ride in this intricate spy thriller.
- Starring Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Said Taghmaoui, Neal McDonough, Jeff Daniels
- Director: Jeffrey Nachmanoff
- Rating: PG-13
For more information about any of these best movies of 2008, visit Internet Movie Database.
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