Kinsey and Wade's Top 5 films for 2008

The big event, our top 5...

Wade:

5. Wall-E

Another great film from Pixar. The first half of this movie, almost completely silent, is amazing. From the gorgeous landscapes to the subtle Chaplinesque humor, it's as good as it gets. The film drops off a bit when Wall-E makes it up to the spaceship and its human inhabitants, but still a great film.

4. Slumdog Millionaire

So much has already been said about this film, and its probably on its way to an Oscar win for Best Picture. I found the visuals about this film to be the most intriguing aspect, with its frenetic pace and saturated images. This was probably the "feel good" movie of the year, at least of the movies that I've seen.

3. The Wrestler

You can't talk about this film without focusing on the performance of Mickey Rourke. The best performance of the year, incredibly natural, moving, and heartfelt. Also, an A+ directing effort by Darren Aronofsky.

2. Rachel Getting Married

Ten minutes into this film, I was hating it. I thought it was cliched and forced. And then something happened. I became sucked in to the lives of this family and all its difficulties. This was the closest I came to crying at the movies this year.

1. Man on Wire

One of the best documentaries I've ever seen. It is amazing how much suspense a film can develop when you already know the results beforehand. It might be the subject matter, but Man on Wire was just as entertaining and intriguing as any narrative film this year.

This Top 5 list is tentative until I see one more film that I'm looking forward to: Wendy and Lucy.

Kinsey:

5. The Wrestler

A great movie with a real and touching look at some amazing characters. Well acted and very well directed.

4. Milk

Inspiring and informative. While a standard biopic format, it succeeded in express a clear concept and was very powerful.

3. Wall-E

Fantastically beautiful! An incredible achievement, heartfelt, topical, humorous, and memorable.
2. Man on Wire

Its hard not to be swept away by the charisma and passion of Phillipe Petit. The format of this documentary leads to excitement and suspense despite the audience knowing the outcome.

1. Slumdog Millionaire

This movie deserves all the praise and awards it has earned thus far. This movie takes the viewer through some of the worst happenings imaginable, yet still conveys such hope in mankind. I can't remember leaving a theater with so much excitement and happiness as I did with this film. Once it is available on DVD, I expect that I will rewatch it over and over again.