Why So Serious about Movies?

My dear friend Damon got me thinking about lists, and since '08 is coming to a close, I thought I would come up with my list of the best movies of 2008. Needless to say, it wasn't easy. One, I didn't go to the theater much this year - just a few kids' movies here and there. I rented a fair share of movies and yet just a small handful of films really stand out as exceptional.

So, I'm changing the rules. I'll list my favorite (or the best) movies I saw in 2008 - even though I'd probably seen them years before as well.

10. I Am Legend - Good popcorn movie. Not great, but good.

9. Iron Man - A good superhero movie. Although some of the movie magic was spoiled a bit - that clearly wasn't Afghanistan, but Lone Pine, CA in the opening scenes. Sorry, I'm a bit picky.

8. Transsiberian - Great locations - I just love a movie that is shot and takes place in Eastern Europe. The story was good, the tension and suspense just right - and Ben Kinglsey was, well Ben Kingsley.

7. The Bank Job - Surprisingly more than just a caper movie - it's much, much more. You can't go wrong with Jason Statham. I've been a fan of his since Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels.

6. Into the Wild - A little too long, 15 minutes could have been shaved off and it would have been perfect. Sean Penn is a douche, but he made a movie that was respectful to the original book.

5. Bug - Not a 2008 release, but a psychological thriller that leaves you scratching your head the whole way through.

4. The Ruins - A nasty little movie that got under my skin. A graphic and gritty portrayal of human behavior.

3. Sexy Beast - Sure it was made a few years ago, but it is absolutely perfect. Instantly made me a fan of Ray Winstone, Ian McShane, and Ben Kingsley.

2. 300 - The perfect guy movie derived from a beautiful graphic novel. I loved it.

1. The Dark Knight - Sure it was over-hyped, and over-marketed, and eventually turned into a money making machine; but, damn it was good. This new franchise just made the Tim Burton era films look so campy, crappy, and apallinginly bad - which most of them were. I go could go on...

Inspiration

After reading the blog of a great friend, I decided to start at this again.

Al Gore is a shmuck

More global warming hysteria over the fires in So Cal.... LA is a friggin' desert, they have wildfires every year since I can remember over my 39 years. Houses burn in Malibu every year and are rebuilt. It has nothing to do with global warming!

When will this stupid fad end! I think the Pet Rock only lasted a year or two - this whole climate change bs has about as much value as the original $2.99 cost of the smooth stone in a box.

How stupid does Al Gore, Leo, RFK, jr (huge shmuck) take us to be? Or how stupid are they? God bless my fellow Californians who are living through this annual disaster. Good job, Arnold for telling the media to stick their conspiracy theories up their asses.

Okay, here we go...

Well, the time has come to post some comments on the day's events and other random and not so random thoughts.