With that being said, we boldly present CraveOnline's 9 Most Kick-Ass Films of 2008, because "Best" just doesn't have the same ring it did a week ago.
1. The Dark Knight
The most-hyped film of the year somehow managed to deliver in spades, undaunted by Maggie Gyllenhaal's annoying, jowly presence and Bale's ridiculously gruff Bat-voice. The air of menace is thick and relentless from the opening scene to the end credits, as Christopher Nolan and company manage to put a reverse spin on the Rule of Sequels: that each one will suck more than the last.
Despite breathtaking action scenes and peerless cinematography, the real star of the film, as anybody who's seen it will agree, is the late Heath Ledger, who sadly died before he could revel in the highly-deserved tidal wave of acclaim brought on by his jaw-droppingly awesome reinterpretation of The Joker. Going in, we all had the same question in our minds: How can anybody embody the psycho in clown paint more than Jack Nicholson did in the first film? But coming out of the theater, memories of greasepainted, duck-walking, nurse-uniform-wearing insanity dancing in our heads, Jack was the furthest thing from any of our minds - Ledger really was that good. A posthumous Oscar is in order, but with or without it, he rightfully helped propel the film to Titanic-like success, and set the bar for superhero flicks to come.
2. Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr.'s big comeback couldn't have been any bigger, as his portrayal of playboy billionaire tycoon-turned-superhero Tony Stark in Marvel's summer smash hit set the stage for a massively-anticipated, multi-story breakdown that will culminate with 2011's Avengers flick. Downey's naturally cocky swagger and smart-ass, quick wit are a perfect fit for the Stark character, and in one fell swoop rebounded from has-been recovering coke addict to the hottest thing to put on a supersuit since Christian Bale.
The film, featuring one of lesser-known characters in the Marvel universe (until this year, anyway) is a rare mix of brains, emotion and blockbuster potential, propelling Jon Favreau to the upper reaches of directing royalty - at least as far as comic fans are concerned. We can't wait to see what Downey and Favreau bring to the table for the sequel - and it really doesn't matter a damn if Terrance Howard is in it or not.
3. Wall-E
Strangely, the most human film of 2008 centered on an animated across-the-universe love story between two robots. Based on the futuristic ruins of an Earth destroyed and abandoned by gluttonous, spoiled humans, Wall-E's endearing trash-compactor-turned-hopeless-romantic tale was head and shoulders above the cheap gimmicks of Kung Fu Panda and the obnoxious rodent fiasco that was Ratatouille. The only thing that could keep this gem from being a classic for the ages would be if science fiction actually became reality - which at the rate we're going, isn't entirely out of the question.
4. The Wrestler
Mickey Rourke made the absolute best of his second chance in Hollywood with this film about a washed-up wrestling superstar who can't find happiness or stability outside the ring, whose body is telling him his time inside the ropes has reached an end. With a lesser actor, the movie could have been a sweeping mess of melodrama and shallow characters. But Darren Aronofsky didn't overlook Rourke's acting chops or his obsessive preparation for the part (7 straight months of grueling training), and framed the story in such a way that nothing about it seemed one-dimentional. Not even the stripper-with-a-heart-of-gold cliche that's as old as Hollywood itself could weigh this one down, thanks to Marisa Tomei's depth of passion and conviction.
In every shot in The Wrestler, Rourke's pain is almost too real, as we're taken through the physical and emotional toll his life has taken. One gets the impression that Mickey feels a much deeper kinship with the character than first meets the eye - he doesn't ask for pity, and seems deeply uncomfortable when it's offered. In all, it's a pretty direct story without many frills, but the texture and depth of the characters is strong - strong enough to make The Wrestler among the five best films of 2008.
5. There Will Be Blood
Writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson loosely adapts Upton Sinclair's novel Oil! in terribly potent fashion, spinning an engaging tale of murderous ambition and obsession with the intrinsic value of power.
If news broke that Daniel Day-Lewis wasn't actually human like you or I, but in fact a humanoid chameleon, able to completely inhabit other personalities and features at a whim, I wouldn't be surprised in the least. As Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood, he shines like a brutal, cruel supernova as an oil tycoon hellbent on spreading his empire and ultimately unconcerned with frivolous nonsense like humanity and sentimentality.
7. Cloverfield
With all the insane hype surrounding this movie before its release, you'd think there was no way it could have lived up to expectations. You'd think that the monster had to be a disappointment, the $30 million price tag can't allow it to compete with other Hollywood fare with seemingly unlimited budgets. Sure, you'd think all these things, but you'd be wrong.
Cloverfield was more captivating, more visually gripping than most Hollywood projects with budgets five, six, even ten times the budget. I found myself wondering what the hell the studios spent all those millions on to make lukewarm "blockbuster" movies when such a fantastic job can be done with so little financial backing. Granted, there's enough shaky, Blair Witch-style camerawork to scare off the weak of equilibrium, but if you can get past that, you're in for a treat.
Drew Goddard, producer J.J. Abrams and director Matt Reeves have created an undeniable classic that will not be forgotten like so many monster movies before it. It is a truly refreshing approach and a rewarding film experience, to say the least. Gripping to the final frame, Cloverfield is an experience that redefines the standards of what monster movies should be.
8. Pineapple Express
In terms of genre-defining films, Pineapple Express makes the cartoonish stupidity of Half Baked, How High or any Cheech & Chong film ever made for that matter, embarrassingly obsolete. Believable (and familiar...) characters, hilarious plot twists and not a dog named Killer to be found make for what's quite possibly the best comedy of the year.
Affable chubster pothead Dale Denton (Seth Rogen) really only has one thing in common with his weed dealer, Saul Silver (James Franco), until Dale becomes the only witness to a murder by a crooked cop (Rosie Perez) and the city's most dangerous drug lord (Gary Cole). Due to the extremely rare strain of pot he drops in a panic at the scene, the killers make the connection (really, no pun intended) and set out to snuff both stoners. Hijinks and hilarity ensue as the two "Freaks & Geeks" alums run for their lives, having realized that, for once, their blazing paranoia is very real.
9. Burn After Reading
The latest offering from the Coen Brothers featured utter goofball performances from the likes of Brad Pitt and George Clooney, centering on the discovery of a CD-Rom that was mistakenly believed to contain CIA secrets. True to Coen form, it's a burst of nothing-is-sacred flamboyant nihilism and twisted machinations that makes for a hell of a fun ride.
10. Quantum of Solace
The 22nd Bond installment pulls no punches and offers no frills in this mile-a-minute thrill ride that picks up just minutes after the previous 007 outing, 2006's Casino Royale. Daniel Craig has hit his stride as the latest Bond, offering no apologies as he discards the one-liners and cheesy smarm of so many before him coasted on. Guts and grit are the name of Craig's game, and they suit him well.
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