I’ve seen six of the films on your 2008 list – this is a great list, Nell. I’m looking forward to seeing “Frost/Nixon” and “I’ve Loved You So Long” and I will add “Son of Rambow” to my Netflix list.
I’ve only seen Wall-E from the family films list.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Merry Christmas to you, too, Alicia! One of the great pleasures of my 2008 has been your comments. I am so happy to find someone else who loves the classic oldies! All best to you for a wonderful new year and I hope it finds you here often.

you put Iron man on your top ten and not The Dark Knight.Where you trying to be the cool outcast or are you really that blind?

Tim, the list represents my opinions and if you want to see the reasoning behind them you can look at the reviews. As a reminder, I welcome comments but do not permit insults or the questioning of anyone’s motives. If you would like to make a point about why you agree I would be glad to hear it. Thanks for commenting and best wishes for the new year.

It’s rediculous that some critics try to be so ‘cool’ and go against the flow. This guy is either a complete idiot or he thought to himself that he can’t hold a candle to any of the other critics so he wanted to make a name for himself by not putting the highest grossing film of the last ten years on his list.

Houston, I am sorry that it was not clear to you that (1) this is a list of the movies I considered the best this year, not a list of the top box office revenues and (2) that a critic who writes as “The Movie Mom” is female. In addition, if you want to use insults like “ridiculous” it is wise to check on the spelling. I welcome your comments and disagreement any time, but let me remind you that the rules of this site are that insults are not permitted and that the only credibility you call into question is your own if all you can do is attack without making any sort of argument — not to mention reading so carelessly that you do not know who you are writing about.
If I let my opinion be influenced by how much the movie made, “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” and “Four Christmases” would be on my list. I didn’t like those movies. I did like “Dark Knight,” but it is not in my top ten. If it is in your top ten and for some other reason than how many people bought tickets, I’d be glad to hear about it.

I’ve only seen 1, 3, 4, and 6- and all 4 made my own top ten list. At the top of my list is WALL-E and Milk. I’m a big animation fan so i liked Kung Fu Panda a lot. Slumdog Millionaire and Man on wire made my list, as well as Mongol, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and Vicky Cristina Barcelona, which i thought was a lot of fun as well as thought provoking. Your list makes me want to see Rachel getting Married.

Very interesting list. I didn’t see Be Kind Rewind because it wasn’t playing for too long in my area. I saw Iron Man but didn’t think it was remotely good. Whatever. I would have put Milk at the top of my list. A lot of critics (and the golden globes) are ignoring Milk this year on their lists. It’s nice to finally see it on a numerical list.
By the way, Houston and Tim, you need to get over yourselves. Dark Knight was a fantastic film (Nell even said so herself) but just because she didn’t put it on her top 10 list you are making fun of her for being a woman. I am insulted to be the same gender as you Houston.

Comment removed for violation of the rules of the site. If you’d care to make a point that has some substance and can express it in a respectful manner, you are most welcome to try again.

Thanks so much, Marcus. Milk is one of the best films I have ever seen and I hope Sean Penn gets the Oscar. I’d love to see James Franco get one, too. I know a lot of people didn’t like “Be Kind Rewind,” but I am partial to meta-stories and found it very touching and imaginative. If you have a moment, let me know what else is on your list.

Hey Nell, I thought this was supposed to be a christian website. If so, then why do you have a disgusting, sinful movie like Milk in your top 10. Are you a hypocrite or do you think God was just joking when he said homosexuality was a sin. I’m sure God would be glad to see that you paid money to see a movie based on such sinful practices.

Thanks, Ed! I like your choices. Kung Fu Panda had gorgeous animation. Rachel Getting Married is a kind of love it or hate it film, not for everyone. It seems diffuse and out of focus as you watch and some people have complained that the wedding scenes go on much too long. But as I thought about it afterward, it seemed to me that every detail and every moment was carefully chosen and absolutely necessary.
We did pretty well in 2008, at least in movies. Lots to look forward to in 2009! Thanks for a great comment.

Houston, Beliefnet welcomes people of all faiths and those who are seeking. Its mission is to help people “find and walk a spiritual path that will bring comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness.”
I do not believe God approves of sarcasm, disrespect, or hatred and it makes me sad to see someone who purports to speak for Christianity show such a lack of compassion and kindness. I am sure you can do better.

Thanks so much for the lists and all the good recommendations this past year. As for Houston, I think your response was perfect! Houston’s comments were anything but Christian in either intent or content. “Milk” is a great film that speaks volumes about the evil of prejudice and bigotry. I found it sad that the same lies stated by the “religious right” and Ms. Bryant are the same dreadful lies still being told today. However, I do have hope change is coming. Also,I would remind Houston that Christ says absolutely NOTHING about homosexuality in the Bible. If Houston can find a direct quote from Jesus about homosexuals, then Houston is reading a very different Bible than the rest of the world. Christ DID tell us over and over again to love one another and be respectful and welcoming. Nothing in Houston’s remarks reflect that, sadly.
As for you, Movie Mom–as they say on Jeff and Jer–”Keep on rockin’ in the FREE world!”
Hope you and your family have a happy and peaceful New Year.
Ciao!
Mary

You keep rockin’, too, Mary! What a wonderful note. Many thanks for all your great comments in 2008 and I hope to see you here often in 2009.

I just wanted to add that i just saw “Doubt”, and it definitely belongs in the top ten. It’s the kind of film that begs to be seen again.

It’s in my top ten list, Ed, so I agree with you! I hope you read my interview with the writer-director; I really enjoyed talking to him.

The list it’s very well, but where is The dark knight?
I don’t think that iron man it’s better tha the dark knight.
I know Iron man is a good movie but The Dark knight it’s really better.
Pd: Sorry for my english

Thanks, Yuharymo, and your English is great! I hope you will visit and comment often.
I liked “Dark Knight” but did not feel that it was as good for what it wanted to do as “Iron Man.” They are very different movies with different aspirations and I respect “Dark Knight” for many things but did not feel it was as successful as “Iron Man.” I’m glad you feel differently, though and am happy to have your views represented here. Thanks for writing!

Agree with frost nixon being top of the poll but felt because Frank langella, brilliant though he was, took the nixon role michael sheen was always going to be left behind in the award race and I thought he took the more memorable role. Great list by the way!!!!!

Thanks, Stephen! You made my day. And I agree with you about Sheen. The second time I watched the film, he was the one I could not take my eyes off of.

I watched Kit Kittredge and Ballet Shoes, and while both are good, I preferred Ballet Shoes. I also enjoyed Wall-e, Nim’s Island, and City of Ember. Thanks for your review on City of Ember, I hadn’t heard of it until I saw it listed on Redbox. I read your review, watched it, and was very happy with my choice. I would probably say that City of Ember is the best movie (most satisfying) that I’ve seen in a while. But then I mostly watch movies for the escape. I did see The Vistor and was quite disappointed in the ending, although the rest of the movie was good.

I respect your list, but I feel that you left a bunch of great movies out. To compare, I made my own Top 15 Best List.
15) Forgetting Sarah Marshall
14) Kung Fu Panda
13) Iron Man
12) Role Models
11) The Visitor
10) Vicky Christina Barcelona
09) Tropic Thunder
08) Frost/Nixon
07) Rachel Getting Married
06) Zack and Miri Make a Porno
05) The Reader
04) Milk
03) Slumdog Millionaire
02) The Dark Knight
01) The Wrestler

A great list, Pat! Thanks so much.

What? No love for Synecdoche?

Glad you liked that one, a.doomoot! I thought it was stunning and audacious but, like the life and work of its main character, fell apart at the end. Amazing film, though, and I love Kaufman.