At The Cinema - Year End

I'm scrambling to see all those 2008 movies that are just now making it to Mississippi.

Slumdog Millionaire - 10 - The best movies transport you to a place or time you've never been to. Here, it's an incredible travelogue of India, wrapped around a great story. Wonderful visuals, wonderful acting, wonderful editing.

Earlier this year I wrote about the most amazing statistic I heard all year:
The United States has a population of 309 million people. India has 400 million people without electricity! That’s right – 100 million people more than our entire country. I’m floored by this information. Then suddenly, along comes a movie that lets you see India. I was enthralled. Maybe you won't be - but check it out. I'm betting you'll be entertained.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - 8 - An amazing technical achievement that you will either fall for or not. For me, it fell short of greatness, mostly due to a fundamental believability flaw (which I'll be happy to discuss with you if you call me, but I don't want to give it away here. After I tell you, you'll say I'm quibbling about believability in a fantasy movie - and I won't argue that.) Meanwhile, much of the movie is truly amazing, although it does meander on a little long for my taste. Brad Pitt continues to build his resume.

By the way for Brad Pitt's most under-appreciated performance, check him out as murderer Early Grace in "Kalifornia."

One more encouraging thing about Benjamin Button. The theater was full of adults. It appears the word of mouth is building for this movie among mature viewers who it turns out will go to the movies for an intellectually challenging movie.

Mama Mia - 7 - Finally saw this on DVD and thoroughly enjoyed it. There are some mysteries here, like the incredibly poor casting of the males. Whatever happened to dubbing? If you really must have Pierce Brosnan in the movie, did you have to embarass him by revealing his vocal inadequacies? Especially while the women are torching up those catchy Abba songs?

Which brings me to the lasting impression of the movie, which is "Is there anything Meryl Streep can't do?" What a national treasure this actress is. Her enthusiasm carries the day and you can just watch in wonder as she cavorts through the incredible scenery. Sit back, enjoy it, and don't take it to seriously.

Marley and Me - 7 - The dog is great. Old Yeller now has company for the all-time dog tear-jerker award. Meanwhile, we have to look no further than Jennifer Anniston and Meryl Streep to compare the difference between celebrity and talent in the good ole USA. Jennifer is lovely to look at, probably always will be. But, here she is so bland and lifeless that she makes Owen Wilson look good - and that's a whole other discussion.

Coming soon - my ranking of every 2008 movie I saw.