In the summer of 2008, the blockbuster season set the bar high, when excellent movies like Iron Man and The Dark Knight drew in crowds.
However, this summer did not meet the same expectations. It was probably one of the worst series of summer blockbusters in a very long time, but if you looked hard enough, there were some hidden gems. Here’s my top five picks:
1. Inglorious Basterds
Quentin Tarantino’s thrilling, epic war tale had an excellent effect on viewers and critics alike. His compelling usage of dialogue and the performances all around were excellent. The production value was phenomenal too, and the movie is an extraordinary hit. Brad Pitt was hilarious, and Christoph Waltz should win an Oscar.
2. The Hurt Locker
One of the most overlooked movies of the summer, The Hurt Locker was an incredible visceral war thriller, and really has become the only Iraq war-based movie to achieve excellence in the cinematic arts. This story of the danger of bomb squads gets to be so intense and compelling that this movie becomes a must-see.
3. District 9
From first-time director Neil Blompkamp (best-known for directing the Halo cinematics) comes District 9, a science fiction thrill ride that brings an incredible story with unique, visceral effects that are very innovative. Featuring no big-name actors, and a relatively modest budget of only $30 million (miniscule compared to other science fiction films), District 9 succeeds in every way, and Peter Jackson has yet another excellent entry in his extensive body of work.
4. The Hangover
The Hangover did not go away this summer after it became immensely popular and since its release, has become the highest grossing R-Rated Comedy of all time. Every part of The Hangover is hilarious and Old School director Todd Field distinguishes himself in the comedy genre as the “master” of situational comedy. The entire cast delivers, especially newcomer Zach Galifinakis.
5. Up!
No top list of annual or seasonal movies is complete without a Pixar film. Ever since Toy Story hit theaters in 1995, Pixar has been officially unstoppable, releasing only good or great movies yearly. Up!, which was a great theatrical experience with the recent persistence of three-dimensional cinema, was a hit on all levels, and its wonderful animation, story-telling techniques, and voice acting really sets itself apart as a film.
While these five films were exceptional, there certainly was a shortage on good films this summer. With duds like I Love You, Beth Cooper and Year One, and disappointments like Public Enemies, let’s hope that next summer will be better for blockbuster season.
