This film was a sleeper hit--barely making a dent in public consciousness, but the film is a great quirky gangster film with a twist. Colin Farrell, Ralph Fiennes, and most importantly, Brendan Gleeson--who turned in a great performance, make this film stand above others in the genre.

I had no idea how popular break dancing was around the world, and how much it has evolved. This documentary was well done, and I found myself rooting for certain teams. One of the best documentaries of the year.

Yet another interesting documentary about surfer gangs in Australia. I had no idea. The story is compelling enough, and the people involved interesting enough to make this documentary stand out.

Surprisingly good for a comic book adaptation. I had doubts about Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark, but he pulled it off, and the film as a whole is very well done.

Another great documentary about steroid abuse in the sports industry--an industry where fragile egos require that little extra edge steroids procure. Eye opening, compelling, and just plain sad and disgusting.

Who can resist DreamWorks animated films? They're usually as good as Pixar. This film is brilliant in color, and the theme of the film is universal.

I think this film was overlooked. For an action film you can't get much better. The special effects and action sequences were great. Mindless fun, but more memorable than most of the other action films of 2008.

Equally as good, if not better, than the first installment. Waited four long years for a follow up to the first film. Great special effects, but most importantly the quirky humor is intact. Hope they keep going with this series.

This was a droll little suspense film. Not what I expected from Woody Harrelson, but very well done, and unique enough to be memorable.

This independent film slipped into and out of the theaters barely noticed, but the premise is unusual enough, and the performances strong enough, and the story moving enough to get it into my best of 2008 list.

This little independent film recounts the true horrific story of a girl brutalized by the family that is supposed to care for her. Unusually strong performances by Ellen Page and Katherine Keener. Psychologically disturbing to know this still happens in the U.S.

Jonathan Demme turned in a unique portrait of a dysfunctional blended family that no one came close to touching in 2008. All the performances and dialogue are naturalistic with a documentary style approach. You really feel like you are living with this family.

Kristen Scott Thomas turns in the performance of her career--an in French, no less! A rich, multi-layered story and peformance. I was surprised this wasn't nominated for Best Foreign Film.

A heartbreaking documentary. I don't even want to give any details of this film away. Frustrating, saddening, and ultimately devastating look at mental illness, love and family. I am surprised this didn't get nominated for Best Documentary.

Surely the best performance of Jean Claude Van Damme's career. An unusual foreign film that shows sides of Van Damme you would never have expected.

I don't understand the complaints about this film not being as good as "Casino Royale". I thought it was great--everything I wanted in a Bond film was here. Enough said.

Just when I thought I had seen every angle of the Holocaust, this film comes along. Well cast, acted and directed.

A very complex story with no easy answers. This is what a good story looks like on screen. Kate Winslet was excellent and so was newcomer David Cross. Not your typical Holocaust film.

If this wasn't one of the most complex and psychologically compelling films of the year. Powerhouse performances by Hoffman and Streep, but the story is what you will talk about afterward.

A sweeping epic in the vein of "Forrest Gump". This film is rich in feeling and the timelessness of love. A unique story, and Brad Pitt was actually good.