By Robert K. Johnston and Catherine M. Barsotti

Every year critics’ lists of the “best” films of the previous year roll out, only to be followed by one award show after another. While we mostly stay away from “best” lists, we thought we’d jump into the fray with some of our favourite films of 2008. They’re not in any order as they are all worth seeing.

Let us begin by mentioning two films which are on the top of our list: WALL-E, directed by Andrew Stanton, and Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle. The former is an animated film with both heart and a “message”, while the latter is a gritty film about hope even in the midst of the worst of human conditions. Both are film making at its best. Another animated film on our list that the whole family will enjoy is Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who, directed by Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino. While Horton may be an animated elephant, he’s a hero who inspires us to compassion, humility, dedication and forgiveness. And speaking of heroes, Iron Man, directed by Jon Favreau, was our favourite summer superhero movie.

Big dramas on our list include Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino. In this R-rated film, it seems that Eastwood’s Dirty Harry persona of the past comes of age in the multicultural world we live in. While racism, violence and strong language are present, so are love, sacrifice and redemption. Another drama The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, directed by David Fincher, is an amazing look at life in reverse, as Benjamin is born old and grows young, and all along the way gains the wisdom of the ages.

There were several smaller dramas that you also shouldn’t miss. The Visitor, directed by Tom McCarthy, poignantly portrays the encounter between a withdrawn professor and two needy, undocumented immigrants. While immigration in the midst of a war on terror can be a polarising topic, this film helps us to meet the people affected and calls us to compassion. From a different slant, Frozen River, directed by Courtney Hunt, tells the story of two women - one white, one Mohawk. Both are single mothers faced with desperate circumstances and are drawn into the world of smuggling undocumented immigrants across the border. It won best US drama at the Sundance Film Festival last year. A beautiful, small, French film was I’ve Loved You So Long, directed by Philippe Claudel. In this film, we watch as the power of goodness and the love of a younger sister for her older sister nurture steps towards wholeness and redemption. Not to be missed. Lastly, Happy Go Lucky, directed by Mike Leigh, is the quirky story of Poppy, a cheery British schoolteacher whose unquenchable optimism exasperates everyone around her.

To complete your viewing don’t miss several compelling documentaries. Man on Wire, directed by James Marsh, looks at tightrope walker Philippe Petit’s daring, but illegal, high-wire walk in 1974 between the World Trade Center’s twin towers in New York. Pray the Devil Back to Hell, directed by Gini Reticker, is the amazing account of a group of brave and visionary women who stood up to their country’s brutal leader and warlords, in order to bring peace to their tormented country (Liberia). Finally, Encounters at the End of the World, directed by Werner Herzog, provides the unique opportunity to meet the men and women who have dedicated their lives to furthering the cause of science in the extreme conditions of Antarctica.

Enjoy!