5) Milk

I went into this film expecting a solid film and some excellent performances and I walked out completely satisfied. I almost wanted to omit this film from my list, but I just couldn't deny it. Gus Van Sant did a really good job, and I couldn't help but reward a good James Franco movie while I had the chance. It may be about history, but the film could have never seemed more relevant, the supporting cast is all star and top notch. I know you might have to drag yourself to see it, but trust me, it's completely worth it.

4) Wall-E

If you had two eyes and a heart, or even one heart and one eye, you couldn't help but be completely charmed and affected by this truly sweet, simple, and wonderful story of the last robot on earth. Those scenes where he is watching the musical and dancing, or when he's taking care of E.V.E., had my heart swelling. It reminded me of Joe vs. The Volcano, and I love Joe vs. The Volcano. This was Pixar at it's finest, although I did love The Incredibles slightly more.

3) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Call me a sucker, call me a sap, call me an apologist. But I loved Benjamin Button. It is a heart wrenching spectacular tale and though a far reach from F. Scott Fitzgerald's original story, I would like to think he would have still enjoyed it. Brad Pitt dazzles and entertains as a young/old man and and then breaks your heart as an old/young man. Cate Blanchett is also awesome, and David Fincher seems he can do no wrong. (Sue me, I can totally enjoy Alien 3.)

2) Slumdog Millionaire

I saw this at AFF a couple of months before it was released and walked out saying it was the best film of the year. Given a little bit of time, and seeing the hype around the film had it slide in my mind. Also factoring into it's slip from 1 to 2 was me thinking about rewatchability, and the number one film oozes with that. But make no mistake, this is one of the year's best if not the best. Danny Boyle changes genres like you change your underpants, on a daily basis and with complete ease. The man is a master craftsman and you need look no further than here, or anywhere for that matter. The story is expertly paced, written, filmed, acted, everything. It was a complete and total surprise when I saw it because I had absolutely no expectation or information about the film other than a synopsis. I look forward to revisiting it on DVD.

1) The Dark Knight

What can you say that hasn't already been said? Eckhart, Bale, Oldman, Cain. Incredible actors doing incredible work. And Ledger? Well it's a shame a light so bright burnt out so fast, but he truly did some amazing work here. When you are acting alongside  guys like Eckhart, Cain, Bale, and Oldman and people single you out as the best performance, you know you did something special. I really loved this movie, and it's a crying shame the Academy didn't. When I stepped out of my IMAX this past summer, I immediately wanted to run back in and have them respool it. My jaw was on the floor, and my ridiculous expectations were exceeded on almost every level. Stupid Academy...

Guilty Pleasures

Critics had their way with Speed Racer, Hancock, and Australia, but this critic liked them all. Does that mean I have bad taste? Or does it mean critics are out of touch? Well they can't be out of touch with the public if you look at the box office returns for these films. (excluding Hancock)  But why did I like these films if critics and the public alike didn't? Well Hancock I liked because Will Smith can do next to no wrong. He's comforting and charming, heck just thinking about Will Smith almost makes me want to watch Wild Wild West right now...almost. Australia was just epic romantic filmmaking, and I had no problem with it. Very few films jab me in my soft spot and this one found it's way, and I credit Hugh Jackman and his manly way of showing vulnerability for that. Yeah it wasn't more than the sum of it's parts, but it's too hard to find fault with any of those parts, other than saying on a whole you didn't like it. And Speed Racer, well, I know I'm in the minority on this one, but aside from some of the more retarded parts, (Chim Chim and Spritle) I thought it was candy coated fun. I don't feel I have to defend myself for any of these choices, merely explain. And that is that. Let me know what you guys think, or let me know if I left something off that you felt was a gross omission.

--Greg MacLennan

Well, here we are folks, after having gone through the ups (The Dark Knight) and downs (The Happening) of summer, we have arrived at the fall. The wasteland of September lies before us with only a few shining moments of watchability, the rest lies just beyond the horizon in the prestigious end of year lineup. Second star to the right and straight on till morning, think of happy thoughts and we'll be there before you know it. Here are my top five anticipated fall releases and one movie I'll shameless see alone or put on my Netflix queue and won't tell anyone I've ever seen it.

The Wrestler-October 12th

Retired professional wrestler, Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke), makes his way through the independent circuit, trying to get back in the game for one final showdown with his former rival.

I'm at the point where I could watch Darren Oronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Foutain) film fecal matter for two hours. When it comes to making movies the guy rips your jaw off and throws it on the floor. This film just picked up the Golden Lion in Venice before coming over for the Toronto Festival then to New York.

It's bound to get some distribution and if early reviews are any indicator should receive some sort of release this fall with Oscar dreams and caviar wishes.

Synecdoche, New York - October 24th

A tale of a theater director, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who thinks he's dying, and how that shapes his interactions with the world, his art and the women in his life. He ambitiously attempts to put on a play by creating a life-size replica of New York inside a warehouse. He casts an actor as himself and several others and tells them to live out their mundane lives within the life-sized New York he built, the play then has a play within the play and things get crazy and very Charlie Kaufman.

Spike Jonze was set to direct this screenplay by Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine, Adaptation, Being John Malcovich) but he left to do Where the Wild Things Are, which left Kaufman to take the reigns of his heady material for the first time in his career. I'm willing to wager Kaufman picked up a few tricks between Jonze and Michel Gondry, and I couldn't be more excited to see his total vision on the big screen.

I've heard it's dense, complicated, overlong, and is dividing audiences. Last time that happened was Arnofsky's The Fountain, and I couldn't have found the film more wonderful. You don't have something really special unless someone isn't getting it or you aren't dividing people.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno--October 31st

Zack and Miri look to solve their financial woes with a get rich quick scheme involving them making a porno, only as the shoot takes off, their previous platonic feelings melt away.

Kevin Smith (Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy) brings his filthy humor to a filthy topic, infuses it with heart, throws in a some romance, and creates what looks to be one of the best films of his career if the red band trailer is any indication.

Color me retarded, but I liked Jersey Girl, and have been excited for Smith to make another movie out of the Jay and Silent Bob universe. It looks like he has many cast regulars coming back but this time has snagged himself a couple of Apatow fellas in Seth Rogen and Craig Robinson and that can only mean good things.

The Brothers Bloom--December 19th (limited)

Rian Johnson first dazzled us with Brick, and now switches gears to lead an all-star cast in a comedic con-man crime caper starring Mark Ruffalo, Rachel Weisz, Adrien Brody, and Rinko Kinkuchi.

The Brothers Bloom are the best con men in the world, swindling millionaires with complex scenarios of lust and intrigue. Now they've decided to take on one last job - showing a beautiful and eccentric heiress the time of her life with a romantic adventure that takes them around the world.

When describing the recently pushed back flick I've heard people mention it sharing a Wes Anderson feel to the film, and the trailer reminds me of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. I'm banking on this one adding up to more than the sum of it's parts.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - December 25th

Based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the film tells the unusual circumstances under which Benjamin Button, Brad Pitt, is born. He fires out of his mothers womb an 80-year old man, and doctors soon realize Benjamin is aging in reverse. At age 50, he falls in love with a 30-year-old woman, Cate Blanchett, and then must come to terms with the relationship as they literally grow in opposite directions.

Pitt and director David Fincher (Fight Club, Zodiac, Se7en) team up again to hopefully nail the hat-trick. Fincher seldom disappoints and he's got a great cast and an amazing writer, Eric Roth (Munich, Ali, Forrest Gump).

If this film is even remotely as good as it's trailer (which I've seen in excess of 20 times) then I'll be plenty happy come Christmas Day.

My Dirty Pick
Role Models-November 7th

The State and Stella alum David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer) directs from a script written by himself and fellow Statey Ken Marino, Paul Rudd, and Timothy Dowling. It revolves around a pair of energy drink reps (Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott) who enroll in a Big Brother program as a form of punishment after a run in with the law.

Something about the trailer just keeps me laughing, I don't know if it's that black kid exclaiming, 'No I will not take my pants off!', or what. I'm a lifetime Sean William Scott fan, and Paul Rudd has an open invitation in my heart for permanent residence. I have no idea how this thing will play as Scott has had some trouble recently, and the last Paul Rudd movies I saw were Over Her Dead Body (yes, I'll admit to that) and I Could Never Be Your Woman. But I'm optimistic for this one and I'll go alone if need be.

Even if everyone says it's the worst movie ever, I'll take a page from my Mr. Woodcock manual and Netflix it, watch it, and send it back before my roommate ever has a chance to ask me what I have out right now.

What did we leave out? Feel free to list your top anticipated films of the fall.

While Labor Day may kick off most people's fall season, those that live in Texas don't get to enjoy cooler weather for a couple of months, so we must rely on the box office to tell us that fall is indeed here. Judging by the upcoming indie films and dramatic pieces, the leaves must be about to turn, riiight?

Here are the top five films I'm most excited about, in chronological order.

Burn After Reading--September 12

Bless those Coen brothers. After the amazing success of last year's No Country for Old Men, Ethan and Joel are giving us another taste of their comedy chops this month.

With a megastar cast of Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, and John Malkovich, the film is a black comedy about Osbourne Cox (Malkovich), a CIA analyst who quits his job after being demoted because of his alcoholism. He decides to write a memoir about his life in the CIA. His wife, Katie (Swinton), wants to divorce Osbourne and, at the counsel of her divorce lawyer, she copies all his personal files. This disk eventually finds its way to Hardbodies, a gym. Chad (Pitt) finds the disc and intends to blackmail Cox with his former employee Linda (McDormand). Clooney appears as a Treasury agent Osbourne's wife.

Whew... Sounds like a whole lotta plot, but judging from the trailers (and Pitt's hair), it seems to be a welcome Coen brothers' weird, wacky, dark comedy. Can't wait...

RockNRolla--October 31

Guy Ritchie seems to be returning to his former glory with RocknRolla, a tale of “sex, thugs, and rock ‘n’ roll.”

The story focuses on a Russian mobster, who sets up a real estate scam that generates millions of pound and the various members of London’s criminal underworld as their pursue their share of the fortune. Various shady characters, including Mr. One Two (Gerard Butler), Stella the accountant (Thandie Newton), and Johnny Quid a druggie rock-star (Toby Kebbell) try to grab a slice of the pie.

Count on it to be as fast, furious, violent, and (fingers crossed)  witty as Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels.

Quantum of Solace--November 14

I was one of those who felt like a blonde Bond was not cool. Until I saw Daniel Craig in his tiny little swim trunks, that is…sigh… Anyhoo, the latest and 22nd installment of Bond, James Bond will bow this November with Marc Forster (Monster’s Ball and Stranger than Fiction) at the helm.

Betrayed by Vesper, the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Pursuing his determination to uncover the truth, Bond and M (Dame Judy Dench) interrogate Mr. White who reveals the organization that blackmailed Vesper is far more complex and dangerous than anyone had imagined.

Forensic intelligence links an MI6 traitor to a bank account in Haiti where a case of mistaken identity introduces Bond to the beautiful but feisty Camille, a woman who has her own vendetta. Camille leads Bond straight to Dominic Greene, a ruthless business man and major force within the mysterious organization, Quantum.

With all Bond films, this one is probably going to be just as convoluted but wickedly badass.

Australia--November 26

Baz is back!

Luhrmann, who went off to make plays for the past umpteenth years, is finally reuniting with his Moulin Rouge! star to make the epically beautiful film about Down Under.

Australia is set in northern Australia prior to World War II and centers on an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) who inherits a cattle station the size of Maryland. When English cattle barons plot to take her land, she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn stock-man (Hugh Jackman) to drive 2,000 head of cattle across hundreds of miles of the country's most unforgiving land, only to still face the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by the Japanese forces that had attacked Pearl Harbor only months earlier. Romance ensues!

Photos of the flick look gorgeous, and as an avid Kidman fan (I don’t know why her unwrinkled brow mesmerizes me) and a Jackman chest admirer, it’s pretty exciting to have the triumvirate of these costars and quirky director together in one film.

Revolutionary Road--December 26

Titanic, ten years later? Only instead of a ship sinking, it’s a marriage…

Teaming up with her hubby, Sam Mendes (American Beauty), Kate Winslet (who HAS to win an Oscar eventually, I don’t care what it’s for) pairs up with her former teen heartthrob, Titanic love interest Leonardo DiCaprio in Revolutionary Road.

Based on a novel of the same name, the film centers on April and Frank Wheeler, a young, thriving couple living with their two children in a Connecticut suburb in the mid-1950s. Frank is mired in a well-paying but boring office job, and April is a housewife still mourning the demise of her acting career. Determined to identify themselves as superior to the mediocre suburbanites who surround them, they decide to move to France where they will be better able to develop their true artistic sensibilities. As their relationship deteriorates into an endless cycle of squabbling, jealousy, and recriminations, their trip and their dreams of self-fulfillment are thrown into jeopardy.

It may sound a little Debbie Downerish, but after Little Children and The Departed, Winslet and DiCaprio make depressing look so good.  Sounds like a very merry Xmas…

BONUS FILM: Guilty Pleasure

High School Musical 3: Senior Year--October 24

'Nough said. I'm still not sure I want to actually PAY to see this film as I could previously just tune into the Disney channel in the privacy of my own home, but I'm kinda curious to see how the stories of Gabriella, Troy, Sharpay, Ryan, and Chad pan out as they sing and dance their way to graduation. Go ahead and laugh. I don't care...

Be on the lookout for Greg's top five fall films to post soon, but in the meantime, what films are YOU most excited for? Feel free to comment below!