Top 10 Movies of 2008:
Of the many films I have seen this year (over 350); these are the films I thought were the best of 2008. Many performances were the highlight of numerous films, including some that were in films that played in limited areas. Some will be recognized come Oscar time and some may not, but if you get a chance, check out these films and see why I considered them the best of this year.

Paramount | Warner Bros. | Alluvial Film Company | Weinstein Company LLC

10. 'Let The Right One In':
With all the hoopla surrounding the other vampire film, 'Twilight' --- with its legion of fans, this is the film that quietly captured the attention of many and had a story with substance. Thanks to director Tomas Alfredson's take on John Ajvide Lindqvist's Swedish bestseller-turned-screenplay. On DVD soon.

9. 'Gomorra':
If there was ever a film to compete with the Granddaddy of gangster films 'The Godfather,' it would be this foreign film from Italy. Matteo Gorrone's thought provoking look at the criminal underbelly through the lives of five individuals is frightening to imagine, but too engrossing to walk away from. In theaters now.

8. 'Rachel Getting Married':
In shedding the good girl image we've seen in her previous films, Anne Hathaway gives a tour-de-force performance as the sister that comes home and almost ruins a wedding with erratic behavior. In theaters now.

7. 'Ballast':
In using non-professionals for its cast, Lance Hammer directed a film that captures a slice-of-life with a topic (homelessness) that filmmakers rarely focus on, and brings realism to the American forefront. In theaters now.

6. 'Vicky Christina Barcelona':
Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem ignited some fire in Woody Allen's latest romantic comedy, which also stars his current muse Scarlett Johansson and newcomer Rebecca Hall. After so many attempts in English speaking films, Cruz finally has a film that makes a Hollywood star. On DVD now.

5. 'Tell No One':
This French film has the makings of a Hollywood noir, with its romance, suspense, and intensity. Otto Preminger and Alfred Hitchcock would be so proud that some of their films were combined in this tale of man who believes that his dead wife may still be alive while he is under investigation for her murder. On DVD soon.

4. 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button':
While the story about a man aging backwards may be seen as gimmicky and manipulative, David Fincher created a beautiful fantasy filled with wonderful visual effects and amazing performances by Brad Pitt and Taraji P. Henson. In theaters Christmas Day.

3. 'Milk':
Sean Penn's performance as Gay activist Harvey Milk is not only stunning, but director Gus Van Sant brought a level of emotion and intelligence to a subject matter that still touches the hearts of many in today's political climate. On DVD soon.

2. 'Slumdog Millionaire':
From the man who directed a diverse array of films ranging from 'Trainspotting' to '28 Days Later' to 'Millions',' comes this gem about a quest for freedom, respect and love. Danny Boyle's film is filled with such colorful imagery and passion that one can't leave the film without being highly entertained. In theaters now.

Mo'Nique
Started Out: Appearing at the downtown Baltimore Comedy Factory Outlet. Big Break: Starred on the hit UPN sitcom 'The Parkers.' Hometown: Baltimore Also Was Seen: In 'Three Can Play That Game,' 'Hair Show' and 'Shadowboxer.' Factoid: Born in 1967, Mo'Nique (real name: Monique Imes) is the author of 'Skinny Women are Evil: Notes of a Big Girl in a Small-Minded World' and the cookbook 'Skinny Cooks Can't Be Trusted.'

George Wallace
Started Out: Doing a completely improvised routine in a New York City comedy club circa 1977. Big Break: Worked as a writer for 'The Redd Foxx Show.' Hometown: Atlanta Also Was Seen: In the movies 'The Ladykillers' and 'Batman Forever.' Factoid: Born in 1952, Wallace owns and operates one of Las Vegas' most popular stand-up comedy shows -- his very own at the legendary Flamingo.

Damon Wayans
Started Out: As a stand-up comic on the syndicated TV show 'Solid Gold.' Big Break: Starred in the hit 1990s sketch comedy show 'In Living Color,' along with family members Keenan Ivory Wayans, Kim Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans. Hometown: New York City Also Was Seen: In 'Beverly Hills Cop,' 'Mo Money' and 'Marci X.' Factoid: Born in 1960, Wayans served as the executive producer of '413 Hope St.,' a short-lived drama on the FOX network starring Richard Roundtree and Jesse L. Martin, which premiered in 1997.

Chris Rock
Started Out: Doing stand-up comedy in 1985 in New York City's Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club. Big Break: Was a cast member of the popular sketch comedy series 'Saturday Night Live.' Hometown: New York City Also Was Seen: In the movie 'New Jack City,' where he played a crackhead informant. Factoid: Born in 1965, Rock won a Grammy for best spoken comedy album in 1999 for the project 'Bigger & Blacker.'

Paul Mooney
Started Out: As a writer for the groundbreaking sitcoms 'The Richard Pryor Show' and 'Sanford and Son.' Big Break: Creating the character Homie the Clown for the irreverent sketch comedy show 'In Living Color.' Hometown: Louisiana Also Was Seen: In the movies 'Hollywood Shuffle,' and 'Bamboozled.' Factoid: Born in 1941, Mooney recorded racially charged comedy albums - via Stepsun Records - during the 1990s and gained newfound notoriety as Negrodamus on the hit Comedy Central series 'Chappelle's Show.'

Wanda Sykes
Started Out: Began her stand-up career at a Coors Light Super Talent Showcase in Washington, D.C. Big Break: Played multiple roles on Chris Rock's Emmy Award-winning HBO show. Hometown: Portsmouth, Va. Also Was Seen: In the movies 'Monster-in-Law' and 'Pooty Tang' and on the TV shows 'Wanda At Large,' 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' and 'The New Adventures of Old Christine.' Factoid: During a Las Vegas gay rights rally in November 2008, Sykes proclaimed she was "proud to be gay."

Whoopi Goldberg
Started Out: In 1984, her one-woman show – directed by Mike Nichols -- became a Broadway hit. Big Break: The Steven Spielberg-directed movie 'The Color Purple,' in which she made her debut and won an Academy Award nomination. Hometown: New York City Also Was Seen: In 'Jumping Jack Flash,' 'Made in America,' 'Sister Act' and 'Ghost,' for which she won the Oscar for best supporting actress for her role as a colorful and crafty clairvoyant. Factoid: Born in 1955, Goldberg (real name: Caryn Elaine Johnson) became a co-host of ABC's long-running talk show, 'The View,' in 2007.

Dave Chappelle
Started Out: Cutting his teeth on the New York City comedy circuit. Big Break: He co-wrote and starred in the 1998 stoner film 'Half Baked.' Hometown: Washington, D.C. Also Was Seen: In the movies 'Robin Hood: Men in Tights,' 'Blue Streak,' 'The Nutty Professor' and 'Undercover Brother.' Factoid: Born in 1973, Chappelle (real name: David Anand Khari Webber Chappelle) helmed his eponymous Comedy Central show, which was wildly popular until he walked away in the middle of its third season.

Chris Tucker
Started Out: Small parts in TV shows such as 'Roseanne' and 'Hangin' with Mr. Cooper.' Big Break: Playing Ice Cube's sidekick in the 1985 comedy movie 'Friday.' Hometown: Atlanta Also Was Seen: In the movies 'Money Talks,' 'The Fifth Element' and the blockbuster 'Rush Hour' movie franchise. Factoid: Born in 1972, Tucker endorsed Barack Obama rather than Hillary Clinton in the 2008 primaries even though he traveled overseas with President Bill Clinton.

Finesse Mitchell
Started Out: Appeared on BET's 'Comic View' in 1999. Big Break: Was a cast member on 'Saturday Night Live' in 2003. Hometown: Atlanta Also Was Seen: In the movies 'Who's Your Caddy?' 'The Comebacks' and 'Mad Money.' Factoid: Born in 1972, the University of Miami graduate authored the book 'Your Girlfriends Only Know So Much.'