The 2008 Readers' Choice Awards - Christianity Today

The last two weeks, we’ve let you know our favorite movies of 2008—from the year’s Most Redeeming films to our Critics’ Choice list. Now it’s your turn.

In voting for our annual Readers’ Choice Awards, you went for films about a marriage on the brink, an irresistible robot, a kid from the slums of Mumbai, an adventure story in Narnia, and much more. But more than any other movie, you went for a riveting story about a caped crusader on a mission, and probably the darkest movie ever chosen No. 1 by our readers—The Dark Knight.

Here are your picks for the best movies of 2008, followed by comments from readers on each. Thanks for voting!

1. The Dark Knight

directed by Christopher Nolan “Though a dark movie, we see heroes as we should see other people, gifted but sometimes flawed.” “Beyond compelling acting, a great story.” “The most powerful film of the year. A complex film which made the viewer look inward, and wonder whether a murderer lurked in each of us. Bale’s tortured Batman is the most real, and the most suffering, of all the Batmans.” “BIG EXPLOSIONS!!!!!” “Heath Ledger did an amazing job as the Joker—perhaps too good a job; I believe he transcended the medium.” “It is rare that a film is able to address such wide-ranging issues as authoritarianism, domestic spying, use of torture, and society reactions to crime along with such personal issues as responsibility, integrity, and doubt in the middle of a thrill ride. The Dark Knight accomplishes all of this.” “Because we all need a savior, and there’s nothing like a really creepy bad guy, defeated by a good guy in cool superhero garb (and with a really pimped out car) who gives it all up to save everyone.” (Our review.)

2. Fireproof

directed by Alex Kendrick “Great story, great acting, and most of all, a clear presentation of the gospel.” “The most impactful movie I’ve ever seen. An absolute must see for anyone who wants to see their marriage change for the better, or for those considering marriage to see what God means for marriage.” “A movie that embraces God’s best for marriage and relationship should be the clear winner. In the world that we live in, any message that speaks of love as Jesus gave us love and shows us what that means should be No. 1.” “Haven’t seen any of the other movies.” “A classic-in-the making. I expected to like the movie, but I didn’t expect it to move me to tears. I believe the film will be used for years to come to save poor marriages and inspire good marriages to be even better.” “A breath of fresh air to my marriage. The themes are real and applicable to my life.” (Our review.) (Discussion guide.)

3. WALL•E

directed by Andrew Stanton “Funny, romantic and inspirational. It also points out that you can meet new friends where you least expect it, and some of the best ones are definitely not ‘normal.'” “Masterful storytelling.” “Pixar blows my mind! In this movie, they accomplished so much and yet said so little.” “Beautiful animation, emotionally appealing characters and a strong emphasis on the importance of responsible stewardship of creation and the value of hard, honest work.” “I got the message that God is in control, and man cannot destroy his creation.” “I love the story line—the sacrificial love they have for each other, and the story of the humans coming alive, so to speak, again. Some of us today need to come alive and see what is happening around us.” “Grace. Redemption. Artful.” (Our review.)

4. Slumdog Millionaire

directed by Danny Boyle “A very well-crafted story of redemption.” “Well-paced and well-acted, showed the conflict of good and evil, but good was clearly the winner. The terrible evil done to children stood out to me afterward as making a significant social and moral comment.” “It has SO much to say about character, culture, needs, and the dangers of poverty and corruption. It was an intense movie and tough to watch at times, but well worth it.” “It reminded me of the love the Christ has for his bride, his Church.” “It shows beauty in unexpected places, the strength and dignity of humanity in all its circumstances.” “Combined the storytelling of Dickens with the beauty and pain of modern India.” (Our review.)

5 (tie). The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

directed by Andrew Adamson “Classic literature presenting a timeless message about the struggle between Good and Evil.” “Aslan is awesome!” “Even thought it didn’t truly follow the book, if you look at it form a Christian point of view, you will see that it has an excellent message about faith and trusting God.” “An amazing movie about coming back to faith after it’s been lost.” “Strongly Christian metaphor; family-friendly; invoking of strongly mythic elements; rollicking good yarn; gorgeous creatures and scenary. What’s not to like?” “I was able to connect to it emotionally.” (Our review.) (Discussion guide.)

5 (tie). Iron Man

directed by Jon Favreau “The movie offers a good message, that what good is it to have everything and yet not have anything at all?” “Movie for the masses that has a moral.” “Good escapist fun. Rich playboy grows a conscience.” “Robert Downey Jr. was fabulous in creating a character with many layers. And I felt it was redeeming; you had a character who changed and grew because of his experiences.” “A much-needed perspective on the redemptive power of realization. I’ve rarely seen a film in which the path from ignorant self-centeredness to active response to enlightened knowledge was so clearly demonstrated. A stellar movie on all points: moral message, entertaining, skilled performance and exceptional special effects.” (Our review.) (Discussion guide.)

7. Gran Torino

directed by Clint Eastwood “An incredible story of sacrifice, redemption and change.” “Classic Eastwood. Solid story line and perfect delivery.” “Real social commentary. The fact that most of cast were unknowns actually made this film more real and authentic.” “The meditation on salvation and redemption is rich.” “It showed how prejudice can be overcome.” “The movie shows how stubbornness can be nudged toward change by kindness and caring.” “The ending was one of the best pictures of redemption I have ever seen in a movie.” (Our review.)

8. The Visitor

directed by Ethan and Tom McCarthy “A marvelous story about the power of the ‘other’ (those who are different from us) to enrich our lives.” “A tender tale of the re-awakening of a man who has essentially checked out of his life. The subtitle of the movie, ‘Connection is Everything,’ sums up this movie very well.” “He found his inner music.” “I love a story where there is an awakening of a human spirit and the capacity to love in response to the love of another, and this movie showed that in a tender, beautiful and sometimes funny way. Excellent acting.” “Quiet and meditative with a pitch-perfect casts that asks questions and provokes discussion on immigrant laws that Hollywood often ignored, which is a rare gem in all the other shining diamonds.” (Our review.)

9. Australia

directed by Baz Luhrmann “It’s an epic! It has history, a love story, it stands for something (against racism) and it has humor.” “I’m Australian, it resonated with me.” “It truly transports the viewer into another time, another place. Baz Luhrmann’s films are always a joy to watch, shimmering with otherworldly magic.” “What an epic story that had me alternately crying and laughing. I found it incredibly moving with superb performances.” “I liked the way the movie dealt with racism and sin, reminding us all in the end that we are God’s people.” (Our review.)

10 (tie). The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

directed by David Fincher “A slow, graceful film full of the joys and wonders of life. It forces us to remember the small graces we are given.” “A great movie that engages your mind and your heart, and causes you to think about your own vision of life. Whether or not one agrees with the philosophy proposed in the movie, it remains a great example of how to properly deal with the philosophical realm in storytelling.” “A very sad love story.” “Opened lots of questions about how we view life; how through unconditional love we foster and nurture those around us; love knows no bounds of skin color; we have special moments in life and we should cherish them and the people around us; and we should always remember that we need to care for each other.” “It made you want to be a better person.” (Our review.)

10 (tie). Mamma Mia!

directed by Phyllida Lloyd “Feel-good factor.” “The most fun I’ve had at a movie in a really long time!” “It centered around a more simplified life, and I enjoyed the music.” “Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan light up the screen when they sang ‘SOS.'” “It was fun, and that is needed when much of the news today is anything but fun.” (Our review.)