The Best Movies of the Year ... So Far

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

Why wait until December to start stacking the year's movies against each other? At the halfway point of '08, we've seen highly anticipated tentpoles disappoint, tiny indies make us cheer and too many movies we'd rate as just plain average (you'll find none of those on this list). Here are our 20 favorite movies of the year so far. Consider this a progress report.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

20. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the/25440/main' target='_blank'>'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'</a>

It's been 19 years since <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/harrison-ford/1290206/main' target='_blank'>Harrison Ford</a> last donned the iconic fedora, but thankfully little has changed. With whip-cracking action, laconic humor and just the right amount of camp, it's three parts roller coaster, one part film. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/george-lucas/1144148/main' target='_blank'>George Lucas</a> and <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/steven-spielberg/1198594/main' target='_blank'>Steven Spielberg</a> went a little too alien happy for our tastes, but they had us till almost the end.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

19. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-spiderwick-chronicles/26297/main' target='_blank'>'The Spiderwick Chronicles'</a>

Fairies, trolls and goblins exist right under our noses, but most of us can't see them -- at least according to the beloved children's book series 'Spiderwick Chronicles.' The film features high-caliber acting talent (<A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/mary-louise-parker/1820991/main' target='_blank'>Mary Louise Parker</a>, <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/freddie-highmore/2102515/main' target='_blank'>Freddie Highmore</a>, <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/david-strathairn/1832867/main' target='_blank'>David Strathairn</a>, <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/joan-plowright/1822753/main' target='_blank'>Joan Plowright</a>) and ranks on the top end of a spectrum where <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the/24593/main' target='_blank'>'Harry Potter'</a> is the high mark, <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/lemony-snickets-a-series-of-unfortunate/16754/main' target='_blank'>'Lemony Snicket'</a> the low.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

18. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/baby-mama/27651/main' target='_blank'>'Baby Mama'</a>

A certified crowd-pleaser that works mostly due to the chemistry between <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/tina-fey/2072085/main' target='_blank'>Tina Fey</a> and <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/amy-poehler/2011539/main' target='_blank'>Amy Poehler</a>, <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/baby-mama/27651/main' target='_blank'>'Baby Mama'</a> is like a really good episode of <A HREF='http://television.aol.com/show/saturday-night-live/62573/main' target='_blank'>'SNL.'</a> There are loads of laughs, with a few inevitable moments of lameness in between. It's also surprisingly fresh, which is saying a lot after hits like <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/knocked-up/25372/main' target='_blank'>'Knocked Up,'</a> <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/juno/24692/main' target='_blank'>'Juno'</a> and <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/waitress/23381/main' target='_blank'>'Waitress'</a> (is pregnancy comedy an official subgenre now?).

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

17. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/in-bruges/28726/main' target='_blank'>'In Bruges'</a>

Two hitmen (<A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/colin-farrell/1792441/main' target='_blank'>Colin Farrell</a> and <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/brendan-gleeson/1444472/main' target='_blank'>Brendan Gleeson</a>) hide out in a quaint Flemish town during Christmas, in this little-seen indie that combines black comedy, metaphysical bleakness and surreal hijinks and includes karate-chopping a midget. Farrell, Gleeson and <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/ralph-fiennes/1435700/main' target='_blank'>Ralph Fiennes</a>, usually dramatic ac-<i>tors</i>, sink their teeth into the absurd and raucous story line.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

16. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/teeth/28815/main' target='_blank'>'Teeth'</a>

<A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/mitchell-lichtenstein/1809709/main' target='_blank'>Mitchell Lichtenstein's</a> fascinating and fun horror-comedy was one of the most buzzed-about movies at Sundance last year, and it's no wonder: The plot concerns a girl with teeth in her va-jay-jay. Destined for midnight screening cultdom, it plays like 'The Vagina Monologues' redone as horror.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

15. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-incredible-hulk/26921/main' target='_blank'>'The Incredible Hulk'</a>

<A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/edward-norton/1955360/main' target='_blank'>Edward Norton</a> and the director of <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-transporter/12573/main' target='_blank'>'Transporter'</a> aren't the likeliest duo to breathe new life into a franchise that seemingly smashed to pieces in '03, but their 'Hulk' is actually fairly incredible. With tons of action, a strong turn from Norton and a hero too busy being a badass to stop and pick flowers, this is one 'Hulk' that's lean, mean and (of course) green.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

14. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/planet-b-boy/32211/main' target='_blank'>'Planet B-Boy'</a>

MTV's <A HREF='http://television.aol.com/show/randy-jackson-presents-americas-best-dance-crew/10141215/main' target='_blank'>'America's Best Dance Crew'</a> has nothing on this electrifying, visually stunning doc about breakdancing teams from around the globe competing for the world title. The classic hip-hop/funk soundtrack is fun to groove to, but don't be fooled by the seeming ease of the routines. In other words: Do not try these moves at home.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

13. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/horton-hears-a-who/24695/main' target='_blank'>'Horton Hears a Who!'</a>

So what if it paints kangaroos in an unfairly harsh light (cocky marsupials!); this Seuss adaptation is funny, heartfelt and beautifully rendered. And <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/steve-carell/1782035/main' target='_blank'>Steve Carell</a> and <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/jim-carrey/1141183/main' target='_blank'>Jim Carrey</a> make a comic dream team as the teeny-tiny mayor of Whoville and the giant-hearted elephant who team up to prove that "a person's a person, no matter how small."

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

12. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/4-months-3-weeks-and-2-days-4-luni-3/31045/main' target='_blank'>'4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days...'</a>

It's a movie set in '80s-era Communist Romania in which the central character helps her friend procure an illegal abortion. But as in 2007's German Oscar winner, <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-lives-of-others/26624/main' target='_blank'>'The Lives of Others,'</a> the real story of this moving film is the way people live under the strictures of a totalitarian state.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

11. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/forgetting-sarah-marshall/30383/main' target='_blank'>'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'</a>

<A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/judd-apatow/1200008/main' target='_blank'>Judd Apatow</a> regular <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/jason-segel/1980621/main' target='_blank'>Jason Segel</a> finally gets his crack at leading man-dom in this raucous gem about a sad sack who ends up at the same resort as his smokin'-hot TV-star ex (<A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/kristen-bell/2104593/main' target='_blank'>Kristen Bell</a>) and her cheesy new beau. Segel also wrote the script AND shows off his flapping man parts (twice!). That takes some pretty big ... well, you know.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

10. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/shine-a-light/30057/main' target='_blank'>'Shine a Light'</a>

What happens when one of the greatest directors of our time (<A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/martin-scorsese/1250522/main' target='_blank'>Martin Scorsese</a>) collaborates with one of the greatest rock bands of our time (<A HREF='http://music.aol.com/artist/the-rolling-stones/1004560' target='_blank'>The Rolling Stones</a>)? You get a concert doc that's 10 kinds of awesome: a gorgeous, thrillingly intimate look at a band that still loves playing together ... and still rocks like nobody's business. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/mick-jagger/1003913/main' target='_blank'>Mick Jagger</a> was wrong -- we've got your satisfaction right here.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

9. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/wanted/28120/main' target='_blank'>'Wanted'</a>

<A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/angelina-jolie/1804211/main' target='_blank'>Angelina Jolie</a> is back in hot-assassin mode -- where we like her best -- while ever-rising star <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/james-mcavoy/2093449/main' target='_blank'>James McAvoy</a> is her trainee. The action is so over the top, you'll wonder if Russian director <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/timur-bekmambetov/1929365/main' target='_blank'>Timur Bekmambetov</a> has even heard of the laws of physics (maybe they're not taught in Soviet schools?). All graphic novels should be brought to the screen so thrillingly.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

8. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/son-of-rambow/28980/main' target='_blank'>'Son of Rambow'</a>

Forget the funny looks you'll get when you say you're head-over-heels in love with a 'Rambow' movie (the "w" is silent, don't you know?). Sweet, funny and irresistibly charming, this British indie, about an Amish kid and a class bully who film their own version of <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/first-blood/1011956/main' target='_blank'>'First Blood,'</a> may be the greatest thing ever to come out of a <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/sylvester-stallone/1145140/main' target='_blank'>Stallone</a> movie. And no decapitations required.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

7. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-counterfeiters/30930/main' target='_blank'>'The Counterfeiters'</a>

Turns out the Nazis weren't just merciless murderers; they were counterfeiting schemers, too. This year's Oscar winner for Best Foreign Film gives an intriguing, little-known history lesson, with one complex conflict at its core: Should the Jews being forced to counterfeit aid the Nazis to spare themselves?

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

6. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/wall-e/28116/main' target='_blank'>'WALL-E'</a>

We thought those Pixar guys were in over their heads this time. How were they going to make <i>robots</i> personable, in a movie with barely any dialogue, no less? But little WALL-E is more expressive than most humans we know -- and his journey from desolate Earth to outer space in search of love is gorgeous, clever and surprisingly wistful. It may be Pixar's most ambitious, most heartbreaking movie yet.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

5. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/taxi-to-the-dark-side/30245/main' target='_blank'>'Taxi to the Dark Side'</a>

Documentaries about the War on Terror have been pouring out of Indiewood at an impressive rate, yet few stand out from the crowded field. Then there's <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/alex-gibney/1853132/main' target='_blank'>Alex Gibney's</a> jaw-dropping examination of U.S. torture policies (not released theatrically till after the '08 Oscars, where it was named Best Documentary), a must-see for the inquisitive.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

4. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-bank-job/32256/main' target='_blank'>'The Bank Job'</a>

Fear not, <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-transporter/12573/main' target='_blank'>'Transporter'</a> and <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/crank/23696/main' target='_blank'>'Crank'</a> haters. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/jason-statham/1681196/main' target='_blank'>Jason Statham</a> has finally found another film worthy of his talents -- this wickedly entertaining heist flick set in grimy London and based on a true story. It's essentially a cross between Statham's best work: early <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/guy-ritchie/1980957/main' target='_blank'>Guy Ritchie</a> and <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-italian-job/14256/main' target='_blank'>'The Italian Job.'</a> The real crime? That hardly anyone has seen this gem.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

3. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/kung-fu-panda/24474/main' target='_blank'>'Kung Fu Panda'</a>

<A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/jack-black/1042560/main' target='_blank'>Jack Black</a> brings his brand of chill-dude likeability to the role of Po, a slacker panda who's inexplicably chosen as a warrior who will save his town. Beautiful scenery, kick-butt martial arts and irreverent humor make this one of the best all-purpose family films of the year (so far).

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

2. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-visitor/27428/main' target='_blank'>'The Visitor'</a>

Much like <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/tom-mccarthy/369928/main' target='_blank'>Tom McCarthy's</a> first film, the indie charmer <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-station-agent/16081/main' target='_blank'>'Station Agent,'</a> his follow-up is simple, sweet and quietly powerful. The film centers on lonely souls, but addresses hot-button social issues, resulting in one of the most effective -- and beguiling -- films to tackle the immigration debate yet.

Our Top 20 Picks Halfway Through '08

1. <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/iron-man/24396/main' target='_blank'>'Iron Man'</a>

Did the summer movie season start off with a huge BANG in 2008 -- or is that just the sound of <A HREF='http://music.aol.com/artist/black-sabbath/1003109' target='_blank'>Black Sabbath</a> still ringing in our heads? Driven by a razor-sharp performance by the inventive and keen-witted <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/robert-downey-jr/1789971/main' target='_blank'>Robert Downey Jr.</a>, <A HREF='http://www.moviefone.com/movie/iron-man/24396/main' target='_blank'>'Iron Man'</a> is slick, smart and surprisingly hilarious. It's also one of the best action movies ever made.