The Dark Knight – 2008 – Christopher Nolan

Christian Bale as Batman, Heath Ledger as the Joker, Michael Caine as Alfred, Aaron Eckhart Harvey Dent/Two-Face; Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon, flawless. Maybe, maybe not, but a great action movie, with lovable rogues. Brian Murray

Having reinvented the Dark Knight with Batman Begins, director Christopher Nolan lets go of the reins somewhat with his follow up. Heath Ledger as the Joker is the definitive villain archetype. The action is excellent, when it comes, and while it is long it’s most definitely one you got to watch. JJ

In a word: overrated. The movie is well-produced; but the paltry subplots, laughable dialogue, and Batman’s voice (sounds like Freddy Kruger) are disappointing. Ledger was great but Oscar-worthy? There’s too much moralistic drivel to say this movie is really dark. Nonetheless, is a movie good just because it is dark? William Hilderbrandt

Speed Racer – 2008 – Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski

I was very surprised with this, since I hated the original cartoon, but I thought it worked really well on the big screen. It was like Japanese anime meets the Jetsons in a very kitsch way. The race scenes are impressive, and Christina Ricci looks great. Brian Murray