The TV Addict 

IRON MAN
Conclusive proof that not only is Robert Downey Jr. the coolest thing since the iPhone, but that a summer superhero film can be insanely fun without sacrificing a shred of quality, depth, and drama. In fact it reminds us how hard it can be to make an accomplished film that genuinely entertains, and how rewarding it is when someone succeeds.

HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY
Most certainly the most visually stunning film of the year, HELLBOY II also greatly improved upon its predecessor in every aspect from the characters, the plot, the action, the drama, and the villain. Most of all it further humanized (often hilariously so) its protagonists to the point where you completely forgot you were sympathizing and empathizing with a big red devil monster and a man-sized telepathic fish.

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
In a summer short on decent laughs, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS proved to be the comedic winner of the season thanks to yet another fun script from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg that was both a loving homage to and gentle satire of its inspired genres, and two lovable protagonists that you couldn’t help but laugh at and with, while never failing to root for them.

JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH 3-D
If it weren’t for the 3-D this film might very well have found its way to the “Mediocre” section of this list, but thanks to that absorbing third dimension it dug up that child like sense of wonder I used to have for high-adventure films just like this one. So yes, maybe not the greatest film of the summer, but certainly one of the best movie experiences I had this summer, which is why it finds itself on this part of the list.

WALL-E
Pixar hits another one out of the park, this time with arguably one of their most poignant tales. This summer you may not have believed a man could fly (*cough* HANCOCK *cough*), but you certainly learned to believe a robot could love and teach us a thing or two about it along the way. Also if WALL-E isn’t just the cutest damn movie character you’ve ever seen in your life, you may be just missing your cute detection radar.

KUNG FU PANDA
KUNG-FU PANDA proved that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover (or rather a movie by its trailer), Thanks to a heart-warming lead character, some surprisingly solid kung-fu action, and a message that is certainly family film territory but not patronizing, KUNG-FUN PANDA proved to be one of the most delightful surprises of the season, and one of its best entries.

THE WACKNESS
In the middle of the summer it was lovely to be reminded of the ups and downs of what it was like being in the middle of summer, youth, first love, and New York City. Even in the face of the downs, the film – like a reassuring breeze – also reminded us that in the end things find a way to work themselves out.

THE DARK KNIGHT
At this point I’m almost getting tired of praising THE DARK KNIGHT, what with my HYPERLINK “http://thereeladdict.com/reel-review-the-dark-knight/” glowing review, my ruminations on HYPERLINK “http://thereeladdict.com/the-dark-knight-where-do-we-go-from-here/” where it will go next, or my designating it HYPERLINK “http://thereeladdict.com/the-top-10-best-superhero-movies-ever/” the greatest superhero film of all time. If you’re at all surprised this film on the list, then you’ve probably been living on Mars for the last six months.