Redbelt

There were many great films that came out in 2008. Most notably would have to be Slumdog Millionaire, Iron Man, Walle, and The Dark Knight. Actually, I searched for a few online lists that labeled the so-called "best" movies of 2008, and while there are plenty of impressive titles... Redbelt is not one of them. And that's a damn shame. 

Still going on my David Mamet kick, his most recent full-length feature film, Redbelt, is fucking amazing. Seriously, I absolutely loved this movie. There are faint memories floating around in my brain of this movie slinking its way into theaters, but, sadly, I never went to go see it. And, apparently, neither did the rest of the country considering the film only pulled in $2.3 million in the box office (according to RottenTomatoes.com). All that aside, it still remains an incredible movie and deserves to be on these internet lists compiling the top movies of 2008. 

The plot is a bit convoluted, but it can be boiled down to one simple concept: A jujitsu master and owner of a modest dojo in LA is forced into a televised fighting tournament in order to win a bunch of money that will help solve some serious problems plaguing his life. Now, don't get the impression that this whole movie follows this one tournament. That's really just the end of the final act. Most of the movie is spent developing our hero, Mike Terry  (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor - a badass actor), as he faces one shit show after the next. Everything that could go wrong for this guy, does. As the audience, you really begin to feel for him as this character embodies everything that's good in a person, yet it keeps getting him in trouble. Then when things turn their worst, his busts out his martial art skills and just lays people to the floor. ARGH! IT'S SO GOOD! I want to describe more, but I'll refrain. 

Take my recommendation, folks. With - once again - an amazing cast delivering great performances and story that gives you a punch to the solar plexus, watch this movie. Plus it's got Tim Allen in it, and, well... it's always nice to see the Tool Man with some work.