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From Batman to Ron Howard to a game show in India, 2008 was filled with an unusual mix of movies. Channel 8's movie critic, Gary Cogill, looks back on the cinematic year of 2008 and offers up his ten best films.

10. Let The Right One In

Starting off at number 10, a foreign-language vampire film from Sweden called, Let The Right One In. Go figure the Swedes could creep us out and create possibly the best vampire movie ever made.

9. Doubt

Doubt featuring an Oscar-level cast and based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play from director John Patrick Shanley. Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman are terrific but the surprise here is Amy Adams.

8. Man On Wire

The best documentary of the year, Man On Wire is about tightrope walker Philippe Petit and his breathtaking stroll between the twin towers of the world trade center in 1974. An amazing film I have seen four times.

7. The Wrestler

Featuring an out of this world performance by Mickey Rourke as a washed up grappler still on the road following a heart attack. Marisa Tomei is also Oscar-caliber in Darren Aronofsky's minor masterpiece.

6. Wall-E

Another smartened up thoughtful work of art that is much more than a kids' movie. A deceptively intelligent film that tackles important human issues. Pixar at the top of their game.

5. Frost/ Nixon

The fifth best film of 2008? Ron Howard's perfect little look at the legendary TV interviews between British talk show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon. Frank Langella as Nixon is simply brilliant.

4. Milk

Featuring an Oscar-contending performance by Sean Penn as the late gay rights activist, Harvey Milk, this film is a moving, honest look at a political movement and the man unashamed to lead that movement.

3. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button starring Brad Pitt as the man born old and living his life in reverse. A thoughtful film of immense beauty from Fight Club director David Fincher and the writer of Forrest Gump.

2. Slumdog Millionaire

The second best film of 2008 is also the most original, Slumdog Millionaire the life-affirming story of a boy from the slums of India who gets on a national TV game show to find the girl of his dreams. Difficult beauty from beginning to end.

1. The Dark Knight

The best film of 2008 is The Dark Knight featuring a sure fire Oscar-winning performance by the late Heath Ledger as the best villain in cinematic history. Christopher Nolan's film is also the best of it's kind, serious, smart, compelling, and so tightly wound it just about jumps off the screen. This is the best film of 2008.

E-mail gcogill@wfaa.com.