Words: Omar Glenn Belo

1. The Dark Knight (2008)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman
Exhaustingly brilliant—with almost three hours of delivering one climax after another. Heath Ledger’s Joker steals the show with a haunting yet exceptional performance that takes the movie beyond its comic book film tag. The only hang-up: the caped crusader’s FPJ-like voice is quickly becoming a punchline.

2. Kubrador (2006)
Director: Jeffrey Jeturian
Stars: Gina Pareño
If there was a movie that best vouches for legalizing the long-time and highly controversial Pinoy pastime, jueteng, this ain’t it. What this does, though, is take out the black-and-white spectacles you used when looking at gambling.

3. Endo (2008)
Director: Jade Castro
Stars: Jason Abalos, Ricky Davao, C.J. Javarata
Here’s a love story that’s as real as it gets—teaching mainstream cinema how love in the big screen should be done. Ordinary life needs no sugar coating, as this movie shows.

4. Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2008)
Director: Auraeus Solito
Stars: Nathan Lopez, Soliman Cruz
This film speaks loudly about its excellence. Its poignant portrayal of familial bonds kept strong despite extreme differences stands out. It also made you think twice about naming your boy “Maximo.”