This has been an uneven year for Chinese cinema. On the one hand box-office revenues are expected to reach a new high, on the other hand mediocrity still reigns supreme. This makes it a daunting task to pick 10 shining examples of cinematic excellence.
The film industry took big strides considering all the things that happened in 2008 and might conceivably have hampered its clout, such as the Sichuan earthquake and the Beijing Olympics.
We know big news events that keep audiences glued to the tube are not good for the cinema, but we cannot be certain whether an economic downturn will do more good or harm.
Judging by the year-end crowds at the nation's multiplexes, however, people are unfazed by bad news, or perhaps, any news can be turned into a good excuse for spending two hours in a dark hall with hundreds of others.
Ah, the magic of the celluloid has not died away. Not yet!
The following 10 releases were not selected on artistic merit, but by the equally elusive yardstick of "enjoyability". We embrace the big moneymakers instead of snobbishly snubbing them.
国内英语资讯:Hong Kong ranked worlds 4th easiest place to do business
国内英语资讯:Bus wreck retrieved from river in SW China
国内英语资讯:Chinese state councilor says Chinas development poses no threat to any country
国内英语资讯:Xinjiangs vocational education, training program constructive for anti-terrorism: expert
国内英语资讯:China Focus: Xi holds talks with Cuban president to advance ties
国内英语资讯:China tightens ban on solid waste imports
江湖再见！著名武侠小说家金庸去世
国内英语资讯:Xi stresses upholding socialist path with Chinese characteristics for womens development
国内英语资讯:Chinese premier urges upgrading China-ASEAN strategic partnership
国内英语资讯:China, Russia hold meeting on humanities cooperation
国内英语资讯:China to further remove limits on foreign investment
国内英语资讯:China to promote reform of construction project approval
国内英语资讯:China Focus: China shares wisdom on poverty relief through Internet
国内英语资讯:Full text of Chinese President Xis speech at APEC CEO summit
国内英语资讯:China, Russia see vast room for further cooperation
数据显示 中国老年人容易受到网络谣言的影响
调查显示 近半数受访青年接受'裸婚'
国内英语资讯:China opposes U.S. unilateral sanctions against Chinese firm
国内英语资讯:China starts exporting petroleum to Laos
国内英语资讯:Common interests between China, Australia far outweigh differences: Chinese premier
国内英语资讯:Xi underlines reform on military policies, institutions
国内英语资讯:China, Hungary to enhance law enforcement, security cooperation
国内英语资讯:Xi presides over 5th meeting of central committee for deepening overall reform
国内英语资讯:China launches twin BeiDou navigation satellites
国内英语资讯:Xi arrives in PNG for state visit, APEC meeting
国内英语资讯:Xi arrives in Brunei for state visit
国内英语资讯:Chinese premier calls for consultation, mutual openness to maintain peace, prosperity in Eas
国内英语资讯:Chinese state councilor rejects false claim about Chinas foreign aid
国内英语资讯:Foreign businesses see Belt and Road as development opportunity
小李子确认出演杀手电影！你期待吗？