Jimbo, I also tried to compile with VC8 and never got beyond GP_GHOST module which gave many linker errors.
I don't know of anyone who has actually gotten it to compile using those project files.
I switched to using the Scons system as is recommended on the Blendr site and got it to compile using Scons and VC8
I suggest you switch to using Scons as well, it will save you a lot of headaches.
Compiling Blender
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