Best of 2008
Wednesday, December 24th, 2008What would a year be without a year end review? Nothing, that’s what! Here’s some assorted things I appreciated this year - and like last year, these are not necessarily things that were created this year, but were new to me or were things I enjoyed in ‘08.
Movies
Ghost Town
Ricky Gervais doing what he does best - comedy with a sarcastic backbone. We were in stitches watching this one.
The Dark Knight
Batman films have been rescued by Bale and co. This one was every bit as awesome as I was anticipating.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
The start was a little graphic for my tastes, but it soon warmed to be a fun comedy and against all odds, Russell Brand was actually very funny.
Pineapple Express
Will these guys ever make a crap film? On this evidence, probably not - laugh a minute. It was also the first movie I ever saw at a Drive-in theater, so that was a highlight in itself.
Babes in Toyland
Christmas American classic, which we’d been trying to see for ages. Perfect Christmas viewing.
Son of Rambow
Endearing comedy that brought plenty of laughs and an embarrassing comparison between the lead character and my scrawny 10 year old self.
Hancock
Some people dislike Will Smith, I do not. This was blockbuster goodness and very entertaining.
Best in Show
After This is…Spinal Tap, I’ll lap up anything Guest and team offer me, in a cinematic sense.
Run, Fatboy, Run
Simon Pegg. Genius. No more explanation needed.
Wall-E
Equal parts cute, poignant and funny. Tell me you don’t want a Wall-E of your own and I’ll tell you you’re lying.
Kicking It
Documentary about the Homeless World Cup, a football (soccer) tournament for those living on the streets and a chance for them to gain recognition and support through representing their country. Some great human stories and plenty of funny moments to balance the bad with the good.
Step Brothers
Will Ferrell in his element, producing quotes that’ll keep you laughing long after the film is done.
Kung Fu Panda
Animated childish fun. I loved it.
Juno
‘Cause it was well good. Can’t go wrong with this cast.
Be Kind Rewind
Jack Black is still funny, I don’t care what you say. This was comedy.
Day Zero
Interesting and well acted, though if there’s ever a draft I’m gonna collapse in a pool of fear-ridden jelly.
Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day
Not my usual fare but an enjoyable film. Good for a cosy evening in.
Horton Hears a Who!
Dr Seuss, writ large. Awesome.
Then She Found Me
Drama, drama, drama. Enveloping story though, get involved.
What Happens In Vegas…
Ashton Kutcher’s pretty funny, isn’t he? Fun film.
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
Cute little story about a young girl who wants to get published in the paper and various trials and tribulations that happen in her life during the great depression, which is pretty apt at the moment.
The House Bunny
Silly, funny, worth it.
Samantha: An American Girl Holiday
Hella cute story about the plight of orphans back in the day. Child actors that can actually act too, sweet.
Winter Passing
Great, great, great. I’m not putting anything that might spoil it, just watch it. Great.
Transsiberian
Superb thriller, really good story.
Gran Torino
Excellent bit of work, this. It’s a social commentary, a heartwarming story and an action-laden movie all in one.
TV Shows
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
I enjoyed the Terminator films but I wasn’t a serious fan. Jessi discovered this show and it’s had us hooked, it’s ridiculously good. Currently it’s on a break (like everything) for the holidays and I’m missing the weekly fix.
Survivor: Gabon
I must admit I wrote off Survivor as a pointless bit of reality fluff in the past, though notably I did so without ever watching it. We got in to the latest season, in Gabon, and it was awesome. I still feel like Randy got a raw deal though, he’s misunderstood.
Top Chef
They’re currently showing the New York season, so it’s interesting to see places that we’re starting to recognize as it goes. Also, food is awesome - though if that one cooks any more scallops, I’ll throw her out myself.
The I.T. Crowd
The first and second seasons had me in hysterics, the third is not disappointing so far! It’s just the perfect comedy, ‘cept the episodes are too short when you take out the ads - more episode please!
Eli Stone
Another cracking discovery by my ridiculously awesome wife - we literally watched about 6 episodes in one sitting which had me hooked.
The Amazing Race
I will never stop liking this concept. Race around the world for a million dollars, facing challenges and whatnot along the way - yes please.
Chuck
A great show with a silly concept that is just out and out entertaining. Brightens up Mondays.
House
Hugh Laurie is a legend and House is great television. Always a great show from start to finish and his cynicism, sarcasm and general bastard-ness never gets old.
Private Practice
I got in to Grey’s Anatomy late, so I didn’t get the connection that this was a spin-off, but it’s good viewing.
Grey’s Anatomy
Medical dramas, y’need a few or your TV is lacking. This one’s very good.
Soccer AM
The best TV you can find on a Saturday morning, assuming you like Football (Soccer). Always entertaining, always right on the mark with jokes you shouldn’t find funny yet you do and plenty of content you can’t get elsewhere. A staple in my televisual diet.
The Championship
Well, much as I denied it would happen, Reading managed to get relegated from the Premier League last season and have been battling away in the second tier of English Football to make a prompt return. I’m several thousand miles too far from being able to attend the matches, so The Championship gives me the highlights I crave. C’mon URZ.
Britain From Above
Fascinating series depicting Britain from the air, showing how the country has changed over time. Really, really interesting stuff and the accompanying website (linked above) is a treasure trove of awesome content too.
Time Warp
Stuff gets filmed in high quality, then played back in super-super-slow motion. It’s remarkable.
Mythbusters
I never tire of seeing the team try out whatever crazy myths have been brought to their attention. Exploding Trousers - where else would you find that?
Fonejacker
Prank calls aren’t supposed to be funny after a certain age. Fonejacker somehow is, in a really big way. Hilarity.
The Office (US)
I love The Office. It’s a classic and Brent, Gareth, Tim et al will always remain in my top heroes of comedy. The US version of the show is fast becoming a gem in it’s own right though and is consistently hilarious.
Music
Heavy Vegetable
I was told about this lot in December. According to last.fm, they’re now my 2nd most played artist of all time (or rather, of all the time I’ve been on last.fm, which is nearly 3 years). That says a lot about how much I like this band. Wanna check ‘em out? Get Frisbie, it’s amazing.
Oceansize
It’s no secret that I love this band. They’re my most played artist of all time according to my last.fm profile. I had a bit of a break where I didn’t listen to too much of their stuff, but they made a strong resurgence in ‘08 and I’m thoroughly enjoying their back catalogue - even as I type now.
Cable
Sublingual is probably the greatest album ever. Just sayin’.
Holy F-ck
Another new discovery for me this year, great music and brilliant in a technical sense also.
Battles
Back to the forefront of my playlist this year after I kinda forgot about them for a bit. “Mirrored”, their album from 2007, is superb.
The Blow
Ever since “Poor Aim Love Songs”, the EP with my all-time favourite Blow song “Hock It” on, I’ve been hooked on them. Paper Television got a lot of plays in 2008.
Cardiacs
Never far from the ears, Cardiacs were well-played this year, with “A Little Man and a House and The Whole World Window” especially hitting the mark for me. Tempered, of course, by the news that frontman and main songwriter/genius TIm Smith had suffered a serious heart attack part way through the year, from which he is still recovering.
Arctic Monkeys
A band I wrote off without hearing, again. Gave them a fair run this year and discovered a bit of a gem in “Favourite Worst Nightmare”. Will be interesting how it fairs over time, but I’m in to it at the moment.
At the Drive-in
Rediscovered per a recommendation from a friend - bit of a shame they went their separate ways. Controversially, I much prefer ATDI to Mars Volta.
Random Facts
I had 5 different addresses in 2008, in 2 English counties (Berkshire and Oxfordshire) and 3 US States (Montana, New York and New Jersey).
I set foot in 4 countries (England, Germany, Austria and USA) and visited 5 other US states further to the 3 I lived in (Minnesota, Utah, Colorado, California, Connecticut).
All in all, 2008 brought many changes for me personally and professionally and as such will be long remembered. Thinking ahead now to 2009, I aim to post up some goals for the year to come. I hope you had a great year and I wish you a happy holiday and a great 2009!
