2008: Top 10 Movies

Sticking to my motto “My Blog, My Rules” this list is comprised of movies I actually saw in 2008, not necessarily released in 2008. I didn’t see too many movies in the theaters; I think only 3 or 4. But I watched about 55 movies through Netflix. Since I'm rating films I saw 11 or 12 months ago, they really had to be memorable. Here’s my Top 10:

1 – The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

This movie has everything: great story, clever writing, good acting, terrific special effects, and the Loch Ness Monster. The only 2 things missing are nudity and beer.



2 – Into the Wild

Initially I thought this film was just a glorified road trip of a misguided kid trying to find himself. But through the film, I was reminded when I was 18 and the world had endless opportunity. Only I wouldn’t have gone to Alaska.



3 – Miss Potter

I never read these children’s books, but Renee Zellwegger in the title role and Ewan McGregor simply radiate on screen. I couldn’t help but smile each time they appeared.

4 – The Dark Knight

I’m actually surprised at myself that a comic book movie appears so high in my list. Heath Ledger was quite good in this and the twists at turns were quite fun. Looking forward to the next film. Wonder who will be the Penguin?



5 – Across the Universe

Ah Julie Taymor! You are the angel that gave us the films “Titus” and “Freda” and Broadway’s “Lion King” and “The Green Bird” and the nifty staging of the opera “The Magic Flute”… I’d follow you anywhere in the universe.



6 – Sex and the City

The girls were at it again and it was fun to see a year in their life. Hats off to Kim Cattrall for being naked with sushi on her body at age 52! And to think, she got her break on Star Trek.



7 – The Orphanage

Truthfully, I can’t remember the details of this film, only remembering it scared the crap out of me.



8 – Merry Christmas (Joyeux Noel)

Not exactly a holiday film, but I really liked this. Takes place in WWI when a bunch of soldiers on opposing sides of the warh ave a cease fire and drink together. Sounds like a porn setup, I know, but it was truly heartwarming.

(couldn't find the trailer except in Chinese, but this scene is cool)



9 – The Golden Compass

I love fantasy movies like this and think Nicole Kidman was terrific. Not sure why this didn’t do as well as it should have at the box office. Oh right, I saw this on rental.



10 – Family Guy: Blue Harvest

Technically not a feature, but Family Guy spoofing Star Wars? Fucking brilliant. I’m sure if I were an über Star Wars geek I would have gotten more of the jokes, but it was still satisfying.



Ok, ok, there were just too many good movies to limit myself to 10. Here’s a few more:

11 – In Bruges

Colin Farrell? Brendan Gleesan? (two great Irish actors) Martin McDonagh? (great Irish writer and director) All set in Bruges… perfect!

12 – Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Yea, it’s kind of “Lord of the Rings” lite, but I still liked it.

13– Juno

Another film I saw early in 2008. I don’t remember much, only that it was clever, charming and made me wish I was pregnant.

14 – The Band’s Visit

This movie about an Egyptian band ending up in the wrong town was in a unique slice of life. I would have loved to have been lost with them too.

15 – Paul Taylor: Dance Maker

Not too many documentaries on my list (not sure why), but this one made me want to get up and dance. Paul Taylor (aka Miss Thing) is brilliant and his creative mind is unparalleled.

16 – Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Why can’t Frances McDormand be in every movie?

17 – Angel-A

This 2005 film wants to be a better movie than it really is. But I don’t care. The hairy, messy Jamel Debbouze can wallow in my movies any time.

18 – Shut Up and Sing

Dixie Chicks take on the world, it seems. Seeing this years after “the incident” makes it all the more ludicrous. Our current president (can’t even say his name) just needs to go away forever.

19 – The Woodsman

I think this is the most difficult film to watch on my list. About a sex offender being released from prison and going back into society. I got this because of Kevin Bacon - tour de force performance - he acts his ass off!

20 – Paprika

I won’t try to say I completely understood this movie. Anime, in general, confuses me. But it was an aural mental mind fuck – a great Saturday night!

Honorable Mention (in no particular order):

Iron Man
Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Once
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
The Invasion
The Incredible Hulk
Then She Found Me
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
The X-files: I Want to Believe
Ghost Town

2008: Top 10 CDs

Every website and blog has a yearend list of some kind. Since I’m a fan of lists, I thought I’d give it a go.

While these CDs were not all released in 2008, I acquired them in 2008 (hey, it’s my blog, so it’s my rules!). I received these as gifts, burned copies, but I bought most of them. Yes someone still buys CDs; I’m soooo old-school.

I ignored a disc if it just had one good song or didn’t last too long in my CD player. But the winners here were on my MP3 in heavy rotation this year. Here’s the list:

#1 – John Mellencamp “Life, Death, Love, and Freedom”

Some call this disc depressing, a middle-aged man contemplating death. I would say to that “of course it is.” I think it’s sincere, contemplative, and speaks from the gut. Playing this will wipe your impression away of John as a smug asshole who did “Jack & Diane” back in the 80s.



#2 – Clueso “So Sehr Dabei”

I bought a boatload of discs on my Germany trip but this is the best. The songs are as good as anything on English language radio, and probably a bit better.



#3 – Ruben Blades “Mundo”

I got this on a whim and was blown away. It was released a couple of years ago. More than a world music album, it takes salsa and Celtic music and whatever and mashes it in a big bowl. There’s not much new to music these days, everything is derivative. But Ruben? Clever, top notch and original!



#4 – Mark Ronson “Version”

Chockfull of British musical celebs like Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, and Robbie Williams. Sounds like a throwback to Tom Jones heyday, but covering current songs by newer groups like Coldplay and Britney Spears (really).



#5 – Ich + Ich “Von Selben Stern”

I know I’m out on a limb here, but these guys make me think of a German Gnarls Barkley.



#6 & 7 – The Essential Album #1 & 2

This was a bit of a cheat. It’s a collection I picked up at Tesco this summer. But I can’t seem to put the CD down. It’s loaded with hits from Euro artists like Jamie Cullum, OneRepublic, Take That, and Kate Nash, plus some golden oldies like “Wild World” from Cat Stevens. Nifty! (here's a Jamie Cullum cut below)



#8 – Muse “Black Holes + Revelations”

I’ve read they’re called Radiohead-lite, but I don’t care. These bombastic, spacey songs make my nipples hard!



#9 – Idina Menzel “I Stand”

This record keeps me in touch with my inner 12-year-old girl. Mrs. Taye Diggs (the lucky bitch!) and “Wicked” star has a great record here. Makes me sing in the shower.



#10 – David Hidalgo + Louie Perez “Unreleased Songs & Rare Recordings”

Any Los Lobos project will surely end up in my Top 10 lists. And this David and Louie collection is a no-brainer. Available only on the Los Lobos website so get yours now!



Runners Up (in no particular order)
The Killers “Day & Age”
Madonna “Hard Candy”
Kaiser Chiefs “Off With Their Heads”
Estelle “Shine”
Duffy “Rockferry”
James Morrison “Undiscovered”
Keane “Perfect Symmetry”

Missteps from Old Favorites (love the artists to death, but can’t warm up to these discs)
Coldplay “Viva La Vida”
k.d. lang “Watershed”

2008: The Year in Concert Tours

Pollstar announced the highest grossing concert tours for 2008. What a sad sack of a list. Nothing on it but old farts and has-beens. The only relevant groups to tour were Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flats? Huh?

The List:

Madonna ($105.3 million)
Celine Dion ($94 million)
The Eagles ($73.4 million)
Kenny Chesney ($72.2 million)
Bon Jovi ($70.4 million)
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band ($69.3 million)
Neil Diamond ($59.8 million)
Rascal Flatts ($55.8 million)
The Police ($48 million)
Tina Turner ($47.7 million)

I guess with even the shitty seats in concert venues at $80 a pop, you tend to gross a high dollar amount. But Celine Dion? The Eagles? I thought they were dead... Celine, I mean.

Glad I could contribute to Madge's divorce settlement. Guy will be so happy!

Betty's hair

Not sure if that's her new style or just a wind machine set on 'high', but this is a recent headshot for Betty Buckley (one of my girlfriends!).

Eartha Kitt - RIP

Read the appreciation in the NYTimes here. She was 81.
Above: 2007

Above: Catwoman on "Batman" TV series

Above: 1950 Paris