Best Album
Narrow Stairs by Death Cab for Cutie
Did you expect any other? I'm a die hard Death Cab fan and their new album is eclectic, thrilling, and beautifully done. The impeccable lyrics of front man Ben Gibbard have never been better.Runner-up
Gossip in the Grain by Ray LaMontagne
LaMontagne has been one of the most brilliant solo acts in recent memory. His smoky, raspy voice and clever lyrics are distinctive and worth listening to. I would classify him as a folk singer, but don't let that discourage you- his subdued and poignant songs are excellent indeed.
Best Game
Fallout 3 by Bethesda Softworks
This game has not gotten nearly enough love on end of the year lists. There is no other game that I spent over 50+ hours on and simply could not wait to come back for more. The epic scope of The Wasteland, the tight gameplay, and the superb writing make Fallout 3 my choice for game of the year.Runner-up
Grand Theft Auto IV by Rockstar North
Nico Bellic is a sublime protagonist who understands the consequences of living in the criminal underworld of New York City. Over the course of the game, you will face real consequences and you will invest an amazing amount of emotion into the characters. Your choices have such and impact that it will make you pause and consider what you've done many times. No game has ever told a story this grand and this engrossing, period.
Best TV Show
Entourage on HBO
The characters are loveable, the plot is memorable, and Jeremy Piven is the best actor on television without question. This show is fantastically entertaining week in and week out, and the writing is sharp and witty. The laughs keep on coming, and the dramatic impact achieved in just under 30 minutes is simply unmatched.Runner-up
How I Met Your Mother on CBS
I can make very much the same argument here. The writing is consistently top notch and the characters are unique, deep, and wonderfully entertaining. Neil Patrick Harris steals the show almost every week as Barney Stinson, the loveable cad. His character is only bested by Jeremy Piven's Ari Gold. I was almost certain that this show would be cancelled, but please, make it worth the gamble by CBS in keeping this show on the air, and tune in on Monday evening.
Best 10 Films
I know far more about film than any other medium, so my list is naturally quite a bit longer. I saw many, many films this year, and here are my ten favorites.
10. Kung Fu Panda, United States
Dreamworks finally made a film that approaches the level of Disney-Pixar films. I had a great time with this movie and I sincerely believe that this is the best work of Jack Black's career. The voice acting is terrific and the animation is first rate. This is comedy done right.
9. Iron Man, United States
This is a film everyone knows about. Robert Downey Jr. is stellar as Tony Stark, the brilliant scientist/engineer who makes a suit of armor and fights evil. True to the comic and wonderfully paced by director Jon Favreau. Witty banter between Downey Jr. and Gwynyth Paltrow, loud and crazy action set pieces, and the best FX money can buy combine to make Iron Man a film that was one of the most entertaining trips to the theater this year.
8. Happy-Go-Lucky, United Kingdom
Quite a lovely film indeed. Sally Hawkins stars as Poppy, a primary school teacher who is an eternal optimist. There is a striking lack of scenes where Hawkins isn't smiling, making a joke, or being a bubbly bunch of fun. This is a slice-of-life comedy with some ups and downs and a few scenes of genuine sadness. If you don't walk out of this one with a smile on your face, well, perhaps you've lost your sense of humor.
7. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, Romania
Shot like a documentary with hand held cameras and filmed in long, unbroken takes. This is a story about a girl who needs an abortion on the black market in Romania, circa 1987. Gabita, played by Laura Vasiliu, is essentially helpless, a scared little girl with a big problem to solve. Otilia, played by Anamaria Marinca, is the friend who helps her get help from a black market doctor named Bebe, who is played masterfully by Vlad Ivanov. Marinca experiences so many emotions and plays her part so convincingly that it is impossible not to cry, to feel fear, to smile, to be angry, and to hear your heart pounding at the thrilling climax of the film. Incredibly gritty and not for the faint of heart, I highly recommend this powerful film.
6. The Band's Visit, Israel
A subtle tale of a band of men who travel from Egypt to play music at a museum opening in a major Israeli city. After taking the wrong bus, they end up in a small village in the middle of nowhere. The characters laugh, find love, cry, and one fights as hard as he can to stave off the pain of a troubled past. A film that is both delightfully funny and bitterly sad, I believe that there is something for everyone to enjoy in this quiet and beautiful story.
5. The Dark Knight, United States
But of course this was coming. Christopher Nolan's magnum opus is easily one of the greatest films of the year. Christian Bale turns in an intricate performance as Batman while Heath Ledger gives the performance of a lifetime as the tormented and tragic Joker. Witty, sharp, brutal, grand, and impeccably paced, The Dark Knight transcends the genre of comic book films and takes its rightful place as one of the finest crime thrillers of the last decade.
4. Tell No One, France
I caught this at just the end of the year even though it was released in Q1 2008. While Hollywood makes thrillers with big name stars, insane explosions and FX, and just enough realism to keep your interest, this film from France steals the show with its portrayal of characters that are all to real. The chase scenes are brilliantly set up and the scene where Francois Cluzet tries to meet his wife in a park is one of the best of the year. A story of a man whose wife is murdered and 8 years later receives emails that can only be from her. He tries to figure out what is going on while being chased from the police and accused of several crimes that he did not commit. My heart was pounding for most of the film and I can assure you that this is a spellbinding thrillride.
3. Slumdog Millionaire, United Kingdom
The latest project by Danny Boyle uses unknown actors to tell a story that is so grim and yet so heartwarming that you will leave the theater and immediately want to go see it again. The story of Jamal Malik, an impoverished slumdog, as he goes on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? so his soul mate can find him again. After he is accused of cheating, he tells his life story of growing up in the slums to the inquisitive police detective assigned to his case. You simply must see this film, it is one of the best stories ever told.2. Let The Right One In, Sweden
Like it's listmate, this film is also shot in long takes. Set in a secluded Swedish village and featuring disturbing and emotional performances from its cast, this is one film you cannot afford to miss. A roller coaster ride of being in abject terror and feeling all warm and fuzzy inside observing a lovely friendship, this film will absolutely stay with you long after you've left your seat. A story of a young boy who is bullied at school finally finding a friend who may or may not be a vampire. The film that people should be talking about instead of that rubbish called Twilight.1. WALL-E, United States
I can feel it this year... WALL-E is going to be the first animated film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. One of the greatest science fiction stories ever told focuses on a robot and his adventures on an earth left in shambles and then in the final frontier of space. Oh, and did I mention that it's a wonderful love story too? The scene where WALL-E and Eve frolic and playfully dance outside of the ship is the best of the year indeed. Quite simply, there was not a better film made this year than WALL-E. If you haven't seen it yet, please do so.So there it is... my favorites of 2008. Here's to hoping I can keep posting content in 2009.
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