So like many people at this time of the year, I feel compelled to compile my list of favorite things and moments for 2008. Because I want to feel positive about things, I will forgo the ‘worst of’ lists.
Best Film of the Year
This one is easy to call. Dark Knight proved to be the film every Batman fan has ever wanted to see. The first Christopher Nolan film proved adept in setting up the character and the myth but it took the genius of Heath Ledger inspired take on the Joker to make a good film a great one. He pretty obliterated any lingering memories of Jack Nicholson’s Joker from the Tim Burton version in 1989. The film was epic not just in look and scale but in the characters, giving us a look at a true battle of good versus evil. Emotionally poignant in many ways that no superhero film has ever accomplished to date. A standard has been set which I feel will be difficult to surpass but here’s hoping that it will be in two years time.
As for other films this year, I must admit that every time Pixar comes out with a new film, it manages to move the state of the art just a bit further ahead. Comparing the animation in Wall-E with an earlier film like A Bug’s Life, you can see the tremendous stride in technique. Of course, advancements in computer technology and software helped too. But Pixar film are more than just visual feats; compelling stories are at the heart of their films and Wall-E is no different. A great little love story between two robots that seems oh so human.
Other films gained my attention this year as well. Ironman was a great start to the summer movie season but I think Robert Downey’s best role was in Tropic Thunder, the best comedy of the year. Quantum of Solace was a superb film, among the very best in the Bond series.
Favorite New Artist of the Year
As always with me, I tend to look for new artists when listening to music. I have been especially proactive this year in getting new music, much of it downloaded from iTunes and other web sources. New sounds whether it be indie, jazz or pop always interest me more than long established artists. Trying to stay hip at 40 I guess. Of course, what is new to me, is probably old hat to some one else.
One artist I have been listening to for a good part of the year is Cassettes Won’t Listen. Great pop sound as exemplified by songs like Paper Float and Freeze and Explode. Another band I discovered but in reality have been around for quite a few years is The Faint who have some of the more danceable sounds out there with tracks like Call Call and Last Danse. Actually, many of the songs I like this year have a very upbeat sound to it like Janelle Monae’s Violet Stars Happy Hunting.
As always, I find many of my songs via Apple commercials like Bruises by Chairlift used in the new Nano commercial. Some one over at Apple HQ knows how to pick those songs.
Instrumentals proved to be a strong favorite with me as they do every year. One track I like Carly Commando’s Everyday was one that had a unique discovery for me. Watching a Simpson’s episode where Homer’s life flashed back at him. The music was intriguing to me, much in the spirit of Philip Glass for its minimalist sound. Researching the music, brought me to the known youtube hit video, Everyday which the music was the soundtrack. Been on heavy rotation ever since. Similarly, I picked up the music Praan because it was the soundtrack to the latest edition of the Where the Hell is Matt video.
Favorite Sports Moment
This past year was an Olympic year and even though Canada is not the power in those Olympics as it is in the Winter Games, there were some outstanding moments for the team which got off to a slow start as usual. Carol Hyuh’s gold in women’s wrestling was a surprise and who can not be inspired by Eric Lamaze’s comeback to win the gold in the individual jumping final in the equestrian event. But the highlight for me was not a gold performance but a silver one by Simon Whitfield in the Men’s triathlon. Trailing for most of the race but never far behind the leaders, his careful strategy to bid his time on making his moment nearly paid off as he surged from sixth place to a momentarily first as he neared the finish line but has passed by a similarly surging German.
But the finest sports moment was the epic tennis match between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the Wimbleton single men’s match. I am a casual viewer of tennis and on that Sunday morning, it just started off as just background noise as I read my Sunday paper. But as the game progressed, interrupted as it did by the frequent showers and comeback of Federer from two sets down, it made for high drama as the night started to close in on the final game that went to a tiebreaker. Perhaps the greatest tennis match ever played.
Favorite election campaign not involving Obama
The senate campaign between Elizabeth Dole and Kay Hagen was one for the books. Hagan was not given much chance but a inspired set of ads that defined Dole as being out of touch with her native state gave her a leg up on Dole who ran a terrible campaign culminating in an add that attacked Hagan’s faith.
Favorite New Restaurant of the Year
In a turbulent year, we tend to stay with things that give us comfort and so, we avoided trying new places to eat, staying with places we know and trust. Still, we did get out and try a few new places. The most noteworthy was La Botana, a place that has received popular reviews for its take on Mexican cuisine. The reviews were well placed. Superb cooking that reveals that Mexican food can extend beyond the tried and true staples of tortillas, cheese and beans.
Favorite Television Show of the Year
For sheer entertainment value for me this year, nothing beat the political coverage of the presidential primaries and then the election itself. Tuesday nights for the first half of the year was Must See TV as I watched the returns come in from the various state primaries and caucuses and then listened intently to the various commentators on what it all means. Flipping back and forth between MSNBC and CNN was something I got use in doing. Sometimes, I can not believe that it is all over.
Similarily, Saturday Night Live, made a statement that it was still relevant by its take on this year’s political scene with no other things coming as close as Tina Fey’s take on Sarah Palin. It was a wicked portrayal that define who Palin was before the American public could make up their own opinions of who she was.
Favorite New Dish
Since I essentially gave the cooking duties for the family, I have not much opportunity to try new dishes. But one meal I have created has become a new family favorite: cornflake chicken, cut up chicken coated in crushed corn flakes as an alternative to fried chicken, with a farfalle pasta salad loaded with fresh vegetables and prepared with pesto sauce. Great eating that is a bit healthier than the alternatives.
Best Economic News
In a dismal year, economically, one hopeful sign is that the price of gasoline collapsed at the year of the year. With prices going up for everything, due to no small part the rapid rise of gas prices in the first half of the year, with the price of gas at a level not seen in five years, consumers need a small break just to get them through the first part of the year. Hopefully with cheaper gas and oil prices, other items will also go down in price soon especially food prices.
Best New Discovery for the Family
The Winston-Salem Christmas Parade. First time ever for all of us and especially enjoyed by Madeleine.
So it ends with this list, the best of 2008 for me and my family. Hopefully 2009 will be a better year, one with hope, peace and prosperity.