Best of 2004
Well, it's been awhile and while I probably have lots to talk about, I really don't have much of any time to talk about it. But I would like to give you a small little 2004 best of kind of deal for a couple of stand outs and not so much stand outs.
Best Album of 2004: The Ghost - This Pen Is A Weapon (A)
Displaying an immesurable amount of maturity while still retaining the ability to rock you blind, Brian Moss and co. have crafted an album that never repeats itself twice--at times not even in the same song! While not graduating a grade score from This Is A Hospital, the band edges one step closer to immortality and the grand opus I know they are capable. I have a feeling they are only a few years away from an A+.
Most Disappointing Album of 2004: Le Tigre - This Island (D)
It looks like Ed McMahon showed up at Kathleen Hanna's door, only to inform her that Le Tigre lost the Feminist Sweepstakes. In a majory label debut album devoid of originality, artistry, purpose or reason, the three girls manage only a second rate Britney Spears sound canvas. A sad time for indie rock fans, indeed.
Best Movie of 2004: Kill Bill (A+)
You know Quentin is the best director of all time, even if you can't admit it. He crafts every moment of his motion pictures with a master's hand. Borrowing from all of the greats and recycling their form into something inventive and all original--Kill Bill *is* his master stroke. So brilliantly paced that when the emotional final confrontation sneaks up on you, you'll pray a Kleenex truck breaks down outside your door. Film love has never felt so strong.
Runner Up For The Slot: The Incredibles (A+)
Pixar has more A+ scores from me than anyone in the history of anything. Their style is as complex as a Shel Silverstein poem and every bit as unlikely. While their films are directed towards a younger audience, mature themes underly that will teach even the oldest on the block new important new lessons. The Incredibles brings the subject of a disfunctional family to all new hights and lows. It teaches people to believe in themselves and in others. Never to put anyone aside because of feelings of self importance. It in a masterpiece both in content and visual appeal. It is a Pixar original film.
Best Video Game of 2004 (and all-time): Grand Theft Auto San Andreas (A+)
Proving how far ahead video games are compared to almost any other kind of art, because they can pretty much blend all other arts together into one interactive adventure that can connect you to your character like no other. And that's just what GTA5 does. Telling the story of a young man returning to the ghetto from his new life to settle family issues, the story plays out in a more realistic form than any previous GTA (or game) to date. Gone are the kill frenzies and hidden packages, replaced by things that actually have a place in a living, breathing world. Sure some of the story arc is far fetched, but what fun would it be if it weren't? On top of everything else it accomplishes, San Andreas is also 5 times bigger than any GTA to date and with half the load times. An amazing feat considering it contains even more micromanagement than ever before and a complex RPG architecture. If you are looking for a world to live in that is not your own, may I suggest taking a trip to San Andreas. It's a beautiful state in the world and a beautiful state of mind.
Most Disappointing Video Game of 2004: Metroid Prime Echoes (B+)
I'd have to say it's a pretty great year in video games when the most disappointing one has a basically positive score. In fact, I'd say 2004 was probably the greatest year video games have ever had, which is why this Metroid Prime sequel just doesn't cut it. How does such a promising new company go from an A+ to a B+ in the course of one game? Well, start off by bunching together the story items with the areas they are used and just generally not mixing up the map enough and you're off in the wrong direction. Then balance out the fact you have more boss battles by making the bosses less imaginaive and easier to beat (though the ways you fight some of them is quite inventive). Finally, dumb the story down to a simple capture the flag logic and make the resolution as unfulfilling as possible and you've done a good job of weakening the strengths you created. However, the basics of Metroid Prime, along with some neat reintroduced items (the screw attack, especially) keep this game solid enough to where the rushed feeling can only take so much away from what Metroid fans love about the series. It may not be the greatest Metroid game ever, but it's still home to us.
Best Album of 2004: The Ghost - This Pen Is A Weapon (A)
Displaying an immesurable amount of maturity while still retaining the ability to rock you blind, Brian Moss and co. have crafted an album that never repeats itself twice--at times not even in the same song! While not graduating a grade score from This Is A Hospital, the band edges one step closer to immortality and the grand opus I know they are capable. I have a feeling they are only a few years away from an A+.
Most Disappointing Album of 2004: Le Tigre - This Island (D)
It looks like Ed McMahon showed up at Kathleen Hanna's door, only to inform her that Le Tigre lost the Feminist Sweepstakes. In a majory label debut album devoid of originality, artistry, purpose or reason, the three girls manage only a second rate Britney Spears sound canvas. A sad time for indie rock fans, indeed.
Best Movie of 2004: Kill Bill (A+)
You know Quentin is the best director of all time, even if you can't admit it. He crafts every moment of his motion pictures with a master's hand. Borrowing from all of the greats and recycling their form into something inventive and all original--Kill Bill *is* his master stroke. So brilliantly paced that when the emotional final confrontation sneaks up on you, you'll pray a Kleenex truck breaks down outside your door. Film love has never felt so strong.
Runner Up For The Slot: The Incredibles (A+)
Pixar has more A+ scores from me than anyone in the history of anything. Their style is as complex as a Shel Silverstein poem and every bit as unlikely. While their films are directed towards a younger audience, mature themes underly that will teach even the oldest on the block new important new lessons. The Incredibles brings the subject of a disfunctional family to all new hights and lows. It teaches people to believe in themselves and in others. Never to put anyone aside because of feelings of self importance. It in a masterpiece both in content and visual appeal. It is a Pixar original film.
Best Video Game of 2004 (and all-time): Grand Theft Auto San Andreas (A+)
Proving how far ahead video games are compared to almost any other kind of art, because they can pretty much blend all other arts together into one interactive adventure that can connect you to your character like no other. And that's just what GTA5 does. Telling the story of a young man returning to the ghetto from his new life to settle family issues, the story plays out in a more realistic form than any previous GTA (or game) to date. Gone are the kill frenzies and hidden packages, replaced by things that actually have a place in a living, breathing world. Sure some of the story arc is far fetched, but what fun would it be if it weren't? On top of everything else it accomplishes, San Andreas is also 5 times bigger than any GTA to date and with half the load times. An amazing feat considering it contains even more micromanagement than ever before and a complex RPG architecture. If you are looking for a world to live in that is not your own, may I suggest taking a trip to San Andreas. It's a beautiful state in the world and a beautiful state of mind.
Most Disappointing Video Game of 2004: Metroid Prime Echoes (B+)
I'd have to say it's a pretty great year in video games when the most disappointing one has a basically positive score. In fact, I'd say 2004 was probably the greatest year video games have ever had, which is why this Metroid Prime sequel just doesn't cut it. How does such a promising new company go from an A+ to a B+ in the course of one game? Well, start off by bunching together the story items with the areas they are used and just generally not mixing up the map enough and you're off in the wrong direction. Then balance out the fact you have more boss battles by making the bosses less imaginaive and easier to beat (though the ways you fight some of them is quite inventive). Finally, dumb the story down to a simple capture the flag logic and make the resolution as unfulfilling as possible and you've done a good job of weakening the strengths you created. However, the basics of Metroid Prime, along with some neat reintroduced items (the screw attack, especially) keep this game solid enough to where the rushed feeling can only take so much away from what Metroid fans love about the series. It may not be the greatest Metroid game ever, but it's still home to us.