Favourites of 2008
My FList has been flooded with people posting their favourite films, songs, actors and shows of 2008 so I thought I'd join in. I realize 2008 isn't quite over yet and I'm sure there are more brilliant things to come along. However, I don't feel like waiting until 2009 to make this post so I compiled this list of everything I've loved about pop culture in 2008.
Favourite Films, New Actors, T.V. Shows, Crushes, Characters and Books. It's 2008 Pop Culture 101, as dictated by me. ;)
FAVOURITE NEW T.V. SHOWS:
THE WIRE
HBO consistently produces the highest caliber of television drama. I've just started season four of this gritty series. Set in Baltimore, it trails the lives of drug addicts and the law enforcement officials put on their cases. It's a harrowing look at the downside of life on the streets and how, even a seasoned homicide detective can become corrupted by an unjust system. Every single character has flaws and the character development is realistic and genuine.
CARNIVALE
If nothing else, Carnivale wins the award for the Weirdest Fucking Show Ever Made. It is, hands down, one of the most intricate and complex television series I've ever seen in my life. There is no "light viewing" of this show. It demands your full attention. To describe the plot would be futile as there is no real way to talk about a show so full of eerie characters and religious subtext. Lets just say it involves avatars, a Satanic priest (as you can see in the picture I chose) and Management (a crippled, wrinkled old Russian soldier from the First World War who takes part in a battle between good and evil). Despite my confusion at times, I was always riveted.
HEROES
I haven't seen any of the third season yet but I'm ridiculously addicted and in love with this show, specifically the first season. It basically takes every great element of comic books and weaves it into a fascinating series about beautiful people with extraordinary gifts who must find acceptance in the world. It's X-Men, only minus the costumes.
NYPD BLUE
My friends refer to this as my "old man cop show." lol. Yes, it's old (it's from *gasp* the 1990's!) but I totally got hooked when I bought season one as an impulse buy early in the year. Unlike most redundant and bland cop dramas on television today, NYPD Blue was one of the first of its kind, blending intense criminal investigations with the real-life people behind the cases. While shows nowadays wrap up a mystery in one single hour, NYPD Blue carried some of its cases on for seasons, all for the sake of realism and drama.
FAVOURITE NEW BOOKS:
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN by: Cormac McCarthy
I've raved about this novel on countless occassions on my LJ so, to avoid getting repetitious, I loved it. It's brilliant, just like the film. Read it. Enough said.
LONESOME DOVE by: Larry McMurtry
I'm halfway through this epic, nearly 1000 page novel. It's one of the most beautiful, stunning and intimate pieces of literature I've ever read. McMurtry's prose style and his beautifully-drawn characters are what makes this novel a must-read. I'm attached to each and every character in one way or another and while I can't wait to get to the end to discover all their fates I know I will miss their stories once I'm done. Perfect.
MAURICE by: E.M. Forster (pictured)
It's the story of English college student, Maurice, and his secret love for a fellow male student. The novel, written in 1914 but published in the 1970's, well after Forster's death, felt so incredibly modern that it could have been set today. Forster has beautifully simplistic prose and a way of making heartbreak and torturous secrets all the more compelling and tragic. One of the saddest, unfullfilling, but absolutely perfect, endings I've ever read.
THE ROAD by: Cormac McCarthy
Beautiful and haunting. The novel manages to evoke a message of both hope and despair, love and hate, triumph and fear, life and death. McCarthy is perfect and so is The Road.
FAVOURITE NEW FILMS:
MILK
You need only read my review from a few entries back to know my love for this film. It's rare for me to be so moved, inspired and emotional after a film. This is one of the best films I've seen in the last five years. I left the theatre silent, I was so wrapped up in what I'd seen on screen. How often can a film touch you like that?
THE DARK KNIGHT
Christopher Nolan and Heath Ledger took us where no comic book adaptation ever has before: to a dark, gritty underworld where villains are actually terrifying and the superheroes are flawed and tragic protagonists. If only all big-budget blockbusters were this epic.
IN BRUGES
How this little British gem managed to get so much awards recognition despite its release all the way back in April is beyond me, but I'm thankful it wasn't forgotten. Politically incorrect in every possible way, this film is both hilarious and tragic as we witness the downfall of two hitmen on the run.
WALL E
Pixar is totally made of win. This is one of the sweetest love stories I've seen in ages and it's about two little robots in a post-apocalyptic world. Their unconditional love is beautiful to watch and Wall E is one of the cutest computer creations ever made.
BURN AFTER READING
Damn, I love those Coen Brothers. My friends and I almost died laughing watching this movie in the theatre. This homage to the screwball comedies of old is only made all the more perfect thanks to Chad, played by Brad Pitt. One of the most outrageous comedies I've seen in awhile. Leave it to the Coens to go from the existential No Country For Old Men to Burn After Reading.
INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULLS
The childish fangirl in me went mad this summer when my all-time favourite hero returned to the big screen, just as adventurous, smart and sexy as I remember him. Welcome back, Indy!
FAVOURITE NEW CELEBRITIES/CRUSHES:
JIMMY STEWART
A legend who, until recently, slipped me by unnoticed. That is, until I watched Rope early in the year and asked myself why I hadn't seen more movies with this charming and charismatic leading man.
JOSH BROLIN
Sex machine and talented actor finally gaining respect in Hollywood. Enough said.
ZACHARY QUINTO
Current favourite baddie (on Heroes) and totally hot nerd.
KRISTEN CHENOWETH
Charming little thing with killer vocals. And totally babelicious. lol.
AMY RYAN
Not only did she rock my world in The Wire, but now she's on The Office. She's got both dramatic and comedic chops and the looks to boot.
HEATH LEDGER
Here's a young man I never used to pay attention to until Brokeback Mountain. Then he passed away and left us with one of the most memorable film villains in recent cinematic history. You were quite the talent, Mr. Ledger. We miss you.
HAYDEN PANETIERRE
She's not the strongest actor in the world but she's totally adorable and charming on Heroes. What can I say? She's cute.
ANDRE ROYO
This is one of the most brilliant character actors I've seen in ages. He blows my mind every time he turns up on the screen in The Wire. As Bubbles, a junkie living on the street while working as a police informant, his struggle to try to remain clean while facing temptation on a daily basis in heartbreaking to watch. Magnificent and, sadly, underrated actor.
CLEMENCE POESY
My reigning girl-crush, ever since I saw her in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and In Bruges, this French actress is charming, beautiful and talented.
JIMMY SMITS
Great actor. I've only recently come to appreciate his talents while watching him on both NYPD Blue and, currently, the third season of Dexter. If he continues to keep popping up on my favourite television shows I will be one happy woman.
JAMES FRANCO
I think most of you knew he'd pop up on this list somewhere. He's talented enough to go from comedy (Pineapple Express) to drama (Milk) without batting an eye. Who knew there was such talent behind his pretty face. Why else am I a fan? Well...LOOK at him! ;)
SUMMER GLAU
Her role as River Tam in Firefly and Serenity had me smitten. She's ridiculously adorable, what can I say? She's also pretty fierce and can kick any man's ass despite her tiny little frame.
FIN.
Favourite Films, New Actors, T.V. Shows, Crushes, Characters and Books. It's 2008 Pop Culture 101, as dictated by me. ;)
FAVOURITE NEW T.V. SHOWS:
THE WIRE
HBO consistently produces the highest caliber of television drama. I've just started season four of this gritty series. Set in Baltimore, it trails the lives of drug addicts and the law enforcement officials put on their cases. It's a harrowing look at the downside of life on the streets and how, even a seasoned homicide detective can become corrupted by an unjust system. Every single character has flaws and the character development is realistic and genuine.
CARNIVALE
If nothing else, Carnivale wins the award for the Weirdest Fucking Show Ever Made. It is, hands down, one of the most intricate and complex television series I've ever seen in my life. There is no "light viewing" of this show. It demands your full attention. To describe the plot would be futile as there is no real way to talk about a show so full of eerie characters and religious subtext. Lets just say it involves avatars, a Satanic priest (as you can see in the picture I chose) and Management (a crippled, wrinkled old Russian soldier from the First World War who takes part in a battle between good and evil). Despite my confusion at times, I was always riveted.
HEROES
I haven't seen any of the third season yet but I'm ridiculously addicted and in love with this show, specifically the first season. It basically takes every great element of comic books and weaves it into a fascinating series about beautiful people with extraordinary gifts who must find acceptance in the world. It's X-Men, only minus the costumes.
NYPD BLUE
My friends refer to this as my "old man cop show." lol. Yes, it's old (it's from *gasp* the 1990's!) but I totally got hooked when I bought season one as an impulse buy early in the year. Unlike most redundant and bland cop dramas on television today, NYPD Blue was one of the first of its kind, blending intense criminal investigations with the real-life people behind the cases. While shows nowadays wrap up a mystery in one single hour, NYPD Blue carried some of its cases on for seasons, all for the sake of realism and drama.
FAVOURITE NEW BOOKS:
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN by: Cormac McCarthy
I've raved about this novel on countless occassions on my LJ so, to avoid getting repetitious, I loved it. It's brilliant, just like the film. Read it. Enough said.
LONESOME DOVE by: Larry McMurtry
I'm halfway through this epic, nearly 1000 page novel. It's one of the most beautiful, stunning and intimate pieces of literature I've ever read. McMurtry's prose style and his beautifully-drawn characters are what makes this novel a must-read. I'm attached to each and every character in one way or another and while I can't wait to get to the end to discover all their fates I know I will miss their stories once I'm done. Perfect.
MAURICE by: E.M. Forster (pictured)
It's the story of English college student, Maurice, and his secret love for a fellow male student. The novel, written in 1914 but published in the 1970's, well after Forster's death, felt so incredibly modern that it could have been set today. Forster has beautifully simplistic prose and a way of making heartbreak and torturous secrets all the more compelling and tragic. One of the saddest, unfullfilling, but absolutely perfect, endings I've ever read.
THE ROAD by: Cormac McCarthy
Beautiful and haunting. The novel manages to evoke a message of both hope and despair, love and hate, triumph and fear, life and death. McCarthy is perfect and so is The Road.
FAVOURITE NEW FILMS:
MILK
You need only read my review from a few entries back to know my love for this film. It's rare for me to be so moved, inspired and emotional after a film. This is one of the best films I've seen in the last five years. I left the theatre silent, I was so wrapped up in what I'd seen on screen. How often can a film touch you like that?
THE DARK KNIGHT
Christopher Nolan and Heath Ledger took us where no comic book adaptation ever has before: to a dark, gritty underworld where villains are actually terrifying and the superheroes are flawed and tragic protagonists. If only all big-budget blockbusters were this epic.
IN BRUGES
How this little British gem managed to get so much awards recognition despite its release all the way back in April is beyond me, but I'm thankful it wasn't forgotten. Politically incorrect in every possible way, this film is both hilarious and tragic as we witness the downfall of two hitmen on the run.
WALL E
Pixar is totally made of win. This is one of the sweetest love stories I've seen in ages and it's about two little robots in a post-apocalyptic world. Their unconditional love is beautiful to watch and Wall E is one of the cutest computer creations ever made.
BURN AFTER READING
Damn, I love those Coen Brothers. My friends and I almost died laughing watching this movie in the theatre. This homage to the screwball comedies of old is only made all the more perfect thanks to Chad, played by Brad Pitt. One of the most outrageous comedies I've seen in awhile. Leave it to the Coens to go from the existential No Country For Old Men to Burn After Reading.
INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULLS
The childish fangirl in me went mad this summer when my all-time favourite hero returned to the big screen, just as adventurous, smart and sexy as I remember him. Welcome back, Indy!
FAVOURITE NEW CELEBRITIES/CRUSHES:
JIMMY STEWART
A legend who, until recently, slipped me by unnoticed. That is, until I watched Rope early in the year and asked myself why I hadn't seen more movies with this charming and charismatic leading man.
JOSH BROLIN
Sex machine and talented actor finally gaining respect in Hollywood. Enough said.
ZACHARY QUINTO
Current favourite baddie (on Heroes) and totally hot nerd.
KRISTEN CHENOWETH
Charming little thing with killer vocals. And totally babelicious. lol.
AMY RYAN
Not only did she rock my world in The Wire, but now she's on The Office. She's got both dramatic and comedic chops and the looks to boot.
HEATH LEDGER
Here's a young man I never used to pay attention to until Brokeback Mountain. Then he passed away and left us with one of the most memorable film villains in recent cinematic history. You were quite the talent, Mr. Ledger. We miss you.
HAYDEN PANETIERRE
She's not the strongest actor in the world but she's totally adorable and charming on Heroes. What can I say? She's cute.
ANDRE ROYO
This is one of the most brilliant character actors I've seen in ages. He blows my mind every time he turns up on the screen in The Wire. As Bubbles, a junkie living on the street while working as a police informant, his struggle to try to remain clean while facing temptation on a daily basis in heartbreaking to watch. Magnificent and, sadly, underrated actor.
CLEMENCE POESY
My reigning girl-crush, ever since I saw her in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and In Bruges, this French actress is charming, beautiful and talented.
JIMMY SMITS
Great actor. I've only recently come to appreciate his talents while watching him on both NYPD Blue and, currently, the third season of Dexter. If he continues to keep popping up on my favourite television shows I will be one happy woman.
JAMES FRANCO
I think most of you knew he'd pop up on this list somewhere. He's talented enough to go from comedy (Pineapple Express) to drama (Milk) without batting an eye. Who knew there was such talent behind his pretty face. Why else am I a fan? Well...LOOK at him! ;)
SUMMER GLAU
Her role as River Tam in Firefly and Serenity had me smitten. She's ridiculously adorable, what can I say? She's also pretty fierce and can kick any man's ass despite her tiny little frame.
FIN.