Evening Hour

Seems like every blog’s got to have one, but this year was certainly one to remember. So many good things and bad things, possibly more bad than good, if the media has anything to do with it. We’ve had the best Olympic Games in history (in my opinion, not that I’m biased or anything), some of the worst natural disasters in decades, with alarming frequency and devastation; a phenomenal, an emotional and historic apology to the Indigenous Australians for the wrongs of the past (but no compensation in sight hrmmm), an aggressive but inspiring race between Obama and McCain to the White House and the worst economic meltdown in decades. I feel as though that 2008 still has plenty to offer me, and yet it seemed to pass by so slowly… I wonder at that, but I’m optimistic at what lies ahead in 2009.

We haven’t exactly had a great plate of good films this year, but I think the handful of excellent ones make up for all the constant churning of sluggish nonsense (I look at you, Beverley Hills Chihuahua).

Best Film
The Dark Knight (hands down)
Director, Christopher Nolan completely blows our minds away with an intelligent and action-packed sequel to the dark and soulful Batman Begins with superlative performances from all actors, most notably the late Heath Ledger as psychopath villain The Joker.

Honourable Mentions

• The Painted Veil
• Wall-E
• The Band’s Visit
• Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street
• Persepolis
• Kung Fu Panda
• Lars and the Real Girl
• Iron Man
• Hellboy II

The music scene has been topsy-turvy; I have pretty much tuned out of the so-called ‘Top 20′ charts and discovered new and exciting artists for myself. Far more satisfying and less grating on the nerves.

Best Album
Viva La Vida – Coldplay
I’m just so glad I enjoyed this album a lot better than the sluggish X&Y. It had a surprisingly soulful and transcendental mood, evoking images of cloudy days, sunkissed memories and ethereal cathedrals.

Honourable Mentions:

• Safe Trip Home – Dido
• Rainism – Rain
• The Story of Us – Ibadi
• Heavy Rotation – Anastacia

Best soundtracks:

• The Dark Knight – Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard
• Kung-Fu Panda – Hans Zimmer and John Powell
• Wall-E – Thomas Newman
• Twilight – Carter Burwell
• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Alexandre Desplat

Normally in a year I aim to read 100 books, but I don’t think I managed to reach that goal this year. I blame uni and work. Still, I’ve discovered a lot of new authors to be on the look-out for.

Best Book
Addition – Toni Jordan
It’s essentially chick-lit in terms of formula, but it’s a lot more than that, I feel. It’s made in Melbourne, which is rare, hence the extra love from me, and it’s embarrassingly addictive. I read most of it in one sitting in Borders. And I borrowed the book from uni library, before buying it from a second-hand shop soon after.

Honourable Mentions:

• The Long Halloween – Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale
• The Painted Veil – W. Somerset Maugham
• Growing Up Asian in Australia – Anthology, ed. Alice Pung
• The Great Gatsby—a graphic adaptation by Nikki Greenberg – F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Lost in a Good Book – Jasper Fforde
• Midnight Rising – Lara Adrian
• Let the Night Begin – Kathryn Smith
• A Great and Terrible Beauty – Libba Bray
• Fearless Fourteen – Janet Evanovich
• Mr. Darcy’s Diary – Maya Slater
• The Tales of Beedle the Bard – J.K. Rowling

Best TV Show

Doctor Who (series 4)
This show never seems to lose its vivacious energy and geeky eagerness. Catherine Tate proves she’s a fine, feisty companion to David Tennant’s Doctor. Am just saddened that she never lived to remember all the good times she had with him. The most recent Christmas special, “The Next Doctor”, guest starring David Morrissey, was fabulous! Even though it bordered on melodrama (thus hilarity) it gets away with it quite easily. Why? Simply because the actors are just so into it and having so much fun! Am saddened to see Tennant goodbyeing the Doctor but better to leave now than find yourself waning…

Honourable mentions:

• Mad Men
• House
• Lost in Austen
• Sense and Sensibility