best of 2008 in movies

technically some of these movies are 2007 releases but actually didnt arrive at Irish cinemas until 2008. Ive watched plenty of movies this year , but not nearly enough. Some of these movies i caught on the cinema screen, others on dvd and in the case of one choice on tv. Of course this list is entirely subjective and i'm probably totally off the mark but i am being honest. So the fact that The Dark Knight gets no mention is because in all honesty i found it a boring , overlong, semi- coherent piece of filmmaking.

So heres my top 5...


1) In The Shadow Of The Moon






- visually poetic, beautifully scored , intelligent measured filmaking..




2) The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford





- graceful, elegiac , magic piece of moviemaking + the best movie score ive heard in a long time.


3) Paranoid Park



- as visually pure and beautiful as moviemaking gets..


4) The Mist




- a "horror movie for grown ups". An "allegory for the current post-911 culture of fear". Both of these and maybe the best Frank Darabont film since Shawshank.


5) The English Surgeon




- a gem of movie. Funny , sad , deeply touching.

best of 2008 in music

Its probably a fools errand to try and come up with a definitive list of the best albums of any year, but lists are fun and i wont be doing anything better tonight so why not..Heres my top 5.


1) Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours






Ive listened to this album every week since i bought it last March/April. Ive told everyone to go out and buy it , its the best record of 2008 is what i say. Of Course thats just my opinion, but ive yet to hear a better album this year and with 2008 coming to its conclusion its unlikely that In Ghost Colours will be knocked off its perch. Its an unmitigated joy , pure synth pop bliss from start to finish. I actually feel sorry for those who havent listened to this record yet. There is much going for this new wave of hipster associated dance music ( Hercules and Love Affair, Hot Chip, Justice, Simian Mobile Disco, The Presets etc) but nobody in that current bracket can touch the shimmering triumph that is Cut Copys In Ghost Colours.

2) M83 - Saturdays = Youth





The 1980s is my favourite decade for music. No irony intended. There is also nothing ironic about Anthony Gonzalez/M83 relationship with the 80s. This man is sincere in his love for the decade of my birth. The decade of New Order, Tears for Fears, The Cure , Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush and the cinematic output of John Hughes. All of which act as touchstones for Saturdays = Youth , which is no bad thing in my book.


3)Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes





Fleet Foxes share a coastline with Brian Wilson. But further up the coast where its colder and theres more wooded areas. Beach Boys plus forest? That sounds a bit glib. Its a lovely record.

4)Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend






Catchy as hell.



5) Bon Iver - For Emma , Forever Ago




A musical accompaniment to Walden or, Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau ?

more song o the day ( song o the night?)

Miracle Fortress - Hold Your Secrets to Your Heart

song o' the day

Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy (12 extended)

song o' the day...

Passing By - Ulrich Schnauss

We're All Going To Die

Not much of a post this. Just poppping in to blow the dust off the blog seeing as its been some time since any activity here..

It has become considerabley colder of late, the weather that is , not the blog ( thats just dusty).