2009

[Just so you know this is both a "Top 10 (loosely) of 2009" list and a list of things I have seen and done. I do it every year, someday I will look back and wonder what I have done with my life. All I have to do is look at this. I wish I could tag more, oh well. With that, on with the show....]


***LIVE EVENTS***

THE TOP TEN...
10. The Comedy Central Roast of Joan Rivers taping
Pretty funny. Good time, loads of celebrities too, but the best was Homer Simpson & Dexter and Deb newly married sitting together.

9. Billy Elliot the Musical
As if being in London's West End was not enough getting to see this smashing musical was a rather lovely cherry on top.

8. The Weakerthans
So rare is it that one of my favourite bands in the world comes around, and yet they never disappoint. Brilliant!

7. "The State" Live!
Seeing this fabulous troupe performing new material live was such a hyper real treat.

6. Ida Maria & Glasvegas
Glasvegas are better on CD, but Ida just blew my pants off with her energy and earnestness.

5. Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien Taping
Seeing Conan is always a good time. This was my first time to a taping of his Tonight show. Complete thrill. Steve Zahn was weird.

4. Charlene Yi
Based on seeing her on Conan, I went to "Paper Heart", fell in love and got to see this live show. A mix of songs, jokes & awkwardness that was nothing but a pleasure.

3. Jimmy Eat World at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona
I got heatstroke and vomited to near passing out during this show and it is still one of my favourites! Clarity in entirety, home show, etc... Amazing!

2. Weezer at The Hollywood Palladium
I have seen Weezer quite a few times throughout the years, but this was the best one ever. The most fun for me, of course, but also it seemed for the band.

1. The SF Sketchfest Tribute to: "The State".
Hearing the entire cast speak candidly of how they came together and hearing all these stories I had never heard before but really special.

THE LIST...

22 January - A Salute to Bud Cort with "Harold and Maude" screening. At The Castro Theatre at 7PM.

22 January - "Better Off Dead" screening with writer/director Savage Steve Holland and actors Curtis Armstrong ("Charles De Mar") and Diane Franklin ("Monique Junot") in person. At The Castro Theatre at 9:45PM.

24 January - "The State" Live! Kevin Allison, Michael Ian Black, Robert Ben Garant, Todd Holoubek, Michael Patrick Jann, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Michael Showalter and David Wain performing live! At The Eureka Theatre at 8PM and 10PM.

24 January - "Wet Hot American Summer" screening with David Wain, Michael Showalter, Janeane Garofalo, Michael Ian Black, Zak Orth, Joe Lo Truglio and Ken Marino in person. At The Clay Theatre at Midnight.

25 January - The SF Sketchfest Tribute to: "The State" Kevin Allison, Michael Ian Black, Robert Ben Garant, Todd Holoubek, Michael Patrick Jann, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Michael Showalter and David Wain; in conversation with Janeane Garofalo [host/MC]. At Herbst Theatre at 2PM.

6 February - "Wicked : The Musical" at the Orpheum Theatre at 8:00PM.

9 February - "Jesca Hoop" at Cafe du Nord at 9:30PM opening for "Greg Laswell".

22 February - "Modest Mouse" at the Fox Theatre at 8:00PM with "Mimicking Birds".

4 March - "Jimmy Eat World" at The Fillmore at 6PM with "Reuben’s Accomplice".

7 March - "Jimmy Eat World" at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona at 6PM with "No Knife".

1 April - "AP Tour 2009" at Avalon Grand Ballroom.

7 April - "Billy Elliot the Musical" at Victoria Palace Theatre, London, England at 19:30.

25 May - "Flight of the Conchords" at the Berkeley Community Theatre at 6:00PM.

19 June - Scott Capurro at The Punchline

29 June - WWE PRESENTS MONDAY NIGHT RAW at the HP Pavilion At San Jose at 05:30 PM.

30 June - Spamalot at the Golden Gate Theatre at 6:00 PM.

23 July - The Weakerthans at the Great American Music Hall at 7:00PM.

26 July - The Comedy Central Roast of Joan Rivers taping in Culver City, CA

27 July - Jeopardy, the taping of three episodes in Culver City, CA

28 July - Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien Taping at Universal Studios Hollywood

28 July - Ida Maria & Glasvegas at The Music Box in Hollywood, CA

15 August - Charlene Yi & Brian Posehn at Cobb’s Comedy Club

13 September - Weezer at The Shoreline Amphitheater

21 September - The Get Up Kids at The Fillmore at 8:00PM.

24, 25, 26 September - Sunset Strip Music Festival 2009

8 October - Steve Martin at Golden Gate Park

21 October - MySpace Secret Show with Weezer at The Regency Ballroom

23 October - The Sounds & Shiny Toy Guns at House of Blues San Diego, CA

24 October - Weezer at The Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, CA

26 October - Regina Spektor at House of Blues San Diego, CA at 7:00 PM.

30 October - Kevin Smith at The Warfield at 8:00PM.


***VIDEOGAMES***
I have not played a good percentage of these so my top ten reflects that. Following the top ten is the full list of games I have received or purchased this year.

THE TOP TEN...
10. Boom Blox Bash Party
Fun game that really is a party. Refined controls and modes and just such a polished party game. One of Wii's best, seriously.

9. The Beatles Rock Band (Collector's Edition)
Singing & playing plastic instruments with a mate doing the same to really fab songs... there are few greater thrills.

8. Super Mario Bros. Wii
A fun, hard game made exponentially harder and fun(er) with each human you add to the occasion. Top shelf gaming worthy of Nintendo's legacy.

7. Lego: Rock Band
Cool and fun (how many ways can I say "fun") tunes and warm visuals with the best story mode to date of any rhythm game.

6. Dragon's Age Origins (Collector's Edition)
Long game, but so richly steeped in its own lore that all the shortcomings are overcome. A brilliant RPG, full of choice.

5. The Saboteur
Lured by the visuals, I loved the story and the gameplay. Not the best at anything but damn good fun.

4. Brütal Legend
Cruising around listening to some amazing tunes was so much fun it could have been its own game. Lucky then, this had killer visuals and story to boot.

3. The House of the Dead: Overkill
Silly story, but the best I have ever played in the light gun genre. Only on the Wii, this is a fantastic game... better with two people.

2. Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templar (Director's Cut)
I must love demonising the Templar’s, because I adore the story in this. The puzzles, always organic to the story, leave me craving the sequel to come out.

1. Assassin's Creed 2
Amazing story, sublime gameplay, and jaw-dropping visuals. Not a weakness to be found, as far as I am concerned, except that I must wait for the next.

THE PURCHASE LIST...
1. The Lord Of The Rings : Conquest [Xbox 360]
2. Skate 2 [Xbox 360]
3. Resident Evil 5 [Xbox 360]
4. Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure [NDS]
5. Trivial Pursuit [Xbox 360]
6. Game & Watch Collection [NDS]
7. Rhythm Heaven [NDS]
8. Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection [Xbox 360]
9. The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena [Xbox 360]
10. The House of the Dead: Overkill [Nintendo Wii]
11. Mad World [Nintendo Wii]
12. Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templar (Director's Cut) [Nintendo Wii]
13. Klonoa [Nintendo Wii]
14. Punch-Out!! [Nintendo Wii]
15. My Sims Party [NDS]
16. Boom Blox Bash Party [Nintendo Wii]
17. Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings [Nintendo Wii]
18. Flipnote Studio [Nintendo DSi]
19. Art Academy: First Semester [Nintendo DSi]
20. Scribblenauts [Nintendo DSi]
21. Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising [Xbox 360]
22. Assassin's Creed 2 [Xbox 360]
23. Dragon's Age Origins Collector's Edition [Xbox 360]
24. The Beatles Rock Band Collector's Edition [Xbox 360]
25. Super Mario Bros. Wii [Nintendo Wii]
26. Brütal Legend [Xbox 360]
27. Lego: Rock Band [Xbox 360]
28. Modern Warfare 2 [Xbox 360]
29. Rock Band Country Track Pack [Xbox 360]
30. The Saboteur [Xbox 360]
31. Wii Fit Plus [Nintendo Wii]
32. A Boy and His Blob [Nintendo Wii]
33. The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition [Xbox 360]


***MUSIC***

It is really hard to pick a top ten so I am not counting reissues [all Beatles albums anyone?], anniversary, soundtracks, and etcetera. Still this was a really tough list to order. Basically any of these I love dearly.

THE TOP TEN...
15. Dead Man's Bones "Dead Man's Bones"
Like "Murder Ballads" this entire album is obsessed with one subject, unlike that one this is about death... and it has a children's choir. Resplendent.

14. The Sounds " Crossing The Rubicon"
Sparkling Swedish pop with electro-fuzz overtones. An album full of catchy, dance-in-your-car tunes from start to finish.

13. Carrie Underwood "Play On"
The weakest of the three. but still a great country album with some extraordinary tunes. The voice still brings tears forth from my eyes.

12. Nelly Furtado "Mi Plan"
This is not "Folklore", but it is bloody good. The first half is stronger than the rest, but the songs I like are GREAT!

11. Dethklok "Dethalbum II"
A really nice, really peaceful death metal album. It riles me up and calms me down at the same time. Brandon Small is a genius.

10. Yeah Yeah Yeahs "It's Blitz! (Deluxe Edition)"
Mellow and synth-y. Sometimes it feels like it is the first time I really heard Karen O's voice. Sensual and lovely.

9. Brooke White "High Hopes & Heartbreak"
A beautiful girl with a beyond beautiful voice. Catchy bright tunes with edgy [well edgy to me] lyrics. This album is like bubbling champagne.

8. Ida Maria "Fortress 'round My Heart"
Whether going fast or slow, all the songs on this album just get to me. This is the kind of album that makes me want to dance and sing/scream along no matter what I am or how I feel.

7. Neko Case "Middle Cyclone"
A rollicking album you imagine listening to while nursing a pint. Not quite country and not quite any thing else, but all good.

6. Lily Allen "It's Not Me, It's You"
A brilliant, honest pop album. Memorable lyrics that enchant and sometimes... even touch you.

5. Steve Martin "The Crow : New Songs for the 5-String Banjo"
Common knowledge, I *LOVE* the banjo... and Steve Martin. This album is one of those that make you nostalgic the first time you hear it. At times silly and other mournful. There is so much beauty in the banjo plinking.

4. Regina Spektor "Far"
That bewitching voice stretching out with some real Ben Fold-ian sounding production. Immensely listenable and enjoyable. The closet she will ever come to a pop album, really good.

3. The Swell Season "Strict Joy"
Bleakness, love, things broken and things ephemeral and unbreakable... whatever they sing about, it is done with such honesty. Cutting and beguiling. Strict-ly tops.

2. Miranda Lambert "Revolution"
Great album made up of nothing, but great songs; start to finish. Her first was pretty good but the music and lyrics (especially the lyrics) are just on another level on this one, a rich agglomeration of metaphor and simile.

1. Weezer "Raditude: iTunes Pass"
Easily my most listened to, my most... a lot of things and ultimately my album of the year. Over thirty pieces of Weezer goodness. I am an unabashed pop fan and this is an unabashed pop album. I can safely say there is nothing I enjoyed more this year.

THE PURCHASE LIST...
1. Ayumi Hamasaki "Countdown Live 2008-2009"
2. Ayumi Hamasaki "NEXT LEVEL"
3. Ayumi Hamasaki "Rule / Sparkle"
4. Band Of Skulls "Baby Darling Doll Face Honey"
5. Cage The Elephant "Cage The Elephant"
6. A Camp "Covers EP"
7. Carrie Underwood "Play On"
8. Dead Man's Bones "Dead Man's Bones"
9. Dethklok "Dethalbum II"
10. Eisley "Fire Kite EP"
11. Ida Maria "Fortress 'round My Heart"
12. Imogen Heap "Ellipse"
13. Jimmy Eat World "Clarity : LIVE"
14. Karen O and the Kids "Where the Wild Things Are Official Film Soundtrack"
15. Lady Gaga "The Fame Monster"
16. Lily Allen "It's Not Me, It's You"
17. M. Ward "Hold Time"
18. Marié Digby "Breathing Underwater"
19. Matt & Kim "Grand"
20. Metric "Fantasies"
21. Miranda Lambert "Revolution"
22. MISTAH F.A.B. "Hit Me On Twitter EP"
23. Modest Mouse "No One's First, And You're Next EP"
24. Neko Case "Middle Cyclone"
25. Nelly Furtado "Mi Plan"
26. Norah Jones "The Fall"
27. Paramore "Brand New Eyes"
28. Pearl Jam "Backspacer"
29. Phoenix "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix"
30. Regina Spektor "Far"
31. The Sounds " Crossing The Rubicon"
32. Steve Martin "The Crow : New Songs for the 5-String Banjo"
33. Street Sweeper Social Club "Street Sweeper Social Club"
34. The Swell Season "Strict Joy"
35. Tegan And Sara "Sainthood"
36. Tinted Windows "Tinted Windows"
37. Various Artists "An Education (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)"
38. Various Artists "Glee: The Music, Volume 1"
39. Various Artists "Glee: The Music, Volume 2"
40. Various Artists Hannah Montana: The Movie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
41. Various Artists "Weezer - The 8-bit Album"
42. Vedera "Stages"
43. Weezer "Raditude"
44. Wilco "Wilco (The Album)"
45. Yeah Yeah Yeahs "It's Blitz! (Deluxe Edition)"
46. YMCK "Family Cooking"
47. Z.R.E.O. Team "Zelda Re-Orchestrated - Ocarina of Time (Complete)"
48. Julian Casablancas "Phrazes for the Young (iTunes Deluxe Version)"
49. Brooke White "High Hopes & Heartbreak"
50. Animal Collective "Merriweather Post Pavilion"

BONUS:
Top 15 songs of the year (with videos)...

15. Julian Casablancas "11th Dimension"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev5RMiujiQE

14. Neko Case "People Got A Lotta Nerve"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXl870NoF4E

13. Regina Spektor "Folding Chair"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCvgXmg0m1g

12. Weezer "Put Me Back Together"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxbi7W88cUo

11. Lily Allen "The Fear"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-wGMlSuX_c

10. Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Soft Shock"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KNfgkIVvyg

9. Ida Maria "Forgive Me"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1oMlOFi9vI

8. Brooke White- Hold Up My Heart"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlZNr10yJAA

7. Dethklok "Laser Cannon Deth Sentence"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLYHXfrL1cE

6. Steve Martin "Blue River Waltz"
http://www.last.fm/music/Steve+Martin/_/Blue+River+Waltz

5. Rivers Cuomo "80's Radio"
[play no mind to the titles, just the song] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUwH9kLW8Ug

4. The Swell Season "Fantasy Man"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY9oYeRVAD4

3. Nelly Furtado "Manos Al Aire"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5c3tfvp4Lc

2. Miranda Lambert "Me and Your Cigarettes"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DuZ7LPF5Ko

1. DEAD MAN'S BONES - "NAME IN STONE"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEvF7qUf2Pc


***FILMS***

THE TOP 25 (I have paring down issues)...
25. The Invention of Lying
Funny and heartbreaking. Cloyingly clever. Intelligent and potentially incendiary. Love it!

24. Crazy Heart
It is equally like and unlike "Once". Good music, good film, goodness Maggie is sexy.

23. The Reader
Touching and tough film that's quality is intrinsically tied to Kate Winslet.

22. A Serious Man
A serious film, but somehow one of the funniest of the year as well. Good stuff. The Coens' at their best.

21. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3D
Visually stunning and so perfectly stylized. The way they fleshed out one of my favourite books, just... clicked for me.

20. Where The Wild Things Are
Captured the feelings and emotions so perfectly of being a young boy. Completely resonant to me. I understand why people do not like it.

19. Avatar IMAX 3D
A great film and a fully, fully realised world. Three dimensional in a way beyond goofy glasses. Familiar and yet wholly original.

18. (500) Days of Summer
Even without the gorgeous Zooey bias, this takes the well tread ground of rom-com and makes it fresh.

17. State Of Play
The first film I saw addressing the collapse of print journalism and the need for it; all contained in a Cracker Jack fiction thriller.

16. Funny People
Not the funniest film, but a real look into comedians and comedy writing. It also shows the long slow growth of a man.

15. The Princess And The Frog
It took the writers/directors of "The Little Mermaid" to make a Disney animated classic on that level, in fact, it may be *gasp* better.

14. I Love You, Man
Underrated comedy of the year goes to this. This is the funniest film I saw in all of 2009. Endlessly quotable. Impossible for me not to love Paul Rudd.

11. Broken Embraces
Bittersweet and rich, like a dark chocolate. Amazing performances and warmth and humour mixed well with the darkness of the story.

12. The Brothers Bloom
Full realization of the promise showed in his first feature. A con flick with heart and soul. A fresh voice in cinema and an instant classic.

11. Coco Before Chanel
So fascinating a story and the way her fashion was visually foreshadowed was amazing! I love this film, love it. Amazing it is not in my top ten.

10. Moon
Wonderful, existential sci-fi. An amazing performance from Rockwell, who I love, and I am excited to see what next from Jones now that he has some clout.

9. Observe and Report
Terrible people being simply awful. There is no growth by the end, but it just feels so real even as exaggerated as it is. I can be laughing one second and dead crying the next. Stunning. The fact that I can find sweetness in this filth is why I consider it such a success, that and it is hilarious.

8. Paper Heart
There is a lot of hate for this, but I think it is so sweet and so charming a story. The songs, paper doll scenes and real docu-footage are incandescent. Yi is so charming and Cera plays Cera with just the right notes for the story.

7. The Cove
Message films are not usually this interesting. In the film they realise the best way to appeal to people is to hit them personally instead of appeal to sympathy. As a film it realises that rather than being taught a lesson, making a real spy film with a lesson would appeal more. It does.

6. The Hurt Locker
This is not a war film, but it is set to war. It is not at all preachy, but there is something to take from it, if you want. It is just an amazing visceral action film first.

5. Up
If you do not cry at least twice the first time you see this you are a robot. Gorgeous animation, brilliant storytelling, performances, etc... it is a Pixar film.

4. Coraline 3D
Beautiful film so perfectly suited to the medium of stop motion animation, the acting and music just effortlessly guiding this unnerving and splendid adaptation of the book. A multiple viewing must to see all the layers and textures of the film.

3. Fantastic Mr. Fox
A great film for children, it does not simplify or talk down and it deals with matters great and small, human and more... animalistic. Like I said a great film for children, but even more delightful for those whose childhoods have already been.

2. Up In The Air
A film for our time that I feel will end up being timeless. Funny and touching with bravura performances from all the leads. Playing with and against type. The only film I have seen this year that I do not think anyone could dislike.

1. Food, Inc.
This film is like a school course on-demand about socialized agriculture. The only thing I have to say if this film changed my life and how I live it. How I see the world and the choices I made. I have never been moved like I have by this film.

THE VIEWED LIST...
[The * denotes that this was seen in the cinema]
1. Revolution Road*
2. Hotel For Dogs*
3. My Bloody Valentine 3D*
4. Taken*
5. Coraline 3D*
6. The Reader*
7. Confessions Of A Shopaholic*
8. Two Lovers*
9. I Love You, Man*
10. Adventureland*
11. Hannah Montana : The Movie*
12. State Of Play*
13. Crank : High Voltage*
14. Observe And Report*
15. Sunshine Cleaning*
16. X-Men Origins : Wolverine*
17. Star Trek*
18. Watchmen*
19. Rudo Y Cursi*
20. The Hangover*
21. Away We Go*
22. The Proposal*
23. Angels & Demons*
24. The Brothers Bloom*
25. Terminator Salvation*
26. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian*
27. Up*
28. Food, Inc.*
29. Whatever Works*
30. Public Enemies*
31. Brüno*
32. Lyme life*
33. Defiance
34. Moon*
35. The Hurt Locker*
36. Public Enemies*
37. Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince : 3D IMAX*
38. (500) Days of Summer*
39. The Cove*
40. Funny People*
41. Julie & Julia*
42. Paper Heart*
43. Ponyo*
44. The Time Traveler's Wife*
45. District 9*
46. GI Joe : The Rise Of The Cobra*
47. Post Grad*
48. Inglourious Basterds*
49. Taking Woodstock*
50. Gamer*
51. Extract*
52. It Might Get Loud*
53. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3D*
54. The Informant!*
55. The Final Destination*
56. I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell*
57. Jennifer's Body*
58. The Invention Of Lying*
59. Zombieland*
60. Grey Gardens
61. Whip It*
62. Paranormal Activity*
63. Couples Retreat*
64. Toy Story 1&2 3D*
65. A Serious Man*
66. Coco Before Chanel*
67. Where The Wild Things Are*
68. AntiChrist*
69. The Box*
70. Men Who Stare At Goats*
71. 2012*
72. Pirate Radio*
73. Twilight Saga: New Moon*
74. Up In The Air*
75. Fantastic Mr. Fox*
76. The Messenger*
77. Brothers*
78. A Christmas Carol 3D*
79. Up In The Air*
80. Invictus*
81. The Princess And The Frog*
82. It's Complicated*
83. Sherlock Holmes*
84. Crazy Heart*
85. Broken Embraces*
86. Avatar IMAX 3D*

Bonus! My *worst* films of the year!
Bottom 10 (harder than finding a top because I like everything)...

10. Brüno
Not awful and I rather liked the ending, but the comedy was homophobic so not that funny to me... nor *shocking*.

9. Post Grad
The definition of the word, "rote". Bledel is quite easy on the eyes and I had a few laughs, but once and never again is enough.

8. The Final Destination
I love the franchise, but making it 3D seemed to be the only spark of creativity. FD 2 is still far and away the most inventive and best, this is just... entertaining.

7. Angels & Demons
A poorly written book turned into a slightly better film. Interesting ideas I wish were put in more capable hands, YOU HEAR ME DAN BROWN!?

6. Hotel For Dogs
Three things: I love Emma Roberts, this flick did make me cry though I immensely dislike dogs & I long for the day Emma does good films since I will go see them either way.

5. Twilight Saga: New Moon
Weitz is a great director who keeps getting better. This is the best it could possibly be and true to the book. That said, it sucks.

4. My Bloody Valentine 3D
Terrible film. A good time in the theatre though. Good enough, anyway.

3. Grey Gardens
Well acted, but boring.

2. Jennifer's Body
Does not work as a teen drama or a comedy or a horror film. This one film fails me three ways. That is saying something.

1. I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell
Near story less; though it probably could have benefited from not having the "story" it does have; and scattered. As if they realise how dumb and bereft of ideas it is. I bet this film is shown in hell.


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[Agree? Disagree? Questions? Comment? Whatever it is feel free to axe me. So convenient there is a box below where you can do just that.]