2008’s Best Movie:
Dark Knight - The brilliance of Christopher Nolan’s summer blockbuster is undeniable. It’s hard to instantly want to jump onboard the proverbial bandwagon when it comes to movies of this magnitude, but Nolan’s noir’ vision of the caped-crusader was an artistic masterpiece. The late Heath Ledger’s eerily captivating portrayal of The Joker allows Nolan’s vision to shine despite a seemingly unnecessary and overdone decision to dedicate so much screen time to Aaron Eckhart’s Harvey Dent. Perhaps the most self-gratifying aspect of the film was Nolan’s decision to shoot the film in Chicago. The overhead shots of downtown Chicago appreciated in all its Blu-Ray beauty.
2008’s Best Album
The Black Keys- Attack and Release -
The Akron rock duo’s fifth studio release is funky, bluesy, and soulful. With a mature sound throughout the album, its evident the Keys sound is forever evolving. “I Got Mine” and “Same Old Thing” provide listeners with a driving beat from drummer/producer Patrick Carney matched with an expressive lyrical display courtesy of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach. Produced by Danger Mouse, acclaimed producer and one half of Gnarls Barkley, you can hear the funk element intertwined throughout the LP, fitting perfectly with their naturally bluesy sound. It’s hard to give this album a listen and not find yourself impressed by the sheer amount of sound produced by the two inspired rockers. If you weren’t fortunate to catch them at Lolla’ this past summer, let’s hope they make the trek back to Grant Park in August ’09.
2008’s Best Sports Team
Boston Celtics -
With all that has been made of the Boston “Three” Party, made up of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, emerging superstar Rajon Rondo has often gotten lost in the mix. Yet, the rookie’s superb performance in last season’s playoffs and standout role early in this season indicate that team-oriented NBA basketball is not completely lost. After dismantling Kobe Bryant’s Lakers in six games, Doc Rivers has his boys in green picking up where they left off as the new season is underway. It would certainly be a safe bet that the Celtics will be back for round two come June’s NBA Finals.
2008’s Biggest Loser
George W. Bush -
As if the guy’s reputation couldn’t possibly be tarnished even further, 2008 was another whirlwind year for W. Let’s not even hold it against him that Oliver Stone couldn’t’ even make George W’s story exciting enough to cash in at the box office. When you have reached a global reputation as George has, with I suppose it shouldn’t be unexpected when a reporter in Iraq throws a shoe at you during your last visit to the country you ravaged with war and corruption. Let’s not forget about the financial crisis George W. has gotten the country into. Let’s just take W’s following quote describing the nature of the financial mess as a prime example of his wisdom. It speaks volumes of his analogy skills and after all, the man speaks from hard-earned experience.
"Wall Street got drunk and now it's got a hangover. And the question is how long will it sober up and not try to do those fancy financial instruments?" -- President George W. Bush
2008’s Biggest Winner
Barack Obama -
Thinking back on the years I’ve been alive, it’s hard to pinpoint a President that has really connected with the youth segment of our country. Reagan and Bush Sr. were far too old to connect with America’s late 80’s and early 90’s disenchanted Gen Xer’s. Clinton connected with the nation’s youth by constantly being on every TV network thanks to his Monica Lewinsky scandal, yet perhaps this was not the best way to accomplish any sort of President-youth bond. And George W. Come to think of it, I think Will Ferrell described Bush’s attempts best while imitating the 43rd President on a recent SNL sketch prior to the election.
“For a little while I was trying to be folksy but after a bit, it just came off douchey..- Ferrell
The bottom line is that Barack Obama is the first candidate that has not only won the confidence of America’s Boomer Generation, but he has energized the nation’s youth culture like never before. I mean, come on, when you see the president-elects face on a shirt at Urban Outiftters, you know something different is going on. As a 24- yr old, it is a breath of fresh air. It can’t be blindly assumed that he will magically eliminate the extensive challenges our nation faces, but with the present, and future adults of our country finally inspired, his chances for the “change’ he promises have exponentially increased.
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