Top 5 Movies - 2007

Just a favorite list of the movies I watched this year, not necessarily all having been released in 2007. Do I have to even mention that all of these movies have excellent scores as well and that I bought them straight away after watching each movie? No? Okay.

5. The Painted Veil
Okay, I admit this is mostly because I have a thing for Edward Norton, but in my defense he does consistently pick good rolls in solid movies (Well, I hate American History X, but who honestly does like that movie?). It's period piece set in China during the cholera epidemic in the '20s. It's epically romantic and coming from a girl who's seen enough chick flicks and romance movies to end all worlds it's something.

Alexandre Michel Desplat - "River Waltz"



4. Nirgendwo in Afrika (Nowhere in Africa)
It's another Holocaust/World War II type movie, but with an interesting take: those that took refuge in Africa. I was fully absorbed in this family's drama of their struggle to acclimate into the Kenyan culture all the while dealing with the knowledge of the war in Europe. "Nowhere In Africa" has that epic quality that deserves a viewing.




3. Lars and the Real Girl
The word that pops up in my head every time I think of this movie is "charming". The story, the characters, and the music are just very endearing and quirky. Plus Ryan Gosling is the hotness.

David Torn - "End Credit Suite"




2. Pan's Labyrinth
This is an amazing movie. It's part fantasy and part psychological drama, and most definitely not for kids. Every scene was captivating both in story and in special effects used. And yes, the score was also stellar.

Javier Navarrete - "Long, Long Time Ago"



1. Once
It's kind of the modern day musical but with the singing naturally incorporated into the movie's plot and without it coming across as contrived. Romantic as hell and the soundtrack is exactly why I bother searching through the music blogs as I found the music before I saw the movie. I want my own Glen Hansard.

Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová - Lies



Notables:



Hot Fuzz

The "awesome British humor" pick.
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Memories of Murder

The "suspenseful thriller in a foreign language" pick.
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Sound and Fury

The "documentary that makes you think and choose sides" pick.
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Juno

The "adorable, quick-witted, and quirky" pick.
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Top 5 T.V. Shows - 2007

5. VH1 Classic - Morning Video Block

I just randomly decided a few months ago to start recording these music video hours that played daily. They call the selections classic, but the farthest back they'll go is 1975. I'm perfectly ok with that because I have a strong aversion to music from the 60s and 70s. For the most part it's hippy crap and I'll pass, thank you. Most of the videos they do play are just cheesy goodness, like Duran Duran "Rio", Heart's "Alone", Rod Stewart's "Hot Legs". I like to play it while doing homework or as cool background stuff if people are over and the board games are out in full force. You really can't go wrong with this show.




4. Human Giant
This new comedy is exceptional. It's mainly bits and sketches that Paul Scheer, Aziz Ansari, and Rob Huebel (my new love) create themselves and perform, and it airs on MTV. I think I watched all six episodes about a good 15 times each, that's how much I crave this show. It's sometimes dark, usually twisted, and always very very funny. I can't wait for it to start again in a few months. I need more Illusionators!

3. Pushing Daisies
I LOVE this show. Like, a real deep love. It's a mix of Amelie's fantasty style of storytelling and settings and Big Fish's visual candy. All of the characters are likeable (even the females, gasp!), the storylines are interesting enough to enjoy while not requiring too much emotion be exerted, and it's not like what's on T.V. right now. I'm pointing at you, Law and Order and CSI and every crappy spinoff that has come from them. Take a note, television studios: Make interesting and appealing shows and the people will watch for the most part. Easier said than done, yes, but stop whining already and get it made. Oh, and stop ripping off the writers so Pushing Daisies can continue. Thank you, that is all.

2. Battlestar Galactica

It's seriously the best drama on TV. I know the name is off-putting and people cringe and wrinkle their nose when I mention the name of the show, but I don't care. Intense drama, compelling story lines, stellar music, Edward James Olmos, it's all packed in to this amazing show. Do yourself a favor and watch it. If you're not having a love affair with Helo after the beginning mini series then you're already lost and I wish you the best.

1. The Office
Ever since losing Arrested Development (I love you Michael Cera!) I've had a comedy hole in my heart that I believed would never be filled. While I still proudly declare that Arrested Development is my favorite comedy ever, The Office has thankfully filled the comedy void. Every single character is interesting and funny, 99% of every scene is hilarious and creative, and Jon Krasinski is on the show. I mean, come on. All I ask is for more Toby and Creed. And for the stupid executives to pay the writers their deserved dues so they can get back to making
more episodes, damn it!

Notables -

Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares
It's a little formulaic what with the "Crappy restaurant in dire need, head chef/owner gets yelled at by Ramsay, the place gets the kitchen and dining area remodeled, the restaurant re-opens and then happy ending.". But Ramsay in anything is enjoyable. Though I do get a sick pleasure from seeing them go back six months later to check on the restaurant's progress and the place is shut down. I'm a jerk, I know.

Final 24
It's so morbid and sad that I end up in a funk after watching it. Yet I can't stop watching because of how stupidly tragic and usually avoidable most of these deaths were. Celebrities, such attention whores to the death.

True Life
This show has been on MTV forever. It just somehow finds the most dysfunctial fools as well as some awesome people and showcases their issues or struggles. "I'm Going to Fat Camp", "I Stutter", "I Live on Staten Island", "I Have Baby Mama Drama". It's gold, I tell you.

Engaged and Underage
This show is fun and just as frustrating too. I'm amused by these kids wanting to get married, yet they don't have real jobs or money, aren't out of college (or even high school for that matter), bicker like siblings and are incredibly immature. But other than that, great show!



Gabriel Rios - Broad Daylight
(Just a random song I like at the moment)

Top 10 Songs Part II - 2007

5. Winter Family - "Garden"

The duo behind Winter Family consists of Israeli singer Ruth Rosenthal, who writes her texts in Hebrew and English, and French musician Xavier Klaine, who plays piano, harmoniums and pipe organ. I came across this enchanting song during my daily perusal of motel de moka and instantly "Garden" gave me chills at first listen. Then I played it ten more times to just begin to absorb it. Can I say that the lyrics are so ridiculously romantic and charming? And Ms. Rosenthal's vocals are beautiful, as are the independent background vocals. The subtle tinkling of the piano in the background is probably the only reason why I would go back to learn more piano, so I could play these types of melodies.

"I remember

I saw you coming closer and closer to me
And maybe it was excitement, I don't know
But I was paralyzed
I fell on my knees
It was me, you
It was... us... finally"

4. Badly Drawn Boy - "Promises"

Badly Drawn Boy has been getting some mediocre reviews for the past album or two that he's churned out, but I'm one of those that doesn't buy into the negatives on this guy. His music is too good and I continue to faithfully buy what he puts out (within reason. A cover album of Abba songs would probably sour my affection for him just a little). He didn't come out with anything new this year in terms of albums, but he did release this single through iTunes and I instantly snagged it when I saw it featured under new releases. It was one of my favorite iTunes purchases this year. I appreciate how "Promises" layers on itself as it progresses, nothing too fancy, but enough to have me putting this song on permanent repeat status. It's a sad song (what else is new) and consistently socks me in the gut. No better combination.

"I promise you will get old
I promised you everything
To protect you wherever you go
I'll give you this diamond ring

Just promise you will remember
A promise should last forever
Right up to the dying embers
Of a fire that burns so slow"


3. Pete Yorn - "Lose You"

Nothing against Pete, but the studio version has always sounded like his voice and emotions are dead, though the use of organs towards the end is personally very enjoyable. Then I listened to his one on the Live From New Jersey album and it knocked me back. It had that appropriate sadness for the lyrics, yet the interaction with the audience brings some levity (and it shows he's an amazing live singer). I would date him, with it ending good or bad, just in hopes he would write a song like this for me. As long as he doesn't call me out by name in his liner notes, I'm ok with it.

"I don’t need a better thing
I’d settle for less
It’s another thing for me
I just have to wander through this world
Alone"



2. Arcade Fire - "Keep the Car Running"


The end of 2006 is the when I discovered Arcade Fire and their album Funeral. Then March of 2007 came along and *WHAM* Neon Bible was released. I was genuinely giddy while listening through the tracks, and that sadly doesn't happen so often anymore to me with new music. "Keep the Car Running" is just one of many tracks from Neon Bible that hits me in all the right places and makes me come back for more.

"There’s a weight that’s pressing down.
Late at night you can hear the sound.
Even the noise you make when you sleep.
Can’t swim across a river so deep.
They know my name 'cause I told it to them, But they don’t know where
And they don’t know
When It’s coming, when It’s coming."



1. Peter Gabriel - "San Jacinto"

There's not much to say about "San Jacinto" other than I do a little fist pump of victory every time it plays on my iPod. Following the fist pump comes a sing-along. An hour later the urge to see Secret World Live DVD appears. Then I scour the internet to see if he will ever come back to southern California to do a concert. The answer is usually no. I'm sad about this truth for a few minutes, but "In Your Eyes" comes on the radio sometime after that and all is well again in Peter Gabriel lovefest land.

"I hold the line - the line of strength that pulls me through the fear
San Jacinto - I hold the line
San Jacinto - the poison bite and darkness take my sight - I hold the line
And the tears roll down my swollen cheek - think I'm losing it - getting weaker
I hold the line - I hold the line
San Jacinto - yellow eagle flies down from the sun - from the sun"



Runner-Ups:

Sufjan Stevens - "Super Sexy Woman"
Quirky, frisky lyrics and something out of the ordinary for Sufjan.


Radical Face - "Along the Road"
The creaking boards and the low notes that he's not quite reaching, the piano tinkling along, the low hums... It all just works.


Laura Veirs & Saltbreakers - "To the Country"
I really like Laura Veirs. Her music is consistently good and this was my favorite track from her new album. It's simple, clean, and has clapping incorporated into it. How can that fail?



Sea Wolf - "Leaves in the River"
A cool instrumental intro that I wanted to last the whole 5 minutes. But it nicely sets up the rest of the very pretty song. Sea Wolf was a great find this year.




Snow Patrol - "Finish Line"
It's back to my compulsive preference towards "night time" mood songs. And it's not their song "Crashing Cars", so win win for everyone!

Top 10 Songs Part I - 2007

2007 - It was a pretty great year in many respects. Some highlights are : I got into grad school, hell, I finished my undergraduate degree; I'm in London for nine days (a post recapping all that glory later); I was 21 for most of the year; and I went on a entertainment overload rampage with movies, T.V. and music, which sounds a little sad but it really isn't. At least in my head it isn't and that's where it counts. So that leads to the first of a series of posts that will list and dissect what my favorite things were the past year. Music! Since I absorb so much music yearly I can never settle on just a 5, or even a 10 for me is a struggle. But I forced myself to just stick with a top 10 and here's the #10-6 countdown.

[Destroy All Evidence (Nicole) and I are trying to pump these out together around the same time, but my being out of the country has caused a little delay. But London I guess is a modern city or something, because I see Internet Cafes strewn everywhere, and it's fun to get an internet fix amidst all the walking, play-watching, and shopping.]

10. Bear McCreary - "Reuniting the Fleet"

My favorite drama show and hands down the best score on T.V. This song is all inspirational, motivational, and kickass-ational. It's mostly guaranteed that a track from soundtrack season 3 or 4 will make its way onto the 2008 mix because Bear is surefire composer.


9. Ryan Adams - "If I'm a Stranger"

This version is a bit scratchy and rough but it has much more oomph behind it than the studio version. I dig it. A lot.

"For all the hours here that move to slow
There's all this letting go, that won't pass
If all this love is real, how will we know?
And if were only scared of losing it, how will it last?

If I am a stranger now to you
I will always be, I will always be
Stronger now than me, stronger than you
Our love will always be
If we let it go, I will try to be there for you
I will try to be there for you
I will try to be there for you"


8. Glen Hansard - "Say It To Me Now"

I had most of the songs to Once before I saw the movie and I was still affected by the songs. Glen Hansard's voice is like a dagger, it's so packed with emotion and power. Gorgeously sad song.

"Cause this is what you've waited for
A chance to even up the score
And as these shadows fall on me now
I will somehow

Cause I'm picking up a message Lord
And I'm closer than I've ever been before

So if you have something to say
Say it to me now"


7. Enigma - "Prism of Life"

Enigma - oh, how you bring me such joy. I'm not sure why, but a well-placed chorus of singers in a song can make me a happy girl. Sure it's cheesy, but I really don't see why some Euro cheese can't be a good part of the music diet.

"And when it seems that we're in a dead end street
There's no reason to cry
Cause we have a helping hand who's always aside"


6. Delirious? - "Our God Reigns"

The combination of old-school use of choir and traditional chorus lyrics mixed with modern issues and a soaring climax make for a potent song. Throw in gorgeous piano and violins for good measure and it has hit the near top of my favorites. Oh, and they're British.

"The west has found a gun and it’s loaded with ‘unsure’
Nip and tuck if you have the bucks in a race to find a cure.
Psalm one hundred and thirty nine is the conscience to our selfish crime,
God didn’t screw up when he made you,
He’s a father who loves to parade you."