In Lieu of A Photo Montage..

I've always been a sucker for year-end lists. I used to love listening to the local pop radio stations on December 31st each year as Casey Kasem or perhaps a local disc jokey would count down and ultimately crown some well crafted pop tune the "best of" that year. I also remember many times forcing myself to sit through hours of television marathons as commentators ranked some element of entertainment of that year..best television show, catch phrase of the year, sexiest beach body..it doesn't matter, these superlatives are as addictive as cigarettes once you find yourself in the middle of a long drag of "best of"s. So in the spirit of the self absorbed practice of looking to one's self for all things that are "the best"..here is my 2008 list:
Best DVD rentals I watched in 2008:
Waitress
La Vie en Rose
Eastern Promises
Into the Wild
Yesterday
Chinatown
Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
The Band's Visit
Transsiberian

Best Movie at a Theatre:
Prince Caspian at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood
It's A Wonderful Life at The Belcourt
Tell No One at The Belcourt

Best Book I Finished in 2008:
A Prayer For Owen Meany
Into The Wild
Grapes of Wrath
Don't Waste Your Life

Best Tunes of 2008
* Al Green - Take Your Time
* Adele - Hometown Glory
* Goldfrapp - Clowns
* Kanye West - Say You Will
* Coldplay - Viva La Vida
* Jack Johnson - Sleep Through The Static
* Vampire Weekend - The Kids Don't Stand A Chance
* Eddie Vedder - Rise
* Glen Campbell - These Days
* Gilberto Gil - Samba de Los Angeles
* Death Cab For Cutie - Your New Twin Sized Bed