Load and behold. The below playlist is a representation of the music that represented 2008 the most for me. It was a tough one. My first draft came in well over 80 minutes – the length of a CD. This comes in at a cool 76 minutes.

I watched March of the Penguins last night. Easily one of the better nature documentaries I’ve seen (though probably only nature documentary I’ve properly watched…). It’s beautifully shot, the subject matter was interesting and Morgan Freeman’s narration was ideally poised. Not too heavy handed. Not too cute; though it was always threatening to go that way.

My favourite bit was the role reversal as the male penguins sat on the eggs and the female penguins gathered food. I can imagine the conversation between two male penguins in the summer.

Penguin One: So… What did you do all winter man?

Penguin Two: Stood around without eating in the harshest temperatures on earth protecting an egg.

Penguin One: No way man! That’s freaking awesome! Me too!

I kinda imagine Penguin One as a kind of Sean Penn in Fast Time In Ridgemont High kind of character.

Back to actual penguins… It’s interesting just how on a knife edge it is. These penguins go months without eating and if the females take slightly too long to bring back food then the chick is fucked. Overall, I quite enjoyed that documentary. 7.5/10

I haven’t seen Wall-E, Pixar’s latest offering that was released, you know, ages ago. I’m dying to see it but lack of finances has prevented me. The DVD is due to be released soon so I’ll probably give it a rent. I love Pixar. I’ve loved every film they’ve done. Even the ones that weren’t really that good like Cars.

Anyway, imagine my delight when I found out Eve, one of the characters in Wall-E got a vote for Best Actress for the National Film Critic Society Awards, (the mention is near the end of the article). Today, one of my favourite bloggers, Nathaniel wrote an article in “support” of this fantastic actress.

It should also be noted, that Waltz With Bashir, an animated documentary (whatever) won the top prize. With Wall-E tied for second. Isn’t it great to see animated films finally getting respect?

Well, come 2010 we will have our new Doctor. He goes by the name of Matt Smith.

This is the kind of thing I was hoping for. I wanted someone who was unknown and perfect for the part. Someone who can take the part, retain what’s special about the Doctor and make the part his own.

There seemed to be a bit of speculation around that they’ll choose a black actor for the role but that divided me a bit. Sure, it would be cool and a bit refreshing but on the other hand, how obvious is it, in the wake of Obama’s election victory to choose a black guy? (Of course in the context of Doctor Who, its much more obvious to choose a white guy). But to me, in my mind, it’ll look like Doctor Who was just riding the coat-tails of Obama. But that’s just me I guess. Ultimately, especially by 2010 when episodes start appearing I doubt that’ll be a concern.

Oh well. Incoherent thoughts over.

I’ve been seeing this image around various blogs recently.

Igor Panarin got some face time in the Wall Street Journal the other day. He’s been predicting this for a decade and he is finally get some mainstream media time. Of course, it’s all a big joke. Look at how specific it is. Atlantic America – a combination of states like Tennessee and New York. An odd combination which seems to be based on nothing but geography may join the EU. Why? No mention of that. The Texas Republic, which has about eight other states who won’t mind being called Texas will be part of Mexico or under Mexican influence.WHY?

Why will it go under MEXICO? That makes no sense. Why can’t they form their own independent state. What the hell do they need Mexico for? Texas GDP per capita is $36,920. Mexico GDP per capita is $9,716.

Why will Montana/Iowa/Ohio etc go under Canada rule but not Alaska?

Why the hell will the Chinese risk World War Three by invading California etc…

I find most “Best of 2008″ lists boring. Unless I actually like that person – I really couldn’t give a stuff what their favourite album or favourite movie was. I post those kinds of lists but I don’t expect people to actually care. There seems to be two reasons for me to look through these lists. One, to reaffirm my own opinions and two, to actually find new stuff. So this is a blog post dedicated to the search of new music and those blog posts that will help me find it.

• Flavorwire: The Top Ten List That Never Was (And Never Will Be)
• The Guardian: Introducing Your New Favourite Bands
• SuicideGirls: Top Ten Criminally Ignored Albums of 2008
• AWMusic: Top 5 Unknown Artists of the Year
• HeroHill: Top 20 Canadian LPs
• Chicagoist: The Best Local Music of 2008
• Drowned In Sound: Writer’s Tips for 2009
• Boston Globe: Topping the Local Mix
• Paste: Five Criminally Slept On Albums
• Joe.Blog: Top 28 for ‘08 – Australia and New Zealand
• Chicago Tribune: Local & Indie
• Earfarm: Top Breakout Bands For 08/09
• Culture Bully: Most Overlooked Albums of 2008
• Songs In The Key Of Life: 2008 Albums Of The Year You’ve Probably Never Heard
• A Reminder: Australia/NZ’s top Bands of 2008
• Nada Macho: Best Seattle Albums
• Polaroids of Androids: Australia/New Zealand

While browsing through some “Best Of” lists – I discovered this really cool flash game by NinjaKiwi. It’s called Meeblings – reminds me somewhat of Lemmings – fun and addictive.

At the moment I’m stuck on level 19.

My last post focused on my favourite movies of the year that were released in 2007 and 2008. This post is widening the field quite a bit. This will be the top twenty films I watched this year. There are a lot of gaps in my watching – so there will be a lot of older movies on this list. Only five movies out of twenty from the last list have made it on here. No point fluffing around…

1. The Triplets of Belleville (2003 – Sylvain Chomet)
2. Amores Perros (2000 – Alejandro Inarritu)
3. Singin’ In The Rain (1952 – Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen)
4. Les Diaboliques (1955 – Henri-Georges Clouzot)
5. The Hidden Fortress (1958 – Akira Kurosawa)
6. To Be Or Not To Be (1942 – Ernst Lubitsch)
7. Children of Men (2006 – Alfonso Cuaron)
8. M*A*S*H (1970 – Robert Altman)
9. No Country For Old Men (2007 – Joel & Ethan Coen)
10. It Happened One Night (1934 – Frank Capra)
11. The Pianist (2002 – Roman Polanski)
12. The Dark Knight (2008 – Christopher Nolan)
13. Juno (2007 – Jason Reitman)
14. The Lady Eve (1941 – Preston Sturges)
15. Gosford Park (2001 – Robert Altman)
16. I’m Not There (2007 – Todd Haynes)
17. Ratatouille (2007 – Brad Bird)
18. Trouble In Paradise (1932 – Ernst Lubitsch)
19. Volver (2006 – Pedro Almodovar)
20. Magnolia (1999 – Paul Thomas Anderson)

“He’s definitely one of the top twenty shearers in New Zealand.”

“You’d find all the good ones in North Otago.”

“You gotta be fucking kidding. Have you seen his technique?”

I don’t know why, but it’s just weird hearing shearers talked about like that – just like rugby players. I guess it is a sport and all – my urban mind just can’t cope.