Lopez Blogs

So for my final wrap up of all things 2008, I thought I'd go with tv and movies. PS, i'm hoping compiling these lists will cheer me up. Two trains in a row today were "cancelled" today due to lack of customers so I was stuck on a freezing platform in the middle of nowhere for over an hour. Brrrr......

TOP TEN MOVIES OF 2008

10= - Bolt/Wall-E: Disney once again pulls it out the bag with two very different but equally entertaining movies. Bolt is a snooze fest until the hamster joins the fun, and then is a riotous laugh a minute (ok laugh every two minutes) while Wall-E is one of the most beautiful environmental love stories ever told. Quite poignant and lovely
09 - Twilight: How i ignored the Twilight novels is beyond me! It's so me - they appeal to teenage girls, have vampires and is an epic possibly doomed romance (I haven't finished the quadrilogy just yet). I've never been particularly picky about book to movie adaptations so really enjoyed this gothic love story, and thought the characters were done well. Still v v disappointed about the Edward-in-the-sun scene though :(
08 - Inkheart: While not quite this year's Stardust, it's still a fairytale come to life, literally if you know the plot and figuratively as in it's on the big screen. It lacks a great romance but Cornelia Funke's lovely novel about storybooks coming to life translates well into celluloid, even if Darren declared it "two hours of my life i will NEVER get back"...
07 - Sex and The City: I was perhaps less passionate about sex at the movies than I should've been. I mean, god love her, but Peter Griffiths is right. No one needs to see Sarah Jessica Parker on the big screen (and I quite liked Failure to Launch!!). Anyway, the four slutty hos had toned it down a bit but were still funny, warm and entertaining. Loses points for the far too long mopey Carrie storyline and wasting Jennifer Hudson...
06 - Prince Caspian: The follow up to The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe was never going to be as big because it's not the story that everybody knows and loves. But it had Ben Barnes in it (woo! History Boys Dakin comes good!) with a bizarre accent, and I for one was quite happy to be sucked back into Narnia. It also gave me the very gorgeous The Call by Regina Spektor which began my brief but intense love affair with her music. Bring on the third I say...(not making the list but still starring Ben Barnes is the very good 20s comedy of manners Easy Virtue)
05 - Frost/Nixon: I honestly thought this music would hold less passion for me as I'm not an American and therefore was less affected by the Watergate scandal. However, politics intruige me so I watched. And what is essentially a two person interaction between interviewer David Frost (portrayed as a playboy fop necessarily for most of the movie) and the shamed Richard Nixon builds the tension slowly until a phonecall tips David over the edge and finally that admission comes. When the film shows David Frost remembering to breathe, i had to remind myself to breathe too, so engrossed was I...
04 - Slumdog Millionaire: How entirely charming this movie is. A young lad is one question away from winning the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and is accused of cheating. Through a series of both hilarious, harrowing and touching flashbacks the life story of him, his brother and a young girl they befriend is told as they all take very different approaches to their poor situation. Whether he wins the game or not becomes almost irrelevant as the tale of all 3 dispersed individuals reaches its euphoric and devastating conclusion. Magbleedingnif!
03 - Milk: My name is Fizzypop and I'm here to recruit you! I feel slightly ashamed for not putting this higher. Appealing to me in the same way Frost/Nixon did, this tale of bigotry, human rights, hope, friendship, love and just plain fitting in moved me immensely. Reminding me that I take many things for granted (like being able to get married) - things that people fought for, and still fight for to this day. The acting in this movie is top notch, the performances engaging, the moment when California votes no on Prop 6 utterly electrifying and the final few seconds of Harvey Milk's life totally devastating.
02 - Mamma Mia: Darren will probably divorce me for having this languish at number two. It is by far his favourite movie of the year, favourite album of the year and most likely his favourite movie of all time. Everything about it was slightly OTT in what is really a tale of a girl who knobbed three guys in succession and has it come back to bite her on the ass 20 years later. Like all my favourite movies, i've come to pick many many holes in it yet still adore it. Plus of course it has Dominic Cooper in it (woohoo! History Boy Dakin comes good!)and the most gleeful cinematic moment of the year when Meryl bounces up and down on the bed to Dancing Queen. That song has a power that even Abba probably didn't recognise straight away. It's just the feelgood movie of the year and bah humbug to anyone who says different... (not on this list but still starring Dominic Cooper is the very good historical piece The Duchess)
01 - Australia: Yes, it has been ravaged by the critics. But this film was pretty much written with everything I like about movies in mind. Against all odds type romance, rugged and hunky bearded Hugh Jackman, epic story canvas, villains so obvious they have twirly moustaches, hold your breath moments of drama and outbursts of tragic emotion and joyous happiness. Yes, it's this years Titanic, and I loved every single second of it. Sure Nicole Kidman's forehead is like a flatscreen tv, but oh, i looked past all it's foibles, shanked one off to Hugh and fell deeply deeply in love. And love is blind to flaws and ultimately everlasting. Ask my fave movie ever, Love, Actually :)

TOP TEN TV PROGRAMMES OF 2008:

Shows that almost made the top ten: Shameless, Skins, Benidorm, Harry Hill's TV Burp, Family Guy, Greek, The Office, Supernatural, Kyle XY, Desperate Housewives, Britannia High....
10 - True Blood (HBO): I wasn't sure about this adaptation of the Sookie Stackhouse mysteries at first, but the more I stuck with it and the more Jason Stackhouse took his shirt off, the more I fell a little bit in love with it. The twists and turns can get a little much, but it's worth persevering with - the final half of the season is top notch and contains this years funniest line - "A shapeshifter? You gotta be shitting me". Try dropping that into conversation at the 'watercooler' on Monday!
09 - Dexter (Showtime): The thing I like about Dexter is that each season is it's own little storybook. The main story is done and dusted by the end of the 12th episode and that works out fine for me. Jimmy Smits was a great addition as Dexter's new BFF, adding a new dimension to his killing tactics as he gets to grips with being a future husband and father. And hurrah! Another season kicks off next year...
08 - Brothers and Sisters (ABC): Once I'd gotten over the fact that Justin and Rebecca who thought they were brother and sister for over 18 months were now in love, I fell right back in love with the Walker family and their little problems. I love the fact that this season seems to be slowly gearing up to all out war with the odious husband nabber Holly, and the possibility of Ryan entering the fray is too delicious for words...
07 - Reaper (CW): It's not returned for it's second season yet (that would be March then), but the first year of this show turned out to be so much more than a frat bro comedy with demons. Subtle storylines played out against comedic backdrops as more and more about the devilish pact Sam's parents made with Laura Palmer's dad was revealed. The final episode added a nice kicker that sets up some drama for the 13 (ooo appropriate!) episodes of the second year! Hurrah... (last year, number six)
06 - Gavin & Stacey (BBC): Much like Will and Grace, it's the relationship between the supporting best friends that is the real draw here. Smithy and Nessa continued their love/hate relationship thanks to impending parenthood. And Nessa has perhaps the most tidy lines in any comedy this year. Classic. The Christmas Special just shone - families arguing with some hilarious barbs flying back and forth, and an emotional kicker of an ending that just had me longing for a third series. Amazing. Unlike the Royle Family special which was ruined by some truly vile eating of an after eight mint. Yack.
05 - The Tudors (Showtime): Not always historically accurate (Henry was MUCH older when he shacked up with Anne Boleyn) but always entertaining as the political shenanighans behind the romantic and lustful issues build up as Henry decides Anne is not for him and with some gentle manipulation from her enemies, the wheels are set in motion that lead up to her beautifully shot and quite upsetting beheading. It will be interesting to see what the third year brings as the Henry - Anne romance has powered the show so far. Still as long as Henry Cavill is in it, i'll be watching (so shallow!)
04 - Lost (ABC): With an end date in sight, the errors of the third year were corrected and the fourth year with flash forwards as well as back added a new dimension to the show, and breathed new life into the storyline. Back to being as gripping and suspenseful as that amazing first year, if this continues through until 2010s finale then this could well join Buffy, Veronica Mars, Twin Peaks and Anne of Green Gables (! Ask me oneday) as one of the most perfect shows on television... (Last year, in need of life support section!)
03 - Doctor Who (BBC): Who knew that Catherine Tate would make such a worthy addition to the list of new series companions? She grew more charming and amusing as the series went on which made her finale exit all the more gut wrenching. Some great writing of course, and I thought a rather brilliant Christmas special where I welled up when all the victorian folk shouted out a bravo sir to the good Doctor. It was as cheesy but satisfying as when Buffy got that crap umbrella at her prom. Bring on the specials! (Last year, number five)
02 - Gossip Girl (CW): For a show that has such miniscule viewing figures, it sure does garner a lot of media hype and that is probably why it is still on the air. Ridiculously sudsy and unrealistic, it's an escape to a world that doesn't seem affected by the credit crunch at all, 17 year olds look and act like 30 year olds and the storylines get more ridiculous and addictive as time goes on. So in other words the prime time version of Sunset Beach/Passions. The gossip guys are of course quite lovely depending on your mood, and this year there was even a blair/serena catfight with handbags and everything. Brilliant. (Last year, number two)
01 - Pushing Daisies (ABC): Sigh. This will be last year I will be able to put Pushing Daisies at the top of my list now it has officially been axed. I shall miss the adventures of doomed lovers Ned and Charlotte, the desperate yearning of far too skinny but lovely Olive Snook (see gorgeous youtube video above) and the pithy observations of Emmerson Cod. There are 3 episodes of this too good and too whimsical for tv show, so I will have to wait for the comic book to wrap up the alleged cliffhanger that tops off this year's final show :( Not to worry folks - i have this amazing Christmas story in my head should i ever want to dip my toe in the murky waters of fan fiction :P (Last year, number one)

In desperate need of life support: Oh god, how has my beloved Grey's Anatomy fallen so far? It's not just annoying Angel from Home and Away, it's the bloody Izzy shagging a ghost Denny storyline that is irritating me. Ugly Betty has become the most unlikeable lead character on a show since hateful Krystle in Dynasty (her self righteousness is just nauseating), and heroes and smallville need to do some storyline streaming, stat!

Back on Jan 2nd with my top tips for 2009. If i have recovered from Clare from Steps workout dvd - it's freaking vicious. No wonder she dropped 5 dress sizes. My favourite bit of course is the combat section where the backing himbos flirt with each other and take their tops off. Yummy.