2008 in review.

Movie of the year:

I haven't seen a lot of movies this year sadly due to lack of money. This was a tough tie between The Dark Knight and Wall-E. I simply can't choose between the two! The Dark Knight was comic book movie perfection while Wall-E was the most romantic thing I've seen all year. Both were beautiful in their own way, contained memorable characters, had fantastic music, moved me in many ways and entertained me throughout. Nolan had the brains, Stanton had the heart. A perfect mix.

Song/Album of the year:

Books of the Year:

New - Once again, most of my reading hasn't been new releases. English Literature lectures will do that to you. But two books were definately worth picking up (haven't got Beedle the Bard yet!). Neil Gaiman's latest book, The Graveyard Book, was another brilliant story by one of the best storytellers today. He's one of my instant buy authors, I'm constantly surprised by him. The other book was Black Butterfly by Mark Gatiss. Writer, comedian, actor and member of the League of Gentlement (he's also written for Doctor Who), Gatiss is the creator of Lucifer Box. Imagine if Oscar Wilde and Ian Fleming had created a character together who was charming, reckless, ruthless, sarcastic, bisexual and willing to do anything to get the job done. He's an incredibly entertaining character. Black Butterfly is the 3rd book, with Lucifer being much older but not any wiser. I got my copy signed by the gorgeous Mark Gatiss (I'll take a picture of it for you). If you're looking for something different, pick up Gatiss or Gaiman.

Old -

TV Shows of the year:

Two shows were the television highlights of the year for me. The first was Mad Men, a wonderfully stylised look at the mad world of advertising executives in 1960s New York. Told with impeccable detail, sharp scripts and a fantastic leading performance by John Hamm, it was fantastic in every way.

Pushing Daisies was described by one critic as something Tim Burton would have done if he had become head controller of CeeBeebies or if he'd remade Amelie. A wonderfully sweet fairytale romance about an awkward pie maker with a gift to raise the dead with a touch (and kill them again with another) who brings back his childhood sweetheart had me grinning from ear to ear when I first saw it. The beautiful colours, the cute chemistry between the gorgeous Lee Pace and Anna Friel, Kristen Chenoweth's singing third wheel Olive, the absurd but hilarious deaths and the occasional sarcasm from Emerson Cod was perfection for the 8 weeks it was on. The fact that it's been cancelled is heartbreaking - why do all the shows I love get cancelled.

Doctor Who also warrants a mention for bringing in the best assistant yet, Donna Noble.