Well, after 12 great days back in the good old US of A, I have returned to Geneva. It was great to spend some quality time at home and see many family and friends, as well as catch up on movies, sleep, and people’s lives. On New Year’s Eve a group of 13 of my high school friends (and 3 significant others, making a total of 16 people) rented 3 rooms at a hotel in downtown Columbus and celebrated with dinner in the Arena District and drinks at a microbrewery called the Elevator. We had a blast, and though our life experiences have changed, it was again like no time had passed. Aside from the absence of a few classics (Dave, Joe, Jameson, Jenny, et. al.) who were not in town it was pretty much perfect. If it’s true what they say about your year reflecting the way you spend New Year’s Eve—and I suspect it may be because last year I spent it with strangers who basically became friends, and I spent a great deal of 2006 making new friends in Orlando, at UC, and now in Switzerland—then I suppose this year I am destined to be surrounded by friends which is a good thing.
{These pictures were pretty much all stolen from Allison and Brooke. I took some with Zach’s camera, but haven’t seen those yet...}
Another ritual often partaken as we end one year and begin anew is the assessment of all that came before in the form of lists. So, of course, I will once again follow suit and offer up my 10 favorite movies, 15 favorite albums and 5 favorite television shows of 2006, plus some of entertainment’s biggest disappointments in my humble opinion.
Aaron’s Top 10 Movies of 2006I suppose before starting this list, I should note that several movies I have wanted to see have not been released in Geneva (i.e.
The Illusionist) or have not been available with English subtitles (i.e.
Pan’s Labyrinth) so perhaps that would ultimately change my rankings. Several others that might have made the cut (
Brick, The Matador) actually saw initial release in 2005, so are uneligible for my self-imposed restrictions. However, as for what I did see:
10.
Marie Antoinette — I heard a lot of mediocre and negative word of mouth on this one so I put off seeing it until it was at the dollar theatre over Christmas. I’m really glad I didn’t wait for DVD. Once again, Sofia Coppola has created an immersive, transportive experience that this time takes you to 18th century France and reflects on foreign isolation and teenage excess. Beautiful and moving.
9.
Babel — Slightly more optimistic about the state of the world (but only just) than Iñárritu’s previous films (
Amores Perros and
21 Grams) this interlinking drama reveals a great deal about the importance of community and the dangers of isolation and xenophobia.
8.
The Departed — I’m a bit ignorant when it comes to Scorsese’s films having only seen the most recent few and none of the classics, so I can’t really say how this compares to
Raging Bull or something. I do know that it was thoroughly gripping and intense and incredibly well paced and edited. The only negative was the comparatively rushed and implausible ending, but I guess it at least shows that evil doesn’t go unpunished…
7.
The Science of Sleep — While my roommate maintains it’s about schizophrenia, I still think it might just be about the artist’s soul. Either way, Michel Gondry has created another peerless entry into the quirky romantic comedy canon. Not as quite and resonant as
Eternal Sunshine, but beautiful in its own way.
6.
Children of Men — One of the few films to actually open in Geneva well
before the U.S., this science fiction thriller from Alfonso Cuarón is one of the most breathless movies I’ve ever seen. Using incredible long takes and an immediacy that feels more real than most documentaries,
Children of Men is at once frightening, depressing, and hopeful.
5.
The Prestige — I like Christopher Nolan’s movies a lot and though I pretty much saw every “twist” coming, I still found it compelling and entertaining. Plus I like stuff about old school magicians.
4.
V For Vendetta — The rare action/comic book flick that raises deep questions and creates meaningful dialogue. I saw it first with Jesse and Flynn in Orlando and afterwards we stood around and talked in the parking lot for at least half an hour. While I don’t necessarily agree with everything presented, it is worth considering whether a revolution could take place in the 21st century and what it would have to entail to be successful.
3.
Lady In The Water — One of the most critically reviled movies of the year and definitely not for cynics. However, if you see it with an open mind and heart, you may be moved as I was. I admittedly have a weak spot for M. Night Shyamalan, but I still found some of the ideas here (about the importance of community, the search for purpose, etc.) to have more weight than half of the year’s awards contenders. Do yourself a favor and rent it if you haven’t seen it. At the very least, you’ll have something to disagree with me about.
2.
Mission: Impossible III — I don’t care much for Tom Cruise’s personal life but he certainly makes some great movies. Not only did he get J.J. Abrams to direct this one, but it also co-stars Felicity (Keri Russell) however briefly. Some of the best action I’ve seen in awhile and some good emotion as well put this near the top of the list, but not as high as…
1.
Stranger Than Fiction — I’ll be honest that I wasn’t expecting too much from this semi-dramatic showcase for Will Ferrell (especially after I found the year’s other quirky independent dramedy
Little Miss Sunshine to be fairly unremarkable). However, I was very surprised with the story and ultimate message of the film. In a world of sarcasm and cynicism it was nice to see something challenge that (similar to number 3). A nice addition were the graphics created to illustrate Harold’s daily routine. Gotta love when filmmakers actually appreciate good design.
Aaron’s Top 15 Albums of 2006
15.
Light Grenades by Incubus — I was about ready to be done with this band after 2004’s mediocre
A Crow Left of the Murder. Fortunately I decided to give their new disc a shot and it is much better than its predecessor, and possibly even better than some of the older stuff. I’ve often referred to them as masters of the overwrought metaphor and they up the ante this time around with a song titled “Anna Molly” (think about it). Even so, worth a spin.
14.
Tired of Hanging Around by The Zutons — More listenable than their debut and closer in energy to their live show, this sophomore release snuck into the states with little fanfare but is deserving of broader exposure.
13.
Illuminaire by Umbrellas — Quietly beautiful and moving, this album has gained a small bit of exposure due to the use of the song “Ships” in a couple television series. Perfect as background noise at work or on a night at home.
12.
Nothing Left to Lose by Mat Kearney — Ostensibly a repackage of his independent release
Bullet, Kearney’s major label debut answers the question “what would Chris Martin sound like as a spoken word artist?” Beyond that though, there are some great hooks and better lyrics than those from his tourmate John Mayer’s latest. Especially recommended: “Girl America”
11.
Eat, Sleep, Repeat by Copeland — Another melodic quasi-emo entry that I just can’t seem to stop listening to. Maybe not for everyone, but it works for me.
10.
Are You Nervous? by Rock Kills Kid — propulsive dance punk that is everything the latest Killers album should have been. I’d liken it a bit to the Caesars but more uptempo. A little dark lyrically, but made up for by the quality of the music.
9.
Pearl Jam by Pearl Jam — I had all but given up on PJ but after many glowing reviews decided to try out their latest and am happy I did. By recapturing their early energy and rediscovering hooks while adding deeper political messages they have begun what could be a late career renaissance. One of those rare discs that sounds classic from the first listen and lacks any real weaknesses.
8.
Love by the Beatles — the soundtrack to Cirque du Soliel’s Beatles-themed show at the Mirage in Vegas, this album is pretty much a commissioned version of
The Gray Album minus Jay-Z. By remixing and mashing up a great deal of the Beatles’s catalog, producer George Martin (and his son) have created something at once new and familiar. On par with the most musically adventurous periods of the band’s career.
7.
When Your Heart Stops Beating by +44 — After Tom DeLonge’s Angels & Airwaves failed to live up to the hype I didn’t have much hope from the offering by the remaining two thirds of blink-182. Not nearly as pretentious or overblown as A&A, this CD is a great successor to the blink legacy. Propulsive pop punk mixed with a few quieter moments makes for an album that I haven’t stopped listening to since it released.
6.
Black Holes & Revelations by Muse — Bombastic yet still eminently listenable arena rock from former Radiohead-also-rans that have since transcended that influence. Having had the chance to see them in Geneva in November I can say that even the album’s weakest tracks (“Invincible”) work in the right environment. Thanks to “Starlight” you’ll probably be hearing a lot of them this year.
5.
St. Elsewhere by Gnarls Barkley — One of the best party records about losing your mind ever! While I still find it kind of bizarre that this album became as popular as it has, it’s at least a welcome break from the rest of the predictably safe pop out there. Experimental and just plain mental, this Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo collab is a lot of fun and provided one of the highlights of my Lollapalooza experience this year.
4.
Oh! Gravity. by Switchfoot — Released only 6 days before the end of the year, this album ranks so high on the list because it’s probably the band’s best work since
Learning to Breathe. Recapturing the some of the quirkiness from their early days and infusing their social justice work into the lyrics, this CD is one of those that I replay as soon as it ends. Songs like "Burn Out Bright,” “American Dream,” “Awakening,” and the B-Side “C’Mon, C’Mon” cement my belief that Switchfoot may just be my generation’s U2.
3.
The Information by Beck — Best Beck ever? Could be. While there is still plenty of variety to be found here, this CD is easily as strong as
Odelay! but more cohesive as a whole. Following up last year’s fantastic
Guero is no small feat but Beck emerged victorious. Can’t wait to hear what he does next.
2.
Eyes Open by Snow Patrol — While I enjoyed the band’s previous effort
Final Straw, it didn’t really stand out from the crowd to me.
Eyes Open, however, was a welcome surprise kicking off with the grand “You’re All I Have” and not looking back. The sheer musical breadth and anthemic qualities put this one over the top and have made it an instant classic for me. Hearing the band perform “Make This Go On Forever” live was one of the musical highlights of my year.
1.
Mute Math by Mute Math — What do I think makes an album good? 1) The songs stay with me, 2) I want to keep listening to it, and 3) Even after hundreds of spins I still encounter something new. The full-length debut from Mute Math delivers on all these fronts and is one of the most musically creative albums I’ve heard in the last few years. I started listening to it
last January and it’s still in regular rotation on my iPod. Lyrically, the band’s spiritual yet abstract words are on par with the likes of U2 or Coldplay, allowing the listener to indentify in an individual way. I can’t say enough about the band’s live show either, but this album proves that their talent is real and will hopefully stick around for awhile.
Aaron’s Top 5 TV Shows of 2006
5.
The Amazing Race — Still the only reality show worth watching, this series remains compelling due to its inclusion of normal people and sensible rules (i.e. the team that finishes last is kicked off, the team that finishes first wins the million dollars). Plus the foreign locales are always interesting and a bit informative.
4.
30 Rock — I wasn’t sure how much I’d like Tina Fey’s sitcom but it delivers on many levels. Alec Baldwin is great and Tracy Morgan’s character is off-the-wall hilarious. Could be the latest in a fine tradition of irreverent comedies including
NewsRadio, number 3, and number 1.
3.
The Office — Way way better than any remake has any right to be. Every cast member is pitch-perfect and the Jim/Pam relationship has made standard sitcom fare (see Niles and Daphnee or Rachel and Ross) into something believable without cop-outs. The addition of the Stamford branch this season has only heightened the greatness.
2.
Lost — Despite the nay-sayers I am continually surprised at how this show is able to reinvent itself and add new layers each season. The Season 2 finale was amazing, but I’ve been just as dumbfounded (in a good way) by the first 6 episodes of season 3. February 7th can’t get here quick enough…
1.
Arrested Development — While Fox did its best to keep this show from finding an audience, the final episodes were nothing short of classic. The last 4 in particular (all aired the same Friday opposite the Olympics) contain some of the series’ best moments (Judge Reinhold with William Hung and the Hung Jury…). Out now on DVD!
2006’s Biggest Entertainment DisappointmentsThe DaVinci Code — While I concede that Dan Brown is not a good writer, his book was still an entertaining page-turner. In contrast, the movie, while by a good director (Ron Howard) was plodding and even managed to make a car chase unexciting. Blah in every sense of the expression.
Heroes — I do not understand why everyone is so in love with this show. On paper I should be too: I like comic book/superhero-based material,
Unbreakable is one of my favorite movies, and I enjoy ensemble character-driven drama (i.e.
Lost). However, after watching the first 5 episodes of this series I couldn’t care less. Entirely derivative and melodramatic, I cannot believe how popular it has become. Two more caveats: 1) The show has been touted as having an “international” scale. If by international you mean lots and lots of Americans plus a Japanese guy and an Indian guy I suppose you’re right… 2) It is downright irresponsible for the comic book within the show to use the font Comic Sans for its lettering. There are other typographic crimes committed by this show but that is by far the worst, offensive both to designers and letterers.
Sam’s Town by the Killers — I really like overblown rock music. Oasis’ much maligned
Be Here Now is one of my favorite albums. However, the sophomore CD from the Killers does not succeed in its attempts to be a grand opus of American rock. There are only a couple songs I would call catchy, and even after about 10 listens (twice as many as I normally take to get into something) there is nothing that has stayed with me. The lyrics are ludicrous as well (the awkward couplet “I see London/I see Sam’s Town” for example). For anthemic arena rock that is over the top and all the better for it, check out the aforementioned
Black Holes & Revelations from Muse and stay away from this one. Hopefully their next reinvention will be better considered…
