ryan.smith.blog

There's much I haven't seen, much I haven't heard, but these are the very best of what I watched and listened to in 2008.



FILM





An overlooked gem with a classic sensibility. They don't make movies like this anymore.





Another overlooked film. It doesn't break any new ground, but it's involving and effective.





Jon Favreau hit a home run. It all works.





A near-masterpiece from visionary director Tarsem ("The Cell"). Pure imagination.





Beautiful, funny, visionary. Maybe my favorite Pixar effort so far.





This is now the comic book movie to beat. Go here to read my full review.





TV



One of the best seasons yet. This show keeps getting better and better. And for those of you who bailed, enjoy your CSI. Go here to watch episodes.





My favorite new show on television. And I'm ignoring those rumors of cancellation. Go here to watch episodes.





MUSIC
I'm not a fan of the iTunes pick and choose approach to music. I think an album should be heard (and bought) as a whole, but I will recommend some key tracks from each of these albums.





Gemma Hayes' best record yet. Not a wasted track here. MUST HEAR: "Home", "At Constant Speed"





More great music from Peter Bradley Adams, formerly of Eastmountainsouth. MUST HEAR: "Los Angeles", "Under My Skin"





Intoxicating. Try to turn it off. MUST HEAR: "Creature Fear", "re:stacks"





It lived up to the hype. MUST HEAR: "Viva la Vida", "42"





The 12 song album is good, but I strongly recommend listening to the EPs as a whole. It's a 24 song odyssey of sin and redemption. MUST HEAR: "Southbound Train", "Your Love is Strong"





In case you can't read the text, this is Robby Hecht's "Late Last Night". Harkens back to the time when it was all about the songs. Download the record for free here. MUST HEAR: "Freight Train Lady", "My Love Was Gold"





Speaking of great songs, this is one of the best singer-songwriter records I've ever heard. Great, great songs. MUST HEAR: "How Precious Life Is", "Desperate Man", "That Guy", "Holy Ground"





Folky alternative bliss. MUST HEAR: "Doubtful", "Grey Weather"





No, not just because they're family. These guys are bringing integrity back to the Christian music industry. MUST HEAR: "Opposite Way", "Thief in the Night"





The experience of growing up in the 80s in audible form. There are better albums from 2008, but this one may be the most fun. MUST HEAR: "Kim and Jessie", "Graveyard Girl"




This is a great pop record. Slick production, catchy tunes. MUST HEAR: "Talk You Down", "Fall For Anything"





This stripped-down offering from Sigur Ros is their best effort yet. A soundtrack for cross-country travel. MUST HEAR: "Godan daginn", Ara Batur"





More great music from Sun Kil Moon (aka Mark Kozelek). See this post to hear a track. MUST HEAR: "Lost Verses", "Moorestown"





A melodic, atmospheric journey from the Swedish singer-songwriter. MUST HEAR: "Girl Laying Down", "To Be Gone"





Fantastic debut from the Nashville native. A great listen all the way through. MUST HEAR: "Beaut", "Live for the Sounds", "Colorbloods"