2009: The year in review
Another year has almost past and it’s once again that time of year where people categorize things into “Best Of” lists. Normally, I think these lists mostly just stir up needless controversy, but with a job like MOVE Editor, I feel I’ve been exposed to quite a bit of entertainment. Maybe by making my own list, someone will discover something they might’ve missed this year. So enjoy this little list of mine knowing every single thing on here is Chase Koeneke approved.
1. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix If it hadn’t been for this album, I would’ve called 2009 a pretty weak year for music. My two favorite bands – Modest Mouse and Weezer – released somewhat mediocre records, and with the exception of a few random songs, nothing else really showed up on my radar. Nothing, that is, save for Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, which might be up there in my favorite albums of all time. The French pop/rock band’s fourth studio album entranced me all year long, and songs “1901” and “Lisztomania” have had permanent slots on all of my recent car CD mixes.
2. The fragmentation of Electronic Gaming Monthly Yes, my favorite gaming magazine may have shuttered (though it appears to be on the verge of a comeback as of late,) but out of the ashes of EGM rose some of the best podcasts and Web sites of recent memory. A few examples that are worthy of your time:
-- “A Life Well Wasted,” an audio podcast about “games and the people who love them” focuses on gamer culture in a “This American Life” style. It has easily become my new obsession. -- The video producers for EGM’s Web site went on to make “Co-Op,” a weekly video podcast dedicated to discussing games rather than putting a score on them. -- We can’t forget “Bitmob.” The Web site has given amateur video game writers and reviewers an excellent forum to express their ideas to the world.
There are many more than the aforementioned three, which makes the death of EGM practically bearable.
3. Co-op gaming coming to the forefront “Borderlands,” “New Super Mario Bros. Wii,” “Beatles Rock Band,” “Halo 3: ODST.” I am loving this trend of stellar single-player campaigns that can easily become multi-player when your buddy comes a-knocking. So grab a controller and a friend and experience all these great games, together.
4. 'Community' A lot of people are talking about “Glee” and “Modern Family” when discussing the best new TV shows of the year. For me, it’s “Community” all the way. Joel McHale, Chevy Chase and the rest of the awesome cast has me clamoring for more week after week. I haven’t been this intrigued by a show since the first season of “The Office.”
5. 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' When things come out near the end of the year, it’s hard to determine whether you like them because they are truly good or because they are new and fresh in your mind. It may have been one of the easiest decisions of my life to add “Fantastic Mr. Fox” to my best of 2009 list. It charms from beginning to end and, to make a very bold statement, rivals even Pixar’s “Up” in terms of pure enjoyment.
6. Twitter becomes a phenomenon I joined Twitter almost exactly one year ago and although I won’t go so far as to say it’s the second coming, I will say it has changed the way I live. Whether it’s for gathering news, keeping up with friends, sharing fun things or discovering new music, movies, games and TV, Twitter has become an absolute staple of my Internet time. And I’m just fine with that.
7. Excellent comedies “The Hangover,” “Zombieland” and “The Men Who Stare at Goats.” Not only did these three movies make me laugh, they were perfectly spaced throughout the year for maximum enjoyment. Also, props to “Extract,” a hilarious comedy starring Jason Bateman and Mila Kunis. Sadly, it was mostly skipped over: seemingly par for the course for Bateman.
8. 'Assassin’s Creed II' I loved the original, but could understand the complaints people had with it. Developer Ubisoft understood too and took the criticism to heart, resulting in one of the best games of the year. The story is fascinating, the graphics are mesmerizing, but without a doubt, the best part is the freedom given to the given to the player at all times. It’s truly something to behold.
9. PlayStation Portable games getting good When the PSP launched, I was immediately skeptical. But now, in late 2009, I’ve broken down and purchased one. Why? Because with games like “Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines” and “LittleBigPlanet,” the PSP is finally becoming a viable gaming platform.
10. House’s reinvention House’s mix of thought provoking medical scenarios and smart dialogue has kept me intrigued for five seasons. But with House’s mental breakdown at the end of the last season, I began to become turned off. House’s time in the asylum at the beginning of season six has brought me right back into the fold though and has reinvigorated my love for the series.
That was 2009 in a nutshell for me. I hope the dawn of a new decade brings with it some equally amazing things. Chase out.
