December 29th, 2006
…it’s about that time
Everyone else is doing it, so I’m going to do it to. I mean seriously, this time of year, it’s everywhere… and it seems like not a soul isn’t doing it.
What is this mysterious “it” I’m referring to?
A “best of” or “year in review” type of essay. So this will be my mantra of all things 2006. Read at your own peril, as I am notorious for being horribly opinionated. I’ll start with some of the more trivial, pop-culture-ish type things, and gradually move my way into the more personal and important.
Let’s get this shindig started:
Best Movie: Superman Returns
Seriously… was there any doubt? The only movie that even comes close, and I don’t think it came out in 2006 is “An Inconvenient Truth.” Superman Returns was certainly not “everything I love about movies,” because well, it just wasn’t the type of movie that makes you sit, think, and ponder your place in life… the types of movies I generally go for (Garden State, Elizabethtown, The Last Kiss, Rent). Nevertheless, it did everything it did extremely well. For two hours, I was able to forget about everything going on in my life, everything going on in the world, and just immerse myself in a world where truth, justice, and the american way will prevail every time. With all due respect to Sam Raimi and the Spider-Man franchise, I truly believe Bryan Singer did for comic-book movies what Peter Jackson did for fantasy movies. He took a normally action-packed, never-let-go frenzy till the end, type of movie and turned it into a character piece. He made us interested in the characters lives, not just what crazy thing Superman would do next to save the world. Plus, the actual “return” of Superman in the movie during the airplane sequence was one of the best moments I’ve ever seen in cinema.
Best Album: Eyes Open by Snow Patrol
Not even a competition here. Snow Patrol put out one of the best records I’ve heard in MANY years, let alone just 2006. From start to finish, from the title track to Chasing Cars, this album contained more raw, emotion-stirring lyrics and musical prowess than anything else I can think of. I’m sure there are other great albums that were released in 2006, but right now, this is certainly the one I’m going with.
Best Song: The Saints are Coming by U2 and Green Day
Yes, I’m well aware this is a cover. Honest to goodness, this could have been a song about grass growing and it wouldn’t have mattered. What makes this the best song of the year in my book is everything that surrounded it. The night football returned to the Super Dome in New Orleans. This was one of the most amazing moments in sports history, and this song being performed right before the game will forever cement it in my head.
Best TV Show: TIE - Heroes & The O.C.
There’s a shocker. I had left The O.C. for absolute DEAD after the last two seasons of utter garbage. But this year, with Marissa dead, Summer and Seth stronger than ever, and the emergence of Ryan and Taylor… the show hasn’t been this good since Season 1 before the whole Oliver story arc. Unfortunately, Fox has their collective heads up their collective poopers and have the show in a time slot against the behemoth known as Greys Anatomy, and it’s looking like this might be the last season (and it’s already cut short to just 17 episodes).
As for Heroes, this show has taken the “serial drama” and turned it into something even better than Lost. Where Lost fails in taking itself a little too seriously at times, Heroes continues to advance the story, yet continues to create new questions and problems each week. It manages to keep you entertained in what’s happening, keeping you glued in your seat for the entire hour.
Best Toy: PS3
Honestly, does this come as a surprise? If you would have asked me eight months ago if I thought I’d be purchasing a next-gen video game console… I’d have told you that you’re crazy. Now here we are in December, and I actually took on extra jobs to afford it, and was one of the lucky few to get one without waiting outside in a cold and crazy line… all I had to do was sit on a computer and hit refresh.
I reserve the right to change this award in sixty days time if I decide I enjoy our freshly (Christmas Money) purchased PSP and DS Lite more.
Best Sports Team: The DEEE-Troit Tigers
For all Detroit fans, or even anyone who is a fan of underdog stories, these were the boys to watch. This team even made me, an admitted baseball-hater make a change and root, root root for the home team. I’m even looking forward to next years baseball season.
Best Athlete: Drew Brees
Sorry LaDainian, got to go with Drew on this one. His remarkable year in New Orleans has been nothing short of spectacular. Not to mention, he pretty much led my team to fantasy football greatness.
That’s all I got for now. I’ll stop back in sometime this weekend with part two, and discuss some of the other things that have been going on from Christmas to current. I know it’s been a while, so I’ve got plenty to say!
