I love Cut Copy’s video for their song “Hearts on Fire”! Its hilarious (intentionally?) yet kind of sad at the same time, which doesn’t totally make sense, but I promise you will understand if you watch it. This is the only song off their critically acclaimed release from 2008 that I actually like and would listen to more than once. I just don’t normally go for that techno 80′s dance thing. I’ll make an exception for this.

Haha, this picture is hilarious. But it pretty much fits the feelings of everyone I have talked to today. Finally, its over! And we can all look forward to changes for the better! Celebrate!!!!

When I first saw a preview for Edward Zwick’s new film about a group of Jews in WWII finding safe haven in the woods, I immediately knew I had to watch. Defiance caught my attention not because the two lead roles were huge stars (James Bond, omg), not because I thought it would be worthy of Oscar buzz, and not even because it was by the director of the amazing Blood Diamond. What grabbed me was more important than those somewhat-insignificant details: the story. It depicts the true story of a group of Jews fighting back against the Nazis. That plot point was enough to have me going, “um, gotta catch this one”. Then I thought after a few minutes, why haven’t I heard this story before? It is such an interesting and different angle to such a horrific time. Though the film was not artistically forward, the technical part of movie-making took a backseat in this one, letting the heroic reality shine through. 

There have been many many films relating to the Holocaust, the majority of which I have seen, all of which have brought me to tears. Of course, tears of sadness, because the events depicted actually happened, and because human beings allowed them to. Most of the time, I exit the theatre or press stop on my DVD player (or exit an internet window on my computer, shhh), and am left distraught, horrified, and hopeless for mankind. This film was different. Watching Defiance, tears once again came to my eyes, out of sadness, yes, but also out of pride. These real-life people had so much courage and strength to fight back against the utmost evil. As a young Jew, I am so glad this story was told. It gave me hope that the impossible can become possible if you just have faith, even when life gives you no reason to. This, to me, is what the movies are all about.

As a side note, I find it interesting that Daniel Craig plays a Jew a lot even though he is not, as far as I know. He played Steve, one of the Jewish assassins in Munich, as well. Maybe he has Jewish ancestry or something and wants to honor that. Also, this film is interesting in that it contains a lot of aspects of the Jewish culture, and allusions to parts of the Old Testament I noticed woven into the story. I enjoyed seeing this depicted, not as part of the plot, rather just as character development and mood. It gave the movie validity and a sense of reality.

So it’s almost that time. The day many of us have been waiting for since 2000, when the wrong man was given the presidency and led us to where we currently stand: globally disliked, involved in an unjust war, and in a state of economic disarray. Just two days until Obama takes office and attempts to give the country new life and change the way the world sees us. It’s time for him to pick up the pieces. Tuesday will be a historic day, and it’s all very exciting! I can finally respect the president and what he stands for, and it will be refreshing to know we will have a leader that is once again smarter than the average person. As it should be! I can’t wait to see what happens in the coming months. Woohoo, welcome to the White House, Barack!

12. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular: Hopefully the rest of pop music will take a cue from these 2 guys and stop making shit songs. Thank god this was popular on the radio this year, less time to play Britney and Justin. This is one record I wouldn’t mind being forced to listened to non-stop.  

11. Snow Patrol – A Hundred Million Suns: A soothing and relaxing album perfect for rainy days. Ok, so their sound hasn’t evolved too much, but hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. 

10. The Black Keys - Attack & Release: I don’t typically go for blues, but I took one listen to this and could not stop bobbing my head. It’ll do that to ya.  

9. The Fireman - Electric Arguments: Uhhh, its Paul McCartney, clearly this was going to make my list. But really, this is a very interesting sound from Paul and Youth. Some moments harken back to “Helter Skelter”. Bottom line, Paul is still making great music in his 60s. 

8. Jamie Lidell - Jim: very soulful, and I am surprised he isnt more popular. Brilliant songwriting and such a smooth, uplifting voice. 

7. Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer: Great sophomore effort. Innovative and interesting indie rock. They never disappoint.  

6. Mason Proper - Olly Oxen Free: An under-appreciated band that made one of my favorite and most-listened-to albums of the year. They create soundscapes like no other and every song is catchy, with an almost etherial quality.  

5. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive: Rock and roll is alive and well and the Hold Steady is one of its finest bands. Poetic lyrics and bountiful sing-along moments throughout. 

4. Kings of Leon - Only By the Night: I don’t care if they sound more mainstream or if they now have more fans. Kings of Leon are making some of the best music of the decade, popular or not. This was the album I listened to the most this year, other than my top 2. Just such a raw, southern, rocker sound. Essential. 

3. Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight: An enjoyable listen, though its nothing new really. The lyrics are deep and heartfelt and I love the Scottish accent.  

2. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago: I love folk music and this is the genre at its best. The mood the album sets is haunting and beautiful, making the listener want to sit wrapped in a blanket in front of a fire. Justin Vernon’s raw emotion definitely shines through. A classic. 

1. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes: the single most enjoyable album for me this year. Proof that, although hipster bloggers can be annoying…sometimes they are completely right. I just know I will be listening to this for years to come. 

Honorable Mentions: 

Department of Eagles - In Ear Park

The Rural Alberta Advantage - Hometowns

Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires

The Submarines - Honeysuckle Weeks

Margot & the Nuclear So & So’s - Animal!

The Dodos - Visiter

Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line

Most Overrated of 2008:

T.V. on the Radio - Dear Science: I didnt get Cookie Mountain and I don’t get this. Just doesn’t do it for me.

No Age - Nouns: OUCH, MAH EARS

Born Ruffians - Red, Yellow & Blue: Modest Mouse rip offs. Just not as good. 

The Killers - Day & Age: I just don’t like them, they are unoriginal and uninteresting and they DEFINITELY think they are better than they actually are. 

Coldplay - Viva la Vida (and blah blah blah): Most overrated band in the history of music. period. I dislike them so much. They are whiney, boring, U2 wannabes and their robbery of other artists’ music is despicable. So is the price they charge for a concert. Chris Martin, you are no Bono.

(In no particular order)

In Bruges

Slumdog Millionaire

The Dark Knight

WALL – E

The Visitor

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (I would be betraying myself and my love of the Apatow gang if I didn’t include this)

I still have yet to see some of the many great films that come out at the end of the year. So stay tuned, I might add more to the list. (Still have yet to see: Doubt, Milk, Rachel Getting Married)

-The world’s 4th largest Jewish population. (woot!)

-Great television (i.e. Degrassi!)

-Oh, they invented cable TV, by the way

-They have moose and polar bears…lots

-Hockey

-Maple syrup and their symbol, the maple leaf

-Higher alcohol content in beer

-Apparently they invented Smarties (candy), Superman, and the Wonderbra…?

-Great music (Alanis Morissette, Arcade Fire, many more (we’ll ignore Nickelback…))

-Peaceful 

-Greater emphasis on environmental conservation

-#1 trading partner with the U.S.

-Their national anthem is amazing. Better than ours. 

-UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE

-The next Winter Olympics will be there! (Vancouver 2010)

Pretty sweet list. Though I don’t think Canadians love us too much. Can’t say I blame them at the present moment. My Media professor asked us in class the other day if anyone knew who the Canadian Prime Minister was. Not a single person raised their hand. I admit, I’m also guilty of not knowing. I’m sure if you asked any Canadian college class who the President of the U.S. was, every hand would be up. That was the point he was trying to make. Pretty sad that we are that narcissistic.

By the way, the Prime Minister is Stephen Harper.