My Opera2009 in Review - The social network revolution
Saturday, December 26, 2009 6:52:31 PM
What a year! between economic collapse, recessions across the world, the swine flu outbreak and continued wars in the middle east, its amazing i've done anything this year. In my opinion 2009 was the year of the social network revolution, we could say this every year since their inception and probably for many years to come, but I believe this year was pivotal. Without further hesitation I give you my favourite things of 2009!
Best Film: District 9
This film was head and shoulders above the other films i've watched this year. Its been 10 years since aliens landed in Johannesburg, and its Wikus Van De Merwe's job to oversee the relocation of 1 million alien refugees to a new slum. This does not prove to be an easy task and Wikus' life gets quickly turned upside down. District 9 is a realistic-believable science fiction movie, with fantastic casting and most importantly an underlying current of social commentary. Action packed, thought provoking and thoroughly enjoyable I would recommend it to anyone.
A Close Second: Avatar
Best TV Show: Sons of Anarchy (Season 2)
Even though Son's on Anarchy has barely been on our TV screens for a year, it has produced two gritty and highly entertaining seasons. Its based around a fictional motorcycle gang called the Sons of Anarchy and the problems they face trying to juggle their legitimate operations along side their gun running business. I loved the first season last year, but It was only with second season in late 2009 did I realise how hooked I was on the show. I was eagerly awaiting every episode to see what would happen next with Jax and Clay. Full of tension, violence and conflict its perfect for a mid-week wind down.
A Close Second: Lie To Me
Best Book: The Gathering Storm - Robert Jordan / Brandon Sanderson
Without a doubt, the book of the year for me was the return of the Wheel of Time. Like everyone else I was shocked to hear that Robert Jordan was ill. Like everyone else I was sad and worried to hear that Robert Jordan had died and just like everyone else I was skeptical to hear that a new author had been picked to finish off the saga. My skepticism was not enough to put me off the series or to condemn Brandon Sanderson before I had ever read his first addition to the series. Which is a good thing because the Gathering Storm was simply fantastic, a different but excellent writing style, Brandon kept the feeling of the characters and world alive past its creators death. He should win for this alone but since the book kept me completely engrossed as well there is no doubt in my mind.
A Close Second: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Seth Grahame-Smith / Jane Austin
Best Video Game: Batman Arkham Asylum
Probably the hardest of the decisions to make this year, but Batman won out, with the recent success of the new Batman films everyone was expecting the franchise to be renewed in video game form. Problem was of course that all movie spin-off games are awful. When Rocksteady took the Batman helm they decided to base it on the comics and hired writers and voice actors from the cartoon to help produce it. The final product is fantastic to behold, a beautiful game which encapsulates the dark knight is all about. It mixes excellent combat, platforming, detective work and puzzle solving to make a game which kept me engrossed from start to finish.
A Close Second: Assassin's Creed 2
Best Album: The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die
The 2009 comeback album for The Prodigy was a welcome return to form. Being the first Prodigy album since The Fat of the Land to feature all three members of the band, it very much reminded me of their late 90s work. WIth Warrior’s Dance and Invaders Must Die being the highlights of the album, I would recommend it to anyone who was a fan of their early works.
A Close Second: Muse - The Resistance
Best Moment: The Iranian Election Protests on Twitter
Always a hard one to pick the best news moment of 2009, echoing my opening statement I decided to choose a moment which highlighted the power of social networking. Being new to twitter at the time it was a shock to see the Iranian people using it not only as a way to get news out of the country, but as a way to coordinate their protests and reactions. Most peoples tweets, mine included, consist 90% of excrement, its good to know there are important ways in which twitter can help people without a voice. Being easy, quick and loud, I look forward to seeing how twitter shapes the news in the coming year.
A Close Second: Facebook used to beat the X-Factor
Best Film: District 9
This film was head and shoulders above the other films i've watched this year. Its been 10 years since aliens landed in Johannesburg, and its Wikus Van De Merwe's job to oversee the relocation of 1 million alien refugees to a new slum. This does not prove to be an easy task and Wikus' life gets quickly turned upside down. District 9 is a realistic-believable science fiction movie, with fantastic casting and most importantly an underlying current of social commentary. Action packed, thought provoking and thoroughly enjoyable I would recommend it to anyone.
A Close Second: Avatar
Best TV Show: Sons of Anarchy (Season 2)
Even though Son's on Anarchy has barely been on our TV screens for a year, it has produced two gritty and highly entertaining seasons. Its based around a fictional motorcycle gang called the Sons of Anarchy and the problems they face trying to juggle their legitimate operations along side their gun running business. I loved the first season last year, but It was only with second season in late 2009 did I realise how hooked I was on the show. I was eagerly awaiting every episode to see what would happen next with Jax and Clay. Full of tension, violence and conflict its perfect for a mid-week wind down.
A Close Second: Lie To Me
Best Book: The Gathering Storm - Robert Jordan / Brandon Sanderson
Without a doubt, the book of the year for me was the return of the Wheel of Time. Like everyone else I was shocked to hear that Robert Jordan was ill. Like everyone else I was sad and worried to hear that Robert Jordan had died and just like everyone else I was skeptical to hear that a new author had been picked to finish off the saga. My skepticism was not enough to put me off the series or to condemn Brandon Sanderson before I had ever read his first addition to the series. Which is a good thing because the Gathering Storm was simply fantastic, a different but excellent writing style, Brandon kept the feeling of the characters and world alive past its creators death. He should win for this alone but since the book kept me completely engrossed as well there is no doubt in my mind.
A Close Second: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Seth Grahame-Smith / Jane Austin
Best Video Game: Batman Arkham Asylum
Probably the hardest of the decisions to make this year, but Batman won out, with the recent success of the new Batman films everyone was expecting the franchise to be renewed in video game form. Problem was of course that all movie spin-off games are awful. When Rocksteady took the Batman helm they decided to base it on the comics and hired writers and voice actors from the cartoon to help produce it. The final product is fantastic to behold, a beautiful game which encapsulates the dark knight is all about. It mixes excellent combat, platforming, detective work and puzzle solving to make a game which kept me engrossed from start to finish.
A Close Second: Assassin's Creed 2
Best Album: The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die
The 2009 comeback album for The Prodigy was a welcome return to form. Being the first Prodigy album since The Fat of the Land to feature all three members of the band, it very much reminded me of their late 90s work. WIth Warrior’s Dance and Invaders Must Die being the highlights of the album, I would recommend it to anyone who was a fan of their early works.
A Close Second: Muse - The Resistance
Best Moment: The Iranian Election Protests on Twitter
Always a hard one to pick the best news moment of 2009, echoing my opening statement I decided to choose a moment which highlighted the power of social networking. Being new to twitter at the time it was a shock to see the Iranian people using it not only as a way to get news out of the country, but as a way to coordinate their protests and reactions. Most peoples tweets, mine included, consist 90% of excrement, its good to know there are important ways in which twitter can help people without a voice. Being easy, quick and loud, I look forward to seeing how twitter shapes the news in the coming year.
A Close Second: Facebook used to beat the X-Factor
