Hey, wait a minute! It's my first annual best/worst...

As 2009's end draws near, I must confess that my duties as Father of Four permit me much leisure time in which to watch movies and television shows, and read.

I am nothing, if not a good consumer.

(The preceding words should be etched on a national monument somewhere, no?)

I don't see everything. I suspect the two or three folks who might read this don't, either. So, it's just my little list, in no order at all.

The Cream

2666, written by Roberto Bolano. This was an outstanding book. But difficult. By the close of it's 900 + pages, you feel like you've survived 40 days in the desert sun to arrive before a brutal and unforgiving god.

Up Simply a fantastic opening to a movie. I saw this in 3-D, which added nothing. There was more depth in the first 5 minutes or so of Up than in two-and-whatever hours of Transformers 2.

The Wrestler, great performance by Mickey Rourke.

John Lennon: A Life and Shout! The Beatles in Their Generation, by Philip Norman. Yes, this was repetitive on my part. I read the bio of Johnny L. first, and was struck by what a bastard he was to people. Yet, by the end of his life, he seemed to have learned how to love. The book on The Beatles was largely the same story, but with more in-depth info on the other three members of the Fab Four. I recommend the former over the latter.

Food, Inc., informative. If you're afraid of anything in this world, start with what you eat. You don't have to partake in air travel, you don't have to drive. You do have to eat.

Avatar, nothing you haven't seen before. A mash-up of Pocahantas, Star Trek episodes, Tarzan, and perhaps Shakespeare, or Heart of Darkness. Despite its' derivative-ness, a fun movie that's visually and emotionally satisfying.

Crack the Skye, by Mastodon. Best metal album I've heard since....Blood Mountain. A really great band.

The Beatles boxed set (remastered). I only got "into" this band after reading so much about them this summer. And in the process, I was converted. Truly the biggest band since Jesus and his 12.

Black Gives Way to Blue, Alice in Chains. This was one my wife urged me to get. I resisted, but once I heard it I was pleasantly surprised. The title track is a really good song.

Sons of Anarchy, not a GREAT! show, but solidly acted. Reminds me of Miami Vice a bit, in it's vibe. Very cool, kinda dumb.

The Crap

Bruno, I loved Borat and Da Ali G Show, but this sucked. When he channels Peter Sellers, this guy is gold. But when he appears desperate to shock and be outrageous.....eh, not so much.

Paul Blart, Mall Cop, harmless. Silly. My kids loved it. I smirked. It was OK.

Nobody Move, by Denis Johnson. I love Denis Johnson's writing. Not this one. Dull and uneven. Not as fun as it looked from the cover.

The Garden of Last Days, by Andre Dubus, III. Author of House of Sand and Fog. That was a good read. This one was garbage. Predictable and one-dimensional dimwitted characters. Just not all that interesting.

All Hope is Gone, Slipknot. Lousy follow-up to Satanic Verses. Dull.

Glee. Uh....no thanks.

So, that's all I can recall right now. Shoot me a note and argue. Or remind me of something I've forgotten.

Cheers...