2008 Best Album

Guns N'Roses-Chinese Democracy



One of the most anticipated and expensive albums in history,after many delays was finally
released on November 24,2008.An album the production of which started in the mid-90's.There was lot of controversy,rumors,leaks,line-up changes and so the band that finished recording was different from the band in 1994-7.Many argue that the current line-up is not G N'R,since,from the original members,only Axl Rose is left,so it's more a solo project than a G N'R record.In my opinion,this is nonsense.Anyway,now that the album was released,the question is,is it good,was it worth the wait,does it live up to the legacy of the previous albums ?

To be honest,after all these years,there would be some disappointment,because fans would expect a perfect or a near-perfect record.Others think that it's great,others think that it was a disappointment.Whatever your expectations were,you should listen to this record for what it it is.And it's a great record.It's a record,that you like it at first,but you like it even more,with more listens,because you discover new gems,you discover the depth and the meaning of the music.The amount of work put in it is evident,because the production is impeccable.Some would say that it's overproduced or that the sound is totally different from the old G N'R sound or that there is an unsuccessful mix of sounds and so it's album that would be relevant in the late-90's.I think that the sound of a band should evolve,although sometimes these changes are not successful.Chinese Democracy is an evolution,as far as the sound of G N' R is concerned.There are elements of blues,of industrial music,there are classic rock songs,there are ballads,there are classic G N'R epic songs.The lyrics are also important,because in some of the songs decribe the emotions of Axl Rose,the struggle to produce this record.

Chinese Democracy:is it the product of ambition,of persistence of a man alienated from the rest of the world,of vanity or a product of a great musician,of a genius ?The truth might be in the middle,although opinions differ.My opinion is that Chinese Democracy is the best album of 2008.Look beneath the surface or to be exact listen and you'll see the true quality of the record. Read more!

2008 Best Tv Show

The Shield-Season 7



Many good tv shows ended in 2008:The Wire,The Shield,Boston Legal and other shows.There were many possible nominations for best tv show of the year,but without a doubt,The Shield with its seventh and final season,was the clear winner.The journey of Vic Mackey finally ended,but not without consequences,for everyone involved,in one of the darkest seasons of the show,a show known for being raw and gritty.A common theme in this season was that the past comes back to haunt us,that nothing is forgotten,that unresolved issues come back,asking for a resolution.It's clearly the end of an era.Loose ends were resolved and nothing in the lives of the characters,in the Barn,in Farmington was the same.It was a season with one best series finales.It was one the best (along with the first),if not the best season of the Shield.It also was a season,where Vic Mackey showed his true colours.The question is,was he punished or did he get away with what he had done ? Many argue that the situation in which he was when the finale ended,was a form of punishment,although i might disagree with that opinion.I guess we will never know. Read more!

Top 5 New Year's Eve movies

By Doug Krentzlin,examiner.com

5. "End of Days"

This is the fifth of five recommendations of films involving New Year's Eve (to be presented in chronological order).

“End of Days” (1999) offers moviegoers the ultimate showdown: The Terminator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger vs. the Devil a.k.a Satan, Lucifer, Mephistopheles, Beelzebub and the Prince of Darkness, played here by Gabriel Byrne who joined the distinguished company of others who have played the role including Walter Huston, Laird Cregar, Claude Rains, Ray Walston, Burgess Meredith, Gary Oldman and, my personal favorite, Peter Cook in “Bedazzled.”

Interestingly, the climax of “End of Days” takes place on the exact same New Year’s Eve that my previous selection ("Strange Days") does, 1999 (only in New York, instead of Los Angeles). The plot has a young woman named Christine York (Robin Tunney) being stalked by Satan and his cult of followers to be his chosen bride. (It seems that if they mate between 11 p.m. and midnight on Dec. 31, the world will end.) Standing between His Satanic Majesty and his “bride” is Arnold as ex-cop turned private security guard Jericho Cane.

Directed by Peter Hyams with his usual visual style, “End of Days” has a fairly unexpected surprise ending. And of course, typical with Schwarzenegger, there is lots of self-depreciating humor. Best of all is the scene where he takes various stale leftovers, puts them in a blender, purees them and, right before he drinks the mess, says: “They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”

Top 5 New Year's Eve movies Read more!

Top 10 Best Christmas Movies

thecriticalcritics.com,December 6,2008

With the holidays upon us, I felt it was my duty to bring some Christmas spirit to all. Below is a list of my favorite movies that embody what this time of year is all about — fun, family and friends.

Criteria: Theatrical release; have something to do with Christmas.

10	Movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas [1993] A strange tale of Jack Skellington (a.k.a. the Pumpkin King) as he tries to bring his own brand of Christmas to the world with the help of the ghoulies of Halloweentown. Nothing spells Christmas like seeing a “coffin sleigh” pulled through the sky by skeletal reindeer and a ghost dog with a glowing nose!
9	Movie: Elf [2003] Will Ferrell is Buddy, a human raised as an elf in the North Pole sent off to search for his birth father. It’s great fun to witness his awkwardness and enthusiasm as he discovers what it is to be human, in of all places — New York City. Definitely one of Mr. Ferrell’s better comedic performances (Ron Burgundy and Chazz Reinhold being the others.)
8	Movie: Scrooge [1951] The definitive adaptation of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Ebenezer Scrooge, meets three ghosts — Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future — and, well you know the story.
7	Movie: The Santa Clause [1994] Ever wanted to take the place of Santa Claus? Neither did Tim Allen, but that’s what happens when he activates a little known clause in the Santa mythos (kill old Saint Nick, take his place.) An endearing comedy that’s great for the whole family.
6	Movie: Bad Santa [2003] What better way to rob a department store than to dress up as Santa. That’s Billy Bob Thornton’s plan, complete with boozing it up, cursing like Bob Saget, and beating up little kids. Did I mention the backdoor sex in the crapper? It may not sound like it, but there is a goodwill message hidden somewhere within.
5	Movie: The Polar Express [2004] An animated feature that dives into the meaning of Christmas. If you can get past the bizarre facial expressions everyone in the film has (growing pains of the motion capture animation), you’re sure to feel good after viewing. Afterwards, let me know if you can hear the bell ring — I did for a day or two…
4	Movie: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation [1989] The Griswolds return to make a disaster of the holiday, as only they can. If you need a laugh, look no further — you’ll get your fill and then some watching this good-intentioned family ruin everything they come in contact with. Watch for Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid), he’s a scene stealer.
3	Movie: Miracle on 34th Street [1947] Leave it to America to put Kris Kringle on trial for claiming to be the real Santa Claus — even 50 years ago corporate snobs were sucking the life out of Christmas. But it wouldn’t be a holiday powerhouse if the nonbelievers weren’t shown the wrongs of their ways and led to believe. You’ll be led to believe again too.
2	Movie: A Christmas Story [1983] Little Ralphie wants nothing more than a Red Ryder BB gun from Santa and lets everyone in his world know it. Director Bob Clark and screenwriter Jean Shepherd capture everything there is about Christmas from a kids point of view; no wonder it is the most televised movie during the week of Christmas (unsubstantiated claim), as young and old alike can relate.
1	Movie: It’s A Wonderful Life [1946] The timeless Christmas classic. James Stewart is a man contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve when he sees his world falling apart. His guardian angel pops down from the heavens to stop him and to show him how life would be like for those he loves had he never existed. It memorably drives home the point that as long as you have family, friends and good health there’s a damn good chance everything is going to be a-okay. And even though we tend to overlook it, this holds true even to this day.

Honorable Mention(s): Babes in Toyland.

Read more!