2008 has been a great year for blogs, both nascent and blossoming, including our own which was born in Fall 2007, but didn't really take off until 2008. We found a lot of great blogs this year, and hopefully that trend will continue! Keep reading to find out...
3. The Plug. (Original Review) This is technically not a blog, rather it's a web-zine, but it's exceptional enough that we had to include it here. The Plug comes out with a new edition every month with hilarious interviews, fun activities, and a great read every time. We love the contests and events discussed, and we have even attempted to duplicate some of them! This is a great site, and you can visit it here!
2. Indexed. (Original Review) This blog explores the world graphically in a funny and savvy way. Each day, the blogger draws a graph of some sort on a note-card, and scans it in for everyone to enjoy. They poke fun at current events, enlighten as to political policy, and shed light on obscure topics. We recommend this blog for all those visual learners out there, and for anyone interested in a good laugh, check it out here! (Our daddy's pick!)
1. Seriously, So Blessed. (Original Review) This is our favorite new blog for the year, and we've been following it for months now. The "writer" is an excellent satirist who is poking fun of the traditional Mormon Mommy Blogger and the young-LDS family in general. We find this blog funny and look forward to reading it. If you are interested in this sort of thing and haven't checked SSB out yet, you can read it here!
Thanks for reading our blog, and any blogs that we may have suggested to you this year, your presence is much appreciated! Happy New Year!
Honorable Mentions: Oliver, Cake Wrecks, and The Sartorialist.
Showing posts with label top 3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label top 3. Show all posts
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Top Three Movies of 2008
We watched a lot of great movies in 2008, and we watched a lot of really crappy movies as well, which seems to be the consensus across the nation. Here are our favorite flicks from the past year:
3. The Dark Knight. (Original Review) This sequel to Batman Begins was probably the most-discussed film of the year, and for good reason. Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker was stunning, and he will be genuinely missed. Furthermore, the acting was excellent by all the cast including: Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Morgan Freeman. If you're one of the last people/animals that hasn't seen this remarkable film, we recommend you do so, and in fact you should make it your New Year's Resolution! (Our daddy's favorite!)
2. Juno. (Original Review) This quirky flick about a high-school girl who gets pregnant and then struggles with the consequences was awesome. We loved the unique cinematography, the LOL one-liners, (LOL = Laugh Out Loud for you old fogies.) and the touching message of this indy film. We whole-heartedly endorse this movie!
1. Air Guitar Nation. (Original Review) Air Guitar Nation is an incredible documentary following the Worldwide Air Guitar Competition, which is exactly what it sounds like. We thought that the competition would be a laughingstock, but the contestants are exceptionally talented, and it was fun to watch them play the air guitar... (That doesn't sound right. They have the same musical abilities as we do, a capacity to wag our tails to a musical beat, and they are quasi-renowned for their musical abilities?! How rude.) We love this obscure movie, and we think that you would too!
2008 was a great year for movies, and we're excited to see what 2009 has in store! Stay tuned to find out what we think...
Honorable Mentions: Enchanted, Stardust, and Waitress.
3. The Dark Knight. (Original Review) This sequel to Batman Begins was probably the most-discussed film of the year, and for good reason. Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker was stunning, and he will be genuinely missed. Furthermore, the acting was excellent by all the cast including: Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Morgan Freeman. If you're one of the last people/animals that hasn't seen this remarkable film, we recommend you do so, and in fact you should make it your New Year's Resolution! (Our daddy's favorite!)
2. Juno. (Original Review) This quirky flick about a high-school girl who gets pregnant and then struggles with the consequences was awesome. We loved the unique cinematography, the LOL one-liners, (LOL = Laugh Out Loud for you old fogies.) and the touching message of this indy film. We whole-heartedly endorse this movie!
1. Air Guitar Nation. (Original Review) Air Guitar Nation is an incredible documentary following the Worldwide Air Guitar Competition, which is exactly what it sounds like. We thought that the competition would be a laughingstock, but the contestants are exceptionally talented, and it was fun to watch them play the air guitar... (That doesn't sound right. They have the same musical abilities as we do, a capacity to wag our tails to a musical beat, and they are quasi-renowned for their musical abilities?! How rude.) We love this obscure movie, and we think that you would too!
2008 was a great year for movies, and we're excited to see what 2009 has in store! Stay tuned to find out what we think...
Honorable Mentions: Enchanted, Stardust, and Waitress.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Top Three TV Shows of 2008
We watch a lot of television during the day, mostly because our parents love to abandon us to our own devices and they think that a tv set is as good as human company. And they're mostly right, except for the fact that the tv doesn't scratch behind our ears or apply Neosporin to our armpits when we lick them raw from anxiety. Heh, but we would never do that... As a result, we have a lot of good candidates for this year's Top 3 TV shows, but here are the winners!
3. This American Life. (Original Review) We are dedicated listeners of NPR's weekly radio program, This American Life, so when we heard that Showtime was turning it into a television show, we were excited to see the results. Sometimes when you love something a little vintage or outdated you are often disappointed by the modern version (see Planet of the Apes), but nothing of this sort happened with TAL. The brilliant Ira Glass kept the same format, an hour of stories or interviews based on a theme, but it's more vivid and fascinating in 2D. We'll continue to listen to the radio show, which we'll always adore, but we enjoy the tv show immensly, and can't wait to watch Season 2.
2. Dexter. (Original Review) Interestingly enough, this show also plays on the Showtime network, we never realized how great their programming was. This is the show about a Robin Hood-style serial killer, a man who has some psychological need to kill based on his traumatic childhood that he resolves through vigilante justice in the Miami area. We like the show and the questions of morality it brings up. Is it right that we want Dexter to escape from the cops? Should we be cheering that his no-good victims on, or rejoice in their death? But the show can get quite gruesome, and is not for the faint of heart. This is a good one, though we preferred the first season to the second.
1. Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip. (Original Review) This show was cancelled a couple of years ago to make way for 30 Rock, which we think is a shame. Though they are both about television networks and SNL-style shows on those networks, they are fundamentally different, and we wish there could have been a place for both of them. We love 30 Rock and think it is hilarious, but it doesn't hold a candle to Studio 60. This show is smart, funny, and fast-paced; it reminds us a lot of the West Wing and the intelligent writing that made that show famous. We mourn this show like we mourn Arrested Development, and it makes us like 30 Rock a little bit less for pushing this smart gem out of the way. If you've never seen it, you can check it out on Hulu.
That's it for smart and sassy tv shows of 2008. Everyone stay safe tonight, don't sniff anyone's butt unless you really want to get to know them, if you know what we mean! Enjoy your new year, and we'll see you tomorrow for the Top Three Movies of 2008!
Honorable Mentions: Flight of the Conchords, Gossip Girl, and House MD (our daddy's pick).
3. This American Life. (Original Review) We are dedicated listeners of NPR's weekly radio program, This American Life, so when we heard that Showtime was turning it into a television show, we were excited to see the results. Sometimes when you love something a little vintage or outdated you are often disappointed by the modern version (see Planet of the Apes), but nothing of this sort happened with TAL. The brilliant Ira Glass kept the same format, an hour of stories or interviews based on a theme, but it's more vivid and fascinating in 2D. We'll continue to listen to the radio show, which we'll always adore, but we enjoy the tv show immensly, and can't wait to watch Season 2.
2. Dexter. (Original Review) Interestingly enough, this show also plays on the Showtime network, we never realized how great their programming was. This is the show about a Robin Hood-style serial killer, a man who has some psychological need to kill based on his traumatic childhood that he resolves through vigilante justice in the Miami area. We like the show and the questions of morality it brings up. Is it right that we want Dexter to escape from the cops? Should we be cheering that his no-good victims on, or rejoice in their death? But the show can get quite gruesome, and is not for the faint of heart. This is a good one, though we preferred the first season to the second.
1. Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip. (Original Review) This show was cancelled a couple of years ago to make way for 30 Rock, which we think is a shame. Though they are both about television networks and SNL-style shows on those networks, they are fundamentally different, and we wish there could have been a place for both of them. We love 30 Rock and think it is hilarious, but it doesn't hold a candle to Studio 60. This show is smart, funny, and fast-paced; it reminds us a lot of the West Wing and the intelligent writing that made that show famous. We mourn this show like we mourn Arrested Development, and it makes us like 30 Rock a little bit less for pushing this smart gem out of the way. If you've never seen it, you can check it out on Hulu.
That's it for smart and sassy tv shows of 2008. Everyone stay safe tonight, don't sniff anyone's butt unless you really want to get to know them, if you know what we mean! Enjoy your new year, and we'll see you tomorrow for the Top Three Movies of 2008!
Honorable Mentions: Flight of the Conchords, Gossip Girl, and House MD (our daddy's pick).
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Top Three Albums of 2008
We're back today to evaluate the top three albums we reviewed in 2008!
3. Flight of the Conchords Soundtrack. (Original Review) This album is awesome. The songs are taken straight from the tv show, so they're hilarious if you've seen the show, but they're still quite funny even if you haven't. We especially love the song about robots, and we frequently switch the words so that the song talks about how canine beings rule the world. We think that Aunt Annie, our doggie overlord, would be pleased. (Our daddy's pick!)
2. Be Ok by Ingrid Michaelson. (Original Review) Having listened to Ingrid Michaelson's previous album, Girls and Boys, we were excited to hear Be Ok, but nothing prepared us for what we got. This album blew us away with its depth and clarity. We listened to it for about a month straight, and it's been in our elite playlist ever since. The songs are such a rich mix and so different from one another, that we never get bored with them. We love her voice, her interesting lyrics, and her simple back-up that brings out the quality of the singing. Hurrah for this album!
1. We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank by Modest Mouse. (Original Review) We've been listening to Modest Mouse for some time now, and we were blown away by this newest album. The band has seamlessly incorporated a more "rock-and-roll" sort of sound while still maintaining the raw passion found in Isaac Brock's voice and lyrics. We love this album, and find ourselves gravitating back to it continually, a rare thing for us. Holy cow, what is that amazing thing wagging at the end of my butt?! I have never chased that before!
Well those are our favorite albums for 2008, we hoped that you enjoyed all of the music from this year. We wish that your 2009 will be filled with puppies and great music and rawhide treats.
Honorable Mentions: The Hotel Cafe Presents.... Winter Songs by Various, Under the Blacklight by Rilo Kiley, and the Spamalot Soundtrack.
3. Flight of the Conchords Soundtrack. (Original Review) This album is awesome. The songs are taken straight from the tv show, so they're hilarious if you've seen the show, but they're still quite funny even if you haven't. We especially love the song about robots, and we frequently switch the words so that the song talks about how canine beings rule the world. We think that Aunt Annie, our doggie overlord, would be pleased. (Our daddy's pick!)
2. Be Ok by Ingrid Michaelson. (Original Review) Having listened to Ingrid Michaelson's previous album, Girls and Boys, we were excited to hear Be Ok, but nothing prepared us for what we got. This album blew us away with its depth and clarity. We listened to it for about a month straight, and it's been in our elite playlist ever since. The songs are such a rich mix and so different from one another, that we never get bored with them. We love her voice, her interesting lyrics, and her simple back-up that brings out the quality of the singing. Hurrah for this album!
1. We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank by Modest Mouse. (Original Review) We've been listening to Modest Mouse for some time now, and we were blown away by this newest album. The band has seamlessly incorporated a more "rock-and-roll" sort of sound while still maintaining the raw passion found in Isaac Brock's voice and lyrics. We love this album, and find ourselves gravitating back to it continually, a rare thing for us. Holy cow, what is that amazing thing wagging at the end of my butt?! I have never chased that before!
Well those are our favorite albums for 2008, we hoped that you enjoyed all of the music from this year. We wish that your 2009 will be filled with puppies and great music and rawhide treats.
Honorable Mentions: The Hotel Cafe Presents.... Winter Songs by Various, Under the Blacklight by Rilo Kiley, and the Spamalot Soundtrack.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Top Three Books of 2008
Alright, so we've been negligent over this holiday season, forgive us! Our parents went to Florida and we spent a week at Grandma and Grandpa's house terrorizing Aunt Annie. What a Merry Christmas it was cuddling with Grandpa Chris, eating Aunt Annie's fancy food, and barking at every living thing to walk by the house, which Aunt Heady espeically loved!
In this last week of 2008, we thought we'd join in the tradition and make a 'Best of' list for each of our traditional categories. Today, the top 3 books we read in 2008:
3. The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston & Mario Spezi (Original Review) This book is a true crime story about a serial killer roaming through the hills outside Florence, Italy and the reporter who became so wrapped up in the police investigation that he was charged for the murders himself at one point. This book is not intended for quesy readers as it gets a tad graphic at parts, but anyone who enjoys a good Law & Order will enjoy reading about the 'Monster of Florence,' the Italian Ted Bundy you didn't know that you didn't know!
2. Marley and Me by Josh Grogan. (Original Review) This book is best summarized by it's subtitle: life and love with the world's worst dog. It wouldn't be a good book list without a classic book about a dog, and this is one of the best that we've read. We imagine that this is what a book about Aunt Annie or Aunt Kenya would sound like, but not us. We're perfect angels who have never chewed on anything inappropriate, licked anywhere we shouldn't have, or been disobedient in any way... But back to the book, it's awesome and if you haven't read it yet, you really should!
1. A Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs. (Original Review) We read this book fairly recently, so maybe it would be further down in the list had we read it back in April, but we loved it. A man takes on religion wholeheartedly with one goal, to attempt to live the Bible literally, and we get to see what became of him and his religious beliefs because of it. This was an interesting book about family, religion, and ritual and we really really liked it. Read it!
We're looking forward to 2009, with hopefully more great books like these! Remember, if you have any recommendations for books or any other media, feel free to leave them in the comments or email them to our mother at cassandra dot fawson at gmail dot com, she doesn't trust us to have our own email address, not since we used her credit card to help out that deposed Nigerian Prince!!!
Honorable Mentions: Haunted by Dorah L. Williams, The World Without Us by Alan Weisman (our Daddy's pick), and White Tiger by Aravind Adiga.
In this last week of 2008, we thought we'd join in the tradition and make a 'Best of' list for each of our traditional categories. Today, the top 3 books we read in 2008:
3. The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston & Mario Spezi (Original Review) This book is a true crime story about a serial killer roaming through the hills outside Florence, Italy and the reporter who became so wrapped up in the police investigation that he was charged for the murders himself at one point. This book is not intended for quesy readers as it gets a tad graphic at parts, but anyone who enjoys a good Law & Order will enjoy reading about the 'Monster of Florence,' the Italian Ted Bundy you didn't know that you didn't know!
2. Marley and Me by Josh Grogan. (Original Review) This book is best summarized by it's subtitle: life and love with the world's worst dog. It wouldn't be a good book list without a classic book about a dog, and this is one of the best that we've read. We imagine that this is what a book about Aunt Annie or Aunt Kenya would sound like, but not us. We're perfect angels who have never chewed on anything inappropriate, licked anywhere we shouldn't have, or been disobedient in any way... But back to the book, it's awesome and if you haven't read it yet, you really should!
1. A Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs. (Original Review) We read this book fairly recently, so maybe it would be further down in the list had we read it back in April, but we loved it. A man takes on religion wholeheartedly with one goal, to attempt to live the Bible literally, and we get to see what became of him and his religious beliefs because of it. This was an interesting book about family, religion, and ritual and we really really liked it. Read it!
We're looking forward to 2009, with hopefully more great books like these! Remember, if you have any recommendations for books or any other media, feel free to leave them in the comments or email them to our mother at cassandra dot fawson at gmail dot com, she doesn't trust us to have our own email address, not since we used her credit card to help out that deposed Nigerian Prince!!!
Honorable Mentions: Haunted by Dorah L. Williams, The World Without Us by Alan Weisman (our Daddy's pick), and White Tiger by Aravind Adiga.
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