Best of 2010

2010 is now over, in case you didn't notice, and while it's a little overdue, I wanted to make a list of all the great things that came out last year, and what I'm looking forward to seeing in 2011. I'm sure this requires no further explanation, so here's the list:

Film


Toy Story 3

My favourite film of the year was, without question, Toy Story 3. Bringing out a sequel to a series that came out more than 10 years ago is always a risky venture, and we've seen a few failed attempts in recent years. But when you look at the outstanding quality of Pixar's last few films, it's no surprise that they managed to break the trend and produce what many people (including myself) consider to be the best film in the trilogy.

I think what made this film work so well was that, while it appeals to children who've been shown the first two films by their parents or older siblings, the real target audience for this movie is those of us who were kids when the first two came out - and are now around Andy's age, at college or university or preparing to go, and deciding what to do with all our old toys we've outgrown. In a way, Andy's toys are our toys too, and Toy Story 3 felt like a final, emotional farewell to a cherished part of our childhood.

Inception

Another film well worth the hype last year was Christoper Nolan's latest film, Inception. While it's hard to find anyone who didn't enjoy Inception, the concept for the film is of particular interest to me, since I've always found dreams fascinating, especially lucid dreams and dream logic, both of which are explored at length in the film. Add to the interesting subject matter Christopher Nolan's excellent direction and music by Hans Zimmer, and you have one of the best films of recent years.

Video games


Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Possibly the best game in the series so far, HeartGold and SoulSilver update two more of the old games with Pearl and Diamond's new systems, and it's astounding just how fun it still is to catch 'em all. One addition that was enjoyed by the series' many fans this year was the Pokéwalker, a device that allows you to carry one of your Pokémon with you wherever you go, rewarding you with new items and the chance to catch wild Pokémon. Yes, this is more or less the same game we've played several times before, but that didn't stop me playing it for 8 hours a day. Somehow, the games continue to be addictive and fun even after more than a decade.


Sid Meier's Civilization V

I'm a big fan of Civ IV, as I know many people are. Those who play Civ know just how immersive and addictive it is, and, like me, were probably wondering what they would do to improve the game. What Firaxis came up with was a substantial overhaul of many aspects of the gameplay. To me, the most welcome change is in the way combat is conducted. In Civ IV, I found war surprisingly tedious, and always tried to avoid it if I could, while in V, skirmishes are far more strategic, and a lot more fun.

The game has been simplified in many ways, making it easier for first-time players, while adding more options for micromanagement for advanced players. One of the best things about it, though, is how different it is to the previous game. It's not simply an upgrade - it plays like a different game, offering a new Civ experience without making Civ IV obsolete.

Admittedly, the game has a few problems, such as the AI making some very odd decisions (while negotiating peace, they often offer you every city they have, leaving themselves with only a capital), but these things are being patched with frequent updates, and when the bugs have been ironed out, Civ V will be a must-buy.

Music


Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me

It was an easy choice for my album of the year. Harpist and pianist Joanna Newsom is one of the most highly rated folk musicians of the last few years, and it's easy to see why. Her third album is her best work so far, perfecting the new style she began to explore with Ys in 2006. 2 hours long, and split into 3 discs, Have One on Me is full of beautiful yet quirky ballads, and strikes a perfect balance between Newsom's unusual, sometimes harsh vocal style and the beauty of the songs themselves.

Samples:
'81
The Good Intentions Paving Company

The Knife, Mt. Sims and Planningtorock - Tomorrow, in a Year

Tomorrow, in a Year is not music as you know it, nor is it an easy listen. It's an opera based on Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species, and it's more of a 90-minute soundscape, each track representing a different stage of evolution. If you make it past the first track (4 1/2 minutes of static), the album becomes a very unique experience. The sheer scale of the universe is made to be felt, and the only relief is found in the voice of mezzo-soprano Kristina Wahlin, singing extracts from Darwin's letters. If you're feeling brave, listen to the samples below, or find the album on Spotify.

Samples:
Geology
Annie's Box


Anime


Durarara!!

From the director and animation studio that produced one of my favourite anime of all time, Baccano!, Durarara!! uses a similar method of storytelling (minus the jumping around in time that Baccano! featured so much of), with a big cast of characters and multiple, interconnecting plotlines, and an element of the supernatural in an otherwise realistic and believable setting.

Durarara!! takes place in modern day Ikebukuro, Tokyo, and focusses on the characters who live there. In the vein of hysterical realist novels, many of them have bizarre personalities or unlikely back stories, but they're skilfully represented in a way that makes them believable. So when they introduce a character who's missing a head, we're willing to believe even that. The anime explores some interesting themes that not many anime deal with, such as the power of Internet and social networking, as well as having some fascinating and well-developed characters.

Kuragehime

I know, I know. It seems unfair to choose two anime by the same director, but I couldn't help but mention Kuragehime here. This one's a very different show to Durarara!!, focussing on only a small cast of characters, with two main characters at the forefront, and is far more light-hearted. While Durarara!! is funny at times, it also goes to some dark places, and can be violent too. Kuragehime, on the other hand, is heart-warming, funny when it should be, and sad when it needs to be.

The main characters are a group of nerdy girls who live together, and a male cross-dresser who the main character happens to meet. This is the first time I've seen a cross-dressing character in anime presented in a way that doesn't parody the lifestyle - rather, it takes him seriously (or as seriously as the show takes anything), and I think that's one of the things that sets it apart from some of the other good shows I've seen this year.


I haven't gotten round to finishing the series yet (I'm saving the ending for an end-of-essay-writing treat), but when I watched the first episode I fell in love with the series immediately. Among all the anime that retreads the same well-beaten path, Kuragehime and Durarara!! offer something refreshingly original.

What's Next?


Well, that's the end of my list, but with the start of another year, there's a lot more to look forward to. Here are just a few things I'm waiting for in 2011:

24th January - Deerhoof vs. Evil, a new album by Deerhoof.
25th February - Kirby's Epic Yarn for Nintendo Wii.
7th March - Last Night on Earth, a new album by Noah and the Whale.
First quarter - Stacking for Xbox 360 and PS3, a game by Double Fine.
21st April - Portal 2 for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.
7th July - The Rampage of Haruhi Suzumiya, the 5th Haruhi light novel to be translated into English.
Last quarter - Last Guardian for PS3, a game by the creator of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus.
TBA - Zelda: Skyward Sword for Nintendo Wii (because a new Zelda game is always exciting)
TBA - Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle season 2.
TBA - A new album from Emmy the Great.

That's about all I can think of off the top of my head. What are you looking forward to?