OK, shoot me. I’m a terrible blogger. In fact, I don’t even know why I launched this damn thing at the time!

My problem is that I can’t decide what to do during my valuable spare time. Should I continue reading that great novel? Should I jump in my car and go see a good movie? Or should I watch one at home? But maybe I should first listen to some good music then? Or search the internet for some long lost gems? Hey wait, did I already listen to those new records in the mail? It gets even worse with age…

Needless to say, updating this blog isn’t a forerunner in my daily to-do list so no hard feelings if you delete my blog from your favorites list, really.

Talking about lists, I find it very hard to make a year end list as far as music is concerned. I just haven’t heard a lot of exciting new music in 2008. That said, I purchased a lot of terrific reissues and compilations last year and I promise that I’ll list ‘em all before the weekend.

I did see a lot of great movies in 2008 so maybe I should start with my film list:

1. IMPORT/EXPORT

"A shocking but brutally honest movie that feels like a knockout punch."

2. THERE WILL BE BLOOD

"A modern day masterpiece of blistering intensity. Really, this is an enthralling and powerfully eccentric American movie of epic dimensions!"

3. HUNGER

"A visually stunning and barbaric movie that never feels willfully arty, no matter what the press says. Some years ago, I saw a brilliant video installation by this conceptual artist and first-time feature filmmaker at the Venice Biennale and I am glad that his first feature film didn’t disappoint to say the least!"

4. THE BANISHMENT

"A gloomy and intriguing film about a disintegrating family, somewhere between Bergman & Tarkovsky."

5. LA GRAINE ET LE MULET (THE SECRET OF THE GRAIN)

"A touching, humanistic drama about an immigrant family in southeastern France. I loved every second of this 151 minutes pic!"

6. DELTA

"An apocalyptic, atmospheric drama, set on the Romanian Danube delta."

7. LUST, CAUTION

"Ang Lee is a true master and this grim love story is a rich and fascinating espionage thriller."

8. TWO LOVERS

"A romantic movie to cherish: so genuine and heartfelt, so real and powerful!"

9. LE SILENCE DE LORNA

"The Dardenne brothers did it again! Another urgent human drama that never ceases to fascinate."

10. UNSPOKEN

"This second feature by Belgian director Fien Troch is truly absorbing, challenging and magical. The film got under my skin and as soon as I left the theatre, I felt the urge to watch UNSPOKEN again."

11. THE MAN FROM LONDON

"Another Béla Tarr; another totally unique film noir murder mystery from Hungary."

12. WONDERFUL TOWN

"This debut feature from Bangkok-born, American-educated Aditya Assarat takes place in a seaside town in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami and evolves from a tasteful romance into a brutal tragedy."

13. SZTUCZKI (TRICKS)

"The Polish candidate for the foreign-language film Oscar is a bitter-sweet children’s movie that stole my heart!"

14. EL CANT DELS OCELLS

"Contemplative but totally wicked, this is a film that has to be seen on the big screen for sure!"

15.MUTUM

"A captivating story of a disintegrating family in a remote area of Brazil. A personal film festival discovery!"

16. CHARLY

"Another personal film festival favorite that I’ll cherish for the rest of my days! Isild Le Besco est une grande dame!"

17. NIGHT AND DAY

"It would be hard to imagine a film festival without the latest Hong Sang-soo! His preoccupation with the confused male psyche always makes my festival day!"

18. HONEYDRIPPER

"The feel-good movie of the year and a wonderful tribute to the blues!"

19. INTO THE WILD

"A powerful and poetic road movie with a hero in search for truth and beauty. A reflective and captivating journey for sure!"

20. I can't chose between NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, ENTRE LES MURS, LA VIE MODERNE, BURN AFTER READING, I’M NOT THERE, HELP ME EROS, PLOY (minus the ridiculous ending), SECRET SUNSHINE, L’HEURE D’ETÉ, THE BAND’S VISIT and WALTZ WITH BASHIR.

I also enjoyed watching THE REBIRTH, THE SUMMER SOLSTICE, LES AMOURS D’ASTRÉE ET DE CELADON, PURE COOLNESS, ALLEIN IN VIER WÄNDEN, SAD VACATION, LIFE TRACK, LA ZONA, NIGHT TRAIN, BREATH, BEYOND THE YEARS, JUNUN, THE YEAR MY PARENTS WENT ON VACATION, PÁRPADOS AZULES, ANDALUCIA, MUNYURANGABO, SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO, WENDY & LUCY, WITH A GIRL ON BLACK SOIL, TULPAN, SNOW, SWEET FOOD CITY, KATYN, THE SONG OF SPARROWS, IN LOVE WE TRUST, KABULI KID, ADORATION, LA RABIA, GOD MAN DOG, ELLE VEUT LE CHAOS, MY MAGIC, AUTUMN, GOMORRA, SHULTES and TWO-LEGGED HORSE.

I almost felt a physical repulsion against ELEGY, the most hypocritical & fake movie I have seen in ages!