PixlBit

Not much going on for me in 2009, when I look back. I read a lot of books and played a lot of games. I bought a new laptop, an Inspiron from Dell that's still working today. The urge to upgrade is very strong right now.  Here are some of my favorite media from 2009. 

TV: Party Down

This show is almost literally about me: just one food service worker striving for success in an art form. Adam Scott is the star who went on to Parks & Recreation after this. Ken Marino is a major character whom I remember from The State skit comedy show. Jane Lynch, who I've noticed more and more in different things like Christopher Guest films and Wreck-It-Ralph, is always funny. Martin Starr I especially liked as the frustrated scifi screenwriter. I think I identify with him the most even though I was pursuing music at the time. He was in Freaks & Geeks before this. Party Down only went two seasons, but I enjoyed every bit of it. 

Film: Gentlemen Broncos

This film is by Jared and Jerusha Hess who did Napoleon Dynamite. I really liked Napoleon Dynamite, but I loved Gentlemen Broncos. One of the stars is Jemaine Clement from the comedy team Flight of the Conchords. My favorite bit is when Jermaine, as a teacher of creative writing, tells the class how to create fantasy character names. It's so rediculous. I love quirky humor like this. 

Game: Demon's Souls

I got hooked on this game from some trailers I saw before release. The dark fantasy vibe is so amazing. It's like a gothic horror story told in medieval times. It reminds me of the darker moments of the film Excalibur such as when Sir Gawain is hung from a tree and miraculously gets free from the swinging spurs of the other hung knights. I bought it day-one over games like Borderlands and Brutal Legend. 
I was surprised in the first moments of the game to fight a big enemy and die. It was clear then that I was dead and had to reclaim souls to achieve life again  What a great idea! I really respect the game design, except that I could never get far in it. It has a battle system that is very tactical and merciless; a mistake will kill you and return you to the beginning. You then have to fight your way back to recover the souls you had gathered. Repetition in games really irks me, but I loved the atmosphere of this game so much, I've kept it around and try again every so often. I'm so glad their remaking it. I never felt quite satisfied with the Dark Souls series that followed it. 

Music: "Sick Man of Europe" by Cheap Trick

I have a strange relationship with Cheap Trick. I've never really become a fan of theirs, or enjoyed any album begining to end, but certain songs are some of my favorites. There were two songs on the 1981 Heavy Metal soundtrack, "Reach Out" and "I Must Be Dreamin'";, a song called "Eight Miles Low" on their 1997 self titled album; and this one from their 2009, The Latest, album. I also enjoy "The Flame" a bit from their 1988 Lap of Luxury album. Robin Zander is a great rock singer and Rick Nielsen is a really inventive guitarist. I always check out their albums for that one great song. 

Book: Gotham City Sirens

This was one of my favorite series when I was buying comics. The sirens are Catwoman, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy. Paul Dini, creator of Harley Quinn is the writer and Guillem March the artist on the first 11 and 9 issues respectively. I thought the dialog very realistic and natural for the three female characters and the art really gorgeous. March creates some really interesting compositions. I enjoy the design of his drawings. I always wished for a film for this series, but it seems they've gone with Suicide Squad and now Birds of Prey with Huntress and Black Canary. I hope the Gotham City Sirens movie will get made one day, but I'll always enjoy rereading the comic. 

What did you like in 2009?