So long, 2015!
It was a good year for pop culture lovers like you and I, and to see it out, I thought I’d share a list of a few of my favourite things. Keep in mind – this isn’t a ‘best of”. What I consider ‘the best’ is likely different than what you do. This is my faves, pure and simple. Feel free to chime in with yours in the comments!
Favourite Album – AC/DC, Rock or Bust: To be fair, I wouldn’t have anticipated putting an AC/DC album at the top of any list, but this is far and away my favourite album of 2015. I listen to it weekly. It’s short (less than 35 minutes) and full of killer riff after killer riff. All killer, no filler, as they say. Had Rock or Bust followed the 1980 release of Back in Black, I think it would have been hailed another masterpiece of cock n balls rock n roll. Which it actually is,
Favorite Film – Star Wars The Force Awakens: I’ve seen SWTFA in theaters three times now, including one IMAX showing. That is as many times as I saw The Phantom Menace at the movies…actually, make that one four times if you include the crappy 3D rerelease a few years ago. While I was certain Creed would top my list, as I found that one emotionally riveting with an incredible performance from Sylvester Stallone, I don’t know how often I’ll be revisiting it over the years. SWTFA – I know it’s a film I’ll watch again and again. Sure, it’s really a dressed up reboot/remake of the original, but it’s a rousing, resonate return to form. Plus, Rey is the sort of hero everyone can root for, including young women. My daughter loves her already, and she hasn’t even seen the film.
Favourite Comic Series – Secret Wars: Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic’s 9 issue limited series has been my favourite comic book experience all year. I’ve anxiously awaited each issue, which tells the story of a Marvel Universe torn apart and pieced back together from various universes by Doctor Doom. Even though the end result and return to the MU we know and love was always in the cards, Secret Wars has still been epic storytelling. Many of the spin-off books have also been great reads, including both Weirdworld and Old Man Logan, the latter of which plays an important part in the world of the X-Men going forward.
Favourite Horror Movie – Spring: As I wrote in my column over at Rue-Morgue Magazine, “This was easily my top pick of the year. Directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead deliver a gorgeously shot film that in many ways does the unthinkable by merging a genuine romantic story with Lovecraftian tropes and tentacles.” In a year where films like Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension stunk up cinemas, Spring deserves to find a larger audience. Do yourself a favour and track it down.
