Films of 2009: Ché Part 2

Another foreign-language, two-part biopic - but unlike Mesrine, the second part of Ché is clearly the superior piece - rid of the distracting voice-overs and flash forwards, the tale of the eventual demise of Ché in Bolivia is an incredibly immersion and intimate experience.

Films of 2009: Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs

Whilst Up garnered the usual plaudits for Pixar, Cloudy... arguably succeeds more as an out and out kids film. Plus who can complain about a film that features Neil Patrick Harris as a monkey called Steve.

Films of 2009: Gran Torino

Forget Bruno, Gran Torino was the most offensive comedy of the year

Films of 2009: The Hangover

I find myself in two minds over The Hangover's place on the list - one one hand I feel I should give this some recognition as I went in with zero expectations, only going to see it because of getting my hands on some free tickets from Seefilmfirst and then having a great time as it was far better than it had any right to be. But on the other hand, I get the feeling the novelty will wear off quickly, especially as there will no doubt be hoards of copycats following it in 2010 that will make me curse the name of Zach Galifianakis.

But in the end I decided to stay true to how I felt leaving the cinema, so The Hangover makes the list as the surprise hit of 2009.

Films of 2009: Inglourious Basterds

It certainly has it flaws, its far too long and I still have no idea what Mike Myers is doing in it - but there is still plenty to love about the film, in particular Christopher Waltz's performance.

Films of 2009: Mesrine - Killer Instinct

Vincent Cassell can even make a perfume ad interesting, so give him the French equivalent of Scarface and you've got guaranteed greatness. Part One has the bigger bangs, Part Two has the bigger beards - which is best is simply down to your personal preference.

Films of 2009: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Jesse Eisenberg had seemingly had Michael Cera's number this year with Zombieland and Adventureland, but Cera fought back in the geeky indie-boy stakes with this effort that almost matched Juno for sweetness but with more out and out funny moments.

Films of 2009: Star Trek

Couldn't even be spoiled by Simon Pegg's terrible Scottish accent.

Films of 2009: The Wrestler

An immense performance from Mickey Rourke in the lead role led to the surreal sight of Necro Butcher being featured at this year's Oscars ceremony.

Films of 2009: Zombieland

Three words. Bill Fucking Murray!

Top 50 Tracks of 2009 - Spotify Playlist

Brought to you via Shareyourplaylists.com is compilation of my top 50 tracks of 2009 - If you've got Spotify installed just follow the link, click on play and listen away.

Here's the tracklisting I went for, with a quick mention for the Manics cover of Vision Blurred and White Rabbits Percussion Gun which would've made the list if they were on there to choose from.

iamstockmonkey Top 50 of 2009
Alice In Chains - Check My Brain
Biffy Clyro - Many Of Horror
Blur - The Universal (Live in Hyde Park, London 02/07/2009)
Bon Iver - Blood Bank
Clint Mansell - We’re Going Home
The Dead Weather - Treat Me Like Your Mother
Death Cab for Cutie - Meet Me On The Equinox
Dinosaur Jr. - I Want You To Know
Doves - Jetstream
Eels - Fresh Blood
Florence + The Machine - You’ve Got The Love - Jamie XX re-work
Foo Fighters - Wheels
Franz Ferdinand - Lucid Dreams
Friendly Fires - Skeleton Boy
The Gaslight Anthem - The 59 Sound
The Hold Steady - You Can Make Him Like You
The Horrors - Who Can Say
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - War
Idlewild - Younger Than America
Jamie T - Sticks ‘n’ Stones
Jay-Z + Alicia Keys - Empire State Of Mind
Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension
Just Jack - Embers
Kasabian - Vlad The Impaler
La Roux - Colourless Colour
Lady Gaga - Poker Face
Ladyhawke - Paris Is Burning
Lethal Bizzle - Going Out Tonight
Lily Allen - The Fear
Little Boots - Stuck On Repeat
The Low Anthem - To Ohio
MGMT - Kids - Soulwax Mix
MSTRKRFT ft. Freeway - 1000 Cigarettes
Nine Black Alps - Buy Nothing
Middle Class Rut - Busy Bein’ Born
Passion Pit - Sleepyhead
Pearl Jam - The Fixer
Röyksopp - Happy Up Here
Silversun Pickups - The Royal We
Simian Mobile Disco - Cruel Intentions
Soulsavers - Unbalanced Pieces (Ft. Mark Lanegan and Mike Patton)
Spinnerette - Cupid
Them Crooked Vultures - Mind Eraser, No Chaser
Tiga - What You Need - Proxy remix
TV on the Radio - Halfway Home
The Veronicas - Untouched
Vitalic - See The Sea (Red)
Weezer - I’m Your Daddy
Wild Beasts - Hooting & Howling
The xx - Crystalised
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero

Albums of 2009: Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP

This four track release suggests Justin Vernon should have no problem in following the 2008 critically acclaimed album For Emma, Forever Ago.

Albums of 2009: Doves - Kingdom of Rust

Four years in the making, Doves returned to remind us they are truly one of the great British bands - narrowly missing out on a deserved number 1 album by 6 copies to Lady Gaga in the process.

Albums of 2009: Eels - Hombre Lobo

Whilst not quite living up to the standard of Fresh Blood that suggested E was once again taking the Eels of on another tangent - Hombre Lobo still showcases E's knack for knocking out simple, yet affecting songs by the dozen

Albums of 2009: The Horrors - Primary Colours

Before Primary Colours, The Horrors were in danger of being best known for their cameo in the Mighty Boosh as The Black Tubes, but this epic wall of sound soon changed that.

Albums of 2009: Idlewild - Post Electric Blues

After the forgettable Make Another World, Idlewild seemed destined to drift away with Roddy shifting focus to the folkier side of his output. Some when they returned this year with the fan funded Post Electric Blues, it made for one of the most pleasing returns of the year.

Albums of 2009: The Joy Formidable - A Balloon Called Moaning

Bands like Pains Of Being Pure At Heart seemed to get more love in the end of year lists - but in my eyes The Joy Formidable deserve the most hype out of all the bands who nod their cap to the 80s indie pop. With a full album on the horizon, maybe next year will see them get the love they deserve.

Albums of 2009: Middle Class Rut - 25 Years EP

In the end Rage Against The Machine made quite the comeback at the end of 2009, but in the meantime MC Rut provided the epic riffs that we'd been missing alongside vocals that drew comparisons to another 90s rock staple - Jane's Addcition

Albums of 2009: Nine Black Alps - Locked Out From The Inside

Back to the grungier sound of their debut, Nine Black Alps' third album featured many of their mightiest riffs to date.

Albums of 2009: Röyksopp - Junior

Album three combined the best of the previous two albums, bringing back elements of the chilled out electro that made their name in the first place, alongside the hardier techno beats from The Understanding.

Albums of 2009: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz

The move to a more electro sound is actually a marked difference from their previous stuff, but they succeeded with so much ease you barely noticed it seemed such an obvious fit.

Top 10 TV Moments of 2009: Big Chef Takes On Little Chef

A surprise hit of the year as Heston Blumenthal slummed it in the struggling chain of Roadside restaurants, trying to turn their fortunes around. Key to its charm was showing the Heston wasn't quite the smug bastard you'd think he might be - and in boss Ian Pegler, a pantomime villain who would spout out nonsense that would make an Apprentice wannabe blush.

Top 10 TV Moments of 2009: Eastbound & Down

The Foot Fist Way and Observe and Report both suffered as films as the jokes couldn't really last an hour and a half - and if I'm honest Observe and Report's jokes didn't even last a minute, but the half hour format suited Danny McBride and Jody Hill much better and you can't help but hit a home run if you can rope in extended cameos from Craig Robinson and Will Ferrell, who channelled the spirit of Ric Flair in his turn as car salesman Ashley Schaeffer.

Top 10 TV Moments of 2009: Eastenders Goes Tarantino

The only way this could be any more of a Pulp Fiction rip-off is if the wardrobe team had given Lucas a wallet that said Bad Mother Fucker

Top 10 TV Moments of 2009: Fishsticks

This year's run of South Park was pretty forgettable on the whole, except for two musical moments that became online sensations that they'd parodied previously. Cartman doing Poker Face was the more popular, but my pick is Matt and Trey ripping into Kanye West a good few months before the VMAs, showing how even on autopilot they still manage to stay well ahead of the competition.

Top 10 TV Moments of 2009: Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling

Celebrity Wrestling over here was abysmal - with Dlo Brown and Joe Legend leading a team of celebs through various sub-Gladiators style games. This time around they did things properly, putting them through the paces and showing what its like to get in the ring. The highlight of the show was the feud between Screech and Danny Bonaduce - which ended in a surprisingly brutal hardcore match between the two that saw them put each other through tables and smash each other into walls.

Top 10 TV Moments of 2009: The Life & Times Of Tim

Its lo-fi stylings and sarcastic tone made The Life & Times Of Tim reminiscent of those 90s cartoons like Duckman and Beavis and Butthead - which is no bad thing in my eyes. Also gets bonus points for being the only show that has ever been worth watching on Virgin 1.

Top 10 TV Moments of 2009: Psychoville

Much more than a black comedy, Psychoville unfolded to become a genuinely thrilling and a times pretty damn scary modern day Hitchcockian story. Add in the immersive online experience and you have the one of most creative new shows in years.

Top 10 TV Moments of 2009: Red Riding Trilogy

Make it past the first of the three films, which is impossible to follow at times and you'll be rewarded with one of the best dramas of recent times. In the Year of Our Lord 1980 is the highlight - with Paddy Considine starring as Peter Hunter, brought in to investigate the Yorkshire Ripper murders which ultimately become the backdrop for a dark tale of corruption.

Top 10 TV Moments of 2009: The Wire

Showing up in all the best of the decade lists, The Wire finally made it to terrestrial tv tucked away in a late night slot on BBC2. With only the odd break between series it was a great way to immerse yourself in the Wire universe, as the wide ranging story spans the entire run whilst still managing to update itself year by year

Top 10 TV Moments of 2009: WWE Vintage Collection

The forgotten show in the WWE portfolio and arguably the best of the lot. A particlar highlight was the four week run showcasing the best of the cruiserweights from the WWE library that spanned the 70s right up to the modern day.

I sometimes think that WWE has actually forgotten they employ Mean Gene and he spends most of his time locked in the Vintage Collection studio taking to all the cardboard cut outs from the era that show up every week.

Review: This Is It

I didn't know what to expect going into this. But when a big close up of Tim Vincent 10 minutes in is the most surprising moment in the film, it shows that the last footage of MJ was in the end just some cobbled together rehearsal footage that will only appeal to hardcore fans, those with a morbid fascination and Diane-Louise Jordan.

Review: Jennifer's Body

You can why this got jumped on by the critics as instead of the warm heart and sweetness that made Juno so great, in their place this time around you get gore and Megan Fox prancing around in her pants.

That said. compared to the likes of Final Destination and other teen horrors, Jennifer's Body is light years ahead of its counterparts, but the lack of suspense or any real scares stop it from getting close to the classic horrors it really wants to hang with.

WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs

The latest event from WWE will stay long in the memory, not for the gimmick stipulations, but by actually managed to surprise the viewer for the first time in ages.

Christian vs Shelton Benjamin - Ladder Match

The opener was a Ladder match for the ECW title between two veterans of the gimmick match in question. As you'd expect there were plenty of nice spots that showed of Shelton's athleticism alongside Christian innovation in this type of match. Yet something never quite clicked between the two as they never quite recovered from the forced break to tend to Christian's cut he got when a ladder caught him flush in the face early doors - unlike at Bragging Rights where they managed to hide Cena's cut during one of the time-outs, this time around they had no such luxury and the interruption ruined the flow just as the match was building as killed the atmosphere in the crowd.

Christian won in the end after an impressive spot where he frog-splashed Benjamin through a ladder between the ring and announce table - and you'd have to think he will be out of the doghouse of ECW and onto Smackdown sooner rather than later seeing as he's been given a fair amount of the spotlight on the last 2 pey-per-views running.

Drew McIntyre vs John Morrison

Next up was the Intercontinental Title match that saw Mr McMahon's hand picked future champ Drew McIntyre take on John Morrison. At the best of times these two aren't full of charisma and would've struggled to get the crowd into what they were doing, but having to follow a ladder match just made things worse. What they did in the ring was fine but no one cared either way, but at least they didn't pull a Ziggler and let Drew keep the little momentum that he has by winning the belt first time round

Mickie James vs Michelle McCool

By the numbers Womens' match which was destined to be forgotten almost straight after. Michelle won in a match that was only notable for Layla wearing a Piggie James T-Shirt and Mickie apparently dressed as some kind of Native American Cowboy.

Sheamus vs John Cena - Tables Match

Sheamus Wins! Sheamus Wins!

You could actually sense the shock rippling through the crowd at the end of this match when the Irishman put the champ through a table - Well he sort of did anyway. The way they choose to end this match was baffling as for some reason out of nowhere Cena did some kind of suicidal dive from the top rope through a table to lose the match.

This managed to make the pair of them look like complete idiots as the hero of the WWE Universe is apparently some bumbling buffoon who can't stand up straight and instead of giving the new champ a convincing win he was just left straddled on the top rope as the champ committed Hari Kari.

This was such a shame as what went before as the pair actually had a pretty good WWE style brawl for the title that showed that Sheamus could hang with the big boys, reminding me of Batista in the sense that you won't want him to be the one to carry the match, but put him in with the right guy and he'll deliver - which bodes well for the Irishman's run with title.

Undertaker vs Batista - Chairs Match

Another silly ending followed in the next title match, as the Smackdown belt was defended by Undertaker against Big Dave. Coming into this the WWE writers had booked themselves into a cul-de-sac as you don't beat the Undertaker on a pointless PPV or a loss would ruin the momentum for the Dave heel turn that has been all kinds of great so far - so some kind of cop out ending was to be expected, but they went and picked the one that made the least sense.

Batista had looked like he'd won the title after pinning the Undertaker on the back of a chair shot. But seeing as he'd used a low blow Teddy Long came out and ordered a restart where the Undertaker quickly got the 3 count on the back of a tombstone piledriver. Notwithstanding the fact that Teddy Long was prepared to let Drew McIntyre get away with eye poke to win the IC title not making sense - this was the same Teddy Long who was under orders to screw the Undertaker out of the title for the last couple of months - shouldn't he be happy that Big Dave won?!

Randy Orton vs Kofi Kingston

Of the 3 guys pushed in recent weeks, Kofi Kingston made the biggest impression with the WWE fans. So of course he lost convincingly. What had originally looked set to push Kofi to Orton's level had ended up dragging Randy down to Kofi's midcard status via a load of pointless TV matches - so with Orton versus Cena being teased yet again for somewhere down the line (please God not Wrestlemania!) they threw all the good work done with Kofi aside to try and save Orton. The match itself was good as they worked closer to Kofi's faster pace opposed to Orton's slower, more methodical pace - but by the end Kofi was right back where he started a couple of months ago.

DX vs Chris Jericho & The Big Show - TLC Match

The main event was the perfect example of how to use the Big Show - coming in with short bursts that showcased his height as an unique attraction whilst also highlighting his freakish strength. Here the story was that JeriShow destroyed all the ladders meaning they were the only ones who could win the match. The end came DX finally outsmarted them catching them in the act, leading to the one big spot in the match - Jericho's fall from Big Show's shoulders through to a table outside. I much preferred this match to the spot fests of Money in the Bank as it actually told a story instead of being jammed full off stunts that quickly become meaningless.

So DX won the tag titles, but unless they switch them back straight away after its hard to work out what they'll do with the belts, as next up on the calendar is the the Royal Rumble which usually marks the start on the Road to Wrestlemania - and despite winning gold here you've got to expect DX to be working singles matches on the biggest show of the year.

On the whole you'd have to recommend this show, none of the matches tanked, with Sheamus and Cena delivering a surprisingly good match with an ending that managed to surprise you more.

Review: Where The Wild Things Are

I would've enjoyed this a lot more if I didn't get the feeling immediately afterwards that if I'd wanted to see a feral boy who really needs a wash act up for an hour and a half I could've just gone to Newcastle town centre instead and saved myself the cost of a cinema ticket.

Review: Vicky Cristina Barcelona

A really good looking film - and I'm not just talking about the cast, as the beautiful settings of Barcelona sparkle throughout.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona has warmth and wit to it that always makes it watchable - mainly thanks to Penelope Cruz who comes in and steals the show as the fiery Maria Elena just as things start to get too repetitive.

In the end it seems somewhat fitting that a film partly about trying to find out what you really love is one that lures you in by being easy on the eye, but doesn't leave that lasting impression as there's not much going on beneath he surface.

Review: Flame & Citron

A stylish but stripped-down wartime thriller creates a claustrophobic atmosphere as resistance fighters Flame & Citron run out of places to turn and people to trust in their fight against the Nazis.

Yet aside from a common cause, the bond between the two main characters that is implied is never actually properly explained on film, meaning the end sequence showing their fates side by side, doesn't quite have the power that is intended.