Adam's Favorites of 2006

Well, it's getting pretty close to the end of 2006, and I thought I would try to remember what my favorite things were this year. Agree or disagree? Post your comments!

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Top 5 Movies:

5. Inside Man

I'm a big fan of Clive Owen, and he doesn't disappoint in this one. I love movies that keep you guessing as to what's really going on. Great performances all around.

4. Stranger Than Fiction

I was surprised that I liked this movie as much as I did. The feelings I had at the end of this movie reminded me of the feelings I had after seeing the movie About Schmidt. Will Ferrell does a great job of playing a more serious role, and Maggie G. (hard last name to spell) does a great job as a unique love interest.

3. Brick

This independent movie was amazing. It took the elements of an old-time noir cinema flick and inserted it into a present-day high school situation. Great performances by Joseph Gordon-Leavitt and Lucas Haas as "The Pin".

2. The Fountain

You are either mesmerized or frustrated with this movie. I was the former. Aronofsky is a genius - I see him as the next Kubrick. The imagery, the plot weavings, amazing. Amazing.

1. Casino Royale

I'm a huge Bond fan. Seriously. I watch them all the time. Although at first I had a hard time with Daniel Craig as Bond, the movie was so good and Craig grew on me with each minute. Imagine - Bond actually seemed like a real person! Imagine that!

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Top 5 T.V. Shows (I don't watch much T.V., but these shows I watch regularly):

5. Heroes

4. Firefly (ok, it's no longer on, but I got the DVDs this year and this show is amazing. An incredible cast.)

3. The Office

2. Lost

1. 24 - I am a latecomer to the 24 phenomenon, started watching it this last season. I love it.

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Top CD's (I couldn't narrow it down to five):

7. Dashboard Confessional - Summer and Dusk

- Yeah, everybody has to have some wuss in them. Chris Carrabba is great, and although I still prefer his acoustic stuff, he's got quite the power pop sensibility in his music.

6. Charlie Hall - Flying Into Daybreak

- I'm not a big Charlie Hall fan. But this CD is great.

5. Sufjan Stevens - The Avalanche

- The fact that these were cuts that didn't make his phenomenal CD Illinois is amazing. This CD is "chock-full" of great songs, including 3 different versions of one of my favorite songs on Illinois - Chicago.

4. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife

- Quirky. Amazing. I love it. Thanks Seth.

3. Mute Math - self-titled

- These guys are so good. Even with the leader playing a "key-tar". Christians writing this kind of music? Amazing.

2. Snow Patrol - Eyes Open

- This CD is so much more than Counting Cars. So much more. "Set Fire To The Third Bar" could be in my top ten songs of all time, especially with Martha Wainwright on backing vocals. There isn't a stinker on this CD, folks.

1. Leeland - Sound Of Melodies

- If you haven't picked up this CD, you need to be beaten severely. This CD isn't just incredible - it's amazi-great. I'm looking forward to hearing more stuff from this "worship artist".

(CDs that I need to pick up that might make this list as well: Jeremy Enigk and ...of sinking ships)

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Top 5 Books:

5. No Perfect People Allowed - John Burke

4. To Own A Dragon - Donald Miller

3. The Present Future - Reggie McNeal

2. The Shaping Of Things To Come - Frost and Hirsch

1. The Irresistible Revolution - Shane Claiborne


Well, that's all I can think of - I'm looking forward to what's coming out in 2007!