Favourites of 2011

Without further adieu, my lists of my favourite reads, films, and music of 2011!

Favourite Novels/Books Read in 2011 (Out of 4 Stars)
1. Cloud Atlas (David Mitchell, 2004)  *****
2. Cyberabad Days (Ian McDonald, 2009)  ****
3. Spin (Robert Charles Wilson, 2006)  *** 1/2
4. Embassytown (China Miéville, 2011)  ***
5. Under Heaven (Guy Gavriel Kay, 2010)  ***
6. Filaria (Brent Hayward, 2008)  ***
7. China Mountain Zhang (Maureen F. McHugh, 1992)  ***


Favourite Films Released in 2011 (Out of 4 Stars)
1. Drive  ****
2. Jane Eyre  ****
3. The Descendants  ****
4. Take Shelter  ****
5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2  ****
6. Hugo  ****
7. Another Earth  *** 1/2
8. Martha Marcy May Marlene  *** 1/2
9. Midnight in Paris  *** 1/2
10. Rango  *** 1/2

Honourable Mentions: Hanna; Meek's Cutoff; The Whistle Blower.

Notable Disappointments: The Adjustment Bureau; The Ides of March; Melancholia; The Tree of Life.



Favourite Films Seen But Not Released in 2011 (Out of 4 Stars)
1. Haevnen (In A Better World) (2010)  *****
2. Incendies (2010)  ****
3. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)  ****
4. Another Year (2010)  ****
5. Winter's Bone (2010)  ****
6. The King's Speech (2010)  ****
7. Blue Valentine (2010)  *** 1/2
8. Rabbit Hole (2010)  *** 1/2
9. Wendy and Lucy (2008)  *** 1/2
10. Somewhere (2010)  *** 1/2

Honourable Mentions: Black Swan (2010); The Fighter (2010); The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (2010); Half Nelson (2006); In Bruges (2008); Lars and the Real Girl (2007); Mansfield Park (1999).

Notable Disappointments: Biutiful (2010); Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010).


Favourite Albums of 2011
1. Allo Darlin', Allo Darlin'
2. Wussy, Strawberry
3. Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
4. Sloan, The Double-Cross
5. Drive-By Truckers, Go-Go Boots
6. Old 97's, The Grand Theatre, Vol. 1
7. Buck 65, 20 Odd Years
8. Rachid Taha, Bonjour
9. Those Darlins, Screws Get Loose
10. Deerhunter, Halcyon Digest

Favourite Concerts: Allo Darlin'; The Baseball Project; The National; Old 97's.


Favourite Singles/Songs of 2011
1. Wussy, "Wrist Rocket"
2. Allo Darlin', "Kiss Your Lips"
3. Kanye West, "Monster"
4. Sloan, "Unkind"
5. Rachid Taha, "Bonjour"

Honourable Mention: Buck 65, "Stop"; Those Darlins, "Waste Away."