As we close out 2005 today I want to put out my best-of list for 2005. This was the year of the mix, and an interesting one to boot. Almost everything on my list is a mix of different elements. There is really nothing “new” here but a fun and exciting mix of styles, times and genres. Most of these mixes work pretty well and I hope 2006 carries on the trend. Without further ado… The list…
- Best Movie: Without a doubt my favorite movie of 2005 is Cinderella Man. When you take the life story of fighter Jim Braddock and mix it with the directing talents of Ron Howard you come up with Magic! On screen performances by Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger take you back to the depression era and immerse you in the despair, hunger and resourcefulness of the time. This movie is what success is all about… overcoming immense obstacles with passion and a laser like vision. Truly a masterpiece!
- Best Album: Give pop musician John Mayer a blues guitar and bring in legendary drummer Steve Jordan and bassist Pino Palladino and you have some of the best blues-rock since Jimi Hendrix on his Stratocaster. The album is named “Try“, but this mix of talent creates a smokin’, bring the house down blues session. If you love good old fashioned guitar blues-rock, pick up this album.
- Best Designer Dog: Mix a pug with a beagle and what do you get? Why a Puggle of course! This is one of the coolest new designer breeds and a dog specifically designed for cramped city living. This little energetic pooch has short hair, a deeply wrinkled forehead, a curled tail and short little legs. This is one mix that works and they are really fun little dogs!
- Best Digital Camera: Can you put a video camera in your shirt pocket? You can if you purchase the Canon SD400. Mix a pocket size 5 megapixel camera with the abilty to capture video and throw in a 1gig SD memory card and you have a pocket production studio. This is the most fun I’ve had with a camera in a long time. I can capture great video on this little unit and play it back in just seconds on my computer. With a price under $300 this is truly a bargain!
- Best New Car: Hire away the designer of the PT Cruiser, put him in a design studio and tell him you want a remake of the 49 Chevy Suburban. That is just what GM did and the result is the Chevy HHR. A great mix of old and new with a retro look, modern high efficiency drive train, and a whopping 30 miles per gallon on the highway. With an iPod hookup and a rear area that folds flat, this is one fun vehicle and a practical one too!
These are my picks and I’d like to hear about yours!