The 14th Annual Review of the Year
2019
Introduction:
It's back! The review of the year, after stating that last year's one may be the last I have returned. As narcissistic as they are they act as a personal annual diary for myself if nothing else, and I have all of them on record for 10 years (the ones prior to that are lost in the Myspace dustbin of history). Having said all of that this may be my last one!
2019 was a bit of a crap year but it wasn't without its moments and I go into 2020 with some hope still left in my heart for life. Like an idiot.
The Ghost of Me and You - Completion
The short film that we began shooting in September 2018 was finally completed after a lengthy post production period (special effects take time!). We met up once again in the first week of the year for the final scene of the film shot at the Beehive Inn in Grassmarket, Edinburgh. The final film clocks in at 20 minutes exactly and I am very proud of it, I am awaiting the response for numerous film festivals as to whether it will be selected. I am keeping my hopes in check as 20 minutes can be quite long for short film festivals and the film maybe features a little too much dialogue. It has already been selected for 3 festivals in 2020 so here is hoping it screens in a few more places! I have shown it to my close friends to a positive response. I can't thank the cast and crew enough as to what they put into this.
Iceland
Back in January, me, Clare, Colette (Clare's mum) and Scott (Clare's brother) took a trip to Iceland for a week. Unfortunately Clare also brought a godawful flu with her that knocked us all out for most of the week. We still managed to see some of the sights and me and Clare took a very ill trip to the Blue Lagoon. But most of the trip was spent sleeping off the flu.
Amy and Scarlett
This year I became an uncle to 2 more nieces - In July my brother Gary and his wife Livia welcomed Amy into their lives. In April My brother Iain and his wife Kathlyn became parents to Scarlett.
Poland
Me and Clare took a trip to Poland which featured a helluva lot of driving as we went between Warsaw and Krakow. We visited the Salt Mines near Krakow and took in a harrowing tour of the Auschwitz concentration camp. The trip concluded with seeing Metallica live on their stadium tour, due to the money they are now asking I can see this being the final time I see Metallica. It was also good to catch up with friends Kacper and Maeva whilst in Krakow.
Home Cinema
In April we melted down our credit card turning our top room in the house into a home cinema which was always the plan when buying the house. Complete with Dolby Atomos and a 4k Projector projecting onto a 120" screen. We have also installed a bar/concession stand. It has been a dream come true. Please enquire within about birthday and event hire.
Gym
To offset the constant sitting and watching movies that the home cinema has created I decided to join the gym in May. I have been going on average twice a week since then, I haven't really lost any weight or gained much muscle but my back issues have improved and I'm not obese yet so that is a result! (I've had issues with my back since car accident in June 2012).
Cancelling Cineworld Unlimited Card
After being a member for 11 years me and Clare both decide to jack in our Cineworld cards. Reasons for this is that we have a home cinema now and you only have to wait 3 months for home releases. I feel very few films are 'essentials' for seeing in the cinema these days. We are also fed up of the 30 minutes of adverts before each film, when you see films all the time they become unbearable. We still go to the cinema on average twice a month and usually to the Vue in Livingston which is only £5 a ticket, however their clientele is a bit more on the neddy side. I also hope to see some smaller films more often at the Filmhouse etc.
RIP Molly 2007-2019
Molly the family Springer spaniel was put to sleep this year, she was a great dog and will be missed, it feels good to know that she has had a long and healthy life unlike some of the other Springers the family Thompson has had.
Other notable events of 2019:
Climbed Ben Ann.
Went to London to see Alexisonfire for first time in 10 years.
Took a trip to Killin to see the killer bunny cave from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Took a trip to York for a wee wander and ghost walk.
Shenmue 3 my most anticipated video game of all time was released 4 and a half years after buying the game via the Kickstarter. I'm still playing it so don't really have a verdict yet.
Returned to a couple of music festivals after not being to to any for a while - Download and Slam Dunk festival.
Toxic politics became even shitter. 2020 hopefully has some pleasant surprises in store.
Favourite 10 Films of 2019:
10 - Ready or Note
09 - Fighting with My Family
08 - El Camino: A Breaking Bad film
07 - If Beale Street Could Talk
06 - Marriage Story
05 - Knives Out
04 - Can You Ever Forgive Me?
03 - Burning
02 - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
01 - Avengers: Endgame
I feel I have to apologise for putting the biggest film of all-time at the number 1 spot, but having grown up reading the Marvel comics there is no way I can't put a film that contains the scene below and not put it at number 1. (Spoilers if you haven't seen it).
Honourable mentions: Ad Astra, Deadwood movie, Under the Silver Lake, Arctic, Free Solo, Doctor Sleep, Joker
All 2019 UK release films that I have seen ranked: https://boxd.it/2kHwI
Favourite 10 Television Series of 2019:
10 - Russian Doll (Season 1)
09 - What We Do in The Shadows (Season 1)
08 - Barry (Season 2)
07 - The Virtues (Mini-series)
06 - Cobra Kai (Season 2)
05 - The Dark Crystal: The Age of Resistance (Season 1)
04 - Stranger Things (Season 3)
03 - Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Season 1)
02 - Chernobyl (Mini-Series)
01 - Watchmen (Mini-Series)
Favourite 10 Albums of 2019:
10 - Killswitch Engage - Atonement
09 - Fever 333 - Strength in Numb333rs
08 - Refused - War Music
07 - Slipknot - We Are Not Your Kind
06 - Jimmy Eat World - Surviving
05 - Dinosaur Pile-Up - Celebrity Mansions
04 - The Menzingers - Hello Exile
03 - Pup - Morbid Stuff
02 - Oso Oso - Basking in the Glow
01- Tool - Fear Inoculum
Favourite Song of 2019:
2019 Concerts/festivals I attended Ranked:
(One of these is not like the others)
18 - Spice Girls - Murrayfield, Edinburgh - Saturday 8th June
17 - Idlewild - Barrowlands, Glasgow - Saturday 4th May
16 - The Xcerts - SWG3, Glasgow - Saturday 30th March
15 - Killswitch Engage - Barrowlands, Glasgow - Thursday 17th October
14 - Ghost - The Hydro, Glasgow - Monday 18th November
13 - Oso Oso - The Hun N' Pint, Glasgow - Sunday 29th October
12 - The Bouncing Souls - Saint Lukes, Glasgow - Thursday 24th October
11 - The Xcerts (Playing In The Cold Wind We Smile in full) - King Tuts, Glasgow - Saturday 7th December
10 - Pup - Cathouse, Glasgow - Friday 12th April
09 - Basement - Mash House, Edinburgh - Tues 27th August
08 - Brian Fallon - Usher Hall, Edinburgh - Wednesday 6th February
07 - Metallica - PGE Narodowy Stadium, Warsaw Poland - Weds 21st August
06 - Thrice and Refused - Barrowlands, Glasgow - Sunday 27th October
05 - Foo Fighters - Bellahouston Park, Glasgow - Saturday 17th August
04 - Alexisonfire - Alexandra Palace, London - Saturday 1st June
03 - Download Festival, Donnington Park - Sunday 16th June (Day ticket)
- Tool
- Smashing Pumpkins
- Enter Shikari
- Slayer
- Underoath
- Godsmack
- Turnstile
- NOFX
- Anti-Flag
- The Interrupters
- Silverstein
- The Menzingers
- Trophy Eyes
- Less Than Jake
- Millencolin
- Glassjaw
- Cancer Bats
- Atreyu
- Touche Amore
- (Missed Busted the secret band - gutted!)
Signing off with a photo of the puppy my parents just got - Lottie.
All the best to everyone for 2020
Ben xxxx
PS: Shout out to Chen and his serial killer podcast:
https://abloodymess.podbean.com/
