Some Highlights of 2008

Cultural Highlight of the Year: Oh What a Lovely War - Headgate Theatre


Favourite Play of 2008 (as audience): Someone Who'll Watch Over Me

Favourite Films: Lust, Caution and WALL-E

Favourite TV/Radio: all the tribute programmes to Humphrey Lyttelton, both before and after his death in April 2008.

Favourite TV ad: Actimel, starring Bobby Charlton.

Favourite Music of 2008: Mahler's 5th Symphony, at St. Paul's Cathedral (right).

Favourite Books: I don't generally catch up with the latest novels, but I've been continuing my reading of Winston Churchill's History of the Second World War, of which Volumes 3 & 4 covering Dunkirk, The Blitz, the Battle of Britain and Russia, made for compelling reading.

Wittiest Review of the Year: Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian, on The Incredible Hulk.

Worst Cultural Experience of 2008: Probably the furore about Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross (especially the BBC's handling of it).
Having to sit through the overrated Dark Knight for a turgid 2 and a half hours wasn't as bad as Wanted (below).

Great publicity photo, shame about the film.