This is a bit late, but lots of other 'best of the year's' happened before 2011 has finished, so you know, turns out you can have it both ways... In December I read a Bella Union blog about best things of 2011, which introduced me to one of the best things I found in 2011. And inspired me to write this... Anyway whichever way you look at it; it's now 2012 so a good time to reflect on the cool stuff which happened, amongst the chaos that was twenty eleven.
PODCASTS
I wrote a whole post about podcasts but the one I need to share anew is Comedy Bang Bang, I'm throwing it out there, because I would die happy if I were ever to be on that show. It makes my face do shapes and sounds of laughter that I didn't know could happen.
Special mention for the Pod F Tompkast - also great
I made my acting debut in 60 Second remake of the Social Network, which was shortlisted for the Empire Magazine's 'Done in 60 seconds' competition.
We didn't win but it's a thing that I like. Directed by the multi-talented Charlie Hall, check it. It's literally 60 seconds.
Here is a music video I did some work on recently .
There are loads of great videos on this site http://bandstandbusking.com/ and you should follow @BandstandBusks on twitter and you can come along to the next one. Some of their shows have been the best I've been to this year, and they're all free.
Special Mention to Black Cab Sessions - filming one song by loads of amazing bands, in the back of a cab - Watch them..
FILMS
I really enjoyed Senna, White Diamond, Rear Window, Submarine, In the Heat of the Night, True Grit
I once applied to do a medical trial, it would have involved getting flu and staying in a hotel for a month, for around £5000. I didn't get the gig, and I guess that's a good thing. I did, however, read the awesome 'Rebel Without a Crew' written by 'From Dusk Till Dawn', and 'Sin City' director Robert Rodriguez. He did a medical trial, and used the time to write a movie script, the money to fund the script, and a guy he met in there to be the leading man.
He went to Mexico, filmed it on his own, and eventually it became a Hollywood hit - AMAZING, and inspiring. The film he made was El Mariachi, and it is great!
Greatest Own Goal ever - Even if you don't like football, there is something, mind blowing about this own goal
If Alanis Morisette liked football, there would have been a line in her hit song Ironic, about scoring one of the greatest goals ever, and it being against your own goalkeeper.
Festus Baise - we salute you
I found this radio documentary series, called Story Corps, about a group of US radio producers, who record ordinary people telling their stories to their friends, or relatives, whilst in a recording booth. Some of these stories are amazing, and it's a great project
'2011: The Year Beyond Words' is a great video by Barry Pilling
The Salsa Dog - Dogs being ridiculous, this is one of the most visceral videos of 2011
Beautiful 1-second film competition shortlist. Hemingway famously remarked, that you could tell a story, and have narrative, in one line.
'For Sale: baby shoes, never worn'
Yeah that's right, I went from the salsa dog to Hemingway in one jump. This video shows how you can capture a lot in one second of film...
'Alarm Clock/Money Shredder' - good idea for those who have difficulty motivating themselves to wake up http://lifehac.kr/n76Kz9
Books
The Thought Gang - Tibor Fischer, Submarine - Joe Dunthorne, Into Thin Air - Jon Krakauer, Stuart: A Life Backwards - Alexander Masters
Special mention for 'Old Man Hoffman' who smashed out part 2 of the Left Hand of God Trilogy in 2011 - 'The Last Four Things'. The paperback out in 2012, if you've missed it, start with number one you won't be disappointed..
Boring 2011 was a conference, about Boring things, I went to this year it was great, and Boring, I think I will go to Boring 2012. Follow James Ward on Twitter for lots on interesting perspectives, and his blog, is a treat
This is inspiring and amazing, 'Dark side of the lens' Short film about surf photography -
Thanks to Kim for hooking me up with this, she does great work and can be followed here:
Uniqlo Socks: I have not been paid by Uniqlo to write this but I crowd-sourced some sock opinions on Twitter; after realising all the socks I buy are crap and get holes in them. Uniqlo emerged the most popular, and I can see why. Three months in these bad boys are going from strength to strength, I'm wearing some right now.
Riding bikes - I love riding a bicycle, get one in 2012 if you don't have one already.
Try and listen to this song and not smile - http://bit.ly/jMSWLx Owiny Sigoma Band: Wires
My favourite album from last year was Lucky Shiner by Gold Panda, and I'll leave you with some of my favourite xylophone work from 2011
Here's to a good 2012, I'll try to write some more stuff, Also here's my new website, http://thomhoffman.co.uk it has some videos and whatnot on there.
Thanks for hanging out here in 2011