It's the Grammys!

It's Grammy's night, folks! I'm so freak'in excited it's beyond amazing! It sucks that I have a test tomorrow so I won't be able to catch the LIVE! show itself. There are loads of spectacular names lined up and ready to blow us away. Lady GaGa is opening the night!

All I can say is OM*G!

Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, P!NK, Bon Jovi, Green Day, Mary J. Blige, Lady Antebellum and Sugarland will also be taking the stage at various spots during the show. Oh yeah, Taylor Swift is also performing. And I'm counting on her to be off-key!

Recording Academy will be honoring the late king of pop, Michael Jackson, with the Earth Song. It was specifically designed for his This Is It Tour. It's a never been seen before footage. Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Usher and Smokey Robinson will be performing alongside. This is going to be huge!

Gotta Love NPH! Gotta Laugh at Joe!

Neil Patrick Harris abbreviated as NPH was one of the two guest judges on the Dallas, TX Audition Round. And I have to say, he was pure awesomeness!

I was really skeptical about him as I really have not heard him sing, but then I am aware that he does happen to have some Broadway background. Coming back to the audition, he was amazing!

NPH was like a leaner, more critical version of Simon Cowell. Couple that with witty remarks and take away the catty homophobic comment slips, that is Neil Patrick Harris. But yeah, Katy Perry still takes the first place.

Just as much useful NPH proved to be, Joe Jonas was just as ridiculous. Is there anything this kid can do and not make himself look stupid?! Joe proved himself as a complete douchebag when he danced to Beyonce's Single Ladies trying to emulate Justin Timberlake. While JT actually made it look funny, Joe managed to make it look simply horrible.

He gave a nod to everyone. Was he comparing their singing to his own?! C'mon Joe! Even you're not that bad. The only reason I could think that the producers wanted Joe was to boost the population of tweens watching the show.

Guess what producers?! Tweens already follow your show religiously!

My choice of a guest judge would have been, the one and only, Ms. Clarkson. Why am I saying so?!

Well firstly, she's from Texas. She auditioned for the show during it's first season from Dallas, TX. She's sold more records than Joe and has more vocal prowess than Joe will when he will be 30.

Plus she's actually stood there in front of the judges, so she can actually feel what the contestants are going through. This would also been an amazing opportunity to promote their original star. Clarkson is THE reason that American Idol returned two years later and has continued ever since. Now that's something to consider.

I Could Kiss Katy Perry!!

So I'm pretty sure that you all must be aware that Paula has left the judging panel on American Idol. She had some problems with the renewal of her contract and quit the job (Rumor has it that she was fired), and Ellen DeGeneres has taken her place as the new American Idol judge. However this decision was made after the Judges Audition Round, therefore the producer put down various personalities from the entertainment industry to fill in for now.

We've had Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Shania Twain and Kristin Chenoweth. Victoria was pathetic, Mary couldn't stop laughing or crying at various points of the program. Shania was fun and Kristin was cool. The episode today featured two pop princesses, Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry.

There is nothing worth mentioning about Lavigne, except for her deviled hoodie, which I could really go for except in red. However Perry bought some real thing to the table.

Perry completely rocked it. She was brutally honest and she gave those creepy auditions a reality check, which they desperately needed.

But the real reason, Perry caught my heart so bad was that she gave that annoying Kara a run for her money. Kara literally over-talks everybody on the panel and her 'honey' and 'sweetie' are extremely annoying. No matter how much she tried winning Perry over, Perry remained true to her opinion.

Kick Kara and put Perry!! Seriously producers, not only you'll have a brilliant judge but also your rating will sky-rocket! And she's a brilliant song-writer, so she even covers Kara's job!

And also, she actually made it to becoming a recording artist unlike her!

Plus she looked more smoking hot than Kara will do any day. If you haven't checked out the today's episode, you so need to! Perry will blow you away!

Turn It Up; Pixie Lott

One of the artists that made their debut in 2009 and quickly caught my attention is the English singer/song writer Victoria Louise Lott, better known as, Pixie Lott. The album is utterly awesome and possibly one of the best debuts of 2009. She is a pretty darn good vocalist no doubt, but even better than that, she is an amazing song writer. There is a wittiness in her lyrics that I've witnessed before in Katy Perry's debut album, One of the Boys.

While Perry is more inclined towards rock and pop, Pixie here goes along the R&B and soul route. I feel that she has made some really sensible decision at her debut disc and it's no surprise that two of her three singles have reached #1 in UK.

The track listing is as follows;

1. Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)
2. Cry Me Out
3. Band Aid
4. Turn It Up
5. Boys & Girls
6. Gravity
7. My Love
8. Jack
9. Nothing Compares
10. Here We Go Again
11. The Way the World Works
12. Hold Me In Your Arms
13. Use Somebody (Bonus Version)
14. When Love Takes Over (Bonus Version)

The album has mostly easy going pop tracks, with the occasional presence of ballads. There are two dance numbers, I'm glad Lott didn't let her label push her into that direction. With so many acts bursting into the market and every other being a dance act, is making lots of acts sound cliche. Really happy Lott stuck to what she knew best.

'Boys & Girls', 'Turn It Up' and 'Here We Go Again' are the three dance numbers. 'Boys & Girls' has become the second single from Lott and has achieved great success. It's also one of the my favorite tracks. Plus the video is really awesome. Nothing really high tech about it, but it just seems like such a cool party song being played in a really cool party. It's awesome!

'Here We Go Again' is produced by Red One, famous for producing hits like 'Pokerface' and 'Just Dance' for Lady GaGa. This track is another dance floor anthem and a darn good one.

'Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)' is a perky fun number where Lott describes her distress if her parents get to know of her lunatics. It happens to be her debut single and is another really awesome track off the record. It is one of the only two tracks which does not have Pixie on writing credits, but she has made it her own with her one of a kind vocals.

'Band Aid' is a fun pop number, kind of seems like a Natasha Beddingfield song if you ask me. But there is a young generation vibe in Pixie's voice and it's totally playful. There is abit too much noise from the back ground singers, but it's a good track. This playful and originality is also noticed in the track 'Jack', where she turns the everybody knows nursery rhyme into a quirky song.

'Cry Me Out' and 'Gravity' are two of the better ballads off the record. 'Cry Me Out' has been released as the third single, while 'Gravity' is slated to be the next. I'm glad 'Gravity' is selected as a single, it's easily the most noticeable track off the record. I absolutely love the piano play in this track, very Alicia Keys. 'My Love' is another shining track. Somewhat of a more pop ballad than I would have expected. But it is good no doubt.

'Nothing Compares' is a heart wrenching ballad, however this is one track which I have yet to grow a liking too. My best friend thinks this is one of the best tracks from the record, but I don't. Give it a listen, maybe you will like it.

'The Way the World Works' and 'Hold Me In Your Arms' are the last two tracks. While the former is one of my favorite, the latter doesn't do much for me. 'Hold Me In Your Arms' is also the other track which doesn't have Lott on writing credits. It's a strange world! One track she's not there and I love it. Another track she's not there and I don't like it at all.

Pixie will be introducing herself to the US market sometime this year. When I am not sure, but I'm sure she will be doing great. 'Boys & Girls' has already charted in US and has received ravings, so I'm guessing she'll do pretty well.

What do you say?

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

So Fergalicous!!

Black Eyed Peas have been a long time favorite of mine. Though their lyrics are more than often absolutely ridiculous and there is nothing about them that is worth burning your gray matter over. But enjoyable they are. The reason I'm making this one particular post about them is for one particular member of the group. I'm talking about the one and only fierce Latina Stacy Ann Ferguson aka Fergie.

Black Eyed Peas achieved numerous commercial and critical success ever since Fergie joined their line up. She's quite possibly one of the most talented and diverse female vocalist of the present age. And besides having vocals that could sing the telephone directory, she has looks that could raise the body temperature of the Abominable Snowman. And that's why her debut record 'The Dutchess' released in 2007, alone sold more copies that will.i.am three solo effort records combined.

The previous single from BEPs third studio effort, The E.N.D., was one of the best songs of 2009 and most definitely had the most amazing video of 2009. While Bad Romance did make me gravitate towards it, but that was just for a few moments. 'Meet Me Halfway' has me coming back for more. And that's all because how freak'in awesome Fergie is looking in the vid.

Check out this close up of her;

Everything looks so surreal. Speaking of looks, Fergie under-went a makeover just last year. And quite definitely she improved multiple folds. She's a complete bomb!!

You can check out the full video below and leave comment of what you think!

Echo; Leona Lewis

Leona Lewis is no doubt the most well known and publicized winner of the British X Factor. Being crowned in 2006 and releasing her debut album, Spirit next year. She practically rocketed into fame, largely due to the world wide chart topper Bleeding Love.

With all that to her name, a sophomore album was a for sure sign. And that's what the world got on November 17th, '09. Under the name Echo, Lewis once again proved why she deserved winning X Factor. One of the great moves she made this time round was to keep the album more her age. Last time there were a number of tracks which Whitney Houston could have sung during her prime years. But what Lewis served this time round are signature hers and no one else can do them like her.

With writing credits to her name this time, it was a clear sign that this album would be great. Other people collaborating their writing skills are Justin Timberlake, Ryan Tedder, Max Martin, Jess Cates and Kevin Rudolf. The production line up were pretty impressive as well. I really have high hopes that this album will grab a few accolades for the nomination it gets in next year's Grammys.

The track listing is as follows;

1. Happy
2. I Got You
3. Can't Breathe
4. Brave
5. Outta My Head
6. My Hands
7. Love Letter
8. Broken
9. Naked
10. Stop Crying Your Heart Out
11. Don't Let Me Down
12. Alive
13. Lost then Found ft. One Republic
14. Stone Hearts & Hand Grenades (Bonus Track)
    
15. You Don't Care (Bonus Track)
16. Fly Here Now (Bonus Track)

Featuring guest vocals on one track and more dance numbers, Lewis has clearly distinguished herself in a completely different league from every other contestant that has ever appeared on X Factor. She is really someone with unimaginable talent and amazing potential.

This is a really strong album over all and there is only one track I can bad mouth about. 'Can't Breath' is the only weak point on the record. Ballads that constantly deal with a low falsetto are not for her. They make her sound boring and it seems that she's trying to hard most of the times. She should be more herself like in the songs 'Brave', 'Happy' and 'Broken'. 'Brave' is a particular stand out. I am completely in love with this song and I'm really hoping that it's chosen sometime in the future as a single.

Europop is an ever going genre and with so many British artists adopting a more bold approach to dance numbers. Tracks like 'Outta Here', 'Love Letter', 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out', 'Naked' and 'You Don't Care' show Leona's untapped potential to expand and grow into this market. 'I Got You' which is chosen as the second single also seems to have a touch of it, but barely. And yes, it is another song that is a clear stand-out.

One bonus track that I would particularly like to mention is 'Stone Hearts & Hand Grenades'. The only word I can use to describe it is profound. This is definitely one of the most personal tracks off the record. Co-penned by Lewis, there is a clear indication that this came from somewhere deep within. I disappointed that this track didn't make the cut. This track has great potential as a single and definitely could have done a much better than the original first single 'Happy'. But hey, who's going to argue with the big shot producers.

Lewis also had for the first time having a guest appearance on her record. 'Lost and Found' features the American Pop Rock culture iconic group, One Republic. This track is rumored to be selected as a single in near future. If so, this track can expose Lewis even more into the US and US influenced markets. And I'm pretty sure this is going to come true sooner or later, Simon Cowell, Lewis's manager is trying hard to break his proteges into the US main stream. And of all, Leona Lewis and SuBo are the only ones that stand a chance.

Earlier in an interview Lewis mentioned that she was planning to work with Chris Martin of Coldplay to help her crack Japan and Timbaland to crack the urban/hip-hop market. I was really interested to see these collabs work out, Martin is a genius and he could really help Lewis gain new heights. Timbaland while maybe a hip hop king, I don't see him churning out stuff that Lewis could sell. But no doubt I would give that a listen. Lewis indicated such might happen on her third album, whenever that comes along.

Do give this record a listen folks. It's one of the best ones that have come last year!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Rated R; Rihanna

If there is one album that can be easily mistaken for a dud, it has to be Rated R. Like many I gave this album one listen and declared Rihanna's career over. However the few tracks that got me grooving made me listen to the album again. It was then that I realized that this album is actually a grower.

Rated R is one of the most edgiest records I've ever heard. Rihanna has definitely made an exit from her previous musical style when she was all about making club bangers and dance floor anthems. This time around she has kept the album much more intimate and I think that's why many fail to feel the album at the first listen.

While the song are indeed much different from what Rihanna has done before, are they related in anyway to the bashing incidence at the 2009 Grammys?! Can't say. Related or not, the songs are clearly awesome and something completely new. I'm glad she changed her style. With GaGa being the new dance queen, Rihanna needed to advance to something bigger and better. Lo behold, we have Rated R.

The track listing is as follows;

1. 
   
   Mad House
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Wait Your Turn
   
   
   
3. 
   
   Hard ft. Young Jeezy
   
   
   
4. 
   
   Stupid in Love
   
   
   
5. 
   
   Rockstar 101 ft. Slash
   
   
   
6. 
   
   Russian Roulette
   
   
   
7. 
   
   Firebomb
   
   
   
8. 
   
   Rude Boy
   
   
   
9. 
   
   Photographs ft. Will.i.am
   
   
   
10. 
    
    G4L
    
    
    
11. 
    
    Te Amo
    
    
    
12. 
    
    Cold Case Love
    
    
    
13. 
    
    The Last Song
    
    
    
14. 
    
    Hole in My Head ft. Justin Timberlake
    

I became a fan of Rihanna because of her dance anthems and I was never a fan of her ballads. The only slow tempo song I ever liked from her was 'Unfaithful' from her second album A Girl Like Me. However this time round, its the ballads that I'm really crazy about. 'Stupid in Love', 'Russian Roulette', 'Firebomb', 'Te Amo' and 'The Last Song' are some of my favorite tracks of the record. 'Firebomb' and 'The Last Song' are especially really good tracks. I instantly took a liking to them and played them non-stop for a couple of days on my iTunes.

'Cold Case Love' is another ballad, however it didn't quite appear to me as a song that would suit Rihanna. There is something about that song that puts me in a slumber. It's a sleeper. Nothing memorable about it! And it is also, in my opinion, one of the weak spots off the record. Rihanna can most definitely do alot better than this.

This time round, there hasn't been alot of hip hop on the record. Frankly speaking, this was a very smart move on Rihanna's part. 'Wait Your Turn', 'Rockstar 101' and 'G4L' are all hip hop songs and they get old fast. 'Rockstar' is one of the most annoying songs I've ever heard and there is absolutely nothing about it that appeals to me. Given the fact that she tells the listener to frisk her under-garments is another complete turn-off. 'G4L' which translates to 'Gangster for Life' is a complete mafia song, where Rihanna tells how she can mess up anyone who tries to mess with her and how she's got a whole gang of mobsters backing her. I know she's going for a more dark and fierce image this time, but why the voilence?!

'Hard' and 'Rude Boy' are two extremely strong acts. The chorus will drive you crazy with the repetitive lines but before they can manage to do that, they will have you addicted to them. It's no surprise, they were chosen as the second and third single off the album. 'Rude Boy' is most definitely my favorite track of the record. Here we see the sassy, sultry, out-for-the-kill Rihanna once again. These types of track in my opinion have always been Rihanna's forte. She simply can't go wrong with them.

'Hole in My Head' is another track along these lines. And further more, it is a JT collab. While JT may not be producing any new music, but his collaborations are always piping hot. 'Love Sex Magic' by Ciara and '4 Minutes' by Madonna are still going strong on my personal charts. Justin definitely brings out the sassyness of Rihanna in one of the most amazing collective effort tracks of 2009. Too bad it is a bonus track, it can easily outshine 'Rockstar 101' and 'Cold Case Love'.

'Photographs' is another track. It's likeable enough but there is nothing amazing about it. You listen a few times and then your done with it. But it maybe different if you are a huge fan of Will.i.am. For me, it gets a slightly above average rating.

'Rated R' is definitely Rihanna's strongest effort to date. Surprisingly there is news circulating that she will be putting out another album this summer. I hope it's true. But I want her to more mature and not to regress back to the Good Girl Gone Bad era. Till next time, peeps!

The Fame Monster; Lady GaGa

 When you talk about music in 2009, you just can not leave out GaGa fever that has just about everyone in it's spell. With the release of the highly successful debut album, Fame it was a huge surprise to everyone when GaGa announced she will be releasing a new album consisting of eight tracks.

Initially it was planned to be released as the re-release version of The Fame, but GaGa thought it re-releases are unfair and just a mean of record companies to keep their artist's albums floating in the market. She had to convince her record to let her release a completely new album and lo behold, we had The Fame Monster.

Though eight tracks doesn't mean a new album to me but when you have eight amazing songs then I'm sorry, that is an album. Keeping the production rights to Red One, with whose help she created her first of many Number Ones to come, and Rodney Jerkins, GaGa took the world of music by storm once again on November 23rd with the release of Fame Monster.

The track listing is as follows;

1. Bad Romance
2. Alejandro
3. Monster
4. Speechless
5. Dance in the Dark
6. Telephone ft. Beyonce
7. So Happy I Could Die
8. Teeth

Given the huge GaGa fan I am, I'm going to be taking you throw each track personally. The album starts off with 'Bad Romance'. No doubt this is one of the craziest songs of 2009. This song totally sets the mood for the album which is clearly indicating the new era of GaGa. This time going with even more techo beats and a crazy catchy hook, GaGa created one heck of a memorable song. I got mad love for Bad Romance!

'Alejandro' is the second track of the record. The pre-chorus is amazing and once again, instantly settles down into your brain and gets you addicted. This song is another piece of work that will not stop to amaze you. And the rhyming with the names?!

What's up with that?!

GaGa can literally write a book on songwriting. With two tracks through, the GaGa Express shows no signs of stopping. The third track is a real monster. Titled 'Monster' GaGa goes to a darker side of obsession and want. Abit more danceable as compared to the last two, I was completely blown away by this one. Rumored to be the third single, I'm hoping it is. This track is so radio ready, it's unbelievable.

With songs like 'Poker Face', 'Just Dance', 'Love Game' and 'Bad Romance' under her belt, one doesn't exactly count GaGa as someone who would do a ballad. But one this eight track record, she managed to squeeze in one. And man, what a track it is!

'Speechless' is a really shining star. I've often read here and there that GaGa is a performer and not a singer. Well this song will no doubt change their mind. A major piano ballad this song will put you in a trance. GaGa performed this LIVE! on the AMAs and literally left everyone speechless. It was the most amazing performance of the night with the fiery piano and the shattering bottles.

Lyrically speaking, all the song after 'Bad Romance' didn't match up to it. But the fifth track, 'Dance in the Dark' does! With the underlying meaning of bodily insecurities and unwillingness, GaGa marks another hit. And yes, you can dance to this one! Putting it up as a tribute to the famous lives who met tragic ends, GaGa leaves us with another winning track.

Another very radio ready track is 'Telephone'. And this time, GaGa comes along with the R&B Diva, Beyonce Knowles. This song is a pop wonder! Extremely catchy! Highly danceable! Crazy energetic! This song will have your feet stomping in no time. The rapid-fire delivery is simply too good to miss. Like I said, a pop wonder!

'So Happy I Could Die' is possibly the one weak track off the record. I, for one, didn't like it at all. It just seems so un-GaGaish. Lyrically speaking, it's nice and all. But there appears to be something missing. Can't exactly place what is that one thing though!

Last but not the least, we have 'Teeth'. I love the pounding of drums. Very tribal! With a slight S&M flair to the lyrics, the track is insanely catchy. Having a rare mix of gospel and pop, this track is another masterpiece.

Though one track did disappoint me, but the seven others left me thoroughly satisfied. I'm glad GaGa took charge of the record and put out a completely new record. Keeping the material very commercial and at the same time, really good, GaGa has definitely made an impact as an artist. Her rise is steady and keeps on gaining new heights.

With the confirmed news another album out at the end of 2010, this girl is definitely going to keep wowing us for a very long time.

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Just Like You; Allison Iraheta

While Kris Allen may have taken the title and Adam Lambert may have generated the biggest hype, it can't be any clearer that the real star of the previous season was the fiery 16 year old red-head, Allison Iraheta. Driving the nation crazy with her penchant for rock n' roll and blues, this girl was a dark-horse in the race. Of all the contestant this year, Iraheta's debut album was the one I was really waiting for.

Signing to the label 19/Jive who have made it their motto to churn out one pop act after another, proceeded to take this prodigy the same root. However I'm glad they didn't make her into another Miley clone, because this girl here can out-sing the Disney Princesses with her hands tied behind her back.

Taking into consideration extremely creative names like Max Martin, Howard Benson, Toby Gad, P!NK, Chris Daughtry, Kevin Rudolp and Kara DioGuardi, this record was simply destined to be rock solid. Keeping her bluesy vocals intact, Iraheta treads into the Pop Rock and Punk fields. With many radio-ready tracks, Iraheta has done an amazing job with her debut. I couldn't be any less happy for her.

The track listing is as follows;

1. Friday I'll Be Over You
2. Robot Love
3. Just Like You
4. Don't Waste the Pretty
5. Scars
6. Pieces
7. D is for Dangerous
8. Holiday 
9. Still Breathing
10. No One Else
11. Beat Me Up
12. Don't Wanna Be Wrong (Bonus Track)
13. Friday I'll Be Over You - Spanish Version (Bonus Track)

With a particular yen for guitar riffing, this album is simply mind-blowing. It seems I've said this a million times but Allison's vocals are nothing short of amazing. Having the seasoned perfection and experience of the rock n' roll legends like Janice Joplin and Pat Benatar.

With several fast-paced and hard-melodies, the rock chick in Iraheta ascends to the level of P!NK. 'Friday I'll Be Over You', 'Robot Love', 'Holiday', 'Beat Me Up' and 'Don't Wanna Be Wrong' are clearly fan favorites. These tracks simply soar and keeping on going higher and higher. Particular stand-outs are 'Robot Love' and 'Holiday'. Besides being the bluesy gal she is, these songs prove another point on her part. This girl can be just as modern and compete with the current female artists.

'Just Like You', 'Scars', 'Pieces', and 'Trouble Is' are my favorite tracks of the record. These encase everything I have loved about her. Her growling vocals! Her soulful renditions! Her vocal maturity! These songs show a great range of diversity Iraheta has, which is something I feel is lacking in both Allen and Lambert's debut record.

'D is for Dangerous', 'No One Else', 'Still Breathing' and 'You Don't Know Me' are amalgamated tracks. Taking the bluesy Iraheta and blending them to the current pop trends. The first of the three is a particular stand-out and simply can not be missed. One of the my early favorites!

'Don't Waste the Pretty' is far too pop and is probably the only track I would have liked not to be present given a first choice. Though Iraheta once again amazes me. Quoting a possibly drunk Paula Abdul, "You hear one note and it's undeniably Allison".

To those who didn't vote for Allison on the Top 4 Night, this record will indeed make them feel sorry they voted for the wrong person. My personal favorite record of 2009. Please do check it out!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Flops & Tops - Tops

So I have already covered the Flops of the recently past year. And as claimed, this post will be to the tops of 2009. There have been some really good movies and then there have been some great ones as well. Here I am going to be putting up the ones which I loved.

Paul Blart Mall Cop kick-started the list of the awesome movies. Starring the undoubted King of Comedy, Kevin James and the adorable Jayma Mays( Think Glee), the movie will have you rolling in laughter within a few scenes. Kevin James has done a brilliant job. If you happen to be looking for quality family entertainment, then look no further. Paul Blart Mall Cop should be your first choice.

Every year around Valentine's Day, Hollywood churns out a movie dedicated to the glorious and equally disastrous day. This year we had He's Just Not That Into You. Inspired by a single line from the multi-award winning HBO series Sex and the City, the movie became a box office blockbuster. Despite the fact that it has a huge cast of extremely notable personalities, the movie is well distributed amongst them. Now I know it's a complete chick flick, but when you have Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore and Scarlett Johansson in the same movie. It's an utter sin to miss it out.

Ever seen one of those movies where everything just keeps getting from bad to worse coupled with a tumult of hilarious incidents?! If not then you need to check out Confessions of a Shopaholic! This is one of those rare times when a movie adaptation of a book has actually fared well. I saw this movie on the way to States and through the 9 hour long flight, I actually watched it twice. It has many of my favorite things thrown together, so no doubt it was a huge hut for me. It's pretty darn amazing. And don't we all have a little shopaholic in us?

While there is absolute no doubt that the Dark Knight would be best movie ever to be inspired from a comic, one movie came very close to it this year. I'm talking about Watchmen, guys! Zack Snyder, who is extremely well-known for 300 took charge of this project and did it marvelously. There is really no contest about that. Though there are many directors with far more experience that Zack, this movie needed abit more younger appeal with slight taint of darkness. Though I had never heard of Watchmen prior to this, but after the movie I'm knee deep into their comic book series

One movie that I expected would bomb really badly but turned out quite well was Star Trek. Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, John Cho and Zoe Saldana I was a complete idiot to think this movie would flop. The movie has one of the most gripping story lines with excellent visual and cinematic effects. Zachary Quinto, popularly known for playing the cold-blooded power-mad killer in Heroes Sylar, did his role incredible justice. Though he looked completely crazy, he made it impossible to not take his character seriously.

Dan Brown is an amazing author and his books are just beyond words. The only author who for me has out-stripped J.K Rowling. Brimming with actual facts and cult fascination, they are simply too good to be true. Previously Da Vinci Code was made into a movie and it really didn't do well. I felt the movie had left several important facts out of the book and just didn't feel complete. Now Angels & Demons though once again couldn't explain each and every detail but this time round they managed to keep it more confined and more planned. Tom Hanks, the geeky equivalent of James Bond minus the high tech gadgetry reprises the role of Professor Robert Langdon and does a remarkable job. Another top of the year, people!

Another stellar flick this year was Night At The Museum; Battle of the Smithsonian. When you have Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Robin Williams and Hank Azaria on the same screen, you really can not afford to look for anything else in the theater. This movie no doubt has to the best movie of this year. This is another gem of a movie if you want one that your little ones can watch along with you. It was a huge hit at the box office. With that cast, I think it pretty much was destined to be one.

Is it just me or has anybody also felt the lack of guy flicks?! It's so hard to find a movie that you can just watch with your friends that just defines being a guy from the start to finish. That trend changed with Hangover. This movie is a complete guy flick. But girls are equally invited and welcomed. A bachelor party gone wrong not only results in a huge headache, a messed up hotel suite but also the groom turns out to be missing. The cast has done the most amazing job. The chemistry gets a 10 out of 10 from me. If you haven't seen it yet, you're missing out on an amazing movie.

I'm a huge fan of Katherine Heigl. Besides the fact that she's a complete blond bombshell and is insanely amazing at acting. Her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens in Grey's Anatomy is probably one of the most engaging characters present on TV right now. She was set to star opposite Gerard Butler, famous for P.S. I Love You, in the romantic comedy The Ugly Truth. The movie's plot is extremely fresh and extremely humorous at many spots. This is one great summer flick. At first I was afraid that Heigl would out-shine Butler, but Butler does an amazing job at portraying his cocky, arrogant, womanizer.

While a good majority of 2009 was littered with funny flicks, one of the most thought provoking flicks came out much later in the summer, My Sister's Keeper is a stellar. Starring Cameron Diaz, Alec Baldwin, Abigail Breslin and Thomas Dekker, this movie will no doubt grab a few accolades in the up-coming awards. Cameron Diaz who in no way I would ever think of playing the role of a mother carried her role extremely proficiently.

A movie that I still have not yet fully understood inspite of repeated watching is District 9. It's kind of like the Matrix of 2009. I know there are aliens but exactly how the story wraps around the main theme leaves me boggled. But yeah, it is a good movie no doubt. I saw it pretty late because of exams but I liked it alot. I watched it again a few days back hoping to finally decipher the entire tale but was futile. I'll be sitting down for it again soon. Hopefully this time getting it right!

Quentin Tarantino out did himself again with the World War II drama, Inglorious Basterds. A cast involving the likes of Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, Mike Myers and Diane Kruger the film really had no way to go but to the top. Brad Pitt did an amazing job, especially on the accent. There is really alot this man has up his sleeve. Inglorious Basterds is definitely one for the keeps.

Tom Hanks earlier this year reprized his role as Professor Robert Langdon, but his really star came from producing the incredibly creative Where The Wild Things Are. The movie depicts the journey of a young boy with a rather wild personality, Max, as he journeys to an unknown place and befriends a group of creatures only found in the wildest imaginations. It's another book turned into a movie and is surprisingly really good. The animation definitely gets a thumbs up from me. And on another plus point, this is another movie our kids can watch.

2012 was no doubt the most anticipated movie of 2009. Being based on the Mayan prophecy of the world coming to an end in 2012, the movie displays the fight for survival of humanity as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis strike various places all over the world. The movie is thoroughly engaging and will practically have you hanging on to your seat. It also features the song 'Time For Miracles' by Adam Lambert, but the real thing which makes the movie so amazing is all the special effect.

While the list has gotten pretty long and has some really amazing names to it. No doubt the best was really saved for the last. I'm talking about the James Cameron wonder, Avatar. Having previously gained fame for Titanic, Avatar just propelled Cameron to a completely new level of awesomeness. The movie is cleverly drafted and well executed. The animation is freakishly real and will definitely take your breath away. Those blue skinned creatures, Na'vi are perfected to the last detail. The movie is definitely going to be giving all the previously stated movies a run for their money.

One movie which I thought could be another top for this year has not been released here yet so I have no idea about it but I'll be checking it out soon and you'll find it here. Till then take care and a Happy New Year everyone!

Also this post happens to be my 100th so it has to be special in some sense only even I don't know how.

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)