When we began discussing what films stood out under the umbrella of "wonder" this year, numerous films came to the table.  Dark Knight was an early favorite, taking the classic good versus evil narrative to new and perplexing levels.  Slumdog Millionaire struck multiple nerves, inviting its viewers into a fresh perspective on reality, injustice, and that which is written.  And Doubt was plain textbook wonderful.

But the more we sat on our philosophical rubric of sorts, the more we believed Pixar's 2008 installment WALL-E was revealing ideas and methods that we did not expect, and hope do not go understated.

Wha? The robotic kid flick gets your 2008 film of the year?  Well, before you write off the industry's revival of #5 (anyone?), let us remind you that this site is not a "review" site, but one deeply interested in the art of wonder.  And this year, the animated genre's got it.  Let us explain:

Many of us know the enjoyable challenge of putting together a play list of songs for special occasions: the New Years Eve party, the all day road trip, or- for the experts among us- the wedding reception. Clearly the chosen songs must reflect the nature of the occasion. But if we’re honest, these songs also say something about us- the creators of these collections. Choosing our album of the year presented us with this challenge: What album best represents both the occasion of 2008 and our abiding interest in goodness and wonder? There are as many ways to answer this question as there were terrific albums this year, but it was Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago that simply wouldn’t let us go throughout the year.

rednoW Favorites 2008

This time of year is all about remembering what has been and getting ready for the change that will be. In a year that has had "change" as its montra, we here at rednoW are looking back and remembering the things that have changed us through the wonderful expereince of wonder.

We aren't making a ‘Best of 2008' list in the sense that this is an exhaustive list of all things good - it is simply what we happened to engage with in 2008 that has caused us to think more about what is going on in this world, in our lives and the reality behind it all.

Films

Few things cultivate wonder in us more than the marriage of story, images and song. This year brought many films that made us laugh, cry, call the White House, love people better, and otherwise contemplate our lives. If you are looking for a way to bring a little wonder into your rental cue, allow us to make a few recommendations.

Compiled by the rednoW team (and friends), our Films of Wonder 2008 are listed by US release date rather than some ranking of 'greateness' - if they made the list, we think they are worth your time and money.* But do check back in the next week, we will announce our rednoW film (and album) of the year.

Think we missed something? Tell us what and why....we're all ears.

* NOTE:  There are few "late releases" (don't you love how they wait until the end of year to release?) we have not seen... who knows, we might add some.

rednoW Favorites 2008

This time of year is all about remembering what has been and getting ready for the change that will be. In a year that has had "change" as its montra, we here at rednoW are looking back and remembering the things that have changed us through the wonderful expereince of wonder.

We aren't making a ‘Best of 2008' list in the sense that this is an exhaustive list of all things good - it is simply what we happened to engage with in 2008 that has caused us to think more about what is going on in this world, in our lives and the reality behind it all.

Albums

Thanks to transcendent sounds or depth of lyrics, each album grabbed us in some way this year and still has not let go. If you are looking for a way to bring a little wonder into your ear buds, allow us to make a few recommendations from the year that has been.

Compiled by the rednoW team (and friends), our Albums of Wonder 2008 are listed by US release date rather than some ranking of 'greateness' - if they made the list, we think they are worth your time and money. But do check back in the next week, we will announce our rednoW album (and film) of the year.

Think we missed something? Tell us what and why....we're all ears.