Top fives!

Just a simple post today to pique people's interest of the kind of stuff I like, I'm going to be posting my top fives of books, video games, movies and specific songs I could listen to forever. Bare in mind that this will be subject to change.

  In reverse order.

Video Games:
5. Pokemon X - Very new on the list, but because of the innovation of game play and the sheer amount of things to do, including similarities and links to the original game. It's my favourite Pokemon game already.
4. Earthbound (Mother 2) - Going back to the NES system, this is easily my favourite retro game, it's long, it's bizarre and it really plays on your emotions. There's a little bit of Earthbound in every modern RPG.
3. Valkyria Chronicles - An anime art style Japanese strategy game by Sega with the same music composer from FF XII. Killer storyline and really fun game play mechanics. Features one of the saddest moments in gaming history.
2. Shadow Of The Colossus - Simply beautiful. What this game lacks in depth of story it makes up for in artistic brilliance, an action/platformer based upon only killing 16 very epic colossus, a must play for anyone who calls themselves a gamer. Also includes one of the saddest moments in gaming.
1. Final Fantasy IX - Was there any doubt? I am a huge Final Fantasy fan and I didn't think it fair to use more than one game on the list, so I simply added my favourite. IX is the most polished game in the series, with a good system, good story and lovable characters (Yes, even Quina Quen.)

Movies:
5. 28 Days Later - British Horror done right. While not particularly terrifying, there is a lot of suspense and zombies, but just like real life... it's not just the undead that are monsters, amirite?
4. Pulp Fiction - Tarentino's best (though Django is awesome) film in my opinion, filled with classic lines and bizzare gold, wonderful characters and a non-chronological storyline. Must see film.
3. UP - The closest bit of proof we have that Pixar isn't for children. Just because it's not live action, doesn't mean you don't get into the emotional roller coaster and let it wear you out, with genuine comedy and at least 4 tear jerking moments.
2. Finding Nemo - Yes, I like Pixar. Finding Nemo is awash with fantastic characters, a giant journey and the only example I know of a film made up of a series of events that actually pulls it off successfully. Well done Pixar. Golden joy for this fantastic undersea adventure.
1. Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World - This film wont be for everyone, but if it is for you - you're able to watch it as many times as you like without getting bored. The layered film of comic and gaming references kicks up new things to notice every time, any almost every line is memorable and worthy of quote.

Books:
5. Geomancer - Ian Irvine - This is mainly on the list as it's possibly the first epic fantasy book I read and set the status for the kind of fantasy I like, with brilliantly written characters and unique creatures fixed with a unique form of 'magic' it technically counts as low fantasy, because most of the laws of physics still apply. Worth a read for fantasy fans.
4. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams - I consider the trilogy of five to be this entire series because it's all one story. But the Douglas Adams classic is something I would recommend to everyone as one of the few books to actually make me laugh out loud, not occasionally, but very often. It's a sci-fi novel, and I don't even like Sci-Fi - just to prove how good this book is.
3. A Chrismas Carol - Charles Dickens - This stands as simply one of the greatest stories ever told by one of the greatest writers who ever lived. While Dickens has a lot of classic books, and some of which I do consider to be overrated, this is a simple Christmas story with a good moral message and a timeless concept.
2. Kingkiller Chronicles - Patrick Rothfuss - This, not yet finished series of three currently contains two novels featuring Kvothe the Kingkiller telling the story of his life and downfall over three days. Considering the general low fantasy theme of the book, there does sometimes become feelings of high fantasy concepts and I consider a must read for any fantasy fan, fantastically written with brilliantly molded together world.
1. Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer - Patrick Suskind - This, to me, is a perfect novel. A wonderful main character, a massive psychological twist with a different perspective view, and deeply honest about life. Set in the 1700s in France, this book is about a boy with a somewhat astounding sense of smell. Brilliantly written, and an under appreciated gem. I could not recomment this book more.

Songs:
5. White Wine In The Sun - Tim Minchin - Simply put. A comedian atheist from a constantly hot country through winter sings one of the most sentimental Christmas songs ever. Lovely.
4. You're Not Alone (Piano) - Nobuo Uematsu - Take an awesome song from a game that has so much meaning attached and turn it into a piano masterpiece. Well done Nobuo.
3. Oh Comely - Neutral Milk Hotel - I know now that most people will not understand this one at all, the lyrics seem meaningless and the song is long. But I never get bored of it; I love the sound and feel of the song. Don't just listen to music, try to appreciate it.
2. Are You In? - Incubus - Not the typical Incubus song, before people jump on the 'Oh, Incubus had to be there' train. Yes, I love Incubus as my favourite band - but also this is just an awesome funky feel good track. Strange feelings arise when you realise what it's about, however.
1. Gymnopedies (1, 2 and 3) - Erik Satie - These three songs technically count as three parts of the same song, so they're all number one. In my mind Erik Satie is a genius and these songs will never tire for me, absolutely brilliant.

Thanks for reading however much you read. Again, if you have any thoughts on these, or want more information, let me know. Start a discussion with me about what you really like in forms of media... anything. Just appreciate all the things there are!

Ciao for now!