The end of the year is always a strange time of reflection for me. I like to take stock of what the past year has been, what I’ve accomplished (or not accomplished, and what the next year will hopefully bring (or not bring).

This was an insanely hard year for the entertainment business, in both TV and Film. There was the writers’ strike and the threat of a SAG strike. Many specialty arms of studios and independent companies shut down, the economy caused hedge funds to run screaming from Hollywood, and frankly, there just wasn’t an abundance of great movies. If you disagree, let me remind you that for two whole weeks, “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” led the American box office.

Before the rash (and take that anyway you want to) of “awards” movies started being released in November, I can’t even think of ten movies I really enjoyed this year. “WALL-E,” “Iron Man,” “Dark Knight,” “Towelhead,” “Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist,” “Sex and the City,” and “Tropic Thunder.” That’s about it. And by the way, other than Heath Ledger’s nomination-worthy performance, I didn’t think “The Dark Knight” was that great.

So while I’ll get to my favorite picks of the year in a moment, let’s talk about the crap first.  This year, comedy took a nosedive. Even the biggest comedies of the year were far from good. “The Love Guru,” “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan,” “Hamlet 2,” and “Burn After Reading” (the most overrated movie this year), were all marginal at best. And “Guru” was almost unwatchable. My personal picks for favorite comedies of the year are “Towelhead” (one of the best movies I’ve seen this year), “Tropic Thunder,” “Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist,” “Vicky Christina Barcelona,” and “Role Models.” With “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” “Bolt,” and “Mamma Mia!: as close runner-ups.

On the drama side, the biggest trend this year was the prevalence of disappointing movies by solid writers or directors. “Blindness”, “Body of Lies,” “W,” “Choke,” “Flash of Genius,” and “Miracle at St. Anna” were all not as good as they should have been.

Did I mention “Burn After Reading”?

But in the last few weeks, a number of solid movies have been released. And this is why no one cares about the Golden Globes and the Oscars anymore. No one outside of L.A. and NY gets to see these movies because they’re only released here for three weeks to qualify, and then only some get wider releases in January. So, unlike “Titanic,” which played in theaters for almost eight months, with everyone seeing it at least twice, none of the movies in contention this year have that kind of name value. Sorry nerds, “The Dark Knight” is NOT in contention. The closest film that might be is “WALL-E.”

Let me say that the Golden Globe nominations have proven once again that the Foreign Press is nothing more than a bunch of star-fuckers. What other reason could there be to leave performances like Melissa Leo’s in “Frozen River,” Peter MacDissi’s in “Towelhead,” or Rosemarie DeWitt’s in “Rachel Getting Married” off the list? Yet Tom Cruise, James Franco, Frances McDormand and Colin Farrell get noms? Really?

The only category I thought was right on was for Best male lead in a drama. Thank God Clint Eastwood wasn’t nominated. Sorry gramps but you’re no longer audible. “The Reader” over “Milk” or “The Wrestler” or “Defiance”? Really? “In Bruges” over “Tropic Thunder”? Really?

I’m not thrilled with the other nominations, but other than the few I mentioned above, I couldn’t think of many snubs or replacements that deserved the spots.

So, my picks for best dramatic feature of the year are “Milk,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” and “Changeling.” However, let me say that, like many of you, I have not seen “Frost/Nixon,” “Revolutionary Road,” or “The Reader” yet. So, I’m leaving that final slot open for whichever one or two of those I feel deserving. And if none of them are , I’m filling the slot with “The Wrestler.”

And for all you fellow TV whores out there – I didn’t forget about you. I think the Globe nomiantions for TV this year are horrible. We get it – the Foreign Press only watches three stations and none of them are Networks. Now, I love “Dexter,” and “Mad Men” is a good show. But “True Blood” and “In Treatment” over the final and outrageously powerful last season of “The Shield”? Or what was arguably the best season of “Lost” since its first season? And no series noms for “The Closer” or “Saving Grace”? If I ran the world, my picks for drama would have been “House,” “Mad Men,” “Lost,” “The Closer,” and “The Shield.” And for the love of all that is holy, can’t “How I Met Your Mother” get a nomination please? I’m not saying the comedy shows recognized aren’t equally deserving, but “Weeds” and “Entourage” haven’t been on point in a while. Whew, now I feel better.

Once the Globes are over, I’m sure we’ll all make our Oscar picks. But as the year comes to an end, let’s all hope that 2009 brings us more luck, more joy, more riches, and more movies that make us happy and proud to work in this business. Hell, it’s gotta be better than this year right?

If you don’t believe me, I’ll leave you with these two words: “Meet Dave.” Happy Holidays everyone!