It's important to note that not everything on this list came out in 2010 -- sue me. If I became obsessed with it and it was fairly recent...it's fair game.
Without further ado...
Top 5 Movies of 2010
5. Jackass 3D
There's nothing that I love more than senseless, brainless humor. Jackass was full of it. The 3D was pointless...but the rest of it was wonderfully amusing.
4. Easy A
Emma Stone has only continued to impress me with each and every movie that she's in. She's a great actress and the dialogue in this film was some of the most original and fresh that I heard in film this year.
3. Alice in Wonderland
Tim Burton + Alice + Johnny Depp = Pure Magic.
This is one of my favorite childrens stories of all time. Love, love, love it.
2. Shutter Island
The only thing better than Lehane's novel? Seeing it on the big screen. They did an amazing job adapting it to film...and I love Martin Scorsese.
1. Inception
Really? What can I say about Inception that hasn't been said already?
Brilliant. 100% original.
The best of the year.
Honorable Mentions:
Burlesque
Due Date
The Switch
Top 5 TV Shows of 2010
5. Dexter
Number 1 in 2009; Number 1 in 2008
I really haven't fairly judged "Dexter" this year...as I have only seen a handful of the episodes from this season...but let's face it. It's kind of hard to top John Lithgow as your Big Bad.
4. How I Met Your Mother
Number 3 in 2009; Number 4 in 2008
This show is my steady every year. Great writing. Great cast. Last season took a dip, but the writers have certainly picked it back up and made it wonderful again.
3. Fringe
Fringe has pulled away from those X-Files comparisons and become a show of its own. Great cast, great writing, great storyline this season. Plus, Joshua Jackson has proven that he's come a long way from the "Creek" -- in an amazing sort of way.
2. Sherlock
When I heard they were updating Sherlock to modern times, I was skeptical. Then I heard Steven Moffat was on board to produce and write. And then when I saw it...I was hooked. My only problem with this series is that it's too short -- three episodes. And that cliffhanger...
1. The Big Bang Theory
&
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Number 4 in 2009; Number 2 in 2008
I really couldn't pick a favorite between these two for this year...
Big Bang's writers somehow manage to make it's show hilarious, without becoming too vulgar (I'm looking at you, Two and a Half Men). The cast works so well together and there's nothing else like it on TV at the moment.
Sunny always starts out kind of slow for me every season, but then suddenly there's an episode that goes beyond being hilarious into side-splitting territory. See the episode with the bird with teeth. See the episode where Charlie thought that the sperm ate the egg. Looooove.
Honorable Mentions:
Bones -- Number 5 in 2009
Bones, you cannot continue to keep me on the edge with Booth and Brennan's will they/won't they drama and expect to make my list. That 100th episode broke my heart. And I hate Booth's girlfriend. The end.
Glee -- Number 2 in 2009
I have my reasons for not having Glee in my Top 5 this year...and it stems from the fact that the storylines this season have felt...well...stale. Off. Sure it's had its moments (Britney! Gwynth! The Christmas episode!)...but other episodes have only become one long cliche. Plus, with all these "series regulars" taking over, it's hard to really get involved with any of the characters this season. Not nearly enough Rachel or Finn. Way to forget who your main players were last season by underusing them. For shame.
Raising Hope
If this show can find its staying power...it could very well be in the Top 5 next year.
Top 5 Albums of 2010
5. 30 Seconds to Mars -- This Is War
Jared Leto...we know how much I love you in "My So Called Life."
This album is perfection.
4. Christina Aguilera -- Bionic
I still don't think this album deserves to be considered a "flop."
I dare anyone who says otherwise to put all the press out of their mind and listen to it.
People were comparing this to Gaga all over, which isn't fair...because if you're going to do that, then you need to compare Gaga to Roisin, Britney, Madonna, and Kylie. They were all doing it before she was (especially Kylie -- respect).
3. Florence + the Machine -- Lungs
I can't give Florence more credit.
This album makes my ears smile.
Seriously.
2. Rihanna -- Loud
Rihanna's "Rated R" was Number 4 in 2009
After the dark turn Rated R took last year, it was nice to see a sunnier, happier Rihanna (though that album is still genius if you ask me). Loud is fun and exciting and a fantastic listen.
1. Robyn -- Body Talk
Bow down to Robyn. For real.
No one does it how she does...thank God.
Body Talk is the "Inception" of albums this year. NOTHING compared.
Honorable Mentions:
Marina and the Diamonds -- The Family Jewels
Mumford & Sons -- Sign No More
Top 5 Singles of 2010
5. M.I.A. -- "XXXO"
Catchy, catchy, catchyyyyyy.
4. The Bloodhound Gang -- "Altogether Ooky"
& Christina Aguilera -- "Bionic"
The Bloodhound Gang makes this list alone for talking about smelling boxers in Red Lobster. Aguilera makes it for getting stuck in my head for hours on end.
3. Luciana featuring Bodyrox -- "What Planet U On"
Mari -- this is all your fault.
This song sounds like an infectious video game theme.
LOVE it and it makes me think of my epic summer vacation.
2. Robyn -- "Dancing On My Own"
&
"Hang with Me"
I already did my Robyn explanation. I'm not going to run it into the ground.
1. Marina & the Diamonds -- "Oh No!"
Catchy. As. Hell.
I listened to this song only for three days straight.
!!!!!
Top Concerts of 2010
There was Stone Temple Pilots and Lady Gaga and Cage the Elephant and Styx and the So You Think You Can Dance Tour...but the best things that I saw all year were...
Conan O'Brien & Chelsea Handler
Sure, they weren't musical acts -- though Conan DID have the Dropkick Murphys -- but these two were seriously in a league all of their own.
On one hand, there was Conan in his hometown of Boston, showing that NBC can screw you over, but your fans are still going to love you without the Late Show. He was funny, self-deprecating and spot on.
Then there was Chelsea, who was brash and bold and, yes, made those disparaging Angelina Jolie comments (she's SO right, you know)...that she moved to the top of my idols list.
Both of them were truly unforgettable.
Top 5 Books of 2010
5. Ann Rule -- "The Stranger Beside Me"
Sure, this book came out in the 80s and has been updated numerous times over the year...but this was the year that I got hooked on true crime novels. I love knowing what makes a person tick -- and Rule's novel was True Crime like it rarely gets to be done -- personally. Rule KNEW Bundy which made her insight different from all the Bundy books that followed.
4. Dennis Lehane -- "Shutter Island"
Which was better? Book or movie?
I can't decide. Both are brilliant.
3. Jeff Lindsay -- "Dexter is Delicious"
Lindsay's "Dexter by Design" was Number 2 in 2009
I love Showtime's "Dexter." Really, I do...
But Lindsay's Dexter is just so much more devious.
Not to mention, Lindsay didn't kill off Dexter's brother -- Bryan, which means he was fair game to come back in this book. Plus Deb knows Dexter's secret. It's like an alternate universe...but not a creepy bad one, like this season's "Fringe."
2. Stieg Larsson -- "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
It really is a shame that Larsson died before he got to see how beloved his novels have become worldwide.
1. Dave Cullen -- "Columbine"
This book was heartbreaking...
But it was refreshing to hear what REALLY happened and I give Cullen a lot of credit for stepping up and admitting all the mistakes that the press made, while giving the story of what happened at Columbine truthfully.
A hard read, but a great one nonetheless.
Top 5 Idols of 2010
Lily Allen
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Chelsea Handler
Leighton Meester
Britney Spears
Top 5 Boys of 2010
5. Mike Rowe
Number 3 in 2009
Last year, I told my mom that all I wanted for Christmas was Mike Rowe. I may not have gotten him, but he did grace my screen in new episodes of Dirty Jobs, a series of Ford Commercials ("Picture Yourself in a Ford" -- I'll picture you somewhere, Mike Rowe, but it won't be in a Ford -- unless it's my Focus, that is...) and a series of Wrangler Jeans commercials. Ahhhhh...
4. Charlie Day
Hands down my favorite actor on Sunny.
3. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Levitt has proven himself this year and gotten himself fully out of that teenage heartthrob box. He kind of made "Inception" for me. Those tilting fight scenes? Fantastic.
2. Ryan Adams
Adams has been lying low ever since marrying Mandy Moore...but still posts regularly on Facebook for his fans. I give him props for doing what he wants and keeping it classy.
1. Jason Segel
Number 1 in 2009; Number 5 in 2008
I'm serious. Marry me already, goddammit.
Honorable Mentions:
Lee DeWyze
Leonardo Dicaprio
Michael C. Hall -- Number 4 in 2009; Number 3 in 2008
Bam Margera
Conan O'Brien
Top 5 Oldies But Goodies of 2010
5. Brand New -- "Deja Entendu"
I re-fell in love with this album.
4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Warner Brothers is making the stupidest move ever by 'reinventing' this series. Will massively boycott it the way that I did the "Donnie Darko" sequel.
Classics should never, ever be touched.
3. Serial Killers & True Crime
I love learning what makes people tick and how the mind works.
I especially love learning how things that happen during childhood can decide whether one becomes a respectable adult human being...or a sick, sadistic serial killer.
I know one shouldn't have a "favorite" serial killer, but Ted Bundy's totally mine.
He redefined all serial murders and the way that they were investigated after the 1970s.
2. Coupling
Just as wonderful as I remembered it ever being. Plus, Jeff Murdock? One of the best television characters ever written.
1. Arrested Development
Introduced to me this year...
And so, so, so worth it.
Great cast, great writing...great jokes. That giant mole? The Blue Man Group? Bob Loblaw's Law Blog? Make a damn movie, already.
5. Jackass 3D
There's nothing that I love more than senseless, brainless humor. Jackass was full of it. The 3D was pointless...but the rest of it was wonderfully amusing.
4. Easy A
Emma Stone has only continued to impress me with each and every movie that she's in. She's a great actress and the dialogue in this film was some of the most original and fresh that I heard in film this year.
3. Alice in Wonderland
Tim Burton + Alice + Johnny Depp = Pure Magic.
This is one of my favorite childrens stories of all time. Love, love, love it.
2. Shutter Island
The only thing better than Lehane's novel? Seeing it on the big screen. They did an amazing job adapting it to film...and I love Martin Scorsese.
1. Inception
Really? What can I say about Inception that hasn't been said already?
Brilliant. 100% original.
The best of the year.
Honorable Mentions:
Burlesque
Due Date
The Switch
Top 5 TV Shows of 2010
5. Dexter
Number 1 in 2009; Number 1 in 2008
I really haven't fairly judged "Dexter" this year...as I have only seen a handful of the episodes from this season...but let's face it. It's kind of hard to top John Lithgow as your Big Bad.
4. How I Met Your Mother
Number 3 in 2009; Number 4 in 2008
This show is my steady every year. Great writing. Great cast. Last season took a dip, but the writers have certainly picked it back up and made it wonderful again.
3. Fringe
Fringe has pulled away from those X-Files comparisons and become a show of its own. Great cast, great writing, great storyline this season. Plus, Joshua Jackson has proven that he's come a long way from the "Creek" -- in an amazing sort of way.
2. Sherlock
When I heard they were updating Sherlock to modern times, I was skeptical. Then I heard Steven Moffat was on board to produce and write. And then when I saw it...I was hooked. My only problem with this series is that it's too short -- three episodes. And that cliffhanger...
1. The Big Bang Theory
&
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Number 4 in 2009; Number 2 in 2008
I really couldn't pick a favorite between these two for this year...
Big Bang's writers somehow manage to make it's show hilarious, without becoming too vulgar (I'm looking at you, Two and a Half Men). The cast works so well together and there's nothing else like it on TV at the moment.
Sunny always starts out kind of slow for me every season, but then suddenly there's an episode that goes beyond being hilarious into side-splitting territory. See the episode with the bird with teeth. See the episode where Charlie thought that the sperm ate the egg. Looooove.
Honorable Mentions:
Bones -- Number 5 in 2009
Bones, you cannot continue to keep me on the edge with Booth and Brennan's will they/won't they drama and expect to make my list. That 100th episode broke my heart. And I hate Booth's girlfriend. The end.
Glee -- Number 2 in 2009
I have my reasons for not having Glee in my Top 5 this year...and it stems from the fact that the storylines this season have felt...well...stale. Off. Sure it's had its moments (Britney! Gwynth! The Christmas episode!)...but other episodes have only become one long cliche. Plus, with all these "series regulars" taking over, it's hard to really get involved with any of the characters this season. Not nearly enough Rachel or Finn. Way to forget who your main players were last season by underusing them. For shame.
Raising Hope
If this show can find its staying power...it could very well be in the Top 5 next year.
Top 5 Albums of 2010
5. 30 Seconds to Mars -- This Is War
Jared Leto...we know how much I love you in "My So Called Life."
This album is perfection.
4. Christina Aguilera -- Bionic
I still don't think this album deserves to be considered a "flop."
I dare anyone who says otherwise to put all the press out of their mind and listen to it.
People were comparing this to Gaga all over, which isn't fair...because if you're going to do that, then you need to compare Gaga to Roisin, Britney, Madonna, and Kylie. They were all doing it before she was (especially Kylie -- respect).
3. Florence + the Machine -- Lungs
I can't give Florence more credit.
This album makes my ears smile.
Seriously.
2. Rihanna -- Loud
Rihanna's "Rated R" was Number 4 in 2009
After the dark turn Rated R took last year, it was nice to see a sunnier, happier Rihanna (though that album is still genius if you ask me). Loud is fun and exciting and a fantastic listen.
1. Robyn -- Body Talk
Bow down to Robyn. For real.
No one does it how she does...thank God.
Body Talk is the "Inception" of albums this year. NOTHING compared.
Honorable Mentions:
Marina and the Diamonds -- The Family Jewels
Mumford & Sons -- Sign No More
Top 5 Singles of 2010
5. M.I.A. -- "XXXO"
Catchy, catchy, catchyyyyyy.
4. The Bloodhound Gang -- "Altogether Ooky"
& Christina Aguilera -- "Bionic"
The Bloodhound Gang makes this list alone for talking about smelling boxers in Red Lobster. Aguilera makes it for getting stuck in my head for hours on end.
3. Luciana featuring Bodyrox -- "What Planet U On"
Mari -- this is all your fault.
This song sounds like an infectious video game theme.
LOVE it and it makes me think of my epic summer vacation.
2. Robyn -- "Dancing On My Own"
&
"Hang with Me"
I already did my Robyn explanation. I'm not going to run it into the ground.
1. Marina & the Diamonds -- "Oh No!"
Catchy. As. Hell.
I listened to this song only for three days straight.
!!!!!
Top Concerts of 2010
There was Stone Temple Pilots and Lady Gaga and Cage the Elephant and Styx and the So You Think You Can Dance Tour...but the best things that I saw all year were...
Conan O'Brien & Chelsea Handler
Sure, they weren't musical acts -- though Conan DID have the Dropkick Murphys -- but these two were seriously in a league all of their own.
On one hand, there was Conan in his hometown of Boston, showing that NBC can screw you over, but your fans are still going to love you without the Late Show. He was funny, self-deprecating and spot on.
Then there was Chelsea, who was brash and bold and, yes, made those disparaging Angelina Jolie comments (she's SO right, you know)...that she moved to the top of my idols list.
Both of them were truly unforgettable.
Top 5 Books of 2010
5. Ann Rule -- "The Stranger Beside Me"
Sure, this book came out in the 80s and has been updated numerous times over the year...but this was the year that I got hooked on true crime novels. I love knowing what makes a person tick -- and Rule's novel was True Crime like it rarely gets to be done -- personally. Rule KNEW Bundy which made her insight different from all the Bundy books that followed.
4. Dennis Lehane -- "Shutter Island"
Which was better? Book or movie?
I can't decide. Both are brilliant.
3. Jeff Lindsay -- "Dexter is Delicious"
Lindsay's "Dexter by Design" was Number 2 in 2009
I love Showtime's "Dexter." Really, I do...
But Lindsay's Dexter is just so much more devious.
Not to mention, Lindsay didn't kill off Dexter's brother -- Bryan, which means he was fair game to come back in this book. Plus Deb knows Dexter's secret. It's like an alternate universe...but not a creepy bad one, like this season's "Fringe."
2. Stieg Larsson -- "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
It really is a shame that Larsson died before he got to see how beloved his novels have become worldwide.
1. Dave Cullen -- "Columbine"
This book was heartbreaking...
But it was refreshing to hear what REALLY happened and I give Cullen a lot of credit for stepping up and admitting all the mistakes that the press made, while giving the story of what happened at Columbine truthfully.
A hard read, but a great one nonetheless.
Top 5 Idols of 2010
Lily Allen
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Chelsea Handler
Leighton Meester
Britney Spears
Top 5 Boys of 2010
5. Mike Rowe
Number 3 in 2009
Last year, I told my mom that all I wanted for Christmas was Mike Rowe. I may not have gotten him, but he did grace my screen in new episodes of Dirty Jobs, a series of Ford Commercials ("Picture Yourself in a Ford" -- I'll picture you somewhere, Mike Rowe, but it won't be in a Ford -- unless it's my Focus, that is...) and a series of Wrangler Jeans commercials. Ahhhhh...
4. Charlie Day
Hands down my favorite actor on Sunny.
3. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Levitt has proven himself this year and gotten himself fully out of that teenage heartthrob box. He kind of made "Inception" for me. Those tilting fight scenes? Fantastic.
2. Ryan Adams
Adams has been lying low ever since marrying Mandy Moore...but still posts regularly on Facebook for his fans. I give him props for doing what he wants and keeping it classy.
1. Jason Segel
Number 1 in 2009; Number 5 in 2008
I'm serious. Marry me already, goddammit.
Honorable Mentions:
Lee DeWyze
Leonardo Dicaprio
Michael C. Hall -- Number 4 in 2009; Number 3 in 2008
Bam Margera
Conan O'Brien
Top 5 Oldies But Goodies of 2010
5. Brand New -- "Deja Entendu"
I re-fell in love with this album.
4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Warner Brothers is making the stupidest move ever by 'reinventing' this series. Will massively boycott it the way that I did the "Donnie Darko" sequel.
Classics should never, ever be touched.
3. Serial Killers & True Crime
I love learning what makes people tick and how the mind works.
I especially love learning how things that happen during childhood can decide whether one becomes a respectable adult human being...or a sick, sadistic serial killer.
I know one shouldn't have a "favorite" serial killer, but Ted Bundy's totally mine.
He redefined all serial murders and the way that they were investigated after the 1970s.
2. Coupling
Just as wonderful as I remembered it ever being. Plus, Jeff Murdock? One of the best television characters ever written.
1. Arrested Development
Introduced to me this year...
And so, so, so worth it.
Great cast, great writing...great jokes. That giant mole? The Blue Man Group? Bob Loblaw's Law Blog? Make a damn movie, already.
