Blogging continued to decrease. I blame this entirely on the fact that I now work a full time job, go to grad school part time and spend part of the week volunteering. I barely have enough time to think, let alone write for my own purposes. Nevertheless, here's my countdown of all the things I loved most in 2013.
Top 5 Movies
5. The Conjuring
I loved how vintage this movie felt. It was well acted and pretty creepy too. Plus, I love Vera Farmiga, so it was fabulous to see her in this film.
4. We're the Millers
I wasn't expecting this movie to be as funny as it was. I can go either way on Jason Sudeikis, but really didn't mind him in this. Mad props go out to seeing Nick Offerman in a summer flick. Love, love, love him.
3. American Hustle
By far, this was the best acted film I saw in 2013. The cast was absolutely stellar. Parts of it seemed somewhat slower to me and I did get confused, but I blame that on myself and not the film. The more that I read about it, the more I respect it. Christian Bale adlibbed many of his lines and gained 40 pounds for this role. Is there anything he won't do??
2. This Is The End & The World's End
Ah...the two end of the world films and both were hilarious.
On one hand, you have This Is The End where Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Co. played amped up versions of themselves. So many things should have not worked, but they so did. Mad props to Michael Cera who placed the absolute opposite of who he appears to be in real life with hilarious results.
On the other hand, you have the end of the Cornetto Trilogy with The World's End. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost played opposite of the roles they had in both Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz...plus Martin Freeman stuck around this time. A bittersweet, funny ending to these great buddy films.
1. Prisoners & The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire amped up the first Hunger Games movie and made me fall in love with the book series all over again. Catching Fire has been my favorite of the three books, so I was so excited to see it on the big screen. Jennifer Lawrence is obviously settled into playing Katniss and the success of the first film meant a larger budget that could be spent on much more impressive effects. Is this movie going to solve world hunger? No. But it sure as hell was entertaining.
Prisoners, on the other hand, was something I didn't expect. It was hard as hell to watch and wonderfully shot. Hugh Jackman was wonderful as he always seems to be, but it was Jake Gyllenhaal who surprised the hell out of me. Gyllenhaal has been an actor I've loved ever since the first time I watched Donnie Darko as a teenager, but some of his roles as of late had been somewhat questionable. Prisoners re-cemented him as one of my favorites and made me feel stupid for ever doubting him in the first place.
Top 10 TV Shows
10. Face Off
I love this SyFy reality series. It is absolutely incredible to me how much these amazing artists can accomplish in just a few days. Had I known a career like this had been possible, I would have probably found a way to pursue it when I was still trying to figure out what the hell to do with my life.
9. Parks and Recreation
Parks and Rec came into my life a little bit late, I realize, but dammit, do I love it. For awhile (mainly her SNL days), Amy Pohler always struck me as somewhat abrasive, but Parks and Rec really managed to make me change my mind about her. This cast is stellar, from Pohler to Nick Offerman to Chris Pratt...I can't say enough.
8. Arrested Development
Arrested Development made its big return this year and you either loved or hated the new format. At first, I was so mixed about it, but after watching the episodes over again, I've decided that I love it. The gags don't pay off always on the first viewing, but when rewatched, they're worth it. Sure, you have to give it time, but when fans have been waiting for it to make its grand return for so many years, why not give it a bit of time?
7. The Colbert Report
I. Love. Stephen. Colbert. He is one of the most hilarious comedians in the business and the character he dives into for the show is absolutely wonderful. The Daft Punk snafu that resulted in the "Get Lucky" video with Bryan Cranston and Jeff Bridges alone was pure genius.
6. The League
As someone who doesn't really get Fantasy Football, I put off watching The League, thinking that I wouldn't be able to follow the show...turns out that it doesn't really matter. This cast is so strong and works so well together, that I find that the FF aspect really only ties these characters together, it doesn't guide them. From the Krampus episode to Taco selling food out of a creeped out van, you have to give this show credit...it's got balls.
5. How I Met Your Mother
HIMYM and I have been on somewhat shaky ground. While I don't love the way that they've done this final season (over the course of one weekend...what were they thinking???), I love the fact that we've found out who the mother is and that we get to "get to know her" so to speak. The pacing may irritate me, but the mother payoff has been worth it, so therefore, it places.
4. American Horror Story: Coven
After the hot mess (and I don't mean that in a good way) that was AHS: Asylum, I was somewhat unsure of what to think of Ryan Murphy's latest outing of the show. I should have known better. With it's revamped series every cycle, the show is fresh. I love Coven (not as much as the first season of the show, but it's pretty damn close) and once again, the cast is amazing. Here's to hoping the next season can keep the momentum of this one.
3. Orphan Black
Oh BBC America...what a gem you found when you picked this series up from Canada. Tatiana Maslany is one hell of an actress. How she can keep all her different clone characters separate and unique is astounding and she deserves way more love from the awards shows than she's received. Plus the ridiculous glue gun torture scene in Season 1? Funny, but awful.
2. The Walking Dead
This is still the only show I watch live and don't watch later via my DVR. I get a kick out of screaming at the TV and pacing while it's on. This past year, I started reading the graphic novels the show is based on and this has made me appreciate the show all the more. It's been wonderful to see plots in the graphic novels played out, even if they do get remixed from time to time. Plus Andrew Lincoln at Rick Grimes? He does crazy real well...and looks better the dirtier he gets.
1. Bates Motel
When the premise of this show first arrived, I was really kind of "ehh" about it. Psycho is the best slasher film (in my opinion) to ever shock audiences. It was ballsy -- killing its' biggest star off halfway through the film. Therefore, I didn't know how a prequel was going to work out, especially since they were going to modernize it. I never should have questioned it. Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore are so fantastic as Norma and Norman Bates and it's been wonderful to watch Norman start to spiral out of control. I also love the Season 1 storyline with the human trafficking and the strangeness that is the town. Very Twin Peaks and very creepy. When Norman Bates isn't the creepiest thing going on your town, well then you've got a show.
Honorable Mentions: 2 Broke
Girls, The Big Bang Theory, Bones, Brooklyn 99, Dexter, Drunk History,
Hostages, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Middle, New Girl, Project
Runway, So You Think You Can Dance
Top 5 British TV Shows
5. Luther
Not gonna lie...still haven't seen all of this last season, but what I have has been impressive. Idris Elba is a fantastic actor and I hope they make another series of the show.
4. Backchat
Jack Whitehall is a comedian who I knew from other British shows I'd watched, but Backchat, which he hosts with his 70-year-old father is what really cemented him as someone to be reckoned with. I love the interaction the two of them have, whether they're interviewing Bear Grylls (and not letting him hold a puppy) or quizzing on new terms of the year (Michael thought a selfie was something much, much worse than it is and accused his son of doing it frequently). When the guy who's the stand up comedian is playing the straight man to the guy who was an agent for years...one doesn't wonder where Jack got his sense of humor from.
3. Nevermind the Buzzcocks
This music quiz show hit my radar last year and was just as amusing in its run during this past year. I love the format of the host changing every week (along with the team guests), but what really wins me over every week is the back and forth between Phil and Noel.
2. The IT Crowd
The IT Crowd bid its final farewell with a special episode this past year and it was a fitting ending for the series. It was lovely to see the cast together for one last time and get a sendoff instead of leaving fans wondering what happened to those characters.
1. The Fall
Genius. Absolute genius. From the story line to the acting, this show blew me away. When I first started watching this on Netflix, I knew that the serial killer looked familiar and upon realizing it was Jamie Dornan, the hipster sheriff from Once Upon a Time, I really wanted to stick around. Dornan doesn't look like your typical serial killer. Also, Gillian Anderson as a police detective? May not be Agent Scully, but it still feels right. I am hoping, hoping, hoping that they continue this series, especially since Dornan was cast as Christian in 50 Shades of Grey.
Top 5 Albums
5. Ellie Goulding ~ Halcyon Days &
Fall Out Boy ~ Save Rock & Roll
Ellie Goulding solidified herself for me as the British Queen of EDM. Her voice is haunting, her beats are catchy and she's just wonderful.
FOB, on the other hand, returned from a hiatus and made an album way better than their last which had some really catchy songs on it. It also had some pretty "meh" songs on it, but we'll forgive those for the time being.
4. Justin Timberlake ~ The 20/20 Experience
I have a problem with this album...and it's with the length of the songs. When a song clocking in at 4 and a half minutes is one of the shortest on your album, we need to talk about editing. While Timberlake's two albums have some real moments on them that are great (and really bring to mind Frank Sinatra), cutting some of the filler at the end would have won me over quite a bit. Also, I'm going to point out that I thought "TKO" was "tea kettle" and refuse to sing it any other way now.
3. The Sounds ~ Weekend
I'll admit that I didn't fall in love with The Sounds last album entirely, but Weekend made up for it. While it's not as upbeat and full of dance songs as previous albums, I love it for what it is. It feels like the band have grown with me and for where I am in my life, I can appreciate Weekend more.
2. Britney Spears ~ Britney Jean
Where Timberlake's album was too long, Britney's suffered from the opposite problem: It was too short. Everyone argues that it's not "personal" which she promised and critics want to call it a bomb, but I tell the haters to simply piss off. Britney Jean is an album that's out to promote her 2 year residency in Las Vegas, which is something practically unheard of for any other 32 year old artist. Rolling Stone made a fantastic point that Britney's albums leading up to Blackout and from Blackout and beyond are two fantastic catalogues for a pop star, and the fact that they came from one artist is to be respected. Love her or hate her, I don't care. Britney is still Godney to me and my 2014 resolution is to see her in Vegas.
1. Lorde ~ Pure Heroine
The first time that I heard "Royals" I hated it. The second time that I heard "Royals"....I hated it still. But as the time went on, the song won me over, especially once I started listening to the lyrics. After Pure Heroine was released, I read the reviews from the critics and decided to take a chance on it...it's a gamble I haven't regretted. Lorde, for being only 17, has crafted a wickedly amazing album. Her voice is superb...and she reminds me of a young Fiona Apple (without all the anger). I cannot wait to see where her career takes her, because I think it's only up from here.
Top 5 Singles
5. Katy B ~ "5 AM"
Katy B is a British artist whose music is catchy as hell and really fun to listen to.
4. Ellie Goulding ~ "Burn"
Her music may not always been "complicated" but it's fun and she's finally getting the moment she deserves.
3. The Sounds ~ "Animal"
The best track off of Weekend, I dare you not to move to its beat. It's impossible.
2. Lily Allen ~ "Hard Out Here"
Thank Baby Jesus, Lily Allen is back in the music business!!! If "Hard Out Here" is any indication, we're in for a hell of an album. Seems her hiatus for family time has been fabulous for her.
1. Britney Spears ~ "Work Bitch" &
Lorde ~ "Team"
Britney created pure EDM magic. Is the song life changing? No, but it sure as hell is fun.
Lorde's "Team" is lyrically above anything else this year. How she writes so well at 17 is terrifying.
Top Concert
Marina & the Diamonds
Finally got to see Marina!!!
While I didn't love all the 13 year old girls who were there because she had one song featured on Glee, I did love finally getting to see her live. Her voice is amazing and her show was wonderful. Love, love, loved it.
Top 5 Books
5. Jeff Lindsay ~ Dexter's Final Cut
Jeff Lindsay FINALLY did what "Dexter" did years ago a la Rita, but that ending?
UNREAL.
4. Koethi Zan ~ The Never List
This novel was really quite haunting. Two friends who pride themselves on being safe are abducted and after one of them escapes, nothing is ever the same. Kind of proves that you can live your life safely by the book, but sometimes that doesn't matter. Evil can find you no matter how prepared you are for it.
3. The Walking Dead Graphic Novels
Reading these has been wonderful. It's fantastic to see the characters the way the were originally written. For example, hate Andrea on the show...love her in the graphic novels. Really excited to read more of them in the future.
2. Jenny Lawson ~ Let's Pretend This Never Happened
EDIT: Added: Him and Me ~ Jack and Michael Whitehall
Michelle recommended Jenny Lawson's book to me and it's absolutely hilarious. I started reading it at work and had to stop, because my non-stop laughter got annoying to everyone around me. Lawson's childhood is unreal and the stuff her dad put her through is awful, but wonderful.
Jack and Michael Whitehall's book was also hilarious. Alternating point of views between chapters, they tell stories of Jack's childhood with comments sprinkled throughout. It's obvious the two of them are close, but that their lives together has been incredibly hilarious as well.
1. Allie Brosh ~ Hyperbole and a Half
Last year, Michelle called me early in the morning and insisted that I read Hyperbole and a Half, the blog. I loved it. It was hilarious and wonderful...and then Brosh disappeared, only to reappear with two very personal posts about depression which were incredibly powerful. This past year, she released her book and it is just as funny and heartfelt as her blog. I wish her the best and hope she continues blogging in the future.
Top Idols
Britney Spears (for putting the haters aside, letting her toughest critic and biggest competition be herself and for heading to Vegas so that she can spend more time with her boys), Jennifer Lawrence (for her refreshing honesty and not allowing Hollywood to dull her shine), Cheryl Cole, Lily Allen (for re-emerging into music after taking a well deserved break), Marina Dimandis, Ellie Goulding, and Kate Middleton (for being class all the way through pregnancy and her emergence into motherhood, plus fashion-wise, she's pretty much my idol).
Top 5 Boys
5. Jason Segel
I can't bring myself to kick him off this list, but he's starting to slide for me. He needs to go back to writing and stop acting in films with Cameron Dias.
4. Andrew Lincoln & Norman Reedus
When I first watched TWD, Norman Reedus was my favorite actor on the show. While I love what he's done with his character and how he acts outside the show, it's Andrew Lincoln who's started to steal the show for me. Crazy looks good on him and if he shaves his beard, I will not be pleased.
3. Jack Whitehall
So he's posh, isn't he? It helps that he's funny as hell. I admire how much he's done with his dad the past year and hope that he doesn't let them shit all over Bad Education when they re-make it for pilot season in the States. If anyone can save it, it should be Jack.
2. Jake Gyllenhaal
Thank God he took a darker turn in Prisoners. Welcome back.
1. Michael Fassbender
Seriously. Just look at him. I shouldn't have to say a damn thing and I won't. His face (and his personality) say it all.
Top 5 Oldies, But Goodies
5. Art Nouveau & Alphonse Mucha
I really became rather infatuated with Mucha's work, so much that I have three prints to hang in my apartment in the near future.
4. The X-Files
Happy 20th Anniversary X-Files! You're still as wonderful today as you were then.
3. Shaun of the Dead & Hot Fuzz
These films are still as funny as they were years ago and I hope that Pegg, Frost, and Winter work together again in the future.
2. London
If I could leave tomorrow and stay there forever, I would.
1.Psycho & Alfred Hitchcock
The first time I saw Psycho, I enjoyed it, but it didn't really amaze me...
But with some time and after doing some reading, I now love it and appreciate it for all it's worth. Hitchcock was kind of a creep, but what he did for film is really impressive. I also loved the fact that when Psycho came out, Hitchcock told the theatres not to admit anyone late so that the surprises wouldn't be ruined. In a time where gore seems to reign supreme in horror, Hitchcock made a black and white slasher flick that's just as powerful today as it was back then.
Top 5 Nail Polish Colors
5. OPI Malaga Wine
(Top Left)
4.OPI I Saw, You Saw, We Saw Warsaw
(Top Right)
3. OPI I Haven't the Foggiest
(Bottom Right)
2. OPI Honey Ryder &
China Glaze Up All Night
(Honey Ryder ~ Bottom Center; Up All Night ~ Bottom Left)
1. OPI Alcatraz Rocks
(Top Center)
Ted Bundy True Crime Award
Amanda Knox
Knox doesn't get this credit for being someone inspiring, she gets it for being involved in an interesting case. While I don't believe she had any part of killing Meredith Kircher, I don't think she's very likable. As someone who studied abroad, after reading her book, I couldn't believe how naive and stupid she was at times. Her book only solidified my belief in her innocence, but I don't necessarily think it made her easy to relate to either. The Italian court is trying (again) to convict her, but here's to hoping the second verdict sticks...so that she can seemingly just disappear for good.
