I spent a lot of time in 2010 in front of electronic equipment. I’ve watched an obscene number of hours of television, I’ve seen an abnormal amount of movies, and I’ve cruised the internet on my laptop for more time than I’d like to work out. It’s entertainment, folks, and it takes dedication.
The world of entertainment, in 2010, has brought us many lows. New, unique lows that had us questioning WTF has become of the human race (*cough cough Jersey Shore cough*). But there were also many highlights. And to hono(u)r these highlights, I give you…
(drumroll, please)
…my Top 10 Favourite Entertainmenty Things Of 2010:
#10 - Best Movie For Grown Ups, With Swearing And Boinking And Everything – The Town
When it comes to grownup movies, there are a few things that can take it from “meh” to “wicked awesome” for me. 1) Gritty crime. 2) Forbidden love. 3) Shoot outs. And 4) Boston accents. I didn’t pay close enough attention to notice whether or not The Towngot the attention it deserved, but I can tell you that any it received was earned and justified. With the exception of Boobs Legsly (Blake Lively, for the uninitiated), each performance was brilliant. Masterful, in my highly amateurish critical opinion. The story has elements of what we’ve all seen before – bank robbery, ghetto life, love between those on opposites sides of an equation – but it’s woven and quilted together with sensitivity and grit in a way that feels both fresh and comfortable. Which is a commendable feat for fledgling writer/director Ben Affleck.
#9 - Best Television Show About People Killing People – Dexter
I’ve always been a die hard lover of Dexter. I’m no fair weather fan – I realize not every episode can be a home run and I’ll love the show through thick and thin. Not to say this season was one that was “tolerated”; I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed every moment. There has been some harsh criticism of the direction this season took, with the introduction of the character of Lumen, with Julia Stiles’ portrayal, with the storyline centering on the elimination of her captors and torturers. But I loved it. Yeah, I’ll use that strong a word. Loved it.
I found it interesting and almost emotional, the way you could see Dexter changing and opening up around Lumen. Actually feeling some semblance of human emotion. When a person could see Dexter for who he was, for EVERYTHING that he is, and not only accept but encourage and embrace, I’ve got to admit I was touched. Sure, his fascination and obsession with her and her plight sort of cramped his style, but can’t a guy find a soul mate without getting rashed on for not being serial killery enough?
#8 - Best MamaPop Post That Slayed Me With The Funny – BHJ’s Top 10 Gay Crushes, If He Were Gay, Which He Is Not, Just To Be Clear, Not Gay
I have nothing to say about this post, other than it made me laugh harder than any other post written this year. I don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t read it yet, but I think the title does a good job at summarizing. BHJ is not gay, but if he were, this is a list of who he’d totally be gay for.
#7 – Best Television Show About The Un-Dead Killing People – The Walking Dead
I’ve never been a lover of the undead. I’ve never been attracted to sparkly vampires or werewolves with tiny heads. I’ve never even seen a Twilight movie or watched Vampire Diaries or True Blood or any of that stuff. And zombies have always just been a thing in the background for me. Not literally. I’m not being stalked by walking corpses or anything, they’ve just never been something I was especially drawn to watch or read about. I’m really just meh? about the whole undead popular culture.
Until Halloween night. There was nothing on tv. Just some of the typical horror flick you watch every October 31st and a bunch of boring reruns. Until I turned on AMC; a channel I had never watched even once. I actually didn’t even realize we GOT AMC, but there I was, watching The Walking Dead. And there on the screen was a man, lying on a bed in an abandoned hospital bed. Well, abandoned by everyone but some fabulously disgusting rotting human vessels. And that’s when I was hooked. The Walking Dead somehow, with its over the top gory special effects and the heart-pounding excitement, after 31 years of paying them very little attention, got me hooked on zombies.
#6 - Best Kid’s Movie That Wasn’t About Princesses - Toy Story 3
I may talk a big game but when it comes down to it, whatever makes my kids happy, makes me happy. Except that goddamn squealing. That doesn’t make me happy. No other movie this year captivated and entertained my kids more than Toy Story 3. It was the first movie we went to as a family and the whole evening turned out to be one of my favourite times spent together. My 2 year old and 4 year old, from the moment the lights went down, sat perfectly still, shoveling popcorn into their mouths, eyes never straying from the screen. And months later, they’re still talking about it. Because of the impression it left, I have it on good authority that Santa will be bringing not just the Blu-ray, but perhaps a Jesse and a Woody doll.
All that is fantastic, but what landed Toy Story 3 on the list is that my husband and I enjoyed it just as much as the kids. It was hilarious throughout, as all the Toy Story movies are, but this one was also heartbreakingly emotional. It was truly a movie for children and adults alike.
#5 – Best Band To Get Me Car Dancing Like No One’s Watching – Metric
Fantasies has been out for quite some time. Quite. Some. Time. Released on April 7, 2009, the fourth album from Canadian Indie Rock band, Metric, Fantasies has been gaining momentum slowly, but has finally begun to receive the recognition it deserves. From beginning to end, the album completely blew me away from the first time I played it. Favourites like Stadium Love, Gold, Guns, Girls, and Gimme Sympathy have been enjoying some serious play on Canadian rock radio. The album won the Juno Award (Canada’s version of the Grammys) for Alternative Album of the Year this year, as well as the band winning for Group of the Year.
Not only is Fantasties one of my favourite cd’s of the moment, but my kids are crazy about it, too. If I dare put anything on but this or Mumford and Sons (which I will get to in a jiffy), they are none too happy. Stadium Love gets played on repeat and as a result they know all the lyrics. I’m pretty sure there aren’t any sketchy lyrics in the song. Fairly sure.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N4a7RX5x7E&feature=artist[/youtube]
#4 – Best Roundtable Video To Give Me Worms Of The Ear - MamaPop Video Roundtable: Like Yeah Edition
The writers of MamaPop were given an assignment, one day back in September – record yourself giving an interpretive reading of the lyrics of Miley Cyrus’ Party In The USA. At no time were we warned about the diabolically evil that comes from listening to this song over and over again. What happens, see, is that the song embeds itself into every fibre of your being. It moles its way through your eardrum and into your head and saturates every cell of your brain. And then it’s there. Good luck getting it out.
Despite all that, this was one of the most fun videos to film, and certainly the greatest to watch. I mean, it didn’t feature menearly enough, but sometimes that’s ok.
#3 - Best Use Of The Internets In The History Of The Internets – Antoine Dodson
You may not know the name, but I’m almost certain you know the video. Antoine is the “hide yo kids, hide yo wife” guy. His interview with the local news after an intruder attempted to rape his sister went viral, boasting over 24 million views on YouTube. I love this guy and want him to read me stories all day long.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzNhaLUT520[/youtube]
But what’s even better, like the thick buttercream icing on top of your Harry & David cinnamon bun cookie, is the auto-tuned music video created from the original clip. Man, this song is the JOINT. If you forget to listen to the lyrics, it’s got a pretty sick dance beat. But then, as your getting your grove on, slamming your head, if you catch what Antoine is saying, it’s one million times more hilarious.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMtZfW2z9dw&feature=fvw[/youtube]
#2 - Best Movie About Mythical Merciless Killing Machines - How To Train Your Dragon
I saw a lot of movies this year. A LOT, a lot, as per usual. But if I were to pick one movie out of all the movies to select as my favourite, I’d be hard-pressed. Mostly because my first thought would be to pick something that wasn’t animated and rated PG. And although there were many great movies I’d consider – Inception, Scott Pilgrim, Kick Ass – I’ve got to admit, my favourite movie of the year was How To Train Your Dragon. And NOT because my kids actually stopped running laps around the house long enough to watch. I would have watched this without them, and I’m sure I will many times. It’s THAT good.
I liked the messages – be true to who you are, look beyond appearance, we’re all strong in our own way. I thought it was funny and touching and exciting. The animation was amazing. It was just, all-round, a very, very good movie.
#1 – Best Thing To Happen To Entertainment. Ever. – Mumford and Sons
In the past few weeks, Mumford and Sons’ popularity has exploded. They were even featured on the Entertainment Weekly Bullseye recently. The little band from Britain has found itself a place in the hearts of Canadian and American music lovers. Their debut album, Sigh No More, features such addictive singles as Little Lion Man, The Cave, and White Blank Page. Their British folk sound kills me I love it so hard.
You can’t see well in the video, but Marcus Mumford is singing, playing guitar, tambourine, and the kick bass. I’m not sure what sort of galactic level of talent that takes, but I’ve certainly never seen anything like it, short of a ridiculous looking old timey one man band. I’m mostly impressed he doesn’t fall over.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7bHe–mp1g[/youtube]
And with that, I say “You’re welcome.”
About Jen O.
