Best of 2013 - Brynna's Picks
Last year (well actually the year before, but only by a day) I posted my top 10 movies of 2012 for you all to ooh and ahh over. I'm sure my infallible (though some like to call it 'questionable') taste in movies had you racing to the video store - or maybe it's iTunes these days - to check out my top picks, had you not seen them. I meant to do a similar list this year (well last year) but time ran away from me so it's coming a little late. Except instead of just movies, I'm giving you my best of in a variety of categories. Agree or disagree with my picks? Let me know in the comments!
Best Movies
1. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - I've already seen it twice and I wouldn't hesitate to head to the theatre right now to watch it again (well except that it's pouring rain and I really don't want to go outside). After painstakingly shedding my nail biting habit for my wedding this summer, this is the movie that broke me - and all of my nails. Jennifer Lawrence has never been better - and Josh Hutcherson proved his worth as Peeta over and over again. I even found a little love for Liam Hemsworth as Gale.
2. Frozen - I'm a sucker for Disney flicks and this one absolutely took hold of me. Thank goodness for Spotify. I listen to the soundtrack at least a couple times a day. Everything about this movie was beautifully executed - from the stunning songs and their wonderful lyrics, to the gorgeous imagery and awesome performances from Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell.
3. Thor: The Dark World - Thor is my favourite superhero, no doubt. I've seen the first film a fair few times and was literally (and I am using literally correctly here) twitching with excitement when the sequel made it's debut. Sequels can often disappoint, but I was more than satisfied by the return of Thor, Jane and Loki. One particular highlight - Zachary Levi in the role of Fandral. I'm not particularly fond of recasts in series (Josh Dallas of Once Upon a Time portrayed Fandral originally) as I'm a real stickler for continuity, however, I love Zachary Levi - Chuck is one of my all time favourite shows - and it seemed pretty perfect finding one of my favourite actors smack dab in the middle of one of my favourite franchises.
4. We're The Millers - I haven't laughed that hard in the cinema in a long time. I don't really think I need to say much more.
5. Star Trek: Into Darkness - Oh how excited I was when the sequel to Star Trek came out this year! I never cared much for Star Trek growing up, even though my dad was a massive fan, but JJ Abrams' reboot is stellar. I love Chris Pine as Kirk and Zachary Quinto is fantastic as Spock. The whole thing from start to finish was a thrill and I can't wait to see the third movie, whenever it comes.
Best New TV Show:
The Crazy Ones: Anything that puts Sarah Michelle Gellar back on television is fine by me, but how do you make it even better? Throw in Robin Williams of course! The result - one of the funniest half hour comedies to make it's way on to television since Modern Family made it's debut. I've been left in stitches by every single episode. It's a great show with a great cast, and if you're not watching it, you should be!
Best Ongoing TV Show(s):
How I Met Your Mother: I have no idea how I'm going to say goodbye to this show come March. I've been with it since the beginning and have loved every second of it. I was horribly worried about the whole season taking place over one weekend, but it's actually been really well done. I'm starting to really love the girl they cast as the mother, and have thoroughly enjoyed all the Canadian jokes which have been tops this season.
Once Upon a Time: Finding our favourite fairy tale characters in Neverland for the first half of this season was a stroke of genius. The end of the last season - with the whole magic haters kidnap Henry plot - was a real annoying bore, but once said plot picked us up and dropped us off Peter Pan adjacent, things got world's better. Robbie Kay as Pan was a delight and the twist connecting him to the rest of the fairytale gang was awesome. Also loved Joanna Garcia as Ariel! I can't wait to see what the second half of the season brings. Waiting until March is going to be a real bummer.
Homeland: After that season finale I'm still at a massive loss - but I can say that I was glued to my seat the entire season and muttered the words 'did not see that coming' almost repetitively. While the (SPOILER, SPOILER, SPOILER) loss of Brody is going to be hard to get passed, I can understand why they did it. Still it'll be sad not to tune in to see the extremely talented Damien Lewis every week.
Best Book:
The Moon and More: Sarah Dessen - It's always an exciting year for me when one of my favourite authors releases a new title, especially when it's an author who doesn't release new titles all that often. So with that in mind, I have to give this one to Sarah Dessen for The Moon and More. Another fantastic story from one of the best YA authors out there.
Best Book Honorable Mention:
The 5th Wave: Rick Yancey - The writing may not have been the most prolific, but I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish. In a sea of dystopia and supernatural, it's nice to see a little sci-fi creeping in. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel come September.
Best Song:
Wrecking Ball: Miley Cyrus - Admittedly I miss the old, more clothed iteration of Miley. I may have been a titch too old for it, but I always enjoyed Hannah Montana. And while I may not be the biggest fan of the twerking craze, I really do think Miley has a lot of talent. Wrecking Ball is a beautiful and stirring song that proves Miley has far more to given than The Best of Both Worlds.
Best Movies
1. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - I've already seen it twice and I wouldn't hesitate to head to the theatre right now to watch it again (well except that it's pouring rain and I really don't want to go outside). After painstakingly shedding my nail biting habit for my wedding this summer, this is the movie that broke me - and all of my nails. Jennifer Lawrence has never been better - and Josh Hutcherson proved his worth as Peeta over and over again. I even found a little love for Liam Hemsworth as Gale.2. Frozen - I'm a sucker for Disney flicks and this one absolutely took hold of me. Thank goodness for Spotify. I listen to the soundtrack at least a couple times a day. Everything about this movie was beautifully executed - from the stunning songs and their wonderful lyrics, to the gorgeous imagery and awesome performances from Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell.
3. Thor: The Dark World - Thor is my favourite superhero, no doubt. I've seen the first film a fair few times and was literally (and I am using literally correctly here) twitching with excitement when the sequel made it's debut. Sequels can often disappoint, but I was more than satisfied by the return of Thor, Jane and Loki. One particular highlight - Zachary Levi in the role of Fandral. I'm not particularly fond of recasts in series (Josh Dallas of Once Upon a Time portrayed Fandral originally) as I'm a real stickler for continuity, however, I love Zachary Levi - Chuck is one of my all time favourite shows - and it seemed pretty perfect finding one of my favourite actors smack dab in the middle of one of my favourite franchises.4. We're The Millers - I haven't laughed that hard in the cinema in a long time. I don't really think I need to say much more.
5. Star Trek: Into Darkness - Oh how excited I was when the sequel to Star Trek came out this year! I never cared much for Star Trek growing up, even though my dad was a massive fan, but JJ Abrams' reboot is stellar. I love Chris Pine as Kirk and Zachary Quinto is fantastic as Spock. The whole thing from start to finish was a thrill and I can't wait to see the third movie, whenever it comes.
Best New TV Show:
The Crazy Ones: Anything that puts Sarah Michelle Gellar back on television is fine by me, but how do you make it even better? Throw in Robin Williams of course! The result - one of the funniest half hour comedies to make it's way on to television since Modern Family made it's debut. I've been left in stitches by every single episode. It's a great show with a great cast, and if you're not watching it, you should be!Best Ongoing TV Show(s):
How I Met Your Mother: I have no idea how I'm going to say goodbye to this show come March. I've been with it since the beginning and have loved every second of it. I was horribly worried about the whole season taking place over one weekend, but it's actually been really well done. I'm starting to really love the girl they cast as the mother, and have thoroughly enjoyed all the Canadian jokes which have been tops this season.
Once Upon a Time: Finding our favourite fairy tale characters in Neverland for the first half of this season was a stroke of genius. The end of the last season - with the whole magic haters kidnap Henry plot - was a real annoying bore, but once said plot picked us up and dropped us off Peter Pan adjacent, things got world's better. Robbie Kay as Pan was a delight and the twist connecting him to the rest of the fairytale gang was awesome. Also loved Joanna Garcia as Ariel! I can't wait to see what the second half of the season brings. Waiting until March is going to be a real bummer.Homeland: After that season finale I'm still at a massive loss - but I can say that I was glued to my seat the entire season and muttered the words 'did not see that coming' almost repetitively. While the (SPOILER, SPOILER, SPOILER) loss of Brody is going to be hard to get passed, I can understand why they did it. Still it'll be sad not to tune in to see the extremely talented Damien Lewis every week.
Best Book:
The Moon and More: Sarah Dessen - It's always an exciting year for me when one of my favourite authors releases a new title, especially when it's an author who doesn't release new titles all that often. So with that in mind, I have to give this one to Sarah Dessen for The Moon and More. Another fantastic story from one of the best YA authors out there.Best Book Honorable Mention:
The 5th Wave: Rick Yancey - The writing may not have been the most prolific, but I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish. In a sea of dystopia and supernatural, it's nice to see a little sci-fi creeping in. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel come September.
Best Song:
Wrecking Ball: Miley Cyrus - Admittedly I miss the old, more clothed iteration of Miley. I may have been a titch too old for it, but I always enjoyed Hannah Montana. And while I may not be the biggest fan of the twerking craze, I really do think Miley has a lot of talent. Wrecking Ball is a beautiful and stirring song that proves Miley has far more to given than The Best of Both Worlds.
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