2008 had no lack of big name music and film releases.
Despite the music industry's struggles, several big name artists finished albums in 2008 (Kanye West, Metallica, Nickelback, Guns 'n' Roses, AC/DC). Hollywood also had its share of highly-anticipated titles, with Batman, Indiana Jones and James Bond all returning to the big screen.
Popularity doesn't necessarily translate to quality, though, so the Collegian Arts Staff decided to collaborate to figure out our "Best of 2008." Staffers were asked to send their own picks and combined lists were created from those responses.
The intention was to see how the blockbusters really stacked up. The final lists are a mix of big consumer draws and slightly more obscure fare.
These lists were then taken out to the people, where they were asked to compare their own opinions with the staff's.
The conclusion: only a few releases were clear-cut choices for "Best of 2008" status. Opinions varied wildly, especially in music. The record music industry's decline may have been the reason several people interviewed said they had listened to no new music this past year.
Greg Gabbard, owner of City Lights Records, 316 E. College Ave., said he sold many copies of the albums released by MGMT, Fleet Foxes and TV on the Radio, respectively. However, Girl Talk's Feed the Animals, which was also released for free online, didn't sell as well.
"Being a laptop kind of artist, I think a lot of people 'laptop' [Girl Talk's] music," Gabbard said.
John Pratt, assistant manager at College 9, said though Cloverfield did not break the theater's list of 10 highest grossing films, it outperformed expectations.
"Just how well it did overall was kind of shocking," Pratt said.
Especially in regard to film, the year has yet to near its peak. As Oscar-caliber productions and holiday releases flood the gates for the rest of the month and expand nationally into January, Pratt said The Spirit, Bedtime Stories and Yes Man could perform well at the box office.
TOP TEN FILMS
1. 'The Dark Knight'
The record-breaking Gotham City magnum opus from Christopher Nolan dazzled audiences and critics with its colossal IMAX sequences. Never has a vigilante anti-hero been such a revered commercial juggernaut. The only suitable viewing format for it now is the double-disc special edition on Blu-ray, which dropped Tuesday.
2. 'Sex and the City: The Movie'
Since this story of four obsessive compulsive women resonated so strongly with its core demographic, it scored high on this list and filming will commence on the sequel early 2009.
3. 'Wall-E'
An eco-friendly message surrounded this heartwarming Disney/Pixar story about a lonely robotic trash compactor in the year 2070.
4. 'Iron Man'
The smart, quirky take on the metallic protagonist breathed new life into the rudimentary summertime superhero flick. If nothing else, director/actor Jon Favreau dropped 85 pounds after striking gold with this venture.
5. 'Pineapple Express'
Seth Rogen proved to the world (or his movie-loving buddies) that it was possible to make a stoner action film.
6. 'Changeling'
Clint Eastwood's grim fact-based kidnapping thriller wasn't as critically received as well as his recent efforts but still managed to strike a chord with most viewers. Lo and behold Eastwood has a back-up film up his sleeve --Gran Torino, starring and directed by Eastwood, will be released later this month.
7. 'Cloverfield'
Proving that people still remember movies that were released in January, this science fiction film captured a monster attack on New York City from the perspective of a small group and a guy who needs to learn how to hold a camera still.
8. 'The Wackness'
This Brooklyn-staged coming-of-age comedy-drama is a flashback all the way to 1994. As if that makes Sir Ben Kingsley and Mary-Kate Olsen's tryst less disturbing.
9. 'Role Models'
Paul Rudd stepped up from his standard supporting role to co-star in this comedy, which he co-wrote, about two energy drink salesmen who are sentenced to community service where they must mentor a couple of kids.
10. 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'
This comedy, written by Apatow associate Jason Segel, centers around a pretty simple concept: getting over a breakup. Throw in a beautiful Hawaiian setting, hilarious supporting roles by English funnyman Russell Brand, the consistently hilarious Paul Rudd and SNL star Bill Hader and you have what might be one of the most underrated comedies of the year.
Honorable Mentions: Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Man on Wire, Twilight
TOP TEN ALBUMS
1. MGMT - 'Oracular Spectacular'
This Brooklyn duo stood out this year for releasing one of the craziest alt-electro-pop albums of the year. Produced by David Fridmann, known best for his work on Flaming Lips albums, this album has the same expanding, open-air feel that is present on Flaming Lips releases. But throw MGMT's musings on childhood, free love and fourth dimensions, and you have yourself one hell of a psychedelic roller-coaster ride.
2. TV on the Radio - 'Dear Science'
New York is represented again on our list with the third studio album by TV on the Radio, Dear Science. This might be the most accessible TV on the Radio album to date, featuring more straightforward arrangements but without losing any of its original flair. Comparisons to David Bowie and Prince are inevitable but with this latest album, these New Yorkers prove they are here to stay.
3. Vampire Weekend - 'Vampire Weekend'
You couldn't talk about good new music in early 2008 without bringing up the lads in Vampire Weekend. Their debut record, which gathered more buzz than a beehive, is chock full of catchy prep-tastic afro-pop songs that muse on themes that are quite relevant to the college crowd.
4. Fleet Foxes - 'Fleet Foxes'
Fleet Foxes' eponymous debut draws influence from all over the last three or four decades but never feels anachronistic or fractured. Although released in June, this is truly a great winter record. Its warm harmonies will keep you comfortable through the cold.
5. Coldplay - 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends'
Say what you will about Chris Martin and company, but there's no use denying their ability to craft a song that will be stuck in your head for weeks. Not only are the band's hit-making abilities still ever present on Viva La Vida but they have decided to venture into more alternative territory with the help of ambient music pioneer, Brian Eno.
6. Bon Iver - 'For Emma, Forever Ago'
Bon Iver is the name indie folk singer Justin Vernon took for his new musical project, which he recorded over the course of three months in a cabin in northern Wisconsin.
7. The Hold Steady - 'Stay Positive'
The world's best bar band released its best album, but the references to "townies" and "parties" are still in full force.
8. Girl Talk - 'Feed the Animals'
Pittsburgh's Gregg Gillis, a.k.a. Girl Talk, crafts albums that illegally sample hundreds of other artists' tracks. Feed the Animals proves how proficient he is at crafting new art from the old.
9. Lil Wayne - 'Tha Carter III'
Lil Wayne was massively productive in 2007, providing so many guest verses for other artists' songs that Vibe magazine actually ranked his top 77 tracks of the year, and still had enough in the tank for a strong full album in 2008.
10. Wolf Parade - 'At Mount Zoomer'
Sacrificing the effervescence of its 2005 debut for more deliberate and mature approach, Wolf Parade nonetheless turns in one of the most enjoyable albums of the year. The new patience and polish found on At Mount Zoomer lead to a much more focused record, one that manages to maintain the band's momentum despite songwriters Spencer Krug and Dan Boeckner's numerous side projects.
Honorable Mentions: Santogold - Santogold, Sigur Rós - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust, Kings of Leon - Only by the Night
WHAT THE CAMPUS IS SAYING
"The Joker's [Heath Ledger's] acting was phenomenal." - Phong Lam (junior-hotel, restaurant and institutional management), on The Dark Knight
"I saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall because I like Russell Brand and that was pretty funny." - Jenn Partyka, City Lights Records and Chronic Town employee, on Forgetting Sarah Marshall
"You could think of [him] as a one-trick pony, but it's fun music." - Devan Kochersperger (freshman-history), on Girl Talk
"It felt like the music was less fluffy and more upbeat." - Jonathan Fuller (freshman-classics and ancient Mediterranean studies), on Coldplay
Collegian Staff Writer Adam Clair contributed to this report.
