The Best of Everything in 2011
It’s 2012, and other than that whole apocalypse thing, there’s a lot to be excited about. So what better way to start the new year than to dwell on the past? 2011 was a fantastic year for entertainment. We were introduced to some great new creations and we said goodbye to some of the biggest and best commodities in history. Here, in no particular order, is the best in entertainment media from 2011.
MOVIES The Help – Based on the novel of the same name by Kathryn Stockett, the film offers a look at the American South in the 1960s from a rare point of view. Uproariously funny and unequivocally powerful, The Help will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired by the strength of the human spirit.
50/50 – An honest look at a subject that is admittedly quite awful. Taking something rather serious and approaching it with sincerity, 50/50 draws humour and triumph out of a dark and unfortunate situation.
Like Crazy – This year’s Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner is a stark look at long-distance romance, centered around what is possibly the most realistic couple ever put to film.
Arthur Christmas – A hilarious twist on the traditional myths of Santa Claus with jolly old Saint Nick’s legacy being portrayed as a monarchy powered by advanced technology.
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 – The culmination of over a decade of tireless work, the final installment of this epic tale of wizards and magic is truly something extraordinary.
GAMES Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception – The equivalent of the smartest, most thrilling action movie you have ever seen. The difference is, all the ass-kicking is done by you.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - The province of Skyrim is massive and exploring its vast reaches is entirely up to you. Fight dragons, learn magic, or take an arrow to the knee, it’s all there for you. Skyrim is one of the deepest experiences you will find on any platform.
Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds – Earth’s mightiest heroes and most heinous villains kick the crap out of each other for your entertainment.
Batman: Arkham City - Never before has being the Dark Knight been so easy or felt so authentic.
Team Ico Collection - The HD remake of Shadow of The Colossus retains all the magic and wonder of the original, still standing as the strongest testament of video-game-as-art today.
TV SHOWS Game of Thrones – A proper on-screen adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s excruciatingly detailed fantasy novel series, A Song Of Ice and Fire, was thought to be impossible. However, the people at HBO took on the challenge and provided a sprawling epic that was true to the source material while still providing the kind of utterly shocking moments that only film can portray.
Friday Night Lights – Some of the most nakedly earnest and heartfelt stories ever told on television, set against the simplest of backdrops. Capturing the pulse of small-town life and the emotional current of its residents, Friday Night Lights is a classic for the ages. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.
Community – Simply the funniest show on television. Taking risks and running with innovative ideas that no other shows would dare to. A diverse cast of wacky and relatable characters makes up the hilarious gang at Greendale Community College.
Happy Endings – Taking on the “we’re just a bunch of friends who hang out all the time” formula at which so many comedies have failed, Happy Endings has used clever writing and a talented, likeable cast to turn an underdog midseason replacement show, for which no one had high expectations, into must-see television.
Breaking Bad – The downward spiral of one high school chemistry teacher turned meth pusher continues to get more and more twisted. Some of the most intense sequences that can be seen anywhere on TV.
ALBUMS Camp by Childish Gambino – One of the most lyrically exceptional rap albums to come around in years, the multi-talented Donald Glover’s debut is full of humour, insight, and ridiculously quotable lines.
Watch The Throne by Kanye West & Jay Z – Rap’s ultimate dream team became a reality with Watch The Throne. Sensational production and the inherent talents of the album’s super duo make this album a can’t-miss.
Bon Iver by Bon Iver – Indie darlings Bon Iver make their highly anticipated return using haunting vocals and diverse instrumental depth to craft a chilling conceptual record full of emotion and sentiment.
Mission Bell by Amos Lee – The fourth studio album from Philadelphia’s Amos Lee, Mission Bell, occupies that very special place where jazz, blues, folk, and country all sit around drinking beer and telling stories to one another.
