You can stop holding your breath ““ our annual In and Out list is here. Every year we compile what’s hot and what’s not, what you should look forward to and what you should throw away. 2007 was full of highlighted hair, cakey makeup, and effeminate dance moves ““ and that was just Zac Efron. Mainstream stores embraced “edgy” leggings, the Disney Channel reached orbital heights of success, and even the issue of celebrity overexposure became overexposed. So goodbye there, Delilah; nobody cares about you anymore. Here’s our definitive list ““ brace yourself for 2008.
In: Michael Cera
Out: Zac Efron
Efron is out in 2008 after a little too much exposure in 2007. As the breakout star of “High School Musical 2″ and with a plum part in the hit remake of “Hairspray,” this squeaky-clean teen wonder made a name for himself with his solid moves and his strong pipes. Unfortunately, all overexposure must come to an end at some point and this seems it for Efron. His next project coming up? A remake of the 1988 classic “Big,” a film that, if you ask us, needs no retooling or tweaking.
On the other hand, Michael Cera may have accidentally knocked up his 16-year-old kind-of-girlfriend playing Bleeker in the recent indie smash “Juno,” but beyond that, it seems he can do no wrong. Besides breaking out of his “Arrested Development” shell this past year with “Superbad” and “Juno,” Cera also became an Internet smash with the Web site clarkandmichael.com, which features hilarious video shorts in a time when the Writers Guild of America strike is depriving Hollywood of the normal scripted comedy fare.
In: Coen brothers
Out: Spears sisters
The Spears sisters have seen more than their fair share of tabloid covers and paparazzi stalkers. With Britney put in a 72-hour mental lockdown and her 16-year-old sister now getting ready for baby, the two have definitely started the new year off on the wrong foot.
Since the last thing Hollywood needs is another Us Weekly target, the Coen Brothers have risen to the top of the sibling ladder with their latest cinematic achievement “No Country for Old Men.” An engaging and riveting thriller with great storytelling and strong acting performances all around, directors and screenwriters the Coen brothers have become the pair to beat in the 2008 awards season, already winning best-picture accolades from numerous critics across the country. While they may not be in People magazine every other week, the Coen brothers are definitely in for 2008.
In: China
Out: Japan
In the art world, the U.S. feels the crash of the “Asian wave” as galleries and museums look to the East for inspiration. But especially in Los Angeles, we predict the Museum of Contemporary Art’s “© MURAKAMI” show ““ with its cuddly, sugary and marshmallowy (not to mention toxic) cast of plasticine characters ““ spells the beginning of the end of Japan as the country we have our eye on.
For the true up-and-comers, seek out Chinese artists like the smiley Yue Minjun, or even the contemplative Song Kun, who had a showing for UCLA Hammer Museum’s forecast-predicting Hammer Projects last summer. These artists are the new school: more than a generation after the revolution and discovering a new teched-out, globalized identity. China really is the next world superpower. Beijing 2008!
In: Montana
Out: Hannah Montana
The Disney Channel show “Hannah Montana” may have turned Miley Cyrus into a ubiquitous pop star, but only the under-12 set wants to hear her on the radio. Her debut album was top-10 in 2006, and her second album debuted at No. 1 this year, but the 15-year-old is already starting to feel overexposed.
But nothing will be fresher in 2008 than the Treasure State. Montana is the fourth-largest state, but has the third-lowest population density. With all this news about saving the environment and going green, people this year will want to see exactly what it is they are recycling for. Known for its clear skies and home to Glacier National Park, Montana’s wide-open spaces should attract attention. And why spend $2000 on concert tickets when you can spend it on a vacation to Montana?
In: American Gladiators
Out: American Apparel
While it is nice to have every item of clothing in bright, solid colors, the simple cotton styles of American Apparel don’t merit the designer price tags. And while we applaud their sweatshop-free production, we do not condone $38 leggings.
A brand that will better represent the American spirit this year is American Gladiators, the reality combat show recently revived on NBC. With the writers strike halting production on scripted television, this bloodthirsty fighting competition, steroids and all, should be a smash.
In: tights
Out: leggings
Forget the days when panty hose and tights were for geriatrics and kindergartners ““ 2008 brings a new way to look at the leg. As the hackneyed trend of leggings finally exits, tights conquer as the new reigning legwear. Imagine wearing a skirt and not having to worry about shaving your legs. Sounds like bliss.
Tights come in a plethora of colors and they can be stylish with everything from dresses to shorts. Heels or flats ““ doesn’t matter. Just make sure you pick a color that fits your style.
In: rain boots in the rain
Out: flip-flops in the rain
This winter, treat yourself to some style by actually keeping your feet dry. How many times have you worn flip-flops in the rain simply because you didn’t want to ruin your favorite pair of shoes? Well, instead of freezing or soaking your feet, treat them with a trendy pair of rain boots. Top-name designers, like Marc Jacobs offer them, while Target.com has a wide and more affordable assortment.
But either way you spin it, keeping your feet warm and dry is definitely way hotter than cold and wet.
In: high-rise
Out: low-rise
Fear no more the threat of falling out of tight-fitting, hip-hugging jeans as they slowly creep downward. In 2008, high-waist jeans will be the new hipster look, continuing the fashion trend of revitalizing the looks of the ’80s.
Already sported by celebrities like Gwen Stefani, Scarlett Johansson and Mischa Barton, high-waist pants paired with peasant shirts, vests and ankle boots will be the cool kids’ new look.
In: synth pop and dance music
Out: heartfelt indie ballads
We’ve all got emotions, and most of the time they can make for some pretty good music. But the problem is when things get one-dimensional and music is simply a persistent case for wasting away into a lugubrious murk of self-pity and participation in life that is, at best, ironic. Well, 2007 turned the tide, hitting musicians everywhere with the incredible idea that it is possible to remain within the world of intelligent entertainment while also getting up out of bed on occasion.
Whether relying on straightlaced electronica, dance-punk thrash-disco, or just plain noise, 2007 saw a step forward from moping to the dance floor. Notables who helped: Justice, Simian Mobile Disco, LCD Soundsystem, and Black Dice.
In: vinyl
Out: OiNK
The days under the beneficent, the beautiful, the downloader’s dream that was OiNK ended abruptly this year, when the Web site’s coordinator was arrested by the British police and the site was yanked from the web. OiNK, which functioned as something of an industry secret, was an invitation-only site that provided free access to user-uploaded albums, often in advance of a given album’s release date. Of course, the Internet will find other ways to provide efficient and free downloads.
This attack against downloading, though, highlights another music-acquisition trend that is less hostile to the industry: purchasing records on vinyl. They sound great, hip bands are making them, they’ve got the esoteric appeal required for consciously counterculture success, and new software allows listeners to easily convert tracks into mp3s.
Written and compiled by A&E staff.