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Correction: In the original version of this article, a subheadline was misspelled. It should have read “Pop culture.”
This year has had both its good and bad entertainment moments, but thanks to reality TV and meat dresses, we always had something to talk about. Soon-to-be classic films such as “Inception” and the widely popular “Toy Story 3″ were countered by flops such as “The Last Airbender.” After months of antics at the Video Music Awards, on his Twitter and most media forms, Kanye West released the anticipated “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” to rave reviews. Oppositely, Miley Cyrus released “Can’t be Tamed,” which received less than stellar critiques. Coco Fever brought Conan O’Brien fans to solidarity as he left “The Tonight Show,” and Will Smith’s 9-year-old daughter whipped her locks back and forth in the top single “Whip My Hair.” Here are the Daily Bruin’s arts and entertainment editors’ yearly picks for the most noteworthy moments in film, TV, music and pop culture.
Some of the best movies of the year appealed to our imaginations: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1″ and “Toy Story 3″ revisited the dreams of our childhoods, while “Inception” spectacularly dramatized the very act of imagining. Others were fiercely realistic, as “127 Hours” stared unblinkingly at grave personal danger, and “The Social Network” perfectly captured the spirit of these online-obsessed times. As for the worst, there were the usual offenders, the moronic comedies and the shameless star vehicles. But this year’s standout abomination, “The Last Airbender,” broke the usual mold, recklessly adapting a beloved animated series without even bothering to get the 3-D technology right.
Best:
“The Social Network”
“Inception”
“Toy Story 3″
“127 Hours”
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1″
Worst:
“The Last Airbender”
“Grown Ups”
“Furry Vengeance”
“The Bounty Hunter”
“The Last Song”
While fall’s new shows didn’t live up to their potential ““ “Running Wilde” seemed like such a great idea ““ the 2010 TV season brought some memorable moments. It was a season wrought with drama on the late night circuit as friends were divided between Team Coco and Team Leno. There was the roller coaster of musically-enhanced high school emotion called “Glee” and Bristol Palin danced her way to the finale of “Dancing with the Stars” to the shock of viewers. Here’s what we remember ““ for better or for worse:
Best:
The “Lost” series finale.
Conan’s final monologue on “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien.”
Betty White on “Saturday Night Live.”
The season finale of “Grey’s Anatomy.”
FOX’s hit new comedy “Raising Hope.”
Worst:
Conan vs. Leno on “The Tonight Show.”
Bristol Palin’s overdrawn run on “Dancing with the Stars.”
Steve Carell’s announcement that he’s leaving “The Office.”
Ellen, Simon and Kara leave “American Idol.”
2010 gave us a few of the moments we have been waiting for ““ Prince William announced plans for the first major royal wedding since that of his late mother Princess Diana’s televised nuptials, and The Beatles became available on iTunes for the first time after years of mere talk. “Coco Fever” challenged fiery “Bieber Fever,” reality TV became more ridiculous when Sarah Palin got her own show, and the fashion world saw the end of Alexander McQueen’s design empire. Ever-feisty Kanye West went on Twitter rants against the Los Angeles Times and “The Today Show,” and produced an abstract film narrated by breakthrough artist Nicki Minaj in anticipation of his album, the artwork for which was banned from Walmart. Good or bad, and in no particular order, here are the moments we were all talking about this year:
Lady Gaga sweeps the 2010 Video Music Awards while wearing a meat dress.
The Beatles went on sale on iTunes for the first time.
Nicki Minaj breaks through, debuting her album “Pink Friday” at number two on the Billboard 200.
Kanye West performs a variety of media antics in anticipation of his album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.”
Legendary designer Alexander McQueen commits suicide in his London home.
Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin gets her own reality TV show: “Sarah Palin’s Alaska.”
The trend of kids becoming superstars skyrockets with the success of Justin Bieber and Willow Smith.
Conan O’Brien is replaced by Jay Leno on the Tonight Show; “I’m with Coco” fever starts.
Prince William announces his engagement to long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton.
American Idol replaces judges Simon Cowell, Ellen Degeneres and Kara DioGuardi with Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.
On the heels of the likes of Gaga, Phoenix, and an overall impressive year for music in 2009, 2010 was definitely a rebuilding year of sorts. Though only just released, hip-hop veteran Kanye West’s anticipated “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” lived up to its hype and excessive adjectives. Katy Perry defied the curse of the sophomore slump, while rising star Janelle Monáe produced a fresh fusion of funk and soul on her first full-length studio effort. Indie veterans Arcade Fire released a double album “The Suburbs” and arguably their most mature work to date. Love or hate her, newcomer (and creative speller) Ke$ha also proved to be among the year’s most consistent artists, staying solidly on the charts since her January debut “Animal.” Rounding out the year’s biggest let-downs were Miley’s raspy-voiced efforts at mature music, Lil’ Wayne’s questionable rebirth, Christina’s return to dirty lyricism, the frighteningly robotic emergence of Nicki Minaj, and M.I.A.’s disappointing follow-up to “Kala.”
Best:
“My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” – Kanye West
“Teenage Dream” – Katy Perry
“The ArchAndroid” – Janelle Monáe
“The Suburbs” – Arcade Fire
“Animal” – Ke$ha
New Artist: “Tourist History” – Two Door Cinema Club
Worst:
“Can’t Be Tamed” – Miley Cyrus
“Rebirth” – Lil’ Wayne
“Bionic” – Christina Aguilera
“Pink Friday” – Nicki Minaj
“MAYA” – M.I.A.
Compiled by Alex Goodman, Lauren Roberts, Maryia Krivoruchko and Samantha Suchland, a&e senior staff.