RotoScoop.com

By Dalton Del Don

It’s that time of year again – RotoScoop’s year-end lists. I know you’ve all been impatiently awaiting 2009’s version after last year’s was such a hit. As always, feel free to let me know what I got right, what I missed and what I got wrong in the comments.

MOVIES

Here are the movies I have yet to see this year but want to: “A Serious Man,” “The Hurt Locker,” “Food, Inc,” “In The Loop,” “The Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “Moon,” “Precious,” “Whatever Works,” “An Education” and “Sin Nombre.”

Other movies I watched that barely missed the list: “Public Enemies,” “District 9,” “500 Days of Summer,” “Star Trek,” “Adventureland,” “Observe and Report” and “Where The Wild Things Are.” The problem with movies is that unlike TV shows where I can get a feel over a full season, I usually change my mind with movies after repeat viewings (while also realizing later some I don’t even have any desire to see again), so not only will this list change once I finally watch all the movies I listed above, but it might also be different from the ones listed below based on further evidence. Just know I’m not sold on my top-10 for 2009, and like TV, it’s pretty crazy how comedy heavy it is.

10. Avatar – Yes, it borrows heavily from “Dances With Wolves” and “Pocahontas,” and yes, the story itself is lacking, but seeing this film in 3D (and at an IMAX, preferably) was truly an experience unlike any other. Normally I don’t like big budget movies like this, and I can’t imagine it translating onto Blu-ray at home, and maybe we’ll laugh at the technology 20 years from now, I suppose, but I can’t explain the palpable buzz in the theatre right when “Avatar” started, with everyone basically saying to each other, “holy shit this is cool.” And it was.

9. Humpday – The movie’s premise: what if two heterosexual friends made an art (porno) film of them having sex together? Sure, may not sound interesting to you homophobes out there, but this movie was creative and had me hooked. The husband and wife relationship was about as real as I’ve seen on film. Not well known, “Humpday” was far better than the silly title indicates.

8. Extract – Just because Mike Judge continues to fail at matching “Office Space’s” comedic genius doesn’t mean “Extract” should be dismissed, because this was one of the more underrated movies of the year. The cast is strong, with Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig and Ben Affleck like you’ve never seen him, but it’s Dustin Milligan who might have the funniest part. And seriously, how hot is Mila Kunis? Jesus.

7. Inglourious Basterds – I’m an unabashed Quentin Tarantino fan; “Pulp Fiction” is easily one of my 10 favorite movies of all-time, and I liked “Death Proof” far more than most others did. I wouldn’t exactly say he hit a home run with “Inglourious Basterds,” which probably dragged on a bit too long, but it was one of the better films of 2010 nevertheless. The opening scene was my favorite 20 minutes of any movie this year, hands down.

6. The Cove – Decidedly one-sided, this documentary was chilling regardless. In fact, the conclusion was so crazy, I questioned whether it was even real. When I got married in Hawaii in February, I really wanted to ride a dolphin, but the price was pretty steep, and I think I ended up just drinking instead. And while I still say it would have been an experience, I guess I also have to concede it would have been cruel after watching this movie, although better than the other alternative (slaughter). Watch this movie, and you’ll never think of SeaWorld the same. Those bastards.

5. Tyson – Yes, Mike Tyson appears in two of my top-five favorite movies this year (after all, I did name my boxer dog after him). Another documentary on the list, and this one is unflinching. Born with a prostitute for a mom and a pimp for a dad (literally a pimp, not a theoretical one like this guy), let’s just say Tyson didn’t have the easiest upbringing, and some of his behavior can well, at least be explained. James Toback does a great job of getting the champ to open up, and ultimately, it’s pretty clear Tyson is just a big kid unaware of the impact his actions and words actually have. And don’t forget, he gave by far the best speech in the history of sports, and there is no denying this. None.

4. Funny People – Judd Apatow’s latest film wasn’t as good as “The 40 Year Old Virgin,” and I can understand why some get turned off by his serious side, and the criticism about the final third of “Funny People” is valid, but this is still good stuff. I’m in the minority, but I actually like serious Adam Sandler, and I thought this was the best performance of his career, and the look at the underlying standup comedy scene was interesting. Good movie.

3. I Love You, Man – Few movies these days are actually original, especially comedies, but this one is definitely different, as it could be considered a romantic comedy yet it centers on two dudes. Paul Rudd and Jason Segel were perfect casts, and Jon Favreau was great as well. And Rashida Jones isn’t ugly. Definitely one of the smarter and better movies of 2009.

2. The Hangover – I enjoy being a contrarian as much as the next guy, but like often happens, “The Hangover” suffered severe backlash with its immense popularity, and while it’s not some classic like “Dumb and Dumber,” this was a damn funny movie that deserved its adulation. I saw Zach Galifianakis in standup in college about five years ago, so in a way, his rise to stardom has been annoying, because he was MY guy. Oh well, dude that funny, it was inevitable. And everyone reading this has better watched every “Between Two Ferns,” or you just aren’t living.

1. Bruno – Listen, this movie shows a bit more male genitalia than I’d prefer, but come on, it’s hilarious. I watched this with my wife, and afterward (and still does) proclaimed she didn’t like it at all, but every single time I turned and looked at her during it, she was going ape shit laughing, so go figure. It’s not as good as “Borat” or “Da Ali G Show,” but Sacha Baron Cohen hit yet another home run.

TELEVISION

Honorable Mention: Damages, The Office, Friday Night Lights, Lost, In Treatment, Community, The League, Californication, True Blood, Weeds, Hung, Big Love, United States of Tara, Flight of the Conchords, Scrubs, Celebrity Apprentice, Nurse Jackie, How I met Your Mother, Jersey Shore, Survivor.

As you can probably already tell, I watch way too much TV. DVR and HD are two of the five best inventions of my lifetime, what can I say. My one main neglection was “Breaking Bad,” which I promise to catch up on DVD soon enough. Now, onto my top-10:

10. Party Down/Modern Family – Yes, a lame copout with a tie, but I felt both deserved credit. “Party Down” is a little known comedy that airs on Starz, whereas “Modern Family” is on ABC and looked terrible based on its initial commercials (only strong reviews made me give it a chance). But both are extremely smart, and really, I wouldn’t blame anyone for ranking either as their favorite show of 2009. “Modern Family” shows there’s hope for comedies on non-cable/non-NBC channels, and “Party Down” boasts an extremely talented cast (Ken Marino from the fantastic “Wet Hot American Summer,” Adam Scott, who was great in “Tell Me You Love Me,” one of the best shows ever that was criminally cancelled after one season, and he was also my favorite character in “Step Brothers,” along with Jane Lynch and Lizzy Caplan) and should immediately go to the top of your Netflix queue.

9. Eastbound & Down – “Eastbound & Down” definitely goes for shock value too much at times, and it’s not for everyone, but it also made me laugh pretty consistently, and Stevie Janowski was hands down one of the best characters on TV this year. I was fairly shocked to see the show renewed and can’t wait to see what direction they take it after that ending.

8. 30 Rock – This show frustrated me in the past because it was good, not great, yet every review/award ceremony treated it as royalty. But sometimes you got to call a spade a spade, and “30 Rock” was very funny in 2009. Kenneth remained insufferable and Jenna underrated, but it’s pretty clear by now Tina Fey is one of the best comics alive.

7. Reno 911! – Of course, right when I discover this show (I obviously knew about it and saw the movie but didn’t start watching it on TV until this year) it’s cancelled. Like Comedy Central has so many better alternatives? I digress. Reno 911! absolutely kills me – go watch “Extradition to Thailand” and/or “We Don’t Want the Pope” for confirmation. And if you don’t agree, you’re dead to me. No other show could pull off a John Mark Karr joke so perfectly.

6. Parks and Recreation – It should surprise no one that the fantastic mind behind the now defunct FireJoeMorgan.com has helped make “Parks and Recreation” one of the best shows on television. And there’s zero coincidence “The Office” has declined sharply ever since he left to become head writer for P&R, and I don’t care if it’s a direct rip off of a show that’s also a direct rip off – good is good. And while I agree it improved in Season 2, I’m tired of all these “huge turnaround” proclamations. Go rewatch Season 1, Parks and Recs has ALWAYS been good.

5. Sons of Anarchy – Not watching a single episode of Season 1, I jumped right into Season 2 this year at the behest of my wife, and my life was better because of it. Taking place in a fictional town located about 20 miles from where I actually live (and using a fictional biker gang based on one my wife’s uncle was actually in), SoA was easily one of the best shows on television in 2009, and few people know about it. To wit, the show has yet to receive the five requisite votes to even compile a user rating on IMDB! Adam Arkin and Henry Rollins were ridiculously good as white supremacist villains (and rapists), but there’s more to this show than just entertainment based on a biker gang – lots of subtly good writing. Plus, Maggie Siff is not unattractive.

4. Dexter – The cheesy voiceover remains, and yes, the premise is a bit implausible. But this is a show that has done the impossible – gotten better with each season despite the fact the writers painted themselves in a corner (in other words, the exact opposite of what “Lost” has done). I’ve always liked John Lithgow, mainly for the awesomely campy movies “Cliffhanger” and “Raising Cain,” but this is his best work yet, in a way carrying Season 4. And the ending of the season finale was one of the five biggest shockers of any TV show I’ve ever seen.

3. Mad Men – I have nothing more to say about this brilliant show at this point. Top-notch writing, acting, everything. There’s simply nothing like it on television, and while all the praise created some backlash, ultimately, it remained terrific.

2. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – I didn’t start watching this show until Season 4 last year, and while I liked it, I became hooked with the superior Season 5 this year. While I shy away from crazy action movies, I clearly have no problem with over-the-top comedies. And none are more so than this one. But make no mistake, it’s also smart and consistently produced laugh out loud moments. If you haven’t watched, I’d specifically recommend episodes “The Waitress is Getting Married” and “The Gang Reignites the Rivalry” from this past season. Plus, how cool is it that Fred Savage directs almost every episode? And Danny DeVito is clinically insane (both on and off the show).

1. Curb Your Enthusiasm – Was there ever any doubt? Season 7, which featured the Seinfeld cast reuniting, didn’t disappoint. Always on the brink of going too far over-the-top but never falling completely off the ledge, Larry David really outdid himself. My two favorite episodes of the season were “Denise Handicapped” and “The Black Swan.” You know the old question, if you had three people to go to dinner with, who would they be? Mine would be Larry David and no one else. The man is pure genius. While “The League” (which I did like) has a guy named Derrick Williams getting drafted in the fifth round (of an eight team league!) and Sinorice Moss in the sixth round, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” offered a discussion about how “statistically speaking, Derek Jeter has been the worst defensive shortstop in baseball.” I’ll now leave you with Marty Funkhouser telling a joke to Jerry Seinfeld right after meeting him.

MUSIC

5. Bat For Lashes: “Two Suns” – ‘Two Suns” was written and recorded around the world, from Big Sur and the Joshua Tree desert in California to the rolling Welsh countryside and the city sprawls of New York and London. It features one person (Natasha Khan), and while this isn’t the typical music I lean toward, there’s no doubting the quality (and for some reason, my music list this year is female heavy).

Listen to: Daniel, Glass, Peace Of Mind, Pearl’s Dream, Travelling Woman, Sleep Alone, Moon And Moon, Good Love, Siren Song

4. Fever Ray: “Fever Ray” – Like “Bat For Lashes,” “Fever Ray” is composed of a single female, and I’m not going to lie, this isn’t for everyone. That said, I think she’s pretty much brilliant. Others will know her from her past group, “The Knife.”

Listen to: Seven, If I Had A Heart, When I Grow Up, Triangle Walks, Concrete Walls

3. The xx: “The xx” – “The xx” consists of four 20-year-olds from South London whose songs are mostly about sex, and it’s a little off-putting when you find out she isn’t cute and he looks like one of the bigger douchebags ever. That said, the lyrics are beyond their years in age, and I can’t remember a debut album being so good. Literally, the sky’s the limit here. Really, really good stuff.

Listen to: Crystalised, Infinity, Heart Skipped A Beat, Islands, Intro, VCR, Basic Space

2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs: “It’s Blitz!” – Although I had obviously heard of them previously, I basically discovered their entire catalog this year, and while I was tempted to list them No. 1 on this list, that might have had a lot to do with going to one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. I love me some Karen O.

Listen to: Hysteric, Zero, Heads Will Roll, Runaway, Dull Life, Shame and Fortune, Skeletons, Dragon Queen

1. Broken Bells: “Broken Bells” – I’m cheating here since this album won’t officially be released until March 2010, but for me, it’s my favorite album of 2009, and I don’t want to wait another year to reveal it. It’s a two person group, featuring Danger Mouse and James Mercer from “The Shins.” Unfortunately, because it’s yet to be released, I can’t link to any of the songs, but I’ll still let you know my favorites nevertheless. Normally I don’t let lyrics influence me too much, but there’s some deep stuff here, and more importantly, it’s damn catchy. If you don’t like “Broken Bells,” you probably think Amanda Knox got a fair trial, like Jay Leno, believed Balloon Boy wasn’t an obvious hoax, think Greg Oden has a small one, think “Denise” from the Taco Bell commercials is ugly, was surprised by Tiger Woods’ infidelity, think John Travolta is straight and can relate to this guy.

Listen to: The Ghost Inside, The High Road, Trap Doors, The Mall and the Misery, Citizen, Float

That wasn’t the only music I liked this year, so here are some select tracks I also particularly enjoyed from 2009: “So Far From Your Weapon” by The Dead Weather, “Things Fall Apart” by Built to Spill, “Stillness Is The Move” by The Dirty Projectors, “Dirt Room” by Blue October, “Catch and Release” by Silversun Pickups, “Gold Guns Girls,” “Help I’m Alive,” “Satellite Mind,” and “Collect Call” by Metric, “Wait It Out” and “Bad Body Double” by Imogen Heap, “Psychic City” by Yacht, “Blood Bank” by Bon Iver, “Sunlight” by tUnE-yArDs, “Here to Fall” by Yo La Tengo, “Seasun” by Delorean, “What Would I Want? Sky” by Animal Collective, and “Quiet Little Voices” by We Were Promised Jetpacks.

WORST

As in years past, this section combines the bad with the overrated, as I tried to avoid movies that will obviously be awful. Here is a much shorter compilation of things I didn’t enjoy from 2009:

“Up in The Air” – Here’s the thing, this is NOT a bad movie. But it’s been winning a bunch of awards, which is a joke and a sign that humanity is headed in the wrong direction. I will admit one thing: the fact there was a girl in the theatre when I saw it who laughed outrageously during any and every even half-assed joke made it worse (which isn’t the movie’s fault), although to be honest, it made the whole experience more enjoyable (Clooney fell into the water! What a laugh riot!). My friend Robby and I commonly looked at each other during the film and rolled our eyes – to put it simply, I’m dumbfounded at people who LOVED this movie. The dialogue was clunky and some scenes were truly laughable (Clooney conveniently talking Kenny Powers back into getting married, Clooney giving a backpack speech when he was undergoing a life-affirming change himself that was so predictable I felt embarrassed for the movie), although I will say I liked the “twist.” And while I ranked “Juno” pretty high last year, I actually regretted that later on when I realized it wasn’t very rewatchable, and I didn’t like “Thank You For Smoking,” so it’s safe to say I’m not a huge Jason Reitman fan. But what do I know? I thought Will Leitch had the best review I read.

Joe Buck Live – Actually, this placement is unfair, as his episode with Artie Lange was one of my favorites from 2009. Watching one of the biggest sacks get eviscerated on live television was easily one of my favorite moments of 2009. In fact, if not for the subsequent episodes in which Buck made sure no controversy ensued, this new show would have made my top-10 list. As Michael Irvin states at the end, “It’s refreshing to see white-on-white crime.”

Paranormal Activity – Watch “Open Water” instead. I loved how the city’s demon exorcist was out of town during their whole ordeal. And the ending, ugh. Don’t get me wrong, this movie made me jump and had me on the edge of my seat at times, but it could have been so much better.

And now, instead of ending on a negative note, I wanted to leave you with a few of my favorite YouTube clips. Enjoy:

George Brett telling a story.

Great tackle by a high school football player.

Charles Manson may very well not be sane.

Someone arrest this man before it’s too late.

Joaquin Phoenix in the best late night interview of our generation.

By Dalton Del Don

A batch of links to get you through the weekend:

Stephen Strasburg is officially the best pitching prospect in the history of baseball. Through 27.1 innings this year, he has a decent 59:5 K:BB ratio. There’s now even talk he could be in the Nationals’ rotation later THIS year.

Speaking of “best pitching prospect ever,” here’s a terrific article by Jeff Passan regarding the fall of Mark Prior. My favorite excerpt: “In Prior’s last nine games, including three in the playoffs, he logged the following pitch counts: 131, 129, 109, 124, 131, 133, 132, 115, 119. House believes the overuse by Baker doomed Prior. Eight pitchers this decade have thrown 109 or more pitches in nine straight games, and half of them needed reconstructive arm surgery.”

Here’s a recent podcast I recorded.

Bill Belichick would probably rank in my top-10 of those I’d want to have a beer with.

To call Pablo Sandoval a “free swinger” would be an understatement. He makes Vladimir Guerrero’s plate coverage look modest.

Hire Joe Morgan?

It doesn’t sound like Pacman Jones or Plaxico Burress is changing anytime soon.

The Rick Porcello era looks ready to begin much sooner than anticipated.

I haven’t seen “Watchmen,” but if I did it would be for the criminally underrated Malin Akerman.

LeBron James’ recent three-game string of consecutive triple-doubles impress you? Please check out Michael Jordan’s box scores starting from March 25th on during the 1988-89 season.

Interesting look on how current MLB free agents would fare as a team. It remains unclear why Jim Edmonds hasn’t been signed yet.

The more I think about it, the more I say “Revolutionary Road” was the best movie of 2008. Especially if you like feel-good, uplifting flicks. I didn’t rank it in my year-end list, because I hadn’t watched it yet. But for everything Sam Mendes did wrong with the awful “American Beauty,” he gets right here.

The UConn/Syracuse six-overtime game was definitely entertaining and crazy (odds of it happening were 1 in 122,000), but it was also a little overrated. For one, nearly every shot that ended a quarter was a miss. Also, the final margin of victory was 10 points.

By Dalton Del Don

Who I think WILL win, not should win:

Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Director: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Actor: Sean Penn
Actress: Kate Winslet
Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger
Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz
Original Screenplay: Milk
Adapted Screenplay: Slumdog Millionaire
Animated Film: Wall-E
Foreign-Language Film: Waltz with Bashir
Documentary: Man on Wire
Editing: Slumdog Millionaire
Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire
Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Costume Design: The Duchess
Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Music Score: Slumdog Millionaire
Song: “Jai Ho,” Slumdog Millionaire
Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Sound Editing: The Dark Knight
Sound Mixing: The Dark Knight
Live Action Short: Spielzugland (Toyland)
Animated Short: Presto
Documentary Short: The Conscience of Nhem En

By Dalton Del Don

It’s that time of year again – RotoScoop’s year-end lists. I know you’ve all been impatiently awaiting 2008’s version after last year’s was such a hit. It’s a down time in sports now anyway, so I hope you all enjoy. Feel free to let me know what I got right, what I missed and what I got wrong in the comments.

MOVIES

Frustratingly, many movies I want to see have yet to come my way, so before reading the following list, realize I have not yet seen: “Revolutionary Road,” “Milk,” “Frost/Nixon,” “The Reader,” “Rachel Getting Married” or “Man on Wire.”

10. Iron Man/Dark Knight – Admittedly, I wasn’t nearly as big a fan of “Dark Knight” as most, but I do recognize it was a well made comic book movie. Heath Ledger is of course brilliant, but even as a Christian Bale fan, I couldn’t get over his Batman voice. “Iron Man” was shallower, but in a way, more fun as well.

9. Slumdog Millionaire  - Despite many flaws, I was emotionally invested in “Slumdog,” and it was certainly entertaining. But I can’t help but call it overrated – the silly three musketeers ending, the over the top bad guys (“get this sandwich out of my face!”), the dancing during the credits. I thought it would have been funny had Jamal rejected Latika in the end after seeing her scarred face.

8. The Orphanage - Normally I’m against puzzle piece type movies (the gotcha! “Matchstick Men” comes to mind), but this works here. Guillermo del Toro presents a different type of horror film, and one that lingers after viewing. I liked it much more than “Pan’s Labyrinth.”

7. Funny Games - Movies that receive both D- and A reviews are often the most entertaining, because at least they evoke strong emotions, one way or the other. Take “Funny Games,” which reviewers labeled “reprehensible and irredeemable” and also “forceful, unforgettable, and thought-provoking.” Michael Haneke is a talented filmmaker, but this is a movie I’d recommend to only a handful of my friends, as plenty will be turned off by its bluntness. I loved Paul and Peter’s deadpan delivery and back-and-forth – you won’t find killers like this often depicted on celluloid.

6. In Bruges – Nothing like I expected, this subtle and dark comedy is smarter than you think. Billed as a thriller, “In Bruges” is really a film about life and morality, with witty dialogue, strong performances and remarkable scenery. Not bad for Martin McDonagh’s debut feature film.

5. Forgetting Sarah Marshall – I was wrong when I first stated this movie was funnier than “Superbad,” which after repeated viewings on HBO has proven otherwise. Still, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” is definitely rewatchable as well and was easily one of my five favorite movies of 2008. It’s genuinely funny and sports a sympathetic protagonist you can’t help but root for. I loved the CSI mocking and Jonah Hill’s character, and there was just so much good dialogue: “What did you think of my demo? Did you GET it?” “I was gonna listen to that, but then, um, I just carried on living my life.”

4. Gran Torino – The former mayor of beautiful Carmel, CA, Clint Eastwood has had his hits and misses (“Mystic River”), but one thing can always be counted on, and that’s I’m going to be entertained. And make no mistake, “Gran Torino” does not disappoint. It might very well be the funniest movie of 2008 – I missed a bunch of lines as the theatre was constantly erupting in laughter. Now, Eastwood is likely after this kind of response with his clear racist overtones, but should we feel guilty indulging? Probably, but for some reason, Eastwood makes it all seem OK. While the two child actors are terrible and on the surface this seems like rehashed territory, honestly, there’s some subtle, perceptive questions being asked here. Of course, there’s also silliness – there’s a drumbeat of USA patriotism in the background of every scene Eastwood is about to kick some ass – but I liked the San Francisco Chronicle’s description of it: “awful but awfully likable.” I could probably watch two hours of Eastwood just growling, and I highly doubt you’ll be more entertained at any other movie this year.

3. Doubt – A movie where little to nothing happens, and in fact, what may or may not have happened isn’t even shown. “Doubt” is carried by strong acting performances from Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams. You’ll be instantly captivated by Father Flynn’s opening sermon, and although set in 1964, relevant in any era. Only one other movie will produce more conversation after viewing (more on that later), and the lack of conclusion is what makes it so good. Some will come away sure of the verdict, one way or the other. Others will have doubt.

2. Synecdoche, New York – Only Charlie Kaufman would use a play on words (and revealing plot points) in his title such as this. The city is spelled Schenectady; the title here means something entirely different. Also, the lead character’s surname is a syndrome. For me, this movie’s overall theme was to live in the moment. Forget the past and quit worrying about what might happen in the future. However, probably my favorite aspect of the film is that the general meaning will differ from viewer to viewer. The movie really makes you examine your own life and how you are living it, so inevitably, people will take away different aspects based on their individuality. There may never be a movie that will promote more discussion afterward. At times hard to follow and with no real resolution, I’ll let Roger Ebert take it from here: “The year’s most endlessly debated film. Screenwriter Charles Kaufman, in his directing debut, stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as a theater director mired in a long-running rehearsal that may be life itself. Much controversy about the identities and even genders of some of the characters, in a film that should never be seen unless you’ve already seen it at least once.” Well put. I can’t wait to see it again.

1. The Wrestler – For a movie with not a lot happening, the 1:45 sure flew by. Mickey Rourke is an absolute tour de force, and I’m not sure I’ve ever cared about a character as much as I did Randy “The Ram” Robinson. Rourke obviously tapped into his own personal demons when immersing himself into this character, and the results are mesmerizing. He even dabbled in some method acting, having all but admitted taking steroids to bulk up for the part. “Requiem For A Dream” is probably my favorite movie of all-time, so I’m a Darren Aronofsky fan, but this is unlike any of his other films. If you loved one thing and only one thing in your life, yet your health prevented you from continuing it, would you be able to stop? The wrestling is done right, and there’s a chilling scene in a strip club from the stripper’s point of view that will make you question ever being a patron again. The deli scenes absolutely killed me. And I loved the ending. But then again, there’s nothing not to love about “The Wrestler.”

TELEVISION

10. Californication – What “Entourage” strives to be: sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. Sure, it’s a bit over the top and at times cringe worthy, but there’s no denying Hank Moody is the man. So is Lew Ashby. Also, I loved Charlie Runkle’s season story line.

9. 30 Rock – This show is good, but it’s also become overrated – like it’s clearly the smartest and best thing on air. For one, Kenneth is absolutely, unequivocally the most annoying character on TV. The show also relies too heavily on its guest stars. Still, it is funny, and the Liz Lemon/Jack Donaghy relationship is gold.

8. Summer Heights High – Chris Lilley plays three different characters in this comedy shot in documentary style, and the results are dry and often hilarious. I can’t even begin to explain what transpires, but Ja’mie’s naivety, Mr. G’s self-centeredness and Jonah’s insubordination are all indelible qualities that lead to catchy tunes and memorable quotes. I said puck you, miss!

7. The Office – Although it’s regressed a bit, “The Office” is still the funniest show on television. The addition of Holly to the cast was a stroke of genius, and it’s too bad she didn’t last longer. It’s a joke the show isn’t watched by more people.

6. Dexter – Like most seasons of “Dexter,” No. 3 picked up as it went along. The writers have done an excellent job of preventing the concept from getting stale, highlighted by the addition of Jimmy Smits to this year’s cast. Smits was nothing short of amazing as Miguel Prado, and watching Dexter finally gain a friend was intriguing. There wasn’t a big twist at the end like in past seasons, but it still set up the future well. It’s a great show, and I’d fault no one for putting it at the top of their year end list.

5. True Blood – First off, I usually hate vampire movies/shows. Secondly, I’m not going to sit here and argue the artistic merits behind such mindless, popcorn entertainment as “True Blood,” but there might not have been a show I looked more forward to each week. From the ridiculously good opening credits, to the ridiculous accents, this show had me constantly wondering what’s going to happen next and wanting more – in a good way. I was a big fan of “Six Feet Under,” so it comes as no surprise I’m a fan of Alan Ball’s newest series (although “American Beauty” was terrible). Lafayette was definitely one of my favorite characters from 2008. You won’t find a bigger “True Blood” apologist than me, but even I can’t back Anna Paquin winning a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Sookie Stackhouse. Sookie!

4. The Shield – The most underrated series ever? “The Shield’s” seventh and final season stumbled out of the block, but once the writers realized they didn’t have much to lose with the end near, the show really hit its stride. The deterioration of The Strike Team may have been inevitable, but it was still hard to watch nevertheless. The Vic vs. Shane showdown was a highlight, and “The Shield” has always been at its best when Mackey was scrambling, something he had to do constantly this season. The scene where Mackey was listing off his past indiscretions was unforgettable and almost enough to make the viewer feel bad rooting for a murderer. Almost. The last scene of the series wasn’t quite on “The Sopranos” level. But it was close.

3. In Treatment – Simply brilliant. “In Treatment” required quite a commitment, as it aired five days a week, following a psychoanalyst and four of his patients (and also his own therapy). Like last year’s superb “Tell Me You Love Me,” this series wasn’t exactly action packed, but investing in these characters resulted in a highly rewarding pay off. An extremely real look at therapy – the process, the healing, the problems with it, the fact the one handing out the advice rarely has his or her own life figured out – “In Treatment” is unique and one of the most important shows on TV. If anyone had a better acting performance than Gabriel Byrne this year, I missed it.

2. The Wire – Make no mistake, “The Wire” is the best show ever, and it wasn’t easy not placing its final season No. 1 on this list. Season 5 may not have been its best, but it was fantastic nevertheless. David Simon’s strong, poignant look at the media was spot on – and ironically, many of the reviews by the very media he was criticizing missed his point, which in turn, proved it. It was impossible not to root for city editor Gus Haynes, and conversely, the antagonist Scott Templeton, played by Tom McCarthy, who incidentally wrote and directed the highly underrated “The Station Agent,” was as despicable as Stringer Bell or Clay Davis in his own right. The ultimate conclusion was satisfying, but “The Wire” will always be missed. The fact this show got continuously ignored come award season shows how much of a joke that system is.

1. Mad Men - Season 1 was very good. Season 2 was transcendent, as in, the best in the history of television. Subtle, rich and powerful, “Mad Men” is unflinching in its realism and attention to detail. Never before have I wanted to read episode reviews to unlock layers of analysis that might have gone over my head. The acting is unparalleled, and although it’s set in a 1960s man’s world, there are some of the hottest women on TV on the show. Don Draper, the protagonist, is pretty deplorable yet inherently likeable. “Mad Men” was better than any movie I saw or music I heard in 2008, making it the best entity of the year.

Honorable Mention: Real Time with Bill Maher, Lost, Ricky Gervais: Out of England – The Stand-Up Special, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Friday Night Lights, Little Britain USA, Boston Legal, How I Met Your Mother, The Sarah Silverman Program, Weeds, Entourage

MUSIC

5. Coldplay: “Viva La Vida” – Listen, I feel embarrassed and ashamed including Coldplay here, but I swear, these guys get a bad rap. I don’t even like most of their singles, but the stigma here is undeniable – I blame the “40-Year-Old Virgin.” But enough from me, I’ll let my friend Chason sum it up best: “As long as I can forget that I am listening to Coldplay, that he is not Chris Martin who wears dumb sashes wrapped around his leg and goes home to perfect Gwyneth Paltrow and a baby named Apple for God’s sake, then i can get into the music…I should like the music more for all those reasons. I hate the rock-n-roll myth of having to be a fucked up tortured soul to make anything good. I should like that his wife bitches him around and makes him eat macrobiotic and he goes to sleep at 10 to care for his fruit baby in the morning…It’s just that outfit on stage and direction of some of the songs fears me of U2 type levels of absurdness.”

Listen to: “Yes,” “42,” “Cemeteries Of London,” “Life In Technicolor,” “Violet Hill”

4. Kings Of Leon: “Only By The Night” – Pitchfork gave this album a terrible review, but from what I gather, that’s mainly because they think the lead singer is a douchebag. And to be frank, I don’t even like the single “Sex on Fire.” However, there’s some pretty catchy stuff here. “Closer” is definitely one of my favorite songs of 2008.

Listen to: “Closer,” “I Want You,” “Notion,” “Revelry,” “Use Somebody,” “Crawl”

3. The Black Keys: “Attack & Release” – I’ve been a fan of The Black Keys for a while now, enjoying their old school version of rock ‘n’ roll. Teaming up with Danger Mouse resulted in a surprisingly effective album. One of the best of the year, hands down. I get so fired up listening to these guys, look at what the cameras caught me doing after one of their concerts.

Listen to: “Psychotic Girl,” “Same Old Thing,” “All You Ever Wanted,” “Strange Times,” “I Got Mine,” “So He Won’t Break”

2. Frightened Rabbit: “Midnight Organ Fight” – I just recently discovered this Scottish trio and my life has been appreciably better ever since. Singer Scott Hutchison’s voice is freakin awesome, and his brother is such a badass on the drums, he recently splintered three drumsticks with his powerful pounding just two songs into a recent New York show. The lyrics are good, although bordering on depressing. And yes, “Midnight Organ Fight” is a euphemism for sex. If “The Twist” doesn’t get your heart racing, it’s because you don’t have one. If these guys were born 65 years earlier, chances are you would have never heard of The Beatles. As sure as Tim Lincecum is the filthiest pitcher in baseball, Frightened Rabbit is my favorite new band. They are like Dane Cook at comedy, Brad Childress at coaching, George W. Bush at President, Drew Peterson at innocence, this guy at sanity, and this newscaster at ugly. Only the opposite.

But I’ll let Pitchfork (who is much smarter than Einstein and Stephen Hawking put together) take it from here: “The key here is Scott’s urgent-yet-emotive songwriting. Midnight Organ Fight is full of rousing barnburners that flicker with soul and ballads that ache with masculine vulnerability. He’s wallowing, but Scott’s cracked voice sells every word, and his band’s rousing rhythms and rough-hewn guitar interplay keep the mood from ever getting lugubrious or maudlin. Sure, Frightened Rabbit aren’t the first band to explore loneliness, horniness, or emptiness in song, just like they aren’t the first set of siblings to decide to jam together, but their jangly melodies claw their way inside your brain just the same, making them latest in a long line of Glasgow bands to effortlessly combine celebratory sonics and miserablist lyrics into something singular.” Ya, that.

Listen to: “The Twist,” “The Modern Leper,” “Floating In The Forth,” “Good Arms VS Bad Arms,” “I Feel Better,” “Fast Blood,” “My Backwards Walk,” “Keep Yourself Warm”

1. TV On The Radio: “Dear Science” - For once I was blind, now I can see. Forget Proposition 8, can you marry an album? Leprechauns are full of shit, the pot at the end of a rainbow isn’t gold, it’s this album. Like insulin to a diabetic or crack to an addict, Dear Science and self-actualization go hand-in-hand. Guys, if you’re falling a little short in the bedroom, forget Cialis, just pop in this record instead. If you don’t like this album, there’s a good chance you think Zach Galifianakis isn’t funny, Matt Millen was a good hire by NBC, PCs are better than Macs and Florida would beat USC. And if you haven’t yet been captivated by this brilliant LP, as TVOTR states: “I’m living a life not worth dying for.”

Listen to: “DLZ,” “Family Tree,” “Halfway Home,” “Dancing Choose,” “Shout Me Out,” “Love Dog,” “Crying”

That wasn’t the only music I liked this year, so here are some select tracks I also particularly enjoyed from 2008: “Evil Urges” by My Morning Jacket, “L.E.S. Artistes” by Santogold, “Kim & Jessie” by M83, “The Snow Leopard” by Shearwater, “Poison Dart” by The Bug [ft. Warrior Queen], “Time to Pretend” by MGMT, “I Will Possess Your Heart” by Death Cab For Cutie, “The Shock Of The Lightning” by Oasis

WORST

As in years past, this section combines the bad with the overrated, as I tried to avoid movies that will obviously be awful. Here is a much shorter compilation of things I didn’t enjoy from 2008:

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button – This pains me since I love David Fincher so much, but I’ve got to keep it real – this movie pretty much sucked. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not terrible, and I was emotionally invested while watching, but it looks like the favorite to take home Best Picture, which is laughable. Watching it, I couldn’t help but compare it to “Forrest Gump” (shrimp boat = tug boat, Vietnam = Japanese sub, feather = hummingbird), so it came as no surprise to later find out the screenplay was written by the same writer. Even Button seemed a little slow if you ask me, although I did find the character affable. And even Cate Blanchett’s “Daisy” was like “Jenny” – an unworthy bitch, really. Were we supposed to root for these two? I mean, they spent like five days together when they were six years old, and she treated him poorly during the two visits in the next 20 years. The makeup/CGI was terrific, no doubt, but I still can’t wrap my head around why Button had to leave her and their daughter because he didn’t want Daisy having to raise him as well when he had a good 20-25 years left before then. Plenty of kids should be so lucky to have a loving father that long. And what did Katrina have to do with anything? And apparently Button’s master plan didn’t work out so well, since Daisy and their daughter apparently had a horribly distant relationship as adults. Who would ever want to see this film twice? I can’t stop complaining about this movie. If you want to see good work done by Fincher in 2008, watch this amazing commercial.

Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull – Anyone who has caught any of the old Indiana Jones trilogy on TNT over the past few years realizes just how cheesy the classics really were, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t memorable. I certainly have fond memories of them as a kid. So even though I knew this new version was going to be bad, I just couldn’t stop myself from renting it. Don’t get me wrong, it had its moments (in the tombs), and I watched it all the way through, but it also featured Shia LeBeouf beating cars in a chase by flying through vines in trees with monkeys and some of the worst CGI you’ll ever see. Ugh.

88 Minutes – I didn’t exactly break my rule of avoiding obvious bad movies here, as the family put it on after Christmas dinner, so I had no choice. Actually, this was in the “so bad, it’s good” variety, so I didn’t mind one bit. If there’s one thing I’m going to take away from 2008, it very well might be Al Pacino’s hair in “88 Minutes.” I’m pretty sure it received its own recognition during the end credits. Did this guy squander his career big time, or is it one that has been overrated to begin with? Either way, I strongly recommend “88 Minutes.”

Monday Night Football – For the second year in a row, MNF makes the wrong list, as Tony Kornheiser was as insufferable as ever. At least they cut down on the guests in the booth. Still, this telecast accomplished the impossible in 2008. It actually got worse.

And now, I’ll leave you with my favorite viral video of the year. Hope all of you have a happy and healthy 2009.

Jessica Alba or Jessica Biel?

Here’s a scouting report on future Cy Young winner Michel Inoa.

The folks over at Fantasy Phenoms had me on as a guest on blog talk radio, and here’s a link to the podcast.

This guy is the man.

I’m confused. Where do I apply this product?

If anything, this high school football coach is innovative.

This story about Ichiro Suzuki getting teammates fired up for the All-Star game killed me.

At least his parents didn’t name him “short.”

This week’s hotness: Jessica Biel.

I love the fact Paul DePodesta has a blog and is surprisingly candid about the inner-workings of management in baseball.

This is old, but new to me. I’m guessing this Will Ferrell clip is funnier than “Step Brothers.”

Crack down on crack.

Again, let me shamelessly plug the RotoWire Fantasy Football mag. If you haven’t already purchased yours, what are you waiting for?

Let’s send you off to an eventful Fourth of July weekend with a batch of links – some abut sports, some not:

Great article on “The Freak,” AKA Tim Lincecum. I especially liked the part where Lincecum’s dad throws Mark Prior under the bus. And apparently Dice-K and Jake Peavy are next. And how is Rick Peterson unemployed right now? But someone needs to tell Tom Verducci (and the general media) win/loss records mean nothing in regards to pitching performance. My favorite part was Lincecum’s reasoning for not icing his arm after games: “Never. Like my dad says, ‘Ice is made for two things: injuries and my drinks.’ ”

Help a bald brother out. And stop cancer.

Nice read about Joe Morgan – player versus broadcaster.

Here’s this week’s RotoWire podcast, featuring yours truly.

Bill Simmons gets plenty of backlash and criticism, including from myself once. But after this brilliant Deadspin piece, it’s become more obvious than ever that ESPN’s editors hold him back quite a bit.

Optical illusion helps create fake speed bumps.

Felix Jones No. 17? Thomas Jones ahead of Michael Turner? Calvin Johnson the 35th WR? It’s safe to say Roger Rotter and I differ in opinion when it comes to fantasy football rankings.

That is one ugly dog.

Kristen Bell, on the other hand, is. not. ugly. Neither. is. Bilson.

When I was seven years old, I too only wanted to do some hood rat stuff with my friends.

This movie trailer has left me speechless.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Natalie Portman or Rachel Bilson?

Tiger Woods or Roger Federer?

Satellite dish or Digital cable?

At least one of you enter a work Oscar pool, right? Either way, here are my predictions for Sunday night:

Best Picture – NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Actor in a Leading Role – Daniel Day-Lewis

Actor in a Supporting Role – Javier Bardem

Actress in a Leading Role – Julie Christie

Actress in a Supporting Role- Cate Blanchett

Animated Feature Film – RATATOUILLE

Art Direction – THERE WILL BE BLOOD

Cinematography – NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Costume Design – ATONEMENT

Directing – NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Documentary Feature – NO END IN SIGHT

Documentary Short Subject – FREEHELD

Film Editing – NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Foreign Language Film – THE COUNTERFEITERS

Makeup – LA VIE EN ROSE

Music (Original Score) – ATONEMENT

Music (Original Song) – FALLING SLOWLY

Short Film (Animated) – I MET THE WALRUS

Short Film (Live Action) – TANGHI ARGENTINI

Sound Editing – TRANSFORMERS

Sound Mixing – TRANSFORMERS

Visual Effects – TRANSFORMERS

Writing (Adapted Screenplay) – NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Writing (Original Screenplay) – JUNO

By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer

With fantasy football season finished and baseball still a couple of months away, it’s as good a time as any to put sports on the backburner for a day or two. After last year’s debut of RotoScoop’s best and worst column ended up being a smashing success, it’s time for the 2007 version.

One caveat before we get started. While it’s an objective fact I’m better than you at fantasy sports, I understand the following “art” is more subjective, and the hierarchy of it all is less important than it’s inclusion in the first place. There’s something ridiculous about comparing a comedy with a drama. And now, without further ado, my 2007 Year-End Lists:

MOVIES

Weird how almost all of the year’s good movies typically come out during December/January. It’s almost as if the picture doesn’t want to end up a RotoScoop favorite. I digress. Anyway, I haven’t seen “There Will Be Blood,” and since I’m a huge Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis fan, I’d be surprised if it’s not worthy of inclusion at a later date.

10. Death Proof – More than anything, “Grindhouse” can best be described as a truly unique movie going experience. If you didn’t see this in the theatre, then forget about it; it’s simply not the same. “Death Proof” was the superior, second half to the double feature, and admittedly, I always have a soft spot for Quentin Tarantino. It’s a film that consists of mostly dialogue and good old-fashioned stunts as opposed to CGI. And last but not least, the fake trailers, which appeared before and in between the movies in the theatre, are pretty ridiculous.

9. Eastern Promises – Far from great, “Eastern Promises” doesn’t even come close to matching David Cronenberg’s last film, the amazing “A History of Violence.” Still, it keeps your interest, with a paradox at its core. I liked its lack of resolution.

8. 3:10 To Yuma – First, a confession: I’ll watch anything with Christian Bale in it. “American Psycho” is definitely one of my five favorite movies of all-time. I’m no fan of westerns, but they simply don’t make movies like this anymore, and I was thoroughly entertained. Ben Foster might be one of the most underrated actors out there right now.

7. Once – This script pretty much reads, “boy meets girl. They sing. The end.” Still, it’s shot very well, is unique and the songs will stay with you for days. For what it’s worth, this is my fiancée’s favorite movie of the year.

6. American Gangster – While there may not be anything special about this movie, it’s acted and executed quite well. Pretty crazy for a true story.

5. Superbad – It’s very funny, if not also blatantly immature. The first half of the movie rates right up there with just about any other on the laugh scale, but it drops off significantly from there on. Still, there’s some terrific dialogue here. “The funny thing about my back is…”

4. Knocked Up – The year’s biggest debate has to be “Superbad or Knocked Up?” While I acknowledge it’s somewhat close, I side pretty heavily toward the more adult “Knocked Up,” which certainly possesses more substance.

3. Zodiac – I did say I reserved the right to change my mind when I previously ranked Zodiac as my favorite David Fincher film, and after a repeat viewing, I’m flip-flopping. It’s still a great film – and certainly the most realistic Fincher flick – but after further review, it’s not as MEMORABLE as the others. My new rank: 1. Se7en 2. Fight Club 3. Zodiac

2. Juno – Written by an ex-stripper and phone sex operator, “Juno” tries to be a little too hip for its own good at times (Dwight from “The Office” saying “home skillet” comes to mind), but this movie is much more rewarding than the vastly inferior “Little Miss Sunshine.” It’s the rare movie that makes you both laugh and cry. I wasn’t a fan of director Jason Reitman’s first film (“Thank You For Smoking”), but here he gets it right. I liked Ellen Page in “Hard Candy.” I loved her in “Juno.” Her dynamic with the adoptive parents is something special, as is this movie.

1. No Country For Old Men – Odd movie. Little character development yet Chigurh haunted me for weeks. And how would you describe its genre? An action/comedy? The Coen brothers finally decided to start respecting their characters, without a snarky wink, and the results are fantastic. I refuse to accept the notion there was a movie released this year that kept you more on the edge of your seat for 2 hours. We all have choices to make in our lives, and never has silence been so loud.

TELEVISION

10. The Shield – Season 6 wasn’t as good as the amazing Seasons 4 and 5, but that’s hardly an indictment. Far from your average procedural cop drama, “The Shield” is griping and unapologetic. Walton Goggins is the best actor no one knows about.

9. 30 Rock – “30 Rock” has become so underrated, it’s now overrated. While most would point to Tracy Jordan or (sigh) Kenneth as the show’s funniest characters, I say it’s Jenna. It’s good, don’t get me wrong, but it’s almost universal proclamation as TV’s best show in 2007 is as misguided as Malibu.

8. Flight Of The Conchords – FOTC is subtle, clever and even better after repeat viewings. While I’m normally against musical interludes, these are too good not to like (especially the brilliant “It’s Business Time”). Maybe Bret and Jemaine are a little too dense sometimes, but role players Murray, Mel and Dave are flat-out hilarious. Watching FOTC doesn’t make me quite as happy as this guy, but it’s close.

7. Dexter – More of a guilty pleasure than anything else, but I somehow found myself looking forward to this show every week almost more than any other. The narration is god-awful, but the show as a whole really improved during season 2. If loving Dexter is wrong, then I don’t want to be right.

6. The Sopranos – A terrific show that came to a fitting end. But after writing about the finale here in which I believed Tony didn’t die, I’ve completely changed my tune. I was wrong. In fact, I’m 100 percent convinced that was David Chase’s intention. If you don’t believe me, maybe this guy will convince you. Or Chase himself.

5. The Sarah Silverman Program – This show is not for anyone with taste, morals or is faint of heart. The protagonist isn’t a hero but rather a spoiled, childish, bigoted pervert. She’s also hilarious. The funniest comedian alive today, Sarah Silverman is simply brilliant.

4. Tell Me You Love Me – I gave up on this show midway through the second episode. After being apprised of my mistake, I luckily gave it another shot. Yes, it’s slow, but it’s also realistic to a fault, to the point of being gut-wrenching. If you can’t take the intimacy, I can understand, but to call this show the best drama about couples would be the understatement of the century.

3. Lost – “Lost” can sometimes be gimmicky, but it works. I’m normally not into science fiction, but the existential aspect of this show is beyond intriguing. What’s going to happen next? I refuse to believe there’s ever been a show that leaves viewers wanting more than “Lost” does – and I mean that in a good way. “The Sopranos” last episode was brilliant, but I’d argue “Lost’s” season finale was even better.

2. The Office – Just because the British version is better doesn’t make the American one any less brilliant. With so many likable characters, “The Office” is set for a long run, and it’s the best comedy not on cable since “Seinfeld.” Creed is my favorite character, by the way.

1. Curb Your Enthusiasm – Without a doubt, there’s no one I’d rather meet in person than Larry David. Watching art imitate life (his wife left him both on the show and in reality this year) was fascinating, and Season 6 was easily one of the best the remarkable series has yet to offer. The co-creator of “Seinfeld,” it’s pretty crazy that David has become one of the finest actors on television. The last five minutes of Season 6 was the funniest span of TV in recent memory, if not ever.

Honorable Mention (just missed the list): Mad Men, Extras, John From Cincinnati, Friday Night Lights, Weeds, Californication, Damages

MUSIC

5. The Good, The Bad & The Queen – My friend Sean turned me on to The Good, The Bad & The Queen, (incidentally, you should all check out his new movie), one of the more under the radar groups from 2007. Lead singer Damon Albarn came from Blur and The Gorillaz, but this is his best effort yet. The group is an odd mix – Clash bassist Paul Simonon, Verve guitarist Simon Tong and Africa 70 drummer Tony Allen, plus the production of Danger Mouse. In the end, the eclectic mix works magnificently. And yes, war is bad.

Highlights: “Herculean,” “History Song”

4. The Shins: “Wincing The Night Away” – Admittedly, they sometimes do sound a little too “The O.C.” And the lyrics are incomprehensible for the most part. Still, it’s hard to deny that The Shins are catchy. I don’t think they get enough credit among the snobby music community, and I blame Zach Braff for it.

Highlights: “Split Needles,” “Sea Legs,” “Sleeping Lessons,” “Phantom Limb,” “Turn On Me”

3. Arcade Fire: “Neon Bible” – Listening to “Neon Bible,” which was aptly recorded inside a church, is a divine experience indeed. Frontman Win Butler unapologetically spews righteous accusations on the group’s smart and subtle second album. And it just sounds so damn good. Plus, there’s a song about Jessica and Ashley Simpson’s dad.

Highlights: “Keep The Car Running,” “Intervention,” “Windowsill,” “Neon Bible”

2. Band Of Horses: “Cease To Begin” – If you don’t like the song “Detlef Schrempf,” then you almost certainly are also opposed to puppies, mothers and sunsets. I was late to the party with this group, but my life has become decidedly better after discovering them. BoH are seemingly incapable of making a bad song. Sure, the lyrics are straightforward and sometimes optimistic to the point of cheesy, but I say the world needs more positive messages like this. If you don’t like Band Of Horses, then you probably think up is down, left is right, short is tall, right is wrong and Sophia Bush is ugly.

Highlights: “Detlef Schrempf,” “Marry Song,” “Is There a Ghost,” “No One’s Gonna Love You”

1. Radiohead: “In Rainbows” – Here are my top-five albums of all-time: 1. OK Computer (Radiohead) 2. The Bends (Radiohead) 3. Sea Change (Beck) 4. Nirvana Unplugged in New York (Nirvana) 5. Not exactly sure which one, but it would be Radiohead. It’s safe to say I’m a pretty big fan of the group, so its inclusion at No. 1 comes as no surprise. For what it’s worth, the first three songs listed below would all fall in my top-10 favorite songs from the group from any of their records. Oh, and they changed the modern day market place as well.

Highlights: “Jigsaw Falling Into Place,” “All I Need,” “15 Step,” “Bodysnatchers”

That wasn’t the only music I liked this year, so here are some select tracks that I also particularly enjoyed from 2007: “Boy With A Coin” by Iron and Wine, “Dvno” and “D.A.N.C.E” by Justice, “Paper Planes” by M.I.A., “Great Destroyer Modwheelmood” by Nine Inch Nails, “Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe” by Okkervil River, “Peacebone” by Animal Collective, “Mistaken For Strangers” by The National, “Wake Up Call” by Maroon 5, “Bleed It Out” by Linkin Park, “Dig” by Incubus, “Lazy Eye” by Silversun Pickups and “Unite” by Burial.

WORST

I’m not going to make an exhaustive “worst of” list, as this post is already getting (more than) a little on the long side. Additionally, I made a point of avoiding bad movies this year. I don’t need to waste two hours of my life so I can tell you “Good Luck Chuck” was awful. So I’m making the following more of an overrated/bad combination:

Monday Night Football – If you watched ESPN’s second year of running MNF, you know where I’m going with this. If you didn’t catch a telecast, I’m jealous. Here’s what you missed: Tony Kornheiser found that week’s theme and beat it to death. There’s got to be a larger picture here! We can’t just watch a football game, folks. Oh, and they featured excellent guests in the booth this season – Drew Carrey, Vince Vaughn, John C. Reilly to name a few – all of whom offered extremely informative commentary. And by that I mean the opposite.

Heroes and 24 – It’s not that either of these are particularly bad shows (that’s designated for the words-can’t-describe-how-bad-it-is “Dirt”), but they got to be so boring, I’ve given up. I’d rather watch 2 Girls 1 Cup.

Plain White T’s and Soulja Boy – Both get played on the radio about as often as any group. Both are whack. Here are some choice lyrics from “Crank That:”
“I’m 2 clean off in this hoe
Watch me crank it
Watch me roll
Watch me crank that roosavelt
And super soak that Hoe”

Even this guy finds that unintelligent. Hope all of you have a happy 2008.

By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer

Tonight, I have Mayweather over Hatton in a unanimous decision. Something like 116-112. I’d like to see Hatton win, and his style (body puncher) is actually a perfect fit against Pretty Boy. However, Mayweather is just so much faster and possibly the best defensive boxer ever. Hatton is going to have to knock him out – he doesn’t stand a chance if it gets to the cards, which it almost certainly will. Mayweather in yet another, mostly boring, decision. Thoughts?

Dave Duncan has done this before: Kip Wells deserves consideration in deep leagues after surrendering just one hit over seven innings Sunday. Healthy after two lost seasons to injuries and playing behind the NL’s best infield defense, Wells could post an ERA under 4.0 and approach 15 wins.

The Indians find themselves in quite a unique situation, as weather will require them to make up four games later in the year during scheduled off days. That can’t be good. To make matters worse, they won’t even get to play at home during the upcoming Angels’ series; instead, Miller Park in Milwaukee will be their homefield.

Mark Prior STILL hasn’t made a start at extended spring training. How much time does it take for this guy to build up arm strength? By this rate, maybe he can get a call up sometime in August. Of course, he’ll probably only be able to work five innings.

Daniel Cabrera is officially the easiest pitcher to steal a base on. There isn’t a slower delivery in baseball.

Is it just me, or does A-Rod appear to be a little motivated this season? You hate to get too excited so early on, but fantasy owners should probably not be looking to sell-high.

Brian McCann is my long-shot, sleeper MVP candidate for the NL this year. I picked the Braves to win the wild card, and the Mets’ three candidates could cancel each other out. McCann, meanwhile, is quickly turning into one of the game’s most underrated players. He has more power than Joe Mauer, shows good plate discipline and could easily drive in 100 runs. While having to sit every fifth day hurts his counting stats, he also produces those numbers from the thinnest position on the diamond. Position scarcity doesn’t just exist in fantasy baseball.

For those of you playing with an innings cap, it doesn’t get much more efficient than Scott Olsen’s 2-0 start, as he’s thrown 10 1/3 innings.

The Nationals aren’t very good, so start any and all hurlers facing them. Unfortunately the same could also be said for my beloved Giants. Speaking of which, don’t get too worked up over Barry Zito’s poor start; his Aprils are notoriously bad. During his career, he has a 5.20 ERA during the first month of the season, and in no other month is it more than 3.80.

With the Braves victory Sunday, the Mets fell out of first place in the NL East for the first time in more than a calendar year.

Elijah Dukes became the 99th player to homer in his first official MLB at-bat.

Ervin Santana is 20-5 with a 3.07 ERA in his career at Angel Stadium and 9-11 with a 6.46 ERA on the road. He starts at Cleveland and Boston this week.

Mike Lowell committed three errors Wednesday in Kansas City. His career fielding percentage ranks first all-time at his position.

643 — Days of rest between big-league starts for Carl Pavano, who started on Opening Day for the Yankees.

Saw “Grindhouse” over the weekend, and I must say, that’s some good, clean family fun. Rarely does a movie peak before it even starts, but “Machete” made this the case in this instance. Although the fact 25-30 people left the theatre during the second act might suggest I’m in the minority, but I liked “Death Proof” much more than “Planet Terror.”

“World cruiserweight champion O’Neil Bell was arrested over the weekend after a sparring partner claimed he heaved a hatchet at him during a training run through the woods.”

LEEDS, Maine – A high school coach who told his players at halftime to reach into their pants to “check their manhood” before returning to the basketball court was fired.

R.I.P. Barbaro

Juan (not) Gone!

A Dutch gym plans to introduce “Naked Sunday” for people who want to work out nude.

R.I.P. Iron Mike

Andy Reid had a bad week.

Charles Barkley vs Dick Bavetta!

Peyton Manning loses a bet.

Agent Zero is still the man.

I’m there opening night.

By Robby Wellington – Staff Writer

More or less eliminated from the Fantasy Football Playoffs and not participating in basketball this season, I really have nothing to offer the fantasy world for a couple of months until baseball season arrives, and that’s only assuming that I overcome my battle with what has been an acute case of Seasonal Affective Disorder these past couple of weeks. Not surprisingly, along with my SAD (a cute acronym, I know) comes an inordinate amount of couchtime, watching college hoops and tons of other crap on television. Now I’m going to type about it (while contemporaneously watching crap on TV, of course).

College Basketball

This is the best season college hoops has had in a long time, certainly in the last seven or eight years. While the NBA age restriction policy seems preposterous, unfair and almost unconstitutional, I love what it’s done to the college game. After watching Oklahoma State’s amazing triple overtime win over Texas, Kevin Durant may go down as one of the most dominant freshmen in the history of college basketball. Look for him to average in the high 20s for the remainder of the season as Texas lands a four or five seed. While Greg Oden hasn’t lived up to expectations thus far, I look for Ohio St. to be the most dangerous team outside of Gainesville come March and the de facto one seed in their bracket. Focusing on freshmen, the Pac-10 may have the nation’s best freshman class, and is, as far as my west-coast-biased self can tell, the best conference in the country. UCLA and Arizona are Final Four threats and six other teams (all but Oregon St. and Arizona St.) are legit tournament teams. Even my beloved Stanford Cardinal has impressed so far, although they still have their toughest conference tests, and a date with Gonzaga.

Speaking of the Zags, these guys went from being the perennially underrated mid-major Cinderella story to having the sweetest deal in college basketball and underperforming in the postseason (although they actually managed a Sweet 16 appearance last year before a historic meltdown to UCLA). How did this happen, you ask? Well, after making a name for themselves in those early years, the Zags usually start the season with a lofty ranking in the top 25. Name recognition allows them to secure a tough non-conference schedule, even with some big games at home, a near impossibility for most mid-majors, and Gonzaga wins and loses against some quality opponents, their ranking sometimes taking a bit of a hit. Then it’s on to conference play, where, faced with weaker competition, the wins keep rolling in and, slowly but surely, Gonzaga continues to climb the rankings, ending the season looking better than they really are. Now I’ll eat my words when they crush Stanford by 20…

Crappy Reality Television

The Real World – After some painfully boring Outward Bound episodes (Look! they’re on a ropes course! Oh yay, another hike!), we’re back to what the Real World is all about: getting wasted, hooking up and verbal altercations. Good stuff.

The Hills – I’ve always had a thing for Heidi but was still pretty stoked to see this new guy Spencer treat her like trash as it should make for some good TV. We’ll see if he can live up to the lofty standards set by LC’s ex Jason, who had a delightful cameo to start off the season.

Beauty and the Geek – I never really dug the first two seasons, but this year is pretty good, primarily because the Beauties are actually beautiful (not to mention complete morons), and the Geeks are all likable guys. While the three biggest geeks have sadly been jettisoned, some serious talent remains on the beauty side (with the notable exception of that dog Cici, yuck!) Given the elimination format, the lack of alliances, politicking and backstabbing that goes on, especially among the geeks, is surprising and a bit annoying.

I Love New York – Like eating a whole tub of popcorn at the movies or throwing a beat, I feel a strange mix of pleasure and guilt watching this show, and absolutely hate myself when its all done. Lacking Flavor Flav’s comedic genius, this show impossibly comes across as more staged than Flavor of Love; at least half of the suitors are gay.

The White Rapper Show – As a former critically-acclaimed white rapper myself, I feel obligated to watch this show. The rest of you should feel no such urge, especially since the hot rapper chick just got the boot.

The Apprentice – My first year watching it, because it’s in LA and the friend of a friend of a friend is on it. Exciting, I know. Well, not so much, although I do admit, when Donald Trump proudly informed the winning team (comprised of all women, one gay guy and a straight guy) that they would get the pleasure of meeting Hugh Hefner and partying at the Playboy Mansion where they would be surrounded by tons of beautiful women, I lost it. Ogling silicone breasts must be very self-empowering and the perfect treat for an aspiring businesswoman.

HBO Stuff

Rome – I spent a day last week sick on the couch (as opposed to all the days I’ve spent healthy on the couch) and managed to watch the first season of Rome in its entirety (twelve hours, a prodigious feat if I do say so myself). While not quite Wire/Deadwood/Sopranos level, I found Rome to be very good and was fired up for an action-packed premiere to the second season that did not disappoint.

Extras – Speaking of disappointing, the first episode of Extras was catastrophically bad. Orlando Bloom and Ricky Gervais’ acting on the sitcom aside, I don’t think I laughed once. Depressing.

By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer

Yes, this is primarily a sports site, but everyone else is doing a best/worst list, and I’m starting to feel left out.

MOVIES – Overall, I think this was a pretty weak year in film. That said, let it be noted that I have been pretty slow and have yet to see Pan’s Labyrinth, Babel, Volver, Half Nelson, The Science of Sleep, An Inconvenient Truth and Letters From Iwo Jima. My list may very well look completely different a month from now.

The Best

1. Borat – Yes, there’s some decent social commentary here, but bottom line, I’ve probably never laughed harder during a movie in my life.

2. Casino Royale – I am not a Bond fan and generally not big on this genre. Still, it was the most fun I’ve had watching a movie in a while. Daniel Craig is the man.

3. The Departed – I admit, this movie is definitely over-the-top but in a good way. Martin Scorsese makes the in your face, bigger than life characters work. Again, good old fashioned, popcorn fun here.

4. Little Miss Sunshine – A little more emotional than your average comedy, making it one to remember.

5. The Devil and Daniel Johnston – OK, so I’m cheating here (2005), but it was new for me this year. Johnston is a truly intriguing character study.

6. United 93 – Do not rent “World Trade Center,” starring Nic Cage’s terrible mustache. United 93 pulls no punches and is a poignant look at what many of us don’t want to examine.

7. Superman Returns – I hate comic book movies, but this is easily the best one ever.

8. Hard Candy – This one works better for those entering with no idea of where the film is going. It’s good but not great.

9. Inside Man – After years of never liking a Spike Lee joint, he’s now put out two that I’ve enjoyed. Inside Man was decent enough, and I contend that “25th Hour” is one of the best and most underrated of the decade.

10. TBA – At least one of the above mentioned movies I’ve yet to see has to make the cut, as I refuse to name “The Last Kiss” here.

The Worst

1. Rocky Balboa – An unmitigated disaster. While I admit the end fight sequence was good, the dialogue was so bad I was laughing out loud constantly. Treating biracialism as a complex issue, Sly inquires: “Yo, you go on a Jamaican Cruise or something?” Unbelievable.

2. Apocalypto – Um, to call this over-the-top would be an understatement. Was I supposed to be laughing? Jaguar Paw is the man, don’t get me wrong, but Mel Gibson lost me with all of those animal sequences.

3. Little Man – This coming from a guy who actually liked “White Chicks.”

4. Thank You For Smoking – This is more for being disappointing than it is for being truly awful. Still, it certainly wasn’t any good.

5. Lady in the Water – As an M. Night Shyamalan apologist, I’ll only go so far. I like how he cast himself as the soulful writer and then later has a know-it-all critic get eaten by a monster. Subtle, he is not.

6. Firewall – I swear, all Harrison Ford movies have molded into one.

7. Poseidon – Blah.

8. Date Movie – Blah.

9. Scary Movie 4 – Please stop.

10. Night at the Museum – I didn’t see this movie, but the commercial looks pretty awesome.

TELEVISION

The Best

1. The Wire – The best and most important show ever made. Period.

2. Curb Your Enthusiasm – This might have technically been last year, but its reruns still qualify it in my book. My favorite comedy of all-time, and it’s not even close.

3. Deadwood – I don’t even like Westerns, but HBO gets it right yet again. Ian McShane is brilliant.

4. The Office – Not as good as the British version but definitely the best sitcom on network television these days.

5. The Sopranos – While some grumblings have started regarding long dream sequences, Johnny Cakes and overstaying its welcome in general, there are still few shows I look forward to more than The Sopranos.

6. Lost – Although currently in the midst of its worst season, still intriguing enough.

7. Friday Night Lights – I was skeptical, but this show is pretty solid.

8. To Catch a Predator – Is there anyone more condescending than Chris Hansen? I could watch this show all day long.

9. Boston Legal – Underrated. — I would put “The Shield” on here, but I’m still waiting to watch season 5 on DVD. The Strike Team!

10. Prison Break – This show is awful, and I can’t get enough of it.

The Worst

1. Monday Night Football – It’s safe to say the announcing trio doesn’t work. And the guest cameos? Mike Tirico: “So, Christian, are you a football fan?” Christian Slater: (long pause) “I have lots of friends who are football fans.” Painful.

2. Lucky Louie – Dreadful.

3. Nip/Tuck – I used to love this show, but it was almost unwatchable this season. Listen, I’m still a fan, but my leash extends only so far.

4. Deal or No Deal – This show’s got nothing on 1 vs. 100.

5. Day Break – Admittedly, I’ve never seen this show, but the commercials were enough to warrant it making this list.

Music

The Best

1. Thom Yorke – The Eraser

2. TV on the Radio – Return to Cookie Mountain

Were there any other albums released this year?