The Host

It’s not the face, but the expressions on it. It’s not the voice, but what you say. It’s not how you look in that body, but the thing you do with it.

I’m so sad I missed reading this one when it was released as I would have loved to talk about it with other people. As it happens, this book actually fit in perfectly with other things I was reading/watching at the time like Dollhouse, Caprica, etc. on the nature of identity and the soul. And it’s another topic I’m interested in, what makes a person? Can two people fall in love with the same body, but two different beings? And yes, Stephenie Meyer gets a lot of slack for her writing and the Twilight series, but this and Midnight Sun are actually not that bad. So ‘not bad’ in fact that Andrew Niccol (Gattaca) is supposed to be making the movie. So excited about this movie, now if only they’d get the time and their asses in gear…

TOPS OF 2010: FAVORITE MOVIES, TELEVISION, AND BOOKS (source)

Mockingjay

What they want is for me to truly take on the role they designed for me. The symbol of the revolution. The Mockingjay. It isn’t enough, what I’ve done in the past, defying the Capitol in the Games, providing a rallying point. I must now become the actual leader, the face, the voice, the embodiment of the revolution.

I read the first two books earlier in the year, and then had to wait a couple months for the third and final to be released. I can’t wait to see this series turned into a movie and am eager to watch it all unfold in 2011. If done right it could be grand. This book is so good for a young adult novel in that it takes so many themes and ideas that were introduced in the first two and takes it to that next level. Most people will say the first is their favorite, but I’m going to have to go with this book. The first two are good books, but the last one is a great novel.

TOPS OF 2010: FAVORITE MOVIES, TELEVISION, AND BOOKS (source)

Caprica

I am going to prophesy now, and speak of one who will set you free. The day of reckoning is coming. The children of humanity shall rise, and crush the ones who first gave them life.

Oh, show. I wish we’d had more time together. You pretty much ended and began in 2010. Battlestar Galctica was great and all, but I was so excited to see a show in that verse with more down to earth political, religious, and societal leanings. That’s what Caprica was supposed to be. It may have taken a while to find its footing, and a couple of missteps, but I still love everything the show was and everything it could have been. In it’s limited time it still covered so many things and the second half of the season was so good episode after episode. I’ll miss it.

TOPS OF 2010: FAVORITE MOVIES, TELEVISION, AND BOOKS (source)

Nikita

I know why he had to die. I know why I had to kill him. It hasn’t weakened my belief as to why I’m here. Or my commitment to my mission. It’s made it stronger.

There always need to be more kickass females on television. In the hole left behind by Buffy and Alias, I was excited to see another television taking that role on. I thought the first episode was good, but at the same time nothing too special. It seemed to resemble it’s source materials a bit too much, but thought the twist at the end was intriguing. Then, each episode got better and better, the material more and more serious, the stakes higher and higher, until we got that grand midseason finale which actually felt like a season finale. Can’t wait to see where the show goes from here.

TOPS OF 2010: FAVORITE MOVIES, TELEVISION, AND BOOKS (source)

Sherlock

Don’t make people into heroes, John: heroes don’t exist, and if they did I wouldn’t be one of them.

I was so disappointed by the movie, and didn’t hear about this show until after the first episode had aired in England. I’m so glad all of you recced it to me, because now I love it. The characters are so beautiful drawn, London is so fully realized, the mysteries and deducing are so interesting, the dialogue is so witty and amusing, and the actors are so good at what they do. I loved it so much I have it on DVD and I can’t wait for season 2.

TOPS OF 2010: FAVORITE MOVIES, TELEVISION, AND BOOKS (source)

Fringe

Despite what you think, my universe is not at war with yours. This all began because a man came over here to save a boy and twenty-five years later, I came back to save that same boy.

First season was good, but too MOTW for my tastes. Second season introduced a whole new depth of mythology with the other side, the Observers, the truth about Olivia and Peter, etc. And now the third season has a beautiful mixture of the two. The gang are still investigating cases each week, but now we get to see them have repercussions on the overall mythology. I feel like somewhere around season 2, Fringe has finally reached it’s potential and become it’s own force. I can’t wait for the rest.

TOPS OF 2010: FAVORITE MOVIES, TELEVISION, AND BOOKS (source)

Misfits

You lot, superheroes? No offense, but in what kind of fucked-up world would that be allowed to happen?

Awards: Won the 2010 BAFTA Award for Best Drama Series. Nominated for Best Drama Series and Drama Writer in RTS Awards, three noms in 2011 Broadcast Awards, and seven noms in SFX SciFi Awards.

I just caught up with this show around Thanksgiving after hearing a lot of chatter about the game changing episode 3 of this season. And judging by how many people I’ve heard just started watching, I think that episode alone probably doubled the show’s viewership. This show is beautiful, crass, funny, dark, emotional, and chilling. It’s everything wrapped into a nice package, and tied with a pretty little bow on top.

TOPS OF 2010: FAVORITE MOVIES, TELEVISION, AND BOOKS (source)

The Vampire Diaries

I was stupid to think that my life could be normal. I mean, my best friend is a witch, my boyfriend`s a vampire and I have a doppelgänger who`s planning on destroying all of us.

Awards: Won seven 2010 Teen Choice Awards, Won Favorite New TV Drama at the 2010 People’s Choice Awards, and Nominated for 2010 Saturn Awards and 2011 People’s Choice Awards

Entertainment Weekly placed the show at #3 of Top Dramas of 2010 and calls it “addictive and involving television that deserves to be taken more seriously by critics everywhere.” Plot twists, cliffhangers, and unrelentingly fast-paced storytelling make this show once again everyone’s favorite. In this year we got the back half of season 1 complete with Stefan’s blood lust arc, tons of flashback backstory, and the surprising return of Elena’s doppelganger, Katherine.

Thankfully there was no sophomore slump for this show. In season two, the introduction of a whole new arc has everyone stepping up their game. We’ve gotten to see the amazing portrayal of Nina Dobrev as both Katherine and Elena (sometimes at the same time), and the secondary characters getting a lot more game play: Bonnie becoming a powerful witch, Caroline turning into a confident bloodsucker, and tortured Tyler having to deal with his werewolf curse. Things are never boring in Mystic Falls.

TOPS OF 2010: FAVORITE MOVIES, TELEVISION, AND BOOKS (source)

Toy Story 3

We’re going in the attic now, folks. Keep your accessories with you at all times. Spare parts, batteries, anything you need for an orderly transition.

I’ve loved Toy Story since the first one was released so long ago. (Ok, really I just love the little green aliens and will follow them wherever they go.) Seriously though, after waiting 10 years for this newest installment I know we’d all thought there’s no way it could be as good. I’m happy to say it’s just as good as all the others. (There’s only three lone dissenters on Rotten Tomatoes keeping it from getting another 100%.) Everyone I know, man, woman, and child alike, were affected by this movie and admitted they cried. Now that’s the sign of a great movie.

TOPS OF 2010: FAVORITE MOVIES, TELEVISION, AND BOOKS (source)

Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows

These are dark times, there is no denying. Our world has perhaps faced no greater threat than it does today. But I say this to our citizenry: We, ever your servants, will continue to defend your liberty and repel the forces that seek to take it from you!

I rewatched all the Harry Potter movies leading up to this one, so I can say this with certainty: this is by far the best or at least my favorite of them all. Finally, we get to put away that lighthearted feel that should have ended around Goblet of Fire and get to some serious business. Yes, it’s supposedly a children’s book series, but the fact it deals with mature subject matter lends itself to this new mood. Also, the acting is the best we’ve seen so far. The cinematography and camera work is amazing. Only problem, now we have to wait til July for the next part…and the end.

TOPS OF 2010: FAVORITE MOVIES, TELEVISION, AND BOOKS (source)