My Top 20 Whatever the Hell I Likes of 2010

In order of what popped into my head first.
(p/s - boner alert)

1 PIRANHA 3D (2010) (in particular, the death scenes)
Hands down, favorite movie of the year.


2 EDGE OF DOOM by Steve Niles
So far, there have only been 2 issues out, nevertheless, it's everything I could ever want in a comic. The writing and the art (Kelley Jones) work so well together, capturing the perfect tone. A new story every issue means you can just pick it up any time. But I highly recommend the first two. I was squeaking/laughing out loud on the subway, reading the first one. Think Evil Dead meets Twilight Zone meets the ending of Sleepaway Camp with a sprinkling of MST3K. The third one comes out mid-January.


3 PREDATORS
You will enjoy this movie, you know, unless your movie of choice for 2010 is something like Knight and Day. Then you can just go fuck yourself. I can't really pick a favorite part (ok - well, the de-spining ranks high on the scream-o-meter), but if I had to, it would be seeing Laurence Fishburne wrap himself up like a babushka, and lie down in his sleep nook. Did anyone else find that part as funny as I did? Sigh. It's the little things.


4 SPLICE
Did you see it? You need to see it. I can't brace you for it. No one can.


5 IAN SOMERHALDER in THE VAMPIRE DIARIES
I'll just come out, and openly admit I watch the show. No secrets; I'm in too deep. It satisfies the same part of my brain that is occupied by teenage boy-crazy thoughts and make-up tips. It's got a bit of a Joey, Pacey, Dawson triangle going on. IAN SOMERHALDER HAS THE EYES OF A WOLF!

6 FRINGE
I love this show. Last season I got a little too worked up about it, but it was a really good season. And I'm finding season three even better. Poor Bizarro-Broyles. Is it just me, or is Olivia more likable with auburn hair? Thoughts? Comparisons?
Fox has moved Fringe to the dreaded Friday night time slot (see video below: amazing). Just stay in, and enjoy Fringe and Supernatural on the weekend. If not for me, then for your liver. Do you really need anymore beer and blackout sex? Wouldn't you much rather enjoy a sci-fi, paranormal thrillride of a Friday night, without gaining four pounds or catching another case of crabs?


7 HACK/SLASH by Tim Seeley
Although it's been out for a long time, I had never heard about it, which brings me to my knees. HACK/Slash is kind of my wet dream in comic book format. A girl and her super-ugmo bff, go around whacking serial killers ("slashers") across the country - throw in some sorority lesbianism, re-animation, satanic groupie murders, and you've pretty much made my life. If you like horror movies, especially the teen slasher variety, or even Buffy, and you're a comic reader, or looking to read comics - get this one. You can buy the omnibus's (omnibusi?). Technically I like the second one better (I really loved all of the Emily Stone drawn issues), but both are definitely worth reading, and number three comes out TODAY!


8 THE WALKING DEAD TV SHOW
I was pretty happy with the season, although I wish it had explored certain characters more in depth, and Mr. Jones and son would've made at least one more appearance (they had the most touching story! Why weren't they in it beyond one episode?). But it did only have six episodes to work within, so I think it did a good job. I think most people that have complained about it, don't get that it's a drama set in a zombie wasteland, and not a zombie TV show with humans in it. I'm trying not to compare it to too much to the (awesome) comic, because I think it's probably going to do quite a bit of its own thing. Hoping for more Rooker, Reedus, Yeun, and Lennie James. More Lennie James! (Remember how good Jericho was?)

9 SALT & VINEGAR KETTLE CHIPS: CHIP OF THE YEAR
Man, I hate paying for this shit, it's so expensive. But it has that same level of saltiness homemade play-dough does. It just hits all those salty notes, and leaves you panting for more (and some water).


10 iFANBOY PODCASTS
Ever since I recently re-discovered podcasts, I've been putting this on as my background for drawing. It makes me not feel as lonely, or maybe it makes me feel lonelier, but they're fun to listen to. I don't necessarily read all of the titles they love to pimp, but it's really informative, has good suggestions, and these guys are fucking passionate.


11 ELI ROTH BECOMING SINGLE AGAIN
Is that a rude thing to make a Top 20? Probably. But inside every tear of sadness, is a tiny rainbow of shimmering happiness. Just remember that.
Look, Eli's pointing; "You, Larissa Thomas, I want you."

12 THE ENDING OF SPARTACUS
Which I know I've already written about on this blog, so I won't go there again. But know this; it was a soap opera bloodbath of naked proportions.

13 MIKE PERKINS' ILLUSTRATIONS FOR THE STAND

Man, I love his art. I want to lick his art. If I had any control over how I drew/inked (I really don't), I would do it this way.  The Stand comics first came out in 2008 with Captain Trips.

As a Stephen King fan (who's not a Stephen King fan?), I like that he's had his hands in comics for a while. I also enjoy the Dark Tower comic series.

14 SHANE WEST ON NIKITA (aka panty-pudding material for miles)
At first I was kind of like, "why the fuck would they remake that stupid show?"  Granted I didn't really watch the original, but when a bunch of my shows were off-air for two weeks, I made a little time for Nikita 2010. Now I'm hooked. The show's not amazing, but it's not bad either. And Devon Sawa has been in a couple of episodes. DEVON SAWA. You know you're going to be hanging by your blue balls (uhh... lips?) until Nikita and young but rugged Agent Michael get it on. Either that, or he'll screw Alex, and Nikita will tearfully look on, thus prolonging the inevitable after-combat freakfest. Please, just someone get it on with Shane West so that I can watch.


15 JONNY LEE MILLER ON DEXTER
I just really like Jonny Lee Miller; he's got something about him. Unfortunately, they wrapped this season up just like every other; villain dead, Dexter missed being caught by the skin of his teeth, yadda, yadda. Plus, after hearing all of this Dexter divorce drama, if any news comes out that Jennifer Carpenter is off the show, I'll have to stop watching. Deb is my favorite character by a landslide (although Masuka holds a firm second, and Quinn a solid third)... I guess this isn't really a "top" of 2010, but it was on my mind, haha.


16 SUPERNATURAL
This is one of my all-time favorite shows - of all-time. But the newest season has kind of - I don't want to say "stunk", but it has kind of, up until the last few episodes. It felt as if the show had completely started over again, and was missing its soul (just like Sammy!). However, it seems to have regained its footing, and I'm pretty pleased with the direction season six is headed. It's gotten its magical mojo back. Plus the Winchesters are still hot. I'm just glad it's still on air. PLEASE DON'T EVER LEAVE ME!!!!

18 WINONA RYDER BUZZ
Is she making a comeback? Please make a comeback. I think if you were born in the late 70s/early 80s, you can't help but feel the love for her. She was a demi-god when I was a pre-puber. I really want to see Black Swan, especially after seeing this sexxed-up vid (which is totally unrelated to Winona). I really hope she starts doing her trademark darker stuff. Damn! I heard they were making a new Alien movie! Even though it's a prequel, technically Winona can't exist as a cyborg, or can she? Maybe as the model for the model? I'm just rambling now. They should put her in it.  (You gotta admit, Alien: Resurrection is still the fuckin' S-H-I-T.)


19 "I JUST HAD SEX" VIDEO
Yes, this video was just put up the other day, but I've been looping it since. I love the Lonely Island videos. I think my favorite is still Jizz in My Pants. But doesn't this song just make you so happy? Plus the really cute one directed MacGruber. "Well, just to let you know, your shit does stink. *sniff* And it stinks like shit." Hahahahahaha. Still funny.


20 RON ARTEST COMING TO A SHOW I WAS IN! (but regretfully could not attend)
He looks at my drawing! Look, he looks at my drawing! Although he seems to have an expression of "oh....kaaaaaay... What is that?" on his face. Haha. It was really great that he showed up, and from what I've heard everyone that went had an awesome time. And it was all thanks to Manale and McNally! Way to go guys!

TBJ: Ron Artest crashes Ron Artest exhibit from The Basketball Jones on Vimeo.

I'll be honest, my b-ball fandom comes via my boyfriend (who is a complete basketball NUT... I won't embarrass him by further embellishing, but trust). He took me to a Raptors game, and I LOVED IT! But I don't watch that stuff on TV. Remember Double Team? Maybe Ron Artest should be in an action movie. I'd see it.

I realize there are a lot of other things I enjoyed in 2010, however this post is likely to crash a few computers, so I'll try and wrap up:

COMICS
Choker by Ben McCool and Ben Templesmith: a dark, detective-in-grimy-underbelly-of-city series with otherworldly elements. It's pretty funny in a dirty old man kind of way (my favorite), and very enjoyable. I highly recommend picking it up.


Dead@17 by Josh Howard: girl is murdered, then comes back to life to fight the forces of evil. If it's not already obvious, I'm a quick sell on anything with an evil-kicking, female protagonist. But this is a fun read, it's not too dark, and has a bit of romance.


I also read a number of adaptation comics. There are so, so many I want. But this year a standout one for me was Supernatural: Rising Son (even though it came out last year). I really enjoyed it, and if you're a fan of the show, you will too. (Sexy daddy Winchester fun-times).


MOVIES
Devil

Knowing what I know to expect from a Shyamalan film, I went into this expecting a morality tale, with a circular resolution, and a bit of a "fairy tale feel" to it. Which is exactly what I got. I really enjoyed it. It wasn't too dark, and it wasn't too preachy, but it was a little bit predictable. I thought it wove mystery, superstition, and ethics quite well. It had some suspenseful bits. If you're thinking of watching it, I'd definitely check it out. But if you're expecting horror, it's not what you'll get.

The Last Exorcism
I wasn't sure what to expect from the trailers. I enjoyed this a lot. Because I had read up on it before I saw it, my mind was more focused on "is she possessed, is she not possessed?" than what was really going on. Which is, I suppose what the point was. So I was surprised by the ending - which I won't spoil for you. It had a Paranormal Activity meets House of the Devil feel to it at times, but it was wholly original. Ashley Bell was pretty amazing. I'd definitely recommend seeing this.


Things I didn't enjoy in 2010:
Resident Evil: Afterlife
How was this made? How did it gross more than the first three? HOW? WHY? The first and second ones were awesome! I like to enjoy them over and over. The third one, I didn't finish watching, so I can't comment on. But this... this movie was A FUCKING ATROCITY.

I'm sure there were many other things about 2010 I have not enjoyed, such as my newish food sensitivities, but I won't bore you.

2011 has long been a dreaded year for me, because it represents turning "that age". Blackening the horizon of my young life, soon to turn it withered, and grey; ruching my skin, tarnishing my glow. But, I decided I will own 2011, ride it bareback into hell with nothing but a Pool Noodle and a leather turkey baster.