All categories included here, so this is the best of the
best. Five things from the pop culture world of 2014 that resonated the most
for me.
Most inspirational album
“1000 Forms of Fear” by Sia.
The electropop artist followed up her 2012 monster David
Guetta produced hit, “Titanium”, with a new album jam-packed with catchy
feel-good melodic anthems and adrenaline-stirring lyrics designed to make you
want to get up and move. The ultimate workout playlist.
Best sequel since “The Empire Strikes Back”
“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” built upon its character driven
prequel, taking us on an adrenaline filled emotional roller-coaster, creating
epic imagery and intimate character moments that stay with us long after the
final credits and the strains of Michael Giacchino’s moving score have faded.
This is brilliant, tight, cinematic storytelling at its finest.
Best science fiction film since “2001”
Christopher Nolan’s epic received many of the usual cynical
(and often ignorant) reviews that accompany all complex, ambitious, cerebral
attempts at science fiction. It is a remarkable film, a wondrous journey filled
with exhilarating moments of grandeur. It is also one of most emotionally affecting
father/daughter stories you will ever see. Makes for a perfect double feature
with “Contact” (1997).
Lana Del Rey
It seems like I was the only one on the planet who got Lana
Del Rey during her fabled (and widely despised) SNL appearance back in early
2012. But this past year saw a sold-out (and nearly impossible to get tickets
for) tour, a critically praised and commercially successful new album, “Ultraviolence”,
a short film, a new batch of hypnotic cinematic music videos, and two outstanding
cover stories in mainstream magazines (Rolling Stone and Maxim).
Best feel good show ever
CW’s “The Flash” is one of the most confident television
series you will ever see. The casting is spot on. This show knows exactly what
it is because the writers know exactly what they are doing; hitting every story
beat and emotional crescendo with perfect timing and just the right touch, all
of it underscored by composer Blake Neely’s outstanding music.
