As 2009 comes to a close, we wrap up the Fanboy Awards with the top five TV shows and films of the year.
First up, TV.
5. "True Blood": Of the top five TV shows of the year, three of them are on HBO. We kick things off with my favorite vampire-based soap opera, "True Blood." I'll admit, on its surface this Alan Ball produced project suffers from crazy story lines, bad acting and an overused theme. But put together, the series is one of the most addicting I've ever watched. Forget Team Jacob or Team Edward, it's all about Team Eric and Team Sookie.
4. "Hung": Sad sack divorced dad and high school teachers burns down his house, has a unstable job and two awkward kids. He also needs money. Solution? Male prostitution. The show's main stars, Thomas Jane as Ray Drecker and Jane Adams as his pimp, both received Golden Globe nominations for their performances.
3. "Eastbound and Down": HBO's rookie smash was a real love it or hate it sensation. Starring Danny McBride as disgraced major league baseball player Kenny Powers, the series revolves around the typical big fish in a little pond scenario. Although in this series, the big fish is a egotistical, drug addicted jerk who mistreats everyone around him. But it sure is funny.
2. "Glee": I can't remember the last time a new show created as much buzz as Fox's high school comedy/musical. Garnering three Golden Globe nominations including Best TV Series Comedy or Musical, the show has created new stars including Jane Lynch who has gone from "Oh, that lady" to a household name.
1. "Dexter": I didn't think that the Showtime serial killer drama could top last season's story line with Jimmy Smits as a District Attorney who finds out Dexter's secret. Adding John Lithgow this year was a real coup.
Honorable Mention: "Community," "Big Love," "House," "30 Rock," "Nurse Jackie."
And now, in what was a monster year for terrific films, we give you the best movies.
5. "Big Fan": Comedian Patton Oswalt took a big risk trying his hand at drama in this film about a fanatical football fan whose meeting with his idol goes horribly wrong. It pays off.
4. "Food Inc.": It's rare that a movie changes your life. This documentary about the industry of food and how it comes to our table is one of those films. It's a must see but I guarantee you may not look at certain things the same way again.
3. "Up In the Air": Nine Golden Globe nominations. Nine. This George Clooney project about a human resource administrator who practically lives his life on an airplane seems destined for Oscar greatness.
2. "The Hangover:" Not only is this a breakout film for stars like Ken Jeong, Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis, it's one of the funniest comedies in recent memory. Take that, Judd Apatow. (Sorry Judd, you know we love you.)
1. "Up": Yep, a cartoon. I can honestly say that no film touched me more in the past 12 months than this Pixar creation. Featuring the voices of Ed Asner and Christopher Plummer, "Up" tells the tale of 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen, a widower who sets out to fulfill the lifelong dream he shared with his wife. To do so, he attaches thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to see South America.
"Up" is probably the most adult-friendly Pixar film to date with scenes that might even be considered too unsettling for children. (A man falls to his death for pete's sake.) On a side note, if the first 15 minutes of this film don't make you tears well up, you may not be alive.
Honorable Mention: "Star Trek," "District 9," "Inglourious Basterds," "Avatar," "The Lovely Bones"
Lastly, thanks to all my devoted Fanboy readers for another great year. Merry Christmas and see you in 2010.
First up, TV.
5. "True Blood": Of the top five TV shows of the year, three of them are on HBO. We kick things off with my favorite vampire-based soap opera, "True Blood." I'll admit, on its surface this Alan Ball produced project suffers from crazy story lines, bad acting and an overused theme. But put together, the series is one of the most addicting I've ever watched. Forget Team Jacob or Team Edward, it's all about Team Eric and Team Sookie.4. "Hung": Sad sack divorced dad and high school teachers burns down his house, has a unstable job and two awkward kids. He also needs money. Solution? Male prostitution. The show's main stars, Thomas Jane as Ray Drecker and Jane Adams as his pimp, both received Golden Globe nominations for their performances.
3. "Eastbound and Down": HBO's rookie smash was a real love it or hate it sensation. Starring Danny McBride as disgraced major league baseball player Kenny Powers, the series revolves around the typical big fish in a little pond scenario. Although in this series, the big fish is a egotistical, drug addicted jerk who mistreats everyone around him. But it sure is funny.
2. "Glee": I can't remember the last time a new show created as much buzz as Fox's high school comedy/musical. Garnering three Golden Globe nominations including Best TV Series Comedy or Musical, the show has created new stars including Jane Lynch who has gone from "Oh, that lady" to a household name.
1. "Dexter": I didn't think that the Showtime serial killer drama could top last season's story line with Jimmy Smits as a District Attorney who finds out Dexter's secret. Adding John Lithgow this year was a real coup.
Honorable Mention: "Community," "Big Love," "House," "30 Rock," "Nurse Jackie."
And now, in what was a monster year for terrific films, we give you the best movies.
5. "Big Fan": Comedian Patton Oswalt took a big risk trying his hand at drama in this film about a fanatical football fan whose meeting with his idol goes horribly wrong. It pays off.4. "Food Inc.": It's rare that a movie changes your life. This documentary about the industry of food and how it comes to our table is one of those films. It's a must see but I guarantee you may not look at certain things the same way again.
3. "Up In the Air": Nine Golden Globe nominations. Nine. This George Clooney project about a human resource administrator who practically lives his life on an airplane seems destined for Oscar greatness.
2. "The Hangover:" Not only is this a breakout film for stars like Ken Jeong, Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis, it's one of the funniest comedies in recent memory. Take that, Judd Apatow. (Sorry Judd, you know we love you.)
1. "Up": Yep, a cartoon. I can honestly say that no film touched me more in the past 12 months than this Pixar creation. Featuring the voices of Ed Asner and Christopher Plummer, "Up" tells the tale of 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen, a widower who sets out to fulfill the lifelong dream he shared with his wife. To do so, he attaches thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to see South America.
"Up" is probably the most adult-friendly Pixar film to date with scenes that might even be considered too unsettling for children. (A man falls to his death for pete's sake.) On a side note, if the first 15 minutes of this film don't make you tears well up, you may not be alive.
Honorable Mention: "Star Trek," "District 9," "Inglourious Basterds," "Avatar," "The Lovely Bones"
Lastly, thanks to all my devoted Fanboy readers for another great year. Merry Christmas and see you in 2010.
