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What 2012 May Hold

Now that the ending of 2011 has been mopped up and frebreze-ed away it's time to look into what lies ahead as the impending apocalypse approaches in 2012

Now let's go ahead and get it out of the way. Yes The Dark Knight Rises is at the top of the list. Of course it is, and it didn't even take Batman to put it there. All I needed to see was the shot from the trailer of Hines Ward running in a touchdown as the field is collapsing below him swallowing the rest of the players on the field. Sold!

While we are on the subject of films, 2012 might be one of the best years in a long time for wide commercial releases. With Ridley Scott's Prometheus, Tarintino's Django Unchained and RZA's Man With the Iron Fists all slated for release this year I will be making many more trips to the cinema this year.

Anticipated Movies: World War Z, The Great Gatsby, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Cabin in the Woods, Lincoln

Music is always a difficult thing to anticipate for me personally. However, I will say that I am axiously awaiting River City Extension's follow-up album. After sweeping me off of my feet with ...And the Unmistakable Man, I have been a huge fan and cannot wait to hear their new stuff. Seeing footage of them playing new songs at gigs around the country is only increasing my impatience for the next record. And with 2012 here I can't wait to see what some of my favorite new artists of 2011 will do this year. And as always there is no telling what the Odd Future group will be putting out in the months to come.

Anticipated Music: Yuck, Youth Lagoon, Of Monsters and Men, Typhoon, Kanye West, possible Watch the Throne follow up?

As always 2011's TV series have left us craving more. More laughs, more thrill, more. After one of the strongest seasons in a long time, I am more excited than ever to see more of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I need to know if Mac stays fat, if Charlie will finally make milksteak, if Dennis actually is a psychopathic killer. Another show that I can't wait for is The Walking Dead. With the midway point of the season feeling more like an actual finale, I cannot wait to see what the second half has in store. I love this show, what more is there to say.

Anticipated TV: Alcatraz, Justified, Eastbound and Down, Missing, Treme

All in all 2012 has a very positive outlook and I can't wait to see all of the highs and lows that the year has to bring. Happy New Year.

-Michi Oshima

Best Rediscoveries

At Needle Noise we enjoy looking back in our libraries from time to time and there is just no telling as to what old classic album will become one of the best listens of the year. I would like to honor those albums that stand the test of time and continue to capture me.

1.) Curtis Mayfield: Superfly

2.) Lou Reed: Transformer

3.) B.B. King & Eric Clapton: Riding With the King

4.) Lauryn Hill: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

5.) Pavement: Slanted & Enchanted

6.) Otis Redding: The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads

7.) Nick Cave: The Lyre of Orpheus (Thanks Harry Potter)

8.) Jimmy Cliff: The Harder They Come

9.) Robert Johnson: King of the Delta Blues

and for my number 10 spot, I have to give it to a single track that quickly rose up my "most played" list

10.) R. Kelly: Ignition (Remix)

- Michi Oshima

Best Albums of the Year

After countless, thorough listening sessions I think I have finally picked my top ten albums for 2011. This was tough but there will be many in the honorable mentions.

1.) Youth Lagoon: Year of Hibernation

2.) Yuck: Yuck

3.) The War on Drugs: Slave Ambient

4.) Typhoon: A New Kind of House

5.) Jay-Z & Kanye West: Watch the Throne

6.) M83: Hurry Up We're Dreaming

7.) Wilco: The Whole Love

8.) Real Estate: Days

9.) Los Campesinos!: Hello Sadness

10.) Cults: Cults

- Michi Oshima

Best Films of 2011

On day two of our year in review we are bringing you some movies that we think are worth your while. Whether you want an action flick, riveting drama, or a hilarious comedy something on this list will certainly meet your needs.

1.) 50/50

2.) Moneyball

3.) Bellflower

4.) Hesher

5.) Red State

6.) Midnight in Paris

7.) Super 8

8.) Bridesmaids

9.) Take Shelter

10.) Winnie the Pooh

Be sure to check out these great films.

Personal Worsts Of 2011

2011 was a year full of highs and lows, the following were the lowest of the lows.

Movies:

5. Cowboys and Aliens - Cheesy dialogue, pathetic plot

4. Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Best Worst Title

3. The Hangover Pt. II - Same movie, different setting

2. Zookeeper - What's funnier than taking a gorilla to TGI Fridays?

1. Spy Kids All The Time in The World 4D - More movies should have aroma-scope.

Video Games:

5. LA Noire - LA Noire can be considered a good game, yet personally it was my most disappointing game of 2011. The game didn't live up to its hype, it was extremely repetitive, there is little to no replay value, the game's protagonist wasn't very likable, the free-roam was extremely limited, and the story ended on a bad note.

4. Any Kinect Game with the exception of Rise of Nightmares.

3. The Sims 3: Pets - Pet simulators are overplayed and the game's description speaks for itself: "The sims 3: Pets gives you control over the looks and personalities of your various pets.

2.Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Because great movies always make great games

1. NCIS - Almost as good as the television show.

-AA

Worst of the Year

Starting off the end-of-year rundown with a bang. As we prepare to give you the best of the best, first we wanted to get the garbage out of the way. Here are the 5 worst reviewed albums and films of 2011.

Worst Albums
1. Lulu: Metallica & Lou Reed
2. Who You Are: Jessie J
3. Sorry for Party Rocking: LMFAO
4. Gold Cobra: Limp Bizkit
5. All Things Bright and Beautiful: Owl City

Worst Films
1. Jack and Jill
2. Battle: Los Angeles
3. Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star
4. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn part 1
5. Mr. Popper's Penguins

Enjoy skipping these gems of 2011


-Michi Oshima