somegamergirl's Best of 2012!

As the new year is approaching in a few days and the madness of the apocalypse has finally waned over, I've gathered my thoughts about all the crap that happened in 2012 to make some decisions on what I thought was the best of the year for me. Here it is...

Best TV Show: The Walking Dead

Although I got into this show only in the past few weeks, I can safely say that it is one of the best television dramas I've watched in a long while. The first season is succinct and excellent, mirroring the qualities of a well told movie. While the first half of the second season bordered into soap opera territory, it quickly recovers with it's last 4 or 5 episodes. And even though I haven't watched it yet, I hear the third season of the show has been it's best yet so far. Filled with grit and gore, and dealing with the heavy issues of humanity, this show easily earns the top spot for me.

Honorable Mentions:

Modern Family

The Legend of Korra

Community

Breaking Bad

Best Game: Mass Effect 3

Spare me the long winded blog comments telling me all about how terrible you thought the ending was. You know, I wasn't very happy with it either. But you can't let that tarnish the fact that this game was undoubtably incredible until that point. The pacing was quick, the characters were still full of their usual charm and distinct personalities, the emotions and drama could still touch your heart, and the gameplay was solid and entertaining. Nobody can deny the sheer excitement they experienced when playing the game's opening in Vancouver due to the buildup of that moment from the previous games.

Honorable Mentions:

The Walking Dead

Dishonored

Journey

Sleeping Dogs

Assassin's Creed 3

Best Movie: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Alright, this category was a tough one. I know that I enjoyed a few of these movies just as much as my ultimate top pick, but the fact that I still am in the midst of trying to see a few of the other films I wanted to choose, I decided to choose a film that didn't come out during the midst of the Oscar season. A lot of people probably never even heard of this movie, directed by John Madden, and starring British veterans such as Judy Dench, Bill Nighy, and Maggie Smith, and newer actors such as Dev Patel.

Here's the premise:

British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than its advertisements, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways.

There you go. Doesn't sound the most intriguing, does it? Yet it is, and the stories of each of the retirees intertwines with each others' and the culture of India in the best of ways. You will laugh, you will get emotional, and most importantly, you will feel an attachment and fondness for the characters. Do me a favor and watch this movie.

Honorable Mentions:

Argo

Moonrise Kingdom

Skyfall

Life of Pi

Dark Knight Rises

Silver Linings Playbook

Django Unchained

Les Miserables

Zero Dark Thirty

Best Album: Ellie Goulding- Halcyon

This CD, literally from beginning to end, had me completely hooked. I have not had the experience of thoroughly enjoying a full CD from beginning to end in a very long time. As much as I enjoyed Ellie's first album, her follow up is even better. Fully immersed in a darker, edgier tone, the album is literally like a rainforest. Every time I re-listen to a song, I experience a new sound that's been mixed in to create the full effect of the piece. Ellie's voice continues to be pleasingly unique, with her high notes resembling warbling little birds, and her lower ones packed with surprising brevado.

Honorable Mentions:

The Killers- Battle Born