Looking Back On 2007: The Year In Music And Movies

By: Stephen Ortiz, Fernando Dutra, Eric Nigosanti

Posted: 12/7/07

It's the New Year already? Really? 2007, we hardly knew ye. But that's not to say that you didn't leave us with more than a bevy of great tunes and flicks to stuff into our fancy iPod Touch. Here's a look back at some of the best and worst albums, artists, films, actors and moments from the past year in the world of music and movies.

Album of the Year

"Graduation," Kanye West ¬ West's third album was hyped up beyond belief before its release, thanks to a little friendly competition with 50 Cent. But you know what? He delivered on it. Better than his last outing, "Late Registration," and on par with his first, "College Dropout," "Graduation" showed West's versatility, genius and skill in what truly can be called art.

Honorable Mention: "Magic," Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Single of the Year

"Stronger," Kanye West, featuring Daft Punk's "Harder Better Faster Stronger" - "Stronger" is purely audible addiction, drugs for your ear drums. From the infectious beat to the trademark witty lyrical capabilities of West and its 5-plus minute length, "Stronger" is perfect. Don't act like West never told 'ya.

Honorable Mention: "Makes Me Wonder," Maroon 5

Best New Artist

Lily Allen - Bubbly, British, pint-sized and quite the mouth. Allen was the cure for the common Brit-pop artist. From her smash single, "Smile," to the tale of her high, little brother "Alfie," Allen is sure to please and has serious potential to be the next big thing.

Honorable Mention: In This Moment

Rock Album of the Year

"Minutes to Midnight," Linkin Park - It has been over four years since "Meteora" was released to mixed critical support, yet "Minutes to Midnight," Linkin Park's third studio album, changed everything about how the band would be looked at. Mature, raw and different are all words that can be used to describe "Midnight." Oh, and don't forget impressive.

Honorable Mention: "Rock And Roll Jesus," Kid Rock

Hip-Hop Album of the Year

"Curtis," 50 Cent - Even though he lost to West in the sales race, 50 still released a very raw, aggressive package that shouldn't be missed. Nowhere near as accessible as West's "Graduation" for most mainstream listeners, "Curtis" is bonafide street.

Honorable Mention: "Get Money, Stay True," Paul Wall

Pop-Rock Album of the Year

"Infinity On High," Fall Out Boy - Fall Out Boy have long transcended the emo scene for a more comfortable spot atop the pop/rock charts and who can complain? From the incredibly catchy "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs" to the fist pumping "This Ain't Scene, It's An Arms Race," "Infinity On High" continues F.O.B.'s dominance over the radio waves and the youth of the nation.

Honorable Mention: "Alright, Still…," Lily Allen

Punk Album of the Year

"Paper Walls," Yellowcard - Now many people may be saying "Yellowcard had a new album?" But the answer is yes, and a very good one at that. Now, lets face it, true punk is dead. It died in the 70s. Instead, we have music that's borderline pop/rock, but Yellowcard are true to their selves and their roots on this one, a must buy for fans.

Honorable Mention: "New Wave," Against Me!

Movie of the Year

"Grindhouse" - Sure there were other more legitimate contenders like "American Gangster" and "No Country for Old Men." But there will always be crime and heist movies made in Hollywood, whereas there may never be a movie like "Grindhouse" again. Actually consisting of two movies, "Planet Terror" by Robert Rodriguez and "Death Proof" by Quentin Tarantino, famed directors teamed up to pay homage to 1950s exploitation films. Grindhouse did what movies are supposed to do, which is entertain and carry out dreams we've always had but could never do, like performing death defying stunts in a car or replacing one of our limbs with an automatic weapon. The end result of all this mayhem: the best cinematic experience of our generation.

Comedy of the Year

"Superbad" - "Knocked Up," was going to earn the nod in this category because of its successful balance of comedy and emotion, but the Seth Rogan-penned "Superbad" stole the win due to its exhaustive list of endlessly quotable one-liners and introduction of newcomer Christopher Mintz-Plasse as McLovin.

Animated Film of the Year

"Ratatouille" - There have been a considerable amount of animated films this year ranging from "The Simpsons Movie" to Jerry Seinfeld's "Bee Movie," but Pixar's latest offering exceeds the caliber of its competitors.

Cameo of the Year

Keith Richards in "Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End" - Bruce Campbell's appearance as a French waiter in "Spider-man 3," came second only to Keith Richard's mentally deranged appearance as Jack Sparrow's father in the last installment of the "Pirates" trilogy.

Musical of the Year

"High School Musical 2" - In your face, "Hairspray." To be fair, we haven't seen Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd" on account of the fact that it hasn't been released yet.

Threequel of the Year

"The Bourne Ultimatum" - Why? Matt Damon.

Most Mediocre Threequel

"Ocean's 13" - Why? Not enough Matt Damon.

Worst Threequel of the Year

"Shrek The Third" - Why? No Matt Damon.

Worst Movie of the Year

"The Number 23" - Virginia Madsen, how could you? You were so good in "Sideways" and "A Prairie Home Companion!"

Best Use of Existentialism

"The Darjeeling Limited" - Directed by Wes Anderson, what do you expect?

Hard Rock Album of the Year

"Year Zero," Nine Inch Nails - The year 2007 was kind of weak all around for hard rock, but "Year Zero" is an entirely different time. Trent Reznor gets all political and "Drops The Bomb." No longer as "Hurt" as he once was, Reznor uses his music as a weapon on the Bush administration on tracks like "The Good Soldier" and "Capital G." The album also had a cool conspiracy-esque hype machine behind it as well.

Honorable Mention: "Untitled," Korn

Alternative Album of the Year

"Sound Of Silver," LCD Soundsystem - Just take one listen to "Someone Great" off of LCD Soundsystem's second LP and you'll know exactly why this album deserves an award. A blend of electronica and alternative rock, "Sound of Silver" is a collection of original, quirky tunes that have a lot of heart.

Honorable Mention: "Neon Bible," Arcade Fire

R&B Album of the Year

"Epiphany," T-Pain - "Bartender" took the nation by storm. "Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin')" took the nation by storm. Pretty much T-Pain in general has taken the nation by storm. Maybe it's because he sounds like a better version of Akon or because his voice effects are awesome, who knows.

Honorable Mention: "Good Girl Gone Bad," Rihanna

Worst Album Of The Year

"I Need Mine," Lil' Flip - Please don't buy this. Or attempt to download this. It will probably crash your computer. Two whole CDs of mindless money rap.

Worst Album Of The Year That Should Still Be Listened To

"Soulja Boy Tellem," Soulja Boy - Please don't buy this either. But if acquired in other ways, listen to it from start to finish, as loud as you can from your dorm room. Your floor mates will love you. Promise. "Yual!"

Biggest Sign Of The Coming Apocalypse

Soulja Boy - Just when the industry thought hip-hop was revived thanks to artist like West, Common and Lupe Fiasco, someone let Soulja Boy into the business. This just goes to show that anyone with a microphone and computer can put out a hit single.

Honorable Mention: Hannah Montana outselling Kelly Clarkson's "My December."

Crash And Burn Award

Amy Winehouse - Winehouse sat high atop many critics' list of "who to watch" in 2007, only to come tumbling down - most likely in a drunken manner. The past few months have found Winehouse canceling many shows, showing up late and smashed to performances, while breaking down entirely.

Honorable Mention: Kelly Clarkson, her tour and her fan base

The 'Enough

Already' Award

Too Much Akon - Pretty much says it all.

Honorable Mention: Old Bands Reuniting

Best Action Movie That Didn't Star Matt Damon

"Live Free or Die Hard"

Fantasy Film of the Year

"Stardust" - Robert DeNiro gives new meaning to the term 'fairy tale'

Foreign Film of the Year

"Hot Fuzz" - It's from Great Britain and the creators of "Shaun of the Dead," so it's foreign enough.

Best Innuendo

in a Film Title

"Black Snake Moan"

Worst Inuendo

in a Film Title

"Mr. Woodcock"

Thriller of the Year

"No Country For Old Men"

Best Reasons Why "Halo" Shouldn't Be Made Into A Film

"Resident Evil: Extinction," "Hitman," "Postal" - A three way tie.