<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/">

<channel>
	<title>MTV Newsroom &#187; MTV News Staff Favorites &#8216;08</title>
	<atom:link href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/category/MTV%20News%20Staff%20Favorites%20&#039;08/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://newsroom.mtv.com</link>
	<description>This is the MTV Newsroom Blog</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:15:29 +0000</pubDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6</generator>
	<language>en</language>
			<item>
		<title>MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Christopher Smith's Top 20 Albums From The Punk-Rock Underground</title>
		<link>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/30/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-christopher-smiths-top-20-albums-from-the-punk-rock-underground/</link>
		<comments>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/30/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-christopher-smiths-top-20-albums-from-the-punk-rock-underground/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:03:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>MTV News</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[MTV News Staff Favorites '08]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://newsroom.mtv.com/?p=6657</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery&#8217;s Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://newsroom.mtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/cj-140.jpg" class="thumbnailmain"><i>We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery&#8217;s <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601427/20081216/lil_wayne.jhtml">Top 25 Albums</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601017/20081209/lil_wayne.jhtml">Best Songs</a>, and the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601674/20081219/50_cent.jhtml"></i>Mixtape Monday<i> Awards</a>) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You&#8217;ll find the <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/category/mtv-news-staff-favorites-08">staff faves of 2008 all together here</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>By Christopher "CJ" Smith</i></p>
<p>2008 Year in Music: Were you listening to the punk-rock underground?</p>
<p>2008 was a year where lo-fi, sh--gaze and weirdo-punk reigned supreme in this formerly straight and narrow-minded indie fan's life. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/fleet_foxes/artist.jhtml">Fleet Foxes</a>? F--- that pretty-boy sh--. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/tv_on_the_radio/artist.jhtml">TV on the Radio</a>? Been there, done that. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/vampire_weekend/artist.jhtml">Vampire Weekend</a>? LOL. </p>
<p>Every record in 2008 seemingly was an exercise in how not to make interesting and/or exciting music. It was in the bedrooms, basements and garages, however, that musicians WERE taking chances and creating fun new pop landscapes smothered in noise, tapping into their punk lineages, crafting terrific garage rock and, above all, writing hooks that wouldn't leave your head for days.</p>
<p>These 20 records are a good starting point for a year that was rife with melodies, glorious fuzzy noise and static. They've all got MySpace pages, so take a listen to what they're doing and hear what you may have missed.</p>
<p>And check out <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/230691/choosing-to-go-lo-fi.jhtml#id=1586842">our piece from back in May</a> taking a look at a lot of these bands and why they're doing it themselves. You want punk? This was punk rock at its finest in '08. </p>
<p>1. Times New Viking - <i>Rip It Off</i><br />
2. No Age - <i>Nouns</i><br />
3. Women - <i>Women</i><br />
4. Vivian Girls - <i>Vivian Girls</i><br />
5. Crystal Stilts - <i>Alright of Night</i><br />
6. Jay Reatard - <i>Matador Singles '08</i><br />
7. Wavves - <i>Wavves</i><br />
8. Los Llarmarda - <i>Take the Sky</i><br />
9. Blank Dogs - <i>On Two Sides</i><br />
10. Abe Vigoda - <i>Skeleton</i><br />
11. Gentleman Jesse &#038; His Men - <i>Gentleman Jesse &#038; His Men</i><br />
12. Cheveu - <i>Cheveu</i><br />
13. Titus Androncius - <i>Titus Androncius</i><br />
14. Sic Alps - <i>U.S. E.Z.</i><br />
15. The Hospitals - <i>Hairdryer Peace</i><br />
16. Carbonas - <i>Carbonas</i><br />
17. Nobunny - <i>Nobunny</i><br />
18. AIDS Wolf - <i>Cities of Glass</i><br />
19. Eat Skull - <i>Sick to Death</i><br />
20. TV Ghost - <i>TV Ghost</i></p>


]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/30/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-christopher-smiths-top-20-albums-from-the-punk-rock-underground/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
	<media:content url="http://newsroom.mtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/cj-140.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="105" width="140" isDefault="true">
<media:text type="plain"><![CDATA[cj-140]]></media:text>
</media:content>
<mtvPubDate>12/30/08 6:03pm EST</mtvPubDate>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Rya Backer's Top 10 Albums And Singles</title>
		<link>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/30/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-rya-backers-top-10-albums-and-singles/</link>
		<comments>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/30/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-rya-backers-top-10-albums-and-singles/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:31:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>MTV News</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Best Of]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[MTV News Staff Favorites '08]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Beck]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Black Keys]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Dodos]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Marnie Stern]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Neil Young]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[No-Age]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Passion Pit]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[the-hold-steady]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://newsroom.mtv.com/?p=6613</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery&#8217;s Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So we&#8217;re giving everyone else a chance to chime [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://newsroom.mtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/rya140x105.jpg" class="thumbnailmain"><i>We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery&#8217;s <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601427/20081216/lil_wayne.jhtml">Top 25 Albums</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601017/20081209/lil_wayne.jhtml">Best Songs</a>, and the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601674/20081219/50_cent.jhtml"></i>Mixtape Monday<i> Awards</a>) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So we&#8217;re giving everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You&#8217;ll find the <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/category/mtv-news-staff-favorites-08">staff faves of 2008 all together here</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>By Rya Backer, Production Assistant</i></p>
<p>I'm actually on vacation right now, and am typing this on a computer that might as well be operated by foot pedal, so no fun webcam plea from me. I don't think I could pick a definitive favorite song from 2008 anyway, not because I didn't especially like anything, but because I liked too many songs! Anyway, here are my favorite albums of 2008:</p>
<p>10. Passion Pit, <i>Chunk of Change</i> EP &#8212; These guys have, like, seven songs to their name thus far. Very excited to hear what's next.</p>
<p>9. Neil Young, <i>Sugar Mountain - Live at Canterbury House 1968</i> &#8212; I don't think this counts as a "new" album, per se, but half the bands I've listed would be nothing if it weren't for him. "Birds" and his between-song banter are heartbreaking and heartwarming, respectively.</p>
<p>8. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/streets_uk/artist.jhtml">The Streets,</a> <i>Everything Is Borrowed</i> &#8212; Hooray! It's more <i>A Grand Don't Come for Free</i> than <i>The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living</i>!</p>
<p>7. Dodos, <i>Visiter</i> &#8212; At first, I listened to "Jodi" on repeat, then I realized there were a lot more songs on the album that were just as good.</p>
<p>6. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/stern__marnie/artist.jhtml">Marnie Stern,</a> <i>This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That</i> &#8212; Between Marnie Stern's fingerpicking and Zach Hill of my beloved Hella on drums, this album makes me feel untalented and boring; luckily, I need that kind of motivation. </p>
<p>5. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/clinic/artist.jhtml">Clinic,</a> <i>Do It!</i> &#8212; Nobody likes Clinic, I get it &#8212; but I do, and this is one of their weirdest, most melodic offerings yet.</p>
<p>4. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/beck/artist.jhtml">Beck,</a> <i>Modern Guilt</i> &#8212; This is the album every true Beck fan can get really excited over. So it's not <i>Odelay,</i> but I guess we all need to let go sometime.</p>
<p>3. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/hold_steady/artist.jhtml">The Hold Steady,</a> <i>Stay Positive</i> &#8212; "Time Flies" by Gorilla Biscuits used to be my ultimate summer song, but thanks to these guys, I have a whole album to listen to whilst wearing cutoffs, going on adventures and crushing beers &#8212; thanks, guys!</p>
<p>2. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/no_age/artist.jhtml">No Age,</a> <i>Nouns</i> &#8212; I had to let his album grow on me a little, but I'm really happy I toughed it out; it's super fun to listen to and it serves as proof that you don't need fancy equipment, instruments or animal product in your diet to make a great album.</p>
<p>1. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/black_keys/artist.jhtml">Black Keys,</a> <i>Attack and Release</i> &#8212; It was really exciting to like an album this much from beginning to end, but you didn't have to twist my arm that much to put "So He Won't Break" on repeat.</p>
<p>And these were my favorite singles in random order:</p>
<p>&#187; Lil Wayne, "Lollipop" &#8212; I like a song that makes me feel like taking a shower and calling my pop-music-loving little cousin all at the same time. I know everybody liked "A Milli," but that line about "menstrual" something-or-other grossed me out.</p>
<p>&#187; Hot Chip, "Ready for the Floor" &#8212; I try to avoid listening to this song in public, because it's uncouth to dance by yourself in the middle of the street.</p>
<p>&#187; Andy Samberg, "Ras Trent" &#8212; Having attended not one, but two liberal-arts colleges, I was very familiar with the title character &#8212; further proof that there's nothing <i>not</i> funny about a Trustafarian.</p>
<p>&#187; The Sword, "How Heavy This Axe" &#8212; Best song title of the year! Really heavy, really drone-y, really awesome.</p>
<p>&#187; Magnetic Fields, "California Girls" &#8212; I think there's some unspoken rule that every song with this title has to be good. It also sounds like Daria Morgendorffer is singing it.</p>
<p>&#187; Beck, "Volcano" &#8212; This wasn't a single, but whatevs. Lyrically somber, musically complex and inspired the first time I actually meant it when I said, "Seriously, listen to it on good headphones."</p>
<p>&#187; Marnie Stern, "Transformer" &#8212; I listened to this song on repeat for far too long and it never got old, so there's something to be said about that.</p>
<p>&#187; Beyonc&#233;, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" &#8212; My darling grandmother has been endorsing this message for years now, but Beyonc&#233; just made it a little more enjoyable to listen to.</p>
<p>&#187; Kings of Leon, "Crawl" &#8212; This was a standout from their set at All Points West ... at least I <i>think</i> it was; I was too busy lovingly staring at Jared.</p>
<p>&#187; Oasis, "Shock of the Lightning" &#8212; According to my zodiac sign (Pisces), I don't like change &#8212; so it's only right that I pay respect to a hardworking band that sticks to a good formula.</p>


]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/30/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-rya-backers-top-10-albums-and-singles/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
	<media:content url="http://newsroom.mtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/rya140x105.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="105" width="140" isDefault="true">
<media:text type="plain"><![CDATA[rya140x105]]></media:text>
</media:content>
<mtvPubDate>12/30/08 2:31pm EST</mtvPubDate>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Field Producer Nick Neofitidis' Top 10 Albums</title>
		<link>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/29/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-field-producer-nick-neofitidis-top-10-albums/</link>
		<comments>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/29/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-field-producer-nick-neofitidis-top-10-albums/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:27:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>MTV News</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[MTV News]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[MTV News Staff Favorites '08]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://newsroom.mtv.com/?p=6587</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So we're giving everyone else a chance to chime [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.mtv.com/shared/promoimages/news/n/newsroom_blog/end_of_year_2008/staffpicks_nick/140x105.jpg" class="thumbnailmain"><i>We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601427/20081216/lil_wayne.jhtml">Top 25 Albums</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601017/20081209/lil_wayne.jhtml">Best Songs</a>, and the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601674/20081219/50_cent.jhtml"></i>Mixtape Monday<i> Awards</a>) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So we're giving everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You&#8217;ll find the <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/category/mtv-news-staff-favorites-08">staff faves of 2008 all together here</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>By Nick Neofitidis, Field Producer</i></p>
<p>It's that time of the year, when you, our audience, get to butcher us over our top-10 lists on everything from movies to albums &#8212; so I lay myself at the mercy of the kids. Please be gentle.</p>
<p>10. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/jackson_michael/artist.jhtml">Michael Jackson</a>, <i>Thriller 25</i> &#8212; OK, I may be cheating here just a bit, but there is no way a human being in this world with functioning ears doesn't hear some old-school Mike and just want to start busting a move. (I just moon-walked thinking about it.)</p>
<p>9. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/radiohead/artist.jhtml">Radiohead</a>, <i>In Rainbows</i> &#8212; Can't say that I am a huge Radiohead fan, but what these guys did to shake up the industry by offering up the album for download at whatever price you wanted is pretty damn genius.</p>
<p>8. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/west_kanye/artist.jhtml">Kanye West</a>, <i>808's &#038; Heartbreak</i> &#8212; Rappers singing? Wait a gosh darn minute! Oh, wow &#8212; this isn't half bad! Love those glasses. Man, why Kanye always got such an ego? Did he just break that dude's camera? Still need a month to get used to this. Kanye makes me tired.</p>
<p><i>More of Nick's list, and he defends his number one album choice... after the jump!</i></p>
<p>7. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/jeezy_young/artist.jhtml">Young Jeezy</a>, <i>The Recession</i> &#8212; Jeezy basically can walk around for the next four years screaming, "I told you so!" I swear I even saw Republicans at the convention humming, "My President is Black, my lambo is blue..." Now that's a crazy world, Jeezy!</p>
<p>6. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/lykke_li/artist.jhtml">Lykke Li,</a> <i>Youth Novels</i> &#8212; I will admit I got on this album late, then I saw her perform at the 2008 Woodie Awards. Crush on Lykke = #6 album on my list. Lykke, call me! PLEASE?!</p>
<p>5. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/gnarls_barkley/artist.jhtml">Gnarls Barkley</a>, <i>The Odd Couple</i> &#8212; Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse, yet again, just killed it. This album is an instant pick-me-up. Try it next time someone shoulder-bumps you on the subway. It will add years to your life.</p>
<p>4. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/common/artist.jhtml">Common</a>, <i>Universal Mind Control</i> &#8212; The man is hip-hop to the bone. There's no Common album I couldn't just play from beginning to end, and this one is no different. Pay close attention, young hip-hoppers &#8212; the man is a lyricist in the purest form.</p>
<p>3. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/t_i_/artist.jhtml">T.I.</a>, <i>Paper Trail</i> &#8212; You think a guy who might be spending the next couple of years writing lyrics on toilet paper wouldn't be able to focus. Then I heard "Swagger Like Us," "Whatever You Like" &#038; "Live Your Life." My man is beyond focused; he's in the damn zone!</p>
<p>2. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/weezer/artist.jhtml">Weezer</a>, <i>Weezer</i> &#8212; Weezer provided a much-needed shock to the genre of rock in 2008 &#8212; 10 tracks that can be played in any order at anytime and make you feel just awesome. Plus, the album cover is sweet!</p>
<div align="center"><div width="512" height="319" style="background-color: #000000; height: 319px; width: 512px;" id="vid:328961.instance:wp" class="player-placeholder"></div></div><p>1. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/lil_wayne/artist.jhtml">Lil Wayne</a>, <i>Tha Carter III</i>&#8212; It would be tough to argue that this wasn't the soundtrack to my summer. From "Lollipop" to "A Milli," "Get Money" to "Mr. Carter" to "Mrs. Officer," I mean, the hits don't stop coming. Not only did Weezy live up to the hype &#8212; he murdered it.</p>


]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/29/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-field-producer-nick-neofitidis-top-10-albums/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
	<mtvPubDate>12/29/08 10:27am EST</mtvPubDate>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Rachel Josue's Top 10 Most Entertaining Films</title>
		<link>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/24/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-rachel-josues-top-10-most-entertaining-films/</link>
		<comments>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/24/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-rachel-josues-top-10-most-entertaining-films/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:13:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>MTV News</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Best Of]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Lists]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[MTV News Staff Favorites '08]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Iron Man]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[MTV News]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Rachel Josue]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[staff picks]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[video]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://newsroom.mtv.com/?p=6579</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.mtv.com/shared/promoimages/news/n/newsroom_blog/end_of_year_2008/staffpicks_rachel/140x105.jpg" alt="" class="thumbnailmain" /></p>
<p><i>We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601427/20081216/lil_wayne.jhtml">Top 25 Albums</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601017/20081209/lil_wayne.jhtml">Best Songs</a>, and the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601674/20081219/50_cent.jhtml"></i>Mixtape Monday<i> Awards</a>) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find all of the <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/category/mtv-news-staff-favorites-08">staff faves of 2008 here</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>By Rachel Josue, Digital Producer</i></p>
<p>I would like to preface this list with the following disclaimer: I did not see "Twilight" yet. OK, with that out of the way, <a href="http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/12/26/mtv-staffer-picks-best-of-2007-part-i/">like last year</a>, I was really into this year's blockbusters. I go to the movies for the entertainment value, not so much the deep story of this and that, so fun is my #1 priority. Here are my picks for the most entertaining films of the year.</p>
<p>10. "<a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/281519/moviemain.jhtml">Penelope</a>": I saw this film two years ago, actually, and loved it then. It didn't get the attention it deserved.</p>
<p>9. "<a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/339070/moviemain.jhtml">Vicky Christina Barcelona</a>": What I appreciated most about this film was that I had seen so many blockbusters and superhero movies during the summer, this film became a breath of fresh air.</p>
<p>8. "<a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/355798/moviemain.jhtml">Sex and the City: The Movie</a>": The girls will always have a place in my heart.</p>
<p>7. "<a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/325888/moviemain.jhtml">Hancock</a>": I loved what they did with Charlize Theron's character. I would love to see a sequel for this one.</p>
<p><em>(Which movie did Rachel pick as her #1 most entertaining film for 2008? Find out after the jump!)</em></p>
<p>6. "<a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/338790/moviemain.jhtml">Wanted</a>": If Angelina Jolie only did action movies like this and "Tomb Raider," I'd be happy. </p>
<p>5. "<a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/339067/moviemain.jhtml">Tropic Thunder</a>": Best comedy of the year. I didn't stop laughing for one second. Robert Downey = genius.</p>
<p>4. "<a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/306605/moviemain.jhtml">Dark Knight</a>": I agree with the rest of the world: Heather Ledger was great. I wish I had seen it in IMAX, but even on a regular ol' screen, I loved it.</p>
<p>3. "<a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/328529/moviemain.jhtml">Wall-E</a>": What's not to love? Thank you, Pixar, for another triumph.</p>
<p>2. "<a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/369406/moviemain.jhtml">Nick &#038; Norah's Infinite Playlist</a>": Adorable. Real. As a New Yorker, I enjoyed watching the gang weave their way around the LES music scene.</p>
<div align="center"><div width="512" height="319" style="background-color: #000000; height: 319px; width: 512px;" id="vid:328959.instance:wp" class="player-placeholder"></div></div><p>1. "<a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/302714/moviemain.jhtml">Iron Man</a>": Watching Robert Downey Jr. get in and out of the Iron Man suit was awesome. I'm usually not a gadgets gal, but even I can appreciate how intricate that was. The best scenes were when Downey was alone in the basement, interacting with his 'bots and gizmos.</p>
<p><i>What were your top 10 most entertaining films for 2008? Hit us up in the comments!</i></p>


]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/24/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-rachel-josues-top-10-most-entertaining-films/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
	<mtvPubDate>12/24/08 3:13pm EST</mtvPubDate>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Sabrina Rojas Weiss' Top 10 Albums That Make Me Happy</title>
		<link>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/24/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-sabrina-rojas-weiss-top-10-albums-that-make-me-happy/</link>
		<comments>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/24/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-sabrina-rojas-weiss-top-10-albums-that-make-me-happy/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:01:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>MTV News</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Album News]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Bands We Like]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Best Of]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[MTV News Staff Favorites '08]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[best albums]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[girl-talk]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[list]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Sabrina Weiss]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[staff pick]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://newsroom.mtv.com/?p=6575</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.mtv.com/shared/promoimages/news/n/newsroom_blog/end_of_year_2008/staffpicks_sabrina/140x105.jpg" alt="" class="thumbnailmain" /></p>
<p><i>We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601427/20081216/lil_wayne.jhtml">Top 25 Albums</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601017/20081209/lil_wayne.jhtml">Best Songs</a>, and the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601674/20081219/50_cent.jhtml"></i>Mixtape Monday<i> Awards</a>) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find all of the <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/category/mtv-news-staff-favorites-08">staff faves of 2008 here</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>By Sabrina Rojas Weiss, Senior Copy Editor</i></p>
<p>10. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/ting_tings/artist.jhtml">The Ting Tings</a>, <i>We Started Nothing</i>: I love singer Katie's shouty power and the way their beat makes me jump around like a little kid. "That's not my name!"</p>
<p>9. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/chromeo/artist.jhtml">Chromeo</a>, <i>Fancy/ Fancier Footwork</i>: With this playing on my headphones, I am instantly in an '80s movie montage. (The original came out last year, but I bought this year's "deluxe" set.) </p>
<p>8. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/coldplay/artist.jhtml">Coldplay</a>, <i>Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends</i>: I avoided buying this for months because the hype bored me. But that soaring wall of sound in the title track finally got under my skin.</p>
<p><em>(What was Sabrina's #1 album from 2008? Find out after the jump!)</em></p>
<p>7. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/death_cab_for_cutie/artist.jhtml">Death Cab for Cutie</a>, <i>Narrow Stairs</i>: I have a short attention span, and yet I can totally get lost in all eight minutes of "I Will Possess Your Heart."</p>
<p>6. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/magnetic_fields/artist.jhtml">Magnetic Fields</a>, <i>Distortion</i>: This isn't my favorite Fields album ever, 'cause of all the distortion, but "California Girls" is the perfect antidote to a day of editing too many stories about Heidi and Spencer.</p>
<p>5. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/vampire_weekend/artist.jhtml">Vampire Weekend</a>, <i>Vampire Weekend</i>: For a few years when I was a kid, my mother played Paul Simon's <i>Graceland</i> every single time we were in the car. Amazingly, that didn't traumatize me. Anyway, I went to Columbia and live in Brooklyn, so I've got to love the VW boys.</p>
<p>4. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/beck/artist.jhtml">Beck</a>, <i>Modern Guilt</i>: I love the retro, melodic sound of this album. Booty-shaking Beck is so much better than experimental or mopey Beck.</p>
<p>3. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/national/artist.jhtml">The National</a>, <i>The Virginia EP</i>: I worship the National in the same overly emotional way my 15-year-old self worshipped the Smiths and the Cure. So, even though this is just an EP, I'm making up for not having a list last year on which I could place <i>Boxer.</i></p>
<p>2. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/kings_of_leon/artist.jhtml">Kings of Leon</a>, <i>Only by the Night</i>: OK, I can't always understand what Caleb's saying, but this entire album makes me feel like I'm on a road trip and in love for the first time and I'm going to live happily ever after.</p>
<div align="center"><div width="512" height="319" style="background-color: #000000; height: 319px; width: 512px;" id="vid:328958.instance:wp" class="player-placeholder"></div></div><p>1. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/girl_talk/artist.jhtml">Girl Talk</a>, <i>Feed the Animals</i>: I have ADD, and Girl Talk's songs are like looking inside my head: There are usually two or three things playing at once, and each track flits from topic to topic every few seconds. It's like flipping through radio stations in a magical world where there is only good music. This album's introduced me to a ton of hip-hop artists I'd otherwise only know by name (UNK, Birdman, the Cool Kids) and brilliantly blended them with guilty pleasures from the '80s and '90s (Kenny Loggins, Sinead O'Connor). Also, it’s the best workout music ever.</p>
<p><i>What were your top 10 albums for 2008? Let us know in the comments!</i></p>


]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/24/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-sabrina-rojas-weiss-top-10-albums-that-make-me-happy/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
	<mtvPubDate>12/24/08 2:01pm EST</mtvPubDate>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Daniela Capistrano's Top 10 Horror/Gore/Thriller Movies</title>
		<link>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/23/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-daniela-capistranos-top-10-horrorgorethriller-movies/</link>
		<comments>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/23/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-daniela-capistranos-top-10-horrorgorethriller-movies/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:42:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>MTV News</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Best Of]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[MTV News Staff Favorites '08]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[best movies of 2008]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[gore]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[horror]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Let The Right One In]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[list]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[twilight]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[vampire]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://newsroom.mtv.com/?p=6558</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery&#8217;s Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.mtv.com/shared/promoimages/news/n/newsroom_blog/end_of_year_2008/staffpicks_daniela/140x105.jpg" alt="Daniela Capistrano" class="thumbnailmain"></p>
<p><i>We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery&#8217;s <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601427/20081216/lil_wayne.jhtml">Top 25 Albums</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601017/20081209/lil_wayne.jhtml">Best Songs</a>, and the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601674/20081219/50_cent.jhtml"></i>Mixtape Monday<i> Awards</a>) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You&#8217;ll find the <a=href"http://newsroom.mtv.com/category/mtv-news-staff-favorites-08">staff faves of 2008 all together here</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>By Daniela Capistrano, Digital Producer</i></p>
<p>I am addicted to movies, particularly the kind that make me jump, cry and think &#8212; and the best make me do all of those things in that order.</p>
<p>"<a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1598339/20081031/story.jhtml">Let the Right One In</a>," a Swedish horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson, was a rare gem that slipped by many this year (particularly those already distracted by <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/369195/moviemain.jhtml">another teen vampire movie</a>) &#8212; but not me. It was my favorite film of 2008.</p>
<div align="center"><div width="512" height="319" style="background-color: #000000; height: 319px; width: 512px;" id="vid:328772.instance:wp" class="player-placeholder"></div></div><p>Like "Twilight," "Let the Right One In" took a different angle on the vampire genre. Both films were based on a book. Both starred young, and (at the time) fairly unknown actors. Both films dealt with topics such as social isolation and your not-so-typical young romance, but, for me, "Let the Right One In" is the superior film. Why?</p>
<p><em>(Find out why Daniela prefers "Let the Right One In" over "Twilight" and check out her top 10 horror/gore/thriller movies list, after the jump!)</em></p>
<p>Even on your most basic aesthetic level, the film is of a higher quality. The cinematography, capturing the dreary landscape of young Oscar's world, is framed like a nightmarish fairytale onscreen &#8212; the visuals convey subversive details in a way that is simple, classic and haunting. If you knew nothing about the "Twilight" book and went to see the movie because you wanted to see an unusual story about young vampires, you would note that "Twilight"'s composition is completely subpar in contrast to "Let the Right One In." "Twilight" looks like it was shot for Lifetime &#8212; tacky and clich&#233;d scene-framing abounds &#8212; all it was missing was a slow pan past a curtain fluttering in the breeze. I don't go to the theater to watch TV-looking content. To put it plainly, "Let the Right One In" looks like a <i>film;</i> "Twilight" does not.</p>
<p>In terms of plot, I judge vampire films (again, I recognize "Twilight" isn't just a "vampire" film, but without the context and community around the book, it still is) by how they connect with a universal audience in the immediate sense &#8212; you don't need to be a part of some established community to "get" what is going on, because the film is lacking what the book provided. "Twilight" the film was an extension and outlet of all the romantic and sexual frustration female readers were left with. The studio was counting on all these salivating teens to rush and catch glimpses of the book characters personified onscreen in the flesh. Even many "Twilight" readers had to admit that they weren't really paying attention to the mediocre plot &#8212; they just wanted to catch a glimpse of RPattz. </p>
<p>"Twilight" the film was not a real movie &#8212; it was a promotional vehicle that will continue to debase the vampire film genre as more books are made and subsequent films are financed. The "Twilight" series is a great read &#8212; I'm not discounting that &#8212; but the first film was a whopper of a "meh." "Let the Right One In" provides you with a coherent and engaging plot, not muddled with a bunch of sappy love clich&#233;s, but it still manages to be romantic, on more than one level, in its own bizarre and intriguing way. It is also more than a little scary, with enough shocking violence to appease even the most extreme gore fans. The ending is both touching and extremely violent and left me confused about whether to shed a tear or leave the light on &#8212; THAT is what a great vampire film should do. "Let the Right One In" is made of awesome and somehow manages to be even better than the book. "Twilight" is made of the diluted dregs of Stephanie Meyer's real masterpiece and should not even be called a movie, despite some of the talented cast's best efforts.</p>
<p>So, after championing "Let the Right One In" and being removed from Twimom's Christmas-card list (although I did  pitch creating the post that let you <a href="http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/09/07/watch-the-twilight-stars-hit-the-vma-stage-and-send-us-your-reactions/"> react to the "Twilight" cast on the VMAs</a> &#8212; you're welcome), here is my complete personal list of the Top Horror/Gore/Thriller Films of 2008.</p>
<p>10. "The Ruins"<br />
9. "Cloverfield"<br />
8. "Funny Games"<br />
7. "Tokyo Gore Police"<br />
6. "Inside"<br />
5. "Tamami: The Baby's Curse"<br />
4. "Quarantine"<br />
3. "The Strangers"<br />
2. "Teeth"<br />
1. "Let The Right One In"</p>
<p>"Saw V" and "The Eye" were intentionally left off this list because they were GARBAGE. I didn't see "Midnight Meat Train" so I couldn't put it on my list, but I heard it was great.</p>
<p><em>Agree/disagree with this list? What great films did I miss? Hit up the comments and let me know.</em></p>


]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/23/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-daniela-capistranos-top-10-horrorgorethriller-movies/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
	<mtvPubDate>12/23/08 5:42pm EST</mtvPubDate>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Christina Garibaldi's Top 10 Best Artists</title>
		<link>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/23/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-christina-garibaldis-top-10-best-artists/</link>
		<comments>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/23/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-christina-garibaldis-top-10-best-artists/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:33:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>MTV News</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Bands We Like]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Best Of]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[MTV News Staff Favorites '08]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Rihanna]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[britney spears]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Christina Garibaldi]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://newsroom.mtv.com/?p=6554</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.mtv.com/shared/promoimages/news/n/newsroom_blog/end_of_year_2008/staffpicks_christina/140x105.jpg" alt="Christina Garibaldi" class="thumbnailmain"></p>
<p><i>We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601427/20081216/lil_wayne.jhtml">Top 25 Albums</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601017/20081209/lil_wayne.jhtml">Best Songs</a>, and the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601674/20081219/50_cent.jhtml"></i>Mixtape Monday<i> Awards</a>) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find all of the <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/category/mtv-news-staff-favorites-08">staff faves of 2008 here</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>By Christina Garibaldi, Daily News Coordinator</i></p>
<p>Pop music seemed to rule the airwaves this year, from the Jonas Brothers to Miley Cyrus to Taylor Swift, so here's a look at the biggest pop stars of 2008.</p>
<p>10. Pink: Turning her heartbreak into a smash single with "So What," Pink made a huge comeback in 2008.</p>
<p>9. Leona Lewis: I believe there was a period of two months this year when you could not go anywhere without hearing "Bleeding Love." </p>
<p>8. Demi Lovato: She's adorable and talented, and she and best friend Selena Gomez had a YouTube fight with Miley Cyrus. What more can you ask for?</p>
<p><em>(Find out what who Christina picked as the top pop start for 2008, after the jump!)</em></p>
<p>7. Chris Brown: Even though he's at number seven, Chris Brown had probably the biggest year out of everyone on this list. With smash hits like "Forever" and "No Air," it looks like Chris is going to be around for a long time.</p>
<p>6. Jonas Brothers: Making all the teen girls swoon, these boys certainly have made their mark in 2008. Plus, like me, they are from New Jersey, which automatically gets them on my list. </p>
<p>5. Miley Cyrus: The teen pop star had it all this year: a hit album, about five photo scandals and a private birthday party at Disneyland &#8212; just a normal year for any 16 year old.</p>
<p>4. Katy Perry: After releasing two of the biggest singles of the year, Katy Perry proved that she was no one hit wonder.</p>
<p>3. Taylor Swift: With the biggest debut album sales of a female artist in 2008, Taylor Swift has been everywhere, and is still talking about that breakup with Joe Jonas!</p>
<p>2. Britney Spears: She had one of the biggest comebacks to date and proved to everyone that she is still the princess of pop.</p>
<div align="center"><div width="512" height="319" style="background-color: #000000; height: 319px; width: 512px;" id="vid:328774.instance:wp" class="player-placeholder"></div></div><p>1. Rihanna: Everything this girl touches turns to gold. With her impeccable style and songs that you just can't get out of your head, Rihanna definitely deserves the top pop star of 2008.</p>
<p><i>Who was your top pop star of 2008? Let us know in the comments!</i></p>


]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/23/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-christina-garibaldis-top-10-best-artists/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
	<mtvPubDate>12/23/08 5:33pm EST</mtvPubDate>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Joe DeShano's Top 10 Movies</title>
		<link>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/22/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-joe-deshanos-top-10-movies/</link>
		<comments>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/22/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-joe-deshanos-top-10-movies/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:45:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>MTV News</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Best Of]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[MTV News Staff Favorites '08]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Movies]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[editors choice]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[mtv staff favorites]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Slumdog Millionaire]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://newsroom.mtv.com/?p=6503</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.mtv.com/shared/promoimages/news/n/newsroom_blog/end_of_year_2008/staffpicks_joe/140x105.jpg" alt="Joe DeShano" class="thumbnailmain"></p>
<p><i>We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601427/20081216/lil_wayne.jhtml">Top 25 Albums</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601017/20081209/lil_wayne.jhtml">Best Songs</a>, and the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601674/20081219/50_cent.jhtml"></i>Mixtape Monday<i> Awards</a>) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find the <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/category/mtv-news-staff-favorites-08">staff faves of 2008 all together here</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>By Joe DeShano, Video Editor</i></p>
<p>10. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/330763/moviemain.jhtml">"Bolt"</a>: Rhino!!!</p>
<p>9. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/345180/moviemain.jhtml">"Doubt"</a>: The verbal sparring between Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep is worth the price of admission alone.</p>
<p>8. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/374161/moviemain.jhtml">"Milk"</a>: The movie, brilliantly acted, drove home a story of struggle not often seen in film. It's interesting to see how a movie made about the late '70s is still so relevant and poignant today. </p>
<p>7. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/334542/moviemain.jhtml">"Mama Mia"</a>: The most audacious camp I've seen in a long time. The "Rocky Horror" for this generation.</p>
<p><em>(Check out Joe's complete list, after the jump!)</em></p>
<p>6. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/302714/moviemain.jhtml">"Iron Man"</a>: It's all about Robert Downey Jr. and how awesome he is. Great action, but without Downey this movie would fall flat.</p>
<p>5. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/340393/moviemain.jhtml">"Changeling"</a>: Angelina Jolie is amazing. The movie is riveting. Reminded me a little of "Frailty," but that's a good thing.  </p>
<p>4. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/369195/moviemain.jhtml">"Twilight"</a>: I find myself kind of surprised that "Twilight" is in my top 10. And what's it doing at #4? Well, I remember a movie back in 1989 that got fans really excited. Long lines of people dressed like the characters. Everyone was excited about its particular genre again. That was Tim Burton's "Batman." What a glorious day that was. This movie is that for the younger, female generation. What's better is that it isn't necessarily some sappy love story. There's action and vampires and, yeah, a love interest, but there are also subplots and interwoven texture, which are rare to the vampire genre. I actually liked this film a lot and love that it became a big hit, despite all odds. Good job, "Twilight" folks. I look forward to the sequel.</p>
<p>3. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/306605/moviemain.jhtml">"Dark Knight"</a>: I'm a Batman fan ... a Batman fanatic. I know more about Batman than any other superhero. I have more comics about him than I probably should admit. I loved "The Killing Joke." I loved "Batman: The Long Halloween." I loved this movie. R.I.P., Heath Ledger. You brought the true (preferred?) nature of the Joker to the big screen. For that, I'm eternally grateful. </p>
<p>2. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/328529/moviemain.jhtml">"Wall-E"</a>: Pixar is magic. The company that continues to push what animation can accomplish has brought us a masterpiece. Disney should be grateful to have such a movie-making powerhouse. For me, "Wall-E" is a fantastical story about robots that shows us how disconnected humans can be when we stop paying attention to how lucky we all really are.</p>
<div align="center"><div width="512" height="319" style="background-color: #000000; height: 319px; width: 512px;" id="vid:328320.instance:wp" class="player-placeholder"></div></div><p>1. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/364450/moviemain.jhtml">"Slumdog Millionaire"</a>: Sparingly, a movie comes along that makes you think, "This is why movies are made." This is one of those. It's a piece on Indian culture told through the eyes of an unassuming hero with very real issues, explained through very unusual circumstances. Anything more said about the film would do it, and you, injustice, robbing you of your own personal visceral experience. Just go see it.</p>


]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/22/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-joe-deshanos-top-10-movies/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
	<mtvPubDate>12/22/08 3:45pm EST</mtvPubDate>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Jocelyn Vena's Top 10 Pop Albums</title>
		<link>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/22/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-jocelyn-venas-top-10-pop-albums/</link>
		<comments>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/22/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-jocelyn-venas-top-10-pop-albums/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:56:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jocelyn Vena</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Beyonce]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Britney Spears]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Demi Lovato]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Jonas Brothers]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Katy Perry]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[MTV News Staff Favorites '08]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Miley Cyrus]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[NKOTB]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Taylor Swift]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[britney spears]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[leona-lewis]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[new-kids-on-the-block]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Pink]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://newsroom.mtv.com/?p=6497</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.mtv.com/shared/promoimages/news/m/mtv_news_blog/081222/vena/140x105.jpg" alt="Jocelyn Vena" class="thumbnailmain" /><i>We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601427/20081216/lil_wayne.jhtml">Top 25 Albums</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601017/20081209/lil_wayne.jhtml">Best Songs</a>, and the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601674/20081219/50_cent.jhtml"></i>Mixtape Monday<i> Awards</a>) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find the <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/category/mtv-news-staff-favorites-08">staff faves of 2008 all together here</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>By Jocelyn Vena, Writer</i></p>
<p>Let's face it, 2008 was the year of the pop artist. And, since I am the resident pop expert around these parts, I decided to make my top 10 list all about the greatest pop albums to hit the charts in the last 12 months.</p>
<p>10. Pink, <i>Funhouse</i>: Her tough-girl attitude paid off with this album. She performed her single, "So What," at the VMAs and soon after, it was everywhere. </p>
<p>9. New Kids on the Block, <i>The Block</i>: They took us all back to 1988, and that time-traveling paid off. They had a hit album, some catchy singles and a successful tour.</p>
<p>8. Leona Lewis, <i>Spirit</i>: "Bleeding Love" was inescapable, because Americans love a sultry British songstress.</p>
<p>7. Katy Perry, <i>One of the Boys</i>: Love her or hate her, "I Kissed a Girl" left its mark on 2008 and she solidified herself as a kitschy pop artist. </p>
<p>6. Beyonc&#233;, <i>I Am ... Sasha Fierce</i>: Beyonc&#233; split her personality in an attempt to prove to everyone that she isn't boring, with pretty good results.</p>
<p>5. Miley Cyrus, <i>Breakout</i>: Miley, and her album, were more of a phenomenon than anything else. </p>
<p>4. Jonas Brothers, <i>A Little Bit Longer</i>: The Jonas Brothers showed everyone that some catchy music and skin-tight jeans will always set teen girls' hearts aflutter.</p>
<p>3. Demi Lovato, <i>Don't Forget</i>: Demi, how <i>could</i> we forget? This year she went from that girl in "Camp Rock" to a certifiable pop star.</p>
<p>2. Britney Spears, <i>Circus</i>: OK, so it seemed like Britney Spears should have been at the top. And, admittedly, she had an amazing comeback. She proved to everyone she's still hot and sexy and can bust out a great song or two about being all of those things.</p>
<p>1. Taylor Swift, <i>Fearless</i>: Despite (or because of?) her tendency to over-share details about her relationship with Joe Jonas (which is both annoying and amazing), she certainly ruled 2008. She was nominated for a VMA, and <i>Fearless</i> has sold over 1.5 million records. If that doesn't make her album the most successful pop album of 2008, I don't know what would.</p>
<div align="center"><div width="512" height="319" style="background-color: #000000; height: 319px; width: 512px;" id="vid:328282.instance:wp" class="player-placeholder"></div></div><p><em>What were your favorites this year? Share your lists below!</em></p>


]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/22/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-jocelyn-venas-top-10-pop-albums/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
	<mtvPubDate>12/22/08 1:56pm EST</mtvPubDate>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Kristin Grimmett's Top 10 Songs</title>
		<link>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/22/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-kristin-grimmetts-top-10-songs/</link>
		<comments>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/22/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-kristin-grimmetts-top-10-songs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:56:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>MTV News</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[MTV News Staff Favorites '08]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[staff favorites]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[staff picks]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[top 10 songs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://newsroom.mtv.com/?p=6489</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.mtv.com/shared/promoimages/news/m/mtv_news_blog/081222/grimmett/140x105.jpg" alt="Kristin Grimmett" class="thumbnailmain" /><i>We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601427/20081216/lil_wayne.jhtml">Top 25 Albums</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601017/20081209/lil_wayne.jhtml">Best Songs</a>, and the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601674/20081219/50_cent.jhtml"></i>Mixtape Monday<i> Awards</a>) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find the staff faves of 2008 all together <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/category/mtv-news-staff-favorites-08/">here</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>By Kristin Grimmett, Associate Producer</i></p>
<p>10. "Yes We Can," <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/will_i_am/artist.jhtml">Will.I.Am</a>: Because, uh, yes we did.</p>
<p>9. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/rihanna/318453/rehab.jhtml">"Rehab,"</a> <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rihanna/artist.jhtml">Rihanna</a>: I first heard this song in '07, but when she released the video in '08, adding Justin Timberlake to the track, this became my jam!</p>
<p>8. "A Milli," <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/lil_wayne/artist.jhtml">Lil Wayne</a>: I've never been a fan of Lil Wayne, in fact, I'm still not. Yet when this song comes on in the club ... "I'm a young money milli-onaire/ Tougher than Ni-gerian hair ..."</p>
<p>7. "Bust Your Windows," <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/sullivan_jazmine/artist.jhtml">Jazmine Sullivan</a>: Because even though it's totally illegal and you probably shouldn't do it to your cheating boyfriend, he definitely deserves it. And for at least one day (while he's getting that window fixed), he won't be able to pick up his side piece for a date.</p>
<p>6. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/katy-perry/236308/i-kissed-a-girl.jhtml">"I Kissed a Girl,"</a> <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/katy_perry/artist.jhtml">Katy Perry</a>: I think it's safe to say this was the song of the summer. I am usually an R&#038;B/hip-hop girl, but even I got into this song and was not afraid to ride around blaring it and sing along.</p>
<p>5. "My President Is Black," <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/jeezy_young/artist.jhtml">Young Jeezy</a>, featuring a bunch of people: I honestly don't believe this needs more of an explanation other than: "My President is black, my lambo's blue and I'll be g--damned if my rims ain't too." Who doesn't want to ride through their 'hood playing this song?! If they don't, they aren't a friend of mine!</p>
<p>4. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/kanye-west/294204/love-lockdown.jhtml">"Love Lockdown,"</a> <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/west_kanye/artist.jhtml">Kanye West</a>: Beat is dope, lyrics are intense and Kanye is singing. This man does it all ... with a synthesizer. </p>
<p>3. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/beyonce/288546/single-ladies-put-a-ring-on-it.jhtml">"Single Ladies,"</a> <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/knowles_beyonce/artist.jhtml">Beyonc&#233;</a>: This is an obvious choice. When this song comes on at the club, all the men go to the restroom and the ladies have the dance floor to themselves. LOVE IT!</p>
<p>2. "History," <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/jay_z/artist.jhtml">Jay-Z</a>: Everyone is searching for victory this year (even Jay-Z, if you believe the song). But even with a country in a recession, we still managed to make history by electing the first biracial president.</p>
<p>1. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/mariah-carey/212381/touch-my-body.jhtml">"Touch My Body,"</a> <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/carey_mariah/artist.jhtml">Mariah Carey</a>:  Because she was, is and will always be THE BEST.</p>
<p><i>What were your favorites this year? Share your lists below!</i></p>
<p><center><br />
<div align="center"><div width="512" height="319" style="background-color: #000000; height: 319px; width: 512px;" id="vid:328278.instance:wp" class="player-placeholder"></div></div></center></p>


]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/12/22/mtv-news-staff-favorites-of-2008-kristin-grimmetts-top-10-songs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
	<mtvPubDate>12/22/08 12:56pm EST</mtvPubDate>	</item>
	</channel>
</rss>