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 in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You’ll find the staff faves of 2008 all together here.

By Rya Backer, Production Assistant

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:

10. Passion Pit, Chunk of Change EP — These guys have, like, seven songs to their name thus far. Very excited to hear what's next.

9. Neil Young, Sugar Mountain - Live at Canterbury House 1968 — 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.

8. The Streets, Everything Is Borrowed — Hooray! It's more A Grand Don't Come for Free than The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living!

7. Dodos, Visiter — 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.

6. Marnie Stern, 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 — 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. Read more...

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 to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find all of the staff faves of 2008 here.

By Rachel Josue, Digital Producer

I would like to preface this list with the following disclaimer: I did not see "Twilight" yet. OK, with that out of the way, like last year, 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.

10. "Penelope": I saw this film two years ago, actually, and loved it then. It didn't get the attention it deserved.

9. "Vicky Christina Barcelona": 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.

8. "Sex and the City: The Movie": The girls will always have a place in my heart.

7. "Hancock": I loved what they did with Charlize Theron's character. I would love to see a sequel for this one.

(Which movie did Rachel pick as her #1 most entertaining film for 2008? Find out after the jump!)
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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 to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find all of the staff faves of 2008 here.

By Sabrina Rojas Weiss, Senior Copy Editor

10. The Ting Tings, We Started Nothing: 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!"

9. Chromeo, Fancy/ Fancier Footwork: 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.)

8. Coldplay, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends: 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.

(What was Sabrina's #1 album from 2008? Find out after the jump!)
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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 to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You’ll find the staff faves of 2008 all together here.

By Daniela Capistrano, Digital Producer

I am addicted to movies, particularly the kind that make me jump, cry and think — and the best make me do all of those things in that order.

"Let the Right One In," a Swedish horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson, was a rare gem that slipped by many this year (particularly those already distracted by another teen vampire movie) — but not me. It was my favorite film of 2008.

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?

(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!)
Read more...

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 to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find all of the staff faves of 2008 here.

By Christina Garibaldi, Daily News Coordinator

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.

10. Pink: Turning her heartbreak into a smash single with "So What," Pink made a huge comeback in 2008.

9. Leona Lewis: I believe there was a period of two months this year when you could not go anywhere without hearing "Bleeding Love."

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?

(Find out what who Christina picked as the top pop start for 2008, after the jump!)
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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 to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find the staff faves of 2008 all together here.

By Joe DeShano, Video Editor

10. "Bolt": Rhino!!!

9. "Doubt": The verbal sparring between Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep is worth the price of admission alone.

8. "Milk": 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.

7. "Mama Mia": The most audacious camp I've seen in a long time. The "Rocky Horror" for this generation.

(Check out Joe's complete list, after the jump!)
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As you no doubt know, it's end-of-year list— and critically — music lists have reflected one thing about 2008 - everyone was listening to the same few records.

One of the bands getting a ton of love across the board is Seattle's Fleet Foxes. Their song "White Winter Hymnal" was thought to be one of the indie songs of the year — and when the band stopped in for an interview with John Norris — we got them to play a stripped down version of the new classic.
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