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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Welcome to McCain HQ, where denial ain't just a river in Egypt.
After early bouts of enthusiasm, things have taken on a decidedly somber tone, as McCain's lead has evaporated and major networks have begun to call must-win states like Pennsylvania and Virginia for Barack Obama.
Of course, you would only know it of you were paying really close attention inside the Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom, because as soon as states started falling Obama's way, the two screens flanking the stage were quickly shut off, their live feeds replaced with McCain political commercials.
Soon after, the Phoenix Boys Choir was ushered onstage and, in matching blazers and khakis, they delivered a touching version of "God Bless America."
Then Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake — looking tanned and strangely chipper — delivered a "rah-rah" speech, as Obama opened up a 62-point lead in the electoral vote count.
Of course, none of that was mentioned by the McCain camp and, after more speechifying, the "official" delegate count was posted inside the house: McCain 21-3. And as McFadden & Whitehead's "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" blared overhead, one couldn't help but think that the McCain camp was being a tad bit optimistic.
By most accounts, young voters came out in a big way today.
Now we want to hear from you!
How did it feel to vote? Where are you watching the results? Where will you be when the next president of the United States makes his victory speech?
We want to join your viewing party. We want to share your enthusiasm and disappointment.
Upload your video reaction to this historic day at YouRHere.MTV.com, or leave your comments below. Your message will appear on our election map and could appear on TV!
Did you hear that we're talking to Barack Obama on Saturday? Well, actually, you're talking to him.
You can upload your video or written questions to YouRHere.MTV.com, we'll take the best ones to Senator Obama, and we'll broadcast his answers on air next week. But that's not all — be sure to check your e-mail in the coming days, because if your question is chosen, we'll want to know your reaction to his answer. We'll broadcast your response to his answer on air and/or online Sunday night and Monday.
Does that sound a little too complicated? Trust us — it's simple. YouRHere user mikebauer already uploaded his video question for Obama. Check it below, and make sure to get in the dialogue today.
I'm a voter. I've cast a ballot in every presidential election I've been eligible to, and I'm a firm believer in the power of filling in that little bubble for democracy (those touch screens can take a hike).
But I almost didn't vote this year. Yes, in the most momentous election of our time (first and last time you will hear me utter that overused phrase), I nearly skipped out on making my choice, because, sadly, I don't trust that my vote will be counted.
See, I'm going to be in Chicago next week on Election Day, covering what is being billed as the massive rally for Democratic Senator Barack Obama in Grant Park. That means I won't be in Cincinnati to cast a ballot where I usually do, at the megachurch inside the old Home Depot with the awesome sound system, theater lighting and amazing free coffee bar.
As a result, I had to vote early. And call me crazy, but having covered the 2000 and 2004 elections for MTV News, I was a bit skeptical about whether this new experiment in democracy was really going to work. Read more...
John McCain failed to land the knockout blow he needed, and Barack Obama still pulled his punches a bit more than he should have. The debate's format stunk and prohibited the candidates from really talking to each other. One CNN pundit said he learned that McCain wanted to "buy everyone a house" and Obama wants to "give everyone free health care," commitments that are "remarkable for a country that's broke."
McCain made too many references to the past and weird jokes about hair transplants, while Obama pulled a Clinton-esque move and hung around shaking hands and talking to voters in the venue long after McCain had left.
Our old friend Chris Cillizza at the Washington Post lamented that "there was no game changer," saying each man stuck to their tried-and-true attacks, with McCain's condescending reference to Obama at one point as "that one" getting "HUGE" play in the immediate aftermath of the debate, what he termed an unlucky break for McCain on what was probably just an offhand comment. And, indeed, the talking heads on CNN repeatedly brought up the gaffe, saying it could come to define the evening and take its place alongside Bill Clinton's reference to "that woman" when discussing the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Read more...
Before Travis Barker and DJ AM were hurt in a plane crash over the weekend, the duo performed as the VMA house band and lived their dream of performing with LL Cool J.
Two days before the big show, MTV News caught the pair's last-minute rehearsal moments. Take a look back at their rehearsal with Katy Perry, for her performance of "Like a Virgin." While Katy sang the iconic Madonna hit, the guys were cool and relaxed and seemed like they were having a genuinely good time. Travis drummed away, and DJ AM laughed and smiled while spinning the track.
(Check out video from the rehearsal after the jump.)
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Hot diggity! VMA Executive Producer (and all around MTV royalty) Dave Sirulnick just gave me a massive walking tour of the Paramount Lot and 'fessed up to a bunch of secrets surrounding Sunday night's big performances. Too bad for you: He wouldn't let me bring a camera along to document this auspicious occasion, and he was very specific about what he wanted to keep under wraps. But I can give you a few tidbits (and some photographic evidence!)
More photos from Jim's tour after the jump!
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Back before they were the latest sensation to bubble up from the blogosphere, the Black Kids were just, well, kids. And growing up in sleepy Jacksonville, Florida, they didn't get to witness a whole lot of rock (Jax ain't exactly the first place bands book shows when heading down through the Sunshine State). So, when Lollapalooza rolled through their town, they were understandably excited.
The only problem? They usually didn't have enough cash to pick up tickets, so they were forced to come up with more, uh, creative ways of entering the festival: they snuck in. But this wasn't your usual bum-rush-the-barricade operation (as displayed by, oh, thousands of Rage Against The Machine fans last night), it was an intricately choreographed routine they dubbed "the double diversion."
These days, they don't need to sneak in to much—they're on the bill for practically everything, after all—but they were kind enough to demonstrate the finer points of the double diversion for all of you, which you can see after the jump.
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