2011: It Can’t Possibly Be Worse than 2010, by Arthur Tebbel – Pop Art #108

December 28, 2010 Arthur Tebbel 13 Comments

Dear Art,

I’m about to be born.  I know, so close to Christmas it’ll be a pain in the ass.  Anyway, I don’t know a lot about the world.  Can you tell me about the world right now, specifically television, music and movies?  Don’t bother with anything from before 2010, I’m a young person I don’t care for history.

-Baby New Year 2011

2011,

I am so glad to see you.  Your predecessor really sucked ass and I’m pretty glad to be rid of him.  That said there was some pretty rad stuff put out this past year and let’s see if I can get you up to speed.

Best TV Show: Breaking Bad. This might be a little mature for a baby.  Hell, this might be too mature for me and I’m 26.  That said it is super intense and really well acted.  Wait until Father Time is passed out or something then get on iTunes and download it.  Don’t do drugs though, that’d be the wrong thing to take away from this.

Honorable Mention: Community.  You don’t know what 30 Rock is but up until this came along it was the uncontested king of TV comedy.  Community is better.  Very smart, very fast and with an ability to rattle of parody episodes that are pitch perfect.  As a bonus by watching them first you’ll think the stuff they’re making fun of is ripping them off.  Sort of like my generation and Citizen Kane.

Best Movie: Toy Story 3.  The guys over at Pixar are probably the best collection of storytellers ever working at the same place at the same time.  This film is the culmination of 15 years of their work.   Even if you took away the outstanding technical work and the superlative voice acting you would be left with one of the strongest scripts in the last decade.  Don’t miss this.

Honorable Mention: Crank High Voltage.  OK this didn’t come out this year but it’s awesome enough to make the top 10 list every year.  Best action movie in the last decade.  Great fight scenes, legitimately funny and it’s paced like a cheetah with a booster rocket strapped to it’s back (do not attempt).  When you’re legal to drink be sure to try the drinking game for this movie and drink every time it’s awesome.  You’ll be drunk before the second act.

Best Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.  Do not emulate Kanye West.  That is probably the most important lesson any child in 2011 should learn.  He’s a certifiable crazy person.  That said, this lunatic can make some insanely good music.  I cannot get tired of this album no matter how many times I make the poor people travelling with me in my car listen to it.  There’s also a 37 minute mini-film/hip-hopera which showcases both the genius and insanity of the man behind this project.

Honorable Mention: Culdesac.  I did not expect to enjoy Childish Gambino’s third album as much as I did.  Childish Gambino is the alias of actor/comedian/writer Donald Glover.  Unlike anything else he does his rap songs are not written for laughs.  Combining slick wordplay with indie-rock-sampled production he makes some of the most refreshing music out there.  As a bonus all of his stuff is free.  You’re welcome.