2013 was a fascinating year for entertainment and pop culture. Martin Scorsese scored with The Wolf of Wall Street. Gaga’s ARTPOP was revolutionizing. Neil Patrick Harris was perfection in How I Met Your Mother. There were infinite New York Times Bestseller novels worth indulging in. One list of favorites isn’t enough to showcase the most enticing entertainment of the year. Through the lens of five different students, we see the best of 2013.

Marc’s picks:

Movie: The Wolf of Wall Street

For a movie about a wealthy individual who lives a corrupt life, of course you’d cast Leonardo DiCaprio – and that’s exactly what Martin Scorsese did. The Wolf of Wall Street tells the biographical story of Jordan Belfort and his rise as a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his downfall involving crime, corruption, and the federal government. Martin Scorsese (Good Fellas, Shutter Island, etc.) has created a masterpiece once again – the movie is hilarious, dramatic, and provocative. It should appeal to everyone. DiCaprio won a Golden Globe for his unforgettable performance in the movie. Other noteworthy actors in the movie include: Jonah Hill and Matthew McConaughey. Although the movie is 3 hours long, it is totally worth the investment of time. The Wolf of Wall Street is, to me, the funniest movie of the year and is certainly my favorite.

Book: Ready Player One

A virtual reality where technology takes over the world and the lines of reality and a fantastical world called the OASIS are blurred is the premise of Ready Player One. It is Ernest Cline’s breakthrough novel and is no doubt my favorite novel of 2013 (arguably ever). Ready Player One is a testament to 80’s pop culture with its music as well as references to video games and movies throughout. Even without an interest in video games, I was able to find the book to be extremely engaging. Cline explores themes of escape, the onslaught of fame and the affects of modern technology. Through his protagonist, Wade, Cline creates a character so natural and relatable. While the story is pretty far-fetched and ethereal, there are moments of realism throughout the novel, which is definitely what attracted me to it. The book is fantastic and will certainly make you think.

Album: ARTPOP

Gaga is back. After going on an unexpected hiatus due to a hip injury for nearly two years, Lady Gaga has returned with a bang. Her third studio, ARTPOP, is a new sound for Gaga and is definitely her best. The album is a manifestation of the twisted love affair between art and pop music. The featured single of the album is “Applause;” the lyrics perfectly describe the essence of the album and what Gaga is trying to communicate: “Pop culture was in art, now art’s in pop culture in me.” Gaga teamed up with renowned DJs Zedd and DJ White Shadow, whom provide a more dance/electronic sound to the album. Beyond the DJs, Gaga also teamed up with R&B singer R. Kelly for what is the second single of the album, “Do What U Want.” Realistically, every song on the album could reach the top of the charts at one point or another. ARTPOP is a force of nature. The sound is different, powerful and certainly Gaga’s best.

TV Show: Breaking Bad

Bryan Cranston is a force of nature. His performance in Breaking Bad is like no other and is no doubt the best performance of the year.  The show itself and Bryan Cranston won the Golden Globe for their respective categories (Best TV Drama and Best Actor in a TV Drama). Breaking Bad is the story of Walter White, a former chemistry teacher who is dying of lung cancer. He turns to a life of crime, producing and selling methamphetamine, in order to provide and secure his family’s financial future before he dies. What makes the show so interesting is the obsession TV aficionados have with the “anti-hero” and how Vince Gilligan, the creator, evoked such a realistic character in Walter White and the whole cast. Breaking Bad is beyond brilliant – the last season is arguably one of the best seasons in television history.

Zach’s Picks:

Movie: Enough Said

In this slice-of-life movie, two divorced single parents Eva (Julie Louis-Dryfus) and Albert (James Gandolfini) find love as they face the impending departure of their children. I loved the simplicity of the plot: the movie never overdoes anything and doesn’t try to make a statement. The acting is wonderful as well. This is the best anyone has ever seen from Julie Louis-Dryfus. Her performance is spot on – she is the coolest mom masseuse ever. Dryfus’ comedic style is present and nurturing and pairs well with James Gandolfini’s sweet and sensitive performance. Gandolfini adds warmth in a very understated manner. He’s a giant teddy bear that you want to hug. And when Eva says goodbye to her daughter at the airport – the tears will be real. You will laugh and cry and probably regret ever being disrespectful to your parents. This movie is a wonderfully subtle comedy. Director Nicole Holofcener understands family dichotomy and values. Her take on a modern romance is hilarious and heartwarming and is certainly the best movie of 2013.

Book: The Fifth Wave

In the midst of dystopian youth novels, Rick Yancey’s alien invasion end-of-the-world epic is something not to be missed. The apocalypse has never been so gritty, heartwarming and enjoyable. Yancey’s effortless writing style carries the story from multiple points of view to ultimately telling one of the most riveting stories this year. Although the book takes a bit of a Twilight turn, it is anything but Stephanie Meyer’s heinous romance – Yancey makes it work. In short, The Fifth Wave is compelling. You won’t be able to stop reading, you will tear your hair out, you will scream, and you will contemplate sticking your hands in a boiling pot of water when you finish and realize the sequel doesn’t come out until September. If this review does not convince you to read the book, it should be noted Yancey’s novel was picked up for a movie deal before he even finished writing the first book in the trilogy. The Fifth Wave is out of this world.

Album: ARTPOP

Gaga’s third album, ARTPOP, is everything we love about this Grammy winning artist. Gaga has returned to her dance-club roots like The Fame and has crafted an album that combines clever lyrics with funky, iconic orchestration. Unlike Born This Way, ARTPOP is more a collection of tightly edited songs versus a loosely composed story. ARTPOP is immature, racy, and celebrates Gaga’s mantra of “be yourself” highlighting the more risque aspects of individuality – she has never been more fun. The best tracks include the smoky “Guy”, on-the-road anthem “Gypsy”, and the R. Kelly duet “Do What U Want” (which may just be the best single of the year). Gaga knows how to accent her voice, and ARTPOP is a real treat – the vocals float, dive and grind in ways she’s never explored before.

TV Show: American Horror Story Asylum and Coven

Ryan Murphy’s horror anthology has redefined television in 2013 with the end of Asylum and the beginning of Coven. What sets the series apart from other shows is the talent and writing. It’s clear how much planning goes into each season: every plot is brilliant. Each season has its own unique feel which keeps the anthology fresh, even though the (fantastic) cast is consistent. Asylum is the best season of television I have ever seen, with terrific performances from Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Zachary Quinto, Evan Peters, and the underrated Lily Rabe (you can catch her in Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2). In contrast to the dark and gritty Asylum, Coven is much more humorous, while remaining true to the anthology’s namesake. Again, Jessica Lange reigns supreme as the core of the show. Her performances, ranging from mental nun to evil sarcastic witch, should be reason enough to watch American Horror Story.

Movie: Blue Jasmine

Woody Allen continues to dominate the film world with his always-original films. His 2013 film Blue Jasmine is no exception. The movie is led by ex-New York socialite, Jasmine, who is played by Cate Blanchett. What amazed me about the movie was the viewer slowly starts to empathize with the character who has fallen into poverty. Although she often acts on whims (she flies first class just after losing all of her money), Jasmine gradually gathers pity from the audience—interestingly, not when she is trying to, but when she is at her weakest. Sally Hawkins plays the strikingly opposite sister—a woman who is completely comfortable living in the dregs of California—and provides a strong counter-balance to Jasmine’s extravagance. The myriad of award nominations given to this movie has included a Golden Globe win for Blanchett. I look forward to seeing this movie secure even more awards throughout the season.

Book: Tenth of December

Short stories have always amazed me because a good short story allows the reader to not only connect to a character but watch the character change in a couple dozen pages. These authors have my admiration. George Saunders’ collection of short stories, Tenth of December: Stories, released in the beginning of 2013, was a standout this year. While much of the new literature released was dystopian or aimed at teenagers (or both), Saunders’ book was unique. The stories are satirical, but all very different from each other. Standout stories include the title story “Tenth of December” and “The Semplica Girl Diaries,” which showcase Saunders skill for intricate storytelling. While it is possible to read many of the stories online, having a collection of his best works is invaluable. His stories are interesting and of varying lengths and subject matters. Saunders expertly exercises an incredible mix of comedy and drama that, put in the hands of another author, could become mawkish. Saunders’ short stories are good even for a re-read.

Album: Pure Heroine

While the name Ella Yelich-O’Connor might not ring any bells, maybe her stage name does – Lorde. The 16-year old New Zealand singer-songwriter broke out this year with her album Pure Heroine singing about being young, fitting in, and her obsession with royalty. Many high school students can relate to the lyrics she sings about. While everyone knows the tune of “Royals,” there are other standouts on the CD. In Lorde’s newest single, “Team,” which appeared on Pure Heroine, she sings in the chorus, “We live in cities you’ll never see on screen/Not very pretty, but we sure know how to run things/Living in ruins of the palace within my dreams.” Millenials relate to the themes in her songs. While we love hearing about Taylor Swift’s dreamy escapades and Ke$ha’s debauchery, Lorde’s songs about high school and the suburbs are refreshing because they’re real. Whether clouded in beautiful imagery or spelled outright, her lyrics are atypical from what is normally on the radio but not from what happens in real life. But her potential is undeniable, so it is probable that we will watch her mature through her music and lyrics in the next few years.

TV Show: Suburgatory

Oh, the suburbs. We can all relate to the feeling of living in a place crowded by rows of identical houses. While not a critics’ darling, TV comedy Suburgatory is worth the watch. The half-hour long show is placed in a (fake) preppy neighborhood, Chatswin, which may as well be Winter Park. The show follows sarcastic and self-aware teenager Tessa as she moves from New York City to the small town. While some of the storylines of the show are a bit trite, the characters themselves never get stale. The show demonstrates and exaggerates how suburbs are stuck in their own bubble: Women are put in misogynistic roles, and homophobia and racism are discussed. Selfishness is common, and the embellishment of little problems often occurs. The creators’ purposeful use of the suburbs’ social conservatism is always hilarious, even though everything is quite hyperbolic. While Suburgaotry isn’t Modern Family-level quality, it’s true humor is in seeing Tessa experience, for the first time in a life somewhere similar to where I have lived my whole life. The third season just recently premiered. While the suburbs may be predictable, Suburgatory always has a twist.

Kelsey’s Picks:

Movie: Catching Fire

The Catching Fire cast was under high pressure to meet fan expectations, and they certainly did not fail to do so. The second film in the movie series was even better than the first, and I found myself gripping my armrests in anticipation even though I already knew what was going to happen. Catching Fire was my favorite book in Suzanne Collins’ eminent series, and the movie did not disappoint. The costumes were incredible – I was obsessed with all of Effie Trinket’s elaborate outfits. I absolutely loved the casting for Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason. Jena Malone, who portrayed Johanna, was identical to the character described in the novel. Both Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth’s beautiful faces did not hurt the movie either. Jennifer Lawrence was obviously amazing. The amount of emotion Lawrence is able to express stuns me. This movie will make you cry and of course laugh (because Jennifer Lawrence can never not be funny).

Book: The Goldfinch

Donna Tartt, the author of The Goldfinch, exceeds readers’ expectations with this novel. The Goldfinch is a coming-of-age tale, which follows the life of Theo, the protagonist, after his mother is killed in a terrorist attack at the Met. The Goldfinch focuses on themes such as beauty, art, loss, and freedom. The prose in this novel is believable, and I was able to relate to Theo perfectly. In the first few pages, I was able to feel his emotion before I was even attached to his character. This novel is extremely moving and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Even though this book surpasses 800 pages, it will not take long for you to tear through it. This is a tale you won’t soon forget. Although some parts are slow, it is a story not worth missing.

TV Show: How I Met Your Mother

The moment all HIMYM fans have been waiting for… the mother has finally been revealed. Ever since the show began, Ted has searched far and wide for his soul mate, and fans have shared heart breaks and laughs with him and his friends. The HIMYM cast got together for their final season this year. Neil Patrick Harris provides his usual humor and comes up with plenty of “bro jokes” (which are surprisingly not old yet). Jason Segel continually makes me laugh, and I cannot wait to see the final two slaps of the show. Fans are eagerly anticipating Barnie and Robin’s wedding and of course Ted officially meeting the mother. My biggest pet peeve, however, is how the season seems to be counting down to Barney and Robin’s wedding. I had not anticipated this, and I am eager for Ted to finally meet the love of his life. Although this season so far has not been my favorite, it succeeds in making me laugh.

Album: AM

The Arctic Monkeys did not disappoint fans with its latest album, AM. Over the span of five albums, The Arctic Monkeys have certainly evolved. One of my favorite songs on the album, “I Wanna Be Yours”, is actually based off a poem by John Cooper Clarke under the same name. Turner only wrote the chorus of the song and of course the music to accompany it. This song is memorable with the unique poetry, “I wanna be your vacuum cleaner, breathing in your dust.” The title of the album, according to an interview with the band, could stand for not only the band’s name, but also the early hours of the morning. Many songs on the album do go past the hectic clubs and into the after parties that follow. Lead singer/guitarist, Alex Turner, crafted brilliant songs for this album such as “Do I Wanna Know.” AM focuses on one simple inquiry: whether a temporary satisfaction or lasting affection is more worthwhile. Turner addresses this question directly in the song “R U Mine?” as he sings, “Are you mine tomorrow, or just mine tonight?”

Alice’s Picks:

Movie: Philomena

Adapted from the true story and book, The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixsmith, Philomena follows the heartbreaking and touching story of an Irish woman’s search for her long lost son 50 years after his birth.  Judi Dench phenomenally depicts the kindhearted and gentle nature of the devoted Irish Catholic woman, whose abundance of forgiveness and faith is a lesson from which we can all learn. Steve Coogan also gives an incredible performance as Martin Sixsmith, the journalist who embarks on the trip with Philomena to locate her son. The tale is speckled with bits of sorrow and bits of comedy. Dench provides most of the humor in an adorable, grandmotherly way, like when her character attempts to tell the bored and uninterested Sixsmith the details of a corny and predictable romance novel. Philomena wonderfully connects the themes of faith, forgiveness, and motherhood and ties up everything with a bittersweet ending.

Book: The Storyteller

   The Storyteller is another thought-provoking novel by Jodi Picoult that questions humanity and pays homage to the Holocaust.  Picoult’s eloquent and powerful descriptions of the main character’s pain and betrayal stir emotions and develop the ethical questions of when someone has bypassed the point of forgiveness. Like the other extremely controversial books by Picoult, The Storyteller brings up the atrocities and horrors of World War II and the concentration camps. The chapters including the stories of the camps are written wonderfully and leave you with a heavy heart.  The heart-wrenching and controversial material often makes it a difficult book to read, but nonetheless The Storyteller is a powerful story and one of the best books of the year.

TV Show: How I Met Your Mother

Wrapping up its ninth and final season, How I Met Your Mother still provides as many laughs as it did during the first season. Despite a setting change (the Farhampton Inn instead of Manhattan), the show has no paucity of adventures, surprises and life lessons. The season is exceptionally spectacular because we are finally introduced to the mother—an affectionate, lovable and effervescent woman. We have now finally seen her interactions and conversations with each member of the group except Ted, and it has been revealed he will meet her at Barney and Robin’s wedding. Marshall and Barney still provide the bulk of the laughs and humor. The highlights of the season so far are Barney’s last adventures of freedom before his wedding and Marshall’s prolonged trek to the Inn. While not the best of the How I Met Your Mother seasons, season nine has lived up to the expectations, and we should predict a legend-wait-for-it-dary finale.

Album: Modern Vampires of the City

The mix of upbeat and vivacious anthems of the year and haunting, honeyed melodies creates this ultimate album. Psychedelic beats like “Unbelievers” and “Diane Young” are exuberant, and slower songs such as “Obvious Bicycle” are filled to the brim with the bittersweet themes of youth and faith. Vampire Weekend’s Modern Vampires of the City is by far the best album of the year. It demonstrates the diverse range of their vocal and instrumental talent. The album is more mature and explores some grim topics like a post-apocalyptic New York City in the song “Hudson.” There is not much to say about this album other than that it is phenomenal, with each song providing lyrical sensations that create optimistic yet questioning philosophies and outlooks on life. Modern Vampires of the City does not have a single “throw away song.” Each song gives insight into the minds of aging and skeptical youths, and the result is the most sensational album of the year.