After a recent viewing of the blockbuster Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, my roommate and I waxed about its virtues, and they were many. It’s a strong, well-crafted, and exciting action flick.  But a few things about it stood out more than others and made me think why Ghost Protocol is more important than any other action movie that came out in 2011. Here’s why:

1. The End and The Beginning- While Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt may never reach the heights of John McClane or Jason Bourne, he has been a viable action property for over 15 years. And the man who plays him has been a leading action man for just as long. However, I began to see signs of wear and tear on the old boy, not to say he’s kaput, but he’s going to be soon. Which was why it was nice to see a semi-transition to Jeremy Renner, who will hopefully be included in future installments (come on, with the $$$ this one’s bringing, it’s inevitable). Call it a passing of the torch if you will, but I think it was a wise move to incorporate a younger actor, especially one with Renner’s chops. And he’s only going to get better and better at action as the new face of the Bourne series.

2. Winter Blockbuster?- I will go ahead and call myself out and say I was NOT encouraged by the fact that Paramount slotted GP for a winter release. Typically movies of this style and magnitude are released in the blockbuster tent pole season, which is why it was so great! I loved seeing a great action flick in cold weather. Here’s hoping the success of this film (along with Avatar previously) allows some further counter-programming to the serious Oscar buzz flicks.

3. Bird Flies High- Frankly this is the most important aspect of the film’s success, it’s director Brad Bird will now be able to make more movies if he wants (and we know he does). We knew he was a great animated director (see The Incredibles, The Iron Giant), but now we can drop “animated” from that title. The man just gets action, no two ways about it, he understands how big set pieces work and his excellence in animation is matched in live action.  I will NEVER forget the feeling of near vertigo during the Burj Khalifa scene of GP. Peerless.

So I think GP was a hell of a movie, but its success could mean bigger things for all involved and we’re already seeing evidence. I’m excited to see what happens for 5.

12. Kurt Vile- Smoke Ring For My Halo- A Philadelphia man and former lead singer of soon-to-be-mentioned The War On Drugs, Vile’s been on his own for a couple years and this is his second true solo effort. And it’s a doozy. Musing on life, love, and loss- he manages to recall Neil Young, but never to pander to that memory. Look forward to future offerings. It’s not for everyone, but listen with an open mind and you’ll be rewarded.

11. Basement Jaxx- Attack The Block Original Soundtrack- One that you wouldn’t normally find on my list, but I can’t get it out of my head. It so perfectly fits one of my favorite movies from this year that I have listened to it a ton. It’s like The Dark Knight soundtrack via techno. Very cool and if you’ve seen the flick, very evocative. Video would be better with the actual movie scene, but I don’t want to spoil!

10. The Head and The Heart- The Head and The Heart- This was released this year as a remaster and seeing as how I didn’t hear it last year, I feel it fits perfectly onto this list for this year.  The best way to describe them is that they have an Avett Brothers feel and quality. And if you know me, you know that’s a positive.

9. Grouplove- Never Trust A Happy Song- A debut release from an indie pop band from LA. From boring beginnings comes one of the most fun records of the year. You’ve probably heard their single, “Tongue Tied” on an iPod commercial. And the album carries that joy and bounce throughout. I look forward to seeing them in a few months as opener for Young The Giant. Not often that I’m more excited for the opening act of a concert.

8. MuteMath- Odd Soul- Previously, I’d known this band almost entirely for their awesome video for their jam “Typical”. A very cool video, a very forgettable song. That’s why this album smacked me in the face. Full of bluesy riffs, shouts and call-outs, and a dirty rock feel, Odd Soul is definitely the winner of my pleasant surprise of the year album. Don’t be scared off of what you know of them, get this album and let it surprise you (even though I’m telling you about it).

7. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart- Belong- Well, hello there Smashing Pumpkins. My roommate said it and I have to echo it, not since the mid-90s has a band put together an album with this sound and energy combination. From the start, it sounds like a different band than their previous (also awesome) album. Lots of growth and exploration shown here and a fantastic rock record resulted.

6. M83- Hurry Up, I Am Dreaming- A double CD full of electronic wonder. Honestly, this would make the list based on “Midnight City” alone, but the whole of it is really a great listen and has helped me continue my acceptance of electronic music. It’s great for travel, background, or deep listening. M83, you’ve changed me, thank you.

5. Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears- Scandalous- Party. Record. Of. The. Year. I defy you to put on “Booty City” and not shout along with it. I defy you to put on “She’s So Scandalous” and not try out your pimp walk. I defy you one final time, to play “Livin’ In The Jungle” and not shake your tailfeather. This record is from a different time and one that we all need to revisit. Anyone got one of those fancy Deloreans?

4. The War On Drugs- Slave Ambient- “Hey let’s mix peanut butter and jelly!” Someone said that once, I picture a similar conversation being had by this band, which managed to meld ambient electronic tracks and Dylan/Springsteen inspired rock songs. And frankly, despite all odds, this album is just a few ticks shy of a masterpiece, much like a well-crafted PB&J, it serves of airiness, crunchiness (crunchy peanut butter is the ONLY peanut butter), and sweet smoothness in proper bites.

3. Smith Westerns- Dye It Blonde- Just had a feeling about this one when I heard it back in January. It stuck with me for 12 months. Songs from the 60′s really, with lots of fun guitar play. Smith Westerns make music that will pick you up even while heartbreak is on display. It sounds like someone found a never-released album from the 60′s or 70′s and punched it up for today. Must have tracks: “Dance Away”, “Imagine Pt. 3″, and “All Die Young”.

2. Fleet Foxes- Helplessness Blues- It’s been 3 years since their debut full-length knocked my socks off. Since then, I’ve gotten new socks and listened to many more new albums. Nothing carries the same charm, musicality, and vibe as this band. I had the good fortune to attend their concert in Philly this year and was blown away. I love this band and they can fill up a room with their tunes like few artists I’ve seen. It doesn’t change much, but don’t let that keep you off, because you don’t need to mess with something this amazing.

1. Girls- Father, Son, Holy Ghost- “That Girls album, it just rocks.” That’s what my roommate said. I can’t disagree. It does in fact rock. This is a band that I felt was definitely going to be great when I heard their first album Album,  I didn’t think it would happen a mere two years later. But umm, it did. I can (and have) listen(ed) to this album on repeat all the way through, there’s variety and while there is a feel of nostalgia, you can’t help but know you’re listening to something entirely new. When making this list, it was the easiest slot to fill because I had no doubts.

If you’re on Spotify (which you should be!), check out my year end playlist.

Let me know your thoughts! What did I miss? What did you like more?

Some great pairings in there, I gotta say I have NO idea who will win this, but I’m clearly rooting for CT & Diem. A lot of unknowns and wild cards in the mix and we don’t have the usual triumvirate of Evan-Kenny-Johnny as Johnny is the only returner. Thankfully, we get the return of Abram, who I’ll take over Evan-Kenny any day of the week. Battle of the Exes premieres January 25th on MTV.

Happy Holidays!

10. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia- A once great champion returns. After a few seasons of good-but-not-great television, the Gang is back and stronger than they’ve been in a while. It’s been a season of rebirth. Starting with the excessive weight gain of Mac and carrying through to the regular shenanigans, they’ve managed to breathe some of their old life back into the series.

9. Archer- HAHAHAHAHAHA. The most irreverent, quick-witted show on TV and it’s all animated. I don’t know what’s so perfect about it, but this season, they managed to expand on the fringe characters from the first season and carry hilarious stories throughout the entire season.  Somehow taking an illegitimate child and cancer storyline throughout the whole season and making them hilarious, I have HIGH hopes for the full 3rd season. H. Jon Benjamin for President of Voices.

8. Louie- Louis CK is an artist. He’s a funny, funny artist. Finding the funny in truth and vice versa is an artform and few, if any, people do it as finely as Louis CK. It’s easy to point to this season’s episode “Ducklings” as one of the finest episodes of TV this year, but he was consistently brilliant in writing, performing, and shooting his own material. The height of the season was his exchange with Dane Cook, which settled a long-stewing beef between the two. He’s a charming, unassuming guy who never fails to make himself the butt of nearly every joke on the show.

7. Friday Night Lights- The little show that could closed out its improbable and incredible run with one of the highest notes I can remember. The FNL final season had visits from most of your favorite characters that never felt out of place and stories that harkened strongly into what made this show so great. Showcasing my favorite TV married couple of all time (Coach and Tammy) certainly didn’t hurt in the show’s final run.  FNL routinely reminded viewers that it was a show about people, not football and to my last day, I’ll say “Texas, Forever.”

6. Game of Thrones- Definitely had my hesitations with this series. Then I watched it. And was enraptured by the performances, story, and setting. Peter Dinklage gets all the (deserved) praise, but the acting is great across the board and the way they juggle such an enormous cast performing such an epic story is nothing short of admirable. I am very much looking forward to where the story moves from here, so much so that I ALMOST read a book. ALMOST.

4a/4b. Parks and Recreation and Community- It’s difficult for me to rank one of these shows in the 4th slot higher than the other. I love them both. P&R consistently makes me laugh out loud and feeds me quotable lines like a laugh machine. Community continually challenges me and makes me remember all that is great about television when it’s done by people who care. P&R has a cast that’s like a family and Community has a cast trying to be one. While P&R continues its 4th season, Community will be “on the bench.” But I encourage you to watch them both and you will definitely be the better for it.

3. Justified- Over the course of Justified’s stellar second season, we witnessed what is to me, one of the great criminal matriarchs in all of popular culture. Margot Martindale, Mags Bennett was for my money, the best villain on television this year. Week to week, Justified kept me enthralled, not just with story, but the way the characters developed and interacted. I have never been to Harlan County, Kentucky, but I feel as if I have and that’s all due to this incredible show.

2. Homeland- When I first read about this show as being from some of the minds behind 24, I had all of the wrong ideas about it. If 24 was a hyperactive kid hopped up on goofballs, Homeland is its refined older sibling.  Trading roller coaster action for character depth and stormy tension, Homeland has proven itself a genius first year series and easily my favorite of this calendar year. The acting is top-notch and the story keeps you guessing without being frustrating.

1. Breaking Bad- Just another insane season for what is easily the best show on TV. The transformation of the protagonist, Walter White, from chemistry teacher to crime kingpin is nearing completion. This season, we saw his most assured turn yet against his most worthy adversary. The slow-building, Rube Goldberg-like tension and payoff are unmatched on the small screen and rarely matched on the big one. Kudos to another fantastic season.

Honorable Mentions: Happy Endings, Modern Family, Storage Wars, How I Met Your Mother, Supernatural

Editor’s Note: I stupidly put Homeland at #3 slot before seeing the finale. Saw the finale last night and ratcheted it up to #2. Great first season.

I am down off my high of watching Breaking Bad’s Season 4 finale and am starting to emerge from my deep depression that it will be gone for nearly a year and with that comes my first theory regarding the final 16 episodes of America’s most intense (and very possibly best) TV show. It got me thinking about classic crime movies and shows and how great criminal minds have their stories “end”. And what better example of a crime kingpin than Michael Corleone? If you think about it, it could be MASTERFUL to play out these last 16 hours in a similar way.

Episodes 1-5: We see the aftermath of Gus’s death including a ramped up DEA investigation led by none other than Hank Schrader. Mike returns to find his only reliable employer ever DEAD. Jesse finds out that Walt was instrumental in the death of Jane and the poisoning of Brock. Walt Jr. eats breakfast casually.

Episodes: 6-10: The DEA investigation starts to zero in on a bald, goateed man who was seen outside the kablammoed nursing home room and speeding on his way to a laundromat. Walt’s cancer returns and he finds none other than Mike getting chemo, they bond over their shared experience. UNTIL Jesse reveals to Mike that Walt hatched the plan that 86′ed Gus. Skyler wants to leave Walt, knowing what a monster he’s become, but decides she likes money more.

Episodes 10-13: Walt is being surveilled as Hank and the DEA have mysterious evidence linking him to several crimes. Jesse and Mike begin to hatch a plan to take Walt out in order to avenge their fallen/injured comrades. Skyler washes cars.

Episodes 13-16: Mike and Jesse put their plan into motion to get to Walt even while he is under DEA eyes. But their plans appear to be foiled when the DEA arrests him right in front of their murderous eyes. Their plan has to be scratched. Saul, of course, is representing Walt at trial and does his best to delay the trial. Jesse has been keeping his intentions regarding murdering Hank to himself, all the while plotting. Saul helps prepare Hank for a jailbreak at Jesse’s request. Once the jailbreak has successfully occurred and they appear to be lamming scott free- Jesse hands Walt a water bottle. As Walt slowly starts to get sick, Jesse raises up the plant tag and it reads “Lily of the Valley.” Fade to Black.

Call me Vince.

The Fox show Terra Nova is something that is a premise that’s a gimme for my affections. However, I left the series premiere wondering “When do I get to see more dinosaurs?” I cared nothing for any of the people involved saved for the scene-stealing Stephen Lang whose piercing blue eyes filled me with mistrust and confidence all at the same time. And even those dinos I was excited to see could use some Jurassic Park-ening. No everything has to be CG, show me a giant prop head chomping someone. So if that’s how I feel about a show that was basically made for me, what hope do any of the others have?

They have tons of hope, but almost no promise to help them fulfill those hopes. There are several new comedies deemed as promising. I’m not sure what they’re promising, but I’m sure I don’t want any of it. New Girl and 2 Broke Girls suffer from completely different maladies. New Girl is some weird amalgamation of two shows, one where Zooey Deschanel acts as incredibly quirky as possible and one where the guys she lives with probably become better people for having lived with her. However the fact that Deschanel’s character is acting in some entirely different universe all the time prevents this from being anywhere near reasonable. 2 Broke Girls is a classic fish-out-of-water and has Kat Dennings, an imminently likable choice. The rest of the cast is riddled with super cool stereotypes and unfunny dialogue. Promises dashed.

However all hope is not lost because some really great shows are still around and ratings indicate that you haven’t seen them. Now, while the networks try to push slop down your gullet, why not find some more aged delicacies? NBC comedies Parks and Recreation is almost assuredly the funniest show on television but can’t break into the viewership it deserves. Fans of The Office will find lots to like here except that the show has a beating heart and you’ll be rewarded for finding it. If nothing else, all men will love Ron Swanson, it’s a scientific fact. NBC’s other Thursday night delight, Community is one for a special group of people and it knows that and it please them regularly. Gross. If you’re a fan of popular culture in any form, this show is for you. If you’re a fan of smart, dedicated, and careful writing, this show is for you. Now featuring 100% more Michael K. Williams (Omar from The Wire) and John Goodman. Finally I’d point people to ABC’s Happy Endings, a comedy about a group of friends which starts after a failed wedding, in a similar way to another great comedy about a group of Friends. It’s funny, a little over the top, but the group has strong chemistry and funny bits.

Dramatically speaking, I can no longer implore you to catch Friday Night Lights on tv, but you can still catch it on DVD if you haven’t seen it yet! Ok, onto shows that are CURRENTLY running. The networks are a wasteland for quality dramatic programming. Fox’s Fringe is the kind of mind-bending effort that would be hard to catch up on, but I can honestly tell you it’s in fact worth the work. Another crazy show is Supernatural, which features two brothers fighting evil and saving the world. Sometimes scary, often funny, always loaded with family story- definitely more than meets the eye. I also hear great things about Parenthood, a show I’m probably going to start watching, if you’re not into the genretastic stuff.

Unfortunately, I think I’d have to recommend you turn to DVDs or Netflix and catch up on some cable shows, specifically Justified and Breaking Bad. They are currently 1-2 as my favorite dramas this year. All of Breaking Bad is available on Netflix and Justified is only available via DVD. But both are well worth it. There are also some great shows from overseas: Luther for your cop drama love from the BBC. And Misfits for fans of Heroes, this is what that show should have been.

Don’t lament the failures of another slate of mediocrity (at best), there appears to be relief in midseason: Fox has a JJ Abrams mystery with Alcatraz, NBC has a trippy split life story in Awake, ABC has creepy horror adventure The River (my most anticipated), and potentially FX has comic-turned-show Powers which features cops who investigate folks with superhuman abilities. OH and lest I forget, NBC has Smash, which is apparently going to put Glee in its place as the next big TV musical.

So this fall, use your time, and your viewership capital to support some great shows that need your love instead of wasting time on shows that will never be back. Flip over to NBC before The Office on Thursday night and fall in love with Pawnee, Indiana. Skip watching a shoddy dino bust up a camp of settlers and tune in to see how the Winchesters keep the world safe from all evil on Supernatural. Honestly, the quicker you do, the quicker you’ll wade out of this crap.

fun.’s second record will be out in early 2012. Follow their updates on twitter as they travel with the aforementioned Monae this fall.

Haven’t been this excited for a book in ages…even if it is in film form!