ODD PAGE Colby Free Press — New Year’s — Friday, December 30, 2011 – Page 7 only one favorite in common in 2011 2. “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” – Some- fi lm pioneer Georges Melies’ silent fantasies. ideal match of fi lmmaker and material. employers. And where to begin with the per- where, Obi-Wan, er, Alec Guinness is smil- 4. “Le Havre” – Finnish director Aki Kauris- 6. “50/50” – Who says cancer can’t be en- formances? Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Octa- ing down on Jedi protege Gary Oldman. OK, maki’s simple tale of a French shoeshine guy tertaining? Inspired by his own medical battle, via Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Bryce Dallas so Oldman never apprenticed with Guinness, and an immigrant youth is sly and stealthy. screenwriter Will Reiser tells an authentic tale Howard – we can go on and on. Working- who did what seemed the defi nitive version Sweet yet unsentimental, understated yet rich where laughter, lust, selfi shness and duplicity class help or idle gentry, every woman in the of John le Carre’s spymaster George Smiley in spirit, the fi lm is populated by old souls don’t go away just because of a little tumor. fi lm is polished to brilliance. in two miniseries 30 years ago. But Oldman who are a joy to watch, led by Andre Wilms Every cancer patient should have a lewd, crude 9. “Troll Hunter” – This deliriously weird makes the role completely his own, inhabiting as the shoeshiner who steps into the guardian friend like the one Joseph Gordon-Levitt has mock documentary is a wild ride through re- Smiley’s stillness and impenetrability, some- angel role for an African boy who is in France here in Seth Rogen. Director Jonathan Levine mote and alien landscapes of Norway, where how conveying the man’s subsurface passion illegally. The fi lm hints that good deeds are a juggles a jangle of emotions and keeps them huge, hideous trolls – yes, trolls – are on a while barely twitching a muscle. Director reward in themselves – but karma just might all in the air, while the cast – including Anna bloody rampage. Director Andre Ovredal Tomas Alfredson and his phenomenal cast tell toss a little magic your way for doing the right Kendrick, Anjelica Huston and Bryce Dallas adds his own mad spin to the found-footage a fi ercely cerebral, meticulously paced spell- thing. Howard – makes every moment genuine. horror story a la “The Blair Witch Project” binder, masterfully compacted from le Carre’s 5. “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” – 7. “Submarine” – Richard Ayoade’s direct- and “Cloverfi eld.” Purportedly shot by fi lm- sprawling novel. Rooney Mara. Wow. It seemed a thankless ing debut is dead on in the emotions – from makers who disappeared while chronicling 3. “Hugo” – If we must have 3-D talking task to follow Noomi Rapace, the electrifying blissful obsession to abrupt indifference – the exploits of a professional troll hunter, the pictures, they all should be held to this stan- lone-wolf in the Swedish-language adaptation that accompany fi rst love and teen desire. fi lm is a fresh, visceral take on the monster dard. This is the only fi lm I’ve told friends of Stieg Larsson’s best-seller. But Mara goes Craig Roberts as a big-eyed Welsh roman- movie, loaded with impressive special effects must be seen in 3-D. Martin Scorsese makes deeper and darker with a controlled detona- tic and Yasmin Paige as a rebellious fi rebug and warped, wicked humor. the third dimension not just eye-catching but tion of a performance in David Fincher’s Hol- are the unlikeliest but most adorable couple 10. “The Muppets” – Somewhere back in essential to the experience. Scorsese’s 3-D en- lywood version. As a disgraced journalist who in all of Wales. Their tender story is sweetly the 1980s, there were two shows a college folds viewers in 1930s Paris, letting fans walk teams with Larsson’s avenging angel, Daniel shadowed by that of Roberts’ dowdy parents girlfriend and I never missed: “SCTV” and right alongside his two child heroes as they Craig is an anchor of cool rationality around (Sally Hawkins and Noah Taylor), seemingly “The Muppet Show.” Director James Bobin, restore a bitter old man’s faith and sense of which Mara revolves like a demon. Fincher – a pair of dead fi sh who just might have a little Jason Segel and Amy Adams team for a gen- wonder. And what a trip back to the moon it is one of the least sentimental directors around spawning left in them. tle, loving rebirth for Kermit and pals, fi lled to see Scorsese’s affectionate re-creations of – and Larsson’s harsh emotional terrain are an 8. “The Help” – You get a Big Hollywood with those schmaltzy, toe-tapping Muppet Social Message – and you leave the theater tunes and giddily corny gags. The movie is an with that feel-good spring in your step. First- elaborate production, but it feels guileless and time director Tate Taylor does a slick, smart timeless. Don’t know what became of the col- Pop music’s top happenings job adapting childhood pal Kathryn Stock- lege girlfriend. But it’s nice having the Mup- ett’s best-seller about black maids in 1960s pets back in our lives. Mah na mah na. By Mesfin Fekadu rapper’s singing chops. Mississippi spilling the beans on their white Associated Press BEST UNRELEASED TRACK: Frank Ocean’s “Thinking About You” did not appear Sure, everyone has their list of top albums. on his free album and it was never supposed But how do you rank the things that really to be a single. He recorded a demo of the song resonated in pop music this year – like Nicki for singer Bridget Kelly, but his version is Minaj’s ubiquity or the top “Glee” cover? We personal and perfect, with its Maxwell-esque try to put a spotlight on some of music’s other falsetto breakdown. highlights here. BEST INANE LYRIC: Insert LMFAO BEST HOOK: The chorus of Rihanna’s song here. New “S&M” is downright nasty, so we can’t repeat BEST MUSIC VIDEO: Swedish singer appy Year it here, but it’s downright catchy, too. Na, na, Lykke Li is hauntingly amazing in her video H na, na, c’mon! for “I Follow Rivers,” fi lmed on a snowy, BEST GUILTY PLEASURE SONG: deserted island. It’s cinematic, dramatic and Joyous greetings of holiday cheer to one and all. To all our “Tonight, Tonight” AND “I Like It Like That” classic, and by far the best music video of clients, we wish all a healthy and happy holiday season! by Hot Chelle Rae. 2011. BEST USE OF NICKI MINAJ: Last year, BEST “GLEE” COVER: The songs cov- Nicki Minaj costarred on many songs, but this ered on “Glee” are often current hits on the Tune in for all your comprehensive News, Weather and Sports! year she focused more on her solo efforts. Her music charts, and that can get annoying. So it best guest appearance is on David Guetta’s was refreshing to hear K.D. Lang’s “Constant “Turn Me On,” a future hit that highlights the Craving,” and there should be more like it. Happy New Year!

Wishing you the joys of the season in 2012! Thank you for your patronage!

1065 S. Range, Colby, KS 785-462-3305 Listen on-air or on-line at www.nwksradio.com Earning Your Trust Since 1947 We provide 100,000 watt FM stations signal allowed by the 910 S. Range • Colby, KS 67701 Federal Communication Commission. 785-462-3957