10. Big Love
What a ride it was. Who could have guessed that a show about a super-religious polygamous marriage with one husband and three wives could be so riveting. What elevated this show above the occasional triteness of the first season was how these women bonded with each other and in relation to their mutual husband. Chloë Sevigny, Ginnifer Goodwin and Jeanne Tripplehorn were the real stars of this show negotiating their own significance against the drama that their husband was going through. The show ended on a controversial note, but a necessary one. The show was always about the wives and in the end that main mission statement was fulfilled.

9. Revenge
So much trashy fun. I don’t exactly know when I fell in love with Revenge. My first impression was that it was a CW teen soap throwaway, until about the third episode when I realized just how much fun Emily had kicking ass against the demise of her father at the hands of the upper-class elite from her childhood. This show is not about wonderful performances and intelligent writing. It’s good ‘ole trashy fun done with a wink and a smile.

8. American Dad!
The underrated middle child of grossly obscene Seth MacFarlane. “American Dad!” isn’t as crass as “Family Guy” or as boring as “The Cleveland Show”. It’s an incredibly funny depiction of a family and a crazy nihilistic and narcissistic gay alien (which can be argued is the basis of the much more loveable Abed from “Community”). Often times overlooked because it doesn’t pack the same obvious and crude-for-crude’s-sake joke structure that made “Family Guy” such a household name, “American Dad!” is intelligent, outrageous and always hysterical.

7. Being Erica
Give it up for Canada finally producing a drama that isn’t so self-conscious that it tries to be all things to everything. Instead, it figured out a premise and stuck to it. It’s definitely a feely show about therapy and self-discovery. It’s not apologetic, always charming, and often times touching. The cast is great, and it’s refreshing to have a show filmed in Toronto that doesn’t hide the fact that it’s set in Toronto. Erin Karpluk does an excellent job of carrying the show–a lead that will be hard to replace once the American redux begins its production.

6. Community
Community is a show unlike any other. It’s self-referential, playful, and meta, almost all the time. The entire cast is brilliant and hilarious and every combination of cast pairings or groupings results in nuanced story and character development. The most impressive cast member is little Annie (played lovingly and hilariously by the surprisingly diverse Alison Brie), who manages to hit so many beats of hilarity it’s insane–sometimes upstaging the show’s more popular Troy and Abed pairing. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Joel McHale is the sexiest man on TV right now.

5. Damages
When this show first started it’s superb (and as of now unsurpassed) first season, I knew that eventually the series would culminate into a show down between Patty and Ellen. I was right…just saying. Although Season 4 didn’t pack the same punch as the preceding three seasons of this magnificent legal drama that barely sees the inside of a court room, it did center in on the development of Ellen, who has always been the lead character of the show. Glenn Close is in top form in every scene, naturally, but it’s been the underrated Rose Byrne, who is often times overlooked as nothing more than a throwaway character who gets in the way of Patty being Patty, who stands as the central protagonist of the show. It’s her who I root for as she tries her best to stick to her defining principles and morals surrounding her passion for practicing law, and by the fourth season’s end we see exactly how these idealistic morals of hers will match up against Patty in season 5. Can’t wait!

4. American Horror Story
This frenetic show started to level out around episode 4, and thank god! It turned into a pretty amazing thrill ride that wouldn’t quit, and was never dull. The most impressive aspect of the show was how the maid Moira, played both by Frances Conroy and Alexandra Breckenridge shifted appearances based on the gender or intention of the beholder. Beyond that this show is jam-packed with characters running around rampant in that house, which in and of itself is a wonderful set piece. Jessica Lange chews the scenery in every scene she’s in and was completely deserving of that Golden Globe. The showrunner has revealed that every season of the show will be an entirely new set with entirely new characters and storyline, an anthology if you will. It’ll be hard to top this first season, but I’m interested in seeing them try.

3. Parks and Recreation
It’s a show about probably the most boring aspect of government–the parks and recreation department in small town Pawnee, Indiana–and yet is consistently hilarious. Although the show got off to a rocky start in its first season, looking to make Amy Poehler’s lead character Leslie Knope as an oblivious airhead who is loathed by her fellow coworkers, instead it switched gears and made the rest of the supporting looney toon characters respect and admire her for her hard work and dedication–even if they themselves have no interest in work. And even though the writers keep Knope’s character an overachieving neurotic dork at times, they’ve rounded her out well enough that she transcends a mere caricature.

2. Happy Endings
This show took me completely by surprise. I had no intention of wanting to watch it (let alone love it) because it took the place of my beloved “Modern Family”/”Cougar Town” one-two punch. I was offended that ABC had the audacity to replace “Cougar Town” with a “Friends” wannabe. Until I watched the first episode and kind of liked it. Then I watched the second episode, followed by the third and fourth and fifth and sixth–I had downloaded the entire season after its initial run. I fell fast and hard. I’ve almost completely forgotten about that other show who’s place it took. The show is smart and funny and brilliant and funny and unexpected. Stand out moment of last year: Penny and her mom (played by Megan Mullaly) sing their anger and frustration at each other.

1. The Good Wife
I’m sorry, but “Mad Men” has nothing on this show. I knew from episode 1 where a demure Julianna Marguiles contemplates her position as wife to a cheating and embezzling states attorney, that I would love this show. And I have. It consistently one-ups itself with every episode never overplaying its hand or over-stating its intention. The dynamic between Alicia and the absolutely fantastic deserves-every-acting-award-known-to-man Archie Panjabi’s Kalinda is the best relationship ever written for television, at times besting the friendship which blossomed between Buffy and Willow so many years ago. The show is intelligent, sophisticated, and expertly crafted.

10. Midnight in Paris
The day before my wedding, four of my closest friends took me out on a “bachelor’s day”, which included, among other things going to see a movie–we chose “Midnight in Paris” over “The Tree of Life” and I’m soooooo glad we did.  I’m not traditionally a fan of Woody Allen, ok I hate him, but there is an undeniable charm to “Midnight in Paris” that made my heart lift throughout the entire film. It didn’t overstay it’s welcome, it was cleverly cast, and built on a simple little story that I found really intriguing.  Also, as the last movie I saw as a single man, it holds a special place for me.

9. Shame
This one beat out “The Muppets”. Although I probably will enjoy that film for quite a while longer, there was something that impelled me to put “Shame” on this list–and it’s not the fact that you see Michael Fassbender’s wang-dang-doodle (which is only briefly at the beginning, btw). There were some great subtleties in this film that make me feel drawn to it–things that linger there and don’t let go. But that scene of Carey Mulligan singing “New York, New York” needed to be cut down by 5 minutes!

8. Paranormal Activity 3
It’s surprising just how much this series has managed to retain its fright factor–although, I have to say, that fan camera thing didn’t scare me as much as it did everyone else.  This one was fun horror movie stuff, but for some strange reason it doesn’t resonate for me in the same way as other horror franchises have.  Maybe they need to get a better development going for the lead characters in order to get it to the same caliber?

7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Yeah, I saw the original, and I liked it–it’s the best in the series.  Although I was hoping for some “Let Me In” remake twists where certain scenes would be changed for the better, but alas that did not happen. That’s not to say that this American remake is without merit. David Fincher did the best job he could with the odds stacked against him, and although I was incredibly skeptical about Rooney Mara’s capabilities to fill Noomi Rapace’s big shoes, she impressed me over and over. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Daniel Craig is so darn sexy.

6. Scream 4
I remember when “Scream 3″ was released and there was talk about a fourthquel.  The word around the creators was definitely not, no way! Not unless it’s 10 years later and the characters are different.  Well, I guess they remembered because this one hit almost exactly 10 years later. I don’t understand exactly why everyone hated this film as much as they did–I thought the villian was pretty clever and right on the nose with the whole fame and me culture phenomenon going on right now.  I do agree that it could have taken some more chances in regards to how it ended, but I’m not going to say the entire dinner was crap just because I didn’t like the dessert.

5. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Who would have thought that one of the most ridiculous premises would actually turn out a really great film? Well, it has. There’s something intriguing about a species developing the capacity to overthrow the human race as top of the food chain.  So, with an interesting premise, expertly executed and great performances all around, this one was one of my favourites of the year.

4. Insidious
Screw you if you weren’t scared by this film or didn’t get on board with where the ending went. It’s a ghost story, not a reality story for pete’s sake.  I love horror, I love entertaining certain kinds of ideas and I don’t throw the baby out with the bath water simply because I may not like the way they chose to explain the end premise. That old lady in the black wedding dress scared the crap out of me! Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Patrick Wilson is super sexy.

3. The Help
Ok, now we get into the serious films. The films that I believe are deserving of award recognition their so darn good. First off, “The Help”–although not as risky as the book (which wasn’t that risky to begin with), still beautifully done with a superb ensemble cast. Viola Davis rightly deserved an Oscar for her 8 minute scene-stealing and game changing work in “Doubt”, but I will accept her earning it for her fine work here–as well as Octavia Spencer. Although, poor Emma Stone, she was amazing in this and seems to be consistently overlooked when this film is discussed–however, like her character says in the film, the story isn’t about her. My only beef is that they changed the relationship with one of the maids and her boss from a loving relationship to one filled with hate and entitlement–it was a minor subplot, but I liked how in the book there was more than a few white people who were opposed to Ms. Hilly’s proposal for Jackson-wide segregation, even though they pretended to be on board with it.

2. Martha Marcy May Marlene
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen must be fuming! They have been in the business now practically their entire lives and in comes their younger (and much prettier) sister who can act circles around them. I mean CIRCLES! Elizabeth Olsen was completely and utterly brilliant in this film. Every year or so there is a new face that breaks through with an outstanding performance (a few years ago it was Gabourey Sibide) and this year it’s Ms. Olsen. The scene where the cult leader begins to play a song that he wrote for her character and the camera holds on her face as she is at first surprised, but then understands the severity of the situation she’s gotten into is completely breathtaking. Also, besides her standout performance, the film itself is startlingly disturbing as it slowly builds the tension and uneasiness of the experiences she went through.

1. Bridesmaids
For awhile in the summer when this was released on blu-ray, I couldn’t stop watching it. Literally. I think I had to re-watch the film almost every other night. There were times when I would finish watching it and then I’d want to re-watch it again. I devoured everything on that blu-ray: deleted scenes, outtakes, commentary, what-have-you. There are many things that make this film so irresistibly charming. Most people write this one off as a female version of “The Hangover”, but to do that does this film a great disservice. “Bridesmaids” elevates itself above the typical stupid comedy fare for many reasons: 1. The character development of Annie is so completely brilliant that you can’t help but love and understand every single one of her motivations, even when you think she’s crazy; 2. The entire cast is brilliant–they bounce off of each other so beautifully, it’s amazing; 3. Melissa McCarthy; 4. The friendship between Annie and Lillian is touching and realistic, especially near the end when Lillian is leaving for her honeymoon and the two exchange knowing glances; 5. The developing romance between Annie and the cop is sweet without being too rom-com saccharine and Chris O’Dowd does a fine job of being the cute nice guy who gets the girl in the end; 6. Although the film did have a romance, it wasn’t ABOUT the romance, and its blossoming was separate to the integral storyline of Annie bettering her life through her relationship with Lillian; 7. Melissa McCarthy; 8. Women rule!

We all need some pop in our lives.  It’s not art, but it sure is fun, and this Rihanna 15-track romp is hysterically fun.  Just check out the absurdity of “Birthday Cake” and you’ll know what I mean.  Plus, I defy you not to groove along to “Do Ya Thing”.  Go on, I defy you!

9. Radiohead – “The King of Limbs”

This album didn’t pack the same kind of punch for me as it did for other Radiohead fans, I found myself not gravitating to it a whole lot, but having said that, when I did put it on, I often times realized that I liked it a lot more than I thought I did.  Also, be sure to download the extra few songs they released for International Vinyl day, as well as the live performances released on iTunes.

8. Kyle Andrews – “Robot Learn Love”

See Rihanna pop above.  Now consider pop that is expertly crafted in such a way that it becomes an art form—and you’ll have Kyle Andrews’ most impressive album yet!  This is 10 stellar tracks that never overstays its welcome.

7. Sarah Slean – “Land & Sea”

Oh, the Tori Amos album that never was.  In one fell swoop Sarah Slean proves that you can infuse classical music with pop and not make it sound trite and boring.  Instead, Slean manages to sound sincere at every turn even though you know she knows her shit.

6. Raphael Saadiq – “Stone Rollin’”

Who knew? Who!? Who could have guessed that one of the leads of Tony! Toni! Tonè! would be so freaking talented?  After releasing some typical R&B fare, Saadiq has managed to craft a brilliant 10-track album of classic funk-infused 50s-70s psychedelic R&B.  Completely worth checking out.

5. Neon Indian – “Era Extraña”

I’m beginning to realize that I really enjoy the electronic synth pop craze that is hitting everywhere.  Of those released this year (M83, The Weeknd, etc.), Neon Indian’s sophomore album was one of the best.  It’s expertly produced with a wonderful atmosphere that makes you want to listen to it over and over.

4. Washed Out – “Within and Without”

Speaking of synth pop, Washed Out’s debut LP was the catalyst of that genre for me in 2011.  Although I enjoy the genre, I find that it’s difficult to penetrate due mainly to the incoherency of the songs’ various subject matters.  Washed Out managed to transcend all that with this beautiful 10-track album. My favourite is “Amor Fati”.

3. Bon Iver – “Bon Iver, Bon Iver”

As time goes on, and I get older, I find it more and more difficult to emotionally connect with newer artists. That’s probably not entirely this new generation of artists’ fault, but they definitely do play a role in it.  However, Bon Iver’s latest was one of the first that took my breath away early on.  It’s beautifully sung and masterfully executed. There’s power in this album.

2. Meshell Ndegeocello – “Weather”

Meshell Ndegeocello never ceases to amaze me, and with this, her 9^th full-length studio album (Dance of the Infidels and Spirit of the Jamia are the same album), she has left me breathless again.  It just proves that our favourite artists of the 90s who seem to be slipping in their potency can still evolve and change without losing their impact—they just have to know how.

1. Bic Runga – “Belle”

After the disastrous jazz-inspired album “Birds” I had all but written Bic Runga off. When I heard she had a new album, I thought: “meh, I’ll give it a listen.”  I was completely and utterly blown away at just how beautiful the album is from beginning to end. Runga has managed to create an album that details the experience of a French aristocratic play thing who is treated worse than she deserves.  It’s amazing how Runga has managed to encapsulate the feeling of French pop with vague undertones of the Emmanuelle soft-core French series of films.  And the fact that it was completely unexpected makes it all the more breathtaking.

I think it’s time I take a big long break from music.  I realize I threw a lot at you in the last few years, what with 2 albums, 2 EPs, and 3 singles.  I feel now that I am just completely tapped out when it comes to music creativity, and given the state of the music buying public (or lack thereof), I really need to reassess my approach to music distribution.

Anyway, it was a fun couple of years, and I am immensely proud of the work I put out there.  I think now I need to set aside a lot of time to think about my craft and what I want to produce next, if anything else at all.  There are rumblings of things to come, but at such an early stage I have no idea what that is going to look like.

I hope you don’t forget me, because I won’t forget you…

See you in 2013!
Love,
Enio

You can read the entire review here: http://fyeahqueermusic.tumblr.com/post/8411988814/fy-qm-reviews-today-by-enio

It’s an interactive video installation taking place all weekend.  Here are the deets:
What’s got us all so worried?
We asked. Over 100 people replied.
Join us for the Opening Reception of I Worry, an interactive video installation that pieces together the intimate anxieties of over 100 collaborators in pursuit of the answer to the question: What do we worry about most?
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The Opening Reception is Friday June 24th, 7pm @ Labspace Studios.
Entry is Pay What You Can
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WATCH: http://vimeo.com/23314796
PARTICIPATE: http://recollectionproject.com/future
LEARN MORE: http://bit.ly/iTKU7c
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SUPPORT
Consider supporting this project with a donation and receiving donor perks: http://bit.ly/kEqI0i
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I Worry is a collaborative project between The Spotlight Project and Labspace Studio. The installation runs from June 24 to June 26.
We look forward to seeing you! Write out your worries on the wall and you may just see them in the installation.

Check out all the details on the entire (Re)Collection Project by clicking on the picture below:

Be sure to check it out by clicking here, or clicking on the picture below.