In today’s Daily, the Arts Department published its picks for best of the decade in albums, movies, and television. Having to only choose the top 10 in each category, we obviously left off some other strong choices. Here are a few others that just missed the cut:
MOVIES:
“Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” (2003): This one actually got bumped at the last minute, since many of our staff did not actually like the “LOTR” trilogy. Despite the griping about the films — that they were too long, too boring, too confusing — there is no denying that they were supremely envisioned and well-made by director Peter Jackson. His grand scope brought to life Middle Earth in a way that placed the viewer there, and it showed how a fantasy saga could and should be made. “Return of the King” wrapped up the series with more epic battles, more displays of technical virtuosity, and the destruction of the Ring that had started the journey in the first place. In other words, it was the “Lord of the Rings” to rule them all.
TELEVISION:
“24″ (2001-present): Although it has slipped in quality over the past couple of seasons (the China/family drama of season 6 was enough to keep even loyal viewers from tuning in), “24″ represented an innovative new style that brought high-octane action, thrills and big twists, all in real time. When it premiered shortly after 9/11, America was able to embrace Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer as the hero we needed — the one who would do whatever it took to keep his family and his country safe. “24″ also became the series that proved no character is safe (well, except Jack), when the writers killed off his wife Teri in the first season finale. Though the real-time format often stretches plausibility, the show can usually pull it off thanks to the A-level characters and actors and the full-speed-ahead intensity. Here’s hoping the NYC-set season 8 will be true to form.
“Battlestar Galactica” (2004-2009), “Deadwood” (2004-2006), “The Shield” (2002-2008): These critical favorites didn’t make our list simply because we haven’t seen them. From everything I have read and heard about them, I’m sure some of them would have made the top 10, but without seeing them for ourselves, we just couldn’t make that judgment.
Photo: ringsgeek.net; fanpop.com
-Ben Phelps (Daily Editorial Board)
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