This semester’s entertainment floated in its own cesspool of interesting. From twerking teddy bears to Midnight Memories, the season’s foliage followed through with some good, some bad and some just plain weird.
In the spirit of positivity, here is my take on the best of fall 2013:
Best TV Show:
“Orange is the New Black”
Although this original Netflix series was technically released over the summer, I wasn’t able to indulge in back-to-back episode binges until my return to New Paltz. Because of my workload, I am still only halfway through the season, but I already consider it one of the most hilarious, poignant and relatable shows I’ve seen.
With a strong female cast, its message of survival, reflection and direct consequences is one everyone can understand, whether or not they are sporting an orange jumpsuit.
Best Album:
Lorde’s Pure Heroine
At the ripe young age of 17, this fresh-faced Kiwi singer/songwriter addresses some hard-hitting realities in this masterpiece. After listening to “Royals” on repeat for an entire day and researching every a cappella version of the song the internet had to offer, I felt it was only fair to familiarize myself with the rest of this artist’s album and was not let down in the slightest.
Each song sounds different from the next and Lorde’s ability to sing well beyond her years turns this gem into an addiction, as per its name.
Best Music Video: One Direction
“Story of My Life”
This song alone made me cry, and seeing it on the big screen really hit home
. Although the shortcut to my heart is through my stomach, the secret passageway is through my tear ducts, which is exactly the route these boys took. As if seeing Zayn rock suspenders wasn’t enough to make me weep, each band member incorporated family footage, which added to the touching lyrics and title of the track.
Best Movie:
“Catching Fire”
Even though I’m still kicking myself for not finishing the book before I caved and saw the movie, I love “The Hunger Games” trilogy — or what I’ve read of it, anyway — almost as much as I love Jennifer Lawrence.
I thought “Catching Fire” was an even deeper look into each character and their loyalties, a necessary component in this ever-unfolding plotline. Whereas “The Hunger Games” didn’t incorporate the overarching theme of governmental fear nearly as much, “Catching Fire” united the once-pinned-against-each-other tributes and gave the audience a concrete hero to root for, reminding everyone who the real enemy was.