My goodness, can you believe another year has come and gone already?
As the new year approaches, I took some time to go back through the blog and pick out the people, TV shows, musicians, movies and real-life experiences that made 2012 awesome for this pop culture blogger.
The heartbreak of a British songstress, "photoshopped" abs of our favourite Canadian hunk, and a series of unfortunate bridal party mishaps connected us all through 2011.
Click inside for even more highlights from the past year, and be sure to let me know your favourite pop culture phenomenon of 2011.
RYAN GOSLING
While we've loved Ryan Gosling long time on outisthrough.com, this was certainly the year he hit the mainstream. With three major motion pictures released -- Crazy Stupid Love, Drive and The Ides of March -- the actor showed versatility and picked up fans from teenagers to soccer moms along the way. While he was beat out for Sexiest Man Alive, he certainly became the most meme'd celeb. Meanwhile, he impressed on the red carpet, the streets of New York, and on the talk show circuit. Oh yeah, and check out that fucking body.
ADELE
By now it's safe to say we've all turned to Adele's hit album 21, and specifically the heartbreaking track Someone Like You, to help us through a good cry. Am I right? The 23-year-old British songstress took the world by storm in 2011 with her heart wrenching album and astounding vocal abilities, and ends the year with the best-selling album as a result. A fan since I saw her perform Rolling in the Deep on Letterman, I vehemently support Adele when someone tells me they're not such a fan. (Shockingly, it's happened once)! As Adele recovers from throat surgery that sidelined her for half the year, we're all eagerly anticipating the (hopefully) triumphant return of one of music's most original voices.
EMMA STONE
Back in 2010 when Easy A was released, I wasn't completely sold on Emma Stone's appeal. But after this past year I can truly say I'm a believer! Beyond her fine movie releases from The Help to Crazy Stupid Love, girl is fearless on the red carpet and hits the mark nine times out of 10. In fact, her looks were featured more than any other celeb's on the blog this year! Combine that style with a humble and youthful personality, and Emma Stone is one to watch for years to come.
SCREAM 4
It may not have hit big with mass movie going audiences, but faithful fans of the franchise -- including yours truly -- were largely satisfied with this addition to the original trilogy. If there was an award for most meta, self-referential film, this one would probably take the cake. Scream 4 succeeded by channeling the wit and snarkiness of the original, and adding a whole lot more gore.
This was the year Parks & Recreation finally got the recognition it deserves for being smart but not acerbic, and delivering characters and storylines that are well-rounded and funny without being overblown. Amy Poehler leads an ensemble cast of the best damn actors with the best damn chemistry on TV. If you're late to Pawnee fear not -- just TREAT YO'SELF in 2012 so you don't fall further behind!
At 22, 2011 saw Daniel Radcliffe graduate from 10 years of playing Harry Potter. And what was the first thing he chose to do? Take Broadway by storm in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. I can say firsthand this charismatic kid is oozing tons of talent, and I can't wait to see what he does next!
CANADA DAY IN OTTAWA
Undoubtedly my favourite weekend of the summer, everywhere I turned during my Canada Day weekend visit to Ottawa I found the faces of some of my favourite people ever. Great friends, great parties, and great guest appearances by none other than William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge!
Some called it the female Hangover, others dubbed it the film that proved women are funny. But those of us who knew the latter to be true for all time just called this breakout film like it is: hilarious. An impeccable ensemble cast led by Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Melissa McCarthy pop off the screen, thanks to fantastic writing with both humour and heart. Jon Hamm and Chris O'Dowd, meanwhile, ensure ample opportunity to swoon. And just when we thought we couldn't laugh any louder, the DVD release offered a slew of amazing bonus features.
HENRY CAVILL
The above photo of the 27-year-old British actor on the Man of Steel set is enough to make any man blow his load. Am I right? 2011 saw Mr. Cavill flex his muscles for theatre-goers in The Immortals, while teasing us with an even more bulked-up bod for 2013's new Superman flick.
After years of procrastination, this year I caught up on four seasons of Dexter in but one summer. It provided perhaps the most suspense-filled before-bed TV binges of my life. And while the recently-concluded sixth season was unfortunately lacklustre, Jennifer Carpenter's criminally underrated portrayal of Deb Morgan continues to impress. As the foul-mouthed Lieutenant, Carpenter has brought Deb from second banana position to push through as the most interesting character on this thrilling drama.
After wowing international audiences with their impassioned Grammys performance in February, I first discovered Mumford & Sons while road tripping to Ottawa for Canada day. Simultaneously solemn and joyful, I spent many free moments on my patio this summer with a Mill St. Belgian Wit and Sigh No More. Seeing the band at the ACC in October -- twice the size of the band's biggest show to date -- proved a celebratory experience.
For the second time in our friendship, Vanessa and I ate our way through New York City. But this time it was summertime, which meant we were sweating profusely as we sought out Chuck Bass' hotel, headed to see Daniel Radcliffe on Broadway, hipster-watched in Brooklyn and sang the Alicia Keys and Jay-Z hit Empire State of Mind at every possible moment.
It didn't take any convincing to get me into the movie theatre to see the Muppets' return to the big screen. But just in case the young'uns needed a little persuasion, our favourite fuzzy friends hit us hard with viral videos, talk show appearances and magazine photo spreads to remind us they're not only back, but they can hold their own in an increasingly crowded media landscape.
BRITNEY SPEARS
2011 will go down in history as the year I bought my first Britney Spears album -- and boy was it a great decision. Though I'm still not convinced Ms. Spears actually cares to be in showbiz anymore, her producers helped her put together an eclectic mix of non-stop party thumpers. Till The World Ends will keep me dancing until the world, literally, ends.
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