PUBLISHING DATE: JANUARY 5, 2015
(Original Submission)
THE UNDERDOGS OF 2014
We didn’t have to endure another Miley Cyrus hoopla towards the end of the year. Thank you sweet baby Jesus. But the repetitive and exaggerated commotion over the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge (not to offend the sufferers), selfies, and the piling news that tipped the scale in favor of dysphoria have left a blaring ring in our ears, we just feel like 2014 should’ve been over sooner. However, there are still reasons to enjoy it with fresh finds that make the year worthy of a second look. We’ve named the 2014 underdogs with a list of movies, music, food, and just about anything that needs your attention before we fast forward to 2015.
ALBUMS
While the conventional airwaves obligingly blast yet another clump of cookie cutter record label honcho creations, many with questionably obtuse lyrics (Iggy Azalea?), just off the limelight are raw gems your playlist badly needs. Update your collection with these: Becca Stevens’ Perfect Animal, Tuatara’s Underworld, Cold Specks' Neuroplasticity, Amen Dunes’ Love, Arto Lindsay’s Encyclopedia of Arto, and From Indian Lakes’ Absent Sounds.
From the movie Take Shelter
ACTOR: MICHAEL SHANNON
Michael Shannon's performance in 2011's Take Shelter is stuff of Oscar gold, so it was surprising when he and the film didn't really get any nomination traction. What's more surprising was not seeing Michael in block buster flicks this year after his intense yet oddly ruthful portrayal of General Zod in Man of Steel. Let's hope he doesn't get snubbed for his 2015 films Frank & Lola and Midnight Special, or at least give this man the leading act on a big budget film he deserves.
BOOK TURNED MOVIE: THE CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES
Obviously naming the most underrated book of the year will be a tough cookie to crack, so much so now when self-publishers have begun dominating the industry. While the world of literature is home to the most undiscovered (and often unappreciated) talents, the list is easily narrowed down when it’s books-that-should-be-adapted-to-film comes to mind. We can’t quite think of any book more deserving of silver screen time than The Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. It’s not like Hollywood purposefully shelved the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, which is also considered the funniest novel of all time. In fact, several directors have been trying to do so for the past 30 years. Producer and director Steven Soderbergh have named the book as cursed (some of the prospective leads have died at an early age), but it looks like we’ll see the adaptation push through with Nick Offerman playing Ignatius J. Reilly. That was announced early this year, and we haven’t heard of any more news after that. Sigh.
From the series Penny Dreadful
ACTRESS: EVA GREEN
We need a lot less Jennifer Lawrence in our lives at the moment. While the world questionably praises the Mockingjay’s deadpan acting, our eyes are set on Eva Green, particularly her enchanting performance as Vanessa Ives in Victorian horror inspired series Penny Dreadful. We just can't get enough of her steely gaze and we want her back on the big screen.
From www.fifa.com
SPORTS: FIFA WORLD CUP
This year gave both hardcore and newb football fans more reason to watch the FIFA World Cup when the tables turned and boosted the underdogs. USA, Netherlands, and Mexico are the year's crowd favorites that many argue would have dominated if not for just a bit more gumption. Who can forget USA Goalkeeper Tim Howard's epic 16 saves against Belgium? Though that wasn't enough to flip the game's fate, it united a country that once thought 'soccer' was a middle school pastime.
MOVIE: WHIPLASH
Gone Girl has cast a pretty large shadow for this year's compilation of exceptional movies. Although we don't have complaints with the critically acclaimed film, we think there are a few movies deserving the same attention. Plan a marathon with Boyhood, Birdman, Only Lovers Left Alive, and Frank. On top of our list among these is Whiplash; this clip speaks for itself.
From Chef
FOOD: THE CUBAN SANDWICH
Ramen is finally getting the rest it needs, but there’s just too much love for poutine and “gastro artisanal heirloom craft deconstructed” whatever, and not enough room for what we think should have dominated our taste buds this year: the Cuban Sandwich. Thanks to Jon Favreau’s Chef, we learned that making the perfectly grilled ham and cheese sandwich is harder than we think. Now we just want it on our plates.
DESTINATION: SIQUIJOR
While everyone flocks the progressively decaying Boracay or the immensely expensive Palawan, we’re out exploring the vastly untouched and undiscovered islands of the country. What caught our attention this year is Siquijor’s pristine dive sites and unimpeded ocean vistas. Siquijor is one validation to why it’s more fun in the Philippines.
By Bryan Ochalla, commons.wikimedia.org / CC BY 2.0
DESSERT: KOUIGN-AMANN
Please, enough of food in mason jars. Just-add-water desserts, cheesecakes, puddings, and what have you in bottles bombard our Instagram feed that it makes us wonder if it has any effect on flavor. We’ve had our fill of Smores and salted caramel (on Smores), too. We rather save our appetite for Kouign-Amann, a dessert that takes bona fide pastry talent and is judgement-free worthy of that #foodstagram tag. The buttery, flaky Breton cake may be gaining household name abroad in the past year, but it is yet to take the same exaltation as the satiating cronut locally.
GADGET: SONY ACTION CAM AS30V
Those who seriously do not need it go gaga over the GoPro HERO4 and its crazy price tag, but the Sony Action Cam AS30V is the action cam that should be grabbing your attention. Half the price of a GoPro, it’s smaller, easier to mount, and does the same things as the overvalued market leader. Now go return your spanking new GoPro Christmas gift, exchange it for a Sony, and keep the change. You’re welcome.
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