Best Of...

Written by Pete Timmermann Monday, 02 January 2012 17:17

2011 was a funky year for movies. It was thankfully a good one—like 2010, I had a hell of a time whittling this list down to just 10 films, and left out a lot of really good ones in the process.

Written by Bruce Matlock Monday, 02 January 2012 20:20

Music is such a completely emotional and communal experience that, as human beings, we can’t help but to be affected by the events going on around us.

Written by Sean Lass Monday, 02 January 2012 19:09

As far as I am concerned, 2011 has been a pretty great year for films. I saw 84 movies this year, and I liked or loved most of them.

Written by Laura Hamlett Monday, 02 January 2012 20:14

This year marked a return to fine form for many artists, both classic and current. Tasty listens, indeed.

Written by Steve Higgins Wednesday, 11 January 2012 21:19

Williams is firing on all cylinders here, creating remarkable layouts and breathtaking linework to tell a truly action-packed and gripping story.

Written by Steve Higgins Wednesday, 11 January 2012 21:54

The tragedies and triumphs of the two lead characters really resonate with its readers to create a powerful thematic exploration of love set against an ever-evolving landscape.

Written by Mike Rengel Monday, 02 January 2012 20:10

Art doesn’t take kindly to being sliced, diced, ranked, and filed; there’s no differential equation to analytically determine songs’ groovitational pull.

Written by Matt Newlin Monday, 02 January 2012 19:46

One solid indicator of a great film is if you are unable to stop thinking about it long after you’ve left the theater.

Written by Laura Hamlett Tuesday, 03 January 2012 13:48

England's Premier League truly is the best in the world.

Written by Tony Van Zeyl Monday, 02 January 2012 20:02

There are a ton of crappy kids movies and TV out there. If you have small children (six and under), you know what I mean.

Written by Mike Koehler Monday, 02 January 2012 14:48

For someone who works downtown, this is a culinary godsend.

Written by Steve Higgins Tuesday, 10 January 2012 20:58

It had humor, it had poignant human interactions, it was beautifully drawn, it was insightfully written.

Written by Matthew Treon Friday, 13 January 2012 13:40

2012 will see the return of both Quentin Tarantino and Joaquin Phoenix.

Written by Teresa Montgomery Monday, 02 January 2012 19:57

I think that anyone who would be reading a music review site doesn’t need me to tell them that Adele released an album this year and it was pretty good.

Written by Andrea Braun Tuesday, 03 January 2012 13:40

There’s no way to compare such disparate theatrical fare in any sense of their competing with each other, so my selection criteria was based entirely on how much I enjoyed, admired, and was moved by a production.

Written by Jim Ousley Thursday, 19 January 2012 14:46

This is called “spamming,” according to my son, and it did no good in preventing me from being his bitch.

Written by Mary Beth Hascall Monday, 02 January 2012 21:16

The boys from Dublin are always worth it.

Written by Mike Koehler Monday, 02 January 2012 20:00

2011 was a pretty good year for music. I really could have made this a top 20 or 30 list, but here I've kept it to 10.

Written by Pete Timmermann Tuesday, 03 January 2012 14:16

To anyone who knows me, this list will probably not be terribly surprising, I’m afraid.

Written by PLAYBACK:stl Staff Monday, 02 January 2012 20:17

Let's face it: We here at PLAYBACK:stl live for music. Nothing excites us more than a new release, whether by one of our favorite artists or one we've yet to discover. Here, find a quick best-of list of a few of our critics.

Written by Nicole Madden Monday, 02 January 2012 15:18

It was hard to narrow down the list of radical stuff that happened in 2011 since there was so much greatness that came out of this year.

Written by Sarah Boslaugh Monday, 02 January 2012 15:52

The enemy is within.

Written by Tony Van Zeyl Tuesday, 03 January 2012 13:16

Jason Segal’s love letter to the Muppets is everything it should be.

Written by Jennifer Manjarez Monday, 02 January 2012 15:10

Rick (Owen Wilson) and Fred (Jason Sudeikis) are best friends who have a lot in common, including the fact that they have each been married for many years.

Written by Tony Van Zeyl Monday, 02 January 2012 20:19

As I mentioned before, I love concert streams.

Written by Jason Neubauer Monday, 02 January 2012 16:24

As the face of law enforcement in America for almost 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover was feared and admired, reviled, and revered.

Written by Carlos Gabriel Ruiz Tuesday, 10 January 2012 20:31

1. Casanova: Avaritia

Written by Laura Hamlett Tuesday, 03 January 2012 16:02

Sorry; I couldn't keep it to just 10. I tried; I really did. There was just too much low-hanging fruit for the picking.

Written by Byron Kerman Tuesday, 03 January 2012 14:26

The flavors to look forward to in 2012

Written by Alex Schreiber Monday, 02 January 2012 20:00

I couldn't keep my list to just 10. So here, enjoy dessert with your dinner.

Written by Jesse Raya Wednesday, 01 February 2012 12:53

Jesse Raya is the publicist for St. Louis concert venue The Pageant. He listens to a lot of music. We love him.

Written by Tony Van Zeyl Tuesday, 03 January 2012 13:26

Every year, there are a few details in life that, in retrospect (and sometimes in the moment), change my life immensely. Here are the top ones in 2011.

Written by PLAYBACK:stl Critics Monday, 02 January 2012 21:34

For music fans, nothing beats the power of a live show. Here's a quick view of three of our critics' favorites for 2011.

Written by Sarah Boslaugh Tuesday, 03 January 2012 14:21

Written from my current residence in northern Georgia

Written by Mary Beth Hascall Monday, 02 January 2012 15:43

As Harry races against time and evil to destroy the Horcruxes, he uncovers the existence of three most powerful objects in the wizarding world.

Written by Ashley White Monday, 02 January 2012 19:52

For once, the critics got it right.

Written by John Shepherd Tuesday, 03 January 2012 14:01

2011 wasn’t a super year for TV and me, but it wasn’t bad.

Written by Alex Schreiber Wednesday, 01 February 2012 12:49

I hope you can take away some songs from my list and enjoy them before they become the background to diaper commercials.

Written by Laura Hamlett Monday, 02 January 2012 21:19

A reunion tour never shone so bright.

Written by Matthew Treon Friday, 13 January 2012 13:48

Brad Pitt hits it out of the park…literally.

Written by John Shepherd Tuesday, 03 January 2012 14:13

Just because the monkeys are throwing poop at each other doesn’t mean we have to look.

Written by Tony Van Zeyl Tuesday, 03 January 2012 14:08

Getting lost in a well-crafted series can be similar to being immersed in a great novel.

Written by Justin Curia Monday, 02 January 2012 19:50

Perhaps this list will inspire you to explore something new.

Written by Ashley White Tuesday, 03 January 2012 13:29

Who cares if reality ≠ real life? It's still fascinating to watch.