Best of 2014!

2014 has been an amazing year in entertainment. Here's our roundup of favorites from the last 12 months-- Let us know what we missed this past year and what should've made the list.

Best TV Show of 2014

Brooklyn 9-9 is a mockumentary-style comedy show in the vein of The Office or Parks & Rec. It actually started in late October of 2013, but really gained traction in 2014. The beauty of Brooklyn 9-9 resides in the fact that it centers around a team of ragtag police officers and it often subverts the too-familiar tropes of shows like Law & Order or CSI. The entire cast is genuinely likable, and many of the characters add a slight twist to otherwise worn-out television archetypes. Take Terry Crews' character, for example: what if the usual bald, tough-as-nails NY police officer became a family man and was terrified of being injured or killed in the field? This subversion ends up turning Terry into one of the least macho people in his precinct. It's sheer genius! Overall, Brooklyn 9-9 is just outright fun, and that's all you could ask for, isn't it?

Best Movie(s) of 2014

This is where Hannah and I diverge a little. Without a doubt, 2014 has been a tremendous year for film, and you don't even want to know how many movies we saw in theaters. Nonetheless, a few rise to the top as truly remarkable works of story-telling. My obvious choice for movie of the year is the sci-fi blockbuster Interstellar. I could write a book on why, but let me be brief -- the acting is poignant, the visuals are stunning, and the cinematic score is luxurious. If you have children, this movie is a must-see. If you are a space nerd like myself, this movie will probably rival anything you've seen on screen. Seriously, it's the most believable depiction of other planets you can find, bar none. Interstellar is a hard science fiction piece, with real technology and realistic procedures. It's not fluff. The emotional gravity of the film is crushing, so be ready to have your heart broken about halfway through the film. It's still in theaters, so go see it now in theaters, so go see it now.

Hannah's pick for best movie is the film adaption of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I have to admit that I was a little hesitant about this film at first, but seriously... it's amazing. If Interstellar breaks your heart, The Fault in Our Stars will leave you dead inside. But, kind of in a good way. It takes every standard of chick-movie making and smashes it to pieces. The most important ingredient in this story is the issue of mortality -- the risks are high for two young lovers who decide to open up to one another, knowing they could die at any moment. The characters are expertly crafted and the plot floats along as effortlessly as the romantic relationship develops. On a side note, the male protagonist Augustus "Gus" Waters has some serious charm. Husbands, take some notes while you view this film, because you could learn a thing or two from this dude.

Best App of 2014

Prepare for your life to be ruined if you download this game. Hay Day is a farm simulation game that starts off simply -- plant some wheat, harvest it, sell it, and continue. However, the game quickly explodes into so many directions with new crops, new buildings, and so much more. I shudder to think how much time the developers spend on updating and expanding this app. Hay Day actually launched in 2012 but blew up in 2014 with a humongous update from the developers. There's just something so mesmerizing and relaxing about managing your little farm and developing it slowly over time. Considering that the game is free to play, with optional purchases inside, you can't find more entertainment for your investment. Just remember, I warned you.

Best Pop Song of 2014

We are admittedly slow to adopt new music. Instead of chewing up and spitting out new releases rapidly, as some listeners do, we tend to slowly and thoroughly appreciate whole albums at a time before moving on. I'm still listening to CDs from the early 2000's. Nonetheless, we inevitably hear the pop songs that dominate popular culture, and not all are created equal. Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" is a brilliantly composed song about the lasting nature of true love. There's something to be said about this composition because plenty of cheap love songs come and go, but a truly well-written and intuitive song stands the test of time. This one will last. As I mentioned before, this song is about a relationship over the long haul -- it's not your standard pop track about finding true lust in a dark nightclub. Sheeran ponders how his love will look when he's no longer famous or youthful. If you haven't heard this song, do yourself a favor and give it a try, and then share it with your spouse or significant other. It's amazing.

So there it is -- the Hartsfield nominations for what we enjoyed the most in 2014. Tell us what you think!