We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery’s Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You’ll find all of the staff faves of 2008 here.

By Rachel Josue, Digital Producer

I would like to preface this list with the following disclaimer: I did not see “Twilight” yet. OK, with that out of the way, like last year, I was really into this year’s blockbusters. I go to the movies for the entertainment value, not so much the deep story of this and that, so fun is my #1 priority. Here are my picks for the most entertaining films of the year.

10. “Penelope“: I saw this film two years ago, actually, and loved it then. It didn’t get the attention it deserved.

9. “Vicky Christina Barcelona“: What I appreciated most about this film was that I had seen so many blockbusters and superhero movies during the summer, this film became a breath of fresh air.

8. “Sex and the City: The Movie“: The girls will always have a place in my heart.

7. “Hancock“: I loved what they did with Charlize Theron’s character. I would love to see a sequel for this one.

(Which movie did Rachel pick as her #1 most entertaining film for 2008? Find out after the jump!)
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We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery’s Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You’ll find all of the staff faves of 2008 here.

By Sabrina Rojas Weiss, Senior Copy Editor

10. The Ting Tings, We Started Nothing: I love singer Katie’s shouty power and the way their beat makes me jump around like a little kid. “That’s not my name!”

9. Chromeo, Fancy/ Fancier Footwork: With this playing on my headphones, I am instantly in an ’80s movie montage. (The original came out last year, but I bought this year’s “deluxe” set.)

8. Coldplay, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends: I avoided buying this for months because the hype bored me. But that soaring wall of sound in the title track finally got under my skin.

(What was Sabrina’s #1 album from 2008? Find out after the jump!)
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Spencer Pratt may have tried to redeem himself in the season finale of “The Hills” Monday night by delaying his official wedding to Heidi Montag so that she can have her dream wedding. And we here at MTV News know why.

“I’m friends with everybody now,” Spencer revealed to us at the finale party. “I’m going to be nice to everyone. It’s a New Year’s resolution: Be a nicer Spencer.”

For a guy who’s feuded with everyone on “The Hills” over the last few seasons — his family, Heidi’s family, Brody Jenner, and maybe even himself (the episode did seem to make us believe he is turning into a cooler dude) — Spencer realizes now that 2009 may be a good year to stop feuding and start loving. Read more…

After four seasons of makeups and breakups, crying and gossip, “The Hills” had its big season finale Monday night in New York. A strange choice of location for such a Los Angeles-centric show, you might think. Not really. With Whitney’s spin-off show “The City” — the new hot show to watch (until season 5 of “The Hills,” of course) — set in New York, the landmark Tavern on the Green, all decked out in Christmas lights and ice sculptures, was the perfect holiday-themed location for the big bash.

The one major downside: It was bloody freezing!

But still, that didn’t stop all of the cast from turning up to hit the red carpet — and it certainly didn’t stop the girls from putting fashion first and hitting the carpet with short skirts on.

First came new sisters-in-law Stephanie and Holly. Maybe someone should have pointed out that they weren’t actually filming an episode of “The Hills” that evening. Within seconds of my live interview with them (and the question “Do you think the marriage will last?”), both girls squared up to each other and had a full-blown argument on live TV. Read more…

We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery’s Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You’ll find the staff faves of 2008 all together here.

By Daniela Capistrano, Digital Producer

I am addicted to movies, particularly the kind that make me jump, cry and think — and the best make me do all of those things in that order.

“Let the Right One In,” a Swedish horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson, was a rare gem that slipped by many this year (particularly those already distracted by another teen vampire movie) — but not me. It was my favorite film of 2008.

Like “Twilight,” “Let the Right One In” took a different angle on the vampire genre. Both films were based on a book. Both starred young, and (at the time) fairly unknown actors. Both films dealt with topics such as social isolation and your not-so-typical young romance, but, for me, “Let the Right One In” is the superior film. Why?

(Find out why Daniela prefers “Let the Right One In” over “Twilight” and check out her top 10 horror/gore/thriller movies list, after the jump!)
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We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery’s Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You’ll find all of the staff faves of 2008 here.

By Christina Garibaldi, Daily News Coordinator

Pop music seemed to rule the airwaves this year, from the Jonas Brothers to Miley Cyrus to Taylor Swift, so here’s a look at the biggest pop stars of 2008.

10. Pink: Turning her heartbreak into a smash single with “So What,” Pink made a huge comeback in 2008.

9. Leona Lewis: I believe there was a period of two months this year when you could not go anywhere without hearing “Bleeding Love.”

8. Demi Lovato: She’s adorable and talented, and she and best friend Selena Gomez had a YouTube fight with Miley Cyrus. What more can you ask for?

(Find out what who Christina picked as the top pop start for 2008, after the jump!)
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I fell on Speidi, and all I got was this awesome footage.

After we’d been hanging around the red carpet at the Tavern on the Green in Central Park in below-zero temperatures for a couple of hours, America’s sweethearts, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, graced the press with their presence before “The Hills Finale Live From NYC.” Read more…

What Christmas gift do you buy for a basic-cable reality-show superstar who makes serious coin for simply engaging in drama with her friends, having awkward staring contests with her frienemies and occasionally sitting down to chat with a pair of Canadian goofballs? That was the question I faced when I was approached to be Secret Santa for last night’s “The Hills Finale Live From NYC” show.

Due to time constraints, my Secret Santa segments got slashed more than your teacher’s tires during finals week, so a lot of my fun “Hills”-inspired gifts didn’t make it to air, but I thought it would still be fun to share what I would have given Spencer, Heidi, Lauren and the rest of the gang on “The Hills.”

Heidi and Spencer: What do you get for the newlyweds? (Spoiler alert: or, uh, newly-not-legally-weds?) This one was easy. First, I picked them up a giant handle of premium tequila to help them remember their quickie Mexican marriage. (Or in Heidi’s case, it might help her forget.) I also snagged an electric razor, so Spencer could tame that wild beard of his. And last, I bought the happy couple a nice frame so that they could display a wedding photo, a marriage license or a prenup.

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We’re just hours away from the season finale of “The Hills,” and tonight, I’ve been asked to help celebrate the event by popping up in the live finale to act as the Secret Santa for “The Hills”! I’ve hand-picked silly personalized gifts for each cast member and I’ll be doling them out tonight at “The Hills Finale Live From NYC,” starting at 8 p.m. Pray that I don’t get slapped on live television — I hear Lo has a killer right hook.

The whole gang is slated to be there — Lauren, Audrina, Whitney, Justin — and as much as I’m stoked to congratulate the newlywed Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Pratt in person, I’m secretly hoping that Spencer’s grandma will be in attendance. That’s right, you can keep your Lauren Conrad! For me, the real star of “The Hills” is Nana. Here’s hoping for a senior spinoff called “The Home.” (Madonna could play at the aftershow!)

So check out “The Hills Finale Live From NYC” tonight at 8 p.m., leading up to the season finale at 10 p.m., followed by the aftershow with Dan and Jessi and a special performance by the Pussycat Dolls!

We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery’s Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You’ll find the staff faves of 2008 all together here.

By Joe DeShano, Video Editor

10. “Bolt”: Rhino!!!

9. “Doubt”: The verbal sparring between Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep is worth the price of admission alone.

8. “Milk”: The movie, brilliantly acted, drove home a story of struggle not often seen in film. It’s interesting to see how a movie made about the late ’70s is still so relevant and poignant today.

7. “Mama Mia”: The most audacious camp I’ve seen in a long time. The “Rocky Horror” for this generation.

(Check out Joe’s complete list, after the jump!)
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