Many of you probably considered the Oscars the climax of the award season. Those of you who know better have been anxiously anticipating this moment. The birth of the Irwies! The Irwies are cyber awards given out to figures in the world (entertainment or otherwise) that I consider worthy of recognition in honor of the late Steve Irwin: entertainer, educator, funny accent- talker, and friend to us all.
So without further ado, let the Irwies begin!
The first award is for Redemptive Moment. And the Irwie goes to...
R. Kelly for his surprisingly uplifting Obama Anthem "I Believe." After it appeared that the falling apart of his career would culminate in his part of Beyonce's "If I Were a Boy" remix. On the remix, Kelly sings the shockingly disrespectful lyrics "So I go to clubs with the guys and sometimes flirt with the girls/ I should be able to roll out as long as I'm coming home to you and give you the world." Does he honestly believe that? Either way, "I Believe" should draw comparisons to "I Believe I Can Fly" for reasons beyond it's title. It's really good, and if it had that soundtrack that "Fly" did it would get its recognition.
Continuing in the world of music the Irwie for Best Hook goes to...
That part in "I Luv Your Girl" by The-Dream where he goes "I'm sorry I got it in for your girl, your girlfriend." The beat remains as cool as ever, but the layered vocals drive the chorus to a gorgeous R & B moment.
- Honorable Mention: The part where Dragonforce sings "Glorious! Forever more in us..." on the track "Heroes of Our Time." Unfortunately, the British rockers lose points for only including the hook once in the entire seven minute song.
Most Improved Band:
Kings of Leon: Their sound got a lot bigger, deeper, and more engaging. "Only By the Night" is a pretty tight album.
Honorable Mention: Augustana for trading in piano for guitars. Some of their "Can't Love Can't Hurt" album still features the keys, but it's strong points ("Sweet and Low" and "Still Ain't Over You") have some pretty sweet guitar melodies.
Onto the world of film. the Irwie for the greatest movie moment of 2008 goes to...
Simon Brand dir. "Paraiso Travel" - The bus scene.
I have to admit that I watched this movie and Spanish and understood very little of it. But the scene in which Marlon, riding on a bus through New York City, sees Reina, his lost lover for whom he has been searching the entire movie, and begs the bus driver in Spanish to stop the bus. He gets out of the Bus, running and shouting her name, the city swirling about him. The tension is thick, the Sigur Ros music in the background is perfect, and the result in any language is goosebumps.
Disappointment of the Year:
The Office. I'm just going to say it... "The Office" got a whole let less interesting now that Jim and Pam are together. I know I couldn't help but root for them and was excited to see them together, but once it happened Jim became kind of- well- a douche. At this point nothing would make me happier than to see Jim catch Pam and Michael together. If it happens remember you heard it here first!
Which brings us to our the final Irwie: Stone Cold Fox of the Year.
And the Irwie goes to...
Nastia Liukin. I mean honestly, does anything get your water boiling more than the All- Around Gymnastic Olympic Gold? And when she sat there pouting because her tie for first somehow landed her in second place, who among you could deny the desire to comfort her, but also recognized that you would lack the courage to face those icy eyes? Ice Woman, yes please! A fierce, strong competitor with a reluctant smile that could warm up the world. Permission to gush? As if I can help it.
Honorable mention:
Anna Poppelwell. Queen Susan of Narnia herself. When did she become such a fox? How she wielded that bow and slyly tells Prince Caspian to keep the horn because he might need to call her again. Well done Ms. Poppelwell.
Thanks for joining the First Annual Irwies in recognizing things that I liked and didn't like in 2008. See you next year and then some.
