In the year the world DIDN’T end (looking at you John Cusack)…
After 244 years of publication, Encyclopedia Britannica discontinued its print edition.
Felix Baumgartner became the first person to break the sound barrier without machine assistance by diving out of a helium balloon from outer-space.
Key & Peele made their Comedy Central debut.
Whitney Houston passed away at the age of 49.
And here’s what happened in Movies, Music and Sports…
Movies
Comedy
Ted, 21 Jump Street, The Dictator, Pitch Perfect, Wanderlust, American Reunion, What To Expect When You’re Expecting, This Is 40, Project X, Think Like A Man, Dark Shadows, Rock of Ages, The Lorax, Wreck-It Ralph, The Campaign, Casa de Mi Padre, Safety Not Guaranteed, For a Good Time Call…, The Guilt Trip, The Three Stooges, Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie, Magic Mike, The Five-Year Engagement, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, Hit and Run AND…
Moonrise Kingdom
Action/Thriller
Skyfall, The Avengers, Savages, Safe House, The Hunger Games, Taken 2, The Bourne Legacy, Man on a Ledge, Looper, Safe, Stolen, Jack Reacher, Resident Evil: Retribution, Premium Rush, End of Watch, Sinister, Contraband, Erased, Battleship, Seven Psychopaths, Dredd, Total Recall, Prometheus, The Amazing Spider-Man, Chronicle AND…
The Dark Knight Rises
Drama
Django Unchained, Silver Linings Playbook, Argo, Zero Dark Thirty, Lincoln, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Les Miserables, The Master, Cloud Atlas, The Vow, Flight, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Mud, Disconnect, Red Tails, Promised Land, Amour, Trouble with the Curve, Hitchcock, The Place Beyond the Pines
Argo
The 85th Academy Awards
Best Actor
Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables
Joaquin Phoenix, The Master
Denzel Washington, Flight
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln – Winner
(This was his 3rd win out of 5 nominations dating back to My Left Foot in 1990)
Best Supporting Actor
Alan Arkin, Argo
Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook
Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln
Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained – Winner
(Waltz has won both times he was nominated. Both for Tarantino roles)
Best Actress
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Emmanuelle Riva, Amour
Quvenzhane Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Naomi Watts, The Impossible
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook – Winner
(JLaw was nominated 3 times in 4 years, beginning in 2011 for Winter’s Bone)
Best Supporting Actress
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Jacki Weaver, Silver Linings Playbook
Amy Adams, The Master
Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables – Winner
(Hathaway was nominated once more in 2009 for her lead role Rachel Getting Married)
Best Picture
Amour
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Les Miserables
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty
Argo – Winner
(Argo won 2 more Oscars out of 7 nominations, for Best Writing and Editing)
Music
Rock Albums
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Hip Hop Albums
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Pop Albums
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Billboard Year-End Top 25 Songs
“Somebody That I used to Know” – Gotye featuring Kimbra
“Call Me Maybe” – Carly Rae Jepson
“We Are Young” – fun. featuring Janelle Monae
“Payphone” – Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa
“Lights” – Ellie Goulding
“Glad You Came” – The Wanted
“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” – Kelly Clarkson
“We Found Love” – Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris
“Starships” – Nicki Minaj
“What Makes You Beautiful” – One Direction
“Wild Ones” – Flo Rida featuring Sia
“Set Fire to the Rain” – Adele
“Sexy and I Know It” – LMFAO
“Some Nights” – fun.
“Wide Awake” – Katy Perry
“Good Feeling” – Flo Rida
“Whistle” – Flo Rida
“One More Night” – Maroon 5
“Drive By” – Train
“The Motto” – Drake featuring Lil Wayne
“Where Have You Been” – Rihanna
“Everybody Talks” – Neon Trees
“Take Care” – Drake featuring Rihanna
“Titanium” – David Guetta
“I Won’t Give Up” – Jason Mraz
Sports
Baseball
League Leaders
Offensive
Average: Buster Posey (SF) – .336
Hits: Derek Jeter (NYY) – 216
Home Runs: Miguel Cabrera (DET) – 44
RBI: Miguel Cabrera (DET) – 139
OPS: Miguel Cabrera (DET) – .999
Stolen Bases: Mike Trout (LAA) – 49
Pitching
Wins: Gio Gonzalez (WSH) – 21
ERA: Clayton Kershaw (LAD) – 2.53
Strikeouts: Justin Verlander (DET) – 239
Complete Games: Justin Verlander (DET) – 6
Shutouts: Felix Hernandez (SEA) – 5
Saves: Jim Johnson (BAL) – 51
MVP
AL – Miguel Cabrera (DET)
NL – Buster Posey (SF)
CY Young
AL – David Price (TB)
NL – R.A. Dickey (NYM)
Rookie of the Year
AL – Mike Trout (LAA)
NL – Bryce Harper (WSH)
World Series
San Francisco Giants sweep the Detroit Tigers 4-0
Basketball
NCAA
Final Four
(1) Kentucky (2) Ohio State (2) Kansas and (4) Louisville
National Championship
(1) Kentucky over (2) Kansas 67-59
NBA
League Leaders
Points Per Game: Kevin Durant (OKC) – 28.0
Rebounds Per Game: Dwight Howard (ORL) – 14.5
Assists Per Game: Rajon Rondo (BOS) -11.7
All-NBA Team
Kobe Bryant (LAL)
Kevin Durant (OKC)
Dwight Howard (ORL)
LeBron James (MIA)
Chris Paul (LAC)
MVP – LeBron James (MIA)
Rookie of the Year – Kyrie Irving (CLE)
NBA Finals
Miami Heat over the Oklahoma City Thunder (4-1)
Football
NCAA
Heisman Trophy – Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M)
BCS National Championship
(2) Alabama over (1) Notre Dame 42-14
NFL
League Leaders
Passing Yards: Drew Brees (NO) – 5,177
Passing Touchdowns: Drew Brees (NO) – 43
Passer Rating: Aaron Rodgers (GB) – 108.0
Rushing Yards: Adrian Peterson (MIN) – 2,097
Rushing Touchdowns: Arian Foster (HOU) – 15
Receiving Yards: Calvin Johnson (DET) – 1,964
Receiving Touchdowns: James Jones (GB) – 14
Receptions: Calvin Johnson (DET) – 122
AP MVP – Adrian Peterson (MIN)
Super Bowl XLVII
Baltimore Ravens over the San Francisco 49ers (The Harbowl) 34-31
Hockey
League Leaders
Goals: Steven Stamkos (TB) – 60
Assists: Henrik Sedin (VAN) – 67
Points: Evgeni Malkin (PIT) – 109
Hart Memorial Trophy: Evgeni Malkin (PIT)
Stanley Cup
Los Angeles Kings over the New Jersey Devils (4-2)
Although it was just 4 years ago, 2011 still qualifies as a Throwback Thursday material
President Barack Obama announces Osama bin Laden was killed in an American Military Operation
Two billion people watched Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, marry Catherine Middleton…They’ve had two children since
Occupy Wall Street protests begins in the US Sept. 17…The Occupy Movement then spread to 82 different countries by October
A 9.0-Magnitude earthquake and tsunami hit eastern Japan, with tsunami warnings being issued to 50 other countries and territories. Emergencies were declared at 4 Nuclear power plants effected by the earthquake
“The Macho Man” Randy Savage passed away at the age of 58.
And here’s what we saw from the world’s of Movies, Music, and Sports
Movies
Comedy
Bridesmaids, Paul, Hangover II, No Strings Attached, Friends With Benefits, Hall Pass, Horrible Bosses, Crazy, Stupid, Love., Your Highness, 30 Minutes or Less, Bad Teacher, Zookeeper, Midnight in Paris, Larry Crowne, Tower Heist, Arthur, The Sitter, Take Me Home Tonight, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, 50/50, The Big Year, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Bernie, AND…
The Muppets
Action/Thriller
Captain America: The First Avenger, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, X-Men: First Class, Unknown, Hanna, Limitless, Fast Five, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows – Part 2, Source Code, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Headhunters, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Wrecked, The Raid: Redemption, Immortals, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Haywire, Sanctum, The Skin I Live In, Elephant White, In Time, The Adjustment Bureau, The Ledge, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, The Devil’s Double, Season of the Witch, The Roommate, Drive Angry, I Am Number Four, Contagion, Priest, Killer Elite, AND…
Drive
Drama
The Artist, The Descendants, The Tree of Life, The Lincoln Lawyer, The Ides of March, Warrior, Water For Elephants, The Help, Warhorse, One Day, The Separation, Detachment, Like Crazy, My Week With Marilyn, Carnage, Another Earth, Beastly, United, Jane Eyre, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Albert Nobbs, Shame, Too Big To Fail, 1911, Win Win, W.E., J. Edgar, Wreckers, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, AND…
Moneyball
Animated
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, Cars 2, Puss in Boots, Rio, Kung Fu Panda 2, Arthur Christmas, Gnomeo & Juliet, Winnie the Pooh, Hop, The Smurfs, AND…
Rango
The 84th Academy Awards
Best Actor
Demian Bichir, A Better Life
George Clooney, The Descendants
Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt, Moneyball
Jean Dujardin, The Artist – Winner
Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branaugh, My Week With Marilyn
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Nick Nolte, Warrior
Max Von Sydow, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Christopher Plummer, Beginners – Winner
Best Actress
Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Rooney Mara, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady – Winner
Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer, Arthur Hobbs
Octavia Spencer, The Help – Winner
Best Picture
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
Warhorse
The Tree of Life
The Descendants
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Help
The Artist – Winner
Music
Rock Albums
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Hip Hop Albums
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Pop Albums
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Billboard Year-End Top 25
1. “Rolling In The Deep” – Adele
2. “Party Rock Anthem” – LMFAO
3. “Firework” – Katy Perry
4. “E.T.” – Katy Perry featuring Kanye West
5. “Give Me Everything” – Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo
6. “Grenade” – Bruno Mars
7. “F**K You” – Cee Lo Green
8. “Super Bass” – Nicki Minaj
9. “Moves Like Jagger” – Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera
10. “Just Can’t Get Enough” – The Black Eyed Peas
11. “On the Floor” – Jennifer Lopez featuring Pit Bull
12. “S&M” – Rihanna
13. “Pumped Up Kicks” – Foster the People
14. “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” – Katy Perry
15. “Just The Way You Are” – Bruno Mars
16. “Tonight (I’m Loving You)” – Enrique Iglesias
17. “Raise Your Glass” – Pink
18. “Born This Way” – Lady Gaga
19. “F**k’n Perfect” – Pink
20. “What’s My Name” – Rihanna featuring Drake
21. “Look at Me Now” – Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes
22. “Down On Me” – Jeremih featuring 50 Cent
23. “How To Love” – Lil Wayne
24. “Someone Like You” – Adele
25. “Good Life” – OneRepublic
Sports
Baseball
League Leaders:
Offensive:
Average: Miguel Cabrera (DET) – .344
Hits: Michael Young (TEX) & Adrian Gonzalez (BOS) – 213
Home Runs: Jose Bautista (TOR) – 43
RBI: Matt Kemp (LAD) – 126
OPS: Jose Bautista (TOR) – 1.056
Stolen Bases: Michael Bourn (HOU & ATL) – 61
Pitching
Wins: Justin Verlander (DET) – 24
ERA: Clayton Kershaw (LAD) – 2.28
Strikeouts: Justin Verlander (DET) – 250
Complete Games: James Shields (TB) – 11
Shutouts: Cliff Lee (PHI) – 6
Saves: Jose Valverde (DET) – 49
MVP
AL – Justin Verlander (DET)
NL – Ryan Braun (MIL)
CY Young
AL – Justin Verlander (DET)
NL – Clayton Kershaw (LAD)
Rookie of the Year
AL – Jeremy Hellickson (TB)
NL – Craig Kimbrell (ATL)
World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over Texas Rangers (4-3)
Basketball
NCAA
Final Four:
(3) UConn, (11) VCU, (4) Kentucky, and (8) Butler
National Championship:
(3) UConn over (8) Butler 53-41
NBA
League Leaders
Points Per Game: Kevin Durant (OKC) – 27.7
Rebounds Per Game: Kevin Love (MIN) – 15.2
Assists Per Game: Steve Nash (PHX) – 11.4
All-NBA Team
Kobe Bryant (LAL)
Kevin Garnett (BOS)
Dwight Howard (ORL)
LeBron James (MIA)
Derrick Rose (CHI)
MVP: Derrick Rose (CHI)
Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin (LAC)
NBA Finals: Dallas Mavericks over Miami Heat (4-2)
Football
NCAA
Heisman Trophy
Robert Griffin III, Baylor
National Championship
Alabama over LSU 21-0
NFL
League Leaders
Passing Yards: Drew Brees (NO) – 5,476
Passing Touchdowns: Drew Brees (NO) – 46
Passer Rating: Aaron Rodgers (GB) – 122.5
Rushing Yards: Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX) – 1,606
Rushing Touchdowns: LeSean McCoy (PHI) – 17
Receiving Yards: Calvin Johnson (DET) – 1,681
Receiving Touchdowns: Rob Gronkowski (NE) – 17
Receptions: Wes Welker – 122
AP MVP
Aaron Rodgers (GB)
Super Bowl
New York Giants over the New England Patriots 21-17
Hockey
League Leaders
Goals: Corey Perry (ANA) – 50
Assists: Henrik Sedin (VAN) – 75
Points: Daniel Sedin (VAN) – 104
Hart Memorial Trophy
Corey Perry (ANA)
Stanley Cup
Boston Bruins over Vancouver Cannucks (4-3)
Did I miss anything? Let me know on Twitter @Mike_PiFF03.