This year’s eclectic list includes shout outs to some of the talent who make it happen off screen as well as on screen, whether discovered as new, rediscovered or simply appreciated in 2014. In no particular order…

The Wire in HD – A one off and an addiction; the Christmas present of the century, especially for anyone who slept on it the first time around. There simply isn’t enough room to highlight all the excellent on screen talent, like Michael Kenneth Williams, Dominic West, Wendell Pierce, Sonja Sohn, Idris Elba and Wood Harris pictured below, but all deserve a shout out. Here’s a link to creator David Simon’s thoughts on the new HD format.

True Detective – Shout out to Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson… Shout out to writer Nic Pizzolatto and director Cary Fukunaga. That six minute oner in “Who Goes There” made episode 4 a killer in an incredible first season.

Selma – Shout out to David Oyelowo for a brilliant performance and for pushing forward and making this happen with director Ava DuVernay at the helm.

Love/Hate – This became an addiction, though only three seasons in, the series gets more and more raw and raucous… Shout out to a great cast led by Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gillen and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor.

Happy Valley – Shout out to Sarah Lancashire for knocking this role out of the park.

Birdman – is a one off that deserves shout outs for cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki and director Alejandro González Iñárritu, who conjured up something incredibly unique and fresh with Michael Keaton and Ed Norton leading us into unchartered territory.

Game of Thrones – I’ve given the series a shout out in previous years but this one is specifically for director Michelle MacLaren and writer Bryan Cogman for “Oathkeeper” episode 4, season 4.

Vikings – Revisiting the series with a shout out specifically for director Kari Skogland, cinematographer P.J. Dillon and writer/creator Michael Hirst for the unparalleled “Blood Eagle” episode 7 of an outstanding second season. And a special shout out to Thorbjørn Harr.

The Fall – Shout out to Gillian Anderson, who is excellent not only in this series, but in Hannibal too.

Inherent Vice – This is a one off! A full on acid trip of a film that is best enjoyed by abandoning any need to follow the plot… Just let it seduce you into oblivion with it. Shout outs to an incredible cast led by Joaquin Phoenix, cinematographer Robert Elswith, production designer David Crank, costume designer Mark Bridges and the entire hair and make-up department.

—————OPENING TITLES MUSIC—————

Shout out to Fiona Apple for the opening title music to “The Affair” from a song called, “Container“.

Shout out to Amatorski for the opening title music to “The Missing” reworked from a song called “Come Home“.

Shout out to Choir of Young Believers for the opening title song “Hollow Talk” for “Bron|Broen“.

—————ON AUTO-REPEAT—————

Divine Styler “Def Mask”

Ruxell & King Trimble  “Malfunction”

DJ DREZ “Sound Tools For Sacred Movement”

ANT!HERO “Snake Charmer”

Little Dragon “Mirror”

Venus and the Moon “Hungry Ghost”

Mystic “Beautiful Resistance”