When it comes to awards season, it seems like all the same things are up for the prestigious honors: the movie starring Cate Blanchett that comes out in December, some bad sitcom on CBS. So do Emmys and Oscars and Golden Globes really matter? More important, do they matter to us, the college-age crowd? Chances are you’ll see a “Harold and Kumar 3” if it gets made, despite it probably being nominated for a Razzie instead of an Oscar. Well, Release is made up of college kids, and we know what we like, so without further ado we present: The Release Awards.

MOVIE

Best: “The Dark Knight”

Dark and brooding, tense and operatic — can there be any doubt that “The Dark Knight” was the year’s best film? Featuring one of the most talented casts (including Christian Bale, Heath Ledger and Michael Caine) ever assembled, a twisty, psychologically-dense plot and plenty of heart-stopping action sequences, it was easily the most engaging film in years.

And of course, it was all shepherded under the virtuosic direction of Christopher Nolan, one of the most wildly talented young directors in Hollywood. Proving that superhero movies are not just for teenage boys, “The Dark Knight” is a fantastic motion picture which wowed audiences everywhere and richly deserves a nod for Best Picture come January. —Ben White

Worst: “Speed Racer”

BOOK

Best: “Breaking Dawn”

Vampires, werewolves and a human, oh my! This unique and terrifying combination saturates the pages of Stephenie Meyer’s newest novel, “Breaking Dawn,” the latest installment in her popular “Twilight” series.

The final volume was released on Aug. 2, as throngs of ardent fans willingly waited for hours to get their hands on a copy. Many bookstores across the country opened their doors at midnight, holding special release parties similar to those held for “Harry Potter.” In just its first 24 hours, 1.3 million copies of “Breaking Dawn” were sold from its initial print run of 3.7 million copies.

The story picks up where the series left off: Bella and Edward completely and utterly in love, however, plagued by the fact that he is a vampire and she is not. “Breaking Dawn,” along with the whole “Twilight” series, gained a lot of popularity this year, culminating in the release of the film, ”Twilight,” just before Thanksgiving. —Diana Glogau

Worst: The one you were supposed to read for class but didn’t. Now, like 90 percent of the Binghamton University population, you are swamped with work, including that one book.

TV

Best Drama: “Lost”

In its fourth season, “Lost” proved to audiences why it’s still the best. With the flash-forwards and the freighter folk, there hasn’t been this much excitement since the first season.

“Lost” has always been known for all the twists and turns, and this season was no exception. This season brought the unexpected deaths of Rousseau, Michael and presumably Jin. Additionally, Claire’s freakish behavior has left audiences baffled, and will probably continue to for at least another season. Plus, who would have thought the person in the coffin was Locke? Seeing Desmond and Penny reunited in the finale was a Kleenex-grabbing moment [Editor’s note: It made me grab one too]. —Louie Ip

Worst: “90210”

COMEBACKS

Best: Britney Spears

Unless you have been in a coma for the past three years, you’ve heard about the drama associated with the hot mess that is (or was) Britney Spears. After shaving her head, flashing her C-section scars to more than just her OB/GYN, losing custody of her two boys and being admitted to countless rehabilitation centers, the girl who promised to drive us crazy has finally stopped making herself so.

Her appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards this year was a complete 180 from last year’s horrendous performance. Her skit with Jonah Hill was light and amusing, and the former teen singing sensation walked away with her first VMAs ever (for Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and Video of the Year, all for the song “Piece of Me”).

She also released “Womanizer,” her first number one single on Billboard’s Hot 100 since “Baby One More Time.” America’s Amy Winehouse has finally cleaned up her act. —Ashley Morgan

Worst: New Kids on the (da?) Block

ALBUM

Best: Vampire Weekend — “Vampire Weekend”

With the music industry full of the same bland mainstream artists, Vampire Weekend has emerged as a breath of fresh air playing a blend of afro-pop/rock that has had everyone talking.

The songs are catchy, memorable, well-written and a lot of fun. The Columbia University graduates entered 2008 as just another New York City buzz band and are ending the year reaching critics’ expectations and beyond. Their debut self-titled album got rave reviews, their energetic live shows built a strong following after word of mouth and, most importantly, “Vampire Weekend” is very likable.

Their journey from playing Columbia party rooms to stages around the globe is astounding. —Will Oliver

Worst: Guns N’ Roses — “Chinese Democracy”

The Ken … yougobacktoAlaskaalready Center Honor

There are a lot of reasons we might be honoring Governor Sarah Palin with an award. So which is it? Is it the unique mix of her dumbfounding lack of policy knowledge and infuriating political savvy? Her stubborn refusal to give a direct answer to even the simplest question? Her occasional chilling Bushism (“nucular,” anyone?) that sent a collective shiver down the spine of a nation finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel? The fact that I hate that her glasses are trendier than mine?

You betcha. All of the above. But the final nail in her folksy coffin came this past holiday weekend. That’s right, Sarah Palin officially clinched it when she made the most offensive political staging choice in recent memory (perhaps second to the “Mission Accomplished” banner — it’s a close call). Either way, Palin’s turkey-pardoning press conference set in front of a sickening scene of turkey slaughter not only makes her PETA’s new nemesis, but serves as a painful reminder that if Palin leaves the public eye any time soon, it will be because Bobby Jindal drags her out kicking and screaming.

Say it ain’t so, Joe. —Meaghan Trainor