With the semester swiftly coming to an end, most students are probably looking forward to plans for Christmas break. And while the all staff is certainly planning to take advantage of the free time, we’re just as excited for the new year, which is sure to bring great bands, albums and films. Here’s what we’re looking forward to:

Music

The upcoming EP from Modest Mouse, one of my favorite bands. It’s supposed to feature repolished outtakes from the band’s last two CDs, and if you’ve ever seen them live, you know it’s going to be intense jamming. -Robert Checkal

The Fray’s new album release. I was reacquainted with The Fray in a trailer for the new season of “Lost” and was taken aback. Their new single, “You Found Me,” restored my interest in the band I thought I had seen the last of, and I anticipate the Feb. 3 release of The Fray’s self-titled second album.

-Meghan Bogardus

I absolutely cannot wait for Alesana’s next album, which is set to begin production in May. The band plans to return to the abrupt sound fans came to love while listening to “On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax,” which is sure to cause a stir in the post-hardcore world.

-Denise Wright

Dave Matthews Band is scheduled to release its new album in the beginning of the year. The intensely-followed American rock band is also expected to dive into its annual summer tour in 2009.

-Nick Zedreck

If you’re a Paramore fan, chances are you’ll love the band Hey Monday, Decaydance’s newest addition. While a younger, still developing version of Paramore, the band shows promise, and their first single, “Homecoming,” is way too addicting.

-Denise Wright

Indie dance fans will groove to the sounds of human remains, literally, when listening to Franz Ferdinand’s forthcoming CD, “Tonight,” set to be released on Jan. 27. Frontman Alex Kapranos told MTV that the band used actual human remains they purchased at an auction in Glasgow as musical instruments in some of the album’s songs.

“Tonight” will also feature other unique instruments, such as a microphone being thrown through the air over an amplifier and more.

-Pamela Crimbchin

Green Day is currently at work on a new album to be released in 2009. It’s been five years since 2004’s “American Idiot,” and the band has some serious shoes to fill following that release, which went on to be the band’s most successful in its 20-year career.

-Garrison Ebie

I’m waiting to see what Mayday Parade has to offer this year. With “A Lesson in Romantics” easily being my favorite album of 2007, I am highly anticipating another release. I’ve enjoyed seeing this gain some recognition this year, now the band just needs to stop riding on the coattails of All Time Low and other weaker bands.

-Denise Wright

Movies

The remake of “Friday the 13th,” set to drop Friday, Feb. 13. While most remakes have been annoying us, the recent remake of “Halloween” was chilling. I can only hope for horrific and terrifying scenes that make for a gripping return of Jason and Crystal Lake.

-Robert Checkal

After a bizarre and probably stupid decision to push back “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” from this November to July 2009, fans around the world will hopefully wait patiently until 2009 to see the film that will be the first of the final three Harry Potter sagas.

-Chris Kallio

The film “Watchmen,” directed by Zack Snyder, is set to be released on March 6. Based on the smart series comic by Alan Moore, the film is set in an alternate 1985 America where costumed superheroes have been banned. This action/adventure film is about a masked detective/vigilante named Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) who tries to uncover a conspiracy as former superheroes are destroyed.

-Jackie McLean

“Push:” The first time I saw the trailer for the movie “Push,” I was startled by the presence of an almost teenage Dakota Fanning in a mini-skirt. Along with Fanning, this movie stars Chris Evans and Camilla Belle as people with special supernatural abilities. “Push” seems a bit like “Heroes” with more action and a less complex anthology. It premieres on Feb. 6. -Meghan Bogardus

There just might be a blockbuster in theaters for the upcoming Valentine’s Day. Based on the best-selling book, “He’s Just Not That Into You” features an all-star cast including Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Connelly, Ben Affleck and Kevin Connolly is set to hit the big screen on Feb. 6.

-Nick Zedreck

If there’s one great actor for musician roles, it’s Jamie Foxx. In “The Soloist,” Robert Downey Jr. teams up with Foxx for a powerful drama about a schizophrenic musician’s battle for stardom.

-Nick Zedreck

Sam Witwicky, Mikaela Banes, Bubble Bee, Optimus Prime and more Autobots and Decepticons will be back in action when “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” hits theaters in June 2009.

Transformers stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox will share the screen with “The Office’s” Dwight (Rainn Wilson) for the sequel.

-Pamela Crimbchin

I’m looking forward to the filming of “New Moon,” the sequel to this year’s “Twilight.” It may even see its release by the end of the 2009.

-Nicole Aikens

Television

The return of “Flight of the Conchords” in January on HBO. The writer’s strike delayed the return of this hilarious show. I’m looking for more laughs than ever in the upcoming season.

-Robert Checkal

“Lost,” the greatest non-comedy show television has ever seen, is set to return Jan. 21. In the course of four seasons, the lucky audience has been introduced to a cast of complicated characters on an island featuring ghosts, a bizarre science project, a hatch, polar bears and a monster.

-Chris Kallio

America’s guiltiest television pleasure is back. The newest season of “American Idol” will premiere at 8 p.m. on January 13. Watch as people from seven cities audition to become America’s eighth idol.

-Jackie McLean

“Dollhouse:” The latest undertaking for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” creator Joss Whedon claims to be the “year’s most original series.” The sci-fi drama, starring Eliza Dushku, is about a group of “programmed” women who possess every talent but have their memories erased. The show premieres on Feb. 13.

-Meghan Bogardus

Video Games

“Resident Evil 5” will be released on March 13. The game, set to debut for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, takes place 10 years after the events of the original “Resident Evil.” This game features increased weapon variations and new enemies with human-like intelligence and awareness.

-Jackie McLean

In spring 2009 students can occupy their time with a new set of “Wii Sports” games – this time pretending they are not covered in Ohio snow but tropical sand.

Wii Sports Resort will include many new island-themed activities such as Sword Play, Power Curser and Disc Dog. According to the Wii Web site, Disc Dog players will accurately throw discs to a cute Mii-like dog.

With sand, water, games and a Mii-dog, it’s safe to say some students will not be following the “two hours outside of class for every hour in class” rule.

-Pamela Crimbchin

Miscellaneous

The Oscars: The greatest show on earth – a spectacular spectacle featuring just about every star in the industry. Will Brad Pitt or Kate Winslet finally win an Oscar? Who will the host be? Will Heath Ledger be the first actor to win posthumously since 1977? We shall see.

-Chris Kallio