What's Up Netflix!

Where the Wild Things Are- 3 stars- I don't even know where to begin. When asked if I liked this movie I responded, "Uh, I didn't hate it." This statement seems to be the general consensus of all those I've asked as well. I agree with the mates I watched this flick with that being on drugs might help, but even the high ones said the same thing- go figure! It is lovely to look at- that is indisputable; however there is no story. I understand that taking a book with 10 lines and turning it into a feature length film is tough, but when 94 minutes feels like 2 1/2 hours, you gotta wonder, "What the heck are they talking about?" I still don't know. I think the only way I would recommend this movie is if you are having a party and want something on in the background that won't distract people but would still be amusing muted.

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee- 4 stars- I had heard a lot of good things about this movie. As written and directed by professional sad face Rebecca Miller (and I don't mean that in any disrespect), it follows the life of Pippa Lee- 40 something wife of a book editor at least 25 years older than her (the plucky Alan Arkin). In flashbacks we see how Pippa, a previous free spirit, became the suffocated and slightly "noosed" homemaker. Her interactions with a man slightly younger, and himself a wounded soul (wonderfully played by Keanu Reeves- yes you heard that right), spur her to take stock of the woman she's become and the woman she wishes she were. This movie is definitely depressing, but I didn't feel sad watching it. If anything, I identified with Pippa's youthful longing to be loved and accepted, her foray's into dangerous behaviour, and her realization that the life she always wanted may not be the one that's best for her. I recommend to all ladies reading this and to any man who can't seem to figure his lady out (or simply wants to look sympathetic and get some action).

2012- 3 stars- Roland Emmerich has built a career out of making the same disaster movie over and over again (see Stargate, Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, Godzilla). What no one seems to mention is that he convinces some amazing actor's to be in them. So, it stands to reason that something interesting is going on there even if it doesn't make it to the screen. "2012" is a bad amalgam of "Independence Day" meets "The Day After Tomorrow". It has all the floods, earthquakes, and falling buildings of the later; while substituting aliens for earths own pissy cycle. This movie had me for the first 2 hours or so, but there was no reason for it to be 159 minutes long. Emmerich's films always seem to have a few too many characters. Sure, they're developed and kinda interesting, but you could do with out them and not even notice. It's just another movie about capitalist greed and evil government masked as a call to arms "green" movie. I love John Cusack, so was forced to watch this film eventually. Woody Harrelson shows up for the best extended cameo ever as a possibly crazy conspiracy theorist. In the end, "2012" is fun but you know you've seen it all before.

Women in Trouble- 4 stars- Wish I'd read some of these reviews before sending my copy back- I totally missed Joseph Gordon-Levitt! I liked this movie a lot. It reminded me not just of Almodovar but of one of my favorite filmmakers, Greg Araki. The film follows and weaves together multiple women in various stages of "trouble"- the porn star who suffers a life changing event, the therapist who's marriage is in trouble, the prostitutes who moon light as porn stars, frisky flight attendants... If you don't like films about sex and its consequences, this is not for you. If you don't like movies about female relationships that would NEVER be on Lifetime, this is not for you. If you are a fan of foreign (especially Spanish and French films) or mid to late 90's independent cinema; you just might get it! Some of the reviews I read about this movie pointed out how disjointed and oddly written it was, as if that were a bad thing. I think they missed the point- it's a movie that doesn't worry that you know you're watching a film. You know the ones- dialog that's too cleaver or witty, acting that seems static, situations that blend fantasy with reality. Why is that a bad thing?

What's up Netflix?

Wow, what a slow week for movies at my house! I can't even think what I've been doing to cause such a drought... Oh yea! My mailman is on drugs. I didn't get any mail for 3 days and I know it's not just because I didn't have any. I got an email from Netflix saying they received my movie and how did I like it. Well Netflix, I wouldn't know because it was never delivered to my house. Thanks mailman! I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I miss my crazed biker mailman so badly right now. I don't know who this new guy is but I'd like him to leave now please.

The Vicious Kind- 4 stars—This movie reminds me of the films I love from the early 2000's/late 90's (rent "All the Real Girls", "Margot at the Wedding", and "The Squid and the Whale" now if you haven't seen them yet). Director Lee Toland Krieger succeeds in his attempt to make the modern, young Neil LaBute film. Centering on the self-destructive nature of big brother Caleb (a superb Adam Scott who earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination) and the way his loneliness and confusion bleeds over and negatively effects his relationship with his family. Closest to his sting is his brother Peter (Alex Frost) and his new girlfriend Emma (Brittany Snow- wow! I hope she makes more films like this and leaves "Prom Night" style remakes alone). Slowly it is revealed the motivation behind Caleb's anger and how his own relationship and mistrust of his Dad (indie staple J.K. Simmons) has lead him down this path. Can he be redeemed? How damaged is too damaged? In lesser hands and certainly with a worse script; Caleb would be unlikeable, an asshole we wish something bad would happen to. Instead, we find ourselves relating to his depression and finding shades of ourselves in the way he chooses to act out. Who hasn't wanted to scare and tell off the aloof object of our desire? To say what we think when we think it? To self-destruct only so far as to be interesting but without causing permanent damage? Certainly I have. I don't want to mislead you- this movie is actually pretty funny; the sadness balanced out with wise cracks and prat falls. I am also in awe of Krieger's ability to write such a realistic young female character. I really liked it and cannot wait to see what Krieger has in store for us next.

Next week will bring a lot more reviews, promise. Until then, I hope everyone enjoys the Oscar's tonight and good luck to all of you participating in the "Oscar draft". My full review will be available tomorrow.

[side note: Have you subscribed yet? Are you a follower? Maybe that sounds a bit harsh to you or goes against your personal convictions- I understand! Maybe instead of a follower, you're a joiner? Have you joined my blog yet? I wish you would]

What's up Netflix- a week in review

This was a good week for movies at my house- all 4 and 5 star entries! I've been on a bit of a horror movie kick (as you can see), and also watched "Cabin Fever" again. I understand Eli Roth's reason's for only releasing the director's cut on Blueray, but that doesn't help me at all! So, if I know you and you have Blueray, how about a movie night??

Dead Snow- 5 stars-- Oh wow! What can I say about "Dead Snow" (Død Snø)? Let me start by saying I love Scandinavian horror (queue up "Let the Right One In' and "Cold Prey" now!). I heard about this film a while ago on a movie blog- Nazi zombies terrorize and kill a group of Norwegian skiers? Heck yea! I was not disappointed. When a group of med students decide to spend Easter break at a remote ski lodge, they didn't intend to be hunted down by Nazi zombie's who had been cursed by the townspeople. The film follows the basic formula of any horror movie: intro to group (at least one is slutty, one nerdy, one attractive, and one who seems like he shouldn't be friends w/these people); show them having fun; at least one couple has sex; mayhem ensues. What separated this movie from the rest was the mixture of sub-genre elements. It paid homage to classic and neo-classic films (Halloween, Scream), it was disgusting (Dead Alive, Cabin Fever), it was funny (Evil Dead, Shaun of the Dead), and it was, for the most part, smart (28 Days Later, Zombieland). The pacing is great. Once the blood started flowing I couldn't tell whether to cover my eyes or laugh out loud (which I did several times). The effects look great, the camera angles are sharp and clear, the whole movie is a delight from start to finish. I just hope Norway can keep up with my demand for more expertly made horror films. Think they could cast Lasse Valdal in a few more?? Please?

Whiteout- 4 stars—Don't be fooled by other reviews; "Whiteout" is a fun night at home in front of the TV. Based on a graphic novel (so that should lend some consideration), it breaks no new ground in movie making or suspense but is enjoyable none the less. Personally, I thought it was going to be more like Carpenter's "The Thing", but was surprised to see it was more a procedural thriller. Beckinsale has perfected her American accent and is only mildly annoying opposite Tom Skerritt and Gabriel Macht (where has he been? Let's just all forget about "The Spirit" and give the guy another chance. He's adorable!). Anyone who is a fan of suspense/thrillers both in book or movie form, will see the twists coming and not buy into what the director wants you to think; however it's limiting to say that ruins the movie experience. Personally, I like being more clever than the film; it makes me feel smart and important… Kinda like a US Marshal??? It's fun to solve the case moments before the character. You get to relive that "ah-ha" moment and say "I knew it"! Whiteout won't win any awards and I understand why it didn't do better at the theatres, but it is definitely worth a look on DVD, especially if you are a fan of any of the actors or survivalist thrillers.

Vampire Killers (aka Lesbian Vampire Killers)- 4 stars—Another movie I've been waiting for since what seems like forever. In the tradition of "Shaun of the Dead" and "American Werewolf in London", "Killers" focuses on two hapless losers who decide to go on holiday after their lives fall apart. Needless to say, hilarity and gore ensue. It turns out the sleepy hamlet they chose as their destination is under a centuries old vampire curse, turning all the women of the village into lesbian vampires on their 18th birthday. Fun! The movie isn't quite sure what it wants to be when it opens- each chapter is proceeded (literally) by comic book pages, the sound effects seem over the top considering the lack of action, but the writing is top notch. Once the movie gets going, it all falls into place as our hero's must work to save a van load of Swedish girls from the clutches of the lesbian vamps. There's gore (and a creative new approach to the dying vampire scene) and nudity (but not really pornographic). It's a load of fun and I only wish I had gotten to see it in a crowded theatre- the hooting and hollering would have been amazing!

The September Issue- 4 stars— Whether you care about Vogue or not, this is an interesting look into the publishing world. Set around the release of the now classic September issue (that's the really thick one), the docu-crew get up close and somewhat personal with the reclusive Anna Wintour (she's the basis for "The Devil Wears Prada"). Wintour comes off well and I enjoyed seeing a personality behind her trademark dark sunglasses. The star is certainly long time creative director Grace who fights and pouts over photo shoot's. Unlike "Valentino: The Last Emperor", I felt like I got a more behind the scenes look at what goes on at the top fashion magazine in America. The extras are equally funny, especially one in which Editor-at-Large Andre Leon-Talley talks about the importance of custom shirts and shorts.

What's up Netflix!!

I can only blame the Olympics and my mad schedule this week for so few reviews. Oh well.

Hunger-- 5 stars-- Last night I opened a bottle of wine and sat down to watch "Hunger"- Wow! Steve McQueen makes not only one of the best feature debut's I've ever seen, but one of the most arresting and beautiful movies of the decade. His experience as a visual and performance artist really shows through- the framing of each scene could easily be a still photo/piece of art. The raw and truthful performances he elicits from his cast are a step above. The focus has been on Michael Fassbender (and deservedly so), however we must not overlook the other actors also laid bare before the camera. At times, Hunger made me angry, sad, hopeful, shocked, and proud. McQueen uses all the tools in his belt (never in an over handed way) to draw us in- extended periods of silence, static camera movements, lighting, and sound. It seems all 5 senses are at work while watching this film. Fassbender delivers a career making performance (I can't wait to see what he does next!!). With a glance of the eye, a deep inhale of smoke, the shuttering of his body; Fassbender makes us a witness in the room to the action, not a couch potato. His 22 min uncut scene with Liam Cunningham is magnificent. It is a real testament to this film, to McQueen, to the actors; that a static 2 shot is so compelling. I loved this movie and recommend it to anyone with an interest in "The Troubles" or more simply anyone with an interest in people and the human condition.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 1 & 2—4 stars— My guy friends have been ranting and raving about "It’s Always Sunny…" for what seems like forever. Finally, tired of their harassment, I put it in my queue. Damn- they were right. It is hilarious! I'm actually surprised it's on American TV- it is gross, politically incorrect, and darkly humorous. Not since "Can't Hardly Wait" have I assigned fictional identities to real people. I know these people! Since I began watching, it seems I notice the idiosyncrasies and off-beat humor that my friends and I use more often. I think I actually said, "Uh… That's racist" at least 3 times last week. If you were like me and thought this show might suck, I hope this will help change your mind:


Surrogates—1 star—Ugh… I fell asleep watching this movie. When I tried to finish it the next day, I almost fell asleep again. BORING! I should have just put in "Blade Runner" and called it a day. Nothing about this movie is original or interesting. The acting is alright, but that's not saying much. Avoid like the plague or a wayward android.

WWQTW? part three

This was a pretty sad week for Netflix... I can't seem to remember what I was doing instead of watching movies (especially considering I was under 12" of snow for much of it), but never the less...

Hex: Season 1- 4 stars- I've already made my feelings known about "Hex". I am a total geek for it. However, now that season 2 is not even available in the U.S.A., I'm at a bit of a loss. Don't make me threaten to write you a letter BBC!

Fingerprints- 2 stars- My sister recommended this movie to me. As much as I love her, I shoudl know better about taking her advice on horror movies. You see, she doesn't like them. All I have to do is mention "Nightmare on Elm Street" and she glares at me. For her sake, I will spare you the "Event Horizon" debacle of '97. Still, she really liked this and I kept promising to watch it. The main problem is it isn't scary, like at all. It also seemed as if I had seen this movie before, but I think it was just the predictable and unoriginal premise. Back in the 50's, there was a school bus vs. train accident, killing many of the towns children (see "The Sweet Hereafter"). Legend had it that if you parked on the tracks, the ghosts of the children would push you to safety (see any movie with ghost children ever made). Of course, nothing is as it seems and a damaged young girl (see "Sixth Sense", "Poltergeist") is the only one who can see the children. There's a twist ending you see coming a mile away, Lou Diamond Philips (the measure of quality. Whatever happend to him? I mean, he was La Bamba!) and a "Laguna Beach" star (who actually does alright acting). I actually started fast forwarding towards the end just to end the madness. So, not bad enough to stop watching, but so thankful for that fast forward button.

It's Always Sunny in Philidelphia- 4 stars- My friends have been on my case for a while for not watching this show. Truth is, it looked really stupid when it came out and I was not interested. After hearing about it for what seems like forever, and it's constant mention at parties; I finally gave in. I can see why my group likes this show. We are this show. Not since "Can't Hardly Wait" have I had so much fun matching the character to a real life person I knew. these guys are mental unstable, unintentionally racist, and not very nice people. Or are they? It seems like a peek into the male psyche that I've seen before while talking with my guy friends. The epsiodes are only 30 minutes, and each disc packs about 4 hours of shows; so it's perfect to zone out to. (The Nazi episode will stay with me forever- so bad!! i.e. so good!)

In conclusion, here is what has been suggested to add to my list of best and most influential movies. To follow our club, just look for the "WWQTW" title or post label.

Happy Watching!

Part Three: Fin (in no particular order)

Princess Bride
A River Runs Through It
Shawshank Redemption
Sleepless in Seattle
Lord Of The Rings
The Great Gatsby
Pride and Prejudice
American Psycho
The Count of Monte Cristo
It's A Wonderful Life
A Christmas Story
Forrest Gump
Dark Knight
Fight Club
American History X
To Kill a Mockingbird
Full Metal Jacket
The Green Mile
Cool Hand Luke
The Big Lebowski
Stand By Me
Goonies
Crash
An Affair to Remember
(500) days of Summer
Tootsie
Patton
The Notebook
Airpane!
Alice in Wonderland
Blazing Saddles
Spaceballs
Boogie Nights
The Breakfast Club
JFK
Die Hard
Driving Miss Daisy
Steel Magnolias
Fried Green Tomatoes
Edward Scissorhands
Mary Poppins
Romeo and Juliet
Million Dollar Baby
Annie
Noises Off
Clue
Full Metal Jacket
Requiem for a Dream
Hotel Rwanda
Gladiator
Heat
Donnie Darko
Children of Men
Rosemary's Baby
Dead Man
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Inglourious Basterds
Reality Bites
The Professional/Leon
Last Temptation of Christ
Rushmore

WWQTW? part deux

Here is the completion of the original 215 movies on my most influential list . The additional selections as voted by it's members will publish next Sunday. As always, feel free to leave your opinion.

Happy Watching!

Part Two: The Turn (in no particular order)

Lost Horizon
Mr Smith Goes to Washington
Rebecca
Henry V
Breathless
The 400 Blows
The Exorcist
Dog Day Afternoon
The Turning Point
Ordinary People
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Terms of Endearment
The Big Chill
Amadeus
The Grifters
Mississippi Burning
The Crying Game
Fargo
L.A. Confidential
Good Will Hunting
Elizabeth
Traffic
The Hours
Chicago
Mystic River
The Departed
Lost in Translation
Brokeback Mountain
Good Night, and Good Luck
No Country for Old Men
Michael Clayton
The Naked City
Carrie
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Baby Doll
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning
Quadrophenia
Last Year at Marienbad
Jules et Jim
Zulu
Das Boot
Wings of Desire
Rashomon
Au Revoir les Enfants
The Commitments
Delicatessen
Amelie
Trainspotting
All About My Mother
Belle du Jour
Run Lola Run
Lock, Stock, and 2 Smoking Barrels
American Beauty
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Malena
Life is Beautiful
Amores Perros
Monsoon Wedding
Y tu Mama Tambien
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Shaun of the Dead
Pan's Labyrinth
Persepolis
Suspiria
The Thing
An American Werewolf in London
Battleship Potemkin
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Clerks
Gilda
Them!
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
Fahrenheit 451
Midnight Cowboy
Jason and the Argonauts
El Mariachi
Some Like it Hot
Plan 9 From Outer Space
Boondock Saints
eXistenZe
Hard Eight
The Sweet Hereafter
Nowhere

WWQTW?

As I mentioned earlier, I've been asked to head/host/create a monthly movie night for a bunch of my girlfriends based on the best and most influential movies of all time. The movies that you can quote and a reasonable person should get what you're saying. The movies referenced on "The Simpsons". The movies that win awards and spawn other great filmmakers. The movies that take you from a good to a great "Jeopardy" contestant.

Not a small task. However, I sprang to action! Anything that involves movies, list making, and educating my friends I'm all over.

I made my selections from AFI, the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTA, and my Netflix. Then I slimmed the list even more by removing movies that were unavailable to rent, that were dated (in a bad way); as well as a few other gems just to see if anyone would catch them. Tricky, I know. Finally, I forced myself to stop when I hit 215 movies. This list was sent to those participating in the club (as well as my folks) who were asked to mark each as "Seen it", "Want to see it", "Don't care", or "Own it". There was also space for them to include whatever movies they felt deserved to be on the list.

When you hear a number like 215, it seems daunting. I mean, at one movie a month, that's 18 years worth of movie watching not even counting the add on's. Certainly, we are not going to watch every single movie on the list. The goal, as I see it, is to watch a select few then offer further viewing selections.

Several people have asked to see the list, so I will blog it here for your entertainment over the next two Sunday's. I will also blog about our meetings, discoveries, and thoughts. If you think I've left something off, please let me know. The list of additional titles will publish in three weeks. Happy Watching!

Part One: Epilogue (in no particular order)

Citizen Kane
The Godfather
Casablanca
Raging Bull
Singing in the Rain
Gone with the Wind
Lawrence of Arabia
Dr Zhivago
Schindler's List
Vertigo
Wizard of Oz
City Lights
Star Wars
Psycho
2001: A Space Oddyssey
The Graduate
On the Waterfront
Chinatown
ET
High Noon
All About Eve
Apocalypse Now
The Maltese Falcon
3 Days of the Condor
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Annie Hall
King Kong
Bonnie and Clyde
The Philadelphia Story
A Streetcar Named Desire
West Side Story
Taxi Driver
The Deer Hunter
M*A*S*H
Jaws
Rocky
American Graffiti
Nashville
Gosford Park
Cabaret
Network
Unforgiven
A Clockwork Orange
Saving Private Ryan
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Silence of the Lambs
In the Heat of the Night
The Wild Bunch
The Apartment
Reds
Spartacus
Titanic
Easy Rider
Platoon
12 Angry Men
The Sixth Sense
Pulp Fiction
Sophie's Choice
Goodfellas
The French Connection
The Last Picture Show
Do The Right Thing
Blade Runner
Toy Story
Ben-Hur
Miracle on 34th Street
Hoosiers
Norma Rae
Philadelphia
Glory
The Sound of Music
The Color Purple
Dead Poet's Society
Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind
Braveheart
Rain Man
Silkwood
Thelma & Louise
Serpico
Harold and Maude
Fame
The Way We Were
Wuthering Heights
When Harry Met Sally…
Ninotchka
A Star is Born
Last Tango in Paris
The English Patient
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Sense and Sensibility
Looking for Mr Goodbar
Dirty Dancing
Grease
Alien
Bambi
Groundhog Day
Scarface
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Back to the Future
The Searchers
Caddyshack
The Usual Suspects
Seven
Kramer Vs Kramer
In Cold Blood
Judgment at Nuremberg
Little Women
Brick
Dazed and Confused
Night of the Living Dead
Lonesome Dove (TV Movie)
Casino
Cleopatra
The Thin Man
Mutany on the Bounty

What's Up, Netflix?

This was a busy week for videos at my house! I can't believe I watch all these, nor that I was good and clearly stayed home more thus saving me money- no gecko required! Anyway, until I can think of something clever for my Sunday lists, we're doing movie reviews. I will also publish the essential movie list I'll use for our new movie club once it is complete (come on gals- get me your surveys).

Paranormal Activity - 5 stars- Uh... This movie scared the bejesus out of me. Why did I decide to watch this in the middle of the night? How does my vintage apartment know exactly when to settle, throwing open my wardrobe doors? How do my neighbors know to exit the loud and cranky gates of our shared courtyard whenever a door opens on screen? Freaked. Me. Out. PS- I like the original ending, but understand why they choose what they did. Nerd Fact #2056: They (i.e. bad idea makers) are working on a sequel they plan to ruin much the same way they ruined "Saw"- by not using the original writer/director. In a funny turn- The director will be "Saw V" director David Hackl which PA beat at the box office. What a bunch of losers.

My Sister's Keeper - 3 stars- This movie was well made if you consider the source material. The novel is written in a series of interior monologues and shared memories. Not easy stuff for a feature length film to do! The hoopla about the ending (they changed it) when the movie came out is unjustified. This new uplifting ending works just as well, although it does paint the protagonist (an 11-year old girl) in a selfish and morally ambiguous light. It reminded me of books I read when I was younger by Lurlene McDaniel (a lot of organ donation, terminal illness, etc.). The other problem with adapting this book is that it's pretty long, however I'm not sure I would have missed certain things if I hadn't read the book prior.

Ghosts of Girlfriend's Past- 4 stars- No, that is not a typo. I watched this with the folks and we all laughed several times and thought it was adorable. Sure, it's another McConaughey man-child with obvious lady problems movie, but the supporting cast (particularly Jennifer Garner and Emma Stone) are excellent. The writing is clever, and at about 90 minutes, it's just long enough. Basically, the perfect guilty pleasure movie.

Spring Breakdown- 1 star- I should have known! Netflix tried to warn me (our best guest for Graygrrl... 1.5 stars), but I didn't listen. I couldn't- it has Parker Posey! This was one of the stupidest, infantile (in a bad way), poorly written movie I've ever seen. No wonder it never got a theatrical release. *BARF*

Taking Woodstock- 3 stars- This movie would have gotten 4 stars if it didn't drag on and on (and yes, I realize it's an Ang Lee venture and that's par for the course). Once it got going, the story of a sleepy town in upstate New York with the run down summer motel complete with half crazed immigrant owners and their closeted son, really illustrated the beauty of the concert that forever changed a generation and the world of music. Demitri Martin (stand up extraordinaire) makes a decent narrative film debut, though slightly stunted in all the wrong areas. As a comedian, his timing is good but the pauses he takes between line readings (which work when he's playing guitar on stage and singing about pterodactyls) doesn't quite work here. The supporting cast is great though, especially an unattractive Liev Schreiber dressed in drag (so wrong and so right. PS- is that what he's really packing? Way to go Naomi!). I recommend to those who love Lee's previous English language work, are fans of drugs, orgies, or late 60's rock.

I've Loved You So Long- 5 stars- This Golden Globe best foreign language nominee and BAFTA winner stars Kristen Scott Thomas as a woman just released from prison who moves in with her estranged sister and her family. Thomas is utterly breathtaking in her plainness and perfect French. The key to the film lies in the crime she committed- murder, but of who and why? (I have to say, I figured it out a bit early, but was still riveted to see how it would/if it would, be revealed to others) I love, love, loved this movie. It's a French ode to early '00s Independent American Film making. A must for everyone.

[side note: Dear Netflix Users- If you are still holding on to a copy of "Four Christmas'" please return. It's the end of January. If you haven't watched it yet, you're not going to! That is all.]

Best Of 09

It's that time of year again when every magazine, website, and Stephen King post their Best of 2009 lists. Why should I be any different?

First, here is AFI (that's American Film Institute, not the band) official selections for 2009. What do you think?

Here are my choices for Top Movies of 2009:

[side note: Have you seen the Golden Globe nominees? Should be a very exciting, and drunk, evening. I'm already thinking about the watching party I'm going to have]

My Top Films of '09:

- (500) Days of Summer

- Away We Go

- Inglourious Basterds

- Star Trek

- Zombieland

- Watchmen

- Trick 'r Treat

- District 9

- The Hangover

- Julie & Julia

- Easy Virtue

- The Edge of Love

- An Education

In all fairness, there is still some time left this year so the list could change. I haven't seen "Up in the Air" yet (calm down, I'm going Monday), but from what I'm told it will make the list. There's still "Sherlock Holmes" and "Nine" and a plethora of other films I haven't gotten to yet.

Why do "best of's" always come out before the year is out?

And now, the worst:

- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

- Friday the 13th (please stop remaking these movies!)

- Angels & Demons

- Saw VI

- My Bloody Valentine 3D (3D is not a magic fix all, in fact, it only makes things worse)

- Drag Me to Hell

- Push

- Donkey Punch

- New In Town

(I see a bit of a pattern here... Why is it so hard to make a good scary movie? I don't even mind if it's a bit dumb, really, that's kind of a turn on. However, these are just so ridiculous I could have cried).

To make the list, movies had to have been released in the US in 2009 and I had to have seen them. I could make a whole other list of movies that just looked awful, therefore I didn't see/rent them.

What was the best and worst you saw this year??

It's beginning to look a lot like... Spring?

Ah lonely day at work again. It's 66 degrees and raining. Come on Late November! You're supposed to bring the cool weather! I did appreciate the warmth last night, however, when I went to my first hockey game of the season. I thought I was spoiled before with Platinum level seats, but I never could have prepared myself for the joy of sitting in the "lower bowl". I could make out jersey numbers and names without squinting! Check it out:

And yes, I am the dork who demanded this next picture be taken:

Who would believe me! It was the most exciting day, made more exciting by our win in OT. I am also proud that I kept my profanity at a whisper as there were children present. Oh hell, who am I kidding? I kept it down because I was told I could be asked to leave if I yelled "Fucking come on!" too loudly. Not sure if that's true or not, but it certainly kept me on my p's and q's.

Sunday is all about lists, but I can't think of anything. You want my Christmas list? It's pretty short and simple:

* Salad Spinner

* Learn French in Your Car CD's (mine broke)

* "Inglourious Basterds" (2-disc special edition only please)

* Barnes & Noble GC (I want the new Stephen King and "Wings of Desire" is now out on Criterion. A must see for all)

* Calendar

Pretty boring... This whole list making gets really tough as you get older. I'd really like cash, but that's not really fun to open. Also, that means I have to brave the mean streets of post holiday shopping, and that's not fun either!

Remote Control (anyone else remember that show?)

There's a shame attached to watching certain TV shows, as if you were secretly dating your best friends ex or eating ice cream out of the carton at 2 AM. I don't understand it, but I follow it. Like keeping my collection of Mandy Moore movies hidden in a box in my closet, it's a secret. The cool kids don't watch that. You're too old to like that. I thought you had taste?

So, like your first foray into AA, I am standing up- tall and proud- and declaring: My name is Graygrrrl, and I love "The Vampire Diaries"!

In the spirit of the Sunday list, I am sharing with you my most intimate of intimate (and that's including my aforementioned love of Ms. Moore): My DVR queue.

Sunday:

Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

Ace of Cakes

The Amazing Race (screw you football for making me miss most of this show because it ends up starting 30-40 minutes late. Don't look smug CBS! You should have anticipated this and arranged your schedule accordingly)

The Simpsons

Family Guy

The Next Iron Chef

Mad Men (I'm keeping your time slot open in honor)

Monday-Friday:

Jeopardy (those damn Teen Tournament kids are smart!)

Chelsea Lately

Monday:

House

How I Met Your Mother

Accidentally on Purpose

The Big Bang Theory

Lie to Me (Though I remember it being up against something else so I couldn't record it, but I can't find said show now...)

Chef Academy (premiere's this week, so it may not be on this list next week. We'll see)

Tuesday:

So You Think You Can Dance

V

Tabitha's Salon Makeover (I watched my 1st episode of this show yesterday and what can I say? She looks like an extra in "Sleepwalkers" and people hate her. I heart!)

The Good Wife

Wednesday:

So You Think You can Dance (results)

America's Next Top Model

Modern Family (now that Model is over)

Law & Order: SVU (Oh Stabler, how do you still have a job?)

Ghost Hunters

Top Chef: Las Vegas

Ghost Hunters: Academy (if this doesn't get more interesting, it's gone)

Eastwick (though I heard it just got cancelled)

Thursday (for the ladies):

Bones

Fringe (hand down one of the best shows on TV today)

Vampire Diaries

(I miss you 30 Rock, but I can watch you online or, more realistically, from Netflix)

Grey's Anatomy

Project Runway

Friday:

Law & Order (oh! Who saw last weeks? Connie no!)

Stargate Universe

The Soup

Saturday:

Usually, I tape a couple movies here. This week, I'll be recording "Brokeback Mountain" on Bravo

Saturday Night Live (depending on host)

Miscellaneous:

*Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (depends on location)

*Any talk show with a good guest (Did you see Ian Sommerhalder get molested by Rosie O'Donnell last night on Jimmy Fallon?)

*House Hunters & House Hunter's International

*My First Place

*Arrested Development (replaying on IFC)

*The Graham Norton Show

*Good Eats

*Miscellaneous food shows

*Monty Python's Flying Circus

*Cash Cab

Stand proud. Shout loud. It's okay to like TV (even if it's bad).

"Words of Wisdom" by Kevin Smith

Last night, Kevin Smith regaled House of Blues with his presence. It was wonderful! My lovely friend Lauren gifted me with tickets for my birthday. We sat 4th row center- best seats ever!! He opened the show with a crude and hilarious anecdote about masturbation and his wife, then opened the floor to questions. Considering this is the same format he does for all his shows, it was funny to see him get tripped up on which mic got to speak next. Needless to say, the audience was with him to help out in any way we could. Today's list features highlights of last nights performance:

* The poor debate teacher- For an additional fee, tickets were sold for a meet and greet after the show. Unfortunately, Smith didn't know about it and doesn't do that sort of thing. If you want something signed, simply leave it on the edge of the stage and he'll get to it. She asked how he felt about being worth $25 and his response was, "good". From there, it went downhill for the teach we was treated to jokes about inappropriate relations with students (made better by the fact that one of them was in the audience with his mom), and trying to get her laid. He even offered up his hotel suite to make it happen. It didn't.

* Someone asked him about weight and why he didn't "just get the surgery". His response: portion control, but not in the way you might expect. You see, it all boils down to this: Cereal is the devil. You make a delicious bowl of cereal, enjoy it, but then there's always milk left over. That seems like a waste, so you add more cereal. Then, there's not enough milk, so you add a bit more, and before you know it you've eaten an entire box. Love it!

* Batman is emo. (Sorry, there was more, but I was laughing so hard, neither Lauren or I remembered the rest of the punchline. I think that's enough though really. Love it squared!)

* Denton is one of his Top 10 Places. I know, weird. After "Chasing Amy", he said it was a "perfect blissful memory" when he visited. However, he "should never go again". I agree, you can never go back or home. What if it sucks? "This is a shit hole"- I believe in joking response to Dallas.

* He waxed poetic about his upcoming film "A Couple of Dicks" (Though that may not be the title when it comes out due to the offensive nature of the word "dicks". These are the same people who would probably try to censor "Dick Tracy" if they could. Jeez- get over it. We get it's a double entendre, but come on). He says it's "'Lethal Weapon" with 60% less action". He has a lot to say about Bruce Willis as well, or as he calls him, "Captain", short for "Captain Chuffah" (spelling?). Apparently, his favorite thing is to look at the shot list and sides for the day (usually about 6 pages) and say "chuffah" as he throws most of them away. In the end, you're left with 2 pages and a half day. Kinda nice, but certainly distracting for a director. Hi reasoning is brilliant though- He (Willis) has been doing this same shit for 25 years. He's got a pretty good idea what's going to make it into the movie. Why waste everyones time and money shooting crap? To his credit, it turned out he was right and Smith had no problems editing the film. After watching his last DVD where he talked about his experience working on "Die Hard", I wondered why he thought it would be any different this time? Perhaps, insanity?

* A guy wanted an autograph but didn't bring a pen or paper (love those guys). "Show your little fried eggs!" Smith replied. Who doesn't love a good "Fame" reference?

* My favorite line of the night was also the most poignant: "You can either do it, or you cannot. You can't be taught. You're a writer or director, or you're not". This sentiment has been echoed by many over the years and I think it's one of the best pieces of advice anyone can give, regardless of what you're attempting. What are you best at? What do you enjoy most? What can you not live without doing? If you're not sure, keep looking. If you are, start doing. For anything else is a lie. My father recently said something similar to me, "I can't wait to see what you'll be when you grow up". It was especially moving to me, as I've been struggling with this the most recently. I'm not happy with what I'm doing, but I'm paralyzed by fear and a defeatist attitude. Now is the time to quit it! How very Yoda. You are or you are not. If you can think of anything else in the world you'd rather be doing, do it.

Quoth the Raven

My book club is reading "The Stranger" this month. I'm excited as I haven't read it since High School. I took 4 years of AP English, and I'm glad I did. The books we read, so different from what the others were reading, fortified me. "A Doll's House", "The Great Gatsby", "Othello", "The Turn of the Screw", "The House of the Spirits", "Things Fall Apart". The writing, for we wrote a lot. The freedom to express opinion and feeling in research papers built on fact. If I regret anything, it's that I missed out on a lot of the more conventional classics. Perhaps that is why I've set this goal for myself: To read 3 classics a year. Not a lot in the grand scheme of things, but a reasonable number for sure. This year, I've already read 2: "Long Days Journey Into Night" and "Dead Souls". I'm thinking Bronte for my final book this year. According to Goodreads, I've only read 90 classics. That just doesn't seem right, but the biggest problem is remembering all the books you read 10 years ago. It's a daunting task to be sure.

As this is Sunday, I feel I should give you some form of a list. What follows are my favorite quotes, many from books. Do you remember your Senior quote? What was it?

"A dependable facet of life: Everything’s always worse then you thought it would be." -Dorothy Parker

"In each of us, there is another, whom we do not know." -Carl Jung

"We all see things not as they are, but as we are." -Anais Nin

"Pain is fear leaving the body." -Sailor Jerry Swallow

"Half the world is composed of idiots, the other half is composed of people clever enough to take indecent advantage of them." -Walter Kerr

"When you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to change sides."- Mark Twain (my Senior quote)

"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference." -Elie Wiesel

"Solitude is fine but you need someone to tell that solitude is fine." -Honore de Balzac

"To desire is to wish back for something already lost, Or to prolong what is already unbearable." -Any Tam

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Another Sunday List!

Let me put this right out there in case some of you haven't noticed: I am a geek. Couldn't you tell by my chronic chronicling of my book and DVD collection? To further define this point, one of my favorite ways to spend the day has to be in a comic book store. I love the smell of them. All those cardboard bins full of old and new treasures, carefully wrapped in plastic. It's quiet, like a library, so you can really hear yourself ponder the pros and cons of a $30 comic. The staff is always nice and helpful- happy to turn you on to a new series or release (yes, pun intended). When I walk into a comic book store, I'm one of the few woman there. This would be nice if more of the men where on my "attractive" radar, but that's nice too. I don't have to smile or flirt or feel self conscious. I get to sit Indian style on the floor and dig through bins.

Somehow during a conversation I had via telephone with a friend the other night, the subject of comics came up. He thinks Punisher is the greatest book ever written and is convinced his ex-wife is torturing him by dressing his kid up as Spiderman (bit paranoid I'd say). Now we're in a drunken half-assed debate over who is the greatest comic book character of all time. No need to tell you, I don't think it's Frank Castle. The conversation had to be put on hold as he was about to get his taco on, but I want to continue it a bit here.

First, a list of my favorite comics:

(in no particular order)

* Sin City

* The Sandman

* Death

* Transmetropolitan

* Tank Girl

* Hellblazer

* Watchmen

* X-Men

* Johnny the Homicidal Maniac

* The Maxx

* Teenagers From Mars

And the list goes on....

So, who is the greatest comic book character of all time? Gotta go with Jean Grey. Ah Jean... You have given us so much. The best female character ever written is Dark Phoenix. I can't tell you how I squealed at the end of X2 when the shadow of the phoenix could be seen over the lake. I still get excited! Jean is the ultimate representation of humanity- a caring mother figure with a super power at times uncontrollable. Eventually, her love for friends and man leads her to sacrifice her life for them, an act that unleashes her full potential. The Phoenix is born. Soon, her power overcomes her senses and Dark Phoenix is born- a mutant so powerful, vengeful, and ultimately sad. Her redemption is in the hands of the readers and her namesake proves true as she emerges from the darkness unaware of what she had become. She is the perfect feminist character- attractive to male and female readers alike. I heart her!

#2- Spider Jerusalem. The first comic I really got into was "Transmetropolitan", a post-punk dystopian book about the state of the world to come. Gritty and disgusting, if you love Watchmen, you may like this. Spider is a gonzo-journalist, which I think pretty much means he does and says whatever he wants regardless the cost. In my dream movie version of this comic, he would be played by Billy Zane (though with a lot more tattoos). He is surrounded by his assistants/fuck buddies who follow him as he searches for the story that will get his editor off his back and his back in front of the fridge. He's a sad sack with no special powers and few friends. He easily blends in with the filth around him, hardly noticing through his smug attitude, that he is becoming like them. The whole series is complete now, so it's a good time to get reading. be warned- this is also one of the only comics I've had to read at least twice to get what's going on. The story telling and plot lines are dense nuggets waiting to be chipped away. Oh Spider- you're such an ass, but I think I have a crush on you.

#3. Tank Girl- If your only knowledge of this pint sized badass is the '95 film starring Lori Petty, get thee to the store and buy Volume 1. You might have to pace yourself as a 1st edition early series book goes for about $20, it's well worth it. The Tank Girl of the comic is a vigilante for hire, unafraid to explore her own sexuality and the hidden drug culture around her. Stories seem plucked from the mind of Hunter S. Thompson (a fave with Warren Ellis who wrote the above) and Burrough's. The reader is left to make for themselves what's real, what's fantasy, and what's just the drugs. My favorite relationship is between Tank Girl and Booga, her kangaroo boyfriend. They are adorable! She is the ultimate riot grrl- unashamed to act and talk like "one of the guys". She never apologizes, even when she knows she's wrong, and could as easily leave you behind as adopt you into her gang of misfits. I have almost all of these books, patiently waiting for the last few to show up at my local store or for the $20+ I need for just one.

#4. Marv- Enough said. I loved Micky Rourke's take in the movie. My favorite thing about Marv is his blind drive- he will right any wrong done to him regardless the cost (though he doesn't hit dames). Marv's gotten the wrong end of the stick too often and has begun to crack. The love of a beautiful woman to his gnarly face is all it takes to calm him down or set him off. His story in the movies is based on the book "The Long Goodbye". My favorite appearance of him, however, is in "Booze, Broads, and Bullets", a collection of one-offs. His story "Silent Night" makes me misty just thinking about it. And, that must be some sort of feet for a crazed assassin. Kisses!

#5. The Avengers. Yea, I know it's not one character. Yea I know it's a conglomerate of Marvel greats and lesser known figures. I don't care. Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Ant-Man, Wasp, Spiderman, Wolverine. Ahhhhh!!!!! Dear movie gods, please do not fuck up the upcoming movie based on this amazing series. I promise to visit you more often if you comply. Merci.

Do you love comics? What must I read immediately? Who's your go to favorite?

I Want To Go To There

To follow up my top places to visit, I want to talk about where I want to go. One day, in my perfect fantasy, I will have the ability to travel to all of these wonderful places and more. Until that day comes, I'll just sit here, eating noodles, and feeling generally depressed about my finances. PS- I also wish I were a better accountant, but that's not going to happen.

1. Paris- Duh squared. I took 4 years of French and have nothing to show for it. I can't wait to visit the catacombs, the Musee du Orsay, Le Centre Pompidou, Montmartre, all the shops and markets that litter the street, and the new Gentry de Paris Revue. I want to eat lots of butter and les escargots, les grenouilles, une blanquette de veau, real coq au vin, fois gras, truffles, et les fromages. I want to sit outdoors and people watch. I want! Je dois aller avant que je meurs!

2. Ireland- Please, what kind of self-respecting Mick would I be if I didn't want to travel to the Motherland? I want to get drunk on proper Guinness and stumble along cobblestone streets. I want to visit the moors in a long flowing skirt with the wind and sea spray in my hair (Step one- try not to laugh at that last line. Step two- buy flowing skirt). Ireland has had a resurgence and I want to take part.

3. Kyoto- I can't remember when I fell in love with Kyoto, Japan, but I want to go there so badly. I mean, who wouldn't want to traipse around here:

4. Argentina- Can I just rent a motorcycle and follow the path of Che Guevera? It looked so beautiful in "The Motorcycle Diaries" I was instantly drawn to South America. Plus, it is my firm belief that the gentleman of Argentina are quiet the catch. I'm not sure where I got this from, but it's been in my head for years ever since I started teasing my sister about marrying an Argentinian man. I want to wander Buenos Aires and watch people randomly tango on the streets. I want to drink amazing wine. Only catch- I don't speak Spanish.

5. Ultimate vacation: Train ride across Europe and Western Asia. Come on! I know trains kinda suck (first hand), but not if there's a dining car! Plus, you are limited only by your ability to get to the station on time. Ugh... I think this needs to be #1.

Where have you always wanted to go?

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

So, as you know, Sunday is for lists; but I'm at a bit of a loss. I was this close to publishing my grocery list for your amusement but thought better of it. You're welcome. Instead, in anticipation of my upcoming inaugural trip to New Orleans, I am giving you the first edition of:

MY FAVORITE PLACES OF ALL TIME!!

(in no particular order)

1. New York. Duh. I think this would make many peoples list, but I don't care. I may be a born and bred Texan, but my family and my heart belong to the East. It's amazing for me to think of my mother walking along the Upper East Side toward her closet apartment she shared with another girl. Every time I'm there, I discover something new and (often) delicious. It doesn't matter where you stay, just make sure you're near a metro line. My favorite place to hang out is Greenwich Village, home of my favorite bar of all time: The Slaughtered Lamb . A "theme" bar based on the kick-ass Landis film "An American Werewolf in London", the Slaughtered Lamb features a wooden bar complete with wood-burning fireplace and at least 50 types of bottled beer. Try The Black Cat- delicious! Down the street, you will find one of my favorite German restaurants of all time: Lederhosen . While in the city, take a walk through Central Park and visit Belveder Castle. Spend the day at the Met. Skip the Statue of Liberty tour, and instead, save money and have more fun on the Staten Island ferry. Bring comfy shoes, and get a metro pass. After a night of drinking til 3 or 4 AM, administer your hangover cure at Grey's Papaya Dog. Yum!

2. Rock City. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Rock City was and still is one of my favorite vacation destinations. What began as the private garden, became a wonderland of natural rock formations, waterfalls, and views as far as the eye can see (up to 7 states are visible on a clear day). "Fat Man's Pass" forces even the thinnest guest to hold their breath while making their way through the rocks. Choose danger in the form of a rope bridge or pick the easy way out on a rock bridge that hovers above a beautiful waterfall. It is absolutely beautiful and a lot of fun! Click here for more info a pictures.

3. Pocono Mountains. I've already written about this one, so let's move on.

4. Aquariums. Two of my favorite: Baltimore Aquarium and Monterey Bay Aquarium could not be more different or further apart! The first, a multi-leveled behemoth located near the harbor and countless amazing seafood restaurants. Housing everything from sharks, to dolphins, to a rain forest that takes up the entire top floor, it is not to be missed! The aquarium in Monterey Bay is located at the end of the famous Cannery Row off Highway 1. For Sci-Fi geeks, you might recognize this as the whale sanctuary from "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home", though that area is actually dedicated to a sea otter habitat. From the deck outside, you can whale and dolphin watch. It is absolutely beautiful.

THE BEST BOOKS YOU'VE NEVER READ

The O-Z Edition

AKA

The Final Chapter

"On Writing" b. Stephen King- One of the few non-fiction books to make Entertainment Weekly's Top 100 New Classics list, this is one of the best books on the art of writing. Regardless of what you think about King's own work, he offers valuable tips and tricks of the trade. The first half gives you a little background and bio info on the author, including how he finally came to be published. What I enjoyed the most about this section, were his thoughts and recollections after he was nearly killed by a car while walking near his home. I also liked how he was the first to admit that sometimes he broke his own guidelines, but always wished he were "strong enough" to not do it again. A great read for King fans, budding authors, or those who just want to learn more about writing.

"Practical Magic" b. Alice Hoffman- I've seen the Sandy Bullock/Nicole Kidman movie more times then I care to admit, so I finally decided to read the book. Wow! I loved it even more. It is clear where the movie story line came from, but the book not only expands on it, it takes you in completely different directions. This book won the coveted "Best Book I Read All Year Award", and was gifted to my sister upon her graduation. She read it and loved it as well (which is no small feet considering reading is one of the few things she is not good at. The book must capture her immediately or forever be lost to the growing pile on her book case).

"Rebel w/o a Crew: Or How a 23-year-old Filmmaker w/$7000 Became a Hollywood Player" b. Robert Rodriguez- It is no surprise that I love to read about film making as much as I love watching films. Rodriguez's autobiography is genius, expanding on what you already know (he was a paid guinea pig) to things you don't (The sound for "El Mariachi" was recorded on tape using a basic tape recorder, resulting in some of the best sequences since the sound didn't sync up- he had to get creative). The is a must for all movie lovers, biography fans, and those who think they can't do something.

"Running Wild" b. J.G. Ballard- Ballard is more famously known for his book "Crash" then this novella, but it remains one of my favorites. Set within the walls of a pre-fab gated community, we join the "looky-lou's" who have gathered outside along with the police and news reporters. What happened? Why are we here? Where has everyone gone? The answers to these questions and more will shock you and keep you in suspense to the very end. LOVE!!

"Shade" b. Neil Jordan- Jordan is probably most familiar to you as the Academy Award winning Irish director behind some of the best and most interesting movies: "The Butcher Boy", "The Crying Game", and "Interview with the Vampire" to name a few. What you may not know is he actually started his career as a writer. Shade is his 5th book and one of my all time favorite reads. The book opens with the death of the main character and what follows is her account of how she ended up "in the dark". Don't write this off as a "The Lovely Bones" knock-off. The characters and ambiance that Jordan evokes cannot be matched. I found myself reading this book well into the night, desperate to find out how it all comes together.

"The Turn of the Screw" b. Henry James- I won't go into this one too much as it was featured in a previous post. I wrote my Freshman research paper on this book in High School much to the chagrin of my teacher. It is a classic ghost story which begs the question: "Is she crazy or not?" What makes this book different from so many others is it never really answers that question. It's up to the reader to decide, and no two people will take away the same conclusion.

"Under the Skin" b. Michael Faber- Five big and bold stars go to this book, another winner of the "Best Book of the Year Award". I made everyone I knew at the time read it and love it. Told in 1st person narrative, it tells the tale of Isserley, an alien sent to Earth to gather food. Problem is, we're the food. Every time I read this, I pick up something different.

"The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible As Literally As Possible" b. A.J. Jacobs- I love to learn and read about religion, it's fascinating. Journalist Jacobs vows to live the Bible as literally as possible, and somehow remain married in the process. Some of the best parts are when he travels the country, talking to Rabbi's, Priest's, Shaman's, etc. When he builds what is basically a yurt in his NY living room, I laughed out loud! He's like a subjective Ned Flanders. I have read the Bible, though that is not a prerequisite for reading this book. He breaks down each passage into easy to understand reasoning and follows it up with pro and con points of view.

Sunday means: THE BEST BOOKS YOU'VE EVER READ AND YOU SHOULD TOO!

The G-N Edition

"Generation Kill" b. Evan Wright- That's right, it was a book before it was one of the most awesome HBO mini-series events. I rarely do this, but I recommend watching the show then reading the book. It helped me keep the soldiers straight (and truthfully, and excuse to imagine Alexander Skarsgaard is a good one!). What is great about this book is that Wright doesn't just report but participates. I'm always a little weary of war books. They're either boring, or they misrepresent the facts. My barometer of accuracy is my Dad. Since he was actually in a war, and taught history, and is a writer; I figure he will always set me straight. His personal take on this book is: awesome. To him, this represented how soldiers fill there time, how they interact with each other. You learn how they really feel about the war, about their officers. See also: the first 20 minutes of "Saving Private Ryan" which he said is the first time he's heard gun fire that actually sounded like real gunfire. He could sympathize with those vets who found that scene difficult to watch.

"The Girl on the Fridge: Stories" b. Etgar Keret- One of my favorite movies (and I believe on my list previously published here), is "Wristcutters: A Love Story". That film was based on a short story by Keret. My library didn't have it, so I went with this top rated collection instead. I love short stories. They fit perfectly into a smoke break, bathroom break, lunch break, just before bed, or in between commercials. What I loved about this book more than others, was the authors willingness to let the story lead him. What I mean by that is: Sometimes a story was 12 pages, sometimes 3, and you never felt cheated or overwhelmed. he has a quirky style that resonates with the sub-cultural aspect in all our lives.

"Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch" b. Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett- I had a really hard time picking which Gaiman books to include. He is without a doubt one of my favorite authors of all time. I went with "Good Omens" because it introduced the collaboration of Gaiman (influential Comic god) an Pratchett (influential and much loved sci-fi/fantasy god). The story follows the battle between Heaven and Hell for earth and more importantly, for a specific young boy. The title refers to the prophecy by said witch over which way this battle ends. I loved it, especially the relationship between the Demon and the Angel who team up as the original "Odd Couple" to stop the whole thing from even happening. Gaiman brings his level of mythology with him and it couples nicely with the humor so beloved by Pratchett.

"I Am Legend" b. Richard Matheson- Forget the Will Smith movie (please), and the Vincent Price movie (really good actually), and the Charleton Heston movie. This is so much better. You probably know the story: Man and dog must battle for survival in a post apocalyptic world against legions of vampires. What's brilliant about this printing are the short stories that follow. Several of them are on the list for best I've ever read.

"Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly" b. Anthony Bourdain- I heart Anthony Bourdain. I have read all his books and cannot miss an episode of "No Reservations". This, his first book, delves into what made him the chef and person he is today. It follows a young boy cooking on the Jersey shore to the man who became executive chef at one of New York's great restaurants, Les Halles. If you've ever worked in a restaurant (no, fast food does not count), you will love the kitchen banter recognize the front of house to back of house tensions. If you haven't, first of all- shame on you! Everyone should work in a restaurant for at least 2 weeks (I'm not a sadist! Any longer than that could crush most people). Secondly, you will love this peek into how food gets to your plate and maybe think twice before you mistreat your waiter or chef. Love it!!

"The Lottery: And Other Stories" b. Shirley Jackson- It seems a lot of my recommendations this week have been made into movies. Jackson was an influence to any of your favorite horror authors. Her story, "The Lottery", deals with superstition and small town America with an ending that will still shock you 51 years after it was first published. The central theme of the story will seem familiar to anyone who's seen "Logan's Run" or read "The Hunger Games", but it's Jackson's writing that separates it from the rest. A must!

"Memoirs of a Beatnick" b. Diane di Prima- di Prima was a contemporary of Ginsberg and Burrough's but her name is not mention in the modern lexicon of the Beat generation. Why? Perhaps it because she was a woman in a man's world. Perhaps not. What can be said is that her memoir is a gripping tale of a young woman alone in New York looking for love and creative freedom. I love everything about it. Even if your not a fan of the genre, the book is a great portal into the mind and life of someone on the front lines.

"Mythology" b. Edith Hamilton- We all read some Greek and Roman mythology in school and for most, it ended there. Hamilton's collection is complete and easy to read. My favorite: "Pyramus and Thisbe"- the basis for Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet". Lovely.

"The Neverending Story" b. Michael Ende- To the best of my knowledge this book is out of print. Bummer, but it is worth keeping your eyes peeled at used book stores and online. While the movie is a youth classic, the book is completely different (much in the way Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" is similar but totally unrelated to Carroll's book). It's a lot darker for one. I love the story of Bastian and Atreyu. I randomly scream out "Artex!" when the conversation gets low. I named my sisters dog Falkor. Seriously, I love this book.

The Nightwatch Series b. Sergei Lukyanenko- Kazakhstanian author and Russian hero Lukyanenko wrote the greatest series about the supernatural world I've ever read. Big surprise! It was made into two movies by Timur Bekmambetov which went on to become the #1 and #2 highest grossing films in Russian history (and for good reason- the FX are out of this world!). The premise seems simple: everything you were ever told to be afraid of that lurks in the dark is real. Good news, they have their own police system: The Night Watch (light others who watch what the dark ones do) and The Day Watch (dark others policing the light ones). A prophecy tells of a young other who will forever change the world and both watches want him for their own. There are 4 books in the series currently available in the U.S. and watching the movies first or never will not help you. They only follow two parts of the first book. These are definitely books to take care reading and almost demand a re-read. You will not be bored or feel lazy at all!

Another Sunday, another list

So last Sunday I completed my masterwork: Best movies you've probably never seen. Now that it's over, I was at a loss as to how to continue my love of list making with my equal love of educating/torturing my readers. I've decided to take a page from Stephen King's book and continue with a list of my favorite reads.

In July, I waxed nostalgic about Goodreads.com and my need to catalog all my books. I gave a couple suggestions, but they were just that: uninspired suggestions and what's currently cluttering my coffee table. I started thinking about this last night, and have decided to tackle the subject of books the same way I did movies. Only the top, five star, favorite books would be included.

I also decided last night, that reading is a must for all future relationships. My "must list" has dwindled over time to include only two items: He must be my height or taller and he must be my age or older. I am now including that he must be a reader. Everyone I have dated hated reading and that has become a problem for me. I will not judge the quality of the reading material, simple that you put your nose in a book from time to time.

So, without further pomp and circumstance, I present:

THE BEST BOOKS I'VE EVER READ AND YOU SHOULD TOO!

(The A-F Edition)

"American Skin" by Don de Grazia- I discovered this book one day while shelving the fiction and literature section at the book store I worked at. The cover caught my eye immediately: punk rocker kneeling down to lace up his stompers. "What the hell is this," I thought? Skimming the title, the summary on the back cover, I was intrigued. "American Skin" follows the story of Alex after he runs away from home to Chicago. There, he is befriended by a group of trad skins.

[side note: There are 3 types of skinheads: Trads, Neo-nazi, and SHARPS. Trads (short for Traditional) follow the original skin from England- basically a soccer hooligan with no care for race or creed as long as your a "working man". The don't like the nazi or SHARP skins. Neo-Nazi's need no explanation as they are who we usually picture when the word "skinhead" is uttered. They don't like the trads or SHAPRS. SHARPS stands for Skinheads Against Racial Prejudices and they hate the nazi's and dislike the trads for not caring more]

Anyway, he learns a lot about himself, the world we live in, and of course, love. This was the 1st book I made all my friends read and they loved it too.

"Are You Loathsome Tonight?" by Poppy Z. Brite- I met Ms. Brite when I worked at said book store and she signed all my copies of her books! It was so exciting, and she was lovely. I think people expect authors of horror, or in her case, Splattercore, to be odd and scary people. She certainly plays into that, but is a nice and considerate person. This book is a collection of short stories, which I prefer to her novels. Her style is more disturbing than horrific (hence "splattercore"- think the Eli Roth and Rob Zombie's of the literary world). Many of her works feature themes of homosexuality and serial killers- not mutually exclusive. Is she for everyone? No. However, if you enjoy those types of films, this may be the type of book to get you into reading. EXPLICIT WARNING!!

"Black Coffee Blues" by Henry Rollins- Perhaps best known as the singer for Black Flag and The Rollins Band, Henry Rollins has parlayed his stage performance into a career as an author and spoken word artist. He owns 2.13.61 which publishes his as well as other well know singers and artists works. I have read all of his books, and the ones about travelling, about life and the things he has seen and lived, work better than when he verges on the artistic. The other positive is you don't have to know or be a fan of Rollins to appreciate his work. Start with this one or, if you can find it, "Get in the Van: On the Road with Black Flag" to get an idea.

"Bloodchild and Other Stories" by Octavia Butler- This book was recommended to me by Head Mess Mistress and have passed it on ever since. Ms. Butler has won many awards which is impressive considering that she writes Science Fiction. Her stories weave a delicate balance between sci-fi and literature, in many cases that line becomes invisible. This book is for looking for a quick yet satisfying and smart read.

"Candy: A Novel of Love and Addiction" by Luke Davies- This is another one I discovered while working at the book store. It follows two Australian twenty-somethings as they fall in love with each other and with candy, i.e. heroin. I like to say this is the easy "Trainspotting" (meaning it's easier to read. You ever look at "Trainspotting" the book? It's written in Scottish colloquialisms. Good luck!). They also made this into a movie starring Heath Ledger that I have yet to see (it's in my massive queue) but am told it's okay. So, stick to the book. What I love about this book, are the descriptions of the characters while they're loaded. The care they still show for each other, the way they know how each other will handle their high- it's lovely.

"The Children's Hour" by Lillian Hellman- That's right- a play! I read this after falling in love with the movie starring Shirley MacLaine and Audrey Hepburn. It is about two teachers at a girl's boarding school who are accused of impropriety (read: being lesbians). Who is correct and who is lying? Why would the student's make up such a tale? What are the repercussions? I've read several plays (not counting in school), but they're not my favorite. I think mostly because they are not meant to be read, but to be acted and watched. That being said, the best ones work equally on the page as the screen and this is one of them. Try a double feature. Read the play, then watch the movie. How similar was it to what you imagined?

"From the Corner of His Eye" by Dean Koontz- This book was sent to me by my parents in a care package while I lived in Austin. I'm not sure what prompted it's purchase, as I was not a Koontz fan before, but it made me one after! It also sparked my interest in quantum mechanics and theory. The book follows several stories and people that may or may not be interconnected. There's Bartholomew Lampion who brings change to everyone around him when he is born. In another city, a man learns his fate and destruction lye in the hands of someone named Barhtolomew, though he knows no one by that name. Finally, a deaf girl who may play a part in the lives of both men. It's really good and a longer read then would be expected from the reigning king of publishing (Koontz has published over 80 books and sold more than 400,000,000 copies). Clearly something is working.

THE BEST FILMS YOU MAY HAVE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF BUT THAT YOU MUST RENT/QUEUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

Wow, we've finally come to the end of my Netflix list (otherwise known as U-Z Edition):

Vertigo (1958)- It is my belief that this is one of several movies people say they have seen, but in actuality, they have only seen the poster. Also on this list are several other Hitchcock movies (Rear Window being most popular), the Bond movies (with the exception of Daniel Craig), and Sherlock Holmes. Please, do yourself a favor and watch this. If you have seen it, it's probably been a while, so watch it again. It is genius. All I need to say is: Kim Novak (I want to be her when I grow up) and James Stewart. Enough said.

The Wackness (2008)- This movie made a splash on the festival scene (though I suspect it had as much to do with the star being a current Disney commodity playing against type as a drug dealer as much as it did the brilliance of the movie). That being said, its great. Ben Kinglsey is of course brilliant and the backdrop of 80's New York is priceless. It's like watching the birth of "wigger" culture without having to sit through a Jamie Kennedy movie.

What We Do is Secret (2007)- This movie is a labor of love for star Shane West (and yes, I know what you're thinking: What they hell does ex-Mandy Moore movie love interest/"er" stud have to tell ME about punk). The answer is: a lot. Based on the life of Germs front man Darby Crash, the movie takes us through the birth of modern punk- from high school to "fame" to death. It is spliced with interviews of Crash (as played by West) that were lifted from actual interviews. The music is raw and the approach to his sexuality is casual yet front and center. The bonus features on the disc make for good watching as well. Whether you are a fan or not of punk music, this true story of decline will have you hooked.

The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006)- I realize that this movie may not be for most, but I cannot get enough of the Irish struggle for independence. I suspect it has something to do with my families own involvement, but this movie by British wunderkind Ken Loach starring Cillian Murphy, shows us a side of the conflict that we never see: What happened outside the cities, in the towns and villages across Ireland. The struggle for Irish freedom was famously fought in Dublin, but the heart of the war raged on in the fields. I loved it- it's quietness, the cinematography, everything.

Wristcutters (a love story) (2006)- This movie has become the new marker for how cool you are. If you've seen it: you are. If you haven't: well, get thee to a Blockbuster! The story is simple: boy commits suicide after he hears his girlfriend is dead, and travels to purgatory to find her. One the way, he picks up a crazy Russian and an even crazier girl. All the music is by Gogol Bordello (and from what I can figure, it is not on either of their 2 albums. I am mucho bummed by this). It's hilarious, it's about love and life and death. Seriously, it's funny too.

So, that ends my list. What have I left off? What movies do you love that feel like no one else has seen them, that are your little secret? I am always looking for suggestions. I'm not sure how I will follow this up. I like the idea of Sunday's being for list making...

On a final note, the worst movie I have ever seen (as told to me by my Netflix ratings) is:
Wow, I should have looked at how many 1 star movies I had. Perhaps that list is for another time.