While my kids look forward breathlessly to a year that includes the final installment of the Harry Potter movies, and I look forward to the new film adaptation of Jane Eyre that I just saw a trailer for, there were some great things to remember from the year past too. Here are some of the things I really liked this year--let me know what I've missed!
Books for Adults:
Lit by Mary Karr: Memoir of trading alcohol for God, with no sugar coating.
The Cellist of Sarajevo (didn't come out this year, but still) by Steven Galloway: gorgeously written novel of life under seige.
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson: Fun romp through the English countryside with a crusty old Englishman.
In the Neighborhood by Peter Lovenheim: Lovenheim spends some time getting to know his neighbors, by sleeping over.
When Metallica Came to Church by John Van Sloten: Pastor Van Sloten gives a new perspective on God's way of revealing himself.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett: Okay, so I read this in 2009, but it bears repeating. Great book. Looking forward to the movie.
Books for Young Adults:
Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr: Honest, lovely fiction of a pastor's kid questioning her own belief.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (only after reading the first two in the trilogy): A futuristic novel giving a very real picture of the effects of war.
Eli the Good by Silas House: Coming-of-age novel set in bicentennial America. Not quite sure if it's for adults or young people, but I enjoyed it!
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine: A girl with Asperger's comes to terms with grief.
Matched by Ally Condie: Add up The Hunger Games plus The Giver plus Twilight, take out the werewolves, most of the lust and most of the poor writing, and you still have a good story.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (again, an oldie, but still): Fabulous autobiographical fiction of a 14 year old boy caught between his tribe and his off-the-reservation school.
Movies for Adults:
The King's Speech: Wonderful treatment of a would-be king struggling with a speech impediment and his unorthodox therapist. Plus the bonus of seeing Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) and Elizabeth Bennett (Jennifer Ehle) sharing the screen again (see the 90s version of Pride and Prejudice.) Geoffrey Rush also fantastic.
Winter's Bone: The story is dark and gritty, but young Jennifer Lawrence deserves an Oscar for her performance as a teenager trying to save her family from the mistakes of her meth-cooking father in the Ozarks.
Inception: Hard to describe, but this creative and innovative movie is mindbending. Worth watching if only for the incredible sequences of architectural design and alteration.
The Social Network: Well-acted and well-timed, the Facebook movie comments on our culture and our connections (or lack thereof). Beware the party scenes.
Get Low: Robert Duvall is a hermit wanting to throw his own funeral while he's still alive. He's looking for a monumental confessional. Wonderful little movie, great music, and Bill Murray in another great supporting role. Might not be one of the best of the year, but I really liked it. And watch how they use light in the scenes. Lovely.
Honorable Mention: Please Give, for trying to address something important (our attitudes towards using people, charity, guilt, etc), even if it couldn't quite do it.
Still want to see: Waiting for Superman, the documentary about the state of public education in our country. I need to see it, know it will matter greatly, but haven't gotten to it yet.
Movies for the Younger Set:
Toy Story 3: Woody. Buzz. Pixar. Another home run.
How to Train Your Dragon: Fun and full of heart. Not for the youngest.
Ramona and Beezus: Sweet, fun, well-made kids' movie that got very little credit.
Voyage of the Dawn Treader: Loved this!
Tangled: Fun interpretation of Rapunzel.
Music (no real description here, you'll just have to listen online for yourselves)
Downtown Church by Patti Griffin
Women and Country by Jakob Dylan
In Feast or Fallow by Sandra McCracken
This Broken Moment by Jessica Smucker and the Sleeping World
Album I know I'll like but haven't gotten yet: Arcade Fire's The Suburbs
Happy New Year!
1 comment:
thanks Kristy. An opinion I can respect, well, an opinion that is in keeping with my taste at any rate.
Post a Comment