Friday, January 6, 2012

2011 Top 5 Lists

Happy New Year from Sonoma, California!! I hope 2012 finds you well. As for me, I am back on track after a year that had its highs (appearing as “Brad” in Rocky Horror Show) and lows (racking my body in a cycling accident) but was on balance positive.

The family is doing well and my radio show ALL KINDSA GIRLS (http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/ and now finally on facebook) is still a blast. As always, whatever my mental or physical state happened to be this year it was enriched by records, books, films and TV shows. Sharing my favorites with all of you is a proud tradition dating back to 1999. So, I now humbly submit my 2011 Top 5’s:

TOP 5 MOVIES

Win Win (wrestling with your demons, literally)

Crazy Stupid Love (title says it all)

The Guard (Irish Independent)

Hugo (cinephilia)

Higher Ground (the miracle of faith)


TOP 5 DVD'S

Attack The Block (aliens vs. outsiders)

Beginners (we all get a do-over)

Together “Tilsammans” (Swedish fishbowl)

The Battle of Algiers (modern warfare in 1966)

Dogtooth “Kynodontas” (alternative child rearing techniques)


TOP 5 ALBUMS

Sloan- The Double Cross (XX marks the spot)

Fountains Of Wayne- Sky Full Of Holes (a return to form)

The Wellingtons- In Transit (Power Pop Lives…in Australia!)

Cute Lepers- Adventure Time (Mr. Nix’s opus)

The Smithereens- 2011 (New Jersey’s finest)


TOP 5 BOOKS

A Visit From The Goon Squad- Jennifer Egan (Nobody beats the goon)

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower- Stephen Chbosky (Charlie says…)

The Hunger Games Trilogy- Suzanne Collins (May the odds be ever in your favor)

The Lonely Polygamist- Brady Udall (Mo marriages, mo problems)

Pygmy- Chuck Palahniuk (nobody writes like Chuck)


TOP 5 TELEVISION/CABLE SHOWS

American Horror Story (the house always wins)

Treme: Season 1 (a dead city rises)

Happy Endings (Chicago’s finest)

Justified: Season 1 (Harlan County Confidential)

Louie (brutal/hilarious honesty)

I would love to hear your best of 2011, so please feel free to send it along. I’m always on the lookout for quality viewing, listening and reading material. Here’s wishing you all the best in 2012!