Well, here we are. What can we say about 2021? Was it better than 2020? Uh.... 2021 did have less sheltering in place and fewer wildfires but our political divisions- yikes! On balance though, I'm feeling more optimistic. My family just got back from a great holiday trip to NYC and Boston on what a Comedy Cellar comedian dubbed "Omicron Eve." Things first started looking up last fall when Sonoma Arts Live, the theater Jaime and I run, returned with a triumphant production of Sunset Boulevard. I was also thrilled to bring my radio show ALL KINDSA GIRLS back to KSVY. And, as is the case every year, in 2021 I was diverted, comforted and inspired by the movies, TV shows, records and books I saw, listened to and read. So now, in an annual tradition that started in 1999, I humbly submit my 2021 Top 5's:
Friday, January 7, 2022
2021 Top 5 Lists
TOP 5 MOVIES (seen in an actual theater!)
The Power of The Dog (not the film you think it is)
Pig (f@%# Seattle!)
Lamb (the animal theme is unintentional)
West Side Story (Kushner elevates Sondheim)
Together Together (friends transcend)
TOP 5 STREAMING MOVIES/DVDs (+5ish because COVID)
Paterson (art+love=life)
The Best Years of Our Lives (the best of Classic Thursday)
Small Axe: Lovers Rock (make a joyful noise)
About Endlessness (dream of life and vice versa)
Why Don't You Just Die! (brutal hilarity)
Life of Crime/Small Town Crime (I like John Hawkes, okay?!?)
Quo Vadis, Aida? (will this ever stop...)
Possessor Uncut (mind blower)
Unpregnant/Slalom/The Sisterhood of Night/Plan B (our daughters deserve better)
Spontaneous (love pops)
TOP 5 ALBUMS
Weezer- Van Weezer (a triumph and my return to live music)
TUNS- Duly Noted (Bluenosers Rock!)
Radio Days- Rave On! (Pop potente)
Death By Unga Bunga- Heavy Male Insecurity (Egocentric!)
Matthew Sweet- Catspaw (guitar slinger/singer)
TOP 5 BOOKS
Blacktop Wasteland- S.A. Cosby (Bug's life)
A Burning- Megha Majumdar (life's not fair)
Matterhorn- Karl Marlantes (the literal fog of war)
Missionaries- Phil Klay (marine ready)
Nothing To See Here- Kevin Wilson (firestarters)
TOP 5 TV SHOWS
Search Party (lost children)
We Are Lady Parts (rock & roll is the answer)
Mare of Easttown (rust belt blues)
Midnight Mass (philosophy, religion, monsters- in that order)
Cruel Summer (90's nightmare)
Some of the above did not come out in 2021 but that's when I found them. Sadly, still no "Theatrical Performance" category for 2021 (thanks COVID)- hopefully it will return next year. If you'd like to keep track of what I'm watching, listening to and reading during the year check out the ALL KINDSA GIRLS Twitter feed. Feel free to respond with your own 2021 favorites as I'm always looking for quality viewing/listening/reading material- your picks might even end up on next year's list.
Here's hoping for a better year in 2022!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
