tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46109127975730127782024-01-09T21:24:12.937-08:00Rick's Top 5 ListsRick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-49847567919730189692024-01-09T20:57:00.000-08:002024-01-09T21:23:39.706-08:002023 Top 5 Lists<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ah, 2023! For me and hopefully for you too, it was a return to normalcy- we saw some outstanding live music/theater performances and finally got to take the EU/UK trip we'd been planning. Any year you visit record stores in 5 different countries on 2 continents is a good year! <a href="http://www.sonomaartslive.org/" target="_blank">Sonoma Arts Live</a>, the theater company my wife Jaime and I run, is going strong and last summer we were back onstage together for the first time in years in <a href="https://aisleseatreview.com/pick-asr-theater-sals-guys-and-dolls-hits-all-the-right-notes/" target="_blank"><i>Guys & Dolls</i></a>. Plus, I'm still doing my radio show, <a href="http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">ALL KINDSA GIRLS</a>, every Saturday night on <a href="https://ksvy.org/" target="_blank">KSVY</a>. We finished 2023 spending the holidays at home joined by family and friends- all in all I'm thankful for a pretty great year. As always, 2023 was further enriched by the movies, TV shows, records and books I saw, listened to and read. You'll even see a new category, Top 5 Rockumentary Workouts, because if you don't watch something cool while you're on the elliptical you will go insane- it's a medical fact. So, in a tradition that dates back to 1999, I humbly submit my 2023 Top 5 Lists:</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">TOP 5 MOVIES</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/american_fiction" target="_blank">American Fiction</a> (post post-truth)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_holdovers" target="_blank">The Holdovers</a> (Christmas in New England)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/barbie" target="_blank">Barbie</a> (transformational)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/women_talking" target="_blank">Women Talking</a> (rage to redemption)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_quiet_girl" target="_blank">The Quiet Girl</a> (scannán álainn)<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">TOP 5-ish STREAMING/DVD MOVIES</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/honor_society" target="_blank">Honor Society</a> / <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_starling_girl" target="_blank">The Starling Girl</a> / </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/full_time" target="_blank">Full Time</a> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">(she deserves better)<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_innocents_2022" target="_blank">The Innocents</a> / <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/aftersun" target="_blank">Aftersun</a> (our daughters will save us) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/how_to_blow_up_a_pipeline" target="_blank">How To Blow Up A Pipeline</a> / <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jethica" target="_blank">Jethica</a> (ideas eclipse income)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tetris" target="_blank">Tetris</a> / <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/blackberry" target="_blank">BlackBerry</a> (this is how you tell true stories)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bloody_hell" target="_blank">Bloody Hell</a> / <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sisu_2022" target="_blank">Sisu</a> (international mayhem)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">TOP 5 CLASSIC THURSDAY MOVIES</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/miracle_of_morgans_creek" target="_blank">The Miracle of Morgan's Creek</a> (Sturges slays)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/murder_my_sweet" target="_blank">Murder, My Sweet</a> (Marlowe is the Man!)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/now_voyager" target="_blank">Now, Voyager</a> (Bette will break your heart)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/outrage-1950" target="_blank">Outrage</a> (Ida Lupino was fearless...)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/taste_of_honey" target="_blank">A Taste of Honey</a> (UK decay)<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">TOP 5 ROCKUMENTARY WORKOUT MOVIES</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jobriath_ad_2012">Jobraith A.D.</a> (the American Bowie)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/waiting_the_van_duren_story" target="_blank">Waiting: The Van Duren Story</a> (Memphis Power Pop icon)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/creem_americas_only_rock_n_roll_magazine" target="_blank">Creem: America's Only Rock & Roll Magazine</a> (Big Bangs)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/being_evel" target="_blank">Being Evel</a> (didn't play music, still rocked!)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_public_image_is_rotten" target="_blank">The Public Image Is Rotten</a> (thankfully, no politics) <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">TOP 5 ALBUMS</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://duncanreidandthebigheads.bandcamp.com/album/and-its-goodbye-from-him" target="_blank">Duncan Reid/Big Heads- And It's Goodbye From Him</a> (will be missed)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://notearsmusic.bandcamp.com/album/heart-shaped-eyes" target="_blank">No Tears- Heart Shaped Eyes</a> (Swede pleases) <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://digthewhiffs.bandcamp.com/album/scratch-n-sniff" target="_blank">The Whiffs- Scratch 'N' Sniff</a> (KC R&R is back!)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://kurtbaker.bandcamp.com/album/rock-n-roll-club" target="_blank">Kurt Baker- Rock N Roll Club</a> (Maine sustains)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://uniboys.bandcamp.com/album/buy-this-now-2" target="_blank">Uni Boys- Buy This Now!</a> (2 for 2) <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">TOP 5 TV SHOWS</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/shrinking" target="_blank">Shrinking</a> (perfect practice)<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/beef" target="_blank">Beef</a> (the lies we tell ourselves)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_bear" target="_blank">The Bear</a> (work/life imbalance)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/im_a_virgo" target="_blank">I'm A Virgo</a> (Riley rules)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/extraordinary_attorney_woo" target="_blank">Extraordinary Attorney Woo</a> (kindness first) <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">TOP 5 BOOKS</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/57693566" target="_blank">The Latecomer- Jean Hanff Korelitz</a> (Oppenheimer fun)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58784475-tomorrow-and-tomorrow-and-tomorrow?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_34" target="_blank">Tomorrow And Tomorrow And Tomorrow- Gabrielle Zevin</a> (trust Marx) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/61884832" target="_blank">All The Sinners Bleed- S.A. Cosby</a> (Southern Gothic)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58999177-the-immortal-king-rao?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_21" target="_blank">The Immortal King Rao- Vauhini Vara</a></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> (futureshock)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58437521-the-candy-house?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_15" target="_blank">The Candy House- Jennifer Egan</a> (it's still a goon) <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">TOP 5 LIVE PERFORMANCES</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://dearevanhansen.com/" target="_blank">Dear Evan Hansen</a> 2/11/22 Orpheum SF (devastating/beautiful)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.whitereaperusa.com/?frontpage=true" target="_blank">White Reaper</a> 2/22/23 August Hall SF (we deserve love)<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://sixonbroadway.com/" target="_blank">Six</a> 3/14/23 Orpheum SF (the historemix)<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.hoodoogurus.net/" target="_blank">Hoodoo Gurus</a> 5/21/23 GAMH SF (We All Turned On!) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Big_Things_(musical)" target="_blank">The Little Big Things</a> 10/11/23 @sohoplace London (Henry flys)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you're interested in what I'm watching, hearing and reading during the year check out the <a href="https://twitter.com/allkindsagirls" target="_blank">ALL KINDSA GIRLS Twitter feed</a> (I disavow the name change). Please respond with your own 2023 favorites as I'm always looking for quality viewing/listening/reading material- perhaps your picks will end up on next year's lists. Wishing you all the best in 2024!</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div>Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-77639191956251088432023-01-07T17:07:00.002-08:002023-01-08T19:33:16.561-08:002022 Top 5 Lists<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We made it another year! That may seem like a low bar but after the last two years I think we should just take the W. It all still feels like "a lot" sometimes (see my favorite movie of the year) </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">yet I'm happy to say the optimism I felt this time last year is still in place. <a href="http://www.sonomaartslive.org/" target="_blank">Sonoma Arts Live</a>, the theater company Jaime and I run, closed out a successful first season back with <i>The Drowsy Chaperone</i>, in which I was lucky enough to appear as a Gangster/Pastry Chef, and Season 2022-23 is off to a great start. My radio show <a href="http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">ALL KINDSA GIRLS</a> remains a Saturday night staple on <a href="https://ksvy.org/">KSVY</a>. We wrapped up the year spending the holidays at home (good call it turns out) with family and friends. Like every year, my life in 2022 was enriched by the movies, TV shows, records and books I saw listened to and read. Classic Thursday, which we started at Jaime's urging during the pandemic, earns its own heading this year. Now, in a tradition dating back to 1999, I humbly submit my 2022 Top 5 Lists:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">TOP 5 MOVIES </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/everything_everywhere_all_at_once" target="_blank">Everything, Everywhere All At Once</a> (right now, this IS us) </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tar_2022" target="_blank"><span aria-level="1" class="yKMVIe" role="heading">Tár</span></a> (sadly, this is also us) </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/drive_my_car" target="_blank">Drive My Car </a>(but maybe there's hope for us?)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_banshees_of_inisherin" target="_blank">The Banshees of Inisherin</a> (at least for some of us?)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/montana_story" target="_blank">Montana Story</a> (thankfully, yes) <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">TOP 5-ish STREAMING/DVD MOVIES</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sweet_thing_2021" target="_blank">Sweet Thing</a> / <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_fallout_2021" target="_blank">The Fallout</a> (we are failing them)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/petite_maman" target="_blank">Petite Maman</a> / <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/our_little_sister" target="_blank">Our Little Sister</a> (empathy machine endures)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_boy_behind_the_door" target="_blank">The Boy Behind The Door</a> / <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hellbender" target="_blank">Hellbender</a> (truly terrifying) <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/turn_me_on_dammit" target="_blank">Turn Me On, Dammit!</a> / </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/emergency_2022" target="_blank">Emergency</a></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> (hormonal hilarity)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/nine_days" target="_blank">Nine Days</a> / <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_worst_person_in_the_world" target="_blank">The Worst Person In The World</a> (life is hard)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">TOP 5 CLASSIC THURSDAY FILMS</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1003094-brief_encounter" target="_blank">Brief Encounter</a> 1945 (beautiful heartbreak)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bad_and_the_Beautiful" target="_blank">The Bad and The Beautiful</a> 1952 (Hollywood hasn't changed)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/man_in_the_white_suit" target="_blank">The Man In The White Suit</a> 1951 (true disruption)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/witness_for_the_prosecution" target="_blank">Witness For The Prosecution</a> 1957 (Dietrich kills it)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lady_eve" target="_blank">The Lady Eve</a> 1941 (so much fun!)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">TOP 5 ALBUMS</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://sloanmusic.bandcamp.com/album/steady" target="_blank">Sloan- Steady</a> (SLOOOOOOO-OOOOAAAANNNN!)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://curation-records.bandcamp.com/album/do-it-all-next-week" target="_blank">Uni Boys- Do It All Next Week</a> (see, Power Pop isn't JUST 50+)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://hoodoogurus.lnk.to/ChariotOfTheGods" target="_blank">Hoodoo Gurus- Chariot of the Gods</a> (the OZ Masters Return!)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://thespeedways.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://thespeedways.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">The Speedways- Talk Of The Town</a> (London swings again)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://thelindalindas.bandcamp.com/album/growing-up" target="_blank">The Linda Lindas- Growing Up</a> (hope for our R&R future)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Top 5 BOOKS</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57109107-the-lincoln-highway?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=ibZztwgcFz&rank=1" target="_blank">The Lincoln Highway- Amor Towles</a> (a Great American Novel)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55881796-crossroads?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=MQw7iJ2odt&rank=2" target="_blank">Crossroads- Jonathan Franzen</a> (how to live a moral life)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54746205-velvet-was-the-night?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=32rXdc9OhW&rank=1" target="_blank">Velvet Was The Night- Silvia Moreno-Garcia</a> (non-metaphorical bloody politics)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55315487-the-plot?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_8" target="_blank">The Plot- Jean Hanff Korelitz</a> (don't think words can kill?)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54626223-harlem-shuffle?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_14" target="_blank">Harlem Shuffle- Colson Whitehead</a> (American dreamer)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">TOP 5 TV SHOWS</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/station_eleven" target="_blank">Station Eleven</a> (The Bard endures)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/wayne" target="_blank">Wayne</a> (Brockton Rawks!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/fleishman_is_in_trouble" target="_blank">Fleishman Is In Trouble</a> (so are we all...)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/bad_sisters" target="_blank">Bad Sisters</a> (</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Y2IQFc" lang="ga">deirfiúracha i réim)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Y2IQFc" lang="ga"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/stranger_things/s04" target="_blank">Stranger Things 4</a> (RIP E.M.) </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Y2IQFc" lang="ga"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Y2IQFc" lang="ga">Hoping I get to enough non-SAL theatrical performances this year for this heading to return in the 2023 lists. If you're interested in what I'm watching, listening to and reading during the year I invite you to check out the <a href="https://twitter.com/allkindsagirls" target="_blank">ALL KINDSA GIRLS feed on Twitter</a> which has 2 Rules: #1 Keep it positive (if I don't like something, I don't post about it), #2 No politics (see Rule #1). Please feel free to respond with your own 2022 favorites- I'm always looking for quality viewing, listening and reading material and perhaps you'll see your recommendations on next year's lists. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Y2IQFc" lang="ga"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Y2IQFc" lang="ga">Wishing you all the best in 2023!</span></span></span></div>Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-81828435849996949022022-01-07T22:42:00.001-08:002022-01-08T11:54:51.517-08:002021 Top 5 Lists<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">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 <a href="http://www.sonomaartslive.org/" target="_blank">Sonoma Arts Live</a>, the theater Jaime and I run, returned with a triumphant production of <i>Sunset Boulevard</i>. I was also thrilled to bring my radio show <a href="http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">ALL KINDSA GIRLS </a>back to <a href="https://ksvy.org/" target="_blank">KSVY</a>. 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:</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 MOVIES (seen in an actual theater!)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_power_of_the_dog" target="_blank">The Power of The Dog</a> (not the film you think it is)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pig_2021" target="_blank">Pig</a> (f@%# Seattle!) </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lamb_2021" target="_blank">Lamb</a> (the animal theme is unintentional)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/search?search=west%20side%20story" target="_blank">West Side Story</a> (Kushner elevates Sondheim)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/together_together" target="_blank">Together Together</a> (friends transcend)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 STREAMING MOVIES/DVDs (+5ish because COVID)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/paterson">Paterson</a> (art+love=life)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/best_years_of_our_lives" target="_blank">The Best Years of Our Lives</a> (the best of Classic Thursday)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/small_axe/s02" target="_blank">Small Axe: Lovers Rock</a> (make a joyful noise)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/about_endlessness" target="_blank">About Endlessness</a> (dream of life and vice versa)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/why_dont_you_just_die" target="_blank">Why Don't You Just Die!</a> (brutal hilarity)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/life_of_crime_2013" target="_blank">Life of Crime</a>/<a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/small_town_crime" target="_blank">Small Town Crime</a> (I like John Hawkes, okay?!?) <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/quo_vadis_aida" target="_blank">Quo Vadis, Aida?</a> (will this ever stop...) </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/possessor_uncut" target="_blank">Possessor Uncut</a> (mind blower) <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/unpregnant" target="_blank">Unpregnant</a>/<a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/slalom" target="_blank">Slalom</a>/<a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_sisterhood_of_night_2015" target="_blank">The Sisterhood of Night</a></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">/<a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/plan_b_2021" target="_blank">Plan B</a></span></span> (our daughters deserve better)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pain_and_glory" target="_blank">Pain and Glory</a> (</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-qa="critics-consensus">Almodóvar</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">goes deep)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spontaneous" target="_blank">Spontaneous</a> (love pops)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 ALBUMS</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://weezerofficial.bandcamp.com/album/van-weezer" target="_blank">Weezer- Van Weezer</a> (a triumph and my return to live music)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://tunsband.bandcamp.com/album/duly-noted" target="_blank">TUNS- Duly Noted</a> (Bluenosers Rock!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://radiodays.bandcamp.com/album/rave-on" target="_blank">Radio Days</a>- Rave On! (Pop potente)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://deathbyungabunga.bandcamp.com/album/heavy-male-insecurity" target="_blank">Death By Unga Bunga- Heavy Male Insecurity</a> (Egocentric!)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Catspaw-Matthew-Sweet/dp/B08K8SKKP4" target="_blank">Matthew Sweet- Catspaw</a> (guitar slinger/singer)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 BOOKS</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/51182571-blacktop-wasteland" target="_blank">Blacktop Wasteland- S.A. Cosby</a> (Bug's life)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51792100-a-burning?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=x7lhBUvNCe&rank=2" target="_blank">A Burning- Megha Majumdar</a> (life's not fair) </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6411016-matterhorn?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=Sfijpw3r9p&rank=1" target="_blank">Matterhorn- Karl Marlantes</a> (the literal fog of war)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50482979-missionaries?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=9sFgk59ZUD&rank=1" target="_blank">Missionaries- Phil Klay</a> (marine ready)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42519313-nothing-to-see-here?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=6NSqip8fmP&rank=1" target="_blank">Nothing To See Here- Kevin Wilson</a> (firestarters)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 TV SHOWS</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/search_party" target="_blank">Search Party</a> (lost children)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/we_are_lady_parts" target="_blank">We Are Lady Parts</a> (rock & roll is the answer)</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/mare_of_easttown" target="_blank">Mare of Easttown</a> (rust belt blues)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/midnight_mass" target="_blank">Midnight Mass</a> (philosophy, religion, monsters- in that order)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/cruel_summer/s01" target="_blank">Cruel Summer</a> (90's nightmare)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">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 <a href="https://twitter.com/allkindsagirls" target="_blank">ALL KINDSA GIRLS Twitter feed</a>. 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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's hoping for a better year in 2022!<br /></span></span></div>Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-65220211430834503782021-01-05T20:32:00.000-08:002021-01-05T20:32:11.940-08:002020 Top 5 Lists<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let’s face it- 2020 was brutal.<span> </span>So much so that it defies a witty, pithy or
God forbid snarky summation.<span> </span>What can be
said is that never has quality viewing, listening or reading material been as
essential as it was in 2020.<span> </span>Just
getting out of your own head and into someone else’s- doesn’t matter if that
other “head” is prospecting for gems on a distant planet, hunting bail jumpers
in suburban Atlanta or making the best selling fictional album of the 70’s-
gave us a much needed break from the politics, pandemic, wildfires, etc. that
sucked all the fun out of our lives in 2020.<span>
</span>That said, The Loves are all okay, crossing our fingers for the return
of <a href="http://www.sonomaartslive.org/">Sonoma Arts Live</a> theatrical
productions and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/All-Kindsa-Girls-with-Rick-Love-121731624607279">All
Kindsa Girls</a> to the KSVY airwaves in 2021.<span>
</span>I know I say this every year, but in 2020 I was <span style="color: black;">especially
thankful for the movies, TV shows, records and books I saw, listened to and
read. In what is now a 22 year tradition, I humbly submit my 2020 Top
5's:<br />
<br />
</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 MOVIES (+5 DVD/streaming because 2020 killed theaters) </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/never_rarely_sometimes_always">Never
Rarely Sometimes Always</a> (Thank God for Cousins) </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/slut_in_a_good_way">Slut
In A Good Way</a> (Make way for Charlotte!)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/prospect_2018">Prospect</a>
(The <u>best</u> Pedro Pascal space epic)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_handmaiden">The
Handmaiden</a> (Park does it again)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_lovers_2017">The
Lovers</a> (middle-age marriage story)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/banana_split_2020">Banana
Split</a> / <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/never_goin_back">Never
Goin’ Back</a> (WWBFFD?)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/freaks_2019">Freaks</a>
(sci-fi genius)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/queen_and_slim">Queen
+ Slim</a> (this has got to stop)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_assistant_2020">The
Assistant</a> (this also has got to stop)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_invisible_man_2020">The Invisible
Man</a> / <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/emma_2020">Emma</a> (the
last movies I saw in a theater-sigh-)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 ALBUMS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/11964">Cheap
Trick- Out To Get You!<span> </span>Live 1977</a>
(hear the masters at work)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://thelegendaryrichgilbert.com/product/554306">The
Zulus- Cockfight In A Bullring</a> (a shoulda been huge Boston band)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://kurtbakerwcr.bandcamp.com/album/after-party">Kurt
Baker- After Party</a> (Maine/Spain Man!)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://nickpiuntimusic.bandcamp.com/album/downtime">Nick
Piunti & The Complicated Men- Downtime</a> (it’s “pyoon-tee”)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/for-those-about-to-pop">The Yum
Yums- For Those About To Pop!</a> (Norway’s finest)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 BOOKS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28251002-the-nix">The Nix- Nathan
Hill</a> (the past isn’t)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43782399-saint-x?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=KdGfI1aI9A&rank=1">Saint
X- Alexis Schaitkin</a> (family vacation)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51918871-city-of-girls?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=hSUPoI34Kw&rank=1">City
of Girls- Elizabeth Gilbert</a> (NYC theater survives)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/292365.Dopefiend?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=deM29DzMGY&rank=2">Dopefiend-
Donald Goines</a> (heroine not-chic)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40597810-daisy-jones-the-six?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=RfpzH6coLq&rank=1">Daisy
Jones & The Six- Taylor Jenkins Reid</a> (sex&drugs&rock’n’roll)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 TV SHOWS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/mr_inbetween">Mr.
Inbetween S1&2</a> (The Ray Way)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/teenage_bounty_hunters">Teenage Bounty
Hunters</a> (Twin Powers, Activate!)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_great">The
Great</a> (Catherine>Peter)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/brockmire">Brockmire
S3&4</a> (The Redemption & The Future)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/normal_people">Normal
People</a> (beautiful heartbreak)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not all of the above came out in 2020, but that’s when I
caught up with them.<span> </span>Sadly, Covid-19
killed the “Theatrical Performance” category in 2020, though I’m sure the
stellar Berkeley Playhouse production of <a href="https://bayareaplays.com/2020/02/29/memphis-at-berkeley-playhouse-is-the-music-of-your-soul/">Memphis</a>
we saw in February would have made the list. During the early months of the
pandemic I was watching a movie every night (check <a href="https://twitter.com/allkindsagirls">here</a> for an ongoing rundown of those
I liked).<span> </span>Podcasts will likely have
their own category next year- this year’s favorite being <a href="https://www.theballadofbillyballs.com/">The Ballad of Billy Balls</a>, an
NYC rock & roll/love/murder story.<span> </span><span></span>Please respond with your
own 2020 favorites- I'm always on the lookout for quality viewing/listening/reading
material and your selections may end up on next year's list.<span> </span>Here's wishing you a happy, healthy and safe
2021!</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-47041574713730362682020-01-05T23:09:00.000-08:002020-01-05T23:51:28.548-08:002019 Top 5 Lists<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">John Lydon once sang "anger is an energy." In America it seems like anger is an <i>industry</i> these days and business is booming! This year we should all take a tip from Otis Redding and "Try A Little Tenderness." I'm happy to report that life here in Sonoma for The Loves is good. The kids are living (together!?!) in Fairfield while Jaime and I are both working from home. We just finished a record-breaking run of <a href="https://www.sonomanews.com/entertainment/10412061-181/a-christmas-story-the-musical"><i>A Christmas Story, The Musical</i></a> where I had the honor of playing The Old Man, which was awesome! My radio show on 91.3 KSVY <a href="http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/">ALL KINDSA GIRLS</a> celebrated 10 years of Power Pop and is still going strong. In these polarizing times I'm especially thankful for the movies, TV shows, plays/musicals, records and books I saw, listened to and read. In a tradition that dates back to 1999, I humbly submit my 2019 Top 5's:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 MOVIES</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_last_black_man_in_san_francisco">The Last Black Man In San Francisco</a> (Jimmie Fails? I think not)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fighting_with_my_family">Fighting With My Family</a> (Florence Pugh owned 2019!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/booksmart">Booksmart</a> (WWBFFD)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rocketman_2019">Rocketman</a> (party time in the Tower of Babel)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/parasite_2019">Parasite</a> (how we are now)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 STREAMING MOVIES/DVDs</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_vigilante">A Vigilante</a> (righteous fury)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/columbus_2017">Columbus</a> (dancing about architecture)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/capernaum">Capernaum</a> (suffer the children)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_hate_u_give">The Hate U Give</a> (Starr story)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/support_the_girls">Support The Girls</a> (we all need a Lisa)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 ALBUMS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://nervouseaters1.bandcamp.com/album/record-10">Nervous Eaters- Record 10</a> (Boston Rock still rules!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://pernicebrothers.bandcamp.com/album/spread-the-feeling">Pernice Brothers- Spread The Feeling</a> (Power Pop perfection)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://sidewalkdriver.bandcamp.com/album/for-all-the-boys-and-girls">Sidewalk Driver- For All The Boys and Girls</a> (Boston Glam Kings!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://reddkross.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-the-door">Redd Kross- Beyond The Door</a> (McDonald bros still rockin')</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://giuda.bandcamp.com/album/racey-roller">Giuda- Racey Roller</a> (Roman stompers)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 BOOKS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19246471-clothes-clothes-clothes-music-music-music-boys-boys-boys?from_search=true&qid=0s9fbEvEPv&rank=1">Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Boys, Boys, Boys. Music, Music, Music.- Viv Albertine</a> (not in that order)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36692478-there-there?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=wvh9STA47M&rank=1">There There- Tommy Orange</a> (the crushing weight of history)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7334201-super-sad-true-love-story?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=mloizsOyGY&rank=1">Super Sad True Love Story- </a><span class="st"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7334201-super-sad-true-love-story?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=mloizsOyGY&rank=1">Gary Shteyngart</a> (Deny and Imply)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="st"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36521370-cherry?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=BK7lV97Yqe&rank=1">Cherry- Nico Walker</a> (how we got here)</span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26795307-moonglow?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=o7UopA6qpD&rank=1"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="st">Moonglow- Michael Chabon</span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="st"> (rocket ride)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="st"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 TV SHOWS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/lodge_49">Lodge 49</a> (unlike any show I've ever seen)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/fleabag/s02">Fleabag</a> / <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/undone/s01/">Undone</a> (listen to the woman)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/unbelievable/s01">Unbelievable</a> (Dever + Wever + Collete= incredible)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/fosse_verdon/s01">Fosse/Verdon</a> (as artists- genius; as people- meh)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/watchmen/s01">Watchmen</a> (you can't heal under a mask)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.marintheatre.org/productions/the-who-the-what">The Who and The What</a> Marin Theater Company 3/6/19</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.marinmusicals.org/spring-awakening.html">Spring Awakening</a> Marin Musical Theater Company 3/8/19</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.luckypennynapa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=223&Itemid=239">Rapture, Blister, Burn</a> Lucky Penny Theater Company 5/9/19 </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://42ndstmoon.org/once/">Once</a> 42nd Street Moon 6/19/19</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rpcity.org/city_hall/departments/spreckels_performing_arts_center/spreckels_theatre_company/individual_shows/eureka_day">Eureka Day</a> Spreckels Theater Company 8/30/19 </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">(I did not consider our Sonoma Arts Live shows though one or two easily could have made the list.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Several of the selections above did not come out in the past 12 months but that's when I got around to
them. Please send your own best of 2019 lists- I've a feeling during this election year I'm going to need the distraction/immersion of quality viewing/listening/reading material more than ever. And your
selections might even end up on next year's list! Wishing you all the best in 2020!</span></span>Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-63634507320932804892019-01-20T13:44:00.000-08:002019-01-20T13:51:22.632-08:002018 Top 5 Lists<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A (belated) Happy New Year to You! I apologize for the lateness of this year's list- we spent the holidays in Boston and the first few days of 2019 in NYC (where we saw <i>Book of Mormon</i> and <i>Come From Away</i>, each amazing in VERY different ways). Since then, well you know how it goes. 2018 was a time of transition, kids (mostly) out of the house and a new job working from home for me. My radio show <a href="http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/">ALL KINDSA GIRLS</a> has been a Saturday night staple on 91.3 KSVY for 9 years and I'm starting the new year in a production of <a href="http://www.sonomaartslive.org/"><i>Arsenic and Old Lace</i></a> at Jaime's theater company here in Sonoma. As always my 2018 was enriched by the movies, albums, books and TV shows I saw, listened to and read. Last year I became an adjudicator for Theatre Bay Area so I'm adding an additional category this year- "Top 5 Theatrical Performances." In what is now a 20 year tradition (20 years people!!), I humbly submit my 2018 Top 5's:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 MOVIES</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eighth_grade">Eighth Grade</a> (Gucci!) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sorry_to_bother_you_2018">Sorry To Bother You</a> (Truth To Power Caller)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_death_of_stalin">The Death of Stalin</a> (leadership vacuum cleaner)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hearts_beat_loud">Hearts Beat Loud</a> (a dad's dream)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lean_on_pete">Lean On Pete</a> (lost boy) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 STREAMING MOVIES/DVDs</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/revenge_2018">Revenge</a> (no one puts Jen in a corner!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/brigsby_bear_2017">Brigsby Bear</a> (grin and bear it)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/first_reformed">First Reformed</a> (holy father)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_ghost_story">A Ghost Story</a> (truly haunting)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/blockers">Blockers</a>/<a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/game_night_2018">Game Night</a> (Smart R rated comedy is back!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 ALBUMS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://sloanmusic.com/release/12/">Sloan- 12</a> (Canadoozie!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://nickpiuntimusic.bandcamp.com/">Nick Piunti- Temporary High</a> (Power Pop Prime)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://thegenuinefakes.bandcamp.com/album/issues">The Genuine Fakes- Issues</a> (ruling Swedes)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/billlloyd14">Bill Lloyd- Working The Long Game</a> (The Master returns)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://geoffpalmer.bandcamp.com/album/all-the-hits-and-some-other-shit-singles-collection">Geoff Palmer- All The Hits and Some Other Sh*t</a> (Granite State Rock!)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 BOOKS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34467031-manhattan-beach">Manhattan Beach- Jennifer Egan</a> (living history)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40670008-before-the-fall?from_search=true">Before The Fall- Noah Hawley</a> (media monsters)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33311863-american-war?from_search=true">American War- Omar El Akkad</a> (rise of The Red)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29875918-six-four?ac=1&from_search=true">Six Four- Hideo Yokoyama</a> (Mikami in a maze)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29751398-the-power?ac=1&from_search=true">The Power- Naomi Alderman</a> (Mother Eve gets even)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 TV SHOWS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/good_place">The Good Place Seasons 2-3</a> (forking smart/hilarious)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_sinner">The Sinner Seasons 1-2</a> (searing drama)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/sharp_objects/s01">Sharp Objects</a> (Crellen curse)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/atlanta">Atlanta Robbin' Season</a> (meet Teddy Perkins)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/barry/s01">Barry</a> (killer theater)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.cinnabartheater.org/good-people/">Good People</a> Cinnabar Theater 2/2/18</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/single.asp?key=5176">By The Water</a> Spreckels Theatre Company 4/7/18</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.marintheatre.org/productions/straight-white-men">Straight White Men</a> Marin Theatre Company 6/20/18</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rpcity.org/city_hall/departments/spreckels_performing_arts_center/spreckels_theatre_company/individual_shows/the_curious_incident_of_the_dog_in_the_night-_time">The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time</a> Spreckels Theater 9/15/18 </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://rayoflighttheatre.com/hedwig-angry-inch/">Hedwig and The Angry Inch </a>Ray of Light Theatre 9/21/18</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">(It didn't feel right to consider Sonoma Arts Live shows, which was tough because one or two might have made the list.) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not all of the above came out last year but that's when I got around to them. Please respond with your own 2018 favorites- I'm always on the lookout for quality viewing/listening/reading material. Who knows, your selections might end up on next year's list! Here's wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2019!</span></span>Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-40189758560747960732018-01-03T23:14:00.001-08:002018-01-03T23:16:22.077-08:002017 Top 5 Lists<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Interesting times?" We are here people! If 2017 had been any more "interesting" my head would have exploded. That said, my family is healthy, I had a great time in two Sonoma Arts Live productions, <i>The Rainmaker</i> and <i>Inspecting Carol</i>, and my radio show <a href="http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/">ALL KINDSA GIRLS</a> is going on nine years. There are also great movies, records, book and TV shows to be thankful for so as I have since 1999, I humbly submit my 2017 Top 5's:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 MOVIES</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/i_daniel_blake">I, Daniel Blake</a> (bureaucracide)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_florida_project">The Florida Project</a> (Moonee's world)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/three_billboards_outside_ebbing_missouri">Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri</a> (McDonagh's magnum opus)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_big_sick">The Big Sick</a> (real American story)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/baby_driver/">Baby Driver</a> (neat, neat, neat!) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 STREAMING MOVIES/DVDs</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mustang_2015">Mustang</a> (irreligious)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_invitation/">The Invitation</a> (dinner party crash)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_raid_redemption">The Raid Redemption</a> (mind-blowing bullet ballet)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/colossal">Colossal</a> (Kaiju/indie mashup)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/american_honey">American Honey</a> (how the other 14.5% live)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 ALBUMS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tomorrow-Forever-Matthew-Sweet/dp/B06Y2FG77K/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1514758330&sr=1-1&keywords=matthew+sweet+tomorrow+forever">Matthew Sweet- Tomorrow Forever</a> (a master returns)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Delusions-Grandeur-Upper-Crust/dp/B01N9UABNN/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514758687&sr=8-1&keywords=upper+crust+delusions+of+grandeur">The Upper Crust- Delusions of Grandeur</a> (let there be rocque!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://thewellingtons.bandcamp.com/album/end-of-the-summer">The Wellingtons- End of The Summer</a> (Power Pop perfection)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anything-Could-Happen-Bash-Pop/dp/B01M4NSRFF/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1514773302&sr=1-1&keywords=bash+%26+pop">Bash and Pop- Anything Could Happen</a> (Tommy out-Pauls Paul)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://suzylosquattro.bandcamp.com/album/faster-louder">Suzy and Los Quatro- Faster and Louder</a> (Spanish Lady rocks!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 BOOKS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/First-Bad-Man-Novel/dp/1439172579/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514758584&sr=1-3&keywords=miranda+july">The First Bad Man- Miranda July</a> (Cheryl's plight)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sixkill-Spenser-Robert-B-Parker/dp/0425246906/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514773708&sr=1-3&keywords=sixkill+robert+b+parker">Sixkill- Robert B. Parker</a> (RBP and Spenser, RIP)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Fletcher-Novel-Tom-Perrotta/dp/1501144022/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514773851&sr=1-1&keywords=mrs.+fletcher">Mrs. Fletcher- Tom Perrotta</a> (empty nester)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rage-Harlem-Chester-Himes/dp/0679720405/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514774165&sr=1-1&keywords=rage+in+harlem">Rage In Harlem- Chester Himes</a> (For Love of Imabelle)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/History-Wolves-Novel-Emily-Fridlund/dp/080212738X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1514773991&sr=1-1&keywords=history+of+wolves+emily+fridlund">History of Wolves- Emily Fridlund</a> (Minnesota masterpiece)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 TV SHOWS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/American_Vandal/s01/">American Vandal</a> (who drew the d*cks?)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/halt_and_catch_fire">Halt And Catch Fire Seasons 1-4</a> (true disruption)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_marvelous_mrs_maisel/s01">The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel</a> (Midge can do it)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/catastrophe">Catastrophe Seasons 1-2</a> (marital hilarity, until Season 3)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/better_call_saul">Better Call Saul Season 3</a> (Shakespearean epic) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TV was the most competitive category this year- so many great shows on the streaming services it's hard to limit it to five. While not all of the above came out in 2017, that's when I got around to them. Please feel free to respond with your own lists- I'm always on the lookout for viewing/listening/reading material and maybe you'll see your recommendation on next year's list. Here's hoping we all find a way to navigate the new normal- however abnormal it may be- in 2018!</span></span>Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-55060331800262589512017-01-10T23:40:00.000-08:002017-01-10T23:59:59.205-08:002016 Top 5 Lists<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">2016?!?
What can I say that hasn't already been said? <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A</span>t best it was surreal<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">,</span> at
worst terrifying<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span> On the plus side, the Love family remains healthy and
we live in Sonoma, California. My roles in We Players' <i>Romeo and Juliet</i> in Petaluma and Saratoga a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">long with my</span> Power Pop radio show <a href="http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/">ALL KINDSA GIRLS</a>
were a<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">lso</span> bright spots. Thank God for the music... and films...
and TV shows... and books that made this year better. Back in January 1999 I
started sharing my favorites in each category and the tradition
continues as I humbly submit my 2016 Top 5's:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 MOVIES</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hell_or_high_water">Hell Or High Water</a> (who are the real bad guys?)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sing_street">Sing Street</a> /<a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/la_la_land">La La Land</a> (<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Musicals are back!</span>)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/green_room_2016">Green Room</a> (RIP Anton Yelchin)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/manchester_by_the_sea">Manchester By The Sea</a> (Lonerg<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a</span>n's lament)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/moonlight_2016">Moonlight</a> ("a machine that generates empathy") </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 DVD'S/STREAMS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/everybody_wants_some">Everybody Wants Some!</a> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(grand slam)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hunt_for_the_wilderpeople">Hunt For The Wilderpeople</a> (Kiwi classic)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/force_majeure_2014">Force Majeure</a> (<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">man test</span>)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_end_of_the_tour_2015">Th</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_end_of_the_tour_2015">e End of the Tour</a> (<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Infinite Jest</span>)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/experimenter">Experimenter</a>/<a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_stanford_prison_experiment">Stanford Prison Experiment</a> (how Abu Ghraib happens)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">TOP 5 AL<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">BUMS</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weezer/dp/B01C26VX6E/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1484111236&sr=1-1&keywords=weezer+white+album">Weezer- s/t (White Album)</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">C<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">alifornia Kids!)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://nickpiuntimusic.bandcamp.com/">Nick P<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">iunti- T</span>rust Your Instinc</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://nickpiuntimusic.bandcamp.com/">ts</a> (pronounced <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">pewn-tee<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://michaelcarpenter.bandcamp.com/album/the-big-radio">Michael Ca</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://michaelcarpenter.bandcamp.com/album/the-big-radio">rpenter- The Big Radio</a> (Wizzard of Oz)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Death-Cool-Cotton-Mather/dp/B01GIRT860">Cotton Mather- Death of the Cool</a> (I Ching-errific!)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tuns-TUNS/dp/B01JDRRKHQ">TUNS- TUNS</a> (Oh Canada<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">!)</span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">TOP 5 BOOKS</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Goldfinch-Novel-Pulitzer-Prize-Fiction/dp/0316055441/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484114677&sr=1-3&keywords=donna+tartt">The Goldfin</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Goldfinch-Novel-Pulitzer-Prize-Fiction/dp/0316055441/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484114677&sr=1-3&keywords=donna+tartt">ch</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Goldfinch-Novel-Pulitzer-Prize-Fiction/dp/0316055441/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484114677&sr=1-3&keywords=donna+tartt">- Donna Tartt</a> (<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">w<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ish I had a</span></span> Boris)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Everything-I-Never-Told-You/dp/0143127551/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484114885&sr=1-1&keywords=celeste+ng+-+everything+i+never+told+you">Everything I Never Told You- Celeste Ng</a> (<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">sins of the fat<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">her... and mother)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Whites-Novel-Richard-Price/dp/0312621302/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484114998&sr=1-1&keywords=richard+price+the+whites">The Whites- Ri</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Whites-Novel-Richard-Price/dp/0312621302/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484114998&sr=1-1&keywords=richard+price+the+whites">chard Price</a> (the master returns)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Girls-Emma-Cline/dp/081299860X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484115073&sr=1-1&keywords=emma+cline+the+girls">The Girls- Emma Cline</a> (<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">save our Evies!<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/We-Are-Not-Ourselves-Novel/dp/1476756678/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484116320&sr=1-1&keywords=we+are+not+ourselves+matthew+thomas">We Are Not Ourselves- Matthew Thomas</a> (</span></span></span>f<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">amily first)</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">TOP 5 TV SHOWS</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/crazy_ex_girlfriend/s01">C</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/crazy_ex_girlfriend/s01">razy Ex-Girlfriend Season 1</a> (<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">musical comedy gold)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the-leftovers">The Leftovers Seasons 1-<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2</span></a> (<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">sudden departure)</span> </span></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/shameless">Shameless (US) Season<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">s 1<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">-6)</span></span></a> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(oh those Gallaghers!)</span> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/fargo/s02">Fargo</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/fargo/s02"> Season 2 </a>(<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">mid-western massacre)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/rectify">Rectify Seasons 2-3</a> (Free Daniel Holden) </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fudged it on the "Top 5" a bit but I'm going to let it stand- plus they'd each make for an awesome double feature! While not all of the above came out in 2016, that's when I came across them. </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm always on the
lookout for quality viewing/listening/reading material </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">so please share your 2016 favorites- perhaps your
selection will show up on next year's list. Let's all try to be there for each other in 2017!</span></span>Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-23656223669824639772016-01-03T21:25:00.001-08:002016-01-03T21:25:33.204-08:002015 Top 5 Lists<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year Everybody! 2015 had its ups and downs. On the upside, I had a great time in our local production of Stephen Sondheim's <i>Assassins</i> and my radio show <a href="http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/">ALL KINDSA GIRLS</a> has been proudly purveying Power Pop for eight years now. On the downside- my teenage children are killing me. That said, everyone is healthy and once again my 2015 was considerably brightened by the many great movies, TV shows, music and books I saw, heard and read. Now, in a tradition that dates back to 1999, I humbly submit my 2015 Top 5's:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 MOVIES</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/room_2015/">Room</a> (12x12 heaven/hell)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/inside_out_2015/">Inside Out</a> (= 5 years of therapy)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/it_follows/">It Follows</a> (and you thought chlamydia was bad!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/me_and_earl_and_the_dying_girl/?search=me%20and%20earl%20and%20the%20dyi">Me and Earl and The Dying Girl</a> (Greg gains)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spotlight_2015/?search=spotlight">Spotlight</a> // <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_big_short/">The Big Short</a> (systemic failures that couldn't happen again.... right?!?)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 DVD'S/WEB STREAMS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/what_we_do_in_the_shadows/?search=what%20we%20do%20in%20the%20shad">What We Do In The Shadows</a> (vampilarious!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/frank_2014/">Frank</a> (=genius+mental illness)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/blue_ruin/?search=blue%20ruin">Blue Ruin</a> (revenge cuts both ways)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_tall_man_2012/">The Tall Man</a> (parental nightmare)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/71_2015/">'71</a> / <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/starred_up/?search=starred%20up">Starred Up</a> (Jack O'Connell has arrived)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 ALBUMS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://nickpiuntimusic.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-the-static">Nick Piunti- Beyond The Static</a> (back to Detroit)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://kurtbaker.bandcamp.com/album/play-it-cool">Kurt Baker- Play It Cool</a> (my Maine man)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W63WNV8?ie=UTF8&keywords=chris%20stamey%20euphoria&qid=1451876064&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2">Chris Stamey- Euphoria</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01435HRAI?keywords=tommy%20keene&qid=1451876475&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1">Tommy Keene- Laugh In The Dark</a> (the masters reign)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://renobo.bandcamp.com/album/lessons-from-a-shooting-star">Reno Bo- Lessons From A Shooting Star</a> (my Nashville music)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0135P6PZA?ie=UTF8&keywords=hamilton%20original%20broadway%20cast%20recording&qid=1451876617&ref_=sr_1_1&s=dmusic&sr=1-1-mp3-albums-bar-strip-0">Hamilton Original Cast Recording</a> (an American original)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 BOOKS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062286463?keywords=fourth%20of%20july%20creek&qid=1451877023&ref_=sr_1_1&s=dmusic&sr=8-1">Fourth of July Creek- Smith Henderson</a> (social work)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Redeployment-Phil-Klay/dp/0143126822/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451877163&sr=1-1&keywords=redeployment">Redeployment- Phil Klay</a> (horror stories)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Lord-Bird-James-McBride/dp/1594632782/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451877240&sr=1-1&keywords=the+good+lord+bird">The Good Lord Bird- James McBride</a> (little onion blossoms)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Purity-Novel-Jonathan-Franzen/dp/0374239215/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451877319&sr=1-1&keywords=purity+jonathan+franzen">Purity- Jonathan Franzen</a> (in praise of Pip)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-Light-We-Cannot-See/dp/1476746583/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1451877402&sr=1-1&keywords=all+the+light+we+cannot+see+by+anthony+doerr">All The Light We Cannot See- Anthony Doerr</a> (spirit of the radio)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 TV SHOWS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/bloodline/s01/">Bloodline Season 1</a> (family feud)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the-bridge-fx-/s01/">The Bridge Season 1</a> (over seriously troubled water)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4051832/">Scrotal Recall</a> (great series, HORRIBLE name)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1973692/?ref_=ttep_ep_tt">Rita Seasons 1 and 2</a> (hot for teacher)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the-americans/">The Americans Seasons 1 and 2</a> (the couple that spies together...)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes I cheated on the "Top 5" a little but it was that kind of year. Also, not all of the above were released in 2015 but this is the year I caught up with them. Please send your own 2015 favorites- I'm always on the look out for quality viewing/listening/reading material and maybe your selection will show up on next year's list. Here's to an awesome 2016!!</span></span>Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-34385697186270962902015-01-08T00:14:00.001-08:002015-01-08T00:16:59.438-08:002014 Top 5 Lists<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wow, another year has passed- let me wish you a belated but heartfelt HAPPY NEW YEAR! I can't say I'm sorry to see 2014 go, it was a challenging year. That said, I was lucky to be cast in two musicals, <i>The Full Monty</i> and <i>The Who's Tommy</i>- both amazing experiences. My radio show <a href="http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/">ALL KINDSA GIRLS</a> is going strong into its seventh year. Most importantly, Jaime and the kids are doing great and we are happily greeting 2015. Challenging or not, every year of my life has been enriched by the movies, TV shows, music and books I saw, heard and read. In an effort to share this wealth with all of you, a tradition started in 1999 (16 years ago!), I humbly submit my 2014 Top 5's:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 MOVIES</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/whiplash_2014/">Whiplash</a> (what price perfection?) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/boyhood/?search=boyhood">Boyhood</a> (this boy's life)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/snowpiercer/">Snowpiercer</a> (all aboard!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_babadook/?search=the%20babadook">The Babadook</a> (you can't get rid of him)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/birdman_2014/">Birdman</a> (metatastic!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 DVD'S/WEB STREAMS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/we_are_the_best/">We Are The Best!</a> (punk rock lives!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/short_term_12_2013/">Short Term 12</a> (fostering care)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/oculus/">Oculus</a> (mirror mirror)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/alan_partridge/">Alan Partridge</a> (radio gravy) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fill_the_void/">Fill The Void</a> (sisters lover)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 ALBUMS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Commonwealth-Sloan/dp/B00M14EPGI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420436794&sr=8-1&keywords=sloan+commonwealth">Sloan- Commonwealth</a> (the pride of Halifax, NS)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Game-US-Cry/dp/B00NFK02NC/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1420436993&sr=1-1&keywords=the+cry!+dangerous+game">The Cry!- Dangerous Game</a> (Rose City rock and roll)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/45-Explicit-Rubinoos/dp/B00PZNZ7OG/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1420701694&sr=8-14&keywords=rubinoos">The Rubinoos- 45</a> (proud power pop purveyors)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brill-Bruisers-The-New-Pornographers/dp/B00KW85PS2">The New Pornographers- Brill Bruisers</a> (more catchy Canadians)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Sun-Promise-Japan-RYECD-187/dp/B00IIQQP9I">Silver Sun- A Lick And A Promise</a> (harmony heaven) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 BOOKS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Skippy-Dies-Novel-Paul-Murray/dp/0865478619/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420435488&sr=8-1&keywords=skippy+dies">Skippy Dies- Paul Murray</a> (spoiler alert!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shipping-News-E-Annie-Proulx/dp/0671510053/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420435595&sr=8-1&keywords=the+shipping+news">The Shipping News- Annie Proulx</a> (long live the Quoyles)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dinner-Herman-Koch/dp/0385346859/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420435770&sr=8-1&keywords=the+dinner">The Dinner- Herman Koch</a> (NOT a foodie book)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Swamplandia-Vintage-Contemporaries-Karen-Russell/dp/0307276686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420436408&sr=8-1&keywords=swamplandia!">Swamplandia!- Karen Russell</a> (what happens in the swamp...) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Painted-Ladies-Spenser-Robert-Parker/dp/0425243621/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420436722&sr=8-1&keywords=painted+ladies">Painted Ladies- Robert B. Parker</a> (the penultimate Spenser)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TOP 5 TV/CABLE/WEB SHOWS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/true-detective/s01/">True Detective Season 1</a> (antinatal noir) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/broadchurch/s01/">Broadchurch Season 1</a> (subtitled for the non-Scottish) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s03/">Game Of Thrones Seasons 3 and 4</a> (winter came)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the-walking-dead/s04/">The Walking Dead Season 4</a> (most hardcore TV show ever)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/orphan-black/s02/">Orphan Black Season 2</a> (a performance(s) for the ages)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please feel free to respond with your own favorites from 2014 and maybe you'll see them on next year's list. I can never get enough quality viewing, listening and reading material. Here's hoping we all enjoy a happy and prosperous 2015!!!</span></span>Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-47425379361051896322014-01-07T22:11:00.000-08:002014-01-07T22:16:49.299-08:002013 Top 5 Lists<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!
Here’s hoping 2014 finds you well.
Things are great in Sonoma- the family had a good year and my radio show
ALL KINDSA GIRLS remains a fixture on Saturday nights at KSVY 91.3. If you want to know what the show is all
about head over to the <a href="http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/">blog</a>
and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/All-Kindsa-Girls-with-Rick-Love/121731624607279">facebook</a>
pages. Like every year, my life in 2013 was enriched by fantastic movies,
DVD’s, TV shows, records and books that I watched, streamed, listened to and
read. Now, in a proud tradition that dates back to 1999, I humbly submit
my 2013 Top 5’s:</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>TOP 5 MOVIES</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1714206/?ref_=nv_sr_1">The Spectacular Now</a>
</b>(BMOC)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2334649/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Fruitvale Station</a> </b>(American tragedy)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2390361/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Enough Said</a> </b>(man, it doesn’t get ANY easier)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2101441/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Spring Breakers</a> </b>(ultimate bangerz)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>(tie) <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2229499/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Don Jon</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2347569/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Frances Ha</a> </b>(the pains of being pure at heart)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>TOP 5 DVD’S/WEB STREAMS</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1820488/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">War Witch</a> </b>(hear Komona)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2063781/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Smashed</a> </b>(working the program)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1588173/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Warm Bodies</a> </b>(zombie love)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045274/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Umberto D</a> </b>(thank God for our dogs)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1981677/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Pitch Perfect</a> </b>(long live Fat Amy)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>TOP 5 ALBUMS</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-Sign-Free-Energy/dp/B00ABMAIG8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388978622&sr=8-1&keywords=free+energy+love+sign">Love
Sign- Free Energy</a> </b>(more
cowbell!)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cant-Wait-The-Sugar-Stems/dp/B00BQBP2GE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1388978959&sr=8-3&keywords=sugar+stems+can%27t+wait">Can’t
Wait- Sugar Stems</a> </b>(Milwaukee’s
finest)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Need-Rain-The-Bye-Blackbirds/dp/B00GHJ1Q9C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389068230&sr=8-1&keywords=bye+bye+blackbirds">We
Need The Rain- The Bye Bye Blackbirds</a> </b>(pure pop from Oaktown)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Buttons-From-Champaign-Chicago/dp/B00845VUL6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389065257&sr=8-1&keywords=buttons+from+champaign+to+chicago">Buttons: From Champaign to Chicago- Various Artists</a> </b>(joyful Illi-noise)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Above-Beyond-Between-Lisa-Mychols/dp/B00DXJRHS8/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1389157766&sr=1-3&keywords=lisa+mychols">Above,
Beyond and In Between- Lisa Mychols</a> </b>(SoCal pop chanteuse)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>TOP 5 BOOKS</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Art-Fielding-Novel-Chad-Harbach/dp/0316126675/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388980881&sr=1-1&keywords=the+art+of+fielding">The
Art Of Fielding- Chad Harbach</a> </b>(we
all need a Mike Schwartz)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Telegraph-Avenue-Novel-Michael-Chabon/dp/006149335X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388981003&sr=1-1&keywords=telegraph+avenue">Telegraph
Avenue- Michael Chabon</a> </b>(welcome
to Brokeland)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Spenser-Robert-B-Parker/dp/0425236307/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388981241&sr=1-6&keywords=the+professional">The
Professional- Robert B. Parker</a> </b>(Mr.
Parker, you will be missed)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Imperfectionists-Novel-Random-Readers-Circle/dp/0385343671/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388981157&sr=1-1&keywords=the+imperfectionists">The
Imperfectionists- Tom Rachman</a> </b>(end
of an era)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Person-Novel-John-Irving/dp/1451664133/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388982177&sr=1-1&keywords=in+one+person">In
One Person- John Irving</a> </b>(a
spinning top)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>TOP 5 TV/CABLE SHOWS</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1856010/?ref_=nv_sr_1">House Of Cards</a> </b>(smoke filled rooms)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2372162/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Orange Is The New
Black</a> </b>(pied Piper)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/episodes?season=2&ref_=tt_eps_sn_2">Game
of Thrones Season 2</a> </b>(winter is
coming...)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2234222/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Orphan Black</a> </b>(Cosima is my favorite)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1520211/episodes?season=3&ref_=tt_eps_sn_3">Walking
Dead Season 3</a></b> (Michonne rules!)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t get to enough live performances to give it a category of
its own but Jaime and I saw <b><a href="http://www.agentlemansguidebroadway.com/">A Gentleman’s Guide To Love and
Murder</a></b> in New York last week and it was awesome! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you’d like to see any past Top 5 lists, I’ve put them up
on the <b><a href="http://ricktop5lists.blogspot.com/">Rick’s Top 5 Lists Blog</a></b>.
I’d love to hear your favorites from 2013 so please send them along- I’m always
on the lookout for quality viewing, listening and reading material.
Here’s wishing you all a healthy, happy and prosperous 2014!!</span></span></div>
Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-65258108061686515052013-01-06T23:17:00.002-08:002013-01-06T23:25:26.605-08:002012 Top 5 Lists<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">New Year’s greetings to you all!
I hope you had an enjoyable 2012.
I’m happy to report that even though I was fake stabbed to death
numerous times while playing Julius Caesar on stage, in the real world I had an
injury-free 12 months! And my radio show
ALL KINDSA GIRLS is still going strong (check out the <a href="http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/">blog</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/All-Kindsa-Girls-with-Rick-Love/121731624607279?v=wall" title="http://www.facebook.com/pages/All-Kindsa-Girls-with-Rick-Love/121731624607279?v=wall">facebook</a>
page). As always, 2012 was chock full
of great movies, DVD’s, TV shows, records and books I thoroughly enjoyed
watching, streaming, listening to and reading.
So, in a proud tradition that dates back to 1999, I humbly share my 2012
Top 5’s:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOP 5 MOVIES</span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1659337/">The
Perks Of Being A Wallflower</a></span></span></b> (feel infinite)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1045658/">Silver
Linings Playbook</a></span></span></b> (90% mental)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1866249/">The Sessions</a></span></span></u></b></span><span style="font-size: small;">
(breathing lessons)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1614989/">Headhunters</a></span></span></b>
(literally!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1625346/">Young
Adult</a></span></span></b> (you can’t go back)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOP 5 DVD’S/WEB STREAMS</span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1233334/">Pariah</a></span></span></b>
(AG indeed)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1372686/">Coriolanus</a></span></span></b>
(Shakespeare/Fiennes)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1545759/">Point
Blank</a></span></span></b> (nurse nightmare)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1706593/">Chronicle</a></span></span></b>
(growing pains)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1847731/">Tomboy</a></span></span></b>
(boy’s life)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOP 5 ALBUMS</span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ignition-Shoes/dp/B008LUMSA6/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1357537580&sr=1-1&keywords=shoes+ignition">Ignition-
Shoes</a></span></span></b> (Zion’s
finest are back)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Off-Sky-dBs/dp/B007V1VTTW/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1357537663&sr=1-1&keywords=db%27s+falling+off+the+sky">Falling
Off The Sky- The dB’s</a></span></span></b> (triumphant Tar Heels return)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Kind-World-Brendan-Benson/dp/B007IX39JQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1357537739&sr=1-1&keywords=brendan+benson+what+kind+of+world">What
Kind Of World- Brendan Benson</a></span></span></b> (rocking raconteur)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Soundshine/dp/B007E2UP5M/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1357537839&sr=1-1&keywords=david+myhr+soundshine">Soundshine-
David Myhr</a></span></span></b> (merrymaking)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tre-Green-day/dp/B008G59IBI/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1357537926&sr=1-1&keywords=green+day+tre">Tre-
Green Day</a></span></span></b> (third time’s the charm)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOP 5 BOOKS</span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ready-Player-One-Ernest-Cline/dp/0307887448/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357537992&sr=1-1&keywords=ready+player+one">Ready
Player One- Ernest Cline</a></span></span></b> (virtual unreality)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fault-Our-Stars-John-Green/dp/0525478817/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357538053&sr=1-1&keywords=the+fault+in+our+stars+john+green">The
Fault In Our Stars- John Green</a></span></span></b> (amazing Hazel Grace)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/American-Subversive-Novel-David-Goodwillie/dp/1439157065/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357538155&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=american+subservive+david+goodwillie">American
Subversive- David Goodwillie</a></span></span></b> (blogger/terror-ist)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Leftovers-Tom-Perrotta/dp/0307356396/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357538254&sr=1-2&keywords=the+leftovers+tom+perrotta">The
Leftovers- Tom Perotta</a></span></span></b> (after-rapture)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Name-Game-Death-Dan-Marlowe/dp/0679738487/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357538388&sr=1-3&keywords=the+name+of+the+game+is+death+dan+j+marlowe">The
Name Of The Game Is Death- Dan J. Marlowe</a></span></span></b> (pulp fiction)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOP 5 TV/CABLE SHOWS</span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Game-Thrones-Complete-First-Season/dp/B008CLI4N4/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1357538864&sr=1-1&keywords=game+of+thrones+season+1">Game
of Thrones Season 1</a></span></span></b> (Stark outlook)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sons-Anarchy-Season-Charlie-Hunnam/dp/B0024FAR5M/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1357538806&sr=1-2&keywords=sons+of+anarchy">Sons
of Anarchy Seasons 1-4</a></span></span></b> (<span style="font-size: small;">s</span>omething is rotten in Charming)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boardwalk-Empire-Complete-First-Season/dp/B003Y5HWJU/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1357538987&sr=1-1&keywords=boardwalk+empire+season+1">Boardwalk
Empire Seasons 1-2</a></span></span></b> (Nucky rules)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Walking-Dead-Complete-Second-Season/dp/B005LAJ22Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1357539035&sr=1-1&keywords=walking+dead+season+2">Walking
Dead Season 2</a></span></span></b> (<span style="font-size: small;">p</span>oor Dale)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hell-Wheels-Complete-First-Season/dp/B0075FF5QM/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1357539116&sr=1-1&keywords=hell+on+wheels+season+1">Hell
On Wheels Season 1</a></span></span></b> (<span style="font-size: small;">h</span>ome on the range)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Please feel free to share your favorites from 2012.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>I’m always on the lookout
for quality viewing, listening and reading material so it would be great to
hear from you. Here’s wishing you all the best in 2013!!</span></div>
Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-51170717006673522322012-01-06T01:16:00.000-08:002012-01-06T01:28:14.898-08:002011 Top 5 Lists<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:donotrelyoncss/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Happy New Year from Sonoma, California!! I hope 2012 finds you well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As for me, I am back on track after a year that had its highs (appearing as “Brad” in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Rocky Horror Show</span></i>) and lows (racking my body in a cycling accident) but was on balance positive.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The family is doing well and my radio show ALL KINDSA GIRLS (<a href="http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/">http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/</a> and now finally on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/All-Kindsa-Girls-with-Rick-Love/121731624607279?v=wall">facebook</a>) is still a blast. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As always, whatever my mental or physical state happened to be this year it was enriched by records, books, films and TV shows.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sharing my favorites with all of you is a proud tradition dating back to 1999.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So, I now humbly submit my 2011 Top 5’s:</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><b>TOP 5 MOVIES</b></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1606392/">Win Win</a> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" >(wrestling with your demons, literally)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1570728/">Crazy Stupid Love</a></span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" > (title says it all)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1540133/">The Guard</a> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" >(Irish Independent)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970179/">Hugo</a></span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" > (cinephilia)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1562568/">Higher Ground</a> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" >(the miracle of faith)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"> </span></b></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><b><br /></b></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><b>TOP 5 DVD'S</b></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1478964/">Attack The Block</a> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" >(aliens vs. outsiders)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1532503/">Beginners</a></span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" > (we all get a do-over)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0203166/">Together “Tilsammans”</a> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" >(Swedish fishbowl)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058946/">The Battle of Algiers</a></span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" > (modern warfare in 1966)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1379182/">Dogtooth “Kynodontas”</a></span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" > (alternative child rearing techniques) </span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"> </span></b></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><b><br /></b></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><b>TOP 5 ALBUMS</b></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Double-Cross-Sloan/dp/B004TBY1YC/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325829679&sr=1-1">Sloan- The Double Cross</a></span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" > (XX marks the spot)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XD04AQ/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_d1_g15_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0NMCEVRZ7RENFSGQSYK8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846">Fountains Of Wayne- Sky Full Of Holes</a></span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" > (a return to form)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HI7NCS/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_d1_g15_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0NMCEVRZ7RENFSGQSYK8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846">The Wellingtons- In Transit</a></span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" > (Power Pop Lives…in Australia!)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Time-Cute-Lepers/dp/B004QP7GDO/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1325829745&sr=1-1">Cute Lepers- Adventure Time</a></span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" > (Mr. Nix’s opus)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004OCCLCK/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_d1_g15_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0NMCEVRZ7RENFSGQSYK8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846">The Smithereens- 2011</a></span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" > (New Jersey’s finest)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><b><br /></b></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><b>TOP 5 BOOKS</b></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/visit-from-the-goon-squad-jennifer-egan/1100042222?ean=9780307477477&itm=1&usri=a+visit+from+the+goon+squad">A Visit From The Goon Squad- Jennifer Egan</a> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" >(Nobody beats the goon)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/perks-of-being-a-wallflower-stephen-chbosky/1100365675?ean=9780671027346&itm=1&usri=the+perks+of+being+a+wallflower">The Perks Of Being A Wallflower- Stephen Chbosky</a></span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" > (Charlie says…)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hunger-games-trilogy-boxed-set-suzanne-collins/1101481898?ean=9780545265355&itm=2&usri=the+hunger+games+trilogy">The Hunger Games Trilogy- Suzanne Collins</a></span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" > (May the odds be ever in your favor)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lonely-polygamist-brady-udall/1100169202?ean=9780393339710&itm=1&usri=the+lonely+polygamist">The Lonely Polygamist- Brady Udall</a> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >(Mo marriages, mo problems)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pygmy-chuck-palahniuk/1100290752?ean=9780307389817&itm=1&usri=pygmy+chuck+palahniuk">Pygmy- Chuck Palahniuk</a></span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" > (nobody writes like Chuck)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"> </span></b></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><b><br /></b></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><b>TOP 5 TELEVISION/CABLE SHOWS</b></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1844624/">American Horror Story</a> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" >(the house always wins)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1279972/">Treme:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Season 1</a> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" >(a dead city rises)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1587678/">Happy Endings</a> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" >(Chicago’s finest)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1489428/">Justified:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Season 1</a></span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" > (Harlan County Confidential)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1492966/">Louie</a></span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" > (brutal/hilarious honesty)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I would love to hear your best of 2011, so please feel free to send it along.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m always on the lookout for quality viewing, listening and reading material. Here’s wishing you all the best in 2012!</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></p>Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-86062611637578850242011-01-02T22:32:00.000-08:002011-01-02T22:41:11.977-08:002010 Top 5 Lists<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Happy New Year we’re still here!!<span style=""> </span>Here’s hoping things got better for you in 2010.<span style=""> </span>They sure did for me and for that I am VERY thankful.<span style=""> </span>The Love Family is doing well, collectively and individually.<span style=""> </span>I’m still having fun with ALL KINDSA GIRLS, my radio show (<a href="http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/" title="http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/">http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/</a>), and I returned to the stage last summer in <i style="">Agatha Christie’s Murder On The Nile</i>.<span style=""> </span>All in all it was a pretty good year, but good or bad, every year is made richer by films, books, records and shows- the best of which, in my opinion, are below.<span style=""> </span>Not everything on these lists came out in the last 12 months, but that’s when I discovered them. <span style=""> </span>So, unsolicited and humbly submitted, and for the first time with click-on hyperlinks, here are my 2010 Top 5’s:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <strong>TOP 5 MOVIES</strong><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235166/">A Prophet</a> </b>(globalism conquers a French prison)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1399683/">Winter’s Bone</a></b> (this is the Ozarks on meth)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0840361/">The Town</a></b> (terrifying townies)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0446029/">Scott Pilgrim vs. The World</a></b> (rock & roll comic book)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1232776/">Fish Tank</a></b> (Good Times these ain’t)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><br /></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal"><strong>TOP 5 DVD'S</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0976222/">Bandslam</a></b> (why wasn’t <i style="">The Runaways</i> this fun)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1228953/">Big Fan</a></b> (as in fanatic)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1087890/">Terribly Happy</a></b> (Danish noir)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0963194/">Repo! The Genetic Opera</a></b> (horr-opera?<span style=""> </span>operagore?)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1259583/">Passing Strange</a></b> (bohemian rhapsody)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><br /></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal"><strong>TOP 5 ALBUMS</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://thegenuinefakes.com/">The Genuine Fakes- “The Striped Album”</a></b> (Power Pop Lives!-- in Sweden)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.hoodoogurus.net/">Hoodoo Gurus- Purity Of Essence</a></b> (Rock Gods from Oz)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/King-Power-Pop-Paul-Collins/dp/B003O7MI0G">Paul Collins- King of Power Pop</a></b> (Long live the King!)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bubblegun-Merrymakers/dp/B00000I0P9/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1294010392&sr=1-1">Merrymakers- Bubblegun</a></b> (100% guaranteed to live up to their name)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://thecutelepers.com/">The Cute Lepers- Smart Accessories</a></b> (Steve E. Nix rockin’ for the USA)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><br /></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal"><strong>TOP 5 BOOKS</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/This-Where-Leave-You-Novel/dp/0452296366/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1294010728&sr=1-1">This Is Where I Leave You- Jonathan Tropper</a> </b>(shiva-larity!)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_13?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=stieg+larsson&sprefix=stieg+larsson#/ref=sr_kk_1?rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Astieg+larsson+trilogy&keywords=stieg+larsson+trilogy&ie=UTF8&qid=1294011125">The Millennium Trilogy- Stieg Larsson</a></b> (Lisbeth today’s Holden Caufield?)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Novel-Oprahs-Book-Club/dp/0312600844/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1294010843&sr=1-1">Freedom- Jonathan Franzen</a></b> (where we are- right here, right now)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/American-Rust-Random-Readers-Circle/dp/0385527527/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1294011567&sr=1-1">American Rust- Philipp Meyer</a></b> (industrial revulsion)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bangkok-8-Novel-John-Burdett/dp/1400032903/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1294010937&sr=1-1">Bangkok 8- John Burdett</a></b> (Det. Sonchai Jitpleecheep rules!)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><br /></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal"><strong>TOP 5 TELEVISION/CABLE SHOWS</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118276/">Buffy The Vampire Slayer Seasons 5-7</a></b> (a Love family fave!)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306414/">The Wire Seasons 4-5</a></b> (it’s all in the game)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0995832/">Generation Kill</a></b> (“we fought retarded”)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0840196/">Skins Vol. 1</a></b> (suffer the children)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411008/">Lost Season 6</a></b> (it all ends in a blink)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’ve compiled all past Top 5 Lists at this blog: <a href="http://ricktop5lists.blogspot.com/" title="http://ricktop5lists.blogspot.com/">http://ricktop5lists.blogspot.com/</a>. Please feel free to share your best of 2010- I’m always on the lookout for quality viewing, listening and reading material. Here’s wishing you all the best in 2011!!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-69549367410158305372010-01-04T20:46:00.000-08:002010-01-04T21:04:31.237-08:002009 Top 5 ListsHappy New Year! Wow, 2009… I’m tempted to do my Comic Guy Impression (“Worst….Year….Ever”) but why tempt fate? What I can say is that the last year has helped keep things in perspective: the family is great, we are healthy, we live in a very cool town and, thanks in large part to the Internet and the Sonoma County Library, last year I got to see/listen to/read some fantastic movies & TV shows/music/books. My radio show on KSVY in Sonoma, ALL KINDSA GIRLS (<a href="http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/">http://allkindsagirls.blogspot.com/</a>), has also been a blessing. So, in an incredibly challenging year, we still have a lot to be thankful for.<br /><br />While not all of the selections below came out in the last 12 months, that’s when I discovered them. Also, my 2009 Top 5’s do not include a Live Performance category- it was that kind of year. So, unsolicited and humbly submitted, here are my 2009 Top 5’s:<br /><br /><strong>TOP 5 MOVIES<br />Adventureland</strong> (excellent taste in music only gets you so far- trust me)<br /><strong>District 9</strong> (we are not very nice)<br /><strong>In The Loop</strong> (so plausible it’s horrifying)<br /><strong>Paranormal Activity</strong> (terror in the cul de sac)<br /><strong>The Hurt Locker</strong> (Survivor: Baghdad)<br /><br /><strong>TOP 5 DVD'S</strong><br /><strong>Tell No One</strong> (lovely Gallic mystery)<br /><strong>I Love You, Man</strong> (bromantic comedy)<br /><strong>4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days</strong> (Romanian nightmare)<br /><strong>Sugar </strong>(real baseball saga)<br /><strong>Old Joy</strong> (Portland zen)<br /><br /><strong>TOP 5 ALBUMS</strong><br /><strong>Tinted Windows- s/t</strong> (Power Pop supergroup)<br /><strong>Kevin K & The Hollywood Stars- Cool Ways</strong> (rock & roll warrior)<br /><strong>Big Kid- You Must Be Kidding</strong> (California big stars)<br /><strong>Raspberries- Starting Over</strong> (Power Pop prototype)<br /><strong>Someloves- Something Or Other</strong> (more Mariani genius)<br /><br /><strong>TOP 5 BOOKS</strong><br /><strong>Drop City- TC Boyle</strong> (hippie indictment)<br /><strong>The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night Time- Mark Haddon</strong> (autistic Hercule Poirot)<br /><strong>The Devil In The White City- Erik Larson</strong> (before civic duty morphed into community service)<br /><strong>Dear American Airlines- Jonathan Miles</strong> (extreme customer dissatisfaction)<br /><strong>The Ax- Donald Westlake</strong> (revenge of the downsized)<br /><br /><strong>TOP 5 TELEVISION/CABLE SHOWS</strong><br /><strong>The Wire Seasons 1-3</strong> (Jimmy, Kima & Omar helped me through some tough times)<br /><strong>Modern Family</strong> (re-vitalizing the family sitcom)<br /><strong>Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 4</strong> (shame I was too snobby to tune in during its run)<br /><strong>Slings & Arrows Season 1</strong> (Canadian Shakespeare festival follies)<br /><strong>John Adams</strong> (living U.S. history)<br /><br />You can check out past Top 5 Lists at: <a href="http://ricktop5lists.blogspot.com/">http://ricktop5lists.blogspot.com/</a>. I’d love to hear your best of 2009, so please feel free to respond with your favorites in any category. I always appreciate hearing about quality viewing, listening and reading material. Thanks- and here’s hoping for a better year in 2010!Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-10359356752406330472009-02-14T15:52:00.000-08:002009-02-14T15:53:09.764-08:002008 Top 5 ListsHappy New Year! What can we say about 2008? For starters, I’m happy it’s over and I’m striving to remain optimistic about 2009. (On the plus side, hard times generally produce great art for future lists.) Thanks to DVD and hulu.com, the small screen finally gets a category in my tenth annual list. Not all of these selections came out last year, but that’s when I got around to them. So, unsolicited as always, I humbly submit my 2008 Top 5’s:<br /><br />TOP 5 MOVIES<br />Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (young love in/with NYC)<br />The Orphanage (Capra-esque horror)<br />Happy Go Lucky (anatomy of a truly happy person)<br />Rachel Getting Married (a trainwreck, yet I couldn’t look away)<br />Appaloosa (Ed & Viggo rock the Wild West)<br /><br />TOP 5 DVD'S<br />Colma The Musical (authentic high school musical)<br />Be Kind Rewind (thoroughly sweded)<br />The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford (proto celebrity-stalker-homicide)<br />Talk To Me (back when radio ruled)<br />Gone Baby Gone (Southie hospitality)<br /><br />TOP 5 LP'S/CD'S<br />The Hold Steady- Stay Positive (these sing a long songs will be our scriptures)<br />Titan: It’s All Pop! (Kansas City ‘78-82…powerpop’s halcyon days)<br />The Speedies- Speedy Delivery (hella hair and hooks with skinny ties too)<br />The Clash Live At Shea Stadium (rocks, despite the faux-hawk and imminent break-up)<br />Silver Sun- Dad’s Weird Dream (keeping the powerpop fires burning)<br /><br />TOP 5 BOOKS<br />Lush Life- Richard Price (lower east side nightmare)<br />The Plot Against America- Philip Roth (guardian of liberty)<br />The Abstinence Teacher- Tom Perrotta (suburban jihad)<br />Then We Came To The End-Joshua Ferris (dot com bubbleheads)<br />Gentlemen of the Road- Michael Chabon (or as the author puts it “Jews with Swords”)<br /><br />TOP 5 LIVE PERFORMANCES<br />AC/DC 12/4/08 Oracle Arena, Oakland (father-son bonding)<br />The Hold Steady/Drive By Truckers 11/24/08 The Fillmore, San Francisco (almost killed me)<br />“August Osage County” 7/26/08 Music Box Theater, NYC (full bore family dysfunction)<br />The Rubinoos 6/21/08 Great American Music Hall, San Francisco (powerpop gods rock the earth)<br />You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown 5/2/08 Trinity Church Sonoma, CA (a starlet is born)<br /><br />TOP 5 TELEVISION/WEB SHOWS<br />Deadwood Seasons 2&3 (extreme manifest destiny)<br />Firefly Season 1 (cowboys in space, thanks hulu.com!)<br />Arrested Development Complete Series (be glad you’re not a Bluth, another hulu gem)<br />Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog (1st entry from the new small screen)<br />Lost Season 4 (mind bending flash forwards)<br /><br />Let me know what you think and feel free to respond with Top 5’s of your own. I’m always on the lookout for material for future lists. Here’s to a brighter 2009!Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-78803717157623410972009-02-14T15:51:00.000-08:002009-02-14T15:52:09.809-08:002007 Top 5 ListsHappy New Year! I hope the start of 2008 finds you well. All in all, it was a pretty good year for film/music/books and live entertainment. It was especially difficult keeping the DVD list to five, now that so many great TV/cable shows are released in the format. While not all of the selections below came out last year, that is when I caught up with them (I live in Sonoma, give me a break). So, I humbly submit my 2007 Top 5’s:<br /><br />TOP 5 MOVIES<br />Children Of Men (an incredible achievement in dystopian filmmaking)<br />Once (captures the thrill of musical collaboration)<br />The Lives Of Others (humanity conquers oppression)<br />3:10 To Yuma (the western will NEVER die)<br />Juno (she is invincible)<br /><br />TOP 5 DVD'S<br />Flight Of The Conchords Season 1 (100% irony-free musical/comedic genius)<br />Lady Vengeance (what revenge really looks like)<br />Deadwood Season 1 (*#!%ing incredible)<br />Hard Candy (Juno as an American lady vengeance)<br />The Descent (all-time top horror film)<br /><br />TOP 5 LP'S/CD'S<br />The Hold Steady- Boys & Girls In America (Kerouac with guitars blazing)<br />Ace Of Hearts Records- 12 Classic 45’s (Boston rock & roll soundtrack of my teenage years)<br />Sloan- Never Hear The End Of It (keeping the northern pop fires burning)<br />The Weakerthans- Reunion Tour (more proud Canucks, even a song about curling!)<br />Dinosaur Jr.- Beyond (biggest surprise of the year)<br /><br />TOP 5 BOOKS<br />The Yiddish Policemen’s Union (alternative universe Philip Marlowstein)<br />Boomsday- Christopher Buckley (no one under 45 is laughing)<br />The Shadow Of The Wind- Carlos Ruiz Zafon (extreme bibliophilia)<br />No Country For Old Men- Cormac McCarthy (when did it all go wrong? 1980.)<br />Night Train- Martin Amis (existential noir)<br /><br />TOP 5 LIVE PERFORMANCES<br />Sloan 4/30/07 The Independent, San Francisco (anti-shoegazers)<br />Cheap Trick 6/22/07 Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma (Daddy’s all right)<br />The Weakerthans 10/03/07 Slim’s San Francisco (rock, pop and songs about a cat)<br />The Hold Steady 11/06/07 Mezzanine, San Francisco (keeping the rock & roll dream alive)<br />Elvis Costello & Clover 11/08/07 Great American Music Hall, San Francisco (an historic event)<br /><br />Agree? Disagree? Let me know. Also, please respond with Top 5’s of your own. My quest for new viewing/listening/reading material is never-ending. Here’s to a great year in 2008!Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-60490275248893938412009-02-14T15:50:00.000-08:002009-02-14T15:51:22.051-08:002006 Top 5 ListsHappy New Year! All in all, not a bad year- at least compared with the crapstorm that was 2005. Finally some sanity in the voting booth and Mother Nature didn’t go all biblical on us- maybe we should thank Al Gore. The list was hard to put together this year as I had a tough time limiting a few of the categories to five. Several selections below were not released last year, but that was when I finally caught up with them. It was a good year for live performances too, so I’ve included them as well. I now respectfully submit my 2006 Top 5’s.<br /><br />TOP 5 MOVIES<br />Little Children (suburban horror movie)<br />Sweet Land (timeless love story)<br />The Departed (Marty’s back)<br />Tristram Shandy: A Cock & Bull Story (funniest of the year)<br />The Three Burials Of Melquiades Estrada (same old problems in the new west)<br /><br />TOP 5 DVD'S/VIDEOS<br />Targets (Bogdonovich’s inspired debut B-movie/art film)<br />The Best Of Youth (Italian family saga- 100% mafia-free)<br />The Proposition (a genuine Western, in a different west)<br />Brick (contemporary high school noir)<br />Angels In America (elegy for the 20th Century)<br /><br />TOP 5 LP'S/CD'S<br />The Weakerthans- Reconstruction Site (Winnipeg poetry with guitars blazing)<br />The Drams- Jubilee Dive (from the ashes of Slobberbone)<br />Pernice Brothers- Live A Little (so pretty, if you ignore the words)<br />Bloc Party- Silent Alarm (angular and beautiful)<br />Drive-By Truckers- A Blessing & A Curse (even in a world of hurt, it’s great to be alive)<br /><br />TOP 5 BOOKS<br />King Dork- Frank Portman (rock & roll Holden Caufield)<br />The Darling- Russell Banks (politics wilt under the West African sun)<br />Never Let Me Go- Kazuo Ishiguro (sheep Dolly’s progeny)<br />Black Swan Green- David Mitchell (universal coming of age story)<br />On Beauty- Zadie Smith (higher education survival game)<br /><br />TOP 5 LIVE PERFORMANCES<br />Drive-By Truckers 5/5 Fillmore SF (from acapella harmonies to thundering 3-guitar onslaught)<br />“The Lieutenant of Inishmore” 5/23 Lyceum Theatre NYC (blood drenched farce)<br />“Spring Awakening” 8/3 Atlantic Theater NYC (19th century German “Breakfast Club”)<br />The Drams 9/25 Bottom Of The Hill SF (they just can’t NOT rock)<br />“Passing Strange” 11/4 Berkeley Repertory Theater (Is Stew the new Sondheim?)<br /><br />Now it’s your turn! Please respond with Top 5’s of your own- I’m always looking for new/different viewing/listening/reading material. Here’s to a great year in 2007!Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-63597079312138253752009-02-14T15:49:00.000-08:002009-02-14T15:50:07.701-08:002005 Top 5 ListsAnother year gone and my family has not been smited by Mother Nature. I consider us blessed- many have not been so lucky. SERIOUSLY!! WHAT IS GOING ON!! As the floodwaters recede in my town of Sonoma, I reflect on the cultural artifacts that made an impression on me in 2005 and respectfully submit my list of Top 5’s for the year. While many of the selections below were not released in the last year, 2005 was the year I first saw/heard/read them:<br /><br />TOP 5 MOVIES<br />Brothers (cain/able vice-versa)<br />The 40-Year-Old Virgin (funniest since…..?)<br />The Squid and the Whale (sophistication/suffocation)<br />Me and You and Everyone We Know (a conversation/near divorce starter)<br />Junebug (southern gothic)<br /><br />TOP 5 DVD'S/VIDEOS<br />Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (sex vs. love)<br />Fat Girl (puberty blues)<br />Fail-Safe (President Fonda)<br />3-Iron (helpful home invasion)<br />The Safety of Objects (neighborhood watch)<br /><br />TOP 5 LP'S/CD'S<br />Fountains of Wayne- Out-Of-State-Plates (B-sides better than most group’s A-sides)<br />John Vanderslice- Pixel Revolt (pop horrors)<br />101’ers- Elgin Avenue Breakdown Revisited (Joe Strummer 101)<br />Big Star- In Space (The year’s biggest musical surprise)<br />The Killers- Hot Fuss (new band/old sound the kids and I dug)<br /><br />TOP 5 BOOKS<br />Harbor- Lorraine Adams (millennium immigration story)<br />Killer On The Road- James Ellroy (psychobiography)<br />Gilead- Marilyn Robinson (father’s legacy)<br />Perv: A Love Story- Jerry Stahl (Stark, Bobby Stark)<br />Summerland- Michael Chabon (baseball odyssey)<br /><br />Please feel free to respond with Top 5’s of your own as I am already looking for next year’s selections. Happy New Year- here’s to a natural disaster-free 2006.Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-60949011466227472142009-02-14T15:47:00.000-08:002009-02-14T15:49:12.145-08:002004 Top 5 ListsI can’t say I’m sorry to see the end of 2004. For various reasons the year already wasn’t going very well, then it finishes with one of the worst natural disasters of all time. Such suffering makes nearly everything else seem trivial, so I wasn’t sure I’d send out a list this year. Yet, the selections in my yearly “Top 5’s” are very important to me, perhaps even more so in years like 2004. So, I humbly submit the films, albums and books that, regardless of when they were actually released, made a considerable impression on me in the last twelve months. Please feel free to respond with a list of your own.<br /><br />TOP 5 MOVIES<br />Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…& Spring (a film/poem)<br />Mean Creek (who’s the bully?)<br />We Don’t Live Here Anymore (love on the rocks)<br />The Return (from Russia with love)<br />Dogville (our town?)<br /><br />TOP 5 DVD'S/VIDEOS<br />Freaks & Geeks Complete Series (the ultimate American coming-of-age story)<br />The Office Seasons 1&2 (it hurts sometimes, but you still can’t look away)<br />Broken Wings (universal family struggle)<br />Barbarians At The Gate (son redeems father and vice-versa)<br />Carandiru (scared straight)<br /><br />TOP 5 LP'S/CD'S<br />Green Day- American Idiot (historical record of our times)<br />Sloan- Action Pact (Canadians rock too, eh?)<br />Wire- Chairs Missing (post punk original)<br />The Muffs- Really Really Happy (they ain’t kiddin’!)<br />Descendents- Cool To Be You (punk rock for adults)<br /><br />TOP 5 BOOKS<br />Little Children- Tom Perrotta (parents are people too)<br />The Odd Sea- Frederick Reiken (little boy lost)<br />Lullaby- Chuck Palahniuk (I don’t even want to know where his inspiration comes from)<br />The Color Midnight Made- Andrew Winer (enter Conrad’s world)<br />Vernon God Little- DBC Pierre (misanthropy & mendacity- over the top or right on target?)<br /><br />Happy New Year- I wish you all the best in 2005.Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-57415373563197594842009-02-14T15:46:00.000-08:002009-02-14T15:47:52.071-08:002003 Top 5 ListsHappy New Year to you all! It’s that time again... Completely unsolicited, though painstakingly detailed, lovingly compiled and respectfully submitted, here are lists of the films, videos/DVD's, LPs'/CD's and books I enjoyed most in 2003:<br /><br />TOP 5 MOVIES<br />Rabbit Proof Fence (evil done despite best intentions)<br />Thirteen (Nica will be holding at 12 forever, thanks)<br />The Man Without A Past (Finland Rocks!)<br />The Secret Lives of Dentists (no root canals, but still SCARY)<br />28 Days Later (finally some good eatin' in London)<br /><br />TOP 5 VIDEOS/DVD'S<br />The Believer (=teenage identity crisis x infinity)<br />Raising Victor Vargas (romance without the "comedy")<br />Blue Car (full contact poetry)<br />Intacto (lucky? if not, this may be why)<br />No Such Thing (millennium monster...literally)<br /><br />TOP 5 LP'S/CD'S<br />Avenue Q Original Broadway Cast Recording (Sesame Street for 22 year olds)<br />Slobberbone- Everything You Thought Was Right Was Wrong Today (an all-time American original)<br />Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros- Streetcore (redemption/epitaph)<br />No Thanks! The 70's Punk Rebellion (yeah, well I've still forgotten more than you'll ever know, I think)<br />Rooney-s/t (powerful pop)<br /><br />TOP 5 BOOKS<br />Atonement- Ian McEwen (family secrets and lies)<br />Wonder When You'll Miss Me- Amanda Davis (RIP way too soon)<br />Samaritan- Richard Price (society's microscope)<br />Boy Still Missing- John Searles (childhood trauma)<br />Plainclothes Naked- Jerry Stahl (such depravity!)<br /><br />Feel free to respond with a list of your own. Here's to a great 2004!Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-38363062167269516642009-02-14T15:45:00.000-08:002009-02-14T15:46:53.840-08:002002 Top 5 ListsHappy New Year! It is time once again time for my completely unsolicited, though respectfully submitted, year-end Top 5 lists. While these movies, videos, LP's/CD's, and books may not all have been released in 2002, I didn't see/hear/read them until this past year because, well, I've been busy:<br /><br />TOP 5 MOVIES<br />The Fast Runner (breathtaking 1000 year old Inuit legend, a DIY digital video triumph)<br />Y Tu Mama Tambien (true coming of age movie)<br />Mullholland Drive (Hollywood Rorschach test)<br />Secretary (the story of a VERY personal assistant)<br />Adaptation (fear and self loathing in today's Hollywood)<br /><br />TOP 5 VIDEOS<br />Hedwig &The Angry Inch (the best musical ever....period.)<br />Ladies & Gentlemen The Fabulous Stains (original riot grrls)<br />Save The Tiger (Jack Lemmon updates Willy Loman in 70's-era LA)<br />Series 7 (the ultimate "reality" tv show...how long until this is actual reality?)<br />With A Friend Like Harry (see for yourself if the rest is: "who needs enemies?")<br /><br />TOP 5 LP'S/CD'S<br />Joey Ramone- Don't Worry About Me (a much needed eulogy)<br />Hedwig &The Angry Inch Original Soundtrack (Mitchell's origin of love)<br />Ruth Ruth- The Little Death (the kids call this "emo," whatever that is)<br />The Briefs- Hit After Hit (scorching punk rock with attitude and hairstyles)<br />Wayne Kramer- Adult World (still growing, not just growing old)<br /><br />TOP 5 BOOKS<br />Survivor- Chuck Palahniuk (death cult survivor becomes rock star prophet)<br />Spectacular Happiness- Peter D. Kramer (love and terrorism)<br />The Corrections- Jonathan Franzen (and you thought YOUR family was screwed up)<br />Two Girls Fat And Thin- Mary Gaitskill (dangers of adolescent Ayn Rand exposure)<br />The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay-Michael Chabon (comic book heroes)<br /><br />If you have a list of your own, I'd love to see it.<br /><br />One sad note, I was very sorry to hear the news of Joe Strummer's death on December 23rd at age 50. Strummer was co-leader of The Clash and the band's ideological center. His recent work with The Mescaleros stands alongside the best of The Clash in celebrating cultural diversity through ideas and music. Joe Strummer's intelligence and compassion had an enormous influence on me when I was growing up and continues to inform my beliefs and worldview. If you'd like more information about Joe Strummer, you can click on the link below.<br /><br />Thanks and here's to a peaceful 2003.Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-67584882364240680992009-02-14T15:42:00.000-08:002009-02-14T15:44:38.348-08:002001 Top 5 ListsHappy New Year to you all! Since I've always had a hard time keeping my opinions to myself, I have, completely unsolicited, compiled another round of Top 5 lists. These movies, videos, LP's/CD's, and books may not all have been released in 2001, but that's when I got around to seeing/hearing/reading them:<br /><br />TOP 5 MOVIES<br />Memento (whodunnit? damned if I know)<br />Sexy Beast (Ghandi kicks ASS!)<br />The House of Mirth (people are nicer now...well, aren't they?)<br />The Royal Tenenbaums (a Glass family for the new Millenium)<br />You Can Count On Me (does anyone ever really grow up?)<br /><br />TOP 5 VIDEOS<br />The Decalogue (never have I seen artistry and compassion more skillfully combined)<br />Waking The Dead (romance fueled paranoid fantasies or vice versa)<br />Tigerland (the savior's name is Roland T. Bozz)<br />Flight of The Innocent (such tenderness, such violence)<br />Abre Los Ojos (there really is no need to see Vanilla Sky)<br /><br />TOP 5 LP'S/CD'S<br />The Strokes- Is This It? (unlike anything you've ever heard...since 1976)<br />The Donnas- Turn 21 (AC/DShe!)<br />Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros- Global Au Go Go (the man continues to amaze)<br />The Dictators- DFFD (Who Will Save Rock & Roll...)<br />The Dickies- All This And Puppet Stew (BIG surprise, 20 years in and going strong)<br /><br />TOP 5 BOOKS<br />American Tabloid- James Ellroy (seedy, sleazy, down and dirty Camelot)<br />White Teeth- Zadie Smith (rage against the melting pot)<br />Sarah- JT Le Roy (Protistute "Alice" in West Virginia truckstop "Wonderland")<br />A Confederacy of Dunces-John Kennedy Toole (Ignatius J. Reilly-a true original)<br />A&R- Bill Flanagan ("music industry" is an oxymoron)<br /><br />Please feel free to e-mail back with a list of your own, just to me or to the whole group. I'm always looking for entries for next year's lists.Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-22680174319567906012009-02-14T15:41:00.000-08:002009-02-14T15:42:39.483-08:002000 Top 5 ListsHappy New Year! Not that anyone asked, or probably cares, but here are my annual Top 5 lists. While I first saw/heard/read these last year, it doesn't mean they were released in 2000:<br /><br />TOP 5 MOVIES<br />Croupier (coolest leading man since From Russia With Love)<br />Requiem For A Dream (...this is your brain on Aranofsky)<br />Chuck & Buck (nostalgia gone haywire)<br />Two Family House (the best Marty movie in years)<br />Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (Kurosawa meets Fuller)<br /><br />TOP 5 VIDEOS<br />Last Night (what will you be doing the night the world ends?)<br />Black Rain (Hiroshima from the bombed perspective)<br />Guinevere (Sarah Polley fixation- reaching epidemic proportions)<br />Metroland (suffocating in suburbia?)<br />The Celebration (family values)<br /><br />TOP 5 LP'S/CD's<br />Scientists- s/t (FINALLY reissued and well worth the wait)<br />Nash Kato- Debutante (guitar rock sans irony/turntables)<br />Green Day- Warning: (they keep getting better)<br />John Doe- Freedom Is... (we can all relate to this guy)<br />Lazy Cowgirls- Somewhere Down The Line (unrepetant, down and dirty rock & roll)<br /><br />TOP 5 BOOKS<br />Snow Falling On Cedars- David Guterson (sociology lesson/whodunnit)<br />A Tale of Two Cities- Charles Dickens (Sydney Carton rocks)<br />Map of The World- Jane Hamilton (like getting kicked in the stomach)<br />Turn of The Century- Kurt Anderson (media saturation in 2000- the horror)<br />The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter- Carson McCullers (my stomach can't take much more abuse)<br /><br />Please feel free to e-mail back with a list of your own. I'm always on the lookout for great watching/listening/reading material.Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4610912797573012778.post-64174015175581442892009-02-14T15:34:00.000-08:002009-02-14T15:41:18.890-08:001999 Top 5 ListsAs the new year is a time of reflection, I thought I would share with you my "Top 5's of 1999" list. Why? Because, as I have said before, I am an opinionated bastard. In addition, I am always looking for new things to watch/listen to/read. I welcome any feedback as well as a list of your favorites of 1999.<br /><br />While not all of the following were released last year, that's when I got around to them, so here are my Top 5's of 1999, in no particular order:<br /><br />TOP 5 MOVIES<br />Rushmore<br />Affliction<br />Run Lola Run<br />Being John Malkovich<br />(tie) Bowfinger/Election<br /><br />TOP 5 VIDEOS<br />Pathfinder<br />Still Crazy<br />Love & Death on Long Island<br />Walkabout<br />Four Days in September<br /><br />TOP 5 RECORDS<br />Buzzcocks- Modern<br />Lazy Cowgirls- Rank Outsider<br />Sloan- Between The Bridges<br />Donnas- Get Skintight<br />Johnny Black Trio- Basic Black<br /><br />TOP 5 BOOKS<br />A Widow For One Year- John Irving<br />The Things They Carried- Tim O'Brien<br />The Golden Gizmo- Jim Thompson<br />Freedomland- Richard Price<br />About A Boy- Nick Hornby<br /><br />Happy New Year. Thank you for your time.Rick's Top 5 Listshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02166973353995435739noreply@blogger.com0