critic’s picks – best books of 2011

I think by now we all know that I don’t get to new releases right away, but here’s what some of the critics are talking about out of this year’s crop. And of course I mostly stick to fiction so that’s what’s covered here. Check the links out below for full reviews and lists, and check back for the best (though maybe not ten) of what I did read this year.

  • The Wandering Falcon by Jamil Ahmad – PW
  • Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson – Ti
  • Lost Memory of Skin by Russell Banks – Am, JM
  • The Sense of Ending by Julian Barnes – SFG
  • Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton – Ti
  • The Illumination by Kevin Brockmeier – MC
  • The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine by Alina Bronsky – PW
  • The Death Ray by Daniel Clowes – Ti
  • Open City by Teju Cole – Ti, MC
  • Daughters of the Revolution by Carloyn Cooke – SFG
  • The Angel Esmeralda: Nine Stories by Don DeLillo – MK
  • The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt – Am, PW
  • The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides – Am, PW, MC
  • You Know When the Men Are Gone by Siobhan Fallon – JM, SFG
  • Say Her Name by Francisco Goldman – PW
  • The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach – Am, NYT, MK, SFG, MC
  • Volt by Alan Heathcock – PW
  • Ten Thousand Saints by Eleanor Henderson – NYT
  • The Stranger’s Child by Alan Hollinghurst – PW
  • Train Dreams by Denis Johnson – PW, MC
  • The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler – Ti
  • Chango’s Beads and Two-Tone Shoes by William Kennedy – PW
  • 11/22/63 by Stephen King – NYT
  • The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan – Am
  • Leche by R. Zamora Linmark – PW
  • A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin – Ti
  • The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – PW
  • 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami – Am
  • The Call by Yannick Murphy – PW
  • The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht – Am, NYT, MK, PW
  • The Cat’s Table by Michael Ondaatje – Am
  • State of Wonder by Ann Patchett – LG, PW, MC
  • The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta – MC
  • The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock – PW
  • Swamplandia! by Karen Russell – NYT, JM, SFG, MC
  • Cain by Jose Saramago – PW
  • Luminarium by Alex Shakar – PW
  • Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin – Am
  • There but for the by Ali Smith – PW
  • Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan – Ti
  • Someday This Will Be Funny by Lynne Tillman – PW
  • I Married You for Happiness by Lily Tuck – PW
  • The Submission by Amy Waldman – MC
  • The Pale King by David Foster Wallace – MK, Ti, MC
  • The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson – Ti

AM – Amazon, MC – Maureen Corrigan for NPR, MK – Michiko Kakutanis, JM – Janet Maslins, NYT – New York Times, PW – Publishers Weekly, SFG – SFGate, Ti – Time

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procrastinator picks – top tv of 2011

The critics have given their best lists so it’s time for mine. As most of you know I don’t get top tier cable so some of the HBO and Showtime and other options are waiting for a Netflix showing for me to properly evaluate. And as with all of my top ten lists there could be a good degree of variability particularly on order but also on inclusion depending on the way the wind blows… but here’s where I ended up today:

  • Justified (Fx) – Last season’s plot line did a great job of not only showcasing why we love US Marshall Raylan but the complexities of the good and not so good guys in rural Kentucky.
  • The Good Wife (CBS) – I’m still impressed with the well rounded stories and characters and the politics that go into everything they do, be it the weekly court case, the running of the law firm, the family drama and of course the politics.
  • Parks and Recreation (NBC) – This series started off a little rough not quite knowing what to do with their Office spinoff-ish format, but the show has really found its footing week after week with small town office politics and the characters involved.
  • Sons of Anarchy (FX) – Have recently been wondering how many club members could die a season and still keep going, but this show makes me mostly suspend belief as I am caught up in all the tensions wondering how they will ever make it through the next jam.
  • Bones (Fox) – So far I still enjoy the chemistry and character between/of the two leads as their relationship progresses on this sciency procedural with a supporting cast of folks that add good stuff to each week.
  • The Glee Project (Oxy) – This new angle on talent competition, looking for someone who would fit into a specific show focusing on slightly underdog characters, coached and judged by the cast, staff, and creators gives a great look at both the talent and what goes into getting it all together.
  • Men of a Certain Age (TNT) – Ray Romano, Scott Bakula and Andre Braugher each embodied a wonderfully nuanced character dealing with the dramas of life, I enjoyed what was unfortunately the final season.
  • Parenthood (NBC) – Ah the silly Bravermans keep making missteps but they seem to mostly balance family drama ridiculousness with some touching and truthful moments from each of the generations.
  • Cougar Town (ABC)/Community (NBC) – These two comedies were more uneven than some but still consistently gave me the most laughs and enjoyment, both took a little while to find their footing but they each were able to find the funny in their off beat characters and situations.

And of course lots of  stuff almost made the list, my TiVo is certainly full! What are your picks?

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critic’s picks – top tv 2011

It’s that time of year again, yearend top tens! So the critics favored some new and some old. I don’t have Showtime, or HBO, so more to add to my queue. Check the links at bottom for a little more background and in some cases a longer list (people, I know 10 is arbitrary but 30?). Stay tuned for my Top TV of 2010, I’m still assimilating my TiVo backlog.

  • 30 Rock (NBC) – TG
  • American Horror Story (Fx) – MEF, GG
  • Archer (Fx) – TVM
  • Awkward (MTV) – MoR, MEF
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) – MR
  • The Big C (Show) – Sat
  • Boardwalk Empire (HBO) – AS, Sat, TG, JL, AFI, GG
  • Boss (Starz) – GG
  • Breaking Bad (AMC) – AS, Sat, TG, MEF, TVM, MoR, AVC, KT, JP, AFI, MR, DF
  • The Colbert Report (Com) – KT
  • Community (NBC) – AS, Sat, JL, MoR, JP, MR, AVC
  • Cougar Town (ABC) – TVM
  • Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) – AFI
  • Downton Abbey (PBS) – MEF, JL, MoR, MR, DF, KT
  • Enlightened (HBO) – GG, JP, KT, AVC
  • Episodes (Show) – Sat, GG
  • Friday Night Lights (DirTV/NBC) – JP, AS, Sat, JL, TVM, MoR, AVC, DF
  • Fringe (Fox) – TVM, MR, KT
  • Game of Thrones (HBO) – AS, TG, MEF, JL, GG, MoR, AVC, JP, AFI, MR, DF
  • Glee (Fox) – GG
  • The Good Wife (CBS) – JL, AVC, JP, AFI, MR, KT
  • Homeland (Show) – AS, TG, MEF, JL, GG, TVM, MoR, AVC, AFI, MR, JP, DF, KT
  • The Hour (BBCA) – DF
  • The Inbetweeners (BBCA) – TG
  • It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fx) – Sat, TG
  • Justified (Fx) – AS, Sat, TG, MEF, JL, TVM, MoR, JP, AFI, MR, DF, KT, AVC
  • Louie (Fx) – AS, Sat, TG, TVM, MoR, JP, AFI, DF, KT, AVC
  • Men of a Certain Age (TNT) – AS, MoR
  • The Middle (ABC) – MR
  • Modern Family (ABC)  – Sat, MEF, AFI, MR, GG
  • New Girl (Fox) – MR, GG
  • Parenthood (NBC) – JL
  • Parks and Recreation (NBC) – AS, TG, JL, TVM, MoR, AVC, KT, JP, AFI, DF
  • Raising Hope (Fox) – MEF
  • Sons of Anarchy (Fx) – Sat, MEF, TVM
  • Treme (HBO) – Sat
  • The Vampire Diaries (CW) – DF
  • The United States of Tara (Show) – AS

AFI, AS – Alan Sepinwall for HitFix, AVC – AV Club, DF – Daniel Feinberg for Hitfix, GG – Golden Globes,  JL – Jace Lacob for The Daily Beast, JP – James Poniewozik for Time, KT – Ken Tucker for EW, MEF – Maria Elena Fernandez for The Daily Beast, MR – Matt Roush for TV Guide, MoR – Maureen Ryan for The Huffington Post, Sat – Satellite Awards, TG – Tim Goodman for the Hollywood Reporter, TVM – TVMcGee

 

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procrastinator picks – must see movies of 2010

I was just having a conversation with a friend about what makes a ‘best picture’ (Oscar-wise) and I had always sort of thought of best pictures as trying to be something a little bit grander, excelling in multiple areas. But after more thought on this and my best pic lists it mostly comes down to what I enjoy. Here are some of the movies that I thought were doing something right (standard caveats apply, and if you’re interested in my pool of pics take a look at those I’ve seen, bolded on critic’s pics):

  • Black Swan – I dig a little weird in my films and Aronofsky didn’t disappoint, with Portman and Kunis giving lovely portrayals of the fine line between ballet and insanity.
  • Easy A – This flick, and Emma Stone in the lead, hit all the right notes in this perfectly modern take on Scarlett Letter themes with a perfect nod to teen flicks I’ve adored (harder to do than one might think).
  • Scott Pilgrim vs. The World/Kick-Ass – I like a comic booky story (or graphic novel story) and thought that while Scott Pilgrim did a wonderful job of using a number of methods to create a unique world representative of the journey of battles, Kick-Ass did a surprisingly good job of putting the comic book in the real world (or at least movie real), it’s not so simple to be a superhero.
  • The King’s Speech/The Social Network – I’m going to mention these two movies together because they were both somewhat unremarkable, simple stories where not a ton happens, but they both managed to weave a tale together with characters that kept me engaged throughout.
  • The Town – Ben Affleck is doing a nice job carving out the directing and writing of work that creates worlds where you see inside the characters, in this the struggle of the primary character with his past, present, and future with love, family, and crime is nicely done.
  • It’s Kind of a Funny Story – I at some point noted that this was kind of a sweet story, where we follow a teen who checks himself into a psych ward, with some of the somewhat predictable occurrences, the sincerity that they wove into each character drew me in.
  • Inception – This is one of those movies that I give a little extra credit to because it tried to do something different, and I think it was mostly successful, though I mean really a dream inside a dream…
  • 127 Hours – This movie goes against my rules of enjoyment because not only was this movie awful, it was worse than I expected, the reason it’s on this list is because despite my girlish squirming, eye covering, and nausea I was engaged throughout.

Honorable mentions: The Fighter (loved Bale, movie not the best of its ilk), True Grit (well done but meh), Winter’s Bone (yes it was good and I can’t quite tell you why I’m not more enamored), The Kids Are Alright (many very good things in this but a plot line that for a bit irritated me just enough to leave off).

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critic’s picks – must see movies of 2010

Well I certainly can’t be exhaustive on this, I mean everyone does a top ten movie list, but following is a gathering of some of the critics and awards. The attributions with links are listed below and movies I’ve seen are bolded (a gal’s gotta keep track somehow), I can’t see them all but will cobble together my must see list after a quick run to the movies.

  • 127 Hours – AFI, TC, LS, OG, Sat, AOS, RD, PGA, BM, BFCA, AA
  • Ajami – OG
  • Alice in Wonderland – GG
  • Animal Kingdom – LS, Sat
  • Another Year – LS, OG, SH
  • The Art of the Steal – RD
  • Black Swan – AFI, GG, MD, AOS, OFC, PGA, BAFTA, BFCA, CFC, GIFA, AA
  • Blue Valentine – OG, Sat, GIFA
  • Boxing Gym – MD
  • Burlesque – GG
  • Carlos – TC, MD, AOS, SH
  • Cyrus – Sat
  • Edge of Darkness – BM
  • Exit Through the Gift Shop – TC, OG
  • The Fighter – AFI, GG, AOS, PGA, BM, BFCA, AA
  • Four Lions – RC
  • Get Low – Sat
  • The Ghost Writer – LS, OG, Sat, MD, BM
  • Greenberg – AOS
  • Green Zone – SK, RC
  • Inception – SK, AFI, GG, Sat, MD, SH, OFC, RD, PGA, BAFTA, BFCA, CFC, AA
  • Inside Job – RC, SH
  • Jackass 3D – SK
  • Kick-Ass – SK, RD
  • The King’s Speech – GG, Sat, SH, PGA, BAFTA, BM, BFCA, CFC, AA
  • The Kids Are Alright – AFI, LS, OG, GG, Sat, AOS, SH, PGA, GIFA, AA
  • Knight and Day – BM
  • Last Train Home – LS
  • Let Me In – SK, TC, GIFA
  • Life During Wartime – RC
  • MacGruber – BM
  • Made in Dagenham – Sat
  • Monsters – SK
  • Mother – TC
  • My Dog Tulip – SH
  • Never Let Me Go – RC
  • The Other Guys – Sat, BM
  • Please Give – Sat
  • A Prophet – LS, MD
  • Rabbit Hole – RC, RD
  • RED – GG, Sat
  • Scott Pilgrim vs. the World – Sat
  • Shutter Island – TC, RD
  • The Social Network – SK, RC, LAFC, AFI, TC, LS, OG, GG, Sat, MD, SH, OFC, RD, PGA, BAFTA, BM, BFCA, CFC, NYFCC, SFFC, AA
  • Solitary Man – RD
  • Somewhere – AOS
  • Splice – SK
  • Sweetgrass – MD
  • Takers – SK
  • The Tillman Story – RD
  • The Town – SK, AFI, OG, Sat, PGA, BM, BFCA
  • The Tourist – GG
  • Toy Story 3 – RC, AFI, TC, LS, OG, AOS, SH, OFC, PGA, BM, BFCA, AA
  • True Grit – AFI, TC, MD, OFC, PGA, BAFTA, BFCA, AA
  • Vincere – AOS
  • Waiting for ‘Superman’ – RC
  • Wild Grass – RC, MD
  • Winter’s Bone – AFI, TC, LS, Sat, AOS, SH, OFC, RD, BFCA, CFC, GIFA, AA

AA – Academy Award Nominations, AOS – AO Scott for NYTimes, AFI – American Film Institute, BAFTA – British Academy Film Awards, GG – Golden Globe Nominations, BM – Ben Mankiewicz for Huggington Post, BSFC – Boston Society of Film Critics, BFCA – Broadcast Film Critics Association, CFC – Chicago Film Critics, GIFA – Gotham Independent Film Awards, LAFC – LA Film Critics, LS – Lisa Schwarzbaum for EW, NYFCC – New York Film Critic Circle, MD – Manohla Dargis for NYTimes,  OFC – Online Film Critics, OG – Owen Gleiberman for EW, PGA – Producers Guild, RC – Richard Corliss for Time, RD – Rossiter Drake for 7×7, Sat – Satellite Awards, SFFC – San Francisco Film Critics, SH – Stephen Holden for NYTimes, SK – Stephen King for EW, TC – Tom Charity for CNN

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procrastinator picks – best books of 2010

Well another year and another stab at a top ten or so. In reviewing my books of last year I realized I’m mostly reading the same authors, I find myself torn between an old favorite and finding a new favorite. So this year I’m going to pull some new names off the shelf, after I finish this Michael Chabon I’m working on of course.

  • Nobody’s Fool/Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo – One of my favorite authors and while his books have a familiar comfort to them, Nobody’s Fool visits the same themes as it wraps the Mohawk trilogy, Bridge of Sighs brings a slightly new take and a greater complexity to a family in a small town over a period of time.
  • Curse of the Spellmans/Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz – These fluffy detective stories are totally delightful as we join the quirky San Francisco PI family dealing with at least one case but mostly get themselves in and out of trouble.
  • The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett – From the author of Bel Canto, we get to know a woman who gets to know her magician husband and maybe herself after his death.
  • Lush Life by Richard Price – This was my first Price and more interesting than the Manhattan Lower East Side crime that the novel follows is the way he details the place through the various people involved.
  • Gun with Occasional Music by Jonathan Lethem – I’ve been continuing back with his earlier works and he seem to cover a broad spectrum of genres, this futuristic detective novel is amusing and engaging though just a little bit plain weird.
  • Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz – I enjoyed but wasn’t as absolutely in love with this book as many were, only because the story of generations of Dominican family was uneven in my engagement and attachment to the various stories and point of views.
  • Generation A by Douglas Coupland – Even when he’s imperfect his writing is enjoyable, this time his slightly unusual plot is about folks stung by bees, after bees have disappeared, though the weirder it got perhaps the harder to wrap up to a satisfying conclusion.
  • The Autograph Man by Zadie Smith – On Beauty was one of my favorite books so I took a step into the backlog for this and found that although it had elements of the writing and characters that I had so enjoyed, the unlikable protagonist often being lame kept me from really embracing it.
  • Falling Man by Don DeLillo – A look at the lives of a few people following the destruction of the twin towers, the writing often made me feel like I should just be spending more time appreciating the language of the book rather than trying to engage with the meandering story and at times disconnected characters.
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critic’s picks – best books of 2010

Another year, another list of recommended books that’s longer than I’ll ever get to. I just rechecked last year and I have yet to read any of those, though I have purchased Chronic City (for the record I’ve read three from the previous year). As always since I read fiction, I kept the nod to fiction. What have I been reading? Stick around and I’ll let you know the best of my year.

  • The New Yorker Stories by Ann Beattie – NYT
  • 61 Hours by Lee Child – JM
  • Wilson by Daniel Clowes – LG
  • The Passage by Justin Cronin – LG
  • Memory Wall: Stories by Anthony Doerr – Am
  • Room by Emma Donoghue – NYT, KV
  • A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan – NYT, PW, LG
  • Freedom by Jonathan Franzen – MK, NYT, Am, PW, LG, MC
  • Faithful Place by Tana French – JM, LG
  • Lord of Misrule by Jaimy Gordon – LG
  • To the End of the Land by David Grossman – Am
  • Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand – PW
  • The Surrendered by Chang-rae Lee – PW, KV
  • Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes – Am, LG, KV
  • The Lost Book of the Odyssey by Zachary Mason – MK
  • The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell – MK, LG, MC
  • Skippy Dies by Paul Murray – Am, LG, KV
  • The Hand that First Held Mine by Maggie O’Farrell – Am
  • The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer – KV
  • One Day by David Nicholls – Am, KV
  • Rich Boy by Sharon Pomerantz – KV
  • The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman – JM, Am, KV
  • So Much for That by Lionel Shriver – MC
  • Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart – MK, MC
  • Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson – JM, Am
  • Man in the Woods by Scott Spencer – PW
  • Selected Stories by William Trevor – NYT
  • The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall – Am, PW, KV
  • Savages by Don Winslow – JM
  • How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu – LG

MK – Michiko Kakutani for NYT, JM – Janet Maslin for NYT, NYT – New York Times, Am – Amazon Lit, KV – Karen Valby for EW,  PW – Publisher’s Weekly, LG – Lev Grossman for Time, MC – Maureen Corrigan for NPR

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procrastinator picks – top tv of 2010

Well the critics have weighed in, and now it’s my turn. I should caveat that I don’t have ‘real’ cable, so although I am roughly up to date (at least on this season) of Dexter, this does skew my list away from Showtime and HBO series which I tend to catch on dvd. And as always a top ten list is a little subjective, different day I might have picked different shows, different order, but here goes…

  • Terriers (Fx) – It was good while it lasted, this show may have been handicapped by its obtuse title and marketing but the buddy PI show of two likable losers hit all the right notes as it balanced the episodic and ongoing plots with moments of hilarity and true character anguish.
  • Sons of Anarchy (Fx) – These guys are still a favorite as the motorcycle club and their families get into trouble after trouble trying to keep the small town a world of their own, the bad guys are bad but the good guys are badder.
  • Justified (Fx) – Oh Raylan… how do you describe the joy of a show about a questionably self defeatist trigger happy US Marshall in a small town with a surprising amount of crime.
  • The Good Wife (CBS) – What started as a silly premise has turned into a show with great layers where I actually care not just about the cases, but the relationships, the office politics, and the politics, with rich characters in every area.
  • Community (NBC) – Joel McHale has a great ability to come across as smarmy in a way that is still likable, and they’ve found a way to do that with each of these characters turning their best and worst characteristics into funny, while using popular culture to frame dialogue and episodes more successfully than I can recall anyone else doing.
  • Cougar Town (ABC) – Ok so maybe I find the drinking wine jokes funny, but this show which has evolved nicely from a show about older women dating younger dudes, to focusing on a group of friends (the cul-de-sac crew) and the dumb things they do that consistently make me laugh.
  • Bones (Fox) – So we all hate Hannah and every ploy they do to keep these two apart, but the moments between Bones and Booth whether amusing or touching is the best you’ll find in a weekly procedural, add fun supporting characters, situations, and science and you’ve got a good show.
  • Chuck (NBC) – I like this show more when they’re not focusing on Chuck’s parental conspiracies but still adore the interplay between the spies and the geeks.
  • Dexter (Show) – I don’t think I’ve ever worried about a criminal as much as I worry about Dexter, with his need to kill, the folks who suspect him, and of course his trying to work and have a family, I feel bad about complaining about my schedule.
  • Men of a Certain Age (TNT) – I missed the first season of this but catching up in reruns and watching the second, the men won me over with their regular middle aged lives, the late forties may not always be pretty, but apparently they can be entertaining.
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critic’s picks – top tv of 2010

Well it’s that time again, the time to reflect on the best of the year that’s passed. A tv season doesn’t quite follow the annual flow but I’ll go with it and note what critics are touting as the best of the year.

Abbreviations follow the alphabetical listing and links to posted lists are at the end.

Stay tuned to see what made my personal top ten list.

  • 30 Rock (NBC) – EN, AFI, TG, KT, GG, Sat
  • 30 for 30 (ESPN) – AS, DF
  • Archer (Fx) – TGBetter Off Ted (ABC) – MR
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) – E, GG
  • The Big C (Show) – AFI, GG, Sat
  • Boardwalk Empire (HBO) – SK, MR, EN, JP, AFI, JL, TG, AS, TVG, GG, Sat, DF
  • Breaking Bad (AMC) – SK, MR, JP, AFI, TG, AS, TVG, KT, Sat, DF
  • The Choir (BBCA) – TVG
  • Chuck (NBC) – E
  • Community (NBC) – EN, E, JL, AS, KT, DF
  • Cougar Town (ABC) – MR
  • Damages (Fx) – SK
  • Dexter (Show) – SK, E, GG, Sat
  • The Event (NBC) – SK
  • Friday Night Lights (DirTV) – SK, E, JL, KT, Sat, DF
  • Fringe (Fox) – MR, E, JL, KT
  • Glee (Fox) – E, AFI, TVG, GG, Sat
  • The Good Wife (CBS) – MR, EN, JP, JL, TVG, KT, GG, Sat
  • Great Migrations (NatGeo) – TG
  • Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – E
  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) – E
  • The InBetweeners (BBCA) – TG
  • In Treatment (HBO) – EN
  • It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fx) – TG
  • Justified (Fx) – JL, TVG, KT
  • Life (Disc) – TG
  • The Life and Times of Tim (HBO) – TG
  • Lost (ABC) – MR, E, TG, TVG
  • Louie (Fx) – EN, JP, E, TG, AS
  • Mad Men (AMC) – MR, EN, JP, E, AFI, JL, TG, AS, TVG, KT, GG, Sat, DF
  • Men of a Certain Age (TNT) – TG, KT
  • Modern Family (ABC) – MR, E, AFI, JL, TG, TVG, KT, GG, Sat
  • Morning Joe (MSNBC) – SK
  • Nurse Jackie (Show) – GG, Sat
  • The Pacific (HBO) – JP, AFI, TG , AS, TVG, DF
  • Parks & Recreation (NBC) – MR, JP, E, JL, TG, AS, KT, DF
  • Party Down (Starz) – MR, JP, E
  • Raising Hope (Fox) – E, Sat
  • Rubicon (AMC) – MR, JP
  • Sherlock (PBS) – TVG
  • Sons of Anarchy (Fx) – SK, E, TG
  • Spartacus (Starz) – MR
  • SpongeBob SquarePants (Nick) – SK
  • Terriers (Fx) – MR, EN, JP, JL, TG, AS, TVG, DF
  • Treme (HBO) – EN, TG, AS
  • True Blood (HBO) – E
  • The Tudors (Show) – Sat
  • United States of Tara (Show) – EN, Sat
  • Vampire Diaries (CW) – E, DF
  • The Walking Dead (AMC) – SK, E, AFI, TG, TVG, GG
  • Work of Art: The Next Great Artist (Brav) – KT

AFI – American Film Institute, DF – Daniel Feinberg for Hitfix,  SK – Entertainment Weekly, MR – Maureen Ryan for TV Squad, EN – Emily Nussbaum for NYMag, JP – James Poniewozik for Time, E – Dramas and Comedies, GG – Golden Globe Nominations, JL – Jace Lacob for the Daily Beast, KT – Ken Tucker for EW, TG – Tim Goodman for Hollywood Reporter, Sat – Satellite Awards, AS – Alan Sepinwall for Hitfix, TVG – Matt Roush for TVGuide

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procrastinator picks – must see movies of 2009

For someone who sees a lot of movies in a year it’s always a pleasure to recommend ten. Though as with most years, at any given time depending on mood and what I’ve seen when, or if I’ve just talked about a film this list might be different. And although I do see quite a few films, I didn’t see them all, so for reference you can check out the critic’s roundup where all those that I’ve seen are in bold.

  • Where the Wild Things Are – I will admit that I have a general weakness for creatures and although I can’t argue that everyone will love this film, I did, they created a beautiful world that felt true to spirit of the book (whose story was nearly all in the emotion of illustrations), particularly the way the characters conveyed moments of wondrous joy and frustration that is Max, and extra credit in my book for a risk that is pulled off, is Spike Jonze single?
  • The Hurt Locker – A critical darling for good reason, the wonderful portrayal of the characters and situations of this bomb unit in Iraq, it focuses more on the small unit than the large battle and I was surprised at the tension and the suspense brought out in nearly each and every moment, it kept me on the edge of my seat.
  • A Single Man – I love that fashion designer Tom Ford’s first feature was not only an incredible visual presentation of a tragically heartbroken man in the 60s, but was a touching moment of a story with incredible performances, particularly Firth in the title role.
  • An Education – I would love to be won over by Peter Sarsgaard but watching a delightful young student well played by Carey Mulligan is almost as fun, the screenplay by Nick Hornby (another fav) brings us along for the ride in a fun and heartbreaking journey with the characters through England in the 60s, hmm maybe I like the 60s.
  • Star Trek – Another soft spot for the Star Trek legacy but though they lost me on the last series of films this relaunch is quite fun, with nods to the original that don’t require a lifelong dedication to appreciate, the action and story stands on its own, thanks JJ Abrams.
  • Sunshine Cleaning – Though put out early enough not to be on more folk’s radar, it was a wonderful small film where Amy Adams plays a single mom who was clearly trying to get it all together even if she’s often only almost successful, her move into the world of crime scene cleanup brings humor as well as poignant moments with a wonderful supporting cast.
  • Up in the Air – Entering into the isolated world of downsizing and living on the road, or more aptly in the air, we catch George Clooney at a time where things could all change and we keep wondering if and how they will, Clooney leads a talented cast who is able to bring the humor and drama to moments well crafted by Jason Reitman.
  • District 9 – Who doesn’t like a moral that is actually told through a well crafted engaging story (not pointing fingers at anything that rhymes with schmavatar), it was amazing to watch the totally unrelatable lead character transform himself literally and figuratively throughout his struggle, starting with the attempt to relocate a ghetto of aliens.
  • Inglourious Basterds – I dragged my feet as long as I could, the previews of Brad, his accent, and that screaming Hitler just didn’t give me confidence that Tarantino hadn’t gone totally over the edge but this fictionalized look at WWII dragged me in with its characters, its scheming plots, and yes the Tarantino violence.
  • Whip It/Zombieland – Sometimes a matinee, a fresh popcorn & soda, and low expectations are met with a delightful afternoon, and that’s what these two movies were, I just had fun at both of them, from girl power through roller derby (I almost walked out and got a shoulder tiger tattoo to match Wiig’s) to a few folks left to fend off the zombies, all you need is a good set of rules and a plan (always remember the double tap).
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