The post you’ve been waiting for! Or not. Actually probably not since I’ve never done one of these before. A friend of mine recently published his review of everything he watched and read over the year and I decided to give it a try. This exercise has led me to a few conclusions: 1. I need to get a life 2. There’s a lot of mediocrity out there 3. I don’t remember much of what I see and read and therefore should refer back to #1.
But alas here they are. A brief review followed by my ranking on a scale of 1 to 10. 1 being bad, 10 being good. Why is that always defined in these “scale of 1 to 10” situations? Is there a case where things are ranked 1 to 10 and 1 is the best?
Anyway,
Movies
Admission – Tina Fey is a college admission officer. Paul Rudd runs an unconventional high school. Not as good as most Tina Fey films, but still enjoyable. 7/10
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked – animated chipmunks on a cruise ship? Yes please! Add in an adventure on an island…it just keeps getting better. 6/10
The Amazing Spiderman 3D – I rarely have a desire to watch superhero movies, but I generally like it when I do. 8/10
Argo – Wish I knew more about the real events before watching this. So read a book first. 7/10
Bachelorette – Disappointing. I was looking for Bridesmaids with a bit more Rebel Wilson flair. I’m not quite sure what I got. An awkward movie with only a couple funny scenes? 3/10
Being Elmo- Documentary about Kevin Clash, the man who has been Elmo for most of Elmo’s life. As a Sesame Street and Elmo fan and as a someone who loves a good “follow your dreams” story, I loved it. 7/10
The Campaign – A stupid funny movie. A few good one liners, but not enough to invest in. 4/10
The Croods 3D – Laugh out loud funny! It wasn’t as funny as I thought it would be based on the trailer, but it was still a good time. Plus it’s fun for the whole family! 8/10
Flight – Watch the first 20 minutes, then shut it off. The beginning is action packed and gets you excited for the rest of the film, but it’s just an hour and a half of waiting to see what happens as a result of the first 20 minutes. 2/10
Gangster Squad – I expected more from Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. The cinematography was spectacular. Can’t say the same for the story. 5/10
Gravity 3D – Stressful! Amazing imagery, but don’t watch it on a tough day. I was worried going into this film that it would drag – how can one person sustain a plot? But if anyone can do it, Sandra Bullock can! 8/10
Guilt Trip -Again, not as good as I had expected. But it made me miss my mom. 7/10
The Heat – Language. Lots of language. Of which I’m not a huge fan of in comedy – I think it’s the cheap and easy way out of a joke that doesn’t work. That being said, there were lots of jokes that did work. 7/10
Hunger Games – I had abstained from the trilogy for several years, but then I moved to a new city, needed to meet people, joined a book club, and my first book with them was Hunger Games. I really enjoyed the book and the movie. I know there is always book vs movie debate, but I read the book knowing who played the characters in the movie. I liked the added twist of seeing the Gamemakers in the movie. 9/10
Identity Thief- Again a disappointment. From the trailer I expected more. Funny, but not the best. 6/10
The Impossible – Same review as “Flight.” The beginning is incredible. When the storm hits it’s terrifying and heart breaking. The rest of the film is just a waiting game. 3/10
Jack Reacher – Made me homesick. Not a film I would have picked on my own, but enjoyed watching it with friends. 6/10
Lawless – Good cinematography and story telling. But be ready for lots of violence. 7/10
Liberal Arts – I really don’t remember much about this film, but I don’t recall hating it. 5/10
Movie 43 – Super awkward. If you like awkward moments, you’ll love this collection of short films. Not for the faint of heart. 5/10
Nobody Walks – Is it weird that the best part of this film was seeing how a foley artist works? 6/10
ParaNorman – A freaky little cartoon. Not the story I was expecting. 3/10
Parker- Terrible. I don’t remember anything about it. In fact, I’m not sure if we even finished it. 1/10
The Perks of Being a Wallflower – another Pittsburgh movie to make me homesick. The scene through the Fort Pitt Tunnel won me over. Not to mention that I too am shy and socially awkward. 9/10
Pitch Perfect – This film is acca-amazing! Not what I had expected from a movie about collegiate accapella groups, but it was written by a writer from “30 Rock” so I really shouldn’t be that surprised. 10/10
Playing for Keeps – Fun little rom com. Not much substance, but a good time. 7/10
Promised Land – Another Pennsylvania movie. Good year for the home state! I was really interested to see this movie about fracking. The film was well done and it did a good job on highlighting the problems with fracking, but it didn’t offer any solutions. These rural areas are still suffering. If fracking isn’t the answer, how about suggesting another one? Felt unresolved and therefore propaganda-y. Things worked out for the protagonist, but what about the everyman? 7/10
Rise of the Guardians 3D – Fun film for the family. 7/10
Rock of Ages – Happy to see musicals continuing to be part of the Hollywood equation. Hopefully most are better than this one. 5/10
Safe Haven – Typical Nicholas Sparks. Heartfelt. Sad. Then happy. Predictable. Not exactly spectacular filmmaking, but still my kind of film- a story that makes you feel something. 7/10
Safety Not Guaranteed – A great movie I had never heard of. Quirky and strange, but entirely enjoyable. 7/10
The Sessions – Helen Hunt is back! A unique story and film. 7/10
Silver Linings Playbook – Not the movie I had expected from Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, but great none the less. 2 damaged people, struggling, and making it work. 8/10
Taken 2 – Keep those special skills polished Liam Neeson, you keep needing them. The first one was better. 5/10
This is 40 – This writer is not 40, so not all of the plots apply. The best part of this was my introduction to the comedic force of Leslie Mann. Enjoyable and I may watch again when 40 rolls around – if movies still exist then. 7/10
Trouble with the Curve – I don’t watch much baseball, but I love baseball movies. And Justin Timberlake really is a good actor. That fact always surprises me. 7/10
Tower Heist – Enjoyed it. I hadn’t heard anything about this film, but it was a good time. 8/10
Wanderlust – I sometimes wish I was uninhibited. Until then, I’ll watch others cut loose. This movie was stressful for me in the way The Breakup was stressful – watching people argue and be in awkward situations is not what I like to do in my spare time. 5/10
The Watch – The best movie you’ve never heard of. Another great movie involving aliens that flew under the radar – reminds me of the movie Paul from several years ago. 8/10
Wreck it Ralph – Best animated film I saw last year. The attention to detail in the video game world is meticulous! 9/10
TV
Brain Games – Season 1 – I’d wanted to see this for awhile and what better time than while I’m working at National Geographic. This show will blow your mind, make you love your brain, see how smart, and yet how dumb you really are. 10/10
Camp – Happy to see Rachel Griffiths back on tv. Aside from her, a lot of acting on the show was horrendous. But, it was nice to have new tv on over the summer. 2/10
Girls – Season 1 – Biggest disappointment on TV this year. After watching Lena Dunham clean up at the Golden Globes, I was intrigued by someone younger than me writing, directing, and acting in her own show. Then I saw it. If Girls is the voice of my generation we have nothing to say except we want to sleep around and have other people support us as we figure ourselves out. I hope that’s not the case. 1/10
Newsroom – Seasons 1 and 2 – Aaron Sorkin does it again! Filled with monologues that make sense of our times. You may not agree with everything Sorkin has said (written) over the years, but you have to agree he has good points and says them well. 9/10
Parenthood – multiple seasons – The waterworks of Wednesday night. Like most ensemble shows, there are stoylines and characters I love and others that I can’t stand. While I would love to see a spin-off that was just about the sisters on this show, I can stomach the rest of it. 7/10
QI – The Brits know what‘s up. I’ve only see a couple episodes, but I loved them. This show challenges my intellect – I love trying to keep up and get all of the jokes. The finest example of comedic edu-tainment around. Again, some guests I enjoy while others I don’t. 8/10
Books
The Christmas Candle – The second time I’ve read this holiday treat by Max Lucado. I enjoy it (obviously) and enjoyed it even more as I read it on my holiday train ride. A nice easy read that fits into a hectic holiday schedule. 8/10
Hunger Games Series – Devoured these. I rarely read fiction, but these ones got me. I think the first one was the best, the second was less creative, and the third trudged along until reaching a satisfying ending. 7/10
The Happiness Project – I’m a pretty happy person. But I do like setting goals and always trying to be better. I found this book inspirational, but it’s author a bit whiney. Still, it motivated me to write out some goals for here in my new life. 7/10
Lady Cyclists Guide to Kashgar – meh. I was looking forward to reading a travel book, but this novel wasn’t for me. 1/10
Divergent – Similar to Hunger Games. Bonus points for being set in Chicago. Creative. 8/10
The Circle Maker – A gift to me upon attending National Community Church. This read came during a time of intense change and questioning in my life. I needed it. I started marching circles around my problems. 10/10
All In – Another gift from National Community Church. Super quotable and even more life changing! One of my favorite quotes: “The only way you can predict your future is to create it.” 10/10
Are you there Vodka, it’s me Chelsea? – I enjoy autobiographies and especial enjoy ones written my comedians. This one by Chelsea Handler is exactly what you would expect – lots of drinking, partying, cursing, but redeeming moments of intense humor. 4/10
Slideology – A MUST if you give or design presentations. Absolute MUST. 10/10
Conclusion
So there you have it. That’s what I remember seeing and reading over the past year. To be honest very little blew me away this year. But here are my top picks:
Best Movie: Pitch Perfect. Hands down. Nothing even comes close.
Best TV: Tina Fey and Amy Pohler host the Golden Globes (see them do it again on Sunday)
Best Read: Slideology if you give presentations, Circle Maker and All In if you are a human being and don’t have everything all figured out.
Thoughts? What did you see/read that I didn’t but should? What should I not waste my time on (and don’t say “movies and television.” I already established that I need to get a life.)? Do you agree or disagree with any of my experiences?
And what are you watching/reading this year? So far I’m reading Freakonomics and I’ve watched “Friends With Kids” and “Drinking Buddies.” I just got “Ides of March” today and I’m currently working my way through “The West Wing”…again. I also tried “Orange is the New Black,” but so far I think I like the old black. Happy time wasting.
4 thoughts on “How I wasted time in the past 365 days…well, 372 days now since I’m a week late…”
Great reviews! I'm surprised about the show “girls” I was going to put that on my get-around-to-watch list, but nice to know it can wait. We'll have to see a movie together some time. Very similar tastes!
Sorry, didn't realize my name wouldn't show up. I'm heather, one of Jen A's friends. Not some creepy weirdo!
Great reviews! I'm surprised about the show “girls” I was going to put that on my get-around-to-watch list, but nice to know it can wait. We'll have to see a movie together some time. Very similar tastes!
Yep, “girls” can wait. And I've heard Season 2 is disappointing as well. And that was from someone who liked season 1. Lots of good films coming out this year for us to pick from!