So, here goes a rundown of some of my fav. things from the year 2010:
Movies
1. Black Swan - Long have I loathed the site of Natalie Portman in a film. This was the first time since maybe the Professional that I was able to separate the actress from her role and really enjoy her portrayal. And the cinematography was amazing; the visuals haunted me days later. Also, I'm a sucker for dance (especially ballet) films.
2. Inception - Ok, so, it probably wasn't the best movie of the year. But, it kept me on the edge of my seat. For the first time in years, I honestly could not guess where the plot was going to take me. Christopher Nolan proved to be a truly talented and thought-provoking writer/director. I suppose you could say Inception was the Avatar of 2010. I saw it on opening weekend with my fam, watched it for a second time with my friends, and each of them saw it for a second time with one of their friends. For the men in the movie alone, (seriously, Joseph Gordon-Levitt might be our generation's Paul Rudd) Inception was worth it. That it urged audiences to question reality at least until they talked to another viewer about it was the seasoning on the popcorn.
3. The Fighter - I just saw this movie a few days ago, and can I just say, I now firmly believe Christian Bale is the best actor of our time. He murders his role. Somehow he managed a more believable local accent than Mark Wahlberg, a Boston native. Wahlberg was not that great in the film, but everyone else delivered powerful performances.
4. Toy Story 3 - If this third installment in the Toy Story series doesn't move you in some way, your heart might be made of concrete.
Two Shockingly Good Movies
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World - Saw a lot of previews for it when it was in theaters and didn't understand what the hype was all about. And then I saw the movie on DVD last week. Absolutely hilarious. And full of memorable lines. Sure, Michael Cera plays Michael Cera in the movie, but that's what he does best, isn't it?
The (New) Karate Kid I'll admit it, I was suspicious. Anyone born in the '80s knows nothing can top the original Karate Kid, right? Here's the thing though, the new movie does not attempt to replicate the old. Sure, it's a disturbing display of nepotism given that Will and Jada basically just developed the film as a star vehicle for their son. But, you can't deny Jaden Smith's talent. And you've got to love Jackie Chan as the new Mr. Miyagi. I know he's one of the world's biggest superstars, but I feel as though this is the first time in American cinema he's really been given a part to chew on.
Favorite Books
1. Little Bee - I know some people think New York Times bestsellers are fluff pieces. Chris Cleave's novel couldn't be further from fluff. The engaging story alternates between the perspectives of two women from different ends of the earth who share one life-altering experience. I broke down crying quite a few times while reading this book. I would recommend buying it before it loses its integrity as a major motion film starring Nicole Kidman.
2. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Just read this non-fiction book over break. My brother brought it home as UW Madison gifted each student a copy (hey, BU, where's my free book?!), and I stole it from him. Essentially, it is the story of Henrietta Lacks, a black women whose cells were stolen and harvested without her knowledge in the 1950s. Her HeLa cells went on to become the most famous cells in history, creating bioengineering industries and curing diseases like polio. This is a tale of injustice, of race in America, of medical ethics, and so much more. It's a MUST read for med students.
3. Push - Alright, this novel was released in the mid-90s. But since the movie Precious was based on Saphire's text, I read it last year. I was so moved by this short novel I had to stop reading it on my lunch breaks because I ate at my desk last year and I didn't want to embarrass myself crying in front of everyone. So glad I read it before I saw the movie. Honestly, books are so much more vivid and get away with so much more than one can ever demonstrate on film. (Sorry, film friends... it's just, the book is so much more graphic than people could ever stomach to watch.)
TV Shows
1. Parenthood - The best way to describe this movie is functioning-family porn. I don't mean that in a dirty way. I just mean that this show projects an image of a model family and I'm absolutely taken by its fantasy. The great thing is that each member of the family is flawed, but they all balance each other out. Yes, it's a corny drama, but it has so much heart. The actors - Lauren Graham from Gilmore Girls, Peter Krause from Six Feet Under and Erika Christensen are phenomenal.
2. Parks and Recreation - I think this show got off to a rocky start in 2009. But, all the elements of the show really gelled for me in its second season. I hate that NBC programmed it as some sort of mid-series replacement because I would like my weekly Aziz Ansari fix back. Like the Office, its cousin series, this show only works because of its fantastic ensemble cast.
3. Speaking on ensemble casts, I enjoyed those post-American Idol viewings of Glee last spring. This season, I haven't watched many episodes, and the ones I have seen were infrequent, so I don't really know what's going on. Those kids (well, twentysomethings in real life) are annoying. But they can SING. So, I have to respect them.
4. Ok, I must really have a thing for ensembles because Modern Family is another new favorite show. As non-traditional as the Pritchett clan is, they uphold traditional family values. It's all about the L-O-V-E. The Phil and Cameron characters, while slightly buffoonish, are just so damn likable.
Artists who impressed me this year
1. Nicki Minaj - I read somewhere that before dropping her debut album in November, the female rapper was featured on 11 Top-10 songs of 2010. When you hear her delivery, you know why. She elevated each and every one of those songs.
2. Drake - Before 2010, Aubrey (Drake) Graham was just wheelchair kid from Degrassi to me. And then "Over" and "Find Your Love" launched a double assault on me and I was a believer.
3. Lady Gaga - I know she's over-hyped sometimes, but not only does Gaga pen memorable songs, she's also a music video visionary and a fashion provocateur. (I am obsessed with her heel-less Alexander McQueen shoes.) Though I wasn't feeling the "Alejandro" video so much, I probably watched "Telephone" at least 100 times last year, no joke. Unlike Katy Perry (whose music I just don't get), Gaga stands for something. We may not always understand her intentions (as with the meat dress fiasco), but she's not afraid to be more than your average sex kitten songstress.
Fashion Trends
1. Military-inspired garb - Love those embellished jackets and lace-up combat boots. My M.J.-obsessed friends and I like to imagine this trend was revived as an homage to the King of Pop. I don't know if all that's true, but it happened. And I wish I could pull off the look.
2. Sequins not just for Golden Girls anymore - When you live in the Midwest, last year's coastal fashions are stocked in stores for longer than the trends last. And that's fine with me because I will never outgrow mirror-ball shiny sequin pieces. The gaudier, the more eye-catching the better I say.
3. Red lips - long have I bowed to the power of the ego-boost in a twist tube that is red lipstick. Last year, every magazine I saw told me it was the "now" look. Red is my little black dress of lip color, so for me, it will never go out of style. If only I could find the right lipliner to keep it from sliding off my lips, so I could sport red lipstick whenever I am out!
Well, I could ramble on for hours discussing my favorites and not-so-favorites in pop culture. So, I shall stop here.
I will just add that I am grateful for the last year. It was a year of great changes as I embarked upon a grad school journey in Boston. I have made some lifelong friends and grown to further cherish the ones I already have. Happy New Year all!
