tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75258219597085787992024-03-13T09:15:23.390-07:00Reid-viewsConcise reviews and "best of" lists regarding movies, albums, and whatever else strikes my fancy.Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-39898296208832747542020-01-21T17:18:00.000-08:002020-03-17T06:33:20.137-07:00Best Movies of 2019<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 36.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Best Movies of 2019<br />
</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">by Reid Fishman</span></b></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were
no great movies in 2019, but there were a lot of good ones, including some
really good ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And although the award
shows like to focus on a select few, showering them with accolades that are
usually driven by profits and politics to which most of us are not privy, the
truth is that there are many “smaller” films that might make you laugh, smile,
cry, or just think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that said, here
are a few caveats regarding my movie preferences:</span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-list: Ignore;">·</span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">
<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font: 7.0pt "times new roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>
<br />
<ul><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My favorite movies have both a good plot and well-developed characters.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I don’t like movies about nasty people doing awful things to each other.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I also don’t like “descent into madness” movies, although the actors tend to garner praise for those roles.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I enjoy movies that either entertain me and/or in some way uplift me.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I don’t watch a lot of animated films, although occasionally, one might make the list.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I don’t include documentaries on my list—it’s like comparing apples to oranges.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I tend to like films where the script is fresh and interesting.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I’m not invited to free movie screenings, nor do I get to meet the casts or directors.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am not a film "critic," and as such, I don’t write negative reviews. I respect most filmmakers for trying to produce their art, so if a well-known or well-regarded film is not listed above or below, it’s quite possible that I saw it but did not like it enough to recommend it.</span></li>
</span></span></span></ul>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also don’t list movies I didn’t enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year, that includes “Marriage Story”
(mundane), “Joker” (nasty, not
entertaining), and “Judy” (see above comment regarding descent into madness).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of these movies contained superb acting
performances, and while I applaud those performances, I can’t in good
conscience include the movies in my list.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So, with that, below is my list of the Best Movies of 2019,
in inverse order.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, at the end, I’ll
provide a few awards that you won’t see at the Oscars.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">39.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Plus One”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Written and directed by Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer, this is
for the romantic comedy fan in each of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The film is about two friends, played by Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid
(son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid) who are single and each invited to many
weddings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not wanting to always be
seated at the “singles table,” they concoct a plan to serve as each other’s
“plus one” (hence the title).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The film
is occasionally sexy, sometimes silly, but mostly, just fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">38.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Dark Waters”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan, from an article by Nathaniel Rich, this Todd Haynes-directed movie tells the true story of the 15-year struggle of the residents of Parkersburg, West Virginia to hold Dupont accountable for polluting the water and causing countless health issues. Mark Ruffalo plays the lawyer representing them, and the movie features excellent supporting performances by Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Pullman, and Bill Camp. While overly somber, this is a story worth telling and a movie worth seeing.</span><br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
37.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yesterday”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Given that this movie was written by Richard Curtis and Jack
Barth, and directed by Danny Boyle, it should have been better than it is, but
it is intriguing and generally entertaining, which is why I included it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plot focuses on a worldwide glitch in
time, after which certain people and events are wiped from the collective
mindset, most important of such is the existence of The Beatles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the lead character, a struggling
musician played by Himash Patel, remembers them and their songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He starts singing them publicly and soon
becomes an international sensation, praised by the likes of Ed Sheeran (who
plays himself).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His manager, who yearns
for his affections, is played by Lily James, who is always fun to watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although somewhat meandering, this is a good
movie and a “must see” for diehard Beatles fans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
36.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where’d You Go, Bernadette”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Directed by Richard Linklater and written by Linklater,
Holly Gent, and Vincent Palmo, Jr., this oddly entertaining movie stars Cate
Blanchett as a formerly well-known architect who is becoming increasing
dissatisfied with her life and eventually disappears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her husband (played by Billy Crudup) and
daughter (played by Emma Nelson) begin searching for her, as she tries to
re-find herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a supporting cast
that includes Kristen Wiig, Megan Mullally, David Paymer, Lawrence Fishburne,
and Steve Zahn, this is a quirky but captivating movie with some beautiful
cinematography.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">35.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Charlie's Angels”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Written by, directed by, and co-starring Elizabeth Banks, this is a fresh take on an old franchise. The cool thing about this movie is the emphasis on strong women, while not trying to make the women seem like men. The enjoyable script enables the actresses to shine, including Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska. This is just a good way to stay in and have fun watching a modern take on a previously dated story.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">34.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Last Christmas”</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a romantic comedy with a twist, but I can't tell you what that is without ruining the movie. Directed by Paul Feig from a screenplay by Bryony Kimmings and Emma Thompson (who also has an unusual supporting role), it tells the story of a woman (played by Emilia Clarke) who works as a Christmas elf and, through a series of seemingly chance encounters, meets a man, played by Henry Golding. The performances are terrific and the screenplay is interesting. What's also fun is the soundtrack, which includes several songs by George Michael, including the title song.</span></div>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
33.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Ad Astra”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">James Gray directed and co-wrote (with Ethan Gross) this
film about an astronaut (played by Brad Pitt) who is sent into space to find
out why some pulses, that are negatively affecting the universe, are emanating
from a space station that had been manned by his father (played by Tommy Lee
Jones).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story is interesting, and
the visuals are often riveting, even if the pacing is slow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the best performances in this movie is
turned in by Ruth Negga as a Mars station commander struggling with a past that
overlaps that of Pitt’s character.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">32.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Anna”</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This Luc Besson film features an outstanding lead performance by Sasha Luss as a troubled woman who gets recruited as a model and an assassin. The movie takes you through several twists and turns leading to a very satisfactory ending. Excellent supporting performances were provided by Helen Mirren, Luke Evans, and Cillian Murphy. It's definitely a violent, action film, but also an interesting spy caper.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
31.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hustlers”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the most ambitious undertaking yet from
up-and-coming director Lorene Scafaria, and it tells the story of a group of
strippers who carry out a scheme to defraud their “clients.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Written by Scafaria from a magazine article
by Jessica Pressler, this film features excellent performances, especially by
Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, and Julia Stiles, as the reporter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This film reaffirms that when J-Lo sheds her
tabloid persona and decides to act, she can be really good at it.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">30.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Spider-Man: Far From Home”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Superhero movies have become a major part of American pop
culture, and this is the first of several such movies listed here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Directed by Jon Watts and written by Chris
McKenna and Erik Sommers, this is a thoroughly enjoyable action film in the new
Spider-Man franchise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starring Tom
Holland, with excellent support from Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal, Samuel L.
Jackson, Marisa Tomei, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and John Favreau,
most of the action is set in Europe, while maintaining the hero’s small-town
feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has an interesting plot without
being overly convoluted, and as a result, it’s quite entertaining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
29.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Report”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a political drama written and directed by Scott Z.
Burns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It tells the true-life story of
Daniel Jones (played by Adam Driver), who is hired by a senate committee headed
by Diane Feinstein (played by Annette Bening) to research and prepare a report
about the torture techniques engaged in by the US Government after 9/11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although at times overly procedural, it
effectively sheds a light on a dark stain in recent US history.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
28.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Shazam!”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In another take on a classic comic book character, Zachary
Levi plays a young boy, living in foster care, who is zapped into the form of
an adult with super powers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Directed by
David F. Sandberg from a script by Henry Gayden, the fun of this film is that
although his body is fully grown and powerful, the lead character still has the
mind of a child, and the movie uses that to its full comical and action-oriented
potential.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
27.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Aeronauts”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a modified version of the true story of meteorologist
James Glaisher on one of his historic balloon flights, Eddie Redmayne plays
Glaisher, and for the movie, the balloon is piloted by a character played by
Felicity Jones (the actual balloon pilot was Henry Coxwell).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Set in 1860s England, the goal of the flight
is to go higher than any person had ever gone, in order to learn more about
clouds and weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two leads
continue the excellent chemistry they displayed in “The Theory of Everything”
in this film, directed by Tom Harper from a script by Harper and Jack Thorne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other star is the marvelous
cinematography, which is as delightful as the interesting story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
26.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Captain Marvel”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, and
co-written by Geneva Robinson-Dworet, this story features a more modern female
superhero than Wonder Woman involved in an intergalactic war between alien
species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brie Larson shines in the lead
role, with supporting performances by Ben Mendelsohn, Samuel L. Jackson, Jude
Law, Annette Bening, and Djimon Hounsou.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While not a perfect movie, it is a very entertaining action romp.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
25.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Long Shot”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Directed by Jonathan Levine from a screenplay by Dan
Sterling and Liz Hannah, this film revolves around a recently fired, highly
principled, stoned-out journalist (played by Seth Rogen) in an unconventional
romantic relationship with his former babysitter (played by Charlize Theron)
who is running for president.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The script
is funny and a bit outrageous, as is the chemistry between the two actors,
which leads to a surprisingly entertaining movie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
24. “Ford v. Ferrari”</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Directed by James Mangold from a screenplayby Jez Butterworth, John Henry Butterworth, and Jason Keller, this movie tells the story of Henry Ford II's quest to embarrass Enzo Ferrari by beating his race team at Le Mans. With excellent performances by Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, and Caitriona Balfe, it features well-developed characters, an interesting story that is not exactly complimentary of Ford corporate executives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">23. “Queen & Slim”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Director Melina Matsoukas and screenwriter Lena Waithe have put together an interesting story of fugitives on the run. However, unlike other such movies, the criminals, played expertly by Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner Smith, are sympathetic characters who have only killed one person. Unfortunately for them, that person was a police officer, and although the shooting was justifiable, based on a racist traffic stop, it launches a nationwide hunt for the lead characters. This is a surprisingly tender movie, given the subject matter, and one definitely worth seeing.</span><br />
<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
22.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Farewell”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This film is set mostly in China and stars Awkwafina (who
was amazing as the best friend in “Crazy Rich Asians”) as a young woman who
learns that her beloved grandmother (played by Shuzhen Zhao) is very sick, but
hasn’t been told of the severity of her illness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The family, living in New York and Japan,
return home together so they can say farewell to the matriarch, under the guise
of returning for a wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Written and
directed by Lulu Wang, this is a poignant, and uplifting story about family and
the merger of different cultures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See it
on a big screen, because the subtitles are kind of small.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
21.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Late Night”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mindy Kaling wrote an excellent screenplay about a
self-righteous, overbearing talk show host (played by Emma Thompson) who hires
a female writer (played by Kaling) in an attempt to save her flagging
ratings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Directed by Nisha Ganatra and
with excellent support from John Lithgow and Max Casella, this is a look at the
inner workings of late night TV and the difficulty of merging public and
private lives, while still managing a few laughs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
20.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Lighthouse”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a claustrophobic movie about two lighthouse keepers,
played by Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, confined to the “rock” on which
the lighthouse and the residence stand in the 1890s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Written by Robert and Max Eggers, and
directed by Robert Eggers, it is an intense, psychological movie with amazing
black and white cinematography.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll
never look at a lighthouse the same again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
19. “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”</span></h3>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was too old to fully appreciate Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, and I thought it was like a sedative for children. However, seeing Tom Hanks portrayal of Fred Rogers has shed new light on what he did and why he did it. Written by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster, and directed inventively by Marielle Heller, it's really about a magazine writer (played by Matthew Rhys) coming to grips with his past and his relationships with the help of Fred Rogers. With excellent supporting performances by Susan Kelechi Watson, Chris Cooper, and Enrico Colantoni, this is a movie worth seeing. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
18.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Upside”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Directed by Neil Burger in 2017 but not released until early
in 2019, this movie tells the story of a quadriplegic billionaire (played by
Bryon Cranston), his assistant (played by Nicole Kidman), and the man he hires
to be his caretaker (played by Kevin Hart).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The screenplay by Jon Hartmere and Eric Toledano, crackles with humor,
pathos, and irony, especially in the hands of such a wonderful cast.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
17.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Booksmart”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In her first feature film directorial effort, Olivia Wilde
helms this terrific film about two high-achieving teenage girls (played by
Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein) who are about to graduate high school and
realize they haven’t had any fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
ensues is a romp through a momentous night that culminates the next morning at the
graduation ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Written by Emily
Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel, and Katie Silberman, this film features
supporting efforts from Jessica Williams, Jason Sudeikis, Lisa Kudrow, Will
Forte, Victoria Ruesga, Mason Gooding, and Skyler Gisondo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It explores teen angst, sexuality, and wealth
discrepancy, while still managing to have fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
16.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Avengers: Endgame”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The year’s best superhero movie, this features many of the
characters in the Marvel universe and the actors who have played them in the movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While being one of the most epic Marvel
movies, it’s also one of the most personal, in which several well-known
characters are killed off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Directed by
Anthony and Joe Russo from a screenplay by Christopher Markus and Sean
McFeeley, the cast is like a Hollywood who’s who, all combining their efforts
to create a wonderful adventure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
15.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Two Popes”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s always amazing to watch two brilliant, experienced
actors playing off each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this
case, it’s Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce as the last two popes—Benedict
and Francis—in discussions with each other about their history and views, in a
relationship which began as oppositional but evolved into mutual respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Written by Anthony McCarten and directed by
Francisco Meirelles, this film traces the history of the Catholic Church from
the 1960s to the present and tackles difficult issues such as sexual abuse and
the church’s failure to stand up to dictators.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
14.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Good Boys”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Directed by Gene Stupnitsky from a screenplay by Stupnitsky
and Lee Eisenberg, this is a very unusual slice of the lives of three
sixth-grade best friends, with very different personalities, who together
embark on a journey that will redefine how they view each other and the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is mostly funny, with some
very dark moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boys are played
by Jacob Tremblay, Keith L. Williams, and Brady Noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a little movie that will make you
smile and occasionally gasp.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
13.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Us”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last year, writer/director Jordan Peele (formerly of Key and
Peele) redefined the horror genre with “Get Out.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year, he’s taken the same genre in an
entirely different direction with “Us,” a film in which the lead characters are
terrorized by their own doppelgangers while learning about their own faults and
dark sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lupita Nyong’o is
outstanding in the lead role, and is supported by Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss,
Tim Heidecker, Shahadi Wright Joseph, and Evan Alex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a terror-filled, reality-bending
experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
12.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Irishman”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While this Martin Scorsese film occasionally feels like
“Oldfellas,” it is still an excellently acted, well-written slice of the
history of the intersection between the mob and organized labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Written by Steve Zaillian from a book by
Charles Brandt, it is set mostly in Philadelphia and features a lot of the
mafia names we all knew during their heydays and subsequent demises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also traces the rise and fall of Jimmy
Hoffa and even illustrates a theory about his death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If nothing else, it’s nice to see Robert
DeNiro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, and Harvey Keitel in what is likely their last
mob movie together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
11.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Knives Out”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a very clever movie, written and directed by Rian
Johnson that harkens back to the best murder mysteries of days gone by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The excellent cast includes Daniel Craig, Ana
de Armas, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni
Collette, and Christopher Plummer, and every time you think you’ve got it
figured out, something happens to change your thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what going to the movies used to be
like, and it’s nice to revisit that feeling in a high-quality production.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
10.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Bombshell”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We all read about Roger Ailes, his gross sexual misconduct,
and his eventual ouster as head of Fox News, but in this movie, written by
Charles Randolph and directed by Jay Roach, it is portrayed brilliantly by a
cast that includes Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margo Robbie, and John
Lithgow (as Ailes), supported by Allison Janney, Malcolm McDowell, Kate
McKinnon, and Connie Britton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You leave
the theater feeling simultaneously enlightened, dirty, and ashamed that this
could have happened (literally) right under our noses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
9.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Blinded By the Light”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the beginning of these reviews, I mentioned liking movies
that entertain and/or uplift me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
this is the true story of a young Pakistani man (played by Viveik Kalra), in
1987 England, who is introduced by a friend to the music of Bruce
Springsteen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through the lyrics of “the
boss,” he is able to break out of his family doldrums and gain the confidence
he needs to succeed in a country where he constantly faces persecution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Directed by Gurinder Chadha from a screenplay
by Chadha, Safraz Manzoor, and Paul Mayeda Burges and based on a book by
Manzoor, the movie’s direction is inventive, with lyrics flying around the
screen while the young man’s growth becomes more evident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it was both entertaining and uplifting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
8. “Jojo Rabbit”</span></h3>
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">This is a very strange movie that was written, directed, and co-starring Taiki Waititi. At first, I was put off by a movie about a young man in WWII Germany who idolizes Hitler, until I realized how it represents everything that the Third Reich was against. It stars Roman Griffin Davis as a 10-year-old boy who befriends a Jewish teenager played by Thomasin McKenzie (whom I cited last year as a young actress with a great future. It also features great supporting performances by Waikiki, Scarlet Johansson, Sam Rockwell, and Rebel Wilson. If you can get past the scenes of Nazis and a comical Hitler, this movie is very enjoyable and leaves you wanting more.</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
7.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Just Mercy”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alabama in 1989 was less than hospitable to a black man
accused of killing a white girl, but that’s the backdrop for this true movie
about Bryan Stevenson (played by Michael B. Jordan) and his founding of the
Equal Justice Initiative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Among the
cases he is defending in the movie is the abovementioned case of Walter
McMillian (played expertly by Jamie Fox).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The fact that all this took place in the town where <u>To Kill a
Mockingbird</u> was written and set is described in the script by Destin Daniel
Cretton and Andrew Lanham, and Cretton’s direction is taut and appropriately
solemn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With outstanding supporting
performances by Brie Larson and Tim Blake Nelson, this movie and story will
stay with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
6.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Parasite”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I missed this the first time it hit the theaters because I
thought it was a low-budget horror movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And while there is certainly some horrific scenes in this film by
writer/director Bong Joon Ho, it is really a tangled web of intrigue that
intersects three families in a tale of poverty, wealth, greed, and
deception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kang-ho Song plays the head
of a poor, deceptive family inserting itself into the lives and home of a
wealthy family, headed by Sun-kyun Lee and Yeo-jeong Jo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t say much more without a spoiler
alert, so I recommend you just see it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Once Upon a Time… in
Hollywood”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Writer/director Quentin Tarantino has experimented before
with movies that bend history toward a different ending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this case, the story is loosely based, in
part, on the Manson clan and the Tate/LaBianca murders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it also tells the tale of what it’s like
to live on the edge of stardom, as Leonardo DiCaprio plays a washed-up TV star
and Brad Pitt plays his long-time stunt double, in 1969 Los Angeles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With an eclectic supporting cast that
includes Margo Robbie, Emile Hirsch, Margaret Qualley, Bruce Dern, Al Pacino,
and the late Luke Perry, this movie features a last hour that will likely win
Brad Pitt an Oscar and make you remember it for a long time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Harriet”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although the movie’s authenticity and focus have drawn some
criticism, there is no disputing that this is a powerful story about one of America’s
greatest civil rights legends—Harriet Tubman—who was a pioneer in freeing
slaves via the Underground Railroad. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Directed
by Kasi Lemmons and written by Lemmons and Gregory Allen Howard from Howard’s
book, this movie features excellent performances by Cynthia Erivo (in the lead
role) and Leslie Odom, Jr., and it focuses, in part, on Tubman’s visions and
perceived connection to God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The view of
Tubman as an 1800s action hero may be overdone, but her strength, conviction,
and inspiration will live on forever, in part, because of this movie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Pain and Glory”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The films of Pedro Almodovar are always a joy to behold, and
this is clearly the most personal and autobiographical movie from Spain’s
greatest writer/director.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, the lead
character is an aging movie writer/director, played by Antonio Banderas, who is
battling pains and ailments, and reconnects with his past as that past
reconnects with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one of
those movies I hated to see end, because the storytelling is crisp and each
character is well-developed and well-acted by a supporting cast that includes Penelope
Cruz, Asier Etxeandia, Leonardo Sbaraglia, and Nora Navas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Little Women”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you type “Little Women” into the search bar of IMDB.com,
the list of movies and TV series based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic will fill
up a screen or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why, when I
first heard about the latest filming of this amazing story, I had my
doubts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, I learned it was directed
by Greta Gerwig, and my interest was tweaked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What Gerwig has done is reinvigorated the story by reimagining it,
reorganizing it, writing a wonderful screenplay, and casting an excellent, age
appropriate cast that includes Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, and Florence Pugh,
whose work in this film should garner a lot more roles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each line is crisp, well-thought-out,
well-delivered, and advances the story in a way most earlier versions failed to
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alcott’s vision of the March sisters
has never been in better hands, and a classic has been reborn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“1917”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The hero’s journey has been a theme of literature since the
first words were recorded, and this movie does that theme proud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Directed by Sam Mendes and written by Mendes
and Krysty Wilson-Cairns, it tells the story of two men who have to cross
treacherous terrain and enemy territory to deliver a message that may save 1600
lives, one of whom is the brother of one of the men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what Mendes has crafted is not your classic
war story, filled with bluster and glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rather, the men encounter substantial negativity from their own
colleagues who are tired of war and the whims of the military.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It occurs in World War I, when killing was
personal and often involved hand-to-hand combat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are also scenes of tenderness amidst
strife, as well as the seemingly endless drudgery of making your way across
scorched earth and dead, often decomposing, bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cast includes Lance MacKay, Dean-Charles
Chapman, and Daniel Mays, as well as Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch in
small, but meaningful roles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an
impactful movie that will not be easily forgotten, and as such, is the best
movie of 2019.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, that’s my list today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It may change tomorrow, so please let me know if there are other movies
you feel that belong.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
The Reid Awards</span></h3>
<div style="page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And now, for the fourth year,
I will present awards based entirely on criteria that only I understand:</span></div>
<div style="page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Breakout Actor
of the Year</b>: In the past, this award has gone to Alicia Vikander, Mahershala
Ali,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michael Stuhlbarg, and John David
Washington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year, I’m giving it to
Cynthia Erivo, whose work in the lead role of Harriet should earn her many more
roles of substance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The
Future Meryl Streep Award for Best Young Actress</b>: Last year this award went to Thomasin McKenzie, who justified it with her wonderful performance in this year's Jojo Rabbit. This year, the award goes
to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kaitlyn Dever</b>, one of the stars
of Booksmart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Streep has always been
able to convey complex emotions with a subtle glance, and Dever displays the
same quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look for her in many
interesting roles moving forward.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Best
Child Actor</b>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jacob Trembley</b> was previously amazing in “Room,” and this year, he
displayed outstanding range in “Good Boys.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll be seeing a lot more of this young
actor.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Most Consistent Director:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
this were a lifetime achievement award, it would go to Pedro Almodovar, whose
career is the definition of consistent excellence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in terms of young directors, I’ll give it
to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Greta Gerwig</b>, who has already
made “Lady Bird” and “Little Women.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
shows a knack for telling stories, directing young actors, and promoting strong
women’s roles unlike most others in the industry.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Best Actor/Producer</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
a new award honoring an actor who has successfully navigated the role of
producer, and it goes to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Brad Pitt</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the last decade alone, the movies he’s
produced or co-produced (as the actual Producer, not the titular Executive
Producer) include: </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Kick-Ass</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The Tree of Life</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Moneyball</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>World War Z</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>12 Years a Slave</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>By the Sea</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The Big Short</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Ad Astra</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span>
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span>Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-66707391651336016032019-02-21T21:35:00.000-08:002019-02-23T06:37:34.044-08:00The Best Movies of 2018<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
First, let
me say that I believe this is one of the worst years for movies in my lifetime
(which is starting to get pretty damned long).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Normally, my lists of the best movies of the year include at least 20
films, but this year, there were only 16 that I can recommend and none that I think
are among the best of all time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
If you know me and/or have read my list before, you probably
know a few things about my movie preferences:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>My favorite movies have both a good plot and
well-developed characters.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I don’t like movies about nasty people doing
awful things to each other.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I enjoy movies that either entertain me and/or
in some way uplift me.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I don’t watch a lot of animated films, although
occasionally, one might make the list.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I don’t include documentaries on my list.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I tend to like films where the script is fresh
and interesting.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I’m not invited to free movie screenings, nor do
I get to meet the casts or directors.</div>
<div style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I am not a film "critic," and as such,
I don’t write negative reviews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
respect most filmmakers for trying to produce their art, so if a well-known or
well-regarded film is not listed above or below, it’s quite possible that I saw
it but did not like it enough to recommend it.</div>
<br />
Normally, I also don’t list movies I didn’t like, but this
year there were several highly acclaimed movies that I absolutely hated
including “If Beale Street Could Talk" (absurdly slow pacing), “Vice" (snide but
not funny), and “Bohemian Rhapsody" (offensive to gay people).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, with that, below is my list of the Best Movies
of 2017, in inverse order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, at the
end, I’ll provide a few awards that you won’t see at the Oscars.<br />
<br />
<h3>
16.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Favourite”</h3>
This goes against my predisposition against movies about
nasty people doing awful things to each other, because that’s exactly what this
movie is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it is done so well,
with such outstanding actors, that I included it anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos from a script by
Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara, this film shows a portrait of a queen who is
unfit to govern (played by Olivia Colman) and her relationship with two women (played
by Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone) who vie for her favors and the right to control
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The acting is superb and the script
is sarcastically witty, but the best thing about it is the skewering of British
royal society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One other thing to note
is Lanthimos’s repeated use of a “fisheye” lens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may or may not like it, but it certainly
gives the film a different look.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br />
<h3>
15.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“First Man”<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
This is the second collaboration between director Damien
Chazelle and lead actor Ryan Gosling (the first being “La La Land”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one, written by Josh Singer from a book
by James R. Hansen, explores the life of Neil Armstrong from the death of his
young daughter to his historic first steps on the moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a supporting cast that includes Claire
Foy, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler, and Corey Stoll, this film focuses mostly on
Armstrong’s character, his inner demons, and what drove him to success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the pacing is somewhat slow, it presents
an interesting picture of the level of complexity of the man we all saw as a
national hero.<br />
<br />
<h3>
14.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Ready Player One”<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
Directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Zak Penn and Ernest
Cline (from Cline’s book), this is a thoroughly enjoyable action film about
finding the keys in a video game that will lead to fame and fortune.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What makes the film even more interesting is
that much of it is set inside the video game, using highly advanced animation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starring Tye Seridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben
Mendelsohn, Simon Pegg, and Mark Rylance, Spielberg again breaks new ground by
combining traditional themes, pop-culture references, and cutting edge CGI, to
make a fun movie ride.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<br />
<h3>
13.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Venom”<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
In this movie, directed by Ruben Fleischer, a reporter is
bonded to an alien entity who is here to invade Earth but instead takes a
liking to our planet and decides to protect it against his fellow aliens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What makes this film so enjoyable is the
interplay between the reporter (played by Tom Hardy) and the alien who inhabits
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The script, by Jeff Pinkner, Scott
Rosenberg, and Kelly Marcel, based on a Marvel comic character, is funny,
inventive, and completely enjoyable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Supported
by Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Woody Harrelson, Jenny Slate, and Reid Scott
(which happens to be my first and middle names), Tom Hardy brilliantly alters
between bravado and bewilderment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope
they make a sequel.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<br />
<h3>
12.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Game Night”<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
Directed by John Francis Daly and Jonathan Goldstein, this
comedy action film is fun from start to surprising finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starring Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, and
Kyle Chandler, this movie starts off as a group of friends getting together to
play games, but ends up as a romp through the criminal underworld.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Written by Mark Perez, it boasts
several twists and turns, and an outstanding comedic performance by Rachel
McAdams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the kind of movie they
used to make, and I wish they’d make more like it.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<br />
<h3>
11.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mission: Impossible—Fallout”<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
Hands down, this is the best and most enjoyable of the
Mission: Impossible films starring Tom Cruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And why shouldn’t it be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
directed by Chistopher McQuarrie (“The Usual Suspects”), and features
supporting roles by Henry Cavill, Michelle Monaghan, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon
Pegg, Ving Rhames, Alec Baldwin, Alix Bénézech, Angela Bassett, and Wes Bentley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The script by McQuarrie and Bruce Geller is
inventive and full of plot twists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sit
back and enjoy a fun thrill ride from start to finish. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<br />
<h3>
10.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Leave No Trace”<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
You may not have heard of this movie, but it’s a quiet,
indie gem directed by Debra Granik (who also gave us “Winter’s Bone), about a
father and daughter living under the radar. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Written by Granik and Anne Rosellini, this is
a touching portrayal of a man (played by Ben Foster) who doesn’t fit in society, and his loving teenage
daughter who does much better in communal surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a little movie that you can’t stop
watching, primarily because of the outstanding performance by Thomasin McKenzie
as the daughter.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<br />
<h3>
9.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Spider-Man: Into the
Spider-Verse”<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
Of all the Spider-Man films of the past 20 years, this is
probably my favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It tells the story
of a boy named Miles Morales who becomes Spider-Man and has to work with counterparts
from other dimensions to save the universe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh, and it is animated—directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and
Rodney Rothman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Written by Rothman and Phil
Lord, the characters are voiced by actors including Shameik Moore, Jake
Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Lily Tomlin, Zoe Kravitz, John
Mulaney, Nicholas Cage, Liev Schreiber, Kathryn Hahn, and Chris Pine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plot is inventive, the script is witty,
and the action is non-stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s not
to like?<br />
<br />
<h3>
8.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Black Panther”<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
Ryan Coogler makes really good movies, so when I learned he’d
be directing this film about a Black superhero, I was very excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not let me down, directing one of the
year’s biggest blockbusters and critical successes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This film is pure enjoyment and features
outstanding acting by Chadwick Boseman in the lead role, with support from
Michael B. Jordan, Nupita Nyong’o, Daniel Gurira, Martin Freeman, Sterling K.
Brown, Angela Basset, and Forest Whitaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Written by Coogler and Joe Robert Cole from the comics of Stan Lee and Jack
Kirby, this is a great story in the Marvel universe and a movie that does it
justice.<br />
<br />
<h3>
7.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“BlacKkKlansman”<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
This is director Spike Lee’s best movie in years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It tells the true story of Ron Stallworth, the
first African-American detective in the Colorado Springs Police Department, who
decides to infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Played by John David Washington, Stallworth
can put on a “White voice” when on the phone, but had to enlist the help of a
fellow, Jewish detective (played by Adam Driver) to play the role in person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Written by Lee, Charlie Wachtel, David
Rabinowitz, and Kevin Willmot, the sometimes humorous script would be funnier
if it wasn’t true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a really good
movie.<br />
<br />
<h3>
6.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A Star Is Born”<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
Each of the last four generations has had a version of this
film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My grandparents enjoyed the 1937
original starring Janet Gaynor and Frederick March. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents’ 1954 installment featured Judy
Garland and James Mason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember the
release in 1976 of the version featuring Barbra Streisand and Kris
Kristofferson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My son’s generation has
this movie, starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, who also directed and
co-wrote it with Eric Roth and Will Fetters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plot is always the same: a younger, female
performer is discovered and taken under the wing of an older, established male
star, and they fall in love as the woman achieves success while the man’s
career falters as he succumbs to addiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The songs and the cast differ, but the plot remains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this version, Lady Gaga establishes
herself as a legitimate screen presence while Bradley Cooper enhances his fine
acting resume with an excellent directorial effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With supporting roles by Sam Elliott, Andrew
Dice Clay, and Anthony Ramos, it is a terrific addition to this historic
movie lineage.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<br />
<h3>
5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A Quiet Place”<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
Who knew that John Krasinski would be such a great director?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe his real-life wife, Emily Blunt, who costars
with Krasinski in the year’s best horror film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The plot involves a family trying to survive after the Earth has been
overrun by vicious creatures who are blind but hunt via sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As such, most of the film is performed in
sign language (with subtitles).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Written
by Brian Woods, Scott Beck, and Krasinski, this is a harrowingly intense film
that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also features an amazingly deep performance
by Millicent Simmonds as the daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If nothing else, it’s interesting to watch Emily Blunt’s character
deliver a baby alone and in silence as a creature hovers nearby.<br />
<br />
<h3>
4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Crazy Rich Asians”<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h3>
This is a groundbreaking film in that it is a mainstream
movie directed by an Asian director and starring an entirely Asian cast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from that, it is just plain fun…perhaps
the most fun you could have at the movies in 2018.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Directed by Jon M. Chu from a screenplay by Peter
Chiarelli and Adele Lim, from the book by Kevin Kwan, it tells the story of a
very wealthy, handsome young man from Singapore (played by Henry Golding) who goes
to New York and falls in love with a middle class professor (played by
Constance Wu) who doesn’t know about his wealth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they travel together to a wedding in
Singapore, she learns quickly what she has gotten herself into and how she is
viewed by his high-society family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What ensues is a romantic comedy that is actually both romantic and
funny.<br />
<br />
<h3>
3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mary Poppins Returns”</h3>
Unlike “A Star Is Born,” this is not a remake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not even really a sequel, because it
occurs many years later when Michael Banks (played by Ben Wishaw) has grown up
with children of his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately,
his wife has died and he has fallen on hard times, with the bank (where his
father had worked) about to foreclose on his home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when Mary Poppins (played by Emily
Blunt) returns to nurture the children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
happens upon a lamplighter (played by Lin-Manuel Miranda) who remembers Mary
from when he was young, and together they lead the children on a fun (sometimes
animated) romp, while trying to save the family home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a child, I loved the original movie, and a
few years ago, I also enjoyed “Saving Mr. Banks,” which focused on the making
of that movie and the drama behind the books by P.L. Travers, on which the
movie was based.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, it’s no wonder that
I enjoyed this film, directed by Rob Marshall and written by David Magee, John
DeLuca, and Marshall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also enjoyed the
songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and the joyful animation and dance
numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With supporting performances by
an all-star ensemble including, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Meryl Streep,
Colin Firth, Dick Van Dyke, and Angela Lansbury, this is pure movie magic.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“On the Basis of Sex”</h3>
<br />
Directed by Mimi Leder, this wonderful movie is about the
early career of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, focusing
specifically on her attempts to guarantee equal justice under the law for
women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you watch this film, it
almost strains credibility to think that our entire justice system during most
of the country’s history leading well into the 20<sup>th</sup> century did not
recognize women as equal members of society, and this movie describes that
issue in depth, as well as the tremendous efforts it has taken to right this
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starring Felicity Jones, with
excellent support from Armie Hammer and Justin Theroux, and written by Daniel
Stiepleman, the movie also shows the tremendous support Ruth received from her
husband, Martin Ginsburg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a shame
that such a well-made movie did not receive more accolades and nominations, but
it should be seen by everyone.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Green Book”</h3>
I remember hearing music by the Don Shirley Trio when I was
growing up in the 1960s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t jazz,
pop, soul, or classical, so it did not receive a lot of radio play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It featured a piano virtuoso named Dr. Donald
Shirley, and it was intricate and beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had forgotten about that music until the release of Green Book, the
story of Don Shirley’s tour of the Midwest and deep South to promote his music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To do so, he hired a driver named Tony (Lip) Vallelonga
because of Tony’s ability to deal with “difficult” situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This movie features Oscar-worthy performances
by Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen as their characters learn about each
other and face the obstacles of Shirley’s being Black and gay while performing
in the deep South during the Civil Rights era.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Directed by Peter Farelly and written by Farelly, Brian Currie, and Nick
Vallelonga (Tony’s son), this is an outstanding movie that delves into issues
related to racism and prejudice both in the South and the North, and it traces
the transformation of two men who learn from each other.<br />
<br />
So, that’s my list today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It may change tomorrow, so please let me know if there are other movies
you feel that belong.<br />
<br />
<h3>
The Reid Awards</h3>
And now, for the fourth year, I will present awards based entirely
on criteria that only I understand:<br />
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Breakout Actor
of the Year</b>: In the past, this award has gone to Alicia Vikander and Mahershala
Ali, and Michael Stuhlbarg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year, I’m
giving it to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John David Washington</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been watching Mr. Washington for a few
years on the TV Series “Ballers,” but in BlacKkKlansman, he brought it to a new
level, and I’m looking forward to his next role. </div>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The
Future Meryl Streep Award for Best Young Actress</b>: Hands down, this year,
the award goes to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thomasin McKenzie</b>,
who sparkled in “Leave No Trace.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is a young woman who can convey a wide range of emotions without saying
anything.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Best
Child Actor</b>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t think of “A
Quiet Place” without recalling the tender pain on the face of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Millicent Simmonds</b>,
who is actually deaf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She may be the
next Marlee Matlin.</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Most Consistent Director:</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This new
award goes to the person who keeps directing outstanding movies, and I’m giving
it to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ryan Coogler</b>, who has directed
three full-length movies: Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a bad start to a directing career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span>Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-4161206810705702002018-02-05T08:03:00.000-08:002018-02-25T06:27:26.684-08:00The Best Movies of 2017<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">First, let
me apologize for the lateness of this list, but between my summer spinal
surgery and the resultant amount of work required to get back financially, I’ve
had less time than usual to go to the movies.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>As such, I have not yet seen several films, including (alphabetically):
“All the Money in the World,” “I, Tonya,” “Phantom Thread,” and
“1945.” <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Any of those movies might still
make the list, once I get to see them.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you know me and/or have read my list before, you probably
know a few things about my movie preferences:</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">My favorite movies have both a good plot and
well-developed characters.</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I don’t like movies about nasty people doing
awful things to each other.</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I enjoy movies that either entertain me and/or
in some way uplift me.</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I don’t watch a lot of animated films, although
occasionally, one might make the list.</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I don’t include documentaries on my list.</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I tend to like films where the script is fresh
and interesting.</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m not invited to free movie screenings, nor do
I get to meet the casts or directors.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I am not a film "critic," and as such,
I don’t write negative reviews.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I
respect most filmmakers for trying to produce their art, so if a well-known or
well-regarded film is not listed above or below, it’s quite possible that I saw
it but did not like it enough to recommend it.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, with that, below is my list of the Best Movies of 2017,
in inverse order.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Also, at the end, I’ll
provide a few awards that you won’t see at the Oscars.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">23.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Okja”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Co-written and directed by Joon-ho Bong and starring Tilda
Swinton, Seo-Hyun Ahn, Paul Dano, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Giancarlo Esposito, this
is a cautionary fable about a Korean girl (Ahn) who raises a giant, genetically
modified pig and the corporation, headed by Swinton’s character, that wants to
take it and others like it to be slaughtered for food, while being battled by
an animal rights group headed by Dano’s character.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>After watching this touching film, you may
have trouble sitting down to a meat-based dinner again.</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">22.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Kong, Skull Island”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts and
written by Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein, and Derek Connolly, from a book by John
Gatins, this star-studded film is not another remake of King Kong, but rather
an alternative story about the giant ape and the people who visit his island. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Packed with adventure, revenge, and intrigue,
it stars Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, John C. Reilly, and
John Goodman, and represents a return to old-style action coupled with the
wonders of modern special effects.</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">21.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Good Time”</span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Directors Benny and Josh Safdie revitalized Robert
Pattinson’s acting career with this gritty story about a bank robbery that goes
awry and the resultant series of misadventures taken by Pattinson’s
character.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Written by Ronald Bronstein
and Josh Safdie, the film is a roller coaster ride of how one unpleasant
circumstance can lead to another.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>With
excellent supporting performances by Jennifer Jason Lee, Benny Safdie, and
Taliah Webster, you keep wondering how much deeper into trouble one man can
get.</span></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">20.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Girls Trip”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The best way to describe this is a female, African American version of
“The Hangover.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As such, it is much
better than it probably deserves to be, thanks to effective direction by
Malcolm D. Lee, a screenplay by Kenya Barris and Tracy Oliver, and an
outstanding cast that includes Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith,
and a hilarious performance by Tiffany Haddish.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>This is one of those movies that causes you to laugh while
simultaneously being surprised you are laughing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It ends up being the flat-out funniest movie
of the year.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">19.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Spiderman: Homecoming”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There were a whole bunch of superhero movies this year, but
what makes the latest version of Spiderman so likeable<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>is its littleness.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Director Jon Watts and a team of screenwriters
went out of their way to make the lead, played by Tom Holland, into “your
friendly neighborhood” superhero.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Throw
in outstanding supporting performances by Michael Keaton, Robert Downey, Jr.
(playing Tony Stark again), Marissa Tomei, and Donald Glover, and you have a
movie that eschews Marvel’s typical seriousness and, as a result, is sure to
bring a smile to your face.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">18.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol.
2”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I actually like this movie better than the 2014 original
because it seems to follow a more connected story arc while still providing fun-filled,
sci-fi, action/adventure.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Written and
directed by James Gunn, it features reprised roles by Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana,
Vin Diesel (voice), Bradley Cooper (voice), and Michael Rooker, while adding in
a few action actors like Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It all adds up to a fun night (or day) at the
movies.</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">17.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Downsizing”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This film’s advertising people did it a disservice by
portraying it as a comedy…it is not.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It
is a very odd social satire about curing overpopulation by shrinking people to
about 5 inches tall, so they can live at a fraction of the cost, consume a
fraction of the food, and produce a fraction of the waste of full-sized
people.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>However, the lead character,
played by Matt Damon, soon learns that shrinking people doesn’t eliminate their
problems any more than it ends differences caused by class, income, and social
standing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Directed by Alexander Payne
and written by Payne and Jim Taylor, the film also features excellent
performances by Christoph Waltz, Hong Chau, and Kristen Wiig.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">16.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“It”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The year’s best pure horror film is from a book by Stephen
King and a screenplay by Case Palmer, Cary Joji Fukunaga, and Gary
Dauberman.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Unlike the ponderous 1990
miniseries which was also based on this book, director Andy Muschietti keeps us
on the edge of our seats as a group of generally unpopular and troubled
teenagers take on the evil clown, Pennywise, who has been preying on a small
Maine town for decades.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If you like
horror/suspense and are not too weirded out by evil clowns, you should see this
well-constructed film.</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">15.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Call Me By Your Name”</span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There’s no denying the genuine feelings evoked in this film
about a 17-year-old, Jewish American (excellently played by Timothee Chalamet),
who spends summers in Italy with his parents, and explores his sexuality, first
with an Italian girl and then, with a thirtysomething, male research assistant,
played by Armie Hammer, that the boy’s father (played by Michael Stuhlbarg) has
brought to live with them.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Screenwriter
James Ivory and director Luca Gardagnino sensitively explore this second
relationship, which blossoms into love in the 1980s, when such relationships
were much less open than they might be today.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>What stopped me from placing this movie much higher on the list was the
pacing, which at times was incredibly slow.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>However, that shouldn’t stop you from seeing this excellent film.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">14.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“I Don’t Feel at Home in This
World Anymore”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Macon Blair wrote and directed this excellent movie about a
woman (played by Melanie Linskey) whose home is burglarized, and, after getting
no satisfaction through normal, legal channels, attempts to solve the crime
herself, with the help of a nerdy neighbor (played by Elijah Wood).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The story spirals out of control, leading to
a climactic scene at a rural house and its surrounding woods.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In some ways, this film is an embodiment of
the lack of control we sometimes feel over our own lives.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">13.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Logan Lucky”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After making several polished heist films like the Ocean’s
series, director Stephen Soderbergh took a left turn with this unpolished heist
film starring Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Daniel Craig, Katie Holmes, Riley
Keough, Katherine Waterston, and Seth McFarlane.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The result is a very good film, written by
Rebecca Blunt, that examines family dynamics, self-fulfilling curses, and
peculiar acts of redemption.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It
pleasantly surprises you at many turns and ends up being smarter and more
heartwarming than many of Soderbergh’s slicker offerings.</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">12.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Wonder Woman”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In a year when many women are finding their voices, I was
happy with the artistic and commercial success of this film, directed by a
woman (Patty Jenkins) about a strong, female superhero, played excellently by
Gal Gadot.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Despite the sexual misconduct
accusations against Zack Snyder, who co-wrote the screenplay, I was glad to see
so many women of all ages enjoying this excellent film and its outstanding
supporting performances by Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen, and David
Thewlis.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">11.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Detroit”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In 1967, race riots broke out in Detroit, with people
looting and pillaging their own neighborhoods.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The police stepped in, but were untrained to work with this kind of
situation.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Some officers made things
much worse through their own brutality.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>This movie, written by Mark Boal and directed by Kathryn Bigelow, tells
that story, brilliantly and tensely.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Starring John Boyega, Anthony Mackie, and Algee Smith, it will keep you
uncomfortably riveted and leave you with the feeling that we haven’t come so
far as we wish we had.</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">10.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“The Big Sick”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This movie, which begins as a comedy before taking a darker
turn, is the true story of the relationship between Kumal Nanjiani and Emily V.
Gordon, from a screenplay which they wrote.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Directed by Michael Showalter, it stars Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan (playing
Gordon’s role), with excellent supporting performances from Holly Hunter and
Ray Romano.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It is funny, touching, and
poignant, without becoming Hallmark-channel melodramatic, and it is a wonderful
film about family and love.</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">9.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Molly’s Game”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This has all the characteristics of an Aaron Sorkin movie,
because that’s what it is.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>His
fast-paced, informative dialogue blends perfectly with the tautness of Jessica
Chastain’s acting in a movie about the perils of success and the world of
gambling.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>With outstanding supporting
performances from Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, and Michael Cera, it tells the
real-life story of Molly Bloom, who wrote the book on which it is based, and
who rose to prominence in a profession dominated by men.</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">8.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Battle of the Sexes”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In 1973, while I was at UMass Amherst, there was a tennis
match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs that was dubbed. “The Battle of
the Sexes.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Of course, anyone who knew
anything about sports understood that King was a much better tennis player than
Riggs, who was way past his prime and had been reduced to the role of loudmouth
sideshow.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But most of the male world
didn’t realize how important this match was to women everywhere, and when King
won the match, UMass exploded; I spent the next few hours interviewing women
for the lead article in the next day’s Massachusetts Daily Collegian.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>While the match was indeed important, what
was more important were the events leading up to it on which this movie is based.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Not only did King (played expertly by Emma
Stone) have to battle for pay equality, but she had to do it while confronting
her own sexuality as a lesbian in the 1970s. With a cast that includes Steve
Carell (as Riggs), Andrea Riseborough, Natalie Morales, Sarah Silverman, Alan
Cumming, Elisabeth Shue, and Bill Pullman (a UMass classmate), this movie,
written by Simon Beaufoy and directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris,
confronts a wide range of issues and does it extremely well.</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">7.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Baby Driver”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written and directed by Edgar Wright, this stylistic film is
about a young man (played by Ansel Elgort) who, as a result of tinnitus, wears
earbuds and constantly listens to music.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>He is also an expert getaway driver who performs this trade for an evil
character, played by Kevin Spacey, who puts together crews to perform
heists.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As each heist becomes more
dangerous, and he meets the woman of his dreams (played by Lily James), the
young man begins to consider his options.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>With supporting performances from Jon Hamm, Jon Bernthal, Sky Ferreira,
and Eiza Gonzalez, this film is a visual, aural, and visceral treat.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">6.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Three Billboards Outside
Ebbing, Missouri”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">An amazing script by director Martin McDonagh, combined with
world-class acting by Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, and Sam Rockwell,
combine to make this odd, quirky movie a real treat.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Nobody in the film is really likeable, but
neither are they detestable.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s just a
story about a troubled town with a difficult past, a few of the characters that
inhabit it, and the difficult choices they have to make.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s one of those movies where the script
made me laugh, but the subject matter is so painful that I felt bad for
laughing.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">5.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Dunkirk”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dunkirk is a little movie about a big topic.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It tells the true WWII story of when
thousands of allied soldiers, from Britain, France, and Belgium, were stranded
on a beach as the German air force bombarded them and hundreds of British
boats, mostly manned by civilians, rushed to save them.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But instead of focusing on the battle or the
magnitude of the rescue, writer/director Chistopher Nolan tells the stories of
a few people, the difficulties they faced and the trauma they endured.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Starring Fionn Whitehead, Mark Rylance, Barry
Keoghan, Aneurin Barnard, and Kenneth Branagh, this is an expertly crafted,
personal movie about heroism and survival.</span><span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">4.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Darkest Hour”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s kind of funny that Dunkirk and Darkest Hour appear
after each other on my list, because they tell overlapping stories.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In this case, it’s the role of Winston
Churchill in the early days of World War II, including the German bombardment of
Dunkirk.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This movie delves deeply and
personally into the difficult decisions of one of the 20<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Century’s
most important people, and the political games he must play, which he clearly
despises.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Featuring excellent support
from Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Mendelsohn, and Lily James, the film, written by
Anthony McCarten, is driven by the amazing performance of Gary Oldman, who has
cemented himself as one of the best screen actors of our time by the way he
inhabits each role, and especially this one.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>With the help of outstanding makeup and stellar direction by Joe Wright,
you actually believe you are watching Winston Churchill, and you are transported
to England during its most difficult years.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">3.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Get Out”</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Anyone who has followed the comedy of Key and Peele realizes
that Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele are two of the brightest, most
insightful people on the planet.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So,
naturally, when Jordan Peele wrote and directed a movie named “Get Out,” I
assumed it was a comedy.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>While there is
certainly humor sprinkled throughout the movie, it is definitely not a
comedy.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It actually starts out like a
modern version of “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner,” and ends up as one of the
best suspense/horror films of this or any year.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>In this case, there are no evil creatures or aliens—only seemingly normal,
rich, white people with whom you might interact every day.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>However, through Peele’s brilliance, these
people are exposed as the racist villains they are.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I can’t say any more without spoiling the
surprises, but rest assured, this film, which stars Daniel Kaluuya, Allison
Williams, Bradley Whitford, and Catherine Keener, is deserving of all the
praise it is receiving.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">2.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“The Post”</span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you lived through the 1960s and 1970s, when every day
seemed to expose new revelations about the Vietnam War, the US Government, and
the American Presidency, this movie will strike a familiar chord.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>However, if you are younger than that, it’s
an important movie to see.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The depth of
this importance is not purely from a historical perspective, but rather from
the perspective of the world today and the assault on the press which we are
experiencing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In those days, there was
no “fake news;” there was only news and commentary, and sometimes they overlapped.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In this case, the news focused on Daniel Ellsberg
(played by Matthew Rhys) who managed to copy and leak a massive study of the
Vietnam War and its underpinnings, that spanned four decades and exposed how
every president from Truman to Nixon lied to the American people.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Known as the Pentagon Papers, the first of
these pages were released in the New York Times, whose publisher, Abe Rosenthal
(played by Michael Stuhlbarg), was banned by the US Courts from publishing any
more of the pages.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The pages then found their
way to the Washington Post, whose Editor-in-Chief, Ben Bradlee (played by Tom
Hanks), pushed for the paper to publish them.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The decision then fell on Katherine “Kay” Graham (played superbly by
Meryl Streep) to determine if it was prudent to defy the Times’s court order, publish
the pages, and risk losing the newspaper.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Add to this the fact that Graham was America’s first female newspaper
publisher who was actually a Washington socialite, and the pressure she faced
was insurmountable.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This film, written
by Liz Hannah and Josh Singer and directed by Steven Spielberg, features
amazing performances by a star-studded cast, including Bob Odenkirk, Sarah
Paulson, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood, Tracy Letts, and Alison Brie.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It is as good as it is important.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">1.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“The Shape of Water”</span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Guillermo del Toro has always made unusual movies that
combine fantasy and reality, but this is his best by far, and it features an
unlikely relationship between a mute woman (played by the always excellent
Sally Hawkins) and an amphibious creature (played by Doug Jones with a massive
amount of makeup).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Set during the Cold
War, the creature is being held in a secret research facility where Hawkins
character and a character played by Octavia Spencer work in maintenance.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Controlled by Michael Shannon’s character, who
uses a cattle prod liberally on the creature, the facility is doing research for
the US military, and the creature is eventually deemed expendable.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This is all a backdrop for a unique love
story that is surprisingly sensuous and heartwarming.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Written by del Toro and Vanessa Taylor, this
movie features wonderful supporting performances by Richard Jenkins and Michael
Stuhlbarg.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It harkens back to “Beauty and
the Beast,” “Splash,” and “ET,” while using music and breathtaking visuals to
awaken your senses.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If you are the type
of moviegoer who can suspend reality and go with the flow for two hours, you
will be rewarded with a memorable experience.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, that’s my list today.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>It may change tomorrow, which is the beauty of posting it on a
blog.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Please let me know if there are
other movies you feel belong on this list.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Reid Awards</span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And now, for the third year, I will present awards based entirely
on criteria that only I understand:</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Breakout Actor
of the Year</b>: In the past, this award has gone to Alicia Vikander and Mahershala
Ali, and this year, it unquestionably belongs to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Michael Stuhlbarg</b>, who has already had a decent career in movies
and TV, but this year, had important roles in three movies on this list: “Call
Me By Your Name,” “The Post,” and “The Shape of Water.” </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The
Future Meryl Streep Award for Best Young Actress</b>: Not yet a household name,
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lily James</b> is a British actress who
shined this year in “Baby Driver” and “Darkest Hour.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>She already has three movies coming out including
playing the young Donna (Meryl Streep) in the Mama Mia prequel.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Best
Child Actors</b>: Last year, one of the recipients of this award was Jaeden <span style="margin: 0px;">Lieberher, who again was a candidate as the star of “It.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But instead, I will give this year’s award to
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sophia Lillis</b>, who played opposite Lieberher
in “It.” <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>At 15, this girl exudes star power
that will only continue to blossom.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The
Boomers Who Keep Going Award:</b><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As a
baby-boomer, I feel a certain kinship with over-60 actors who keep making good
movies, year after year, and made my list this year (listed alphabetically): <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kevin Costner</b>,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Tom Hanks, <span style="margin: 0px;">Samuel L. Jackson, </span>Richard Jenkins,
Michael Keaton</b>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bill Pullman</b>,
and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Meryl Streep</b>.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-27667519852516914652017-08-29T12:20:00.002-07:002017-08-29T12:20:54.619-07:00My Blog<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for viewing my blog. I hope to resume my blogging more frequently in the weeks to come.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwo5aR5Ys2IeaPxPCumcNmKgQPhNECUVdy8wMIXKJj0ytQnf2LMEyWXnzLx7hjuNLeyhIT3gqgaUUUq8XMOFCJdhEX9U2XWrdAS3cpOop8tdsq49nAMYKl81ZcIMsPaty08u_PO3eeWvNe/s1600/Reid+Limud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwo5aR5Ys2IeaPxPCumcNmKgQPhNECUVdy8wMIXKJj0ytQnf2LMEyWXnzLx7hjuNLeyhIT3gqgaUUUq8XMOFCJdhEX9U2XWrdAS3cpOop8tdsq49nAMYKl81ZcIMsPaty08u_PO3eeWvNe/s1600/Reid+Limud.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-59554997887979653362017-08-29T12:13:00.000-07:002017-08-29T12:13:43.349-07:00My Spinal Fusion<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below is an X-Ray of my lower back, including titanium plates, screws, and spacers.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiwY_FJ2KJ1WkIGWMJ07i28Mak_wQkthusZu8SVYXMTWNdSz_RGjZaXQWDMXuM1Z2l_FPMar0Ff3zKZx6jyi82jcTegobjRGHqa5Y6SUypL9rbVcVBb__jqhuyNDsKL5WNJ1dBHe1apf0/s1600/Reid+Back+Surgery+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiwY_FJ2KJ1WkIGWMJ07i28Mak_wQkthusZu8SVYXMTWNdSz_RGjZaXQWDMXuM1Z2l_FPMar0Ff3zKZx6jyi82jcTegobjRGHqa5Y6SUypL9rbVcVBb__jqhuyNDsKL5WNJ1dBHe1apf0/s320/Reid+Back+Surgery+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">met with the surgeon's assistant today, who informed me that everything looks good and I can slightly increase my activity level. It will still be another month before I can swim, bathe, or engage in physical therapy, but my recovery is on track.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I can't say that it doesn't hurt at times, because it does. But I'm almost completely clear of medication (except Tylenol), I'm walking often, and I even drove today. I'm also back at work, which mostly involves sitting and typing (like I'm doing right now).</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Thanks to all of you for your support, encouragement, prayers, and occasional food (although my appetite has diminished and I'm seizing on that occurrence to try to lose weight).</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-55405593744671981592017-02-09T16:33:00.000-08:002017-02-09T19:06:06.901-08:00The Best Movies of 2016<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2016 had
some good movies early in the year, and a bunch that were released at the end
of the year, or not to the general public until 2017.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Because of my time constraints this year, I have
not yet seen several films, including (alphabetically): "Captain Fantastic," "Elle," "Fences,"
"The Founder," "Jackie," "Paterson," "Queen
of Katwe," "Silence," "Southside With You," "Toni
Erdmann," and "20</span><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> Century Women," </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Any of those movies might still make the
list, once I get to see them.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you know me and/or have read my list before, you probably
know a few things about my movie preferences:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">My favorite movies have both a good plot and
well-developed characters.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I don’t like movies about nasty people doing
awful things to each other.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I enjoy movies that either entertain me and/or
in some way uplift me.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I don’t watch a lot of animated films, although
occasionally, one might make the list.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I don’t include documentaries on my list.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I tend to like films where the script is fresh
and interesting.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m not invited to free movie screenings, nor do
I get to meet the casts or directors.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I am not a film "critic," and as such,
I don’t write negative reviews.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I
respect most filmmakers for trying to produce their art, so if a well-known or
well-regarded film is not listed above or below, it’s quite possible that I saw
it but did not like it enough to recommend it.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, with that, below is my list of the Best Movies of 2016,
in inverse order.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Also, at the end, I’ll
provide a few awards that you won’t see at the Oscars.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">20.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"The Magnificent Seven"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">OK, so I'm a sucker for this story.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I reveled at Akira Kurosawa's "Seven
Samurai" (1954), </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">loved "The
Magnificent Seven" (1960), and enjoyed "Guns of the Magnificent Seven"
(1969).</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, when this version, directed
by Antoine Fuqua, came out, I had to see it.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">While not so noble and more violent than the earlier versions, there is
still something magical about this story about a bunch of brave souls willing
to risk their lives to help the oppressed residents of a small town.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In addition, it stars some of my favorite
actors: Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, and Peter Sarsgaard.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">With a screenplay by Richard Wenk and Nic
Pizzolato, this film continues the legacy of Kurosawa's masterpiece.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">19.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Bridget Jones's Baby"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You might be thinking, "Oh, this is just another sequel
in the tired, old Bridget Jones series, but it actually puts a fresh spin on
that series.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">With </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Renée
Zellweger (post plastic surgery) and Colin Firth reprising their roles, the
plot adds Patrick Dempsey to create a romantic triangle that is generally
amusing and occasionally extremely funny, along the lines of "Nine Months."
Written by Helen Fielding, Dan Mazer, and Emma Thompson, this film from director
Sharon Maguire is one of this year's few, truly funny comedies.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">18.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"The Infiltrator"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It seems like every year, there's one good movie about drug-smuggling,
and this year, it is directed by Brad Furman and stars Bryan Cranston, John
Leguizamo, Benjamin Bratt, Kathy Ertz, Olympia Dukakis, and Jason Isaacs.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In it Cranston's character works undercover
to bring down members of the Pablo Escobar operation.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written by </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ellen Brown Furman based on
the book by Robert Mazur, it succeeds in creating a palpable tension, with
several uncomfortable moments that only an actor of Cranston's caliber can pull
off.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">17.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Ghostbusters"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Yes, it's a remake, but this one has an interesting
slant…the Ghostbusters are women, played by Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy,
Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Directed
by Paul Feig from a screenplay by Feig and Kate Dippold, this film pays homage
to the original while creating a different story.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">But the reason to see it is the performances
of its stars, particularly Kate McKinnon, who takes every scene to another
level of comic weirdness.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">16.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Hidden Figures"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This film tells an important, true story that has never
before been told on film, about a group of black women, referred to as "computers,"
who, in the 1960s, were instrumental in the early NASA missions.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It's a behind-the-scenes version of "The
Right Stuff," but in this case, that stuff consisted of personal grit and
mathematical genius.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The main character
is Katherine Johnson (played by Taraji P. Henson), who is now recognized as a
pivotal force in the early space program.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">She is supported by friends played by Octavia Spencer and Janelle </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Moná</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">e (who jumped from music to film in two, excellent
movies this year).</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Directed by Theodore
Melfi and written by Melfi and Allison Schroeder, from a book by Margot Lee
Shetterly, this film features strong supporting performances by Kevin Costner,
Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, and Mahershala Ali</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">15.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Lion"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Directed by Garth Davis and written by Luke Davies from a
book by Saroo Brierly, the movie tells the true story of Brierly's life,
getting separated from his family at a young age and being raised by parents in
Australia (played by Nicole Kidman and David Wenham).</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As a young adult (played by Dev Patel),
Brierly spent years trying to track down the family from which he had been
separated.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Also starring Rooney Mara,
Priyanka Bose, and Sunny Pawar (outstanding as young Saroo), it is a
heartwarming story of strength, character, and redemption.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">14.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Green Room"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This is the year's most suspenseful film, about members of a
rock band who somehow get involved with a group of neo-Nazis, and end up in a
fight for their lives.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Technically
released in 2015 but not in theaters until this year, the film is written and
directed by Jeremy Saulnier, and features outstanding performances by Anton
Yelchin, Imogen Poots, and Patrick Stewart as the skinhead leader.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This movie keeps you on the edge of your
seat, often squirming but completely riveted.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">13.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"The Nice Guys"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The best of the three comedies to make my list, this film is
directed by Shane Black and written by Black and Anthony Bagarozzi.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is a buddy movie, in some ways similar to "Lethal
Weapon," which was also written by Black, in which two unlikely buddies,
played by Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, team up to find a missing woman.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In the process, they bungle their way through
Hollywood, which the film delightfully ridicules.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">While the comic tension between the two leads
is surprisingly effective, the real star of this film is the script, which is
insightfully funny.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">12.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Deepwater Horizon"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We all remember the explosion and humongous oil spill in
2010 by British Petroleum in the Gulf of Mexico, and this film effectively and
tensely tells the story of that event, what caused it, the efforts to quell it,
and the lives of those who were lost on the oil rig.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Directed by Peter Berg, and written by
Matthew Michael Carnahan and Matthew Sand, the film stars Mark Wahlberg, Kurt
Russell, Gina Rodriguez, John Malkovich, and Kate Hudson.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It's an action film with heart. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">11.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Birth of a Nation</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In 1915, D.W. Griffith directed a classic, silent movie that
was technically brilliant, but obnoxiously paid tribute to the Ku Klux
Klan.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">101 years later, Nate Parker's
excellent film is a rebuke of the movie which shares its name.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written by, directed by, and starring Parker,
it tells the true story of Nat Turner, the slave preacher who, in 1831, led a
rebellion that terrified white America and fueled the movement to abolish
slavery.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The movie illustrates the
devastating events that changed Turner from a man of God to a leader of
violence.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">With superb supporting
performances by Aja Naomi King, Armie Hammer, Penelope Ann Miller, Jackie Earle
Haley, and Colman Domingo, this is a powerful and disturbing film.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">10.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Free State of Jones"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I almost combined the reviews of this film and "Birth
of a Nation," because they both tell stories of rebellions in the
slavery-dominated South.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">However, this
is a very different story—the true tale of Newton Knight (played by Matthew
McConaughey), who deserted his Confederate battalion after realizing that his
poor, white friends and family were dying to protect wealthy slaveholders.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">He returned to his home in Jones County,
Mississippi to lead a mixed-race rebellion against the Confederate
government.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written and directed by Gary
Ross, this film features excellent supporting performances by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Keri
Russell, and Mahershala Ali (in 3 movies on this list).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">9.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Manchester by the Sea"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Set in the North Shore area of my home state of
Massachusetts, this is a subtle, quiet film about characters suffering from
different types of anguish.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Expertly written
and directed by Kenneth Lonergan, it features pitch-perfect performances by
Casey Affleck, Lucas Hedges, Michelle Williams, and Gretchen Mol.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This is an absorbing, character-driven movie
that leaves you feeling like you were hit by a truck.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">8.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Midnight Special"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Michael Shannon plays tense, uncomfortable roles as well as
anyone in Hollywood, and he is excellent in this story of the father of a boy
with special abilities who is trying to protect his son from groups that would
use those abilities in different ways.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, the film also benefits from
supporting performances by Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, Sam
Shepard, and Jaeden </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lieberher as Alton—the boy.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The film culminates in an unexpected,
visually stunning conclusion.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">7.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Moonlight"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Told in three parts with different actors playing the lead role
at various stages of the character's life, this film was written and directed
by Barry Jenkins, from a story by Tarell Alvin McCraney.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It follows the life of a boy, named Chiron,
from a difficult situation, growing into manhood while struggling to find his
identity and appreciate his sexuality.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">While the three actors playing the lead are very good, Chiron is most
impacted by the characters around him, played by Mahershala Ali, Naomi Harris,
and Janelle </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Moná</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">e.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This film is very intimate and feels more like a stage play than a
movie, and Jenkins definitely has a knack for bringing out the depth in each of
his memorable characters.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">6.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Sully"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you haven't seen this movie, you're probably thinking,
"Why bother? I already saw the real-life scenes of Captain Chesley 'Sully'
Sullenberger landing a passenger jet on the Hudson River."</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">But that's not what this film is about.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Instead, it chronicles the events that
happened after the now-famous landing, as the FAA investigated Sully for
failing to return to the airport after the plane's engines were disabled by a
flock of birds.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">No one plays noble
anguish better than Tom Hanks, and in this film, he delivers another stellar
performance, under the direction of Clint Eastwood from a screenplay by Todd
Komarnicki.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Featuring excellent
performances by Aaron Eckhart, Jamey Sheridan, and Laura Linney, this is a
surprisingly interesting movie.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">5.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Hell or High
Water"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Chris Pine and Ben Foster play brothers implementing a plan
to get revenge on the bank that cheated their family, and Jeff Bridges plays
the lawman who is out to identify and stop them.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written by Taylor Sheridan and directed by
David MacKenzie, this film combines an interesting plot with outstanding
character development.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Through
MacKenzie's deft direction, the most powerful scenes are the small,
dialog-driven interchanges, rather than the larger action sequences that
advance the story, and the best scene, near the end, simply features two men
talking on a front porch.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">4.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Patriot's Day"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Joni and I had just ordered Thai food in a small restaurant
in Wayland, MA, as we watched the Boston Marathon on a TV in the corner. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">She had wanted to go to the finish line, but
she was recovering from surgery, so we had stayed away. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Just then, there were two explosions, a few
seconds apart, that were heard throughout the Boston area as loudly as the
shots in Lexington and Concord in 1775 around which the Patriot's Day celebration
is built.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It felt like we were reliving
9/11, and we spent the next few days glued to the news, wondering who
perpetrated this crime and if/when they would be caught.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This movie accurately and effectively retells
the incidents leading up to the bombing and those harrowing days afterward as
it interweaves the personal stories of some of those involved.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is the year's second collaboration between
star Mark Wahlberg and director Peter Berg, who shares writing credits with
Matt Cook and Joshua Zetumer, and it features performances by an outstanding
cast including John Goodman, Kevin Bacon, Michelle Monaghan, Michael Beach,
Jimmy O. Yang, Alex Wolf, and J.K. Simmons.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The chronology is accurate, the emotions are real, and you don't want to
miss a minute of this riveting film.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">3.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Sing Street"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I love this little movie about a 15-year-old boy who forms a
rock band to impress a seemingly worldly 16-year-old girl.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Set in Dublin in the 1980s, it was written
and directed by John Carney (who also made "Once" and "Begin
Again") and feels a little like "The Commitments," which is
funny because the mother in Sing Street is played by Maria Doyle Kennedy, who
also had a large role as a singer in "The Commitments."</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It stars Ferdia Walsh-Peelo and Lucy Boynton,
both of whom demonstrate the odd juxtaposition between exuberance and
discomfort that often accompanies adolescence.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Enabling viewers to revisit 80s classic songs, this film is excellent
for the joy it expresses about and through music.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">2.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"Arrival"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The last few years have offered many good films about Aliens
and space travel, but this one is different because rather than being about
those subjects, it uses a possible alien invasion as the impetus for a story
about communication, the beauty of it, and the need for it.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Instead of an astronaut, the lead character,
played by Amy Adams, is a linguistics professor who is brought on board to try
to ascertain what the aliens want and why they are here.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It also doesn't portray the military as war-mongering
idiots, as so many movies do, but rather as individuals trying to figure out
the best way to defend their country.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written by </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Eric Heisserer from a story by Ted Chiang
and directed by Dennis Villeneuve, it also features Jeremy Renner and Forest
Whitaker in roles that are suitably nuanced.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The thought-inducing ending has to do with the sequence of time and how
events along a continuum are interdependent.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Forgetting for a minute the science behind it, this is an outstandingly
well-crafted film.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">1.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">"La La Land"</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This isn't a traditional musical.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, it
is an homage to classic films that would be excellent without any music but is
further enhanced by the occasional song (by Justin Hurwitz).</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As a fan of old movies, I was consistently
picking up on more or less obvious references to "Casablanca" and
other celluloid stories.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As a reviewer
of modern movies, I thoroughly enjoyed the romantic storyline about following your
dreams wherever they take you.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As a
music lover, I appreciated the excellent songwriting on "City of
Stars" and "The Fools Who Dream," as well as the importance of
maintaining jazz as a vital art form.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And as a fan of Emma Stone's work, I was glad to see her get to play
such a well-developed role (as opposed to "Aloha") opposite another
fine actor—Ryan Gosling.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I have to admit
that I enjoyed this movie from the opening song-and-dance scene on the highway
("Another Day of Sun") to the what-if "Epilogue."</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I left the theater hoping that maybe the success
of "La La Land" would encourage producers to make more movies like
this.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, that’s my list today.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It may change tomorrow, which is the beauty of posting it on a
blog.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Please let me know if there are
other movies you feel belong on this list.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Reid Awards</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And now, for the second time, I will present awards based entirely
on criteria that only I understand:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Breakout Actor
of the Year</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">: I first noticed </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mahershala
Ali</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> for his role as a lobbyist on "House of Cards" on Netflix,
but this year, he was in three outstanding movies—"Moonlight,"
"Free State of Jones," and "Hidden Figures."</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">His work in all three films was good, but he
deserves an Oscar for his role as Juan in Moonlight.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Given the political climate, it would be nice
to see that award go to a Muslim actor.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
Future Meryl Streep Award for Best Young Actress</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">: Last year, I gave this
award to Brie Larson, who the won the Oscar for "Room."</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This year, it goes to </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Emma Stone</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">, whom I first noticed in "Superbad" and whose
alluringly wide eyes convey a Chaplinesque level of expression.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">May she continue to get good roles.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Best
Child Actors</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">: There are a lot of cute kids in the movies, but every now and
then, you recognize real talent behind their young faces.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This award goes to Sunny Pawar, who was
wonderful in "Lion," and Jaeden </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lieberher, who
was Michael Shannon's acting equal in "Midnight Special."</span>
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
Boomers Who Keep Going Award:</span></b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As a
baby-boomer, I feel a certain kinship with over-60 actors who keep making good
movies, year after year, and made my list this year (listed alphabetically): </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jeff Bridges</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Kevin Costner</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tom Hanks</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">,
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Meryl Streep</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">, and </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Denzel Washington</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Best
Transition from Pop Star to Movie Star:</span></b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As someone who perennially earned a spot on my Best Albums list, Janelle
</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Moná</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">e has long been a favorite.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This year, her strong supporting roles in
"Moonlight" and "Hidden Figures" only enhances my
appreciation for her.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Weirdest
Movie of the Year:</span></b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It didn't make
the "Best of" list because it is so weird, but if you want to see
something completely out of the box, watch "</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Lobster</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">."</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Directed
by Yorgos Lathimos and starring Colin Farrel and Rachel Weisz, it is set in the
future, and the plot is as follows: If you are not married by a certain age,
you are sent to a hotel, where you have 45 days to find a spouse.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you are unable to do so, you are changed
into the animal of your choice and released into the wild.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In the woods around the hotel, there are a
bunch of "singles" who have escaped and are hunted—forbidden by their
peers from finding spouses.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">That doesn't
even describe the oddness of this film, so if you are bored one night, try it
out.</span></div>
<br />
<br />Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-15180846471313290402016-05-12T10:50:00.002-07:002016-05-12T10:50:56.311-07:00Why Donald Trump Can Win<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">"What's the difference between a bulldog and a hockey mom?" Those of you who, like me, watched the 2008 Republican Convention know that the answer to that question is "Lipstick." After all, it was the first time any of us had heard, or even heard of, Sarah Palin. But after she uttered that joke and addressed the convention as the vice presidential nominee, we liked her.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Come on, be honest; at the time you thought, "Well, that old John McCain may have ingested some life into his previously boring campaign." If you are a Republican, you were thrilled, and if you are a Democrat, you were initially worried that Palin could help McCain's sagging campaign. His polling numbers immediately spiked, and it wasn't until we started hearing more from Ms. Palin that we realized how vapid she is and what a mistake he </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">had made. But during those first few days and even weeks, people felt an emotional connection to the Republican ticket that they had not felt before, and many were ready to vote for McCain. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">However, Barack Obama had a much better strategy...he would hammer home one message...hope. He used slogans like "We can do it" to convey a message that if we worked together, there would be hope for the country.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">My point is that people don't vote with their intellect--they vote with their emotions. They connected on an emotional level with Obama's message and rejected McCain's placid negativity. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Here are some other examples:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">In 1948, Thomas Dewey was an astute statesman renowned for his grasp of the issues, yet he was beaten by Harry Truman (a surprising result) because Dewey sounded like a politician while Truman connected with voters on a personal level.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">In 1952 and 1956, the Democratic nominee was Adlai Stevenson II, arguably the smartest and most informed nominee in our history. But he was running against Dwight Eisenhower, the 5-star general who led the allies to victory in WWII. The voters weren't about to forget that emotional connection, no matter how smart Stevenson was. It would be like voting against George Washington.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Coming into the election of 1992, George H.W. Bush had what appeared to be an insurmountably high approval rating, yet he lost to Bill Clinton, who was viewed as a likable rogue and played saxophone on the Arsenio Hall show. The truth is that people felt more of a connection to Barbara Bush than they did to George, while Bill (who was promoted as "the man from Hope" Arkansas) made them smile and campaigned with the song, "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow."</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">In fact, you can look back at almost any modern presidential campaign and note that the winner was the nominee who made the strongest emotional connection with voters. So, where does that leave us in 2016?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Even if you think Hillary Clinton is right on most issues, does anyone feel an emotional connection to her? In the meantime, Donald generally ignores any substantive discussion of issues, while instead tapping into voter emotions related to their distrust of Washington and those who hold office. In addition, he taps into our resentment of losing jobs to foreigners (even if he outsources jobs in his own businesses) and he plays to the distrust we feel for all things Muslim. After all, what was the last action movie you watched in which the bad guys weren't Arabs or Muslim extremists?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">If this trend persists...if Trump continues to build emotional connections with voters, even if many of those emotions are less than positive, he will be elected president in November. The only way Hillary can overcome this emotional deficit is to get off her high horse, stop shouting at rallies, and start to talk about how, as a person, she wants to help right the world's wrongs. She needs to reach out to all people to build the kind of world in which everyone has a chance to succeed. That is, after all, the premise on which America was built, and it's what most Americans still feel about our country.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">This election won't be decided on the issues...indeed few of them are. Instead, the winner will be the person who can most effectively win the battle for the voters' emotions, and that's why Donald Trump can win.</span></div>
<br />Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-62132595170609682072016-04-20T15:47:00.002-07:002016-04-26T18:08:16.805-07:00Why Bernie is Bad for America<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A lot of my friends are supporting Bernie Sanders, pointing to his important positions against income inequality, Wall Street, and the influence of big money in elections. About these issues Bernie is right, and he has provided an important service by elevating them into the campaign discussion.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">I hear those same friends tell me that Bernie is polling better against Trump, and they are currently correct...in most polls against Trump, Bernie gets about 53% of the vote, while Hillary gets about 50% (in both cases, Trump gets about 39%). But here is the problem: nobody has attacked Bernie Sanders. The Republicans are avoiding attacking Sanders because they'd rather face him in the election, and Hillary has tread softly so as not to alienate his supporters.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">Whereas Clinton has faced a lifetime of criticism about everything from Whitewater to her hips, Bernie has not. While Hillary has been repeatedly grilled about her roles in Benghazi and email messages, Bernie has gone unscathed.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">If Bernie were to win the nomination, which is now highly unlikely, that would all change, and the Republicans would revel at the opportunity to expose Sanders's weaknesses, which include:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">He is a socialist. Does anyone really think that a majority of capitalist Americans will vote for a socialist?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">He has been in Congress (House and Senate) since 1991 and has never introduced a major piece of legislation.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">He has only been a Democrat since last year, after spending his entire professional career as an Independent. The Republicans would have a field day pointing out that the Democratic nominee is not really a Democrat. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">His policies (free tuition, tuition reimbursements, free healthcare, raising the minimum wage, expanding Social Security and Medicare) would cost an estimated $18 trillion (according to liberal economists), while his plans to cut tax loopholes and increase taxes on the wealthy would earn only about $6.5 trillion...when there is already a $19 trillion deficit. The Republicans would certainly do the math.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">He would be completely unable to work with the legislature. Forgetting about the Republican majority for a second, not one Democratic senator has supported his candidacy for president.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">His plans to break up the Wall Street banks and restructure our capitalist underpinnings sound great, but has anyone considered what they would do to the stock market after a Sanders election? You can bet the Republicans would trot out experts to predict another crash.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">He wants to eliminate the Import/Export Bank, which is the only thing keeping afloat companies like Boeing which have to compete against foreign entities that are heavily subsidized by their governments. This move alone could lead to a loss of hundred of thousands of jobs.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">He voted against the Brady Bill and several other gun control measures.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">He has been criticized by Democratic opponents (while he was an Independent) for nasty campaign tactics. To this day, former Vermont Governor Madeleine Kunin bemoans the things that Bernie said about her, some of which could be viewed as anti-feminist.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Sanders has won a lot of Democratic contests in red states that are highly unlikely to vote blue in the general election. With the exceptions of Michigan and Wisconsin, the states that matter to Democrats in the general election have been largely won by Clinton.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Bernie has won a lot of caucuses. However, voting in a caucus is much different than voting in a primary. Caucuses tend to be dominated by young people and zealots, whereas primaries are much more like the general election in terms of who votes and how they vote. As has been demonstrated, Hillary has a better shot of winning that type of vote. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">He would be sworn in at the age of 75. When 73-year-old John McCain ran for president, everyone said he was too old. How is this any different?</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">So, why is Bernie bad for America? </span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">His nomination would likely lead to a Trump presidency, for all the reasons I wrote above.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">By staying in the race and continuing to attack Hillary, he only increases the chances of a Trump presidency.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">A Trump presidency is bad for America.</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">If you're a Democrat or Independent in one of the states that has yet to vote, please vote for Hillary Clinton. Like her or not, she is a solid candidate, with a proven, tested record, and the best chance at preventing Donald Trump from becoming president.</span></div>
<ul>
</ul>
<br />Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-74663879406351179772016-04-20T09:01:00.001-07:002016-04-20T09:58:36.768-07:00It's Time for Unity<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Now that the New York primary has concluded, and Hillary Clinton won by 15%, it's time for the Sanders campaign to re-assess and for Democratic voters to unite. Bernie did everyone a favor by forcing the discussion to be around income inequality and the power of big money in our lives and our elections. Those messages have been received loud and clear.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">It has been obvious, to anyone who pays attention, that whoever is elected will not be able to pass and pay for all the ideas that Bernie supported--free tuition, free universal health care, raising the minimum wage to $15, expanding Social Security and Medicare, etc. However, he did us a favor by raising them, and hopefully, those issues will remain in the forefront of our political discourse.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">It is also now obvious that Hillary will be the Democratic nominee for president. She's only about 300 delegates away from the nomination with a lot of big states still to vote, and she's ahead of where Obama was at this point in 2008. S</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">he has faults, but not nearly so many as Donald Trump--her likely Republican opponent.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">But what I'm most worried about is that Bernie will continue to pursue the nomination and attack Hillary, thereby lessening her chances in November. Let's face it, it's hard to give up the adulation of large crowds and the belief that you're the best candidate. It's also hard for a lifelong Independent, as Bernie has been before deciding to run for president as a Democrat, to fully endorse the nominee of the Democratic Party, after referring to both parties throughout his career as "Tweedledee and Tweedledum."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">I fear that if he doesn't get behind Hillary soon, he will have the same alienating effect as did Ralph Nader in 2000, leading to the election of George W. Bush. If Sanders causes damage resulting in President Trump, it will be disastrous.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">My point is that it's now time for unity, at least among the Democrats, so that Bernie's supporters can start to (perhaps begrudgingly) coalesce around Hillary. So, my message to Bernie is the title of a film by Spike Lee (a Sanders supporter)...Do the Right Thing.</span></div>
<br />Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-8088360796739314512016-02-25T11:01:00.000-08:002016-02-27T21:22:37.405-08:00The 2016 Presidential Election<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As many of you know, I began my career working in electoral politics, but honestly, that was a long time ago, and aside from my avidly following US campaigns, I am no more qualified than you to comment on the 2016 election. So, after reading this, I honestly welcome your feedback.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">The Republicans</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Let me start that as a lifelong Democrat, I am continually baffled by which candidates wind up as the Republican nominees for President and Vice President. After all, how was John McCain, a decent man and long-term public servant, duped into selecting Sarah Palin as his running mate? And does anyone think that if the Romney/Ryan ticket were running now, they wouldn't have a better shot at winning than they did running against an incumbent Democrat in 2012--certainly a better shot than any of the current candidates?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But instead, we have the field now narrowed to five candidates, about whom I will write in inverse order of their current standing:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ben Carson:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Really? The guy must be smart, because he's an accomplished brain surgeon. So why has he seemed so stupid on the campaign trail? Fortunately, he's gone from being a front-runner to an afterthought.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">John Kasich:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> He's the greatest living symbol of the fact that the Republican Party has been hijacked by the Koch bothers and the Tea Party. If there's anyone in the race who truly represents traditional Republican values, it's Kasich, but nobody is voting for him.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ted Cruz</span></b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">: Whoever thought before now that amongst a field of candidates, he'd be considered reasonable? The man built his reputation being an ultra-right-wing firebrand. Yet, people are describing him as a "mainstream" alternative to Trump.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Marco Rubio</span></b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">: Am I the only one who thinks he looks, and acts, like a guy running for president of his high school student government? He's arguably the most extreme right-wing candidate on the ballot, and his experience level is very low. Does anyone remember how vehemently the Republicans berated Obama as being a "first-term senator?" Yet, Rubio is in the same boat, except that he's missed a higher percentage of Senate votes than anyone else currently holding that job.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Donald Trump</span></b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">: I don't think I've ever before agreed with Lindsey Graham, but how did this media clown become the presumptive nominee? And how must lifelong Republicans feel about the demise of their party in favor of hateful zealots?</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A lot of my liberal friends are hoping that Trump wins the nomination, because they feel he will definitely lose in November. I disagree. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Let's face it, you never know what will happen in a general election. Clinton and Sanders may take off the gloves to the point where the winner is bloodied and must regroup. I will address the Democrats shortly, but the thought of President Trump makes my skin crawl.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After all, this is the "Grand Old Party" (GOP)...the party of Abe Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Nelson Rockefeller, who would be considered a leftist by today's Republican standards. You'll notice I didn't mention Reagan, because I believe he started this movement toward the right that is leading to the party's demise. The candidates each claim to be the most "conservative," but that very word indicates being in favor or preserving the status quo, not turning back the clock. Historically, conservatives favor a reduction of excessive spending, including military spending, but that's not the case with any current Republicans.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I believe we need two parties--it makes us stronger--and it shouldn't be the Democrats vs. the Crazies or the Democrats vs. the Obstructionists. A strong Republican party is good for America, but the current version appears to have lost its bearings.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">The Democrats</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As an idealist, I appreciate what <b>Bernie Sanders</b> is saying, and as someone who struggles to pay his monthly bills, I agree that the system is rigged. In 1976, I was on the national staff of the Fred Harris for President campaign, and Fred's platform then ("a fundamental redistribution of wealth, income, and power") was similar to Sanders's today. However, that was a long time ago--before two or three corporations controlled every industry and the word "regulation" was seen as taboo.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What Bernie is advocating can't happen in four years or eight years, and if he tries to make it happen during that timespan, he could trigger a worldwide depression. In addition, his advocacy of free universal health care, free public college tuition, forgiving college debt, and enlarging Social Security, as great as they might sound, are hollow promises that cannot be adequately funded by increasing the income tax on the top one or two percent, especially when our budget deficit is already greater than $16 trillion.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">On top of that, Sanders is clearly out of his league when it comes to discussing foreign policy, and I'd worry about his temperament when facing down Vladimir Putin or Kim Jong-un. Of course, I'd enjoy seeing a Jewish president, but in Sanders, there are just too many question marks.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On the other hand, <b>Hillary Clinton</b>, for whatever reason, rubs many people the wrong way. Maybe, like Adlai Stevenson in the 50s, she's just too smart for most people, or maybe they just don't like it that a woman is that smart. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I find it humorous that someone with Clinton's progressive credentials and general success as Secretary of State could be seen by so many as too much of an "establishment" candidate.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I want to return to the "smart woman" issue. Just as there is an underlying current of racism in the opposition to Obama, there is a similar anti-woman current running beneath the anti-Clinton rhetoric. I can only wonder why major democracies and US allies like the UK, India, Germany, and Israel have all had female leaders while the US has never even had a woman as the presidential nominee of one of its major parties.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Joni (my wife) has told the story of speaking with her grandmother many years ago and asking about politics. Her grandmother responded that she couldn't always vote and Joni asked her why, surprised to learn that when her grandmother turned 21, women didn't have the right to vote.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As I get older, and remember campaigning alongside Gloria Steinem, Sissy Farenthold, LaDonna Harris, and Shirley Maclaine, it distresses me that many young women don't appreciate how hard it has been to get to this point, when a woman could be considered a front-runner in a US presidential contest. Of course those women should vote for the candidate who best represents their interests (as some say Sanders does), but who better than a qualified, experienced, progressive woman to represent positions including equal pay, gun control, and abortion rights, which are being restricted in state after state (if you don't believe that, watch the recent John Oliver show)?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">In Conclusion</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So, as you've probably guessed by now, my ideal contest would be Kasich (admittedly a longshot) vs. Clinton. I believe that would give us the best shot at an honest, issues-oriented debate between experienced candidates, and isn't that what we really deserve? In addition, whichever of those candidates were to win, it would not encourage me to move to Sweden, as a Trump presidency might.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-59195440307020056872016-02-22T13:35:00.000-08:002016-02-22T16:45:46.235-08:00Behind the Trump Numbers<span style="font-size: large;">If you listen to CNN and other news outlets covering the 2016 presidential primaries and caucuses, you could easily have the perception that there is a groundswell of support across the country for Donald Trump. So, let's take a minute to look behind those numbers:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Of the registered voters in the United States, approximately 25% are Republican, and another 40% are Independent. If we assume that half of the Independents are voting as Republicans, which is a stretch given Bernie Sanders's candidacy, then we will say that 45% of voters are picking up a Republican ballot.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">The news outlets have talked about "record turnouts," but those are records for primaries, and the highest of them has been around 40%.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">In the states where Trump has "won big," he's received about one third (33%) of the Republican votes.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, if my math serves me correctly, we're looking at 45% of 40% of 33%, which turns out to be less than 6%. In other words, in the states that have voted so far, less than 6% of all registered voters are picking Donald Trump for president.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, let's take it one step further and look at the specific states:</span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Iowa</b>, where nothing ever happens of any real interest to the rest of us.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>New Hampshire</b>, which, for political purposes, is the Arkansas of New England.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>South Carolina</b>, where they only recently removed the Confederate flag from the state capital.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nevada</b>, (where Trump is expected to win big), where most of the state revenue comes from gambling.</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It would be hard for anyone to claim that these four states represent the country. Let's face it, there isn't even a major professional sports franchise in any of them, and together, they account for about 4% of the national vote.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Even if Trump's momentum continues as it has into Super Tuesday next week, we're still talking about less than 6% of the registered voters in the United States. But the news outlets continue to report it like he's won the Super Bowl.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, as you go about voting and watching the primaries, please rest assured that no one has ever won the presidency by winning 6% of the registered voters. Even if you assume that only half of them will actually vote in the general election, then Trump is looking at 12% of the votes. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Unless he can seriously build on that base (at least quadrupling it), which is unlikely given the vehement anti-Trump sentiment, we can look forward to another Democratic victory in November.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-40824476793110142182016-02-21T09:12:00.000-08:002016-02-21T09:33:02.103-08:00Reid's 2016 Oscar Preview (2015 Movies)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As many of you know, each year, I write an Oscar Preview using a format from the Boston Globe in which critics preview the Academy Awards, using 4 categories:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will Win,” “Should Win,” “Shouldn’t Be Here,” and “Was Robbed,”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>following each with a paragraph about the races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> So, here is the preview for this year's contests:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Best Picture</span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Nominees:</b> "The Big Short," "Bridge of Spies," "Brooklyn," "Mad Max: Fury Road," "The Martian," "The Revenant," "Room," "Spotlight"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Will Win:</b> “Spotlight”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> “Spotlight”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> “Brooklyn”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Was Robbed:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Creed”<o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Creed" was the movie most hurt by this year's slight of African American artists by the Academy. It's the year's best movie, and it wasn't even nominated. My second favorite movie of 2015 was "Bridge of Spies," but I'm saying that "Spotlight," although slightly flawed, will win and should win because of the importance of its subject matter. People should see this movie, and an Oscar win would help that. "Brooklyn" was a good, little movie, but it's not Oscar-caliber.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Best Actor</u></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Nominees:</span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo1; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bryan Cranston in "Trumbo"</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo1; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Matt Damon in "The Martian"</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo1; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Revenant"</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo1; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Michael Fassbender in "Steve Jobs"</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo1; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Eddie Redmayne in "The Danish Girl"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Will Win: </b>Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Revenant"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> Bryan Cranston in "Trumbo"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> Michael Fassbender in "Steve Jobs"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Was Robbed:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Michael B. Jordan in "Creed"</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">DiCaprio did a great job in a physically difficult role, but he never really made me care about him as a person, while Cranston's portrayal of Dalton Trumbo was incredibly nuanced. Michael B. Jordan showed again that he's a star on the rise in his non-nominated role as the son of Apollo Creed from the "Rocky" movies, while Michael Fassbender's reading of Aaron Sorkin's overly wordy script seemed more like an acting workshop than an actual movie.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Best Actress</span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Nominees:</span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cate Blanchett in "Carol"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Brie Larson in "Room"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jennifer Lawrence in "Joy"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><o:p>Charlotte Rampling in "45 Years"</o:p></span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Saoirse Ronan in "Brooklyn"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Will Win: </b>Brie Larson in "Room"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> Brie Larson in "Room"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> Jennifer Lawrence in "Joy"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Was Robbed:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b>Charlize Theron in "Mad Max: Fury Road"</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><b></b><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The race for this award should be between Brie Larson and Charlize Theron, but absurdly, Theron was not nominated. Fortunately, Larson was, and she will deservedly win her first Oscar (I'm predicting more in her future).</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Best Director</span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Nominees:</span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lenny Abramson for "Room"</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Alejandro Iñárritu for "The Revenant"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tom McCarthy for "Spotlight"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Adam McKay for "The Big Short"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">George Miller for "Mad Max: Fury Road"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Will Win:</b> Alejandro Iñárritu for "The Revenant"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> George Miller for "Mad Max: Fury Road"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> Adam McKay for "The Big Short"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Was Robbed:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ryan Coogler for "Creed" and Steven Spielberg for "Bridge of Spies"</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Iñárritu will win for the difficult task it took to make "The Revenant," but George Miller's reimagining of the Mad Max franchise was visually breathtaking. Coogler suffered from the lack of nominations for African Americans, but after making "Fruitvale Station" and "Creed," I have a feeling he'll have more Oscar opportunities. And it's easy to overlook Spielberg, as the Academy often does, but this was one of his best movies.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Best Supporting Actor</span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Nominees:</span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Christian Bale in "The Big Short"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tom Hardy in "The Revenant"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mark Ruffalo in "Spotlight"</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">Mark Rylance in "Bridge of Spies"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sylvester Stallone in "Creed"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Will Win: </b>Sylvester Stallone in "Creed"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Should Win: </b>Sylvester Stallone in "Creed"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> none</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Was Robbed: </b>Idris Elba in "Beasts of No Nation" and O'Shea Jackson, Jr. in "Straight Outta Compton"</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's a shame that the only person nominated for an award in "Creed" was the only white person with a major role, but that's not to take away from Stallone's performance, which reminded us that despite all the action-film bluster, the guy can act. Aside from that, it's a good group of actors that could have benefitted from the addition of Idris Elba and/or O'Shea Jackson, Jr., who did an outstanding job playing his father (Ice Cube) in "Straight Outta Compton."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Best Supporting Actress</span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Nominees:</span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jennifer Jason Lee in "The Hateful Eight"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rooney Mara in "Carol"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rachel McAdams in "Spotlight"</span></span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Alicia Vikander in "The Danish Girl"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kate Winslet in "Steve Jobs"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Will Win:</b> Alicia Vikander in "The Danish Girl"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> Alicia Vikander in "The Danish Girl"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> Rachel McAdams in "Spotlight"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Was Robbed:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tessa Thompson in "Creed"</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Swedish actress Alicia Vikander was in four good movies this year, but this was her best role, and it was arguably better suited for the "Best Actress" category. Nevertheless, she nailed it, making the most of a difficult part. And while Rachel McAdams did a decent job, the role was somewhat inconsequential, especially compared to that of Tessa Thompson in "Creed."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Best Adapted Screenplay</u></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Nominees:</span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Charles Randolph and Adam McKay for "The Big Short"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nick Hornby for "Brooklyn"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Phyllis Nagy for "Carol"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Drew Goddard for "The Martian"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Emma Donaghue for "Room"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Will Win: </b>Emma Donaghue for "Room"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Should Win: </b>Emma Donaghue for "Room"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> Phyllis Nagy for "Carol"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Was Robbed:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Donald Margulies for "The End of the Tour"</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Any time you watch all of the actors do a great job, you have to give some of the credit to their lines, and that's the case with "Room." And while I barely remember the actors saying anything in "Carol," I loved the writing in "The End of the Tour."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Best Original Screenplay</u></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Nominees:</span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Matt Charman, Ethan Coen, and Joel Coen for "Bridge of Spies"</span></span></span></span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Alex Garland for "Ex Machina"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Peter Docter, Meg LeFauvre, and Josh Cooley for "Inside Out"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy for "Spotlight"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jonathan Herman for "Straight Outta Compton"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Will Win:</b> Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy for "Spotlight"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy for "Spotlight"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> Peter Docter, Meg LeFauvre, and Josh Cooley for "Inside Out"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Was Robbed: </b><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Amy Schumer for "Trainwreck"</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">This one should be close between "Spotlight" and "Bridge of Spies," but "Spotlight" has the momentum, so it will win. I thought the premise of "Inside Out" was intriguing, but the script itself was not so interesting. In the meantime, Amy Schumer redefined what you can and should say in a romantic comedy.</span></div>
Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-7880334581420666552015-12-31T20:30:00.000-08:002016-02-28T07:03:40.133-08:00The Best Movies of 2015<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2015 offered
viewers a lot of good movies from several countries.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Before I get started listing the ones I
liked, I should point out that I have not yet seen several films that were
either not released in Boston yet, were released very briefly, or have only
been available in a few, odd theaters.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Those films include (alphabetically): “Legend,” “Mustang,” “Son
of Saul,” and “45 Years.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Any of those movies might still make the
list, once I get to see them.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you know me and/or have read my list before, you probably
know a few things about my movie preferences:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My favorite movies have both a good plot and well-developed characters.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">
I don’t like movies about nasty people doing awful things to each other.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">
I enjoy movies that either entertain me and/or in some way uplift me.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">
I don’t watch a lot of animated films, although occasionally, one might make the list.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">
I don’t include documentaries on my list.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">
I tend to like films where the script is fresh and interesting.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">
I’m not invited to free movie screenings, nor do I get to meet the casts or directors.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">
I am not a film “critic,” and as such, I don’t write negative reviews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I respect most filmmakers for trying to produce their art, so if a well-known or well-regarded film is not listed above or below, it’s quite possible that I saw it but did not like it enough to recommend it.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, with that, below is my list of the Best Movies of 2015,
in inverse order.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Also, at the end, I’ll
provide a few awards that you won’t see at the Oscars.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">33.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Furious 7”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You may or may not enjoy the series of movies spawned by
“The Fast and the Furious,” but this is the seventh and best of those pictures,
made particularly poignant by the death, in a car crash, of one of the series
stars, Paul Walker, during the filming of this installment.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Directed by James Wan and written by Chris
Morgan and Gary Scott Thompson, This film stars Walker, Vin Diesel, Jason
Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Dwayne Johnson, Kurt Russell, and Gal
Gadot.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is a well-made,
well-thought-out action film that keeps you on the edge of your seat and ends
with a touching tribute to Walker.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">32.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Black Mass”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This film is directed by Scott Cooper and written by Mark Mallouk and Jez Butterworth </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">from a book by Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Featuring
a bunch of top-notch actors, it is the story of Whitey Bulger, the notorious
Boston gangster, and his lengthy and often unpleasant relationship with John
Connolly, the FBI agent who shielded much of Bulger’s nefarious
activities.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The reason to see this movie
is the excellent acting of Johnny Depp as Bulger and Joel Edgerton as
Connolly.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Also, if you’re from Boston
and worked in Massachusetts politics, as I did at that time, you might find this
film particularly interesting.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">31.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Mistress America”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m not always a fan of Noah Baumbach’s movies, but they are best when
they are quirky, and that’s a good way to describe this film.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Co-written by Baumbach and co-star Greta Gerwig,
the story involves a Barnard College freshman, played by Lola Kirke, who seeks
out and befriends her soon-to-be stepsister, played by Gerwig.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Both characters are peculiar and somewhat
needy, and their relationship leads to a series of unusual adventures,
culminating in the movie’s final scenes.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This enjoyable movie benefits from an excellent script and actors who
can deliver the quirky lines with a straight face.</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">30.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“The Danish Girl”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This is a good film that could have been better if director
Tom Hooper had not drawn out the pacing of the movie’s first half.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Nevertheless, it features outstanding acting
by Eddie Redmayne, playing an artist who is getting in touch with her
gender identity, and Alicia Vikander, as her wife.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This is an important film,
given the timely nature of the transgender movement, but it takes too long to
get to the well-crafted ending.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I
understand that this is realistic for many such characters, especially in the
1920s when this film is set, but as a movie, the slow pacing was starting to
get to me, until it picked up near the end.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written by Linda Coxon from the book by David Ebershoff, this movie also
benefits from excellent cinematography by Danny Cohen.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">29.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Spy”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written and directed by Paul Feig, this is Melissa McCarthy
at her best…not the raunchy, scene-stealing comedian, but rather an actress
playing a role in a comic movie.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Throughout most of this movie, McCarthy is actually the “straight man”
in a spoof of the kinds of spy movies we’ve seen since the 1960s.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The more comedic roles are actually played by
the likes of Jude Law and Jason Statham.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This is a surprisingly good movie that will definitely put a smile on
your face.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">28.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“The Gift”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Joel Edgerton wrote, directed, and co-starred in this creepy
film about a couple, played by Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall, who become
reacquainted with a character (played by Edgerton) from Bateman’s character’s
past.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">However, as the story moves along,
you begin to realize that not everything is as it seems, and bygones are not
always bygones.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This is a very
effective suspense movie, and Edgerton proves quite facile in his first, full-length
directing effort.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">27.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Testament of Youth”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Alicia Vikander (her name appears a lot on this list) stars
in this excellent film directed by James Kent and written by Juliet Towhidi
from a memoir written during and after World War I by Vera Brittain.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This is a look at war from a woman’s
perspective in an era before women could serve in the armed forces.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As such, it reflects a sensitivity that few
male-based war movies ever address.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">But
make no mistake... this is not a weepy, Hallmark endeavor. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Brittain (played by Vikander) is a strong,
intelligent woman who is just as involved in the war as any man in the movie,
yet without the bravado of her male counterparts.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">26.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Truth”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In 2004, CBS News aired a report about George W. Bush’s
military service, after following what seemed to be standard journalistic
procedures.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">However, the report was
never adequately verified, and the criticism it engendered eventually resulted
in the ends of several careers, including that of Dan Rather as anchor of the
CBS Evening News.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This movie, written
and directed by James Vanderbilt from a book by Mary Mapes, tells the story of
that report, the issues related to it, the overreaction to those issues, and
the subsequent fallout.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Starring Cate
Blanchett (as Mapes), Topher Grace, Dennis Quaid, Elisabeth Moss, and Robert
Redford (as Rather), this is a good film that demonstrates how “freedom of the
press” can cut both ways.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">25.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you’re old enough (like me) to remember the campy TV
series of the same name, or if you would like to see an alternative to the
recently introspective Bond films, this is for you.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Directed by Guy Ritchie from a screenplay by
Ritchie and Lionel Wigram, this fast-paced film features Henry Cavill, Armie
Hammer, and Alicia Vikander.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Typical of
Ritchie’s films, the script is tongue-in-cheek, and some of the scenes are
downright comical.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In other words, it’s
just plain fun.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">While Hammer is not as
good as David McCallum as Illya Kuryakin, Cavill’s Napoleon Solo is equal to
that of Robert Vaughn, and Vikander (there she is again) is much more than eye
candy.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
24. “Our Brand is Crisis”</h3>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton star in this tale, based on a true story of competing political strategists involved in the Bolivian presidential election.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written by Peter Straughan and directed by David Gordon Green, this is mostly about the loss of idealism that eventually happens to someone who chooses politics as his or her life’s work.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I realize that my views of this movie are influenced by my earlier life as a political operative, but the film, although occasionally over the top, generally rings true, especially as it relates to how people who often begin by wanting to help mankind can get to the point where their lives are measured by election results.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It becomes particularly relevant as we watch this year’s crop of US presidential candidates wind its way through the primaries and general election.</span><br />
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
23. “The Revenant”</h3>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This film is beautifully photographed and well acted, especially by Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy. However, the direction by Alejandro Iñárritu was at times very ponderous, and the film time could have been reduced considerably. Written by Iñárritu and Mark L. Smith from a book by Michael Punke, it tells a powerful story about how people (and animals) are driven by caring for their offspring and how the will to survive can be extraordinarily strong, given the right motivation.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
22. “Straight Outta Compton”</h3>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Directed by F. Gary Gray from a script by Jonathan Herman and Andrea Berloff, this movie tells the story of the early days of the rap band N.W.A., which included Eazy E (Eric Wright, played by Jason Mitchell), Dr. Dre (Andre Young, played by Corey Hawkins), and Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson, played by his son, O'Shea Jackson, Jr.). The film paints a gritty, realistic picture of what life was like for these young men growing up in the Los Angeles area and how those experiences were reflected in their music and affected their outlooks and views. With a major supporting role played by Paul Giamatti, this is a powerful movie that can at times be difficult to watch because of the violence it portrays.</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">21.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Brooklyn”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written by Nick Hornby from a book by Colm Toibin, this
movie is about a young, Irish immigrant, played by Saoirse Ronan, who arrives
in America, lives in Brooklyn, and has to navigate the difficult transition
with the help of a few characters whom she encounters, including a new, Italian
boyfriend, played by Emory Cohen.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As the
film progresses, she has to return to Ireland, where she faces decisions
regarding her future.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Deftly directed by
John Crowley, this is a small movie that paints an excellent picture of the
kinds of crises and decisions often faced by those who drastically change their
situations.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">20.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Suffragette”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written by Abi Morgan and directed by Sarah Gavron, this
movie tells the stories of a few of the women who were active in the women’s
suffrage movement in England in the 1920s.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The movement would eventually lead to British women earning the right
to vote, but not before the group performed several violent acts, with many of
its members being jailed.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Starring Carey
Mulligan, Anne-Marie Duff, and Helena Bonham Carter, the film is less concerned
with the big picture and focuses more on individual women who took a stand and how
those activities affected their personal lives.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Those stories are told expertly and with care in this film.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">19.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Goodnight Mommy”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This is a very disturbing German film about twin brothers
and their relationship with their mother after she returns from facial
reconstruction surgery.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m not sure if
you’d call it suspense, horror, or just weird, but it continually surprises
you, and just when you think you have it figured out, you realize you are
wrong.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written and directed by </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Severin Fiala</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
and </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Veronika
Franz</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> and released in Germany in 2014, this film stars </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Susanne Wuest</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
as the mother and </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lukas </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">and
</span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Elias Schwarz</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
as the twins.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you are squeamish, you
may want to pass on this one, but if you like a good, unusual brand of
uncomfortable suspense, you can likely find it on streaming video.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">18.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Assassination”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This should not be confused with the Chinese film named “The
Assassin.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Rather, it is a Korean action
film that takes place in 1933 during Japan’s occupation of Korea.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In it, a group of freedom fighters attempt to
assassinate several prominent Japanese leaders and their Korean
co-conspirators.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">What ensues are several
individuals and groups who continually cross paths, leading to an eventual
climactic ending.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Although occasionally
confusing, especially with subtitles, this is a wonderful film directed by </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dong-hoon Choi </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">and written by Choi and </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ki-Cheol Lee</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">17.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“The End of the Tour”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you like interesting and introspective dialogue, this is
a film for you.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Directed by </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">James Ponsoldt</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
and written by </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Donal</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">d Margulies from a book by </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">David Lipsky</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">,
it focuses on Lipsky, a Rolling Stone journalist played by Jesse Eisenberg, and
the five-day interview/road trip he conducted with novelist David Foster
Wallace, played by Jason Segel, after the publication of Wallace’s masterpiece,
</span><u><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Infinite Jest</span></u><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> in 1996.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s a
rare look into the mind of a tortured genius, and in watching it, you really
feel a part of something special.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">16.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you like the Star Wars trilogy—the original three movies,
not the last three aberrations—you will enjoy this movie, which takes place 30
years after “Return of the Jedi.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Writers Lawrence Kasdan, J.J. Abrams, and Michael Arndt, and director
Abrams capture the best elements of what made the trilogy so special.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Aided by members of the original cast,
including Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, this sequel adds new characters
played by Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Adam Driver.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The result is the kind of movie fun we don’t
often get to have.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">15.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Phoenix”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A German film set in post-WWII Germany, this tells the story
of a Holocaust survivor, played by Nina Hoss, whose face is disfigured by the
Nazis and who undergoes facial reconstruction surgery that changes her
appearance to the point where people, including her husband, don’t recognize
her.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This gives her an opportunity to
explore what really happened to her during the war that led to her arrest and
internment.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Expertly directed by </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Christian Petzold</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
and written by Petzold and Harun Farocki from a book by Hubert Monteilhet, this
is a smart movie that keeps you guessing while painting a realistic and
disturbing picture of Germany before, during, and after the war.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">14.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Ex Machina”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The brainchild of writer/director Alex Garland, this is an
intriguing and captivating film about our fascination with artificial
intelligence and the eventual possibilities of that branch of modern
science.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Starring Domnhall Gleeson,
Oscar Isaac, and Alicia Vikander (there she is again), this is an odd,
intelligent, cat-and-mouse film that keeps you guessing as to who’s the cat and
who’s the mouse.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Vikander plays the
sexiest robot ever, who has interestingly difficult relationships with both of
the male robotics experts.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">13.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Dope”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You never know where this wild ride of a movie will take you
next, but it’s a blast to find out.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
film’s protagonist is played by </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Shameik Moore</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">He and his two geeky friends, played by </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tony Revolori</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
and </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Kiersey
Clemons</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">, begin as the victims of the movie but eventually take
matters into their own hands.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written
and directed by </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Rick Famuyiwa</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">,
this is a fun romp reminiscent of 80s movies like “Risky Business,” “After
Hours,” and “Something Wild,” in which you encounter a series of odd situations
and characters that all lead to a memorable conclusion.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">12.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“The Walk”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you are even somewhat acrophobic (afraid of heights), you
should probably avoid this movie.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m
generally OK with heights, and I still found myself leaning back in my chair so
I wouldn’t fall off of the World Trade Center.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Oh, I forgot to mention that it’s the true story of Philippe Petit
(played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who, in 1974, stretched a wire across the two
towers and crossed it, performing several difficult maneuvers in the
process.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Directed by Robert Zemeckis and
written by Christopher Browne from Petit’s own memoir, this movie could easily
have been boring, except that Zemeckis decided to construct it like a heist
caper, retracing the steps and difficulties that led to Petit’s interest in and
planning for what he referred to as “the coup.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The result is a wonderful movie that keeps you involved, if not
necessarily on the edge of your seat.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">11.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Southpaw”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">One of two boxing movies on this list, Southpaw is about a
left-handed boxer, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, whose life is turned upside down
and seeks redemption by training at a small gym, whose owner, played by Forest
Whitaker, is battling demons of his own.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written by Kurt Sutter and directed by Antoine Fuqua, this movie is less
about boxing and more about the loss and revival of hope, which also happens to
be the lead character’s last name.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This
is a very well-directed and well-acted movie that somehow got overlooked when
it was released earlier this year.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
good news is that it’s easy to find on pay-per-view, streaming video, or other
sources.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">10.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Paper Towns”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Scott
Neustadter</span></span><span style="color: #136cb2; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">and Michael H. Weber last year wrote the lovely but
depressing, “The Fault in Our Stars.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This year, they followed that up with the screenplay for Paper Towns,
which was directed by Jake Schreier.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It
is a delightful coming-of-age movie starring Nat Wolff as a follow-the-rules
teenager who has been in love for years with his break-the-rules neighbor,
played by Cara Delevigne.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Although
they’ve drifted apart, he becomes her accomplice for a night of activities that
reunites them briefly and reignites his passion for her.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I won’t say any more so as not to give away
the plot, but this is just a nice, tender movie that effectively explores the
frailty of youth.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">9.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Trumbo”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This film, directed by Jay Roach and written by John
McNamara from a book by Bruce Cook, explores the difficulties faced by
screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who wrote many of Hollywood’s best films in the
30s, 40s, 50, and 60s, as well as several of his colleagues, as they were
hounded for being Communists by the House Un-American Affairs Committee.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> The lead character is e</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">xpertly portrayed by Bryan Cranston, and the
audience has the good fortune to watch an actor at the height of his craft
portraying a man who was jailed and blacklisted for merely expressing his
beliefs, and the ill effects that persecution had on his wife (played by Diane
Lane), family, and friends.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Also
starring Helen Mirren as the red-baiting gossip columnist, Hedda Hopper, this
movie is more than a historical touchstone…it is a warning for what still can
happen when we allow government to go awry.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">8.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“The Big Short”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Directed by Adam McKay from a script by McKay and Charles
Randolph, this is based on a book by Michael Lewis about the sub-prime mortgage
crisis that caused the recession of 2009.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">That sounds boring, and the film recognizes it, so every time something
technical has to be explained, McKay uses a celebrity to explain it—someone
like Margot Robbie taking a bubble bath.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s a great vehicle, and a lot of McKay’s directorial touches work, but
the real star is the script, which addresses the incestuous nature of the
relationship between the banks, the financial rating companies, and the
regulatory agencies, which encouraged and thrived on fraud.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Starring Steve Carell, Christian Bale, Ryan
Gosling, Brad Pitt, and John Magaro, this is a sort of comedy, but the subject
matter is so depressing that you feel guilty for laughing.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Nevertheless, it should be required viewing
for all Americans.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">7.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Trainwreck”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Easily the year’s funniest movie, Amy Schumer wrote and
starred in this (gulp) romantic comedy about a woman who was raised to eschew
commitments, thereby causing her to embark on a love life that is essentially a
series of one-night stands.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Then, she
meets a man played by Bill Hader, and things start to change.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This may sound like a common plot, except
when done by Schumer and director Judd Apatow, it transcends the genre.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">There is some raunchiness, so I wouldn’t
bring the kids to see it, but one of the other aspects that make this film so
unusual is the supporting cast, which includes Brie Larson, Colin Quinn, Tilda
Swinton, Daniel Radcliffe, Marisa Tomei, and LeBron James, playing himself, but
in a fairly large role.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Schumer’s script
is fresh, interesting, and very funny, and Apatow’s direction brings it to
life.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">6.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“The Martian”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">According to my friend Marcia Smith, my go-to expert on
anything related to outer space, Andy Weir’s book is somewhat accurate from a
scientific perspective, even though Weir is not a scientist.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The script is by Drew Goddard, who is not, to
my knowledge, related to rocket pioneer Robert Goddard, and the director is
Ridley Scott, who has made several other interplanetary movies including
“Alien” and “Prometheus.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">They combine
their efforts with an excellent cast including Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain,
Jeff Daniels, and Kristen Wiig, to make a movie about an astronaut (played by
Damon) who is left to survive by himself on Mars.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">No, this isn’t a David Bowie song or a sequel
to “Cast Away;” rather, it’s about a man surviving in a hostile environment
while a team of scientists searches for a way to bring him home.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is at times riveting, enlightening, and generally
entertaining.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">5.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Mad Max: Fury Road”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">George Miller first created Mad Max in 1979, and in three
movies, the post-apocalyptic title character was played by Mel Gibson.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Each of those movies was interesting,
although rarely subtle, but the last of them was “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome”
in 1985.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is thirty years later, and
Miller has made and released another Mad Max movie, subtitled “Fury Road.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Co-written by Miller, Brendan McCarthy and
Nico Lathouris, this one casts Tom Hardy in the title role, but the real star
is Charlize Theron, as Imperator Furiosa who is attempting to free a group of
women who serve as “breeders” for the resident dictator and escort them to a
presumed paradise known as the “Green Place.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The odd and wonderful thing about this movie is that amidst all of its
war, hatred, and noise, the most powerful aspects are the pain, loneliness, and
commitment reflected in Theron’s face.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">With few words, she commands the screen as few actresses can.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Of course, when you’re not looking at her
face, you may also notice that the cinematography by John Seale and the special
effects are far more beautiful and fully recognized than anything Miller could
have done in the 80s.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you can stand
the ultraviolence of some of the scenes, you may be impressed with how Miller
has eschewed typical gender roles in making a movie that at times, is visually
and emotionally gratifying.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">4.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Room”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You might think that a film in which the first half features
a mother and son who are held captive in a single room for years would be
boring and tremendously depressing, and with less talented people involved, it
very well could have been.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Quite to
the contrary, this movie shows how through love and communication, people can
transcend the worst of circumstances.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In
fact, as the movie illustrates, dealing with societal norms and expectations
can be its own form of captivity.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Before
I saw this movie, I didn’t imagine that it could be nearly as good as it is,
but director Lenny Abramson has taken Emma Donoghue’s words and given them to
Brie Larson, who may be the most talented actress of her generation.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Add to that the otherworldly performance of
young Jacob Tremblay and the outstanding acting of Joan Allen and you leave the
theater wanting a sequel so you can follow the lives of these interesting and
complex characters.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">3.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Spotlight”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Growing up in Massachusetts, I remember hearing stories from
my Catholic friends about the occasional priest who viewed his vows of celibacy
with the same degree of commitment that most Boston drivers view red
lights.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And once in a while, someone
would make a reference to a “father” who liked his altar boys “a little too
much.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">But those were jokes, and none of
us had any idea that the church was systematically condoning pedophilia and
rape.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In 2001, all of that changed when
the Boston Globe published a series of articles concerning priests abusing
children and the Catholic church covering it up.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Little did we know at the time, but we
subsequently learned that this was a worldwide problem that was systematically hidden
by the Vatican’s emissaries.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Spotlight”
is the story of how those articles came to light.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Directed by Tom McCarthy from a script by
McCarthy and Josh Singer, this is a powerful movie about the journalistic
process and how society can exert pressure to undermine that process.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Its cast includes Michael Keaton,
Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, and Brian d’Arcy
James.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">When I worked on political campaigns in the
early 80s, I remember meeting and being impressed by a young reporter named Walter
V. Robinson (who was played by Michael Keaton), and I can only imagine the pain
he felt uncovering this story.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I wish
the movie had spent a little more time examining the emotional turmoil that he
and his colleagues must have endured, but that’s a minor critique of an
otherwise excellent film.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">2.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Bridge of Spies”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m not sure why the critics routinely dismiss movies made
by Steven Spielberg, but this is an excellent movie and I’ve yet to meet a real
person who saw it and does not agree with that assessment.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written by Matt Charman and the Coen brothers
(Joel and Ethan), this contains great examples of all of the elements of a
top-notch movie—plot, script, acting, cinematography, score, and an outstanding
attention to detail in reconstructing a set and mood that perfectly conveyed
the US, Germany, and Russia in the early 1960s.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The movie centers around the downing of a US spy plane flown by Francis
Gary Powers (played by Austin Stowell) and the prisoner swap on the Glienicke
Bridge in Germany in which Powers was returned in exchange for Soviet KGB
Colonel Vilyam Fisher (aka Rudolf Ivanovich Abel, played by Mark Rylance) who
had been imprisoned for five years in Atlanta.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The unlikely arbiter of this exchange was a lawyer named </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">James</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
B. Donovan, who is played by Tom Hanks.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Spielberg painstakingly recreates the atmosphere of the Cold War and the
construction of the Berlin Wall.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Hanks
displays the pressure that Donovan felt, the disdain with which he was
originally treated by many Americans for defending Abel (a task he was asked to
take on by the US government), and the courage required to insist that the swap
include American student Frederic Pryor (played by Will Rogers).</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As well as being technically superb, the
movie conveys the intelligence and tension that was involved with such an
undertaking.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">1.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Creed”</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve encountered several people who think of this movie as
“Rocky VII,” and as such, they won’t see it.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">But the truth is that it was made by the director (Ryan Coogler) and
actor (Michael B. Jordan) responsible for the excellent 2013 film, “Fruitvale
Station.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Co-written by Coogler and Aaron
Covington, it tells the story of the illegitimate son of Apollo Creed (played
by Carl Weathers in the early Rocky films) and his quest to become a better
fighter and a better person.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Named
Adonis Johnson, Jordan’s character leaves his stepmother (played by Phylicia
Rashad) in Los Angeles and moves to Philadelphia to enlist the help of his
father’s prior opponent and eventual best friend, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester
Stallone).</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">There, he meets a beautiful
performance artist, played expertly by Tessa Thompson, with whom he develops a
complex and uneven relationship.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">After
all of Stallone’s crappy action films, it’s easy to forget that he can act, but
here he reminds us in a performance likely to garner an Oscar nomination.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The whole of this movie is much greater than
the sum of its parts. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s not an
important movie like some of the others on this list, but it’s a really good
one, about achieving redemption and finding out who you are despite everyone
else’s expectations.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In making this excellent
and enjoyable film, Coogler and Jordan once again demonstrate that they are
worthy of attention in today’s cinematic world.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, that’s my list today.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It may change tomorrow, which is the beauty of posting it on a blog.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Please let me know if there are other movies
you feel belong on this list.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Reid Awards</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And now, for the first time, I will present awards based entirely
on criteria that only I understand:</span></div>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Breakout
Actress of the Year</b>: If you’ve read the reviews above, this award will be
obvious, as I present it to 27-year-old <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Alicia
Vikander</b>, the Swedish actress with the beautiful face and the talent to
match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had starring or major roles
in four of the movies on my list (“The Danish Girl,” “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,”
“Testament of Youth,” and “Ex Machina”) and I can only imagine how many film
offers she’s received since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can
certainly look forward to seeing her for some time.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Jimmy
Stewart Award for Best Actor of My Generation</b>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve always thought that James Stewart was the
best film actor of all time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could
play the everyman (as in “It’s a Wonderful Life”), the guy under enormous
stress (“The Man Who Knew Too Much”), the off-kilter fellow (“Harvey”) or the
Western hero (“The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he did it without a lot of makeup or even
seeming like he was acting at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So,
it takes a special actor to live up to that legacy, and I’m giving the award to
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tom Hanks</b>, who has expertly played
diverse roles in movies including “Big,” “Sleepless in Seattle,”
“Philadelphia,” “Apollo 13,” “Toy Story,” “Forrest Gump,” “Saving Private
Ryan,” “Captain Phillips,” “Saving Mr. Banks,” and “Bridge of Spies.”</div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The
Future Meryl Streep Award for Best Young Actress</b>: I first noticed Meryl
Street in “Julia” (1977), and after that in “The Deer Hunter” (1978) and
“Manhattan,” (1978).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess everyone
else did too because they’ve been piling much-deserved accolades on her ever
since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few years ago, I started
noticing a young actress named <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Brie
Larson</b>, who had jumped from TV into movies like “Scott Pilgrim vs. the
World” (2011) and “The Spectacular Now” (2013).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But her breakout role was in last year’s “Short Term 12,” and that was
followed this year by “Room.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a
feeling we’ll be showering multiple accolades on Ms. Larson throughout her
career.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Best
Comedy Written by a Comedian</b>: I’m not sure why the studios don’t go out an
hire really talented comedians to write all of the new comedies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, they know what makes people laugh,
as is evidenced by the writing success of Tina Fey in movies like the
incredible “Mean Girls,” or Jenny Slate, who wrote and starred in last year’s
“Obvious Child.” Anyhow, I present the first such award to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Trainwreck,”</b> which was brilliantly written by the amazingly funny
Amy Schumer.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Young
Dustin Hoffman Award</b>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a very
specific award, which I am giving to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Nat
Wolff</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dare you to watch Paper
Towns and not think about Hoffman in “The Graduate.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He may even have the acting chops to
eventually develop into his generation’s version of the “Rain Man.”</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Not-So-Cute
Child Actors Award</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember when
child actors had to be either cute or precocious, but rarely acted like real children
in difficult situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is no
longer the case, and I present this award to three young actors…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jacob Tremblay</b>, who was outstanding in “Room,”
and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Lukas </span>and
<span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Elias Schwarz</span></b>,
the twins in “Goodnight Mommy.”</div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Most Obnoxious
Use of a Star’s Name to Advertise a Movie</b>: OK, so this is a kind of snarky
award because I kept seeing ads everywhere for “Suffragette,” starring Carey
Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Meryl
Streep</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I saw the movie and
realized that Streep’s role amounts to two tiny scenes in which she was
supposed be playing Emmeline Pankhurst but seemed more like Julia Child in
1920’s garb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This wasn’t an important
role like Judi Dench’s eight-minute Oscar-winner in “Shakespeare in Love,” so the
studio’s advertising her as a star is clearly misleading and obnoxious. </div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-15102942295117032842015-12-10T07:33:00.000-08:002015-12-17T07:24:31.154-08:00The Best Albums of 2015<div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I occasionally encounter fellow boomers who complain about
the sad state of music today, but when I ask them about the bases of their
opinions, they inevitably refer to the pop garbage that’s played on TV and
commercial radio.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The truth is that back
in the 60s and 70s, there was also plenty of pop garbage (anyone remember the
1910 Fruitgum Company?), but it was a little easier to find the good stuff
because there were about 90% fewer recording artists.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, if you want to hear good music and are willing to look
for it, there is much to be found.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hopefully, this list will help you to find some of it, although your
tastes may indeed be different from mine.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Toward that point, here is my annual disclaimer: </span></div>
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I generally favor alternative rock,
R&B/soul, indie rock, singer-songwriters, and inventive pop music.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I tend to like music that is up-front, rather
than hidden by layers of production. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some of the songs on these albums have explicit
lyrics.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That’s just part of rock & roll, but I apologize in advance for any offense you might take.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally, I’m just a guy who likes music and pays
for it like everyone else.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nobody pays
me to do this, sends me free samples, or wants me to meet the artists.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As a result, my reviews are not colored by
what the record companies or PR mavens want me to say.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s just my opinion, and I invite you to
agree or disagree…that’s what’s so great about music.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Observations about this year include:</span></div>
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are more individual, female artists than
ever, as well as female lead singers of bands.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Major sources of new and interesting artists are
Canada and Australia, which seem to be producing a lot of artists willing to
stretch the boundaries of popular music.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">15 albums out of the 60 reviewed (25%) are the
first, full-length albums by their respective artists.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Unlike last year, when I put 123 albums on this list, this
year, there were 82 albums that I really liked, and I have</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">numbered and described the top 60 and listed
the others as “Honorable Mention.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
numbering is somewhat random, because on any given day, I might want to hear
one album ahead of another, and each of the “Honorable Mention” albums were
really good, and could easily have made the top 60.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">People often ask me, “How can you listen to so many albums
to compile this list?”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, to answer
that question, here is the process I use:</span></div>
<ol style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: decimal;">
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Each week, I open iTunes and see what has been
released.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also check with Rolling
Stone and other publications. I generally ignore singles and EPs, and wait for
complete albums.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If there’s an album in which I might be
interested (due to the artist, producer, genre, etc.), I play snippets of the
songs from that album to see if it’s something I might like.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If I like the snippets, I download 2-3 songs and
listen to them.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If I like those, I’ll
check the album again on iTunes (you can play a minute or so of each song) to
see what other songs I might like from that album, and I download all the songs
I like (most albums have a few songs that are not worth having).</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I listen to these albums at night or when I’m
driving (my car has a 700 Watt system with a 12-inch subwoofer).</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the end of the year approaches, I check with
several sources to see if there are well-received albums I may have missed, and
if so, I repeat steps 1-4 related to those albums.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once I’ve downloaded and listened to all of the albums/songs from the year, I make a playlist of the best of those albums, in
alphabetical order by artist.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I make another playlist with those same albums,
trying to determine a ranking for them, based on the qualities I then describe
below.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I say, the rankings merely
represent my feelings at the time of the writing and have no scientific basis.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In writing the synopses below, I may not know
much about an artist or I’ve forgotten key info, in which case I check the
website for that artist as well as other sites like Wikipedia.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, here is the product of
that process, in ascending order:</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">60.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
Airborne Toxic Event, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs of God and
Whiskey</span></b></i></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This LA-based quintet actually released two
albums in 2015, but this one, their fifth, was the better of the two because
the sound is more stripped-down while presenting a different more
accessible version of a band I’ve enjoyed since their 2011 debut.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Change and Change and Change
and Change,” “The Lines of the Cars,” and “Strangers.” </span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">59.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Meg
Myers, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sorry</span></b></i></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tennessee-based Meg Myers combines a variety
of style and influences, on her first full-length album, to expand the
singer-songwriter genre by using alternative rock/techno beats and interesting
soundscapes.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Sorry,” “Lemon
Eyes,” and “The Morning After.”</span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
</span>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
</span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">58.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Torres,
</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sprinter</span></b></i></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Georgia-based Mackenzie Scott records under
the name Torres.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Clearly influenced by
Muse, her unusual brand of rock is thoughtful and inventive.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is her third album, and it includes “Strange
Hellos,” “Sprinter” and “The Exchange.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">57.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Joanna
Newsom, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Divers</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hailing from Nevada, Newsom’s primary
instrument is the harp, but on this, her fourth album, she includes other
instruments to combine with her flighty voice to make for a very unusual set of
songs including “Sapokanikan,” “Leaving the City” and “Divers.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">56.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Matt
and Kim, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">New Glow</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There’s not a lot of artists in the genre of
"alternative dance," but this is one of them. Among the bands coming out of
Brooklyn in the mid-00s, Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino use electro-dance beats
on this, their fifth album.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs
include “Hey Now,” “Hoodie On,” and “Get It.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">55.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">James
Bay, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chaos and the Calm</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Soon after his first single, “Hold Back the
River,” went platinum, English artist James Bay released this debut album,
which has been nominated for three Grammy Awards.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His beautifully expressive voice does justice
to his tender lyrics on songs like “Hold Back the River,” “Let It Go,” and “Wait
in Line.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">54.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
Mountain Goats, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Beat the Champ</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">North Carolina-based John Darnielle is the
driving force behind this band, which has recorded 15 albums since 1994. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Darnielle’s distinctive voice and outstanding
songwriting continue to produce excellent music, such as “The Legend of Chavo
Guerrero,” “Foreign Object” and “Heel Turn 2.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">53.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rob
Thomas, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Great Unknown</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The former Matchbox Twenty front man from
Florida and South Carolina, Thomas has had a prolific career including three
solo albums and several duets, the most famous being his outstanding vocal on
Santana’s “Smooth.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This album combines
his usual upbeat pop on songs like “I Think We'd Feel Good Together” with
softer, more sensitive songs like “Hold On Forever” and “Pieces.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">52.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Owl
City, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mobile Orchestra</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Minnesota-based Adam Young performs his
infectious pop under the name Owl City.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is his fifth album, and he has brought in friends including Aloe
Blacc, Hanson, and Britt Nicole on songs including “Verge,” “Unbelievable,” and
“You’re Not Alone.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">51.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wilco,
</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Star Wars</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was very happy when Wilco’s ninth studio
album was initially released as a free download on iTunes (that offer has
passed).</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Chicago-based band has
changed a great deal since founded as an alt country band by Jeff Tweedy in
1994, and only Tweedy and John Stirratt remain.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In addition, it would be a stretch to refer to this as a country album,
which is probably why I like it.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs
include “Ekg,” “Random Name Generator,” and “King of You.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">50.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tobias
Jesso, Jr., </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goon</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Formerly the bassist
for The Sessions, this is the first album from this Vancouver-based artist, and
it displays great songwriting, musical skills, and an uncommon level of
subtlety. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Can't Stop
Thinking About You,” “How Could You Babe,” and “Leaving LA.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">49.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Martin
Courtney, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Many Moons</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first solo album from the New Jersey
native and front man for Real Estate, this is a delightful collection of
well-written songs that feel like they were released in the 70s by the band
America.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Those songs include “Awake,”
“Vestiges” and “Northern Highway.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">48.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
Weeknd, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Beauty Behind the Madness</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Weeknd
is the stage name of Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, the Toronto-based singer-producer
whose tenor voice and musical skills place him at the forefront of modern
R&B/Soul.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> This is his third album, and s</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ongs include “Can’t Feel
My Face,” “In the Night,” and “Prisoner.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">47.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fences,
</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lesser Oceans</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is one of my favorite albums to review
for reasons I will soon divulge.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
primary driver behind the band is Christopher Mansfield, originally from
Brockton, MA, but now living in Seattle, where he was discovered by Sara Quin
of Tegan and Sara, as well as by Macklemore.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mansfield put together the quartet, including guitarist Benjamin
Greenspan, who is from Newton, MA and whom I’ve known since he was a friend of
my son in the early 90s.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ben’s always
been a good person, and I’m very happy for his success and how good this album
really is.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But judge for yourself by
listening to songs like “Songs About Angels,” “Arrows,” and “Sunburns.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">46.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We
the Kings, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Strange Love</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The sixth album by this Florida-based
pop-rock quintet is more upbeat and better produced than some of their previous
efforts.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It includes toe-tapping numbers
like “Love Again” and “XO,” as well as the beautiful “Jenny’s Song.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">45.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Leon
Bridges, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Coming Home</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The debut
album from Texas-based Leon Bridges</span></span><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> (born </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Todd Michael Bridges) sounds like vintage Sam
Cooke—which is saying a lot (I love Sam Cooke’s music).</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Coming Home,” “Better Man,”
and “Lisa Sawyer.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">44.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bea
Miller, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not an Apology</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I first noticed Bea Miller in 2012 as a
13-year-old contestant on The X Factor.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She was good then, but she’s gotten much better, as this debut album
proves.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Her voice is pure and breathy,
and although some of her music is too pop-oriented, that’s to be expected for
her age.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nevertheless, her talent is
undeniable on songs like “Young Blood,” “Perfect Picture,” and the delightful
“Force of Nature.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">43.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Courtney
Barnett, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes I Sit and Think, and
Sometimes I Just Sit</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Aside from having the best album title, this
debut album from the Australian singer-songwriter shows off her outstanding
rock sensibilities and intelligent lyrics.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Pedestrian At Best,” “Depreston,” and “Nobody Really
Cares If You Don't Go to the Party.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">42.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jess
Glynne, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I Cry When I Laugh</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The debut album from this English
singer-songwriter shows remarkable depth and quality, and sounds at times like
an upbeat version of Adele.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs
include “Gave Me Something,” “Hold My Hand,” and “No Rights No Wrongs.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">41.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">King
Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Paper
Mâché Dream Balloon</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first full-length album from this
Australian septet sounds at times like the Beatles in their psychedelic
phase.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The songs are fun and inviting,
including “Sense,” “Bone,” and “Paper Mâché Dream Balloon.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">40.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jeffrey
Lewis, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Manhattan</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s hard to listen to Jeffrey Lewis without
thinking about more experienced artists like Leonard Cohen and John Darnielle,
but you can’t dismiss the outstanding lyrics of this artist, who also draws a
comic book series named “Fuff.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This
album is about his hometown—Manhattan.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Back to Manhattan,” “Outta Town,” and “Support Tours.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">39.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Joe
Jackson, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fast Forward</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Back when I listened to what was then called
New Wave music, I first heard “Is She Really Going Out With Him,” and instantly
became a Joe Jackson fan.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That was 1979,
and a lot of artists have come and gone; although Jackson recorded 18 albums
during that time, his relevance was very limited.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But with this, his 19th</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> album, Joe
Jackson has put together an excellent collection of songs that reflect his
wisdom and continued musical talents.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Those songs include “Fast Forward,” “The Blue Time,” and “Ode to Joy.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">38.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kehlani, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You Should Be Here</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kehlani
Parrish overcame a difficult childhood to record her first album last year at
the age of 20.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This, her second album,
is a more complete effort, assisted by several, well-known, hip hop artists,
and her clear, beautiful voice shines on songs including “Jealous,” “Down For
You,” and “Alive.” </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">37.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Josh Ritter, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sermon on the Rocks</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On this, Ritter’s eighth album, it is clear
why he’s considered one of the greatest living songwriters.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As usual, his songs are smart and eminently
listenable, combining styles and genres in a way that few artists are able to
do.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Getting Ready to Get
Down,” “Where the Night Goes,” and “Homecoming.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">36.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Front Bottoms, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Back on Top</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Brian Sella is the leader of this
multi-talented New Jersey-based quartet, which seems to get better with each of
their five studio albums.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Their stoner
affect and general irreverence masks some superb songwriting.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Cough It Out,” “Laugh Till I
Cry,” and “The Plan.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">35.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bobby Caldwell and Jack Splash,
</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cool Uncle</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This
represents the first teaming of 64-year-old, New York-based Bobby Caldwell and
Jack Splash, who’s known mostly as a producer.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On this album, they enlist the help of other artists like Mayer
Hawthorne and Deniece Williams, to develop an album that could have come from
the 70s (except the production is better).</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Game Over,” “Breaking Up,” and “Break Away.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">34.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Robben Ford, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Into the Sun</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Generally considered one of the world’s best
guitarists, Robben Ford has released 17 solo albums and at least as many as a
member of one group or another.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here, he
demonstrates his mastery with the help of a number of friends including Keb Mo,
Robert Randolph, ZZ Ward, and Warren Haynes on songs including “Justified,”
“Breath of Me,” and “High Heels and Throwing Things.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">33.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Natalie Prass, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Natalie Prass</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Virginia-based Natalie Prass released her
debut album in 2015, to critical acclaim for her interesting use of a wide
range of instruments and introspective lyrics.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Bird of Prey,” “Why Don't You Believe In Me,” and “It is
You.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">32.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sufjan
Stevens, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Carrie and Lowell</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the best indie artists since 2000,
Stevens has released seven albums, but none is more heartfelt than this one, a
quietly performed reflection of life with his mother, Carrie, a bipolar
schizophrenic who battled substance abuse and lived with Stevens stepfather,
Lowell.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is not an easy album to
hear, but it is superbly written and recorded, including “Death with Dignity,”
“Should Have Known Better,” and “No Shade in the Shadow of The Cross.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">31.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tame Impala, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Currents</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Led by Kevin Parker,
this Australian band released its third album, drawing on psychedelic rock and
using vocals that sound at times like the Beach Boys during the Pet Sounds
era.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is easily the band’s best
effort so far, and we can only look forward to following Parker’s
brilliance.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Let it
Happen,” “Eventually,” and “The Less I Know the Better.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">30.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sister
Sparrow and the Dirty Birds, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Weather
Below</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This Brooklyn-based septet is led by Arleigh
Kincheloe (aka Sister Sparrow), and on this, their third album, they explore a
wide range of blues/jazz riffs and vocal exercises.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is one of those albums that makes you
smile and tap your feet, if you can resist getting up and dancing.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Sugar,” “Mama Knows,” and “We
Need a Love.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">29.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ivan
and Alyosha, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s All Just Pretend</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This Seattle-based quartet began as a duo of
Tim Wilson and Ryan Carbary, who took their band’s name from two characters in
Dostoevsky’s </span><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Brothers Karamazov</span></u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is the second album by the band to which other bands listen, because of
their smart lyrics and excellent song construction.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “All This Wandering Around,” “Come
Rain, Come Shine,” and the haunting “Don't Lose Your Love.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">28.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chvrches,
</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Every Open Eye</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pronounced churches, this Scottish band
always confounds me wondering how three people can make such a rich, full
sound, but part of it has to do with the excellent voice of the lead singer,
Lauren Mayberry.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is their second
album, and both have made my “best of” lists.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Their songs demand to be heard, and include “Never Ending Circles,” “Leave
a Trace,” “Clearest Blue,” and “Bury It.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">27.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bjork,
</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Vulnicura</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You either like Bjork or you don’t.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you like this Icelandic performance
artist, you appreciate the chances she has taken, and continues to take, to
stretch the boundaries of modern recorded music and invent new sounds and
combinations that most of us have never heard before.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you don’t like Bjork, you’re wrong.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sorry, it’s that simple…she’s that good, as
she proves again on this album, which recalls and analyzes key aspects of her
recent breakup.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include
“Stonemilker,” “Lionsong,” “Notget,” and “Atom Dance.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">26.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Titus
Andronicus, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Most Lamentable Tragedy</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is the fourth album released by the New
Jersey-based rock sextet named after Shakespeare’s first tragedy, and it is by
far their best, most complex album to date…a 29-song effort that examines
issues as complicated as dealing with depression.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It goes where few rock bands dare to tread,
and it does it with great music and emotional songwriting and singing.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Fired Up,” “Fatal Flaw,” and “Come
On, Siobhán.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">25.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hop
Along, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Painted Shut</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This Philadelphia-based indie-rock band was
founded by Frances Quinlan and has released three, full-length albums,
including this excellent effort.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Quinlan’s expressively strained vocals are backed by outstanding guitar
riffs by a young band that, with this album, breaks into the big time, offering
songs including “The Knock,” “Waitress,” and “Powerful Man.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">24.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Shamir,
</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ratchet</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On this debut album, Shamir Bailey a
21-year-old performer from Las Vegas, creates music that defies
characterization.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’d describe it as
androgynous, electronic, glam-soul.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whatever you call it, you’ll find that it’s hard to turn off.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “On the Regular,” “Call it
Off,” and “Darker.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">23.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Humming House, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Revelries</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Similar is sound to the Lumineers, this
Nashville-based indie band combines banjoes, fiddles, harmonic singing, and
infectious melodies into a delicious sound that will get you out of your
seat.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This debut album includes “Run
With Me,” “Great Divide,” and “Fly On (Forever Is Better With You).”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">22.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Beth
Hart, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Better Than Home</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since releasing the
iconic “LA Song” in 1999, Beth Hart has morphed into one of America’s best
blues singers and a perennial favorite on this list.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There’s no other way to put it—the lady can
sing, and she does it with style, pizzazz, and rampant emotion.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is just good music, including “Might As
Well Smile,” “Tell Her You Belong to Me,” and “Mechanical Heart.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">21.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mat
Kearney, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">JUST KIDS</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Originally from Oregon but now from
Nashville, Mat Kearney has been making really good music since his first album
in 2004.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is his fifth solo effort,
and it benefits from a higher-quality production that still keeps his baritone
voice front and center.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And that’s where
it should be so you can hear Kearney’s deep lyrics and complementary
melodies.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Just Kids,”
“Heartbeat,” “The Conversation,” and “Air I Breathe.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">20.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blur,
</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Magic Whip</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After several side projects, Damon Albarn
and his colleagues returned to Blur, and Albarn brought with him the advanced
production techniques that he and Stephen Street learned during the 12 years
since the band’s last album.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is the
most polished and interesting album by the Britpop band that had six albums in
the 90s and another in 2003 that most felt marked their demise.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But here they are, back with a vengeance on
this excellent effort that features “Lonesome Street,” “My Terracotta Heart,”
and “There Are Too Many of Us.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">19.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Grimes,
</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Art Angels</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Claire
Elise Boucher is a Vancouver-based singer-songwriter-producer who performs
under the name Grimes and has made four albums, including the excellent Visions
from 2012 and this effort, which features songs that build in intensity and
instrumentation as they progress.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Grimes
is not afraid to take chances, and they usually work, both as songs and sonic
expressions.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They include “California,”
“Flesh without Blood,” and “Venus Fly.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">18.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Andra
Day, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cheers To the Fall</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Andra Day is a near-perfect R&B singer
in the true sense of the words, possessing excellent rhythm and an outstanding
knack for the blues.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s almost
incredible that this is her first album, based on that level of talent as well
as the talent of the people associated with the album, including Raphael
Saadiq, Questlove, DJ Jazzy Jeff, the Dap-Kings, and Spike Lee.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But you’ll understand when you hear songs
including “Only Love,” “Rise Up,” and “Cheers To the Fall.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">17.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cayucas,
</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dancing at the Blue Lagoon</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Yudin brothers (Zach and Ben), from
Santa Monica, have released two albums as Cayucas.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The sound is clean, pure indie-pop that attacks
the musical senses and never backs down.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Formerly known as Oregon Bike Trails, the band combines excellent
harmonies with Grateful Dead-style guitar work that makes the listener want
more.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Moony Eyed Walrus,”
“Hella,” and “Dancing at the Blue Lagoon.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">16.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sara Bareilles, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What’s Inside: Songs from Waitress</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A California-based
singer-songwriter, Sara Bareilles has released five albums, but this one has a
story.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 2007, Keri Russell starred in
a delightful movie named “Waitress,” and earlier this year, it opened as a
musical at the A.R.T., featuring excellent songs written by Bareilles.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This album involves Bareilles performing
songs from that musical, prior to its opening on Broadway next year.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These are really good songs, performed by a
top-notch singer, and a rare chance to hear a songwriter performing her songs
meant for a show.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Those songs include “Door
Number Three,” “You Matter to Me,” and “She Used to Be Mine.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">15.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">July
Talk, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">July Talk</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This album sounds
like a series of unlikely duets between Tom Waits and Olivia Newton-John, but
really it’s the Toronto-based duo of </span></span><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Peter Dreimanis and
Leah Fay, fronting a quintet on its debut album.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not only is the singing excellent, the
songwriting exemplary, and musicianship outstanding, but the songs are oddly
catchy while exploring a range of dissonant sounds.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They include “Guns + Ammunition,”
“Gentleman,” and “Blood + Honey.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">14.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
Dear Hunter, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Act IV: Rebirth in Reprise</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This Providence-based prog-rock band should not
be confused with the Atlanta-based Deerhunter.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know it’s confusing, at least until you hear them.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It began as a side project for Casey
Crescenzo, formerly of The Receiving End of Sirens, but after Crescenzo left
that band in 2006, he dedicated himself to this effort.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Acts I, II, and III were released between
2007 and 2009.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, the band released
two other albums before returning to complete Act IV this year.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s safe (and fun) to say that Crescenzo
reached a crescendo with this album…a full realization of the type of unusual
and musically challenging sound he’s been building toward.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “A Night on the Town,” “King of
Swords (Reversed),” and “Wait.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">13.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dutch
Uncles, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">O Shudder</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What makes this English
quartet unusual is their use of syncopation and time signatures in an indie-pop
album.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This, the band’s fourth album, features
conceptually interesting music as conceived by lead singer-songwriter Duncan
Wallis.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His vocals only add to the
intrigue of the unusual music and production.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s like listening to a Steven Sondheim musical, if Sondheim was more
melodic.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Drips,” “Decided
Knowledge,” and “Be Right Back.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">12.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sheppard, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bombs Away</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This first album by the Australian indie-pop
band actually debuted down under in 2014, but it didn’t make it to the states
until this year.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The band is comprised
of three Sheppard siblings (George, Amy, and Emma) and three other
musicians.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is infectious quality
pop music performed by people who know what they’re doing and seem to enjoy
doing it.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Geronimo,”
“Smile,” and “The Best Is Yet To Come.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let’s hope that song title is a precursor.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">11.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Adele, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">25</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For those of you who
don’t realize it, Adele names her albums for her age when she released
them.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I first heard “19,” I
predicted great things for the British siren, even if she lacked the glamour of
many contemporaries.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“21” was one of the
best albums ever made, so it would be nearly impossible to duplicate that
success, and while “25” isn’t at the same level, it’s still among the year’s
best albums.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It lacks the bite of “21,”
which was a breakup/revenge album, but it still features the singing and
songwriting talents of one of the world’s best artists.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Hello,” “When We Were Young,”
“Remedy,” and “All I Ask.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">10.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Muse,
</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Drones</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Remember protest albums?</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Unless you’re my age, you probably
don’t.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But this album, while not a
formal protest album, confronts the modern world of war and the impersonal
nature of recent conflicts.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And it’s
performed superbly by one of the world’s best and most consistent bands.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The English trio, Muse, has released seven
albums, and they contain one of the most complete bodies of work in the
millennium to date.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you don’t know
their work, you’re missing something memorable and should go back and listen to
their albums, including this one, which includes “Dead Inside,” “Psycho,”
“Mercy,” and “Reapers.” </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">9.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Frank Turner, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Positive Songs for Negative People</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This English singer-songwriter has released
six albums, and this is my favorite.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Combining folk roots and electronic music with catchy melodies and
thought-provoking lyrics, this is a fully recognized album that benefits from
repeated listenings.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It features “The
Next Storm,” “Glorious You,” and “Get Better.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dweezil Zappa, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Via Zammata’</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On his sixth solo album, Dweezil has taken
what he learned from his father (Frank Zappa) and combined it with modern
musical approaches and production techniques to make his best album to
date.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As with Frank’s music, this is not
like many other albums in the way it challenges the listener to not be
complacent.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It does so with songs
including “Rat Race,” “Malkovich,” and “On Fire.” </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">7.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Marc
Scibilia,</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Out of Style</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Based in Nashville,
Marc Scibilia has been involved in several recording efforts, but only two,
full-length albums.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is just good
music that demands to be heard.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Scibilia’s style makes the most out of each component: songwriting,
voice, instruments, and production.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I
liken it to a Spielberg movie where it may not be groundbreaking but everything
works together to produce a strong work of art.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Out of Style,” “How Bad We Need Each Other,” and “Better
Man.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Original Broadway Cast, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hamilton</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Following up on his
outstanding, Tony-winning musical, “In the Heights,” Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote
and stars in the Broadway musical about Alexander Hamilton.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The album combines rap, pop, rock, R&B,
and vocal music to make one of the best musical soundtracks of all time.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s unbelievable that an album can
simultaneously be so informative, entertaining, and uplifting, but the cast and
producers accomplish it, resulting in one of the year’s most satisfying
albums.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Alexander
Hamilton,” “My Shot,” “The Story of Tonight,” and “You’ll Be Back.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rhiannon
Giddens, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tomorrow is My Turn</span></i></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The lead singer of
the </span></span><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Carolina Chocolate Drops</span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, Greensboro-based Rhiannon Giddens has one of the purest and most
distinctive voices in music today.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Although this is her first full-length, solo album, she’s been involved
with several projects including last year’s “The New Basement Tapes.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is an artist with a rich, rewarding
future, but if you want to hear her now, listen to “Don't Let It Trouble Your
Mind,” “She’s Got You,” “Black is the Color,” and “Shake Shugaree.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">James
Taylor, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before This World</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s surprising that of James Taylor’s 17
solo albums, this is the first to reach number 1 on the pop charts.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But it’s not surprising that this album has
been successful because it combines Taylor’s sweet voice, flawless acoustic
guitar, and emotional expression with some of the best songs he’s ever
written.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is an absolutely beautiful
album that can inspire the listener while bringing him or her to tears.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “You And I Again,” “Before This
World / Jolly Springtime,” and a personal favorite of us Red Sox fans, “Angels
of Fenway.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Seinabo
Sey, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Younger</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s hard to
describe Seinabo Sey.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Her mother is
Swedish and her father was Gambian.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She
was raised in Stockholm, and her music is hard to classify, combining soul,
techno, dance, and euro-pop.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But one
thing’s for sure—this 25-year-old performer can sing with the best of
them.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She possesses a wealth of talent
and the musical sensibility to make the most of that talent.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Songs include “Younger,” “Poetic,” and
“Still.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Brian
Wilson,</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> No Pier Pressure</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s become cliché to refer to Brian Wilson
as a musical genius.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After all, as the
creative force of the Beach Boys, he wrote and recorded some of the best albums
of all time, including Pet Sounds, while facing scrutiny and opposition from
his family and bandmates.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wilson’s
harmonies are legendary, as is his ability to find and use unusual sounds to
complement the traditional music.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
pressure eventually drove him to mental instability, and his career has been
checkered since the late 1960s.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As with
some of his other best efforts, he intended this album to be performed by the
Beach Boys, but as usual, that didn’t happen.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But this time, he turned to a slew of other performers to bring the
album to fruition, including She & Him, Nate Ruess, Sebu, Casey Musgraves,
Mark Isham, Blondie Chaplin, and former Beach Boys Al Jardine and David
Marks.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The result is a beautiful work
that harkens back to what we love about Wilson’s best work.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This may be our last chance to hear</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a legend, and I love it, including songs like
“What Ever Happened,” “The Right Time,” “Sail Away,” and “Saturday Night.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1.</span></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alessia
Cara, </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Know-It-All</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I mentioned
earlier, I remember telling people that a 19-year-old performer named Adele
would go on to be a star.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well, if you
want to get in on the ground floor of another 19-year-old future superstar,
here she is.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alessia Caracciolo, who performs as Alessia
Cara, has made one of the best debut albums in a long time.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This Canadian singer-songwriter has a great,
natural voice, an outstanding stage presence, superb songwriting skills, and a
humble confidence unusual for someone so young.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The whole album is outstanding, but a few songs to start with include “Here,”
“Seventeen,” “I’m Yours,” “Wild Things,” and “Stars.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
</div>
</span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The following are all
excellent albums that deserve </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Honorable
Mention</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> (listed alphabetically by artist):</span></div>
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alabama Shakes, <i>Sound & Color</i></span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Becca Stevens Band, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Imperfect Animals</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bill Ryder-Jones, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">West Kirby County Primary</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blues Traveler, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blow up the Moon</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">City and Colour, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If I Should Go Before You</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Florence + The Machine, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jason Isbell, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Something More Than Free</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jazmine Sullivan,</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Reality Show</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mahalia Barnes & The Soul Mates, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ooh Yea!: The Betty Davis Songbook (feat.
Joe Bonamassa)</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Majical Cloudz, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Are You Alone?</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Major Lazer, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Peace
Is The Mission</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Miguel, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wildheart</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Morgan Heritage, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Strictly Roots</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ne-Yo, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Non-Fiction</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of Montreal, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Aureate
Gloom</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh Wonder, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh
Wonder</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Olly Murs, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Never
Been Better</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">R5, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometime
Last Night</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Speedy Ortiz, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Foil Deer</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They Might Be Giants, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Glean</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Troye Sivan, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blue
Neighbourhood</span></i></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wavves, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">V</span></i></div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-42903054737317448362015-11-23T12:47:00.000-08:002015-11-23T12:55:17.720-08:00Monday Musings<h2>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">No Problem</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">How do you respond when someone says "Thank you?" If you're like me, you do what your parents raised you to do and say "You're welcome." When you think about it, it's the ultimate courtesy to tell someone they are welcome to receive whatever you gave or did for him or her. It's also positive and upbeat.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">Try it today...say "thank you" to someone, especially if he or she is under 30. More often than not, the response you will get is "No problem." This is very different; the other person is not saying that you are welcome to anything, but rather, it wasn't a problem to do it for you.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">When did daily courtesy become an extension of "Goodfellas?" When did we become so self-centered that doing something for somebody could be considered such a problem that you have to assure that person it was not? Have we become such a negative society?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Back-Up Plan</span></span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">Lately, whenever I start to back out of a parking spot, someone inevitably walks right behind my car. Don't they realize they can get hurt or dead? Do they expect me to be able to see around the SUVs parked on either side of my car, so that I know they're about to walk behind me? Even the back-up camera in Joni's car doesn't have 180-degree vision...it can only see what is right behind the car.</span><br />
<br />
Maybe it's God's way of thinning the herd. If so, I don't want to be the one responsible for knocking off Grandma or little Mia. So, I've started to back into parking spots; then I can leave by driving forward.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Putrid Pizza</b></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"></span>Every year, there are lists of the best pizza places, and most people know where they are, to the point that it was big news when Frank Pepe's decided to open a place in Chestnut Hill, MA. So my question is...if everyone knows what good pizza is supposed to taste like, why are there so many awful pizza joints?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">
<div>
Do they think we don't notice that the crust is doughy or the sauce is watery or the cheese smells like moldy socks? We do, and we don't like it. So if you're going to open and run a pizza restaurant, take some extra time getting to know the components of good pizza and make it like that.</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><div>
<br /></div>
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: medium;"><div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL!</b></span></div>
</span><div>
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-48092385439734398982015-10-21T07:58:00.001-07:002015-10-22T08:41:52.978-07:00Change Our Primary System<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In 1986, Paul Simon released his landmark album, "Graceland," which opened with "The Boy in the Bubble," that featured the line, "These are the days of miracle and wonder." It's been almost 30 years since then, and a lot has happened in the interim, but if Simon released that album today, he'd likely have to change the line to, "These are the days of misery and anger."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Everywhere you look, people are miserable, angry, and hateful. Radical Islamists would rather kill people than negotiate with them, the world's climate is in grave danger while people around the globe ignore the warnings, and you can't go to school or the movies without worrying that the guy next to you may pull out a gun and open fire at any minute.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">And how do we deal with it? By encouraging people like Donald Trump, who feed off that anger and appeal to our basest instincts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It used to be that this type of political climate could not exist in periods of economic prosperity, but something has gone wrong. The numbers say that the economy is great, but most of us feel poorer than ever; it's not trickling down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">This situation enables radicals around the globe to expand their influence. Even here in the US, we see that John Boehner is not conservative enough for the Tea Party. As far as I'm concerned, the relatively strong economy is the only thing preventing the Tea Party from morphing into neo-fascism. If that economy were to tank (as it could, given the unsteadiness of the world's financial markets), the anger aimed at immigrants and young Black men could easily morph into placing them in concentration camps.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">People tell me, "Oh, that can't happen here...not in this modern era." But that's exactly what Jews in pre-Nazi Germany said.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">And don't think the Democrats are free from anger. Have you seen Bernie Sanders? His message may be on target, but he looks like he's ready to explode at any minute. I'm not sure I want his finger on the button any more than I want Trump's.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The truth is that no sane person who's had a life would want to run for office in this era of hate, which features internet searches into everything that anyone has ever said or done. Several congressmen have recently admitted that we are spending millions of dollars examining the Benghazi incident for the sole purpose of bringing down Hillary. That money could be spent on promoting public service.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">But the Republicans hate Hillary, and the Democrats hate the Republicans, and there you have it. Even in this country, which prides itself on democracy and diversity, no one can compromise. So, why are we surprised when everyone else hates us?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I wish I had an answer to the world's issues, other than to sound like a beauty contestant asking for "world peace." But I do have an idea that might temper the rhetoric right here in the US: Change our primary election system.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Let's face it...only about 15% of voters cast ballots in primaries for any office, and those people tend to be the zealots on either end of the political spectrum. So, what we end up with are nominees that don't represent the mainstream; you often have to choose between an ultra-liberal Democrat and an ultra-conservative Republican. In addition, we allow people to register as independents, then vote in whichever primary they choose...those are the people that often take the parties in directions they might not otherwise go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Here's an idea for changing the system:</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">If a voter has a party preference, he or she will register in that party, and have to retain that affiliation for a minimum of ten years. <em>This prevents people from switching to sabotage the other party.</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Independents cannot vote in either party's primary elections. <em>This prevents the radical elements from exerting undue influence.</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">If someone who has registered with a party fails to vote in three, consecutive primaries (for any federal offices--president, senator, congressperson), that voter loses his or her party affiliation and becomes an independent. <em>This encourages people, who feel strongly about supporting their party's philosophy, to vote in primaries.</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">These are federal regulations that cannot be altered by any state, but do not pertain to local or statewide elections. <em>This prevents the above provisions from infringing on states' rights.</em></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">If we were to implement these provisions, while simultaneously taking action to overturn the Citizens United decision, we may stand a chance of reducing the anger and hate that have recently dominated our political landscape. In doing so, we could set an example for the rest of the world that may at least begin to turn down the volume on the hate meter.</span>Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-40476090007642010612015-10-19T10:46:00.000-07:002015-10-19T10:46:45.875-07:00Fake-Gate<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">If you watched the game between the Colts and the Patriots on Sunday Night Football, you were probably scratching your head when you saw the Colts, on fourth down with three yards to go, preparing to punt before shifting into a bizarre (illegal) formation that left two Colts players in the middle of the field, confronting five Patriots who were prepared to pounce on them. The ball was hiked, and predictably, the man with the ball was tackled for a loss, giving the Patriots a chance to score from outstanding field position.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">But now, the truth has come out. The Patriots cheated. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">According to unnamed sources from within the Colts organization, Bill Belichick waited until Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano put down his clipboard before sending a ball attendant over to the Colts sideline, where he inserted, into the papers on Pagano's clipboard, a sheet of paper with the fake punt diagrammed. The next time the Colts' had to punt, Pagano called the play.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">After all, it can't be that the Colts are inept or that whenever they play the Patriots, they find ways to self-destruct. So, it has to be that the Patriots cheated. We'll call it "Fake-Gate."</span>Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-47040317945570902342015-10-07T11:50:00.000-07:002015-10-19T11:01:58.925-07:00Head Coaching in the NFL<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Joe Philbin was fired this week as head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Joe Philbin should never have been a head coach...he is clueless. In fact, since Bill Belichick took the helm of the Patriots, there have been 21 head coaches among the other three teams in the AFC East (Bills, Dolphins, and Jets).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I often watch football games with people who don't understand one key aspect of the NFL...the games are played by the head coaches, who decide how to use the players they have to implement the game plan. In the 1960s, my favorite team was the Dallas Cowboys, for one reason...the head coach was Tom Landry. For the last 15 years, I've had the privilege to root for a team with another great head coach...the Patriots and Bill Belichick.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">You might say that the great coaches are successful because they have great players, but you would be wrong. In the case of the consistently successful teams, the head coach makes the players great by designing and implementing a system and game plans that use their combined talents to achieve success.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The all-time greats include George Halas (Bears), Vince Lombardi (Packers), Tom Landry (Cowboys), Chuck Noll (Steelers), Bill Walsh (49ers), Bill Parcells (Giants), and Bill Belichick (Patriots). There have been other, good, successful head coaches in the NFL, but these guys won consistently, with whatever talent they had available to them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I recently attended a wedding in which a Philly fan was making a toast to a group of people from Massachusetts. In her toast, she said, "Now I know why the Eagles lost the Super Bowl to the Patriots...Deflategate." It made for a good laugh, but clearly she did not understand that Andy Reid had the win in hand before blowing it. The Patriots simply executed their game plan and watched the Eagles fall apart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">There are four key aspects of great coaching: (1) building a professional, winning culture, (2) evaluating talent, (3) developing game plans, and (4) managing games. Andy Reid is one of those coaches who is good at evaluating talent but terrible at game management. You only have to look at this year's Kansas City Chiefs to understand that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">If you want another example, look no further than the Atlanta Falcons. Under Mike Smith, they were a decent team that always seemed to implode, but under Dan Quinn, they are 4-0 so far and look as strong as any team in the NFL--with essentially the same talent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">If you look around the league today, there are a few other excellent head coaches like Mike McCarthy (Packers), Sean Payton (Saints), Tom Coughlin (Giants), and Pete Carroll (Seahawks). There are a few who have potential, but it's too early to tell, including Todd Bowles (Jets), Ron Rivera (Panthers), Mike McCoy (Chargers), Bill O'Brien (Texans), and Mike Pettine (Browns). There are also a slew of coaches who have been disappointing so far, including:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Chip Kelly (Eagles). Sorry friends and family in Philly, but until he starts to manage games like a professional coach instead of a college coach, he's no better than Andy Reid.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Rex Ryan (Bills). Strip away the bombast and the tough veneer, and all that's left is an average coach.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Chuck Pagano (Colts). He yelled about Deflategate, but Brady could throw rocks instead of footballs and still beat Pagano's predictable teams.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">John Harbaugh (Ravens). He's another loudmouth whose every move is the same as the week before and the week after.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Marvin Lewis (Bengals). Generally clueless, he finally had the sense to put his offense into the hands of someone really smart (Hue Jackson), and the results are showing.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Mike Tomlin (Steelers). His only Super Bowl win came from a team he inherited. Now, he can't win a playoff game, even with a great offense, because he doesn't know how to adapt to game situations.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">When it comes down to it, the best head coaches are playing chess while the others are playing checkers. Do you really think that Belichick, McCarthy, or Carroll goes into a game without a unique game plan and a contingency for every move the other coach might make? If you do, maybe you can be the next head coach of the Dolphins.</span>Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-78112628811038666872015-09-03T08:22:00.002-07:002015-09-03T10:23:43.849-07:00Vindicategate<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">On January 30, I posted on this blog an article in which I discussed what has been referred to as "Deflategate." I concluded that article by saying, "I<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">f it is proven that the Patriots organization somehow willfully manipulated the psi of its footballs, I will be the first one to advocate for stiff penalties and suspensions, but I'm fairly confident that won't happen. However, I'm also confident that as long as they keep winning, the press and most of the American public will continue to hate them. Maybe that's the real scandal; you can call it Hategate."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">I took a lot of crap for that article, but since that time:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">We've read the (ridiculous) Wells Report.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">We saw Robert Kraft accept penalties in the hopes of sparing Tom Brady.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">We watched in awe as Roger Goodell absurdly heard an appeal of his own decision.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">We've seen Tom Brady take the NFL to court to clear his name and get his 4-game suspension nullified.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">About 40 minutes ago, Judge Berman, who heard Brady's case, issued a 40-page decision overturning the NFL's suspension of Tom Brady. According to the New York Times (a few minutes ago):</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><em>The 40-page decision picks apart the N.F.L.’s case, finding a number of faults and reflecting Berman’s skepticism in recent court hearings.</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><!-- close nocontent --><em>Berman said Brady could not be suspended for “general awareness” of others’ conduct, as an N.F.L. investigative report determined.</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><em>“Brady had no notice that such conduct was prohibited or any reasonable certainty of potential discipline stemming from such conduct,’’ the judge wrote.</em></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The 40-page ruling was just made available, and
in it, the judge called into question the validity of the Wells Report finding
that "it is more probable than not that Brady was at least generally aware
of the inappropriate activities of McNally and Jastremski involving the release
of air from Patriots game balls." With regard to that allegation,
the judge wrote, "With respect to ‘general awareness’ of others'
misconduct--which is the principal finding in </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">both
the Wells Report and the Vincent Letter--Brady had no notice that such conduct
was prohibited, or any reasonable certainty of potential discipline stemming
from such conduct. <em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The
Court concludes that, as a matter of law, no NFL policy or precedent notifies
players that they may be disciplined (much less suspended) for general
awareness of misconduct by others. And, it does not appear that the NFL has
ever, prior to this case, sought to punish players for such an alleged
violation.</span></em></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Forgetting the legal aspects of the ruling, the fact is that the judge poked holes in the Wells Report, repeatedly citing misinformation and inconsistencies. The truth remains that this whole story would never have gotten any traction if it hadn't been about the New England Patriots, of whom the other teams and fans are jealous, and it should not have marred the celebration of the team's fourth Super Bowl victory.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">I hope that the story ends here, but I believe that Goodell will not let it rest, preferring to take down the best team, and one of the best players, in the league he purports to represent. Whatever he does makes no matter to me as I bask in the vindication of my favorite football player. I guess we should now call it Vindicategate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span><br />Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-47822025354510851502015-08-26T09:02:00.000-07:002015-08-26T09:06:18.412-07:00The Best of Us<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joni and I recently lost two friends, each of whom we had
known for many years and had been very important to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the surface, they were very different:
Dick Stroud was an African American artist, teacher, and Aikido master, while
Betty Ann Miller was a Jewish philanthropist and spiritual leader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But their similarities ran much deeper.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">We met Dick Stroud in the mid-1990s when his son, Ben,
joined our son’s class at the Charles River School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember being immediately impressed by his
intelligence, his genuine curiosity, and the calm demeanor with which he carried himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He taught me a great deal about striving for
inner peace and seeing beauty in the smallest, seemingly insignificant
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dick passed away in June, and I
will miss his humor, his generosity, and that warm, knowing smile with which he
approached all things.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">In 1997, when Gavin joined the Rashi Middle School, Betty
Ann Miller was the first person to greet us and offer help in navigating this new experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her commitment to Jewish education was palpable, and she seemingly
always did the right thing, both big and small, for others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never wanting recognition nor accolades, she
opened up her heart to us, as she had so often with so many others, and she persistently
guided us by example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She died
yesterday, and I will miss her spirit, her generosity, and the twinkle in her
eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s interesting that Dick and Betty Ann were such
big-hearted people, because it was their hearts that eventually gave way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They strongly influenced my life and always conducted
themselves with grace and dignity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were the best of us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-90599261219607073332015-07-21T08:21:00.000-07:002015-07-21T08:21:05.452-07:00Whatever Happened to the "Do Not Call List?"<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On June 27, 2003, the U.S. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Federal Trade Commission</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> (FTC) opened the <b>National Do Not Call Registry</b> in order to comply with the Do-Not-Call Implementation Act of 2003. Within a short time, most of us had registered our phone numbers, and for a few years, it seemed to work. I know that I received very few spam calls, and usually, if I threatened them with the "Do Not Call Registry," they hung up quickly and didn't call back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">All that seems to have changed to the point where I now get 5 to 10 calls per day from people trying to sell me something. If I say I'm not interested or mention the list, they just call back another time. I've tried sending the numbers to the Do Not Call Registry, but it doesn't seem to matter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">So what happened? The best I can tell or garner from the internet is that the government just stopped enforcing the list, except for massively blatant offenders.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Why did this happen? Well, it seems like the US and state governments just stopped funding the enforcement. Maybe it happened during the recession of 2009-10, or maybe the companies that make the calls have been donating to the campaigns of enough congressmen to get them to cut the funding. Whatever the case, I don't think I'm alone in receiving many more calls and/or being upset about this. People are even getting junk calls on their mobile phones.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">As usual, Congress will not act unless they hear from enough people. So today, I'm going to shoot an email to my representatives in the US and state legislature asking them to push for the enforcement of the Do Not Call List. You may want to do the same.</span>Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-552729849422754032015-05-14T11:24:00.002-07:002015-06-03T06:01:14.040-07:00DeflateGate and Other Thursday Thoughts<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A few Thursday Thoughts:</span><br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>DeflateGate</u></span></h2>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Given that I posted my HateGate article last year, people have been asking me what I now think about DeflateGate. I've deflected by saying, "What's the big deal? My wife's been deflating my balls for years." Even though its not true, it makes for a good chuckle...feel free to use it whenever you tell a Patriot hater you're from New </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">England.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">But the truth is that I don't know what to think. As I wrote to my cousin, Dave, <span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don’t know what Brady knew, but the report saying that “it is likely” he was
“generally aware of… inappropriate activities” is not exactly a smoking
gun. It seems that, and Ted Wells recent statements confirmed it, Brady is being punished more for his
lack of cooperation with the investigation than for anything he might have
done. I don’t know how cooperative I’d be with someone who is questioning
my integrity, but I do know that there have been times in my life when it was likely that I was
generally aware of inappropriate activities, yet I didn’t feel like I had done
anything wrong. So, <span style="color: black;">l</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">et’s wait and see where it all ends up, after the appeal.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Lemons</u></strong></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I ever want someone to do PR for something, I'm going to find the people who work for the citrus industry. After all, those damned lemons are everywhere. It started with fish and seafood, and then went to sparkling water, and now it's hard to get a plain old glass of water without a lemon in it. Even when I order tea with milk, they still bring a lemon (do they bother to consider what lemon juice does to milk?). I almost expect to walk into a men's room and find lemons in the urinal. Hmmm...maybe that's what I should do with the lemons I'm not using.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>"Safe" Drivers</u></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong><u></u></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Truthfully, I don't like driving behind minivans, Priuses (Prii?) and Subaru wagons. They almost always drive slower than the situation calls for, in the mistaken impression that they're driving safely. I guess they don't consider the lack of safety when the rest of us swerve around to try to pass them.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>K-Cups</u></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I really like the convenience of a Keurig machine for making coffee (which Joni drinks) and tea (which I drink), but I've been told that the K-Cups are not recyclable because they combine plastic and foil. Why can't someone make K-cups with plastic on top instead of foil? In any event, here's what I do...I bought several EZ-Cups, which are reusable shells, and the paper filters that go into them. I then fill them with my favorite tea in whatever strength I want (I generally prefer strong tea), and I brew a cup. Sure, it takes a few more minutes, but it tastes better and helps stop the oceans from filling up with plastic.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>AOL</u></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My email account has been on AOL for 30 years, and the media routinely portrays that as out of touch with today's reality. So, I was happy to read that Verizon purchased AOL recently for $4.4 billion. I guess I feel suddenly relevant.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">More thoughts to follow...</span></span></span></span>Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-84537165612237567982015-02-20T17:57:00.000-08:002015-02-20T18:29:39.431-08:00Reid's 2015 Oscar Preview<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the last few years, I've been writing an article similar to one in the Boston Globe in which critics preview the Academy Awards, using 4 categories:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will Win,” “Should Win,” “Shouldn’t Be Here,” and “Was Robbed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They follow each with a paragraph about the races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used the same format to preview eight categories of the 2015 Academy Awards (movies from 2014).</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Best Picture</span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Nominees:</b> "American Sniper," "Birdman," "Boyhood," "The Grand Budapest Hotel," "The Imitation Game," "Selma," "The Theory of Everything," "Whiplash" </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Will Win:</b> “Boyhood”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> “The Imitation Game”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> “The Theory of Everything”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Was Robbed:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Interstellar”<o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Boyhood" is an excellent movie, but it will win for the wrong reason...because of the way it was made, over the course of 12 years. Granted, the results are unlike what most traditional movies can achieve, but the script and story line are not so interesting and innovative as to award it all the acclaim it is receiving. If there was an award for "Most Committed Moviemaking Project," "Boyhood" should win hands down, but it is not as good a film as "The Imitation Game."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Best Actor</u></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Nominees:</span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo1; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Steve Carell in "Foxcatcher"</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo1; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bradley Cooper in "American Sniper"</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo1; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Benedict Cumberbatch in "The Imitation Game"</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo1; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Michael Keaton in "Birdman"</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo1; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Eddie Redmayne in "The Theory of Everything"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Will Win: </strong>Eddie Redmayne in "The Theory of Everything"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> Michael Keaton in "Birdman"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> Steve Carell in "Foxcatcher"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Was Robbed:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Jake Gyllenhaal in "Nightcrawler"</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It seems like almost every year, the Academy gives its best acting awards to actors who play characters who are either famous people or have some sort of affliction; these roles are designed for Oscar, and this year, two such performances will win--those of Eddie Redmayne (who plays a famous person with an affliction) and Julianne Moore. Granted, they each did an outstanding job, but I wish the voters would be brave enough to give the awards to more nuanced performances, like the one given by Michael Keaton this year. Otherwise, Steve Carell is nominated for his makeup, not for his painfully boring performance, especially when compared with Jake Gyllenhaal's amazing turn as a creepy newshound in "Nightcrawler."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Best Actress</span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Nominees:</span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Marion Cotillard in "Two Days, One Night"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Felicity Jones in "The Theory of Everything"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Julianne Moore in "Still Alice"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><o:p>Rosamund Pike in "Gone Girl"</o:p></span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reese Witherspoon in "Wild"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Will Win: </strong>Julianne Moore in "Still Alice"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> Reese Witherspoon in "Wild"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> Rosamund Pike in "Gone Girl"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Was Robbed:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong> </strong>Agata Trzebuchowska in "Ida"</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ditto to my complaint regarding the Best Actor category. Here, Julianne Moore will win because of the part, not because her acting was any better than that of Reese Witherspoon, who already won this award for her less interesting performance in 2005's "Walk the Line." And how Rosamund Pike was nominated for her wooden performance in "Gone Girl" is a complete mystery.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Best Director</span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Nominees:</span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alejandro Iñárritu</span> </span></span>for "Birdman"</span></span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Richard Linklater for "Boyhood"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bennett Miller for "Foxcatcher"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wes Anderson for "The Grand Budapest Hotel"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Morten Tyldum for "The Imitation Game"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Will Win:</b> Richard Linklater for "Boyhood"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> Richard Linklater for "Boyhood"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> Bennett Miller for "Foxcatcher"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Was Robbed:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joon-ho Bong for "Snowpiercer"</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is where "Boyhood" should be most honored. Richard Linklater's commitment to this excellent and difficult project deserves all the accolades it can get. On the other hand, Bennett Miller's unfathomable lack of pacing should win for "Worst Director." And Joon-ho Bong should be given some credit for making viewers suspend disbelief while creating multiple thrills in the absurd but highly watchable "Snowpiercer."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Best Supporting Actor</span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Nominees:</span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Robert Duvall in "The Judge"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ethan Hawke in "Boyhood"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Edward Norton in "Birdman"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mark Ruffalo in "Foxcatcher"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">J.K. Simmons in "Whiplash"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Will Win: </strong>J.K. Simmons in "Whiplash"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Should Win: </strong>J.K. Simmons in "Whiplash"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> none</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Was Robbed: </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill Nighy in "Pride"</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This category got it right. These were five very good performances, and I only wish there had been space for Nighy's excellently understated role in "Pride." On any other year, Norton would likely win for his manically brilliant comedic performance in "Birdman," but this year's best performance in any role in any movie belonged to Simmons, as the manipulative bandleader in "Whiplash." It will go down as one of the all-time great roles.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Best Supporting Actress</span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Nominees:</span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Patricia Arquette in "Boyhood"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Laura Dern in "Wild"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keira Knightly in “The Imitation Game”<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Emma Stone in "Birdman"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meryl Streep in "Into the Woods"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Will Win:</b> Patricia Arquette in "Boyhood"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> Patricia Arquette in "Boyhood"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> Meryl Streep in "Into the Woods"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Was Robbed:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minnie Driver in "Beyond the Lights"</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've always liked the acting of Patricia Arquette, but even I was surprised by the depth and breadth of this performance as the mom in "Boyhood." And just because Meryl Streep is the best living movie actress should not guarantee her an annual Oscar nomination, certainly not over Minnie Driver's excellent role as a misguided stage mother in "Beyond the Lights."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Best Adapted Screenplay</u></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Nominees:</span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jason Hall for "American Sniper"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Graham Moore for "The Imitation Game"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Paul Thomas Anderson for "Inherent Vice"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anthony McCarten for "The Theory of Everything"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Damien Chazelle for "Whiplash"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Will Win: </strong>Graham Moore for "The Imitation Game"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Should Win: </strong>Graham Moore for "The Imitation Game"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> Jason Hall for "American Sniper"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Was Robbed:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Nick Hornby for "Wild"</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"The Imitation Game" was the year's best film, but this is likely to be its only major award, which is unfortunate. Otherwise, "American Sniper" is vastly overrated, while Nick Hornby's script for "Wild" really brought Cheryl Strayed's journey to life.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Best Original Screenplay</u></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Nominees:</span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. and Armando Bo</span> </span>for "Birdman"</span></span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Richard Linklater for "Boyhood"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman for "Foxcatcher"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wes Anderson for "The Grand Budapest Hotel"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dan Gilroy for "Nightcrawler"</span></li>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Will Win:</b> Wes Anderson for "The Grand Budapest Hotel"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> Wes Anderson for "The Grand Budapest Hotel"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shouldn’t Be Here:</b> E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman for "Foxcatcher"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Was Robbed: </strong>Jonathan and Christopher Nolan for "Interstellar"</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">This one is close between "Birdman" and "Budapest," with the nod going to Wes Anderson for the inventive weirdness for which he is known. I'm not sure how they ignored the screenplay for "Interstellar," which successfully explored themes first described by Einstein and Hawking while making them accessible to the common moviegoer.</span></div>
Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-29919913651000039342015-02-11T10:03:00.000-08:002015-02-11T10:08:05.019-08:00Rubbers, Cruise Control, and Dinosaurs<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was driving Joni to work this morning, and I turned to her and asked, "Do kids still wear rubbers?" </span><span style="font-size: large;">I thought it was an innocent question, but it garnered a look of disbelief.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Realizing she was envisioning something completely different, I refreshed her memory to when we were both young and most shoes were made from leather. In order to protect them on snowy, slushy days like today, our parents would make us cover them with rubber sheathes in the shape of shoes...they were called "rubbers." Fortunately, she remembered and told me they are now referred to as "galoshes," which I remembered as tall, uncomfortable, rubber boots with peculiar but effective metal clamps used to close them. Joni said that they also still exist, but now all the footwear in that category is referred to as galoshes. I looked online to learn that she is right. Of course, I grew up long before Gore-Tex® or fashionable winter boots, which made me realize that at 61, I'm getting old.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">After all, I remember a time when Boston had only two TV stations (ABC had yet to expand here), before the AFL (now the AFC of the NFL) was founded, before color TV, before plastic bags, and when gasoline was 30 cents a gallon and attendants would wash both windshields, check your oil, and give you Green Stamps (or sometimes actual gifts like dishes or glasses).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Of course, there were no computers, and electric typewriters were very expensive, so must of us used manual typewriters (the lower case "L" took the place of the number 1, which did not exist on the limited keyboard). The closest most of us came to "technology" was drinking Tang, which, as everyone knew, was invented for the space program.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I've seen every Super Bowl (on TV of course), and I still use cruise control on the highway. This last revelation might seem a bit odd, but I've noticed that with all the hybrids, most highway drivers these days try to save fuel by keeping their foot on the gas pedal at about the same level of depression, no matter what the incline. This leads them to slow down as they drive uphill and speed up on the way downhill, which is very frustrating when you are trying to stick to a consistent speed (as when using cruise control).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">If you're in my generation, you've likely seen the emails pointing out things that we remember that those young'uns don't. You can reminisce about a time when plastic was rare, vinyl was used for records, and most things were made from metal, glass, or wood. It saddens us that only two cast members from "Gilligan's Island" are still alive, and that if you were a boy back then, you likely had the hots for one of them--Tina Louise (Ginger) or Dawn Wells (Mary Ann). It's further dismaying to know that Louise is now 79 and Wells is 75. Fortunately, Betty and Veronica never aged.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But we are beginning to become dinosaurs, and the ice age approaches (if you look outside my window today, you might think it's already here). We have moved into an era when our lives are digitized and online for all to see, and our identities are under a constant barrage of theft and hacking. We can choose which aspects of modern culture we embrace...I'm writing a blog and posting on Facebook, but I refuse to "tweet" or engage in cyberspeak, and I don't trust the cloud.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">You may be incensed at being referred to in this way, thinking that you are in your prime, but that's like saying that Nixon didn't know about Watergate. If you're old enough to remember that reference, you're likely past your physical prime. Personally, I take pride in knowing that I'm still standing and getting enjoyment from modern music, movies, and technology. I wear my dinosaur badge proudly (sometimes keeping it in my wallet next to my AARP card).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">In 30 years, Gavin may recall an era of VCRs, cars that ran on gasoline, and airports that didn't look like a scene from "Total Recall," where passengers were treated like people, rather than potential terrorists. But for now, he has to yield the dinosaur throne, which I sit in proudly as I lean back and set the cruise control.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span> </span>Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7525821959708578799.post-62806510363981921012015-02-02T09:45:00.000-08:002015-02-02T10:27:39.467-08:00Patriots and Seahawks<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Super Bowl 49 (Roman numerals aside) is in the books, and I am, of course, happy that the Patriots won. I have watched every Super Bowl, and this was one of the best, with two, excellent teams slugging it out from the opening kickoff through the final seconds (and I'm not referring to the unfortunate fight that broke out near the end). It's interesting that each of the Patriots' six Super Bowls in the Belichick/Brady era was decided by four points or fewer, but in this case, it speaks to the quality of play and each team's relentless determination.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">The first half ended in a tie, and the second half was a seesaw, with the Seahawks seizing the initial momentum in the third quarter before yielding it to the Patriots in the fourth. Seattle fans are surely upset this morning at the one-yard interception by Malcolm Butler that ended the game. Had it ended differently, Patriots fans would have lamented the ball literally falling into Jerome Kearse's lap at the 5 yard line, just as we have forever lamented the David Tyree, helmet catch in the loss to the Giants after the perfect season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">All I can say to those in Seattle is that the Patriots rebounded from that loss, and there is little doubt that the Seahawks will rebound, likely into another Super Bowl in the next year or two...they are that good a team. Tom Brady is 37 years old and nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career, whereas Russell Wilson is only 26 and just beginning his. Wilson already has led his team to as many Super Bowl wins as Peyton Manning and Bret Favre, and he will doubtless learn from yesterday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">On the other side of that game-sealing, 1-yard interception is Malcolm Butler, a rookie whom the Patriots have raved about all year. He did as he was taught and watched the formation and the eyes of the opposing quarterback, and came up with the improbable grab.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">But what some are overlooking is the fact that Tom Brady took over the game in the fourth quarter, leading the team to two touchdowns. Those two drives included only one running play for 3 yards. People are saying the interception at the end was "lucky," but was it any more lucky than the 33-yard circus catch by Kearse after Butler had seemingly disrupted that pass?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">In the end, great teams make their own luck, and they don't blame their misfortune on bad luck, just as three different members of the Seahawks organization (Wilson, Head Coach Pete Carroll, and Offensive Coordinator Darrell Bevell) took responsibility for the fateful interception. It's that level of class and commitment, combined with extraordinary intelligence, talent, and determination, that will make the Seahawks winners for years to come, in much the same way the Patriots have had so much success over the last 15 years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I'm already looking forward to next season.</span>Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054116107661649293noreply@blogger.com0