Listing: Round It Up, Take Three

(A yearly must: Christmas in downtown Seattle)

We have all officially rang in 2013, and while I am excited to celebrate all of the new, I still want to spend one more moment on 2012 before we completely move on to the year in front of us.

Without further ado, a few more gems from 2012:

  

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
 

Even though I just saw this film over the weekend, it has many moments I can't stop thinking about, so I felt it needed to be included  in a year end, best of blitz. It also made me ugly cry, and you never forget the things that make you ugly cry.

First of all, it has a killer soundtrack. Naturally, the characters are all obsessed with music, which is often the requirement for breeding said brilliant soundtrack. I do love when people in movies just sit around talking about music, but for this story it has a purpose, as it weaves into the characters and even becomes the key to some of their secrets.

All that alone would fit my bill for a great flick, but, even through the intense nature in much of the story, I found every character to be entirely delightful and got quickly wrapped up in each of their lives. The two male leads (Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller) are particularly impactful. 

The fact that the author of the book (Stephen Chbosky) wrote the screenplay and directed the movie is rare, and something I also really admire. It's quite fantastic to give an author a way to tell the same story, but in a different way. I can just see Chbosky imagining filming those beautiful tunnel sequences as he was writing the novel.


 

Parenthood

The movie above and a certain TV show have several things in common; "Bland", of course, and for queuing the waterworks.

Although, there can be only one source of entertainment that tops the "Ugly Cry Hall of Fame". Any fans of Parenthood know that during any episode of this show, without notice, tears will be falling from your face, so keeping a dry sleeve or a box of tissues handy is always necessary.

It's not just about the sadness though. This show is really fantastic in how it balances the extreme emotional hardships impacting the Bravermans (Iraq Vet Boyfriend, failed adoptions, cancer) with all of the great things that happen too (exciting business ventures, family dinners, marriages).

We all go through ups and downs, and no other show intertwines these better, all while still creating interesting stories that keep fans coming back for more.

Langhorne Slim - The Way We Move

This year may have been when every band had a banjo, but artists like Langhorne Slim have been rockin' that sound for awhile now. I still haven't stopped listening to his 2012 release, The Way We Move, and was lucky enough to see him in concert over the summer.

Man, this guy is great. Those simple words are all that come to mind once that vibrant and soulful tone starts going.

Jiro Dreams Of Sushi

Sushi is in the title and Jiro has dedicated his life to making it, but this gorgeously filmed documentary following his life isn't just for chefs, it can be an inspiration to anyone. 

The most hard working 85-year-old I have ever laid eyes on became a master sushi chef, his 10 seat restaurant has three Michelin stars, and he continues to work everyday, with the exception of begrudingly taking off holidays. He did what he loved and that was that.

Jiro chose a profession and continually worked at perfecting his craft. I think we could all be better in 2013 by looking at his example. I know I will. 


 

30 Rock

Liz Lemon got married in a Princess Leia costume. Nothing for a TV character has been more perfect.

We still have a few more new episodes in 2013 to hold on to, and I will grasp at every moment we still have of Liz, crazy Jenna, Dr. Spaceman, Tracy, Kenneth Ellen Parcell, and Jack. I will miss all of those kooks tremendously.

They actually named a character Criss Cross for crying out loud! Completely Brilliant.

The Lumineers - "Stubborn Love"

One of the new bands that burst onto the scene with banjo in hand were The Lumineers.

Their first release had me (and millions of others) at "Ho Hey", but turns out the rest of the album delivers much of the same sweet sounding melodies.

I appreciate any band that integrates a string section, so because of  some glorious back up violin and a catchy chorus, "Stubborn Love" is the song I can't stop listening to.



I think I will look back on 2012 with fond memories. It's an exciting (and somewhat scary) feeling to begin a new year, but it's always welcome. I never have really been big on "New Year's Resolutions", but there are things I'm thinking about changing.

For anyone giving something new a try this year, best of luck and on we go!

Listing: Round It Up, Take Two

(My own little Christmas Tree)

Today is New Years Eve, and nobody even thought we were going to make it past the 21st! That unexpected surprise must make everyone more excited to kick off 2013 the best way possible.

For now, with less than 10 hours left of the year, we'll continue to go over the year that is almost behind us.

Ted

The world hasn't been introduced to many (or any) movies about vulgar, pot smoking, drinking teddy bears, but 2012 was the year where this became possible.

Definitely the most fun I had sitting in a movie theater all year. Giovanni Ribisi being creepy, comedic Mark Wahlberg, and a teddy with a heart of gold all makes Ted extremely memorable, hysterical, and actually loveable. All this credit has to be given to Seth McFarlane for the way he created the story, because in the hands of a crappy writer this would have been a complete mess.

There is probably already a sequel in the works.

The Avengers

The second best time I had in a theater this year followed five of the best superheroes the world has ever known.

Smart, witty, and action-packed, The Avengers proves that this is how you turn the masses into comic book nerds. 

 

Sufjan Christmas Tour 

After years of waiting, my friends and I never thought we would see Sufjan Stevens in concert; December 2012 proved us wrong.

Between the classic Christmas carols, festive crowd (donning antlers, santa hats, and one girl dressed as a Christmas tree), the Christmas Unicorn, a giant snowman, and lots of confetti, it was one of my favorite events from this holiday season.

Ending the show with beautifully singing a couple of his non-holiday hits was also a welcome surprise.

Parks And Rec

I'm forever thankful that Leslie, Ron, Andy and the gang came along to create comedy.  

It will be nice knowing when we sadly bid 30 Rock adieu there will still be a TV show that will deliver obscure pop culture references and make us all laugh till it hurts. 

  

Moonrise Kingdom

The one thing I hear most consistently in praise about Wes Anderson movies is that people just want to live in them. I couldn't agree more, and Moonrise Kingdom might possibly have the most desired world to hop into.

Sure, there are always kooky happenings, but the stories are also equal parts fun, heartfelt, and relateable.

All those bright pops of lovely colors and seeing Edward Norton back in the movies isn't too bad either.

Of Monsters And Men - My Head Is An Animal

I know, I know, people are getting sick of "this kind of music". I sort of get what people are saying, even though this sound isn't anything new, it's just becoming more widely popular. 

Either way, since I love a good accordion and horn section, I think the release from these Iceland natives is quite enjoyable.  "Little Talks" was their big hit and the rest of the album delivers a lot of the same fun atmosphere with co-singers Nanna and Raggi's vibrant voices as a highlight.

 Plus, they have a video live from the Gorge Amphitheater, aka one of my favorite places on Planet Earth. Check it out above.

P!nk - "Try"

Pink has been famous since I was in 7th grade. That thought just made me feel old, but maybe that would make Pink feel old as well?

She burst onto the TRL stage as the anti Britney, and through all the "Getting The Party Started" and "Lady Marmalades", the last couple Pink albums have been great as establishing her as a powerhouse solo singer, and not just a throw away popstar.

Her 2012 album, The Truth About Love, did hit big with the popular summer song, "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)", but honestly her album is a great listen in its entirety, with "Try" being my favorite.

 

The Cabin In The Woods

Horror movies used to be my favorite. In recent years though, all those chop-em up, bloody gore messes that dominate horror releases are something I won't stomach. Finally, some smart folks came up with an astoundingly creative horror movie.

I had absolutely no idea what The Cabin In The Woods was about when I rented it, which is exactly how everyone should go in before seeing it. Just know that the word awesome will go through your brain a million times through the length of the movie.


Hope everyone out there merrily rings in 2013! I'll be back tomorrow with more best of 2012, because I just can't get enough of list making.

Listing: Round It Up, Take One

(2012 New Years At The Needle)

Entertainment consumption is a continual cycle. When we finish one movie or series, we are keeping our eyes out for something more. Sometimes this consumption comes with patterns.

At this exact time last year (according to my Netflix viewing history), right on the brink of 2012, I was eagerly getting obsessed with a critically acclaimed show from the 90's created by Aaron Sorkin. Twelve months later, not a lot has changed. Sorkin has reeled me in again just in time to kick off 2013 with some witty fast talking banter and long tracking shots.

I bounced from the exciting halls of a TV studio on Sports Night to the exciting halls of The White House on The West Wing. There were also many shows, movies and tunes in between that had me riveted throughout the year. 

In several installments, because one just isn't enough, I've picked everything that define, to me, 2012 in entertainment.  Lets get started!

First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar

These two sisters from Sweden get my vote for the best album of 2012.

With a tip of their hat to the folk and country roots of classic Americana tunes, The Lion's Roar is perfect from beginning to end, showcasing the duo's haunting voices and talent for writing beautiful ballads.

Nashville

Connie Britton, coming off Friday Night Lights and American Horror Story, can do no wrong, so it's not a surprise that long before her new show debuted I was equally excited and prepared to defend it.

Even with my excitement, I was honestly shocked at how enjoyable Nashville turned out to be. Each week is packed with soapy drama, but most importantly, for a show set in the music industry, every episode introduces catchy songs sung by the talented cast. The show is even making me like Hayden Panettiere...who thought that was possible?

This is definitely the year that I am truly embracing this kind of country.

The Dark Knight Rises

The Christopher Nolan Batman saga went out in tremendous glory over the summer. With the film just released on DVD, the chilling trailer is once again playing on high rotation on TV, and it still sucks me in every time. There's a storm coming...

At one point I didn't enjoy Anne Hathaway, but somewhere between The Princess Diaries and a couple years ago I changed my mind. Her playing "Cat Woman" is one of my favorite things of the entire year. Taking into consideration that I'm still waiting to see Les Miserables.

The Avett Brothers - Pretty Girl From Michigan

The Carpenter, from said brothers, tops my list of most listened to albums over this year, but highlighting a favorite song seemed necessary.

Vibing on 60's pop/rock, this was the jam of many summer drives.

The Master

After being crazy and falling out of Hollywood for a couple years, Joaquin Pheonix is back, and it's thrilling.

Fittingly, he brings his alluring eyes into the cinema once again to play a lost guy, who's pretty well out of his mind while he discovers "The Cause" and befriends their leader (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman).

The Master is weird at times, but also magnetic and immensely beautiful to look at. The intense dynamic between Hoffman and Pheonix is unmatched by any other actors in the movies I have seen this year.

Rufus Wainwright - Out Of The Game

Straight up, any time Rufus has an album, listen to it. His outstanding voice is out of this world. There is also a great cameo by Helena Bonham Carter in this video. It made me nostalgic for the time when it seemed like artists released fun music videos everyday.

Rashida is also another stand out from the album.

All of AMC

The schedule of AMC programing felt like it took over my year.

Kicking off with the much delayed (but incredible) season five of Mad Men (Side Note: Golden Globe voters, what's wrong with you!), which lead into another magnificent season of Breaking Bad, and ended with The Walking Dead, which improves in storytelling every season.

Some may see these shows as depressing, and even I was once iffy about them myself. Eventually for TV fans it becomes hard to ignore all the buzz, which turns out to be warranted. The stories and characters are so entirely engrossing and you get sucked into being obsessed with what is going to happen. Most of the time, on these three shows, it is always shocking what unfolds.

New Girl

What started off as a show starring Zooey Deschanel with three guys, and an unbalanced first season, has become one of my must see favorite comedies.

Each of the four main characters (Deschanel plus, Jake Johnson, Lamorne Morris, and Max Greenfield)  are goofy and fun, and together they are involved in some of the most hysterical stories on TV.

Regina Spektor - How

Spektor is another class act that released a new album this year. Her piano playing is still fantastic, and on ballads like "How" we are reminded of the powerful, refined, and special voice that emits from such a cute as a button woman.

Seriously, she walked by me in a record store once, and is literally me cut in half.

We are just getting started! Stay tuned for more of the exciting music, movies, and TV that came out of 2012. I hope everyone is looking back and accumulating lots of lists.