The final round of cuts. Finally you shall see my top 10 films of all time. Exciting, isn't it? I said, EXCITING, ISN'T IT?!?!!?!? (It isn't.)

This is the link for the initial post where I talk at length about this project. http://atleastyouregettingsome.blogspot.com/2012/08/working-towards-top-10-part-1.html

 Beneath the Top 10 of all time, you will find the list of cuts from all the previous rounds.

I didn't write anything after these cuts. Why? I was lazy. I will say this, I added a film, ANGUS, to the list and decided on a criteria. These are ten films that saved my life at one point or another. Ultimately, I guess my criteria for what makes a work of art great is if it has the ability to save a life. I am deeply grateful that all these films exist. For those out there making films, I hope that in some way those are your aspirations... if not, what's the point?

All that said, I could do this exercise next month and find myself making many changes. I guarantee it. I'm starting to learn that I hate picking favorites.

Feel free to tell me what you would have added to this list and / or why I'm nuts for cutting something. I find that shit fascinating.


My top 10:

CASABLANCA
BREATHLESS
IN A LONELY PLACE
CERTIFIED COPY
THE LOVERS ON THE BRIDGE
CITY LIGHTS
LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD
HUSBANDS
IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE
ANGUS


The cuts taking it from a top 25 to a top 10:
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (the last one to be dropped from the top 10. ANGUS apologizes.)
THE MAN WITH THE MOVIE CAMERA
THE SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE
SABRINA
IRMA VEP
DOGVILLE
MANHATTAN
WERCKMEISTER HARMONIES
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
WHAT TIME IS IT THERE?
APOCALYPSE NOW
UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG
F FOR FAKE
VERTIGO
THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC
STALKER

The 15 cut to bring us to a final 25:
WINGS OF DESIRE
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
ZERO DE CONDUITE
POETRY
SANS SOLEIL
THIS IS ENGLAND
FITZCARALDO
NIGHT MOVES
ALL THE REAL GIRLS
FOUR NIGHTS OF A DREAMER
HIS GIRL FRIDAY
MY NIGHT AT MAUD'S
RED DESERT
THE BIG LEBOWSKI
THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER

The third 10 that had to go:
THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE...
THE NAKED KISS
MORVERN CALLAR
JOHNNY GUITAR
THE DEVIL, PROBABLY
ANTICHRIST
SUNRISE
GILDA
FAT CITY
BADLANDS

The second 10 that had to go:
THE CONVERSATION (Impossible choice. Well, I guess not that impossible)
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST
TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (FAT CITY just sits deep in my bones, this one I just dig the fuck out of)
ANNIE HALL (This was a mood based pull... tomorrow I may regret not putting MANHATTAN in this spot)
SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE (I had to pull this as the cut that makes this list is the TV cut)
TWO-LANE BLACKTOP
CLAIRE'S KNEES (Same deal as ANNIE HALL)
SANSHO THE BAILIFF
NINOTCHKA (This was a painful pull... Basically, it just left because it isn't fresh in my mind)
THE THIN RED LINE (This left only because BADLANDS resonates with me emotionally on a much deeper level... I would not argue with you if you said TTRL is the better film)

The first 10 that had to go (Remember, these are all amazing films and it hurt me just a little bit to cut each one that I did. Especially you, Ms. Brooks.):
SHAUN OF THE DEAD
LE SAMOURAI
KINGS OF THE ROAD
HE WHO GETS SLAPPED
THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER
CHINATOWN
PANDORA'S BOX
TAXI DRIVER
THE PIANO TEACHER
IKIRU

Working Towards a Top 10: Part 5: 40 - 25

Round 4 of cuts. If you want an entire write-up of what I am doing... here is the first post where I "go long" on it. http://atleastyouregettingsome.blogspot.com/2012/08/working-towards-top-10-part-1.html

Under you'll find my TOP 25 FILMS OF ALL TIME. Beneath that, the list of cuts from the previous rounds.

I didn't write anything after these cuts. Why? A couple reasons. First, I was lazy. Second, I just pulled from the gut. If I tried to think about the cuts, I would never decide. As it is, I stared at this list for 3 days trying to chop out 15 films. I also have started making a list of films I forgot to add to the initial 70. Some of which may have made it into this top 25.

If you go back to the other posts in this series, there may be a little added insight as to why I ended up cutting certain films on certain days. It's been a rough few weeks. I am finally back to my normal state of peace and balance. Perhaps that is why certain films didn't make the cut this time around.

All that said, I could do this exercise next month and find myself making many changes. I guarantee it. I'm starting to learn that I hate picking favorites.

Feel free to tell me what you would have added to this list and / or why I'm nuts for cutting something. I find that shit fascinating.


My top 25:

CASABLANCA
BREATHLESS
IN A LONELY PLACE
CERTIFIED COPY
THE LOVERS ON THE BRIDGE
DOGVILLE
CITY LIGHTS
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD
HUSBANDS
PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC
MANHATTAN
IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE
UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG
WERCKMEISTER HARMONIES
F FOR FAKE
SABRINA
VERTIGO
APOCALYPSE NOW
THE MAN WITH THE MOVIE CAMERA
STALKER
THE SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE
WHAT TIME IS IT THERE?
IRMA VEP

The 15 cut to bring us to a final 25:
WINGS OF DESIRE
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
ZERO DE CONDUITE
POETRY
SANS SOLEIL
THIS IS ENGLAND
FITZCARALDO
NIGHT MOVES
ALL THE REAL GIRLS
FOUR NIGHTS OF A DREAMER
HIS GIRL FRIDAY
MY NIGHT AT MAUD'S
RED DESERT
THE BIG LEBOWSKI
THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER

The third 10 that had to go:
THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE...
THE NAKED KISS
MORVERN CALLAR
JOHNNY GUITAR
THE DEVIL, PROBABLY
ANTICHRIST
SUNRISE
GILDA
FAT CITY
BADLANDS

The second 10 that had to go:
THE CONVERSATION (Impossible choice. Well, I guess not that impossible)
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST
TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (FAT CITY just sits deep in my bones, this one I just dig the fuck out of)
ANNIE HALL (This was a mood based pull... tomorrow I may regret not putting MANHATTAN in this spot)
SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE (I had to pull this as the cut that makes this list is the TV cut)
TWO-LANE BLACKTOP
CLAIRE'S KNEES (Same deal as ANNIE HALL)
SANSHO THE BAILIFF
NINOTCHKA (This was a painful pull... Basically, it just left because it isn't fresh in my mind)
THE THIN RED LINE (This left only because BADLANDS resonates with me emotionally on a much deeper level... I would not argue with you if you said TTRL is the better film)

The first 10 that had to go (Remember, these are all amazing films and it hurt me just a little bit to cut each one that I did. Especially you, Ms. Brooks.):
SHAUN OF THE DEAD
LE SAMOURAI
KINGS OF THE ROAD
HE WHO GETS SLAPPED
THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER
CHINATOWN
PANDORA'S BOX
TAXI DRIVER
THE PIANO TEACHER
IKIRU

Working Towards a Top 10: Part 4: 50 - 40

Round 3 of cuts. If you want an entire write-up of what I am doing... here is the first post where I "go long" on it. http://atleastyouregettingsome.blogspot.com/2012/08/working-towards-top-10-part-1.html

Under you'll find the remaining 40 and beneath that the list of cuts from the three rounds

I didn't write anything after these cuts. This has me being extremely honest about what is a favorite. Notice the amount of challenging films that got cut because on any given day, frankly, I prefer some of the more charming films that remain on the list. Also, as my mood dictates what gets cut from day to day... the amount of anxiety that has been making me a bit of a wreck and kinda "off" this whole week (trying to hide anxiety is always a mistake; I can't even begin to imagine what my over-compensated masking is making me seem like) has me looking at the cultural and personal importance of the lighter, more comedic films (comedy is important, but that doesn't excuse them from being dumb... none of these comedies are dumb, dummy). I'm also noticing how much I value romance, love and how much the loss of it resonates with me.

Feel free to tell me what you would have added to this list and / or why I'm nuts for cutting something. I find that shit fascinating.

CASABLANCA
BREATHLESS
IN A LONELY PLACE
CERTIFIED COPY
FOUR NIGHTS OF A DREAMER
ZERO DE CONDUITE
WHAT TIME IS IT THERE?
IRMA VEP
THE LOVERS ON THE BRIDGE
MY NIGHT AT MAUDE'S
DOGVILLE
CITY LIGHTS
HIS GIRL FRIDAY
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
THIS IS ENGLAND
RED DESERT
THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD
HUSBANDS
FITZCARALDO
PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC
MANHATTAN
NIGHT MOVES
ALL THE REAL GIRLS
IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE
UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
WERCKMEISTER HARMONIES
F FOR FAKE
THE BIG LEBOWSKI
SABRINA
VERTIGO
APOCALYPSE NOW
THE MAN WITH THE MOVIE CAMERA
POETRY
STALKER
SANS SOLEIL
THE SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE
WINGS OF DESIRE

The third 10 that had to go:
THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE...
THE NAKED KISS
MORVERN CALLAR
JOHNNY GUITAR
THE DEVIL, PROBABLY
ANTICHRIST
SUNRISE
GILDA
FAT CITY
BADLANDS

The second 10 that had to go:
THE CONVERSATION (Impossible choice. Well, I guess not that impossible)
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST
TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (FAT CITY just sits deep in my bones, this one I just dig the fuck out of)
ANNIE HALL (This was a mood based pull... tomorrow I may regret not putting MANHATTAN in this spot)
SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE (I had to pull this as the cut that makes this list is the TV cut)
TWO-LANE BLACKTOP
CLAIRE'S KNEES (Same deal as ANNIE HALL)
SANSHO THE BAILIFF
NINOTCHKA (This was a painful pull... Basically, it just left because it isn't fresh in my mind)
THE THIN RED LINE (This left only because BADLANDS resonates with me emotionally on a much deeper level... I would not argue with you if you said TTRL is the better film)

The first 10 that had to go (Remember, these are all amazing films and it hurt me just a little bit to cut each one that I did. Especially you, Ms. Brooks.):
SHAUN OF THE DEAD
LE SAMOURAI
KINGS OF THE ROAD
HE WHO GETS SLAPPED
THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER
CHINATOWN
PANDORA'S BOX
TAXI DRIVER
THE PIANO TEACHER
IKIRU

Working Towards a Top 10: Part 3: 60 - 50

Round 2 of cuts. If you want an entire write-up of what I am doing... here is the first post where I "go long" on it. http://atleastyouregettingsome.blogspot.com/2012/08/working-towards-top-10-part-1.html

Under you'll find the remaining 50 and beneath that the list of cuts from both rounds. This round featured the most brutal cutting based on the "only one film per director in the top 25 criteria."

I wrote a brief sentence or two after most of the cut films explaining why they had to go.

Feel free to tell me what you would have added to this list and / or why I'm nuts for cutting something. I find that shit fascinating.

CASABLANCA
BREATHLESS
IN A LONELY PLACE
CERTIFIED COPY
JOHNNY GUITAR
THE DEVIL, PROBABLY
FOUR NIGHTS OF A DREAMER
ZERO DE CONDUITE
WHAT TIME IS IT THERE?
IRMA VEP
THE LOVERS ON THE BRIDGE
MY NIGHT AT MAUDE'S
DOGVILLE
ANTICHRIST
CITY LIGHTS
HIS GIRL FRIDAY
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
THIS IS ENGLAND
RED DESERT
THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD
HUSBANDS
FITZCARALDO
PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC
SUNRISE
GILDA
FAT CITY
MANHATTAN
NIGHT MOVES
ALL THE REAL GIRLS
IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE
UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG
THE NAKED KISS
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
WERCKMEISTER HARMONIES
F FOR FAKE
THE BIG LEBOWSKI
MORVERN CALLAR
SABRINA
VERTIGO
APOCALYPSE NOW
THE MAN WITH THE MOVIE CAMERA
POETRY
STALKER
SANS SOLEIL
THE SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE
THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE...
WINGS OF DESIRE
BADLANDS

The second 10 that had to go:
THE CONVERSATION (Impossible choice. Well, I guess not that impossible)
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST
TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (FAT CITY just sits deep in my bones, this one I just dig the fuck out of)
ANNIE HALL (This was a mood based pull... tomorrow I may regret not putting MANHATTAN in this spot)
SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE (I had to pull this as the cut that makes this list is the TV cut)
TWO-LANE BLACKTOP
CLAIRE'S KNEES (Same deal as ANNIE HALL)
SANSHO THE BAILIFF
NINOTCHKA (This was a painful pull... Basically, it just left because it isn't fresh in my mind)
THE THIN RED LINE (This left only because BADLANDS resonates with me emotionally on a much deeper level... I would not argue with you if you said TTRL is the better film)

The first 10 that had to go (Remember, these are all amazing films and it hurt me just a little bit to cut each one that I did. Especially you, Ms. Brooks.):
SHAUN OF THE DEAD
LE SAMOURAI
KINGS OF THE ROAD
HE WHO GETS SLAPPED
THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER
CHINATOWN
PANDORA'S BOX
TAXI DRIVER
THE PIANO TEACHER
IKIRU

Working Towards a Top 10: Part 2: 70 - 60

Here is the first 10 cuts of my "Top 70." Not gonna type much this time out... if you want an entire write-up of what I am doing... here is the first post where I "go long" on it. http://atleastyouregettingsome.blogspot.com/2012/08/working-towards-top-10-part-1.html

Under the remaining 60, I shall list the first 10 to go. As I really want the top 25 or so to only feature one film per director, some great films from directors already represented may start making the cut first.

Feel free to tell me what you would have added to this list and / or why I'm nuts for cutting something. I find that shit fascinating.

CASABLANCA
BREATHLESS
IN A LONELY PLACE
CERTIFIED COPY
JOHNNY GUITAR
THE DEVIL, PROBABLY
FOUR NIGHTS OF A DREAMER
ZERO DE CONDUITE
WHAT TIME IS IT THERE?
IRMA VEP
THE LOVERS ON THE BRIDGE
MY NIGHT AT MAUDE'S
CLAIRE'S KNEES
DOGVILLE
ANTICHRIST
CITY LIGHTS
HIS GIRL FRIDAY
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
THIS IS ENGLAND
SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE
TWO-LANE BLACKTOP
RED DESERT
THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD
HUSBANDS
FITZCARALDO
PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC
SUNRISE
GILDA
FAT CITY
ANNIE HALL
MANHATTAN
NIGHT MOVES
ALL THE REAL GIRLS
IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE
UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG
NINOTCHKA
THE NAKED KISS
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
WERCKMEISTER HARMONIES
F FOR FAKE
THE BIG LEBOWSKI
MORVERN CALLAR
SABRINA
VERTIGO
THE CONVERSATION
APOCALYPSE NOW
THE MAN WITH THE MOVIE CAMERA
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST
TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE
POETRY
SANSHO THE BAILIFF
STALKER
SANS SOLEIL
THE SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE
THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE...
WINGS OF DESIRE
BADLANDS
THE THIN RED LINE

The first 10 that had to go (Remember, these are all amazing films and it hurt me just a little bit to cut each one that I did. Especially you, Ms. Brooks.):
SHAUN OF THE DEAD
LE SAMOURAI
KINGS OF THE ROAD
HE WHO GETS SLAPPED
THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER
CHINATOWN
PANDORA'S BOX
TAXI DRIVER
THE PIANO TEACHER
IKIRU

Working Towards a Top 10: Part 1

This right here is, as always, simply a list of my FAVORITE films of all time. Trying to list the best films is such a boring and pointless task that says very little about the author. Besides, who can argue with what I say is my favorite? You could, I guess, but you'd just be an asshole. As I briefly mentioned, what someone deems their favorite says a little something about the person doing that there deeming. If one wants to have a conversation about that, I'm more than happy to have that conversation. The other reason I don't bother with "bests" is basically for two reasons... 1) who the fuck am I (and in many cases, you)? 2) there are plenty of things I haven't seen for no reason other than time and access. As one should probably know, a list of favorites is a living document.

Life changes us over time. It beats us down and makes us cynical. Later we find hope and happiness. Then turns us into a quivering ninny over a girl that we loved. And so on. We all (or at least I) have experienced this world through many phases, like the moon, but without the cyclical repetition. There may be certain phases that are similar, but as I age, the previous experiences have altered the phases in subtle, yet noticeable ways. As a result, my taste changes at a rapid pace. So of course (prepare yourself for one of my many "no shit" statements), through time I have found that my appreciation of art changes as I change. My aesthetic preferences change. My sense of humor evolves. What I find meaningful changes. What makes my heart go all pitter patter changes. My values change. What I find comforting changes. What I find thrilling changes. What offends me changes. What annoys me changes. And on and on and on. We grow older; we grow wiser. And blah blah blah.

I gave myself a few rules when I made this list. First, I could use no references (not even glancing at my DVD shelves), it had to strictly be from my head. This is of course slightly problematic as I do not have the memory of an elephant; I more so have the memory of a peanut... consumed by an elephant and shat out... baking in the hot LA Zoo sun. Second, once I hit 70 films, I had to stop. I wanted to keep going and there are some great films that I adore that I just couldn't put down, because rules are rules (I made this rule while making the list because, frankly, there had to be an endpoint). Third, I only had 3 days to think about this and there could never be a brainstorming session. This had to be stuff I thought about at random moments and jotted down in my little Evernote ap. Fourth, Oh, fuck it. No more rules to be mentioned.

This list is 70 films long. I am going to force myself to cut 10 films every few days until I get down to 10. I will post the new list each time I chop 10. Below is the raw 70. They are in no particular order. In fact, if you think they are in an order of how I thought of them, you'd be wrong. Although, the top few will probably hang around for quite a while.

Shit. Three final notes: 1) I was generally mindful of filmmakers when I made my selections. What I mean is that although some filmmakers have more than one film, I stopped myself with others when there was one (semi-)clear standout in my mind. I am going to try to end the top 20-30 by making sure only one film by a filmmaker is represented. 2) As I didn't use any references when writing these down, there may be some errors in the spelling or titles. I'm sure you can figure out what films I mean. 3) I DID NOT PROOFREAD ANY OF THE TEXT ABOVE. WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT CAME OUT AND MAY BE NONSENSICAL OR REPETITIVE. OH WELL. I AIN'T GETTING PAID FOR THIS SHIT.

Feel free to tell me what you would have added that I left off. I find that shit fascinating.
CASABLANCA
BREATHLESS
IN A LONELY PLACE
CERTIFIED COPY
JOHNNY GUITAR
THE DEVIL, PROBABLY
FOUR NIGHTS OF A DREAMER
ZERO DE CONDUITE
WHAT TIME IS IT THERE?
IRMA VEP
THE LOVERS ON THE BRIDGE
MY NIGHT AT MAUDE'S
CLAIRE'S KNEES
DOGVILLE
ANTICHRIST
CITY LIGHTS
HIS GIRL FRIDAY
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
THIS IS ENGLAND
THE PIANO TEACHER
SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE
IKIRU
TWO-LANE BLACKTOP
RED DESERT
THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
LE SAMOURAI
LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD
HUSBANDS
FITZCARALDO
PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC
SUNRISE
GILDA
FAT CITY
ANNIE HALL
MANHATTAN
NIGHT MOVES
ALL THE REAL GIRLS
IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE
UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG
NINOTCHKA
THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER
THE NAKED KISS
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
WERCKMEISTER HARMONIES
F FOR FAKE
THE BIG LEBOWSKI
HE WHO GETS SLAPPED
PANDORA'S BOX
TAXI DRIVER
MORVERN CALLAR
SABRINA
VERTIGO
CHINATOWN
THE CONVERSATION
APOCALYPSE NOW
THE MAN WITH THE MOVIE CAMERA
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST
TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE
POETRY
SANSHO THE BAILIFF
STALKER
SANS SOLEIL
SHAUN OF THE DEAD
THE SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE
THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE...
WINGS OF DESIRE
KINGS OF THE ROAD
BADLANDS
THE THIN RED LINE

Viewing Log - February 2012

Following is the list of TV shows and films that I watched in February of 2012.

The grades are strictly personal; merely a reflection of how much I enjoyed what I viewed as documented in the immediate moment that it ended. It lacks reflection on the work, discussion, and so on. These numbers could probably be changed even a day later and will probably change upon subsequent viewings or upon further reflection. If you even start to think this is some kind of gradation of "quality," I'll slap you. "How can you think this is better than that?" would be the wrong way to approach these grades. Why? BECAUSE THAT WASN'T MY INTENTION AND I AM NOT MAKING THAT STATEMENT. In fact, I never went back to compare grades between one and the next.

As you can probably tell, I rarely sleep more than 4 hours a night. Sleep is for the weak. There are only 24 hours in a day; why waste 'em sleeping?

Here is the key to deciphering what those letters n' numbers within the () mean.
(S) - Short
(R) - Rewatch
(T) - Theater
(C) - Commentary Track
(TV) - TV Show
(12) - 2012 Release

02/01
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/30/12 (TV)
DAGUERREOTYPES - 4.25
THE GAMBLER - 4.5
BRANDED TO KILL - 3.5
HOUSE OF LIES S1E3 (TV)
BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - 3.25

02/02
BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA (C) - 4
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/31/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/31/12 (TV)
EUROPA (T) - 4.5
PARKS & REC S4E14 (TV)

02/03
FRIGHT NIGHT (2011) - 3.5

02/04
ARCHER S3E1 (R) (TV)
JUSTIFIED S3E1 (R) (TV)

02/05
REAL TIME (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 02/01/12 (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 02/02/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 02/01/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 02/02/12 (TV)
30 ROCK S6E4 (TV)
THE OFFICE S8E13 (TV)
OPENING NIGHT - 4.5
JOHNNY STACCATO S1E3 (TV)
JOHNNY STACCATO S1E4 (TV)
THE GODFATHER (R) - 5
THE CONVERSATION (C) - 4
ARCHER S3E3 (TV)


02/06
GAME OF THRONES S1E1 (R) (TV)
GAME OF THRONES S1E2 (R) (TV)
GAME OF THRONES S1E3 (R) (TV)
GAME OF THRONES S1E4 (R) (TV)
CALIFORNICATION S5E5 (TV)
HOUSE OF LIES S1E4 (TV)
IDENTIFICATION OF A WOMAN - 3.5
AN IDIOT ABROAD S2E1 (TV)
AN IDIOT ABROAD S2E2 (TV)

02/07
THE INCREASINGLY POOR DECISIONS OF TODD MARGARET S2E5 (TV)
TOP CHEF: TEXAS S9E12 (TV)
JUSTIFIED S3E4 (TV)
SCHIZOPOLIS (C) - 4.25

02/08
NORWEGIAN WOOD (12) (T) - 2.25

02/09
PERFECT SENSE (12) - 4

02/11
THE GLASS SLIPPER (R) - 4.5

02/12
ARCHER S3E4 (TV)
AN IDIOT ABROAD S2E3 (TV)
HOUSE OF LIES S1E5 (TV)
THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE (1978) - 4.75

02/13
CALIFORNICATION S5E6 (TV)
TOP CHEF: TEXAS S9E13 (TV)
LUCK S1E2 (TV)
LUCK S1E3 (TV)
30 ROCK S6E5 (TV)
THE OFFICE S8E14 (TV)
THE INCREASINGLY POOR DECISIONS OF TODD MARGARET S2E6 (TV)
HOUSE OF LIES S1E6 (TV)
AN IDIOT ABROAD S2E4 (TV)

02/14
THE COLBERT REPORT: 02/13/12 (TV)
PAGE EIGHT - 4.25
CHOP SHOP - 4.5
THE DAILY SHOW: 02/13/12 (TV)
OASIS - 5
JUSTIFIED S3E5 (TV)

02/15
ANTHONY BOURDAIN'S: NO RESERVATIONS: SAN FRANCISCO (R) (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 02/14/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 02/14/12 (TV)
SHERLOCK S2E1 (TV)

02/16
SHERLOCK S2E2 (TV)
SHERLOCK S2E3 (TV)

02/20
LIFE'S TOO SHORT S1E1 (TV)
EASTBOUND AND DOWN S3E1 (TV)
REAL TIME (TV)

02/21
PARKS & REC S4E15 (TV)
CALIFORNICATION S5E7 (TV)
TOP CHEF: TEXAS S9E14 (TV)
LUCK S1E4 (TV)
ARCHER S3E5 (TV)
JUSTIFIED S3E6 (TV)
AN IDIOT ABROAD S2E5 (TV)
THE OFFICE S8E15 (TV)

02/22
30 ROCK S6E6 (TV)
(A film I will not mention) - 4.75
HOUSE OF LIES S1E7 (TV)

02/23
THE COLBERT REPORT: 02/20/12 (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 02/21/12 (TV)
MEDICINE FOR MELANCHOLY - 3.5

02/24
PARKS & REC S4E16 (TV)
ARCHER S3E6 (TV)
SHERLOCK S2E3 (R) (TV)

02/25
30 ROCK S6E7 (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 02/22/12 (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 02/23/12 (TV)

02/26
THE DAILY SHOW: 02/15/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 02/16/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 02/20/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 02/21/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 02/22/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 02/23/12 (TV)
TAKE SHELTER - 4.75
MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE - 4.5
TOP CHEF: TEXAS S9E15 (TV)
WE WON'T GROW OLD TOGETHER - 3.5
THE CIRCLE - 4.5

02/27
LIFE'S TOO SHORT S1E2 (TV)
EASTBOUND AND DOWN S3E2 (TV)
LUCK S1E5 (TV)
AN IDIOT ABROAD S2E6 (TV)
THE EXPLODING GIRL - 3
BARCELONA - 4.75
THE OFFICE S8E16 (TV)
LOVE SONGS - 3.25
THE LUSTY MEN - 4.75

02/28
ON DANGEROUS GROUND - 4.25
THE DEVIL, PROBABLY - 4.75
JUSTIFIED S3E6 (R) (TV)
JUSTIFIED S3E7 (TV)

02/29
THE COLBERT REPORT: 02/27/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 02/27/12 (TV)
LATE MARRIAGE - 4.75

Viewing Log - January 2012

I decided to finally start keeping track of everything I watch in a given year. I'd give some sort of explanation as to why I decided to do this, but, alas, it just seemed like the thing to do. I AM SUCH A FOLLOWER!!! I will only post the log monthly as daily seems pointless and excessive.

Following is the list of TV shows and films that I watched in January of 2012.

The grades are meant to be strictly personal. It is merely a reflection of how much I enjoyed what I viewed as documented in the immediate moment that it ended. It lacks reflection on the work, discussion, and so on. These numbers could have been changed even a day later and will probably change upon subsequent viewings. If you even start to think this is some kind of gradation of "quality," I'll slap you. "How can you think this is better than that?" would be the wrong way to approach these grades. Why? BECAUSE THAT WASN'T MY INTENTION AND I AM NOT MAKING THAT STATEMENT. In fact, I never went back to compare grades between one and the next.

Here is the key to deciphering what those letters n' numbers within the () mean.
(S) - Short
(R) - Rewatch
(T) - Theater
(C) - Commentary Track
(TV) - TV Show
(12) - 2012 Release

2012 FILMS VIEWED IN 2011

THIS IS NOT A FILM - 5
THE TURIN HORSE - 4.75
OSLO, AUGUST 31 - 5
THE INNKEEPERS - 3.5
THE DAY HE ARRIVED - 3.25
JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI - 4
THE LONELIEST PLANET - 4.75

01/01
IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (R) - 5
THE DESCENDANTS (T) - 3
LE QUATTRO VOLTE - 4
A DANGEROUS METHOD - 4.25
BAD TEACHER - 2

01/02
MILLENNIUM MAMBO - 2
CARNAGE (T) - 3.5
THE LAYOVER: Hong Kong (TV)
COLD WEATHER - 3.75
STATE AND MAIN - 4.25

01/03
L'AMOUR FOU - 4
EVEN THE RAIN - 4.75
RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES - 2.75

01/04
HOW I ENDED THIS SUMMER - 4
POTICHE - 3.75
SLEEPING BEAUTY - 3.25

01/05
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/03/12 (TV)
RAPT - 4.25
ROAD TO NOWHERE - 4.5
WIN WIN - 3
PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES - 3

01/06
THE ROBBER - 3.75
A SEPARATION (T) - 5
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON (T) - 3.25

01/07
BRIDESMAIDS - 2.5

01/08
MYSTERIES OF LISBON - 4.75

01/09
LOVE EXPOSURE - 5
MONEYBALL - 4

01/10
FILM SOCIALISME - 4.5(?)
LE HAVRE - 4.75
CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH - 4.25
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/04/12 (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/05/12 (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/09/12 (TV)

01/11
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/03/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/04/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/05/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/09/12 (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/10/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/10/12 (TV)
TOP CHEF: TEXAS S9E9 (TV)
THE INCREASINGLY POOR DECISIONS OF TODD MARGARET S2E1 (TV)
VIVE L'AMOUR - 4.5
CUL-DE-SAC - 4

01/12
CELINE AND JULIE GO BOATING - 4.5
THE MODERNS - 3.25


01/13
PARKS AND RECREATION S4E11 (TV)
KLUTE - 4
HE WHO GETS SLAPPED - 4.5
JUSTIFIED S2E1 (TV) (R)
REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER 01/13/12 (TV)
JUSTIFIED S2E2 (TV) (R)

01/14
JUSTIFIED S2E3 (TV) (R)
JUSTIFIED S2E4 (TV) (R)
JUSTIFIED S2E5 (TV) (R)
JUSTIFIED S2E6 (TV) (R)
JUSTIFIED S2E7 (TV) (R)

01/15
PARTY DOWN S1E1 (TV) (R)
PARTY DOWN S1E2 (TV) (R)
ARCHER S1E1 (TV) (R)
ARCHER S1E2 (TV) (R)
THE LAST DAYS OF DISCO - 4.5
SHERLOCK S1E1 (TV) (R)
SHERLOCK S1E2 (TV) (R)

01/16
PARTY DOWN S1E6 (TV) (R)
JUSTIFIED S2E8 (TV) (R)
JUSTIFIED S2E9 (TV) (R)
JUSTIFIED S2E10 (TV) (R)
JUSTIFIED S2E11 (TV) (R)
JUSTIFIED S2E12 (TV) (R)
JUSTIFIED S2E13 (TV) (R)
CALIFORNICATION S5E1 (TV)
CALIFORNICATION S5E2 (TV)
30 ROCK S6E1 (TV)
THE OFFICE S8E11 (TV)
THE INCREASINGLY POOR DECISIONS OF TODD MARGARET S2E2 (TV)
HOUSE OF LIES S1E1 (TV)
HOUSE OF LIES S1E2 (TV)

01/17
TOP CHEF: TEXAS S9E10 (TV)
THE LAYOVER: LONDON (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/11/12 (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/12/12 (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/16/12 (TV)
JUSTIFIED S3E1 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/11/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/12/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/16/12 (TV)

01/18
THEY LIVE BY NIGHT - 3.75
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/17/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/17/12 (TV)
IN THE CITY OF SYLVIA - 4.5

01/19
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/18/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/18/12 (TV)
FILM BUFF - 4.5
THE LIMEY (C) - 4.5

01/20
HAYWIRE (12) (T) - 4.5
ARCHER S3E1 (TV)
PARKS & REC S4E12 (TV)
VANISHING POINT (UK) - 4.25

01/21
THE OFFICE S8E12 (TV)
30 ROCK S6E2 (TV)
THE INCREASINGLY POOR DECISIONS OF TODD MARGARET S2E3 (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/19/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/19/12 (TV)
ALTERNATE PROJECTIONS: EXPERIMENTAL FILM IN LOS ANGELES, 1945-1980 (T)
- MUSCLE BEACH (S)
- CITY CITY (S)
- BUNKER HILL (S)
- OLIVIA'S PLACE (S)
- SHOPPERS MARKET (S)
- FILM EXERCISE NUMBER ONE (S)
- VENICE PIER (S)

01/22
WARRIOR (R) - 4.5
BEGINNERS (R) - 4.5
TOP CHEF: TEXAS S9E11 (TV)
TALKING FUNNY (TV)

01/23
LEWIS BLACK: BLACK ON BROADWAY (TV) (R)
AFTER THE THIN MAN (R) - 4.5
ANOTHER THIN MAN (R) - 4.5

01/24
SHADOW OF THE THIN MAN (R) - 4.25
THE THIN MAN GOES HOME - 4.25
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/23/12 (TV)
JUSTIFIED S3E2 (TV)
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH - 4.75

01/25
SONG OF THE THIN MAN - 4
LE RAYON VERT (T) - 4.75
4 ADVENTURES OF REINETTE AND MIRABELLE (T) - 4.5
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/23/12 (TV)

01/26
TETRO - 4.25
CALIFORNICATION S5E3 (TV)

01/27
MISS BALA (12) (T) - 4.75
DECLARATION OF WAR (12) (T) - 4.25
JUSTIFIED S1E1 (TV)

01/28
JUSTIFIED S1E2 (TV)
JUSTIFIED S1E3 (TV)
JUSTIFIED S1E4 (TV)
ARCHER S3E2 (TV)
PARKS & REC S4E13 (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/24/12 (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/25/12 (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/26/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/24/12 (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/25/12 (TV)
REAL TIME (TV)

01/29
THE LAYOVER: LOS ANGELES (TV)
THE LAYOVER: SAN FRANCISCO (TV)
THE LAYOVER: MONTREAL (TV)
THE LAYOVER: AMSTERDAM (TV)
THE DAILY SHOW: 01/26/12 (TV)
30 ROCK S6E3 (TV)
THE GREY (12) (T) - 4.75
MARGARET (R) (T) - 4.75

01/30
TOP CHEF: TEXAS S9E12
30 ROCK S6E3 (TV)
CALIFORNICATION S5E4 (TV)
BLACK BOOKS S1E1 (TV)
THE GUARD (R) - 4.5

01/31
THE INCREASINGLY POOR DECISIONS OF TODD MARGARET S2E4 (TV)
MARRIED TO THE MOB - 4.5
DRIVE (R) - 5
JUSTIFIED S3E3 (TV)
THE COLBERT REPORT: 01/30/12 (TV)

Thank You and Fuck You, 2011: Favorite Films, Hated Films and Everything in Between

FAVORITES OF 2011

As always, I present to you a list of films that are my personal favorites of the year. I do not pretend that these are the best films of the year... cuz that would just be a pointless exercise, yo. I don't have any interest in crowning something as best (except, without a doubt, CERTIFIED COPY), because that's pretty gosh darn boring. Being selfish and slightly narcissistic, I care only about what made that mildly retarded three legged hamster work the shit outta that rusty wheel in MY dusty skull, for either pleasure, pain or thought.

These are presented without commentary (except when they're not) as plenty of smart people that are much better writers than I have already written about these. You wanna ask or argue, ask or argue, but there is no damn way I'm writing blurbs about every goddamn 2011 release that I saw. I don't get paid to do this and I would rather use the time to watch other films.

I decided to sack up and order the top 25 this year. I'm not sure why, as that order exists strictly in the exact moment it was typed. Short of the first few, the order would easily be different tomorrow and the next day. Next year, I may hate some of these films.

Finally, to quote Ruskin, "Art is not a matter of taste, but involves the whole man. Whether in making or perceiving a work of art, we bring to bear on it feeling, intellect, morals, knowledge, memory, and every other human capacity, all focused in a flash on a single point. Aesthetic man is a concept as false and dehumanizing as economic man." So, here I am, feel free to judge me.

PS - These are strictly theatrically released films. Sorry, MILDRED PIERCE. You deserve it, but you just don't count in my book.

PPS - I slapped this together quickly. I probably should have proofed it, but here it is in its first form. Sorry.

1. CERTIFIED COPY
2. LOVE EXPOSURE
3. A SEPARATION
4. MELANCHOLIA
5. POETRY
6. DRIVE
7. HOUSE OF PLEASURES
8. LE HAVRE
9. KABOOM
10. MARGARET
11. MYTH OF THE AMERICAN SLEEPOVER
12. TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
13. ROAD TO NOWHERE
14. UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES
15. MYSTERIES OF LISBON
16. MEEK'S CUTOFF
17. WARRIOR
18. BEGINNERS
19. EVEN THE RAIN
20. TUESDAY, AFTER CHRISTMAS
21. HUGO
22. A DANGEROUS METHOD
23. THE GUARD
24 & 25 FILM SOCIALISME & TREE OF LIFE

HONORABLE MENTION:

These are in no particular order. Just films that wanted to be in the illustrious top 25, but didn't quite cut it. In a lesser year, most of these films would probably have a chance at making it into my top 25.

PS - I'm aware that a few of the below films blew. What can I say? I enjoyed them in the same way we love our girlfriends and wives... puss-filled warts, relentless guilt trips and all.

NOSTALGIA FOR THE LIGHT
LEAP YEAR
THE INTERRUPTERS
RAPT
MONEYBALL
CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
SUBMARINE
BLACK POWER MIX TAPE
COLD WEATHER
TERRI
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
LE QUATTRO VOLTE
SENNA
BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK
THE ARBOR
YOUNG ADULT
L'AMOUR FOU
WEEKEND
HOW I ENDED THIS SUMMER

THE VARIOUS DEGREES OF "MEH":

These are actually in order. I would put the top few in "Honorable Mention," but you gotta stop somewhere... and 20 seemed like as good of a place as any to stop.

CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS
CARNAGE
13 ASSASSINS
CONTAGION
I SAW THE DEVIL
THE ROBBER
THE HOUSEMAID
MI:4
POTICHE
THE TRIP
SLEEPING BEAUTY
THE DESCENDANTS
ATTACK THE BLOCK

JUST PLAIN SHITTY:

No order necessary. None of these films should exist. None of these films should be seen. Don't say I didn't warn you.

THE FUTURE
CAPTAIN AMERICA
THOR
SUPER 8
BAD TEACHER
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS
FAST FIVE
SHAME
RUBBER
HANNA
PAUL
SUPER
BLACK DEATH
LITTLEROCK
RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
JANE EYRE
WIN WIN
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES
BRIDESMAIDS

HATED:

OK. So I wrote a few words about these as I feel it is my moral obligation to elaborate on why I think these films should be sealed in a vault full of dingo shit and sent to the Earth's core to disintegrate. Yes, yes. Fuck these films indeed. (Note that you will find a couple that are also in my "enjoyed" section. They can be both.) Without further ado, this is my contempt.

BELLFLOWER - Not only incompetent on every level, but a repugnant and offensive vision brought to you by the mind of a ten year old boy that has grown into his misogyny at an early age. Sorry, ten year olds, that was mean of me. This gets the coveted TINY FURNITURE award.
HEARTBEATS - Awwwww a 21 year old can steal wholesale and apply it to vapid and insufferable tits n' twits. Sorry, no awards go out to a kid that had me playing "where I stole this from" from frame one. I lied, some of those torturous 90 minutes were spent planning the ways I would murder the characters. Yes, I hated this film so much I was trying to figure out how to kill fictional people.
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS - Fuuuuuuuuuuuck... this movie was dumb. The worst version of a concept I would have drank faster than a fifth of absinthe. Made for grandma and that kid that loved reading The Cliff's Notes of "The Great Gatsby." Hemingway woulda punched the pandering outta you, Woody. I guess it's nice to know that Woody Allen discovered Wikipedia in his old age, cuz that's about as deep as he went when constructing these embarrassing caricatures of some of my heroes.
I SAW THE DEVIL - Don't try and feed my bloodlust feverishly and kinetically whilst giving me a moralistic cockslap. I'm not gonna let you eat your cake, I'm gonna shove it up your finger wagging rectum, pull out your large intestines and strangle you with them... hypocritical asshole.
CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE - Gosling was a blast, too bad everything else about this varied from confused to an advert for consumerism as self help. I probably should have walked out of this shit heap in the first scene when the family's picture frame falls and the glass cracks... GET IT?!?!?!?!


UNSEEN:

I wasn't able to see these before making this list. Duh. Der. Doy. I'm fairly confident that a few of them would have made the top 25 and some would have made the hated section.

A BRIGHTER SUMMER DAY
MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE
TAKE SHELTER
EL SICARIO, ROOM 164
THE SKIN I LIVE IN
INTO THE ABYSS
OF GODS AND MEN
PINA
PUTTY HILL
KINYARWANDA
TYRANNOSAUR
TABLOID
THE ARTIST

FILMS SEEN IN 2011 THAT ARE YET TO BE RELEASED THAT WOULD PROBABLY MAKE AN APPEARANCE IN MY FAVORITE SECTION WHENEVER THEY GET RELEASED:

OSLO, AUGUST 31 - I'll be shocked if this isn't my favorite film of 2012.
THIS IS NOT A FILM - If this doesn't end up in my top 3 of 2012, then 2012 turned out to be a special year.
THE TURIN HORSE - Tarr. Duh.
THE LONELIEST PLANET - I am dying to see this again when I am not suffering from end-of-a-fest exhaustion.

THE GLASS SLIPPER - Can somebody distribute this already?

My Perfect Day and There Was No Drinking!!!

I just came across this ancient blog post. I figured I'd repost it as it illustrates how different I was in some days, and it was also a day in which I was genuinely beside myself with happiness. Every now and then it is nice to revisit memories of people that you desperately loved and at the time desperately loved you. No matter what happened, she will always have a place in my heart. It's nice to know that I'm not entirely unlovable! Anyway, the writing is quite shitty. Also, as there are those goofy graphic illustrations at the end, rest assured that this post was approved prior to posting from the lady friend at the time. So... here it is.


How can I have a perfect day without alcohol? If you asked then you get a shiny star and a cookie. Well, I have given up booze until my birthday and then after that I intend to go on a very controlled drinking regiment. Controlled meaning barely existent. I need to clean up my body and get back to dropping those 15 lbs. So with the no drinking thing I need to make the best out of life (as sad as that may be) and it turns out that I have been able to so far.

The whole day started at a bright and early 10 am (fuck off... that's early for a Saturday). I had a double feature to make out in West LA at my favorite little theater... The Landmark.



Here's a fun side note. From now on you will see tons of photos I will be taking with my little point and shoot digital camera. I decided that I need to focus on my shot composition more so I am just starting to dick around and shoot everything I experience. Mind you a lot of these will suck as I am no photographer (that's what I have awesome DP Dan for) and most people get annoyed waiting for me to shoot everything so a lot of times I have to rush it.

Anyways, back on subject. I grab my little girly out of my bed and we head down there to make the first of our 2 movies for the day "Snow Angels". We get there an accidental hour early (I like to anticipate traffic) and get to wander around everyone's second favorite chain bookstore Barnes & Noble. It is there that I delve into the good old "4 Dummies" books and discover that maybe I should move my shit over to Wordpress. More on that as it breaks.

So finally my great friend (and fellow Betty blogger) Rob decides to stumble into the theater a nice 2.36 mins before the first film of the day starts.

After the flick we had a cool 2 hours to kill before the next one so we headed down to what Rob claims is the best burger in L.A., Apple Pan. I'll toss out the order of the meal so that you can decide.


Fries came out first. Very tasty for being so thick.


Followed by a frosty beverage with a cool but totally impractical cup. I think more of the drink ended up in my lap than in my mouth. Kitsch like that is totally worth it. (P.S. That was Caroline's Root Beer, I thought it looked more interesting than me Diet Coke you will see right...).


...Now!!! The full meal. See the Diet Coke doesn't have the same charm.

So it breaks down like this. You walk into the place and you have to play musical chairs. It is just one huge bar with no one taking names. You gotta fight for your seats. I actually had to threaten to rape an older lady so she would stop eyeballing the seats that I wanted. (Note: I say fight for your seats due to its dramatic impact. It was a fairly simple and cordial process minus making people feel like they better move their asses and get the fuck out of there. Oh and I didn't actually threaten rape, I actually took her behind the dumpster and made her dreams a reality). All in all, it may not have been the best burger in L.A., but without thinking about it too much I can't think of a better burger in the city. Go there for the feeling you are still in the days of yonder and for the food it's damn good, but remember to bring cash as it is cash only.

So it was time to go back to the theater as the time for "Paranoid Park" was nigh. and check out the flick after a brief stop off at the Barnes & Noble to actually buy the Wordpress for Dummies book. Change is imminent... I promise you that.

Paranoid Park time. This is where my lady and I fall away from each other. I was sucked in to the film, at the edge of my seat. She was tucked up in the back of her seat, fast asleep. To each their own.

Afterward, I had the distinct honor of paying 6 bucks for some frozen yogurt at cum rag Perez Hilton's second favorite cream dispensary Pinkberry (his actual favorite is the bathroom of the gift shop on Hollywood 3 blocks East of Highland). I love me some Pinkberry, but feel ridiculously silly going into the place and having to listen to that shit music and spending so much fucking money on yogurt and fruit.

Later that evening food was required (because you know, burgers, fries, ice cream, etc. isn't enough in this country, so it was off to Z Pizza. I will let the story of our meal be told through pictures.


The antipasti came.


I ate some, but didn't wanna fill my tummy before I could have some pizza.


"You better eat every last bite, buster!"


Fear of her finger forced compliance.


"Hip hip hooray!" My Napoli Pizza arrived!


Boo! Droopy slice! "No I will not eat this droopy pizza."


"You better eat that! You are a growing boy!"


AHA! Maybe some pizza candy will help make this pizza better!


It certainly looks better!


"Yay, it is better! Pizza, you are ordered to enter me tummy!"

So ya, dinner was a delight.

Back to the house so that we could watch another movie. What was the choice???? Oh I'll tell you, "The Lives of Others". It turned out to be the perfect film to end the perfect day to.

So as far as it goes, this day can't get any better right? I mean I had awesome food, spent it with me darling lady and one of my closest friends, I saw 3 incredible films for the first time (2 of which were at my favorite theater), and I got to see a Q&A with one of my favorite directors. Well, it did get better. I'll show you how me lady made it grand.


She did a little sucking.


She did a little riding cowgirl style.


Then she magically transformed into a pretzel!


Then just a little doggie to finish it up!

It was then that she curled up in my arms and we fell asleep with "The West Wing".