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?