2021 Rankings - The Year in Review

2021 was certainly a challenging year.  

My favorite quote of the year, and I don't remember where I saw it was "the future eats the present."

Here’s a ranking of everything I saw this year, largely in the throes of a knee replacement, and you will see that there is a lot I loved.  Only saw 3 movies in a theater, which saddens me.  Hope this helps when you sit down at night wondering what to watch.

Movies

1,  CODA – 10
2.  Come From Away – 10
3.  Leave No Trace – 10
4.  Promising Young Woman - 10
5.  Shiva Baby – 10
6.  The Father – 10
7.  Minari – 10
8.  The Wife – 10
9.  Incendies – 10
10.West Side Story – 9

Don’t Look Up – 9
Tick, Tick…Boom - 9
Power of the Dog - 9
Soul - 9
Always Be My Maybe – 9
One Night in Miami – 9
Never Rarely Sometimes Always - 9
I Care A Lot – 9
Nomadland – 9
Greyhound - 9
No Time to Die – 9
Blood Red Sky - 9
Red Notice – 9
Doctor Sleep - 9
Palm Springs - 9
The United States vs Billie Holiday - 8
A Quiet Place Part 2 - 8
In the Heights – 8
Being the Ricardo’s - 8
First Cow - 8
The Keeping Room - 8
A Most Violent Year - 8
Enemy - 8
The Tomorrow War – 8
Without Remorse – 8
Mix Tape - 7
The Little Things - 7
Irrational Man – 7
Homefront - 7
News of the World – 8
Chris Rock – Total Blackout – 8
Magic in the Moonlight - 7
Barb and Starr Go To Vista Del Mar – 7
The Ice Road - 7
Cry Macho - 7
Gunpowder Milkshake – 7
Wonder Wheel – 7
A Rainy Day in New York – 6
The Prom - 6
Café Society - 6
Jolt - 6
Dave Chappelle: The Closer – 5
Under the Skin - 5
To Rome with Love - 3
6 Underground - 1

Classics

The Seven Samurai – 10
Lawrence of Arabia - 10
The Red Shoes – 10
The General – 10
Aguirre Wrath of God - 10
Paths of Glory – 10
Blood Simple - 10
The Last Picture Show - 9
Rio Bravo - 9
My Darling Clementine – 9
Wild Strawberries - 9
Phantom Thread – 9
The Paper Chase - 9
New Orleans – 9
Sunrise:  A Tale of Two Humans - 9
Late Spring - 8
Sherlock Jr – 8
L’Atalante - 8
Brief Encounter – 7
The Hypnotic Eye - 6

Documentaries

Get Back – 10 (Disney+)
Summer of Soul – 10 (Hulu)
The Crime of the Century – 10 (HBO)
Music Box:  Woodstock ’99:  Peace, Love, and Rage – 10 (HBO)
Collective – 10 (Hulu)
McCartney 3,2,1 – 10 (Hulu)
Time – 10 (Amazon)
My Octopus Teacher – 10 (Netflix)
Inventing David Geffen – 10 (Netflix)
Stop Making Sense – 10 (VUDU)
Allen v Farrow – 10 (HBO)
Soul of America – 10 (HBO)
The Way Down:  God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin – 10 (HBO)
Muhammed Ali – 10 (PBS)
Tina – 10 (HBO)
The Sparks Brothers – 10 (Netflix)
Mr A & Mr. M – 10 (Epix)
The Bee Gees:  How Can You Mend a Broken Heart – 9 (HBO)
Roadrunner – 9  (CNN)
Music Box:  Jagged, Kenny G, and Mr. Saturday Night
Pretend It’s a City – 9 (Netflix)
The Mole Agent – 9
David Crosby:  Remember My Name – 9 (Starz)
Jiro Dreams of Sushi – 9
1971:  The Year tha Music Changed Everything - 9
Untold:  Malic in the Palace – 9 (Netflix)
The Ron Artest Story – 9 (Showtime)
Every Little Step – 9 (Netflix)
Tiger – 9 (HBO)
Val – 8 (Amazon)
Framing Britney Spears - 8
Count Me In – 8 (Netflix)
Bitchin’:  The Sound and Fury of Rick Jams – 8 (Showtime)
Miles Davis:  Birth of the Cool – 8 (Netflix)

TV Series 

Mare of Easttown – 10 (HBO)
Deadwood – 10 (HBO)
Brockmire – 10 (Hulu)
Lie to Me – 10 (Hulu)
Broadchurch – 10 (Netflix)
Ted Lasso – 9 (Apple+)
The Kominsky Method – 9 (Netflix)
Only Murders in the Building – 9 (Amazon)
Hacks – 9 (HBO)
Cobra Kai – 9 (Netflix)
Condor – 9 (Epix)
Your Honor – 0 (Showtime)

The Ozzies

Best Picture – CODA
Best Actor: Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick, … Boom
Best Actress: Rachel Zegler, West Side Story
Best Supporting Actor: Troy Kotsur, CODA
Best Supporting Actress: Ariana DeBose, West Side Story
Best Director: Sian Heder - CODA
Best Documentary:  Get Back

The Lizzies

Best TV Series:  Mare of Easttown:
Best Actor:  Jason Bateman, Ozark
Best Actress:  Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown
Best Supporting Actor:  Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso
Best Supporting Actress:  Julianne Nicholson, Mare of Easttown

Second Opinions - this from my friend David Jones, who can see a movie once, and recite dialogue:

1. Come from Away, a wistful 9/11 musical giving us hope for the human race;
   
2. Get Back, Fab Four Forever;
3. Bo Burnham's Inside, pure genius;
4. CODA, delightful /\ insightful;
5. tick, tick...BOOM, Andrew Garfield and Lin-Manuel Miranda unleash;
6. Power of the Dog, a slow burn with a powerhouse performance;
7. The Hand of God, a beautiful Fellini-like reminiscence;
8. Saint Maud, A holy hell of a character study;
9. Encanto, Lin-Manuel (again!) along with the best animated hair ever;
10. Nightmare Alley, just enough del Toro to edge it onto the list...

Limited Run & Series

The Mare of Easttown

Ted Lasso

Dopesick

Only Murders in the Building

The Great

Welcome to Earth

Always Sunny in Philadelphia (partial)

Most Disappointing: 

Dune 

No Time to Die 

Don't Look Up

Being the Ricardos

Best "discovered" film

Woman at War

"Missed" but will see soon!

Road Runner (and I might read an associated book "In the Weeds" written by his longtime producer)...

Saints Report #17 - January 9, 2022

"You’ve got to be kidding me.  This is what we get with a 17 game season.  The Saints?  So, let me get this straight, if we had stuck to the 16 game schedule, the 49’ers would be in already? "

"Roger, let’s not panic yet.  There’s still a half to play and although they’re down 17-3, we know the Rams aren’t a second half team and they’ll probably choke.  As for the Saints, we thought for sure after that Hurricane, down to their 4^th Quarterback, and all that covid, they were goners.  You gotta give them credit."

"No, no credit.  But I’ll say this.  You guys sure did a good job getting the National Media to ignore them until now.  If the 49’ers do lose, I want that blackout of Saints info to continue." 

"Roger, we’ve got Colin, Stephan, and Mike in our back pocket.  They haven’t mentioned the Saints all year.  The only one we can’t get to shut up is Kay Adams, and she’s on our own network." 

"Can we bring someone else in?" 

"Roger, she’s so popular it would be suspicious."

 "Ok, it's halftime.  Let's get to work.  Mary Ann, contact the replay booth and tell them which way to lean.  Also, reach out to the clock operator and tell him what to do." 

"If the Saints make the playoffs despite our efforts, put together a “preserve-our-ratings” task force.  First, start with sending Fauci down to personally sit with the opposing quarterback, I guess Matthew Stafford, for the week so he doesn’t get sick.  Isolate him.  Keep him away from his kids."

"Second, I want that Officiating Crew from LA that we sent to the Superdome to keep the Saints out of the Super Bowl, I want that same crew doing the Saints playoff game."

"Third, I want a deep dive into the Saints observation of protocols.  Surely, we can suspend someone.  Maybe Tom Benson?"

"Roger, Tom died years ago."

"Oops.  If the Saints don’t make the playoffs, let’s get the “Coach of the Year” criteria changed to “must go to a coach of a playoff team,” just to be sure Payton can’t win.  And why are the Saints allowed so many quarterbacks?"

"Roger, good news.  The Rams choked and it’s going to overtime." 

"Ok, make sure the Niners win the toss.  I want that crew on high alert for pass interference."

Ultimately, the Saints season of adversity ended with a Matthew Stafford interception in overtime, and the 49’ers got the playoff spot.  Stafford has the footwork of Stephen Adams (Slowfoot) who played for the Pelicans last year.  Should they meet again in the playoffs, the 49’ers will grind them into the ground with their running game.

The Saints finale was mostly satisfying.  Their 30-20 win over Matt “Turnover” Ryan and the hapless Falcons was good until the last drop, and then the shoe dropped when the Rams spit the bit.

Taysom Hill was nearly perfect until he got hurt.  If he really has a lisfranc foot fracture, he’ll be under the knife tomorrow. 

Trevor Siemian took over and was safe and flawless, helped substantially by the defensive takeaways.  The announcers were even impressed by the fact that the Falcons had three one play drives.  It wasn’t just Roger Goodell who didn’t want the Saints in the playoffs.  That defense and the Saints ability to play field position is enough to frighten every team.  Let’s hope that somehow the defense can stay together for next year.  They’ll be some salary wrangling to do.

I watched with admiration this year as Sean Payton unveiled his game plan for each game.  He took a team with a couple of quarterbacks who had no mobility, and one that had too much, and a rookie, and basically manipulated this team to competitiveness.  Yes, there were games that slipped away. (Giants, Titans, Falcons).  Kicking problems were embarrassing at times.  But, for obstacles overcome, adversity dealt with, and juggling of personnel, hats off to Sean Payton.  A 9-8 record is nothing to covid sneeze at.

Media Captures - December 2021

Get Back – 10 (Disney+)

The greatness of the Beatles is on full display in all its beauty and conflict in this almost 9 hour documentary from Peter Jackson, culled from the Let It Be Sessions.

On the verge of disintegration, with only 1 album ahead, the Beatles decided to go back to basics, and without a lot of studio enhancements write, record, and perform a whole new album in a month, the Let It Be album.

I have many observations:

Paul is the driving force of creativity.  Pumping out classics-to-be is 2^nd nature.  John is struggling to keep up, and George is actually catching up.

I was surprised that George Martin played so little role in this album, but it makes sense as there is little production. 

The Beatles use a musical shorthand that I don’t understand.  They sure are good at it!

Because cameras were rolling, I think they were probably on their best behavior, especially Paul.

There are parts that are hard to take, and there are parts that bring the purest wonderment.  If your wish was to go back in time and witness The Beatles, you will love this trip.

West Side Story – 9

Steven Speilberg is at his best in what will probably go down as a masterpiece despite flopping at the box office.  The sets and scenery and dancing are phenomenal, as good as anything that’s ever been put on the big screen.  Newcomer Rachel Zegler is stunning as Maria, as is Ariana Debose as Anita, the role that Rita Morena won an Oscar for in the original.  

Unfortunately, there was one huge casting mistake.  Ansel Elgot as Tony was a huge misfire for me, as he has less charisma than a chair, making it hard to believe that Maria would fall for him.  Also, Rita Morena is shoehorned in for nostalgia’s sake, but her scenes bring things to a screeching halt.  These are unfortunate, because without these two mistakes, this would be in the top two or three musicals of all time. One more thing:  This year there are two scenes that are so stunning they should live forever.  The one that is in this movie, is the singing and dancing of "America" with all the joy and love for this country that no longer seems to exist.  

 

Tick, Tick….BOOM - 9

Andrew Garfield jumps into the Best Actor Oscar race playing Jonathan Larsen, the writer of Rent.  Although just about 30, Larsen is desperate to write a Broadway musical, and his ups and downs are portrayed here, weaved around a one-man show.  Creative people are often troubled, or at least put themselves under a lot of stress, and Garfield conveys that.  Larsen would die suddenly before Rent opened on Broadway.  Directed by Lin Manuel-Miranda of Hamilton fame, this would be a great musical in any year.

The Power of the Dog – 9

Benedict Cumberbatch is the other top Oscar Best Actor contender playing a troubled cowboy in Jane Campion’s latest.  Set in Montana, the echos of current television hit Yellowstone are audible.  The breathtaking scenery, the family disfunction.  Cumberbatch plays a closeted cowboy who harrasses then befriends his brother’s stepson, Peter.  Peter is played by Kodi Smith-McPhee in a stunning performance that will likely net him a supporting actor Oscar.  And as good as the acting is, it’s the script and the ending that make this movie something special. 
 

Music Box:  Jagged – 9
Music Box:  The Sounds of Kenny G: - 9
Music Box:  Mr. Saturday Night – 9

Bill Simmons is doing music documentaries under the “Music Box” heading for HBO, the entity that grabbed him when he pissed off ESPN one too many times. , and they are all fine, competent, and often enthralling. 

“Jagged” is about the Alanis Morissette dominated music period, but her prior period as a teen star in Canada is equally fascinating.  Alanis seems grounded about the whole “fame” thing.

“The Sounds of Kenny G” is a surprisingly interesting portrait of the popular woodwind player. 

“Mr. Saturday Night” is Robert Stigwood and the story of the amazing profit home run he hit with Saturday Night Fever.  Gene Siskel would’ve loved this doc. 

Val - 9

My childhood included bad Super 8 movies, slides and photographs, all of which would have come in handy had I become famous and played Doc Holiday in Tombstone..  Val Kilmer went through the same thing, often of his own choosing, and ended up giving a knock-out performance as Holiday, making this a fascinating self portrait.  Kilmer takes us through his childhood, his roles, and his throat cancer which has crippled his voice.  He narrates through a rasp, but that doesn't diminish his story.  Much like Get Back, this is a great peek at how the minority live - those with talent.

Encanto - 9

Yes, I watched an animated Disney film.  This one is a fantasy set in Columbia and it is filled with bright colors, a wonderful story, and superb music written by Lin Manuel-Miranda, who is everywhere these days.  I wasn't wowed by it, but I was certainly entertained.

Woman at War – 9

This is a foreign film about a woman in Iceland who is a deadly serious climate crusader, and the drama is significant, but what makes this film is a recurring sight gag worthy of Monty Python, and every single time it recurred, I laughed out loud

 

Don’t Look Up – 9 

This is an anti-review of a silly little satirical movie directed by Adam McKay.  The Antivaxxers will understand. Finally leftist Hollywood has made a movie worthy of the right, defending liberty and decrying big government.  The story is that leftist scientists played by known activists Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, want people to believe that a comet is about to destroy earth, but fortunately, the Patriots adeptly sniff out the hoax as just a way to control the thinking of the public.  As the hoax reaches its supposed climax, the divisions grow and reaffirm what I’ve been saying.  Hope there’s no World War III, because these days, the U.S. would never come together to win a war.  Stay until the end when leftie, commie Meryl Streep sees the future.  Also, I laughed out loud.  A lot.  I could be wrong, but I actually think this will be one of those movies that live on, maybe even to “classic” status.  It’s got that feel.  Conservatives will certainly elevate it to that status.
 

Mix Tape – 7

If you have ever compiled a mix tape you know that special joy of expecting one song to follow another – for the rest of your life, because that’s the way you designed it on a cassette.   It’s 1999 and 12-year-old Beverly finds a broken mixtape made by her late parents.  She goes exploring, tracking down each song and trying to find the hidden message her parents intended to send her.  This is harmless fun and a nice cast.  It’s just enough to distract you from today’s music. 

Being the Ricardos – 8

At times amusing, at times entertaining, this condensation of numerous events into one week of filming by the great Aaron Sorkin, comes across as a stretch.  The controversial casting of Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem as Lucy and Desi dominate the watching of the movie as much as the pre-movie chatter.  Kidman is a little stiff for her role, while Bardem is a little more believable.  There are so many subplots going on, it can’t help but be suspenseful. 

The actors playing Vivian Vance and William Frawley (Fred and Ethel Mertz on the show) are Nina Arianda and J K Simmons, and they have the best lines, so they steal the show.  I’m a big fan of Arianda from her work on Goliath and when I first heard she was in the movie, I thought she would be a perfect Lucille Ball.  Wrong again Ricardo. 

 

Coming soon - The Year in Review.....

Saints Report #16 - January 2, 2022

The Payton 57

And then there was one.  Just weekend number 18 left, and still in the hunt.

I made my first trip to section 116 of the Superdome in 2 years and I found two differences since my last visit:  The Who Dat Chant was missing (I learned later an oversight), and the men’s bathroom had shrunk in half (not an oversight.)  I got to view the newest incarnation of the Dome Patrol up close, and they are a sight to behold.  The Saints stifled the Carolina Panthers 18 – 10 to keep their playoff hopes alive.  Now the Saints must beat the Falcons next week, and if the Rams beat the 49’ers, the Saints will displace the 49’ers as the 7^th seed.

The Panthers jumped out to a 10 -3 lead in the first half, but got shut down and shut out the rest of the way.  The Saints chipped away with chip shots.  They managed 4 field goals to take a 12-10 lead.  They finished the scoring with a swing pass to Kamara that he took 12 yards for the Saints first touchdown in 11 quarters. 

It’s a different kind of football the Saints are playing, but it can be winning football. 

Make no mistake, this Is not the high-flying days of Drew Brees, Marques Colston, and Devery Henderson.  This is ground and pound and dominate.  Don’t turn the ball over, and control field position and the clock.   The offense was missing 4 starters on the offensive line, so the battle in the trenches was ugly.  The Saints kept trying to run the ball, even though they were getting nowhere.  Where did this dedication to the running game come from?  The Saints got exactly one run of consequence from Kamara, and a few late ones from Taysom Hill, who really tried to stay in the pocket for most of the game. 

Meanwhile, the undrafted Marquez Callaway is the only receiver who hasn’t disappeared, although Deonte Harris had some impact  They beat the Bucs scoring no touchdowns, and the Panthers by scoring one.  How far can they go scoring just one touchdown a game?   

The defense allowed a total of 178 yards, 90 passing, 88 rushing.  They sacked Sam Darnold 7 times, half of them attributed to Cam Jordan, who came back from his covid break 3 weeks ago like a man from the Marvel universe.  For the season Jordan has 11 ½ sacks, but 7 1/2 of them have come in the last 3 games.  His covid game was the first game he has missed as a Saint, and he looks rejuvenated.

It was revealed that the Saints have started 57 different players this year.  With the adversity they have faced, hurricanes, injuries, and covid, including 4 different quarterbacks, you have to marvel that they have stayed competitive.  I guess it could have been worse.  We could have signed Antonio Brown.  We could have traded for “teammate of the year” Kirk Cousins, who refused to get vaccinated, then was sidelined with covid before their biggest game of the year. Goodbye playoffs.  Game after game Payton has pieced things together, while adapting his offensive attack to the weapons that were available.  To be 8-8 and still in contention is pretty amazing.  

If the Saints can close this out with a little 6 game winning streak, Mrs. Benson would have to buy a record number of rings.

It’s unlikely, but stranger things have happened.