Fifty books, fifty flicks, one year and one me! This is my resolution for 2012. Will I make it? Stay tuned and hopefully, as the year progresses, you will see this list grow and grow and grow…

Wish me luck!

Movies I’ve Seen So Far in 2012

JANUARY:

1. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy:  Loved it. Why? I like spy movies and British films. This one has both. Best part? Colin Firth. Sure it has a great cast but right now, I can only remember Colin Firth. He’s the man. Want another reason to go see it? Colin Firth.

2. Zeitgeist:  Do you believe in conspiracy theories? Well, neither did I until I saw this film recommended to me by a colleague from work, who I respect very much. Watching this documentary film will blow your mind. It’s slow at first, but stay with it for the roller coaster ride of your life. It turns everything on its head–from religion to September 11th to the economy. And to view it, all you need is a computer, access to the internet and this link: http://zeitgeistmovie.com/.

3: The War Horse:  If you ever saw National Velvet and loved it, then you’re bound to enjoy this one, too. It’s about a young man, his horse, Joey, and how World War I turns their world upside down. It starts slow, but once the war starts, it’ll keep you hooked.

4. The Artist:  When I was a teen, growing up in New York, my friends and I would sometimes go to silent film revivals. Our favorites were anything starring Charlie Chaplin. Most today have never seen a silent film or if they have, find them of little value. But these gems were priceless. You know what they say: one picture is worth 1,000 words. So, it is heartening to see that The Artist is a hot ticket right now. It’s a delightful film that celebrates all that was good about the golden age of the silver screen. And the music? Absolutely sumptuous! I wholeheartedly recommend!

5. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol: Exciting, thrilling, electrifying and even, exhilarating! The action is nonstop. And be sure to hold your breath when you see Tom Cruise dangling high atop Dubai’s tallest skyscraper. Add a humongous dust storm that’s rolling in, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Talk about nerve-wracking!

6. Joy in the Morning:  This 1965 film, which I watched on my favorite channel for classic films, TCM, is based on a novel by Betty Smith (of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn fame). It’s a bit of a tearjerker with lots of drama as a young, penniless couple try to make it against many odds.

7. Broadcast News:  This 1987 film is one I haven’t seen in more than 20 years. It’s interesting to see it again, knowing what I know now about the news and the 24-hour news cycle. While it definitely feels dated, it still brings up a valid point, as it was made at a time when thoughtful balanced news was being passed up for glitzy, entertainment type news that sells. But, boy, did we wear funny clothes in the eighties!

8. Moneyball:  I wanted to see this film because of Brad Pitt, who is up for an Academy Award. He was good, and was Jonah Hill, but I’m not crazy about baseball. That said, it was fascinating to see the in’s and out’s of trading players.

FEBRUARY:

9. The Descendants:  This is a movie I cannot highly recommend but it kept my interest. The concept is intriguing, after all, and now I understand why it’s called The Descendants. Now, that I’ve seen it, the title makes sense. George Clooney was solid, but even better was the actress who played his teen daughter.

10. The Bodyguard: When I learned of Whitney Houston’s passing, I felt compelled to watch this film once more. I hadn’t seen it in years, but I loved this film and especially, the music. For, her performance and her music in this film helped me through my divorce. It was an inspirational movie to me then, and this time around, it was all the more poignant. Kevin Costner plays a bodyguard trying to protect Whitney’s character, Rachel from someone who is trying to do her in. And though he film has a happy ending, knowing what we know now, makes this film look helpless, as no one was able to save Whitney from herself.

11. Inside Daisy Clover:  This 1965 film, starring Natalie Wood, Robert Redford and Christopher Plummer, might have been slightly ahead of its time.

MARCH:

12. 21 Jump Street:  I’m putting my rep on the line here and coming out and saying it: Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum make an awesome team and this is one hilarious film. It’s a laugh a minute, with unexpected moments and ridiculously funny ones, too. I loved it right through the credits. I can’t wait for the sequel (and you know there’s going to be a sequel). Look for great cameo from original cast member Johnny Depp. It is a classic scene, an homage to the series, which, by the way, I never saw. In other words, two thumbs up! If nothing else, see it because it co-stars Nick Offerman who plays Ron Swanson, the baddest curmudgeon you’ll ever meet, on my favorite sitcom, Parks and Recreation!

13. Friends with Kids: Great cast, nice, sweet, somewhat predictable, slow in spots, great cast (oh, did I already mention that it has a great cast?). This is a film by Jennifer Westfeldt (of Kissing Jessica Stein fame, which I never saw), who convinced her boyfriend, Mad Men’s Jon Hamm, to co-star in it and play a jerk, to boot. First of all, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that The Jon Hamm is her boyfriend. A moment please while I take it in…Okay, anyway, as I was saying, this film stars Adam Scott, from Parks and Recreation, along with Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph (have you seen Miss Maya in Up All Night? Simply fabulous!), Edward Burns, and Megan Fox.  Wait for the DVD. You’ll enjoy it more that way.

14. The Muppet Movie: Fun film. I saw this with my kids (who are grown, as you no doubt know) and we all enjoyed it. Jason Segel wrote the screenplay and co-stars in it with Amy Adams, Rashida Jones (who also stars in Parks and Recreation), and a slew of Muppets. Songs could be better, but everything else, indeed, was. Charming film with lots of cameo appearances, everyone from Jack Black to Neil Patrick Harris.

15. The Old Curiosity Shop: Charles Dickens, need I say more? You’ll weep for Nell, you’ll despise Quilp and you’ll want to give Derek Jacobi as Nell’s grandfather, a good kick in the pants. This BBC production feels a bit like the condensed version of the book, but worth seeing because it’s a terrific yarn.

APRIL:

16. The Hunger Games: I read the book and saw the movie. As in most cases, I found the book to be better because it gave more background to the story. And, when you’re reading you picture the characters in your own way and often it’s disappointing when you see them on the screen and it is not the way you imagined it.

17. Murder on the Orient Express: A fascinating mystery based on the Agatha Christie novel, starring David Suchet.

18. Great Expectations: Recent adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic. Gillian Anderson gives a stunning performance as Miss Havisham. It’ll haunt you long after it’s over.

19. Titanic in 3D: I saw the original way back when and loved it. So I was curious about this 3D version. I’m not sure it was that different than without the 3D. It was riveting, sure, particularly the last hour. But, as far as 3D movies go, I’ve seen better.

Books I’ve Read So Far in 2012

JANUARY:

1. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick: Clever tale of a deaf boy who runs away to search for his father, juxtaposed against a story, told only through illustrations–which means, no words–about a girl who also runs away but for different reasons. The stories are 50 years apart but eventually come together, and it’s nice to see how. Selznick is also the author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

2. Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones: Told from the perspective of two African-American teens who share one thing in common: Their father is a bigamist, married to each of their mothers. Poignant, tender and honest. Jones does a wonderful job of conveying each of the girls’ emotions.

3. Cool, Calm & Contentious by Merrill Markoe: This New York Times bestselling author is probably best known for being David Letterman’s former girlfriend. But, she’s also a comedy writer and has lots of things to talk about, from her highly critical mother to her four dogs to celebrity criminals. She’s at her best when commenting about our pop culture.

FEBRUARY:

4. The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag by Alan Bradley – This is a Flavia de Luce mystery, and it’s like reading a sophisticated Nancy Drew mystery set in the quaint English countryside in the middle of the last century. Flavia is so smart and clever. Highly recommend!

5. Mothers, Daughters, and Other Mysteries by Heather McPhaul – Written by a fellow blogger, the story of a young woman, at a crossroads in her life, who decides to start her own detective agency.

MARCH:

6. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath: I love Sylvia Plath. I first read this book ages ago and the first line is still my hands-down, favorite, all time opening for a book:

“It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs, and I didn’t know what I was doing in New York.”

Simple, to the point, and so evocative. Immediately draws you in.

7. Love Story by Erich Segal:  Another book that I read as a teen. Why did I love it so much back then? Who knows? I was a sap for romance. Why did this become a HUGE bestseller? Who knows? I wasn’t the only sap for romance, I guess.  In retrospect, as far as writing goes, I’ve read better. I can’t help but wonder, if this book were submitted to a publisher today, would it get published? Rather trite and simple, if you ask me.  This coming month, I plan to watch the movie with Ali McGraw and Ryan O’Neal. I’ll let you know if it’s any better.

APRIL:

8. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: See my description of the movie above.

9. Extraordinary Cakes by Karen Krasne: A cookbook for all seasons, featuring recipes for some of the most exquisite cakes. They’re works of art! Check out my interview with the author, in the post, Cakes with Panache.