I recounted the most impactful entertainment pieces for me in 2014. These are mine for the year of 2015.
Movies I Saw
TV Shows I Watched
Books I Read
Ways to Pass the Time
Technology
I recounted the most impactful entertainment pieces for me in 2014. These are mine for the year of 2015.
Movies I Saw
TV Shows I Watched
Books I Read
Ways to Pass the Time
Technology
Only because I couldn’t help but make my own list much like loudlysilent. As I made this list, I realized that my taste is very eclectic—it ranges from Asian American pride to foreign-philia to zombies to deep relationships to rainbow equality to simple good vs. evil. Whatever the case, I am drawn to good storytelling on a big screen. Shiny objects don’t work for me (you hear that, entertainment marketers?). The key to my heart is a story of hope and innocence. Also if it’s a story about being an outsider (probably why there’s so many films on same-sex relationships), well you got me.
Note: The year corresponds to the year that the movie was released in the US (or if I saw it at a film festival), which doesn’t always correspond to when I saw it. After all for the first part of this decade, I was a poor graduate student. Like Roger Ebert, no runner-ups, but jury prize for the movies that should be first place, but for whatever reason, it can’t be first. It was very hard to choose.
Let’s start with the worst movie of the last 10 years. Well at least the worst movie that I was subjected to seeing. There were many of course. There were the stories of love that had flat characters and a boring storyline. There were the action movies that was just about CRASH and BANG and very little substance. Congratulations to The Room who made it into the list. I was subjected to it as a “pleasant” post-dinner event (they did warn me though)and a cult midnight showing where I promptly fell asleep and awoke to the director giving an oblivious Q&A. It’s a film of self-indulgence, cheap filmmaking, and an overly dramatic ridiculous plotline that makes no sense. Well Lisa, you’re tearing me APART!
2003: Good Bye Lenin!
Why I loved it: This was the beginning of my love affair with Berlin (the reason for its end is another story completely). I loved the clash of the East vs. West (in those days, it was really just a symbol of the Cold War). The actual story is about one of the world’s biggest political transitions—the end of the Cold War—and how a mother, an authentic socialist believer, was protected from the real world by her children.
Jury Prize: Finding Nemo, The Station Agent
2004: Before Sunset
Why I loved it: Much like Before Sunrise, this sequel followed the same city wandering as the last movie of Julia Delpy and Ethan Hawke. There are too many movies out there about the beginning of love and so few about what happens afterwards when we are jaded and too experienced. Granted, I love this one more now than in 2004 when “beginnings” were more appropriate for me. I am jaded too.
Jury Prize: Shaun of the Dead, Saving Face, Oldboy
2005: Brokeback Mountain
Why I loved it: Relationships are hard. I get it. But rarely do films show this well. Going into this, I had a fondness for Ang Lee and Jake Gyllenhaal (before 2004, it was The Good Girl and Donnie Darko that got my attention). Heath Ledger was just that guy that played teenage romance movies. Interestingly, I remember being surprised that Jake Gyllenhaal’s character was as engaging as that of Heath Ledger. It’s hard to play someone with complexity and struggle. At that time, I struggled with acceptance and authenticity.
Jury Prize: Good Night and Good Luck
2006: The Departed
Why I loved it: Because I loved Infernal Affairs. Truthfully, one of the main reasons I watched Infernal Affairs was that I hoped it would shed light on my parents’ childhood growing up in Hong Kong. To my dismay, of course, their lives were not filled with gangs and crime (from what I understand, it was much like mine—idyllic but in a big city). But who doesn’t love a story of good and evil wrapped up with…more good and evil. I was disappointed the the Police Chief’s role was small as it was bigger in Infernal Affairs.
Jury Prize: Pan’s Labyrinth
2007: Persepolis
Why I loved it: I first read the graphic novel in book club. Like many Americans, I had a very narrow and stereotypical view of the Middle East. This was my first time to see their lives and the sadness that happened in Iran. That they are truly like us. And more so, that my teenage experience is very much like someone in Iran. For more, read I am Malala and watch A Separation.
Jury Prize: Juno, Ratatouille, The Mist
2008: The Dark Knight
Why I loved it: Heath Ledger appears twice in this list. But I wouldn’t say that it’s just because of his acting ability. It was everything here. For me, the ferry scene was what did it for me. To trust the people and to trust honesty. This complexity just got me.
Jury Prize: In Bruges, Departures, Milk
2009: Up
Why I loved it: The first 10 minutes. Lovey dovey films and songs are everywhere. My love of the Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight is compressed in the first 10 minutes.
Jury Prize: Up in the Air, District 9, Precious
2010: Inception
Why I loved it: Incredible visual effects. The dream vs. reality. The dream within a dream. The spinning top. The exploration of what it means to make an inner intention. And simply put, a compelling story.
Jury Prize: Klown, The Kids Are All Right, The Social Network
2011: Weekend
Why I loved it: There’s nothing as special as two people meeting and having lasting conversations. To me, it was as simple romance should be. Plus the fact that one person is closeted and the other isn’t.
Jury Prize: Drive, Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings
2012: Argo
Why I love it: Great storytelling. It is simply what Hollywood is. A story of how the remaining Americans at the beginning of the Iranian revolution got out through the most Hollywood way ever.
Jury Prize: Compliance, Ted, Pina
2013: Gravity
Why I loved it: Going into the movie (in IMAX) of course, I thought it was a movie about special effects. I mean, really, we have seen many movies shot in space. What I discovered was a story, even though it was at a small scale, that was human and real. Unlike many movies, the “enemy” wasn’t a human figure or some monster. It’s just a fact of nature or in this case, space. It is a bad day in space. But the ability of Sandra Bullock and George Clooney to convey who they are in such a small view…says so much. If this was a book, I wouldn’t read it. But as a film, this is everything a film should be. A film is about a deep story, visuals that engage the viewer, and performances that make us feel a part of the story. Where the metaphors and themes speak so deeply to me in loss and hope. Not to mention, I loved the ending alluding to rebirth.
Jury Prize: What Maisie Knew, Blue is the Warmest Color, Fruitvale Station
This year, I am spending it in San Francisco. Unlike the rare last year where I didn’t do some crazy celebration.
This year, I am better grounded. Although a bit more cynical and jaded. But as for my birthday? What’s crazy is that I nearly got everything from last year’s wishlist minus the serendipity while traveling (turns you really have to plan and just wandering doesn’t mean that there are pleasant surprises everywhere) and the portable tripod never quite appeared.
But for my wishes! Well!
Previous years: 2013, 2012, forgotten year in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, a forgotten year of 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
1. Presence > Present
2. CANDY! Although Chris has caught on and will prevent me from OD’ing on candy.
3. More opportunities to improve my craft of writing (more classes, maybe conferences?)
4. BE PUBLISHED LIKE LEGITIMATELY (and not just self-published—can somewhere please accept my pieces???)
5. Another pair of casual walking shoes (because apparently my shoes from last year are almost worn out!)
6. The wisdom to know when to strengthen a friendship and when it’s just simply not worth it
7. Endless supplies of snacks and tasty juices
8. A better macbook pro
This year, I will be spending my birthday abroad in Rome. Ever since I was young, I always had a self-entitled day. But this year, for my 31st, I’ll be in Florence with my number one fan. They say Italy will be enrapturing. But will it? I don’t know. I stopped being fascinated by Italian cuisine when I reached my teens (no more spaghetti and meatballs!). And wine? Unless it’s high quality grape juice… But the culture of Italy, that is what I seek to experience!
Previous years: 2012, forgotten year in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, a forgotten year of 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
1. Safe unencumbered travels abroad (like not getting lost)
2. Serendipity while traveling (no more ending up in concrete jungles of nothing)
3. A better cheap AT&T data plan
4. So that it makes sense to upgrade my spotify account
5. Good casual walking shoes
6. Homemade ice cream. Like really homemade.
7. Candy!
8. Portable tripod
I really won’t forget next time. Really. A list of things that I forgot to bring.
And…to prevent this kind of situation from happening:
Sending my fellow accomplice (of trouble) into a local Rite Aid to that special aisle at 1 in the morning and the cashier smirking during the harried payment, “Late night emergency, huh?”
In two weeks, so many things can happen. For better or for worse. Unexpected and predictable. Then there are the moments you won’t forget. The news you didn’t expect to hear. The stares. The return to what once was. The snow slowly falling. The rain pouring. A cold that won’t go away. The small things that come in a box. The people who you found to be always there for you. The familiar faces you never thought would return. And then the wonder of new things, new events, new faces. And the grandness of the future.
Things I learned in the past 2 weeks:
Phone calls in order of increasing anxiety
10. Tech support
9. Parents. The I did something very bad and need your help type.
8. Scheduling doctor appointments
7. Trying to overcome language barriers
6. Phone interviews
5. That unexpected call at 4 am
4. Apartment management companies. At least when I rented from Walnut Capital.
3. Calling someone I don’t know well to…hang out because they don’t do aim.
2. Restaurants for food delivery. Every time I do it, the other party gets irritated because I don’t speak clearly and/or loudly.
1. Insurance companies
Telemarketers fit there somewhere, but when was the last time I experienced one? Right.
There is a reason I love the automated systems. That is, if I get my question gets answered. I <3 511. But my favorite calls in random order 1. Birthday wishes (me to you) 2. "I have arrived. Where are you?" Goal-directed. 3. The unexpected call from a friend to say hello 4. The unexpected call to hang out spontaneously 5. "FREE FOOD"
Ever since coming back to the Bay Area, I have…
List of my first experiences in Pittsburgh
A reiteration of the things I must do before leaving Pittsburgh – what I have done and what needs to be done.
1. Go to the Shadow Lounge again. Actually sit down and listen to music.
2. Eat brunch at Sunnyledge.
3. Eat brunch at Lidia\’s.
4. Visit the church on Craig/Forbes.
5. Eat at a restaurant at Mt. Washington.
6. Have dinner at Mallorca.
7. Go to the Carnegie Science Center.
8. Try Club Havana. Salsa?
9. Eat at Eleven.
10. Eat at Chaya.
11. Enjoy a walk at Point State Park
12. Go to Phipps and actually experience the botany.
13. Ross Park Mall
14. Steelers game? What?
15. Nationality rooms at the Cathedral of Learning.
16. Cafe at the Frick.
17. Tour the Homewood Cemetery.
18. Visit the Negley tomb in the Allegheny Cemetery.
19. Cross the river on the good ship lollypop?
20. Go into the church in East Liberty.
21. Walk through Station Square.
22. Find fight club at cmu. Try to stay out of harm\’s way.
23. Appreciate the sun on the mall.
24. Stephen Foster Memorial and cabin.
25. Eat a cookie at Prantil\’s.
26. Pig\’s hill?
27. Go to Kennywood.
28. Have a moment from the view at Mt. Washington.
29. Be posh at the Red Room.
30. Take a walk in Regent Square
31. Eat wings at the wing zone.
32. Be a carnivore at the Pittsburgh Steak Company.
33. Breakfast at a riverside hotel. Like the Sheraton or the Hilton.
34. Dine at the Cafe Du Jour.
35. Satisfy my sweet tooth at El Dolce. Turned out it didn\’t exist, but I went inside crazy mocha for the first time!
36. See a movie at Harris Theater. (the Silk Screen film festival!)
Added recently…
37. The places I didn\’t visit during my self-created ice cream tour. Like Handel\’s Ice Cream and Page\’s Dairy Mart
38. Frick Park
39. Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium
40. Drop by the Craft Factory apparently, not possible!
41. One date
42. Peruse Fort Pitt Museum
43. Gobble a sandwich at Tram\’s Kitchen
44. Start a morning at Square Cafe
45. Feast on 150 slice pizza at Mama Lena\’s
46. Visit what used to be Sanctuary
47. Experience the Cambod-ican Kitchen
48. Kill my wallet at that french restaurant on Murray – La Provence
49. Get a haircut in Pittsburgh I got Salon service at least
50. See a play at CMU
51. The vegetarian Indian restaurant near Monroeville
52. Dine at A Taste of Art (a training ground for high end restaurant work)
53. Reluctantly try Tasty\’s
54. Partake of Cafe Zinho
55. Casual business lunch downtown
56. Chow down at Kazansky\’s Deli
57. Roll down that hill in a trash can (someone suggested this to me)
58. Try a Yuengling
59. Experience the Regina Miller Gallery
60. See an entire (student) performance at the CFA
61. Eat kosher food at Milky Way
62. Touch the water of the three rivers in Pittsburgh
63. Indica Bistro
64. Break my wallet again at Casbah
65. Experience Halo Lounge during the day
66. That only Polish Restaurant in Little Italy
67. Wildwood. By Lily\’s suggestion!
68. Attend a wonderful screening of TBA
69. Visit the Frame
70. Spend money at a local Pittsburgh boutique
71. Dawdle at 1889 Cafe
72. D\’s Six Packs and Dogs
73. De Lucca\’s
74. Underground tour of CMU
75. Indiana, PA?
76. Roland\’s Seafood
77. Stand on the balcony of CFA or Margaret Morrison
78. Ibiza
79. La Casa on Ellsworth
80. Do it the Pittsburgh Rare way
81. Run through the train tunnel near CMU
82. Leave with no regrets