Culture tripping 2004
Jan. 1st, 2005 07:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jawnbcIt was, in many ways, a good year for culture methinks. I read, heard and saw a number of things that moved me, inspired me, challenged me. Here’s a few, though I’ve no doubt missed some.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: I believe in both personal agency and fate. Which means that we are presented with opportunities, act or decide accordingly, then move on to the next opportunity. But I don’t believe in a once-and-for-all, one-time-only notion of fate. I think that the universe will put the same people, places or experiences in my path more than once if I miss them the first (or second or 7th) time. With limits. And Sunshine sort of taps into that ethos: we can work really hard at make the universe a certain way, only to have things come up again. And again and again, until we respond differently. I fet that way about these two lovers’ efforts to erase their memories of one another. Drawn to is an expression that comes to mind.
The Line of Beauty Alan Holinghurst: While not a perfect novel, there is much here to laud. It’s well written, the author at times presents things rawly and uncompromisingly, and the story is a great story. I didn’t live in Thatcher’s England, but this outsider’s story of dancing on the edge of respectability in genteel London society resonated with me.
Songs About Jane Maroon 5: I’m late to the game, but there’s so many well crafted songs here (pop-rock, so fee fie fo fum you musical elitists). Adam Levine has got it in spades. In times when the airwaves are dominated by sampling and remakes, a string of excellent songs stands out. Tap on my window knock on my door I want to make you feel beautiful . . .
The Motorcycle Diaries: as a diet socialist (social democrat), Ché Guevara isn’t an unknown character. But this film--this stunny, elegant, understated film--doesn’t preach. Instead it shows the beauty of the South American continent, while giving a plausible take on how a middle class medical student from Buenos Aires became a worldwide revolutionary. There’s buzz about Javier Bardem getting an Best Actor nod for his latest, but Gael Garcia Bernal deserves one here: like Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth, he makes a larger-than-life historical figure humane.
Runaway Alice Munro: I’m only 80% through this collection of short stories, but I remain in awe of her writing and storytelling. The Booker folks really need to get over their “novels are fiction” bias. Easily the best written fiction I’ve read this year.
Tout un Jour Isabelle Boulay: were I to predict another chanteuse québécoise who could crossover to the English music scene, it’d be Isabelle. Her voice is rich, her phrasing subtle, and with the right song can bring me to tears. This CD has her reaching full artistic maturity. Gorgeous.
It’d be curious to hear others’ choices.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: I believe in both personal agency and fate. Which means that we are presented with opportunities, act or decide accordingly, then move on to the next opportunity. But I don’t believe in a once-and-for-all, one-time-only notion of fate. I think that the universe will put the same people, places or experiences in my path more than once if I miss them the first (or second or 7th) time. With limits. And Sunshine sort of taps into that ethos: we can work really hard at make the universe a certain way, only to have things come up again. And again and again, until we respond differently. I fet that way about these two lovers’ efforts to erase their memories of one another. Drawn to is an expression that comes to mind.
The Line of Beauty Alan Holinghurst: While not a perfect novel, there is much here to laud. It’s well written, the author at times presents things rawly and uncompromisingly, and the story is a great story. I didn’t live in Thatcher’s England, but this outsider’s story of dancing on the edge of respectability in genteel London society resonated with me.
Songs About Jane Maroon 5: I’m late to the game, but there’s so many well crafted songs here (pop-rock, so fee fie fo fum you musical elitists). Adam Levine has got it in spades. In times when the airwaves are dominated by sampling and remakes, a string of excellent songs stands out. Tap on my window knock on my door I want to make you feel beautiful . . .
The Motorcycle Diaries: as a diet socialist (social democrat), Ché Guevara isn’t an unknown character. But this film--this stunny, elegant, understated film--doesn’t preach. Instead it shows the beauty of the South American continent, while giving a plausible take on how a middle class medical student from Buenos Aires became a worldwide revolutionary. There’s buzz about Javier Bardem getting an Best Actor nod for his latest, but Gael Garcia Bernal deserves one here: like Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth, he makes a larger-than-life historical figure humane.
Runaway Alice Munro: I’m only 80% through this collection of short stories, but I remain in awe of her writing and storytelling. The Booker folks really need to get over their “novels are fiction” bias. Easily the best written fiction I’ve read this year.
Tout un Jour Isabelle Boulay: were I to predict another chanteuse québécoise who could crossover to the English music scene, it’d be Isabelle. Her voice is rich, her phrasing subtle, and with the right song can bring me to tears. This CD has her reaching full artistic maturity. Gorgeous.
It’d be curious to hear others’ choices.
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Date: 2005-01-01 04:43 pm (UTC)The Motorcycle Diaries has just been released here and I am really looking forward to this one...
I'll try and think (though not today; too hungover) and come up with a list of my own.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
*hugs*