Although I have been in a musically challenged decade I have been watching my share of movies and television - probably more than I should. Most of it is crap. There is no doubt in my mind that most of the things that I view either on DVD, at theaters (although that is a rare occasion) and on TV have become mostly drivel. I would sum the decade of TV up with reality - or some version of it. It seems that networks would rather see people squirm in pain rather then pay for good writers and actors. I could rant more about that but instead I'll share a few of my favorite things:
Television:
Six Feet Under - I can't really say enough about this high drama series from HBO. Alan Ball had these warped characters come into our lives and we loved them - imperfections and all. When this series ended I felt as if I watched my family fade away from me. The best television I have ever watched. Period.
Lost - We watch this on DVD in huge chunks rather then torture ourselves trying to keep up with it on TV. The drama, suspense, and overall odd quality of this epic TV journey has captivated our family. I am not, by nature, a sci-fi lover, but this quirky story about castaways took away any thoughts of Gilligan and the Skipper the moment they landed on that lonesome island. It isn't perfect, but it is fun!
The Office, The Daily Show, The Tudors, Gilmore Girls, Freaks and Geeks, Big Love, random reality tv shows about weight loss or singing, and The News Hour make up the rest of my TV viewing - eclectic at best.
Movies:
The Educators - this quirky foreign film that I can't seem to find is about a group of people who go into wealthy homes and move things around just to let them know they were there - subversive.
Up - this kids film broke my heart open and made me smile after months of being unhappy. I just adored the older man, his scouting sidekick and the dog in love with squirrels. Animation is always close to my top loves and when the story is endearing it is even better.
Spellbound, Michael Moore, Supersize Me, Rivers and Tides, Fast Food Nation - a decade of documentaries. I am a sucker for things I agree with told on film in a way that make me stand up and cheer. Is that leftist propaganda? Maybe, but it is my kind of documentary and after looking at my Netflix list I can see that I watch a lot of this. There was one on Kissinger (I forget the name) that had me angry for days and days - but I loved every minute of it.
A decade is a hard thing to wrap up in film - I watched everything from Oceans 11, Rabbit Proof Fence, Hotel Rwanda to every Coen brother film with drivel in between. If I had to give a film to someone from this decade I would share Lagaan - a 4 hour Bollywood film that is hopeful and enduring. When Slumdog Millionaire came out I was hoping it would have the majesty and beauty of Lagaan - but it was a dark story and a disappointment to me. Film is about capturing a moment and although the darker moments often captivate the award shows it is the ones with hope that steal my heart.