In Memoriam

I’ve been telling myself I was going to do a review of the past year. This has been a bit of a struggle for me since any time I have free from work, school, or sleep I try to fill with exercise, drinking, or both (beer pong will be a demonstration sport in The London Olympic games). However, this bus ride (and subsequent rides) has encouraged me to at least start some semblance of a post. I’m just going to rattle some random thoughts off and hope they make sense. Enjoy.

TV

Who would have thought that a year without Mad Men would be so goddamn rewarding?

Game of Thrones showed what Tolkien plus soft-core porn and a dash of macabre makes. Yep, a Christmas tree with little wrapped puppies and Chicago deep dish pizzas underneath.

Louie went from being a good show to a great one. Don’t bother trying to label it a comedy or a drama. It’s just one man’s commentary on life. It’s also brilliant.

I have also added Justified to the list of shows I will be telling people to watch - they won’t realize what they’re missing until everyone else catches up. The addition of Mags was fantastic, as was the additional history given to Rayland and his small town.

Other shows I have told people to checkout: The Wire, Family Guy (pre-cancelled run), South Park, and maybe most importantly Breaking Bad. 

Damn was this another great season for Breaking Bad. Just when I thought there weren’t any new ways to keep the tension high, they do. This is the smartest series on TV right now. Good luck trying to figure out if you should root for Walt, Jesse or Gus. They are all so beautifully detailed and nuanced.  What kind of man could make such a decision? “No man, no man at all.”

Parks and Rec continues to be the best pure comedy on TV. Rich characters and a bizarrely realized Pawnee, Indiana equals magic. Not David Copperfield magic, like Jesus high fiving Muhammad magic.

Community, while not as consistent, is highly rewarding when its crazily inventive writers and stellar cast are firing on all cylinders.

Film

I feel like I have 2 speeds with movies. Either I’ve seen none or I’ve seen 12 in 2 days. So while my list of flicks to see is still large (Decendents, the Artist, Shame, among others) I’ve been privy to some stellar films this year. Drive was an exercise in style and patience, with great turns from Brooks and the Gos. X-men: First Class took a dead franchise and pumped it full of life, thanks largely in part of Mr. Fassbender as a confused and conflicted Magneto. Rise of the Planet of the Apes surprised the hell out of me by making me care about Caesar’s burden and growing awareness as a leader. Plus the sequence on the golden gate bridge was simply badass.

Hugo took turns and plucked strings I didn’t expect. Especially after maybe the worst trailer I’ve seen this year.

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo also took a few turns in its 3rd act I wasn’t expecting. Basically a book tailored to Fincher’s style and strengths - excellent.

Midnight in Paris was maybe the sweetest movie I’ve seen this year, right down to its greatly absurd premise to its subtle happy ending.

Maybe the most polarizing film I saw this year was Tree of Life. You either got lost in its omniscient eye or rolled your eyes at its noncommittal plot. I for one took to the battle of grace vs nature and would love to discuss these motifs and symbolism with anyone else who was captivated and intrigued. Pitt beautifully portrays a strong-armed but loving father in 1950s middle-class America.

Music

Oh music. I love you so. Saw some great shows like TV on the Radio, My Morning Jacket at Rock the Garden, and Flaming Lips doing their thing at Soundtown Festival.

Sleigh Bells was upstaged by their opener CSS and I sadly missed the Doomtree Blowout for the 4th year in a row (next year, I swear).

Speaking of Doomtree, No Kings, their second official group album is bonkers. Tight yet open ended rhymes and some of the best production they have had yet. The album plays to all 7 members’ strengths and moves downhill with momentum.

Anytime I can see Heiruspecs and spread their joy to new ears, I will. Hurry up with that new record boys.

In my earbuds, I’m still banging Watch the Throne, even if a few of the songs (looking at you Lift Off) don’t totally fit. TV on the Radio keep growing with Nine Types of Light, Cults’ self-titled always brings a smile to my face and Fitz and the Tantrums’ Picking up the Pieces begs you to dance and sing along.

Toronto had a banner year with Drake dropping his best album to date (the emotionally drenched and candid Take Care) and newcomer The Weeknd’s trio of EPs were great. House of Balloons being the magnum opus, as the introduction to the group’s haunting and hallucinogen mind.

Books

My book reading is never timely like my music, movie and show tastes. This is the year I finally read To Kill a Mockingbird (stellar), zipped through Lolita (creepily funny and self-aware) and devoured Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink. Others were tackled, but less memorable.

In Eric news, the past year has been a nice return to creativity for me. While I got back into improv a few years ago, this past year I’ve been blessed with how often I’ve been able to perform and witness. This is in big part to Huge Theater, which you all owe it to yourself to check out (hugetheater.com). But really it’s been amazing to be surrounded by such a funny, supportive, and tight knit community. I’ve also been lucky to find myself pushed by such crazy and smart thinkers during my past year of advertising school. Being able to see people who think in both similar and radically different ways has been a lesson and a treat.

This is getting long. So I’ll close up. Thanks to the friends who come to my shows, drive me around, laugh when I’m inappropriate, and tell me to shut up when I’m being a know it all. Love to my sister, madre and padre, who have always supported me no matter what. Be it smart or idiotic, they still seem to care what obnoxious little Eric is doing. And good luck to all of the above. 2011 was pretty good. 2012 has to be better.