My home office wall is now complete. These beautiful, limited-edition Star Wars LOST prints are from the incredibly talented JJ Harrision, and I was lucky enough to receive the #1 print of each collection. So for my birthday this week, my partner had the trilogy custom matted and framed. I can’t stop staring at them. LOVE. 

Visit JJ’s website, Lost in Comics, to view all of his very cool LOST and pop culture art! 

Another year, another list. Add mine to the pile!

To me, 2011 was not a tremendously strong year in film. But my favorites have an obvious theme: sentimentality. The following movies appealed to me on a surprisingly strong emotional level. These films were a beautiful mixture of sad and sweet, and I connected with specific aspects of each - as they reminded me both of my youth and recent history. 

BEGINNERS 

I found Ewan McGregor’s performance and his character’s interaction with his father to be incredibly touching. 

THE DESCENDANTS

Clooney is at his very best in a more subtle role like this, where the eyes speak almost more than he does. This film also offers a stunning Hawaiian backdrop and is another Alexander Payne gem for both direction and script (co-written with Jim Rash, who plays the Dean on Community!). 

HUGO

A love letter to cinema, and a fantastic adventure accompanied by beautiful cinematography and set design. 

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

As a Lit major who took a class specifically about Fitzgerald and Hemingway, I was absolutely enthralled in the world that Woody Allen presented.

MONEYBALL

Because I had attended many of the games during the Oakland A’s infamous 20-game winning streak and loved the book, I was very impressed with how they translated that experience onto the big screen.

SUPER 8

Absorbing the action and story in Super 8, I felt the same joy I had as a wide-eyed kid watching E.T. for the first time.

[Side note: there are still many Oscar contenders that I have yet to see and hope to soon, including Albert Nobbs, The Artist, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Iron Lady, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, We Need to Talk About Kevin and Young Adult]

TELEVISION

Everyone has a Top 10. I have 12, plus three that almost made the list.

Again, alphabetically:

1. Breaking Bad
2. Community
3. Friday Night Lights
4. Fringe
5. The Good Wife
6. Happy Endings
7. Homeland
8. Luther
9. Justified
10. Once Upon a Time
11. Parks and Recreation
12. Person of Interest

Honorable mentions: Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead.

While many would argue that a few of the above shows may not qualify as the BEST that television had to offer in 2011, these are my personal favorites. To each their own. 

Thank you for reading, and Happy New Year! 

Here is a long overdue update!

I am still writing, but not for a specific site or public consumption…yet. There are various creative projects in the works. Vague, party of one! 

But I am thrilled to be able to reveal that I have contributed two chapters to a new book called “LOST Thought: Leading Thinks Discuss LOST” (slated to be published in early 2012). One is my essay about LOST and Alice in Wonderland, and the other is a collaboration with my good friend Erika Olson from LongLiveLocke. 

I also wanted to let you know where my heart and focus will be in 2012. I am the co-founder of a new charity fundraiser called Cancer Gets LOST, which we hope will be an online auction combined with a live event in Los Angeles next summer. 

Stay tuned for more updates about Inside Alcatraz and Cancer Gets LOST, as well as the obligatory Best of 2011 list!

For more frequent and brief TV analysis, you can always follow me on Twitter. :)

The new series dust has settled, and so has my very crowded and somewhat insane season-pass schedule. Due to conflicting times and DVR limitations, I do have to watch several of these shows online instead of live or taped.

This is my current TV viewing schedule, which of course will change and become even more overwhelming when mid-season shows debut and returning shows grace our screens again in January/February.

SUNDAY

• The Walking Dead (AMC)
• Once Upon a Time (ABC)
• The Good Wife (CBS)
• Dexter (SHO)
• Homeland (SHO)
• Hung (HBO)
• Hell on Wheels (AMC, debuts 11/6/11)

MONDAY

• Terra Nova (FOX)
• Alcatraz (FOX, debuts January 2012)
• House (FOX)
• Smash (NBC, debuts 2/6/12)
• Bored to Death (HBO)
• Enlightened (HBO)
• Hawaii 5-0 (CBS)
• Castle (ABC)

TUESDAY

• The Biggest Loser (NBC)
• Glee (FOX)
• New Girl (FOX)
• Ringer (CW)
• Parenthood (NBC)
• Body of Proof (ABC)

WEDNESDAY

• Survivor (CBS)
• Modern Family (FOX)
• Happy Endings (ABC)
• Revenge (ABC)
• American Horror Story (FX)
• Top Chef (BRAVO)

THURSDAY

• The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
• Community (NBC)
• Bones (FOX)
• The Vampire Diaries (CW)
• Parks and Recreation (NBC)
• Person of Interest (CBS)
• Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)
• Private Practice (ABC)
• It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX)

FRIDAY

• A Gifted Man (CBS)
• Chuck (NBC)
• Fringe (FOX)

Premiere dates have not been announced yet for a few new & returning shows on my list, including 30 Rock (NBC), Awake (NBC), Cougar Town (ABC), Scandal (ABC) and The River (ABC).

Why am I posting this on Tumblr? People frequently ask (via Twitter) if I watch certain shows, and now I have a link to send them. :)

To answer your questions, no and absolutely. [The frequent inquiries being: do I get paid to watch TV and do I have a life off of the couch?]

FRINGE returns Friday -

I have things to give away.

Haiku; try to win!

In honor of Season 4 kicking off on Friday, I am giving away both a Fringe graphic novel and large Comic-Con bag.

If you’re interested in either item, simply leave your best Fringe haiku in the Comments below. A haiku contains 3 lines; 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables. In addition to the one above, here is another example:

Peter Bishop gone.

Was there ever a baby?

Walter will flip out!

I will select my favorite 2 from all entries on Friday (9/23) at 9pm PST, and anyone is eligible to win (international and alt universe included…as long as they have a shipping address). One entry per person please.

Spread the word - let’s have some fun with this!

Slippery cliffs where Jack fought Locke. Very steep, treacherous hike & location! #Lost episode 6.17, “The End”

Photographed on Oahu, 9/11/11.

The church where Jacob visited young Sawyer. #Lost episode 5.16, “The Incident, Part 1”

Photographed on Oahu, 9/11/11.

The exterior of the Dharma processing center. #Lost episode 5.9, “Namaste”

Photographed on Oahu, 9/11/11.

Dharmaville (aka New Otherton). #Lost

Photographed on Oahu, 9/11/11.

Santa Rosa, where Hurley, Libby & Locke’s mom were all institutionalized. #Lost

Photographed on Oahu, 9/11/11.