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! 

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!

My only regret from this amazing industry party at Comic-Con is that Anna Torv isn’t in this photo with me, John Freaking Noble & Jasika Sassypants Nicole. Because we all had a few drinks…which was totally on my vagenda, in an alternate universe called I Can’t Believe My Life Right Now. p.s. Are you following Jasika’s page yet? Insanely talented, that one. sugarbooty.tumblr.com

I have a large quantity of items that I’ve collected or been given over the years at various press and charity events, etc. As promised, because I reached 4,000 followers on Twitter, I am going to give them away! Seriously, I am humbled by the support and appreciate every single one of you for sticking with me, long after Lost. 

One caveat: due to the number of items, I’d like to request that you pay for some of the shipping; on a donation basis, whatever you can afford, $3-$10 via Paypal would be appreciated! If you win one of these items, I will send you the shipping info via email. 

These are literally first come, first served. If you are interested in any of these items, simply email me your choice (jo at jopinionated dot com) from today through June 1. 

• Dead Like Me: small poster
• Dexter: Comic-Con bag [CLAIMED!]
• Doctor Who: WonderCon tee, size XL [CLAIMED!]
• Fringe: 3 small posters (glyphs) [CLAIMED!]
• Gargamel: tee (Japanese clothing company, not Smurfs), size S
• House: Season 6 DVD set [CLAIMED!]
• Iron Man: Stark Industries pen drive [CLAIMED!]
• Juno: tee, size L [CLAIMED!]
• Mad Magazine: Alfred E. Newman tee, size L [CLAIMED!]
• Magic The Gathering: deck of cards
• Parks and Recreation: Season 2 DVD set [CLAIMED!]
• Star Trek: 2 small posters (Zoe Saldana & Zachary Quinto)
• Star Wars: Yoda Jedi Trainer Backpack & Gimer Stick action figure [CLAIMED!]
• Twilight: small poster (Bella & Edward)
• V: fan & Comic-Con room key [CLAIMED!]
• Watchmen: Silk Spectre action figure & 5 Nite Owl postcards [CLAIMED!]
• Wonder Boys: small poster (cast)

Once an item has been claimed, I will note it above. ONE item per person, please.

Thank you again for the follows, and for visiting my virtual garage sale!

#Lost. #Dexter. #Fringe. #House. #Supernatural. #TrueBlood. #TheWalkingDead. If you are a fan of these shows, I highly recommend that you check out Mo Ryan’s SwagForCharity auction fundraiser for Partners in Health/Haiti on eBay. Mo is the lead TV critic for AOLtv/TVsquad, and generously gives away her personal collection of television swag every year to benefit various charities.

Jorge Garcia was kind enough to sign my limited edition Lost Live poster and Lost Encyclopedia last weekend, both of which I have donated to the cause. 

Namaste & happy holidays.

Fan boys and girls, Jasika Nicole has joined the tumblr community! In addition to her life on screen as Astrid on #Fringe, she is an amazingly talented artist. 

Follow her here!

We met at WonderCon several years ago and the above photo was taken earlier this year on the set of Fringe in Vancouver. Jasika is on my list of favorite human beings, so I am thrilled that she’s here now, sharing her art with the world. 

Hilarious. Walter & Astrid, FTW. #Fringe is absolutely stellar this season.

I pointed out the fuckyeahjasikanicole site to Jasika. I think she liked it. :)