Eric’s Picks
Greta
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My top contender for the most overlooked, great film of 2019! This is a movie that builds its tension and scares entirely on the shoulders of its two leads, both of whom deliver incredible performances (Moretz and Huppert). Directed by master film-maker Neil Jordan (The Crying Game, Interview with The Vampire), this film explores the horror and ugliness that resides within us all. Acting legend of French Cinema Isabelle Huppert, who plays the titular Greta, delivers a powerhouse performance that was truly robbed of an Oscar nomination. This movie will have you holding your breath until the credits roll.
Gorillaz/Plastic Beach
From their unique style of collaboration with a wide variety of musical acts, to their ongoing fictional storyline following animated characters who are treated as the real band members of the group, there is no band quite like the Gorillaz. While the Gorillaz have steadily built a strong discography ever since their self-titled debut album (Gorillaz) hit airwaves in 2001, their 2010 album Plastic Beach remains a true high-mark for the band’s career. Considered by many fans to still be their greatest album, Plastic Beach is a smorgasboard of catchy songs and high profile collaborations! Featured musical artists include: Snoop Dogg, Bobby Womack, Paul Simon, Mos Def, and Lou Reed.
Kim’s Picks
Universe Revealed
As is common with BBC Earth, this is a state of the art, brilliantly-filmed, NOVA documentary. With our entire cosmos as the subject of this 5-part series, the specific topics are Age of Stars, Milky Way, Alien Worlds, Black Holes, Big Bang. It’s 275 minutes long but holds the interest throughout.
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania
The author of outstanding nonfiction books (The Devil in the White City, Thunderstruck) constructs and deconstructs the events leading to the sinking of the fast and state-of-the-art steamship Lusitania on its way from New York to Liverpool in 1915. The disaster was one of several incidents that propelled the United States into World War I.
Felicia’s Picks
No One is Talking About This [eBook]
One of my favorite novels of the last year. This auto-fiction spans the bridge between poetry and prose throughout two parts; one focusing on life on the internet and another spent with the narrator’s real life, all told through brief snippets of her experiences.
The Lighthouse
One of the weirdest recent horror movies following two men completely isolated in a lighthouse by director Robert Eggers. A super tense film, with a surprising amount of fart jokes.
Jessie’s Picks
Some Like it Hot
This classic comedy is number 1 on AFI’s 100 Years … 100 Laughs list. It has a great cast (Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon) and a great director (Billy Wilder). Two musicians have to flee from the mob while disguised as women, and hilarity ensues.
Abbey Road/ The Beatles
This album deserves its #1 spot on WXPN’s All Time Greatest Albums list. There are so many great songs on it – “Something,” “Come Together,” “I Want You,” etc.
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