Monday, December 31, 2018

2018: Year In Review

I didn't do anything really monumental in 2018 (both of my parents have fragile health and I just don't feel good about going on any overseas trips for the foreseeable future) but I did have a lot of fun with a few shorter trips here and there.  Here are some highlights.
Hamilton in SLC (go here, here, and here)
Southern Utah Road Trip (go here, here, and here)
Camping Trips (go here, here, and here)
Korver Is Back! (go here and here)

Most of my favorite moments happened spontaneously and, looking back, I am so glad that I said yes to so many adventures this year (even though people sometimes think that I am crazy).  I have a few adventures already planned for 2019 and I can't wait to see what other trouble I can get myself into!  Happy New Year!

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Favorite Movies of 2018

This year I saw 120 new releases in the theater so, once again, I thought I would compile a list of my top ten of 2018.  This list is a rather unusual one because it includes some unexpected choices but each one of these movies really resonated with me in one way or another (click the title to read my original review).

This movie was definitely the biggest surprise of 2018 because, since I wasn't a fan of the original, I didn't even plan on seeing it.  The second trailer caught my attention so I decided to give it a chance.  I am so glad that I did because I enjoyed this feel-good movie from the first number ("When I Kissed The Teacher") to the end credits ("Super Trouper").  I loved the charismatic performance of Lily James (who can really sing and dance) and Donna's story is actually quite poignant.  Also, how can you not love Cher singing "Fernando?"

It is unusual for me to include an action/blockbuster in a year-end list like this but I really loved this movie.  The action sequences are intense and unrelenting, including the much hyped HALO jump (which is spectacular), multiple car and motorcycle chases through Paris, a foot race across the roof of the Tate Modern, and an aerial helicopter chase through the mountains of Kashmir.  It goes without saying that Crusie, who performs the majority of his stunts, is absolutely amazing in the action sequences but he also gives Hunt some unexpected vulnerability as he deals with the consequences of his actions in both the present and in his past.

This is a movie that I liked more and more after thinking about it for days after watching it.  The story is a bit formulaic but it works on the strength of the lead performances.  Ali and Mortensen have great chemistry as their characters banter back and forth and it is a joy to watch them interact.  I also really enjoyed the message of overcoming prejudices by getting to know someone who is different which is something that is very important to me.

This is a darkly comedic film in which a deeply flawed character eventually finds a sort of redemption (one of my favorite themes).  Melissa McCarthy gives a brilliant performance (earning some early Oscar buzz), turning Lee into an incredibly sympathetic character despite her behavior.  I liked the juxtaposition between Lee and Jack (Richard E. Grant) because Lee is misanthropic and difficult while Jack is full of charisma and charm.  They have some fantastic dialogue as two lonely people who only have each other banter back and forth.  I actually found the character of Lee to be refreshing in that she is unapologetic and I really enjoyed this film.

6.  First Man
This is the very human story of Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) and his journey from a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base to be the first man to walk on the moon with the Apollo 11 mission.  It is incredibly intense, putting the audience right in the middle of the action with Armstrong as he experiences the claustrophobia of being in a tiny space capsule, the jarring vibrations of lifting off, and the disorientation of being in space.  I think this is a brilliant film and I am now in awe of what Armstrong and the other astronauts accomplished.  I wish more people had seen it.

This film is a brutal portrayal of a man in torment with an incredible performance by Ethan Hawke that left me completely shattered.  It grapples with ideas of despair and hope (I really struggle with the darkness in the world tight now and sometimes I lose hope) but the ambiguous ending can be interpreted as either damnation or salvation.  It is brilliant because I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

This film is incredibly powerful and thought-provoking.  I had an almost visceral reaction to some of what I saw on the screen but I also laughed out loud in many places.  Spike Lee does a masterful job in creating a film that is funny and entertaining but also has a definite message that is particularly salient for our times.  I love John David Washington's riveting portrayal of Ron Stallworth and I love the idea that fighting hate needs to come from within rather than through violence.

I was completely blown away by my emotional response to this tragic love story.  Bradley Cooper gives an incredible performance and I was particularly impressed by the fact that he co-wrote many of the songs and that he sings and plays the guitar live on screen.  I've always respected Lady Gaga as a gifted musician despite her rather outlandish stage persona and she, as expected, gives a tour de force performance while on stage but she is also very believable in the role of a singer who doubts herself.  It is an intimate portrait of two flawed characters that has a sort of redemption at the end.

I had a huge smile on my face while watching this heart-warming and whimsical movie about how Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) returns to help save Michael Banks and his family.  Blunt and Miranda are absolutely delightful, the children are adorable, the songs are a lot of fun, the choreography is spectacular, and the visuals are stunning!  It is practically perfect in every way and I suspect that I will watch this again and again whenever I need a dose of happiness in my life.

It should come as no surprise that this is my favorite movie of 2018!  I don't know when I have been so emotionally impacted by a movie as I have been by this one.  I know it has flaws but I love it so much.  I love the music of Queen and I find Freddie Mercury's ultimate redemption (reconciling with his family, resolving his differences with the band, coming to terms with his sexuality, finding someone to love, and giving the performance of his life) to be so affecting and life-affirming.  I also love Rami Malek's tour de force performance as Freddie because he not only captures his incredible showmanship in every staging of a Queen performance but he also brilliantly portrays his vulnerability.  I am so impressed with Malek's passion for this role and everything he did to prepare for it.  I continue to be so obsessed with this movie!

Friday, December 28, 2018

Back Together

During Kyle Korver's first two seasons with the Utah Jazz I had season tickets with my aunt and cousins.  We always had so much fun together at the games!  Now that Korver is back in Utah we decided that it would be fun to get back together for a game so last night we saw the Jazz play the Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers.  It was just like old times!  The Jazz started really well.  Korver had a great first quarter with a nice jumper and a really deep and-one three pointer before the buzzer and ended up leading the team in points.  It was a lot of fun cheering for him.  The Jazz stayed with the Sixers in the second quarter and ended down five points going into the half.  During the second half of the game the Jazz couldn't get anything going.  The Sixers basically had their way with them to win 114-97.  It wasn't a very good game but it was so great being with my aunt and cousins.  We have so many memories of watching Jazz games together!

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Christmas 2018

Yesterday my family celebrated Christmas together and it was one of the best holidays we've ever had!  It was a wonderful day and it began with opening presents.  I was given strict instructions to be at my parents' house at 8:00 am and, of course, when I got there we still had to wait for Sean and Tashena!
According to tradition we all take turns opening one present at a time, starting with the youngest (Sean) and working our way to the oldest (my Mom).  It is so much fun watching everyone open their presents, especially Sean and Tashena.
Tashena's big presents were some white Nike shoes to match the red ones that she got for her birthday (she needs shoes to match her home and away basketball uniforms), a backpack for all of her athletic gear, the nicest water bottle that I have ever seen, a hoodie, an electric blanket, and a bunch of smaller items.
Sean has lots of different gaming platforms and he got a bunch of new games for each of them.  He was so happy and he spent the rest of the day either downloading or playing games.
I got a new camera, AirPods, Seasons 1-3 of Mr. Robot on DVD (because I am a little bit obsessed with Rami Malek), the companion book and the soundtrack to Bohemian Rhapsody (because I am really obsessed with this movie), an initial necklace, and a new Kyle Korver jersey!

After opening presents, Marilyn and I went to see Mary Poppins Returns which was just delightful once again.  In the evening we had a wonderful dinner and then played another epic game of Shanghai rummy.  It was honestly the best day ever and I am so glad that I got to celebrate with my family!

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Christmas Eve 2018

Yesterday was such a great day!  I slept in really late and then spent most of the morning wrapping presents (I usually don't leave it this late).  In the evening Marilyn and I took Sean to see Aquaman which I enjoyed even more than the first time!  Then, as per tradition, Sean and Tashena got to open one present.
They always get new Christmas jammies and we make them put them on and pose.
Then we all played Shanghai rummy.  Whenever we play this game it gets really out of hand and last night it was so crazy that someone threw a projectile at someone else during the first round!  It was actually so much fun!

Monday, December 24, 2018

Gingerbread Houses 2018

Saturday night we had our annual gingerbread house decorating party with Sean and Tashena.  It is such a fun tradition!  This year we got really fancy kits with that came with a lot of extras like colored frosting and fondant!  I had a lot of fun with the fondant!
Various stages of construction.
Tashena's house.
Sean's house.
Marilyn's house.
My house.
Our gingerbread village!
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