
About six months ago I asked if there was interest in a challenge to Newsviners to read at least 50 books and/or watch 50 movies. I went ahead and set up topics to do exactly that.
There was a lot of initial interest but few actually participated. So I'm going to give this another shot and if, as happened before, only two or three of us were posting what we were reading and watching and – more important to us as a community – reviews (clipped to the Review Café) – then I'll just give up on the idea.
If, though, you like this idea and want to participate please indicate with a comment below.
One possible confusion before was that we were starting it on the fiscal year (July) as opposed to January 1.
This will be the third year that I'm shooting to read between 50 and 100 books. I'm currently at 73. I'll probably write up a top ten books of the year list in the next few week too. My picks for the first half of the year are here.
I also try to see 50 movies a year. I count one season of a tv series (for example I've been watching season 2 of Buffy) as one movie. I'm currently at 46 but need to write up reviews of a few recently viewed movies before the year ends.
Friday Night Lights - Season 1 I'll bite. I recently watched Friday Night Lights season 1 (and those episodes of season 2 available on hulu.com). It will not be for everyone, but is a critical darling for a reason; it is very well written, very well cast, interestingly filmed, and comforting like your mama's best chicken pot pie. I read somewhere (potentially on the box) that it is the best depiction of contemporary American life on television and, I have to say, "I agree." While many successful shows on television aim to present a hyper-realistic version of some niche profession or segment of society (e.g., Nip/Tuck, NYPD Blue, Sopranos, House, Deadwood, Law and Order, CSI, etc.), Friday Night Lights thrives on the everyday lives of a football team and the characters they interact with. Sure, there is drama, but this isn't Desperate House Wives meets Varsity Blues. While the show can hinge on melodramatic at times, and its storylines are not all home runs, it speaks clearly in universal themes of honor and family and reflects something genuine about the "American High-school Experience" in the same way that the "American Dream" reflects our cultural value; it is a saccharine view that does not really "work out" for everyone, but is aspirational and hopeful to a literal fault. In the end, Friday Night Lights is pretty much "Bizarro" Freaks and Geeks and, based on that description and how much I loved Freaks and Geeks, I am absolutely shocked that I enjoyed it as much as I did. I'd recommend it to anyone that has a weekend to bum around eating takeout. I picked it up for 20 bucks at Target and I see that it is available on Amazon for $18.99US.
Ya, I included hard breaks in the text when I wrote it, but maybe I'll use the XHTML br.
I'm somewhat of a football fan, but don't really watch when the Dolphins aren't doing well (past 5-6 years). That being said, high-school football is only the frame on which the human drama is draped and I think you'd enjoy it even if you didn't care anything at all about football.
Is there enough there to draw in someone who finds football about as interesting as watching snow melt?
My mom doesn't know the endzone from the goal post. When I was in high school, she came to the games to cheer at the half time shows. Needless to say football is not her thing, but she loves the show. Great drama, witty dialogue, interesting characters.
I missed out. I was off watching movies. I kept track of most of the movies I watched all the way through in 2007 and listed 212 different ones. I started the list to keep myself from repeating movies within a calendar year. I'll do it again in 2008. I've already seen 11 films. I saw some good documentary features on cable but most of them were from before 2007.
I would love to do this, would you prefer that we comment her, or in reviews? or both
Well here's a book review for you Scott.
No laundry. I have no domestic skills at all.
Dude, I totally love the idea behind these challenges, but my problem is that I'd rather spend the time reading and watching than writing reviews about what I read or watched. Then there's the problem that much of what I've read or watched has already been reviewed by people I respect, who've done a better job than I probably could. Including music and movies in with books, I was lucky to have gotten a dozen reviews in this year, although I read much more than that.
Case in point, you got me reading and loving the work of Charlie Huston, but I feel like reviewing that work is covering old ground that you've already covered in your reviews and interview.
So while I will probably keep posting reviews of some stuff, it's doubtful that I will manage to hit your target numbers, at least in terms of actually reviewing this stuff.
the young female Vacelts
Now you're just trying to get on my good side. What kind of review/article are you going to hit me up to do now?
I am with her, I smell a rat!
Don't worry Scott. I don't hold grudges . . . usually.
Hmmm, I noticed you count seasons of tv shows as movies. I might could do this. I tend to watch whole seasons of shows when I'm depressed. I just did two seasons of Bones. I'll try to get a review out.
I love Bones. Great series. I look forward to your review.
Here's three more movies for your challenge
Can you tell that I'm gearing up for the SuperBowl?
I wasn't here for the beginning of this, but I think it is a great idea. I will try to see if I can write a review of some of the things I have been watching lately.
Yes, I am very interested. It will be difficult but I am up to the task.
Wasn't there something else I was joining up for with you? This may be it, I can't remember.
Scott, another thing, will we be allowed to read topics of our choice or are they chosen for us?
I am very excited about being a part of this. I hope many others partake as well. It will be fun to see the different readings of all who participate.
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