Best and Worst of 2004
Instead of doing a month-by-month Year in Review, I decided to do a run-down of the books, movies, etc. that I either loved or loathed in 2004.
Best Books of 2004
Wicked by Gregory Maguire*
After hearing so much about the musical on various Broadway boards, I took the plunge and read the book it was based on. Since I’m not a big fan of the show (at least, not based on what I’ve heard), I was pleasantly surprised by the novel, though many people had said it was the better of the two. Although the book is fairly long, I finished it within just a few days, staying up late at night and reading it during my breaks at work cuz I was pretty damn engrossed in it. I can’t really go into much detail, unfortunately, since it has been a while since I actually read it. I remember really liking it though, so that’s good enough.
The Complete Stories of Truman Capote
Bought this on a whim, after reading a good review of it in the Providence Journal. The only thing I had read by Capote previously was In Cold Blood, back in Randall’s class during my freshman year at UT. I don't usually like short story collections but all the ones here were so gothic and/or downright weird that the entire book was right up my alley. So I gotta say "thank you" to Randall for pointing me in the right direction, even all these years later. It was hard to put this book down so I had time to work on my thesis, but somehow I managed to finish both.
Worst Books of 2004
She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb*
This has the "honor" of being the only book I have ever NOT finished because it was so incredibly bad. It was well-written and all that jazz, but the main character was so unlikeable I didn’t even feel sadistic for thinking she deserved every bad thing that happened to her. I got a little more than halfway through, but such an easy-to-hate main character doesn’t exactly compel one to keep reading. The fact that this was popular in Oprah’s Book Club should have tipped me off from the get-go.
Horse People by Michael Korda
Again, a book with characters I came to hate. Even more unfortuantely, this book was non-fiction, based on the author’s own life-- oops. The author is apparently an immoral, uppity, condescending asshole and it truly shines through in his words. Not only that, but he’s a terrible writer-- ever heard of a thing called "proofreading??" He repeats the same stories and phrases so often that I couldn’t stop my eyes from rolling about fifteen times every chapter. Unless you are an instructor at Virginia Intermont, a devotee of said school, or a disgustingly rich horse owner that doesn’t feel the "need" to do barn work since that’s what your Hispanic grooms are for, this book is nothing more than a safe emetic.
Best Movies of 2004
Spiderman 2
I just rewatched the first one, and although I like it quite a bit, the sequel is hands-down the better of the two movies. Kristen Dunst does annoy me slightly because her face has practically the same "I’m half-asleep" expression on it through most of SM2, but everyone else was really good. And Doc Ock is more bad-ass than the Green Goblin, so nyah.
The Spongebob Squarepants Movie
Funniest movie of the year, no question. I had only seen a handful of TV episodes prior to watching this, so I wasn’t entirely sure what I was getting myself into. Maybe my sense of humor is more juvenile than I thought, but like I said, I loved it.
Secret Window
Although this movie wasn’t 100% perfect, borrowing a little too heavily from The Shining towards the end, I just had to give it props. This movie reminded me so much of my own life that it was a little scary. Also, having read the short story that this was based on, I can definitely say that the movie is the better version. The written one ties up just a little too cleanly for my tastes. So yeah, not an amazing film or anything, but I’d watch it again.
Disappointing Movies of 2004
Napoleon Dynamite
Yawn. Yes, there were some funny bits, I’ll hand it that. Ultimately, I felt this movie was trying way too hard to be random and funny and the apparent effort spoiled it for me. And amusing as the "Canned Heat" dance scene may have been, it dragged on waaaay toooooo looooonnnng. Besides, I will always equate that song with the awesome dance sequence in Center Stage, so there.
The Grudge
The trailer was scary. The website was scary. The freaking poster was scary. The movie was not. Even the creepiest scenes didn’t stick with me after seeing it (unlike some in The Ring), but I wouldn’t want to watch it by myself at night. Let’s put it that way.
The Phantom of the Opera
I don’t need to detail my love for this musical, and although back in the day I was scared at the prospect of a POTO movie, after seeing what was done with Chicago, I had an increasingly hopeful outlook. Although I didn’t dislike the movie, I don’t think it would have made me interested in the show if I wasn’t already familiar with it. Also, there were a lot of little changes that I thought were stupid or pointless (ie. Vogue-like choreography during "Masquerade," somewhat borrowing from Susan Kay’s novel to add some background to the Phantom’s relationship with Madame Giry, etc.) Oh well. I guess they could have done worse.
Worst Movies of 2004
Team America: World Police
Can’t say I was big on seeing this to begin with, but it didn’t even live up to whatever small expectations I had. Like Napoleon Dynamite, this movie tried way too hard to be "different" and "shocking." Too bad half of the funny bits were used to much better effect in Broadway’s own Muppet show, Avenue Q. The spoof on Rent was highly amusing though, easily the best part of the movie.
The Village
Okay, fine. I didn’t guess the twist at the end beforehand. It was surprising for about five minutes, during which time I actually thought sitting through 2 and whatever wicked boring hours had been worth it. Well, I soon decided otherwise. Giant porcupine-like creatures in the woods. Ooo, I’m scared.
Best CDs of 2004
American Idiot, Green Day
I’ve loved Green Day since I first heard Dookie in 7th grade, and their latest CD doesn’t disappoint. I’m just sad that they toured with A New Found Glory, a band I absolutely detest, cuz otherwise I would definitely have gone to see them in Worcester. Just didn’t see the point in paying $35 to only enjoy one of the bands that was playing. Oh, well. I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ve heard from them, so hopefully I’ll catch them next time around.
Weird Romance, Original Cast Recording
I’m not even gonna get into the story of how I got this CD, but let’s just say I was sure I was going to be kicked off Ebay for the 2nd time. Hmm. Anyway, the only reason I bought this CD was cuz I knew Jonathan Hadary had a leading role in this show-- and he does, and he sounds great in this recording. The whole show is fun and catchy, even if the lyrics/music are occasionally cheese x10, but what can you expect from a Menken show during the early 90’s? Even though I got this back in August, I still listen to it regularly. Definitely was worth the wait.
Avenue Q, Original Broadway Cast Recording
I had been wanting to hear songs from this show after hearing so many glowing reviews from those wonderful folks on the Broadway boards. My wish was unexpectedly granted when one of Rich's friends happened to be enarmored with the show and offered to burn me a copy. Although I don’t listen to it 24/7 or anything, it’s amusing and a good mood lifter. If I had to catch a show on Broadway right now, this would be one of my top choices.
Worst CD of 2004
Assassins, Original Broadway Cast Recording
I’ve already written at length about all the things that are wrong with this recording so I’ll make this brief. If you want to listen to Assassins, get the Original Cast Recording with Garber, Mann, Hadary, etc. If you want Assassins lite, Assassins on a hefty dosage of Prozac perhaps, listen to this one.
Good Things in 2004
Spring Break in Florida
Buffalo trip
finishing thesis on the anarchists and getting an A on it
Texas trip
the horse game!
Indian food. . mmm, mango pickle
Mix CDs
the Vermonster ^__^
Bad Things in 2004
Bush is Re-elected V_V
still haven’t seen Angels in America
New York City trip. . .when?!
Flying back from Texas with a cold v_v
only being able to find clothes that fit in expensive stores like Nordstrom and Jasmine Sola. I can’t afford to keep doing this!
Tim Horton’s taking over Bess Eaton
acid reflux v_v
stuff
*I know these books didn’t come out in 2004, but that’s when I read it, so. . .
Best Books of 2004
Wicked by Gregory Maguire*
After hearing so much about the musical on various Broadway boards, I took the plunge and read the book it was based on. Since I’m not a big fan of the show (at least, not based on what I’ve heard), I was pleasantly surprised by the novel, though many people had said it was the better of the two. Although the book is fairly long, I finished it within just a few days, staying up late at night and reading it during my breaks at work cuz I was pretty damn engrossed in it. I can’t really go into much detail, unfortunately, since it has been a while since I actually read it. I remember really liking it though, so that’s good enough.
The Complete Stories of Truman Capote
Bought this on a whim, after reading a good review of it in the Providence Journal. The only thing I had read by Capote previously was In Cold Blood, back in Randall’s class during my freshman year at UT. I don't usually like short story collections but all the ones here were so gothic and/or downright weird that the entire book was right up my alley. So I gotta say "thank you" to Randall for pointing me in the right direction, even all these years later. It was hard to put this book down so I had time to work on my thesis, but somehow I managed to finish both.
Worst Books of 2004
She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb*
This has the "honor" of being the only book I have ever NOT finished because it was so incredibly bad. It was well-written and all that jazz, but the main character was so unlikeable I didn’t even feel sadistic for thinking she deserved every bad thing that happened to her. I got a little more than halfway through, but such an easy-to-hate main character doesn’t exactly compel one to keep reading. The fact that this was popular in Oprah’s Book Club should have tipped me off from the get-go.
Horse People by Michael Korda
Again, a book with characters I came to hate. Even more unfortuantely, this book was non-fiction, based on the author’s own life-- oops. The author is apparently an immoral, uppity, condescending asshole and it truly shines through in his words. Not only that, but he’s a terrible writer-- ever heard of a thing called "proofreading??" He repeats the same stories and phrases so often that I couldn’t stop my eyes from rolling about fifteen times every chapter. Unless you are an instructor at Virginia Intermont, a devotee of said school, or a disgustingly rich horse owner that doesn’t feel the "need" to do barn work since that’s what your Hispanic grooms are for, this book is nothing more than a safe emetic.
Best Movies of 2004
Spiderman 2
I just rewatched the first one, and although I like it quite a bit, the sequel is hands-down the better of the two movies. Kristen Dunst does annoy me slightly because her face has practically the same "I’m half-asleep" expression on it through most of SM2, but everyone else was really good. And Doc Ock is more bad-ass than the Green Goblin, so nyah.
The Spongebob Squarepants Movie
Funniest movie of the year, no question. I had only seen a handful of TV episodes prior to watching this, so I wasn’t entirely sure what I was getting myself into. Maybe my sense of humor is more juvenile than I thought, but like I said, I loved it.
Secret Window
Although this movie wasn’t 100% perfect, borrowing a little too heavily from The Shining towards the end, I just had to give it props. This movie reminded me so much of my own life that it was a little scary. Also, having read the short story that this was based on, I can definitely say that the movie is the better version. The written one ties up just a little too cleanly for my tastes. So yeah, not an amazing film or anything, but I’d watch it again.
Disappointing Movies of 2004
Napoleon Dynamite
Yawn. Yes, there were some funny bits, I’ll hand it that. Ultimately, I felt this movie was trying way too hard to be random and funny and the apparent effort spoiled it for me. And amusing as the "Canned Heat" dance scene may have been, it dragged on waaaay toooooo looooonnnng. Besides, I will always equate that song with the awesome dance sequence in Center Stage, so there.
The Grudge
The trailer was scary. The website was scary. The freaking poster was scary. The movie was not. Even the creepiest scenes didn’t stick with me after seeing it (unlike some in The Ring), but I wouldn’t want to watch it by myself at night. Let’s put it that way.
The Phantom of the Opera
I don’t need to detail my love for this musical, and although back in the day I was scared at the prospect of a POTO movie, after seeing what was done with Chicago, I had an increasingly hopeful outlook. Although I didn’t dislike the movie, I don’t think it would have made me interested in the show if I wasn’t already familiar with it. Also, there were a lot of little changes that I thought were stupid or pointless (ie. Vogue-like choreography during "Masquerade," somewhat borrowing from Susan Kay’s novel to add some background to the Phantom’s relationship with Madame Giry, etc.) Oh well. I guess they could have done worse.
Worst Movies of 2004
Team America: World Police
Can’t say I was big on seeing this to begin with, but it didn’t even live up to whatever small expectations I had. Like Napoleon Dynamite, this movie tried way too hard to be "different" and "shocking." Too bad half of the funny bits were used to much better effect in Broadway’s own Muppet show, Avenue Q. The spoof on Rent was highly amusing though, easily the best part of the movie.
The Village
Okay, fine. I didn’t guess the twist at the end beforehand. It was surprising for about five minutes, during which time I actually thought sitting through 2 and whatever wicked boring hours had been worth it. Well, I soon decided otherwise. Giant porcupine-like creatures in the woods. Ooo, I’m scared.
Best CDs of 2004
American Idiot, Green Day
I’ve loved Green Day since I first heard Dookie in 7th grade, and their latest CD doesn’t disappoint. I’m just sad that they toured with A New Found Glory, a band I absolutely detest, cuz otherwise I would definitely have gone to see them in Worcester. Just didn’t see the point in paying $35 to only enjoy one of the bands that was playing. Oh, well. I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ve heard from them, so hopefully I’ll catch them next time around.
Weird Romance, Original Cast Recording
I’m not even gonna get into the story of how I got this CD, but let’s just say I was sure I was going to be kicked off Ebay for the 2nd time. Hmm. Anyway, the only reason I bought this CD was cuz I knew Jonathan Hadary had a leading role in this show-- and he does, and he sounds great in this recording. The whole show is fun and catchy, even if the lyrics/music are occasionally cheese x10, but what can you expect from a Menken show during the early 90’s? Even though I got this back in August, I still listen to it regularly. Definitely was worth the wait.
Avenue Q, Original Broadway Cast Recording
I had been wanting to hear songs from this show after hearing so many glowing reviews from those wonderful folks on the Broadway boards. My wish was unexpectedly granted when one of Rich's friends happened to be enarmored with the show and offered to burn me a copy. Although I don’t listen to it 24/7 or anything, it’s amusing and a good mood lifter. If I had to catch a show on Broadway right now, this would be one of my top choices.
Worst CD of 2004
Assassins, Original Broadway Cast Recording
I’ve already written at length about all the things that are wrong with this recording so I’ll make this brief. If you want to listen to Assassins, get the Original Cast Recording with Garber, Mann, Hadary, etc. If you want Assassins lite, Assassins on a hefty dosage of Prozac perhaps, listen to this one.
Good Things in 2004
Spring Break in Florida
Buffalo trip
finishing thesis on the anarchists and getting an A on it
Texas trip
the horse game!
Indian food. . mmm, mango pickle
Mix CDs
the Vermonster ^__^
Bad Things in 2004
Bush is Re-elected V_V
still haven’t seen Angels in America
New York City trip. . .when?!
Flying back from Texas with a cold v_v
only being able to find clothes that fit in expensive stores like Nordstrom and Jasmine Sola. I can’t afford to keep doing this!
Tim Horton’s taking over Bess Eaton
acid reflux v_v
stuff
*I know these books didn’t come out in 2004, but that’s when I read it, so. . .
posted by Erica at 4:13 PM
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