2014 best movies

Best movies of 2014 1. “The Grand Budapest Hotel” (Wes Anderson)
2. “Thou Wast Mild and Lovely” (Josephine Decker)
3. “Goodbye to Language” (Jean-Luc Godard)
4. “The Last of the Unjust” (Claude Lanzmann)
5. “The Immigrant” (James Gray)
6. “American Sniper” (Clint Eastwood)
7. “Listen Up Philip” (Alex Ross Perry)
8. “Actress” (Robert Greene)
9. “Memphis” (Tim Sutton)
10. “Butter on the Latch” (Josephine Decker)
11. in alphabetical order: “Evolution of a Criminal” (Darius Clark Monroe) “Gone Girl” (David Fincher) “Happy Christmas” (Joe Swanberg) “It Felt Like Love” (Eliza Hittman) “Jimmy P.: Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian” (Arnaud Desplechin) “Life of Riley” (Alain Resnais) “Magic in the Moonlight” (Woody Allen) “Soft in the Head” (Nathan Silver) “Story of My Death” (Albert Serra) “Stranger by the Lake” (Alain Guiraudie)
21.in alphabetical order: “Jealousy” (Philippe Garrel) “Jersey Boys” (Clint Eastwood) “Life Itself” (Steve James) “Manakamana” (Stephanie Spray & Pacho Velez) “Marvin Seth and Stanley” (Stephen Gurewitz) “The Missing Picture” (Rithy Panh) “Selma” (Ava DuVernay) “Tip Top” (Serge Bozon) “The Unknown Known” (Errol Morris) “What Now? Remind Me” (Joaquim Pinto) “One Day Pina Asked … ” (Chantal Akerman), which was released here this year but is from 1983; it would be eleventh in the top ten.
 Best Tv Shows: “Jane the Virgin” Amazon’s “Transparent.” HBO’s “Getting On.” NBC’s “Hannibal.” Vimeo’s “High Maintenance.” Channel 4’s “Black Mirror,” a sci-fi series to resurface your brain. HBO’s “The Leftovers,” a weepy oddity with miraculous force. Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black.” HBO’s “Olive Kitteridge,” a stealthy, slow-fuse literary adaptation. Comedy Central’s “Broad City,” shaggy, salty, and crazy confident. Of course, new isn’t all that’s interesting.
Below are the shows I recommend when people are looking for a drama, once I figure out whether they’re looking to cry, solve a murder, or are simply one of all the people who live on earth, to whom I recommend “The Good Wife.” Again, they are not in order. FX’s “The Americans,” especially after its near-perfect Season 2. CBS’s “The Good Wife.” Please go back and watch it all. BBC’s “Sherlock,” which stars Benedict Cumberbatch. ABCFamily’s “The Fosters,” a warm, intelligent, and deep family series. CW’s “Jane the Virgin,” the best new show of the year, if I made lists. Showtime’s “Homeland,” which had a memorable comeback season. Netflix’s “Happy Valley,” a gritty, affecting crime drama. BBC’s “Call the Midwife,” a satisfying British historical medical procedural. AMC’s still-trippy “Mad Men.” HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” most likely—though because time is non-infinite, I never managed to catch up on the whole season. (Full disclosure: I’m entirely caught up on “Nashville,” although it is objectively twenty-three times more terrible than “Game of Thrones.”) If I were really doing this in order, my whole non-list might be comedies—and half the shows listed above are very funny. Anyway, in no order, these are some favorite half-hour series that contain jokes, although there are a bunch missing (like “Review” and “Peep Show”) that I need to catch up on. FXX’s “Always Sunny,” now and forever. HBO’s “Girls,” endlessly critiqued, now entering Season 4, in which Hannah gets critiqued. FX’s “Louie,” which hits and misses in the best way. FXX’s “You’re the Worst,” the best new sitcom of the year, if I made lists. Fox’s “The Mindy Project,” the rare network sitcom with bite and idiosyncrasy. FX’s “Archer,” good counter-programming for every horrible thing in the news. ABC’s “The Middle,” the perfect family sitcom. “The Comeback,” a caustic skeleton key to television. IFC’s “Portlandia,” Comedy Central’s “Key & Peele,” and Comedy Central’s “Inside Amy Schumer”—fantastic sketch shows. FOX’s “Bob’s Burgers,” which has a cult following for good reason. Comedy Central’s “Drunk History,” from which you’ll learn more than you realize (although I regret not catching up with “The Roosevelts,” which I would almost certainly have somewhere on this non-list). HBO’s “Veep” found its feet in Season 2 and has been kicking ever since. Email Print

7 ways get shit done efficiently

Here are 7 of my tactics for getting those things done more efficiently each day. 1. Make a list of 5 things you want to accomplish each day. Yes, limit this list to 5 things. 2. Make this list at the end of your workday each day for the following day. I find that if I’m thinking about what I’m going to be working on the next day, I cannot fall asleep or focus on anything else for the evening. 3. Do the thing you really don’t want to do first thing in the morning. Then everything else seems easy and boom that one thing you really don’t want to do is done, and you won’t be dreading it all day. This relieves a lot of anxiety for me. Just cross it off bright and early. 4. Meal plan. Ew, I know. I hate meal planning (I hate you if you love it + please move next door to me and feed me). Looking up recipes, deciding what to fix, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, blah! Not my favorite thing to do. But honestly, every week I do this, the week goes soooo much more smoothly. I made a separate Google calendar just for food. When I figure out what I’m going to fix each night, I put it on the calendar, and link to the recipe if needed. Major help. This EAT notepad with a magnet so it can go right on your fridge is a great non-digital option for this. 5. Clean off your desk and organize your office at the end of each day. Not like a major overhaul, but pick it up, so you can start fresh with a clean desk in the morning. No clutter to get in your way. 6. Limit your time on things that are time sucks. Mmmhmmm I’m talking Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter… unless you work in social media and need to be on those things 24/7, set your phone timer or get an actual timer and limit yourself to 10-30 minute increments throughout the day for these time-sucking activities. This way you don’t get on Pinterest with the intention of finding some sort of inspiration for a project (please go elsewhere anyway) and then look up and it’s 2 hours later and you didn’t even end up finding anything you need for your project. There just went two hours. 7. Don’t look at your email for as long as possible. I try to cross a few things off my to-do list every morning before I even open my email. Sometimes I don’t even open it until 10am or noon! It can be hard, but that helps me work on actual projects, and not just react to emails.

Best show to watch

Breaking Bad (dramedy) – There is no other show like this and there never will be again. The extreme yet believable character development, non stop action, thought provoking storyline and spectacular acting will ensure this remains a ground breaking show for many years to come. Les Revenants (drama) – This is NOT another zombie series. This is a study in human nature in a small community when people that have died mysteriously come back to life (and home) and how the community copes with trying to understand and accept the previously dead back into their lives. It is in French, but there are subtitles. Do NOT bother with the American version of this called “The Returned” which is utter crap.
Mad Men (period drama) – My favourite series for writing, acting, set design, costumes and storyline. There is nothing I dislike about this series which is based on a marketing firm from the 1960’s. Masters of Sex (period drama) – I LOVE this show! A series based on the real life couple of Master’s and Johnson, pioneers of the science of human sexuality. Detailed period fashion and set designs make for great eye candy along with the beautiful lead actress whose nuanced conflicted portrayal of a sexually secure single mother raising two children during the 50’s-60’s is award worthy.
True Detectives (drama) – Did you think that Woody Harrison and Mathew McConneghy were just a couple of stoner second grade loser actors? This series will change your mind. A philosophical journey following two damaged detectives lives and their efforts to catch an elusive serial killer. Fargo (dark dramedy) – Amazing all star cast that work together seamlessly to create a roller coaster ride of emotion and suspense. I really enjoyed this series, even more so than the movie!
Transparent (dramedy) – Hilarious and heartbreaking insight into the world of a transgender male and his dysfunctional family dealing with his choice to finally live his life as a woman. Truly inspired acting by the entire cast but Jeffery Tambour just won a Golden Globe for his leading role.
Boss (drama) – Extremely well written and acted series about a very corrupt mayor of Chicago hiding a secret that is ultimately destroying him. Kelsey Grammar won a well deserved Golden Globe in 2012 for this role.
Silicon Valley (comedy) – Entertaining laugh out loud series about what it takes to make it in high tech.
The Knick (period drama) – Eye opening story about a highly skilled obsessed surgeon with a dark serious secret during the 1900’s. Stars Clive Owen.
Mr. Selfridge (period dramedy) – If you like Downton Abbey chances are you will like Mr. Selfridges. Based on the true story of how one man grew the Selfridges stores into an iconic retailer. Homeland (drama) – Suspense, terrorism, and intrigue keep this high octane series moving. Often shot in exotic locations.
The Good Wife (drama) – Courtroom based drama that is often based on real life recent events. I like this way more than I thought I would and have become rather addicted to it. Downton Abbey (period dramedy) – This series contains some of the funniest and most quotable lines on TV right now. This version of “Upstairs Downstairs” details of the lives of the servants and the owners of a large English estate. Chalk full of great fashion porn, witty banter, no cursing whatsoever, no skin and very little violence. How refreshing to have a series that is SFW and yet so entertaining. Nurse Jackie (dramedy) – Sad, poignant, hilarious, bizarre and far too real. Jackie is an ER nurse with a heart of gold and a serious problem. This series is addictive, frightening and heartwarming. Sherlock Holmes (dramedy)- Intelligent, funny and twisted in all the right ways with two of the quirkiest characters on TV. The Americans (drama) – A well written and incredibly well acted 1980’s cold war spy series that keeps you guessing. The actor playing the part of the father is simply brilliant. Game of Thrones (fantasy/drama) – Fantastical detailed, insanely complicated and beautifully shot fantasy series. It can get confusing as there are many different story lines to follow but overall I still enjoy the novelty of the unknown. Often filmed in stunning real life locations. Boardwalk Empire (period drama) – Fantastic prohibition era gangster series with excellent character development and enough surprising plot twists to keep you on the edge of your seats. Olive Kittridge ( mini series ) – A engrossing character based story about stubbornness, love, loss and aging. This is will leave a mark on your heart. Hannibal (drama) – The prequel to Silence of the Lambs we follow the development of Hannibal Lecture and are introduced to his creepy set of well honed skills for cooking and killing. Be prepared for gore and disturbing violent content. The lead actor, Mads Mikkelsen from Denmark does an even better job than Anthony Hopkins in the film version. Orange is the New Black (dramedy) – Life in a female prison when you are a white yuppie. This is scary, funny and brutal. Girls (comedy) – A witty, weird and disturbing look at four twenty somethings trying to figure out their lives in NYC. I dislike all the characters but that is wherein the beauty lies. We see that everyone is flawed, beautiful and bizarre. The Goldbergs (comedy) – I adore this sitcom which takes place in the 1980’s. It is old style comedy and each cast member hits their mark perfectly. Added bonus…it’s set in the 80’s and takes me back to the glory of my youth. House of Cards (drama) – A political drama where Kevin Spacey plays a manipulating powerhouse of warped volcanic ambition. Normally I hate politics, this, however, I love. His wife, Robin Wright is the perfect partner in crime, an ice Queen without a conscience. Veep (comedy) – Another political show this time about the powerlessness of the Vice President and her office and all the political posturing, scheming and drama that goes on behind the closed doors of the White House. Julia Louis-Drefus is her usual wonderful hilarious self. Also her outfits are swoon worthy. The Fall (drama) – A serial killer that leads a double life of a good father and husband while secretly stalking his victims for months at a time. A chilling series set in Ireland with some strong acting including Jillian Anderson who plays the detective hunting the killer, (check out her gorgeous wardrobe!). The lead actor Jamie Dornan will soon be seen as the male lead in 50 Shades of Grey, and yes he is quite dishy. The Walking Dead (zombie drama) – When I first started watching this with my husband I didn’t really care for it. There is lots of gore. And by lots I mean non stop horror film squishy gross “I-can’t-look!” gore fest. I spent the first few episodes covering my eyes half the time. Over time I learned to love the characters and the way they have changed and developed through the extenuating circumstances they have suffered. At the end of each season you are pretty much guaranteed to lose one of your favourite characters. The Affair (drama) – This series keeps it interesting by telling two sides of the story, one from the view of the woman and the other from the man. I just kept nodding my head in agreement the whole time, seeing how the opposite sex interpret and remember situations entirely differently from each other. There is a murder as well as an affaire to unravel. I enjoyed this even though I find most of the actions of the characters despicable. Peaky Blinders (drama) – A UK version of Boardwalk empire but with a very alluring enigmatic male lead. The Leftovers (drama) – This series is like trying to solve a puzzle. It keeps you interested as bits of information unfold. Will this turn out to be another Lost with a horrible ending? I sure hope not. Hell on Wheels (drama) – A depiction of the trials and tribulations of building the railroad across the wild west. Lots of scoundrels you love to hate and one very handsome lead male with great acting and a well developed mostly historically correct storyline. Black Mirror (drama) – A bit like a modern version of The Twighlight zone but with the premiss of how technology is destroying our lives. Each episode is a complete story. I liked some better than others. Often these are subjects that you can discuss intensely afterwards. Did I miss any? What are your favourite programs? I will be updating this list in the future.

Choisis ces vins

If you like BUTTERED TOAST, try a California Chardonnay. "Chardonnay has buttery undertones," Michele explains, "especially when it's aged in American oak, which gives it a rich flavor." If you like TROPICAL FRUITS, go for a Viognier. "It has tropical notes, especially mango," she says. "Tropical fruits are strong, big and intense, and so is Viognier." If you like APPLES AND PEARS, you'll love Pinot Grigio's crisp, fresh flavor. If you're a fan of CITRUS, you want a wine with more acidity. Gruner Veltliner is a good bet, and Michele recommends a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc: "It's got a definite fruity flavor to it, but with more acidity." If you like the SMELL OF FRESHLY-CUT GRASS, try a white Bourdeaux, which has "a grassy, herbaceous flavor profile." If you always pick out the RED CANDIES, you'd like a wine with notes of sweet red fruits. Try a Rioja, which tastes like sour cherries. If you like DARK CHOCOLATE, try Malbec. Michele recommends choosing one from Chile or Argentina for notes of rich, dark chocolate. If you can't get enough BACON, choose a smoky Pinot Noir from Oregon. (In wine vernacular, "smoky bacon" is a prized flavor for pinot noir.) If you like SPICY THINGS, go for a Syrah. Michele's favorites are from Northern Rhone, which have an especially bold, spicy flavor profile. If you're a STEAK fan, you'll love Bandol from Provence. "It has almost a bloody, gamey meat flavor," says Michele. Bonus: Bandol also pairs well with steak! And the best tip of all? Just drink. "Regular consumption is the single most important characteristic of the confident wine lover," says New York Times food critic Eric Asimov. Which would you choose? What do you normally drink? Thank you, Michele! P.S. 8 etiquette tips for drinking wine, and a trick for keeping lipstick off your wine glass. (Illustrations by Caitlin McGauley for Cup of Jo. Interview by Caroline Donofrio) http://joannagoddard.blogspot.ca/2015/01/a-trick-for-choosing-wine.html