These are the best things entertainment-wise that I've discovered this year (so far and since January). This does not mean that they were released this year. It just means that I didn't find them until this year.
My lists are better than the list books on Amazon for this reason: My opinions are free.
Book:
Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett
The More Than Complete Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is also quite funny so far, but I haven't finished it yet.
Movie At the Theater:
Spiderman 2
(I'm not linking to things that you should all be aware of by now. If you don't know what Spiderman 2 is about, you should just stop reading now.)
Rental:
Mystic River
(Dark and creepy and very provacative.)
Close second: The Rundown
(Hillarious)
Movie Someone Else Owns (as in, don't neccessarily pay money, but if someone you know owns this, you should definately borrow it):
Trekies
TV:
Alias and firefly
(This is an unbreakable tie. I'm sorry if you have strong feelings one way or the other, but you are obviously wrong.)
CD:
Maroon 5 Songs About Jane
Seriously, you must go buy this now. Every song is excellent.
Restaurant:
Caspian Bistro in Minneapolis
Mmmm. Greek food.
Weblog article:
New Christian FAQ
Website:
Nation States
Create your own country. Run it any way you like. There is nothing quite like absolute power to get you started in the morning.
Game:
Settlers of Catan and Once Upon a Time
(Again, unbreakable tie. This is a tie because they are two totally different styles of games, and they are both awesome.)
Expression:
"Oh, yes, [...] I knew your mother." (from the latest Harry Potter movie)
Ice Cream:
Ben and Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie Crunch
Suffix:
-esque
(You can add this to any word to make that word an adjective. Try it; it's fun!)
Store:
Torrid
(I got the coolest shoes on earth here.)
Close second: The Nordstrom Rack
(Cheap and work-esque)
Park:
Central Park in Roseville
(Mostly because of the preserve across Dale with the wetlands and the floating (scarey) bridges.)
Song (today only; changes daily):
"Theme from Summer" (All Star United)
Biggest entertainment disapointment this year:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
(Sorry, I couldn't resist taking one final pot shot at this movie before I "never" speak of it again.)(In and of itself, it's not a bad movie. When you consider the fact that it is actually based on a rather good book, then you must come to terms with the fact that it can't hold a plot line together. You should still go see it, but I found it really disappointing.)
I highly reccommend that you do/try/watch/read/etc. anything/everything on this list.
Posted by LoWriter at July 13, 2004 08:53 AMooo, can i make a small list too? i have 5 min to kill here at work....
Book on CD
Diary by Chuck Phalisigna;idck (i can never remmeber his last name - the dude who wrote Fight Club)
Coffee Shop
Nina's on Selby and Western
Food to try once
Sashimi (mmm, raw fish and nothing else!)
Song of the Summer
Float On by Modest Mouse (damn MTV, but this CD also doubles for best CD of the Summer)
City that Rocks the Moment
Boston
Store
Trader Joe's (B & I have great plans to open a franchise near you!)
tied with IKEA, opening TOMORROW!!!!!
Game
Spades - there's nothing like good old fashioned cards.
Movie to rent only if you like Johnny Depp
Secret Window
I love your list. I agree with or will try everything, except the part about Nina's. I disagree with the Nina's comment on principle. Booo! Everytime I go there, I am handed something that is, to quote The Complete Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, "almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea." They cannot make an Itallian or French soda to save their lives. I do like Nina's in practice because it's cute, airy, and spacious, which makes it perfect for writing group. And I am going to try the beverage you suggested the other day, and hopefully my opinion will change. However, I think that the best coffee shops for Itallian sodas remain a)The Purple Onion (you trade off for the smoke) or b)Ginko's. If you're feeling subburban and want a magnificent caramel cooler, c)The Caribou on Snelling and C. (The atmosphere at the Larpenteur Caribou is better, but their caramel coolers are not. Neither are they worth the cup they're put in at the one next to the new Cub on Lexington. You must purchase your caramel coolers at the 'Bou on Snelling and C if you want them to be awesome.)(Although on Sunday, there were ice cubes in the bottom of mine, so I may end up having to revise this.)
Posted by: Lo at July 13, 2004 11:15 AMThe song you were thinking of, if it's the one on the Alias CD, is by Luce. Well I've only been to Nina's once, but has great atmosphere!
Here is my own list as well (for just a few things):
Book: Night Watch also by Terry Prachett, it's really good so far!
Movie (I agree with theater so I will only do rental): The Last Samuria which is pretty good.
Well those are my only suggestions, I like the rest of your list. :-)
Posted by: 10lees at July 13, 2004 01:38 PMOh and go to IKEA!!! It's fun!!!
Posted by: 10lees at July 13, 2004 01:39 PMI read that people were waiting in line for free chairs at IKEA this morning. I knew I should have called in sick.
Posted by: Lo at July 14, 2004 10:40 AM