Monday, January 23, 2012

A Short List for Snow-Bound Viewers

Feel like watching something to fit a very specific mood? I've compiled a list of not-so-typical categories and matched each with a show or movie that you will hopefully enjoy. Pile the blankets on, brew another cup of tea, and wait for those snow and ice storms to pass!

Animated: Ponyo (Hayao Miyazaki, 2008)
British Comedy: Black Books, seasons 1-3 (Dylan Moran, 2000-2004)
from China: The King of Masks (Tian-Ming Wu, 1997)
with intense Dialogue: My Dinner with Andre (Louis Malle, 1981)
Epic: East of Eden (Elia Kazan, 1955)
Fantasy: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Terry Gilliam, 2009)
with a Group of Guys: Diner (Barry Levinson, 1982)
Historical: The Way We Live Now, miniseries (David Yates, 2001)
Illuminating/Inspiring: Water (Deepa Mehta, 2005)
with a Journey: The Motorcycle Diaries (Walter Salles, 2004)
with a King: The Tudors, seasons 1-4 (Michael Hirst, 2007-2010)
with a Love Story: Lovers of the Arctic Circle (Julio Medem, 1998)
from Mexico: Like Water for Chocolate (Alfonso Arau, 1992)
about Nature: Life in the Undergrowth, miniseries (David Attenborough, 2005)
Outlandish: Monty Python's Life of Brian (Terry Jones, 1979)
Psychological Thriller: Gaslight (George Cukor, 1944)
Quiet: Babies (Thomas Balmes, 2010)
Rebellion: The Wild One (Laslo Benedek, 1953)
about a Sleuth: Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, seasons 1-4 (John Bowen & David Cook, 1996-1998)
Tear-jerker: Biutiful (Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, 2010)
Understated Classic: The Last Picture Show (Peter Bogdanovich, 1971)
Vivid Imagery: Raise the Red Lantern (Yimou Zhang, 1991)
Whimsical: Antonia's Line (Marlene Gorris, 1995)
eXhilarating: Man on Wire (James Marsh, 2008)
about Youth: My Life as a Dog (Lasse Hallstrom, 1985)
Zany: Micmacs (Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2009)

If you ever want a specific recommendation or personal suggestion, send me a message. Eventually, I hope to create a little interactive quiz/questionnaire to do this- keep on the lookout!