Thing 1

1. Watch every Academy Award best picture nominee from 2010 to 2015

Last night I went with the local discount movie group to see Wiplash. I knew virtually nothing about it except that it was nominated, had to do with music school, and had J.K. Simmons.

Wow. That was an intense ride. I felt a huge range of emotions while watching: glad I quit band when I did, occasional amusement, confusion over some of the drumming moments (I could tell when he was rushing or dragging, but I couldn't tell about some of the other stuff), sympathy (at times I wanted to just pull the kid aside and save him), anger, admiration, and much more. It is difficult to convey true passion for art through any medium, but this movie definitely did that. And of course it begs the question: if true brilliance can be born through pain, does true brilliance have to be born through pain? Do you have to have destruction first in order to create beauty?

The acting--from both Miles and J.K.--was amazing. And the movie was raw and real and gripping and intensely dramatic. It's not the sort of movie I'd ever see in theaters. It might not have been one I'd have seen at all if not for its nomination. But it was a great watch, and I'm so glad to have seen it (even if, for a little while, I wish I'd been watching the Imitation Game instead).

Thing 17

17. Update Book blog with non-reviews at least 2 times a month

Here are my January 2015 posts:

• Mapping My Reading


• Book Survey