This precipitated a discussion with my husband as to what songs, Broadway shows, food, books, etc. are favorites. I may be going out on a limb, and keep in mind that I was a teen in the 60's and 70's, which has a definite impact on my opinions. The following are my choices. Keep an open mind.
BEST SONG EVER
Suite Judy Blue Eyes-Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. This is still my all time favorite band.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Hey Jude-The Beatles
Norwegion Wood-The Beatles
Rocketman-Elton John
BEST PLAY/SHOW EVER
Guys and Dolls
HONORABLE MENTIONS
The Sound of Music
Gypsy
Pippin
BEST ALBUM EVER
Beatles White Album (there is not one bad song on this, not one!)
HONORABLEMENTIONS
Born To Run-Bruce Springsteen. I know many of you out there think Bruce is the best
ever. Keep in mind-I am not as young as you. He's is great-just not my great.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, & Thyme-Simon and Garfunkel
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-The Beatles
BEST MOVIE EVER
The Graduate-hands down, the best from my generation. It exemplified the angst of my
generation and the stress of what to do once college was over-Much like today!
HONORABLE MENTIONS
The Godfather I and II
Goodfellas
Pulp Fiction
The Shining
Rear Window
Annie Hall
The Shawshank Redemption
BEST BOOK EVER
Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Candide by Voltaire
Atonement by Ian McEwan
Almost everything written by John Irving (A Prayer for Owen Meeney, Cider House Rules, In One Person,
etc.)
Almost everything written by Philip Roth
Almost everything written by John Updike
BEST MEAL EVER
Stretch's Belmont Tavern-Bloomfield Ave. Belleville. You either get this place or
you don't. You always have to wait-no reservations. Eat the chicken savoy, long hot peppers
and ziti with pot cheese. Also fab is chicken murphy, mad chicken, shrimp beeps. Serious
ly, you will dream about this food weeks after you consumed it. It is THAT good!!!
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Pommes Frites -2nd Ave. East Village, NYC. I know -this isn't a meal, but these fries and
all the sauce choices are to die for. When you decide to throw your diet to the wind, go here
after a night of drinking-beyond good, I promise!
Donut Plant-Grand Street, NYC. If you don't like donuts, stop reading now. If you love them
as much as I do, then this is THE SPOT! Try peanut butter and jelly, crème brulee, and
carrot cake. Bring a ton of dinero-each donut is costly. You must buy a dozen, because there
is no way you are stopping after one. Again, I realize this isn't a meal but it is worth the
trip and giving up eating for a week after you indulge.
The Meatball Shop-4 locations in the city. You customize the "balls": either chicken, pork,
beef, veal, veggie. You customize the sauce: tomato, pesto, etc. You pick the sides: pasta,
polenta, beans, spinach. It is a great meal. End with a custom ice cream sandwich between
two cookies. Forgot the 4 star restaurants-this is nirvana.
BEST WRITTEN TELEVISION IN A LONG TIME!
The Girls-by Lena Dunham and Jud Apatow. I totally loved this season's final episode.
I am still smiling about the clever script. I was literally glued to the screen and have
watched the episode two more times. Where do I begin? I love the depth and com-
plexity of every character. The series touches on the social anxiety of these people, how
technology transforms our communication skills, and the struggle for identity. The series
focuses on twenty somethings, that are over educated, upper middle class youths competing for jobs
with thousands of others in NYC just like them.
The episode opens where Hannah is in emotional and physical pain. Her OCD has re-
appeared. She is vulnerable and scared. She reaches out to her dad, her editor, leaves an
insanely hysterical message to her friend, Jessa, and calls Adam. The only person who is "there" for
her is Adam. He literally drops everything and comes running. Up until this moment, you
hated the guy. Now, suddenly, he seems likeable and kind.
Shoshanna desperately wanted a boyfriend and suddenly realizes the one she has is
holding her back. She becomes more confident, gains independence, and despite her
earlier protests to her boyfriend, Ray-the show ends with her hooking up with a "blond"
guy in a bar. Her confrontation with Ray where she breaks up is masterfully written: She
tells him: "You hate colors, you hate pillows, you hate ribbons, you hate everything!"
I can't be the only thing you like.
As for Marnie, I am unsure if getting back with Charlie is a satisfying ending to the
season. She seems self absorbed and to like him (again) because he is successful. I am not
falling for her protests to Charlie that she doesn't care about his financial success. We will
see.
This finale was a "dazzling piece of filmmaking". You don't have to like the
characters to enjoy this show and its genius. Lena Dunham is spectacular.
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