“The discussion of movies is frequently more interesting than the movies themselves.“
—— A. O Scott, NYT Movie Critic
Thanks to A. O. Scott, in his recent article on Films, Themes, and Trends, he has spelt out for me the raison d’etre of Ripple Effects. As I always say, I’m just throwing a pebble into the pond. It’s watching the splash and the out-reaching ripples that makes it so gratifying. Thanks to all your responses, the discussions following the posts have made it all worthwhile.
2010 is my record year for movies watched. As a previewer for an international film festival, I’ve had the experience of viewing over 50 features, docs, and shorts in one month. As a film lover, I’ve seen another 50 more of my own choice in the other months. They are not all 2010 productions. The oldest film for me this year is a silent black and white Ozu work, A Story of Floating Weeds (1934). I’ve also discovered Robert Bresson. His Diary of a Country Priest (1950) is probably one of the best Book Into Film adaptations I have encountered.
But, to remain timely, and we all like lists, here are Arti’s favourite movies released in 2010 (in no particular order). Click on link to read my review:
- The King’s Speech (review coming up)
- The Secret In Their Eyes
- Another Year
- Nowhere Boy
- Never Let Me Go
Is it coincidental that all of the above except one are from the UK? The Secret In Their Eyes is Argentinian. It won the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar for 2010.
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Favourite books read in 2010 (again, in no particular order):
- Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata
- Diary of a Country Priest by Georges Bernanos
- The Music of Chance by Paul Auster
- Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
- Theatre by William Somerset Maugham
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Favourite Interesting Search Engine Terms (words people use to arrive at Ripple Effects this year):
- elegance of the hedghog movie restroom music
- banksy telephone booth
- bird front view
- darcy wet shirt
- colin firth wet darcy
- wet colin firth
- colin fith
- darcy kiss amanda in lost austen
- little miss sunshine van
- free great gatsby iphone
- imprisonment in snow country
- revolutionary road insane son controlling mother
- to see the lost cattails soft winds and roses
- what color are pussy willows?
- virginia woolf’s crusading novel a room of one’s own
- pregnant man giving birth
- giving birth naturally
- noomi rapace piercings
- vw van
- flotsam? i’ve gotsam
- funny things inside mad magazine
- the girl with the dragon typo
- stranger
- lust
Just a sampler showing you how eclectic Ripple Effects can be.
I look forward to throwing more pebbles in the coming year. Again, a hearty thank-you to all my regular readers and occasional visitors. Thank you for taking the time to comment. You are the fuel for this journey called blogging, and without your responses and discussions, there’s simply no raison d’etre for Arti to press forward another year.
Ripple Effects 
Lovely end of year post Arti. I look forward to your review of The King’s Speech. We saw it this week, but I may not review it. I mostly only review Aussie films. I’m keen to see Another Year which hasn’t opened here yet, though we’ve seen the trailers. Never let me go hasn’t hit here yet either. My favourite films this year included The King’s Speech and Animal Kingdom.
And a BIG Happy New Year to you … may you have many more filled with great books and movies.
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whisperinggums,
It may not be that easy to review The King’s Speech since so much has already been written about it. I’d have to think of a fresh approach… still mulling on it. Have a wonderful 2011 and look forward to more of your posts on Australian lit and writers!
Arti
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I look forward to your review. I decided to do it in the end – and to just talk about a couple of issues. It is hard, with “big” films in particular to write something a little fresh isn’t it?
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whisperinggums,
Yes, thanks for writing an informative post. I’ve enjoyed reading your review… you’ve brought up some good points. I’ve particularly enjoyed the ‘reunion’ of the P & P (1995) cast. 😉
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This is a perfect ending to Arti’s blog year. I love it. I will keep your movie recs in mind. Have you seen “Hobson’s Choice”? I don’t know how I’ve missed it all my life, never even heard of it. Somehow it got on my Netflix queue, and we watched it, me twice. It is so wonderful, it is now among my favorites ever. Charles Laughton, John Mills, 1954, David Lean. Brilliant.
What a great idea to list the words in the search engine that got to your blog! I love looking at my own too. Awfully funny about Darcy-wet-shirt, etc. 😉 And lust! Hahaha.
It has been a wonderful year with you here, you are one of my grand highlights in this blog world of ours. I look forward to more thoughtful, beautiful posts on books and movies, architecture and nature, in the coming year. Happy New Year!
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Ruth,
Thank you for contributing to the discussions on Ripple Effects in the past year. I value your insights and share the common love of films. As for “Hobson’s Choice”, I’ve heard of it but have not seen it. Now I must get hold of a copy. Thanks for letting me know.
All those search words are related to my posts. I have written a post on the Ang Lee movie ‘Lust Caution’. But I’m not sure whether that’s what the person was looking for 😉 And yeah, I’ve Darcy wet shirt quite often. You know, I’ve 49 posts on Jane Austen… quite a few on P & P, so those words would continue to show up.
Thanks again for all your visits and comments. May 2011 bring you blessings and fulfillment. I look forward to enjoying more poetry, photography and fine writing at Synchronizing.
Arti
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I’m relatively new to your blog, but so delighted to have found it. I don’t watch many movies, but here I can see I’m going to get great recommendations. And I can’t believe you read the Bernanos!! I wrote about it once, in my capacity as literary critic. It’s an amazing book and I had no idea someone had made a film out of it. And a good one at that! The search engine terms are hilarious. My own favourites from my site are a) Can I date a vampire? and b) when was Litlove invented?
Have a very very happy New Year, Arti, full of great books and movies and all kinds of other pleasures.
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litlove,
Oh your comment is so encouraging! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on The Diary of a Country Priest. At first, I was thinking of writing a post on it (Book Into Film) at Christmas time. Later decided against it, for I just thought the book is too obscure, and the film, a black and white 1950 production would attract so little interest. But thanks to you, I know somewhere out there, someone does appreciate the literary work. Now I’m having second thought, maybe I’ll still go ahead and write that post in the coming year… for Easter maybe.
And… those search phrases are hilarious! So they arrived at your site with those words, hope they found what they were looking for.
I’m so glad we found each other too. I’ve enjoyed your literary commentaries on your blog, and look forward to more of your insights in the coming year. A Happy New Year to you and yours!
Arti
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Happy new year, Arti! I bookmarked this post for the films you recommended. I barely get to watch anything so am pickier with movies than with books. I probably will reacquaint myself with Kawabata this coming year. It’s been so long since I’ve read Snow Country and The Sound of the Mountain, and sometimes it is that kind of quiet we need in books (as opposed to Franzen’s annoying “noise” in The Corrections — I smiled at the thought of you not finishing it, I can most definitely see why.)
Happy rippling in the coming year!
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Claire,
You’re spot on about Kawabata’s quiet writing…. quite a difference with Franzen’s for sure. I’m a late comer to JL in translation, and honestly, have not enjoyed them the same. I like Kawabata much more than Oe. So it’s my plan to read all of his writings. I’m also reading a Chinese translation of Snow Country and Thousand Cranes, quite a difference from the English version.
Hope you would stop by whenever you want to connect, and not totally ‘retire’ from the blogosphere. I’ve enjoyed your site and all your reviews in the past year, so just hope you could still post every now and then. May 2011 bring you more rewarding reading… a Happy New Year to you and yours!
Arti
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The search engine results lists are always good for a laugh…e.g., “wet Colin Firth”??
I’ve not seen ANY of the films you loved, although The King’s Speech is on my must-view list. Truth be told, I rarely go to the movie theater, and wait for them to be released on video so I can watch at home. But I might make an exception for that one, because so many of my friends are raving about it.
Have a wonderful New Year, Arti!
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Becca,
Well, I can understand why people use those words. “Wet Colin Firth” refers to the scene from the 1995 BBC production of P & P where Darcy (CF) dives into the pond with only a white shirt on and emerges dripping wet … an iconic image now.
The King’s Speech is a good holidays movie. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
A Happy New Year to you and yours!
Arti
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Oh, I love that photo at the end. If I were a duck with warm duck feathers (and a ducky brain) I’d dive in, too 😉 I smiled at the list of terms used to find you here. I’ve blocked searches on my site to help keep the crazies away, but maybe I’ve missed some free entertainment there.
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I have certainly enjoyed your review of movies and books. Some I know I will never read/see, but knowing about them and the commentaries you provide or quote has been terrific. May God bless you in 2011 and continue to expand your horizons.
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nikkipolani,
I took that photo at minus 15 temp. in an urban park here in my city. I was surprised the river had not frozen over and ducks could still play around. They were a hardy bunch.
Thanks for your kinds words. I’ve appreciated your visits and comments in the past year. Have a wonderful New Year, and continue with all the delicious and amazing photos you post on your blog!
Arti
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Love the photo. Did you take it? I got a good laugh at the searches that brought people to your blog too. Happy New Year!
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Stefanie,
Yes I took that photo in minus 15C temp. Those ducks were having a swell time. As for the search words, they are all related to my posts. But still quite amusing how people phrase their queries.
Have a great 2011 and I look forward to more interesting book talks at your site!
Arti
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I’d really like to read the Kawabata and the Ishiguro on your list. I’m not surprised they were included in your favorite reads for the year; there’s nothing like Japanese literature, right?! 😉 Happy New Year!
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Bellezza,
Having hosted four JLC, you’re the expert in the diversity of JL. There are certain authors whom I like much more than others… like I’ll definitely choose Kawabata over Oe for personal enjoyment. But I always have one query, and that’s the paucity of Chinese Literature in translation, and their lack of popularity, in comparison to Japanese literature, or, is my perception in error? You might be able to shed some light here.
Anyway, thanks for all the opportunities you’ve provided for us to explore JL. May 2011 bring you new literary experiences and enjoyment. A Happy New Year to you and yours!
Arti
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Your film best-of list is useful, because I haven’t seen any of them, and now I have some good suggestions! I’d really like to see Never Let Me Go in particular. I’m glad you enjoyed the novel as well — it’s one of my favorites.
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Dorothy,
The new year will bring a lot of noms and awards for 2010 movies. Hope you’ll enjoy a couple before another academic term begins. All the best to you for a wonderful year of reading, writing, biking, and teaching!
Arti
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Lots of Darcy in your key-words! My kind of gal 🙂
Never Let Me Go was top 3 in the year i read it and I’m very much looking forward to the movie. I’m glad to see that The King’s Speech was a favorite as well. Will Firth win the Oscar, you think?
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Alex,
Yes, I’ve written reviews on the BBC production of P&P (1995) as well as ‘Lost In Austen’ miniseries, plus many JA posts. I’ve got a lot of ‘wet Darcy’ searches 😉 With his performance in The King’s Speech, I think Colin Firth deserves a win. But you know with the Oscars, you really can’t predict, can you?
Arti
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I always know I’ll find great insight and beauty when I visit Ripple Effects! I look forward to checking out some of your favorites.
Thanks for listing your search terms. “Darcy wet shirt” makes me laugh. Some friends were just talking about Colin Firth the other day, and how they loved him as Darcy (and in all of his other roles, too!)
Here’s to great memories and to new joys in 2011.
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Cathy,
Thanks and a Happy New Year to you too. With his new role in The King’s Speech, I think CF has gone past his Darcy image on to even nobler realm. 😉
Arti
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Arti, I am sorry to be late to your New Year’s gala–especially when the guests include a “wet Colin Firth” 😉 . Thank you so much for all of the ripples you send out. I have learned a great deal about film, art, books, and your own Snow Country (so glad you enjoyed that; it is beautiful). Do keep reading, watching, observing, recording, and treating us all to the depths of your insights. This is no shallow pond you throw your little stone into!
You are an important part of my personal Blogworld, and I am glad to know you. Happy happy 2011!
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ds,
Thank you for visiting in the past year. Your comments are greatly valued here in this tiny pond. I’ve appreciated your stirring up more ripples as you share your thoughts. I look forward to looking out of the third-storey window to more fantastic views. All the best for a wonderful year!
Arti
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Arti,
I’m always backing up in the blogs I read – getting behind, then catching up. But you know how much I’ve enjoyed your blog, and more importantly, how much I learned from y0u.
It’s amazing to me what stays embedded in the mind. When I saw the reference to pussy willows in your list of search terms, I was right back in the middle of that wonderful post. I can see the images and feel the lilt of the words – one of your best (in my opinion, of course!).
Who knows what search words will delight and amaze us next year?
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Linda,
The pleasure is all mine as I read your comments and read your thoughts. Thank you for your encouragement and support in the past. I look forward to another year of mutual visiting and sharing of sights and sounds across the blogosphere. Have a marvellous year!
Arti
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