Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Eimer's Top Reads of 2021 & 2022




Yeah, in addition to watching movies, I still read too. 

And I’ve been reading a wide-range of shit, mother fucker! And, you know what, writing some crazy shit as well including my first book ‘Be The Dumbest Person In the Room and Other Life Lessons from a Mid-Level Creative Schlub.’ 

But hey … sometimes life gets in the way of the normal, 9-to-5, day-to-day stuff that I have to do. Which reminds me that, last year, I also forgot to highlight my favorite books in 2021. So, to remedy that for my 1-2 readers out there, I thought I’d share my top reads from this year and last year – including a book written by my good buddy and co-worker Josh Womack (see below). 

Also, be sure to check out the bottom of this post for links to recommendations from year's past.👇🏻

Shameless 'Best Read' Plug of '22 Alert! 

Bradley Eimer (that’s me!) takes you on a self-deprecating career journey through his adventures in the creative trade—from working as an animator in college and covering sports in Columbus to writing for various Northeast Ohio ad agencies and leading a creative team within a Fortune 500 in-house agency. Bradley has seen the good, bad, and ugly of the creative industry and learned some important lessons along the way—helpful tips that you can use right now when embarking on your own creative career. Currently 4.6 rating on Amazon with 9 glowing reviews (four of which I don’t know who wrote). 

Other Best Reads of 2022 

Stand-up comedy. Speechwriting. Pro wrestling? Somehow, these oddball life choices led Josh Womack to copywriting. In his debut book, he talks about these experiences and more. If you're a junior or mid-level copywriter out there still trying to find your way, congrats! So is the author of this book. Oh yeah, I also wrote the forward!

Great thought-provoking book about the future of humanity. Reminded me a little bit like Minority Report mixed with human enhancement. It's great Blake Crouch sci-fi mixed with science reality that you've come to love in his other books. The ending is the best part, rather the epilogue, with a wake-up call of sorts from Crouch's protagonist in the book (but perhaps coming from the author himself). 

If you want to get a slice-of-life look into a family that is not like your own at all, then pick up this book. Jeanette takes us on her journey surrounded by her brothers and sisters and her rather peculiar mother and father, who are educated gypsies who bounce around the country with kids in tow getting into one predicament after the other. It's an interesting, quick read that's worthy of a view. Just a glimpse into another person's human condition that you would probably never ever see. Check it out. Going to watch the movie next (even though i've heard it's not that good) 

You know what, I thought this fake 70's music band bio was going to be a little cheesy - but boy was I wrong. Told in the same vein as Motley Crue's 'The Dirt' as well as SNL'S 'Live From New York'. With hints of Cameron Crow's 'Almost Famous'- you follow the myriad of various colorful characters through the rise (and fall) of fictitious band The Six, which reluctantly takes on a singer/writer Daisy Jones to catapult them to the next level. Taking inspiration from Fleetwood Mac (which I've read in numerous online articles), Reid did her research on the inner workings of a song-writing and creating music, which adds to the overall musical tapestry of the novel. Just a fun, quick, fast, thought-provoking read that gives you a fly on the wall perspective of the dysfunctional beauty of a band destined for fame.

Whoa. Lots of stuff I did not know about the creation of the Air Force, about WW2, about Japanese customs and culture, about the battle for the two small islands in the pacifici Iwo Jima and ChiChi Jima, about the nuclear bomb, about (gulp) cannibalism, about war crimes, and about how both sides did some pretty nasty things during this gruesome, bloody battle. A must-read if you're a history buff. 

Almost five stars. Pollock does it again blending fantastic dialogue, great storytelling and awkward human interactions into this psuedo-western-meets-industrial-revolution-early-1900's about three bank-robbing brothers who find themselves in the small town of Meade, Ohio; looking to make a break for the Canadian border. A little Cormac McCarthy, a tiny bit of Jacques Audiard's The Sisters Brothers, and dash of Peter Farrelly humor - make this an original book that you won't want to put down; despite how disgusting and degrading it gets. 

Best Reads of 2021 

If you're a budding fiction writer, you gotta check this book out by Palahniuk who gives tips, advice and shares some fiction writing tips (and entertaining bio stories) to get you started on that bestseller you're sure to write. This book is up there with Stephen King's 'On Writing' and Bradbury's 'Zen in the art of writing'. This book is so good, I'll probably read this a couple times. 

Beautifully written, thought-provoking book that takes place in the distant future when AI's are part of our everyday fabric. Reminded me of the beginning of Steven Spielberg's "AI" a bit. But this is just a smaller story about an AI robot, a family, and the bonds they create along their odd AI journey. Another well-written book by Ishiguro. Well done! Highly recommended. 

Great book. Highly recommended. If you pull just 1-2 thoughts or lessons from this book about the power of breathing through your nose, you'll start your way to a healthier life. Once in a while, you come across a book that knocks you on your butt, and teaches you a little something that you never knew that could, literally, transform your life and your health. This is one of those books for me. Get this book, take slow a deep breath (through your nose) for 5.5 seconds, then release 5.5 seconds later, and then continue.

What a fantastic science fiction book. Multiverses. Romance. True love. What if you took a different turn in life. Action. Adventure. Horror. This book has it all. Even the least passionate sci-fi fans will enjoy this book.

What a fun idea for a book. Mixing 'Ready Player One' and the movie 'Scavenger Hunt' with 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' and ethical dilemmas and right and wrong; it's a fun teenage romp and a quick read - perfect for a film. Loved how the author weaved real-life elements merged within AI and Augmented Reality to create this truly fantastical world of love, life, murder, bullying and tragedy. Fun, must-read book if you like role-playing games, mixed with AI and Ready Player One games. 

Other Top Reads From Year's Past:

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Eimer's Best & Worst Movie Experiences of 2022

Just popping in to send my one or two readers my top movie experiences of the past year. I would've knocked this out sooner, but for the first time since I can remember I decided to take the entire week off between Christmas and New Years. It was a blast, and I highly recommend everyone doing it. I caught up on a number of movies (and drank a lot of beer and gambled as well). 😕

In any event, I managed to watch a shitload of movies last year. Some were not from 2022, but that's okay. That's why I say experiences rather than '22 films. 

Take a look and please be sure to toss your favs in the comment section or on Facebook. Also, be sure to follow my OneSentenceMovieReviews on Twitter.  Have a great 2023!!


Best Movie Experiences of 2022



And now .....



Worst Movie Experiences of 2022

Monday, January 3, 2022

Eimer's Best & Worst Movie Experiences of 2021


Hey all! Going on a quick rant here for a second in saying that I thought 2021 sucked way more than 2020. In a way, I'm glad they're both over. Onward and upward as we toast this new year of 2022.

That said, even though I didn't hit the theaters as much as I would've liked, I really enjoyed a good number of movies this year ... especially heading into November and December. And, get this, not one, but two Nick Cage movies made the list!!! Wha???!!!! Yaaaa!!!!!

Also, please, don't forget to give my twitter feed some love! So, without further adieu ....

Eimer's Best Movie Experiences of 2021 ... 👍🏻




And, Eimer's Worst Movie Experiences of 2021 ... 👎🏻


Tuesday, September 21, 2021

F' Golf

Many, many years ago, I did a cartoon called 'FUCK', which I posted here for all to see

Well, time went by, my kids are now teenagers and I have a little spare time on my hands. So, I decided to teach myself Procreate on my iPad. 

I did a couple shitty sketches, which are now deleted, then I started getting the hang of this new program. It's a little like Photoshop, sorta like Illustrator with a couple twists. In any event, I thought a good exercise was to revisit my curmudgeonly middle-aged dude and see how he would handle the ups and downs, knocking back a few balls and a few brews on an 18-hole public course. 

Well here ya go! Enjoy (or not). 




 

Monday, April 12, 2021

Eimer's 2021 Academy Award Picks


Wow, 2020. What an odd year for movies you were!

As a matter of fact:

  • I haven't seen a movie in a theater in a year.
  • I haven't seen any of these movies on the big screen. 
  • This is the most diverse nominated offerings of films I've seen in quite some time.
  • I'm ready to get back to the theater.
That said, I'm still excited for this year's Academy Awards this year. I'm not anticipating a lot of folks watching the show, but I will be there with my wife and kids. Yep, we're film nerds. 

Lots of diversity in this year's choices as well, which is why Nomadland, Ma Rainey, Minari and Sound of Metal made some my top choices. So ... here's my list! 

___________________

Best Picture

The Father
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
Minari
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7


Best Directing
Thomas Vinterberg, Another Round
David Fincher, Mank
Lee Isaac Chung, Minari
Chloe Zhao, Nomadland
Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman


Best Actress in a Leading Role
Viola Davis, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Andra Day, United States vs. Billie Holiday
Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman
Frances McDormand, Nomadland
Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman


Best Actor in a Leading Role
Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Anthony Hopkins, The Father
Gary Oldman, Mank
Steven Yeun, Minari


Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy
Olivia Colman, The Father
Amanda Seyfried, Mank
Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari


Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7
Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah
Leslie Odom, Jr., One Night in Miami
Paul Raci, Sound of Metal
LaKeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah


Best Original Screenplay
Judas and the Black Messiah
Minari
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7


Best Adapted Screenplay
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
The Father
Nomadland
One Night in Miami
The White Tiger


Best Cinematography
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
News of the World
Nomadland
The Trial of the Chicago 7


Best Film Editing
The Father
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7


Best Animated Feature Film
Onward
Over the Moon
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
Soul
Wolfwalkers


Best Animated Short Film
Burrow
Genius Loci
If Anything Happens I Love You
Opera
Yes-People


Best Live-Action Short Film
Feeling Through
The Letter Room
The Present
Two Distant Strangers
White Eye


Best International Feature Film
Another Round
Better Days
Collective
The Man Who Sold His Skin
Quo Vadis, Aida?


Best Documentary Feature
Collective
Crip Camp
The Mole Agent
My Octopus Teacher
Time


Best Documentary Short Subject
Colette
A Concerto Is a Conversation
Do Not Split
Hunger Ward
A Love Song for Latasha


Best Original Score
Da 5 Bloods
Mank
Minari
News of the World
Soul


Best Original Song
"Fight For You," Judas and the Black Messiah
"Hear My Voice," The Trial of the Chicago 7
"Husavik," Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
"Io Si (Seen)," The Life Ahead
"Speak Now," One Night in Miami


Best Sound
Greyhound
Mank
News of the World
Soul
Sound of Metal


Best Costume Design
Emma
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
Mulan
Pinocchio


Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Emma
Hillbilly Elegy
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
Pinocchio


Best Production Design
The Father
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Mank
News of the World
Tenet


Best Visual Effects
Love and Monsters
The Midnight Sky
Mulan
The One and Only Ivan
Tenet

Sunday, January 3, 2021

Eimer's Best & Worst Movie Experiences of 2020

The last movie I saw in the theater was on Thursday, Feb. 27. It was The Invisible Man. I guess it was a pretty good choice for my last movie in a theater. I mean, it made my Top 10 (see below), which is a good thing.

But, I hope, I really, really hope, it wasn't the last movie I will see in a theater forever. It can't be. Can it?

With Covid-19 running rampant around the country, movie theaters shuttered in early March. For this movie-loving cinephile, it was a sad, sad day.

Every Autumn, I made it a point to set aside some time, even take a day off work, to visit those hallowed, marooned spaces of peace and harmony and view some Academy Award considerations, independent darlings, and - of course - blockbuster fare. Sometimes with the kids. Sometimes with the wife. Sometimes by myself, which is my preferred way to view films (but don't tell my family). 

But, not this year. 

Hopefully, movie theaters and watching films in the theater will stage a comeback, but I'm not certain it will ever be the same. 

That said, I did get to see a handful of great films in 2020. All of these films were not necessarily released in 2020, but they were movies I finally had the chance to see this year.

Keep in mind, I haven't seen a number of Top 10 critics picks as well including Tenant, The Vast of Night, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Da 5 Bloods, One Night in Miami, Wolfwalkers, Dick Johnson is Dead, Mank, The Nest or Let Them All Talk. But, hopefully the recommendations below will motivate you to check out a few that you may have forgotten or missed along the way. 

Cheers to a better 2021. And fingers-crossed that my ass will be in a seat in the movie theater in the near future. Oh, yeah, don't forget to give my Twitter feed One Sentence Movie Reviews some much-needed love. 

😍 Eimer's Best Movie Experiences of 2020:



😡 Eimer's Worst Movie Experiences of 2020:




More of Eimer's Worsts: