Real to reel

Local observations from a movie, music buff

Celebrating the year’s best

By Dan Ochwat

I know what you’re thinking, “Oh Christ, another Top 10 list!” Gasp. Followed by inevitable sarcasm, “Please, please divulge your secret rankings of the albums and movies you liked best in 2005. Without your guidance, my vision and hearing shall be rendered useless.”

Alright, stop yourself. You’re getting one more round-up from a pop culture ass. And you know what? You secretly do this too.

Why else see these movies and concerts if not to be able to list them in order of 10? So send me your lists. I, unlike a lot of people, would love to read them.

The Best Movies

Before I drop this list, may I say Landmark Century Centre, at 2828 N. Clark St., remains the top theater in Chicago. River’s East, at 322 E. Illinois St., puts on a nice showing, but customer service is nowhere near what it is at Landmark. And you run a higher risk of sitting by gum-chewers and that couple with leftover Indian food under their seats.

“Junebug”
North meets South in this smart, small film. It nails that experience of a culture snob from, say, Chicago, visiting a small town family. The film is fair to everyone, and Amy Adams, who stars as a bubbly, good-natured belle, deserves every award. Most notable in this film — check out the characters’ varied reactions to an artist’s paintings of slaves with large wangs. The artist, who is more “Rain Man” than “The Ringer,” makes for a great subplot.

“Capote”
Philip Seymour Hoffman takes a turn as writer Truman Capote. Did you know Capote talks funny? And you’ll be wrapped up in every word he speaks, as the movie follows the writer’s relationship with Perry Smith, a subject of his book, “In Cold Blood.” A great movie.

 

“Brokeback Mountain”

Heath Ledger plays a confused, marble-mouthed gay cowboy, and Jake Gyllenhaal plays a wide-eyed, desperate gay cowboy sniffing out any man-love he can find. He’s so desperate at one point that he’s forced to go to Mexico and be with a guy in a striped tank top, which is just embarrassing. It does lead, though, to one of the most beautifully shot scenes in this gorgeous film. This is a timely film that is genuine, emotional and darn near perfect.

“Bee Season”
If I have a daughter one day, may she have pouty lips and a funny little chin. Then she could be a star like Flora Cross, the lead child of this awkward but somewhat chilling movie. It’s an inventive look at spirituality and weird kids. Oh, and a weird mom, too.

“My Summer of Love”
Filmed by Pawel Pawlikowski, every scene is a painting. This movie went unnoticed, and it’s brilliant in its storytelling, as a young girl attempts to play God. You’ll see what I mean. The film kind of reminded me of “Swimming Pool,” a 2003 film, only in its sexiness and trickery.

“The Squid and the Whale”
If you were raised by somewhat conservative parents, go home and hug them. This tale of two kids and their Bohemian upbringing may send the divorce rate to an all-time low — all because of how the one kid behaves in a library. A genius film with big laughs, and bigger sadness.

“Me and You and Everyone We Know”
Quirky doesn’t sum it up enough. The debut film from visual artist Miranda July is different, interesting and a romantic comedy. The scene where the main characters have a full relationship in one block is one of the most memorable ever.

“The Constant Gardener”
Rachel Weisz is actually good in this movie. I’ve always felt she could be a stand-in for either Bert or Ernie, but I take it back. She’s sexy in this thriller. Fernando Meirelles (“City of God”) could be the most talented director working today.

“Gus Van Sant’s Last Days”
Maddening movie, but I liked it. Any director who puts his name in the title of the film is an ego-maniac, but the dude’s minimalist, stripped-down take on Kurt Cobain’s final days grabbed me.

“Syriana”
I’m supposed to have this movie in my top 10. After I see it 19 more times, I’ll let you know why.

The Best Concerts

Let me start by saying this month is weak as far as upcoming shows. The must see is Feist (1/27) at the Park West. Guys, take a first date to this show. You’ll thank me later.

Other recommendations would be the underrated local bands Chin Up Chin Up and Pit Er Pat (1/14) at Schuba’s; the heavy but cool band Pelican (1/25) at the Empty Bottle; Colin Meloy, front man of The Decemberists brings his endearing voice and writing to the Park West (1/23) for a solo show; and Low plays the Logan Square Auditorium (1/27).

Now, for the five best shows I saw this year, and there were many good ones.

• Les Savy Fav and the entire Intonation Festival. Held at Union Park, Pitchfork curated a slamming two-day concert series. An incredible lineup of music from The Decemberists to Deerhoof to The Wrens to Dungen, it mixed and matched various styles all for like $15 a day, putting Lollapalooza to shame. I pray they do it again in 2006.

• Sufjan Stevens at the Metro. I saw “Soof” at Schuba’s last year, and his banjo was out of tune. He was nervous and clapping to himself like he was autistic, but he was still incredible. I told him so, to which he fired back, “No, you’re incredible.” No, he’s incredible, and his show at Metro was unexpected. He had cheerleaders, cheers, costumes and total control.

• Bloc Party at Metro. Along with The Ponys and Pit Er Pat, Bloc Party welcomed Chicago with a show before their album even hit stores. Thanks to sharing music, most of us had already listened to the album and fallen in love with it. The crowd was crazy that night, better than when I saw them at the Congress Theater.

• Broken Social Scene and Feist at Metro. Feist has a beautiful voice, which is plain lovely live, while Broken Social Scene is at a higher level than any other band currently playing music today. The show was unforgettable.

• Architecture in Helsinki at Schuba’s. The band played songs from their latest record “In Case We Die,” which is like a carnival ride. The concert equaled the energy.

The Best Albums

This year was impossible. At any point in the day, this list could look different, but this now, this is how it stacks up. Just buy these albums, or borrow them. All of them.

• Bloc Party’s “Silent Alarm”

• Sufjan Stevens’ “Illinois”

• Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s “Clap Your Hands Say Yeah”

• New Pornographers’ “Twin Cinema”

• Architecture in Helsinki’s “In Case We Die”

• Bright Eyes’ “I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning”

• Wolf Parade’s “Apologies to the Queen Mary”

• Stephen Malkmus’ “Face the Truth”

• Okkervil River’s “Black Sheep Boy”

• The National’s “Alligator”

• Antony and the Johnsons, Animal Collective, Vashti Bunyan, Four Tet, Art Brut, The Clientele, Sleater-Kinney and Broken Social Scene all put out quality albums as well.

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