Kathleen

It’s been a while since I came across a collection of short stories quite so inspiring. After the opening story of a young, struggling writer, Moffett branches out, exploring an astonishing array of characters. From a (possibly) senile old woman, to a young Estonian immigrant, to a dead-beat, middle-aged divorcee. By this description, one would think that he’s spreading himself too thin, exploring facets of life he can’t possibly know. But that’s where the brilliance lies. You will find yourself immersed and wrapped up in the well-being, in the small victories and disappointments, of these characters. I wanted to crawl inside these stories and curl up. Let them wash over and envelope me. “First Marriage” particularly stuck with me, and I was unable to get it out of my head for days afterward. I promise, you won’t be disappointed by Moffett’s genuine talent and quirkiness.

For any fan of Michael Showalter’s Mr. Funny Pants, or Tina Fey’s Bossypants, here is a non-pants-related, but equally funny read. Michael Ian Black explores life, love and a mediocre career with hilarity, self-deprecation, and a healthy dose of indignation. Favorite bits: anything having to do with his mom/family/sister, an attempted explanation of his obsession with Fat Kevin Federline, and the story of candlestick shopping. If you appreciate a dry sense of humor, which occasionally trips into the ridiculous, this is the book for you.

This is, by far, the strangest birding book you will ever come across. It is somehow a hybrid of bird appreciation, art book, and humor. Matt Adrian has put together a collection of his best bird paintings and then accompanied them with witty, irreverent captions that will make you giggle out loud. The commentary alone is worth buying this book, but the paintings are genuinely beautiful as well, and it is this ridiculous juxtaposition that makes this a truly enjoyable affair.

Paris Versus New York is a witty graphic design book that is perfect for anyone who loves either The City of Lights or The Big Apple. Muratyan’s artwork originally appeared on his blog, but became so popular, that he turned it into an entire book. This little guy is the perfect small coffee table book that every apartment needs. If you fall in love with these pictures like I did, check out Muratyan’s website and order some larger prints of your favorites.

Beginners is the single most beautiful movie I've seen in 2011. The stunning, while slightly understated, cinematography creates fleeting and overexposed images that make this film a work of art. However, it shouldn't be written off as merely a self-indulgent aesthetic showcase. Homosexuality, loss, love and family come together in a dance of melancholy beauty. The very subtle message is more that you should embrace what is real. A quote from "The Velveteen Rabbit" is mentioned in passing by one of the characters. The Rabbit asks what is real, and if it hurts. This is a film seeped in "real." There is no "storybook "anything here. Love, in any rendition, is not rose petals and tugged heartstrings. The film ends and the credits roll, almost without skipping a beat, and you're left in a state of deep, wonderful melancholy. The combination of visual beauty, musical excellence and thematic subtlety create a sensation of deep despondency, tempered by a bewilderment of life.

Based on the Kazuo Ishiguro novel, Never Let Me Go, tells the quietly disturbing tale of a group of children who are assigned to be organ donors before they grow old. The film follows the short lives of three boarding school students as they become young adults and grapple with their fates. While Keira Knightley is rather lackluster as the jealous best friend (She plays a thin, fragile, whiny British girl - not exactly a stretch for Knightley), Carey Mulligan’s Kathy H. is subtly heart-breaking. The faded colors and, at times, overly washed-out filters create a beautiful and ephemeral atmosphere that mirrors the existential ponderings the film drops in your lap. And while it may leave you deeply sad, you’ll find it difficult to get out of your mind for days.