As 2024 draws to a close, I am, first, supremely surprised at how fast this year flew. Like a racecar! Or better yet, the Red Eye. I am, second, supremely grateful for my cozy arts & culture universe as always. 2024 saw me eating paella at Tablao, reminiscing over my 20-year Argentina anniversary, and of course, partaking of movies, movies, and more movies. I also currently sit enthralled at my guilty pleasure TV show called "Alaska PD." Fairbanks, Kotzebue, Sitka, and more, I hope to see you someday, under a halo of snow and reindeer prance-beats. Clickety-click!
Oh, and I saw Kathleen Turner AND Michael Douglas. For Kathleen, it was my second encounter (first was in 1995). For Michael, it was my numero #1. Thank you, Avon Theatre, for your intimate, starry night event. And what better year than 2024 to see them both, right? It’s the 40th year anniversary of “Romancing the Stone” (1984) after all. AMAZING! My all-time favorite movie alongside “The Way We Were” (1973) played a big part in my 2024 journey. Never saw this coming back in January.
But on that següe-ish “The Way We Were” note, in 2024 I listened to Barbra Streisand’s mammoth memoir (audio book narrated by Babs herself). Now unsurprisingly, I have big thoughts and feelings on this one. My summer was dominated by Audible, and lounging by the pool ruminating on Babs’ many boyfriends. (I heard her mention once in an interview that she’s been in love six times during her illustrious, sparkly Hollywood life, and I can’t remember if this was pre or post hubby Jim Brolin.) Sufficed to say, I’ve been wracking my brain trying to decide on WHO her official, bona fide, true lovebirds were. I have four pinned, but I’m not quite sure about #5 and #6. Blast!
And lastly, 2024 saw me paying it forward to a new generation of cinephile writers. My Flickside articles and YouTube videos are still going strong (thank you, dear Mansi, my editor, sending you lots of holiday love!), and in addition, I was asked to review a new book called “Old Films, Young Eyes” by a talented young writer and podcaster from “Teenage Golden Age” named Simone O. Elias. I was happy to offer my support. Art matters!
So, on that supportive tip, I give a big thanks to all the support I’ve received this past year from friends, family, and others. You know who you are. May there be more good food, film, and travel in our future. Life can be hard. Life can be tough. But it’s those precious arts & culture moments that help us to smile. Happy 2025. And a pink champagne CHEERS!
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