a blog about a lot of things

Disclaimer: I'm sure there will be many authors I've missed out simply because I haven't heard of them. It is impossible for me to read anything not published or translated into English or French. Or works that I cannot get a hold of even if translations exist ( the book market in Trinidad is a bit limited. It's not a perfect world). I'm making guesses with the material I have and hopefully the guesses are good. In no particular order: 12. Ian McEwan -  England Language: English Genres: Novels; Short Stories; Children's Stories; Plays; Screenplays; Libretto Reference Works: The Comfort of Strangers (1981); Amsterdam (1988); Atonement (2001);On Chesil Beach (2007) 11. Nuruddin Farah - Somalia Language: English, Somali Genres: Novels; Plays; Essays Reference Works: From A Crooked Rib (1970); A Naked Needle (1976); Variations on  the Theme of An African Dictatorship (trilogy)- 1979-1983 10. Kamau Brathwaite - Barbados Language: English ...

Disclaimer: I'm sure there will be many authors I've missed out simply because I haven't heard of them. It is impossible for me to read anything not published or translated into English or French. Or works that I cannot get a hold of even if translations exist ( the book market in Trinidad is a bit limited. It's not a perfect world). I'm making guesses with the material I have and hopefully the guesses are good. In no particular order: 12. Chinua Achebe - Nigeria Language : English Genres: Poems; Short Stories; Essays; Novels Reference Works: Things Fall Apart (1958); A Man of the People (1966); Hopes and Impediments (1988) 11. E.L. Doctorow - United States of America Language: English Genre: Novels, Essays, Short Stories, Plays Reference Works: The Book of Daniel (1971); Ragtime (1975); The March (2005) 10. Yasar Kemal - Turkey Language : Turkish Genre: Novel, Plays Reference Works: Memed, My Hawk (1955); Teneke (1955); The Legen...

Picked from directors who are Africa, Middle Eastern or film in these countries a lot. In the languages of the country that they're filming in (which means English, French and Portuguese counts). Or African and Middle Eastern languages . To qualify I'm making it that the director has to release an excellent film (in my opinion) during the 21st century and I need to be able to find at least 3 excellent reference films. Same criteria as the previous list. I'm counting Israel as part of Europe, so there won't be any Israeli directors on this list. My geography is sketchy so I'm using the basis of where the national team plays their football (Israel plays in UEFA). I know the Middle East counts as AFC for football, but the list looks better like this. 16. Idrissa Ouedraogo -Burkina Faso Directing Timespan : 1981- present Reference Films: Yaaba (1989), Tilai(1990), Anger of the Gods (2003) 15.Mai Masri- Palestine Directing Timespan : 1987- p...

My favourite movie released in every year from 1990 till now. 1990 : Goodfellas 1991: Raise The Red Lantern ( Dà Hóng Dēnglóng Gāogāo Guà) 1992: Unforgiven 1993: Schindler's List 1994: Four Weddings and a Funeral 1995: Before Sunrise 1996: Trainspotting 1997: Taste of Cherry ( Ta'm-e gīlās) 1998: Saving Private Ryan/ La Vita e Bella 1999: All About My Mother ( Todo sobre mi madre ) 2000: Amores Perros 2001: Amelie ( Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain) 2002: City of God ( Cidade de Deus) 2003: The Lord of the Rings : The Return of the King 2004: Before Sunset 2005 : Cache 2006: Days of Glory ( Indigenes) 2007: No Country for Old Men 2008: Wall-E 2009: A Prophet ( Un Prophete ) 2010: Black Swan 2011: Midnight in Paris

Picked from directors who are Asian or film mostly in Asia. In the languages of the country that they're filming in. Or Asian languages. So if Clint Eastwood had decided to film all future movies like letters From Iwo Jima he'd be here. To qualify I'm making it that the director has to release an excellent film (in my opinion) during the 21st century and I need to be able to find at least 3 excellent reference films 21. Wang Xiaoshuai -China Directing Timespan : 1993- present Reference Films: Beijing Bicycle (2001); Shanghai Dreams (2005); The Days (1993) 20. Lee Chang-Dong - South Korea Directing Timespan : 1997-present Reference Films: Poetry (2010); Oasis (2002); Peppermint Candy (1999) 19. Kim Ki-duk - South Korea Directing Timespan : 1996-present Reference Films: Spring,Summer,Fall,Winter...and Spring (2003); The Bow (2005); Birdcage Inn (1998); 18. Johnnie To - Hong Kong Directing Timespan : 1990-present Reference Films: Life Without Principle (2011); Mad Detective ...

Movies of the year- 2011 I'm late with this one. It's been in my head but I just got around to typing it. 15.Rango 14. Attack The Block 13. Shame 12. The Adventures of Tintin 11. 50/50 10. 13 Assasins 9.The Descendants 8.The Help 7.The Artist 6.Senna 5. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy 4.Drive 3. Hugo 2. A Separation 1. Midnight In Paris

Best Actor Most Likely Winner: George Clooney as Matt King in The Descendants . A complex role, Clooney plays a man dealing with his wife's coma and impending removal from life support, dealing with his two daughters he is not close with and finding out his wife is cheating on him. It involves doing so much its almost more than one role. Clooney pulls off a very difficult ask. Backup Pick: Jean Dujardin as George Valentin in The Artist. And competing with Clooney is the man they call the French Clooney. A silent role as a falling movie star who refuses to enter into 'talkies'. It's very difficult to capture attention without talking and that alone is enough to warrant a prize. Most Deserving (My Pick): Gary Oldman as George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. I love Gary Oldman. I think its criminal he was never nominated before. For him to win for a spy movie adapted from a John Le Carre novel would be the coolest thing ever. Best Actress Most Likely Winner: Meryl...