ALBUMS

THEN:

There Will Be Blood (soundtrack) – Jonny Greenwood

Though There Will Be Blood was recognized with nine nominations at the 80th Academy Awards, based on a technicality, the Academy chose not to recognize the score. Penned by Radiohead genius Jonny Greenwood, the evocative, memorable and entirely unique score for There Will Be Blood lends tension, darkness and intrigue to a movie that already stood well apart from its contemporaries.

NOW:

The Social Network (soundtrack) – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Winner of the Golden Globe for “Best Soundtrack,” and nominated for an upcoming Academy Award, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails shows that beneath all that dark, intense brooding is...dark, intense, brooding music. In all seriousness, Reznor’s thoughtful, emotional score elevates David Fincher’s remarkable movie into the award-winning piece of film that it is fast becoming.

—Sharon Penny

BOOKS

THEN:

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest – Ken Kesey

It’s almost impossible to read One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest without picturing Jack Nicholson as McMurphy. But the incisiveness of Kesey’s writing means that even some 40 years on, reading this classic is still a powerful experience; and despite a number of changes to the original story, it’s the strength of the story that accounts for much of the movie’s own success.

NOW:

Barney’s Version – Mordecai Richler

Beloved by Canadians everywhere, and now thanks to Paul Giamatti’s stellar award-winning turn in the movie adaptation of the hit novel, Barney’s Version will be known by a whole new audience of Americans. It’s a flawed memoir; a haphazard sort-of-maybe murder-mystery; and an intimate look into the mind of a forgetful, self-loathing, sad and at times, heartbreaking 63-year-old man whom readers will ultimately come to love. Trust the Canadians. They know a good thing when they read one.

—Sharon Penny

FILMS

THEN:

Ever After

Grade A goes to the makers of this plucky PG-13 retelling of Cinderella, with Drew Barrymore as kiddie lit’s most storied and tormented heroine (now called Danielle) and a delicious Anjelica Huston, who with this wonderful but overlooked performance, turns wicked into absolutely wonderful, casting a spell on the entire production.

NOW:

Tangled

Marking a glorious return to classic animation – a kid’s movie sans adult humor that flies right over their heads, imagine that – Tangled is a beautiful reimagining of Rapunzel, with great songs, wonderful visuals, catchy interplay between sidekicks, and standout turns from Mandy Moore and Broadway veteran Donna Murphy.

—Jenn Thornton