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The Descendants: You know from the start how it’s going to end, but the journey to get there is so fresh and engaging that the lack of surprise doesn’t matter. Proving again (and again) that subject matter is neutral, it’s either done well or done badly. YES.

Martha Marcy May Marlene: The younger sis of the Olsen twins is getting rave reviews for her performance, which is what reviewers always say about an actress playing a troubled person. Think Angelina Jolie in “Girl Interrupted” or Natalie Portman in “Black Swan.” But the movie is fabulous. Just chilling. YES.

“El Camino” by the Black Keys: It’s 70s rock that your indie friends will dig. LOVE it. Also appreciate the way these guys are a little dorky and self-effacing, meaning their drama and personalities don’t get in the way of the music. BIG YES.

“Homeland” on TV: Wow, this show is blowing me away. Smart, with lots of twists. YES.

“Dexter” on TV: This is one of my favorite seasons because of all the creepy religious stuff and the character development on Deb as the new lieutenant. YES.

Oh look, straight As. Excellent report card dears.

Right blend of comedy and pathos

Giving a boost to the relevance of Time Mag

“Next Fall” at the Geffen last night was really good, one of the best plays we’ve seen there. The title works on many levels. Next fall is when one of the gay characters is going to come out to his parents. Since the screenplay discusses themes of Christianity, the term “fall” has religious overtones, as in the fall of man, fall of Adam, fall from grace. Plus, on a more abstract level, the reason for the crisis point that brought everyone together was a physical fall that sent the character to the ED. Great acting, smart dialogue. Big YES.

“Ides of March” is now one of my favorite political movies of all time, really. (Gosling and Clooney — yummy, a little something for the ladies.) The writers took the play, which I saw as “Farragut North” at the Geffen, and dialed it up a notch. No new ground here, after all this is Clinton territory that we explored with “Primary Colors” and “Wag the Dog.” But the story of loyalty and betrayal done extremely well. Did she write the letter and does he have it? Big YES.

What these two share is the tension between two men within a relationship. The father-son dynamic, issues of ambition, of toppling the other to gain prominence. I’ve been focused so much on female characters and leads that I’ve forgotten how interesting the male dynamic is. While there can be a happy pack of alpha females, there can be only one alpha male at the head of the pack.

Not just "the gay dad movie"

Like Ravel's "Bolero" of movies

They were hungry

Beginners is a small triumph. About the imprinting that’s done by nature and by childhood, and our ability to override that imprint as an adult. Funny, sweet, but smart. Reminds me of the concept that when you meet your soulmate you don’t love them, you recognize them.  YES.

“Falling Skies” turned out to be a dud. The pilot was promising but the next two episodes devolved into idiocy.  NO NO NO, unless you’re in prison and there’s only one show on TV.

Super 8. A Spielberg movie is always the triumph of hope over experience.  I see his name as a writer or director and think, maybe it will be different this time. But alas, it’s not. Impossibly wise and adorable children, overarching treacly soundtrack, bumbling adults, poor mistreated aliens. Oh vey. Between this and “Falling Skies,” I promise that the next time f I see the Speilberg brand I’m gonna run.  NO!

“Superior Donuts” at the Geffen was pure pleasure. A bit like Beginners in theme, about trying to change one’s life as an adult to redo decisions from the past. YES

The Exorcist. Wow, what a brilliant film. I’ve wanted to see the new director’s cut for some time but was worried I’d be too frightened to sleep. Terrific character development, grand baroque Catholic theme, and lots of ordinary smart people trying to solve an unknown problem. They could not make this movie today with the clean restraint that kept it so taut and involving. No slashers, no torture, no violence really. I was afraid that the Linda Blair Satan would look campy due to overexposure as a cultural icon, but it doesn’t.  God bless the 70s for movie making. GIANT YES

Just Kids. I enjoyed the book immensely, though must admit its flaws. The first third was terrific, the middle third sagged, as if Patti was trying to define the historical record rather than tell a story, ie: it became a travel log of where they went, who was there. The last third devolved into “Saint Robert” which got pretty tiresome given that we’re talking about a man with thin talent who is only notable for the controversy of his subject matter. Qualified Yes.