Are You Not Entertained?

For the last month I have been mostly off the grid.  Much of late November was spent on an empty beach in the Texas Gulf.  I wrote a screenplay, I fished, and I played some music.  One of the great things about this life outside the maze is that I get to be the boss.  If I don’t want to write anything on this site for awhile so be it.  There are no other stakeholders to answer to.  If I want to drink a giant piña colada out of my Nalgene bottle by the waves and then write something random about the best books, movies, and podcasts that I experienced in 2020…well maybe I will.   

What is the Best Movie Ever?

The late Roger Ebert made a great point that it is not worth arguing what the best movie of all time is. Casablanca is totally different than Citizen Kane.  The only question that matters is whether or not this movie right here is worth your time net net (kind of like an investment).  Hence Ebert’s famous thumbs up or thumbs down scale.  With the end of year coming, I was thinking back on movies, series, podcasts, and books that I enjoyed in 2020. 

I also thought that I could use some recommendations myself for 2021 so maybe if I share some that I liked, you might return the favor and let me know some good recommendations in the comments that I can check out over the holidays? I will have time on my hands not travelling this Christmas or New Years (like many others).  In the spirit of Ebert, I’m not going to claim that these are the best and if you go into each with some outsized expectation then you may be let down. However, these are books, movies, and podcasts that I enjoyed most in 2020 (they didn’t necessarily come out in 2020). These are worth the time investment.

My Favorite Books Read in 2020

I don’t read loads of books.  I suffer big time from ADD and often only make it half way through.  This year I maybe read a half dozen.  The only one that I am going to recommend is…

Sapiens by Yuval Harari.  Over some Mexican food and Margaritas, JL Collins recommended this one to me and holy crap what a book!  How can you make the entire history of humans entertaining?  Read this to find out.  A real page turner that gives insight into who we are and will make you rethink history in some ways.  

My Favorite Movies / Specials Watched in 2020

I love film…and this year was a particularly bad one for movies.  Who wants to release a movie when no one can pay $15 to see it in the theater?  I also just cancelled Netflix.  Between their price hike and lackluster content, I thought it time to take a break.  Since I watch most good movies right when they come out, you are left with just a few from my watching in 2020.

A Marriage Story (Netflix). A devastating and realistic take on an imploding marriage from Noah Baumbach.  No one is spared in this thing, even Baumbach himself.

The Social Dilemma (Netflix).  I had to recommend this because the impact of social media on our individuality is a big deal to me.  I’ll offer that right now is the time we are seeing the platforms, the data, and AI all converge to make this one scary monster.

Uncut Gems (Netflix). In addition to starring in my 3rd favorite comedy of all time (Happy Gilmore), Adam Sandler can also occasionally really act (see Punch Drunk Love or Spanglish).  He is just perfect and nerve wracking to watch in this tense…er… gem of a movie.  Bonus is that KG (Kevin Garnett) puts in a decent performance which was fun for me growing up watching him entirely carry my hometown T-Wolves.

Dave Chappelle: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (Netflix). This is not even close to the best Dave Chappelle material but it is the only one to come out in 2020 and I’ve seen all of the rest.  If the goal of financial freedom is to be your authentic self and make decisions without thinking about the cash, Dave Chappelle is an unsung FI hero.  Oscar Wilde said, “If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they’ll kill you.”  Chappelle is unflinchingly honest about his truth, provocative with a purpose and authentic.  When he succeeds you laugh, when he fails you think.  He’s matured, he’s confident, he’s hilarious, and he knows it.  

My Favorite Series Watched in 2020

I guess I watched more series in 2020 than I thought.  Here are some I liked.

The Last Dance (Netflix). I don’t like watching sports much but this series about Jordan and the 1997 Bulls was a masterclass in managing an organization, what it takes for greatness, and how individuals with unique strengths can make a great team.

Black Mirror (Netflix). Super fun to watch even though it can be hit or miss.  A great sci fi series with a warning about the digital age.

Tiger King (Netflix). This series is just sheer madness and often hard to watch.  Some truly weird antiheroes that turn the fictions in their heads into reality by sheer force of personality and willpower. Those same traits bring about an inevitable downfall.  I couldn’t look away.   

Sherlock (PBS for free or Netflix). If you haven’t watched this BBC series with Benedict Cumberbatch, you are missing the best version of Sherlock Holmes that I have seen.  Slick, fast, smart, and mostly a thrill ride. 

Queen’s Gambit (Netflix).  This series makes chess as exciting as guns.  An entertaining and smart show with an enigmatic and compelling lead.

Grand Designs (Amazon Prime and Netflix).  When I started watching this series about people building dream homes, I thought the narrator was a blowhard.  Once I adjusted to his British style, I realized that he is actually a sincere romantic with a deep passion for design.  This show is easy to watch with your spouse but at its best (such as “Herefordshire” parts one and two with Ed and Rowena or season 10 episode 1 with Sean and the castle) it tells you something about how one’s view on life can be expressed through a home.  

Don’t F*ck With Cats (Netflix). A dark tale that starts out being about cats but is actually about murder.  The internet is a scary place. 

Goliath (Amazon Prime). Billy Bob Thornton is probably the best Noir actor today.  Goliath is a good example of why.  

Podcasts I Enjoyed Listening to Most in 2020

Almost all of these are available wherever you listen to your podcasts.

The Drop Out. With a history in startups I am drawn to this tale of the biggest implosion and failure perhaps in startup history.  I believe that Elizabeth Holmes is a psychopath.  What happens when one leads a 9 Billion dollar fraud?

The Profit. I love business and this podcast and cnbc series is entertainment while I work out.  I find myself going back and running the numbers on every deal and learning something about small business through Marcus Lemonus.

In The Dark. Ok, this one is personal. I was 10 when 11 year old Jacob Wetterling was kidnapped in the town next to mine. It changed my life and also the way that child abductions are handled. Season one of this podcast is a crime thriller. It is complete with a real life conclusion 26 years in the making that happened while this podcast was being released.

Bunga Bunga. If you are fed up with corrupt politics, check out the real life story of Silvio Berlusconi, the prime minister of Italy.  It will make American politics look a whole lot better by comparison.  A dark truth stranger than fiction story also gives insight into what drives powerful narcissists.     

Cut Throat Inc. Again having worked in startups I am partial to this tale of what happens when tech bros with responsibility behave badly…very very badly.  It goes entirely off the rails.  Did it end in murder?  Another tale of a psychopath in leadership…hmmm maybe there are too many of these on my list.  Why so dark Mr Maze?

“The Boys Will Work It Out” episode from Love + Radio. This may be the most graphic and disturbing sexual tale that I have ever listened to on a podcast so sensitive listeners beware.  After finishing it, I found myself disturbed and questioning sexuality and intimacy in some interesting ways.  

“Rom Com” episode from This American Life. This episode asks what if real life was a romcom.  Easy listening ends with a real and literal bloody mess that is hilarious and more awkward than a Steve Carell character.  

Rabbit Hole. This NY Times podcast looks at what the internet is doing to us.  If you naively think that you are not being manipulated, give this a listen.  Usually entertaining and the episodes come together to paint a larger picture. 

“The case of the missing hit” episode from Reply All. This is a lighthearted episode where a guy remembers a pop song but can’t find any record of it anywhere.  Why?  Did he make it up?  A fun easy listen while working out.

1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year of freedom episodes from The Mad Fientist. In fairness I only listened to 4th year in 2020 but these 4 episodes give a nice insight into how the life of one thoughtful and very very analytical man changes post financial independence. 

“Is Inequality Inevitable” episode from Bill Gates and Rashida Jones Ask The Big Questions. This is kind of two Bill Gates podcast episode recommendations for one. First on his Armchair Expert interview I learned that Bill Gates is a genius…who had more privilege and luck than you even probably know.  With a net worth of over 119 billion and serious world saving ambitions, Gates has no reason to be candid and honest on some little podcast. But he kind of is. Then in November, Gates and Rashida Jones launched their own podcast. Episode number two, “Is Inequality Inevitable?” is like joining a conversation on an important topic with some of the greatest minds around.   

“Programming Your Mind For Wealth” episode on the Earn & Invest podcast. Yes I am slightly biased because this episode features me. However, I distilled over 100 research studies on positivity and optimism for this jam packed podcast version of my two part blogpost series on the power of positivity and optimism.  Doc G is thoughtful and weaves our discussion into what is happening in our country today.  I go beyond the BS motivational speakers and share the data, exercises, and tools that made this highly impactful for me in 2020 and I imagine 2021 as well. 

Money On the Table from Rich and Regular. Financial savvy may be one of the most important tools in life.  As readers of this site well know, I write quite a bit about financial freedom.  I am proud of this content. and feel it is of high value.  However, I also wonder sometimes if it reaches anyone beyond those who are already into this stuff.  Money on The Table is great entertainment that appeals to everyone.  It feels like hanging out with two cool people and cooking an awesome meal…with financial savviness as the dessert.  I hope it reaches many.  This well produced series deserves to.

I hope you enjoy some of these books, movies, and podcasts. I would love to hear any additional recommendations in the comments below. Come on people, I have time to kill over this break and I am ready to be inspired 😉