Randall Poster’s Favorite Things

“I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC. Lately: Lee Ann Womack, Vincent Mason, Carter Faith, Hailey Whitters, Gavin Adcock, Jamey Johnson, Ella Langley, Chris Stapleton, Carly Pearce.”

“Home delivery for The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. One of my favorite hours of the day, first light, drinking coffee and going through the papers. Print stained fingers.”

“CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR. The most balanced, thoughtful, informed journalist in the world. Her integrity, her bravery, her insight , her poise and her deep empathy for those in harm’s way. Some non toxic billionaire should buy CNN and let Christiane run the place. We need her now more than ever.”

“A vital epicenter of the New York film world. The Walter Reade Theatre. The Eleanor Bunin screens. Avery Fisher Hall. Host of the New York Film Festival, the best New York film festival.”

“My love of a proper boom box is unwavering. What can I say? I love to watch a CD spin. I love to watch a cassette turn. Sometimes it’s the right decision to choose volume over fidelity.”

“When I find myself in times of trouble, it’s Neil not Mother Mary who comes to me. My favorite record for a rainy day. Neil on the cover in that canary yellow jacket. The floral print on the inside of the album sleeve. Play both sides through!”

“A staple in my fall and winter wardrobe. My teams are all New York teams, but hats from teams around the country with good color-ways. Yes Tampa Bay Bucs. Yes Cleveland Browns. Yes San Diego Chargers. Yes San Francisco Giants. Never Boston Red Sox. Never Boston Celtics. Never New England Patriots.”

“Wolfman Jack. Del Shannon. The White T Bird. Paul Lemat. Sixteen Candles. Candy Clark. Music enables time travel. Walter Murch!”

“My favorite writer of contemporary fiction. No one writes more fluidly and has as much fun with wordplay than Bruce. No one performs a more revealing cultural CT scan of the contemporary human condition. Both wicked and wise. Once you start reading, you won’t stop. Start with Force Majeure and go from there.”

“Two franks with mustard and sauerkraut and a papaya. 2090 Broadway on 72nd street.”

“I love watching movies on the Criterion Channel. It’s the membership I am happiest with in my life. We just watched a double bill of Alex Cox movies both delirious, Walker & Highway Petrolman. Viva Alex Cox. Viva Criterion.”