AFI’s 10 Best Movies & TV Shows (2013)

I was already feeling woefully behind in my award season movie watching when the American Film Institute released their ten best list this week and totally sealed the deal. Sadly, I have seen only one of the movies on this list. Yikes…

And though AFI’s annual list is hardly an accurate predictor of future Oscar glory, it definitely puts a spotlight on films with award season momentum. And with films like Her, 12 Years A Slave and American Hustle already doing very well with the National Board of Review and various film critics groups around the country, a nod from the AFI never hurt anyone.

So, while I try to scramble to find a babysitter so I can actually try and see some of these movies, please enjoy this year’s pick of AFI honorees.

“Downton Abbey” Paper Dolls

At last, someone has found a way to keep a squirming toddler occupied while Mommy and Daddy watch “their stories” on Sunday nights! That’s right, just in time for the Season Two season finale, some crafty bugger named Kyle Hilton has designed printable “Downton Abbey” paper dolls. Yay!

And not only are they printable, but they are also 100% free! You know, until the PBS pledge drive lawyers get a hold them, then you’ll probably have to donate a hundred bucks or something to get the set. So, if you’re a “Downton Abbey” fan (or a parent trying to keep your chatty kid from ruining the perfectly Edwardian mood every Sunday night!) or both, I suggest you download the whole lot of them by clicking here immediately.

My favorite is the evil-doer twin pack of Thomas and O’Brien (their accessories are hilarious!) but what I’m really hoping they’ll release next is a special Spanish Flu edition where you can swap out Countess Cora and Carson’s pale, bloody-nosed heads with perfectly healthy ones when they recover. Now that, I might actually even pay for!