Top Ten's are a very organic beast and change with the viewing of one episode or more likely a whole season.
I laid down my top ten T.V shows last year but having found two absolute gems recently I find it prudent to post an updated TT based on my current feelings.
Top Ten #1 (Formerly #1)
Seinfeld -
Kramer: THE BEACH!!! (enters the apartment) You smell like the beach. What's the name of that perfume you're wearing?
Tia: It's Ocean by CALVIN KLEIN.
Kramer: CALVIN KLEIN? No, no. That's my idea. They, they stole my idea. Y'see I had the idea of a cologne that makes you smell like you just came from the beach.
Jerry: I know look at this (shows an ad from CK)
Kramer: (shocked) Whooo! That's you! What is going on here? The gyp, he laughs at me then he steals my idea. I could have been a millionaire. I could have been a fragrance millionaire, Jerry. They're not going to get away with this. (leaves)
I honestly find this particular show extremely hard to dislodge from it's ivory tower. One of the great things about Seinfeld is the fact that it doesn't age and the gags are clever rather than obvious (see: Friends)
Top Ten #2 (Unlisted)
Madmen -
Bertram Cooper: There’s a Pete Campbell at every agency out there.
Don Draper: Well, let’s get one of the other ones.
Friday Night Lights -
In some situations, you need to ask yourself 'WWRD?', What Would Riggins Do? - At least she's not interested in a serial killer... or one of the Riggins! (couldn't choose!)
As it stands (I've seen 3 Madmen seasons and 2 FNL's) I can't in all good conscience split these two. I think the fact they are so different make it harder to split.
Madmen is a dry (often hilarious) look at the ad agency business in the early 60's. Whereas FNL's is a drama centered around a small Texas town, Dillon and in particular their prize high school team The Panthers.
What they both share in common and is a direct result of their esteemed placing at #2 on my list is the very elusive combination of great writing, inspired casting, top class performances and at the heart of it a story worth caring for.
Top Ten #4 (4)
Entourage -
Drama: What if I fly myself out, put myself up, you give me a little something; if I don't deliver, you cut it. Or cut it anyway. As long I'm on the call sheet and listed on IMDb, we're all good.
Brett Ratner: You're telling me you're gonna spend 20 grand to go to Paris for a part that I might end up cutting?
Drama: Such is my passion for movies
My beautiful wife and I have watched all 6 seasons that we own at least 4 times, so that goes a long way to explaining that repeat viewings are still enjoyable. This is also a big feature in making the top ten.
My favourite thing/s about Entourage are Ari Gold and Johnny 'Drama'. Both would have to be up in the stratosphere as best television characters ever to appear on the small screen.
Without these two complex characters the show would be the Vince and Turtle show. Now I don't dislike the characters but they are definitely on the outer compared to Ari and Big Bro.
Top Ten #5 (3)
The Office (US version) -
Dwight: Don't you want to earn Schrute bucks?
Stanley: No. In fact, I'll give you a billion Stanley nickels if you never talk to me again.
Dwight: What's the ratio of Stanley nickels to Schrute bucks?
Stanley: The same as the ratio of unicorns to leprechauns.
This show has shown longevity thus far in it's fifth season and has another cracker of a character in Dwight Schrute. Just saying/typing his name makes me smile. Sure Steve Carell as Michael Scott is a great character but the show stealer, Jack Nicholson style in Batman has to be Dwight!!
Top Ten #6 (6)
Scrubs -
Ted: If you need some happy pills, they're in the top drawer.
Jordan: In this hell-hole, I'll need a gun!
Ted: Bottom left.
One of the strong points of Scrubs is it's ability to mix zany comedy with heartfelt dramatic emotions and get it right (most of the time).
Scrubs doesn't have the longevity of the previous 5 series' but it is still an enjoyable rewatch.
Top Ten #7 (2)
Arrested Development -
Lindsay: You haven't had a serious relationship since your wife, and you guys weren't even speaking towards the end.
Michael: A lot of that was the coma.
Lindsay: Yeah, I've heard your side of it.
I'm going to stop at 7 for the moment because it honestly feels like I'm adding ok/good shows to make the numbers. Honorable mention goes to and not in this order, Two Guys a Girl and Pizza Place, The Twilight Zone, Ned and Stacey, My Wife and Kids, My Name is Earl and Weeds. I am also aware that there many other great series' out there but until I've seen them I can't add them to the list! I'm in the process of narrowing down the next three positions.
Until then hail to the Panthers
Showing posts with label top tens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label top tens. Show all posts
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Top Ten - The Ones
Well here it is, the top ones of my top tens. Let’s get straight into it!!
Top Ten – The Ones
Movies
The Big Lebowski – We cut of your Johnson Lebowski
After many sleepless nights, soul searching and some common sense ‘Lebowski” was my obvious choice for favourite movie of all-time!!! Firstly it isn’t a new movie that has struck my fancy, it is older than my year 6 students and still continues to tickle my funny bones.
It is also apt that a “Coen Brother’s” movie is my #1. They are by far and away my favourite movie makers and I have never been disappointed.
For those of you who haven’t seen it, add this blog to your fav’s, go buy it (don’t rent as this will be a waste of money when you’ll be buying it anyway!!) then return!! This is NOT a movie review but merely a proclamation of my favourite movie of all-time.
Jeff Bridges is one of the all-time great actors of any generation and this is one of best roles. On face value he is a stoner who likes bowling and white Russians (the drink NOT the mail order kind!). But he is so much more and is surrounded by some of celluloid’s greatest characters/character actors. John Goodman is sublime as the damaged returned war vet (see Deerhunter) Walter and Steve Buscemi as his milquetoast whipping boy Donny “Shut the fu$% up”. Sprinkle in a Chili Pepper, some crazy dream/drunk sequences and a witty as hell script and you got yourself a number 1. I have recommend this to several of the uninitiated and ALL have this movie firmly in their top ten if not their number 1. Even after repeat (dozens) viewings I still find hidden gems in the dialogue, mannerisms or plot. This is NOT just a comedy but a very clever script.
Book
It – Stephen King
I knew a Stephen King book was going to be #1 but picking out the stand out has been harder than I imagined. I originally choose The Shining then The Stand and eventually stuck with It. I remember reading this in my formative (teenage) years and being impressed by the epic scale and ability to really create such diverse relatable characters. People hear Stephen King and automatically think horror. But I have been defending him and his writing for a long time and the obvious comments like Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and Misery come to mind (mainly because they were so well adapted for the screen). But even with his obvious horror novels, character is always key and something many writers could do well remembering.
The book is so much better than the telemovie and is a must read for any bookworm.
Song
Under The Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Anyone who knows me could have guessed the Peppers would make the number 1 slot but picking one out of such an impressive catalogue of hits and great songs wasn’t so obvious. Well or so it seemed!!! Some of the front runners were, in no particular order; Wet Sand, Give it away, Californication, Can’t Stop, Dani California, Venice Queen, Suck My Kiss, The Greeting Song, Hard to Concentrate, Don’t Forget Me, Snow and Breaking the Girl. Yes there are many other popular and fantastic songs which is why this was so hard.
But I kept coming back to the song that started it all back in early high school. Sometimes I have a bad habit of not liking something as much as I should because it’s too popular but "Under the Bridge" is so popular because it is so good!!! And every great song has a great story and the fact that Under the Bridge was a tack on, throw it in track makes me like it even more. It had to work to be even included on the now famous “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” album. Kiedis wrote the remarkable, haunting lyrics but couldn't find the melody (earlier it was much quicker). So Frusciante (another genius of his kind) asked if he could play a slower riff and the rest is history.
Sometimes I feel like I don't have a partner
Top Ten – The Ones
Movies
The Big Lebowski – We cut of your Johnson Lebowski
After many sleepless nights, soul searching and some common sense ‘Lebowski” was my obvious choice for favourite movie of all-time!!! Firstly it isn’t a new movie that has struck my fancy, it is older than my year 6 students and still continues to tickle my funny bones.
It is also apt that a “Coen Brother’s” movie is my #1. They are by far and away my favourite movie makers and I have never been disappointed.
For those of you who haven’t seen it, add this blog to your fav’s, go buy it (don’t rent as this will be a waste of money when you’ll be buying it anyway!!) then return!! This is NOT a movie review but merely a proclamation of my favourite movie of all-time.
Jeff Bridges is one of the all-time great actors of any generation and this is one of best roles. On face value he is a stoner who likes bowling and white Russians (the drink NOT the mail order kind!). But he is so much more and is surrounded by some of celluloid’s greatest characters/character actors. John Goodman is sublime as the damaged returned war vet (see Deerhunter) Walter and Steve Buscemi as his milquetoast whipping boy Donny “Shut the fu$% up”. Sprinkle in a Chili Pepper, some crazy dream/drunk sequences and a witty as hell script and you got yourself a number 1. I have recommend this to several of the uninitiated and ALL have this movie firmly in their top ten if not their number 1. Even after repeat (dozens) viewings I still find hidden gems in the dialogue, mannerisms or plot. This is NOT just a comedy but a very clever script.
Book
It – Stephen King
I knew a Stephen King book was going to be #1 but picking out the stand out has been harder than I imagined. I originally choose The Shining then The Stand and eventually stuck with It. I remember reading this in my formative (teenage) years and being impressed by the epic scale and ability to really create such diverse relatable characters. People hear Stephen King and automatically think horror. But I have been defending him and his writing for a long time and the obvious comments like Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and Misery come to mind (mainly because they were so well adapted for the screen). But even with his obvious horror novels, character is always key and something many writers could do well remembering.
The book is so much better than the telemovie and is a must read for any bookworm.
Song
Under The Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Anyone who knows me could have guessed the Peppers would make the number 1 slot but picking one out of such an impressive catalogue of hits and great songs wasn’t so obvious. Well or so it seemed!!! Some of the front runners were, in no particular order; Wet Sand, Give it away, Californication, Can’t Stop, Dani California, Venice Queen, Suck My Kiss, The Greeting Song, Hard to Concentrate, Don’t Forget Me, Snow and Breaking the Girl. Yes there are many other popular and fantastic songs which is why this was so hard.
But I kept coming back to the song that started it all back in early high school. Sometimes I have a bad habit of not liking something as much as I should because it’s too popular but "Under the Bridge" is so popular because it is so good!!! And every great song has a great story and the fact that Under the Bridge was a tack on, throw it in track makes me like it even more. It had to work to be even included on the now famous “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” album. Kiedis wrote the remarkable, haunting lyrics but couldn't find the melody (earlier it was much quicker). So Frusciante (another genius of his kind) asked if he could play a slower riff and the rest is history.
Sometimes I feel like I don't have a partner
Sometimes I feel like my only friend
Is the city I live in, the city of angels
Lonely as I am, together we cry
I drive on her streets 'cause she's my companion
I walk through her hills cause she knows who I am
She sees my good deeds and she kisses the winded
I never worried, now that is a lie
I don't ever wanna feel like I did that day
Take me to the place I love, take me all the way
I don't ever wanna feel like I did that day
Take me to the place I love, take me all the way
It's hard to believe that there's nobody out there
It's hard to believe that I'm all alone
At least I have her love, the city she loves me
Lonely as I am, together we cry
I don't ever wanna feel like I did that day
Take me to the place I love, take me all the way
I don't ever wanna feel like I did that day
Take me to the place I love, take me all the way
Under the bridge downtown
Under the bridge downtown
Is where I drew some blood
Under the bridge downtown
I could not get enough
Under the bridge downtown
Forgot about my love
Under the bridge downtown
I gave my life away
T.V Series
Seinfeld – "What do you think Junior? You think these hands - they've been soaking in Ivory Liquid?"
This was always going to be #1 and after spending the summer watching re-runs it will always be number 1. Proof would be in how hard it is to pick one quote to showcase.
To be able to stay at the top of their game for 9 seasons and how no dud episodes is a testimony to the brilliance of the show. My favourite character in high school was Kramer but it is by and far George Lewis Costanza. Not only have I been likened to him but he gets the best lines and delivers angst to show up a red headed emo kid.
I love this show and if I had to spend eternity on an island, I would be content with 9 of the best!!!!
I hope this has been a didactic and entertaining blog and if only one person can experience one of the above mentioned #1's then my job is done!
Until then hail to the Dude!
T.V Series
Seinfeld – "What do you think Junior? You think these hands - they've been soaking in Ivory Liquid?"
This was always going to be #1 and after spending the summer watching re-runs it will always be number 1. Proof would be in how hard it is to pick one quote to showcase.
To be able to stay at the top of their game for 9 seasons and how no dud episodes is a testimony to the brilliance of the show. My favourite character in high school was Kramer but it is by and far George Lewis Costanza. Not only have I been likened to him but he gets the best lines and delivers angst to show up a red headed emo kid.
I love this show and if I had to spend eternity on an island, I would be content with 9 of the best!!!!
I hope this has been a didactic and entertaining blog and if only one person can experience one of the above mentioned #1's then my job is done!
Until then hail to the Dude!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
It's been awhile!!!!
I promise the next installment will be the Number 1's!!!
Well what have I been up to?
I spent the summer (Australian) in Brisbane hangin with wifey and Ben!!!!! I pretty good 6 weeks off I must admit!!
6 weeks??? Yes being a teacher has its perks!!! (Rich not being one of them!)
I did manage to read 2 books and a large chunk of another.
Book 1: Clan of the Alphane Moon by Philip Kindred Dick
I really appreciated the humour of this book!!!! Reminded me of Catch 22
Book 2: Amsterdam - Ian McEwan
Some pretty very insightful stuff although a little didactic at times!!!
Book 3 (chunk): Under the Dome by Stephen King
Currently about 620 pages in with 250 to go!!!
I am really enjoying the unpredictable but a little worried it is going to be some weird alien ending that doesn't match the humanised story.
Back at school teaching year 6 and having one of the better years teaching I can remember.
Most importantly having the absolute best home life with a wonderful wife and the most amazing little dude/son I could ever have hoped for!!
I also managed to write 2 short scripts and start a feature. I'll more indepth about them later!
Until then hail to the summer!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Top Ten - The Twos
It's been a long time!! So long I've had to rearrange a whole section.
Here are MY top TWOS!
Top Ten - The Twos
Movies
The Empire Strikes Back – I know!
I was a huge Star Wars fan as a kid. I have fond memories of shopping with my Nan and her buying me a star wars figurine every week. I had a relatively impressive collection and around the time of the digital remasters circa 1994ish I wondered where my old star wars figures were and my now ex-step-father arrogantly let me know he chucked them out a year or so before as I wasn’t using them. That is a story for later use in the yet undeveloped ‘Hedwig’ site.
Back in the golden age of VHS we had about a rotation of 20 and the original trilogy were a mainstay on 2-3 cassettes. I still remember being a shocked wide eyed kid looking at my older brother and asking if Vader was tricking or was he really Luke’s father (spoiler alert!!) The for the ‘father’ to then cut off his sons hand is hardcore. There were themes running through this the 5th episode that went over my head then and have resonated for the older a little less wide eyed James now. Han Solo being the epitome of cool was not one of them. With all the cool characters who possessed knowledge and power of the force my favourite was the scoundrel space-pirate who made vests and walking hairball companions cool.
The Set pieces are another draw card. (I’ll try to put these in order of preference rather than chronological) The Dagobah system. Yoda’s crib is important to the progression of the story but it’s more like Bangladesh (during their wet season obviously) than a cool planet. Bespin (Cloud City)- There’s a lot to like about Bespin, it’s the place Han is frozen in carbonite and utters the iconic “I know” in response to Leia’s declaration. It’s also where Vader’s equally important declaration to Luke. I pretty cool light saber duel and a severed off hand. Asteroid field – The Millennium Falcon shows of her (female pronoun for ships and planes?) wares and lands inside a space worm.
I’ve left the best till last. Planet Hoth – This opening set piece really held my imagination. Firstly the tauntauns. They weren’t that awesome but Han slicing ones guts open and sticking Luke in truly tickled my fancy. There are a few different types stormtroopers and the snow ones are my favourites. I enjoyed them on the screen and I really liked them as figurines in my bed under a white doona reenacting. Then hold it there’s more!!!! AT-AT’s These huge walking behemoths tearing the place up. And just to add a spice to it, it has Han being followed around my Leia who I knew didn’t want him to leave.
Finally, I also dug and still dig the fact it ended on a downer. Even as a kid I knew that was different and a part of me enjoys the fact that it didn’t end up all rosy tied up in a fancy ribbon.
Book
Scar Tissue – Anthony Kiedis
I like me a good autobiography and it’s usually movie stars/directors or sporting dudes. But I found this biography of the auto kind to be the most insightful and entertaining. Anthony opens up his life warts and all and doesn’t gloss over the not so bright parts. In fact he tends to dwell on the rough patches and wears these patches with pride of where he has come from and why he is there. It doesn’t hurt that Kiedis is my all-time favourite Band (Seen them live twice) and a lot of the book looks at the escapades of the quartet (including Hillel and the drummers before Chad Smith. If you like yourself an autobiography get this a go, even if the RHCP aren’t your thing!
Song
Miss Misery – Elliott Smith
I liked this song from the first time I heard it. During the credits of ‘Good Will Hunting’ as Matt Damon ‘badly’ drives down a road to his Skylar. It’s no secret I loved the movie and this version of this song was a killer way to cap it off. I have since become more of an aficionado in Elliott’s music and currently have 84 of his songs in my iTunes bank. I love the tone of the song, the lyrics of the song and the over mood of the song.
I'll fake it through the day
with some help from Johnny Walker red
Send the poisoned rain down the drain
to put bad thoughts in my head
Two tickets torn in half
and a lot of nothing to do
Do you miss me--
Miss Misery--
like you say you do?
A man in the park
read the lines in my hand
told me I'm strong,
hardly ever wrong
I said man you mean
You had plans for both of us
that involved a trip out of town
to a place I've seen in a magazine
that you left lying around
I don't have you with me
but I keep a good attitude
Do you miss me--
Miss Misery--
like you say you do?
I know you'd rather see me gone
than to see me the way that I am
but I am in your life, anyway
Next door TVs flashing
blueframes on the wall
It's a comedy of errors,
you see; it's about taking a fall
to vanish into oblivion
it's easy to do
and I try to be
but you know me
I come back when you want me to
Do you miss me--
Miss Misery--
like you say you do?
T.V Series
Weeds / Arrested Development
The problem with taking so long to lock down a top ten is you find new gems or old ones lose their luster. I would like to make an adjustment with acknowledgement that it will probably change by the end of the year.
I would officially like to move Two guys a girl and pizza place into joint tenth place with the Twilight Zone ( I’m aware it’s a cop out bad luck it’s my top ten!) Ned and Stacey into 9th, My name is Earl into 8th, My wife and kids into 7th, Scrubs into 6th, Weeds into 5th, Entourage stays at 4th, The Office (US version) stays in 3rd and Arrested Development leap frogs into 2nd and 1st place is??? You’ll have to wait!
Okay for the reasons. The Scrubs move is basically because it has lost a little of its luster. Sorry but on a Sunday when I’m choosing a series to have on while I plan/mark slack off Scrubs has taken a real back seat. I originally had it in 2nd before I had ‘found’ Weeds, Entourage and Arrested Dev. 2 guys shares 10th with Twilight because I didn’t want to bump off either. Weeds is one that might lose it’s luster but I found it 4 days before Benjamin was born and really dug the writing and acting. Very different from the homogenized TV. shows I’ve been watching. Arrested Development leap frogs based on my 2nd viewing of the entire series. It is so bloody clever it deserves 2nd and will be a hard one to knock off!!!
Hope that clears things up!
Until then hail to the force!
Here are MY top TWOS!
Top Ten - The Twos
Movies
The Empire Strikes Back – I know!
I was a huge Star Wars fan as a kid. I have fond memories of shopping with my Nan and her buying me a star wars figurine every week. I had a relatively impressive collection and around the time of the digital remasters circa 1994ish I wondered where my old star wars figures were and my now ex-step-father arrogantly let me know he chucked them out a year or so before as I wasn’t using them. That is a story for later use in the yet undeveloped ‘Hedwig’ site.
Back in the golden age of VHS we had about a rotation of 20 and the original trilogy were a mainstay on 2-3 cassettes. I still remember being a shocked wide eyed kid looking at my older brother and asking if Vader was tricking or was he really Luke’s father (spoiler alert!!) The for the ‘father’ to then cut off his sons hand is hardcore. There were themes running through this the 5th episode that went over my head then and have resonated for the older a little less wide eyed James now. Han Solo being the epitome of cool was not one of them. With all the cool characters who possessed knowledge and power of the force my favourite was the scoundrel space-pirate who made vests and walking hairball companions cool.
The Set pieces are another draw card. (I’ll try to put these in order of preference rather than chronological) The Dagobah system. Yoda’s crib is important to the progression of the story but it’s more like Bangladesh (during their wet season obviously) than a cool planet. Bespin (Cloud City)- There’s a lot to like about Bespin, it’s the place Han is frozen in carbonite and utters the iconic “I know” in response to Leia’s declaration. It’s also where Vader’s equally important declaration to Luke. I pretty cool light saber duel and a severed off hand. Asteroid field – The Millennium Falcon shows of her (female pronoun for ships and planes?) wares and lands inside a space worm.
I’ve left the best till last. Planet Hoth – This opening set piece really held my imagination. Firstly the tauntauns. They weren’t that awesome but Han slicing ones guts open and sticking Luke in truly tickled my fancy. There are a few different types stormtroopers and the snow ones are my favourites. I enjoyed them on the screen and I really liked them as figurines in my bed under a white doona reenacting. Then hold it there’s more!!!! AT-AT’s These huge walking behemoths tearing the place up. And just to add a spice to it, it has Han being followed around my Leia who I knew didn’t want him to leave.
Finally, I also dug and still dig the fact it ended on a downer. Even as a kid I knew that was different and a part of me enjoys the fact that it didn’t end up all rosy tied up in a fancy ribbon.
Book
Scar Tissue – Anthony Kiedis
I like me a good autobiography and it’s usually movie stars/directors or sporting dudes. But I found this biography of the auto kind to be the most insightful and entertaining. Anthony opens up his life warts and all and doesn’t gloss over the not so bright parts. In fact he tends to dwell on the rough patches and wears these patches with pride of where he has come from and why he is there. It doesn’t hurt that Kiedis is my all-time favourite Band (Seen them live twice) and a lot of the book looks at the escapades of the quartet (including Hillel and the drummers before Chad Smith. If you like yourself an autobiography get this a go, even if the RHCP aren’t your thing!
Song
Miss Misery – Elliott Smith
I liked this song from the first time I heard it. During the credits of ‘Good Will Hunting’ as Matt Damon ‘badly’ drives down a road to his Skylar. It’s no secret I loved the movie and this version of this song was a killer way to cap it off. I have since become more of an aficionado in Elliott’s music and currently have 84 of his songs in my iTunes bank. I love the tone of the song, the lyrics of the song and the over mood of the song.
I'll fake it through the day
with some help from Johnny Walker red
Send the poisoned rain down the drain
to put bad thoughts in my head
Two tickets torn in half
and a lot of nothing to do
Do you miss me--
Miss Misery--
like you say you do?
A man in the park
read the lines in my hand
told me I'm strong,
hardly ever wrong
I said man you mean
You had plans for both of us
that involved a trip out of town
to a place I've seen in a magazine
that you left lying around
I don't have you with me
but I keep a good attitude
Do you miss me--
Miss Misery--
like you say you do?
I know you'd rather see me gone
than to see me the way that I am
but I am in your life, anyway
Next door TVs flashing
blueframes on the wall
It's a comedy of errors,
you see; it's about taking a fall
to vanish into oblivion
it's easy to do
and I try to be
but you know me
I come back when you want me to
Do you miss me--
Miss Misery--
like you say you do?
T.V Series
Weeds / Arrested Development
The problem with taking so long to lock down a top ten is you find new gems or old ones lose their luster. I would like to make an adjustment with acknowledgement that it will probably change by the end of the year.
I would officially like to move Two guys a girl and pizza place into joint tenth place with the Twilight Zone ( I’m aware it’s a cop out bad luck it’s my top ten!) Ned and Stacey into 9th, My name is Earl into 8th, My wife and kids into 7th, Scrubs into 6th, Weeds into 5th, Entourage stays at 4th, The Office (US version) stays in 3rd and Arrested Development leap frogs into 2nd and 1st place is??? You’ll have to wait!
Okay for the reasons. The Scrubs move is basically because it has lost a little of its luster. Sorry but on a Sunday when I’m choosing a series to have on while I plan/mark slack off Scrubs has taken a real back seat. I originally had it in 2nd before I had ‘found’ Weeds, Entourage and Arrested Dev. 2 guys shares 10th with Twilight because I didn’t want to bump off either. Weeds is one that might lose it’s luster but I found it 4 days before Benjamin was born and really dug the writing and acting. Very different from the homogenized TV. shows I’ve been watching. Arrested Development leap frogs based on my 2nd viewing of the entire series. It is so bloody clever it deserves 2nd and will be a hard one to knock off!!!
Hope that clears things up!
Until then hail to the force!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Top Ten - The Threes
Had the 37 week scan yesterday and everything is going well. Only 2-3 weeks to go!!!!!! Also had the baby capsule installed/fitted in the car so it’s definitely becoming a reality.
One week of school to go and I’ll be a father before I teach again. Let’s hope I’m ready for it!!!!
Here is the top 3
Movies
The Wanderers – I never did it to nobody’s daughter
This is another childhood movie that I might not have in my list if I wasn’t exposed to it early on. There are no real big names although Ken Wahl might disagree. Karen Allen is a moderate star and Terror also known as Dynamo.
It has a killer soundtrack and the penultimate Stand by me reference scene used to portray the nation’s pain during the announcement of J.F.K assassination.
Riddled with quote’s and iconic scenes this movie is perennial viewing in my house. Ducky boys and one of the all time Gridiron scenes ever.
Songs
Scene from an Italian restaurant - Billy Joel
A bottle of white, a bottle of red
Perhaps a bottle of rose instead
Get a table near the street
In our old familiar place
You and I face to face
A bottle of red, a bottle of white
It all depends on your appetite
I'll meet you any time you want
In our Italian Restaurant.
Things are okay with me these days
I got a good job,
I got a good office
I got a new wife, got a new life
And the family's fine
We lost touch long ago
You lost weight
I did not know
You could ever look so nice after
So much time.
Do you remember those days hanging out
At the village green
Engineer boots, leather jackets
And tight blue jeans
You drop a dime in the box
And play a song about New Orleans
Cold beer, hot lights
My sweet romantic teenage nights
Brenda and Eddie were the popular steadies
And the king and the queen of the prom
Riding around with the car top down and the radio on
Nobody looked any finer
Or was more of a hit at the Parkway Diner
We never knew we could want more than that out of life
Sure that Brenda and Eddie would always know how to survive.
Brenda and Eddie were still going steady in the summer of '75
When they decided the marriage would be at the end of July
Everyone said they were crazyBrenda you know that you're much too lazy
And Eddie could never afford to live that kind of life
But there we were wavin' Brenda and Eddie goodbye.
Well they got an apartment
With deep pile carpets
And a couple of paintings from Sears
A big waterbed
That they bought with the bread
They had saved for a couple of years
They started to fight When the money got tight
And they just didn't count on the tearsROCK and ROLL
Well they lived for a while In a very nice style
But it's always the same in the end
They got a divorce
As a matter of course
And they parted the closest of friends
Then the king and the queen Went back to the green
But you can never go back there again.
Brenda and Eddie had had it all ready by the summer of '75
From the high to the low to the end of the show for the rest of their lives
Couldn't go back to the greasers
The best they could do was pick up their pieces
We always knew they would both find a way to get by
And that's all I heard about Brenda and Eddie
Can't tell you more cause I told you already
And here we are wavin' Brenda and Eddie goodbye.
Bottle of reds, ooo a bottle of whites
Whatever kind of mood you're in tonight
Meet you anytime you want
In our Italian Restaurant.
I loved this song in my teens but as I’ve grown older and drifted away from high school these is even more pertinent. I’ve stuck by my rule of only one artist so William was always going to be here and this is my standout of many great tracks.
T.V Series
The Office – That’s what she said
Now the purists might disagree but I prefer the U.S version. Yes I was originally hooked on the Gervais version and he is very funny although cringe worthy. However as an ensemble the U.S is funnier and has longevity going for it. Dwight is all-time and there is something about Pam but Michael Scott is the heart behind it all. Speaking of ensemble every character brings something to the mix, from Creed to Stanley’s face and Kevin’s sly dog eyes!!
Books
Rebel without a crew – Robert Rodriguez
This book single handedly inspired me to give writing a go. I was always interested and thought it would be a great idea to try but after reading this the first time I started writing a feature length script with my older brother. Looking back it’s pretty average but I’m sure most first scripts are. I have since written 2 other feature length scripts of which one is average and one in my humble opinion is very doable. I’ve also had a short script produced and featured in 3 film festivals so far and in the only competitive one won best film. I’ve also co-written a short with my younger brother and is currently being reviewed for funding and will go into pre-production soon if successful. None of this would have occurred if not for the inspirational tale of a 23 year old that had a plan and is now a major film-maker in Hollywood. I have read this 3-4 times cover to cover and certain chapters more times. Anyone remotely interested in the movie business and how a film can be made this is a must read. Even as I’m writing this I’m wondering if it should be 1 or 2 on my list.
One week of school to go and I’ll be a father before I teach again. Let’s hope I’m ready for it!!!!
Here is the top 3
Movies
The Wanderers – I never did it to nobody’s daughter
This is another childhood movie that I might not have in my list if I wasn’t exposed to it early on. There are no real big names although Ken Wahl might disagree. Karen Allen is a moderate star and Terror also known as Dynamo.
It has a killer soundtrack and the penultimate Stand by me reference scene used to portray the nation’s pain during the announcement of J.F.K assassination.
Riddled with quote’s and iconic scenes this movie is perennial viewing in my house. Ducky boys and one of the all time Gridiron scenes ever.
Songs
Scene from an Italian restaurant - Billy Joel
A bottle of white, a bottle of red
Perhaps a bottle of rose instead
Get a table near the street
In our old familiar place
You and I face to face
A bottle of red, a bottle of white
It all depends on your appetite
I'll meet you any time you want
In our Italian Restaurant.
Things are okay with me these days
I got a good job,
I got a good office
I got a new wife, got a new life
And the family's fine
We lost touch long ago
You lost weight
I did not know
You could ever look so nice after
So much time.
Do you remember those days hanging out
At the village green
Engineer boots, leather jackets
And tight blue jeans
You drop a dime in the box
And play a song about New Orleans
Cold beer, hot lights
My sweet romantic teenage nights
Brenda and Eddie were the popular steadies
And the king and the queen of the prom
Riding around with the car top down and the radio on
Nobody looked any finer
Or was more of a hit at the Parkway Diner
We never knew we could want more than that out of life
Sure that Brenda and Eddie would always know how to survive.
Brenda and Eddie were still going steady in the summer of '75
When they decided the marriage would be at the end of July
Everyone said they were crazyBrenda you know that you're much too lazy
And Eddie could never afford to live that kind of life
But there we were wavin' Brenda and Eddie goodbye.
Well they got an apartment
With deep pile carpets
And a couple of paintings from Sears
A big waterbed
That they bought with the bread
They had saved for a couple of years
They started to fight When the money got tight
And they just didn't count on the tearsROCK and ROLL
Well they lived for a while In a very nice style
But it's always the same in the end
They got a divorce
As a matter of course
And they parted the closest of friends
Then the king and the queen Went back to the green
But you can never go back there again.
Brenda and Eddie had had it all ready by the summer of '75
From the high to the low to the end of the show for the rest of their lives
Couldn't go back to the greasers
The best they could do was pick up their pieces
We always knew they would both find a way to get by
And that's all I heard about Brenda and Eddie
Can't tell you more cause I told you already
And here we are wavin' Brenda and Eddie goodbye.
Bottle of reds, ooo a bottle of whites
Whatever kind of mood you're in tonight
Meet you anytime you want
In our Italian Restaurant.
I loved this song in my teens but as I’ve grown older and drifted away from high school these is even more pertinent. I’ve stuck by my rule of only one artist so William was always going to be here and this is my standout of many great tracks.
T.V Series
The Office – That’s what she said
Now the purists might disagree but I prefer the U.S version. Yes I was originally hooked on the Gervais version and he is very funny although cringe worthy. However as an ensemble the U.S is funnier and has longevity going for it. Dwight is all-time and there is something about Pam but Michael Scott is the heart behind it all. Speaking of ensemble every character brings something to the mix, from Creed to Stanley’s face and Kevin’s sly dog eyes!!
Books
Rebel without a crew – Robert Rodriguez
This book single handedly inspired me to give writing a go. I was always interested and thought it would be a great idea to try but after reading this the first time I started writing a feature length script with my older brother. Looking back it’s pretty average but I’m sure most first scripts are. I have since written 2 other feature length scripts of which one is average and one in my humble opinion is very doable. I’ve also had a short script produced and featured in 3 film festivals so far and in the only competitive one won best film. I’ve also co-written a short with my younger brother and is currently being reviewed for funding and will go into pre-production soon if successful. None of this would have occurred if not for the inspirational tale of a 23 year old that had a plan and is now a major film-maker in Hollywood. I have read this 3-4 times cover to cover and certain chapters more times. Anyone remotely interested in the movie business and how a film can be made this is a must read. Even as I’m writing this I’m wondering if it should be 1 or 2 on my list.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Top Ten - The Fours
Just had a relaxing day off (Charters Towers Show) and NO I didn't go!!!
Saw Milk, yes Sean Penn was good, although there were a few times I thought I was watching I am Sam. Interesting that Penn acts gay and mentally impaired similarly??
Finished reading another HardCase Crime book Home is the Sailor. Good, clever but not The Gutter and the Grave.
Top Tens - The Fours
Movies
Chasing Amy - What's a nubian?
The fact that I found it so hard to pick a 'quote' tells a story about how many times I seen it and how clever it really is!!
Sure for Kevin Smith's 3rd feature it is a case of 'talking heads'. But I will always take a quality script over stylised camera work. Michael Bay is reading this with a tear in his eye. The difference is Kevin Smith's tear is emotional, see Affleck chewing up the scenary outside the ice rink. Whereas Michael Bay's tear is all about the crystal shape as it slides down the check in slow motion.
I saw this at the cinemas with my brother (Stinkbrown), long story and thought Ben Affleck tore it up. However after many many viewing I think Jason Lee more than holds his own.
This is obviously my favourite of the Smith films and at one point would have sat at number one. The themes of insecurity and friendship really hit at the time.
Songs
How Far Have We Really Come? - Powderfinger
Despite the miseries
And the lessons learned from history
The pattern still repeats
Never to surrender don't you ever retreat
How far have we really come?
Until the ones who are leading us
Make peace their resolution tonight
Make peace your resolution tonight
There's an arms race to be run
Building bigger better dagger headed bombs
So let's drink to the daughters and sons
Never to return to their mother's arms
For every battle lost and won are these the ones that we offer up?
Great lyrics, melody and a good tune to sing along to!
T.V Series
Entourage - Lets Hug it out Bitch
I only found this series 8 months ago. It was aired in an aweful timeslot (much like Arrested Development) and was viewed mainly on pay T.V which I don't have. My bro of the stink variety has all of the seasons on his laptop, I'm assured legally!!! We watched the entire first season in the 3 nights we stayed with him. The next week my wife and I stayed at the beach (Caloundra) and bought season 2,3 and 4. During the course of our 8 night stay we watched every episode and even found time to conceive a baby.
I find Vince 'Vinny' Chase to be vacuous and boring. E is okay and Turtle holds his own but the two stand out characters and probably both are in my top ten characters are Ari Gold, Vinny's agent and Johnny 'Drama' Vinny's more talanted older brother actor.
My lovely wife thinks my anger issues are very similar to Ari's. He has many of the best lines like 'The script's been changed more times than Andy Dick's vibrator' and his many tirades in Lloyd direction.
I am a member of the fan club of Johnny 'Drama' on facebook but that doesn't come close to showing how funny I think his character is. Kevin Dillon has been underrated for a long time and many would be excused for thinking he peaked back in the 80's with his breakout (in my opinion) performance in The Blob. That would have been correct until Entourage premiered. Many of Dramas best moments are reactions of his in the background and the everpresent look of hurt on his face. FREEDOM!!!!!!!!
Books
American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis
Before I start, opps I already have, I did read this before the movie was made. However Christian Bale chews it up!! yum yum!
This was one of the first book I read that I thought 'Are you allowed to write about stuff like this?' I also dug the conversation it generated about the themes particularly when he goes back to the apartment of someone he killed and the creepy lady talks to him. I still need to read more Ellis so any suggestion on which one would be great!!
That's the fours and the threes will be here within the week.
Bub is approximately 8 and a half weeks.
Until then hail to the four way intersection!
Saw Milk, yes Sean Penn was good, although there were a few times I thought I was watching I am Sam. Interesting that Penn acts gay and mentally impaired similarly??
Finished reading another HardCase Crime book Home is the Sailor. Good, clever but not The Gutter and the Grave.
Top Tens - The Fours
Movies
Chasing Amy - What's a nubian?
The fact that I found it so hard to pick a 'quote' tells a story about how many times I seen it and how clever it really is!!
Sure for Kevin Smith's 3rd feature it is a case of 'talking heads'. But I will always take a quality script over stylised camera work. Michael Bay is reading this with a tear in his eye. The difference is Kevin Smith's tear is emotional, see Affleck chewing up the scenary outside the ice rink. Whereas Michael Bay's tear is all about the crystal shape as it slides down the check in slow motion.
I saw this at the cinemas with my brother (Stinkbrown), long story and thought Ben Affleck tore it up. However after many many viewing I think Jason Lee more than holds his own.
This is obviously my favourite of the Smith films and at one point would have sat at number one. The themes of insecurity and friendship really hit at the time.
Songs
How Far Have We Really Come? - Powderfinger
Despite the miseries
And the lessons learned from history
The pattern still repeats
Never to surrender don't you ever retreat
How far have we really come?
Until the ones who are leading us
Make peace their resolution tonight
Make peace your resolution tonight
There's an arms race to be run
Building bigger better dagger headed bombs
So let's drink to the daughters and sons
Never to return to their mother's arms
For every battle lost and won are these the ones that we offer up?
Great lyrics, melody and a good tune to sing along to!
T.V Series
Entourage - Lets Hug it out Bitch
I only found this series 8 months ago. It was aired in an aweful timeslot (much like Arrested Development) and was viewed mainly on pay T.V which I don't have. My bro of the stink variety has all of the seasons on his laptop, I'm assured legally!!! We watched the entire first season in the 3 nights we stayed with him. The next week my wife and I stayed at the beach (Caloundra) and bought season 2,3 and 4. During the course of our 8 night stay we watched every episode and even found time to conceive a baby.
I find Vince 'Vinny' Chase to be vacuous and boring. E is okay and Turtle holds his own but the two stand out characters and probably both are in my top ten characters are Ari Gold, Vinny's agent and Johnny 'Drama' Vinny's more talanted older brother actor.
My lovely wife thinks my anger issues are very similar to Ari's. He has many of the best lines like 'The script's been changed more times than Andy Dick's vibrator' and his many tirades in Lloyd direction.
I am a member of the fan club of Johnny 'Drama' on facebook but that doesn't come close to showing how funny I think his character is. Kevin Dillon has been underrated for a long time and many would be excused for thinking he peaked back in the 80's with his breakout (in my opinion) performance in The Blob. That would have been correct until Entourage premiered. Many of Dramas best moments are reactions of his in the background and the everpresent look of hurt on his face. FREEDOM!!!!!!!!
Books
American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis
Before I start, opps I already have, I did read this before the movie was made. However Christian Bale chews it up!! yum yum!
This was one of the first book I read that I thought 'Are you allowed to write about stuff like this?' I also dug the conversation it generated about the themes particularly when he goes back to the apartment of someone he killed and the creepy lady talks to him. I still need to read more Ellis so any suggestion on which one would be great!!
That's the fours and the threes will be here within the week.
Bub is approximately 8 and a half weeks.
Until then hail to the four way intersection!
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