I'm thankful that Alabama is ranked #1 for the first time since 1992!
I'm thankful that the interminably long and obnoxious political campaign season is OVER!
I'm thankful that "Bush derangement syndrome" is almost over.
I'm thankful that we finally have a black president so I can complain about the MAN keeping me down for a change!
I'm thankful that freedom of speech on blogs, including sarcasm and biting criticism of political lefties is still legal (for now).
I'm thankful to the judges on Dancing With The Stars for letting Warren Sapp make it to the finals, because otherwise I wouldn't be on the edge of my seat...in muted anticipation.
I'm thankful that Ben Affleck hasn't been in a movie for so long I can't remember.
I'm thankful for Daniel Craig making 007 super cool again.
I'm thankful that the Detroit Lions can finally break the record as the only winless team in NFL history. (Let's keep our fingers crossed!!)
I'm thankful that 24 is finally back on TV. Unfortunately, I missed the 2 hour special so now I have to wait a year for the DVDs. I need Tivo.
I'm thankful that Simon Pegg and Ricky Gervais keep making movies and keep making me laugh.
I'm thankful that others are starting to figure out Adam Sandler isn't that funny.
I'm thankful that U2 is in the studio working on their 12th album and it will be out next year.
I'm thankful for everyone who actually reads all of this crap everytime I post. Thank you.
I'm thankful for friends, family, the U.S.A., the U.S. military, Turner Classic Movies, cheesesteaks, burritos, good music, good movies, college football, online movie rentals, mp3s, Thomas Sowell, Alison Krauss, the Coen brothers, Coach Nick Saban, Sarah Palin, my wife, my kids, and Jesus Christ, THE dauphin of daylight.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The Decades: Poll Results
As best as I can remember them. I broke ties with a dictatorial deciding vote, after all, it is my blog.
Favorite Actor and Actress
1930s- James Stewart
Judy Garland
1940s- Cary Grant
Katherine Hepburn
1950s- Marlon Brando
Grace Kelly
1960s- Sidney Poitier
Audrey Hepburn
1970s- Jack Nicholson
Diane Keaton
1980s- Harrison Ford
Debra Winger
1990s- Morgan Freeman
Sandra Bullock
Today- Christian Bale
Kate Winslet
Favorite Actor and Actress
1930s- James Stewart
Judy Garland
1940s- Cary Grant
Katherine Hepburn
1950s- Marlon Brando
Grace Kelly
1960s- Sidney Poitier
Audrey Hepburn
1970s- Jack Nicholson
Diane Keaton
1980s- Harrison Ford
Debra Winger
1990s- Morgan Freeman
Sandra Bullock
Today- Christian Bale
Kate Winslet
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Australia, Australia, Australia, we love you, Amen!
Since there is much hype surrounding the upcoming epic film Australia starring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman I thought I would name a few Australian movies I like; some made in and some about the land "down under".
The Castle
Funniest movie ever from Australia. "Bonny Doon". "How 'bout that serenity?"
Danny Deckchair
Another excellent Aussie comedy starring Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill) and Miranda Otto (Lord of the Rings)
The Man From Snowy River
Still a family classic.
Quigley Down Under
Underrated western set in the Outback has Tom Selleck in his best cinematic role and an ending that still packs a punch.
Lantana
A mystery and intense character study with an excellent ensemble cast- Geoffrey Rush, Barbara Hershey and Anthony LaPaglia.
Breaker Morant
Director Bruce Beresford's finest film (Driving Miss Daisy, Tender Mercies) is a true account of Australian officers on trial during the Boer War in South Africa.
Crocodile Dundee II
Okay, so this isn't a list of Academy Award winners. I said my favorites remember, and the second Dundee flick is actually set "down under" and is much funnier than the first one in my opinion.
Gallipoli
Although the critics seem to dig Picnic At Hanging Rock the most I think Gallipoli is Peter Weir's best Australian film and maybe the best of all of his films ( The Truman Show, Witness, Master and Commander). It is a timeless story of youth, friendship, adventure, and sacrifice. It portrays with historical accuracy the fateful WWI battle at Anzac which is the most hallowed in the memories of Aussies to this day and celebrated annually on Anzac Day. It is also my favorite Australian film.
...Of course Finding Nemo is pretty good too.
The Castle
Funniest movie ever from Australia. "Bonny Doon". "How 'bout that serenity?"
Danny Deckchair
Another excellent Aussie comedy starring Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill) and Miranda Otto (Lord of the Rings)
The Man From Snowy River
Still a family classic.
Quigley Down Under
Underrated western set in the Outback has Tom Selleck in his best cinematic role and an ending that still packs a punch.
Lantana
A mystery and intense character study with an excellent ensemble cast- Geoffrey Rush, Barbara Hershey and Anthony LaPaglia.
Breaker Morant
Director Bruce Beresford's finest film (Driving Miss Daisy, Tender Mercies) is a true account of Australian officers on trial during the Boer War in South Africa.
Crocodile Dundee II
Okay, so this isn't a list of Academy Award winners. I said my favorites remember, and the second Dundee flick is actually set "down under" and is much funnier than the first one in my opinion.
Gallipoli
Although the critics seem to dig Picnic At Hanging Rock the most I think Gallipoli is Peter Weir's best Australian film and maybe the best of all of his films ( The Truman Show, Witness, Master and Commander). It is a timeless story of youth, friendship, adventure, and sacrifice. It portrays with historical accuracy the fateful WWI battle at Anzac which is the most hallowed in the memories of Aussies to this day and celebrated annually on Anzac Day. It is also my favorite Australian film.
...Of course Finding Nemo is pretty good too.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Yay, Communism!!!
Now that this interminably long election season is over we should pause and look at what has happened. Don't get caught up in the hype of the giddy media coverage over this "historic" presidential pick. It is historic but not because the new president is "black". It is instead a historic turning, because of ignorant desperation, toward socialism. Despite the evidence of history and more resources for learning at our beck and call than anytime or anywhere in history we think we should try what others have already proven is a failure. But don't take my word for it. Let's examine the words of the man himself.
Obama says- "health-care is a right"
So I guess that means doctors should deliver my children for free. After all it is my "right". We have a perfect example of a single-payer healthcare plan just north of us in Canada. Canadians drive to the U.S. for health-care because of the long lines for any kind of operation. I spoke to a Canadian recently who has family in Saskatchewan. He says they drive to some tiny burg in North Dakota to go to the hospital even though there are Canadian hospitals much closer. Why? Since my wife is a nurse, I know the answer. When health-care is "free" (as we have in this country with MediCare) people come to the hospital for anything and everything, clogging up the system and making it harder to serve those with more serious problems. When everyone is "free" it will become a nightmare. In Canada and other countries with socialized medicine it takes weeks and even months just to get an MRI. The Canadian I spoke to had an uncle who died of a heart attack at 52. He said his uncle had chest pains for weeks beforehand, but couldn't get in to see his doctor because of a waiting list. Sounds like utopia to me!!
Sure, like everything else in the left-wing mindset, health-care isn't MY responsibility. It's a "right" and others (see government) are supposed to take care of me. Since we know it doesn't work anywhere else, let's see how bad it can be for us. Thanks Obama. Yay Communism!!
Obama says- "We have to grow the economy from the bottom up"
Of course, because venture capatalists are always at "the bottom" right? And no rich person ever starts businesses, or invests in businesses, or hires people at "the bottom" for their business. That's why Cuba has the best economy on earth and regularly outproduces the U.S. in GDP, right Obama? If I know more about economics than the President of the United States something is seriously wrong!! Thanks, Obama. Yay, Communism!!
Obama says- "Everyone making less than $250 thousand a year....everyone making less than $200 thousand a year will get a tax cut"
No, because when you let Bush's tax cuts expire and revert back to pre-2000 tax rates, EVERYONE will get a tax increase, even those underneath your shifting arbitrary number, Obama.
Thanks, Obama. Yay, Communism!!
We have finally been taken over by the media and THEIR political party which is ignorant of economics and indifferent to the Constitution. Even when they screw things up as they have with the current bailout, the truth is swept under the rug and few learn the lessons of failure. The current economic crisis can be directly linked to Obama and his party allies but obviously after this election, not enough people knew (thanks to the media and timid Republicans) or not enough people cared. Someday hopefully they will. Until then...thanks Obama. Yay, Communism!!
Obama says- "health-care is a right"
So I guess that means doctors should deliver my children for free. After all it is my "right". We have a perfect example of a single-payer healthcare plan just north of us in Canada. Canadians drive to the U.S. for health-care because of the long lines for any kind of operation. I spoke to a Canadian recently who has family in Saskatchewan. He says they drive to some tiny burg in North Dakota to go to the hospital even though there are Canadian hospitals much closer. Why? Since my wife is a nurse, I know the answer. When health-care is "free" (as we have in this country with MediCare) people come to the hospital for anything and everything, clogging up the system and making it harder to serve those with more serious problems. When everyone is "free" it will become a nightmare. In Canada and other countries with socialized medicine it takes weeks and even months just to get an MRI. The Canadian I spoke to had an uncle who died of a heart attack at 52. He said his uncle had chest pains for weeks beforehand, but couldn't get in to see his doctor because of a waiting list. Sounds like utopia to me!!
Sure, like everything else in the left-wing mindset, health-care isn't MY responsibility. It's a "right" and others (see government) are supposed to take care of me. Since we know it doesn't work anywhere else, let's see how bad it can be for us. Thanks Obama. Yay Communism!!
Obama says- "We have to grow the economy from the bottom up"
Of course, because venture capatalists are always at "the bottom" right? And no rich person ever starts businesses, or invests in businesses, or hires people at "the bottom" for their business. That's why Cuba has the best economy on earth and regularly outproduces the U.S. in GDP, right Obama? If I know more about economics than the President of the United States something is seriously wrong!! Thanks, Obama. Yay, Communism!!
Obama says- "Everyone making less than $250 thousand a year....everyone making less than $200 thousand a year will get a tax cut"
No, because when you let Bush's tax cuts expire and revert back to pre-2000 tax rates, EVERYONE will get a tax increase, even those underneath your shifting arbitrary number, Obama.
Thanks, Obama. Yay, Communism!!
We have finally been taken over by the media and THEIR political party which is ignorant of economics and indifferent to the Constitution. Even when they screw things up as they have with the current bailout, the truth is swept under the rug and few learn the lessons of failure. The current economic crisis can be directly linked to Obama and his party allies but obviously after this election, not enough people knew (thanks to the media and timid Republicans) or not enough people cared. Someday hopefully they will. Until then...thanks Obama. Yay, Communism!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
My favorite thrillers
Halloween is the time when your TV gets swamped with "scary" movies. Most of them are not scary or even entertaining anymore. Modern horror films have become gore fests trying to up the ante on how many shocking ways people can be dismembered. And apparently there are still plenty of blood hungry people willing to shell out some cash to see them, otherwise they wouldn't have needed to make Saw V. So what better time to offer up a sample of my favorites in the horror/thriller genre.
Shaun of the Dead
Nothing like a good zombie movie. Throw in some romance, the best young comic actors Britain has to offer, more hilarious moments than whole seasons of most American sitcoms, and you've got a modern horror/comedy classic! "You've got red on you."
Jaws
What makes Jaws a great thriller is NOT the shark, because I can hear you now saying, "but it looks so fake!" It was actually fortunate for Spielberg that the mechanical shark broke down at the beginning of production because his original plan to show us the entire beast in the first sequence was thrown out. It's what we DON'T see for most of the film that freaks us out. John Williams' music is still terrifying and instantly recognizable, and face it, you know a movie scares people when they stop going to the beach for months after seeing it.
Nosferatu
F.W. Murnau made his silent classic in 1922 after Bram Stoker's widow refused to give him the rights to film Dracula. Murnau decided to change the name and created the creepiest vampire in film history, Count Olaf. Plus, his cameo made one of the funniest SpongeBob episodes ever!
Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn
Another comedy/horror classic which put both Bruce Campbell and director Sam Raimi on the map. Perfect combination of Three Stooges slapstick and George Romero-like horror. When they kick the old hag in the face I crack up every time.
The Sixth Sense
Clever idea for a horror film and proof that you don't need gore, monsters, or even special effects to make an audience jump out of their seats.
What Lies Beneath
Once again, very little special effects needed to send chills up your spine. I love the way Robert Zemeckis plays the audience in this one. It's not even all that scary, but when you find out the truth you don't want to believe it. I'll leave it at that for anyone who hasn't seen it.
Diabolique
Director Henri-Georges Clouzot's French mystery masterpiece was unfortunately remade with Sharon Stone! GAG! See the original and keep the classic ending to yourself.
The Shining
Jack Nicholson is superb in Kubrick's horror classic. I actually root for Johnny, he's so funny. "Give me the bat, Wendy!"
Psycho
Still the greatest horror flick ever made because there's never been another Hitchcock. It was made in 1960 and hasn't aged a bit. Anthony Perkins gives one of the best performances in film history. And if you think not going to the beach was a big deal, after Psycho people stopped taking showers!
Shaun of the Dead
Nothing like a good zombie movie. Throw in some romance, the best young comic actors Britain has to offer, more hilarious moments than whole seasons of most American sitcoms, and you've got a modern horror/comedy classic! "You've got red on you."
Jaws
What makes Jaws a great thriller is NOT the shark, because I can hear you now saying, "but it looks so fake!" It was actually fortunate for Spielberg that the mechanical shark broke down at the beginning of production because his original plan to show us the entire beast in the first sequence was thrown out. It's what we DON'T see for most of the film that freaks us out. John Williams' music is still terrifying and instantly recognizable, and face it, you know a movie scares people when they stop going to the beach for months after seeing it.
Nosferatu
F.W. Murnau made his silent classic in 1922 after Bram Stoker's widow refused to give him the rights to film Dracula. Murnau decided to change the name and created the creepiest vampire in film history, Count Olaf. Plus, his cameo made one of the funniest SpongeBob episodes ever!
Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn
Another comedy/horror classic which put both Bruce Campbell and director Sam Raimi on the map. Perfect combination of Three Stooges slapstick and George Romero-like horror. When they kick the old hag in the face I crack up every time.
The Sixth Sense
Clever idea for a horror film and proof that you don't need gore, monsters, or even special effects to make an audience jump out of their seats.
What Lies Beneath
Once again, very little special effects needed to send chills up your spine. I love the way Robert Zemeckis plays the audience in this one. It's not even all that scary, but when you find out the truth you don't want to believe it. I'll leave it at that for anyone who hasn't seen it.
Diabolique
Director Henri-Georges Clouzot's French mystery masterpiece was unfortunately remade with Sharon Stone! GAG! See the original and keep the classic ending to yourself.
The Shining
Jack Nicholson is superb in Kubrick's horror classic. I actually root for Johnny, he's so funny. "Give me the bat, Wendy!"
Psycho
Still the greatest horror flick ever made because there's never been another Hitchcock. It was made in 1960 and hasn't aged a bit. Anthony Perkins gives one of the best performances in film history. And if you think not going to the beach was a big deal, after Psycho people stopped taking showers!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Music Research Project
Someone once said that Styx was the "Worst band of all time". So after hundreds of hours of "research" here is what I've come up with:
Artists WORSE than Styx!
Michael Bolton
He oozes sophistication doesn't he?
Wham!
Cute and cuddly like little puppies hence the name, uh, wham?
Bad English
When I see you smile...something tells me you're not smiling "with" me.
Lita Ford
"Kiss me once, kiss me twice!"....shame on you.
Sisqo
"I'm Gaaaaaaaa-ay!"
Nelson
Sexy!
Night Ranger
Is that a band or a bail bondsmen convention?
38 Special
Yeah, gay Cowboy hats are cool!
Loverboy
I can see where they got that name...every woman's dream.
Nickelback
A better name would be GiveMeMyNickelBack
Billy Squier
Don't mess with that guy! How about Billy S Quier?
Vanilla Ice
And you thought YOU were cool!
Limp Bizkit
Yeah, we're Rage Against The Machine for middle school!!! Your parents warned you about us.
Peter Frampton
Back when People magazine wasn't targeting the "heterosexual" demographic.
Hanson
So talented they make my eyes hurt.
Hootie and the Blowfish
Seriously, is that the best name they could come up with?
Kriss Kross
Move over Ralph Lauren, this style will never die!
Staind
Boy, you really look depressed. Maybe you should jump off of a bridge.
Winger
How many buffalo wings joints would have used that name if it weren't for you?
Color Me Badd
Who else could make New Kids on the Block look like The Beatles?
Vixen
Their music might suck but their hair is FABULOUS!!
Artists WORSE than Styx!
Michael Bolton
He oozes sophistication doesn't he?
Wham!
Cute and cuddly like little puppies hence the name, uh, wham?
Bad English
When I see you smile...something tells me you're not smiling "with" me.
Lita Ford
"Kiss me once, kiss me twice!"....shame on you.
Sisqo
"I'm Gaaaaaaaa-ay!"
Nelson
Sexy!
Night Ranger
Is that a band or a bail bondsmen convention?
38 Special
Yeah, gay Cowboy hats are cool!
Loverboy
I can see where they got that name...every woman's dream.
Nickelback
A better name would be GiveMeMyNickelBack
Billy Squier
Don't mess with that guy! How about Billy S Quier?
Vanilla Ice
And you thought YOU were cool!
Limp Bizkit
Yeah, we're Rage Against The Machine for middle school!!! Your parents warned you about us.
Peter Frampton
Back when People magazine wasn't targeting the "heterosexual" demographic.
Hanson
So talented they make my eyes hurt.
Hootie and the Blowfish
Seriously, is that the best name they could come up with?
Kriss Kross
Move over Ralph Lauren, this style will never die!
Staind
Boy, you really look depressed. Maybe you should jump off of a bridge.
Winger
How many buffalo wings joints would have used that name if it weren't for you?
Color Me Badd
Who else could make New Kids on the Block look like The Beatles?
Vixen
Their music might suck but their hair is FABULOUS!!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Even MORE favorite movie lines!
You know, for kids! - The Hudsucker Proxy
Groucho: You know I think you're the most beautiful woman in the world?
Woman: Do you really?
Groucho: No, but I don't mind lying if it'll get me somewhere.
- A Night In Casablanca
I like these guys. These are funny guys. I'll only shoot one of them. - The Three Amigos
He hates these cans! - The Jerk
My name is Francis Sawyer, but everybody calls me Psycho. Any of you guys call me Francis, and I'll kill ya. Nobody touches my stuff, so just keep your meat-hooks off. If I catch any of you guys in my stuff I'll kill ya. And nobody touches ME, any of you homos touch me, and I'll kill ya! - Stripes
Dad just loves powerlines. He figures it's a reminder of man's ability to generate electricity. Dad's always saying wonderful things like that. That's why we love him so much. - The Castle
How 'bout that serenity? - The Castle
Groucho: You know I think you're the most beautiful woman in the world?
Woman: Do you really?
Groucho: No, but I don't mind lying if it'll get me somewhere.
- A Night In Casablanca
I like these guys. These are funny guys. I'll only shoot one of them. - The Three Amigos
He hates these cans! - The Jerk
My name is Francis Sawyer, but everybody calls me Psycho. Any of you guys call me Francis, and I'll kill ya. Nobody touches my stuff, so just keep your meat-hooks off. If I catch any of you guys in my stuff I'll kill ya. And nobody touches ME, any of you homos touch me, and I'll kill ya! - Stripes
Dad just loves powerlines. He figures it's a reminder of man's ability to generate electricity. Dad's always saying wonderful things like that. That's why we love him so much. - The Castle
How 'bout that serenity? - The Castle
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