Top 10 Songs:
10. MAGDALENA, Pixies (2014)
9. HIGGS BOSON BLUES, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (2013)
8. UNCONDITIONNAL LOVE, Against Me! (2014)
7. DO WHAT U WANT, Lady Gaga (feat. Christina Aguilera) (2014)
6. PARTITION, Beyoncé (2013)
5. TRANSGENDER DYSPHORIA BLUES, Against Me! (2014)
4. INSTANT CRUSH, Daft Punk (feat. Julian Casablancas) (2013)
3. FERAL LOVE, Chelsea Love (2014)
2. CONTROL ME, Kandle (2014)
1. BLACK ME OUT, Against Me! (2014)
Top 10 Spring Break Movies:
10. POLICE ACADEMY 5: ASSIGNMENT: MIAMI BEACH, Alan Myerson (1988)
9. THE HITCHER, Dave Meyers (2007)
8. SPRING BREAK MASSACRE, Michael Hoffman Jr. (2008)
7. THE REAL CANCUN, Rick de Oliveira (2003)
6. RENO 911!: MIAMI, Robert Ben Garant (2007)
5. SPRING BREAK, Sean S. Cunningham (1983)
4. WHERE THE BOYS ARE '84, Hy Averback (1984)
3. REVENGE OF THE NERDS II: NERDS IN PARADISE, Joe Roth (1987)
2. WHERE THE BOYS ARE, Henry Levin (1960)
1. PIRANHA 3D, Alexandre Aja (2010)
Oh, God, the pickings were slim. You know the subject matter is awful when the top-10 films you can remember about it are mostly bad horror films, remakes, and the spin-off of a reality show (plus the spin-off of a regular TV show). And two sequels-of-sequels, one of them being a Police Academy movie.
Seriously, the only decent films are the first two, so much so that I almost included Piranha's sequel, Piranha 3DD, though while they specify it takes place a year after the first one, could be set in the summer (I don't remember).
Friday, February 28, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Video Of The Week: Beyoncé
In a reaction similar to that of her album release in December, Beyoncé's ''latest'' video (though technically, all of them are available since December 13th on the DVD accompanying her CD, and there is one for each track) is just about all anyone was talking about this week, so I kind of had no choice but to feature it...
Both more obvious and more subtle than the previous release (Drunk In Love), this video shows Beyoncé trying to get her husband's attention to have her sexual needs fulfilled, something pretty much the rest of the world would volunteer for, even if she wasn't wearing the lingerie that permeates the clip.
The song was produced by Timbaland, Jerome Harmon, Justin Timberlake, Key Wane, Dean, newcomer Boots, and Beyoncé herself (yeah, a minimalist beat requires a lot of highly-paid talent to make), while the video was directed by British specialist Jake Nava, who has worked with her before, but also with Roni Size (Dirty Beats), The Rolling Stones (Streets Of Love), Adele (Someone Like You), Britney Spears (the Bobby Brown cover My Prerogative) and System Of A Down (B.Y.O.B.).
His work with Beyoncé includes Crazy In Love (featuring Jay-Z), Beautiful Liar (featuring Shakira), Naughty Girl, Baby Boy (featuring Sean Paul) and of course Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It), the one that Kanye West will let you finish but has to say is one of the best videos of all time.
Partition, like the record it's from, deals with sexuality, empowerment through control of your actions, and has both a thumping and clear mass-ready beat as well as experimental undertones, pretty much the kind of achievement Kanye dreams of (and thinks he has achieved many times over), but with a basis in fact.
This may be the best and most innovative pop record of the past 20 years, definitely of the past decade. With Madonna long in her back pocket, Beyoncé can now set her sights on reaching Michael Jackson-like levels of achievements and success. She has the drive and talent for it, that's for sure.
If she could only stop lip-synching the national anthem...
Both more obvious and more subtle than the previous release (Drunk In Love), this video shows Beyoncé trying to get her husband's attention to have her sexual needs fulfilled, something pretty much the rest of the world would volunteer for, even if she wasn't wearing the lingerie that permeates the clip.
The song was produced by Timbaland, Jerome Harmon, Justin Timberlake, Key Wane, Dean, newcomer Boots, and Beyoncé herself (yeah, a minimalist beat requires a lot of highly-paid talent to make), while the video was directed by British specialist Jake Nava, who has worked with her before, but also with Roni Size (Dirty Beats), The Rolling Stones (Streets Of Love), Adele (Someone Like You), Britney Spears (the Bobby Brown cover My Prerogative) and System Of A Down (B.Y.O.B.).
His work with Beyoncé includes Crazy In Love (featuring Jay-Z), Beautiful Liar (featuring Shakira), Naughty Girl, Baby Boy (featuring Sean Paul) and of course Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It), the one that Kanye West will let you finish but has to say is one of the best videos of all time.
Partition, like the record it's from, deals with sexuality, empowerment through control of your actions, and has both a thumping and clear mass-ready beat as well as experimental undertones, pretty much the kind of achievement Kanye dreams of (and thinks he has achieved many times over), but with a basis in fact.
This may be the best and most innovative pop record of the past 20 years, definitely of the past decade. With Madonna long in her back pocket, Beyoncé can now set her sights on reaching Michael Jackson-like levels of achievements and success. She has the drive and talent for it, that's for sure.
If she could only stop lip-synching the national anthem...
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Motivate Yourself: Sports Meets Booze
Oh God. So good.
There are music mash-ups, and the are visual mash-ups. This is the latter, and it claims to combine ''fitness quotes'' with pictures of drunk people; they are more ''sports'' quotes, and one of them is a clear hockey reference (a Wayne Gretzky quote, in fact, the one about the shots you don't take), and at least one is from football (the 'team' one). Still, these images (and the rest from the Wall To Watch page where I found them) are the funniest and truest things I've seen so far this year:
That last one just might be my favourite.
There are music mash-ups, and the are visual mash-ups. This is the latter, and it claims to combine ''fitness quotes'' with pictures of drunk people; they are more ''sports'' quotes, and one of them is a clear hockey reference (a Wayne Gretzky quote, in fact, the one about the shots you don't take), and at least one is from football (the 'team' one). Still, these images (and the rest from the Wall To Watch page where I found them) are the funniest and truest things I've seen so far this year:
That last one just might be my favourite.
Kiss In The Hall
It looks like Kiss will pull an Axl Rose and not perform at their own Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction in April, because they can't agree on which band member should play.
And, honestly, I kind of agree with their reasoning:
Our intention was to celebrate the entire history of Kiss and give credit to all members, including longtime present members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, and additionally Bruce Kulick and Eric Carr all who have made this band what it is, regardless of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's point of view. (And) although Kiss has moved forward far longer without them, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss are at the very foundation of what we have built and this would all be impossible had they not been a part of it in the beginning.Good on them to acknowledge both the foundations and the present (though that's kind of easy seeing as Thayer and Singer actually wear Frehley's and Criss' make-up attire on stage), and perhaps they're even honest enough with themselves to agree with my position that the Kulick/Carr was musically their best line-up (also: no make-up, just rock).
Just one thing, though: they never once mentioned either Vinnie Vincent nor Mark St. John (though his stint was pretty short)... selective memory?
Heather Levia And Losing Your Job At McDonald's
The media and blogosphere jumped on a story last week about Heather Levia, a 23-year old mother of twins who had been working at McDonald's for 8 years and is putting herself through nursing school, who allegedly lost her job after paying for the meals of two fire departments' worth of firemen who had spent the night fighting fire on a neighbouring building.
She had reportedly asked her manager if the restaurant was going to foot the bill for the first crew, and upon hearing they wouldn't, opted to pay for their breakfasts herself; hearing of ''free food'', a second unit came in and were offered the same treatment.
She was fired when she came in to work the next day. The company claims the reason why they fired her wasn't that she made the company look cheap - or anything to do with that situation.
Personally, my thoughts on the affair go like this: on one hand, she was insubordinate, and should have been reprimanded because this could potentially open up a huge can of worms where public servants of every level would start expecting the same treatment, first when working near there, then at all times; first firemen, then policemen, then ambulance drivers, then the whole Village People crew.
On the other hand, she did a good deed and should be congratulated. Especially on a shitty McDonald's wage.
But that's where it starts not making much sense: she's a mother of two, working at close to or spot-on minimum wage. She has time to go to school and raise her kids on the side. She's a nice person, in 2014, in North America.
She cannot possibly exist. As described, I mean. And in the PR-led world we live in, McDonald's would have put up a statue of her in its parking lot - or at least named her employee of the month - to cash in on her actions, not risk alienating the last few people who still eat there.
Could it be she knew she was going to get fired for whatever reason and attempted one grand gesture to keep it?
Who the fuck knows. One thing's for sure, though: in the age of Twitter and Facebook, even a low-level manager at McDonald's knows better than to bring this much bad publicity towards their employer. And journalists should wait until having both sides of a story before sensationalizing it to the max and having it spread worldwide. In some reports, she is even made the store's manager (though they still stick to the claim that she texted her boss, would that have been the regional director?); in another, she just ''donates food''; some just mention she paid for $83 worth of food (which is just one of the two orders).
Something is fishy with this story, but it would help if it started with actual facts.
Also, word is she was offered many jobs since. Good. If she had been a bad employee, she can now change with the good actions he's made; if she really is pure of heart, she deserved better than to work at that shitty job for so long. She's a hero now, it comes with both perks and responsibilities.
She had reportedly asked her manager if the restaurant was going to foot the bill for the first crew, and upon hearing they wouldn't, opted to pay for their breakfasts herself; hearing of ''free food'', a second unit came in and were offered the same treatment.
She was fired when she came in to work the next day. The company claims the reason why they fired her wasn't that she made the company look cheap - or anything to do with that situation.
Personally, my thoughts on the affair go like this: on one hand, she was insubordinate, and should have been reprimanded because this could potentially open up a huge can of worms where public servants of every level would start expecting the same treatment, first when working near there, then at all times; first firemen, then policemen, then ambulance drivers, then the whole Village People crew.
On the other hand, she did a good deed and should be congratulated. Especially on a shitty McDonald's wage.
But that's where it starts not making much sense: she's a mother of two, working at close to or spot-on minimum wage. She has time to go to school and raise her kids on the side. She's a nice person, in 2014, in North America.
She cannot possibly exist. As described, I mean. And in the PR-led world we live in, McDonald's would have put up a statue of her in its parking lot - or at least named her employee of the month - to cash in on her actions, not risk alienating the last few people who still eat there.
Could it be she knew she was going to get fired for whatever reason and attempted one grand gesture to keep it?
Who the fuck knows. One thing's for sure, though: in the age of Twitter and Facebook, even a low-level manager at McDonald's knows better than to bring this much bad publicity towards their employer. And journalists should wait until having both sides of a story before sensationalizing it to the max and having it spread worldwide. In some reports, she is even made the store's manager (though they still stick to the claim that she texted her boss, would that have been the regional director?); in another, she just ''donates food''; some just mention she paid for $83 worth of food (which is just one of the two orders).
Something is fishy with this story, but it would help if it started with actual facts.
Also, word is she was offered many jobs since. Good. If she had been a bad employee, she can now change with the good actions he's made; if she really is pure of heart, she deserved better than to work at that shitty job for so long. She's a hero now, it comes with both perks and responsibilities.
Sochi On Tinder
Two weeks ago, I wrote about how athletes in Sochi had the technological advantage of Tinder to hook and and have athletic sex amongst themselves and use up the 100,000 condoms provided to them on-site.
Well, technology works both ways, and when you mix it up with bad reporting, social media, blogging and the general lack of privacy inherent to our times, what you get is a webpage whose sole reason for existing is to expose the athletes who have used the app, Sochi On Tinder.
Not just that, but it is still being updated today, 4 days after the closing ceremonies, which leads me to believe the Sochi Games were just the beginning of the intrusion into these athletes' lives.
Upon first glance, I was surprised to find that the men were far more likely to take their clothes off and display their goods in their introductory pictures than the ladies, especially considering that 'friending' someone on Tinder is pretty much the equivalent of buying them a drink a decade ago...
There were some disturbing ones, i.e. all of those who show their wedding pictures in their profile pics:
Either AZ Central's 12 News traffic reporter Emma Jade will have some explaining to do when her husband realizes what she likes to do when she's half a world away (she also went to the Beijing, Vancouver and London Games), or she's that good of a reporter, always willing to go under covers for the hard-hitting stories. Pulitzer Prize, anyone?
(See what I did there? I criticized a website for going too far, then did some investigative journalism myself and pushed the envelope a little further, but mine was less voyeuristic and more sleezeball/who-cares-how-many-lives-I-destroy-as-long-as-I-get-to-The-Truth, no-conscience journalism. Pulitzer Prize, anyone?)
(See what I did there? I made the same joke as in the previous paragraph.)
Well, technology works both ways, and when you mix it up with bad reporting, social media, blogging and the general lack of privacy inherent to our times, what you get is a webpage whose sole reason for existing is to expose the athletes who have used the app, Sochi On Tinder.
Not just that, but it is still being updated today, 4 days after the closing ceremonies, which leads me to believe the Sochi Games were just the beginning of the intrusion into these athletes' lives.
Upon first glance, I was surprised to find that the men were far more likely to take their clothes off and display their goods in their introductory pictures than the ladies, especially considering that 'friending' someone on Tinder is pretty much the equivalent of buying them a drink a decade ago...
There were some disturbing ones, i.e. all of those who show their wedding pictures in their profile pics:
Either AZ Central's 12 News traffic reporter Emma Jade will have some explaining to do when her husband realizes what she likes to do when she's half a world away (she also went to the Beijing, Vancouver and London Games), or she's that good of a reporter, always willing to go under covers for the hard-hitting stories. Pulitzer Prize, anyone?
(See what I did there? I criticized a website for going too far, then did some investigative journalism myself and pushed the envelope a little further, but mine was less voyeuristic and more sleezeball/who-cares-how-many-lives-I-destroy-as-long-as-I-get-to-The-Truth, no-conscience journalism. Pulitzer Prize, anyone?)
(See what I did there? I made the same joke as in the previous paragraph.)
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Punks Have Feelings Too
If you know me at all, you know my favourite punk rock band of all time were The Dead Boys, originally from Cleveland, Ohio but mainstays in the New York City scene of the late 1970s. They were mostly active 1976-1979, with brief reunions in 1986, and 2004-2005, though more people nowadays are aware of Rocket From The Tombs, the band that preceded them, because they took back to touring in 2003 and haven't stopped yet. RFTT sing about half of the Dead Boys' catalog nowadays, though many of them were existing songs or works-in-progress from the early days anyhow, including both classic songs Ain't It Fun and Sonic Reducer (both of which I also have been singing since I started playing live shows in the early 1990s).
The two main protagonists in the Dead Boys were singer Stiv Bators (né Steven John Bator) and lead guitarist Cheetah Chrome (Gene O'Connor to the I.R.S.), with Jimmy Zero (rhythm guitar), Jeff Magnum (bass) and Johnny Blitz (drums) completing the line-up. Bators and Chrome were the main songwriters, though most of the band shares songwriting credits on their first album, Young, Loud & Snotty (1977).
Bators died in 1990 in France at age 40, after getting hit by a cab, which caused a blood clot to form and causing a brain aneurysm in his sleep that night. Filmmaker John Waters (who had worked with him for Polyester) says Bators' then-girlfriend snorted some of his ashes before spreading the remainder of them over Jim Morrison's grave; Bators was a huge Morrison fan, as were many punks from Ian Curtis (Joy Division) to Iggy Pop.
Speaking of Iggy Pop, here is what he had to say to Bators' parents when he wasn't able to attend their son's funeral:
The two main protagonists in the Dead Boys were singer Stiv Bators (né Steven John Bator) and lead guitarist Cheetah Chrome (Gene O'Connor to the I.R.S.), with Jimmy Zero (rhythm guitar), Jeff Magnum (bass) and Johnny Blitz (drums) completing the line-up. Bators and Chrome were the main songwriters, though most of the band shares songwriting credits on their first album, Young, Loud & Snotty (1977).
Bators died in 1990 in France at age 40, after getting hit by a cab, which caused a blood clot to form and causing a brain aneurysm in his sleep that night. Filmmaker John Waters (who had worked with him for Polyester) says Bators' then-girlfriend snorted some of his ashes before spreading the remainder of them over Jim Morrison's grave; Bators was a huge Morrison fan, as were many punks from Ian Curtis (Joy Division) to Iggy Pop.
Speaking of Iggy Pop, here is what he had to say to Bators' parents when he wasn't able to attend their son's funeral:
Monday, February 24, 2014
R.I.P. Harold Ramis
A very good comedy director passed away today, as Harold Ramis finally lost a battle with an autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis that had gone on since 2010; he had even lost motor function in his legs for a while.
While folks my age will remember his writing and acting credits at SCTV and his performance as Dr. Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters II (1989), his better credits are no doubt his work as a director:
While folks my age will remember his writing and acting credits at SCTV and his performance as Dr. Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters II (1989), his better credits are no doubt his work as a director:
Caddyshack (1980)One could argue against Stuart Saves His Family and Year One (I do, and I'd add the Analyze films as disappointments as well), but the body of work as a whole represents some of the best smart-funny films in the years they were made.
National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
Club Paradise (1986)
Groundhog Day (1993)
Stuart Saves His Family (1995)
Multiplicity (1996)
Analyze This (1999)
Bedazzled (2000)
Analyze That (2002)
The Ice Harvest (2005)
The Office (2006) (TV)
Year One (2009)
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Top 10s This Week
Top 10 Songs:
10. TRUE TRANS SOUL REBEL, Against Me! (2014)
9. HIGGS BOSON BLUES, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (2013)
8. BIG SHOT, The Pack A.D. (2013)
7. DO WHAT U WANT, Lady Gaga (feat. Christina Aguilera) (2014)
6. WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, Sam Roberts Band (2013)
5. GETAWAY, Pearl Jam (2013)
4. CONTROL ME, Kandle (2014)
3. MAGDALENA, Pixies (2014)
2. UNCONDITIONNAL LOVE, Against Me! (2014)
1. TRANSGENDER DYSPHORIA BLUES, Against Me! (2014)
Top 10 Kiss Studio Albums:
10. PSYCHO CIRCUS (1998)
9. ROCK AND ROLL OVER (1976)
8. KISS (1974)
7. LOVE GUN (1977)
6. DYNASTY (1979)
5. DRESSED TO KILL (1975)
4. CREATURES OF THE NIGHT (1982)
3. CRAZY NIGHTS (1987)
2. DESTROYER (1976)
1. REVENGE (1992)
10. TRUE TRANS SOUL REBEL, Against Me! (2014)
9. HIGGS BOSON BLUES, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (2013)
8. BIG SHOT, The Pack A.D. (2013)
7. DO WHAT U WANT, Lady Gaga (feat. Christina Aguilera) (2014)
6. WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, Sam Roberts Band (2013)
5. GETAWAY, Pearl Jam (2013)
4. CONTROL ME, Kandle (2014)
3. MAGDALENA, Pixies (2014)
2. UNCONDITIONNAL LOVE, Against Me! (2014)
1. TRANSGENDER DYSPHORIA BLUES, Against Me! (2014)
Top 10 Kiss Studio Albums:
10. PSYCHO CIRCUS (1998)
9. ROCK AND ROLL OVER (1976)
8. KISS (1974)
7. LOVE GUN (1977)
6. DYNASTY (1979)
5. DRESSED TO KILL (1975)
4. CREATURES OF THE NIGHT (1982)
3. CRAZY NIGHTS (1987)
2. DESTROYER (1976)
1. REVENGE (1992)
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Video Of The Week: Chelsea Wolfe
When Chelsea Wolfe (#8 in my top albums of 2013) enlists Mark Pellington (Pearl Jam's multiple-award-winning Jeremy, Alice In Chains' Rooster, the fine films Arlington Road and The Mothman Prophecies), the end result is, of course, a hell of a sight, if a tad dark in tone.
Her dark, drone-y orchestral pop is the perfect match for Pellington's visuals, apparently taken from a forthcoming, hour-long film called Lone. But for now, it's all Feral Love, which you may recognize from some Game Of Thrones ads.
Her dark, drone-y orchestral pop is the perfect match for Pellington's visuals, apparently taken from a forthcoming, hour-long film called Lone. But for now, it's all Feral Love, which you may recognize from some Game Of Thrones ads.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
1989 In Film
Seeing as I was 11 in 1989, I only came up with this list much later; it is a list I first attempted to make up in film school in 1995. I revisited it in 1999, after having seen some 20 (mostly international) films I hadn't before, and made my final list in September '99. Many categories had up to 50 ranks, but I narrowed them down here to reflect the other ones - simply by not posting the latter positions.
As for 1988, I had the benefit of retrospect, particularly for a film such as Parents.
Should you wish to look back at some of my previous lists, look no further than: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Top 25 Films:
25. I LOVE, YOU LOVE, Dusan Hanak (Czechoslovakia)
24. PARENTS, Bob Balaban (Canada/USA)
23. DEAD CALM, Phillip Noyce (Australia)
22. MY LEFT FOOT, Jim Sheridan (Ireland/UK)
21. MYSTERY TRAIN, Jim Jarmusch (Japan/USA)
20. THE KILLER, John Woo (Hong Kong)
19. TETSUO: THE IRON MAN, Shinya Tsukamoto (Japan)
18. TROP BELLE POUR TOI (TOO BEAUTIFUL FOR YOU), Bertrand Blier (France)
17. NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION, Jeremiah Chechik (USA)
16. ALL ABOUT AH-LONG, Johnnie To (Hong Kong)
15. ENEMIES, A LOVE STORY, Paul Mazursky (Québec/USA)
14. PEAUX DE VACHES (TICK SKINNED), Patricia Mazuy (France)
13. BATMAN, Tim Burton (USA)
12. SEA OF LOVE, Harold Becker (USA/Canada)
11. BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II, Robert Zemeckis (USA)
10. THE DREAM TEAM, Howard Zieff (USA/Canada)
9. DO THE RIGHT THING, Spike Lee (USA)
8. BLACK RAINBOW, Mike Hodges (UK/USA)
7. VIOLENT COP, Takeshi Kitano (Japan)
6. BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, Oliver Stone (USA/Philippines)
5. DER TODESKING (THE DEATH KING), Jorg Buttgereit (West Germany)
4. MONSIEUR HIRE, Patrice Leconte (France)
3. SWEETIE, Jane Campion (Australia)
2. THE SERVANT, Vadim Abdrashitov (USSR)
1. JÉSUS DE MONTRÉAL, Denys Arcand (Québec)
Top 25 Directors:
25. STEVEN SODERBERGH, Sex, Lies And Videotape
24. MICHAEL CATON-JONES, Scandal
23. HOU HSIAO-HSIEN, A City Of Sadness
22. JOHNNIE TO, All About Ah-Long
21. JOHN GLEN, Licence To Kill
20. HAROLD BECKER, Sea Of Love
19. MICHAEL MOORE, Roger & Me
18. ALEJANDRO JODOROWSKY, Santa Sangre (Holy Blood)
17. JIM JARMUSCH, Mystery Train
16. WONG JING, God Of Gamblers
15. SHINYA TSUKAMOTO, Tetsuo: The Iron Man
14. ROBERT ZEMECKIS, Back To The Future Part II
13. SPIKE LEE, Do The Right Thing
12. PERCY ADLON, Rosalie Goes Shopping
11. WENDELL B. HARRIS JR., Chameleon Street
10. PATRICIA MAZUY, Peaux De Vaches (Thick Skinned)
9. JOHN WOO, The Killer
8. BOB BALABAN, Parents
7. MIKE HODGES, Black Rainbow
6. VADIM ABDRASHITOV, The Servant
5. TAKESHI KITANO, Violent Cop
4. TIM BURTON, Batman
3. OLIVER STONE, Born On the Fourth Of July
2. JORG BUTTGEREIT, Der Todesking (The Death King)
1. DENYS ARCAND, Jésus De Montréal
Top 30 Lead Actors:
30 - TIE. CHARLIE SHEEN, Major League
CHEVY CHASE, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
29. KEVIN COSTNER, Field Of Dreams
28. JAMES SPADER, Sex, Lies And Videotape
27. TIMOTHY DALTON, Licence To Kill
26. ROBERT DE NIRO, Jacknife
25. JEFF BRIDGES, The Fabulous Baker Boys
24. CHOW YUN FAT, God Of Gamblers
23. JOHN RITTER, Skin Deep
22. WILLEM DAFOE, Triumph Of The Spirit
21. BRUCE WILLIS, In Country
20. AL PACINO, Sea Of Love
19. CHOW YUN FAT, The Killer
18. JANUSZ GAJOS, Interrogation
17. TOMOROWO TAGUCHI, Tetsuo: The Iron Man
16. TOM CRUISE, Born On the Fourth Of July
15. ROBIN WILLIAMS, Dead Poets Society
14. JACK LEMMON, Dad
13. TONY CHEUNG (CHIU WAI), A City Of Sadness
12. JACK NICHOLSON, Batman
11. TAKESHI KITANO, Violent Cop
10. DONALD SUTHERLAND, A Dry White Season
9. MORGAN FREEMAN, Lean On Me
8. MICHAEL KEATON, The Dream Team
7. DANNY AIELLO, Do The Right Thing
6. CHOW YUN FAT, All About Ah-Long
5. MORGAN FREEMAN, Driving Miss Daisy
4. OLEG BORISOV, The Servant
3. MICHEL BLANC, Monsieur Hire
2. DANIEL DAY-LEWIS, My Left Foot
1. LOTHAIRE BLUTEAU, Jésus De Montréal
Top 35 Lead Actresses:
35. KELLY MCGILLIS, Cat Chaser
34. THERESA RUSSELL, Physical Evidence
33. BERNADETTE PETERS, Pink Cadillac
32. MEREDITH SALENGER, Dream A Little Dream
31. MARIANNE SABRECHT, Rosalie Goes Shopping
30. AMY MADIGAN, Field Of Dreams
29. SAMMI DAVIS, The Rainbow
28. KRYSTYNA JANDA, Interrogation
27. KELLY LNCH, Drugstore Cowboy
26. KYRA SEDGWICK, Born On the Fourth Of July
25. BEVERLY D'ANGELO, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
24. RACHEL WARD, How To Get Ahead In Advertizing
23. BULLE OGIER, Gang Of Four
22. ROSANA ARQUETTE, Black Rainbow
21. BLANCA GUERRA, Santa Sangre (Holy Blood)
20. SYLVIA CHANG, All About Ah-Long
19. JESSICA LANGE, Music Box
18. KATHLEEN TURNER, The War Of The Roses
17. JESSICA TANDY, Driving Miss Daisy
16. ANDIE MACDOWELL, Sex, Lies And Videotape
15. HELEN MIRREN, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
14. EMILY LONGSTRETH, The Big Picture
13. ELLEN BARKIN, Sea Of Love
12. ELENA YAKOVLEVA, Intergirl
11. JENNIFER JASON LEIGH, Last Exit To Brooklyn
10. REBECCA JENKINS, Bye Bye Blues
9. SANDRINE BONNAIRE, Peaux De Vaches (Thick Skinned)
8. JOANNE WHALLEY, Scandal
7. EMILY LLOYD, In Country
6. SANDRINE BONNAIRE, Monsieur Hire
5. NICOLE KIDMAN, Dead Calm
4. MICHELLE PFEIFFER, The Fabulous Baker Boys
3. MIA FARROW, Crimes And Misdemeanors
2. JOSIANE BALASKO, Trop Belle Pour Toi (Too Beautiful For You)
1. GENEVIEVE LEMON, Sweetie
Top 25 Supporting Actors:
25 - TIE. WESLEY SNIPES, Major League
MICHAEL RICHARDS, UHF
24. RAY LIOTTA, Field Of Dreams
23. RANDY QUAID, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
22. JOE PESCI, Lethal Weapon 2
21. RICHARD BOHRINGER, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
20. BEAU BRIDGES, The Fabulous Baker Boys
19. BERNARD HILL, Shirley Valentine
18. DANNY DEVITO, The War Of The Roses
17. SEAN PENN, Casualties Of War
16. TOM HULCE, Black Rainbow
15. ANDY LAU, God Of Gamblers
14. ROBERT LEPAGE, Jésus De Montréal
13. MICHAEL MCKEAN, The Big Picture
12. JOHN GOODMAN, Sea Of Love
11. ED HARRIS, Jacknife
10. STEVE BUSCEMI, Mystery Train
9. MARLON BRANDO, A Dry White Season
8. DENZEL WASHINGTON, Glory
7. CHRISTOPHER LLOYD, The Dream Team
6. MORGAN FREEMAN, Glory
5. JASON ROBARDS JR., Parenthood
4. PETER BOYLE, The Dream Team
3. OSSIE DAVIS, Do The Right Thing
2. WONG KWAN-YUEN, All About Ah-Long
1. YURI BELYAYEV, The Servant
Top 25 Supporting Actresses:
25 - TIE. TALIA SHIRE, New York Stories
JULIANNE PHILLIPS, Fletch Lives
24. JEAN LOUISA KELLY, Uncle Buck
23. ESTHER ROLLE, Driving Miss Daisy
22. CHRISTINE LAHTI, Gross Anatomy
21. AUDREY HEPBURN, Always
20. LENA OLIN, Enemies, A Love Story
19. MARY STUART MASTERSON, Immediate Family
18. JANE HORROCKS, Geting It Right
17. PENELOPE ANN MILLER, Dead Bang
16. DEMI MOORE, We're No Angels
15. JULIA ROBERTS, Steel Magnolias
14. KELLY COFFIELD, Field Of Dreams
13. LAURA SAN GIACOMO, Sex, Lies And Videotape
12. ROBYN STEVAN, Bye Bye Blues
11. WENDY SCHAAL, The 'Burbs
10. BRENDA FRICKER, My Left Foot
9. NICOLETTA BRASCHI, Mystery Train
8. JENNIFER JASON LEIGH, The Big Picture
7. SHIRLEY MACLAINE, Steel Magnolias
6. KAREN COLSTON, Sweetie
5. ANNA ROMANTOWSKA, Interrogation
4. ANJELICA HUSTON, Enemies, A Love Story
3. IRINA ROZANOVA, The Servant
2. ANJELICA HUSTON, Crimes And Misdemeanors
1. CAROLE BOUQUET, Trop Belle Pour Toi (Too Beautiful For You)
Top 25 Screenplays:
25. ANNE WHEELER, Bye Bye Blues
24. PETER GREENAWAY, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
23. MICHAEL J. LEESON, The War Of The Roses
22. NORA EPHRON, When Harry Met Sally
21. MICHAEL TOMAS, Scandal
20. COLIN WELLEND & EUZHAN PALCY, A Dry White Season
19. JOSÉ LUIS CUERDA, Amanece, Que No Es Poco (Amanece, Who Is Not Small)
18. CHU TIEN-WEN & NU NIEN-JEN, A City Of Sadness
17. PEDRO COSTA, O Sangue (Blood)
16. OLIVER STONE & RON KOVIC, Born On the Fourth Of July
15. PATRICIA MAZUY, Peaux De Vaches (Thick Skinned)
14. WONG JING, God Of Gamblers
13. PAUL MAZURSKY & ROGER L. SIMON, Enemies, A Love Story
12. RICHARD PRICE, Sea Of Love
11. STEVEN SODERBERGH, Sex, Lies And Videotape
10. NG MAN-FAI & PHILIP CHENG CHUNG-TAI, All About Ah-Long
9. BRUCE ROBINSON, How To Get Ahead In Advertizing
8. SPIKE LEE, Do The Right Thing
7. JON CONNOLLY & DAVID LOUCKA, The Dream Team
6. JIM JARMUSCH, Mystery Train
5. MIKE HODGES, Black Rainbow
4. JEAN COSMOS & BERTRAND TAVERNIER, La Vie Et Rien D'Autre (Life And Nothing But)
3. DENYS ARCAND, Jésus De Montréal
2. CHRISTOPHER HAWTHORNE, Parents
1. JORG BUTTGEREIT & FRANZ RODENKIRCHEN, Der Todesking (The Death King)
Top 25 Cinematographers:
25. PHILIPPE ROUSSELOT, We're No Angels
24. THOMAS E. ACKERMAN, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
23. GUY DUFAUX, Jésus De Montréal
22. MICHAEL BALLHAUS, The Fabulous Baker Boys
21. BRUNO DE KEYZER, La Vie Et Rien D'Autre (Life And Nothing But)
20. CHEN HUAI-EN, A City Of Sadness
19. GERRY FISHER, Black Rainbow
18. PETER PAU & DAVID CHUNG, God Of Gamblers
17. ERNEST R.DICKRSON, Do the Right Thing
16. RAOUL COUTARD, Peaux De Vaches (Thick Skinned)
15. ANDREW LESNIE, The Delinquents
14. FREDDIE FRANCIS, Glory
13. WALT LLOYD, Sex, Lies And Videotape
12. DEAN SEMIER, Dead Calm
11. MURRAY MILNE, Meet The Feebles
10. DEAN CUNDEY, Back To The Future Part II
9. ROBBY MULLER, Mystery Train
8. SHINYA TSUKAMOTO & KEI FUJIWARA, Tetsuo: The Iron Man
7. RONNIE TAYLOR, Sea Of Love
6. PHILIPPE ROUSSELOT, Trop Belle Pour Toi (Too Beautiful For You)
5. ALEC MILLS, Licence To Kill
4. BILLY WILLIAMS, The Rainbow
3. ROBERT RICHARDSON, Born On the Fourth Of July
2. MANMOHAN SINGH, Chandni
1. ROGER PRATT, Batman
Top 10 Villains:
10. TERI HATCHER, The Big Picture
9. MICHAEL BYRNE, Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade
8. THOMAS F. WILSON, Back To The Future Part II
7. CARRIE HAMILTON, Shag
6. MICHAEL GAMBON, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
5. MICHAEL ROOKER, Sea Of Love
4. CAREY LOWELL, Licence To Kill
3. BILLY ZANE, Dead Calm
2. PETER GALLAGHER, Sex, Lies And Videotape
1. JACK NICHOLSON, Batman
As for 1988, I had the benefit of retrospect, particularly for a film such as Parents.
Should you wish to look back at some of my previous lists, look no further than: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Top 25 Films:
25. I LOVE, YOU LOVE, Dusan Hanak (Czechoslovakia)
24. PARENTS, Bob Balaban (Canada/USA)
23. DEAD CALM, Phillip Noyce (Australia)
22. MY LEFT FOOT, Jim Sheridan (Ireland/UK)
21. MYSTERY TRAIN, Jim Jarmusch (Japan/USA)
20. THE KILLER, John Woo (Hong Kong)
19. TETSUO: THE IRON MAN, Shinya Tsukamoto (Japan)
18. TROP BELLE POUR TOI (TOO BEAUTIFUL FOR YOU), Bertrand Blier (France)
17. NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION, Jeremiah Chechik (USA)
16. ALL ABOUT AH-LONG, Johnnie To (Hong Kong)
15. ENEMIES, A LOVE STORY, Paul Mazursky (Québec/USA)
14. PEAUX DE VACHES (TICK SKINNED), Patricia Mazuy (France)
13. BATMAN, Tim Burton (USA)
12. SEA OF LOVE, Harold Becker (USA/Canada)
11. BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II, Robert Zemeckis (USA)
10. THE DREAM TEAM, Howard Zieff (USA/Canada)
9. DO THE RIGHT THING, Spike Lee (USA)
8. BLACK RAINBOW, Mike Hodges (UK/USA)
7. VIOLENT COP, Takeshi Kitano (Japan)
6. BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, Oliver Stone (USA/Philippines)
5. DER TODESKING (THE DEATH KING), Jorg Buttgereit (West Germany)
4. MONSIEUR HIRE, Patrice Leconte (France)
3. SWEETIE, Jane Campion (Australia)
2. THE SERVANT, Vadim Abdrashitov (USSR)
1. JÉSUS DE MONTRÉAL, Denys Arcand (Québec)
Top 25 Directors:
25. STEVEN SODERBERGH, Sex, Lies And Videotape
24. MICHAEL CATON-JONES, Scandal
23. HOU HSIAO-HSIEN, A City Of Sadness
22. JOHNNIE TO, All About Ah-Long
21. JOHN GLEN, Licence To Kill
20. HAROLD BECKER, Sea Of Love
19. MICHAEL MOORE, Roger & Me
18. ALEJANDRO JODOROWSKY, Santa Sangre (Holy Blood)
17. JIM JARMUSCH, Mystery Train
16. WONG JING, God Of Gamblers
15. SHINYA TSUKAMOTO, Tetsuo: The Iron Man
14. ROBERT ZEMECKIS, Back To The Future Part II
13. SPIKE LEE, Do The Right Thing
12. PERCY ADLON, Rosalie Goes Shopping
11. WENDELL B. HARRIS JR., Chameleon Street
10. PATRICIA MAZUY, Peaux De Vaches (Thick Skinned)
9. JOHN WOO, The Killer
8. BOB BALABAN, Parents
7. MIKE HODGES, Black Rainbow
6. VADIM ABDRASHITOV, The Servant
5. TAKESHI KITANO, Violent Cop
4. TIM BURTON, Batman
3. OLIVER STONE, Born On the Fourth Of July
2. JORG BUTTGEREIT, Der Todesking (The Death King)
1. DENYS ARCAND, Jésus De Montréal
Top 30 Lead Actors:
30 - TIE. CHARLIE SHEEN, Major League
CHEVY CHASE, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
29. KEVIN COSTNER, Field Of Dreams
28. JAMES SPADER, Sex, Lies And Videotape
27. TIMOTHY DALTON, Licence To Kill
26. ROBERT DE NIRO, Jacknife
25. JEFF BRIDGES, The Fabulous Baker Boys
24. CHOW YUN FAT, God Of Gamblers
23. JOHN RITTER, Skin Deep
22. WILLEM DAFOE, Triumph Of The Spirit
21. BRUCE WILLIS, In Country
20. AL PACINO, Sea Of Love
19. CHOW YUN FAT, The Killer
18. JANUSZ GAJOS, Interrogation
17. TOMOROWO TAGUCHI, Tetsuo: The Iron Man
16. TOM CRUISE, Born On the Fourth Of July
15. ROBIN WILLIAMS, Dead Poets Society
14. JACK LEMMON, Dad
13. TONY CHEUNG (CHIU WAI), A City Of Sadness
12. JACK NICHOLSON, Batman
11. TAKESHI KITANO, Violent Cop
10. DONALD SUTHERLAND, A Dry White Season
9. MORGAN FREEMAN, Lean On Me
8. MICHAEL KEATON, The Dream Team
7. DANNY AIELLO, Do The Right Thing
6. CHOW YUN FAT, All About Ah-Long
5. MORGAN FREEMAN, Driving Miss Daisy
4. OLEG BORISOV, The Servant
3. MICHEL BLANC, Monsieur Hire
2. DANIEL DAY-LEWIS, My Left Foot
1. LOTHAIRE BLUTEAU, Jésus De Montréal
Top 35 Lead Actresses:
35. KELLY MCGILLIS, Cat Chaser
34. THERESA RUSSELL, Physical Evidence
33. BERNADETTE PETERS, Pink Cadillac
32. MEREDITH SALENGER, Dream A Little Dream
31. MARIANNE SABRECHT, Rosalie Goes Shopping
30. AMY MADIGAN, Field Of Dreams
29. SAMMI DAVIS, The Rainbow
28. KRYSTYNA JANDA, Interrogation
27. KELLY LNCH, Drugstore Cowboy
26. KYRA SEDGWICK, Born On the Fourth Of July
25. BEVERLY D'ANGELO, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
24. RACHEL WARD, How To Get Ahead In Advertizing
23. BULLE OGIER, Gang Of Four
22. ROSANA ARQUETTE, Black Rainbow
21. BLANCA GUERRA, Santa Sangre (Holy Blood)
20. SYLVIA CHANG, All About Ah-Long
19. JESSICA LANGE, Music Box
18. KATHLEEN TURNER, The War Of The Roses
17. JESSICA TANDY, Driving Miss Daisy
16. ANDIE MACDOWELL, Sex, Lies And Videotape
15. HELEN MIRREN, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
14. EMILY LONGSTRETH, The Big Picture
13. ELLEN BARKIN, Sea Of Love
12. ELENA YAKOVLEVA, Intergirl
11. JENNIFER JASON LEIGH, Last Exit To Brooklyn
10. REBECCA JENKINS, Bye Bye Blues
9. SANDRINE BONNAIRE, Peaux De Vaches (Thick Skinned)
8. JOANNE WHALLEY, Scandal
7. EMILY LLOYD, In Country
6. SANDRINE BONNAIRE, Monsieur Hire
5. NICOLE KIDMAN, Dead Calm
4. MICHELLE PFEIFFER, The Fabulous Baker Boys
3. MIA FARROW, Crimes And Misdemeanors
2. JOSIANE BALASKO, Trop Belle Pour Toi (Too Beautiful For You)
1. GENEVIEVE LEMON, Sweetie
Top 25 Supporting Actors:
25 - TIE. WESLEY SNIPES, Major League
MICHAEL RICHARDS, UHF
24. RAY LIOTTA, Field Of Dreams
23. RANDY QUAID, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
22. JOE PESCI, Lethal Weapon 2
21. RICHARD BOHRINGER, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
20. BEAU BRIDGES, The Fabulous Baker Boys
19. BERNARD HILL, Shirley Valentine
18. DANNY DEVITO, The War Of The Roses
17. SEAN PENN, Casualties Of War
16. TOM HULCE, Black Rainbow
15. ANDY LAU, God Of Gamblers
14. ROBERT LEPAGE, Jésus De Montréal
13. MICHAEL MCKEAN, The Big Picture
12. JOHN GOODMAN, Sea Of Love
11. ED HARRIS, Jacknife
10. STEVE BUSCEMI, Mystery Train
9. MARLON BRANDO, A Dry White Season
8. DENZEL WASHINGTON, Glory
7. CHRISTOPHER LLOYD, The Dream Team
6. MORGAN FREEMAN, Glory
5. JASON ROBARDS JR., Parenthood
4. PETER BOYLE, The Dream Team
3. OSSIE DAVIS, Do The Right Thing
2. WONG KWAN-YUEN, All About Ah-Long
1. YURI BELYAYEV, The Servant
Top 25 Supporting Actresses:
25 - TIE. TALIA SHIRE, New York Stories
JULIANNE PHILLIPS, Fletch Lives
24. JEAN LOUISA KELLY, Uncle Buck
23. ESTHER ROLLE, Driving Miss Daisy
22. CHRISTINE LAHTI, Gross Anatomy
21. AUDREY HEPBURN, Always
20. LENA OLIN, Enemies, A Love Story
19. MARY STUART MASTERSON, Immediate Family
18. JANE HORROCKS, Geting It Right
17. PENELOPE ANN MILLER, Dead Bang
16. DEMI MOORE, We're No Angels
15. JULIA ROBERTS, Steel Magnolias
14. KELLY COFFIELD, Field Of Dreams
13. LAURA SAN GIACOMO, Sex, Lies And Videotape
12. ROBYN STEVAN, Bye Bye Blues
11. WENDY SCHAAL, The 'Burbs
10. BRENDA FRICKER, My Left Foot
9. NICOLETTA BRASCHI, Mystery Train
8. JENNIFER JASON LEIGH, The Big Picture
7. SHIRLEY MACLAINE, Steel Magnolias
6. KAREN COLSTON, Sweetie
5. ANNA ROMANTOWSKA, Interrogation
4. ANJELICA HUSTON, Enemies, A Love Story
3. IRINA ROZANOVA, The Servant
2. ANJELICA HUSTON, Crimes And Misdemeanors
1. CAROLE BOUQUET, Trop Belle Pour Toi (Too Beautiful For You)
Top 25 Screenplays:
25. ANNE WHEELER, Bye Bye Blues
24. PETER GREENAWAY, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
23. MICHAEL J. LEESON, The War Of The Roses
22. NORA EPHRON, When Harry Met Sally
21. MICHAEL TOMAS, Scandal
20. COLIN WELLEND & EUZHAN PALCY, A Dry White Season
19. JOSÉ LUIS CUERDA, Amanece, Que No Es Poco (Amanece, Who Is Not Small)
18. CHU TIEN-WEN & NU NIEN-JEN, A City Of Sadness
17. PEDRO COSTA, O Sangue (Blood)
16. OLIVER STONE & RON KOVIC, Born On the Fourth Of July
15. PATRICIA MAZUY, Peaux De Vaches (Thick Skinned)
14. WONG JING, God Of Gamblers
13. PAUL MAZURSKY & ROGER L. SIMON, Enemies, A Love Story
12. RICHARD PRICE, Sea Of Love
11. STEVEN SODERBERGH, Sex, Lies And Videotape
10. NG MAN-FAI & PHILIP CHENG CHUNG-TAI, All About Ah-Long
9. BRUCE ROBINSON, How To Get Ahead In Advertizing
8. SPIKE LEE, Do The Right Thing
7. JON CONNOLLY & DAVID LOUCKA, The Dream Team
6. JIM JARMUSCH, Mystery Train
5. MIKE HODGES, Black Rainbow
4. JEAN COSMOS & BERTRAND TAVERNIER, La Vie Et Rien D'Autre (Life And Nothing But)
3. DENYS ARCAND, Jésus De Montréal
2. CHRISTOPHER HAWTHORNE, Parents
1. JORG BUTTGEREIT & FRANZ RODENKIRCHEN, Der Todesking (The Death King)
Top 25 Cinematographers:
25. PHILIPPE ROUSSELOT, We're No Angels
24. THOMAS E. ACKERMAN, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
23. GUY DUFAUX, Jésus De Montréal
22. MICHAEL BALLHAUS, The Fabulous Baker Boys
21. BRUNO DE KEYZER, La Vie Et Rien D'Autre (Life And Nothing But)
20. CHEN HUAI-EN, A City Of Sadness
19. GERRY FISHER, Black Rainbow
18. PETER PAU & DAVID CHUNG, God Of Gamblers
17. ERNEST R.DICKRSON, Do the Right Thing
16. RAOUL COUTARD, Peaux De Vaches (Thick Skinned)
15. ANDREW LESNIE, The Delinquents
14. FREDDIE FRANCIS, Glory
13. WALT LLOYD, Sex, Lies And Videotape
12. DEAN SEMIER, Dead Calm
11. MURRAY MILNE, Meet The Feebles
10. DEAN CUNDEY, Back To The Future Part II
9. ROBBY MULLER, Mystery Train
8. SHINYA TSUKAMOTO & KEI FUJIWARA, Tetsuo: The Iron Man
7. RONNIE TAYLOR, Sea Of Love
6. PHILIPPE ROUSSELOT, Trop Belle Pour Toi (Too Beautiful For You)
5. ALEC MILLS, Licence To Kill
4. BILLY WILLIAMS, The Rainbow
3. ROBERT RICHARDSON, Born On the Fourth Of July
2. MANMOHAN SINGH, Chandni
1. ROGER PRATT, Batman
Top 10 Villains:
10. TERI HATCHER, The Big Picture
9. MICHAEL BYRNE, Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade
8. THOMAS F. WILSON, Back To The Future Part II
7. CARRIE HAMILTON, Shag
6. MICHAEL GAMBON, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
5. MICHAEL ROOKER, Sea Of Love
4. CAREY LOWELL, Licence To Kill
3. BILLY ZANE, Dead Calm
2. PETER GALLAGHER, Sex, Lies And Videotape
1. JACK NICHOLSON, Batman
This Week's Top 10s
Top 10 Songs:
10. TRUE TRANS SOUL REBEL, Against Me! (2014)
9. MAGDALENA, Pixies (2014)
8. BIG SHOT, The Pack A.D. (2013)
7. BETH, Kiss (1976)
6. HIGGS BOSON BLUES, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (2013)
5. A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE, The Mahones (with Dahmnait Doyle) (2010)
4. CONTROL ME, Kandle (2014)
3. DO WHAT U WANT, Lady Gaga (feat. Christina Aguilera) (2014)
2. UNCONDITIONNAL LOVE, Against Me! (2014)
1. TRANSGENDER DYSPHORIA BLUES, Against Me! (2014)
Top 10 Valentine's Weekend Films:
10. THE AGE OF INNOCENCE, Martin Scorsese (1993)
9. GARDEN STATE, Zack Braff (2004)
8. THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING, Philip Kaufman (1988)
7. FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, Nicholas Stoller (2008)
6. GHOST, Jerry Zucker (1990)
5. L'ÉCUME DES JOURS, Michel Gondry (2013)
4. UNAGI (THE EEL), Shohei Imamura (1998)
3. CHASING AMY, Kevin Smith (1997)
2. BELLE DE JOUR, Luis Bunuel (1967)
1. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, Michel Gondry (2004)
Just so I'm clear, no, no NOTEBOOK.
10. TRUE TRANS SOUL REBEL, Against Me! (2014)
9. MAGDALENA, Pixies (2014)
8. BIG SHOT, The Pack A.D. (2013)
7. BETH, Kiss (1976)
6. HIGGS BOSON BLUES, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (2013)
5. A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE, The Mahones (with Dahmnait Doyle) (2010)
4. CONTROL ME, Kandle (2014)
3. DO WHAT U WANT, Lady Gaga (feat. Christina Aguilera) (2014)
2. UNCONDITIONNAL LOVE, Against Me! (2014)
1. TRANSGENDER DYSPHORIA BLUES, Against Me! (2014)
Top 10 Valentine's Weekend Films:
10. THE AGE OF INNOCENCE, Martin Scorsese (1993)
9. GARDEN STATE, Zack Braff (2004)
8. THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING, Philip Kaufman (1988)
7. FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, Nicholas Stoller (2008)
6. GHOST, Jerry Zucker (1990)
5. L'ÉCUME DES JOURS, Michel Gondry (2013)
4. UNAGI (THE EEL), Shohei Imamura (1998)
3. CHASING AMY, Kevin Smith (1997)
2. BELLE DE JOUR, Luis Bunuel (1967)
1. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, Michel Gondry (2004)
Just so I'm clear, no, no NOTEBOOK.
Friday, February 14, 2014
NSFW: Olympic Sex, Sochi Edition
Who knew The Onion could be so accurate not only in their parodies but also reporting non-fiction?
Olympic Village Tour: See Where The Athletes Live, Train And Fuck Each Other
Of course, not only are Olympians receiving 100,000 condoms for their two weeks - as usual - this time around, there's also a phone app designed to make matchmaking even more efficient, Tinder. So much so that some athletes, like Jamie Anderson, have had to uninstall it so they could concentrate on their events and win medals.
One thing's for sure, every athlete's spouse who stayed behind at home is probably wondering exactly how much sex is going on... and also secretly hoping never to find out.
Olympic Village Tour: See Where The Athletes Live, Train And Fuck Each Other
Of course, not only are Olympians receiving 100,000 condoms for their two weeks - as usual - this time around, there's also a phone app designed to make matchmaking even more efficient, Tinder. So much so that some athletes, like Jamie Anderson, have had to uninstall it so they could concentrate on their events and win medals.
One thing's for sure, every athlete's spouse who stayed behind at home is probably wondering exactly how much sex is going on... and also secretly hoping never to find out.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
R.I.P. Maggie Estep
Her 1994 record No More Mr. Nice Girl still spins regularly in my ears and will keep doing so for a long while, but from now on, I'll be listening to Maggie Estep's poetry and reading her books as a former artist, since she passed away at the age of 50, two days after suffering a heart attack. She had had issues with heroin for a while, so her health may not have been tip top...
She had performed both on MTV Unplugged and Def (Poetry) Jam, toured with the likes of Henry Rollins and Jim Carroll, and covered Lou Reed's Vicious - and even got him to appear in her video of it.
Her last blog post was dated last Friday, and it's called Strippers, Sluts & Umlauts, and it talks about just that.
She will be missed.
Monday, February 10, 2014
He Took A Bite Out Of Crime, And Crime Bit Back
In other crime news, John R. Morales, a man who had previously worked as the mascot inside the McGruff The Crime Dog suit, was sentenced to 16 years in jail for a thousand marijuana plants and 27 weapons - including grenade launchers - and 9,000 rounds of ammunition in Texas.
All of these - well, the ammo, the grenade launcher, the sawed-off shotguns and the rifles, NOT the pot - are legal to purchase in Texas, but because he had previously been convicted on other counts and thus had a criminal record and was prohibited from buying any new ones.
And why did the young man turn to a life of crime?
Before being sent back to prison, Morales told the judge he was a humble, nonviolent person who got into the dope business to help his family, including a mother with leukemia and a sister with cancer.Guess the cancer couldn't wait until Obamacare kicked in. Here's the kicker:
Morales' downfall came in September 2011, when a Galveston police officer with a drug-sniffing dog pulled him over for driving 50 mph in a 35 mph zone.You think it had anything to do with the fact that he's Hispanic, or are they really serious about speed limits over there? In any case, if you've got a lot of compromising shit in your vehicle, you would do well to abide by the rules that would make you stand out and bring attention to yourself. Particularly ''with diagrams of two indoor pot-growing operations sitting on the front seat of his Infinity and a load of pot seedlings stashed in the trunk.''.
R.I.P. Alain Magloire
If I had a hammer,Yep, the Montréal cops killed another person earlier this month.
They'd shoot me in the morning
They'd shoot me in the evening
Despite being seven cops against one man
(Alain) Magloire had only recently ended up on the streets as a result of mental illness.
Magloire was the father of two daughters, and friends and family contacted by CBC News described him as charismatic and well-educated.
(He) had previously been employed in the field of molecular biology research and also worked for ten years as a monitor at Camp Papillon — a camp for disabled children.A career criminal, obviously.
Officers shot Magloire on Monday after responding to reports of a man wielding a hammer and acting aggressively in the vicinity of Montreal's central bus station on Berri Street.'' Kill first, defend your position later'' seems to be their motto, more so than ''To serve and protect'', for sure. One (admittedly distraught) guy with a hammer, versus seven trained professionals. They could have attacked three at a time and possibly not even had been hit once with the hammer - and subdued him with barely scratch marks for anyone involved -or shot him in the legs, or the hammer-wielding arm. (Officers with tasers could not make it to the scene on time)
I wish I could say something along the lines of ''you will be remembered and missed'', but the more people these fascists murder, the harder it is to remember them all. ''Missed'', though, yes, for sure.
There are calls for civilian oversight boards to investigate police shootings and, sure, that could be a step in some general direction. But I suggest each time a police officer badly injures (broken limbs, loss of an eye) or kills someone, they should be detained and tried in court, the same as civilians, no matter what the investigation says or does, so the incident is recorded in the public domain. And I stand by my life-long position that cops and politicians should be liable to twice the penalty for crimes compared to civilians because theirs also involve a breach of public trust that has to be accounted for.
Video Of The Week: Infectious Grooves
Long considered a Suicidal Tendencies spin-off band because they shared a frontman (Mike Muir), a bass player (Robert Trujillo, now in Metallica rather than ST) and guitarist Dean Pleasants (from 1997 onwards), as well as a range of influences that dive deep into funk, punk rock and metal, Infectious Grooves also had among its ranks art-alternative-rock Jane's Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins and guitarist Adam Siegel.
And while ST's crowd appreciated their metal-meets-skate-punk style with funk undertones, Infectious Grooves puts its funk in front and everything else is complementary (though one could argue that in the mid-1990s, both bands did influence one another and almost became interchangeable and/or symbiotic, to the point where they released dual-band compilation albums) in a way that was original to them. Heavier than the Red Hot Chili Peppers and not as ''out there'' in terms of free-range experimentation as Faith No More (whose guitarist Jim Martin now replaces Siegel in IG...), the Groovers are in a special category of the funk-punk spectrum that is all their own.
Truth be told, I was more a fan of Infectious Grooves than Suicidal Tendencies, though I feel ST got the better lyrics and IG went so far in being humourous that they used (pretty dumb) skits too often between songs, messing with the pacing of their records, and were a tad too conceptual, based around a fake family of psychotic clowns not unlike the Juggalos, just less ridiculous.
Still, they rocked. Here, they can be seen and heard doing what they do best, Punk It Up:
After a long hiatus, Muir and Pleasants revived the band in 2008 with hired hands instead of the rest of the original members, though most came back in the fold in 2013, except for Siegel, replaced by Martin.
And while ST's crowd appreciated their metal-meets-skate-punk style with funk undertones, Infectious Grooves puts its funk in front and everything else is complementary (though one could argue that in the mid-1990s, both bands did influence one another and almost became interchangeable and/or symbiotic, to the point where they released dual-band compilation albums) in a way that was original to them. Heavier than the Red Hot Chili Peppers and not as ''out there'' in terms of free-range experimentation as Faith No More (whose guitarist Jim Martin now replaces Siegel in IG...), the Groovers are in a special category of the funk-punk spectrum that is all their own.
Truth be told, I was more a fan of Infectious Grooves than Suicidal Tendencies, though I feel ST got the better lyrics and IG went so far in being humourous that they used (pretty dumb) skits too often between songs, messing with the pacing of their records, and were a tad too conceptual, based around a fake family of psychotic clowns not unlike the Juggalos, just less ridiculous.
Still, they rocked. Here, they can be seen and heard doing what they do best, Punk It Up:
After a long hiatus, Muir and Pleasants revived the band in 2008 with hired hands instead of the rest of the original members, though most came back in the fold in 2013, except for Siegel, replaced by Martin.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
2004 In Film
There were 35 or so pretty good movies in 2004 which, depending on one's mood or particular tastes, could have been ranked between positions 20 and 25, though I'm sure the top-20 would be have most of the same names (though likely not the same order) for 75% of critics and film aficionados.
Documentaries were particularly worthy of note (Some Kind Of Monster, Super Size Me, and Fahrenheit 9/11 as the obvious top-3, but also those disproving the latter two), while master directors (Martin Scorsese, Wolfgang Petersen, Oliver Stone, Wes Anderson, Jonathan Demme, and Kevin Smith to name a few) made sub-par, longish films that nonetheless displayed a lot of craftsmanship.
Relatively dumb comedies (Anchorman, Euro Trip, Dodgeball) and relatively smart ones (Team America, Shaun Of The Dead) remain entirely watchable and relevant 10 years later, as do the original action films (The Day After Tomorrow, Dawn Of the Dead, Hellboy).
All told, it was a fine year overall, but Eternal Sunshine was head and shoulders above the rest.
Should you wish to look back at some of my previous lists, look no further than: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, and 2005.
Top 25 Films:
25. THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, Roland Emmerich (USA)
24. CLOSER, Mike Nichols (USA/UK)
23. MEAN CREEK, Jacob Aaron Estes (USA)
22. EURO TRIP, Jeff Shaffer (USA/Czech Republic)
21. SHREK 2, Andrew Adamson & Kelly Asbury & Conrad Vernon (USA)
20. THE AVIATOR, Martin Scorsese (USA)
19. DAWN OF THE DEAD, Zack Snyder (Canada/USA)
18. MILLION DOLLAR BABY, Clint Eastwood (USA)
17. HELLBOY, Guillermo Del Toro (USA/Czech Republic)
16. THE INCREDIBLES, Brad Bird (USA)
15. SUPER SIZE ME, Morgan Spurlock (USA)
14. MARIA FULL OF GRACE, Joshua Marston (USA/Colombia)
13. SIDEWAYS, Alexander Payne (USA)
12. ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY, Adam McKay (USA)
11. GEGEN DIE WAND (HEAD-ON), Fatih Akin (Germany/Turkey)
10. A DIRTY SHAME, John Waters (USA)
9. MIRACLE, Gavin O'Connor (USA)
8. SHAUN OF THE DEAD, Edgar Wright (England)
7. GARDEN STATE, Zach Braff (USA)
6. FAHRENHEIT 9/11, Michael Moore (USA/Canada)
5. TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE, Trey Parker (USA)
4. I (HEART) HUCKABEES, David O. Russell (USA)
3. HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS, Zhang Yimou (China/Hong Kong)
2. KILL BILL, VOL. 2, Quentin Tarantino (USA)
1. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, Michel Gondry (USA)
Top 25 Directors:
25. OLIVER STONE, Alexander
24. JONATHAN DEMME, The Manchurian Candidate
23. BRAD SILBERLING, Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events
22. ZACK SNYDER, Dawn Of The Dead
21. ZACH BRAFF, Garden State
20. GUILLERMO DEL TORO, Hellboy
19. SPIKE LEE, She Hate Me
18. PAUL GREENGRASS, The Bourne Supremacy
17. CLINT EASTWOOD, Million Dollar Baby
16. JEAN-LUC GODARD, Notre Musique (Our Music)
15. MICHAEL RADFORD, The Merchant Of Venice
14. JOSHUA MARSTON, Maria Full Of Grace
13. WES ANDERSON, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
12. MARTIN SCORSESE, The Aviator
11. EDGAR WRIGHT, Shaun Of The Dead
10. JEAN-PIERRE JEUNET, Un Long Dimanche De Fiançailles (A Very Long Engagement)
9. TREY PARKER, Team America: World Police
8. FATIH AKIN, Gegen Die Wand (Head-On)
7. JOHN WATERS, A Dirty Shame
6. JUSTIN LIN, Better Luck Tomorrow
5. AGNÈS JAOUI, Comme Une Image (Look At Me)
4. DAVID O. RUSSELL, I (Heart) Huckabees
3. ZHANG YIMOU, House Of Flying Daggers
2. QUENTIN TARANTINO, Kill Bill, Vol. 2
1. MICHEL GONDRY, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
Top 30 Lead Actors:
30. ANDY LAU, House Of Flying Daggers
29. CLINT EASTWOOD, Million Dollar Baby
28. TOM CRUISE, Collateral
27. JOHNNY DEPP, Finding Neverland
26. ZACH BRAFF, Garden State
25. LEONARDO DICAPRIO, The Aviator
24. WILL FERRELL, Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy
23. JIM CARREY, Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events
22. DAVID CARRADINE, Kill Bill, Vol. 2
21. ADAM SANDLER, Spanglish
20. DANIEL CRAIG, Layer Cake
19. LIAM NEESON, Kinsey
18. RORY CULKIN, Mean Creek
17. JOHN MALKOVICH, Ripley's Game
16. COLIN FARRELL, A Home At The End Of The World
15. SEAN PENN, The Assassination Of Richard Nixon
14. DUSTIN HOFFMAN, I (Heart) Huckabees
13. CHRISTOPHER WALKEN, Around The Bend
12. AL PACINO, The Merchant Of Venice
11. KEVIN BACON, The Woodsman
10. BILLY BOB THORNTON, Friday Night Lights
9. BILL MURRAY, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
8. BIROL UNEL, Gegen Die Wand (Head-On)
7. KURT RUSSELL, Miracle
6. JIM CAVIEZEL, The Passion Of The Christ
5. JAVIER BARDEM, Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside)
4. PAUL GIAMATTI, Sideways
3. DON CHEADLE, Hotel Rwanda
2. JIM CARREY, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
1. JAMIE FOXX, Ray
Top 30 Lead Actresses:
30. SARAH POLLEY, Dawn Of The Dead
29. ELISHA CUTHBERT, The Girl Next Door
28. SCARLETT JOHANSSON, In Good Company
27. MARISA TOMEI, Alfie
26. DIANE KRUGER, Wicker Park
25. NICOLE KIDMAN, Birth
24. MAGGIE CHEUNG, Clean
23. SIGOURNEY WEAVER, Imaginary Heroes
22. SCARLETT JOHANSSON, A Love Song For Bobby Long
21. LAURA DERN, We Don't Live Here Anymore
20. CATE BLANCHETT, The Aviator
19. ZHANG ZIYI, House Of Flying Daggers
18. LAURA LINNEY, P.S.
17. KATE WINSLET, Finding Neverland
16. CARLY SCHROEDER, Mean Creek
15. SIBEL KEKILLI, Gegen Die Wand (Head-On)
14. PAZ VEGA, Spanglish
13. SARAH ADLER, Notre Musique (Our Music)
12. ELSA ZYLBERSTEIN, Modigliani
11. ISABELLE HUPPERT, I (Heart) Huckabees
10. NAOMI WATTS, The Assassination Of Richard Nixon
9. NATALIE PORTMAN, Garden State
8. IMELDA STAUNTON, Vera Drake
7. LOLA DUENAS, Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside)
6. KRISTEN STEWART, Speak
5. EMMANUELLE DEVOS, Rois Et Reine (Kings And Queen)
4. HILARY SWANK, Million Dollar Baby
3. CATALINA SANDINO MORENO, Maria Full Of Grace
2. ANNETTE BENING, Being Julia
1. KATE WINSLET, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
Top 25 Supporting Actors:
25. TY BURRELL, Dawn Of The Dead
24. GEORGE CARLIN, Jersey Girl
23. JEFF GOLDBLUM, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
22. JEFF DANIELS, Imaginary Heroes
21. JOHN LITHGOW, Kinsey
20. GARY OLDMAN, Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
19. DON CHEADLE, The Assassination Of Richard Nixon
18. JAMES JOHNSTON, Clean
17. WILLEM DAFOE, The Clearing
16. NICK FROST, Shaun Of The Dead
15. TREVOR MORGAN, Mean Creek
14. MICHAEL MADSEN, Kill Bill, Vol. 2
13. MATHIEU AMALRIC, Rois Et Reine (Kings And Queen)
12. STEVE ZAHN, Speak
11. MARK WAHLBERG, I (Heart) Huckabees
10. THOMAS HADEN CHURCH, Sideways
9. TOM WILKINSON, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
8. MORGAN FREEMAN, Million Dollar Baby
7. STEVE CARELL, Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy
6. NEIL PATRICK HARRIS, Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
5. JAMIE FOXX, Collateral
4. JEAN-PIERRE BACRI, Comme Une Image (Look At Me)
3. CLIVE OWEN, Closer
2. NOAH EMMERICH, Miracle
1. GABRIEL MACHT, A Love Song For Bobby Long
Top 25 Supporting Actresses:
25. MICHELLE TRACHTENBERG, Euro Trip
24. KIM POIRIER, Dawn Of The Dead
23. SIENNA MILLER, Layer Cake
22. SELMA BLAIR, A Dirty Shame
21. LENA HEADY, Ripley's Game
20. DIANE KRUGER, Troy
19. MONICA BELLUCCI, The Passion Of The Christ
18. KATE BECKINSALE, The Aviator
17. LUCY PUNCH, Being Julia
16. JADA PINKETT SMITH, Collateral
15. DARRYL HANNAH, Kill Bill, Vol. 2
14. SIGOURNEY WEAVER, The Village
13. JEAN SMART, Garden State
12. BELÉN RUEDA, Mar Ardentro (The Sea Inside)
11. CONNIE BRITTON, Friday Night Lights
10. VIRGINIA MADSEN, Sideways
9. CLORIS LEACHMAN, Spanglish
8. SOPHIE OKONEDO, Hotel Rwanda
7. MARION COTILLARD, Un Long Dimanche De Fiançailles (A Very Long Engagement)
6. LAURA LINNEY, Kinsey
5. NATALIE PORTMAN, Closer
4. MELTEM CUMBUL, Gegen Die Wand (Head-On)
3. NAOMI WATTS, I (Heart) Huckabees
2. NAOMI WATTS, We Don't Live Here Anymore
1. MERYL STREEP, The Manchurian Candidate
Top 25 Screenplays:
25. JAMES GUNN, Dawn Of The Dead
24. GUILLERMO DEL TORO, Hellboy
23. JOHN LOGAN, The Aviator
22. ERIC GUGGENHEIM, Miracle
21. BRAD BIRD, The Incredibles
20. ERIC BRESS & J. MACKYE GRUBER, The Butterfly Effect
19. MIKE LEIGH, Vera Drake
18. JEAN-LUC GODARD, Notre Musique (Our Music)
17. PAUL HAGGIS, Million Dollar Baby
16. EDGAR WRIGHT & SIMON PEGG, Shaun Of The Dead
15. OMAR NAIM, The Final Cut
14. QUENTIN TARANTINO, Kill Bill, Vol. 2
13. TINA FEY, Mean Girls
12. WES ANDERSON & NOAH BAUMBACH, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
11. FATIH AKIN, Gegen Die Wand (Head-On)
10. JOSHUA MARSTON, Maria Full Of Grace
9. PATRICK MARBER, Closer
8. JOHN WATERS, A Dirty Shame
7. WILL FERRELL & ADAM MCKAY, Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy
6. ALEXANDER PAYNE & JIM TAYLOR, Sideways
5. ZACH BRAFF, Garden State
4. TREY PARKER & MATT STONE & PAM BRADY, Team America: World Police
3. DAVID O. RUSSELL & JEFF BAENA, I (Heart) Huckabees
2. JACOB AARON ESTES, Mean Creek
1. CHARLIE KAUFMAN, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
Top 25 Cinematographers:
25. EMMANUEL KADOSH, Modigliani
24. ROBERT RICHARDSON, The Aviator
23. TOM STERN, Million Dollar Baby
22. OLIVER WOOD, The Bourne Supremacy
21. ROGER DEAKINS, The Ladykillers
20. MATTHEW F. LEONETTI, The Butterfly Effect
19. PASCAL RIDAO, Arsène Lupin
18. DAVID JOHNSON, Alien Vs. Predator
17. ROGER DEAKINS, The Village
16. BENOÎT DELHOMME, The Merchant Of Venice
15. DEREK ROGERS & CHRISTIAN SEBALDT, Resident Evil: Apocalypse
14. MATTHEW F. LEONETTI, Dawn Of The Dead
13. BRUNO DELBONNEL, Un Long Dimanche De Fiançcailles (A Very Long Engagement)
12. DAVID M. DUNLAP, Shaun Of The Dead
11. GUILLERMO NAVARRO, Hellboy
10. EMMANUEL LUBEZKI, Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events
9. PETER DEMING, I (Heart) Huckabees
8. UELI STEIGER, The Day After Tomorrow
7. LAWRENCE SHER, Garden State
6. BILL POPE, Team America: World Police
5. ERIC ADKINS, Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow
4. ERIC GAUTIER, Diarios De Motocicleta (The Motorcycle Diaries)
3. ROBERT RICHARDSON, Kill Bill, Vol. 2
2. ELLEN KURAS, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
1. ZHAO XIAODING, House Of Flying Daggers
Top 10 Villains:
10. JIM CARREY, Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events
9. TY BURRELL, Dawn Of The Dead
8. JASON LEE, The Incredibles
7. DAVID CARRADINE, Kill Bill, Vol. 2
6. LARS ULRICH, Some Kind Of Monster
5. LADISLAV DERAN, Hellboy
4. TOM CRUISE, Collateral
3. SHAUN EVANS, Being Julia
2. TREVOR MORGAN, Mean Creek
1. TOBIN BELL, Saw
Documentaries were particularly worthy of note (Some Kind Of Monster, Super Size Me, and Fahrenheit 9/11 as the obvious top-3, but also those disproving the latter two), while master directors (Martin Scorsese, Wolfgang Petersen, Oliver Stone, Wes Anderson, Jonathan Demme, and Kevin Smith to name a few) made sub-par, longish films that nonetheless displayed a lot of craftsmanship.
Relatively dumb comedies (Anchorman, Euro Trip, Dodgeball) and relatively smart ones (Team America, Shaun Of The Dead) remain entirely watchable and relevant 10 years later, as do the original action films (The Day After Tomorrow, Dawn Of the Dead, Hellboy).
All told, it was a fine year overall, but Eternal Sunshine was head and shoulders above the rest.
Should you wish to look back at some of my previous lists, look no further than: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, and 2005.
Top 25 Films:
25. THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, Roland Emmerich (USA)
24. CLOSER, Mike Nichols (USA/UK)
23. MEAN CREEK, Jacob Aaron Estes (USA)
22. EURO TRIP, Jeff Shaffer (USA/Czech Republic)
21. SHREK 2, Andrew Adamson & Kelly Asbury & Conrad Vernon (USA)
20. THE AVIATOR, Martin Scorsese (USA)
19. DAWN OF THE DEAD, Zack Snyder (Canada/USA)
18. MILLION DOLLAR BABY, Clint Eastwood (USA)
17. HELLBOY, Guillermo Del Toro (USA/Czech Republic)
16. THE INCREDIBLES, Brad Bird (USA)
15. SUPER SIZE ME, Morgan Spurlock (USA)
14. MARIA FULL OF GRACE, Joshua Marston (USA/Colombia)
13. SIDEWAYS, Alexander Payne (USA)
12. ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY, Adam McKay (USA)
11. GEGEN DIE WAND (HEAD-ON), Fatih Akin (Germany/Turkey)
10. A DIRTY SHAME, John Waters (USA)
9. MIRACLE, Gavin O'Connor (USA)
8. SHAUN OF THE DEAD, Edgar Wright (England)
7. GARDEN STATE, Zach Braff (USA)
6. FAHRENHEIT 9/11, Michael Moore (USA/Canada)
5. TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE, Trey Parker (USA)
4. I (HEART) HUCKABEES, David O. Russell (USA)
3. HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS, Zhang Yimou (China/Hong Kong)
2. KILL BILL, VOL. 2, Quentin Tarantino (USA)
1. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, Michel Gondry (USA)
Top 25 Directors:
25. OLIVER STONE, Alexander
24. JONATHAN DEMME, The Manchurian Candidate
23. BRAD SILBERLING, Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events
22. ZACK SNYDER, Dawn Of The Dead
21. ZACH BRAFF, Garden State
20. GUILLERMO DEL TORO, Hellboy
19. SPIKE LEE, She Hate Me
18. PAUL GREENGRASS, The Bourne Supremacy
17. CLINT EASTWOOD, Million Dollar Baby
16. JEAN-LUC GODARD, Notre Musique (Our Music)
15. MICHAEL RADFORD, The Merchant Of Venice
14. JOSHUA MARSTON, Maria Full Of Grace
13. WES ANDERSON, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
12. MARTIN SCORSESE, The Aviator
11. EDGAR WRIGHT, Shaun Of The Dead
10. JEAN-PIERRE JEUNET, Un Long Dimanche De Fiançailles (A Very Long Engagement)
9. TREY PARKER, Team America: World Police
8. FATIH AKIN, Gegen Die Wand (Head-On)
7. JOHN WATERS, A Dirty Shame
6. JUSTIN LIN, Better Luck Tomorrow
5. AGNÈS JAOUI, Comme Une Image (Look At Me)
4. DAVID O. RUSSELL, I (Heart) Huckabees
3. ZHANG YIMOU, House Of Flying Daggers
2. QUENTIN TARANTINO, Kill Bill, Vol. 2
1. MICHEL GONDRY, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
Top 30 Lead Actors:
30. ANDY LAU, House Of Flying Daggers
29. CLINT EASTWOOD, Million Dollar Baby
28. TOM CRUISE, Collateral
27. JOHNNY DEPP, Finding Neverland
26. ZACH BRAFF, Garden State
25. LEONARDO DICAPRIO, The Aviator
24. WILL FERRELL, Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy
23. JIM CARREY, Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events
22. DAVID CARRADINE, Kill Bill, Vol. 2
21. ADAM SANDLER, Spanglish
20. DANIEL CRAIG, Layer Cake
19. LIAM NEESON, Kinsey
18. RORY CULKIN, Mean Creek
17. JOHN MALKOVICH, Ripley's Game
16. COLIN FARRELL, A Home At The End Of The World
15. SEAN PENN, The Assassination Of Richard Nixon
14. DUSTIN HOFFMAN, I (Heart) Huckabees
13. CHRISTOPHER WALKEN, Around The Bend
12. AL PACINO, The Merchant Of Venice
11. KEVIN BACON, The Woodsman
10. BILLY BOB THORNTON, Friday Night Lights
9. BILL MURRAY, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
8. BIROL UNEL, Gegen Die Wand (Head-On)
7. KURT RUSSELL, Miracle
6. JIM CAVIEZEL, The Passion Of The Christ
5. JAVIER BARDEM, Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside)
4. PAUL GIAMATTI, Sideways
3. DON CHEADLE, Hotel Rwanda
2. JIM CARREY, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
1. JAMIE FOXX, Ray
Top 30 Lead Actresses:
30. SARAH POLLEY, Dawn Of The Dead
29. ELISHA CUTHBERT, The Girl Next Door
28. SCARLETT JOHANSSON, In Good Company
27. MARISA TOMEI, Alfie
26. DIANE KRUGER, Wicker Park
25. NICOLE KIDMAN, Birth
24. MAGGIE CHEUNG, Clean
23. SIGOURNEY WEAVER, Imaginary Heroes
22. SCARLETT JOHANSSON, A Love Song For Bobby Long
21. LAURA DERN, We Don't Live Here Anymore
20. CATE BLANCHETT, The Aviator
19. ZHANG ZIYI, House Of Flying Daggers
18. LAURA LINNEY, P.S.
17. KATE WINSLET, Finding Neverland
16. CARLY SCHROEDER, Mean Creek
15. SIBEL KEKILLI, Gegen Die Wand (Head-On)
14. PAZ VEGA, Spanglish
13. SARAH ADLER, Notre Musique (Our Music)
12. ELSA ZYLBERSTEIN, Modigliani
11. ISABELLE HUPPERT, I (Heart) Huckabees
10. NAOMI WATTS, The Assassination Of Richard Nixon
9. NATALIE PORTMAN, Garden State
8. IMELDA STAUNTON, Vera Drake
7. LOLA DUENAS, Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside)
6. KRISTEN STEWART, Speak
5. EMMANUELLE DEVOS, Rois Et Reine (Kings And Queen)
4. HILARY SWANK, Million Dollar Baby
3. CATALINA SANDINO MORENO, Maria Full Of Grace
2. ANNETTE BENING, Being Julia
1. KATE WINSLET, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
Top 25 Supporting Actors:
25. TY BURRELL, Dawn Of The Dead
24. GEORGE CARLIN, Jersey Girl
23. JEFF GOLDBLUM, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
22. JEFF DANIELS, Imaginary Heroes
21. JOHN LITHGOW, Kinsey
20. GARY OLDMAN, Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
19. DON CHEADLE, The Assassination Of Richard Nixon
18. JAMES JOHNSTON, Clean
17. WILLEM DAFOE, The Clearing
16. NICK FROST, Shaun Of The Dead
15. TREVOR MORGAN, Mean Creek
14. MICHAEL MADSEN, Kill Bill, Vol. 2
13. MATHIEU AMALRIC, Rois Et Reine (Kings And Queen)
12. STEVE ZAHN, Speak
11. MARK WAHLBERG, I (Heart) Huckabees
10. THOMAS HADEN CHURCH, Sideways
9. TOM WILKINSON, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
8. MORGAN FREEMAN, Million Dollar Baby
7. STEVE CARELL, Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy
6. NEIL PATRICK HARRIS, Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
5. JAMIE FOXX, Collateral
4. JEAN-PIERRE BACRI, Comme Une Image (Look At Me)
3. CLIVE OWEN, Closer
2. NOAH EMMERICH, Miracle
1. GABRIEL MACHT, A Love Song For Bobby Long
Top 25 Supporting Actresses:
25. MICHELLE TRACHTENBERG, Euro Trip
24. KIM POIRIER, Dawn Of The Dead
23. SIENNA MILLER, Layer Cake
22. SELMA BLAIR, A Dirty Shame
21. LENA HEADY, Ripley's Game
20. DIANE KRUGER, Troy
19. MONICA BELLUCCI, The Passion Of The Christ
18. KATE BECKINSALE, The Aviator
17. LUCY PUNCH, Being Julia
16. JADA PINKETT SMITH, Collateral
15. DARRYL HANNAH, Kill Bill, Vol. 2
14. SIGOURNEY WEAVER, The Village
13. JEAN SMART, Garden State
12. BELÉN RUEDA, Mar Ardentro (The Sea Inside)
11. CONNIE BRITTON, Friday Night Lights
10. VIRGINIA MADSEN, Sideways
9. CLORIS LEACHMAN, Spanglish
8. SOPHIE OKONEDO, Hotel Rwanda
7. MARION COTILLARD, Un Long Dimanche De Fiançailles (A Very Long Engagement)
6. LAURA LINNEY, Kinsey
5. NATALIE PORTMAN, Closer
4. MELTEM CUMBUL, Gegen Die Wand (Head-On)
3. NAOMI WATTS, I (Heart) Huckabees
2. NAOMI WATTS, We Don't Live Here Anymore
1. MERYL STREEP, The Manchurian Candidate
Top 25 Screenplays:
25. JAMES GUNN, Dawn Of The Dead
24. GUILLERMO DEL TORO, Hellboy
23. JOHN LOGAN, The Aviator
22. ERIC GUGGENHEIM, Miracle
21. BRAD BIRD, The Incredibles
20. ERIC BRESS & J. MACKYE GRUBER, The Butterfly Effect
19. MIKE LEIGH, Vera Drake
18. JEAN-LUC GODARD, Notre Musique (Our Music)
17. PAUL HAGGIS, Million Dollar Baby
16. EDGAR WRIGHT & SIMON PEGG, Shaun Of The Dead
15. OMAR NAIM, The Final Cut
14. QUENTIN TARANTINO, Kill Bill, Vol. 2
13. TINA FEY, Mean Girls
12. WES ANDERSON & NOAH BAUMBACH, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
11. FATIH AKIN, Gegen Die Wand (Head-On)
10. JOSHUA MARSTON, Maria Full Of Grace
9. PATRICK MARBER, Closer
8. JOHN WATERS, A Dirty Shame
7. WILL FERRELL & ADAM MCKAY, Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy
6. ALEXANDER PAYNE & JIM TAYLOR, Sideways
5. ZACH BRAFF, Garden State
4. TREY PARKER & MATT STONE & PAM BRADY, Team America: World Police
3. DAVID O. RUSSELL & JEFF BAENA, I (Heart) Huckabees
2. JACOB AARON ESTES, Mean Creek
1. CHARLIE KAUFMAN, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
Top 25 Cinematographers:
25. EMMANUEL KADOSH, Modigliani
24. ROBERT RICHARDSON, The Aviator
23. TOM STERN, Million Dollar Baby
22. OLIVER WOOD, The Bourne Supremacy
21. ROGER DEAKINS, The Ladykillers
20. MATTHEW F. LEONETTI, The Butterfly Effect
19. PASCAL RIDAO, Arsène Lupin
18. DAVID JOHNSON, Alien Vs. Predator
17. ROGER DEAKINS, The Village
16. BENOÎT DELHOMME, The Merchant Of Venice
15. DEREK ROGERS & CHRISTIAN SEBALDT, Resident Evil: Apocalypse
14. MATTHEW F. LEONETTI, Dawn Of The Dead
13. BRUNO DELBONNEL, Un Long Dimanche De Fiançcailles (A Very Long Engagement)
12. DAVID M. DUNLAP, Shaun Of The Dead
11. GUILLERMO NAVARRO, Hellboy
10. EMMANUEL LUBEZKI, Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events
9. PETER DEMING, I (Heart) Huckabees
8. UELI STEIGER, The Day After Tomorrow
7. LAWRENCE SHER, Garden State
6. BILL POPE, Team America: World Police
5. ERIC ADKINS, Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow
4. ERIC GAUTIER, Diarios De Motocicleta (The Motorcycle Diaries)
3. ROBERT RICHARDSON, Kill Bill, Vol. 2
2. ELLEN KURAS, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
1. ZHAO XIAODING, House Of Flying Daggers
Top 10 Villains:
10. JIM CARREY, Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events
9. TY BURRELL, Dawn Of The Dead
8. JASON LEE, The Incredibles
7. DAVID CARRADINE, Kill Bill, Vol. 2
6. LARS ULRICH, Some Kind Of Monster
5. LADISLAV DERAN, Hellboy
4. TOM CRUISE, Collateral
3. SHAUN EVANS, Being Julia
2. TREVOR MORGAN, Mean Creek
1. TOBIN BELL, Saw
Friday, February 7, 2014
Sochi, Day One
I guess we know, now...
It was the opening ceremonies at the Sochi Olympic and, perhaps because of Russia's anti-gay-propaganda law, the top-right ring of the Olympic logo refused to come out, by fear of getting arrested and/or beaten.
Karma or terrorism/activism?
It was the opening ceremonies at the Sochi Olympic and, perhaps because of Russia's anti-gay-propaganda law, the top-right ring of the Olympic logo refused to come out, by fear of getting arrested and/or beaten.
Karma or terrorism/activism?
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Video Of The Week: Kandle
One of the main reasons why I can't get into Lana Del Rey is that I prefer more honest stuff, and I like my pop a tad darker, too - and Kandle is a perfect example of how that can work.
Born in Vancouver (as Kandle Osborne) but now living in Montréal, she inherited her father's songwriting skills, as he is Neil Osborne of Canadian rock legends 54-40.
She is set to release her debut album, In Flames, but hasn't released a video for that yet, so instead I present you with All That I Need, directed by Thibaut Duverneix. off her self-released and self-titled EP from 2012:
You just can't go wrong with a girl in the snow in the forest.
For the song I wanted to feature, though, hear it here.
Born in Vancouver (as Kandle Osborne) but now living in Montréal, she inherited her father's songwriting skills, as he is Neil Osborne of Canadian rock legends 54-40.
She is set to release her debut album, In Flames, but hasn't released a video for that yet, so instead I present you with All That I Need, directed by Thibaut Duverneix. off her self-released and self-titled EP from 2012:
You just can't go wrong with a girl in the snow in the forest.
For the song I wanted to feature, though, hear it here.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Why, Oh Why?
Can two horribly wrong things make one awesome thing? I thought ''no'', but I may have to re-think my position on the matter after seeing this...
Yes, that's 10 minutes of Rob Ford dancing to the awfulness that is Crazy Town's ''Butterfly''.
That is all.
Yes, that's 10 minutes of Rob Ford dancing to the awfulness that is Crazy Town's ''Butterfly''.
That is all.
Oh, Sochi
If Russia doesn't break you, it will break itself around you.
Apparently, international journalists aren't impressed with the accommodations so far, a day before the Games begin...
These are going to be a fun read over the course of two weeks...
Apparently, international journalists aren't impressed with the accommodations so far, a day before the Games begin...
Some journalists arriving in Sochi are describing appalling conditions in the housing there, where only six of nine media hotels are ready for guests. Hotels are still under construction. Water, if it’s running, isn’t drinkable. One German photographer told the AP over the weekend that his hotel still had stray dogs and construction workers wandering in and out of rooms.
These are going to be a fun read over the course of two weeks...
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