User:Moviemaniacx
Hello, my name is Nick, I'm 24-years-old and I live in Baltimore, Maryland. I'm a Mechanical Engineer; I studied at UMBC. I love movies, music, and video games; they are the three things that make me the happiest and keep me sane! I love pretty much all genres of film, some more so than others. My musical tastes are wide and varied, and I do consider myself a bit of a "music snob". I like all types of video games and have been gaming since I was six years old.
What I edit
[edit]I get on Wikipedia everyday and always end up editing something, usually articles on films and music. I'm (obviously) an active contributor/monitor on many different film, music and video game pages. I have created a few articles, but mainly stick to editing. Most of the articles I have linked on this page, I have edited in some way and am an active monitor of. I also try to upload better pictures for articles, specifically film posters and album covers. I do most of my editing at my job, when I should be doing other work :)
Personal Userboxes
[edit]Film
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Video Games
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Movies
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Movies are my one true passion. I love music and video games to death and at times it seems like I love them more than the silver screen, but for me it always comes back to film. Most people are casual viewers who only see film as a form of entertainment, but to me movies are so much more than that. Explaining what they mean to me and why I enjoy them so much is hard to do. I love the sense of escapism they provide, I love the emotions they bring out in me, I love the technical aspects from special effects to cinematography, I love the atmosphere some films exude, I love quoting them and I love analyzing and discussing them with people. I could go on and on and on. Movies are a huge part of my life and I know that my love of film will never die. I'll give any film a try, from any genre or year. My personal favorite genres are horror, science fiction, and action. I enjoy films from all decades, but I especially like films from the 1970's and 1980's.
Top Thirty
[edit]My Top Thirty was a Top Ten for a long time, but in 2010 I felt the need to expand it due to my deeper appreciation of film, new films I've seen, and my changes in taste. I narrowed it down by removing entire film series and choosing one title only with two exceptions, both of which will be explained. Many people have trouble choosing their favorite films and trust me, this list was one of the most difficult for me to make. So I present to you my Top Thirty favorite films:
2. John Carpenter's The Thing
[edit]3. Jurassic Park
[edit]6. Dawn of the Dead
[edit]7. Goodfellas
[edit]8. Shaun of the Dead / Hot Fuzz
[edit]9. Ghostbusters
[edit]10. Forrest Gump
[edit]YOU! ARE! A! TOY! Aghh, you're an action figure! You are a child's plaything!!!
Pixar's first theatrical feature is still my favorite out of all their films. I saw it at a young age and it became one of my favorite animated films along with Aladdin and Hercules. It captures the essence of a child's imagination, something everyone (unfortunately) loses as they get older. Toy Story creates a wonderous world where toys are actually alive and all they care about is making their owners happy. Woody is Andy's favorite toy and has been "since kindergarten". All of Andy's toys, including Mr. Potato Head, Rex the T-Rex, Hamm the piggybank and Slinky the Dog, are loved and played with regularly. All is well until Andy gets a new toy: Buzz Lightyear, who suddenly becomes Andy's favorite. Woody hatches a plan to get rid of Buzz and regain his position as top toy, but the plan goes awry and both toys must get back to Andy before he moves away. The rest of the film is about Woody and Buzz learning to work together and accepting each other, as well as their stations in life.
Though it's considered a kid's movie by general definition, Toy Story is so much more than that. It's an intelligent, interesting, funny and dramatic film that anyone can thoroughly enjoy, regardless of their age. The characters are lovable, the story is familiar and the comedy is both outright and subtle. There were jokes I never understood as a kid, but found hilarious at a more mature age (one in particular is when Potato Head takes his lips off and puts them near his butt, symbolizing either "talking out of your ass" or "kiss my ass"). The film also has some dark themes and humor, especially in the scenes at Sid's house (the disfigured toys, the obvious lack of child discipline and psychological instability, etc). I remember the scene where Sid's dog Scud mauls a friendly alien squeeze toy terrifying me as a child. The movie is also filled with great messages about friendship, self-esteem and acceptance.
The cast is what really makes the film work. The enthusiasm of both Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz is infectious. They become the characters and I can't think of another actor that could replace them. They're supported by an outstanding cast of character actors such as Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, Jim Varney, R. Lee Ermey, John Ratzenberger and Annie Potts. Every actor is perfect for their character, with the standout being Rickles as Potato Head – he's such a smartass. From a technological standpoint, the film is groundbreaking. It was the first full length computer animated film and its visuals were breathtaking to behold. Nowadays the graphics look slightly dated, especially compared to Pixar's more recent works like Toy Story 3 (which, on a side note, is the best second sequel, like ever), but the story and the characters are so heartwarming and fun that you won't even notice.
15. The Warriors
[edit]You see what you get Warriors? You see what you get when you mess with The Orphans?!
Ah, The Warriors. I love this movie. It has this awesome atmosphere and utilizes its setting of New York City to perfection, and I'm not talking about well-known landmarks like the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty. It uses the subway system, the grimy city streets and specific areas like Coney Island to give it a one of a kind feel. The story is simple: a gang called The Warriors gets framed for the murder of an influential gang leader and they must make their way back to their home turf (Coney) while avoiding the various gangs around the city. The whole movie is one big chase and it's satisfying as all hell. It moves at a lightning quick pace and stays exciting throughout. The acting ranges from good to mediocre, but in this case it doesn't really matter because this is a film that doesn't take itself too seriously. The music is superb and greatly enhances the atmosphere. It may seem dated to some people, but it just makes the film all the more immersive. The variety of gangs is really nifty, with the Baseball Furies being the coolest by far. There's also the Hi-Hats, a gang that dresses like clowns/mimes and the Punks, a knife-wielding gang that wears overalls and rollerskates. This may sound ridiculous but it all works within the film and is extremely entertaining. And who can forget the end with Luther (David Patrick Kelly) clinking the three glass bottles together and screeching "Warriorsss! Come out to playyyyy!" Classic!
I really have nothing else to say about The Warriors. It used to be a fairly obscure cult film, but with the release of the video game (which is excellent by the way) it seems like more and more people are familiar with it. Shit, I never knew about it until my mom told me to rent it one day. This happened when I was really getting into films and I had just started working at Hollywood Video, so to have thank my mom for recommending such an obscure film that I had never heard of. It was very cool, especially since I freakin' loved it and I still quote it quite frequently.
16. Dirty Harry
[edit]I know what you're thinking — "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I've kinda lost track myself. But, being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?
Clint Eastwood is the epitome of badass. The no-bullshit attitude, the one-liners, the calm-under-pressure demeanor, I mean he practically created the archetype. All the 80s action stars like Schwarzenegger, Stallone, and Willis have him to thank. Eastwood's role of Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan is an incorruptible symbol of justice, upholding the law with lethal effectiveness. He's fed up with all the bureacratic bullshit that continues to allow criminals to run free, something that we can all relate to. We see news stories everyday where the justice system is way too lenient with offenders. Dirty Harry lets us vent our frustrations through his actions. A classic exchange between the police commissioner and Harry early on in the film sums it up nicely:
- Commissioner: How do you know he was intending to commit rape?
- Harry: When a naked man is chasing a woman through an alley with a butcher knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn't out collecting for the Red Cross.
A humorous, but honest answer. Another exchange between Harry and the D.A. ridicules the idea that criminals have more rights than the victims:
- D.A.: Your illegal search renders the rifle inadmissable in court.
- Harry: Says who?
- D.A.: The law.
- Harry: Then the law is crazy.
It's stuff like this that frustrates people and weakens their trust in the justice system. It's Harry who restores that trust. We look at Harry as the one who's not afraid to get things done, regardless of who he's up against. I've always found the "law strikes back" stories to be empowering and relevant. And I know it captures my feelings on the matter – an eye for an eye; if the offender killed someone, then they should be killed in the same way as their crime.
The film is set and shot in San Francisco and showcases the City by the Bay wonderfully. The grittiness of Dirty Harry (and also The French Connection) was new at the time, and afterwards many other films began to emulate its style such as Serpico and Death Wish. Eastwood is perfect as Harry Callahan, creating a one of the most iconic characters in the history of film. He performs effortlessly, with the right amount of sarcasm and toughness. His little smirk during the "Do I feel lucky" scene is classic. While Eastwood owns the film, Andy Robinson is utterly insane as the Scorpio Killer – based on the real life Zodiac Killer – and nearly steals the show. He is a highly disturbing character who is completely evil, interesting considering Robinson is a pacifist in real life. To have him transform himself so drastically really speaks volumes about his acting ability. All the other characters are good, but get overshadowed by Eastwood and Robinson.
Dirty Harry holds up surprisingly well despite being made in 1971. It was followed by four sequels, some of which are great while others are disappointing. The first remains the best and is still a must-see film. Don't miss it.
17. The Blues Brothers
[edit]It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it.
The Blues Brothers is one of the best comedies ever made. And while I do believe whether or not something is funny depends almost entirely on personal taste, The Blues Brothers is one exception. If you don't find this film funny, then frankly you're an idiot. It's a film where everything just comes together and it has an everlasting, universal appeal – the story, the cast, the jokes, the music, and the direction by Landis all combine perfectly into one superb masterpiece. For me, its strength lies in the story, which really is epic in scope. Jake and Elwood Blues must get $5,000 to keep the orphanage where they were raised from shutting down. Simple enough, right? Wrong. The amount of things that happen to them and all the mayhem and chaos they cause is staggering. I'm still amazed at the sheer magnitude and creativity the film manages to brilliantly balance and execute.
There are so many things going on it'll make yout head spin! To get the $5,000, Jake and Elwood decide to get the band back together, but all the members have since moved on to different things. One of my favorite scenes is when they try to re-recruit their trumpet player Mr. Fabulous, now working as a maître d' at a fancy restaurant, by being obnoxious and slovenly patrons. While trying to reunite the band, they run afoul of the police and take part in an electrifying car chase through a shopping mall, encounter a mystery woman who tries to kill them in various elaborate ways – which they fail to notice, make enemies with a group of Neo-Nazis, procure musical equipment, piss off a country and western bar owner, and take part in numerous blues-inspired song and dance routines. Jesus H. tap-dancing Christ! It all ends with a groovy blues concert held at the Palace Hotel and another spectacular car chase with hundreds of police cars through the streets of Chicago. It is such a blast to watch it all unfold and it ties up all the plotlines beautifully.
The Chicago setting is magnificently utilized, showcasing many parts of the city. The car chases are two of the best ever filmed; I'm not even kidding. They're exciting and feature some very impressive stunts. The music is fantastic, featuring blues covers of classics like "Sweet Home Chicago" and including cameos by legendary musicians like Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, and many more. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd are fabulous as Jake and Elwood, respectively. They have such natural comedic timing and play off each other very well. The comedy itself is solid gold, ranging from sight gags, dark humor, dry wit, and genuine hilarity all delivered perfectly, with not one joke missing its mark. I can't commend this film enough, it really is, along with Ghostbusters, one of my favorite comedies and one of the best comedies of all-time.
18. Dazed and Confused
[edit]You just gotta keep livin', man. L–I–V–I–N.
Remember a time when things were simple? Those care-free high school days that everyone told us to cherish and that we'd eventually refer to them as "the best years of our lives"? Well, Dazed And Confused lets us relive that time, capturing the freedom and recklessness of youth perfectly. The film takes place on the last day of school in 1976 and follows a wide variety of different characters and cliques as the night progresses. Even though it takes place in '76, the story and events that occur feel timeless, transcending generations. Don't believe me? Try describing the movie aloud; it sounds like a typical "been there, done that" night of partying and mischief that we've all taken part in at some point in our lives. This "nostalgia" factor helps the audience identify with the characters and the situations they get themselves into. Many films have utilized this concept before, especially John Hughes films like Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, but for me Dazed And Confused is the most genuine and the most relatable.
The characters are wonderful, with each one being well-developed and memorably real. That's another part of the film's appeal – the familiarity of the characters. You feel like you've went to school with some of these people: there's the guy that's friends with everyone, the dumb jock, the bitchy cheerleader, the stoner, the dorks and nerds, the asshole bully, and many others. The interesting part is that none of these characters becomes overly stereotypical and that makes them a lot more convincing. The actors do a tremendous job; the play the person, not the stereotype. I'm not going to list who played who because each actor embodied the role and I feel like I'd be doing the film a disservice. No one actor steals the show, but a few come close.
The soundtrack is absolutely bitchin'. It features a great mix of 70s classic rock, such as "No More Mr. Nice Guy" by Alice Cooper and "Tush" by ZZ Top, among many others. The music really completes the film and makes it all the more enjoyable. The film has an underlying theme of rebellion and the refusal to grow up, something that I can definitely relate to. Though it may get lumped in with the teen comedies, I see it as much more than your standard comedic tripe. I find Dazed And Confused to be a very comforting film that I watch quite regularly and one that has yet to lose its hypnotizing appeal.
19. Almost Famous
[edit]Show me any guy who ever said he didn't want to be popular, and I'll show you a scared guy. I've studied the entire history of music. Most of the time, the best stuff is the popular stuff. It's much safer to say popularity sucks, because that allows you to forgive yourself if you suck. And I don't forgive myself. Do you?
Cameron Crowe captured lightning in a bottle with this film. I've never been a huge fan of his other directorial works, except for maybe 1993's Singles. With Almost Famous however, Crowe blew me away. It takes place in the 1970's and chronicles a young journalist who follows the up-and-coming rock band Stillwater as they tour the country. It sounds formulaic, but Crowe makes it seem so damn authentic. This authenticity comes from the fact that he based the screenplay on his personal experiences as a journalist for Rolling Stone magazine, touring with bands like The Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin, and The Who. It comes from the heart and ends up honoring its subject matter with admiration while not condescending to it.
The story is driven by a large group of interesting and well-written characters, played mostly by lesser-known but utterly outstanding actors. Patrick Fugit nails the role of William nicely, being naïve but also the most sensible person in the group – despite being the youngest. Billy Crudup does an excellent job as Russell Hammond, the band's lead guitarist and central story focus. He has a charismatic quality that makes him perfect for the part. Lastly, we have Kate Hudson as Penny Lane; she's magnificent, being sweet but also very sexy. Her relationship with William is a great juxtaposition: she is free-spirited and bold while William is introverted and quiet. They play off each other very well. I have to mention Frances McDormand as William's mother who is incredibly over-protective of her son. Her performance is hilarious but also heartfelt, and her conversation with Russell over the telephone is one of my favorite parts of the film.
The soundtrack is one of the best. It has a nice variety of late 60s/early 70s tracks from Jimi Hendrix to Elton John. Crowe also managed to get a whopping five, lesser-known Zeppelin songs, a real treat for me being a huge Led Head. All of these songs greatly enhance the film and suck you right into the film's atmosphere. There are also homages to numerous iconic/infamous rock and roll moments, such as Russell proclaiming "I am a golden god", mimicking Robert Plant's famous quote at the Riot House. And it's these things, the little nuances and references, that make Almost Famous one of my favorites: a very personal film that only gets better with each viewing.
20. The Star Wars Trilogy
[edit]Do, or do not. There is no try.
The original trilogy. Star Wars began in 1977 and has endured for over 40 years, making it a true cultural phenomenon. It has the most rabid fanbase with the exception of maybe Star Trek and is still talked about to this day. Forget about those shallow, asinine toy advertisements known as the prequel trilogy — my love is for the original trilogy: Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. I count them as one entry because it really is one huge story arc that completes itself over the course of the three films. I was introduced to it as a kid and loved all the cool spaceships, robots, and alien creatures. I understood the story but didn't really care about it. At a more mature age, I still love it for many reasons.
My favorite thing about Star Wars is its epic scope and its melding of nearly every other film genre into one spectacular story. While it is always classified as science fiction, its combination with all these other genres and settings makes it feel fresh, even though its core story is one of the oldest around. To explain, let me break it down for you:
- Action: There's tons of action from lightsaber duels and gun battles to aerial dogfights and vehicle chases. Two action scenes in particular remain as sensational as the first time I witnessed them: the battle on Hoth from Empire and the speeder bike chase from Jedi.
- Horror: It has some elements of horror such as the garbage pit scene within the Death Star from A New Hope and the Rancor scenes in Jabba's Palace from Return of the Jedi. And the casting of Peter Cushing alongside David Prowse is no coincidence.
- Comedy: All three films have little bits of comedy, usually stemming from R2-D2 and C-3PO. However, it's Han's interactions with Chewbacca and his banter with Princess Leia that always make me laugh.
- Drama: Drama is a central element throughout all three films, most notably the father-son relationship between Luke and Vader and the love-hate relationship between Han and Leia.
- Western: This one's the most obvious in A New Hope with its desert setting and nearly all the scenes that take place on Tatooine, especially the cantina segment.
- Fantasy: There are numerous fantasy elements such as the vast array of wild creatures and distant planets, but the prime example for me is The Force. Forget that bogus explanation in Episode I.
- Foreign: This one is obvious with all the alien languages and dialogue, but from a thematic standpoint (and this was not a personal observation) it mirrors the Samurai films of Akira Kurosawa.
- War: Very simple – the Galactic Empire vs. the Rebel Alliance, as well as the Jedi vs. the Sith.
The heart of the film is the characters and there are tons of them. I'd be here all day describing them all to you so I'll just give you my favorites. First is Harrison Ford as Han Solo, the badass. He's such a great character with a cool backstory and that trademark sarcastic charm. One of my favorite lines of his comes in Return of the Jedi where he's about to ambush the bad guys on Endor. The other characters are wary and unsure but Han just smirks and says "Hey, it's me!" Classic. Mark Hammill is interesting as Luke Skywalker and his transformation from simple farmboy to kickass Jedi as the story progresses is awesome and, more importantly, believable. And finally, James Earl Jones as Darth Vader. He needs no introduction or praise: with that badass outfit and that commanding voice, he's simply one of the best villains of all-time.
The special effects literally revolutionized the entire industry and still look amazing to this day, and the score by John Williams is one of the best ever composed. Everytime I hear it, I get goosebumps and it puts a smile on my face. Star Wars was one of my favorites back then and it's still one of my favorites today.
It's money and adventure and fame. It's the thrill of a lifetime and a long sea voyage that starts at six o'clock tomorrow morning.
King Kong is a true masterpiece and one of the most well-known films of all-time. It's an exciting adventure that has thrilled millions and inspired many filmmakers, namely Peter Jackson. Its special effects were groundbreaking at the time and its success helped changed the face of cinema. I can't praise it enough, so let me tell you what it means to me.
It's two movies in one. The first is a rousing adventure starting on an island that time forgot and ending up in New York City. The second is a love story, the classic tale of beauty and beast. The two storylines intertwine beautifully and the pace of the film is perfect; it never gets boring or feels unbalanced. I love the portion that takes place on Skull Island, it's an rip-roaring adventure that continues to thrill me despite being nearly 80 years old! All the different dinosaurs and creatures are wonderfully designed and animated, with my favorite part being the fight between Kong and a T-Rex. The actors do a great job, especially Fay Wray as Ann Darrow and Robert Armstrong as Carl Denham. The showdown in New York City is equally as exciting, leading to arguably one of the most recognized scenes in film history: Kong's fight atop the Empire State Building. It's magnificent.
I really don't know what else to say about this landmark film. It's one of the greatest films ever made and everyone needs to experience it. If you're one of those morons that doesn't like to watch black and white films, I have some advice for you: Go get a hammer and hit yourself in the head a few times because you are an imbecile! Now go watch King Kong!
22. The Dark Knight
[edit]Some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.
With Batman being my favorite superhero, it was tough to choose between Batman and The Dark Knight. They're both excellent films that treat the character with respect and admiration, but The Dark Knight is just more enjoyable for me. It has an epic scope and manages to outdo its predecessor in nearly every way. The direction by Christopher Nolan is beautiful, with sweeping shots of Gotham City and some impressive action sequences, namely vertically flipping over a tractor trailer from the front of the cab; it's a stunning setpiece. The theme of identity is in full swing here, with the inner struggle between the personas of Bruce Wayne and Batman and the creation of Two-Face. Escalation is another prominent theme. While Batman fights crime, it seems like his existence attracts even more criminals to Gotham. These themes are the meat of the film, giving the characters lots of emotional depth as well as positing a few interesting moral questions.
The showstopper is Heath Ledger as The Joker. He deserves every single bit of praise and recognition for his portrayal, giving one of the best performances I've ever seen. He is The Joker – sorry Jack. Everytime he appears on screen, his presence is magnetic and you hang on his every word. I love that he is the complete opposite of Christian Bale's Batman. It's the classic good vs. evil in the purest sense. Batman represents good while The Joker is utterly evil. Watching him bring the city to its knees while causing mayhem and chaos to see if he can corrupt Batman is as exciting as it gets. And although he is a vicious killer, at times he lives up to his name and can be legitimately funny. Bale is a good Batman, but I think he makes a fantastic Bruce Wayne, nailing his cocky and aloof attitude. Aaron Eckhart is charismatic as Harvey Dent and makes his transformation into Two-Face believable. Gary Oldman and Michael Caine round out the excellent cast as Comissioner Gordon and Alfred Pennyworth, respectively.
Many say this film is overrated; I disagree. While it received near-unanimous accolades, made over $1 billion dollars and was further popularized due to Ledger's unfortunate passing, the film really is that good and all the praise is entirely justified. People seem to confuse popularity and success with something being overrated; like you shouldn't like it because it's popular. Well that is bullshit – you should like something based on its quality and effect on you. Long story short: The Dark Knight really is a monumental achievement and it deserves the status of "Greatest Superhero Film".
You're hit man, you're bleeding! I ain't got time to bleed. Oh ok...you got time to duck?
Predator was one of the first R-rated films I saw and it made an impact on me. Up until I was 10-years-old, my world consisted of three films: Jurassic Park, Home Alone, and Twister. So to see all these brawny badasses quipping manly banter, blowing shit up, and then having to battle a chameleonic alien was quite a spectacle. At my young age, I liked the army aspect of it and seeing the cool Predator technology. As I got older, I really enjoyed the characters, the confining jungle setting, the special effects, and the film's concept. As humans at the top of the food chain, we have no concept of what it's like to be hunted, so to have an alien use humans as the prey is a nifty role reversal and a very clever twist on The Most Dangerous Game. The pace of the film is tight and with the first-rate score by Alan Silvestri, it builds up tons of tension that pays off brilliantly. Seeing the Predator stalk its prey but only catching fleeting glimpses of it is highly effective and a good example of the "less is more" approach. The cast is absolutely classic and overflowing with testosterone, which is part of the film's appeal. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Dutch and does a fine job. He's supported by the always reliable Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, and Jesse Ventura who has one of the best lines in the film: "I ain't got time to bleed..." The camaraderie between the actors is evident and really enhances the film. The special effects are outstanding and still look great, especially the Predator itself. What else can I say? Predator still holds up surprisingly well and continues to entertain the living hell out of me.
You're gonna need a bigger boat.
Jaws is in a class all its own. It's a timeless film that nearly everyone has seen and I can guarantee that if you ask someone what the "Jaws music" is, they will start imitating John Williams' (arguably) most well-known score. On the surface, it's a man vs. nature/killer creature film about a Great White shark terrorizing the coastal town of Amity. The first half plays out like a slasher film and some of the scenes are unforgettable. The second half is a man's movie. I don't mean that in a sexist way, but in both the literal and figurative senses. To me it seems like all men have a certain attachment to this film, usually having seen it at a young age. It is about how men bond and deal with each other's personalities, evidenced by the three main characters of Brody, Hooper, and Quint, played magnificently by Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw, respectively. All three have such radically different personalities and over the course of the film, they accept each other and form a bond to destroy the shark. The noticeable lack of a strong female presence in the film only reinforces this idea of "men being men", but also enhances the theme of man against nature and the dangerous relationship between them. In addition to creating the "summer blockbuster", I also see Jaws as a turning point in the film industry, where special effects began to take over and ushered in a whole near era of some of my favorite films.
On a side note: Ladies, if you're curious as to what us men do when we have a "guys' night out", just watch the "scar comparison" scene in Jaws.
25. Grindhouse
[edit]This car is 100% death proof. But in order to get the full benefit of it honey, you really need to be sitting in my seat!
Out of all the works of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, I appreciate Grindhouse the most. It knows its audience and does everything it can to please them. The film is a throwback to the old grindhouse exploitation flicks, specifically ones from the 70's. Being a huge fan of these types of movies, I feel like they made the movie just for me. It's a double feature (and one of the few times I really feel like I got my money's worth at the theater) with Rodriguez doing Planet Terror, a zombie action splatterfest and Tarantino doing Death Proof, a car chase flick with a unique spin. Both filmmakers treat their respective genre with the utmost love and respect. The cast is huge, with the standout being a badass Kurt Russell as Stuntman Mike.
The icing on the cake is the fake trailers that link the two main features together. They each focus on a different exploitation genre and are directed by other genre-loving filmmakers: Machete, a mexploitation action film also by Rodriguez; Werewolf Women of the S.S., a Nazi/sexploitation film by Rob Zombie; Don't, a Hammer Horror-style Britsploitation film by Edgar Wright; and my personal favorite, Thanksgiving, a holiday-based slasher film by Eli Roth. The fake trailers make the all-around experience of Grindhouse even more memorable. I must also note the spectacular music in Planet Terror; it sounds like a vintage John Carpenter score and seeing actors like Michael Biehn and Jeff Fahey again was a real treat. It's hard to explain the appeal of Grindhouse and a lot of people I know didn't really "get" it but trust me, it's one helluva good time!
Be excellent to each other and party on dudes!
Yeah, you read that correctly. Bill S. Preston, esq. and Ted "Theodore" Logan's first outing is seen by many as a silly 80's stoner comedy where two guys use a time machine to visit various historical periods so they can pass their history class. However, I see it as more than that. The film's core message is one of great importance, spoken by the characters themselves: "Be excellent to each other and party on dudes!" How simple is that? Treat each other right and have fun. If everyone lived their lives with this mindset, the world would be a brighter place. Bill & Ted are genuine characters and their simple views of the world can be quite insightful. Case in point is a scene where Bill & Ted talk to their future selves and afterwards Ted questions the advice of their future selves to which Bill replies: "Why would we lie to ourselves?" Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are perfect as the duo and their enthusiasm is quite infectious. Sure, most of it is silly and fun, but to me it conveys the idea of living life with a "chill" attitude beautifully and everytime I watch Excellent Adventure (and the sequel, Bogus Journey), it leaves me feeling light and happy.
27. School of Rock
[edit]We're not goofing around. We're creating musical fusion.
School of Rock is one of those movies that I can really identify with. To me, it's a testament to the power of rock music: the enjoyment of exposing people to the wonders of rock and then watching as they discover its greatness for themselves. Nowadays, many of my friends have no idea about the power of rock and this film really captures the essence of what music can accomplish, whether you're only listening or creating your own musical fusion. Jack Black plays the role of Dewey perfectly, infusing it with his usual zaniness but managing to make the character likable and genuine. The child actors are also well-cast and their varied personalities and quirks give the film its heart. The soundtrack features great songs by AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and The Who (among others) that really enhance the film's charm. Whenever I watch it, it puts me in a good mood and leaves me with a satisfied smile on my face.
28. Fight Club
[edit]I want you to hit me as hard as you can.
While this may seem like a cliché choice, Fight Club has a hypnotic quality to it. Trying to explain exactly what the movie (and the book on which it's based) is about is impossible, you just have to see it and you'll understand what I mean. The film has an anarchist attitude and deals with themes of identity and anti-consumerism. Brad Pitt gives a spectacular performance as Tyler Durden, making the role his own and Edward Norton is perfect as the aimless narrator with his dry delivery and black humor. Norton and Pitt play off each other very well, establishing what feels like a real relationship. What I like the most about Fight Club is that it makes you analyze your own life and question your identity. And that's the best kind of film: one that simultaneously entertains you and makes you think.
A brilliant collaboration between Romero and Stephen King. Horror anthologies can be a mixed bag but Creepshow is a solid effort all the way through, balanced nicely by five distinct stories and great performances by Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, Leslie Nielsen, and E.G. Marshall. The five segments are Father's Day, The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill, Something To Tide You Over, The Crate, & They're Creeping Up On You. The entire film has a consistently eerie atmosphere and some great cinematography, especially in Something To Tide You Over, as well as top-notch special effects throughout. While it is inherently a horror film, a good bit of dark humor is present as well, mostly in The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill and The Crate. The individual segments are all strong, with the third and fourth ones being my favorites; the creature in The Crate still creeps me out. For me, Creepshow is mandatory Halloween viewing and should be in every horror fan's collection.
30. Zombieland
[edit]It's time to nut up or shut up.
I was hesistant to put such a current film on my list, but Zombieland is just too damn good to overlook. My love of zombies and the zombie apocalypse are beautifully realized here. The four characters are fairly well-developed and the actors all have impeccable comedic timing, especially Woody Harrelson. The middle of the film is the highlight with the appearance of a comedy legend and the finale at the amusement park is utilized well and is a sight to behold. From the clever opening credits to the bloody climax, Zombieland is endlessly rewatchable and remains funny no matter how many times I watch it.
Honorable mentions
[edit]These are movies I still love, but did not make the cut:
- Inception
- The newest addition; goddamn it's good!
- The Big Lebowski
- District 9
- Tropic Thunder
- I found Tropic Thunder to be a hilarious, profanity-laced surprise. It lampoons the film industry wonderfully and has some excellent comedic turns by Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Cruise, both of whom are nearly unrecognizable under heavy make-up. The whole cast, which includes Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Brandon T. Jackson, Nick Nolte, and Danny McBride play off each other very well and the jokes almost always hit their mark. The film harkens back to raunchy comedies of the late 70s and 80s, jam-packed with tons of quotable lines and a killer soundtrack.
Original Top Ten
[edit]This is my original Top Ten that remained unaltered since I created it in 2005. Most of my choices still stand with the exception of a few.
- Terminator 2: Judgment Day
- John Carpenter's The Thing
- Jurassic Park
- The Back to the Future Trilogy
- The Indiana Jones Trilogy
- The Living Dead Series:
- The Warriors
- Dirty Harry
- The Blade Trilogy
- Forrest Gump
Horror Movies Based on Holidays
[edit]Holidays are a great subject for horror movies. This is just a list I cooked up because none seems to exist.
- Leprechaun and its crappy sequels
- Memorial Day
- Creepshow segment Father's Day
- The Stepfather and its sequel
- Uncle Sam
- Independence Day (arguable)
- Halloween
- Halloween II
- Halloween III: Season of the Witch
- Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
- Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers
- Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers
- Halloween H20: 20 Years Later
- Halloween: Resurrection
- Rob Zombie's 2007 re-imagining of Halloween
- Night of the Demons
- Trick 'r Treat
- Fake trailer for Thanksgiving
- Black Christmas, not the crappy remake
- Silent Night, Deadly Night and its sequels
Music
[edit]
I live and breath what everyone calls classic rock, though it's just rock to me. My favorite music is from the birth of rock and roll around 1955 to the end of grunge around 1995. I like all genres of music from this time period, including blues, rockabilly, surf rock, Motown, doo-wop, soul, funk, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, southern rock, glam rock/glam metal, 1980's pop and New wave and punk rock. I love heavy metal in all its forms, especially thrash metal, doom metal and power metal. There are a few post-grunge bands I enjoy, but not many. I strongly dislike current music, especially rap and hip-hop. Rap is just noise and has no musical worth whatsoever. I am also fascinated by the guitar and in the future I want to learn to actually play guitar. I think guitar solos are musical nirvana - there is nothing better than rocking out to Jimmy Page's extraordinary solo on "Stairway To Heaven" or Jimi Hendrix's skyscraping solo on "All Along the Watchtower".
I am very album-oriented. When I get into an artist, I listen to their entire catalogue and buy many of their albums. I will get on what I like to call "kicks" and just listen to one or two artists I'm really into at the time. This usually lasts for about two weeks, then I find another artist and switch to a "kick" on them or I go back to my old stand-bys like Zeppelin or Wolfmother. I can never tire of the mighty Zeppelin.
I am currently into: Led Zeppelin (always), Frank Sinatra
My top five bands are:
The Hammer of the Gods. The Mightiest of the Mighty. The Rulers of Rock. The Masters of Music. The Greatest Band To Ever Walk The Earth. Led Zeppelin have been called by these and many other names, all of which undoubtedly fit. Led Zeppelin are what music is all about. To me, they were, are and always will be the greatest musicians ever, bar none. They did everything, and they did it the better than those that came before them and those that came after them. Jimmy Page is one of the greatest guitarists ever, second only to Jimi Hendrix. Robert Plant is the most outrageously flamboyant frontman the world has ever seen. John Paul Jones has written some of the greatest songs to ever be put onto paper. And the late, great John Bonham is the most amazing drummer to have ever lived. "Stairway To Heaven" is truly one of best songs to grace human ears and will be remembered forever. Zeppelin's artistic achievements as musicians have yet to be topped. Unlike the other artist I love, I do not have a favorite Led Zeppelin album. All of the albums are perfect and my "favorite" album varies quite often. Last month, my favorite was Led Zeppelin III, and this month I haven't stopped listening to Led Zeppelin II. It fluctuates like this all the time. My top five songs are "Communication Breakdown", "Ramble On", "Immigrant Song", "The Rover" and "Hey Hey What Can I Do". I have many other favorite Zep songs that fluctuate on a daily basis.
One of the most rockin' bands ever. AC/DC is a legend. They rock the hardest and have the most fun doing it. Their songs are a blast to rock out to and great to drive to. Their songs are timeless - who hasn't heard "You Shook Me All Night Long" and went through it at least once? They have the 2nd highest selling album of all time and for good reason: They Rock. The late Bon Scott and Brian Johnson are equal frontmen in my eyes and Angus Young is one of the greatest guitarists ever. The "duck walk" a la Angus Young is also one of the coolest things I've ever seen. My favorite album is Highway To Hell and my favorite songs are "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)" and "It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)".
Van Halen crashed onto the scene in 1978 with an album that blew every headbanger's thoroughly shaken mind. Van Halen is a landmark in rock music and gave us one of the most amazing guitarists ever: Eddie Van Halen. Go and listen to "Eruption" and you will see exactly what I'm talking about. The man's finger tapping ability is astounding. David Lee Roth was the perfect frontman for the fast-paced band and his howling vocals will forever be etched into rock history. After 1984, Sammy Hagar entered and kept Van Halen alive and well. Though "Van Hagar" still rocked liked crazy, they never topped the original Van Halen. My favorite album is the above mentioned Van Halen and my favorite songs are "Runnin' With The Devil" and "Hot For Teacher".
Guitar God. Plain and simple. Jimi Hendrix is and will forever be the greatest guitarist to ever live. Period. Hendrix, while playing with The Jimi Hendrix Experience (with the great Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell) produced some of the most incredible songs anyone has ever heard. All three of Hendrix's studio albums - Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold As Love and Electric Ladyland - are three of the best rock albums ever produced. "Purple Haze", "Hey Joe", "Are You Experienced?", "Spanish Castle Magic", "If 6 Was 9", "Foxey Lady", "All Along The Watchtower" and "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" are prime examples of Hendrix's manipulation of the guitar and his mastery of sound. "All Along The Watchtower" is the most amazing song I've ever heard. Hendrix's showmanship on stage is also one of the most spectacular things you'll ever see: playing the guitar with his teeth and behind his head, as well as lighting the guitar on fire. Jimi Hendrix is the reason rock music was created. My favorite album is Electric Ladyland and my favorite songs are "All Along The Watchtower" and "Crosstown Traffic".
The only modern band I truly enjoy. Wolfmother's music is heavily influenced by Zeppelin, Sabbath, Deep Purple, and Blue Cheer, with heavy riffs, sizzling solos, Bonham-esque drumming, and a wailing, Plant-worthy frontman. Though they've only released two albums thus far, their rock reputation will unbdoubtedly expand and only get better! My favorite album is Cosmic Egg, though their debut is just as good. My favorite songs are "Joker and the Thief" and "Sundial".
- I also enjoy (but am not limited to):
Television
[edit]I don't watch very much television, but I am devoted to three shows: Lost, Fringe and Dexter. My favorite cartoon is Batman: The Animated Series. I also love SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron and the 1980's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV series, both of which are fantastic examples of quality animation. I also love The Simpsons, but then again who doesn't? I like The Flintstones, The Jetsons and the older episodes of Scooby Doo. Miami Vice is also a guilty pleasure of mine. I really enjoy what people call "Old School Nickelodeon", which aired in the mid 90s. The reason I don't watch a lot of TV now is because it is too clichéd and it is becoming saturated with annoying reality shows that are too-gimmicky and have little to do with actual reality.
Dexter
[edit]Dexter caught my attention because it was about a serial killer who only kills bad people, which I thought was a very cool premise. However, I soon found out that the show only used this as a minor background element and that the show was completely character-driven. And to my amazement, I was still hooked! The characters are so deep and interesting that I couldn't help getting involved with them and the actors do an amazing job and are utterly believable. My favorite characters are (obviously) Dexter and Special Agent Lundy. Interestingly, I really liked the character of Harry, Dexter's father, but the more I found out about him as the show progressed, the less I liked his character. Lila also intrigued me, but in a "watch out, she's a crazy psycho bitch!" kind of way. Do yourself a favor and watch this show from the beginning. You won't regret it.
Fringe
[edit]Fringe is reminiscent of The X-Files, but is cooler and has great characters. I love John Noble as Walter. His child like fascination with everything is hilarious. I never cared for Joshua Jackson, but he is great as Walter's son Peter. Anna Torv is good as Olivia Dunham , but sometimes she can be a little too predictable and wooden. Lance Reddick is excellent as Broyles, with a cool voice and no-nonsense attitude.
Lost
[edit]Lost is an amazing show that is unlike any other show on primetime TV, which is one of the main reasons I started watching it. It has a very original premise (the only other TV series that shares a similar premise is Gilligan's Island, albeit comically) and so many interesting characters. It also finds ways to keep surprising viewers and keep us hooked. Season 1 was excellent, but we didn't really know the characters. Season 2 is the best one so far because now being familiar with the characters, the show took time to explore the mysteries of the island. Season 3 was great but revealed too much, most notably that the characters do get off the island eventually.
- Favorite Elements
- • Answer 1 Question, Raise 3 More
- • The Dharma Initiative stations
- • The Smoke Monster
- • The Four-Toed Statue
The X-Files
[edit]The X-Files is a groundbreaking show that is absolutely incredible. I never watched it when I was younger because the episodes scared me too much. However, I purchased the collector's edition DVD boxset with all nine seasons and the first feature film. Mulder is my favorite character and I've gained a new respect for David Duchovny after watching the show – he is a fantastic actor! The myth-arc episodes are my favorite, though many of the monster of the week episodes are great as well, such as Ice, Firewalker, The List, Wetwired and Sanguinarium.
Batman: The Animated Series
[edit]Batman: The Animated Series is one of the finest television shows, let alone cartoons, ever produced. I was a huge fan back when it originally aired in the mid-90's and I've never forgotten it. The most remarkable thing about the series is that it's more mature than a lot of live-action television, featuring dark themes and threatening situations. I respect its serious tone and adult subject matter immensely; it reminds me of Pixar nowadays, telling a great story with top-notch animation that is just as much fun for adults as it is children. The show has a style all its own, with a bleak setting, interesting characters and the aforementioned mature themes (including death, revenge, psychological trauma, and sacrifice) . I honestly believe this show to be the best incarnation of the Batman universe. Yes, even better than The Dark Knight. It has all of Batman's classic villains as well as some original ones, namely Harley Quinn. Harley was so popular that she ended up being integrated into the rest of the Batman universe. The voice acting is also some of the best around, with superb performances by Kevin Conroy, Mark Hammill, Arleen Sorkin, and John Glover. My favorite episodes are Almost Got 'Im, Feat of Clay, If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?, and Mad As A Hatter.
SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron
[edit]SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron is the one of the greatest cartoon shows ever. I watched it when it aired back in 1993/1994 and recently rediscovered the episodes online and watched them all over again – even creating a Wikipedia page on the episodes! Check it out: List of SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron episodes. My favorite episodes are Chaos in Crystal, Destructive Nature, The Dark Side of the SWAT Kats and Unlikely Alloys.
The Simpsons
[edit]The Simpsons is a fantastic show that is one of the only animated sitcoms that is still funny after such a long run. I think it's very underrated, especially by parents. The show deals with every problem and situation a family or individual must deal with during their life, but critics just brush it off as "some silly cartoon" (don't get me wrong, it is silly, but it handles seriousness and comedy equally). Homer, Otto, Bart and Moe are my favorite characters.
Nickelodeon
[edit]Old School Nickelodeon is one of the best things ever to happen to television. Quality shows with excellent animation, characters and plots. I mainly enjoy all the older Nicktoons, but there are a few other shows that were awesome as well. The best include:
- Nicktoons
- Non-Nicktoons
I also occassionly watch Family Guy.
Video Games
[edit]
I enjoy all kinds of video games, mostly first and third person shooters as well as rhythm games. Like every other kid born in the 1980s, I started with the Super Mario Bros. franchise, with Super Mario Bros. 3 being my favorite. I own every major game console from the 8-bit era to the modern era), with the exception of the Sega consoles (however I do own a Sega Genesis). I find that video games are great stress relievers and they also hone your hand-eye coordination. They do not "rot your brain" or cause you to become a violent person, as some nay-sayers claim. I'm glad that video games are becoming more and more accepted as a form of entertainment that isn't just for kids anymore. So here's a list of my personal favorites from all the systems I own:
Nintendo
[edit]The classic system that started it all!
- Batman
- Battletoads
- Bionic Commando
- Castlevania
- Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
- Contra
- The Legend of Zelda
- Marble Madness
- Metroid
- Predator
- Ski or Die
- Super C
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros. 2
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game
- Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Improved on the NES in every way and is one of my all-time favorite game systems.
- The Castlevania series is one of the most memorable franchises in the Nintendo library, and for good reason. It's developed by Konami, creators of some of the best video game franchises in history such as Contra, Metal Gear, and one of my all-time favorites, Silent Hill. Castlevania started on the NES and is still going strong today with releases on the Nintendo DS and Wii. The trilogy on the NES is great, with Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse being my favorite of the bunch. The games were a fresh change of pace with a more mature setting and story, dealing with all the monsters that scared the crap out of me as a kid. While the controls are stiff, the gameplay is fun, the graphics are good (for the 8-bit era), and the music is phenomenal. It couldn't get any better right? Wrong.
- Enter Super Castlevania IV on the SNES. This game blew me away. I'm not kidding, I was speechless. Right from the get-go, my jaw dropped and stayed that way until I defeated Dracula. It took everything that worked so well on the NES and improved it, while ditching all the negative aspects.
- Let's begin with the gameplay. The core aspects remain unchanged: fight through hordes of supernatural creatures in gothic settings with a variety of weapons - nothing new. But it's the execution that makes Castlevania IV so spectacular. The most appealing thing is that everything remains fresh and fun no matter how far you progress into the game. Every level is unique and cleverly designed, with each subsequent stage continuing to impress. The familiar enemies from the NES trilogy return in addition to tons of new wildly designed enemies, the most memorable of which are these green bat-like demons from the river area in Stage 3.
- The flawless controls are what elevate the game from great to incredible. The rigid controls from the NES version are long gone. Now the controls are fluid and intuitive, making Simon effortless to control. A new feature is the ability to whip in 8 different directions, which makes attacking and defending a breeze. You can even spin the whip in a circular motion around you, essentially creating a forcefield. It causes less damage but is effective against smaller enemies. You can also control your jump in midair, to an extent. This makes dodging those damn pesky bats much simplier. Using your special weapon is also easier, utilizing the R button instead of Up+Attack. All the power-ups return including my favorite, the cross boomerang.
- The graphics are, simply put, breathtaking. Being one of the first SNES games to be released in December 1991, I had never seen anything like it. The vibrant colors and quasi-3D perspectives were a sight to behold, even for the 16-bit era. Nearly every color is used at some point, from the neon green snakes of Medusa's hair to the bright purple zombie hands clawing their way out of their shallow graves. The attention to detail is remarkable, especially on the backgrounds and some of the enemies. The graphics give the game a dark gothic feel, but slightly less so than its predecessors. This isn't a bad thing though because, as I said, it keeps the gameplay fresh.
- The music is absolutely magnificent. It really immerses you deep within the game's atmosphere, making the entire experience all the more thrilling. It uses 16-bit renditions of the music from the NES games, but also includes brand new music that has since become etched into my memory. I own the CD soundtrack - it's that damn good! The sound effects themselves are excellent too. The whip sounds great and the most of the enemies all have their own special sounds. The environmental sounds also compliment the in-game music nicely.
- I have nothing bad to say about Castlevania IV. It rightfully belongs in that small pantheon of games that made perfect transitions to the SNES and are (arguably) better in every way. These include Super Mario World, Contra III, Super Metroid, A Link To The Past, and Turtles In Time. I personally find it very reminiscent of Contra III because I played the hell out of both games in my youth and still play them today.
- Long story short: Castlevania IV is the best game in the entire series, one of the best fourth generation games, and my all-time favorite SNES game.
- Contra III: The Alien Wars
- Cybernator
- Donkey Kong Country
- Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures
- Jurassic Park
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past
- Rock N' Roll Racing
- Skyblazer
- Strike Gunner S.T.G.
- Super Mario Kart
- Super Mario World
- Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
- Super Metroid
- The Super Star Wars series
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles In Time
- Zombies Ate My Neighbors
My personal favorite game system.
- Banjo-Kazooie
- Conker's Bad Fur Day
- Gauntlet Legends
- Goldeneye 007
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Mario Kart 64
- San Francisco Rush 2049
- StarFox 64
- Super Mario 64
- Super Smash Bros.
- Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
- Turok 2: Seeds of Evil
- Turok: Rage Wars
I never owned a Gamecube until after I bought a Wii, but the system is still damn good.
- Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
- Mario Kart: Double Dash
- Metroid Prime
- Resident Evil 0
- Super Mario Sunshine
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
Epitomizes innovation and already has some classic games.
Sony
[edit]Again, I got my PlayStation after the fact. I bought my PS2 about a month later and never looked back.
- Blade
- Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
- Grand Theft Auto 2
- Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX
- Resident Evil
- Resident Evil 2
- Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
One of the greatest systems of all-time, because of its reliability, game library, and backwards compatibility. It also has two of the best movie to video game adaptations ever, The Thing and The Warriors.
- Blade II
- Bloodrayne
- Bloodrayne 2
- Burnout: Revenge
- Destroy All Humans
- God of War
- Grand Theft Auto III
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Guitar Hero
- Guitar Hero II
- Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks The 80s
- Max Payne
- Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy
- Red Faction II (one of the best multiplayer games ever)
- Silent Hill 2
- Silent Hill 3
- Silent Hill 4: The Room
- Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus
- The Suffering
- The Thing
- TimeSplitters 2
- Tony Hawk's Underground
- Tony Hawk's Underground 2
- The Warriors
This system has enormous potential, but I feel like it's not utilizing it properly. I'm hoping for the best.
- Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Brütal Legend
- Ghostbusters: The Video Game
- Little Big Planet
- Pain
- Resistance: Fall of Man
Microsoft
[edit]Like the PlayStation and Gamecube, I got my Xbox after the fact. No comment really other than it is a very good system.
My first of the seventh generation consoles, I was impressed and still love playing it. The New Xbox Experience made it even better.
- Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
- BioShock
- Dead Rising
- Fallout 3
- Full Auto
- Grand Theft Auto IV
- Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City
- Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
- Guitar Hero: Metallica
- Left 4 Dead (a one of a kind experience)
- Lego Batman
- Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
- Mirror's Edge
- The Orange Box
- Red Dead Redemption
- Rock Band
- Rock Band 2
Franchises
[edit]Super Mario Bros.
[edit]Everyone knows who Mario is. Ask anyone and they'll at least recognize the character. The Mario franchise is such a behemoth that it overshadows nearly every other franchise. However, there is good reason that the franchise is so popular and renowned: it's that damn good!. The Mario series has given us some of the greatest games of all time. They've taken us on epic adventures that let your imagination run wild. Every Nintendo console has at least one Mario game, with it usually being an excellent game as well. Super Mario Bros. 3 was the zenith on the NES, but then came Super Mario World, which took SMB3 and just improved on it in every possible way. Then came Super Mario 64, which took Mario into the 3D world with amazing results. Following this was Super Mario Sunshine which was great as well. Now we have Super Mario Galaxy which continues to revolutionize the franchise and keep it fresh.
And then you have the other Mario-based franchises which are amazing as well. The main ones are as follows:
- The Mario Kart series
- The Mario Golf series
- The Mario Tennis series
- The Mario Baseball series
- The Mario Soccer series
Mario Kart is my favorite of the bunch, specifically Mario Kart 64 which is the first one I played from the series.
Castlevania
[edit]Guitar Hero
[edit]The Guitar Hero series is a fantastic franchise that helped me broaden my love of rock music. Being a lover of rock music, these games let me (and everyone else who ever dreamed of rocking out to songs like "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Freebird") put my air guitar skills to the test. The best songs that are the most fun to play from each game are, in my opinion:
- Guitar Hero
- "You've Got Another Thing Comin'" by Judas Priest
- "Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top
- "Ziggy Stardust" by David Bowie
- "Crossroads" by Cream
- "Godzilla" by Blue Öyster Cult
- Guitar Hero II
- "You Really Got Me" by Van Halen
- "Cherry Pie" by Warrant
- "Killing In The Name" by Rage Against The Machine
- "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses
- "Beast And The Harlot" by Avenged Sevenfold
- Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s
- "I Ran (So Far Away)" by A Flock of Seagulls
- "No One Like You" by Scorpions
- "The Warrior" by Scandal
- "Nothin' But A Good Time" by Poison
- "Lonely Is The Night" by Billy Squier
- Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
- "Holiday in Cambodia" by Dead Kennedys
- "La Grange" by ZZ Top
- "Welcome To The Jungle" by Guns N' Roses
- "Cherub Rock" by The Smashing Pumpkins
- "Stricken" by Disturbed
Grand Theft Auto
[edit]The Grand Theft Auto series, a landmark in the history of video games. III paved the way for so many new innovations and possibilities that made the video game market explode. Controversy or not, these are great games that are a blast to play. They also featured big name actors doing the voices for some of the characters, which only added to your immersion in the game.
My favorite game out of the entire series is Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and its expansion pack, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. The games nail the portrayal of the 80s with the clothes, the mindset, the cars and of course, the music! I love the in-game radio station V-Rock and wish it were a real radio station.
Rock Band
[edit]Rock Band is the best thing to happen EVER. Harmonix took what they had created with Guitar Hero and pushed it even further, including drums and a microphone. Talk about innovation! The idea was executed beautifully, producing a high quality game with sturdy perpherials and extreme replayability. Also very smart was the ability to download new tracks via the internet. This allows for you to keep expanding your song library without having to go buy another game! The game is truly something amazing and should not be overlooked. If you haven't played it - go buy it right now! My top 5 songs in each instrument are as follows:
*Note: These are subject to change as new downloadable songs are released.
Guitar
[edit]| Song title | Artist | Guitar | Bass | Drums | Vocals | Band | Pack | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" | Jet | Tier 6 | Tier 6 | Tier 5 | Tier 7 | Tier 6 | In-game | Nov. 20, 2007 |
| "Cherub Rock" | Smashing Pumpkins | Tier 8 | Tier 8 | Tier 8 | Tier 5 | Tier 8 | In-game | Nov. 20, 2007 |
| "Complete Control" | The Clash | Tier 6 | Tier 4 | Tier 5 | Tier 5 | Tier 5 | Punk 02 | Feb. 12, 2008 |
| "Interstate Love Song" | Stone Temple Pilots | Tier 3 | Tier 3 | Tier 6 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | Single | Jan. 8, 2008 |
| "Won't Get Fooled Again" | The Who | Tier 7 | Tier 7 | Tier 9 | Tier 8 | Tier 9 | In-game | Nov. 20, 2007 |
Bass
[edit]I actually don't play bass enough to pick favorites. I think it is rather boring.
Drums
[edit]| Song title | Artist | Guitar | Bass | Drums | Vocals | Band | Pack | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Day Late, Dollar Short" | The Acro-Brats | Tier 2 | Tier 4 | Tier 4 | Tier 9 | Tier 4 | In-game | Nov. 20, 2007 |
| "Enter Sandman" | Metallica | Tier 8 | Tier 9 | Tier 8 | Tier 6 | Tier 8 | In-game | Nov. 20, 2007 |
| "Interstate Love Song" | Stone Temple Pilots | Tier 3 | Tier 3 | Tier 6 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | Single | Jan. 8, 2008 |
| "Saints of Los Angeles" | Mötley Crüe | Tier 6 | Tier 6 | Tier 6 | Tier 3 | Tier 5 | Single | Apr. 15, 2008 |
| "Wave of Mutilation" | Pixies | Tier 2 | Tier 2 | Tier 2 | Tier 5 | Tier 2 | In-game | Nov. 20, 2007 |
Vocals
[edit]| Song title | Artist | Guitar | Bass | Drums | Vocals | Band | Pack | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Interstate Love Song" | Stone Temple Pilots | Tier 3 | Tier 3 | Tier 6 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | Single | Jan. 8, 2008 |
| "More Than a Feeling" | Boston | Tier 4 | Tier 3 | Tier 4 | Tier 7 | Tier 4 | Boston 01 | Mar. 25, 2008 |
| "N.I.B." | Black Sabbath | Tier 4 | Tier 4 | Tier 4 | Tier 5 | Tier 4 | Black Sabbath 01 | Dec. 4, 2007 |
| "Simple Man" | Lynyrd Skynyrd | Tier 3 | Tier 3 | Tier 1 | Tier 6 | Tier 2 | Classic Rock 01 | Apr. 15, 2008 |
| "War Pigs" | Black Sabbath | Tier 4 | Tier 5 | Tier 5 | Tier 7 | Tier 4 | Black Sabbath 01 | Dec. 4, 2007 |
Articles I've Created
[edit]My greatest accomplishment
[edit]Also
[edit]- Angus Bucks
- Bill Lancaster, a screenwriter
- Goth, a trivia game
- Strike Gunner S.T.G., one of the best games for the SNES
- Template:Frank Darabont, for the filmmaker Frank Darabont
- Template:Michele Soavi, for the Italian filmmaker Michele Soavi
- Template:Ratt, for the metal band Ratt
- Template:Walter Hill, for the filmmaker Walter Hill
- The Thing: Terror Takes Shape, a documentary about the film The Thing
Just for fun
Articles to which I actively contribute
[edit]Led Zeppelin
[edit]Basically everything on here →
Songs
[edit]| Title | Album | Year | Track # | Composer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Achilles' Last Stand" | Presence | 1976 | 01 | Page, Plant |
| "All My Love" | In Through the Out Door | 1979 | 06 | Jones, Plant |
| "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" | Led Zeppelin | 1969 | 02 | Bredon, arr. Page, Plant |
| "Baby Come On Home" | Coda | 1993a | 09 | Berns, Page, Plant |
| "The Battle of Evermore" | 1 | 1971 | 03 | Page, Plant |
| "Black Country Woman" | Physical Graffiti | 1975 | 14 | Page, Plant |
| "Black Dog" | 1 | 1971 | 01 | Page, Plant, Jones |
| "Black Mountain Side" 2 | Led Zeppelin | 1969 | 06 | Page |
| "Bonzo's Montreux" 2 | Coda | 1982e | 07 | Bonham |
| "Boogie with Stu" | Physical Graffiti | 1975 | 13 | Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant, Stewart, Valens |
| "Bring It On Home" | Led Zeppelin II | 1969 | 09 | Dixon, arr. Page, Plant |
| "Bron-Yr-Aur" 2 | Physical Graffiti | 1975 | 08 | Page |
| "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" | Led Zeppelin III | 1970 | 09 | Page, Plant, Jones |
| "Candy Store Rock" | Presence | 1976 | 05 | Page, Plant |
| "Carouselambra" | In Through the Out Door | 1979 | 05 | Jones, Page, Plant |
| "Celebration Day" | Led Zeppelin III | 1970 | 03 | Page, Plant, Jones |
| "Communication Breakdown" | Led Zeppelin | 1969 | 07 | Page, Jones, Bonham |
| "The Crunge" | Houses of the Holy | 1973 | 04 | Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant |
| "Custard Pie" | Physical Graffiti | 1975 | 01 | Page, Plant |
| "D'yer Mak'er" | Houses of the Holy | 1973 | 06 | Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant |
| "Dancing Days" | Houses of the Holy | 1973 | 05 | Page, Plant |
| "Darlene" | Coda | 1982f | 06 | Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant |
| "Dazed and Confused" | Led Zeppelin | 1969 | 04 | Holmes, Page |
| "Down by the Seaside" | Physical Graffiti | 1975 | 09 | Page, Plant |
| "Fool in the Rain" | In Through the Out Door | 1979 | 03 | Jones, Page, Plant |
| "For Your Life" | Presence | 1976 | 02 | Page, Plant |
| "Four Sticks" | 1 | 1971 | 06 | Page, Plant |
| "Friends" | Led Zeppelin III | 1970 | 02 | Page, Plant |
| "Gallows Pole" | Led Zeppelin III | 1970 | 06 | Ledbetter, arr. Page, Plant |
| "The Girl I Love She Got Long Black Wavy Hair" | BBC Sessions | 1997b | 05 | Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant, Estes |
| "Going to California" | 1 | 1971 | 07 | Page, Plant |
| "Good Times Bad Times" | Led Zeppelin | 1969 | 01 | Page, Jones, Bonham |
| "Hats Off to (Roy) Harper" | Led Zeppelin III | 1970 | 10 | White, arr. Page, Plant |
| "Heartbreaker" | Led Zeppelin II | 1969 | 05 | Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant |
| "Hey Hey What Can I Do" | Coda | 1990c | 12 | Page, Plant, Jones, Bonham |
| "Hot Dog" | In Through the Out Door | 1979 | 04 | Page, Plant |
| "Hots On for Nowhere" | Presence | 1976 | 06 | Page, Plant |
| "Houses of the Holy" | Physical Graffiti | 1975 | 04 | Page, Plant |
| "How Many More Times" | Led Zeppelin | 1969 | 09 | Page, Jones, Bonham |
| "I Can't Quit You Baby" | Led Zeppelin | 1969 | 08 | Dixon |
| "I Can't Quit You Baby" | Coda | 1982c | 03 | Dixon |
| "I'm Gonna Crawl" | In Through the Out Door | 1979 | 07 | Jones, Page, Plant |
| "Immigrant Song" | Led Zeppelin III | 1970 | 01 | Page, Plant |
| "In My Time of Dying" | Physical Graffiti | 1975 | 03 | Johnson, arr. Page, Plant, Jones, Bonham |
| "In the Evening" | In Through the Out Door | 1979 | 01 | Jones, Page, Plant |
| "In the Light" | Physical Graffiti | 1975 | 07 | Jones, Page, Plant |
| "Kashmir" | Physical Graffiti | 1975 | 06 | Bonham, Page, Plant |
| "The Lemon Song" | Led Zeppelin II | 1969 | 03 | Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant |
| "Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)" | Led Zeppelin II | 1969 | 06 | Page, Plant |
| "Misty Mountain Hop" | 1 | 1971 | 05 | Page, Plant, Jones |
| "Moby Dick" 2 | Led Zeppelin II | 1969 | 08 | Bonham, Jones, Page |
| "Night Flight" | Physical Graffiti | 1975 | 11 | Jones, Page, Plant |
| "Nobody's Fault but Mine" | Presence | 1976 | 04 | Page, Plant |
| "No Quarter" | Houses of the Holy | 1973 | 07 | Jones, Page, Plant |
| "The Ocean" | Houses of the Holy | 1973 | 08 | Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant |
| "Out on the Tiles" | Led Zeppelin III | 1970 | 05 | Page, Plant, Bonham |
| "Over the Hills and Far Away" | Houses of the Holy | 1973 | 03 | Page, Plant |
| "Ozone Baby" | Coda | 1982f | 05 | Page, Plant |
| "Poor Tom" | Coda | 1982c | 02 | Page, Plant |
| "The Rain Song" | Houses of the Holy | 1973 | 02 | Page, Plant |
| "Ramble On" | Led Zeppelin II | 1969 | 07 | Page, Plant |
| "Rock and Roll" | 1 | 1971 | 02 | Page, Plant, Jones, Bonham |
| "The Rover" | Physical Graffiti | 1975 | 02 | Page, Plant |
| "Royal Orleans" | Presence | 1976 | 03 | Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant |
| "Sick Again" | Physical Graffiti | 1975 | 15 | Page, Plant |
| "Since I've Been Loving You" | Led Zeppelin III | 1970 | 04 | Page, Plant, Jones |
| "Somethin' Else" | BBC Sessions | 1997b | 10 | Cochran, Sheeley |
| "The Song Remains the Same" | Houses of the Holy | 1973 | 01 | Page, Plant |
| "South Bound Saurez" | In Through the Out Door | 1979 | 02 | Jones, Plant |
| "Stairway to Heaven" | 1 | 1971 | 04 | Page, Plant |
| "Tangerine" | Led Zeppelin III | 1970 | 07 | Page |
| "Tea for One" | Presence | 1976 | 07 | Page, Plant |
| "Ten Years Gone" | Physical Graffiti | 1975 | 10 | Page, Plant |
| "Thank You" | Led Zeppelin II | 1969 | 04 | Page, Plant |
| "That's the Way" | Led Zeppelin III | 1970 | 08 | Page, Plant |
| "Trampled Under Foot" | Physical Graffiti | 1975 | 05 | Page, Plant, Jones |
| "Traveling Riverside Blues" | Coda | 1993b | 10 | Page, Plant, Johnson |
| "Walter's Walk" | Coda | 1982d | 04 | Page, Plant |
| "The Wanton Song" | Physical Graffiti | 1975 | 12 | Page, Plant |
| "We're Gonna Groove" | Coda | 1982c | 01 | Bethea, King |
| "Wearing and Tearing" | Coda | 1982f | 08 | Page, Plant |
| "What Is and What Should Never Be" | Led Zeppelin II | 1969 | 02 | Page, Plant |
| "When the Levee Breaks" | 1 | 1971 | 08 | Page, Plant, Jones, Bonham |
| "White Summer" 2 | Coda | 1982b | 11 | Page |
| "Whole Lotta Love" | Led Zeppelin II | 1969 | 01 | Dixon, Page, Plant, Jones, Bonham |
| "You Shook Me" | Led Zeppelin | 1969 | 03 | Dixon, Lenoir |
| "Your Time Is Gonna Come" | Led Zeppelin | 1969 | 05 | Page, Jones |
- ^1 refers to Led Zeppelin IV.
- ^2 This song is an instrumental.
- ^a This song was originally recorded in 1968.
- ^b This song was originally recorded in 1969.
- ^c This song was originally recorded in 1970.
- ^d This song was originally recorded in 1972.
- ^e This song was originally recorded in 1976.
- ^f This song was originally recorded in 1978.
Non Led Zeppelin
[edit]Favorite Quotes
[edit]On what he wanted Led Zeppelin to be from the beginning:
| “ | I had a lot of ideas from my days with The Yardbirds. The Yardbirds allowed me to improvise a lot in live performance and I started building a textbook of ideas that I eventually used in Zeppelin. In addition to those ideas, I wanted to add acoustic textures. Ultimately, I wanted Zeppelin to be a marriage of blues, hard rock and acoustic music topped with heavy choruses -- a combination that had never been done before. Lots of light and shade in the music.[1] | ” |
On why he changed audio engineers from album to album:
| “ | I consciously kept changing engineers because I didn't want people to think that they were responsible for our sound. I wanted people to know it was me. | ” |
On his accomplishments as a producer:
| “ | Many people think of me as just a riff guitarist, but I think of myself in broader terms... [A]s a producer I would like to be remembered as someone who was able to sustain a band of unquestionable individual talent, and push it to the forefront during its working career. I think I really captured the best of our output, growth, change and maturity on tape -- the multifaceted gem that is Led Zeppelin.[1] | ” |
| “ | You can't be greater than Elvis, change things as much as the Beatles, or be as original as Led Zeppelin. All you can do is rip them off. | ” |
| “ | Thinking about the future and thinking about the past is really only a way of ignoring the present. | ” |
Personal Notes
[edit]Songs To Download
[edit]Bands To Check Out
[edit]External Links
[edit]http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_guitarsolo.html
http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/articles/coldguy/10140-top25snes
http://www.igda.org/censorship/points.php
References
[edit]- ^ a b Interview with Jimmy Page, Guitar World magazine, 1993