I promise, I will be a little more philosophical soon... had some interesting thoughts on the bus, so...
Well, I must say the past two days have been fun and I know I have not done a lot of things most might do, but I am not most people... something all of my reader might be thankful for... or not : ) Seriously, it seems discounts have been dropping into my lap from the day of my arrival and kept on hitting me... which is good. First, I get one free night and moved to a private room for a couple of days at my hostel due to a minor error. Then, a fellow American buys me a beer because he found out I was a Cowboy fan (while watching the game). Today, I get my student discount at the zoo and MOTAT (the Museum of Transport and Technology) with my ancient student ID. At that cost, the zoo was barely worth it (while pretty, a little small, though they do well with what they have) though MOTAT was great, especially the aircraft restoration hangar... awesome. Later, I decide to see what is playing at the movies and get told IMAX is discounted because Dark Knight has been playing too long. End result, I pay about 5 dollars US (less than a matinee for a normal film at home) and the combo meals are half off too... so a large drink, popcorn and ice cream for about 5 dollars... not bad, plus Dark Knight is amazing in IMAX... trust me on this :)
Well, tomorrow off to the Domain and Auckland Museum I think... hope things continue their run and hope all of you are doing well while waiting with baited breath about updated to my adventures :) (or lack thereof, lol)
C.
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
16 September 2008
01 May 2007
Spider-Week And Other Ramblings
Well, more and more people will be talking about 'Spider-Man 3' as the day draws near. I have to admit, even with the wimpy Topher Grace playing Eddie Brock, I am still looking forward to my favorite late 80's/early 90's bad guy, Venom. I think I am supposed to go see the film with my sister at a midnight showing but one never knows.
In further nerd news, I started playing the Lord Of The Rings Online game, and aside from some small hiccups that new games have, it is not too bad. I prefer it over Warcraft based on setting, though I am told the controls, quests and other details are similar. Well, go with what works, I suppose.
Everyone have a good week and enjoy the new month... I will try and post something with a little more substance soon.
C.
In further nerd news, I started playing the Lord Of The Rings Online game, and aside from some small hiccups that new games have, it is not too bad. I prefer it over Warcraft based on setting, though I am told the controls, quests and other details are similar. Well, go with what works, I suppose.
Everyone have a good week and enjoy the new month... I will try and post something with a little more substance soon.
C.
15 March 2007
Updates
Sometimes it is the waiting that gets you. Anyway, I thought I would update a little, so it does not appear I have dropped off the face of the planet entirely. I did manage to see '300' (excellent film... perhaps more on that another time) and got to see a friend I had not seen in awhile, but mostly, just wondering and waiting. One always hopes for the best, but time is ever our enemy, so to speak.
Anyway, I will try and get more composed over the weekend, as I do need to add something more substantial, no, I want to (if I treat it as a need, then what is the point of doing this?), especially before I head to AggieCon next week, where my contact will be limited, since I am the only one going and I do not have a laptop (I know, blasphemous, but I would rather have a better desktop :)
I hope everyone is having a good week.
C.
Anyway, I will try and get more composed over the weekend, as I do need to add something more substantial, no, I want to (if I treat it as a need, then what is the point of doing this?), especially before I head to AggieCon next week, where my contact will be limited, since I am the only one going and I do not have a laptop (I know, blasphemous, but I would rather have a better desktop :)
I hope everyone is having a good week.
C.
11 February 2007
100 Films
I suppose the AFI can have their 100, so I get mine, admittedly biased. I guess it is not quite fair to the books, poems and songs, but this seemed a better cross-section, and since I have been seeing movies since before I could read (I understand that 'Jaws' was the first movie I was taken to in a theater... I don't remember... the first movie I remember is 'Star Wars' at age 4, which, by then, I had been reading for a year).
So, due to my love of films, and it is Oscar season and all that, I give you, my dedicated readers, 100 films that affected me in how I saw the world or in what I wanted to be... or I just liked them a lot, and while in a particular order, know that outside the top 10, the order could change at a whim :)
I will also try and keep the commentary on these to a minimum lest my post start resembling the prior short story posts :)
1) The Empire Strikes Back- I am not sure I need to explain this :) One of the main reasons I am still a sci-fi nerd.
2) Star Wars- Without it, I would have no #1.
3) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers- Ok, so I am a big fan of middle movies of trilogies
4) Almost Famous/Untitled- Something about this film always inspires me... and it was set in a very good year (1973). Oh, the director's cut (Untitled) is worthy though significantly longer.
5) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring- I should point out that when I mention the LOTR movies, I mean the extended versions :)
6) Glory- Such an amazing, stirring soundtrack... contrasting the stark realism of the film itself.
7) Last of the Mohicans- If ever a soundtrack made a movie light years better...
8) Return of the Jedi- Would be higher were it not for Ewoks.
9) Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King- Would be higher if the movie did not feel like it was going to end 4 times in the last half hour.
10) Aliens- The best hard sci-fi movie ever... mmm... pulse rifles.
11) Raiders of the Lost Ark- Weren't the early 80's great?
12) Dances With Wolves- The cinematography really made the film come alive, aside from it also being amazingly good.
13) Unforgiven- 'Deserve ain't got nothin' to do with it.' -- As good a line, to me, as 'Go ahead, make my day'.
14) Ben-Hur- More epic than other films when epic was a going concern, but what really set the film apart was its acting, something a lot of epic films lacked at the time.
15) Letters From Iwo Jima- One of the best films I have seen in years, and such an amazing look at the hopelessness of war and the contrasting ideals of duty. While it will probably lose, to me, it deserves Best Picture this year.
16) Superman- There is only one Superman.
17) We Were Soldiers- Forget the Mel Gibson bias, this was simply an excellent film that told the stories of the soldiers involved in the Vietnam War with little bias on both sides.
18) Spartacus- What 'Gladiator' wanted to be... ok, that's not fair. 'Gladiator' was a great film in its own right, but 'Spartacus' was able to transcend the spate of films that imitated it, while 'Gladiator' had no real competition.
19) Full Metal Jacket- The first half, with the amazing R. Lee Ermy, was almost perfect... the second half, while good, was a little bit of a let down.
20) The Last Samurai- As much as it pains me to put anything up with Tom Cruise :) Thank goodness for Ken Watanabe.
21) Real Genius- Orbital lasers, nerds, liquid nitrogen, a house full of popcorn, no other cheesy 80's movie could top that :)
22) Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan- I don't even need to say the line.
23) Schindler's List- I still get choked up every time I see it.
24) Batman- Jack Nicholson as the Joker, 'nuff said.
25) Excalibur- Merlin has the best lines...
26) Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home- Kirk and Spock doing their best Laurel and Hardy it seems... just amazingly funny.
27) The Outlaw Josey Wales- A little dated, but one of Eastwood's best.
28) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade- Can't wait for 'Indy 4'.
29) The Untouchables- Speaking of Sean Connery.
30) Somewhere In Time- Ok, so I like sappy quasi-sci fi romances set in the early 1900's. But it stars Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour... how could that be bad? (and some music by Rachmaninoff)
31) The Fog of War- A documentary, true, but released in the theaters... about the life and regret of Robert S. McNamara. Highly recommended.
32) The Shootist- John Wayne's last film, but one of his best performances.
33) Dirty Harry- Ah, the vigilante cop craze... and the obsession in police forces with the .357 or .44 Magnum.
34) Braveheart- Might be higher if it had some sense of historical accuracy, and if I was still married (we used the music from the film in my wedding... yay.)
35) Clerks- The original and still the best, though the new one was pretty funny.
36) Field of Dreams- I still need to visit the cornfield in Iowa.
37) Robin and Marian- Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn... need I say more?
38) Alien- Scared me stupid when I was 6.
39) Ghostbusters- I probably watched this too much as a kid.
40) Poltergeist- Ibid.
41) The Cowboys- John Wayne at his best (would not say his prime, but certainly his best).
42) Hoosiers- We used to watch this before many a game to get inspired... sadly, we still lost a lot of the time.
43) Henry V- I sort of liked Kenneth Branagh's version better... so sue me.
44) Wizard of Oz- Many of the films above owe a lot to this film.
45) 2010: The Year We Make Contact- I liked this better than 2001... I also liked the book better than 2001.
46) 2001: A Space Odyssey- but not much better.
47) Caddyshack- Would be higher were I a golf fan... since I am not, it still is darn funny thanks to some great comedians in their prime.
48) Platoon- Well done... one of the few Oliver Stone films that does not feel like an Oliver Stone film.
49) A Bridge Too Far- A fantastic film, and had quite the cast at the time... Robert Redford, Anthony Hopkins, Sir Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, to name a few, plus directed by Richard Attenborough.
50) Eight Men Out- The reason Shoeless Joe goes to Iowa.
51) And the Band Played On- Another film with an excellent cast, about the early struggle and history of AIDS.
52) 300- when history and fantasy collide, fantasy always wins it seems :) but a great movie nonetheless.
53) Batman Begins- One of the most well-written superhero films I have seen.
54) Jurassic Park- Loved the book, but the dinosaurs weren't bad :)
55) A Time to Kill- Some intriguing questions about justice and vengeance in this film.
56) Thunderball- Still my favorite Bond film.
57) The Muppet Movie- A movie for lovers, dreamers and me :)
58) Outland- A lot of Sean Connery films on this list...
59) Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory- Johnny Depp is no Gene Wilder :)
60) The Ten Commandments- Were I more religious, this would be higher... but I'm not.
61) Borat: Make Benefit etc, etc,- Sascha Baron Cohen is a disgusting, revolting genius. I laughed my self silly.
62) Gladiator- It won a lot of Oscars in a thin year, nonetheless enjoyable, though.
63) Troy- I know, one of about 100 people that liked this, but I'm a fan of the period.
64) The Insider- The movie Russell Crowe should have won his Oscar for.
65) Boogie Nights- Burt Reynolds was great in this... plus some fantastic music too.
66) Mystery Men- One of my favorite Geoffrey Rush films.
67) Die Hard- When you need cheesy action in the late 80's, call Bruce Willis.
68) Bloodsport- Or Jean Claude Van Damme :)
69) Better Off Dead- One of those really quirky 80's films that never took itself too seriously, and it worked.
70) Richard III- A 1930's fascist England version with a very evil Sir Ian McKellan.
71) Revenge of the Sith- The prequels will be on the list... just face facts. I'm too big a Star Wars nerd to not let that happen. Besides, there were things I liked in all of them.
72) Grave of the Fireflies- One of the best, and most harrowing animes ever made. About two very young siblings trying to survive the firebombing of Tokyo.
73) Seven Samurai- I admit, I have not seen a lot of Kurosawa, but I have seen this one.
74) Hotel Rwanda- A tough film to watch, but worth it.
75) The Last King of Scotland- See it if only for Forest Whitaker's stellar performance as Idi Amin.
76) Akira- Still one of the best animes ever.
77) Much Ado About Nothing- Ah, nothing like a good Shakespearean comedy...
78) Top Gun- Blast Tom Cruise...
79) Tombstone- 'I'm your huckleberry...' Val Kilmer should have at least been nominated for his performance as Doc Holliday... robbery I say.
80) The Phantom Menace- Darth Maul...
81) Star Trek: First Contact- One of the few TNG movies that actually worked and did not feel like an overblown TV episode.
82) Airplane!- Such a great spoof of disaster films.
83) The Final Countdown- I wonder if it inspired the 'Guns of the South'?
84) Gettysburg- While 4 hours long, I rather enjoy it, especially Jeff Daniels as Col. Joshua Chamberlain... and Martin Sheen is great as Robert E. Lee (though Robert Duvall portrays him slightly better in 'Gods and Generals').
85) Major League- One of the funnier baseball movies around... though the Cleveland jokes aren't as fresh anymore. Maybe if they made one about the Rangers.
86) Princess Mononoke- Another fabulous anime from Hayao Miazaki, and some great voice acting in this one.
87) My Neighbour Totoro- If you have kids, make them see this... see it even if you don't have kids.
88) The Silence of The Lambs- Anthony Hopkins is still so chilling in this... never gets old.
89) First Knight- Sean Connery as King Arthur... very cool.
90) Big Trouble in Little China- How do you describe this film?
91) Dogma- I enjoyed it more for the jabs at organized religion than Smith's humor.
92) The Longest Day- Fantastic film about the invasion of Normandy... much like 'A Bridge Too Far' in its casting... too many to list.
93) In the Mouth of Madness- One of the few 'horror' films on the list, and this one has a bit of Lovecraft in it to make it better :)
94) The Matrix- More for what it changed in special effects than anything else... good plot twist too. But it loses spots thanks to its sequels.(actually, mostly 'Revolutions')
95) Planet of the Apes (1968)- 'Don't look for it, Taylor. You may not like what you will find.' I know I was surprised when I saw it the first time (but I was seven, sooo...)
96) The Sting- I can sort of play 'The Entertainer'... about the only thing I can play on the piano.
97) The Thin Red Line- Much praise was given to 'Saving Private Ryan' over this film, but the dreamy, hazy quality contrasting the realism of battle was intriguing.
98) Jaws- How could I leave the first film I saw off the list?
99) Rocky- Or the second? (whether I remember them or not).
100) Attack of the Clones- I told you I would put all the prequels on the list... besides, I like Tyranus' fighting style (Form II for the uninitiated :).
Ok, if you made it this far, I thank you for you might even be braver than I.
C.
So, due to my love of films, and it is Oscar season and all that, I give you, my dedicated readers, 100 films that affected me in how I saw the world or in what I wanted to be... or I just liked them a lot, and while in a particular order, know that outside the top 10, the order could change at a whim :)
I will also try and keep the commentary on these to a minimum lest my post start resembling the prior short story posts :)
1) The Empire Strikes Back- I am not sure I need to explain this :) One of the main reasons I am still a sci-fi nerd.
2) Star Wars- Without it, I would have no #1.
3) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers- Ok, so I am a big fan of middle movies of trilogies
4) Almost Famous/Untitled- Something about this film always inspires me... and it was set in a very good year (1973). Oh, the director's cut (Untitled) is worthy though significantly longer.
5) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring- I should point out that when I mention the LOTR movies, I mean the extended versions :)
6) Glory- Such an amazing, stirring soundtrack... contrasting the stark realism of the film itself.
7) Last of the Mohicans- If ever a soundtrack made a movie light years better...
8) Return of the Jedi- Would be higher were it not for Ewoks.
9) Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King- Would be higher if the movie did not feel like it was going to end 4 times in the last half hour.
10) Aliens- The best hard sci-fi movie ever... mmm... pulse rifles.
11) Raiders of the Lost Ark- Weren't the early 80's great?
12) Dances With Wolves- The cinematography really made the film come alive, aside from it also being amazingly good.
13) Unforgiven- 'Deserve ain't got nothin' to do with it.' -- As good a line, to me, as 'Go ahead, make my day'.
14) Ben-Hur- More epic than other films when epic was a going concern, but what really set the film apart was its acting, something a lot of epic films lacked at the time.
15) Letters From Iwo Jima- One of the best films I have seen in years, and such an amazing look at the hopelessness of war and the contrasting ideals of duty. While it will probably lose, to me, it deserves Best Picture this year.
16) Superman- There is only one Superman.
17) We Were Soldiers- Forget the Mel Gibson bias, this was simply an excellent film that told the stories of the soldiers involved in the Vietnam War with little bias on both sides.
18) Spartacus- What 'Gladiator' wanted to be... ok, that's not fair. 'Gladiator' was a great film in its own right, but 'Spartacus' was able to transcend the spate of films that imitated it, while 'Gladiator' had no real competition.
19) Full Metal Jacket- The first half, with the amazing R. Lee Ermy, was almost perfect... the second half, while good, was a little bit of a let down.
20) The Last Samurai- As much as it pains me to put anything up with Tom Cruise :) Thank goodness for Ken Watanabe.
21) Real Genius- Orbital lasers, nerds, liquid nitrogen, a house full of popcorn, no other cheesy 80's movie could top that :)
22) Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan- I don't even need to say the line.
23) Schindler's List- I still get choked up every time I see it.
24) Batman- Jack Nicholson as the Joker, 'nuff said.
25) Excalibur- Merlin has the best lines...
26) Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home- Kirk and Spock doing their best Laurel and Hardy it seems... just amazingly funny.
27) The Outlaw Josey Wales- A little dated, but one of Eastwood's best.
28) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade- Can't wait for 'Indy 4'.
29) The Untouchables- Speaking of Sean Connery.
30) Somewhere In Time- Ok, so I like sappy quasi-sci fi romances set in the early 1900's. But it stars Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour... how could that be bad? (and some music by Rachmaninoff)
31) The Fog of War- A documentary, true, but released in the theaters... about the life and regret of Robert S. McNamara. Highly recommended.
32) The Shootist- John Wayne's last film, but one of his best performances.
33) Dirty Harry- Ah, the vigilante cop craze... and the obsession in police forces with the .357 or .44 Magnum.
34) Braveheart- Might be higher if it had some sense of historical accuracy, and if I was still married (we used the music from the film in my wedding... yay.)
35) Clerks- The original and still the best, though the new one was pretty funny.
36) Field of Dreams- I still need to visit the cornfield in Iowa.
37) Robin and Marian- Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn... need I say more?
38) Alien- Scared me stupid when I was 6.
39) Ghostbusters- I probably watched this too much as a kid.
40) Poltergeist- Ibid.
41) The Cowboys- John Wayne at his best (would not say his prime, but certainly his best).
42) Hoosiers- We used to watch this before many a game to get inspired... sadly, we still lost a lot of the time.
43) Henry V- I sort of liked Kenneth Branagh's version better... so sue me.
44) Wizard of Oz- Many of the films above owe a lot to this film.
45) 2010: The Year We Make Contact- I liked this better than 2001... I also liked the book better than 2001.
46) 2001: A Space Odyssey- but not much better.
47) Caddyshack- Would be higher were I a golf fan... since I am not, it still is darn funny thanks to some great comedians in their prime.
48) Platoon- Well done... one of the few Oliver Stone films that does not feel like an Oliver Stone film.
49) A Bridge Too Far- A fantastic film, and had quite the cast at the time... Robert Redford, Anthony Hopkins, Sir Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, to name a few, plus directed by Richard Attenborough.
50) Eight Men Out- The reason Shoeless Joe goes to Iowa.
51) And the Band Played On- Another film with an excellent cast, about the early struggle and history of AIDS.
52) 300- when history and fantasy collide, fantasy always wins it seems :) but a great movie nonetheless.
53) Batman Begins- One of the most well-written superhero films I have seen.
54) Jurassic Park- Loved the book, but the dinosaurs weren't bad :)
55) A Time to Kill- Some intriguing questions about justice and vengeance in this film.
56) Thunderball- Still my favorite Bond film.
57) The Muppet Movie- A movie for lovers, dreamers and me :)
58) Outland- A lot of Sean Connery films on this list...
59) Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory- Johnny Depp is no Gene Wilder :)
60) The Ten Commandments- Were I more religious, this would be higher... but I'm not.
61) Borat: Make Benefit etc, etc,- Sascha Baron Cohen is a disgusting, revolting genius. I laughed my self silly.
62) Gladiator- It won a lot of Oscars in a thin year, nonetheless enjoyable, though.
63) Troy- I know, one of about 100 people that liked this, but I'm a fan of the period.
64) The Insider- The movie Russell Crowe should have won his Oscar for.
65) Boogie Nights- Burt Reynolds was great in this... plus some fantastic music too.
66) Mystery Men- One of my favorite Geoffrey Rush films.
67) Die Hard- When you need cheesy action in the late 80's, call Bruce Willis.
68) Bloodsport- Or Jean Claude Van Damme :)
69) Better Off Dead- One of those really quirky 80's films that never took itself too seriously, and it worked.
70) Richard III- A 1930's fascist England version with a very evil Sir Ian McKellan.
71) Revenge of the Sith- The prequels will be on the list... just face facts. I'm too big a Star Wars nerd to not let that happen. Besides, there were things I liked in all of them.
72) Grave of the Fireflies- One of the best, and most harrowing animes ever made. About two very young siblings trying to survive the firebombing of Tokyo.
73) Seven Samurai- I admit, I have not seen a lot of Kurosawa, but I have seen this one.
74) Hotel Rwanda- A tough film to watch, but worth it.
75) The Last King of Scotland- See it if only for Forest Whitaker's stellar performance as Idi Amin.
76) Akira- Still one of the best animes ever.
77) Much Ado About Nothing- Ah, nothing like a good Shakespearean comedy...
78) Top Gun- Blast Tom Cruise...
79) Tombstone- 'I'm your huckleberry...' Val Kilmer should have at least been nominated for his performance as Doc Holliday... robbery I say.
80) The Phantom Menace- Darth Maul...
81) Star Trek: First Contact- One of the few TNG movies that actually worked and did not feel like an overblown TV episode.
82) Airplane!- Such a great spoof of disaster films.
83) The Final Countdown- I wonder if it inspired the 'Guns of the South'?
84) Gettysburg- While 4 hours long, I rather enjoy it, especially Jeff Daniels as Col. Joshua Chamberlain... and Martin Sheen is great as Robert E. Lee (though Robert Duvall portrays him slightly better in 'Gods and Generals').
85) Major League- One of the funnier baseball movies around... though the Cleveland jokes aren't as fresh anymore. Maybe if they made one about the Rangers.
86) Princess Mononoke- Another fabulous anime from Hayao Miazaki, and some great voice acting in this one.
87) My Neighbour Totoro- If you have kids, make them see this... see it even if you don't have kids.
88) The Silence of The Lambs- Anthony Hopkins is still so chilling in this... never gets old.
89) First Knight- Sean Connery as King Arthur... very cool.
90) Big Trouble in Little China- How do you describe this film?
91) Dogma- I enjoyed it more for the jabs at organized religion than Smith's humor.
92) The Longest Day- Fantastic film about the invasion of Normandy... much like 'A Bridge Too Far' in its casting... too many to list.
93) In the Mouth of Madness- One of the few 'horror' films on the list, and this one has a bit of Lovecraft in it to make it better :)
94) The Matrix- More for what it changed in special effects than anything else... good plot twist too. But it loses spots thanks to its sequels.(actually, mostly 'Revolutions')
95) Planet of the Apes (1968)- 'Don't look for it, Taylor. You may not like what you will find.' I know I was surprised when I saw it the first time (but I was seven, sooo...)
96) The Sting- I can sort of play 'The Entertainer'... about the only thing I can play on the piano.
97) The Thin Red Line- Much praise was given to 'Saving Private Ryan' over this film, but the dreamy, hazy quality contrasting the realism of battle was intriguing.
98) Jaws- How could I leave the first film I saw off the list?
99) Rocky- Or the second? (whether I remember them or not).
100) Attack of the Clones- I told you I would put all the prequels on the list... besides, I like Tyranus' fighting style (Form II for the uninitiated :).
Ok, if you made it this far, I thank you for you might even be braver than I.
C.
08 January 2007
Military/ War Movies
After watching 'Patton' last night, and using this as a sort of pretext to my next entry (which will likely be a review of 'The Rising Tide' by Jeff Shaara, then I may bore everyone with some more poems and the like), I compiled a list of fifteen war/military movies that I really, really liked, inspired me, or affected me deeply. I would put Ken Burn's 'Civil War' on the list, but it is most certainly a documentary and not a Hollywood release, which all of these are, or at least eventually made it to Hollywood and American release. This also does not cover any newer movies, though I am sure 'Letters From Iwo Jima' will be up there when it is all said and done. As far as what qualifies as a military/war movie, it is pretty simple. If fighting between rival armies occurs, it can qualify, so there might be a few that are not quite what you might consider a war movie, but I do because it happens during the backdrop of war. Also, because I like so many of these types of films, I also have a category at the end called: Also Receiving Votes, much like the Top 25 polls in College Sports.
15 War/Military Films:
1) Glory (1989): Starring: Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, and Morgan Freeman. Some would surely place this lower, but for sheer spectacle and inspiration, this is far and away my favorite, and though it did not win for best musical score, it should have, probably deserving of more Oscars than the two it received.
2) Last of the Mohicans (1992): Starring: Daniel-Day Lewis, Madeline Stowe and Wes Studi. While this is at times a romance, it is most assuredly a war film, set during the backdrop of the Seven Years/French and Indian War. The soundtrack to this film is simply amazing, and elevates it on the list for inspiration alone.
3) Dances With Wolves (1990): Starring: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, and Graham Greene. One of my favorite westerns, and as a military film, captures the post civil-war military very well and one of the most beautifully photographed films ever.
4) Full Metal Jacket (1987): Starring: Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, and Vincent D'Onofrio. The first half of this film is almost perfect, with R. Lee Ermey's performance one of the most memorable in any military film. The film's sometimes slow second half (though the siege of Hue was done nicely) keeps this from being in the top spot.
5) Patton (1970): Starring: George C. Scott and Karl Malden. Scott's performance as Patton is the most memorable in any military film and won him an Academy Award (and the film garnished 7 others). This film grows on me every time I see it, and even after reading accounts of the real George S. Patton, I enjoy it even more (even though Scott thought his portrayal did not do the real Patton justice). And as General Omar Bradly, Karl Malden plays the perfect counter to the larger than life Patton.
6) We Were Soldiers (2002): Starring: Mel Gibson, Barry Pepper, Greg Kinnear, and Sam Elliott. The first of two Gibson films on this list. He may be reviled, but he is in great war films, and this is the most accurate of his films (since he did not direct it). One of the most brilliant films about the soldier's burden, showing both sides in the first major battle of the Vietnam War. A fascinating move, and even better book.
7) The Last Samurai (2003): Starring: Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe. I probably should have listed Watanbe first, since his performance is mainly the reason this film is on this list, though the masterful score and cinematography help. An impeccable film, even if one has to endure Cruise.
8) A Bridge Too Far (1977): Starring: Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Laurence Olivier, Edward Fox, Anthony Hopkins, Ryan O'Neal, James Caan, Robert Redford, Maximilian Schell, Gene Hackman, and Liv Ullman. Perhaps one of the most star-studded films of the last half of the 20th century, and to me, the only reason it is not more well known is because of another 'War' film that premiered in 1977. Based on a book by Cornelius Ryan (who also wrote 'The Longest Day') and directed by Richard Attenborough, this is a splendid film about Operation: Market Garden, which was one of the most ambitious operations of WWII.
9) The Longest Day (1962): Starring: Richard Burton, Sean Connery, Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Rod Steiger, George Segal, Robert Wagner, Robert Mitchum and Roddy McDowell. The movie that Saving Private Ryan could have been, and the definitive movie about D-Day, with a cast comparable to A Bridge Too Far and in many ways better. Only winning two Oscars, perhaps deserving of more. Fantastic movie.
10) Gallipoli (1981): Starring: Mel Gibson and Mark Lee. Directed by Peter Weir, this Australian film about two runners who wind up at Gallipoli, is one that is at times idealistic and haunting. Perhaps not as polished as other films on this list, it makes up for it in the power and tragedy of the invasion of the Dardanelles at Gallipoli where the ANZAC's (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps), in their first battle of the Great War, were annihilated.
11) Platoon (1986): Starring: Charlie Sheen, Wilhem Dafoe and Tom Berenger. Oliver Stone's famous Vietnam film is a great one, but always felt a little impersonal to me and focused too much on the degenerate attitude of many of the soldiers (whether true or not). Still, filled with powerful imagery and great acting.
12) Tora, Tora, Tora (1970): Starring: Jason Robards, E.G. Marshall, and James Whitmore. Perhaps overshadowed by Patton, but the movie that 'Pearl Harbor' could have been, and easily better acted though without the benefit of the CGI scenes of the later movie. Still, a classic and worth watching.
13) Black Hawk Down (2001): Starring: Ewan Mc Gregor, Jason Isaacs, Josh Hartnett, Tom Sizemore, Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana, and Sam Shepard. Perhaps a modern day A Bridge Too Far in its casting, this film by Ridley Scott about the ambush in Mogadishu, Somalia of Army Rangers is one of the best films dealing with modern combat. Once the fighting starts, it is unrelenting, at times harrowing, and very realistic. Some would call the operation a failure, and perhaps so, but it belittles the courage of the 100 some-odd men who faced off against thousands of Somali rebels and to my mind, prevailed.
14) Saving Private Ryan (1998): Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Vin Diesel, Barry Pepper, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns and Giovanni Rbisi. Some might call the film a bit nationalistic as it appears to give full credit to the D-day invasion to the US, but the scene of the landing at Omaha Beach is one of the most powerful in movie history. Further, it is still an extremely well acted film.
15) The Thin Red Line (1998): Starring: Sean Penn, John Cusack, Nick Nolte, Jim Caviezel, Adrien Brody, Woody Harrelson and Elias Koteas (plus numerous other 'star' cameos). A lot of folks did not like this film, but I felt the existential feel of much of the film was very inspirational to me, and allowed it to creep up on this list. The combat scenes were not in the league of Saving Private Ryan, but they did not need to be.
Honorable Mention: Grave of the Fireflies (1988): I was reminded by this of another blogger's post, and totally forgot to add it. This film by directed by Iso Takahata is an anime, but the fact it is animated does not detract from its power and simply ability to tear you up inside. This is the heart-wrenching story of a brother and sister who struggle to survive the Tokyo firebombings in WWII. One that stays with you.
Also Receiving Votes (in no particular order): Braveheart, Gettysburg, Gods and Generals, In Harm's Way, The Patriot, The Green Berets, Gladiator, Bridge on the River Kwai, Breaker Morant, Lawrence of Arabia, Heartbreak Ridge, Spartacus, and Apocalypse Now.
That should cover it, and though it is late, hope to get the review sometime tomorrow :)
C.
15 War/Military Films:
1) Glory (1989): Starring: Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, and Morgan Freeman. Some would surely place this lower, but for sheer spectacle and inspiration, this is far and away my favorite, and though it did not win for best musical score, it should have, probably deserving of more Oscars than the two it received.
2) Last of the Mohicans (1992): Starring: Daniel-Day Lewis, Madeline Stowe and Wes Studi. While this is at times a romance, it is most assuredly a war film, set during the backdrop of the Seven Years/French and Indian War. The soundtrack to this film is simply amazing, and elevates it on the list for inspiration alone.
3) Dances With Wolves (1990): Starring: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, and Graham Greene. One of my favorite westerns, and as a military film, captures the post civil-war military very well and one of the most beautifully photographed films ever.
4) Full Metal Jacket (1987): Starring: Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, and Vincent D'Onofrio. The first half of this film is almost perfect, with R. Lee Ermey's performance one of the most memorable in any military film. The film's sometimes slow second half (though the siege of Hue was done nicely) keeps this from being in the top spot.
5) Patton (1970): Starring: George C. Scott and Karl Malden. Scott's performance as Patton is the most memorable in any military film and won him an Academy Award (and the film garnished 7 others). This film grows on me every time I see it, and even after reading accounts of the real George S. Patton, I enjoy it even more (even though Scott thought his portrayal did not do the real Patton justice). And as General Omar Bradly, Karl Malden plays the perfect counter to the larger than life Patton.
6) We Were Soldiers (2002): Starring: Mel Gibson, Barry Pepper, Greg Kinnear, and Sam Elliott. The first of two Gibson films on this list. He may be reviled, but he is in great war films, and this is the most accurate of his films (since he did not direct it). One of the most brilliant films about the soldier's burden, showing both sides in the first major battle of the Vietnam War. A fascinating move, and even better book.
7) The Last Samurai (2003): Starring: Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe. I probably should have listed Watanbe first, since his performance is mainly the reason this film is on this list, though the masterful score and cinematography help. An impeccable film, even if one has to endure Cruise.
8) A Bridge Too Far (1977): Starring: Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Laurence Olivier, Edward Fox, Anthony Hopkins, Ryan O'Neal, James Caan, Robert Redford, Maximilian Schell, Gene Hackman, and Liv Ullman. Perhaps one of the most star-studded films of the last half of the 20th century, and to me, the only reason it is not more well known is because of another 'War' film that premiered in 1977. Based on a book by Cornelius Ryan (who also wrote 'The Longest Day') and directed by Richard Attenborough, this is a splendid film about Operation: Market Garden, which was one of the most ambitious operations of WWII.
9) The Longest Day (1962): Starring: Richard Burton, Sean Connery, Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Rod Steiger, George Segal, Robert Wagner, Robert Mitchum and Roddy McDowell. The movie that Saving Private Ryan could have been, and the definitive movie about D-Day, with a cast comparable to A Bridge Too Far and in many ways better. Only winning two Oscars, perhaps deserving of more. Fantastic movie.
10) Gallipoli (1981): Starring: Mel Gibson and Mark Lee. Directed by Peter Weir, this Australian film about two runners who wind up at Gallipoli, is one that is at times idealistic and haunting. Perhaps not as polished as other films on this list, it makes up for it in the power and tragedy of the invasion of the Dardanelles at Gallipoli where the ANZAC's (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps), in their first battle of the Great War, were annihilated.
11) Platoon (1986): Starring: Charlie Sheen, Wilhem Dafoe and Tom Berenger. Oliver Stone's famous Vietnam film is a great one, but always felt a little impersonal to me and focused too much on the degenerate attitude of many of the soldiers (whether true or not). Still, filled with powerful imagery and great acting.
12) Tora, Tora, Tora (1970): Starring: Jason Robards, E.G. Marshall, and James Whitmore. Perhaps overshadowed by Patton, but the movie that 'Pearl Harbor' could have been, and easily better acted though without the benefit of the CGI scenes of the later movie. Still, a classic and worth watching.
13) Black Hawk Down (2001): Starring: Ewan Mc Gregor, Jason Isaacs, Josh Hartnett, Tom Sizemore, Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana, and Sam Shepard. Perhaps a modern day A Bridge Too Far in its casting, this film by Ridley Scott about the ambush in Mogadishu, Somalia of Army Rangers is one of the best films dealing with modern combat. Once the fighting starts, it is unrelenting, at times harrowing, and very realistic. Some would call the operation a failure, and perhaps so, but it belittles the courage of the 100 some-odd men who faced off against thousands of Somali rebels and to my mind, prevailed.
14) Saving Private Ryan (1998): Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Vin Diesel, Barry Pepper, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns and Giovanni Rbisi. Some might call the film a bit nationalistic as it appears to give full credit to the D-day invasion to the US, but the scene of the landing at Omaha Beach is one of the most powerful in movie history. Further, it is still an extremely well acted film.
15) The Thin Red Line (1998): Starring: Sean Penn, John Cusack, Nick Nolte, Jim Caviezel, Adrien Brody, Woody Harrelson and Elias Koteas (plus numerous other 'star' cameos). A lot of folks did not like this film, but I felt the existential feel of much of the film was very inspirational to me, and allowed it to creep up on this list. The combat scenes were not in the league of Saving Private Ryan, but they did not need to be.
Honorable Mention: Grave of the Fireflies (1988): I was reminded by this of another blogger's post, and totally forgot to add it. This film by directed by Iso Takahata is an anime, but the fact it is animated does not detract from its power and simply ability to tear you up inside. This is the heart-wrenching story of a brother and sister who struggle to survive the Tokyo firebombings in WWII. One that stays with you.
Also Receiving Votes (in no particular order): Braveheart, Gettysburg, Gods and Generals, In Harm's Way, The Patriot, The Green Berets, Gladiator, Bridge on the River Kwai, Breaker Morant, Lawrence of Arabia, Heartbreak Ridge, Spartacus, and Apocalypse Now.
That should cover it, and though it is late, hope to get the review sometime tomorrow :)
C.
11 November 2006
Stranger Than Borat
Because I have no life, I decided to see a couple of movies tonight. And I rarely comment on most movies I see... I leave that to those more eloquent than I in the field of criticism(I can critique when I want to, but I always seem to leave out details that other reviewers like to include). Anyway, I saw 'Borat!' (and I won't go with the full title here, but if you know about it then you know about the crazy title too) and 'Stranger than Fiction'. First off, 'Stranger than Fiction was quite funny and amusing, and I enjoyed it a great deal. More romantic than I thought it would be, but it had some good acting and a rather quirky plot. I do recommend it, perhaps more at a matinee or student rate price then doling out the normal extortative rates.
Now 'Borat!'... I'm still laughing. I was laughing about it while watching the other movie. I haven't laughed that much in ages. I will still be laughing tomorrow. It was so obscene (at least in a very, very farcical sense) and hysterical at the same time, I had to comment about it. Also, Sacha Baron Cohen (who plays Borat), did a nice job with the social commentary because some of the funnier bits were people's reactions to Borat and how they revealed their own social quirks, to be nice about it. And for a movie that is only 84 minutes long, it felt longer, but in a good way. While it was occasionally squirm inducing, the remaining moments more than made up for it.
Alright, that is enough for now. Hopefully, the convention will be better tomorrow (as today was not as good as I would have liked). Everyone enjoy the weekend.
C.
Now 'Borat!'... I'm still laughing. I was laughing about it while watching the other movie. I haven't laughed that much in ages. I will still be laughing tomorrow. It was so obscene (at least in a very, very farcical sense) and hysterical at the same time, I had to comment about it. Also, Sacha Baron Cohen (who plays Borat), did a nice job with the social commentary because some of the funnier bits were people's reactions to Borat and how they revealed their own social quirks, to be nice about it. And for a movie that is only 84 minutes long, it felt longer, but in a good way. While it was occasionally squirm inducing, the remaining moments more than made up for it.
Alright, that is enough for now. Hopefully, the convention will be better tomorrow (as today was not as good as I would have liked). Everyone enjoy the weekend.
C.
08 November 2006
Movie Quote Answers
Ok, it has been a week on this, so I figure I might give out the answers... plus, what I was going to originally post I lost, so this is as good a time as any to post the answers:
For posterity's sake (and so that no one has to scroll back to the original post... unless you just happened to be scrolling through my blog for the sake of.. um, scrolling :) I have posted the original quotes... the answers will follow below them.
1) 'Let us cross over the river and rest underneath the shade of the trees'.
2) 'If you think this crowd is ugly, you should see the dancing girls.'
3) 'War will make corpses of us all.'
4) 'The dead know only one thing. It is better to be alive.'
5) 'Deserve's got nothin' to do with it.'
6) 'Why do all my generals want to destroy my bridges?'
7) 'I will tell you how he lived.'
8) 'This is the end for you, my Master'
9) 'You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.'
10) 'What the hell are we supposed to use, man? Harsh language?'
1) General Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson, Gods and Generals (also his real life last words).
2) Fozzie Bear, The Muppet Movie
3) Faramir, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
4) Joker, Full Metal Jacket
5) William Munny, Unforgiven
6) Field Marshall Model, A Bridge Too Far
7) Nathan Algren, The Last Samurai
8) Anakin Skywalker, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
9) Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride
10) Frost, Aliens
Perhaps next time, I won't be so war/historical movie heavy, and maybe I might go with a different soundtrack. Or maybe I might do some general trivia, as opposed to movie only. I'm not quite NTN, but I know my way around a few Trivia Pursuit games.
C.
For posterity's sake (and so that no one has to scroll back to the original post... unless you just happened to be scrolling through my blog for the sake of.. um, scrolling :) I have posted the original quotes... the answers will follow below them.
1) 'Let us cross over the river and rest underneath the shade of the trees'.
2) 'If you think this crowd is ugly, you should see the dancing girls.'
3) 'War will make corpses of us all.'
4) 'The dead know only one thing. It is better to be alive.'
5) 'Deserve's got nothin' to do with it.'
6) 'Why do all my generals want to destroy my bridges?'
7) 'I will tell you how he lived.'
8) 'This is the end for you, my Master'
9) 'You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.'
10) 'What the hell are we supposed to use, man? Harsh language?'
1) General Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson, Gods and Generals (also his real life last words).
2) Fozzie Bear, The Muppet Movie
3) Faramir, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
4) Joker, Full Metal Jacket
5) William Munny, Unforgiven
6) Field Marshall Model, A Bridge Too Far
7) Nathan Algren, The Last Samurai
8) Anakin Skywalker, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
9) Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride
10) Frost, Aliens
Perhaps next time, I won't be so war/historical movie heavy, and maybe I might go with a different soundtrack. Or maybe I might do some general trivia, as opposed to movie only. I'm not quite NTN, but I know my way around a few Trivia Pursuit games.
C.
01 November 2006
Movie Quote Quiz
Since I am going to be leaving tonight to head to Destin, Fl for Anime South (as noted on my little anime convention calendar to the right :) I have decided to post something for all the movie junkies out there. I posted a similar quiz like this on an old journal a couple of years back, but I think I only had three or four quotes. This time, I leave you with 10 quotes from 10 separate movies from various genres and time periods (though most, if not all, within the the last 4 decades or so). The format is quite simple: I give the quote and you tell me the movie... bonus points (if I gave out points) if you can get the character and/or actor who said the line. Some will be rather obvious, others not so much. Alas, I have no prizes to give other than kudos on your movie trivia powers.
I would normally make a disclaimer about using the Internet, but since I am using it to make sure my memory and the quote match, that would be rather hypocritical of me.
1) 'Let us cross over the river and rest underneath the shade of the trees'.
2) 'If you think this crowd is ugly, you should see the dancing girls.'
3) 'War will make corpses of us all.'
4) 'The dead know only one thing. It is better to be alive.'
5) 'Deserve's got nothin' to do with it.'
6) 'Why do all my generals want to destroy my bridges?'
7) 'I will tell you how he lived.'
8) 'This is the end for you, my Master'
9) 'You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.'
10) 'What the hell are we supposed to use, man? Harsh language?'
Everyone take care and enjoy the weekend (though I am sure I will be able to get online at some point as my hotel has internet access in the rooms.)
C.
I would normally make a disclaimer about using the Internet, but since I am using it to make sure my memory and the quote match, that would be rather hypocritical of me.
1) 'Let us cross over the river and rest underneath the shade of the trees'.
2) 'If you think this crowd is ugly, you should see the dancing girls.'
3) 'War will make corpses of us all.'
4) 'The dead know only one thing. It is better to be alive.'
5) 'Deserve's got nothin' to do with it.'
6) 'Why do all my generals want to destroy my bridges?'
7) 'I will tell you how he lived.'
8) 'This is the end for you, my Master'
9) 'You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.'
10) 'What the hell are we supposed to use, man? Harsh language?'
Everyone take care and enjoy the weekend (though I am sure I will be able to get online at some point as my hotel has internet access in the rooms.)
C.
18 October 2006
The 100
Sorry, no room for another 4300 :) (little joke for those who have seen The 4400)
As seems commonplace on blogs and other mediums, (I did something similar in my old journal) I have decided to give my many fans (crickets chirping in the distance) a number of things about me that are completely unremarkable but possibly interesting for those that find such things interesting. I have to admit I am a fan of such lists, so I give you such a list. Since 100 or so seems to be the appropriate number, (I suppose I could have waited to my 100th post, but I decided to get this out of the way) here are 100 things you should or should not know about me.
1. I'm left-handed (for the most part)
2. I have horrible handwriting, even when printing. You don't want to see my cursive (I haven't written in cursive in I don't know how long)
3. The first football game I remember is Super Bowl X (Dallas-Pittsburgh, 1976)
4. Reportedly, my third and fourth words were 'Go Cowboys!'.
5. The first movie I remember seeing was 'Star Wars', though I think my parents took me to see both 'The Muppet Movie' and 'Rocky' before that.
6. The first movie that gave me nightmares was 'Alien' (I was 6).
7. My favorite movie of all time is 'The Empire Strikes Back.'
8. My favorite book of all time is 'The Stand' by Stephen King, followed closely by 'The Guns of the South' by Harry Turtledove.
9. My favorite non-fiction book is 'In the Wake of the Plague: The Black Death and the World it Made' by Norman F. Cantor
10. Though I love medieval history, I am really unfocused, studying plague history, religious history (both of which do crossover into medieval, true), and military history.
11. I have a minor in Space Science and were I not math-illiterate, I would have gone into the sciences.
12. I love maps (which translated into a Geography minor).
13. I enjoy politics, but never had the stomach to get into it, aside from a term in the Student Senate in college.
14. I have been behind the Iron Curtain, but just barely, mere months before it all collapsed.
15. The best museum I have ever been to is the Hermitage in what was then Leningrad (I've never been to Paris, so I can't say the Louvre, regardless of reputation).
16. I have never been to Western Europe (unless you count 2 days in Finland to wind up my trip to Eastern Europe).
17. I have traveled to and/or through every state in the contiguous USA except Kentucky and Maine.
18. Though there was a great deal of anti-American sentiment the second time I was there, a part of my heart will always belong in Australia.
19. My ideal retirement spot is a stretch of coastline in South-West Australia.
20. I have spent almost three consecutive days on a train. (the India-Pacific between Sydney and Perth)
21. I have had my car searched for drugs at a Canadian border crossing (they thought I was smuggling pot from Mexico because of my Texas plates).
22. I have difficulty with the smell of tobacco (maybe a mild allergy perhaps).
23. I've lived in my car.
24. I waited tables for almost 2 years.
25. I have a fondness for theater, having acted, directed, produced and pretty much did everything at one point except costume design.
26. Before I sold anime stuff, I helped my family sell sports cards.
27. I was married for about 5 years once.
28. I've now been divorced for about 5 years.
29. I prefer the term 'certified pre-owned'. Sounds more official.
30. I taught myself to read at age 3 (thank you Sesame Street)
31. I didn't write my first short story or poem until I was 17.
32. I won an award (the National Association of Children's Bookwriters or something like that) for my first short story... which looking back, wasn't all that good.
33. I am my worst critic, as most writers are.
34. I don't like to use the word 'believe' or 'belief'. To me it is the first step to fanaticism. I would rather use the word 'think' or 'thought'.
35. I grew up Independent Baptist (hence my views on 'belief').
36. My favorite television show is still 'Babylon 5'.
37. Growing up, my favorite show was 'Star Trek', old and TNG.
38. I love roleplaying games and used to game constantly.
39. My favorite song of all time is 'Piano Man' by Billy Joel.
40. My second favorite song is 'Blue Eyes' by Elton John.
41. I have seen them both in concert separately and together.
42. I wish I could have seen Johnny Cash in concert.
43. My favorite concert is easily Billy Joel/Elton John (at Texas Stadium, April 1995).
44. My favorite musical/play is 'Phantom of the Opera'.
45. I love quotations.
46. I grew up a giant comic fan, and still read them now and then.
47. My favorite comic story is 'Batman: The Dark Knight Returns' by Frank Miller.
48. I still prefer Superman over Batman, but only slightly.
49. My favorite roleplaying game is 'Star Wars' (shocking, I know)
50. I have been roleplaying (though mostly game mastering) for almost 20 years now. 2007 will mark my 20th year.
51. My favorite non-Star Wars/Lord of the Rings movie is 'Almost Famous' (I prefer the Director's cut called 'Untitled'.
52. My favorite album (what not a favorite MP3 playlist?... what is this word, album?) is 'American IV: The Man Comes Around' by Johnny Cash.
53. I am both a cat and dog person.
54. I have owned more cats and dogs than I can count.
55. Cats, even strays, like to hang around me.
56. I am considered depressed, but not bi-polar.
57. I have a large number of siblings, and the oldest.
58. I lead a very parenthetical life (really, it's true).
59. I used to fence, preferring foil and sabre over epee.
60. If I had a philosophy, I think it would be deistic multi-dimensional reincarnationist. It worked from the Minbari (from 'Babylon 5'), though deism is more 18th century Enlightenment than late 20th century science fiction.
61. I understand the difference between the Jesus of history and the Jesus of faith.
62. While I feel we soften words too much and argue about semantics, I am still far too diplomatic for my own good.
63. That being said, I have found it hard to be diplomatic when it counted most.
64. If I could drop everything and go 'Out There' (out there being space and beyond), I would.
65. While I prefer the Jedi Code, the Sith dress better (and I prefer darker colors myself).
66. I wear sandals whenever I can, meaning I've worn socks twice in the past 2 calendar years (which you can do in Texas, even in winter).
67. The last time I wore tennis shoes regularly was on my last trip to Australia. Unless you are on a beach, it is really, really hard to hike in sandals.
68. I hate wearing blue jeans... shorts and slacks (usually khakis) for me.
69. Even though I love Australia and grew up in the D/FW area, I despise the heat.
70. I much prefer the cold, even if it means I might have to put on socks.
71. My eyes sometimes change color, but they are mostly blue (usually a light blue, but sometimes dark, sometimes a dark green, occasionally gray).
72. I lettered in varsity basketball in high school.
73. I have had three excruciating surgeries, two of them neurosurgeries.
74. The first neurosurgery saved my life. The second replaced the right half of my forehead with plastic (this happened over 20 years ago, when I was 10).
75. Because of said surgeries, I have failed three military physicals, the only thing that ever kept me from serving my country (though it was a near thing the last time).
76. It also kept me from playing football.
77. 'The Imperial March' is one of the great instrumental themes of all time.
78. I have had season tickets twice to the Cowboys and three times to the Rangers, all in years they stunk.
79. And I gave up my seats the day Nolan Ryan pitched his last no-hitter so my brother could go to the game.
80. No matter how many times I hear it, the words, 'No Luke, I am your father', still sends chills up my spine.
81. I prefer the Bob Seger version of 'Turn the Page' over Metallica's version.
82. I agree with Dilbert in that when something like the Holodeck is available, civilization as we know it will end (if it doesn't before then).
83. Perhaps the best poem I've ever written is my least favorite to read... a piece I wrote on the 5th anniversary of my eldest brother's death.
84. I still have trouble talking to my Mom and my sisters about it, mostly for their sake.
85. I always wanted to be on 'Jeopardy'.
86. Though I love writing, I am not a very disciplined writer. Perhaps that is why I write so much poetry.
87. I have serious trouble rhyming.
88. While I love music, I cannot sing, except as part of a choral group.
89. My favorite comic strip was the always funny 'Bloom County'.
90. It's the one with Opus the Penguin.
91. While I enjoy the history of languages, I cannot, for the life of me, learn them. I am better at reading them, and even that is marginal.
92. I prefer a nice cabernet over white, perhaps a bottle of rose instead, but only at Italian restaurants :)
93. I love westerns and war movies, and most any historical movie. I tend to see them regardless of reviews.
94. My favorite westerns are 'Dances With Wolves' and 'The Outlaw Josey Wales'.
95. My favorite war films are 'Glory' and 'We Were Soldiers', though the first half of 'Full Metal Jacket' is phenomenal.
96. Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov were two of my big influences growing up, though my dad tried to steer me to Jack Vance.
97. Most days, I would rather have a nice conversation.
98. My mom always told me I could always 'catch more flies with honey than vinegar'.
99. Even if it annoys them, I always hold the door open for women (assuming I get to it in time). Simply the way I was raised.
100. I can't be anything more than I am at this moment, even if I do look to the future too much.
Well, this should cover it. Anything else I will probably get to eventually, or just ask. I might even give an answer that makes sense. :)
C.
As seems commonplace on blogs and other mediums, (I did something similar in my old journal) I have decided to give my many fans (crickets chirping in the distance) a number of things about me that are completely unremarkable but possibly interesting for those that find such things interesting. I have to admit I am a fan of such lists, so I give you such a list. Since 100 or so seems to be the appropriate number, (I suppose I could have waited to my 100th post, but I decided to get this out of the way) here are 100 things you should or should not know about me.
1. I'm left-handed (for the most part)
2. I have horrible handwriting, even when printing. You don't want to see my cursive (I haven't written in cursive in I don't know how long)
3. The first football game I remember is Super Bowl X (Dallas-Pittsburgh, 1976)
4. Reportedly, my third and fourth words were 'Go Cowboys!'.
5. The first movie I remember seeing was 'Star Wars', though I think my parents took me to see both 'The Muppet Movie' and 'Rocky' before that.
6. The first movie that gave me nightmares was 'Alien' (I was 6).
7. My favorite movie of all time is 'The Empire Strikes Back.'
8. My favorite book of all time is 'The Stand' by Stephen King, followed closely by 'The Guns of the South' by Harry Turtledove.
9. My favorite non-fiction book is 'In the Wake of the Plague: The Black Death and the World it Made' by Norman F. Cantor
10. Though I love medieval history, I am really unfocused, studying plague history, religious history (both of which do crossover into medieval, true), and military history.
11. I have a minor in Space Science and were I not math-illiterate, I would have gone into the sciences.
12. I love maps (which translated into a Geography minor).
13. I enjoy politics, but never had the stomach to get into it, aside from a term in the Student Senate in college.
14. I have been behind the Iron Curtain, but just barely, mere months before it all collapsed.
15. The best museum I have ever been to is the Hermitage in what was then Leningrad (I've never been to Paris, so I can't say the Louvre, regardless of reputation).
16. I have never been to Western Europe (unless you count 2 days in Finland to wind up my trip to Eastern Europe).
17. I have traveled to and/or through every state in the contiguous USA except Kentucky and Maine.
18. Though there was a great deal of anti-American sentiment the second time I was there, a part of my heart will always belong in Australia.
19. My ideal retirement spot is a stretch of coastline in South-West Australia.
20. I have spent almost three consecutive days on a train. (the India-Pacific between Sydney and Perth)
21. I have had my car searched for drugs at a Canadian border crossing (they thought I was smuggling pot from Mexico because of my Texas plates).
22. I have difficulty with the smell of tobacco (maybe a mild allergy perhaps).
23. I've lived in my car.
24. I waited tables for almost 2 years.
25. I have a fondness for theater, having acted, directed, produced and pretty much did everything at one point except costume design.
26. Before I sold anime stuff, I helped my family sell sports cards.
27. I was married for about 5 years once.
28. I've now been divorced for about 5 years.
29. I prefer the term 'certified pre-owned'. Sounds more official.
30. I taught myself to read at age 3 (thank you Sesame Street)
31. I didn't write my first short story or poem until I was 17.
32. I won an award (the National Association of Children's Bookwriters or something like that) for my first short story... which looking back, wasn't all that good.
33. I am my worst critic, as most writers are.
34. I don't like to use the word 'believe' or 'belief'. To me it is the first step to fanaticism. I would rather use the word 'think' or 'thought'.
35. I grew up Independent Baptist (hence my views on 'belief').
36. My favorite television show is still 'Babylon 5'.
37. Growing up, my favorite show was 'Star Trek', old and TNG.
38. I love roleplaying games and used to game constantly.
39. My favorite song of all time is 'Piano Man' by Billy Joel.
40. My second favorite song is 'Blue Eyes' by Elton John.
41. I have seen them both in concert separately and together.
42. I wish I could have seen Johnny Cash in concert.
43. My favorite concert is easily Billy Joel/Elton John (at Texas Stadium, April 1995).
44. My favorite musical/play is 'Phantom of the Opera'.
45. I love quotations.
46. I grew up a giant comic fan, and still read them now and then.
47. My favorite comic story is 'Batman: The Dark Knight Returns' by Frank Miller.
48. I still prefer Superman over Batman, but only slightly.
49. My favorite roleplaying game is 'Star Wars' (shocking, I know)
50. I have been roleplaying (though mostly game mastering) for almost 20 years now. 2007 will mark my 20th year.
51. My favorite non-Star Wars/Lord of the Rings movie is 'Almost Famous' (I prefer the Director's cut called 'Untitled'.
52. My favorite album (what not a favorite MP3 playlist?... what is this word, album?) is 'American IV: The Man Comes Around' by Johnny Cash.
53. I am both a cat and dog person.
54. I have owned more cats and dogs than I can count.
55. Cats, even strays, like to hang around me.
56. I am considered depressed, but not bi-polar.
57. I have a large number of siblings, and the oldest.
58. I lead a very parenthetical life (really, it's true).
59. I used to fence, preferring foil and sabre over epee.
60. If I had a philosophy, I think it would be deistic multi-dimensional reincarnationist. It worked from the Minbari (from 'Babylon 5'), though deism is more 18th century Enlightenment than late 20th century science fiction.
61. I understand the difference between the Jesus of history and the Jesus of faith.
62. While I feel we soften words too much and argue about semantics, I am still far too diplomatic for my own good.
63. That being said, I have found it hard to be diplomatic when it counted most.
64. If I could drop everything and go 'Out There' (out there being space and beyond), I would.
65. While I prefer the Jedi Code, the Sith dress better (and I prefer darker colors myself).
66. I wear sandals whenever I can, meaning I've worn socks twice in the past 2 calendar years (which you can do in Texas, even in winter).
67. The last time I wore tennis shoes regularly was on my last trip to Australia. Unless you are on a beach, it is really, really hard to hike in sandals.
68. I hate wearing blue jeans... shorts and slacks (usually khakis) for me.
69. Even though I love Australia and grew up in the D/FW area, I despise the heat.
70. I much prefer the cold, even if it means I might have to put on socks.
71. My eyes sometimes change color, but they are mostly blue (usually a light blue, but sometimes dark, sometimes a dark green, occasionally gray).
72. I lettered in varsity basketball in high school.
73. I have had three excruciating surgeries, two of them neurosurgeries.
74. The first neurosurgery saved my life. The second replaced the right half of my forehead with plastic (this happened over 20 years ago, when I was 10).
75. Because of said surgeries, I have failed three military physicals, the only thing that ever kept me from serving my country (though it was a near thing the last time).
76. It also kept me from playing football.
77. 'The Imperial March' is one of the great instrumental themes of all time.
78. I have had season tickets twice to the Cowboys and three times to the Rangers, all in years they stunk.
79. And I gave up my seats the day Nolan Ryan pitched his last no-hitter so my brother could go to the game.
80. No matter how many times I hear it, the words, 'No Luke, I am your father', still sends chills up my spine.
81. I prefer the Bob Seger version of 'Turn the Page' over Metallica's version.
82. I agree with Dilbert in that when something like the Holodeck is available, civilization as we know it will end (if it doesn't before then).
83. Perhaps the best poem I've ever written is my least favorite to read... a piece I wrote on the 5th anniversary of my eldest brother's death.
84. I still have trouble talking to my Mom and my sisters about it, mostly for their sake.
85. I always wanted to be on 'Jeopardy'.
86. Though I love writing, I am not a very disciplined writer. Perhaps that is why I write so much poetry.
87. I have serious trouble rhyming.
88. While I love music, I cannot sing, except as part of a choral group.
89. My favorite comic strip was the always funny 'Bloom County'.
90. It's the one with Opus the Penguin.
91. While I enjoy the history of languages, I cannot, for the life of me, learn them. I am better at reading them, and even that is marginal.
92. I prefer a nice cabernet over white, perhaps a bottle of rose instead, but only at Italian restaurants :)
93. I love westerns and war movies, and most any historical movie. I tend to see them regardless of reviews.
94. My favorite westerns are 'Dances With Wolves' and 'The Outlaw Josey Wales'.
95. My favorite war films are 'Glory' and 'We Were Soldiers', though the first half of 'Full Metal Jacket' is phenomenal.
96. Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov were two of my big influences growing up, though my dad tried to steer me to Jack Vance.
97. Most days, I would rather have a nice conversation.
98. My mom always told me I could always 'catch more flies with honey than vinegar'.
99. Even if it annoys them, I always hold the door open for women (assuming I get to it in time). Simply the way I was raised.
100. I can't be anything more than I am at this moment, even if I do look to the future too much.
Well, this should cover it. Anything else I will probably get to eventually, or just ask. I might even give an answer that makes sense. :)
C.
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