Top movies of 2009

I didn’t get to watch as many movies in 2009 as I have in prior years due to other things taking up my time but here is my list for the top 10 movies of the year. Because movies didn’t affect me the same way music did this year, the explanations will be more brief (for the most part). A couple of the movies were released late in 2008 but since I didn’t see them until this year I included them on my list. Plus as I stated in my top music list, it’s my list and I can put whatever I want on it!

10. Tyson – Trying to find a movie to put in this spot was tough because nothing immediately sprang to mind. I chose this movie because when I saw it, I changed my view about Tyson completely. Whereas before I thought of him as a brute, cold-hearted boxer who made too many mistakes, the movie left me feeling sorry for him. The way it portrays Tyson as someone who’s trusted too many people and been burned too many times for it is sure to change some opinions too.

9. Zombieland – Just as in my music list, zombies have found their way onto this list too. Is there anything in the world cooler than finding awesome new ways to kill zombies? Zombies are one of the greatest things ever invented because you can kill one with zero guilt (unless the zombie happens to be someone close to you that was converted). This movie explores that and more in a comedy about the zombie apocalypse. I’d like to say that Woody Harrelson plays a great part in this movie but the star of the show goes to the celebrity cameo midway through. I won’t ruin it for those who haven’t seen the movie but check it out and you’ll know exactly who I’m talking about.

8. Inglorious Basterds – I’ve always enjoyed Quentin Tarantino movies and westerns. When I heard that he was making a WWII flick with a spaghetti-western flair, I knew I had to see it. Throw in Brad Pitt with a southern accent and I was hooked. I saw this film on opening day and it was a blast. The character development is impressive and the dialogue that Tarantino is known for in his movies is clearly present. I like everything about this movie from the soundtrack to the over-the-top violence (especially in the final scene).

7. Up – My 2nd annual list and Pixar finds itself on here once again. Pixar has captured the art of making you feel for little animated creations. Although not on the level of last year’s Wall-E, this movie still pulls at your heart strings. And even though I thought it was par for the course for Pixar, it’s still heads and shoulders above most animated movies out there. I thought the movie peaked too early and everything that came after just wasn’t as satisfying to me as they tried to make it. Still a good movie and Pixar once again scores with a hit.

6. Avatar – Without a doubt, this is the best-looking movie I’ve ever seen. You know something special is happening when the special effects and 3-D integration don’t stand out because they feel so natural. This movie does a good job of immersing you in the Avatar world and you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t watch it in 3-D while you still have a chance. The story is good but it doesn’t particularly stand out in any way. It probably wouldn’t make my list if it weren’t for the gorgeous special effects, which says a lot of how beautiful this movie is.

5. The Wrestler – Another movie that was released late in 2008, I didn’t get to watch it until earlier this year. It’s a heart wrenching story that I really enjoyed. It brought back memories of the days when I watched wrestling. Even the circumstances that I watched the movie under were somewhat depressing as you can see in my full movie review here (with a bonus beer review!).

4. Watchmen – As a long time fan of the graphic novel, I was a bit skeptical when I heard that it was being translated to film. That reservation was quickly put to rest when I saw the first trailer for the movie. I still remember it clearly as it accompanied last year’s movie of the year: The Dark Knight. While not an entirely faithful adaptation of the graphic novel, this movie stands well on its own and, like many books that are brought to film, I think you might be let down if you’ve read the graphic novel first. That still doesn’t take away from the coolness of this movie. As a nerd, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include one comic book movie on my list.

3. District 9 – I was late to the District 9 party as I barely saw this movie on Christmas Eve and I immediately regretted not seeing it in theaters because this is a remarkable movie. With a premise unlike anything I’ve seen, it’s an alien movie that touches on several topics that extend beyond of sci-fi films. The growth and character development of the protagonist is top-notch and the filmmakers even managed to make you feel sympathy for the insect-looking aliens. A really solid movie.

2. The Hangover – Hands down the funniest movie I’ve seen all year. This movie hits home if you’ve ever had one of those nights where you’re sure some crazy shit went down but you can’t remember exactly what happened because of too much alcohol. This movie makes you want to go to Vegas with your friends and takeover. It’s something I’m glad will be happening in the coming months. Also, I believe Mike Tyson is the only actor to make another appearance in my list so kudos to him!

1. Slumdog Millionaire – Technically released in late 2008, this film didn’t get a widespread release until early 2009 so it makes my list because that is when I saw it. I won’t say much about the move here because I wrote a review on it when I first saw it that you can read here.

Top 10 Songs of 2009

Top 10 songs of 2009

2009 was the year that I “discovered” music. I’ve always been a fan of good music. I bought an Ipod a couple years back so that I could listen exclusively to music I liked without the filler you find on the radio. Classic rock was, and still is, my music genre of choice and when the only good radio station in town went off the air, I listened almost exclusively to my Ipod because the popular music that I heard everywhere else didn’t work for me. Because of this, my music library grew stagnant over time and I lacked the motivation to discover anything new, mainly because I didn’t know where to start. Little did I know that this year would turn out to be one of discovery for me on so many different levels. Musically, that was helped along most by Mark. He introduced me to a world of music I had never been exposed to before. I am in debt to him for this. Below is a list of my top ten songs of 2009 along with a brief explanation on why I enjoyed the song so much. Not everything on the list may have been released in 2009 but it is fairly recent and was new to me this year. Besides, it’s my list and I can put whatever I want on it. Enjoy!

10. Unparallel Rabbits – Gavin Castleton. I’ll start this list much like my year began, on a down note. This is a great song and is unique among the other songs on this list in that it is a pretty depressing song and tough for me to listen to even now. Let me give you a little bit of background: Gavin Castleton’s Home album was written after he broke up with his girlfriend of 6 years and details every step in their relationship from falling in love to falling out of love. The album starts out as a solid pop album that wouldn’t normally stand out from other god stuff out there but the second half of the album is what really makes this a stellar release because his everyday life takes a turn for the worst when his relationship problems become personified as zombies. The story then becomes a survival story as him and his girl continually run from the zombie invasion, with no place to settle down. It’s at this point that the album becomes very symbolic and the metaphors he uses are top notch. This song is the point in the story where his girlfriend leaves him for good. The reason this song makes the list is because I was stunned the first time I heard it because of how it was the exact same situation I went through. Some of the exchanges in this song actually happened between me and my ex almost word for word. I’m moved even now when I listen to it and feel incomplete if I listen to this song and don’t finish the album. Of course this song wouldn’t be as great as it is without getting to the ending of his story which is a song you’ll find later in this list.

Memorable lyric – There is no greater pain than the misaligned break./The varied healing tempos of the giver and the take./ When you can’t syncopate your process with the one who leaves./You focus less on your direction and more on your speed./ I see blood and gore/And love turned war./You wanna see for yourself./Baby, what for? What for?

9. Country – Empire of the Sun. Now we get to the fun stuff. The following songs on the list all remind me of the time of my life I had this year. It was tough choosing a song from Empire of the Sun’s album to put in this spot because all their songs are great. That’s evidence of how incredible their album is. Nearly every song on there is fantastic but I’m grooving to this one the most at the moment so it’s the one that makes my list. The only song on the list without lyrics, listening to it relaxes me and reminds me of taking a drive through the country. Hearing to this song on my solo drive back from Austin this year while I took in breathtaking view after view was a peaceful and tranquil memory.

8. 1901 – Phoenix. Phoenix’s “Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart” album starts with a string of infectious songs and it was difficult to choose which one to place on my list. I decided to go with this one because it’s just a great, fun song to listen to. Phoenix has become one of my go-to bands when I’m in a good mood. I listen to this song and my love for life gets magnified.

7. Sunshine – Atmosphere. Who hasn’t woken up hungover and feeling like shit the day after an awesome party? This song takes that feeling and turns it into something wonderful. It radiates good vibes and takes that feeling and turns it into something wonderful. From the moment you hear that beat, you’ll be nodding your head as Atmosphere takes you through a perfect day. Great song to bump while you’re driving on a weekend morning/afternoon after a terrific night.

Memorable lyric –Everyday that gets to pass is a success/And every woman looks better in a sun dress./The sunshine's an excuse to shoot hoops, get juice/Show improve their moves and let loose.

6. Girlfriend – Phoenix. Another fun song from Phoenix. I can’t put my reason for liking this song so much into words but I just really enjoy it. It’s very catchy and will stay stuck in your head for awhile after you listen to it.

Memorable lyric – Well, you’re far from home,/I’m with you now/I’m lonely/I’m loneliness too./Boy the miracles still give fortune tears.

5. The Reeling – Passion Pit. When I looked at my completed list, I was surprised to see this song this far down. That can only mean that this year was an amazing year for music to me. This is another song that lifts your spirits. I hear it and it just makes me smile and I start bob my head to the beat. It is well composed with really awesome lyrics. The words to the song also tell the story of my transition this year.

Memorable lyric – Look at me, oh look at me/Is this the way I’ve always been?/Oh no, oh no.

4. Electric Feel – MGMT. This is the band triggered the change for me to expand my musical horizons. After listening to a couple of their songs, I fell in love with the carefree and rebellious attitude they promoted. My whole philosophy of living and loving life was derived from this album. This song was playing in the background the night Summer of Paul started. It was during an epic swimming party that produced too many unforgettable memories to count: intense b-ball playing between T and N, swimming in calzones, swimming without calzones, balancing a sucia in the water like a basketball on a finger, roof jumping, dark pool matter, and toilet paper mummy. It was one of the top nights of my life and is still frequently talked about. You could’ve made a music video of that night to this song.

Memorable lyric – Saw her in the Amazon/With voltage running through her skin./Standing there with nothing on/She’s gonna teach me how to swim.

3. Walking on a Dream – Empire of the Sun. While other songs on this list helped me get to the point where I opened my mind and started to enjoy life, I came across this one in the prime of the Summer of Paul. I loved this song the first time I heard it and it’s not hard to see why. The lyrics of this song pretty much sum up the idea behind the Summer of Paul, much like Passion Pit’s “The Reeling.” As Mark and Nick said several times when they first heard this song, they wish it lasted longer. And when you boil it down, there really is no better compliment to give to a song than to say you don’t want it to end. This is another song where words can’t describe how much I like it so just give it a listen and you’ll see why.

Memorable lyric – We are always running for the thrill of it, thrill of it./Always pushing up the hill searching for the thrill of it./On and on and on we are calling out and out again/Never looking down I'm just in awe of what's in front of me.

2. Time to Pretend – MGMT. While “Electric Feel” by MGMT was playing the night the Summer of Paul kicked off, this is the song that set the stage for it and got me in the right frame of mind to change the way I’d been doing things my whole life. It’s not a very complicated song lyrically but the idea behind it is what had a huge effect on me. This is a song that you will be humming all day after just a couple of listens. Besides the song at number 1, I haven’t encountered a song that triggered such a big change in my view of the world.

Memorable lyric – This is our decision, to live fast and die young./We’ve got the vision, now let’s have some fun!

1. The Human Torch – Gavin Castleton. We’ll end the list with the same album and artist as we started it. As I stated before, I started 2009 in fairly bad shape. Still reeling from my recent breakup and failed attempts at reconciling, I was struggling to get life back into focus and I couldn’t have come across this album at a better time. While incredible on its own, this song works best when listened to with the whole album, especially the 4 songs preceding it beginning with “Unparallel Rabbits”. The reason is that you see him losing his grip on his life to that point. He regresses into a bad mental state as his life comes crashing down around him only to finally redeem himself after getting another chance to finish his story the right way. I’ve never listened to anything so personal to me in my life before this. I felt as if I was singing the songs myself. Gavin wrote this album as a way to cope and move on from the pain of his own breakup and this song details his victory over the struggles he went through. The song details how he rediscovered his passion in life and his passion for life. The same thing happened to me. This was my “gentle, perfect soundtrack” that made everything start to make sense. I realized that I needed to focus on the good aspects in my life and when I started looking, I found plenty. This album helped my feet get a grip on the floor and start to move in the right direction again. Definitely check it out. You can stream it for free on Gavin Castleton’s website here.

Memorable lyric – I was about to turn to something drastic/when I found my backroom music./With a gentle perfect soundtrack/everything starts to make sense.

Honorable mention: The Consensual Spot - Mr. Nicotron, Jazzhole–Free the Robots, Burial–Miike Snow, Sleepyhead–Passion Pit

Summer of Paul

Been awhile since I posted on here but thought I'd post a quick summary of the things that made Summer of Paul one to remember (in no particular order):

Friends, family, beer, music, swimming, sucias, semi skinny-dipping, Twitter, rain, Music Under the Stars, birthdays, boulder throwing, basketball, shrooms, Mexican quarters, Ayla, discada, MGMT, hookah, roof, primo, brewing, running, hot skirt girl, LAN party, truck, camping, pipe (tobacco & other), fishing, call girl, Nickasaurus Rape, nude racing, Vegas, circle of death, Plaza Theater, scalping, toilet paper mummy, Castleton, Ice Hockey, milf, dark matter pool, wingman, Smash Bros, lightning, kickball, books, UFCs, lady friends, graduations, man dates, wet phone, wine festival, knees, tobacco, egging, Nick’s vagina, new job, splashback, karaoke, trespassing, Charizard, dog fighting, Star Wars, voyeur, Chico’s Tacos, reunion, fantasy football, fajitas, Pale Ale-a, bat, discovery, life, love, freedom

Things To Do Before I Die 5

1. Skydive. Cliche I know but that doesn't mean I don't want to do it. This one is looking more real than ever.

2. Take a coast to coast road trip. Even better would be a coast to coast brewery tour, stopping and taking tours of each one along the way.

3. Write a book.

4. Go to a Super Bowl.

5. Go to a UFC event. This one has slipped through my fingers twice already!

MMA Thoughts

I was very satisfied with this UFC fight this past weekend. In case you don't know, I started watching UFC since UFC 2. It captivated me then so I've been following the sport pretty much from the beginning. Now that we are nearing UFC 100, I thought I would lay out my thoughts on some of the things going on in the world of MMA, past and present. The sport has changed much from what started as a tournament to determine which martial arts style was the best. It sounded awesome on paper and certainly delivered. It was a much different game back when there were no weight classes and the only rules were no biting and no eye gouging. I remember watching fights where hair pulling and groin strikes were big factors. However, it was that brutality that nearly caused it to go under while still in its infancy with many states banning what was termed "human cock-fighting." Out of that brutality emerged a little Brazilian beating guys much bigger than him to show the world a new method of fighting - Jiu Jitsu. Back when styles defined fights, jiu jitsu was king. He took the UFC by storm then and influenced how all future fighters trained. Fighters now are nothing like they were back in the early days as you need to have a complete game if you even hope to survive (at times I wish the sport would go back to its early days of pitting style vs. style with Machida's victory showing that different styles can be effective, but more on that later). With the organization nearly going under, a new group came in to purchase it and help it rise from near death by giving it legitimacy as a sport, much like boxing. The group was Zuffa and it was led by Dana White who is still the face of the organization today. They did much good in transitioning it to be viewed as more of a sport rather than just a no holds barred fight. They eventually helped the sport become a part of the mainstream, although it has come at a cost which I will also get to later.

At the same time, another organization was getting big on the other side of the world - Pride Fighting Championships. In my opinion, this organization had much better fighters than what was in the UFC at the time and I have many memories of staying up until 3 in the morning to catch them live on PPV. One of the big debates back in the day was which organization had the better fighters and you can just imagine my joy when word came out that the UFC had purchased Pride. It was supposed to be a merging of the two largest MMA organizations that would help to settle the argument about who had the best fighters in the world. Unfortunately, things didn't work out this way and rather than keeping Pride as a separate entity in Japan and holding occasional "unification" matches, they completely shut down the Pride name. Imagine the buzz that could be created in having two of the best fighters from opposite sides of the world come together for a "superfight." So while some great fighters certainly did come over, there were other instances where Dana White screwed up what was to be the beginning of a trend. The perfect example being that who I consider to be the best fighter on the face of the planet, Fedor Emelianenko, is still fighting outside the octagon.

All of which brings me to the current state of MMA. With Machida winning the Light Heavyweight belt, it feels like things are finally starting to get back to normal in the UFC, with the exception of the heavyweight division. Each of the current division champs with the exception of Lesnar (Penn, St. Pierre, Silva, Machida) are spectacular, well-rounded fighters that have the skills to stay on top for a long time. There is something about them that puts them a notch above everyone else. I'm not saying that they can't be beat or that there aren't other spectacular fighters out there but these guys just have that something that makes their fights special. Fighting in the heavyweight division is much more difficult because of the possibility of larger weight differences between fighters than the other divisions. I mean look at the size difference in the upcoming Mir and Lesnar fight. Also, the greatest fighter on the the planet (and maybe in the history of MMA), who happens to reside in the heavyweight division is not even in the UFC so take that championship position with a grain of salt. The reason for this is Dana White.

Simply put, I don't believe White deserves to be the face of that organization anymore. While the good he has done for the sport is immense, I feel he is hurting the sport now more than helping it. Let me just list a few of the things I dislike about what he's doing. The first is the fact he manages some of the fighters. Imagine David Stern or Roger Goodell managing some of the stars of their respective sports. Kind of hard to imagine it wouldn't create a conflict of interest right? This conflict of interest has reared its ugly head more than once and not just with fighters he manages but with those he has more at stake in as well. The way he pretty pushed Liddell into retirement when Liddell hadn't said anything about what he was going to do was wacky. More upsetting is that some of the fighters get preferential treatment and are placed on the fast track to title shots. I'm speaking of some of The Ultimate Fighter show winners. Griffin got his title shot by beating an injured and ineffective Shogun Rua then won the title on a decision I believe should've gone the other way. However that is not as bad as Evan's path to the belt. He fought an aging Tito Ortiz to a draw in what should have been a fight he dominated as he had too many opportunities but didn't take advantage and wasn't aggressive. He then beat Michael Bisping, another TUF winner who was undefeated at the time but I believed to be overrated due to him being fed weaker opponents to grow the fan base overseas. His next win came against a Liddell who we all know to be on the downside of a brilliant career. His championship fight with Griffin was a solid fight but I don't think it was between fighters that have championship caliber skills now. As proof that these guys were in a little deeper than they deserved, neither has defended their title. As I said before, I believe that will change now that Machida. These are just two glaring examples of the favor White gives to certain fighters. Another thing that gets to me is the fights the put on cards. Go back and look at some of the Pride Fighting cards and you'll see superstars fighting each other on almost every card. The best were always fighting the best and a loss didn't drop them from the top due to them being beat by the best. It seems that losses in the UFC have a much bigger effect and a fighter coming off a loss is seen as having to work his way up the ladder again. Then they are fed cookie-cutter fighters which make for un-exciting fights. The last thing I'll speak about regarding White is his actual demeanor and language when he speaks to the press. This guy uses the F-bomb every other word, he's not a good representative for someone trying to build more mainstream support for the support. Once more, imagine David Stern or Roger Goodell holding press conferences where they drop the F-bomb a dozen times. That would knock their credibility and professionalism.

The last thing I want to point out is the state of the actual fighters in the UFC. As I said in my first paragraph, I'd love to see different styles come out and try their hand at succeeding. Look at what has happened for Machida. This is a guy with a karate background that brought that mindset into the UFC and it led him to the championship. I used the term "cookie-cutter" fighters earlier because I believe that's what the majority of fighters nowadays have become. They're a product of these schools that just pump out fighters who have are at everything and well-rounded but aren't amazing in any particular aspect. They exchange blows when they're standing and ground and pound when the fight goes to the floor. They know the same basic submissions that are only exercised when there's a glaring opening such as a rear-naked choke or arm bar. Don't get me wrong, I still love the fights but I'd like to see someone different come out once in awhile. I was excited a few years back when Karo Parisyan debuted because I thought "Here's this guy with a Judo background that kicks ass!" He had some really nice throws that transitioned into some sweet submission attempts. However, he didn't train like he should have and also began to fight like other fighters do and look where he is now. Most fighters also don't train like they're supposed to. It appears that sometimes their sudden fame puts them in a place where they're partying all the time and don't train as hard as they did to get to the top. Rampage is the perfect example of this. He won the LH championship and didn't work as hard. As a result, he spent his training for the Griffin fight trying to make weight rather than working on his fighting. We all know what happened there... One thing I didn't mention in the Dana White section that I'll mention now is actual The Ultimate Fighter program. Each season they get two top fighters to coach the teams and then usually pit them against each other after the season is over. Well what do you think has happened to the top fighters who participated in it? They lost to the underdog coach. Why? Because they spent their time in front of the cameras trainging other fighters rather than focusing on their training. Randy Couture, Quinton Jackson, and Antonio Nogueira have all fallen into this trap where they were favored coming into their match against their rival coach and ended up losing. Of the 5 times where the coaches of the season have fought after, the underdog has won 3 of them. The ones who were victorious were Penn vs. Pulver and Ortiz vs. Shamrock - lopsided matches to begin with. This is just my observation. You can draw your own conclusion based on this. Fighters need to stick with their training and avoid all distractions! They're fighters first. This is another reason I believe Machida can stay on top for awhile. I'm sure he was offered the chance to coach the new season of TUF but refused knowing it would interfere with his own training. I love this guy more and more! And if you don't think he's hardcore, check this: Machida interview. Well I guess that pretty sums it up for now. I went off a bit but feel free to leave comments on your opinions as well.

Things To Do Before I Die 4: The WTF! Edition

1. Break a bone in my body

2. Lose a fight

3. Get arrested

4. Jump into frezing cold water, aka the Polar Bear Club

5. Quit a job in spectacular fashion. I'm talking epic "Scarface" restaurant type scene where I just go off

My top 10 8-bit games

#10 Ice Hockey/Blades of Steel - I couldn't pick just one of these games so I took the easy way out and combined them into one selection. Although I do own Ice Hockey on the Virtual Console and not Blades of Steel, it doesn't mean I prefer one over the other. One just so happened to be released first and I didn't want to pay for two hockey games on my Wii. They each do have their pros and cons however. I preferred the gameplay to Ice Hockey and the strategy that came with selecting either a fast, skinny player, a medium player, or a fat powerhouse. Blades of Glory had better music and the fighting mechanic was awesome. Either of these games are worth checking out.

#9 Double Dribble - This is one of the games that introduced me to sports games as a kid. It was probably one of the first I owned. I still have memories of schooling my uncles when they'd come to my house. I remember thinking that the little animation that played when you dunked the ball was so realistic. Some intense battles were played on this game.

#8 Battletoads - One of the most difficult games on this list, and that's saying alot! If you've never played this game you're really missing out as it is one of the most obscure games on the list. This is a fun beat 'em up in the same vein as Double Dragon (I think they might've even made a crossover game) and fun as hell. It is also one of the best looking games on the system and the finishing moves are awesomely hilarious! Play this if you ever have a chance.

#7 Excitebike - This game was just plain fun. Being that I was a young'n when I got my Nintendo, this game helped eased me right into the experience not being too difficult but still requiring some strategy. This game was ahead of it's time with the track creator. It was always fun to go back and set a new best time on each of the tracks.

#6 Bubble Bobble - This reminds me of when I would rent a 2-player game just so I wouldn't have to play alone. I discovered this gem of a game using that method of thinking. My sister would always take the role of the blue dragon and I'd carry her through all 99 levels. Very fun 2 player game that's easy to get into and perfect to play with a date nowadays.

#5 Punch-out - Along with Battletoads, it is probably one of the most difficult games on this list. It is a game of trial and error that tests your reaction time and attention to detail. It is a great game complete with memorable characters and awesome music. I currently have the training music as the default ringtone on my phone. This is another game that I have not been able to beat due to the difficulty. I refuse to read a guide for any games that I play but I hope to one day stand as the boxing champ of the world.

#4 Legend of Zelda - I'm almost ashamed that this game isn't higher on my list but that's just a credit to the quality of games on the system. This is the game that started the whole Legend of Zelda series and inspired many copycats. It introduced so many new gameplay aspects that are still a part of the series today. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the number one game on the many fan's lists. From the non-linearity of the game, to the ability to play it using whichever weapons you choose, this was one of the first games that truly let you play how you wanted. A must play for all gamers.

#3 Megaman 2 - Everything about this game is badass: the gameplay, the bosses, the music. You name it, this game has it. Although its predecessor and successors were great games in their own right, this game just had something about it that struck a chord with me. I still go back and play through it once in awhile when I'm craving something old school. The music is classic. Some of the most memorable game tunes ever written. Woodman's theme is among the best you'll find in video games even now. I even have a different boss theme as a ringtone for each one of my friends. Once you discover each boss's weakness, it's pretty easy to get through the game but it's that thrill of discovery and trial and error that makes the game great. The difficulty is also pretty high in some parts; try getting through Heatman's disappearing platforms without using the rocket platform, or Quickman's instant death lasers without using Flashman's time freeze. Very difficult indeed and I think it has grown on me even more since I got it on the Virtual Console.

#2 Super Mario Bros. 3 - In terms of pure gameplay and enjoyability, this game would probably be number 1 on my list but I have to give homage to a classic and couldn't bring myself to place this one in my #1 spot. This game is just about perfect in every way, it took everything it's predecessor did and perfected it and added several fun elements that became staples of the Mario series.World map with crazy new enemies. Check. Ability to actually go back in a stage! Check. Cool new powers. Double check. Frog Mario is the cutest thing ever and Tanooki (statue) Mario...WTF?!

#1 Super Mario Bros. - For a split second, I thought about putting another game in the number 1 spot but then I came to my senses. Although games that came after may have done things slightly better, this game revolutionized the industry and I don't think it needs much elaboration. I will let its spot as #1 on my list speak for itself.

Anchor Porter

As I was getting ready to go out with my boys this past Friday, I decided to have a beer or two before I left the house so I could have my drink on by the time I got to the club. Opened my fridge and had a choice between crappy "drink just to get drunk" beer or some tasty stuff. Since it would be my first of the night, I decided to grab one of the good beers and went with the Anchor Porter. I made the right choice because this is one damn tasty beer. While caught up in the enjoyment of the beer, I completely forgot to take a picture but I was simply sitting at my house so there's nothing special that was missed. I just tossed in an old picture I found of me holding a beer with my sister in Dallas. If you imagine hard enough, you can picture me holding a bottle of Anchor Porter.

Thought about pouring it into a glass but didn't feel like washing dishes later so I drank it straight from the bottle. The smell was very sweet and malty. Sweeter than I was expecting. It could be because the last porter I had was a Smoked Porter and the last one before that was a couple months ago at Gingerman. Behind the upfront malt smell, I detected some chocolate, coffee and figs with the faintest of alcohol scents at the end. The first sip gave me a little more carbonation than I'm used to with this style but it dissipated quickly and gave way to a very nice, sweet malty taste that left a delicious roasted character behind. Accompanying the sweet malt was a pleasant caramel flavor, mixed fig and the requisite coffee/chocolate finish that was balanced off with the faintest of hop flavors. This is a very high quality porter. The sweet malt is what makes it stand out so much and you can tell that it is high quality malt. Still have yet to be disappointed with an Anchor Brewery beer. This is a very satisfying beer for those in the mood for a porter. I'd even venture to say that it is among the best porters I've had. It is well put together and is a complete package, a solid example of the style that would work great as a session beer if you're looking for a changeup to your typical session lineup. Definitely do not hesitate to pickup a six pack of this.

Things to do before I Die 3

1. Deliver a eulogy. It's just about the hardest type of speech you can make.

2. Tie and wear a bowtie. Just occurred to me any I've worn were already made, that's like wearing a clip-on tie.

3. Kill an animal that's bigger than me.

4. Start a fire using something other than a match or lighter, i.e. Survivorman style.

5. Spend the night on a boat.

Victory HopDevil Ale

I was invited by friends to go out to Red Sands this past week. I hadn't been there in foreva and with the news that I'd get to ride some quads with beautiful folk, I couldn't decline. I grabbed a handful of beers from the fridge to see which mood would strike me while I was out there. Started off with the always reliable Sierra Nevada Pale Ale but as I reached for another, I was urged by a fellow quader to try the Victory HopDevil Ale I had brought along so she could partake in a sample of the sweet nectar as well. Of course I wasn't expecting anyone else with me to like it but I enjoyed this brew on an occasion like this. I think I may have tried this beer before because for some reason I had a hunch that I didn't like it. Since I couldn't remember too clearly, I'm glad I got to try it again because I was wrong about it.

This beer had a very nice grapefruity hop aroma with a bit of a kick to it from the hops. The more I smelled it though, the more I picked up on some sort of musty, earthy aroma. It wasn't a bad thing and was pretty interesting in fact. The first sip reinforced the grapefruit hop aroma as it overpowered the other flavors in the beer. The mouthfeel is great for an IPA with just the right amount of carbonation and a smooth creamy finish. The hops really give this beer a unique flavor compared to other IPAs. It doesn't have the piny, Cascade hops that most other IPAs have. A nice malt flavor comes out in the end but this beer is all about the hops as most IPAs are. As the beer warms, a little spicy character emerges accompanied by an alcohol kick that balances out this solid IPA. A surprisingly good beer. I always enjoy being surprised by a well tasting brew that seems to come out of nowhere. As I watched the sun set on the sand dunes, I again began to think about the future and how I would handle the curveball life had thrown at me recently. Beer always gets me thinking about life... Definitely pick this one up if you're a fan of IPAs.

Stone Smoked Porter

I hadn’t gone camping in a couple of years so when the opportunity presented itself this past weekend I jumped at the chance to go. I have a couple of beers in my fridge that have just been sitting there waiting for a special occasion to get opened. On this particular trip, I decided to go with the Stone Smoked Porter since I was going to be outdoors in the near freezing weather and this would be a nice warmer for the occasion.

On a separate note, I plan to start camping on a much more consistent basis. I will be purchasing my own camping gear soon and heading out as often as I can. I hope to accomplish one of the items on my list of things to do by heading out on my own one of these days too. What is it about camping that is so appealing to certain people? Is it just being out there in the wilderness with a minimum of things? The peacefulness does help you clear your mind and put things in perspective. I know for me it’s partly that but also a bit like living on the edge in that it’s a way to live like our ancestors did while still having that tiny grasp on the modern world to hedge against any mishaps. Now more than ever, I see it as a way to escape the dreariness that is your everyday life and having to deal with complicated issues. Everything is just so simple out there. I’ve always enjoyed camping since I was small but for some reason (lack of gear, motivation, opportunity, and company for one) I got away from it. This trip brought that love back. The peacefulness of reading a book on a cool day while the wind rustles the trees and a woodpecker makes a racket in the distance as it tries to get its next meal is something that can’t be found in city life. Or try waking up to the gobbling of a wild turkey in the near hills and trying to stalk it without it hearing you just to get a glimpse of what your Thanksgiving dinner looks like before it gets to your table. How about sitting around a campfire in the dead of night hypnotized by the dancing flames; trying to keep warm as you look up as see the sky littered with stars looking as if someone threw glitter into the air and it just stayed there, suspended in time. The poetry of it all is addicting.

Now that I've setup the atmosphere for how I tried this new beer, you can bet that I was expecting something grand to accompany these memories. I was honestly hoping it would be a little colder when I popped open this brew but the day had been warm with few clouds and it wasn't as chilly as the night before. I popped open the cap and tried to get a whiff of the tasty beverage. The cold weather made it a little more difficult to pickup on the subtleties this brew no doubt carried. I was able to pickup a nice roasted malt character followed by coffee and chocolate notes that is typical of the Porter style. The first sip brought that familiar Porter taste but with a slight twist. The malts were the first thing I noted and coffee and chocolate flavors immediately began to dominate. The kicker was the slight smoky taste that lingered at the end. Definitely a good brew but not to the level I was expecting from a Stone Brewery ale. The anticipation built this thing up in my mind more than anything but it is still a solid beer to try. The mouthfeel was definitely full-bodied with the right amount of carbonation. Another interesting thing about this beer was the hops bite the began to emerge as the beer warmed. That is something I've never had and wouldn't have expected from this beer and I was pleasantly surprised. Typical of most Stone beers, this one came in a big bottle and it was a chore to finish the whole thing because of the strong character but I was up to the task. I think the beer was just right for the occasion, could've been a little better but considering the style I could've done worse. I will say that about all the Stone beers I've tried, they definitely don't skimp on the ingredients and use only the finest. I would recommend this beer to anyone who's interested in trying the style and I would probably get it again although not ahead of other Stone offerings.

Things To Do Before I Die 2

1. Leave a lasting impression on someone I've never met and will never see again. This is another that is practically impossible to confirm since I wouldn't know the person and would leave the impression only in passing. Quick examples that come to mind: "D'er you go" guy from the Dallas trip and "You want to fight about it" guy from Whataburger on one of the funnest nights ever.

2. Run a marathon.

3. Bench press 225 lbs. Inspired by the recent combine workouts.

4. Learn Japanese. Already in process because of Japanese for Busy People but I think I need to take a class sometime.

5. Go to Oktoberfest in Germany. Mmmm...beer. Speaking of, got to get a-brewing.

Things To Do Before I Die 1

I plan start a periodic series where I list the things I want to do or accomplish before I die. I will post five at a time and they will be in no particular order as I will post as they come to mind. They'll range from truly grand feats to small mundane tasks and everything in between that I would like to do just once. I'll generally try to stay away from the cliche things but you'll find one on my list every so often.

1. Have a school named after me. Nobody knows who Jane Hambric is but if you have a school named after you, you know you did something worthwhile along life's journey.

2. Knock somebody out. Not just punch someone but knock them out cold.

3. Go camping alone. Just get away to the middle of nowhere and be on my own at least for a weekend.

4. Give someone advice that they'll remember for the rest of their life in one sentence. You don't always need to deliver a moving speech to get your point across and sometimes shorter really is sweeter. I may not know if I accomplish this since someone might not tell me that they'll remember something I said for the rest of their lives.

5. Approach and hit on a girl that is completely out of my league. I'm talking a Vegas 10 type. I may crash and burn but you never know and it's always worth the try...


Feel free to leave your thoughts on my list and post any of your own things to do in the comments section.

Rush Limbaugh

Below is the first in a series of videos on who I believe is one of the most misunderstood men in America. Many people I've spoken to about Rush Limbaugh say they have strong feelings of dislike for him yet when I ask if they've ever listened to his show even once, they answer no. They make their decision based on hearsay and various 5-second sound bites that are taken out of context and trickled down to them. Take a few moments out of your day to watch these videos on a speech he gave to the Conservative Political Action Conference. They show why I admire him and listening to this may give you a different perspective on someone who is constantly labeled as a bigot and hatemonger. This isn't the same guy that's portrayed in the media. He pretty much sums up my political views and the conservative position as a whole. His speech outlines why I am proud to call myself a conservative and the great love I have for this country.

Rush Limbaugh Speech to CPAC

The Wrestler and Oaked Arrogant Bastard

Spent the majority of Valentine’s Day as I do all Saturday’s - at my grandma’s house with family. I had nothing better to do later that evening so I decided to treat myself out to a movie on this “special” day. I’ve been to the movies by myself with no problem before but I admit it was a little awkward given that it was Valentine’s Day and there were couples everywhere. I decided to check out the much-hyped The Wrestler to get acquainted with more of the films nominated for the upcoming Oscars. This movie has been getting plenty of hype from critics praising the performances of Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei and it is well-deserved. I think their performances are what really elevate this movie. The story is about a washed-up wrestler who has become a lovable loser since he left the top of the wrestling world and follows his attempt to get back to the top and get his life together. As you see obstacle after obstacle keep him from doing so, you really start to feel for him. However, you can also see that the type of lifestyle he lives is so ingrained in him that he can’t change no matter how much he wants, the ring is his life. By the end of the movie you see the contrasting way in which things in the ring are so much better for him than in the real world and no amount of work will elevate him to the status he maintains in the ring. I’d say this is a great film but I would still rank it behind Slumdog Millionaire in terms of award-worthy. You should still check it out if you’re looking to catch up on your movies for Oscar night. Oh, the excessive Marisa Tomei nudity is a huge bonus! I’ve had a thing for her since My Cousin Vinny and didn’t expect to see this much boobage from her.

Went home and decided to end the night with a beer I’ve had sitting in my fridge for awhile and thought today would be as good a day as any to enjoy it. Life is but a flash in the pan so enjoy things while you can right? Arrogant Bastard is probably my favorite beer and when I spotted this oaked variant at Buddy’s I immediately snatched it up. I poured myself a glass of Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale and boy am I glad I did. Coincidentally I poured it into a glass I received as a Valentine’s Day gift a couple years prior. I enjoy a bit of sweet irony with my beer. The color was a dark brown, caramel shade and produced a nice big fluffy head. Just the look of it is intimidating and the smell did nothing to change that either so I’m sure the taste won’t disappoint. A whiff gave me a wonderful blend of oily hops and high-quality malt. The beautiful thing is that there is also a woody mahogany smell that follows along with the obligatory alcohol kick for a beer of this level. A heavenly smelling brew indeed! First sip is packed with a complex mix of flavors. I’m going to have to take a few more sips to pick out all the subtleties in there but this is definitely all Arrogant Bastard. First thing that hit me is the nice hop bite that leaves a bitter grapefruit flavor followed by the rich caramel malt that perfectly compliments it. After the swallow, I was able to pickup the “oaked” flavor in the namesake and of course the alcohol kick that immediately made this a top notch brew. The mouthfeel is thick and soft. There is just the right amount of carbonation present making it a very drinkable beer but I wouldn’t want to be making this a session brew because a couple of these will really mess you up as Tim learned the hard way. The beer also leaves some of the best lacing on the glass that I have seen in any beer and I later regretted not snapping a pic of that. This is the type of beer you want to be drinking on a special occasion and is a great way to start a night. You will want to take it easy on this and not rush anything because this beer can easily in a mataleon. I think it has more kick than the regular Arrogant Bastard which is saying a lot. As my glass started to look more and more empty, I picked up more of a woody flavor in the beer which was a nice compliment to the brew. This beer is definitely not for the faint of heart and only the bravest tongue should try taking this one on because the level of flavor present is astounding! Highly recommended cerveza.

Gingerman

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Quick Vid

"Boston Market" Haha, been there.

Oooh Girl - Honest R&B

Slumdog Millionaire

Went to watch Slumdog Millionaire last night. Thought I’d check it out because of all the hype it’s been getting from it's Golden Globes wins and Oscar nominations. Having not seen any of the other films that are nominated for movie of the year (I still need to make time to catch The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), I cannot comment on who I believe should win but this film showed me why it was nominated. On a side note, I am a little disappointed that The Dark Knight got snubbed in many of the main categories but am glad to see Heath get the much deserved nod for Supporting Actor. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he takes the award even though there’s some tough competition out there.

The way the story unfolds is very cleverly handled. Basically, the main character is on the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. He’s one question away from the grand prize but is taken away on suspicion of cheating. The story progresses with him explaining how he knew the answers to each of the questions through a past experience of his, beginning in his childhood. You later come to find out that the whole reason he’s on the show in the first place is to reunite with his long lost love that fate has managed to keep from him time and time again. This movie has a little bit of everything: action, comedy, romance, drama. As more and more of the character’s back story begins to present itself, you can’t help but begin to grow attached to them and root for them to end up together and be happy after all that they’ve been through. The interaction between the characters and the way their development is handled from childhood to adulthood is masterfully done. Many of you may not know this but I have an uncanny 6th sense to see the ending of a movie coming and as a result have ruined many a movie for people watching with me. I didn’t necessarily do that here, but I did enjoy the look on my date’s face when I leaned over and told her what the final question was going to be. It wasn’t too difficult to spot and if you’ve been paying attention it’s pretty easy to see it coming. I still got the chills when the question I predicted popped up because I wasn’t 100% sure. This movie may not be for everyone but if you enjoy a strong character-driven plot, you will enjoy Slumdog Millionaire.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Since I still haven’t gotten a camera to get my reviews back to full force, I decided to go through my catalog of photos on the computer and post reviews with whatever pics I could find that had a beer in them. These reviews do not capture the ambiance when I reviewed the beer but are just pictures where I happen to have a beer in my hand. Enjoy the eye candy gentlemen! I know you can't really see the bottle well in one of the pics but is that really what you're looking at?

I thought I’d start with the beer that I consider my go to brew in the clutch, my Larry Fitzgerald if you will. No matter the circumstance, I can toss my taste buds up and this brew will always go up and come down with results. Whenever I find myself out in a club with a less than shitty selection, I always fight with myself on whether to get a Sam Adams or Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. All other things being equal (i.e. price) I’ll usually go with the Sierra Nevada. It is a little more in line with the type of beers I prefer than Sam although both are solid in the clutch. I always turn to this brew when I’m in the mood for drinking and not craving any particular style. Again, the choice usually comes down to this one, Sam Adams Boston Ale or Boston Lager.

Sierra Nevada as a brewery is also very dependable. I don’t think I’ve had a brew from them that I haven’t liked and I’ve probably had the greatest variety brews from them than from any other brewery, other than maybe Sam Adams.

Now to the review: The bottle itself is fairly unique among other brews in that it is a short stubby bottle which I prefer to other bottles for the simple fact that these are easier to store when I save bottles to be later filled with Fierrote brew. That’s neither here nor there. When I took a whiff of this brew the first thing that I noted was the beautiful hop smell. There is a fresh Cascade flowery/piney hop upfront with a citrus, doughy background. This is a really beautiful smell for any beer, much less one you can find at any decent bar. The mouthfeel is smooth and even, just the perfect amount of carbonation. This beer has the perfect balance of malt and hops for the style. Neither one really stands out but I have had a few of these bottles that occasionally taste hoppier than others. I guess that’s the beauty of the microbrewery. The hops have a nice leafy kick to them and the beer finishes with a sweet flowery taste that lingers on the palate. As is the norm with this style, the bitterness goes up slightly as it warms but other than that stays consistent until the end. The moderate alcohol and smooth taste make this the perfect session beer. Many a nights have a finished an entire 6-pack by myself while surrounded by great company, New Years being the most recent example. As I said earlier, this is one of my go to beers and will not hesitate to pick it up when the evening calls for anything from casual drinking to intense, all-night bouts of Pterodactylgories.

Anchor 2008 Christmas Ale

I decided to pour myself a finer beer while I had company over watching the Cowboys get decimated by the Eagles. This review’s a little late but I’ve been pretty busy lately. It's a Christmas seasonal so it doesn't matter too much since you probably won't find this in stores anymore. By the time I got around to pouring myself this brew, the Cowboys game was well out of hand and I took decided to drink this to console myself and ease the pain. Besides, I had good company over so the day wasn't a total loss.

I poured the brew into a pint glass and it has a nice dark chocolate color with hints of red on the edges. Really great head on the glass and if you’ve been reading my reviews, you know that’s always a plus for me. It smells like figs, nutmeg and cinnamon; very much in line with the Christmas theme. It tastes of figs too with a sweet, nutty chocolate finish. Very nice lacing left behind on the glass. There’s a sweet malt taste to it as well and not much hops are present. The chocolate taste emerges slightly more as it warms but the flavor doesn't change much throughout. This is a solid seasonal brew. A friend of mine told me he had the 2007 version and wasn’t too pleased with it but this batch seemed to have a very nice flavor. Probably too late to pick one of these up now but I will definitely keep an eye out for next year’s batch. Anchor is a great brewery and I have yet to be disappointed with any of their beers.

Most Listened to on Ipod

I was going through my list of songs because for some reason my ITunes library got erased, not from my hard drive, just from ITunes so I had to re-import all my songs. Made me go through a bunch of options through ITunes I hadn't messed with in awhile and I noticed it keeps track of how many times you've listened to songs. I sorted it by most listened to and here's my list of top ten songs. This doesn't mean these are my favorite songs but they find themselves on various playlists I listen to frequently. Some may make you laugh but it's just the stuff I like:

1. King Without a Crown - Matisyahu Play Count: 60
2. Wonderboy - Tenacious D Play Count: 45
3. Across the Universe - The Beatles Play Count: 38
4. This is Your Life - Fight Club Soundtrack Play Count: 34
5. Tribute - Tenacious D Play Count: 31
6. Hypnotize - System of a Down Play Count: 29
7. Hey Jude - The Beatles Play Count: 28
7. Maybe - N.E.R.D. Play Count: 28
9. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - The Beatles Play Count: 26
10. When You Were Young - The Killers Play Count: 24

Green Flash West Coast IPA

The subtitle to this post would have to be f*ck it Mr. Bucket since I am just going to be putting up the backlog of reviews I have with or without a picture. I will eventually try to put up some sort of accompanying photo of any kind.

I had this very tasty IPA on Christmas Eve at the christening of my uncle's new house in Las Cruces. I use the word house loosely as this is more of a compound than a house, it's that huge. I felt like I was in an episode of cribs. After a long evening of college football, golf (he has his own putting green complete with tee boxes and sandtraps), food and more food, we went into his game house (that's right, game house, not game room; it's seriously bigger than my house) to play some poker. Me rarely ever carrying any cash on me, I had to resort to using the $50 check my grandma had just given me as my present for collateral. Thinking I'm a big shot by asking for $20 in chips, my uncle comes in and busts out with a $100 like nothing. I could tell I was going to be in for a challenge if I wanted to take my loving grandma's check home. Therefore, I decided to open up a bottle of Green Flash West Coast IPA and use it to take the edge off. I'd need any help I could get if I was going to bluff my way out of this one. At the very least, the bitterness of the brew made me hide my goofy bluffing smile with a bitter beer face.

The label says there are 5 different kinds of hops added to this spectacular brew throughout the brewing process and it shows. This beer smells like an IPA is supposed to smell. It started off with a sweet, citrus hop aroma with a piney background that did a poor job of masking the bitterness that was to come. The taste hit me like a freight train. There is a solid, bitter grapefruit hop taste that emerges followed by a puckering piney taste that finishes with a flowery hop and then more bitter hop oil. I can taste citrus, sweet, and pungent hops all along the sipping process. Wow, the bitterness really lingers at the tongue after each and every sip. This is definitely not a session beer but one you grab yourself when you want to take it easy. The bitterness has a sharp bite upfront and stays with you long after you swallow each sip. It's probably one of the most bitter but complex IPAs that I've ever had and I greatly enjoyed the experience! I can't stress this enough but it is far more bitter than your average IPA. I can't get enough of this sweet hop action!! This is not for the faint of hop, I mean heart, and if you aren't a big fan of the style then you should steer clear from this one. On the other hand, if you're a fan of IPAs, you NEED to seek this one out because it is one of the best I've had of the style.

Needless to say, my night ended as well as the beer did and not only did I win enough to get my grandma's check back, I took home an additional $45 in profit. Great brews always accompany great experiences.

Top 5 movies of the year

Going along with top lists for 2008, here are my choices for top movies of the year. It can be summed up as the year of superheroes and comedies as two of each category crack my top 5 list. Granted, I don’t watch very many movies so my pool of choices isn’t too deep so it made this list fairly easy to come up with. Not watching many movies also means that the few I do watch are that much more important which is why you won’t find any small artsy-fartsy movies here. (Warning: Spoilers ahead! I’ve tried to keep my summaries as spoiler-free as possible but there were times I couldn’t help myself.)

4) Forgetting Sarah Marshall – This is just a funny movie period. How can you go wrong with any movie that has gratuitous male nudity? Especially funny the first time around when I saw it in theaters; the jokes hit that much deeper when I watched it at home alone the second time around. My reaction to unknowingly pouring myself a bowl of Lucky Charms while I started the movie a couple weeks after going through a breakup of my own was life imitating art. Well-written, likable characters really drive this comedy. Going through what I went through this year, this movie really hits home.

4) Role Models – I couldn’t decide which comedy I liked more this year so I decided to call this a tie with the previous movie. Although Forgetting Sarah Marshall hits closer to home, I didn’t have as many laugh out loud moments as I did with any other movie this year. If you haven’t seen this one yet, check it out. Paul Rudd is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors as he continues to turn in great performance after great performance.

3) Iron Man – This movie rivals Spiderman 2 as my number two greatest superhero movie of all time. Robert Downey Jr. does a really great job capturing all the nuances and quirks of Tony Stark. A great start to what is sure to be a solid franchise leading up to the Avengers movie. The ending battle proved to be a little disappointing to me but everything building up to it was MARVELously done (see what I did there?). I really wanted to see what 2 suits could do in a battle at full power. They will no doubt fix that in the sequel as well as possibly delve into Tony’s demons, most notably his alcohol problem which was hinted at in this movie. Iron Man ushered in the year of quality comic movies and is one of the year's best films.

2) Wall-E – This movie makes everything else on this list seem like a complex drama with a tangled storyline because it is so simple. The first half of the movie goes by with pretty much no dialogue and takes a very fun turn in the second half that delivers a powerful message. The story is fairly simple, characters aren’t complex, there really isn’t much to this movie on the surface but the way everything unfolds makes you really get attached to the characters. Pixar really hit this one out of the ballpark.

1) The Dark Knight – Was there ever a question as to what my number one film would be? There’s little I can say about this film that hasn’t already been said. Incredible story, deep characters backed up by fantastic acting, and it’s Batman for Christ’s sake! People have rightfully raved about Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker, which should earn him an Oscar nomination at the very least, but the character that stood out most to me was Harvey Dent. This is just my personal opinion but his story is such a tragic telling of how even the best of us can fall. The story works on so many levels and is not just a simple superhero story. There are actually some deep philosophical points it brings up. It elevated the superhero genre to an art form and is definitely in my top 5 movies all time. Greatest movie watching experience in my life was seeing this film in Las Vegas at an IMAX theater. The screen was 5 stories high and the sound was so loud yet so crisp, I doubt that experience can ever be surpassed.

Honorable Mention: Quantum of Solace, Step Brothers

Biggest Disappointment: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull