Saturday, October 15, 2011

Top 5 Movies I'm Excited For!

My love for Jim Henson's Muppet's has been no secret to readers of this blog. There was no question I was going to be seeing the new Muppet movie, but the new trailer that was released this week really sold the ticket. I love the idea that this movie supposes a world where all of the episodes of the Muppet Show, all of the movies, all of that stuff, is being performed by real Muppets and not puppets. It makes them real, but not in the way that all of the other movies made them real. It makes them "canon" for the real world. Does that make sense? No? I don't care.

Anyhow, I love going to the movies. I like 'em all. But I really do enjoy the fall and summer and all the big movies that come out. It got to a point this summer where I said to Kristen while reading an EW magazine "You know, we're going to have to see at least a movie a week to keep up with all the stuff I want to see." Of course, we didn't wind up doing that. We won't do it this fall or next summer either I'm sure. But still, there are so many movies I'm excited for on the horizon. Here's 5 of them!

Top 5 Movies I'm Excited For

1. The Avengers


I've wanted to see a Justice League movie since I was in high school. I don't think I'll ever see one, but seeing an Avengers movie is just as mind blowing to me. I have to give Marvel credit for setting it up the way they did too. It took long term commitment to make Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America movies that were successful on their own while still looking down the pike and knowing this was going to be a reality. It's going to be amazing!

2. The Muppets



This is the trailer that I mentioned at the top, the one that inspired this post. Tell me this isn't a brilliant concept for a Muppet movie. Plus, Jason Segel is on record as being a huge Muppet fan. I feel like he was a great choice to write and star in this movie. 

3. J. Edgar



I'm not all together sure why I want to see this movie. I don't have much connection to the subject matter or anything, but it just looks really good.

4. The Dark Knight Rises


Let's face it. As long as someone keeps making Batman movies, I'm going to keep seeing them...forever. But Chris Nolan's Batman films have been more than just "comic book movies". They are cinematic masterpieces.

5. The Hunger Games


These dark, dystopian YA novels took the world by storm a little while ago. I got into them in a big way. The books are so fun and fast and crazy. They are just the type of book where you finish reading it and say to yourself "That's going to be a great movie." I really hope that I'm right.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Top 5 Simpsons Episodes



Top 5 Simpsons Episodes

We’ve heard it all before. The Simpsons are being threatened with cancellation because the actors want to be compensated fairly for their work. I use fair loosely however. Paying someone who works 3-4 hours a week 8 million dollars a year seems more than fair, however, when you consider the amount of money the show makes, one could say the actors deserve what they are asking and probably more. However, to those of us who make considerably less than that for a 40 hour work week, it seems more than prudent to tell Nancy Cartwright to shut her whiny mouth and just be grateful she has the job she has during her time before the mother ship comes to hurry her to L. Ron Hubbard’s side on Planet Glypfnoar.

I’ll pose another question to you. It’s one that’s hard for me to ask as someone who grew up with America’s favorite cartoon family. Is it time for us to just let the Simpsons go? For example, people know that I love Kevin Smith. Some may say I’m obsessed with the work of the director, podcaster, and raconteur. When he announced that his upcoming film “Hit Somebody” would be his final film and that he would be segueing into other media and new projects after his retirement, I did not join the throngs of Kevin Smith fans who begged him to reconsider. I applaud him. Go out while things are good. Don’t fizzle.

The Office is another perfect example. To preface, I’m currently enjoying Andy as the new boss. However, there was absolutely no reason to continue the show past Steve Carrel’s departure last season. Take a cue from your British forefathers. Do 2 great seasons and call it a day. Move on and do something else. Keep coming up with new ideas.
On the opposite side of the coin, I still think the Simpsons has been totally entertaining. Are they still the groundbreaking show that they were in the 90's? Not by a long shot. But it still makes me laugh. I feel like I would feel the void if there was no more Simpsons. It's kind of like the sun. Even if I'm not always enjoying the sun, I feel better knowing it's there.
Just in case it goes away, I thought I would reflect on my....

Top 5 Simpsons Episodes.

1. King Size Homer
2. Weekend at Burnsie's
3. Homer at the Bat
4. You Only Move Twice
5. Homer's Enemy

My apologies. For some reason I could not post any youtube videos. I encourage you to go and watch these episodes for yourself.