Celebrity Playlist

Jergs' Celebrity Playlist

I've spent a lot of time listening to the IPod the last few days, so if Adam Corolla and Kelly Ripa can do it, why can't I?

"Prosthetic Head" (Track 1) Green Day : "Always dig the hard edge to their sound. This song is about people that are fake, or not genuine. I hate fake people."

"Triple Trouble" (Track 2) Beastie Boys : "I finally got to see these guys at the Virgin Fest. They rocked. This track has some funk to it."

"Going On" (Track 3) Gnarls Barkley : "I'm calling this right now. This is your song of summer 2008. Mark it."

"Middle of Nowhere" (Track 4) Hot Hot Heat : "I give credit to my brother for introducing me to this track. If I ever write my screenplay this song would be in the opening credits."

"Shadow Stabbing" (Track 5) Cake : "I love bands who can mix things up, be creative and show us something new. They deliver."

"But Anyway" (Track 6) Blues Traveler : "This was the song that introduced me to them. It never gets old."

"Black Water" (Track 7) The Doobie Brothers : "Laid back Southern Cool. This was their first #1 hit. I sing to it whenever I hear it."

"Time Stand Still" (Track 8) Rush : "Some people can't stand Geddy Lee's voice. I don't mind it at all. The song is about enjoying life and it has more meaning for me the older I get."

"Under the Bridge" (Track 9) Red Hot Chili Peppers : "This is one of those songs that puts me back in college. How many times did I listen to Blood Sugar Sex Magik all the way through?"

"Inner City Pressure" (Track 10) Flight of the Conchords: "You know your not in high finance, considering second hand underpants. It's the Pet Shop Boys if they were a comedy duo."

"Keep Fishin'" (Track 11) Weezer : "I saw these guys at Loyola College with Live in 95'. The video for this song is with the Muppets. Enough said."

"Bad" (Track 12) U2 : "With some many songs to chose from this still is my favorite. Seen them at least three different times."

"Rock Box" (Track 13) Run-D.M.C. : "The first rap song I ever heard. Lots of good rappers back in the 80s who actually rhymed."

"In a Big Country" (Track 14) Big Country : "A bold statement would be that this was my favorite 80s song. It's pretty close."

"When the World is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around" (Track 15) The Police : "Can I explain the joy I felt in the depths of my soul to see the boys twice last summer? I won't even try. Just take the happiest thing you can think of and multiply it by some number that has many zeros behind it."

P.S.

Things worked out fine with jury selection. I never thought I would enjoy being called unsuitable before. I get a reprieve for three years.

Also I'm still working on heading up to NYC with Brent and Todd this weekend. It usually comes down to the last minute especially when Binder tries to work a deal.

Seven Random Bits

I'm not one for over celebrating milestones but, I've reached the one week anniversary of my blog. Huzzah.

So let me enlighten you with "7 Random Bits" from my noggin. Seven's the key number here. Think about it. 7-Elevens. Seven doors. Seven, man, that's the number. Seven chipmunks twirlin' on a branch, eatin' lots of sunflowers on my uncle's ranch. You know that old children's tale from the sea. It's like you're dreamin' about Gorgonzola cheese when it's clearly Brie time, baby.

Ahem.

1- The Beerbelly

This may be the greatest invention ever! Gaze upon it's simplicity of design and sheer directness of purpose. http://www.thebeerbelly.com/

2- Arrested Development

I have watched all three seasons ten times. It gets funnier each time I see it and I get angrier the more I think how FOX screwed it up. There is a possibility of a movie, though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmGGVARy1OQ *naughty language alert*

3- David Blaine's next stunt on Oprah

Blaine on Wednesday will try to break the world record for breath-holding during a live broadcast of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," less than two years after going into convulsions during a similar attempt. Which is worse? The creepy Blaine passing out on the couch or Oprah Winfrey. Pick a side. I'd rather see Sir Charles give it a shot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN_YknAryS0

4- Last Little Tavern closes in Maryland

Please pause to read this correctly. I mean, Little Tavern Hamburgers. The close cousin of White Castle was opened in 1926 and was huge in B'More in the 50's. The final location in Dundalk closed today due to the owner's health. Buy'em by the bag.

5- Obama or Hillary

Leave it to the Democrats to royally screw this one up huge. You have every advantage you can think of; an unpopular war, a falling economy, and a real chance to give a message of change and have it mean something.

6- Summer Movie season starts next week; Iron Man

When it comes to making money you can liberal with even the start of the seasons. I mean doesn't Christmas season start in October now. Iron Man isn't a bad start.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhgzIM-9lfA

7- Tavares Gooden

The Ravens draft pick is multi-talented. He shows good cover skills, can rap, and has shown a talent for double teaming. "T-Good" raps as a member of Miami's 7th Floor Crew. If are interested in filth go to their My Space page. http://www.myspace.com/seventhfloorcrew

In looking to replace Ray Ray, they get a "U" grad, he wears "52", and he appears in rap videos. A good character guy.

Blue Monday

I looked at my watch. I looked at the wall. I listened to some music. I imagined what it would be like if the Matrix were real. I played games on my IPOD, and then started all over again. This was my day doing my civic duty as a member of a jury panel.

I realize that this sounds awful coming from a Social studies teacher. I mean, I should be eating this mess up with a spoon. And actually I did for the ten minutes when things actually happened. I mean role call was fun. I felt like I was back in Mr. Stein's Economics class.

Adams....here.....Adamson.....here.......Adamowski.....here......Bueller?....Bueller?...Bueller?

Then the judge came striding out in his shiny dress robes from Hogwarts and the lawyers slugged thier way out to the podium with their fresh Pat Riley hairstyles. Just like on TV. The show was good for a short while. But, then the wait and then nothing.

Tom Petty was right. The waiting is the hardest part. We waited until 3:48 and as names were called Stein-style once again. My heart sank. I wasn't called. Those that shall be named would be leaving..............and going to another courtroom.

We would get to leave but, we weren't finished. The lucky 40 or so of us had to return on Wednesday to see if we made the final 15. It was like American Idol ..only much worse, if that is possible. You see the court planned on doing the same thing tommorrow with another group of 80, shave it down, and then bring those winners together with us on Wednesday.

The trial is actually pretty serious but, as you know I can't discuss anything or I had have to kill you.

Top that of with rain ALL day and you have yourself the stereotypical Monday.

I may try some of these for next appearance. My favorite might be : chew on your arm until someone catches you. Hmm. If I did that today I wouldn't be in this mess.

http://www.boredthings.com/

Final blogfact : New Order's "Blue Monday" is the best-selling 12 inch single of all time. It is also one of the longest charting singles ever, at 7:25. How ironic.

Some Days are Better Than Others

I have to admit Sunday started off promising. My beautiful, and intelligent wife let me sleep in until 8:30 again. Two days in a row, baby!! I cooked a delicious breakfast of french toast and Bob Evans sausage. Enjoyed the sermon at church. I was then ready to take Connor with me to the Johns Hopkins festival while Nicki was teaching art classes in the afternoon.

That is where the problems began. I had driven for about 30 minutes when I noticed smoke from the hood and after I pulled over and took junior from the car. We both saw the green fluid splashing to the concrete. I made a few phone calls and then set out to walk to my parent's house about ten minutes away. My son and I turned it into an adventure, pointing out shops and trying to have fun as I worried if the dark clouds were going to drop some unwelcome gifts on us as we trudged along. But, we got lucky as "Miss Hol-yee" (That's Holly for you not versed in Connor-speak) saw our plight and mini-vanned us the rest of the way.

So, at my folks house after a well balanced lunch of hot dogs and strawberries we settled in for some sports action. I can channel surf with the best of them - O's vs. Pale Hose (ch. 671) and Wiz vs. Cavs (ch.2) and NFL Draft (ch. 206).

O's game : Game was tied at 1-1 until the 6th when Konerko went yard for his second time. After that I didn't go back. Ended up 6-1. Still not a bad road trip for the Birds.

Wiz game : I'm glad I'm not an actual fan of the Wizards because they are beyond infuriating to watch. I got hooked in the 3rd, when they went 2-3 and actually moved the ball well in their offense and got easy opportunites and cut the lead to two. But, terrible shot selection burned them everytime as the Wiz fell to go down 3 games to 1. I don't expect a comeback.

Draft: The Ravens added an ILB, two linemen, SS, a CB (by trade). Most if not all should help this season. But, that wasn't the biggest story of the draft. Instead it was the fashion choices of Keyshawn "Gimmie the Damn Ball" Johnson. He only needed a wide brimmed purple hat with a gold feather dangling off the side to complete his pimp daddy style. My eyes hurt as I stared into his checkerboard shirt with pink tie combo and felt hypnotized by all the patterns. Doesn't ESPN hire a production assistant help with these things.

The guy obviously looked like he had a worse day than I did.

Oh, well. Keep on the sunny side. I won't have to go to work tommorrow. (Hooray) I will have to report for Jury Duty. (Grumbles) Some days are better than others.

"Some days are dry, some days are leaky

Some days come clean, other days are sneaky

Some days take less, but most days take more

Some slip through your fingers and onto the floor

Some days you're quick, but most days you're speedy

Some days you use more force than is necessary

Some days just drop in on us

Some days are better than others" - U2

Yardsticks of Quality

What a beautiful day today. The sun was shining and I slept in until 8:30! It's amazing how much you treasure sleep when you normally get up at 5:30 during the work week. At least Connor held off that long until he jabbed a finger in my eye. "Daaaa-deeee Waaakkkee UUUppppp!" There never was a better alarm clock.

I'll just hit two things that caught my eye. First, my impressions of the NFL Draft. Let me start by saying, Ozzie Newsome is a war room genius. Matt Ryan was scooped up by the Falcons who apparently feel that they need a QB. Don't they have Chris Redman? So the Ravens trade down and totally fleece the Jags. They then trade back up at pick #18 to select from Delaware, Quarterback - Joe Flacco.

Yes, I know most of you don't know who he is. But, Mel thought he was solid and at 6'6", he can throw the pigskin 75 yards in the air. But, we aren't done here, in the second round the Blackbirds get some help at running back. They select out of Rutgers - RB - Ray Rice.

Seen by many as a Maurice Jones-Drew type, he should give the team a solid compliment to McGahee.

Not a bad day one. But it gets better, the Ravens have six picks in the third and forth rounds. Picks # 71, #86, #99, #106, #125, # 133. You should get plenty of players that can help you this year and get you younger. Bravo!


My second point is about the Orioles new skipper, Dave Trembley. I hate to jinx things but the team is playing solid fundamental baseball in the first month. I'm actually look forward to watching them and then I read this article.




Orioles manager lambasts fans who ran on field in Seattle
Apr 25, 7:37 pm EDT

CHICAGO (AP)—Baltimore manager Dave Trembley lambasted two fans who ran on the field during an Orioles game Thursday night at Seattle.
During the game, two spectators jumped onto the field and ran behind Orioles outfielder Jay Payton.
“It’s embarrassing to baseball,” Trembley said Friday night before a game against the White Sox. “I wasn’t happy because I’m a big proponent of respect. I think that’s the epitome of disrespect, when two idiots run onto the field like that.
“They came up from behind two of my players. … I wish I could have taken them in the back room myself. I would have beaten the snot out of both of them.”
The Orioles beat the Mariners 8-7 in the game.



Trembley is old school to the max and if you are a Baltimore fan, you gotta like it. Reminds me too much of the Earl of Baltimore.

Enjoy the evening.


"Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.” - Steve Jobs , Chairman and CEO of Apple Inc.

Pour Me a Nice Draft

It's the start of the weekend and it couldn't get here sooner. Lots of action this week, keeping students interested at school, heading to Connor's pre-school for a Father's Night, and starting this blog.

So, let's get to my beer of the day. I must tell you that I love beer. It's filled with hops, barley, and delicious alcohol. But, I don't subscribe to any Miller or Busch product. I have finer tastes. Tonight's selection comes from the fine tax free state of Delaware.

DOGFISH HEAD INDIA PALE ALE

The hop flavor is unique and tasty. It's balanced nicely with a little punch to it. It is perfect for the Spring or Summertime months.

Now that I have my suds, I have to speak about the next big draft, tomorrow's NFL draft. The Ravens sit in the 8th position after a dismal season at 5-11. The team is at a crossroads and has a core that is getting old and has needs all over. If Matt Ryan falls to 8th somehow, they will snatch him up, but I can't see him going past Atlanta or Kansas City. So I'm thinking that Ravens go corner and pick up Leodis McKelvin. Rolle and CMac are getting long in the tooth. It still is possible that they trade down to get extra picks. Either way it will be interesting and a crucial draft for the franchise. But, Oz seems to know what he's doing, so have another.

I'm also sick of all these media haters busting on Mel Kiper Jr. Besides being a Calvert Hall alum, and having the most impenetrable head of hair ever. I have to rush to his defense. The guy will be spouting out what the #228 pick in the draft likes to eat for lunch while Boomer and Salisbury pick their noses. Sure, he looks like a cross between Count Chocula and Joey Buttafuco. But, he has game when it comes to the draft and he's a friend on Greg's Facebook page.

A few final tidbits. I missed out on informing everyone about THE FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS new self-titled CD. Those New Zealanders rock and rap and their HBO show has been renewed for a second season. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FArZxLj6DLk

I should have some free time next weekend and I'm trying to get some of my friends to take a trip to Yankee Stadium. We are having some issues with lodging but, stay tuned.

Have a Great Weekend!

Here it is your moment of ZEN.

The Shape of Things to Come

Thursday. What I call the true hump day. It's not quite the weekend but, you still have one more day of work or school. Unless you are a college student and that meant the start of the weekend,as you blew off that early Friday class and maybe extended party time into Monday.

Thursdays also meant "Must See TV", a creation of NBC in the 90's to promote, the Cosby Show and Cheers. The peacock still holds onto that concept even years later but it is a day when I actually watch regular programming. The Office is the first show (another blog) and Lost is the late night cleanup.

Nicki and I first started watching when I picked up season one at Blockbuster over the Christmas holiday a few years back. After three days we had watched all twenty two episodes.

I went from watching the show to being obsessed with it pretty quickly. The theories, mysteries, and symbolism continued to suck me in deeper and deeper until I frantically checked websites and blogs for any tidbit that I could find to unwrap the whole package. It's gotten so bad that if I'm absent colleagues at school think I've left for the Island to write next week's episode.

Now explaining what the show is about is a bit harder. "Isn't it about some people shipwrecked on an island?" a co-worker told me today, "that doesn't sound any good". I looked at him as if he had spoken to me in Mandarin Chinese. Then I replied, "No, It's a little more than that." However, I can't really explain it, so here is the plot outline from IMDB.

After a somewhat mysterious sequence of events, an oceanic flight from Sydney to LA crashes on what appears to be a deserted island. The chance of being found and rescued is fairly small, so the survivors have to cope with a set of challenges. They have to learn to survive on the island, a mysterious place with enough dangers on its own. Also, they have to learn to live with each other if any success is to be expected. And finally, they have to live with themselves and their pasts. Interwoven with the events on the islands are flashbacks to the pasts of 14 main characters. Step by step, we learn a little more about their diverse and unexpected pasts as the group's quest to survive takes shape.

Part Sci-Fi, Part Mystery, Part Horror, Part Romance, Part Comedy, Part Mythology and global in it's characters, locale and scope. It's layer upon layer. The closer you look the more that you see. I do think that this next scene is the one that sinched my need to know more. Now,I don't want to spoil too much because I hope that anyone who isn't into it can catch up on DVD. In Season two (normally the season that any good tv show finds it's voice) our Losties find a unusual hatch hidden underground and they stumble across an old reel movie that reveals something about what this island is all about.




Creepy Asian doctors. Missing footage. It had me hooked.

What I most excited about this that shows that are truly episodic like this need an endpoint. It's hard in today's televison as no one wants to commit long term to a crummy show. But, the show reboots tonight at ten on ABC for five episodes to close out the strike shortened Season Four. Then two more seasons of 17 episodes each to close the story. I only hope that they have a clear view for the end, I think the only way they can ruin it for me is if they bring out some 80's song in the final minutes and fade to black. Let's hope not.

Weekend's almost here, grab yourself a beer!

Oh,When the Shark Bites

Oh, this computer magic. If you hadn't noticed I found some new tools with the embedded video and creating lists to add some spice to the blog. I'll keep learning as I go.

Well, it's hump day and time to delve into the world of cinema. Movies are a fantastic creation. They can make you laugh, cry, and think. They can also provide great fodder for discussions and sometimes arguements, as you may roll your eyes at someone who doesn't get the "brillance" of Magnolia or laugh at another who felt that the Fantastic Four was a "great ride". But, what ultimately what's best is that it is your opinon.

So with that in mind. I give you my top ten all-time favorite movies. Here are my criteria. Any genre. I'll subdivide later. I'm looking at four categories; first story. The backbone of any good film is, do I care about the tale that you the director are about to unfold. Second, memorable characters. It could be the protagonist, the villian, or that goofy but lovable sidekick. If you care about the characters, you care about what happens to them. Third, memorable scenes. Are there certain moments in the film that you will always remember and that sum up what the movie is all about. Lastly, quotability. Does this film have a variety of lines that I can somehow weave into my daily life and have others recognize as being in said film. My wife says this is a guy thing and I would agree. So there it is and I'm sure if I did this a month from now this would change.

10 - The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Story: Clarice Starling, a young intelligent FBI trainee, has been sent to the Baltimore state hospital for the Criminally insane to interview an inmate Dr. Hannibal Lecter. A Brilliant renowned psychiatrist turned infamous Psychopathic Serial killer. She must match wits with Lecter and trust him to give her clues in the search for "Buffalo Bill". a nick name for a loose,unknown, unstoppable Pyschopathic Serial killer.

Serial killers and Baltimore. Unless it's Serial Mom I'm in.

Characters: Dr. Hannibal Lecter : The guy becomes an iconic horror villian. Well read and he loves sweatbreads. Anthony Hopkins hits it out of the park. Jame Gumb : "Buffalo Bill" is not as smart as Lecter but on the weird factor he's a winner. Dr. Frederick Chilton : The ying to Lecter's yang. Playing the pompous ass to perfection is Anthony Heald.

Scenes : Jame Gumb dancing in front of the mirror to "Goodnight Horses" still gives me nightmares. Lecter laying the smackdown on his jailers. But the best is the "In the Dark" conclusion as Clarice searches for Bill.

Quotes: It's all Lecter.

First principles, Clarice. Simplicity. Read Marcus Aurelius. Of each particular thing ask: what is it in itself? What is its nature? What does he do, this man you seek?

A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.

Amputate a man's leg and he can still feel it tickling. Tell me, mum, when your little girl is on the slab, where will it tickle you?

9- The Great Escape (1963)

Story : Based on a true story, a group of allied escape artist type prisoners of war are all put in an 'escape proof' camp. Their leader decides to try to take out several hundred all at once. The first half of the film is played for comedy as the prisoners mostly outwit their jailers to dig the escape tunnel. The second half is high adventure as they use boats and trains and planes to get out of occupied Europe.

It's a World War Two movie, based on real events with an all star cast. Fire it up.

Characters : The Cooler King : Who's cooler than Steve McQueen? Big X : Richard Attenborough is top notch as the organizer of the escape attempt. "The Forger" : Donald Pleasance shows his acting chops. Plenty of other great honorable mentions here, Bronson, Coburn, and James Garner all shine.

Scenes : McQueen's well documented motorcycle chase is legendary. Any scene inside the tunnels are claustrophobic. But, my favorite has to be when the prisoners make the moonshine and break out into patriotic song.

Quotes : Great conversation between Sedgewick (Coburn) and Danny (Bronson)

Sedgwick: Danny, do you speak Russian? Danny: A little, but only one sentence. Sedgwick: Well, let me have it, mate. Danny: Ya vas lyublyu. Sedgwick: Ya ya vas... Danny: Lyublyu. Sedgwick: Lyubliu? Ya vas lyubliu. Ya vas lyublyu. What's it mean? Danny: I love you. Sedgwick: Love you. What bloody good is that? Danny: I don't know, I wasn't going to use it myself

8- Apocalypse Now (1979)

Story : Vietnam, 1969. Burnt out Special Forces officer Captain Willard is sent into the jungle with top-secret orders to find and kill renegade Colonel Kurtz who has set up his own army within the jungle. As Willard descends into the jungle, he is slowly over taken by the jungle's mesmerizing powers and battles the insanity which surrounds him. His boat crew succumbs to drugs and is slowly killed off one by one. As Willard continues his journey he becomes more and more like the man he was sent to kill.

This drug trip of a war movie will haunt you forever. The Horror. The Horror.

Characters: Col. Walter E. Kurtz : A massive Marlon Brando chews up every scene and no doubt a few hundred cheeseburgers. Capt. Williard : Martin Sheen does a great job turning psycho himself. Lt. Kilgore : Duvall rules as the surf loving whack job. Notice a theme here. Photjournalist : Is Dennis Hopper even acting?

Scenes : Kilgore's Ride of the Valkyrie's is so iconic the Ravens stole for a halftime show. Sheen punching the glass as well as him emerging from the mist to "terminate with extreme prejudice". Any scene with Brando. Any scene with Hopper.

Quotes :

Kurtz : "I've seen horrors. Horrors that you've seen" The whole speech is nuts.

Photojournalist: Hey, man, you don't talk to the Colonel. You listen to him. The man's enlarged my mind. He's a poet-warrior in the classic sense. I mean sometimes he'll... uh... well, you'll say "hello" to him, right? And he'll just walk right by you. He won't even notice you. And suddenly he'll grab you, and he'll throw you in a corner, and he'll say, "do you know that 'if' is the middle word in life? If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you, if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you"... I mean I'm no, I can't... I'm a little man, I'm a little man, he's... he's a great man. I should have been a pair of ragged claws scuttling across floors of silent seas...

7- The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Story : Andy Dufresne is a young and successful banker whose life changes drastically when he is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife and her lover. Set in the 1940's, the film shows how Andy, with the help of his friend Red, the prison entrepreneur, turns out to be a most unconventional prisoner.

I see this movie time and again on so many top ten lists. Watch it and see why.

Characters : Andy Dufresne : Tim Robbins is magnifcent. "Red" Redding : Ditto for Easy Reader.

Scenes : The scene where Andy gets it from the "Sisters" sticks with you. The ending is simple and poetic. It's gets you right in the ticker.

Quotes :

Warden Samuel Norton: I believe in two things: discipline and the Bible. Here you'll receive both. Put your trust in the Lord; your ass belongs to me. Welcome to Shawshank.

6- Reservior Dogs (1992)

Story: They were six strangers, assembled to pull off the perfect crime: Mr. White, a professional criminal; Mr. Orange, a young newcomer; Mr. Blonde, a trigger-happy killer; Mr. Pink, a paranoid neurotic; Mr. Brown; and Mr. Blue. Hired by mob boss Joe Cabot and given fake names so no one could identify the others, they thought there was no way their heist could have failed. But after a police ambush, killing Mr. Brown and seriously injuring Mr. Orange, the criminals return to their rendezvous point (a warehouse), and realize that one of them had to have been a police informant. But who?

Didn't Marcellus Spivey always move your ice?

Characters : Mr. Blonde : Madsen sets the tone for playing a career of maniacs. Mr. Pink : Buscemi became one of favorites after this. Props to Joe Cabot, Nice Guy Eddie and Mr. Orange as well.

Scenes : Blonde's "Stuck in the Middle" dance. Orange's rehearsed story about meeting the cops in the bathroom and the Mexican stand-off finale.

Quotes:

Joe: All right ramblers, let's get rambling!

Mr. Blonde: Hey Joe, you want me to shoot this guy? Mr. White: [laughs] Shit... You shoot me in a dream, you better wake up and apologize

Too many Tarantino monolauges to list.

5- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Story: Renowned archeologist and expert in the occult, Dr. Indiana Jones, is hired by the U.S. Government to find the Ark of the Covenant, which is believed to still hold the ten commandments. Unfortunately, agents of Hitler are also after the Ark. Indy, and his ex-flame Marion, escape from various close scrapes in a quest that takes them from Nepal to Cairo.

I could have gone with all three, um ah four. But, it's the first. It's classic. I'm humming the theme song now.

Characters : Indiana Jones : Fedora, whip, jacket. I bet Ford can still pull it off. Dr. Rene Belloq : Oily counterpart to Jones. Sallah : Best sidekick ever. (another blog) "I am the monarch of the sea!" Toht : Plays the German stereotype better than Baron Von Raschke

Scenes : The opening with a young Alfred Molina is a great set up to the whole film. The snakes, snakes andmore snakes. Of course the finale with the gooey faces.

Quotes:

Sallah: Indy, why does the floor move? Indiana: Give me your torch. [Sallah does, and Indy drops it in] Indiana: Snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes? Sallah: Asps. Very dangerous. You go first.

Marion: Bar's closed. Toht: We are - hehe - not thirsty

4- The Big Lebowski (1998)

Story : Dude Lebowski is met by two mobsters wanting repayment of a loan that he knows nothing about. This simple case of mistaken identity entangles him into a complex kidnaping plot

This was a valued rug was it not. That rug really tied the room together. It's better with each viewing.

Characters: The Dude : I hope to be him one day. Walter Sobchack : Tell me this isn't modeled after Burto. Jesus Quintana : I know one thing, nobody screws with this guy. Special thanks to Karl Hungus and Brandt.

Scenes : Any scene with Jesus and Liam. "Over the Line" with Smokey. "Good Night, sweet prince." and my personal favorite, Logjammin'

Quotes : I can't get all of them there are way too many. I use a Lebowski quote almost daily.

Donny: Phone's ringing, Dude. The Dude: Thank you, Donny

3- The Godfather Trilogy (1972, 1974, 1990)

Story: The story begins as "Don" Vito Corleone, the head of a New York Mafia "family", oversees his daughter's wedding. His beloved son Michael has just come home from the war, but does not intend to become part of his father's business.

I cheated. It's my blog. If any of these movies are on cable when I channel surf I must finish it. G III wasn't as awful as people say, too.

Characters : Don Vito Corleone : Brando at it again. Michael Corleone : Pacino's transformation is from shy to commanding is brilliant. Also recognized are Fredo (you are smart), Sonny, Luca Brasi, Johnny Fontaine (charmer) and Tom Hagen.

Scenes : The orange grove, Sonny at the causeway, Micheal taking out McCluskey, and the tieing up family business set against the baptism of Micheal's child.

Quotes :

Luca Brasi: Don Corleone, I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your home on the wedding day of your daughter. And may their first child be a masculine child.

I say this at every wedding I attend.

2- Star Wars Trilogy (1977, 1980, 1983)

Story : Do I really have to write this?????

I saw the first movie in a Drive-In and a theater that is now a bar. Never forgotten.

Characters : Han Solo : Super cool with feathered hair. Darth Vader : Best villian ever with the voice of James Earl Jones. Obi Wan Kenobi : Sir Alec played so many great roles but a whole generation knows him as the Jedi master.

Scenes : The opening is killer. The trash compactor, The cantina, The space battles and the slowest light saber battle ever. One thing the new movies improved upon.

Quotes : Too many.

Darth Vader: I find your lack of faith disturbing.

1- Jaws (1975)

Story: Killer Shark.

How many people were scared of sharks for the rest of their lives? Thanks Steven.

I love this movie so much I had my family walk 6 miles just to photograph the spot of beach that the movie was filmed in Martha's Vineyard. That's committement or insanity.

Characters: Quint: Tougher than shoe leather. Matt Hooper: The only time I ever admitted to liking Dreyfuss. Cheif Brody: He holds the movie together.

Scenes: The Indianapolis speech is chilling. Comparing wounds. Any time Robert Shaw is on screen. The ending was the bomb. Literally.

Wow, there it is. What a huge blog. I need sleep and I need it now.

So let me close with the best ending ever.

Quotes:

Brody: You're gonna need a bigger boat.

And So It Begins

I've finally done it. I've become a full fledged member of the blogosphere.

I couldn't believe how easy it was. Just a few clicks here and now I'm set to tell the world how I feel. But, what should I say?

Well, it's not for a lack of subjects. I could talk about the recent good fortune of my beloved Baltimore Orioles. How long it lasts, eh. Just enjoy it. OR--
Maybe, I could talk about my thirteen years in education as a high school history teacher. I could write stories about the classroom for months on end. They wouldn't get old and they might make some people realize that I didn't get into teaching for the "summers off" because I haven't had one yet. OR--
Maybe, I could discuss the upcoming presidential election and how eternally sick I am already of the coverage that started two years ago. I'm not excited about any of the candidates and I'm actually concerned about where our country is headed. OR--
How about television? I could pine on for days about the decline of the sitcom. Where are my funny stories? I don't care about American Idol or where the next Survivor originates from. OR-
Maybe I can discuss my love for films, movies, and DVDs. So much to choose from. If I could only be a movie critic. What a cake job that would be. It would beat trying to get tenth graders into 19th Century Imperialism. OR--

Maybe I'll just write about whatever comes to mind. There seems to be a lot going on in my brain. Those voices in my head. And yes, if you haven't figured out, the title of my blog is from my favorite band, The Police. I saw them twice last summer during the reunion tour and they were fantastic. So, I guess that's it. I leave you with the words from the boys themselves.

"Voices inside my Head. Echoes of things that you said." - The Police