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Yeah, I know I’m a bit behind everyone else with these stupid lists, but I actually waited for the decade to end, rather than blowing my wad in July. I’ve got songs, too… but here they are, my top 20 favorite albums of the decade. Remember, this is a “favorite” list, not a “best” list. If it were to be a “best” list I’d put #2 at #1.

Oh, and my current #1, which should come as no surprise, sadly, probably wouldn’t even make a critical list… so here it is, my 20 favorite albums from 2000-2009.

20  Read the rest of this entry �

Not a “best of” list and certainly nothing critical, just the 12 movies that I enjoyed and connected with the most over the past 10 years. Yeah, I know lists are dumb but why should professional writers (a profession I can no longer claim) have all the fun? Time permitting I’ll do albums, songs and comics shortly, but for now, the movies, because, after all, I am in movie school.

I went with 12 because I really wanted to include the two that just missed the top 10. Also, I haven’t had enough time to really digest and appreciate “Inglourious Basterds”… but I suspect it’ll weasel its way onto this list as time goes on. Likewise when I finally get around to rewatching “Goodbye, Lenin.”

So here we go…

12 High Fidelity– Rob Gordon is the guy John Cusack was born to play, and in some ways has been playing his whole career. Read the rest of this entry �

… or does the CGI Alvin from “Alvin and the Chipmunks” look like Turtle from “Entourage”?

I wonder if it’s intentional…

Rewind:

It’s 2002, I’m a senior at the University of Maryland, drinking with my little brother in his room as a (particularly lame) frat party rages below. Benny, for those who know him, loves Weezer as much as I love Ben Folds, maybe more so. I’m back from my semester abroad and we’re deconstructing “Maladroit” (which provided the soundtrack to my two weeks in Berlin earlier that summer).

Benny repeats some theory he probably read on a Weezer fan site about Weezer’s upcoming release schedule. I can’t remember the specifics (I was pretty drunk) but I specifically remember Benny claiming that Weezer’s seventh album would be their masterpiece. Read the rest of this entry �

Still fantastic, some versions (much) better than others. Shit, I’ll take the metal version over Iron and Wine.

  Read the rest of this entry �

I received the unfortunate word that John Hughes had died last week via text from Eric. I was driving up to San Francisco to visit some friends and give an interview to the SF Jewish Week (which should hopefully hit the Internet soon).

I can only think of a few other people I’ve never met who have had more influence on my work or life. And, what’s amazing about Hughes, is it’s pretty much because of one movie, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” I never saw “The Breakfast Club” or “16 Candles,” which are regarded as his other two classics, until college and grad school, respectively.  But “Ferris” was on instant repeat, from the first time it captured my imagination at a camp movie night in 1988 to every time I stumble upon it on basic cable reruns. Even this article in today’s Washington Post, an essay from a guy who may or may not have been the real-life Ferris, made me smile.

In my own work, look no further than the old Liberal Crap thread “George W. Bush’s Day Off,” for the most obvious influence/homage, or to my dumb pop-culture piece celebrating Bueller’s 20th birthday in 2006. Both of which don’t hold up nearly as well as the movie.

I’ve posted that peice below. John Hughes, thank you. Read the rest of this entry �