Favorite Movies 20-16

About a year ago, I put together a list of my top 25 favorite albums of all time. I had a lot of fun compiling that list, so I thought I would do it again, only this time with my favorite movies. What follows is my top 20 favorite movies of all time.  Now before I get into the list, just a quick disclaimer, there is no rhyme or reason for my selections other than, my own personal preferences. A common theme throughout this listing will be that many of my selections were favorites when I was growing up, and I continue to still love them.

With that in mind, here are numbers 20-16.

20. Disney's Robin Hood (1973)



Whenever I watch this film, I smile, but interesting enough, I was never a hardcore Disney fan. Which is surprising because I came of age during a "Golden Era" of Disney films. The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast were all released when I was a young Peter. Yet, the only Disney film I ever really LOVED was Robin Hood. Its a great adventure film, which is really funny and fun to watch. To this day, there are a couple of scenes that will make me laugh out loud.

19. Wayne's World (1992)



This was the first "adult" comedy I saw growing up that I was allowed to watch, and that I got the humor. Wayne's World is a timeless movie, and I feel that a good portion of my professional career in broadcasting slightly mirrors the antics of this film. A huge bonus goes to Wayne's World for also introducing me to the music of Queen. So thank you Wayne's World.

18. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)



"Come with me and you'll be in a world of pure imagination". This is one of the opening lyrics sung by Gene Wilder as we enter the chocolate room for the first time in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I feel as though the verse I quoted above perfectly sums up this absolutely magical film. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a magical, timeless movie.

17. V For Vendetta (2005)



V For Vendetta was the film that introduced me to the works of Alan Moore. It's a serious, thought provoking film that is based off of a graphic novel, and that shows the audience that they need to take the works of graphic novels seriously. It was a real eye opener for me. Think of George Orwell's 1984 only with a "superhero" in it.

16. Frankenstein (1931)



At almost 100 years old, Universal's Frankenstein is still the gold standard of what horror films can accomplish. The iconic makeup of Jake Pierce on Boris Karloff still strikes terror in the mind of young and old alike. But what is the brilliant part of Frankenstein is the fact that, the monster isn't the villain, but is made into the villain.

Interview with Ian Chillag from "Everything is Alive"

Have you ever wondered what an inanimate object thinks? What it feels? If so, then "Everything is Alive" is a must listen to podcast series. Host Ian Chillag sits down with inanimate objects to find out what exactly is on their mind.

I love this series. Like it is extremely difficult for me to put into words how much I'm enjoying this series. First off, the idea is totally original which I absolutely love and respect. Secondly, the conversations are all improved. And finally, the themes discussed are truly heartfelt, emotional, and really can and does hit you in your gut.

I was lucky enough to interview the series host and creator Ian Chillag about the series. It's one of my favorite interviews I've conducted in a while. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. And please, be sure to check out Everything is Alive at www.everythingisalive.com .

A Year Ago...

I was going through the archive of this blog earlier this evening when I noticed that a year ago this month, I wrote a series of postings on my favorite albums of all time. I really enjoyed putting that list together. So for the month of August, I think I'll put together my favorite film list of all time.

Plus it'll give me an excuse to go back, and watch some of my favorites.

Sharing Some Pictures

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a short writing sample/essay that I was particularly proud of. You can read it here.  I originally wrote the piece in one of my notebooks, and I thought I would share what they looked like written down in the notebook. I really like how the piece looks on paper.

This page is some observations I had after writing the first draft. 

This is the actual first draft. You'll notice some re-writes on the bottom. 

I decided to re-write the piece so that it would look neater. 

The second draft. I love how neat it looks. 

Out of a Routine

I have fallen so out of a routine of posting on here, it isn't even funny. I'm actually pretty disappointed in myself. I've gone back over previous years of posting on here, and I've always been able to have four postings a month. It's almost like I'm struggling here.

Have I run out of ideas? Have I reached the end of my creativity. I sure hope not.

A Little Something I Wrote

I have fallen in love with writing.
Not writing on a computer, no.
Physically writing. Pen to paper.

It's a time capsule.
Each time you write,
You are leaving your mark.
Proof of your existence.

I also see it as something else.
When we write,
We leave a piece of ourselves forever on paper.
As photography captures our physical presences,
Writing is a window into our very souls.

Even simple writings such as:
A grocery list, homework, or letters.
They all contain our DNA.
Big or small, it's all there.
What will you leave of yourselves today,
For others to discover tomorrow?

Writing in a Notebook

Over the past six months, I've purchased three moleskin notebooks. I'm really enjoying writing in them everyday It almost feels like I'm leaving a little piece of myself in them after I've written in them. If I'm lucky enough to become a father, I think these notebooks could be a really cool heirloom for my children to have. They can see dad's handwriting, thoughts, and ideas evolve over time.

I recommend you try writing in one. They really are a lot of fun.