Top 10 Movie Soundtracks (my favorites)
Rules: No Biopics (bye bye to Ray, Walk the Line, etc..), No Rock Operas (bye bye to The Wall and Quadrophenia)
1. Boogie Nights (Spill The Wine, Got to Give it up, Machine Gun, Sister Christian) - some great songs on this one and some great movie memories get dredged up. This one is a classic.
2. Dazed and Confused (Low Rider, Stranglehold, Schools, Tush, Stranglehold) - Great period piece, also brings up some great scenes when you give this a listen
3. Almost Famous (That's the way, America, Simple Man, Every picture tells a story) Another 70's era movie. Feverdog is even on this. Soundtrack is well curated and spans many great genres
4. City of God - Great Brazilian music you've never heard before (i hadn't)
5. High Fidelity (Who Loves the Sun, Everybody's Gonna be Happy, Oh! Sweet Nuthin, I Believe) as someone else said, "just a great mix tape"
6. Reservoir Dogs (Hooked on a Feeling, Little Green Bag, Stuck in the Middle with You) with great scenes (like a virgin speech) and great music. too short, makes you want to hear more
7. The Big Chill (Tears of a Clown, Joy to The World, A Whiter Shade of Pale, What's Going On) - There are 14 solid tracks on this one. No duds. Great music that everyone knows and loves.
8. Saturday Night Fever (Night Fever, Boogie Shoes, Stayin Alive) Classic, though there are some very skippable tracks. If you disagree with this one, just picture the Stayin Alive scene in Airplane! and tell me you aren't smiling now.
9. Superfly - (Pusherman, Freddy's Dead, Superfly) Incredible Curtis Mayfield tracks evoke incredible feeling and really bring you into the film.
10. Donnie Darko (Great Original Score, Notorious, Under the Milky Way, The Killing Moon, Mad World) Lots of more obscure, but great tracks on this one
Just Missed: Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop, Blow, I Am Sam, Trouble Man, Singles, The Lost Boys, Invincible, Garden State
So who else did i forget?
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Top Ten Sports Movies Omissions, Final Four, Project X, Yamaguchi (PW)/ Lugers reviews
Make a list of 10 of anything and people will naturally point out what you left out. Discussing what was left out is half the fun of the list.
Consensus is that Major League was far under ranked, Slapshot should have been included and that Moneyball should have received stronger consideration than it did.
I'm sure there are others i missed.
Saw Project X this weekend. Very funny, lots of gratuitous nudity, party music and uncomfortable moments. Didn't quite live up to the hype, but didn't disappoint either. It is only an hour and a half, so it really moved along quickly. Think it is more a movie to see with the guys than one to see with a wife/girlfriend. I cringed at the thought that my children will watch this film one day (sign of a good movie?)
Previews for The Dark Night Rises and for Sascha Baron Cohen's new movie didn't hurt the experience at all.
Went to Yamaguchi for some sushi afterwards. Yamaguchi is located on Main St in Port Washington. Yamaguchi has the best fish around IMO. They don't offer any funky rolls, don't react to any trends, nor do they worry about competition (3 sushi bars within 150 yds). It is EXACTLY the same as it was 20 years ago, including the waitstaff, sushi chefs and decor. If you are a 'roll' person, this place is not for you. However, if you like great sushi/sashimi and aren't looking to 'dine' or for 'scene', you cannot do better. They are always stocked with many different grades of tuna, only charge $4.50 a piece for fatty tuna ($8 per piece typically in NYC), and the sushi rice is a cut above. If you've never been, I highly recommend trying it. (It is an awful lot like Tomoe Sushi in Manhattan)
Had the pleasure of eating at Peter Lugers in Little Neck last night. (ducking from the insults being thrown at me for not going to Brooklyn)
They are really really good at what they do. No simpler way to put it.
They make a mean Manhattan (with Wild Turkey 101) their wine list is very good and the mark ups are very reasonable.
Tomato and Onion Appetizer (chopped), Strip of Thick Cut Bacon per person, 3 giant cocktail shrimps and a killer bread basket, all doused in their signature sauce is the best way i can think of to start a meal.
Follow that with a beefy, sliced up, delicious Porterhouse (order it rare, it'll keep cooking on the plate), burnt german style potatoes and hands down the best creamed spinach you can find anywhere.
Finish with pecan pie (or cheese cake or strudel or key lime pie) accompanied by the SCHLAG, which is basically the best whipped cream you'll get anywhere and you're in business. An Irish Coffee never hurts , and is another great way to use your leftover schlag.
Lugers is consistently voted the best steakhouse in NY, and i sincerely agree. I don't understand the critcisms it receives and implore any detractors to give it another shot. They serve a hamburger only at lunch time that i consider to be the best i have ever had that is worth a trip on it's own.
Filled out a knee jerk bracket when they announced selections.
Final Four - Kentucky, Syracuse, Missouri and UNC
Kentucky over Syracuse in the final.
Deep runs by FSU, Wichita St, West Virginia
Hope Michigan can win a game or two to cap a great season.
Go Blue!
Consensus is that Major League was far under ranked, Slapshot should have been included and that Moneyball should have received stronger consideration than it did.
I'm sure there are others i missed.
Saw Project X this weekend. Very funny, lots of gratuitous nudity, party music and uncomfortable moments. Didn't quite live up to the hype, but didn't disappoint either. It is only an hour and a half, so it really moved along quickly. Think it is more a movie to see with the guys than one to see with a wife/girlfriend. I cringed at the thought that my children will watch this film one day (sign of a good movie?)
Previews for The Dark Night Rises and for Sascha Baron Cohen's new movie didn't hurt the experience at all.
Went to Yamaguchi for some sushi afterwards. Yamaguchi is located on Main St in Port Washington. Yamaguchi has the best fish around IMO. They don't offer any funky rolls, don't react to any trends, nor do they worry about competition (3 sushi bars within 150 yds). It is EXACTLY the same as it was 20 years ago, including the waitstaff, sushi chefs and decor. If you are a 'roll' person, this place is not for you. However, if you like great sushi/sashimi and aren't looking to 'dine' or for 'scene', you cannot do better. They are always stocked with many different grades of tuna, only charge $4.50 a piece for fatty tuna ($8 per piece typically in NYC), and the sushi rice is a cut above. If you've never been, I highly recommend trying it. (It is an awful lot like Tomoe Sushi in Manhattan)
Had the pleasure of eating at Peter Lugers in Little Neck last night. (ducking from the insults being thrown at me for not going to Brooklyn)
They are really really good at what they do. No simpler way to put it.
They make a mean Manhattan (with Wild Turkey 101) their wine list is very good and the mark ups are very reasonable.
Tomato and Onion Appetizer (chopped), Strip of Thick Cut Bacon per person, 3 giant cocktail shrimps and a killer bread basket, all doused in their signature sauce is the best way i can think of to start a meal.
Follow that with a beefy, sliced up, delicious Porterhouse (order it rare, it'll keep cooking on the plate), burnt german style potatoes and hands down the best creamed spinach you can find anywhere.
Finish with pecan pie (or cheese cake or strudel or key lime pie) accompanied by the SCHLAG, which is basically the best whipped cream you'll get anywhere and you're in business. An Irish Coffee never hurts , and is another great way to use your leftover schlag.
Lugers is consistently voted the best steakhouse in NY, and i sincerely agree. I don't understand the critcisms it receives and implore any detractors to give it another shot. They serve a hamburger only at lunch time that i consider to be the best i have ever had that is worth a trip on it's own.
Filled out a knee jerk bracket when they announced selections.
Final Four - Kentucky, Syracuse, Missouri and UNC
Kentucky over Syracuse in the final.
Deep runs by FSU, Wichita St, West Virginia
Hope Michigan can win a game or two to cap a great season.
Go Blue!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Top Ten Sports Movies, Weight Loss Competition, Black Keys, Project X, Recipe
Had a funny convo with a friend the other night about the top ten sports movies of all time. After perusing the list of 40 movies thrown out there, my personal top ten are as follows.
1. The Natural
2. Bill Durham
3. Hoosiers
4. Bad News Bears
5. Rudy
6. Friday Night Lights
7. Rocky
8. Any Given Sunday
9. Eight Men Out
10. Major League
One man's opinion. Curious how he would boil it down.
I skewed towards baseball and comedy.
Just missed: All The Right Moves, North Dallas Forty, White Men Can't Jump, Tin Cup, Raging Bull.
On the evening after Thanksgiving, three friends arrived at my house to begin a weight loss competition in the style of the biggest loser. Pre competition photos were taken and a weigh in occurred.
We knew we were doing this, so to say that gluttony and excess occurred in November would be a true understatement.
Since the weigh in, Subject A gave up wheat completely and has dropped 13% body weight, over 34 lbs. Subject B did weight watchers on line, and began exercising moderately and seems to be losing about a half pound per week. Subject C didn't really change much until a month ago, but did start lifting weights (muscle weights twice as much as fat). Nobody has seen subject C, so it is a mystery as to his results. Subject D limited portion sizes, reduced sugar and alcohol and exercised moderately, to the tune of 20 lbs of loss (10%). Tomorrow is the final weigh in. Biggest winner doesn't pay the tab at Lugers for dinner while the other three treat. If anyone gained weight (subject c?), then they have to pay the entire bill.
The competition factor really helped me succeed in this endeavor. (which was i?)
Have you listened to The Black Keys' new album "El Camino"? Great cover to cover listen. No weak tracks, not monotonous at all, they just seem to be getting better and better. Hopefully i'll stumble into a ticket for one of their MSG shows this week. Artic Monkeys are opening, and they are solid too.
Here is the video for the most recent BK's single http://youtu.be/6yCIDkFI7ew
Seeing the movie Project X tonight with the wifey. Rumor has it that is the funniest movie to come out in years, i have heard "better than superbad" and "funnier than wedding crashers". Am excited. Will report afterwards.
Hope you are having a great weekend. Back to work for me...
1. The Natural
2. Bill Durham
3. Hoosiers
4. Bad News Bears
5. Rudy
6. Friday Night Lights
7. Rocky
8. Any Given Sunday
9. Eight Men Out
10. Major League
One man's opinion. Curious how he would boil it down.
I skewed towards baseball and comedy.
Just missed: All The Right Moves, North Dallas Forty, White Men Can't Jump, Tin Cup, Raging Bull.
On the evening after Thanksgiving, three friends arrived at my house to begin a weight loss competition in the style of the biggest loser. Pre competition photos were taken and a weigh in occurred.
We knew we were doing this, so to say that gluttony and excess occurred in November would be a true understatement.
Since the weigh in, Subject A gave up wheat completely and has dropped 13% body weight, over 34 lbs. Subject B did weight watchers on line, and began exercising moderately and seems to be losing about a half pound per week. Subject C didn't really change much until a month ago, but did start lifting weights (muscle weights twice as much as fat). Nobody has seen subject C, so it is a mystery as to his results. Subject D limited portion sizes, reduced sugar and alcohol and exercised moderately, to the tune of 20 lbs of loss (10%). Tomorrow is the final weigh in. Biggest winner doesn't pay the tab at Lugers for dinner while the other three treat. If anyone gained weight (subject c?), then they have to pay the entire bill.
The competition factor really helped me succeed in this endeavor. (which was i?)
Have you listened to The Black Keys' new album "El Camino"? Great cover to cover listen. No weak tracks, not monotonous at all, they just seem to be getting better and better. Hopefully i'll stumble into a ticket for one of their MSG shows this week. Artic Monkeys are opening, and they are solid too.
Here is the video for the most recent BK's single http://youtu.be/6yCIDkFI7ew
Seeing the movie Project X tonight with the wifey. Rumor has it that is the funniest movie to come out in years, i have heard "better than superbad" and "funnier than wedding crashers". Am excited. Will report afterwards.
Hope you are having a great weekend. Back to work for me...
Monday, March 5, 2012
Mets/Clydes/Restaurants/Food/Wine/FantasyBBall
Wow, it has been eleven months since i blogged. Lots has hapenned since, and lot more to come. The blog is back. Here is what to come...
Mets Preview coming
Fantasy Baseball Preview Coming (post draft and auction recaps)
Clyde Frazier's Wine and Dine opening soon, pics and reviews coming from the inside, including celeb photos and food porn
Basketball City opening in the spring, an insiders point of view coming including before and after pics
Lots of recipes, wine reviews and restaurant tips.
Pics of my delicious kids, random factoids, etc...
Follow this blog if anything i just mentioned interests you.
@toddbirnbaum
Mets Preview coming
Fantasy Baseball Preview Coming (post draft and auction recaps)
Clyde Frazier's Wine and Dine opening soon, pics and reviews coming from the inside, including celeb photos and food porn
Basketball City opening in the spring, an insiders point of view coming including before and after pics
Lots of recipes, wine reviews and restaurant tips.
Pics of my delicious kids, random factoids, etc...
Follow this blog if anything i just mentioned interests you.
@toddbirnbaum
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