Top 5 Moments for Me in 2007

Most Disappointing: Chris Benoit is a murderer
You can go back in the blog archives and follow the ups and downs this story took me on. When I first heard my favorite pro-wrestler was dead I was literally moved to tears. Chris was an amazing athlete who stood out in a phony industry. Then it came out his wife and kid were dead which in this day and age should have immediately raised a red flag but instead I planted myself in front of the TV and watched a tribute show the WWE hastily through together. Hours later it came out that this man who I thought so highly of was a deeply disturbed individual who murdered his wife and young son. Just a damn shame all around.

5. Blog blows up!
Thanks in large part to the person featured in my number one moment, this blog had a great year. 5000 hits were quickly followed up by 6000 and 7000 and the hits keep coming. Thanks to everyone for your readership.

4. Wii have come to play!
When I bought my Wii last year I realized it was a massive purchase that could fall flat but based on the reviews I was willing to take the chance. That chance has paid off huge. Over the past few months my Wii has rivaled my iPod and TiVo in terms of techno-love. The Wii Sports game is still a blast to play and Mario Galaxy is the most beautiful game I’ve ever played. Of course the biggest fun came late in the year when I became a Rock God courtesy of Guitar Hero III. While I may never tackle expert I’m happy to rock out for hours.

3. Harry Potter comes to a close.
I was hung over and tired as a dog as I walked in to pick up my reserved copy of the final Potter adventure but that didn’t stop me from finishing the book in just over 18 hours. JK brought the epic tale to a close in a way that rewarded both the story and the readers. The coda ending put the perfect close on a tale I can’t wait to read again.

2. Have life will travel!
I know this isn’t a specific event or moment but I had some great travels this year that would have dominated this list if I didn’t group them together. In March I celebrated St Patrick’s Day in Boston with 4 friends and it was the realization of a 10 year dream. The highlight had to be seeing Boston’s own Dropkick Murphys on the night before St Paddy’s with Nik and Kristen. June brought me to New York, which I hadn’t been to in years. We stayed in a swank room and did it up right and I got to catch up with my old friend Bill which was great. October was my friend Chris’s wedding in San Diego and my first real vacation with my new partner. There truly is no more perfect city and besides all the wedding festivities I was able to see my two sets of godparents. Can’t wait to get out and see more.


1. Finding an old friend and discovering a partner.
Almost one year ago I got the strangest message on MySpace. It was from an old college girlfriend who had found me while searching out old friends. I was shocked by the fact that MySpace could actually provide a worthwhile service and by the fact that this person had looked me up. Soon we were emailing back and forth and then eventually came the phone calls and then last May our first meeting in 12 years. At best I hoped to walk away from the meeting with a new friend in my second hometown of Madison and at worst it would be a walk down memory lane. Instead of rehashing old times we quickly caught up, discovered numerous commons interests and spent the next two days more or less together. I’ve always been a romantic but after some hard years I had all but given up on finding someone. Now I’ve found a woman who is my equal or better in so many ways, a woman that matches my love for life, a true partner and a woman whom I love.


Looking Ahead to 2008: Moving Again
Whether you know me personally or a regular reader you’ve probably noticed that the blog has moved from Madison to Minneapolis in the last few years. Well get ready to move again cause 2008 we’re going back to land of cheese and beer. It will be my 4th tour of duty in Madison and I couldn’t be more excited as this time I’m sharing it with someone else.

Top 5 Movies of 2007

Honorable Mention: Hot Fuzz
Huge props to Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright for being the rare indie filmmakers who not only avoid a sophomore slump but actually exceed their first film. Maybe it’s because I’m more of a cop film fan then a zombie film fan but Hot Fuzz narrowly beat out Shaun of the Dead for me partly because it had higher production values but mostly because I laughed even harder then I did at Shaun. These guys don’t mock or parody the different genres they’ve focused on, they celebrate them and pay tribute to them and that’s what gives these movies an earnest feeling that makes them so ripe for repeat viewing. By the way a new expanded DVD set of Hot Fuzz just came out after the bare bones release this summer so get out there and snatch it up.

Most Disappointing: American Gangster
I love Ridley Scott. I love Denzel Washington. I can stomach Russell Crowe. Together this should have been a triumph but instead it was just ok. Sure there were worse movies in 2007 but this is one I was so ready for. Some of it can’t be blamed on the film itself. After all, it was the studio that pushed it as Crowe and Washington when the film is really Crowe or Washington except for the last 10 minutes. This brings me to my biggest beef. When we finally do get Crowe and Washington in the room there’s no tension and no adversarial relationship. Instead we get a love story that happens quicker then the one between Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl in Knocked Up! Scott ended up making a film that was ok but no where near great or even good.

5. Ocean’s 13
The two most mindlessly fun experiences I had in 2007 were Knocked Up and Ocean’s 13 and I felt like only one could make the list and yet again Danny Ocean and company won out. I loved both 11 and 12 (yes I know I’m in the minority on 12) partly because of the sheer bravado of the cast and crew and partly because it was damn hard not to enjoy yourself when you’re clearly watching people having a blast themselves. 13 did that again but also came up with the best heist story of the three. Al Pacino didn’t add much to the flick but Ellen Barkin (yes she’s still alive and sexy as hell) brought a ton and more then made up for the absence of Julia Roberts. It was fitting that Matt Damon stole the show both in the narrative and in terms of performance from Pitt and Clooney, as 2007 was clearly the year that solidified him as a megastar. Soderberg constructed a film with an amazing pace and the editing might be the best of the year. Guilty pleasure or not this was one great flick.

4. Inland Empire
David Lynch’s latest lacked the narrative path that made Mullholland Drive and Lost Highway easier to follow but Lynch isn’t in the business of making easy movies. As a filmgoer I like to be challenged if I know I’ll be rewarded and Lynch pays off big to those who take the journey. There are holes and missing footage all over this film that started off as more of an experiment with digital video for Lynch but the story(s) that do evolve are captivating, tragic, beautiful, and yes confusing. It’s hard to be bothered by the confusion though when everything else is so damn engrossing.

3. The Bourne Ultimatum
The 3rd installment of Bourne’s journey in many ways is just an extension of the second film, both in narrative and in stylistic choices. That is not a complaint though as Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon exceed the drama, suspense and action of the previous two films and make the best “grown up” action movie since 2005’s A History of Violence. Greengrass has further refined the hand held look of the Bourne universe and while its jumpy and always moving, it somehow avoids making you dizzy or ill while watching (aka Blair Witch disease). I know Damon and Greengrass say Jason Bourne is dead and buried but given how much this installment improved on a near flawless second installment, I’d love to see them try to top it again.

2. Michael Clayton
I love George Clooney. I love him when he’s cool and suave like Danny Ocean and I love him when he’s broken and a shell like Michael Clayton. Of course it doesn’t hurt that in the end of this high tension thriller the cool suave Clooney makes an appearance but the beauty is that it makes story sense. The washed out cinematography is perfect for the grey world that Michael, his law firm, and their clients navigate in and first time director Tony Gilroy makes a seamless transition from screenwriter to director. Tilda Swinton is amazing and better win a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in a couple of months.

1. No Country for Old Men
I just reviewed this last Friday in the post prior to this one, but after thinking on it some more I’ve got to say this is hands down my favorite film of 2007. Working from Cormac McCarthy’s award winning story doesn’t hurt but the Cohen’s make this all their own. The opening voice over tells you everything you’ll need to know about the film you’re about to see.

Quick Review: No Country for Old Men

Finally saw No Country for Old Men yesterday and I've got to say I was very impressed. I thought the acting was amazing. especially from two guys who usually phone it in (Tommy Lee Jones and Woody Harrelson). Javier Bardem was the best villain I've seen in years and Josh Brolin surprised me with his acting chops for the second film in a row (he was also good in American Gangster). I thought the violence was a bit much but when the Cohen's go violent they go violent (Blood Simple and Fargo). I thought it was a film that made the grotesque beautiful whether it be the Texas plains, or a roadside motel. I even got a few good laughs out of some of the scenes. All in all it instantly jumps to the top 3 of the year for me (I'll share my top 5 of 2007 next week) and on my initial reactions I'd say it rates in the same place of my favorite Cohen brothers flix although the top nine can change on a whim as I love them all so much.
1. Raising Arizona
2. Hudsucker Proxy
3. No Country for Old Men
4. Big Lewbowski
5. O'Brother Where Art Thou?
6. Miller's Crossing
7. Blood Simple
8. The Man Who Wasn't There
9. Fargo
10. Barton Fink

Top 5 Narrative TV Shows of 2007

Most Disappointing: 24 and The Writer’s Strike (tie)
For the first time in its history 24 had a season where they not only stretched credibility but did so in a boring manner. Last season you kept waiting for the pace to pick up but there was no ebb and flow almost from the start. I found myself fast forwarding through episodes just to see if anything happen. Of course I’m hardly ready to write off the show and when previews for the upcoming season hit the web promising the return of Soul Patch Tony I was stoked. Sadly 2008 won’t be bringing us any 24…at least until fall and that’s because of the Writer’s Guild of America strike. Now don’t get me wrong I support the strike and the WGA 100% but as a viewer I can’t help but be saddened and disappointed that the TV landscape is for the most part barren this winter. I hope the studios come to their senses and make a deal because I’m not sure if I can handle it otherwise.

Honorable Mention: The Office
Hard to believe this drops out of my top 5 but truth is the pre-strike episodes this fall just didn’t do it for me. The show seemed to take on a darker sadder tone. Michael’s struggles with Ryan and corporate have become almost soul crushing and there just doesn’t seem to be enough silly. However the show does need to get a huge congrats on handling the long anticipated Jim and Pam coupling so well. The two seem to be in one of the most realistic relationships on TV. You can see the edges where there might be trouble but you also can see the growth in the two of them from week to week. Oh yeah, it doesn’t hurt any that the two are comic gold together. It’s still must see TV for me but its just up against shows that seem to hit their full stride in 2008.

5. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
When a show is cruising along under the radar not a lot is expected of it, but when a big name like Danny DeVito comes along and raises your visibility and credibility, expectations can become a problem. Thankfully the third season of the crew from Paddy’s pub not only met expectations, but exceeded them with only one sub par episode (Bum’s Making a Mess All Over the City). The rest of the season was fall off the couch funny with repeated visits to the family lawyer (who can not talk to dead people), the McPoyles, and Rickety Cricket. Its offensive, thought provoking in the most oddly effective way and shit balls funny. I believe these lyrics from episode 9 best describe my feelings (note: you may need to huff spray paint to get the meaning):
Dayman, fighter of the Nightman,
Champion of the Sun
Master of karate and friendship for everyone.

4. Friday Night Lights
There are certain creative works that can stand up to repeated interpretations and while FNL is no Hamlet it certainly deserve props for evolving from a non fiction book to a major motion picture to a weekly TV drama with great results at each level. The gang from Dillon Texas high steeped their way into my heart last year with one of the finest first seasons of television. Its rare that a show completely satisfies its audience right out of the gate but thanks to a creative squad filled with talented writers, actors and directors this show did just that. An amazing combination of football, small town life and family dynamics drives the show. Unfortunately like the #5 show, commercial success has eluded FNL and season 2 has been wasted on its namesake night. Hopefully NBC will use the WGA strike as an opportunity to repeat the show in a more desirable time slot because while the Landy/Tyra storyline became a bit much this is the most real show on TV week in and week out.

3. Battlestar Galactica
As we wait for the final season of BSG to premiere in 2008 I reflected back on 2007 and what many critics and fans called the weakest season of the show. Sure it was uneven but I’ll take uneven when the highs are as high as the ones provided by this show. From the reveal of 4 new Cylons, to the possible discovery of the way to Earth, to the death and resurrection of one of my favorite characters on TV, BSG gave us moments that made the season unforgettable. Katie Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos, and everyone else on this show deserve acting nominations. Like all great sci-fi this show makes us look at ourselves. For example, no other post 9-11 show has captured the grey areas this country has been operating in on the war on terror better then BSG which is pretty amazing when you consider its set in a galaxy far far away. The creative heads have promised season 4 will give us closure and after the jaw dropping reveals in the finale last year I tend to believe that promise.

2. 30 Rock
“Here’s your Nancy Drew sir.”
“When a man order’s one it’s called a Hardy Boy.”
That’s just one of many, many great moments provided by Alec Baldwin on 30 Rock in 2007. Tina Fey’s show finished its first season strong and kicked off season 2 with a run of episodes that were better then any comedy on TV. Fey’s Liz Lemon character is not only accessible to women but men too and you find yourself identifying with so many of her decisions and laments. Tracy Morgan has found the perfect pitch of crazy and self mockery and like all the characters on the show has provided depth to his character. The guest stars are plenty but never there for the sake of being there. Will Arnett and Carrie Fisher particularly shined in episodes this fall. Tina Fey just might be my heroine (not the kind I want to shoot in my veins and listen to jazz to).

1. Lost
Yes the first six episodes of season 3 were slow and annoying but guess what…those were in 2006. 2007 on the other hand brought 16 episodes of Lost greatness that gave some answers and provided bigger mysteries. There were mouth dropping moments like finally finding out what happened to put Locke in that wheel chair and of course the game changing season finale. There were also strong character moments which are what makes the show work so damn well. We still can’t tell who’s good, who’s bad and who to cheer for all the time but I know that I care about all of them. I particularly loved Claire flashback and the well deserved end to Nikki and Paulo. Getting me to actually care about those two’s story is reason enough to give Lost the #1 ranking.

Looking Ahead to 2008: Lost and Dollhouse (tie)
I’ve already mentioned Dollhouse plenty of times but in case you’re locked in a hatch, it’s the return of Joss Whedon to TV and he’s bring Eliza “Faith” Dushku along for the ride. A sci-fi tale that promises plenty of the Whedon banter is enough to make me drool. Meanwhile Lost starts season 4 on January 31st at 8pm CST. Thanks to the strike there’s only 8 eps in the can but beggars just can’t be choosers.

Top 5 Restaurant Experiences of 2007: From Minneapolis to New York

Most Disappointing: Figlio (www.figlio.com 3001 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 612-822-1688)
As a restaurant I’ve frequented since childhood, Figlio holds a special place in my culinary heart. However my two visits in 2007 were marked with sadness. On both occasions I or someone I dined with had pasta dishes where the pasta had not been properly drained. The wait staff seems to have stopped caring about the little things like fresh ground pepper being offered on salads. You shouldn’t have to ask when you can clearly see giant grinders located at every bus station. All is not lost as the menu is still fun and while their classic Fettuccini Alfredo has become forgettable their sweet potato fries and small plates are still quite good. It seems like the folks at Figlio have finally fallen pray to laziness after 20 plus years of outstanding dining hopefully 2008 will bring a return to form.

Honorable Mention: Café Maude (www.cafemaude.com 5411 Penn Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN, 612-822-5411)
In my review last month I praised this gem as being the perfect fit for my former neighborhood. Clearly my praise is not needed as this new restaurant has taken the south side by storm. Their mixoligist is the tops in the Twin Cities right now whether it’s the bacon infused Bloody Homer or the Jackpot Martini. The food is simple and accessible. Especially noteworthy are the fresh cut fries with cheese fondue.

5. 20.21 (www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/finedining/2021/minneapolis/index Walker Art Center 1750 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 612-253-3410)
2006’s best restaurant makes another return to my favorites in 2007. While the menu is constantly evolving and changing, executive chef Scott Irestone expertly layers flavors in every plate out of his kitchen. Something as simple as Tempura Shrimp comes alive with a pickled ginger vinaigrette. More complex dishes like the Korean Beef Shortribs find a beautiful balance of comfort and exoticness. The family style service is always top notch and the wine list is expansive and reasonable. After two years this is the brightest jewel in the crown of the new Walker Art Center.

4. Bennett’s on the Lake (Duluth, MN, Currently Closed)
Sadly my favorite restaurant in Duluth went dark this year but before it closed its doors I was able to enjoy one final meal while celebrating my friend Nikki’s birthday. Set in the Fitger’s Hotel complex, Bennett’s offered a breathtaking view of Lake Superior and some of the most elegant food in Duluth. A large group of us were able to pick and choose our way through the menu which still featured their signature Southwestern Egg Rolls. While that idea has become popular in the Chili’s and Friday’s of the world now, Bennett’s was serving up the spicy wraps long before chain restaurants were giving the dish a bad name. The chef’s highly touted use of bleu cheese was apparent in a number of dishes ranging from apps to entrees. It was a worthy last supper for a restaurant that I’ve been with since the start. Here’s hoping the rumored reopening in a new location comes to fruition.

3. Peasant (www.peasantnyc.com 194 Elizabeth St, New York, NY, 212-965-9511)
Its nice to know you can find value and fine dining in one place in Manhattan. Located in Nolita, this small rustic Italian cookery keeps their menu simple and their flavors bold. On my first trip back to New York in years I wanted to sit down to at least one fine meal and when one of my travel companions picked up this recommendation it sounded perfect. While my companions and I struggled a bit in translating the menu, the wait staff was helpful and educated. A starter of fresh buffalo mozzarella and wood roasted peppers was satisfying but not filling. On the flip side of the spectrum a white asparagus risotto was rich, filling, and bordering on sinful, although it was out of place on a summer menu. The star of the show though was the spaghetti with lobster. At $26 this seemed like a value for merely pieces of lobster but imagine the surprise when the plate arrived to find literally a split of a good sized whole lobster. The simple butter and herb sauce was amazing and made this dish my second favorite of the year.

2. L’Etoile (www.letoile-restaurant.com 25 North Pinckney Street, Madison, WI, 608-251-0500)
The best fine dining restaurant I’ve ever been to continues to excel in its 30th year of business. The restaurant still cares about its food and its customers which I observed on my latest visit with the amuse-bouches the chef clearly likes whipping up in between courses and the time the staff took to place birthday wishes to my mother on their menu. While the kitchen’s use of local and sustainable agriculture brought it national fame the real notoriety comes from what they do with those ingredients. My grass fed beef tenderloin with bone marrow and blue cheese butter was the finest piece of steak I had in 2007 and the fact that it featured two ingredients I’m not crazy about (bone marrow and blue cheese) should tell you just how amazing the dish was. A cucumber martini was light and refreshing on a brisk fall day on my last visit and the wine list is quite possibly the best in the state. While Madison has grown over the years and the restaurant scene with it, L’Etoile remains the class of the capital city.

1. The Bulldog NE (www.thebulldogmpls.com/ne_index 401 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 612-378-BULL)
No new restaurant has ever made the impact on me in one short year than the Bulldog Northeast. While it doesn’t hurt that the restaurant/bar is long stumble or short cab ride from my house, I swear I’d drive hours for this food. This is the bar chic’ movement at its finest. The truffle oil and parmesan fries are the best fries in Minneapolis and I would put them against any in the country. They literally melt in your mouth after the initial crisp bite. Their burgers aren’t far behind and whether you go with more traditional flavors like the Junk Burger (cheese, bacon mushrooms) or more interesting like the Rooster Burger (Sriracha glaze, housemade sweet pickles, roasted garlic aioli) you’re guaranteed to enjoy some of the finest hamburger meat you’ve ever had. Nachos are kicked up a notch and the chili is the best I’ve ever had not made by myself or my father. The service can be slow at times but its worth the wait and with a million flat screen TVs covering the exposed brick walls you’ll always have something to keep your attention. Thankfully the place is still crazy popular after a year so it looks like we’re guaranteed to enjoy this amazing food for years to come.

Looking Ahead to 2008: Porter & Frye (www.ivympls.com Minneapolis, MN)
This new luxury hotel and condo complex Hotel Ivy will not only feature a restored historic building, but also a restored chef. Steven Brown who excelled in the kitchen but failed commercially with Rock Star a few years back returned in 2007 with a bang by running another bar chic’ emporium in Minneapolis called Harry’s. After getting that enterprise up and running he departed to this highly anticipated enterprise. While I will miss his pork stuffed burgers I’m eager to see him bring his modern American cooking to this upscale joint in 2008.

Top 5 Music Downloads of 2007

Honorable Mention: Misery Business -Paramore
Yet another pop rock band that uses MTV reality shows, catchy hooks, and non threatening lyrics to lure you in. It might not be ground breaking or even important music but this track is the kind you find yourself blasting and singing along to with the windows rolled down. Definitely my guiltiest pleasure of the year.

5. The Pretender- Foo Fighters
Yes there is a “Foo Formula” and that’s ok. The slow intro, the quiet guitars, the thundering rise of the drums, and then the frenzied guitar work are staples of any Foo song. On the first track from their latest album Dave Grohl and the guys play the parts perfectly and the sum is one of the best rock tracks of the year.

4. Piece of Me- Britney Spears
The surprise of 2007 was that while Britney the person fell lower and lower into the pits of crazy, Britney the entertainer turned out her best album ever. Sure it’s overproduced and we can all agree that Brit probably had little to do with it but in the end she made a dance album that has a number of outstanding tracks. Piece of Me stands out as the strongest lyrically as Britney defends and accepts herself in the face of stardom. If only you saw the sense she makes in the song translate to her real life.

3. State of Massachusetts- Dropkick Murphys
As I mentioned in my initial review of the Boston rockers’ latest album, this track sounds like a sequel to Shipping Up to Boston, their Woody Guthrie cover that gained national acclaim when it was featured in The Departed. This time around though it’s a Dropkick original and it embodies why this band is still successful after 10 plus years. At their show last month in St Paul, this song brought the house down with its battle cries, bagpipes, and thumping drums.

2. Flashing Lights- Kanye West
Overall I think Kanye might be losing his edge a bit but this track might be his best ever. The synth work is crazy and the background vocals are complementary without being overpowering. Lyrically its some of the most consistent work from the Chi-town baller.

1. Here it Goes- Jimmy Eat World
My favorite track from my favorite album of 2007. In a year where perennial favorites of mine like Against Me! and the Dropkicks released new albums, Jimmy Eat World came out with one that shattered the concepts of emo music they helped shape years ago with their seminal album Bleed America. Big Casino and Dizzy are two of the many other great tracks but Here it Goes is the best rock and roll song I’ve heard in the last two years.

Looking Forward to 2008 and Most Disappointing of 2007: Dillinger Four
It’s a testament to how much I love this band that while I can be disappointed that they failed to release anything new for the third year in a row, I’m still stoked beyond belief the their much awaited 4th studio album. I’m keeping my hopes up that they’ll not fall into either of these categories next year.

Globe Nominations Make My Head Spin

I know these are a few days late but here’s some brief thoughts on the 2008 Golden Globe Nominations.

Motion Pictures
* The tie that created the 7 nominees in the Best Drama category is a good thing. It never hurts to throw more logs on the fire.
* I’m so excited to see There Will Be Blood, Paul Thomas Anderson’s new opus which scored a best pic nom and a best actor nod for Daniel Day-Lewis.
* The Animated film section is really interesting and may not automatically go to Pixar this year. Both Bee Movie and The Simpsons Movie were critical and commercial successes that could give Ratatouille a run.
* If Julia Roberts beats Tilda Swinton in the Best Supporting Actress category I will pummel myself.
* Juno is certainly living up to the awards hype that was buzzing around it a month ago.

TV
* No Lost!!!! No Friday Night Lights!!!! Is the Hollywood Foreign Press insane?!?!?!? The Tudors….really HFP? House???? I remember when the Globes were the cool TV awards but this line up is stodgier then the queen’s upper lip.
* Comedy is a little better although…NO OFFICE!!!! Are you fricking kidding me!!!?!?!?!?!!? Ok at least 30 Rock, Extras and Entourage have gotten their due and while I’d argue against Pushing Daisies being in this category, I am pleased to see it nominated for best series.
* The most fun category has to go to Actor, Musical Comedy. While David Duchovny’s show has been spat upon by critics and audiences and his nomination may be the least deserving who wouldn’t want to see Mulder take home an award. Meanwhile Alec Baldwin and Steve Carrell will battle each other in the fight of NBC Thursday night stars. Ricky Gervais is always deserving and might be the favorite (hint; he’s a foreigner). Then you’ve got the amazing Lee Pace who has helped make Pushing Daisies the best new show of the year. Now if we could just classify it correctly…

Runway Roundup: Week 5

Distracted today as someone I love is going through a tough time so this will be short and sweet.
*Finally a challenge that held my attention! What a great idea, it was both smart and difficult.
*French Stewart is finally gone thank god. I started getting sympathy squints just looking at him.
*Sadly Jack is gone too due to health issues. I though he had potential to go far so that’s a shame plus who’s going to carry Christian like a suitcase now. Get well soon Jack.
*Chris is back and not a moment too soon. His bright personality was the perfect antidote to Jack’s sad goodbye. Still I’m with the judges; he’s got to stop the costume designing on the runway.
*Kevin just missed out winning again as he once again had one of my favorites (pictured above). I’m going to say right now that he’ll make it to Bryant Park but not ready to crown him the winner just yet.
*Glad Christian won. His outfit seemed to be the most attuned to the challenge.

Top 5 Reality Shows of 2007

Most Disappointing: Newport Harbor- The Real OC
When the creators of Laguna Beach made the switch to Newport Harbor after a couple of lackluster seasons in Laguna, fans thought we’d get a fresh new crop of spoiled rich kids with too much drama for their mamas. Well the first part was right. Unlike the previous seasons, there was not a single individual or couple that demanded your attention as a viewer. In a season filled with whiney brats asking for more, the death bell tolled for The Real OC.

Honorable Mention: Project Runway
Yes the new season has been slow and uneven at best but I still love it especially after the extended hiatus we had to endure. Tim, Heidi and the whole gang still provide plenty of “talk back” TV and while I think this year’s challenges have been cushy, they are still some of the best on reality TV.

5. Scott Baio is 45 and Single
Once in a while a show comes along and completely surprises you. On paper there was no reason a show about a washed up 80’s star going on a journey of self discovery should make for engaging TV but damn it all Baio made this a winner. From his screwball cast of characters, to his firm and engaging therapist, the show had a wealth of interesting folks other then Scott himself. Baio did turn out to be a fascinating guy though whether it be his skewed view on the opposite sex or his self realization that he’ll always be Chaci he came off as real which is unusual on a reality show. While there was a definite deadline and choice to be made on the show you felt that you watched Baio grow no matter what the outcome.

4. Hey Paula!
While Baio grew on his show, Paula Abdul sank further and further into crazy on hers. At first I deemed the show unwatchable but after catching some reruns and a marathon I must admit the watching Abdul’s nonsensical rants made for some of the best TV of 2007.

3. The Hills
While the original show (Laguna Beach) faded, The Hills came into its own this past year. Sure some of it might be staged and the editors seem to cut together scenes that take place weeks apart but I could care less. The split between Heidi and LC was full of drama and this Fall’s separate but unequal coverage of the two has been equally engaging. The show has made an art out of finding men that give the entire sex a bad name whether it be Jason, JustinBobby or the devil himself Spencer “I’m a” Pratt. This week’s finale was followed by the announcement of more in 2008 and I must say that fake or real, I can’t wait.

2. The Real World
Holy revival Batman! Between Denver and Sydney, The Real World has regained top form. Denver was a sex and booze filled environment that gave previous seasons a run for their money. The dysfunction of Colie, Brooke, and Jen made for the greatest tri-fecta of crazy women folk in the history of a show that has a legacy of crazy women folk. Their job was tough but rewarding and of course the house was sweeter then ever. Sydney has ditched the amount of sex for more quality aftermaths. The cast has shrunk and grown multiple times and while the show has featured some of the most deplorable cast mates ever (Trisha, Dunbar, I’m looking at you), its also introduced us to perhaps the greatest Real World cast member ever in Isaac.

1. Top Chef
What was first thought of as a Project Runway rip-off has now passed its predecessor. Top Chef blends the perfect amount of contestant drama with serious and quantitative challenges. Each and every chef is talented and deserving to be on the show but as the season goes on the difficult challenges cut the fat and leave us with the finest choices. This latest season that ended with Dale and Hung was a perfect example as one chef seemed to need the challenges to find himself while the other found the challenges restricting. In the end though the best shined through and as a viewer that’s what we truly want to see.

Looking Ahead to 2008: Double Big Brother
If there’s one good thing about the writer’s strike its that we are going to get double the installments of Big Brother. With a winter edition set to debut in early February to be followed by the requisite Summer series, my guiltiest pleasure will dominate 2008 reality programming. Chen-bot here we come!

Top 5 Comics of 2007

Most Disappointing and Honorable Mention: 52 and Countdown
These two comics qualify for both because of the high expectations and their realistic accomplishments. When the idea of a weekly series was first put forth by DC Comics a couple years back I was excited. The thought of following the events of a “year without Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman” was eagerly anticipated and then the series came out. Designed to fill in a missing year in the lives of our heroes, 52 was also intended to introduce readers to the latest revamp of DC history. The story was promised to play out in real time but this became more of a gimmick than a storytelling tool. The introduction to the new DC universe was quickly abandoned as C list characters came to the forefront without little info or background for new readers. In the end though 52 was mostly an enjoyable experience and DC deserves a lot of credit. However they spoiled that goodwill by trying it again with Countdown. Like 52, Countdown is another weekly series leading up to the “Final Crisis” miniseries that is set to redefine the DC Universe yet again. This time around the story is even more all over the place. The C list characters have changed to B list characters but they are acting out of character. The timeline between events in Countdown and other books is more confusing than Leonid Hurwicz’s Nobel Prize winning economic theory. Again though like 52, I can’t help but overlook some of these shortcomings because the weekly concept doesn’t give you much of a chance to catch your breath. So 52 and Countdown you are both Honorable Mention winners for your addictive and sometimes successful concept but you’re Most Disappointing for using that same concept as a crutch and excuse for poor storytelling and art.

5. All Star Superman
Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely got me back into comics a few years back when they stripped down the X-Men to their core and made them an interesting read both visually and mentally. Since then I’ve been a loyal follower of the two and they have not disappointed with their run redefining the Man of Steel. I’m a Superman hater on the whole but by taking advantage of the All Star line’s stand alone continuity, Morrison has been able to craft tales that feel familiar to long time readers but are not weighed down by the mountains of backstory, unanswered questions, and logic problems the regular Supes series are. Quietly’s art remains one of the best around with its contrast of beautiful and grotesque images.

4. Justice
Like the All Star line of books published by DC, Justice was blessed with existing out of mainstream DC continuity. Alex Ross and Jim Krueger crafted a quintessential tale of the Justice League of America and their arch villains. Sure the bi-monthly status of the book was annoying at times but the beautiful paints and inks of Ross never looked better. In a year when the mainstream Justice League book struggled to find its footing, Justice reminded us all of what a JLA book should and can be.

3. The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born
Bringing Stephen King’s seminal work to the comic world was a daunting task. Even with a dream team made up of award winning writer Peter David, artist Jae Lee, and King himself this seemed like an idea better to be dreamt about than executed. King and company however far exceeded expectations. By retelling portions of Wizard and Glass, the creative team added depth to a tale that already spanned hundreds and thousands of pages which is no small task. The art is dreamy and captures the environment of Roland much like my mind’s eye has. The violence is depicted in a brutal and vibrant manner which pays tribute to the Gunslinger’s world. A second series begins in 2008 which promises to fill in more of Roland’s past.

2. The X-Men family of books
This year brought a renaissance for my favorite characters of all time. I grew up on the X Men, I became a comic addict on the X Men, and as I mentioned earlier, the X Men brought me back to comics in the last few years. With writers like Ed Brubaker, Mike Carey, and Joss “Jeebus” Whedon helming the main three books the X-Men are back with a vengeance. Brubaker took his team to space, made some real changes to the status quo and returned characters to their roots. Carey created a series of frenetic story arcs that stood alone yet had a constant undertone that somehow they were all connected and in the end they were. Whedon took his team of fan favorites and but them through the emotional ringer time and again. As the year came to a close Marvel launched the first true X-over in years with the Messiah Complex. It reminds old fans like me of the glory days as all your favorite heroes and villains jump from title to title in a huge story arc that promises radical changes the X-universe. That’s a big promise but with this current group of talented creators I wouldn’t bet against it.

1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer- Season 8
What more can I say about my number one book of the year that I haven’t already said a million times on this blog? Joss Whedon’s first arc was the perfect reintroduction to our favorites and eased us into the new “season” while still packing plenty of action and a few surprising old faces. Brian K Vaughn’s second act focused on Faith and led to the kind of game changing moment for Giles and Faith that not only felt appropriate but inevitable for those two characters. The big bad is still a bit of a mystery but as with all of Whedon’s evil doers, its got cool and diabolical plans to spare. The art has improved from issue one, but come on people this is season 8 of Buffy it could be stick figures and it would still be an amazing read.

Looking Ahead to 2008: Angel: After the Fall
I already reviewed issue one a couple weeks back and given the quality of that issue I’m guessing season 6 of Angel is going to follow big sis Buffy to the top spot next year.

2007 Entertainer of the Year

Biggest Disappointment: Britney Spears
This is tough for me since I’m not only a fan of Brit but I absolutely love her new album, Blackout. Sadly no matter how good the album is, Britney let herself and her fans down in 2007 by not respecting herself enough to get her life in order. My Britney Dance has stayed retired for a whole year lady so once again I implore you to get it together.


Honorable Mention: Katie Sackoff
No doubt many of you are saying, “who?” but for those in the geek community Katie probably had the best year ever. Not only did she continue to shine on one of the best shows on TV (Battlestar Galactica) but she also got huge props for upstaging the star of another show (Bionic Woman) when she showed up as a recurring character. Her combo of beauty, wit, and sarcasm make her endearing in any role she played whether it be hero, villain or both.

Runner Up: Harry Potter
I might have given this the number one spot but after EW gave their nod to JK Rowling I felt like a copy cat. Still it’s hard to describe the “magic” Harry and his author spread across the globe last year. The first six months were per torture, as all of us Potter heads waited in anticipation of Harry’s swan song and the rest of the year was spent basking in all its glory. Never mind the fact that the movie series continued its positivity by delivering another great installment in The Order of the Phoenix . Yep JK and Harry dominated my entertainment year like no other when it came to sheer volume.

And the winner is…George Clooney
I haven’t finished my Top 5 Movies of 2007 list as I expect to see a few more before the end of the year, but as of now only one man has two films on that list and that’s Mr. Clooney. Like last year’s winner Alec Baldwin, Clooney has been able to walk the many tightropes of Hollywood with ease whether it be comedy/drama, commercial/critical, or actor/director. Ocean’s 13 was a return to the pure escapism of the first film and Michael Clayton might have been his best performance yet. Meanwhile the guy speaks out on Darfur , parties like a classy rock star, and effortlessly exudes the essence of cool.

Looking Ahead to 2008: Joss Whedon
Of course I’ve got his name plastered across my blog but 2008 is quickly shaping up to be Joss’ year. In the first few months he’s wrapping up his critically acclaimed runs on the comics Runaways and Astonishing X-Men. The rest of the year he’ll stay comic busy by shepherding his first two babies, Buffy and Angel through their latest seasons. Then of course there’s the biggest news which is that once the Writer’s Guild strike is over Joss is coming back to TV with his latest creation, Dollhouse. 2008 is sure looking like the year of Joss.

Runway Roundup: Week 4

Ok it’s nice to see I’m not the only one having some issues with the new season of Project Runway. Entertainment Weekly and Pink is the New Blog have both expressed some of the same concerns I’ve had. Maybe its partly due to the long lay off creating inflated expectations, but for whatever reason this season is just not satisfying. I found myself more excited for the Top Chef: Holiday Special and the ad for their new season coming in 2008 than I was by last night’s Runway episode.

Take last night’s challenge for example. The idea of using old trends in new designs was great fun and had classic Runway written all over it. Yet as I watched the shoulder pads, overalls, and cut outs emerge I was frankly quite bored. While I felt Christian’s team did a great job (sorry but Team Overalls just didn’t stroke my fashion passion) I still wanted more and once again I got the feeling that the designers are getting cushier challenges then previous seasons. The designers themselves could be part of the problem as week in and week out their designs are good but not great. Even Crazy Lady has calmed down and become more boring than crazy. As a result we’re left with minor bickering like this week’s “showdown” between Victoria and Ricky. Snooze fest! Speaking of Ricky, the guy must have 9 runway lives as he once again survived by the skin of his teeth and sadly sent Chris, the one constantly engaging and entertaining designer, home. Personally I thought French Stewart’s outfit, pictured above, was the worst. It didn’t look like a dance outfit unless it was stolen from Karate Kid: The Musical.

While I’m certainly not going to stop watching Heidi and company better find a way to wake up and make it work if they want to keep the show “in”.

Heroes Finale Thoughts (SPOILERS BELOW)

Well that was that. In an amazing case of déjà vu, Heroes closed their second “volume” with the same lackluster effort that concluded “volume” one. My biggest complaint with last spring’s finale was the fact that the showdown between Sylar and our heroes was rushed. Last night was exactly the same except substitute Adam/Kensei for Sylar. The scene between Adam and Hiro was all too brief and the fight we’ve been waiting for happened mostly off screen. Same goes for Peter versus everyone. Meanwhile the biggest problem of the fall continued to rear its ugly head as we got way too much of the newbies. Seriously the most depressing thing about the episode was when Sylar had Mohinder bring “ol’ death eyes” back to life. There were also some glaring plot holes like Peter suddenly not caring about “the love of his life” Caitlin. Now I could care less if we ever see that Irish lass again, but once the virus was thwarted, Pete didn’t seem to care that she was still stuck in New York a year in the future even though he’d whined about that for the last 3 weeks. Of course that’s not to say there wasn’t some good to the episode. First off, I think we saw the last of the crappy flying special effects as West flew off on Claire and her daddy took a bullet. I also liked the stuff with Elle who has become the most developed and intriguing newbie. More importantly, the producers are trying to get the show back on track by returning a bit of the status quo. Sylar’s back and ready to make trouble, HRG is back on the dark side and will have a new secret to hide from Claire (ie. killing Nathan), and the Heroes have finally reunited. Next year’s volume title, “Villains” is titillating and I hopefully we’ll have a little less than the 53 shades of grey we had to swim through in this volume.

Runway Roundup: Week 3 and Real World Rundown

Wow last night was a perfect Project Runway. We got Heidi showing off her German dominatrix side as she screamed at the designers to get going to the challenge (seriously I was scared for a second when she yelled at them). We got classic Tim quotes, “Ricky doesn’t look good, Ricky’s in trouble.” We got some designer cattiness as Ricky and Carmen mixed it up a little. And finally we got to see the season 4 designers stuck in a difficult challenge as they had to design men’s wear. It was hilarious to see the designers non reaction to their client former NFL great Tiki Barber. Although it was equally hilarious to see the lone straight guy freak out about Tiki in a similar fashion his fellow designers did when meeting Sarah Jessica Parker the week before. Because there was a celebrity involved I still felt like this season’s designers are getting challenges with huge rewards right of the bat, but that being said, it was obviously a tough challenge since the bottom 3 outfits were some of the worst in the history of the show. Carmen’s no shirt number (pictured above) was just embarrassing not only to her but to anyone ever been on or even watched Project Runway. It wasn’t just the lack of shirt or the ill fitted pants; the look itself was so bad that even the free accessories looked horrible when combined. Ricky wasn’t much better but at least he had something that could be worn…if you don’t mind being stuck with pins. Looking at Sweet P’s design made me think for the first time in my life that I could make clothes cause honestly I don’t know how much worse I could do than that collar. In the end Carmen had to go because of that god awful ensemble. Too bad too, because I loved her back story of being a former model turned designer. Lucky Ricky is living on borrowed time as he has placed in the bottom three twice in three weeks. Meanwhile the only problem I had with the episode was the winner. While Jack’s design was great I have a hard time giving the win to someone who didn’t follow the rules. It was clearly explained in the beginning that the outfits had to have three pieces and Jack only had two. Yes they were great pieces, but he still didn’t finish the task. I swear the judges have been sticklers for this in the past and by letting him win they’ve opened the door to a lot of potential controversy. Even if Jack had met the requirements, I still thought Kit had the best design. She took a look that could easily have been boring and classified as yacht wear, and played with textures and colors enough to make it young, hip and as she pointed out numerous times, TV friendly. Next week looks like another team challenge which always promises plenty of drama so tune in for that.

Now on to The Real World: Sydney which has quietly been chugging along on MTV. Early on I complained that this season was too white bread and vanilla and while those complaints are still valid the show has certainly done the best with what they’ve got. While the show has not rivaled the previous season in Denver in the sex category, the body count of this season has become staggering. First up we had the seemingly independent Shauvon head home to beg forgiveness from her ex-fiancee who doesn’t want her to work or leave the house. Then we had the coolest Real Worlder ever, Isaac, take a sabbatical for a few weeks because he saw CGI blackbirds. Now we’ve got the kicker though, as Trisha got kicked the fuck out for pushing Persian princess Parisa. I’ve been on the Trisha hating bandwagon ever since episode one when she displayed her xenophobic intolerance but week after week I’ve developed a deep reality hate for the woman. Parisa meanwhile certainly can push peoples buttons and be a bit of a drunk mom, but at least she’s been honest towards her roommates (perhaps to a fault). Taking a stand and sending Trisha packing was a bold and correct move by Parisa and hopefully one the guys in the house will continue to back her up on. Meanwhile, the remaining girls in the house have officially joined the Trisha team and displayed Trisha’s trademark classlessness when they spit at Parisa while she was on the phone. Here’s hoping next week the returning Isaac puts them in check. Either way the show has once again been entertaining and we’ve still got at least another month of drama before the season comes to an end.

I’ll be off this weekend trying to forget my age but I’ll be back next week as we enter the final month of the year and prepare to name the best of 2007.

El Dog’s Super Amazing Donkey iMix: Birthday Edition

Like I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I’m a sucker for traditions and one new birthday tradition I’ve started is making an iMix with a song from every year of my sordid life. Each year I try not to duplicate any songs as obviously I have many favorites from each year. So here’s what I came up with for this time round and a few thoughts on why I chose them:

1973: Frankenstein- Edgar Winter: I bought this song back around Halloween for a party bus mix and instantly fell back in love with it. Not only does the song rock but it’s a perfect instrumental mix opener.

1974: Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe- Barry White: While I’ll admit that I wasn’t in my sexual prime at the age of one, Mr. White’s music has certainly influenced me to become the lover I am today. Roarrrrrr!

1975: Mama Mia- ABBA: I can’t look back on my life and not have an ABBA song. This song brings back memories of tanning on my balcony as a junior in college.

1976: More Then A Feeling- Boston: Not only one of the greatest air guitar songs of all time, but also one of the great sing a longs by a highly underrated band.

1977: Turn to Stone- Electric Light Orchestra: Another underrated band that seems to be going through a Journey like renaissance in pop culture.

1978: Just What I Needed- The Cars: One of the first songs I remember from my parent’s car radio. Circuit City almost ruined this track though.

1979: Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough- Michael Jackson: He’s a freak, he’s a perv, he might be evil but I can’t close the door on his music. This song makes me want to dance ‘til I break my ankle, which I think I’ve done before.

1980: Call Me- Blondie: One great band, one of many amazing songs, one brilliant memory of seeing Debbie perform for free at Taste of Minnesota.

1981: Down Under- Men at Work: Who would’ve guessed Colin Hay would still be around and that Men at Work’s music is less of a joke now then it was back in the 80’s.

1982: 1999- Prince: The song that introduced me to my first case of musical fanaticism. To this day Prince is one of my favorite artists and it all dates back to a song about a date.

1983: Girl’s Just Want to Have Fun- Cyndi Lauper: This one’s a little more audio/visual because a lot of my love for the song stemmed and stems from the great video.

1984: Jump- Van Halen: Despite the craptacular Van Halen incarnations that many people choose to remember with Sammy Hagar or Gary Cherone, I’m strictly a Roth era guy and this song still makes me strut like Diamond Dave himself.

1985: You Spin Me Round- Dead or Alive: Truly a timeless track. It could be released tomorrow and be the number one song in any club in the country.

1986: Walk This Way- Run DMC: Man I hate Aerosmith but I can’t argue with the impact the first rap/rock collaboration made on my musical future.

1987: Never Gonna Give You Up- Rick Astley: My current karaoke weapon of choice and a lost hit from the 80’s brought back to the forefront thanks to Family Guy.

1988: Mr. Brownstone- Gun’s N Roses: I remember listening to this album in 8th grade and feeling like I had discovered something all my own. Plus there was the subversive fun of listening to swear words on your headphones in class.

1989: Wild Thing- Tone Loc: I’ll admit at the time I found this song overplayed and annoying but maybe nostalgia has gotten the better of me as I truly enjoy the raspy musings of Mr. Loc these days.

1990: Poison- Bell Biv DeVoe: This cassette tape was always within reach during my bus rides to my first real job. It foreshadowed my continued love of fluff pop.

1991: Hunger Strike- Temple of the Dog: Yes I know this song wasn’t big until after the whole grunge thing hit but I actually heard this on an indie release from a friend who had his hand on the pulse of music to come. Also introduced me to Nirvana too.

1992: Welcome to Paradise- Green Day: Freshman year of college and an introduction to another band that would stick with me the rest of my life.

1993: Insane in the Brain- Cypress Hill: By no means one of my favorite bands but there are a few tracks that just make me go…well…insane.

1994: Supernova- Liz Phair: Chicks rock…nuff said.

1995: Only Happy When it Rains- Garbage: Chicks rock even hard when uber producer Butch Vig is backing them up.

1996: Lovefool- The Cardigans: Between 90210 and Romeo & Juliet I couldn’t help but have this song burned into my head for the rest of my life.

1997: Hypnotize- Notorious BIG: The greatest rapper ever and one of the best opening tracks on an album, back when people actually listened to albums in order.

1998: Like a Friend- Pulp: One of the most cinematic songs ever. To this day it makes me want to proclaim my love in the rain or run after a moving train.

1999: Guerilla Radio- Rage Against the Machine: Cause even at 34 I still like to throw my fist in the air and testify.

2000: Suckers International Has Gone Public- Dillinger 4: One of my top 5 songs by one of my top 5 bands. Please make more new music you assholes!

2001: Wild Rover- Dropkick Murphys: Okay so the song itself is old because it’s a cover but after seeing these guys live for the umpteenth time a couple of weeks back I can truly say they’ve made it their own.

2002: Get Ur Freak On- Missy Elliott: No she’s not on here cause we share a name (her’s is misspelled by the way), she’s on here because she’s the most gifted female MC of all time and one of my favorites no matter the gender.

2003: Crazy in Love- Beyonce: Try as I might I can’t hate on her music and this first solo track still gets my ass dropping and heart pumping especially Hova’s fill line.

2004: Pain- Jimmy Eat World: A highly underappreciated band (their new album is one of the best of the year) who transcended their emo label and just make great rock and roll like this track.

2005: Helicopter- Bloc Party: This has become the most played track on both my iPods and I can’t give you a definitive reason why. There are no other tracks by the band that I really enjoy, there’s no sing a long ability that often seduces me, there’s just a really great song that reminds me why I love music. How awesome is it that you can play this on Guitar Hero III!

2006: Don’t Cry Out- Shiny Toy Guns: Since I didn’t hear it until 2007 I wasn’t able to name this the best song of 2006 even though it was. The euro pop/disco mix of this band certainly makes me think of some great old music but its still fresh all by itself. Plus it helped endear me to my current lady friend.

2007: Gimme More- Britney Spears: She’s back musically even if the rest of her life spirals downward. This first single really brought her back to relevance at least for a couple of weeks when it declared…”It’s Britney bitch.”

34 Realizations on Turning 34

This weekend mother nature will once again slap me on the ass and inform me I’ve aged another 365 days. While I don’t consider myself to be the most introspective person in the world I am a sucker for creating traditions, so without further adieu here’s this year’s installment of birthday realizations:

34. The older you get the more scary doctors become.
33. Not only are most pro athletes younger than me, but I could be their father.
32. I may live past 60.
31. Money is the greatest evil in this world.
30. Money is the greatest necessity in this world.
29. I don’t care if athletes take steroids.
28. Despite some bad spots, I’m still a romantic at heart.
27. I never get tired of saying “Jordan Catalano.”
26. If I was a wrestler, my finishing move would be the “Throat Punch.”
25. I hate the idea of people more than people themselves.
24. The older I get, the longer these lists become.
23. I’ll never see my Wisconsin Badgers play for the National Championship in football but that’s ok.
22. Quitting smoking is harder than I thought.
21. Remakes or reimaginings can sometimes surpass the original (see Doctor Who and Battlestar Galactica).
20. The US political system is so corrupt that we’ll never have a government for the people by the people in my lifetime.
19. I can’t quite party as hard as I once could.
18. Add New York to the list of cities that could kill me.
17. Its easier to spoil someone else than it is yourself.
16. Kitchen tongs are the most essential cooking utensil.
15. I can live without an iPhone…at least for another year.
14. I think I’m ready to enter the HD era of TV.
13. No matter how much I try, believing in a higher power is a foreign concept to me.
12. Believing in the concept of the lizard people is surprisingly easier.
11. Unless you’re the 2001 Baltimore Ravens you need more then a “game manager” at the quarterback position.
10. I’m more like my parents than I ever realized.
9. Sexual orientation and gender identification are too entirely different things.
8. I’m not too old to go to concerts, although I think some people might be too young.
7. As much of a geek as I am, I’d rather not see Star Wars be turned into a TV show.
6. While Halloween and St Patrick’s Day are my favorite holidays, I secretly love Christmas almost as much.
5. You truly don’t know what you’re missing until you find that same thing.
4. I’m both a snob and a reverse snob, which can make things difficult.
3. 2-Pac and Biggie are really dead but I think Elvis lived.
2. I’m a natural born entertainer…sometimes unintentionally.
1. I think my 30’s are turning into the best years of my life despite the aches and pains.

Minneapolis Restaurant Preview: The Red Stag Supperclub

Clearly we live in a world of Top Chef and foodie goodness. How else could you explain the fact that so many people, myself included, are familiar with the term soft opening. For those not in the know, a soft opening is when a new restaurant opens its door without fanfare or press in an attempt to give their operation a final run through on live paying guinea pigs…I mean customers. This past weekend I was lucky enough to experience this for myself as I visited the newly opened Red Stag Supperclub.

The Red Stag has been on my food radar for months now and for a couple of reasons. First off, there’s the obvious fact that its in my neighborhood sitting squarely in the heart of the East Hennepin river district. Even after a year which saw the arrival of several new joints, we can always use more. Secondly, there is the fact that the owners took inspiration from a variety of regional old school supper clubs most notably The White Stag Inn a favorite of mine in northern Wisconsin. The White Stag is the kind of place where you get a relish tray, a wedge of lettuce salad, and just about the best damn steak you’ll ever have. It’s the kind of place you discover as a child and love as an adult. It holds a special place in my heart due to nostalgia and its fine food. Anyway the promise of an eatery using the old supper club format as inspiration kept me excited for the last six months as The Red Stag was under construction. Last week when a friend and I drove by the front of the building we were surprised to see what looked like an open restaurant and sure enough after checking the web we discovered that yes the day had finally come (although the official opening was not until yesterday).

One other item that has made The Red Stag a point of interest prior to its opening is the fact that it’s the first LEED certified restaurant in Minnesota. LEED is a certification given to businesses that are building using only sustainable and recycled products. For example the Stag recycled old pieces from other restaurants including marble flooring and a refurbished piano. Walking in to the restaurant one would never know it. The place looks amazing and certainly looks the part of a supper club right down to those old uncomfortable wooden chairs and the bartender clad in plaid. The pictures adorning the walls immediately plucked at my nostalgia strings and the bar is a thing of wooden beauty. It’s a wide open space with an equally open kitchen but the volume or the surprisingly packed restaurant was never a nuisance or annoying. Yes it seems I wasn’t the only one anticipating this place as when we arrived at 6:30 on their 3rd night of service, The Red Stag was already featuring a 45 minute wait for a party of 3. Thankfully they feature a communal table that me and my companions were more than eager to share with another group of four. I must say there was something odd about sitting at the head of a table and staring down past four empty spots to group headlined by a complete stranger who was staring back at me, but then again that’s a supper club for you, a good place to meet and mingle. Since this was a soft opening I’m going to skip observations on service altogether. As with any new restaurant I imagine it will take a few weeks to iron out all the details but I can say that our server was relatively knowledgeable about the new menu and everyone from the bar staff to the bus boys was eager to please and engage in conversation about their new enterprise.

The intent of the restaurant is obvious and that is to take the supper club and update it with a modern take and it seems like an idea that could cause some growing pains for the Stag. I mentioned that the place was packed and the cross section of the clientele was very telling. You had folks in suits one table down from folks in hoodies and jeans. The menu continued this juxtaposition with items such as bone marrow right up next to basic steaks. I’m not sure if this approach can work without alienating one type of customer or the other. Furthermore the prices seemed a bit on the high note from the bar ($3.75 for a PBR!) to a $44 “baseball cut” sirloin. My friends and I thought we’d circumvent the entrees in favor of sampling a variety of small plates and sides. Here we found a variety of quality items but once again the theme of value reared its head.

We started with a round of four dishes to share thinking that would satisfy our hunger. A fresh take on a Waldorf salad featured some incredible flavors including a crème fraische foam and smoked raisins that danced on your pallet. Sadly however the $9 salad would barely be adequate for 1 let alone 2 or 3 people. We also tried the roasted acorn squash that was cooked to perfection and served with a brown sugar maple sauce. Again the flavors were spot on but while the decision to serve the squash in its gourd was physically attractive, the mechanics of extracting all of the “meat” we exasperating. The triple cooked fries were essentially large tater tots with crispy outsides and mashed potato like insides. They were tasty but unevenly seasoned and at an average of $1 a fry, hardly a good value. Completing our first round was the lobster truffle mac and cheese. At $9 this was the best bargain on the menu and almost made up for some of the other pricing missteps. We expected a mac and cheese with the essence of lobster and yet the small casserole dish (still probably not enough for more then one person) contained succulent chunks of lobster meat mixed in with the creamy sauce and firm noodles. One might expect this dish to be overpowering and rich but the flavors were subtle and oh so savory. Still we were left hungry so we ordered another round of the magnificent mac and cheese and also tried the flatbread of the day. The flatbread was another success as it melded duck, gruyere, and grapes on a bread reminiscent of Indian nan. We closed out with a crème brulee that featured an unadvertised coffee flavor to it that was good but unspectacular.

Everything we tried except for the fries and dessert made an impression with its flavors and I certainly plan on coming back to sample their steaks and other entrees but again I’m concerned with the concept here. While the fine dining crowd will certainly appreciate the menu ex-Cosmos chef William Baskin has compiled here I doubt the sweatshirt crowd I noticed this past Saturday will make return trips based on the question of value. Likewise I’m not sure if the fine dining crew will appreciate the whimsy of the environment and theme. With a space this large and the high cost of the quality ingredients (all from local farms by the way) I’m not sure if the Stag concept has the same sustainability its building has.

Red Stag Supperclub, 509 1st Avenue NE Minneapolis, 612-767-7766 redstagsupperclub.com

Minneapolis Restaurant Review: Café Maude

When I was a junior in college my folks moved out of my childhood home on the tough streets of south Minneapolis and upgraded to a pleasure dome two blocks from Lake Harriet in southwest Minneapolis. Other than the loss of some of my street cred I welcomed the move as I got a basement apartment out of the deal. The new neighborhood had a bagel shop, an Italian deli, a pasta bar, and a good pizza joint. However as a newly turned 21 year old that stayed on and off with his parents during and after college, the neighborhood lacked the most important thing…alcohol.

Now years later, on a site previously housing a sub par deli and stuffed next to a hardware store, we have Café Maude. This is the place I dreamt about when I lived in the neighborhood. During the day it’s a bustling brunch/lunch destination and at night it’s packed with the dinner crowd and those stopping by for a drink or two. Being that this is Minnesota where we can’t even buy booze on Sundays, it was quite a battle for the owners to get the neighborhood to support a full liquor license for Maude, but thank god they did because if not my brunch experience this past weekend would just have been good instead of great.

Since Maude has become one of the hottest tables in town since its opening, I figured the best tact to get in was for my companion and I to sneak in to a brunch seating. We made reservations for 11:30 and when we arrived at 11:15 it appeared we had over anticipated Maude’s daytime popularity. Our host quickly sat us at a table in the sun drenched restaurant. The design of the place belies the fact that the restaurant is stuck in a quiet neighborhood. The deep colors on the wall and the beautiful bar make one think of a downtown hipster joint rather than a place across the street from a seamstress and a ranch style home.

Our server came over to take our drink orders and here is where Maude left a permanent imprint on my culinary mind. Since brunch was the word of the day we started out with two Bloody Marys. My companion opted for the traditional interpretation which was the perfect mix of vodka and tomato juice with a nice but not overpowering kick to it. It did not come with a beer back which was the first of many service missteps. However before I let the service issues get the better of me, I must discuss the Bloody Homer. Yep the Bloody Homer is an ode to everyone’s favorite Simpson (sorry Maggie fans). The watch word here is bacon; bacon infused vodka, the thickest slice of bacon I’ve ever seen as a stir stick, and yes, a bacon mini donut on the rim. The mini donut was the perfect blend of sweet and savory and if I were Maude’s chef I’d make a plate of these available as a brunch option. The bacon didn’t overpower the drink but instead raised the flavor levels of everything around it and it definitely popped more than the traditional interpretation. Oh and I almost forgot the Velveeta stuffed green olives and “Duff” beer back that truly made this the complete drink experience.

Of course this was brunch and being it was the weekend after Thanksgiving we had to get some food in our bellies to do some holiday shopping. The brunch menu is a combination of breakfast items, salads, soups, and sandwiches. On the menu there was no indication of any cut off time for any of the options but when we began our order our server asked us what time it was as apparently only the breakfast items are available prior to 11. He proceeded to mention that he’s been yelled at before for putting in orders prior to 11 for sandwiches. A note to management, perhaps it would be a wise investment to invest in time pieces for your staff. After getting that confusion out of the way we settled on an order of the already legendary house cut fries with cheese fondue to start and they did not disappoint. The fries themselves rival The Bulldog NE in cut and taste. There was a hint of truffle oil on these fries and the golden brown potatoes packed incredible flavor into each small bite. The fondue was an acquired taste as at first I felt it overpowered the fries themselves but after that initial reaction my companion and I found ourselves trying to get every last bit of melty goodness. Since we were doing fries we decided to split a couple of sandwiches. I went with the crab cake sandwich which featured two silver dollar sized cakes on a brioche-like bun with a tangy remoulade. In a town where my complaint is often about crab cakes with too much filler, Maude has somehow managed to error in the opposite direction. Each cake was almost 100% crab and sub par crab at that. I prefer to see some onions or peppers mixed in there as these left an overpowering fishy taste in my mouth. Also, if you’re going to serve these as a sandwich it might be a good idea to make one larger cake to fit the bun. I found myself eating it open faced as the bun, while quite tasty, was just too much. My companion opted for the vegetable Panini and here the kitchen hit another home run that matched the fries. The mix of eggplant, red pepper, zucchini, and onions was cooked perfectly with a hint of balsamic vinegar and a subtle pesto. Again the bread here was amazing and clearly baked goods are a strength of this kitchen.

Unfortunately bread played a role in exposing the relatively new restaurant’s biggest weakness, service. While we suffered at the hands of a server who didn’t know what time it was, it appeared we were the lucky ones. While my sandwich was missing the promised mixed greens and my companion missed her aforementioned beer back at least we weren’t left without sides for out entire meal. As I mentioned when we arrived the place was busy but by no means full, but by the time we left each table was full and most of them were waiting on bread. The tables had gone from ordering omelets (which I overheard raves about from many tables especially the smoked salmon with brie option) to soups and salads. However as these orders came out the accompanying bread items were missing. I overheard server after server promise that it would be right out but I saw at least three tables finish their dish before the bread made its way out. While I heard great things about the bread once it arrived, a restaurant that has been this busy since it opened should anticipate the lunch crowd and adjust their baking schedule as needed. There were also two cases of dirty flatware around us which is also a disturbing comment on the organization of an establishment.

In the end though the shortcomings in the service could not over shadow the quality of the products coming out from the kitchen and the bar. When the worst thing you eat is a crab cake that was still better than half of the ones in town then I think you have a winner. For a neighborhood that has long needed a hipster joint for young and old, Café Maude delivers on the promise on their signage, civilized leisure. I just wish it had been there 12 years ago when I could have used a late night snack and a decent drink.

Café Maude, 5411 penn ave. s. minneapolis 612.822.5411, cafemaude.com

Runway Roundup: Week 2

Hmmm in all my celebrity look alike pontifications from last week's Project Runway, I somehow managed to miss the most wonderful of them all...ladies and gentlemen, did anyone notice that French Stewart is in the house (aka Steven). I never thought much of French as an actor and after tonight I can't say his style rates much higher now granted it was not his design but this She-Ra/Cavewoman outfit (pictured above) was hands down the worse of the night. Seriously was that burlap being used as the fabric. Chris Kattan's 80's dress came off dated or as my friend Nikki put it, "Robert Palmer called and he wants his video girl back." Still it showed vision which for the second week in a row saved someone from elimination. Speaking of being saved how about crazy girl Elisa not only lasting for a week but excelling. Her sketch looked like a drawing of Violet Beauregard after she ate the everlasting gobstopper but in reality she and Sweet P (still hate that name) pulled off a nice little number. My favorite though was by Kit and Chris. The shirt dress with the design heavy pockets fit the challenge perfectly as anyone who's been to Steve and Barry's and see the Biten line can atest too. By the was how about that challenge. For the second week in a row the designers got treated like kings. As Tim Gunn pointed out in his own blog the PR contestants usually face tough challenges right out of the gate. This year they already got a carte blanche challenge in week one and in week two they're designing for a self proclaimed fashion icon in has been Sarah Jessica Parker. Did anyone else love the fact that Heidi and Tim kept pointing out that the winner MAY have their design included in SJP's Fall line. In other words don't get your hopes up. Either way the challenge while low on funds allowed contestants the chance to glam it up and really enjoy their time before they're sent packing. Next week looks like things toughen up which will give us a real look at this year's crop.

Quick Review- Angel: After the Fall #1

The success of the eighth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in comic form was bound to lead to similar tales. There’s talk of a Twin Peaks graphic novel overseen by David Lynch and a new season of Veronica Mars published by DC Comics and written by series creator Rob Thomas. Perhaps the most obvious choice though was a sixth season of Joss Whedon’s other vamp show, Angel. Cut down in its prime by a penny pinching network and a egotistical star, Angel left our screens with one of the greatest final eps in TV history. Unlike Buffy’s finale where there was a sense of closure, Angel left the fates of many of its heroes up in the air and seemed to scream for follow up. Well after Buffy season 8 started selling like hotcakes, publisher IDW has convinced Joss to open up the next chapter in the lives of the crew of Angel Investigations.

Like the show itself Joss is overseeing Angel but not directly writing it however the first issue still wreaks of his comic stench. Acclaimed comics writer Brian Lynch has stepped in and he does’t miss a beat. This feels like an authentic Angel story from front to back. I won't spoil too much but there has been some passing of the time between the last ep and this. Some of our heroes surface more or less in tact while others have changed their stripes so to speak. You can hear the dialogue as if the primary actors were reciting it and the characterizations are dead on. The art is the weakest aspect (similar to the Buffy book) but its still alright and when the biggest attraction to many of us is simply seeing what's next, it doesn't matter if the TV has a little static.

10 Things I’m Thankful For

10. Jon Stewart, despite his strike absence

9. Britney’s new CD- Wish I could say Britney but at least the kick ass album is a step in the right direction.

8. The truffle oil fries at The Bulldog NE.

7, Joss Whedon- From his comic work to the upcoming Dollhouse, with apologies to Depeche Mode, he’s like my own personal Jesus.

6. Geek Chic, which allows me to shine in all my geeky glory.

5. Project Runway- Thank you Bravo! for a ray of light during the writer’s strike..

4. George Clooney- Ocean’s 13 and Michael Clayton showed once again the Clooney two step as he does quality box office fluff and quality award-type work in the same year.

3. My Wii- One of the best purchases I’ve ever made.

2. TiVo- While we have our disputes (recommending Prison Break) we still have our moments (remembering that I loved Dawson’s Creek).

1. My friends, family, and a certain someone who’s reminded me in the last six months just how fun and exciting life should and can be.

10 Things I’m Least Thankful For

Since we’re approaching Turkey Day, I thought I’d present my annual look at what I’m thankful for and what I’m not thankful for. Let’s start with the negativity first:

10. Distance (literal and figurative)

9. The term Va-jay-jay

8. Celebrity Apprentice (I know it’s not even on the air yet but I’m already despising the cast made up of retreads and has-beens like Omarosa, Tito Ortiz, and the lady from Taxi.)

7. Brad Childress and his “kick ass offense”

6. The resurgence of generic ringtones.

5. The effect the Writer’s Guild strike could and has had on the returning Lost and 24.

4. Viral Videos

3. Ellen

2. The redone Sizzler on Best Week Ever. (Talk about ruining a good segment.)

1. The Bush administration and their continued policies that manage to mix oppression and reckless abandon to terrifying new heights.

Runway Roundup: Week 1

Damn I hate to admit it but I’ve missed Seal clubbing, German robot, Heidi Klum. I mean I knew I missed Tim Gunn and the fabulous Michael Kors and even Elle Magazine fashion director Nina Garcia (I believe her title is officially part of her legal name now), but I never thought I’d miss Heidi. Imagine my surprise then at 9pm when I busted out just about the biggest smile ever as Heidi went into her usual blurb over the credit sequence. That’s just the magic of Project Runway and thank the TV gods its back.

Last night we got our first glimpse of what these 15 new designers can do and they did not disappoint on the runway or in the sewing room. As with all reality shows there are too many contestants right now to distinguish themselves (are Sweet P and Kit Pistol the same person?) but that didn’t stop a few standouts from making a splash. First off there was the jean designer who made sure we all knew he was straighter then an Idaho senator…no wait, straighter then a televangelist…no wait, straighter then a fashion designer…oh well you get the idea he really wanted to let us know he’s straight. Then there was Christian who looks like a bad Chris Kattan character from a late 90’s episode of Saturday Night Live. He clearly is this year’s child prodigy which means he’ll last a few weeks and probably cause a lot of drama while he’s there. His outfit was certainly…something. I applaud the judges for acknowledging the risks he took but really I thought it was hideous beyond words. We also met Chris the costume designer whose larger then life work matches his physique. He’s already my early fan favorite and his honest comments about his competitors was funny without being catty and his outfit was my second favorite.

Of course the best way to get to know the new designers, is in the judging and that’s were we saw the best and the worst this season might have to offer. With a challenge that left them with no other constraints then time, the contestants had an opportunity to wow the judges by showing them what they had. As I mentioned prior Christian dazzled them with his symmetrical/asymmetrical jacket ensemble that Tim worried about so much in the sewing room. Victoria, reminded the judges and me of Vera Wang (no not because she’s also Asian although…) with her simple and elegant gown but while it was well done it didn’t sparkle for me. Rami, whom I believe might be a nihilist, really hit the home run though with his toga inspired gown. It was truly an elegant piece that won him first place with the judges and with me too (not that I know what I’m talking about). Then there were the bottom three. First up was Ricky whose background as a lingerie designer failed him last night and made me think he might not have the creativity to last long. Then there was the marionette artist Elisa. From her taking a nap during the challenge, to reciting a story for her dress that had to be edited for time, this woman just screams crazy…and I love it. Her dress that vomited color from the back might have almost killed her model as she walked but it was so different and yes it was even well made. She certainly had something to say which is why she’s staying another week and Simone is head home. Simone’s outfit looked bad to me from the get go but sometimes these can excel once they hit the runway. Sadly for her this was not one of those instances.

So one down and 14 to go until we’ve got our new champion. I’ll be here every week with Runway Rundown and I’m sure we’ll have much to discuss from Tim’s witticisms to Heidi’s horrible outfits to mid season reunion shows. Either way this show will always be in…in my heart. Awwwww.

Reality Complex

Last week while I bemoaned the effect the writer’s strike will have on our TV viewing, I quaked in anticipation of an increase in reality programming. A few days later I’m still mortified of things like Celebrity Apprentice and Who’s Your Daddy 2, but after taking a step back maybe things won’t be so bad after all. I mean we’ve got books, theatrical films, and DVDs to occupy our attention and you know what there are still some oldie but goodie reality shows that just might keep us entertained. Of course the big one is season 4 of Project Runway debuting Wednesday night (9pm CST, Bravo!, review to follow Thursday) but there’s hope in a few others as well…

Survivor
This season set in China has brought the show back from a week spring season. All the contestants remaining feel like viable candidates to win and the intrigue outside of the challenges has been top notch. I’ve said it many time on this blog that there is a reason that Survivor is the longest running and most successful reality competition and it lies in the fact that the producers are never afraid to make subtle twists and tweaks. The duo immunity idols made for interesting preliminary rounds and now that one player has both, watch out from here on. Plus this season produced one of the most outlandish scenes in Survivor history when 2/4ths of a team blatantly threw a competition. While this season begins to wind down I think we can have faith that the spring edition should help ease our lack of scripted TV.

The Amazing Race
While Survivor might be the most successful show over the years, The Amazing Race has been consistently stellar. While Survivor seems to emphasize the dark side of human nature, this season of the Race has already provided some moments showing both sides of human nature as teams and players bond and compete together while still having some nasty flare ups. In a nutshell, that is why the show remains constantly gripping. It also doesn’t hurt that the casting folks on this show have a knack for finding unique couples such as past contestants like the hippies, the hicks and even convincing Romber to slum it from Survivor. This season they’ve done it again with a Goth couple I’m loving to cheer for, a father/daughter team that’s almost painful to watch, and sadly an already departed team of lesbian ministers. The challenges are still fresh and while Survivor tends to patronize the culture around them I always feel like the Race is trying to celebrate and honor the traditions of whatever land they’re in. CBS had originally left the Race off its schedule but thanks to the strike and the failure of some of their new scripted shows, I’m betting we’ll have another installment lined up after this.

The Hills
I know some of the stuff is staged. I mean I can buy that Heidi and LC could run into each other at a party but literally missing each other by a few feet or seconds prior to meeting just smacked of a staged tension builder. Still I could care less. Last night’s latest installment was a perfect reminder of why this vapid show is so damn enticing. While Audrina finally took a step forward in her career by getting out from behind the reception desk and working with actual musicians, you could tell she was more preoccupied with continuing to attempt to date JustinBobby, a guy that wouldn’t know the word commitment if it slapped him in the face. Meanwhile in between a series of wonderful comments and looks from Whitney we finally had the LC/Heidi showdown and it didn’t disappoint. You can just see Heidi slowly realizing that she’s dug herself into a hell hole with devil spawn Spencer and thankfully LC is smart enough to let Heidi stay there. New episodes are supposedly still being filmed so I imagine we’ll have a wedding in our future before we know it.