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.