Top Ten Movies of All-Time

Okay, so after recently seeing the quirky independent movie FILM GEEK (which is recommended for people like me who would take the time to make random "Top Ten" lists of things), I decided to compile my latest, ever-changing TOP TEN MOVIES OF ALL-TIME list. To be honest, the top five remains pretty consistent and the bottom five will sometimes morph depending on what I've seen of late. But for those of you out there having Ken withdrawals and for the curious or just plain bored, here is my TOP TEN MOVIES OF ALL-TIME as of September 2006. Factors for inclusion include my appreciation for the film, its quotability factor, and the chances of me stopping and watching it from any point while surfing channels on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Read and discuss ...

1. HALLOWEEN (1978) – Starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence. Directed by John Carpenter. In terms of uncompromising style and suspense, there are few films that match it even to this day. Sadly, it also influenced far too many “slasher” imitations that never were able to capture the same lightning in a bottle. Favorite Quote: "It's Halloween, everyone's entitled to one good scare."

2. DAZED AND CONFUSED (1993) – Starring Jason London and Matthew McConaughey. Directed by Richard Linklater. For me, this “day in the life” portrait of high schoolers in 1976 is spot-on and seems eerily familiar to my own life. Favorite Quote: "That's what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age."

3. THE BLUES BROTHERS (1980) – Starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. Directed by John Landis. I still find it hard to believe that Belushi was either drunk, stoned or both during the filming of this legendary classic. Every scene sparkles with originality and humor and it remains one of the most quotable movies among friends. Favorite Quote: "What kind of music do you have here at Bob's Country Bunker? Oh, we've got both kinds: country and western!"

4. THE GODFATHER (1972) – Starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Granted, there are arguably “better” gangster films (GOODFELLAS and THE GODFATHER, PART II), but this remains the stepping off point and set the standard for all films that followed. Favorite Quote: "Never let anyone outside the family know what you're thinking."

5. PSYCHO (1960) – Starring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Indeed, Hitchcock made superior films to this “low budget quickie” (NOTORIOUS and VERTIGO, to name just two), but Psycho remains his late-career masterpiece just for the sheer audacity of its infamous shower scene. Favorite Quote: "Why she's as harmless as one of these stuffed birds!"

6. SCARFACE (1983) – Starring Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer. Directed by Brian De Palma. Even though it was directed by modern master of suspense Brian De Palma and written by the anti-establishment Oliver Stone, this is really a comedy masquerading as a gangster film. Pacino’s performance makes me laugh every time I see it. Favorite Quote: "In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women."

7. JAWS (1975) – Starring Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss. Directed by Steven Spielberg. This was one of the first movies I can remember seeing more than once in a movie theater and I’ve been obsessed with movies ever since. And it still proves that “less is more” when it comes to thrilling audiences. Favorite Quote: "We're going to need a bigger boat."

8. CASABLANCA (1942) – Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Directed by Michael Curtiz. This remains one of the few romantic movies that guys can readily latch onto without feeling guilty. It’s probably because it’s smartly written, stars two of the silver screen’s greatest icons, and is as accessible today as it was over 60 years ago. Favorite Quote: "Major Strasser has been shot. Round up the usual suspects."

9. TOUCH OF EVIL (1958) – Starring Charlton Heston and Janet Leigh. Directed by Orson Welles. While CITIZEN KANE is undoubtedly Welles’ masterpiece and a cinematic gem, I personally prefer this no-holds-barred film noir tale which is every bit KANE’s equal in terms of direction, dialogue and cinematography. That Welles was able to make this film within the studio system after essentially being written off also makes it the greater achievement. Favorite Quote: "He was some kind of a man. What does it matter what you say about people?"

10. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (1974) – Starring Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle. Directed by Mel Brooks. There isn’t one film I can think of that is equal parts loving homage and wholly original comedy. And the movie’s quotable factor is right off the scale. Favorite Quote: "What knockers! Oh, thank you, doctor."

Meet Spenser

I know it's been a LONG time since my last post, but after vacation we got sidetracked with end-of-summer projects ... and ... getting this cute little guy settled in our home. Meet SPENSER STEVEN SOUZA, the latest addition to our household. He's a Peek-A-Poo (or Peke-A-Poo), which is a cross between a Pekingese and a poodle. Margie and I have been talking about maybe getting a dog for some time and we finally surrendered to this adorable little guy when we saw him at a local pet shop. So far he's been a lot of fun ... although the whole puppy training process is a bit unnerving. For the most past, he's done well. My wife picked the name "Spenser" after first seeing him and I, naturally, latched onto it as a longtime fan of Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels. Of course, I think Margie was thinking more of Doug's stout little friend on THE KING OF QUEENS, but either reference is fine by me. He just looks like a "Spenser" ("Spence" for short) to us. Can't wait until he's fully housebroken, though ...

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted ...

Yep, you may have noticed the lack of postings of late. That's because I'm in the middle of enjoying a nice week off with my lovely wife, Margie. We spent Monday in Newport, RI, which remains one of my all-time favorite places to visit. I've been going there for years for weekend jaunts and nighttime partying and I've yet to have had a bad time there! There's always a great little store to check out, an interesting bar or pub to sample some libations, and the scenic waterfront view.

On Tuesday we had another fun day at the Foxwoods Casino in nearby Ledyard, CT. Also highly recommended for a fun day or night out. We're not really gamblers, although we did pass some time in the Keno Lounge before taking in a superb dinner at the Al Dente restaurant. I've been to the casino's great Cedars Steakhouse several times before, but I was in the mood for some Italian cuisine this time out. Well, I'd rank Al Dente right up there with Cedars in terms of food quality, excellent service, and just an overall great dining experience.

Oh, and we won $8 on one Keno game. Yay!

I Wanna Be Inducted

Recently you may have heard that several members of “The KISS Army” staged a demonstration outside the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame over the fact that the band has yet to be inducted into the revered “establishment.” As many of you also know, I’m a proud, card-carrying member of the very same KISS Army, and I wholeheartedly agree that Gene, Paul, Peter and Ace top the list of bands who DESERVE to be in the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame. And those naysayers snickering at me right now should look at that title closely: it doesn’t say the “Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Talent,” or the “Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Critically-Acclaimed Bands.” Whether you’re a KISS fan or not, you cannot deny they’re FAMOUS and they certainly qualify for one of the key prerequisites for induction: they’ve clearly influenced many contemporary acts.

Then again, the venerable “hall” seems more of a whitebread “club” to me in which they’ve now inducted overrated hacks like Eric Clapton not once but THREE times as a solo artist, a member of Cream, and a member of Derek and the Dominoes (the one-hit wonders of the classic rock world). Sigh.

To that end, here is (drum roll please!) my TOP TEN LIST OF BANDS WHO DESERVE TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL HALL OF FAME. And fast! (Believe it or not, there are other glaring omissions I could have cited here, but these are the standouts.)

1. KISS – No doubt about it. And the fact that they successfully engineered a comeback and reunion tour in the 1990s proves they’re still popular!

2. Alice Cooper – Yep, Alice isn’t on the VIP list either … much to my shock and horror. Then again, that might please Mr. Cooper a great deal.

3. Cheap Trick – Now here’s a “band’s band” that never gets the credit they deserve. They write great pop tunes and have influenced acts like The Smashing Pumpkins and Everclear.

4. Heart – Another stunner to me, especially since Blondie and The Pretenders recently got the nod. Um, Ann and Nancy Wilson were out there doin’ the gal rock thing two years before Debbie Harry and four years before Chrissie Hynde!

5. Genesis – Here’s a case where the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Yeah, the later Phil Collins stuff was sappy, but right up through 1983’s “Genesis” album they were pumping out solid prog-rock.

6. The Cars – Even if they never recorded the smash “Heartbeat City,” this band would deserve props for their first three studio releases, which sound as great today as they did in the late 1970s.

7. Deep Purple – What aspiring young guitar player hasn’t picked up an axe in every music store across the United States and started playing Ritchie Blackmore’s seven-note intro to “Smoke on the Water”? Enough said.

8. Rush – This Canadian import defined the term “power trio” and was one of the most influential “progressive rock” bands of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. We all knew a rabid Rush fan who kept singing stuff from “Moving Pictures” in high school.

9. Van Halen – The first VH album was released in 1978, so they’ve been eligible since 2003. As to why they’re not in, you really got me (pardon the pun).

10. Warren Zevon – His recent passing and my personal fondness for his darkly cynical and very amusing lyrics forced me to include him on this list – although I don’t think many could argue his popularity and influence over the years.

Brothers In Arms

Okay, so maybe it's because the last season of THE SOPRANOS was such a disappointment -- really, it left a LOT to be desired, despite the fawning of critics who must fear Tony Soprano's vengeance if they don't keep praising the show -- but I'm really liking Showtime's own stab at a contemporary middle-American crime family, BROTHERHOOD. Granted, much of its appeal for me lies in the fact that it was wholly shot right here in nearby Providence, RI (and, indeed, Providence is not just the series' setting, but a major character unto itself), but I also think it offers some sharp writing and dialogue and several great performances, most notably from leads Jason Isaacs and Jason Clarke. I've stuck with the first six eps now and I like how the characters are slowly evolving ... we're starting to see chinks in the armour of clean-cut State Representative Tom Caffey while there are moments of street-smart common sense and loyalty that make the otherwise loathsome criminal Michael Caffey so appealing. I suspect by the time this first season wraps, we'll learn that these two brothers who grew up on "The Hill" are a lot more similar than they'd like to admit.

Brick 'n' Brack

It's been a good week for movies. Settled in to watch a late-night DVD session last night after my wife went to bed and thoroughly enjoyed the latest independent film du jour, BRICK, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (THIRD ROCK FROM THE SUN) and directed by newcomer Rian Johnson. I have a feeling we're going to be hearing more about this director in the future. The movie is an odd hybrid of classic "film noir" (especially in its rapid-fire dialogue) and modern high school murder-mystery. If you're intrigued, give the movie a shot.

I read a lot of positive reviews back when it played in the half dozen or so theaters brave enough to show something original and made a mental note to catch in on DVD. Well, it was certainly worth the wait! It reminded me of a smart cross between TWIN PEAKS and HEATHERS (if that mix makes any sense) and I have to give kudos to both Gordon-Levitt and Lukas Haas (the creepy little kid from WITNESS playing a creepy older drug dealer here named "The Pin"). And director Johnson has thankfully eschewed the whiplash, attention-deficit-disorder directing of today's MTV-tainted filmmakers and gone with a more moderate, visually-stylish look. Do yourself a big favor: forget the latest crap-fest starring Tim Allen and rent this great little movie!

On the beer/cigar menu tonight: a fine Romeo & Julieta Robusto (which has become my "go to" favorite cigar just for consistency and taste), washed down with a couple of tasty Portuguese Double Bocks. (Yes, the Portuguese have been known to make a good beer, although I'd avoid Cintra and stick with either Double Bock or Sagres.)

Also thumbed through the latest issue of ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY which is promoting the newest James Bond, Daniel Craig, on its cover. Looking at his stern mug, he reminds me of George Lazenby ... remember him? No? My point exactly! Since my man Pierce Brosnan passed on the Walter PPK, I've lost all interest in the series.

Top Ten Comes Alive!

Okay, so a friend's comment to my prior posting about THE WHO inspired me to begin the first in what will likely be a long litany of "Top Ten Lists" of things that I deem noteworthy. Fans of the film HI FIDELITY will appreciate this occasional venture into randomly ranking relevant items into neat, little categories. Or maybe it's just the obsessive-compulsive in me.

Any-WHO (pardon the pun), here is my off-the-cuff TOP TEN LIVE ROCK CDs and/or ALBUMS for your reading and, hopefully, later listening pleasure. Digest, dissect and discuss as you will ...

1. THE WHO - LIVE AT LEEDS. Only two words can really capture what this great session is all about: "raw energy." Best Track: "Young Man Blues."

2. KISS - ALIVE! It's the album that made KISS who they are and the quintessential live rock and roll show, replete with the perfect "Rock and Roll National Anthem" -- a little ditty by the name of "Rock and Roll All Nite." Best Track: "Rock and Roll All Nite," of course.


3. CHEAP TRICK - AT BUDOKAN. Like KISS, Cheap Trick had made three prior, mostly-ignored studio albums before this raucous live recording put them on the map. Best Track: "Surrender."

4. THE KINKS - ONE FOR THE ROAD. Just compare the boring studio version of "Lola" to the high-energy live version on this album (recorded right here at the Providence Civic Center, by the way) and you'll understand why The Kinks should only be experienced "live." Best Track: "You Really Got Me."

5. BOB SEGER AND THE SILVER BULLET BAND - LIVE BULLET. This was such an influential live album when I was growing up, it's strange how it's almost forgotten now. But just listen to the opening sax on "Turn the Page" and it will all make sense. Best Track: "Ramblin' Gambling Man."

6. TALKING HEADS - STOP MAKING SENSE. I don't know if it's the building crescendo of sound or Jonathan Demme's great concert film of this show that I like better. Maybe both. Best Track: "Once In A Lifetime."

7. BILLY JOEL - SONGS IN THE ATTIC. Although this is not a typical "I went on tour and recorded the same songs I did on my last studio album live so you can buy them again," this remains Billy Joel's greatest "live" achievement. Here, he dug out some old gems which really benefit from a live makeover. Best Track: "Los Angelenos."

8. 10,000 MANIACS - MTV UNPLUGGED. There are few times when a band in its prime is captured in a perfect live setting, firing on all cylinders -- but here it is! There's not a fumbled note or missed beat on this entire session. Best Track: "Because The Night."

9. AC/DC - IF YOU WANT BLOOD ... YOU'VE GOT IT. It's not surprising that AC/DC's next two studio efforts (HIGHWAY TO HELL and BACK IN BLACK) were their strongest albums. This is where they finally hit their stride and became a powerhouse rock band. Best Track: "Let There Be Rock."

10. THE FOOLS - WAKE UP, IT'S ALIVE! This is my "wild card" that I'm sure most of you haven't heard. I've been a longtime fan of this local band who never seemed to be able to break out from the area club scene, despite their clever songs and musicianship. This live CD perfectly captures their zany, infectious stage show. Best Track: "The Blooze."

Who Are You?

After a great day yesterday, had a really tough time getting motivated this morning, so I dug out my compilation of favorite tracks by THE WHO and blasted the CD on the drive into work. Apart from my "holy trinity" of bands -- the revered KISS, CHEAP TRICK and ALICE COOPER -- THE WHO remains one of my all-time faves. I understand they just released an EP of tracks in England from their soon-to-be-released new album coming out in October and word is it's classic WHO. Can't wait.

But in my humble opinion, there's nothing like Townshend's mini masterpieces "Won't Get Fooled Again," "Who Are You," or "Baba O'Reilly" ... and the entirety of TOMMY and QUADROPHENIA, for that matter. Even if the band never records another note, they have already cemented their place in Rock History.

Now, if Townshend will just stop selling his songs to be used as themes for overhyped American TV shows ...