Bag Strikes Back

Attack this, (dis)loyal readers! (and Hate Mail senders)

I answer as many "hate mail" e-mails as I can personally, but for some reason, my criticisms (and even my accolades) over the past few months have triggered a great deal more hate mail than usual to my box. After numerous expletives (I posted only a few of the Avril Lavigne ones), the message text usually asks me to "name something better than..." And since I have not replied to everyone yet, here are some of my answers.

These are not official lists, and I’m sure they will change as soon as I post them. Not because a new CD or movie will be released tonight to make the list, but I’m sure I’m forgetting some that deserve to be recognized. If nothing else, you can finally see choices in music, TV, and film that (in this writer’s opinion) mean something. Beyond the obvious brilliance, many of the choices show originality while others define a certain genre or even a generation. Very little separates a great pop song from an awful one. In contrast, there is a wide rift between a great film and an awful film. And relating to TV, I think a show needs to be an innovator. Anyone can rip-off another show. How about those shows that took chances, and succeeded?

Without further ado, here are eight choices in four different categories that I feel represent the best of all-time in those categories. I chose eight because I am surely missing those two "definites" that would round out the appropriate "top tens." I welcome your critiques, but I ask that you not pass judgment unless you have actually seen or listened to my choices! It’s only fair, since I never judge something without seeing, or hearing, it first. Deal?

Movies

Comments - My list has changed rather drastically over the past few years. Three of the choices were released in the last three years.

1. Mulholland Drive

#2-7 in no particular order
Shawshank Redemption
Almost Famous
Blue Velvet
After Hours
Amelie
Anything by Kevin Smith
Pee Wee’s Big Adventure

Songs

Comments – By far the hardest list to compile. My true list would have hundreds, perhaps thousands, and would include every cut on many CD’s. But for whatever reason, these come to mind sooner than most. Some you have heard, some you have not (but I encourage you to at least hear them). The two that tied came out at the same time and neither has been able to top the other (they are both great).

1. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
2. Cath – The Blue Bells

#3-8 in no particular order

Ariel – Dean Friedman
Need You Around – Smoking Popes
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
Short Skirt Long Jacket - Cake
Vagabond Moon – Willie Nile
Tie - Right Now – SR71
Tie - All My Fault – Fenix TX

CD’s

Comments – Another where I’d need several pages to list all the great ones. Again, these come to mind, and always seem to make it to my CD player regularly.

All in no particular order

Tim – Replacements
In My Tribe – 10,000 Maniacs
2112 - Rush
Pleased to Meet Me - Replacements
Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy - Refreshments
The Pretender – Jackson Browne
Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen
Feeding Frenzy – Jimmy Buffett

TV Shows

Comments – After I compiled this list, I noticed that each one was an innovator of some kind. No copycats among them. Says something for all the cheap rip-offs through the decades which never seem to make an impression on anyone. A little creativity can go a long way.

1. Seinfeld
2. Twin Peaks
3. Sopranos
4. Wonder Years

#5-8 in no particular order

Married With Children
Miami Vice
Taxi
The Honeymooners

Comments are welcome!

Bag