ZombieChatter.com

Recently we took a trip down memory lane with our very own Hanzosword navigating the boat and looked at some of our favorite movies of the 2000’s . This immediately got me thinking about how the decade stacked up against some of the other decades, in particular how did it compare to the best movies of the 90’s?

Being an avid music fan and having grown up as a child of the 90’s the music of that decade has a special place in my heart, but I could not help but think it wasn’t just the music that was phenomenal it was the movie art form as well. I shared my opinion with Hanzo and Admin a couple weeks back at a hockey game that did not have any fights. I mean seriously what else do you do at a hockey game with no fights but shoot the shit about movies right? We laid out movie after movie that we thought was essential to remember the decade by. None of us shared what we thought would be the “best” of the decade though.

 Here are my top 20 movies of the 90’s starting at 20 and working our way down to what I feel to be the greatest movie made in the decade:

20. American History X- 1998- Tony Kaye

A side of American culture most of us would like to forget exist. One of Ed Norton’s “he gets a pass roles” this one pulls you in with a gripping and tragic story.

19. Forrest Gump- 1994- Robert Zemeckis

A classic movie that takes us on a journey through history through the glue that we all relate to: love. So many classic moments this move captured every one’s imagination.

18. Saving Private Ryan- 1998- Steven Spielberg

Spielberg is a master at connecting to his audience and here he uses war as his backdrop to spin a wonderful tale. The opening battle sequence is a cinematic masterpiece.

17. Heat-  1995- Michael Mann

This film was masterfully done and finally gives viewers two actors who since the 70’s had worked on similar movies but really never stared together: Al Pacino & Robert De Niro. Let’s not forget we also have Val Kilmer and you have some wonderful on screen moments. The piece with Pacino and De Niro in the diner talking is worth this movie making this list alone.

16. Casino- 1995- Martin Scorsese

1995 was a good year for gangster type movies with Casino and Heat both coming out. De Niro teams with Scorsese for what to this point has been their last team up with De Niro in a lead role and some might argue De Niro’s last great performance. The movie is pure Scorsese and drips art, passion, and violence.

15. Last of the Mohicans- 1992- Michael Mann

The story pulls you in and the characters demand you become involved with them. This one does not look like much on paper, but it is a gut wrenching film. The end sequence is probably in my top 5 favorite movie moments of all time and is probably closer to 1 then 5. Simply breathtaking filming, acting, and connection to it’s audience.

14. Natural Born Killers- 1994- Oliver Stone

A twisting psychedelic tale of lovers exploring good and evil of humanity. A great script executed in an artful manner. Oliver Stone really makes this an interesting plot to follow.

13. Se7en- 1995- David Fincher

Again a film with great acting (Freeman, Paltrow, Pitt) and artful direction. It takes a peak at humanity and reminds us why sometimes we don’t like to look.

12. Silence of the Lambs-  1991-Jonathan Demme

Artful suspense is a wonderful thing and perhaps this was one of the best movies at building that feeling that I have seen. You can’t understate the acting performances turned in by Anthony Hopkins and Jodi Foster, but Demme is just as good at his filming as they are in the deliverance of their performance.

11. Fight Club- 1999-David Fincher

I had never seen a movie like it and I have never seen a movie like it since. In my mind it was an entertaining orginal story (albeit based on a book) that kept me not only captivated but guessing throughout the film. A movie that is more enjoyable with each visit to it. Can’t say enough good stuff about this film.

10. Trainspotting- 1996- Danny Boyle

A scary look at pop culture that I remember blew my mind when i first saw it. Wonderful direction by Boyle pulls you into a seedier side of life, but like a car wreck no matter how horrid it gets you can’t look away.

9. Usual Suspects- 1995- Bryan Singer

A masterful use of flashbacks to tell this tale that keeps you guessing until the very end! Who is Keysor Soze!?!?! Bryan Singer gets a “pass” for this movie. He really pulls this one off and it stands out as one of the best of the decade.

8. Boogie Nights- 1997- Paul Thomas Anderson

I loved this movie from start to finish. I remember being gripped by the characters and their stories.  When you start with drugs and porn you are off to a good start throw in an interesting story and actors giving some of their best performances of their careers and you have the perfect movie storm!

7. Unforgiven- 1992- Clint Eastwood

Still to this day my favorite western of all time and my favorite Clint Eastwood movie. The end is just sensational. Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood make a great acting pair here and Eastwood’s directing is top notch.

6. Braveheart- 1995- Mel Gibson

Epic tale of love and war masterfully filmed. This is a classic film I can watch over and over again. One word FREEEDOOOMMMMM!

5. Goodfellas- 1990- Martin Scorsese

One of the greatest gangster movies of all time. Scorsese shows us again why he is the master combining his ability to create artful sequences, drain his actors best from them, and  still spin a tale that is compelling. Top notch all around.

4, The Thin Red Line- 1998- Terrance Malick

In my opinion one of the most underestimated movies of the 90’s. I have always said this is a “thinking man’s war movie” It resonated with me immediately and compelled me to contemplate life and war and how they relate and intertwine.  This movie only being number 4 speaks volumes to my respect of the movies to follow.

3. American Beauty- 1999- Sam Mendes

A stunning combination of artful direction that still connects with a wide audience of many age groups. I could watch this one over and over again and never get sick of it and always enjoy the way it allows me to contemplate life.

2. Pulp Ficton- 1994- Quentin Tarantino

The master of dialogue at his best. So many quotes, So many scenes. The acting is supurb and the juxpostion of the story works wonderfully. It doesn’t get much better then this one….

1. Schindler’s List- 1993- Steven Spielberg

A much as I love what American Beauty makes me think about and as much as Pulp Fiction makes me laugh none of those emotions compare to the raw human power Schindler’s List brings forward. One of the best pieces of film ever made in my opinion.

So that’s it. I thought about it and considered a lot of different things but that is how they play out for me. I think the 90’s blow away the 2000’s There were plenty of movies I wanted to make the list but I just could not consider them more of my favorites then the ones i have listed.

Here is an honorable mentions list of those I wish could have made it but fell just a little short:

Shawshank Redemption, Matrix, Leaving Las Vegas, Kids, Magnolia, Rushmore, Being John Malkovich, Terminator 2, Any Given Sunday,Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels & Basketball Diaries.

I can’t believe my list does not include Shawshank and Matrix, but i really do like the other movies on the list more.

So which would make your top 20?

A while ago I considered making an extensive list of the best songs of the 2000’s. Unfortunately, that endeavour got canned for my making of the all time New York Yankee team to post here. I did want to make mention of the cream of the crop though so that is what this post is all about my top five(or six really since i’m going to cheat and have an honorable mention) songs of this decade. I don’t think i could ever get tired of these songs no matter how often I hear them and the evidence is with my ipod play list as all of them are near the top of my most played songs.

So lets start with the honorable mention of the group:

Mastodon- Blood & Thunder-Leviathan 2002

This song always gets me going the riff is contagious as evidenced by most folks who could care less about metal still being able to get into the riff. As much as I love other songs by Mastodon that are more technical there is just something undeniable about this one.

5. Wilco- Jesus, Etc- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot 2002

This one always washes over me and puts me in a relaxed thoughtful mood. I love this one in the car with the windows down on a spring day. This was the first song by Wilco that really “hit me” and it continues to be a favorite for me even today.

4. Arcade Fire- Wake Up- Funeral 2004

I’ll be honest their songs Powerout and Rebellion are both way up there for my favs as well, but all you have to do is see them live one time and you know this is the song. There is a reason they play this song last live and it is because the raw emotion it captures. I get excited every time I hear this song start.

3. Band of Horses- Funeral- Everything All the Time 2006

This is a gut wrenching song for me. I love the lyrics and I love the way the song builds to the break down at the end. They capture the sadness and loss that Arcade Fire’s entire album has in this one little song. This song hit me like a ton of bricks from day one. I recall when their next album came out I liked it more but always thought there is still not a single track on there that comes close to Funeral. One of my fav videos too!

2. Flaming Lips- Do You Realize- Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots 2002

Simple, Truthful, & Beautiful. How can you argue with the state song of Oklahoma? The Flaming Lips probably are more known for writing songs that bend the limits and explore areas sonically most do not tread on, but they proved here they can write a powerful pop songs with touching lyrics. This one easily slots in at number two on this list for me.

1. TV on the Radio- Staring at the Sun- Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes 2004

So after those songs what could possibly top them? Only song left for me is Staring at the Sun. I must have listened to it a million times when it came out. I simply can’t get enough of it. Many folks like Wolf Like Me and I too love that song and if i made a top 10 list it would probably be in that list, but Starring at the Sun is just more sublime. It has a feel and an emotion of it’s own. Not to mention some great lyrical imagery. Probably one of my favorite songs of all time and I can’t think of a better one to end the list with.

Now I made this list fairly quickly and there were so many good songs out there I’m sure others will have a different opinion, but for my money I’ll take these everyday of the week and twice on Sundays!

These are the times we live in when Nickelback can be named the band of the decade by Billboard Magazine.  Take a look at those lifeless faces that have entralled the masses. I had no clue the zombie infection had spread and taken a hold on society to this extent. The zombie disease is the only explanation that makes sense. Only mindless bodies could come to the conclusion that the best musical output this decade was by the hollow, lifeless, unoriginal Nickelback. Do those adjectives sound familar to those prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse? They should because they describe the actions of those already effected by the virus.

I realize billboard speaks for the masses and the masses typically don’t have good taste in music, but only if the masses were truly infested by the disease could they actually like the music put out by Nickelback. To coin a phrase by sung by Iron Maiden it may very well be time to “Run to the Hills, Run for your Life!”. The infestation is about to reach a critical mass and this may be the moment in time we look back on and go….. You know when Nickelback was crowned the band of the 00’s we really should have seen this coming.

As we stare down this sure sign of the Zombie Apocalypse I invite you all to have hope. There are still those among us not infected as evidenced by the great music that came out this year. Keep your eyes on zombie chatter for the invasion updates as well as the pending year in music review out later this week. I’ll take a look at the best albums, songs, and concerts all from 2009. I promise you won’t get any Nickelback recommendations!

How about a  Silver Trembling Fetus to put in your stocking for some Holiday cheer bitches? We are two weeks away from Christmas and Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips has this little bundle of joy and weirdness to get us in the Holiday Spirit.

This little guy is the Christmas tree ornament to end all Christmas tree ornaments. According to Wayne  the ornament “give off vibrations that help all humans progress toward an intelligence explosion.”

Ah Wayne what would Christmas be without you giving us all this cheer! Thank you Flaming Lips for “keeping it real” or perhaps keeping it weird is a better description.

Check out the introduction video and if no one gets this for me as a Christmas present I am going to be a bit disappointed and question if you all are really my “friends”!

No unborn babies were harmed in the making of the video or ornament…. at least not to my knowledge

God damn it today is a good day. Last night was a lot of fun but it tore on my nerves most of the night watching the game. Today is a good day. The Four Amigos (Pettitte, Rivera, Posada, & Jeter) all got one for the thumb and Big Stein got to see his team win one more!

Watching the last at bat against Victorino was pretty hard, but watching I staying up watching the celebration was great.

27 is a great number.

This is one of the most bizarre things I have ever seen. Apparently the kid’s parents built this experimental balloon and now their 6 year old son is inside of it and floating out of control in Denver. This is happening RIGHT NOW…and rescue crews are trying to figure out how to save him.

When is the last time you’ve been to a race track. No I’m not talking about Nascar, Formula 1, Truck Series, or go carts. I’m talking about old school horse racing track?

Exactly it’s been a while hasn’t it. What if you could watch Midget’s racing on big people and place bets on the event? Seems a little more fun now doesn’t it? Unfortunately some folks seem to have a short fuse and are a little insensitive to the idea of Australia’s race tracks trying to draw crowds in this fashion.

Personally I think if you watch the video the little guys are having the time of their life. I say if they enjoy it let them have their little fun. Take a look at the video yourself and catch up with all the ruckus here

Well we came and we conquored yet again. With the new league season kickin off next week i’m excited to see what we can do.

What is the first rule of team trivia?

1. Don’t play when the Snapple Caps play they kick too much ass.

Um No Ernie you keep Fucking that chicken!

If you live on the east coast then you are probably waking up this morning to the news that Oregon’s LeGarrette Blount decided to take a cheap shot at a Boise State player after last night’s loss. You may recall hearing Blount’s name before because he was the Oregan player running his mouth during the week about how Boise State deserved an Ass Whippin. His words not mine. It seems the player from Boise goes up to him after the game and has some words for him. So Blount as the video show turns while he is not looking and cold cocks him.  Have a look for your self:

If you can’t take the heat get out of the kitchen. I understand people are competitive and no one likes to lose, but if you run your mouth before the game get ready for it after the game. If a Blount is capable of learning a lesson perhaps he should learn that IF you are going to talk trash after the game is better then before the game.

Also what is up with him going after a fan?

In my opinion you can’t have this kind of behavior. I don’t care if it is the heat of the moment. Maybe you buy that for the punch, but to go after a fan is unacceptable. I think he should be suspended for at least this year by the NCAA. If i was Oregon i would consider dropping him from the squad.