Saturday, December 27, 2008

Pterodactylgories


James Travis Cooper and Mark Herrera with the assistance of Paul Fierro and Vince Alvarado have created a great new drinking game. Pterodactylgories.

Number of players: 2-10 (more can play if need be)
Materials: Beer (lots of it) or liquor

Rules to Pterodactylgories

A modification on the classic drinking game “Categories.”
One person starts a category. They name something that falls under said category and the person to their left names a different thing under the same category. This continues clockwise until someone is unable to come up with something that falls under the played category under a reasonable amount of time (time limit may be set by participants but generally within ten seconds or near it). When one participant cannot name something within that category, they drink (amount of time to drink may be set as a standard rule at start of game by participants). The round continues until everyone is eliminated except for one person. Every time someone is eliminated, everyone that participated in that round that has already been eliminated must drink with them. If one gets last place, they will drink the most. Last place also has to start a new category in the next round. Game continues until drunk. Then continues some more until it can’t continue anymore.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All-Time






I have compiled what I believe to be the top one hundred hip-hop slash rap songs of all time. This is not a personal favorite list. This is a list of what I critically and objectively feel is the best. There may be songs on here that some may not have heard of, if you haven’t heard a particular song, look it up. Because I guarantee you it’s a great one. Songs on this list are considered for their lyricism, beat, and influence to the hip-hop game. If you’re a strict underground fan, rest assure that I love Aesop Rock, Aceylone, Spoken Word, Stage Francis, among others. I included Immortal Technique and Atmosphere to try to keep the list as honest and well rounded as can be. Many hours were put into listening to all these songs, in addition to countless others. I hope you enjoy. Feel free to comment on your thoughts about the list.
And heeeere we go........

1. Notorious B.I.G. – Juicy
2. Public Enemy - Fight the Power
3. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five – The Message
4. Dr. Dre – Nuthin’ But a G Thang
5. Common – I Used to Love H.E.R.
6. Eric B and Rakim – Paid in Full
7. Sugarhill Gang - Rappers Delight
8. Afrika Baambataa - Planet Rock
9. Run DMC/Aerosmith – Walk This Way
10. Snoop Dogg – Gin and Juice
11. NWA – Straight Outta Compton
12. Jay-Z/Eminem - Renegade
13. Wu-Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M.
14. Salt n Peppa – Push It
15. Kurtis Blow – The Breaks
16. A Tribe Called Quest – Bonita Applebum
17. Nas – One Mic
18. Eminem - Stan
19. Jay-Z – Hard Knock Life
20. Doug E Fresh/Slick Rick - La Di Da Di
21. A Tribe Called Quest – Check the Rhime
22. Nas – The World is Yours
23. Bone Thugs n Harmony – Crossroads
24. Herbie Hancock – Rockit
25. Eric B and Rakim – I Know You Got Soul
26. NWA - F*** the Police
27. Slick Rick – Children’s Story
28. Tupac – Changes
29. CL Smooth and Pete Rock – T.R.O.Y.
30. De La Soul – Me, Myself and I
31. Public Enemy – Bring the Noise
32. Tupac – Keep Ya Head Up
33. Eminem - Lose Yourself
34. Outkast – Rosa Parks
35. Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock – It Takes Two
36. Ice Cube – It Was a Good Day
37. Warren G – Regulate
38. Pharcyde – Passing Me By
39. Notorious BIG – One More Chance
40. Naughy by Nature – OPP
41. Fugees – Killing Me Softly
42. Outkast – Bombs Over Baghdad
43. Immortal Technique – Dance With the Devil
44. Geto Boys – Mind Playin’ Tricks On Me
45. Coolio – Gangsta’s Paradise
46. LL Cool J – I Need Love
47. The Roots – The Seed (2.0)
48. Run DMC – Its Like That
49. Eminem – The Way I Am
50. Digital Underground – The Humpty Dance
51. A Tribe Called Quest - Scenario
52. Ice T – Colors
53. Nas – New York State of Mind
54. LL Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out
55. Kool Moe Dee – How Do Ya Like Me Now
56. Tone-Loc – Wild Thing
57. Mos Def – Ms Fat Booty
58. Biz Markie – Just a Friend
59. Black Star – Definition
60. Boogie Down Productions – My Philosophy
61. Mary J. Blidge/Method Man – You’re All I Need to Get By
62. Spoonie Gee and The Treacherous Three – Love Rap
63. Top Billin’ – Audio Two
64. Beastie Boys - Fight For Your Right (To Party)
65. House of Pain – Jump Around
66. Cypress Hill – Insane in the Membrane
67. DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince – Parents Just Don’t Understand
68. Ultramagnetic MCs – Ego Trippin’
69. Roxanne Shante’ – Roxanne’s Revenge
70. Black Sheep – The Choice is Yours
71. Notorious B.I.G. – Big Poppa
72. A Tribe Called Quest – Can I Kick It?
73. Young MC – Bust a Move
74. Mos Def and Talib Kweli f/ Common - Respiration
75. Child Rebel Soldier – Us Placers
76. Wu-Tang Clan– Mystery of Chessboxin’
77. Doug E fresh – The Show
78. MC Lyte – Cha Cha Cha
79. Big Daddy Kane – I Get the Job Done
80. Arrested Development – Tennessee
81. Digable Planets – Rebirth of Slick
82. Ol’ Dirty Bastard – Shimmy Shimmy Ya
83. Jay-Z – 99 Problems
84. Lupe Fiasco – Kick Push
85. Atmosphere - Scapegoat
86. Chubb Rock – Treat ‘em Right
87. Whodini – Freaks Come Out at Night
88. Jungle Brothers – What You Waiting For
89. A Tribe Called Quest – Award Tour
90. Jay-Z – Never Change
91. Notorious BIG – Suicidal Thoughts
92. Talib Kweli – Get By
93. Boogie Down Productions – The Bridge is Over
94. KRS-One – Step Into a World
95. Busta Rhymes – Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check
96. Public Enemy – Welcome to Terrordome
97. Heavy D and the Boyz – Not That We Found Love
98. UTFO – Roxanne Roxanne
99. 50 cent - Wanksta
100. Grandmaster Melle Mel - White Lines

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Batman 3 Villains


I haven’t updated my blog since March. I got busy with school and everything. I normally blog about politics and things like that but I want to change it up a bit and talk about Batman. The Dark knight film directed by Christopher Nolan was epic. As a Batman fan since I was a little kid, I gave it an emphatic two thumbs up. It was a lot of Batman to take in at once, but I digested it and it was amazing. I know the movie was a few months ago and the DVD and bluray released recently. And I also know that the third installment isn’t for another couple years, but I want to talk about who I think will be the villains in part three and who will play them. Of course its all speculation since, regardless what the forums say, NOTHING has been released.

The most popular rumors include The Riddler and Catwoman. Followed by the Penguin. I think a fallow up to Dark Knight will require some epic characters and events. Joker is obviously the most marketable. He probably would have done some ridiculous stuff in part three should Heath Ledger have lived
(RIP). In order for part three to even be seen as an equal, the actors who play the villains have to transform into the character like Heath did and deliver a mind blowing performance.

Who will be in?

Riddler
No one knows for sure. I would like to see The Riddler as the lead villain. Before there’s any backlash, allow me to explain. He would have to be a much darker more sinister Riddler than Jim Carrey portrayed. If for any reason Jim Carrey was called on to reprise his role as Riddler, he would have to play it more like his acting in the Number 23. I actually think Jim Carrey has the acting chops to deliver Riddler that is dark, brilliant, cunning, and one that fits Chris Nolan’s Batman world. He’s not my first choice but it’d be pretty sweet to see him really expand and give that type of performance. The rumor mill is almost a consensus that Johnny Depp will play the Riddler. Of course Depp would be amazing as the Riddler. But is he too obvious of a choice? Director Nolan doesn’t go for the obvious. If he went for the obvious, he wouldn’t have casted Ledger as Joker or Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two Face. Johnny Depp is one of my top three favorite actors so I personally would love to see him in the next Batfilm. Johnny Depp might be the one person that can make Riddler into an Oscar grabbing role and actually be said in the same breath as Heath’s Joker. Another actor that would make the Riddler legit would be Guy Pierce. He was in Memento, which was also directed by Nolan, and he fits perfectly in Nolan’s cast. Above all, the Riddler would have to be a very different character than what was in the Bruckheimer flick. He’d have to be darker, less goofy, more menacing, a darker intelligence (think Ra’s al Ghul from the Batman Begins mixed with Hannibal Lecter). He’d have to lose the orange hair and green jumpsuit. I think this Riddler has the chance to be epic. Just to throw a curveball, how’s this for some gigantic acting: Daniel Day Lewis as Riddler? Probably won’t happen but just imagine the possibilities if it did.

Catwoman
Bruce Wayne needs a new love interest. Selena Kyle should be that love interest. For those who don’t know her by that name, you might know her as Catwoman. One thing is for sure…. It will NOT be Halle Berry. There’s a debate as to how Catwoman should be portrayed. Frank Miller always has her as a Black Prostitute that is well versed in Karate. Most other’s have her as a white thief. Sometimes blonde (Michelle Pfeiffer and Batman the animated series), usually brunette (Graphic Novels) with martial arts skills. Maybe a mix of the two. If Nolan decides on a black actress, I’d vote for Rosario Dawson. She worked in Frank Miller’s Sin City as a prostitute so she can act the part, but since the base of the two roles are similar, that alone might disqualify her. If he decides to take a new approach with Catwoman, I think Kate Beckinsale would do a good job. Like Dawson, she put on the black tights for a previous film role (Underworld). The rumor mill has Angelina Jolie. She’s a tremendous actress. She would probably be able to pull off the role remarkably. She can be the vicious cat and the sultry Selena Kyle. The thing about Jolie is that as Catwoman she is divisive. Some love the idea. Some hate it. That’s how it’ll be with all characters but she seems to be the most divisive. (Think Hillary Clinton). At the time of writing this blog, my personal front runner is Anne Hathaway. Has a great look. Has name recognition but not to the level of Jolie so she would push herself to make the role hers and has the acting chops to surpass Jolie’s potential in this role. Another person that shouldn’t be overlooked is Rachel Weisz. Nearly the same attributes as Hathaway, but might have the better look for the part. As I write this, a new idea for Catwoman actress popped into my head. This is one I haven’t heard anything of on the forums. Her name….Rachel Bilson. (Summer from The OC). Google her, look at her, and think about it. I kind of like it.

Penguin
I’m not sure how I feel about the Penguin in the film yet. Rumors have Philip Seymour Hoffman. I don’t like him for the part. Penguin would have to be a straight gangster. Mob style like the later comics have him. Not the gimmick that looks like a Penguin with trick umbrellas. (A la Danny DeVito). My vote for Penguin would be Paul Giamatti (awesome in HBO’s John Adams) or James Gandolfini (Sopranos. Come on. It would be epic). He would play the Mob boss role. I could also see Gandolfini play Rupert Thorne (another Gotham City mob boss).

Talia al Ghul
Talia al Ghul- should Catwoman not be in the movie, Talia certainly will in that case. Bruce needs a love interest. Daughter of Ra’s al Ghul of Batman Begins. Allows continuity. I can see it, but won’t hold my breath. I would prefer Talia to Catwoman. Maybe both will be in it and make Bruce have to choose who he will be with, complicating things, and then Batman has to fight both at one point, but true to her relationship with the Batman, Catwoman helps him defeat Talia. See. It works. Someone get Nolan on the line. Off the top of my head I’m thinking Mila Kunis. Or ooooh Catherine Zeta Jones. I like it.

There are plenty of actors and actresses that will be added and removed from speculation as time progresses and we get closer and closer to the filming of Batman 3. For the record, if I were to title it I would title the movie “Gotham.” The forums have the new Batman movie as "Shadow of the Bat." Overall take this as just my opinions. Comment if you agree or disagree, or anything you want to add such as characters of actors. Just remember to trust Chris Nolan and all will be well.