In television romance is what takes the most screentime. Who is in love with who... who is sleeping with who... etc. But beneath all great shows is a tight friendship that carries it along. The thing about this friendships are, is that they can be powerful even if you don't like both characters. Its all about who's always got you back, and who you can trust. In the end a strong friendship is much more important to me on television then just another boring romantic relationships. Anyways, it was tough to narrow it down to 10, but I am very pleased with those who made the list.
10. Bailey Salinger and Will McCorkle (Party of Five): I am only a season and a half in Party of Five, but Will has been one of the most interesting characters as he is always kind of in the background despite being a regular on the show. He always seems to have Baileys back no matter what, given the hard times Bailey has been through sense the show began (six months after his parents death). Out of all of the Salinger kids, Bailey has had it the toughest, but Will is the only Salinger to really have a close friend, and that makes the difference. Sure they fight alot, but they always come back together, because they are truly a good representation of close friends.
9. Bart Simpson and Milhouse Van Houten (Simpsons): I used to watch the Simpsons constantly; practically every single day. My favorite character was Milhouse, because he was just plain hysterical, and the antics he and Bart got into were always interesting. This wasn't a very complicated friendship, because every half an hour was unrelated to any other half an hour. Despite that, this was a good representation of a close friendship that I watch fervently in my childhood.
8. Michael Bluth and Gob Bluth (Arrested Development): So they were brothers, but at the end of "Amigos" Michael called Gob his friend, and really he is. Michael is constantly fighting with Gob, but in truth, besides potentially Lindsey, Gob is the one he is closest to. They are forever linked together because the way their father played them off of eachother, but in time their relationship might strengthen as Michael is always willing to help Gob, and Gob is well, at times caring of Michael.
7. Darwyn al-Sayeed and Ray Fuller (Sleeper Cell): They worked together, but they were also close friends and an occurence at the end of the first season really shows why. Ray would give up anything to protect Darwyn undercover, because they have experienced so much together. And if anything ever happened to Ray, Darwyn would be absolutely devastated because he cared so much for him. It was a strong reciprocal friendship, even if they could never really show it besides brief meetings due to the fact that Darwyn was undercover. But in the end it was shown in a very strong way.
6. Tobias Beecher and Kareem Sayid (Oz): In prison there are two types of people... Those who are nice to you because they need you for something, and those that they beat up before they are in the way. Despite that, slowly a friendship grew between the leader of the Muslims and the one mistake Beecher, one that got Sayid exiled from the Muslims (albeit not for the long) and that friendship was one of the few calm point in Beechers life, given his much more complicated (and in the end nearly deadly) relationship with Keller. These two were very important to eachother, and they break all laws of Prison, because neither of them needed the other for something, besides friendship and support.
5. Dr. Wilson and Dr. House (House): Ah yes, the two extremes. Wilson is the ever faithful friend who will do anything to help House, no matter how badly House screws him over time after time. Wilson is my favorite character on the show (although Cameron is pretty awesome, also) because of his faithfulness, and how he always will have House's back. And while at most times House will only do stuff for himself, there are a few (although not) when you can see that Wilson really does matter more to him than anyone else. House may be a jerk, but he's not as alone as he likes to claim, because Wilson is always there...
4. Corey Mathews and Shawn Hunter (Boy Meets World): I didn't know initially how to handle this. At the very end of the show, their characters were annoying and whiny, although they still were always there for eachother, but when this show was the best was at middle school and John Adam's High. They were always there for eachother, and had outreaching moments such as Shawn's travels to the bad crowd, and the famous first Christmas episode. These are the perfect example of childhood friendships, and while not the most complicated, it is still very surreal and enjoyable.
3. Jack Shepherd and James "Sawyer" Ford (Lost): This is the most complicated friendship, as it is impossible to really tell what is going on between them. At times they actually hate eachother, partially because of the extreme different types of people they are, and also because of their both desire for Kate. But then there are those times that you can see that there is a trinkle of something there, shown best in the end of the the first season when Sawyer tells Jack about what his dad really thought about him. Since that point, it really hasn't jumped ahead as much as they thought, yet they both have taken actions to help the other, plus they both have the same goals in mind.
2. Ryan Atwood and Seth Cohen (The O.C): I hate Seth's character with a passion. His humor is dry and he is just so self absorbed. However, what made O.C great was the interaction between these two characters. Plus, Jasmine said it best when she said Seth had a crush on Ryan, cause he basically did. I mean, his actions throughout have shown when Ryan wasn't there to listen to him whine, he would be moody or run off. Ryan was Seth's root to be somebody, and it really was affective, and Seth was Ryan's root to becoming a teenager not destined to go to jail. Really, any relationship involving Ryan and the Cohen household was impressive, but this friendship is one of the most influential to the plotlines of a show.
1. Jack Bauer and Tony Almeda (24): The first season started off with Tony envious of Jack, but as the season went on his hatred slowened, and he had his back on two critical occasions. However, after the 1st season, things got much more close as sense then on, Jack has numerously stated that the only person he can trust is Tony after being betrayed by everone else. Tony has helped him in the field, and come in on the shortest notice when Jack needs to hide, and Jack has kept him out of jail, and wept after Tony's demise, holding him like he did his wife. The death of Tony was really the end of the strength of 24, because while Jacks friendship with the president David Palmer was great, the one with Tony was much more solidifying. And now Jack is all alone leaving the show a shell of what it once was.
Looking at this list; 3 of these characters are dead, and 6 of these friendships come from cancelled shows. Also, the bottom of this list needs to be very wary, as friendships in both Heroes (Hiro and Ando) and FNL (Landry and Saracen) are both up and coming, and don't be surprised when they break in. But for now, these are the 10 best friendships in my television viewing.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Favorite Albums
Welcome to List #3... I am going to get this one going quickly, because this is a big week, but I decided to release a major list this week, in my favorite albums of all time. Anyway, this should be fun.
10. Something To Be- Rob Thomas: Initially when Rob Thomas went solo I was absolutely devastated. He was the best part of my favorite band, and the idea of him going solo just seemed wrong. But the CD he released was amazing, and is still showing me great songs a year and a half later. The only question is when is Rob Thomas' next album, whether its solo or back with M20 I'll be happy, cause either way its a guarenteed great CD
(Best Song on CD: Ever the Same)
9. Everything You Want- Vertical Horizon: First off, Vertical Horizon is the best band name ever. I am sorry, but its superb. Anyway, onto the album. This is the only album anyone ever thinks about when they think of VH, although "Go" was a superb follow up, this was VH at its best. You are God was a major hit along with Everything You want, and the depth was with a ton of four star songs to fill out the rest. VH comes out with a new song this year, so its impossible not to get excited about this upcoming event.
(Best Song: Everything You Want)
8. Mad Season- Matchbox 20: This is my favorite band and they put out three great CD's as their only three CD's. Mad Season stood out in many ways though as their middle CD in that it had "If You're Gone" an amazing single. However, in the radio Mad Season actually had the least amount of singles, something I never really understood. I mean, this was a better CD than Real World, as it improved both lyrically and vocally, but oh well. The radio misses the mark alot.
(Best Song: If You're Gone)
7. Dizzy Up The Girl- Goo Goo Dolls: Considered by most the best Goo Goo Dolls CD period, and this is when Goo Goo Dolls officially left the garage (punk) band term behind forever. Iris was their soft pop single, and Broadway, Black Balloon, and Slide continued this new feel. This is when Goo Goo Dolls became absolutely great.
(Best Song: Iris)
6. Two Lights- Five For Fighting: The rest of Five for Fighting's CD's had the same fate of not having great depth, with usually some fairly bad songs at the bottom half of the CD. Two Lights however, barely shares that fate as 9 of the 10 songs are amazing on this CD. His newest CD was clearly his best, and it was a strong contender for best album of the year, and ended up being runner up to.....
(Best Song (of the moment): The Riddle)
5. Let Love In- Goo Goo Dolls: Most Goo Goo Dolls fan would kill me right now. It is considered blasphemy by many to say anything other than Dizzy Up the Girl as their best CD, but I honestly think this one is better. This is when there are the most Johnny Resneck songs, and from "Let Love In" to "Feel the Silence" there is so much that is great. Plus seeing them perform this album predominantly in concert was actually amazing. Its almost worth seeing them again, because they were just that good.
(Best Song: Better Days)
4. 3EB- Third Eye Blind: One of the rare bands whose first CD is easily their best. There was too much that was good on this CD, including the trio of dominance of "How's It Gonna Be", "Jumper" and "Semi Charmed Life", something that hasn't been match by anything else its produced, and possibly by not another album. There was also some great songs near the end to keep it song, but their were a few busts like "Graduate" that brings this down a little bit. In the end this really was a strong CD, and it is sad that Third Eye Blind has never returned to that plateau since.
(Best Song: Semi Charmed Life)
3. My Private Nation- Train: Trains third CD, it was also their best one. Similair to any Train CD it had their great song, but it also was the first one that didn't have any songs that resembled country, and actually had the same tone for the entire CD. I have played this CD over and over again sense I got it a long time ago as my first Train CD, and this was basically where my Train obsession started, and hasn't ended it sense.
(Best Song: Calling All Angels)
2. Breakaway- Kelly Clarkson: This might seem really high initially. I mean, I didn't watch American Idol at all, so I wasn't a blind follower of Kelly because of that. Her first CD didn't catch me at all (although looking at it now, it was really good), and it wasn't until the radio starting playing her second CD over and over did I finally decide to listen to the CD as a whole, and luckily Jasmine let me borrow it. This CD is absolutely superb, and really shows the power of Kelly's amazing voice. She may not be near as pretty as fellow winner Carrie, but she is alot more talented. And, of course, she once was a Kirby Vacuum Salesman, isn't that a cool fact. Anyway, "Breakaway" absolutely sic, in the good kind of way.
(Best song: Behind these Hazel Eyes)
1. More Than You Think You Are- Matchbox 20: Was there ever really any doubt? I mean, I can't believe how strong this CD still is. Matchbox 20 clearly ended on top, plus my first ever M20 song was on here in "Unwell" and the best ever song PERIOD is on here in "Bright Lights". Needless to say, this was a no brainer decision, because the best band, with the best song, will always have the best album.
(Best Song: Bright Lights)
Needless to say, Goo Goo Dolls and of course Rob Thomas were the really winners on this, but with new CD's from Lifehouse, Vertical Horizon, Third Eye Blind, and the lead singer of Train this year, who knows what else will happen.
10. Something To Be- Rob Thomas: Initially when Rob Thomas went solo I was absolutely devastated. He was the best part of my favorite band, and the idea of him going solo just seemed wrong. But the CD he released was amazing, and is still showing me great songs a year and a half later. The only question is when is Rob Thomas' next album, whether its solo or back with M20 I'll be happy, cause either way its a guarenteed great CD
(Best Song on CD: Ever the Same)
9. Everything You Want- Vertical Horizon: First off, Vertical Horizon is the best band name ever. I am sorry, but its superb. Anyway, onto the album. This is the only album anyone ever thinks about when they think of VH, although "Go" was a superb follow up, this was VH at its best. You are God was a major hit along with Everything You want, and the depth was with a ton of four star songs to fill out the rest. VH comes out with a new song this year, so its impossible not to get excited about this upcoming event.
(Best Song: Everything You Want)
8. Mad Season- Matchbox 20: This is my favorite band and they put out three great CD's as their only three CD's. Mad Season stood out in many ways though as their middle CD in that it had "If You're Gone" an amazing single. However, in the radio Mad Season actually had the least amount of singles, something I never really understood. I mean, this was a better CD than Real World, as it improved both lyrically and vocally, but oh well. The radio misses the mark alot.
(Best Song: If You're Gone)
7. Dizzy Up The Girl- Goo Goo Dolls: Considered by most the best Goo Goo Dolls CD period, and this is when Goo Goo Dolls officially left the garage (punk) band term behind forever. Iris was their soft pop single, and Broadway, Black Balloon, and Slide continued this new feel. This is when Goo Goo Dolls became absolutely great.
(Best Song: Iris)
6. Two Lights- Five For Fighting: The rest of Five for Fighting's CD's had the same fate of not having great depth, with usually some fairly bad songs at the bottom half of the CD. Two Lights however, barely shares that fate as 9 of the 10 songs are amazing on this CD. His newest CD was clearly his best, and it was a strong contender for best album of the year, and ended up being runner up to.....
(Best Song (of the moment): The Riddle)
5. Let Love In- Goo Goo Dolls: Most Goo Goo Dolls fan would kill me right now. It is considered blasphemy by many to say anything other than Dizzy Up the Girl as their best CD, but I honestly think this one is better. This is when there are the most Johnny Resneck songs, and from "Let Love In" to "Feel the Silence" there is so much that is great. Plus seeing them perform this album predominantly in concert was actually amazing. Its almost worth seeing them again, because they were just that good.
(Best Song: Better Days)
4. 3EB- Third Eye Blind: One of the rare bands whose first CD is easily their best. There was too much that was good on this CD, including the trio of dominance of "How's It Gonna Be", "Jumper" and "Semi Charmed Life", something that hasn't been match by anything else its produced, and possibly by not another album. There was also some great songs near the end to keep it song, but their were a few busts like "Graduate" that brings this down a little bit. In the end this really was a strong CD, and it is sad that Third Eye Blind has never returned to that plateau since.
(Best Song: Semi Charmed Life)
3. My Private Nation- Train: Trains third CD, it was also their best one. Similair to any Train CD it had their great song, but it also was the first one that didn't have any songs that resembled country, and actually had the same tone for the entire CD. I have played this CD over and over again sense I got it a long time ago as my first Train CD, and this was basically where my Train obsession started, and hasn't ended it sense.
(Best Song: Calling All Angels)
2. Breakaway- Kelly Clarkson: This might seem really high initially. I mean, I didn't watch American Idol at all, so I wasn't a blind follower of Kelly because of that. Her first CD didn't catch me at all (although looking at it now, it was really good), and it wasn't until the radio starting playing her second CD over and over did I finally decide to listen to the CD as a whole, and luckily Jasmine let me borrow it. This CD is absolutely superb, and really shows the power of Kelly's amazing voice. She may not be near as pretty as fellow winner Carrie, but she is alot more talented. And, of course, she once was a Kirby Vacuum Salesman, isn't that a cool fact. Anyway, "Breakaway" absolutely sic, in the good kind of way.
(Best song: Behind these Hazel Eyes)
1. More Than You Think You Are- Matchbox 20: Was there ever really any doubt? I mean, I can't believe how strong this CD still is. Matchbox 20 clearly ended on top, plus my first ever M20 song was on here in "Unwell" and the best ever song PERIOD is on here in "Bright Lights". Needless to say, this was a no brainer decision, because the best band, with the best song, will always have the best album.
(Best Song: Bright Lights)
Needless to say, Goo Goo Dolls and of course Rob Thomas were the really winners on this, but with new CD's from Lifehouse, Vertical Horizon, Third Eye Blind, and the lead singer of Train this year, who knows what else will happen.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Favorite Videogame systems
Ok, to begin with, I decided to double up this week, and maybe just in general on Mondays and Fridays now. The second point I want to make out is that its important to look at the titles of these, because best is what I think is actually the best (for example, I think Lost is the best tv show ever) while favorite is just what I personally like more. I mean, I am sure the "best" will still be severely biased, but I just wanted to point that out anyway. Also, I am going to try to keep this moving through numerous categories, however in early June I will be taking a week off and release my tv show awards on here, and at the end of the year my other awards. So while 95% of the year this will be lists, the last 5% awards. Anway, onto the list of my favorite videogame consoles of all time.
10. Sega Genesis: Sonics system. In some ways it wasn't as great as people think. Know, my view point could be swayed because I only got a Sega Genesis like four years ago, and I realize it wasn't a horrible system, it just didn't dominate as much as I thought. It had a weak array of first party games and some of the best ones where also on the SNES, a better system.
(Notable Games: Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Phantasy Star IV, Lion King, and Street Fighter 2)
9. Gamecube: Now I know some of you think that this ranking is really low, but as a whole the Gamecube never fully panned out into what I hoped it would. I mean, it had some absolutely amazing games, especially in the RPG department, but it never had the depth that any of us initially hoped, because the third party support was just plain weak. In the end 9th isn't a bad spot, but its not at the top either.
(Notable Games: Tales of Symphonia, Baten Kaitos, Paper Mario 2: The Thousand Year Door, and Super Smash Brothers Melee)
8. Gameboy Advance: The second real handheld nintendo system, and its graphical improvement passed the gameboy was absolutely stunning. The first time I put in Castlevania: COM I was absolutely stunned by the graphics. I mean, they were gorgeous. Overtime it would put out a ton of good RPG's, three Castlevania games and decent depth, but as a handheld it didn't blow up as much as some of the others
(Notable Games: Fire Emblem, Megaman Battle Network 2, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, and Pokemon Saffire)
7. Playstation 1: I never really owned one of these systems, but I owned a ton of the games as I backplayed them through my lovely PS2. When it came to RPG's, I don't believe there was a better system (I know the SNES will cause some debate though) and a few good games thrown in along the way. The only glaring weakness though was that Spyro or Crash Bandicoot were neither the likes of Sonic or Mario to bring you the platformer goodness, but oh well, that doesn't detract from the great times with PS1 games.
(Notable Games: Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night)
6. Super Nintendo: As a kid I was always very envious of this system, because I never had one but my cousin did. Years later, similiar to the SEGA, I purchases one and got all the games I felt that I missed, and this was probably the best platforming system ever made. There were a ton of classic games on the system, and it was great until the system broke.... But then Elyse got me an SNES/Nintendo combo that was just plain sweet, so its back to playing the best again.
(Notable Games: Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario World, Final Fantasy II (IV), and Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past)
5. Gameboy: The original handheld, and without this to start it up, the next two systems would never come around and improve upon it everyway. This was my obsession for six years when it was basically the only system I had that was ever coming out with new games (I had an NES, but after the SNES came around it was pushed into the background). So in many ways the gameboy was my childhood, and is probably still the system I own the most games for, even if some of them completely suck by now a day standards. Oh, and the Gameboy had the first two segments of Pokemon (Red/Blue and Gold/Silver) which propells it even higher.
(Notable Games: Kirby's Dreamland 2, Final Fantasy Legends II, Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening, and Pokemon Blue)
4. Nintendo DS: This might be surprising at first, because this is really the only system on the list that has yet to reach its prime. Be that as it may, however, the Nintendo DS has had by far the best first two years of a systems lifespan out of any system I have ever seen, and the future only looks brighter. In truth, there is great game after great game, with one of the best librarys of any system I know, and by the end of this systems lifespan they could topple the top and be the new leader. But for now fourth is where it belongs. Oh, and this doesn't even include Pokemon Pearl which comes out in 2 days...
(Notable Games: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, New Super Mario Bros, and Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time)
3. Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): Is there any doubt that the system that made all systems would not be on here. I mean, before the NES there was the Atari, the Intellivision, and a few others, but none of them really completely created the home gaming market, and it was mainly just arcades. That all the changed with the NES, that created the idea of a homegaming system and actually produced a massively strong set of titles, albeit extremely hard at times. The system was faulty as most people had to blow in the system to get it to work, and there were more bad games on it then any other system, but it was from a simpler time when we all just played videogames for fun, and is there anything wrong with that?
(Notable Games: Super Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros 3, Castlevania 3: Dracula's Curse, and Double Dragon 2: The Revenge)
2. Playstation 2: This was a very tough call, because I absolutely love the Playstation 2, and in all likelihood it is the system I have spent the most time on. I got the Gamecube before my PS2, yet I have spent at least 4x more time on the PS2 cause it was just a better system in all regards. Now, don't get me wrong, SONY is not as good as Nintendo as the PS3 just looks weak, but the amount of titles the PS2 has is sick, and it even achieved the rarity of a strong platformer in the amazing Ratchet and Clank series. I still play it more than any other system I own, so there really was no doubt it would be this high. Also, it has almost reached the original Gameboy as the system I own the most games for, but almost every PS2 game I own is actually good, unlike the Gameboy.
(Notable Games: Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Tales of Legendia, Final Fantasy XII)
1. Nintendo 64: The system that started it all. I owned a gameboy and I owned a nintendo, and my mom said that would be the only systems I would ever know. I could never get a console in its prime, so I envied everyone with this gem of a system. However, I started to beg, and I promised my grades wouldn't drop (which were at about an 83) and my mom gave in, and bought me this system as the greatest single Christmas gift of all time, and it made me so happy. For the record, my grades skyrocketed from there on into the 90's, which by correlation standards show that videogames make people smarter. Anyway, nostalgia helped get the N64 to number 1, but it also had a ton of amazing games, and a decent depth (although nowhere near to the PS2 standards). I put tons and tons of hours on the system, and when I go home for break I still play it for fun; especially the fact that two of the potentially greatest games ever came on this system (Zelda and Starfox) so in the end, this really wasn't as tough as I thought.
(Notable Games: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Starfox 64, Castlevania 64: Legacy of Darkness, and Ogre Battle 64)
10. Sega Genesis: Sonics system. In some ways it wasn't as great as people think. Know, my view point could be swayed because I only got a Sega Genesis like four years ago, and I realize it wasn't a horrible system, it just didn't dominate as much as I thought. It had a weak array of first party games and some of the best ones where also on the SNES, a better system.
(Notable Games: Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Phantasy Star IV, Lion King, and Street Fighter 2)
9. Gamecube: Now I know some of you think that this ranking is really low, but as a whole the Gamecube never fully panned out into what I hoped it would. I mean, it had some absolutely amazing games, especially in the RPG department, but it never had the depth that any of us initially hoped, because the third party support was just plain weak. In the end 9th isn't a bad spot, but its not at the top either.
(Notable Games: Tales of Symphonia, Baten Kaitos, Paper Mario 2: The Thousand Year Door, and Super Smash Brothers Melee)
8. Gameboy Advance: The second real handheld nintendo system, and its graphical improvement passed the gameboy was absolutely stunning. The first time I put in Castlevania: COM I was absolutely stunned by the graphics. I mean, they were gorgeous. Overtime it would put out a ton of good RPG's, three Castlevania games and decent depth, but as a handheld it didn't blow up as much as some of the others
(Notable Games: Fire Emblem, Megaman Battle Network 2, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, and Pokemon Saffire)
7. Playstation 1: I never really owned one of these systems, but I owned a ton of the games as I backplayed them through my lovely PS2. When it came to RPG's, I don't believe there was a better system (I know the SNES will cause some debate though) and a few good games thrown in along the way. The only glaring weakness though was that Spyro or Crash Bandicoot were neither the likes of Sonic or Mario to bring you the platformer goodness, but oh well, that doesn't detract from the great times with PS1 games.
(Notable Games: Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night)
6. Super Nintendo: As a kid I was always very envious of this system, because I never had one but my cousin did. Years later, similiar to the SEGA, I purchases one and got all the games I felt that I missed, and this was probably the best platforming system ever made. There were a ton of classic games on the system, and it was great until the system broke.... But then Elyse got me an SNES/Nintendo combo that was just plain sweet, so its back to playing the best again.
(Notable Games: Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario World, Final Fantasy II (IV), and Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past)
5. Gameboy: The original handheld, and without this to start it up, the next two systems would never come around and improve upon it everyway. This was my obsession for six years when it was basically the only system I had that was ever coming out with new games (I had an NES, but after the SNES came around it was pushed into the background). So in many ways the gameboy was my childhood, and is probably still the system I own the most games for, even if some of them completely suck by now a day standards. Oh, and the Gameboy had the first two segments of Pokemon (Red/Blue and Gold/Silver) which propells it even higher.
(Notable Games: Kirby's Dreamland 2, Final Fantasy Legends II, Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening, and Pokemon Blue)
4. Nintendo DS: This might be surprising at first, because this is really the only system on the list that has yet to reach its prime. Be that as it may, however, the Nintendo DS has had by far the best first two years of a systems lifespan out of any system I have ever seen, and the future only looks brighter. In truth, there is great game after great game, with one of the best librarys of any system I know, and by the end of this systems lifespan they could topple the top and be the new leader. But for now fourth is where it belongs. Oh, and this doesn't even include Pokemon Pearl which comes out in 2 days...
(Notable Games: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, New Super Mario Bros, and Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time)
3. Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): Is there any doubt that the system that made all systems would not be on here. I mean, before the NES there was the Atari, the Intellivision, and a few others, but none of them really completely created the home gaming market, and it was mainly just arcades. That all the changed with the NES, that created the idea of a homegaming system and actually produced a massively strong set of titles, albeit extremely hard at times. The system was faulty as most people had to blow in the system to get it to work, and there were more bad games on it then any other system, but it was from a simpler time when we all just played videogames for fun, and is there anything wrong with that?
(Notable Games: Super Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros 3, Castlevania 3: Dracula's Curse, and Double Dragon 2: The Revenge)
2. Playstation 2: This was a very tough call, because I absolutely love the Playstation 2, and in all likelihood it is the system I have spent the most time on. I got the Gamecube before my PS2, yet I have spent at least 4x more time on the PS2 cause it was just a better system in all regards. Now, don't get me wrong, SONY is not as good as Nintendo as the PS3 just looks weak, but the amount of titles the PS2 has is sick, and it even achieved the rarity of a strong platformer in the amazing Ratchet and Clank series. I still play it more than any other system I own, so there really was no doubt it would be this high. Also, it has almost reached the original Gameboy as the system I own the most games for, but almost every PS2 game I own is actually good, unlike the Gameboy.
(Notable Games: Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Tales of Legendia, Final Fantasy XII)
1. Nintendo 64: The system that started it all. I owned a gameboy and I owned a nintendo, and my mom said that would be the only systems I would ever know. I could never get a console in its prime, so I envied everyone with this gem of a system. However, I started to beg, and I promised my grades wouldn't drop (which were at about an 83) and my mom gave in, and bought me this system as the greatest single Christmas gift of all time, and it made me so happy. For the record, my grades skyrocketed from there on into the 90's, which by correlation standards show that videogames make people smarter. Anyway, nostalgia helped get the N64 to number 1, but it also had a ton of amazing games, and a decent depth (although nowhere near to the PS2 standards). I put tons and tons of hours on the system, and when I go home for break I still play it for fun; especially the fact that two of the potentially greatest games ever came on this system (Zelda and Starfox) so in the end, this really wasn't as tough as I thought.
(Notable Games: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Starfox 64, Castlevania 64: Legacy of Darkness, and Ogre Battle 64)
Monday, April 16, 2007
Classic Literature
To kick off this new idea of mine, I decided to start with something simple, but that most people can relate to. Unlike TV, videogames, and movies many people have been forced to read classic literature whether they like it or not during middle school, high school and college. Some of them absolutely suck in everyway (for example, the horrendous "The Awakening") while others are positive treats, that break up the monotony of normal school homework. A few of these, I even read on my own for fun because they are so promising. Anyway, lets commence Lists number 1: The top 10 best pieces of classic literature in the mind of Donald Wisniewski.
10. Count of Monte Cristo- Alexander Dumas: I read this book on my own after seeing the superb movie, and in truth there were very few similiarities at all between the movie and the book. For example, some of the longest parts of the movie (his imprisonment) was around for around one chapter. In the end, however, despite all the differences Count of Monte Cristo was every bit as good as expected as all the important parts were still there like how intricate revenge can be. Definitely an enjoyable read, and not a book most people think about when they are discussing classics.
9. Grapes of Wrath- John Steinbeck: A great book that I read over the summer for AP English. It tells the horrible journey for this American family who is trying to find a better life by making it to California. While "Mice and Men" was an easier read from Steinbeck and gave instant gratification, Grapes of Wrath was 5x's longer, and in that increased length it really got you to feel about how difficult these trapes to California were, and yet it was the only choice these people had. Its just amazing how the times have changed.
8. Scarlet Letter- Nathaniel Hawthorne: The perfect story about the problems of ostracism. Hester Prynne's experiences because of a simple affair showed accurately how out of control people can get when another does something that they don't personally approve of. It also accurately shows the power of guilt for the man involved in the adultery, and how that guilt can destroy an individual.
7. Watership Down- Richard Adams: The most important book that Sawyer read on "Lost" as it directly related to Boones suspiscions of him and Sayid's torturing of him. Simply put it, it is about bunnies. However, it is more about the tribulations of immigrants, and how moving from place to place is never easy. In ways, it shares the same lessons that Grapes of Wrath does, in the fact that travels can be deadly, but in a more enjoyable and easier to read way.
6. Great Expecations- Charles Dickens: My favorite author of the classical, this was his best piece of work, edging out David Copperfield which just missed out of making this list. At times the "Great Expectations" is predictable, but it also makes you care about this waife of a boy who comes across some money, every person's dream, and yet it leads to all this trama. Truly this book is the American Dream, even if Charles Dickens wasn't American.
5. Wuthering Heights- Emily Bronte: While most people know her sisters novel Jane Eyre more, Wuthering Heights was an even better take on the newly devloping romantic novel, that in the end has nothing to do with romance at all. I would consider it a dark romance, seeing how none of these people are good at all, and the fact is it does not end promisingly at all (even less so then Jane Eyre). I read it in AP English and was initially surprised at how much I liked the novel, to the point that I got a copy as a gift from my mom.
4. Death of a Salesman- Arthur Miller: Not every piece of classical literature is a novel, nor are all the best ones either. Emily Dickenson's poems were considered for the list, along with "Raisen in the Sun" as another play. However, "Death of a Salesmen" is heads and heels better than any of those novels, as it is another representation of the American Dream, along with a bit of insanity when reaching your dream proves too fruitful. Anyone can relate to the play, and while I have only ever read it, I wouldn't mind seeing it some day either.
3. Frankenstein- Mary Shelley: Ah yes, this book was used for my AP English exam, because I did not only read it once during 11th grade, but twice. It was contemporary despites people's initial thoughts that Frankenstein is just horror. Similiar to Grendel (an attrocious book) Frankenstein's creature is not bad in anyway, but rather misunderstood and forced to do bad things because no one accepts it. Such a powerful piece of writing, and a book that under no circumstance should you miss.
2. The Great Gatsby- F. Scott Fitzgerald: In a way, the Great Gatsby was like a soap opera in a book. After I first read it, I was absolutely amazed that this was considered a classic, as it unfolded in a manner that was actually not difficult to read, and interesting in a messed up sort of way. However, it did discuss the problems with the rich (something which has always a focal point in Fitzgerald's piece of work) and also the similiarities between true love and just a simple desire to have something that you once lost. Lastly, and the best part about this whole book is that it has the best narrator ever in books, that being the perspective of Nick Carroway. His viewpoint as almost an outsider looking in is amazing, and his character thinks at times the same things that the reader thinks.
1. Catcher in the Rye- J.D Salinger: This is a book about adolescence really. Some people hate it because their is no set plotline; yet others love it cause its free flowing nature, like you are actually in the protagonists head. Like real life there really isn't a resolution to Holden Caufields tribulations, as he goes through these problems of just basically complete angst and at time non-challance about where his life is going. Also, Holden is the sole main character of the story basically, and he tells it from the first person point of view, something more authors should really take advantage of, because I believe you always feel more for a protagonist if you know that this is entirely from his view. It was a tough choice, but in the end there was no greater story then J.D Salinger's piece of art.
10. Count of Monte Cristo- Alexander Dumas: I read this book on my own after seeing the superb movie, and in truth there were very few similiarities at all between the movie and the book. For example, some of the longest parts of the movie (his imprisonment) was around for around one chapter. In the end, however, despite all the differences Count of Monte Cristo was every bit as good as expected as all the important parts were still there like how intricate revenge can be. Definitely an enjoyable read, and not a book most people think about when they are discussing classics.
9. Grapes of Wrath- John Steinbeck: A great book that I read over the summer for AP English. It tells the horrible journey for this American family who is trying to find a better life by making it to California. While "Mice and Men" was an easier read from Steinbeck and gave instant gratification, Grapes of Wrath was 5x's longer, and in that increased length it really got you to feel about how difficult these trapes to California were, and yet it was the only choice these people had. Its just amazing how the times have changed.
8. Scarlet Letter- Nathaniel Hawthorne: The perfect story about the problems of ostracism. Hester Prynne's experiences because of a simple affair showed accurately how out of control people can get when another does something that they don't personally approve of. It also accurately shows the power of guilt for the man involved in the adultery, and how that guilt can destroy an individual.
7. Watership Down- Richard Adams: The most important book that Sawyer read on "Lost" as it directly related to Boones suspiscions of him and Sayid's torturing of him. Simply put it, it is about bunnies. However, it is more about the tribulations of immigrants, and how moving from place to place is never easy. In ways, it shares the same lessons that Grapes of Wrath does, in the fact that travels can be deadly, but in a more enjoyable and easier to read way.
6. Great Expecations- Charles Dickens: My favorite author of the classical, this was his best piece of work, edging out David Copperfield which just missed out of making this list. At times the "Great Expectations" is predictable, but it also makes you care about this waife of a boy who comes across some money, every person's dream, and yet it leads to all this trama. Truly this book is the American Dream, even if Charles Dickens wasn't American.
5. Wuthering Heights- Emily Bronte: While most people know her sisters novel Jane Eyre more, Wuthering Heights was an even better take on the newly devloping romantic novel, that in the end has nothing to do with romance at all. I would consider it a dark romance, seeing how none of these people are good at all, and the fact is it does not end promisingly at all (even less so then Jane Eyre). I read it in AP English and was initially surprised at how much I liked the novel, to the point that I got a copy as a gift from my mom.
4. Death of a Salesman- Arthur Miller: Not every piece of classical literature is a novel, nor are all the best ones either. Emily Dickenson's poems were considered for the list, along with "Raisen in the Sun" as another play. However, "Death of a Salesmen" is heads and heels better than any of those novels, as it is another representation of the American Dream, along with a bit of insanity when reaching your dream proves too fruitful. Anyone can relate to the play, and while I have only ever read it, I wouldn't mind seeing it some day either.
3. Frankenstein- Mary Shelley: Ah yes, this book was used for my AP English exam, because I did not only read it once during 11th grade, but twice. It was contemporary despites people's initial thoughts that Frankenstein is just horror. Similiar to Grendel (an attrocious book) Frankenstein's creature is not bad in anyway, but rather misunderstood and forced to do bad things because no one accepts it. Such a powerful piece of writing, and a book that under no circumstance should you miss.
2. The Great Gatsby- F. Scott Fitzgerald: In a way, the Great Gatsby was like a soap opera in a book. After I first read it, I was absolutely amazed that this was considered a classic, as it unfolded in a manner that was actually not difficult to read, and interesting in a messed up sort of way. However, it did discuss the problems with the rich (something which has always a focal point in Fitzgerald's piece of work) and also the similiarities between true love and just a simple desire to have something that you once lost. Lastly, and the best part about this whole book is that it has the best narrator ever in books, that being the perspective of Nick Carroway. His viewpoint as almost an outsider looking in is amazing, and his character thinks at times the same things that the reader thinks.
1. Catcher in the Rye- J.D Salinger: This is a book about adolescence really. Some people hate it because their is no set plotline; yet others love it cause its free flowing nature, like you are actually in the protagonists head. Like real life there really isn't a resolution to Holden Caufields tribulations, as he goes through these problems of just basically complete angst and at time non-challance about where his life is going. Also, Holden is the sole main character of the story basically, and he tells it from the first person point of view, something more authors should really take advantage of, because I believe you always feel more for a protagonist if you know that this is entirely from his view. It was a tough choice, but in the end there was no greater story then J.D Salinger's piece of art.
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