Help me out...

I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel. I know there is an emotion I should be feeling, but I can't pinpoint it. Maybe you've run across this situation in your life. Maybe not...

I've recently become devoted to, not one but, two different television series, both of which could be considered 'guilty pleasures'. The first is an obvious one for a guy like me; that show being Heroes. The other is obvious to a specific group of nerds like me; that show happens to Burn Notice...



Heroes is a widely popular show that is viewed and enjoyed by millions across the globe. Since its debut after the Superhero Movie Boom over the last 5 - 10 years, it has tapped into the latent interest of the superhero as well as the etheral concept which allowed the X-men (comic) to become as popular as it has been for nearly 50 years. This concept of the outsiders being special and having a community of their own resonates strongly with the 'downtrodden' and those feeling 'different', for whatever reason. Heroes has taken concepts, already very familiar to comic books, and added their own touch to the fantasy. To butcher an oft quoted statement, 'With great writing, comes great success.' The writing of the series, for the most part, has been believable and acceptable, at least in the realm they want to abide in. The first season was incredibly strong, as most could attest, and the second will always get dumped on due to it's quick ending and lack luster attempts at plot. This, however, could be attributed to the Writer's Strike that ended this year, bring to a close many television series prematurely. The third season of Heroes is upon us, and frankly, I'm excited thus far. While I have not approved of some of the decisions they've made thus far (Sylar is in the Petrelli family, killing off the black hole guy, killing off Adam Monroe, basically replacing Elle with Daphne, a few others), they have made an exciting season up until now, and they've kept me eager for more episodes. I call that the true sign of a good television series...



The other show, as stated above, is Burn Notice. It's sort of a spy type drama, if it needs classifying. The lead plays a burned (read: recently blacklisted) spy type who's trying to figure out why he was burned and, in the process, finds out he has a heart of gold by helping out the 'little people' in Miami. His 'sidekicks' are a slightly crazy and kinky ex-girlfriend who still has feelings for him (and vice versa) and a grizzled, slightly hokey semil-retired spy played by the main man, Bruce Campbell. Yep, I just revealed why I started watching the show. I love Bruce Campbell. Sue me. Thankfully though, the writing in Burn Notice is worth watching. It's clever, fast paced and the acting is a joy to watch, if a bit predictable. But I am finding predictable is ok, whereas I haven't always felt that way. Plus, whomever is on the writing team, they know what and how to write for Mr. Campbell. While not the main character, he is probably the best character, or at least gets the best lines. You might be thinking I'd want 'Ash' to be the lead in the show. No. He does better in small, pivotal/fun rolls in these situations, especially in the format of television. It's just who he is. The role seems tailor made for our man Bruce, and God love him, he gives us a treat each episode. Guarenteed...

There is help...

This is a short public service announcement for all of you afflicted with what has affected so many people across the world. Many don't understand it, most laugh it off and forget about it. But, my friends, there is help and I am going to give it to you freely. I will no longer sit idly by while you suffer, even if you are suffering in silence. I care, and it's because I care that I give you...

The Cure For the Rick Roll

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD4bn5pp32w

Ok. Yes, it's silly but I occasionally enjoy hearing a song in reverse. So, the first time I happened across this, it struck me that I had just been UN Rick Rolled. That means I'm passing on the blessing to you all. It is upon you now to spread the word and save our fellow YouTubers (that's like a potato, right?) from their accidental fates. You can thank me later...

We've all done it...

I love movies. I'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't like seeing a movie. Going to the movies or even taking in one in the comfort of one's home; that's the makings of a good night. And, since I went out and saw 'Appaloosa' yesterday with Tara, I am making a movie styled posting...

For anyone who wants to know (who didn't already know), I'm a gamer. I do love my games, be they board or digital, tabletop or word-based. I'm am such a game lover that some of those I know can get a bit agitated on how much I want to play ANYTHING, they have to squash that side of me (and you know who you are, darlings)...

You might ask, 'How in the world is this tied together? Appaloosa's a Western, so how did gaming get involved in this post?' Simple, fair readers few. The gaming is tied into what this update is really all about. Being a gamer, I have heard others, like me, quote often their favorite genre of movie at (im)proper times during gameplay. It happens. I've done it, you've done it, and at least half the people you will meet in your life will too...

The post is about one thing; one list, really. I am exposing my 'Top Movie Lines Used In Everyday Speech' list. However, I am excluding lines quoted in a gaming setting (i.e. Holy Grail, Animal House, Spinal Tap, Princess Bride, etc.). That would make the list too easy to make and too easily predicted by the many I know and the few who read. No, this list will be comprised with those lines I have found to be useful in a normal (gaming isn't normal?) conversation, interjected to prove a point/make hillarity/sound ingenious. If done subtly right, those around you will not realize what you've done, who you've quoted, or where the line(s) came from. It's about being pointlessly deviant, you rouges, so pay attention...

My Top Movie Lines Used In Everyday Speech

1. "I don't know about you, but I'm having a ball..." - Marv, Sin City
2. "Have you ever seen anything so pretty in your whole life?" - Irish Terrorist, Sin City

Sin City has slowly been creeping up on my list of All-Time Favorite Movies (for a variety of reasons, for another post), so it is easy to understand why I've taken, not one, but two quotes from said movie. Marv's line can be injected anytime there is fun to be had, but it must be said with a gruff voice to get out the sadistic style pleasure that the line represents. The latter line has to be said with an Irish accent, else what's the point? No meaning otherwise...

3. "Groovy." - Ash, Bruce Campbell vs Army of Darkness

Yes, I love this movie to no end. Yes, I am a huge Bruce Campbell fan. Yes, I do think he makes most movies he's in better BECAUSE he was cast in it. Yes, I am a walking, talking stereotype. Move along...

4. "I mean, I'm drowning here! And you're describing the water!" - Melvin Udall, As Good As It Gets

This one may not count, but I do remember when I used this one distinctly. I was having a rough time years back and was hashing things out with Brian. He made a comment I didn't find overly helpful, so I fired back with the line in question. Brian was so pleasently surprised about my ability to come up with such an apt line, but I didn't have the heart to lie to him, so I explained where it came from. He still applauded my ability to pull it out properly, if not the originallity of said line. It is my only regret that more of Melvin's lines are not usable in everyday life, as they are mostly bigotted in some way or another, classic and hillarious though they might be...

5. "It's Green." - Scotty, By Any Other Name
6. "We did it, you and me..." - Scotty, By Any Other Name

Okay, so it doesn't quite fit. I know, I know; it's a TV show, not a movie. BUT, I am adding it to the list because I love the lines and I've been using them for god knows how long. It's almost instinctual at this point to use a (bad) Scottish accent with this, but what're you gonna do? I've been saying it a certain way, and by gum, I'm not going to stop now. The whole bits up on YouTube at this point; just look for Scotty's drinking buddy. The hillarity might be lost on those who haven't already seen the full episode yet, though. You've been warned...

7. "mmmMMMmmm" - Lord Chamberlain, The Dark Crystal

If you will grant this as a 'proper' quote, then I have been know to use it from time to time. If you don't know it, the Chamberlain uses it idley throughout the entirety of the film, making it his trademark I suppose. Used for intrigue, mostly, it can turn highly annoying with too much repetition...

All I want to do is 7 tonight, because I grew weary after that and I have other writings I must do, or at least begin, before I retire for the night. There are more, but I feel brain-taxed oddly. Stay tuned at some future date for a secondary list of Everyday Use for Movie Lines...