Friday, January 30, 2009

The Eve of Depression!

I just read an upsetting article that the Beijing Stadium is going to be shut down and turned into a shopping center in the next three to five years... the stadium known as "The Nest" was the symbol of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the greatest Olympics ever held! Yet it was also a symbol of the emergence of China as the new world power... It bothers me to see that they cannot finance this amazing stadium, due to this terrible GLOBAL economic crisis...

As I follow the news of this economic crisis, I truly have begun to lose hope in finding a good job... Companies are cutting off by the thousands, the stock market is continuing to fall, and the ripple effect is getting worse each day... It is spreading far beyond our country, and into the global economy... Obama has found himself knee-deep in the mess, and it's not going to get better anytime soon... to make matters worse, every Republican in the country is out to get him, and make him look bad... For Christ-sake, now is the time to unite, and put the damn squabbling behind us! We had to deal with Republican shit for 8 years, and it got us nowhere! now it's time for a different direction!

Yet I honestly think Obama might have to get a little more radical on this one, if he really wants to fix the situation... i like his vision of raising the taxes for the rich, and passing a stimulus package, but we still will need to get more extreme! move away from the Centrist approach, and lets start getting FDR on their asses... I'm talking NEW DEAL politics!!! where the people truly come before the government! Just the other day I saw some inspiring news from France, where 100s of thousands of people, marched together in protest for Job Security, and the government actually listened! That's what we need!! but I'm getting way off topic, (more on this in another blog) The basic point i was trying to make is that things are continuing to get worse, and we are truly entering a state of Great Depression...


This stadium was a symbol of human unity and prosperity!!! how metaphoric is it that it should fall on the eve of a Depression...

PS: How fitting is it to see this picture of The Nest in The Nest... ha, sorry just had to mention it!

-blogs to come: A look back at the Great Depression; The current state of our economy; and the tribute to Bobby Kennedy

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Politics of Star Wars

I've been getting back into a Star Wars groove these last few days... watching the movies and playing some games... It's just amazing how much back story there is to it all... there was once a day, when i could somewhat keep up with it all, but now its just endless... they have an entire encyclopedia online, called "Wookiepedia" for the full expanded universe... it gives hundreds of facts and details revolving around the main stories... there's just no way in keeping up with it anymore!

I also came to a recent realization of how political the stories are...

1. the corrupt senator/emperor, Palpatine stages an invasion of his planet, to bring chaos to the senate; he is then elected new chancellor of the senate
2. the new chancellor/emperor, stages a tension between the Senate and the Separatists, who feel the system is broken; Palpatine thus creates an army of clones to deal with the threat of these Separatists, which lead to the Clone Wars
3. After 4 years of war, the Chancellor/emperor has extended his term, (FDR style) and begins his conflict with the Jedi Council... once the war is at an end, and the jedi are wiped out, he dismantles the Senate and establishes a Galactic Empire, where he sits on the ultimate seat of power as the dictator overall!
4. After 20 years, the Empire no longer fears any in the galaxy due to their new ultimate weapon, the Death Star... yet a rebellion manages to uprise and destroy this weapon, thus creating a civil war in the galaxy...
5. The civil war wages on, while a new jedi hero is trained to bring down the corrupt emperor
6. The war reaches it's climax, as the death star is reconstructed this time with the emperor at its controls... the rebellion develops an ultimate 3-part plan, to destroy it once and for all... The emperor is finally killed by the jedi hero, and the rebellion crush the galactic emperor!















Friday, January 23, 2009

Hey, Hey, Hey... Goodbye!!

The transition of power was probably my favorite thing to see! First he got booed by millions of people when he stepped out on the Capitol...Then they began singing "Na-Na-Na, Na-Na-Na, Hey-Hey-Hey, Goodbye", as he flew away in his helicopter!! You almost wanted to feel sorry for the guy, but then you remember his lies, war-mongering, and stupidity! So Goodbye, Mr. W, aka, WORST PRESIDENT IN HISTORY!!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Obama's Rise to Glory!

So it's finally official... Obama is president and not a minute to soon! After watching the Inauguration yesterday I couldn't help but admire the amazing images of history! To see him standing at the Capitol addressing millions in the audience and millions around the world was awe-inspiring! The day made for all sorts of striking images, such as people crying tears of happiness! I'll be posting my favorite ones, throughout the next few days! What a joyful, historic day it was!

But it also made me reflect on how Obama got to this historic moment. Starting with his speech at the 2004 DNC, Obama quickly arose to public attention. Within a couple years, he went from an unheard of Senator, to the biggest Political Celebrity this country has ever known. He brings the total package to the presidency; charisma, intelligence, confidence, appeal, firmness, and culture! He has once again made it cool to be patriotic... So anyway, here's a quick glimpse of Obama's exciting campaign through the year, and the memorable gatherings he has brought! These numbers are all record-breaking, and capture his significant impact on the country!


Rally in Portland, Oregon

May 18, 2008

Attendance: 75,000









The Democratic National Convention

INVESCO Field, Colorado, Denver

August 28, 2008

Attendence: 84,000









Rally in St. Louis, MO

October 18, 2008

Attendance: 100,000









Victory Speech

Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois

November 4, 2008

Attendance: 250,000

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Inaugural Address

Washington DC

January 20, 2009

Attendance: 2,000,000




It's been a very long 8 years, and it's nice to finally have a new face in the White House. Obama has already made history, and the real story has yet to even begin! So what happens from here? Only time will tell.... Though I know one thing for sure after seeing these incredible pictures... People are ready for change and Barack Obama is their man to do it!!!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Tribute: Martin Luther King Jr

I feel with today being Martin Luther King day, it is fitting to start a new series of blogs; Tributes to Great Revolutionaries... A revolutionary is someone who has impacted history with a major social change.. whether it's the way we look at race, religion, science, war, art, politics, etc! these people are inspirations in the advancement of peace and humanity! so who better to start with than the voice of the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King!


As a kid, I thought of him merely as a potential day off of school... As a smart, preaching, doctor who marched on Washington DC, and gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech... Sure, I recognized his significance in the African-American community, yet never thought of him as a real historical figure, in the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Ben Franklin, or George Washington... Well now I have completely changed that perspective, and believe that MLK's significance is just as important if not more than the American presidents and leaders we studied in school.

To understand MLK and what he stood for, one must really grab a sense of the time... Following the abolition of slavery, blacks were still harshly treated due to the Jim Crow laws, which basically regulated racial discrimination. These laws kept strict segregations of the races... These segregations continued all the way until the 1950s and 1960s... until MLK, along with other big names such as Rosa Parks and Malcolm X, spoke out and challenged the established system! MLK became the leader of the Civil Rights Movement, with it's soul purpose to end racial discrimination! After years of protest and marching he led the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. This marked a pivotal moment in not only the history of African-Americans yet the history of America as a country. It led to the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which outlawed racial segregation. Even after this important event, MLK continued to work as an activist in hopes that one day people could look beyond color and instead at the content of their character. His assassination in 1968 marked for a terrible loss to the progression of humanity. Yet his voice of change has been long remembered and continues to echo through history!



Martin Luther King Jr, "I have a dream" August 28, 1963 at Lincoln Memorial

"And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the Old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Random Notes

Well I'm back in FW, living here for who knows how long, and I have to say it hasn't really set in yet... the last few days have been very hectic due to my mom's birthday... every year, she likes to turn her birthday into a week-long thing, and this year has been the craziest ever, full of many restaurants and parties... which is why i haven't really had time to get situated much less unpack... hopefully tomorrow though, i'll finally get some time to myself to get things organized!

I've been getting in touch with Sergio lately, which is good, and hopefully he and I can really start working on some things together! we both seem to have similar ideas... I still want to get in touch with many other old FW friends also, and build up somewhat of a network here...

I recently realized that I may need to purchase a car soon, because my brother Gabriel will be getting his liscence soon... This means there no longer will be an extra car floating around, which is not good for my job hunting/social life! I definitely dont want to buy a car, because i feel that it is serious baggage that I don't quite need yet, but i may not have an option... we shall see though... more on this in the future!

I've been falling back into Obama-fever these last few days with the inauguration coming up. I'm happy that I will be able to watch and record the entire thing on Tuesday... It's too bad I can't be there in DC, but i say to myself at least i was there for the historical rally at Grant Park!!

Me and Jackie watched alot of football today... first time in a while! The Arizona Cardinals are going to the Superbowl!? I still can't quite fathom it... McNabb was just a total disappointment today for the Eagles... I can't help but feel sorry for him, and think that maybe he's just washed up! He always comes so close and yet always fails... so anyway it'll be the Cardinals vs. the Steelers for the SuperBowl... I have my money on a Pittsburgh Steelers Blowout!

I had to trim my beard today... :(
after getting a haircut, it just did not go well with the long beard... so after nearly a month of growing it out, the scruffiness is gone! this was by far the longest id ever grown it... someday it will be back!

Saw the movie "Benjamin Button" few days ago with Lauren and I gotta say i walked out with mixed feelings... I had very high expectations for this movie, thinking it was going to be the next "Forest Gump" yet was somewhat let down... The special effects were amazing, and there were some parts that really had my attention, like the tugboat scenes... the length of the movie didn't bother me too much, but i think the sheer strangeness of it all did... the story was interesting, unlike anything I'd ever seen, yet it just made for an all out weird environment... the best example i can think of is at the end, when an old Cate Blanchett holds her true love in her arms; an infant Brad Pitt... awkward!

-coming soon: a Tribute to Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy; two Revolutionists who paved the way for President Barack Obama!!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Greatest Villain of All Time

Well folks... it's all been, "a part of the plan"....... Although I must admit it was not easy making this final decision, I think nobody deserves it more than The Joker. As recent as the performance may be, I still feel that it is fitting to have him at the top, and that his legacy will continue to grow through time... So here's to Heath Ledger as "The Joker", the greatest villain in cinema history!

1. The Joker

Movie: The Dark Knight
Year: 2008
Actor: Heath Ledger

Why: The Joker was taken to a new and darker level with this masterful performance by Heath Ledger. Here we get to see a more psychotic and deranged villain instead of the clown he is known for. His character is still very humorous with many practical jokes yet mixed with a heavy dose of insanity. The Joker feels that Gotham City deserves a better villain and he's the guy to give it to them. He is an agent of chaos who believes the only sensible way to live is without rules, pure anarchy! As mad as The Joker may be, he is also very sensible and is a brilliant, mastermind schemer. Throughout the story he unleashes his master-plans of chaos and havoc in the streets, which not even Batman can fully handle. After all he knew he would not have a chance in a fist-to-fist fight with Batman so why not hit him where it really hurts... The future of Gotham.

Key Line: "Do you know why I use a knife? Guns are too quick. You can't savor all the... little emotions. In... you see, in their last moments, people show you who they really are. So in a way, I know your friends better than you ever did. Would you like to know which of them were cowards?"


Quick ReCap

50. Captain Barbossa (Pirates of the Caribbean)
49. Colonel Stryker (X-Men 2)
48. Marcellus Wallace (Pulp Fiction)
47. Crowned Prince Leopold (The Illusionist)
46. Terry Benedict (Ocean's Eleven)
45. The White Witch (Chronicles of Narnia)
44. Percy Whitmore (The Green Mile)
43. Vincent Vega (Pulp Fiction)
42. Cyrus Grissom (Con-Air)
41. Darth Maul (Star Wars Phantom Menace)
40. Severus Snape (Harry Potter)
39. Coach Bud Kilmer (Varsity Blues)
38. Tommy DeVito (Goodfellas)
37. Frank Costello (The Departed)
36. King Agamemnon (Troy)
35. Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street)
34. Derek Vineyard (American History X)
33. Jules Winnfield (Pulp Fiction)
32. Antonio Salieri (Amadeus)
31. Mola Ran (Indiana Jones & Temple of Doom)
30. Bill the Butcher (Gangs of New York)
29. Mr. Creedy (V for Vendetta)
28. Colonel Frank Fitts (American Beauty)
27. Magneto (X-Men)
26. O-Ren Ishii & the Crazy 88 (Kill Bill Vol 1)
25. King Edward Longshanks (Braveheart)
24. Saruman (Lord of the Rings)
23. Capitan Vidal (Pans Labyrinth)
22. Boba Fett (Star Wars)
21. Sgt. Bob Barnes (Platoon)
20. Wicked Witch of the West (Wizard of Oz)
19. Colonel Kurtz (Apocalypse Now)
18. Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs)
17. Keyser Soze (The Usual Suspects)
16. Sauron (Lord of the Rings)
15. Colonel William Tavington (The Patriot)
14. Jango Fett (Star Wars)
13. Lord Voldermott (Harry Potter)
12. Agent Smith (Matrix)
11. Gollum (Lord of the Rings)
10. Alonzo Harris (Training Day)
9. Warden Samuel Norton (Shawshank Redemption)
8. Michael Corleone (Godfather II)
7. Tyler Durden (Fight Club)
6. Darth Vader (Star Wars)
5. Amon Goeth (Schindler's List)
4. Tony Montana (Scarface)
3. Commodus (Gladiator)
2. Emperor Palpatine (Star Wars)
1. The Joker (The Dark Knight)


Honorable Mention:

-The Deacon (Waterworld) Dennis Hopper
-Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) Louis Fletcher
-Mr. Blonde (Reservoir Dogs) Michael Madsen
-Clubber Lang (Rocky III) Mr. T
-Howard Payne (Speed) Dennis Hopper

Pending Potentials to see:

- Anton Chigurh (No Country for Old Men) Javier Bardem
-Hans Gruber (Diehard) Alan Rickman
-Travis Bickle (Taxi Driver) Robert de Niro
-Norman Bates (American Psycho) Christian Bale
-T1000 (Terminator 2) Robert Patrick

Interesting Notes:

Of the list, 5 were from "Star Wars", and 3 from "Lord of the Rings" and "Pulp Fiction".
Also major kudos goes to Al Pacino, Ralph Fiennes, and Brian Cox for appearing twice as two different characters... these guys just make for good villains!

Final Word:

As usual it has been fun compiling this list, and i hope you enjoy it as I much as I enjoyed creating it! I know I have way too much time on my hands, but this stuff is just way too fun! Once again, I know this list is likely to change over the years, as I watch newer or older movies, yet for now, I feel pretty good with it... Let me know if you would add anyone else?
You may notice there aren't any slasher/horror villains on this list, and I can tell you why... as creepy and horrific as they may be, i see no skill or real draw in the performance of their characters... its nothing but gruesome disturbing gore! so you might have to find another list to see Freddy Kruger, Jason, or Leatherface...

Top 50 Villains: 10-2

10. Alonzo Harris

Movie: Training Day
Year: 1999
Actor: Denzell Washington

Why: Alonzo Harris is a man who understands the streets and system of L.A. He is an extremely corrupt narcotics detective who is hated yet respected by everyone. He is a man that knows nobody can mess with him so he does whatever he wants to do. Throughout the movie he devises a master plan to frame and kill his trainee.

Key Line: "Aww, you motherfuckers. Okay. Alright. I'm putting cases on all you bitches. Huh. You think you can do this shit... Jake. You think you can do this to me? You motherfuckers will be playing basketball in Pelican Bay when I get finished with you. SHU program, nigga. 23 hour lockdown. I'm the man up in this piece. You'll never see the light of... who the fuck do you think you're fucking with. I'm the police, I run shit around here. You just live here. Yeah, thats right, you better walk away. Go on and walk away... cause I'm gonna burn this motherfucker down... King Kong aint got shit on me!"

9. Warden Samuel Norton

Movie: Shawshank Redemption
Year: 1994
Actor: Bob Gunton

Why: As warden of Shawshank, Samuel Norton believes there are two things that can save a man's soul; discipline and the bible. He starts off as a strict disiplinary yet his crookedness begins to unveil further on in the story. The warden takes full advantage of Andy Dufrense's bank knolwedge, by exploiting the prisoner's free labor to make his own personal profit. He treats Dufrense like total vermin and constantly sends him to confinement. He even goes as far as killing a prisoner that happens to be Andy's ticket out of Shawshank. Seems this hardcore Christian had misinterpreted the bible, when he realized his judgment had cometh.

Key Line: "Nothing stops. Nothing... or you will do the hardest time there is. No more protection from the guards. I'll pull you out of that one-bunk Hilton and cast you down with the Sodomites. You'll think you've been fucked by a train! And the library? Gone... sealed off, brick-by-brick. We'll have us a little book barbecue in the yard. They'll see the flames for miles. We'll dance around it like wild Injuns! You understand me? Catching my drift?... Or am I being to obtuse?... Give him another month to think about it"

8. Michael Corleone

Movie: Godfather II
Year: 1974
Actor: Al Pacino

Why: Michael Corleone extends his complex character in this masterful sequel where he falls deeper into the family mafia business. This time Michael is at the controls of the Corleone family, having to make all sorts of important decisions. Decisions that end up ruining his marriage and driving him mad. Decisions such as framing, killing, and weeding out possible traitors. The epitome of his evilness comes in the end when he kills his own brother...

Key Line: "Fredo, you're nothing to me now. You're not a brother, you're not a friend. I don't want to know you or what you do. I don't want to see you at the hotels, I don't want you near my house. When you see mother, I want to know a day in advance, so I won't be there. You understand?"

7. Tyler Durden

Movie: Fight Club
Year: 1999
Actor: Brad Pitt

Why: Tyler Durden is a free-spirited soap salesman, who lives in a run-down house, and likes to fight on his free time... or is he? It is not found out until the end of the movie that Tyler is actually an alter-ego that the protagonist has created. He is a complex character who defies the norms, and is strongly against the system of capitalism. The club itself is only a means to start up the real project, "Project Mayhem".

Key Line: "Man, I see in fight club the strongest and smartest men who've ever lived. I see all this potential, and i see squandering. God damn it, an entire generation pumping gas, waiting tables; slaves with white collars. Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need. We're the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War's a spiritual war... our great Depression is our lives. We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we wont. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off."

6. Darth Vader

Movie: Star Wars
Year: 1977
Actor: Hayden Christianson, David Prowse, James Earl Jones

Why: Darth Vader is the epitome of bad guys. He is a Sith lord of the dark side clouded with evil. Dressed in his black metallic armor he is mostly machine. Adding to his intimidating character is his large stature and very deep voice. His story starts back as a child where he quickly excelled to become one of the greatest Jedi's. He was eventually subdued by his fear and anger, and gave in to the emperor. He thus became an agent of evil, and one of the most feared men in the galaxy. Lord Vader was an ultimate villain in the galaxy, yet always remained loyal to his master, Emperor Palpatine. His finest display of strength was when he was able to defy his master and sacrifice his life to save his son.

Key Line: "You have failed me for the last time, Admiral!"

5. Amon Goeth

Movie: Schindler's List
Year: 1993
Actor: Ralph Fiennes

Why: In this masterpiece you are truly awakened by the evilness of Amon Goeth. This German commander and Hitler-devotee, is the definition of real evil. He served as the commander of a concentration camp, overseeing the imprisonment and execution of thousands of Jews. He was a heavy alcoholic, and proud fascist. He honestly despised and disgusted Jewish so much that he felt it was his duty to rid them from the world. He is a character that sends chills down your spine.

Key Line: "This is very cruel, Oskar. You're giving them hope. You shouldn't do that. That's cruel."
4. Tony Montana

Movie: Scarface
Year: 1983
Actor: Al Pacino

Why: He is a hot-tempered Cuban refugee who considers himself a political prisoner of Communism. He starts of small as a drug dealer and eventually finds himself as a right-hand man to the drug boss. Once he gets a taste of the wealth, he begins to want more and lets his greed take over him. He is a man who believes the world is his. He becomes the richest man in Miami with an international drug empire. He soon finds his biggest problem is not the police or competition, yet what to do with all his money. He puts his money above everything and does not trust anyone, not even his best friend. In the end he completely loses his composure and unleashes hell on those who oppose him.

Key Line: "What you lookin' at? You all a bunch of fuckin' assholes. You know why? You don't have the guts to be what you wanna be. You need people like me. You need people like me so you can point your fuckin' fingers and say, 'That's the bad guy.' So... what that make you? Good? You're not good. You just know how to hide, how to lie. Me, I don't have that problem. Me, I always tell the truth. Even when I lie. So say goodnight to the bad guy! Come on. The last time you gonna see a bad guy like this again, let me tell you."
3. Commodus

Movie: Gladiator
Year: 2000
Actor: Joaquin Phoenix

Why: He was the weakling son of the great Marcus Auerlius, trying to earn his father's respect. Yet it wasn't until the emperor refused to give Commodus the throne, claiming he was nothing but a failed son, that he really lost it. After killing his own father, Commodus began a new vision for Rome; to bring the spectacle of death upon the people. Thus began his conflict with Maximus, the general who refused to swear loyalty to the new emperor. Commodus punished Maximus by having the general and his family killed. Although Maximus was able to escape his family became the victims of a terrible crucifixion. This general became a slave who became a gladiator, and thus became the voice of defiance within the arena, which drove Commodus to further madness. Finally in the end Commodus is able to concoct a trap to lure in all his conspirators and dish out fierce punishments. His sickness is best displayed when he mocks Maximus with his dead family, or threatens his sister to provide him an heir. He is a wicked, insecure, immoral emperor on a ruthless quest for respect.

Key Line:
"Lucius will stay with me now. And if his mother so much as looks at me in a manner that displeases me, he will die. If she decides to be noble and take her own life, he will die. And as for you, you will love me as I loved you. You will provide me with an heir of pure blood, so that Commodus and his progeny will rule for a thousand years. Am I not merciful? AM I NOT MERCIFUL!"

2. Emperor Palpatine

Movie: Star Wars
Year: 1983
Actor: Ian McDiarmid

Why: This master of the Sith, is the ultimate villain of Star Wars. With his wrinkly skin, shaky voice, and hooded figure he makes for the utmost example of evil. He begins with a complex plan to dismantle the Senate, and establish a Galactic Empire, where he can rule as emperor. He uses others as scapegoats and sacrifices in his master plan. He wipes out the Jedi, and wages a full scale war to establish himself as emperor. With the Jedi gone, Palpatine not only sits in the ultimate seat of power yet also becomes the ultimate power, with none left to challenge him. With the entire galaxy under his control, including Darth Vader, Palpatine is like a satanic god. He would destroy an entire planet without a moment's notice. He would even let his own apprentice die, if it meant finding a stronger one. He is the darkest of villains, who puts power above everything!

Key Line:
"POWER!!! UNLIMITED, POWER!!"

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Top 50 Villains: 20-11

20. Wicked Witch of the West

Movie: Wizard of Oz
Year: 1939
Actress: Margaret Hamilton

Why: This green old witch use to scare the B'Jesus out of me as a kid... She lives in a dark castle with her creepy flying monkeys and has it our for Dorothy... Whether its her green skin, big nose, black hat, broomstick, or squeaky evil voice, she makes for the ultimate classic witch.

Key Line: "I'll get you My Pretty... and your little dog too!!"




19. Col. Kurtz

Movie: Apocalypse Now
Year: 1979
Actor: Marlon Brando

Why: He is a crazed renegade who has become a warlord deep in the jungles of Vietnam. He has created a colony of brainwashed prisoners, who consider him a genius and a demi-god. Col Kurtz believes what he is doing is right, and that nobody can judge him unless they've seen what he has seen. He has a demented ideology and is a serious threat to both Americans and Vietnamese alike.

Key Line: "I watched a snail crawl along the edge of a straight razor. That's my dream. That's my nightmare. Crawling, slithering, along the edge of a straight... razor... and surviving."


18. Hannibal Lecter

Movie: Silence of the Lambs
Year: 1991
Actor: Anthony Hopkins

Why: This intelligent psychopathic doctor has become an iconic villain in cinema history. He comes off as a rather gentle, likable person, yet has a taste for human flesh. His madness goes beyond cannibalism, when he grows infatuated with Clarice Starling. Mix some extremely creepy eyes, psychotic mind, and a dose of cannibalism and you have the madness of Hannibal Lecter, one the sickest, most disturbing villains ever.

Key Line: "Good Evening, Clarice"


17. Keyser Soze/ Verbal Kint

Movie: The Usual Suspects
Year: 1995
Actor: Kevin Spacey

Why: Verbal Kint appears to be a weak, limping, stuttering, coward of a person, yet shocks everyone when he reveals his true secret identity. Keyser Soze, is a mastermind conspirator with a very dark history and is believed to be only a myth.. The true genius of the character is not revealed until the end of the movie, when Verbal leaves the police station and slowly changes his limping stride into a smooth stride, thus revealing himself as Keyser Soze, the devil himself.

Key Line: "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist. And like that... he is gone."

16. Sauron

Movie: Lord of the Rings
Year: 2001

Why: This dark master of evil, is the key antagonist in the vast story of Lord of the Rings. After losing the ring of power, Sauron dwells in a mountain of fire as an all seeing eye in search for the ring. He unites all the evil in the land, from Saruman the White, to the dragons, the orcs, wicked men, nascals, Uruk-hai, etc.. to find his lost ring. He is the most feared force in Middle earth, with every dark creature under his control...

Key Line: "I Ssss-ee You!"


15. British Colonel William Tavington

Movie: The Patriot
Year: 2000
Actor: Jason Isaacs

Why: Set during the American Revolution, British Col. Tavington has a cruel and unethical method of war... He feels the best way to deal with American militias is to sweep each town and threaten or torture their civilians. He takes things even further after he kills not one, but two of the Patriot's sons. He is a wicked, ruthless leader without any morals.

Key Line: "The town? Burn the church."





14. Jango Fett

Movie: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Year: 2002
Actor: Temuera Morrison

Why: Similar to his son Boba Fett, Jango is simply the total package of cool. He is one of the most feared bounty hunters in the galaxy, fully equipped with a heavy arsenal of weapons. He is a modest, mysterious character just like his son Boba, yet we actually learn more about Jango's story. He looks at his profession as merely business and not personal. One minute he is having a conversation with Obi-Wan and the next minute they are engaged in a fierce battle in the rain. He makes for the coolest villain in Star Wars.

Key Line: "Always a pleasure to meet a jedi!"


13. Lord Voldermott

Movie: Harry Potter

Year: 2005
Actor: Ralph Fiennes

Why: He is a dark wizard of great power who lived long before Harry Potter as the most feared wizard. He killed any who opposed him, including Harry's parents. The night he killed Harry's parents, he himself was killed by touching Harry. Throughout the story He-who-must-not-be-named is on a mission to regain his full power and defeat Harry once and for all.

Key Line: "Don't you turn your back on me, Harry Potter! I want you to look at me when I kill you. I want to see the light leave your eyes."


12. Agent Smith

Movie: Matrix
Year: 1999
Actor: Hugo Weaving

Why: Agent Smith is a phenomenal villain characterized by his sunglasses and lack of emotion. As the lead agent of the Matrix, he serves as Neo's ultimate nemesis. He speaks with such subtlety, stressing his words, and emphasizing his point. He starts as an agent and than expands to a virus with the ability to multiply.. . He becomes an ultimate fighting machine stronger than the Matrix itself.

Key Line: "Mr. Anderson, you disappoint me."




11. Gollum

Movie: Lord of the Rings
Year: 2002
Actor: Peter Serkis

Why: He was once a man named Smeagol, taken over by the ring and turned into a monster. As Gollum he became a prisoner to the will of the ring. He serves as the wicked guide of Sam & Frodo constantly setting them up with peril. He appears to be faithful to the hobbits, yet is nothing but a scheming villain who only longs for the ring. In the end he refuses to let the ring fall into the fires of Mordor and ends up dying with it.

Key Line: "My P-r-r-r-ecious"

Heading back to the Fort

So it's official ladies and gentleman... after a full year of living here in Chicago, I am moving back to Fort Wayne... I have to say these last few days at Greenleaf were kind of the final straw, as my apartment pretty much went to shit, quite literally... but all in all i don't regret none of this one bit, and it has all been quite the memorable experience... I must say i am definitely looking forward to living back in Fort Wayne where i actually know people, and have a good network of friends and family... hopefully within a few weeks, i'll be able to get a job and my own place... we shall see though!! one thing at a time!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Top 50 Villains: 30-21

30. Bill the Butcher

Movie: Gangs of New York
Year: 1999
Actor: Daniel Day Lewis

Why: This gang-leading patriot is like a king in the early years of New York City. He represents the Nativist district of the "Five Points" and is more powerful than the authorities. He is an extremely patriotic and racist visionary, who believes the new Irish-Catholic immigrants are a threat to America. He is not afraid to get his hands dirty once in a while, hence the name Bill the Butcher.

Key Line: "He aint earned a death! He aint a death at my hands! No, he'll walk amongst you marked with shame, a freak worthy of Barnum's Museum of Wonders. God's only man, spared by the Butcher!"

29. Mr. Creedy

Movie: V for Vendetta
Year: 2006
Actor: Tom Piggot-Smith

Why: Set in a totalitarian British regime, Mr. Creedy serves as the head of the Secret Police and disposer of those who defy the government. His black body bags become a symbol of his cruel and unforgiving character. He despises everybody, including his boss.

Key Line: "Not so funny now is it, Funny Man?"


28. Colonel Frank Fitts

Movie: American Beauty
Year: 1999
Actor: Chris Cooper

Why: This ultra-conservative colonel has just moved into the neighborhood and simply cannot stand homosexuals. He is a strict disciplinary who constantly beats his son. His anger is truly unleashed when he believes his son is selling drugs and is a queer. He finally opens up and unleashes his insecurities to Lester Burnam, who just happens to be at the wrong end of the barrel.

Key Line: "You're damn straight I do. I'd rather you were dead than be a fuckin' faggot!"





27. Magneto

Movie: X-Men
Year: 2000
Actor: Ian McKellan

Why: Magneto is a proud evil mutant dedicated to rid the world of humanity. Due to his extreme intellegence and supreme powers of controlling metal, he is the leader of all evil mutants. He has made it his passion to take over the world. Although humans are his primary enemy, he has become the arch-nemesis of the X-Men.

Key Line: "You are a God among insects... Never let anyone tell you differently."


26. O-ren Ishii and the Crazy 88

Movie: Kill Bill Vol. 1
Year: 2003
Actor: Lucy Lui

Why: Never has a fighting force been as awesome as the Crazy 88, led by their assassin boss O'ren "Cottonmouth" Ishii. The gang consists of both sexes and use swords as their primary weapons. Under O'ren's superior skills, comes an entire cabinet of villains just as demented as she is. First there is Sofie Fatale, second-in-command as O'ren's lawyer. Then comes Johnny Mo, the loyal leader of the 88, finally there is the very disturbed 17 year old girl named, Gogo, with a fine skill of the chain weapon.

Key Line: "The price you pay for bringing up either my Chinese or American heritage as a negative is,... I collect your fucking head. Just like the fucker here. Now, if any of you sons of bitches got anything else to say, now's the fucking time!"

25. King Edward Longshanks

Movie: Braveheart
Year: 1995
Actor: Patrick McGoohan

Why: King Edward Longshanks is the driving force of evil in this historical epic of Scotland vs. England. He begins his immoral campaign against Scotland by passing the law of Primae Noctis, forcing all Scottish women to give their virginity to the British. He considers his son a weakling and puts his love for England above everything else.

Key Line: "The trouble with Scotland is that it's full of Scots."




24. Saruman

Movie: Lord of the Rings
Year: 2001
Actor: Christopher Lee

Why: This powerful wizard turns against good when hope is nearly lost. With his deep, dark voice, tall stature, and white presence, Saruman makes for a chilling servant of evil. He becomes the hand of "Sauron" and the wise leader of the Orcs. He imprisons Gandalf and forms a great army of Uruk-Hai to destroy mankind. He gets aroused at the thought of killing women and children. He is blinded by the power of the ring.

Key Line: "A New power is rising! It's victory is at hand. This night the land will be stained with the blood of Rohan. March to Helm's Deep. Leave none alive! To War!"


23. Capitan Vidal

Movie: Pan's Labyrinth
Year: 2006
Actor: Sergi Lopez

Why: Set during post WW2 Spain, Capitan Vidal, is an extreme fascist who has been put in charge of a military post, to wipe out rebels. He is an extremely proud man, who puts his political values above everything, even his family. He is a ruthless leader, who believes honor is what defines a man. He does not care for his dying wife nor daughter in-law, yet only for his future son and the Regime of Spain.

Key Line: "I choose to be here because I want my son to be born in a new, clean Spain."

22. Boba Fett

Movie: Star Wars
Year: 1980
Actor: Peter Bulloch

Why: As a kid obsessed with Star Wars, Boba Fett was always my favorite character. He is a bounty hunter, who captures and encases Han Solo in carbonite. The coolest thing about Boba Fett is his arsenal of weapons. He is fully equipped with a jet pack, rocket launcher, blast rifle, disrupter pistol, remote explosives, fiber chord, and a missile attached to his jet pack. He is a very mysterious character, who doesn't say much, and usually shows his approval with a modest nod of the head. There has never been a cooler action figure than Boba Fett.

Key Line: "He's no good to me dead!"



21. Sgt Bob Barnes

Movie: Platoon
Year: 1984
Actor: Thomas Beringer

Why: This conservative Sgt, has begun to grow mad during his time at Vietnam and uses alcohol as a means to escape. He begins to grow a strong dislike towards the druggies in the platoon which he calls the, "heads". As division begins to occur within the platoon, Sgt. Barnes takes the matter into his own hands by killing one of his own, the compassionate Sgt. Elias Gordan. He is a proud, merciless leader who despises hippies just as much as the Vietnamese.

Key Line: "Are you smoking this shit so's to escape from reality? Me, I don't need this shit. I am reality."




My Rocking New Phone


I'm loving this new phone!! It's called the ROKR by Motorola, and the name pretty much says it all... It might as well be an MP3 player, with great sound quality, easy access, and 2 GB of storage space!! Its nice to finally have an awesome phone! A sleek modern phone where I can send and receive picture messages, or use any song i want as a customized ringtone! Now I can take my music anywhere with me!!

-anyway, more Villains Coming Up!!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Top 50 Villains: 40-31

40. Severus Snape

Movie: Harry Potter
Year: 2001
Actor: Alan Rickman

Why: Snape has a very dark mystique about him, that has always made him one of the most intriguing characters in Harry Potter. As the professor of Potions, and house-leader of "Slytherin", he is the most feared person at "Hogwarts". Snape despises Harry and makes his life at Hogwarts a living hell. He was a former "Death-Eater"yet sacrifices his life in the end for Harry Potter... What an admirable villain!!

Key Line: "Clearly fame isn't everything, is it Mr. Potter?"




39. Coach Bud Kilmer

Movie: Varsity Blues
Year: 1999
Actor: Jon Voight

Why: This racist, high school football coach refuses to lose and will stop at nothing to win his state championship. Coach Kilmer is a typical conservative Texan who puts his ego above everything and everyone... he is as cold-blooded as they come, and must win at all costs, even if it means risking the health of his own players...

Key Line: "You got to be the dumbest smart kid I know!"



38. Tommy DeVito

Movie: Goodfellas
Year: 1992
Actor: Joe Pesci
Why: He's a hot-headed, Italian Mafia man, on his way to the top, and isn't afraid to kill those who disrespect him.... Sure he may not look like much, or even sound like much, but he definitely knows how to pack a punch when it counts.

Key Line: "No, No, I don't know, you said it. How do I know? You said I'm funny. How the Fuck am I funny, what the fuck is so funny about me? Tell me, tell me what's so funny?"



37. Frank Costello

Movie: The Departed
Year: 2006
Actor: Jack Nicholson

Why: Frank Costello is an untouchable Irish Mob Boss, with a serious rat problem that is driving him insane. He is a ruthless person who believes that no one gives you anything, you have to take it. He is not afraid to get his hands dirty, and shows his true madness when he begins to play with a cut-off, bloody, hand...

Key Line: "When you decide to be something, you can be it. That's what they don't tell you in the church. When I was your age they would say we can become cops, or criminals. Today, what I'm saying to you is this: when you're facing a loaded gun, what's the difference?"

36. King Agamemnon

Movie: Troy
Year: 2004
Actor: Brian Cox

Why: This war-mongering king believes that peace is for women and the weak. He unites the entire nation of Greece to wage war on Troy... He does not care for his brother's kidnapped wife, "Helen" nor his finest warrior, "Achilles"... He cares only for wealth and glory! He believes the world is his for the taking!

Key Line: "LET TROY BURN!!!"

35. Sweeney Todd

Movie: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Year: 2007
Actor: Johnny Depp

Why: After being falsely sentenced, this skilled barber changes his name to Sweeny Todd and re-opens his barber shop on Fleet Street. As an act of vengeance, he begins a mass-murder spree by cutting the scalps of his customers and serving them in Mrs. Lovett's pies. Who ever thought a musical could produce such a twisted villain.

Key Line: "I Will Have Vengeance!"




34. Derek Vineyard

Movie: American History X
Year: 2000
Actor: Edward Norton

Why: This intelligent white supremacist is a passionate leader of a Neo-Nazi underground based in L.A. He is an angry, obsessive, know-it-all person with some serious grudges. After he decapitates two black men, he spends some time in jail where he begins to rethink life. He makes for a very chilling yet realistic villain...

Key Line: "Every night, thousands of these parasites steam across the border like some fucking pinata exploded. Don't laugh! There's nothing funny going on here!"



33. Jules Winnfield

Movie: Pulp Fiction
Year: 1994
Actor: Samuel Jackson

Why: Jules Winnfield is the ultimate bad-ass mother fucker of L.A. With his classic perm hairdo, he works as a hit-man for Marcellus, until he has a sudden spiritual awakening. He is best known for reciting Ezekiel 25:17 before popping a cap in somebody's ass.

Key Line: "And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee!"



32. Antonio Salieri

Movie: Amadeus
Year: 1984
Actor: F. Murray Abraham

Why: This sophisticated musician of mediocrity lives a life of jealousy and claims that God has abandoned him... that God mocks him through the genius of Mozart... Having lost all his faith, Salieri decides to develop a master-plan to drive Mozart into madness... He becomes Mozart's final death requiem, yet later falls into madness himself...

Key Line: "I speak for all mediocrities in the world. I am their champion. I am their patron saint!"




31. Mola Ran

Movie: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Year: 1984
Actor: Amrish Puri

Why: This demonic priest performs human sacrifices and rituals by pulling out the person's heart, then dropping them down into burning hot lava... He is as freaky as they come, especially when his eyes glow with excitement as he pulls out his victim's heart...

Key Line: "You Don't believe me? You will Dr. Jones. You will be a true believer!"