My favorites of film and television

**This was originally an open-topic post that I did in a class of mine from last Fall. It is not an all encompassing list of favorites, but rather more of a casual sample of what I enjoy. That being said, I do feel that I left some stuff out. Missing from my favorite shows are MASH and Good Eats. These are two shows that I could just sit down and watch at any time. I just love the atmosphere of them. It is like enjoying a comfortable silence with a significant other. **

I love television and film. But I do not like reality shows, because they take away from the art of creation (plus, I don't enjoy seeing the most despicable, idiotic, and ignorant that humanity has to offer). But here is a list of some of my favorite shows and movies, as well as some descriptions and quotes.

Television
Friends - A unique dynamic of six different personalities made this show as popular as it was. I find that the rewatchability is high, especially with ten seasons to choose from. - "You have to stop the Q-Tip when there's resistance. "

How I Met Your Mother - This is an amazing show. It has some very stereotypical sitcom aspects, but the uniqueness of the dialogue really sets it apart. - "Suit Up!"

Seinfeld - A show about nothing, but one that somehow mixed the ridiculous with the ordinary. - "It's a Festivus miracle!"

The Simpsons - A show that is way past its prime (Its glory days were seasons 3-9). I haven't watched a new episode in two years, but I still regularly watch those from the aforementioned glory days. The show is a beautiful parody of the family sitcom and satire of television in general. - "I've said it before and I'll say it again: Democracy simply doesn't work."

Futurama - This is basically what The Simpsons would be if it didn't have to be grounded in reality. It is sad that this show was cancelled, but the new feature length movies are great. Plus, since it ended in its prime, it wont have a chance to go past its prime. - "Fly the white flag of war."

Honorable mentions - Arrested Development, Entourage, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Lost, The Office, The Venture Bros.


Movies
The Princess Bride - I watched this movie more than any other when I was young and I like it even more now that I am older. But I will let the tagline say the rest: Heroes. Giants. Villains. Wizards. True Love. - Not just your basic, average, everyday, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, ho-hum fairy tale. - "Have fun storming the castle!"

The Big Lebowski - One of the funniest movies that I have ever seen. Not only is this due to the vision of the Coen Brothers, but also because of great performances by Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, and Steve Buscemi. - "Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon, with nail polish."

Signs - I am always interested in exploring the mysteries of extra-terrestrials. The movie has a good mix of suspense and comedy, and an interesting take on faith and coincidence. Plus, unlike The Sixth Sense, I enjoy the movie more each time I watch it. - "Everybody in this family needs to just calm down and eat some fruit or something."

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou - This is a movie that can simply make you laugh with one viewing and pull at your heartstrings with another viewing. Bill Murray is amazing, it has the music of David Bowie (sometimes sung by Bowie and sometimes translated into Portuguese), and Wes Anderson's unique style of direction. I just cannot think of anything bad to say about it. - "I'm going to fight it, but I'll let it live. What about my dynamite?"

The Dark Knight - I am somewhat apprehensive of putting such a recent movie on this list, but this one was too magnificent to leave out. I love the Batman universe. That aside, this movie blew me away with its great script, attention to detail, and oscar-caliber acting. I honestly think that it will be a travesty if Heath Ledger does not win an Academy Award. On the surface it is a blockbuster comic book movie, but it makes some compelling statements about good and evil and human nature in a society of chaos and fear. - "See, I'm not a monster, I'm just ahead of the curve. "

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - Without a doubt my favorite movie of all time. It has a good amount of action, a superb score, Sean Connery, and just the right amount of silliness. It is not trying to be the greatest movie of all time, it is just trying to entertain. Plus, Nazis are the ultimate villains. - "You call this archaeology?"

Honorable Mentions -
As Good as it Gets - "People who talk in metaphors oughta shampoo my crotch"
Die Hard - "Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker"
Ferris Bueller's Day Off - "Bueller?... Bueller?... Bueller? "
Jurassic Park - "Hold on to your butts."
Vanilla Sky - "Without the bitter, baby, the sweet just ain't as sweet."
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - "It happens every time: they all become blueberries."

Losing Faith in Humanity

I just saw Watchmen. The movie itself was mediocre leaning towards decent. It lacked subtly and power. I am not too disappointed, but I did not expect much. The disgusting part of my movie going experience was the audience. Aside from the adults laughing every time there was a blue penis on the screen, there were way too many young kids in that graphically R-rated movie. The Comedian is violently punching and kicking the bloodied Silk Spectre as he bends her over a table to rape her, and a child in the crowd that could not be any older than seven (at the MOST) says "whoa!" in a tone of innocence and awe. Worse than that, the adults around the child (I assume they are the parents) laugh at the child's reaction during this scene of violence and sexual abuse, and the laughter ripples through the theatre. This is absolutely disgusting. That movie was not for children. And what does this say about the adults that bring their kids to that movie? And what does it say about the rest of the audience that laugh at the child being exposed to concepts such as that?

That event sickened me more than the rape scene, or any other scene in that movie. I know there were other people in that theatre that were as disappointed in society as I was, which is a good sign, but way too many people laughed about it. Not only are these people ruining the movie going experience, they are corrupting their children. It is sad that they were able to breed at all. I guess it just emphasizes Rorschach's statement: "It is not God who kills the children. Not fate that butchers them or destiny that feeds them to the dogs. It’s us. Only us."