Top 100 Films of the 00's

That's right, as a enthusiast of films.. and lists, I have decided to make a list showcasing my top 100 films of this decade that is coming to an end very soon.

Here it is...

100.) Spider-Man 2

99.) The Cove

98.) Hotel Rwanda

97.) Training day

96.) 50 First Dates

95.) Napoleon Dynamite

94.) Milk

93.) An Education

92.) Thumbsucker

91.) The King of Kong

90.) The Girl Next Door

89.) Mulholland Drive

88.) Paper Heart

87.) Match Point

86.) Death Proof

85.) Boiler Room

84.) Iron Man

83.) Meet the Parents

82.) I Love You, Man

81.) The Host

80.) Super Size Me

79.) The 40-Year-Old Virgin

78.) Thank You for Smoking

77.) Little Miss Sunshine

76.) Mystic River

75.) Donnie Darko

74.) Wedding Crashers

73.) Across the Universe

72.) The Hangover

71.) Just Friends

70.) Cast Away

69.) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

68.) Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

67.) 28 Days Later

66.) Shaun of the Dead

65.) District 9

64.) School of Rock

63.) Stranger Than Fiction

62.) Finding Nemo

61 .) Son of Ranbow

60.) Star Trek

59.) Adaptation

58.) Inglorious Basterds

57.) Funny People

56.) Margot at the Wedding

55.) In Good Company

54.) Superbad

53.) Shrek

52.) Gladiator

51.) The Last King of Scotland

50.) The Squid and the Whale

49.) Avatar

48.) Fever Pitch

47.) Finding Neverland

46.) Up

45.) The Bourne Identity

44.) Remember the Titans

43.) Once

42.) Miracle

41.) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

40.) Love Actually

39.) I Heart Huckabees

38.) Rachel Getting Married

37.) The Darjeeling Limited

36.) WALL-E

35.) Old School

34.) Van Wilder

33.) Synechdoche, New York

32.) Lord of the Rings Trilogy

31.) Let the Right One In

30.) The Wrestler

29.) Knocked Up

28.) The Dark Knight

27.) Big Fish

26.) No Country for Old Men

25.) Friday Night Lights

24.) The Motorcycle Diaries

23.) Fantastic Mr. Fox

22.) The Departed

21.) Brokeback Mountain

20.) Old Boy

19.) City of God

18.) Amelie

17.) Up in the Air

16.) Adventureland

15.) Where the Wild Things Are

14.) Away We Go

13.) Juno

12.) The Life Aquatic

11.) Slumdog Millionaire

10.) The Royal Tenenbaums

9.) High Fidelity

8.) Lost in Translation

7 .) (500) Days of Summer

6.) There Will Be blood

5.) The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

4.) Into the wild

3.) Eternal Sunshine of the spotless Mind

2.) Almost Famous

1.) Garden State

TFF 2009

Tomorrow, I will be heading to the 36th annual Telluride Film Festival. This will be my second year in a row attending. Last year was fantastic, and this year looks to be even better. It is not one of the powerhouse festivals like toronto or Sundance, but it has been the birthplace for many recent successful films like Into the wild, Juno, and Slumdog Millionaire. the best part of the festival is its intimacy. Press, Writers, Celebrities, and executives have to stand in the same lines with regular patrons. From what I hear, it is quite difficult to receive any kind of credentials to Telluride. Not to mention, Telluride is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Oprah, Tom Cruise, and others have houses up in the hills. I love that the towns primary mode of transportation is by gondola.

My Most Anticipated Films For This Year's Festival:

1.) Up in the Air(Not officially announced yet, but I am fairly certain that it will be a sneak preview)

2.) An Education

3.) The Road (w/tribute to Viggo Mortenson)

4.) Bright Star

5.) Coco Before Chanel

You Pulled Me Out Of The Dark And Now It's Light

Summer!! Woo!

School is out, the sun is up, my windows are down, its that time again. I'm always at my happiest during summer. Aren't we all though? Summer to me is; long days, late nights, tea, limeade, bare feet, fresh cut grass, super-hero movies, youth, pop-punk, girls in dresses, forgetting how to hate, etc. I am once again, thrilled for what is to come in the next few months. However, for the first time, I will be attending some summer classes. As this will surely put a damper on the situation, I'll try not to let it put me down too much.

It's basically been a year since I moved back to CO from CA. OH could I ever talk(type) your heads off about this. I won't. I will say though, that I am full of mixed feelings. A part of me is wishing that I never left. Thinking that my teary eyed drive all the way till Barstow was a internal sign to never leave. Maybe the full-body numbness was trying to tell me something? However, I am here in Colorado, and I'm so happy. I will not lie that most of this year has been bland, and boring. Although, I have met this incredible girl! She's so great guys. I love the world and her parents for bringing her here. She's such a gift. I can't wait to run around with her everywhere this summer. We might be trapped in suburbia, but we don't care. We can turn hell into a playground. We're like the heterosexual version of Bert and Ernie. I'm going to be picking so many flowers for this girl, this summer. She's just lovely.

I still can't help but reminisce of the summer of 2007. Driving down pch with Rob listening to "June on the West Coast".. In June! On the West Coast! There's no point in trying to beat that summer with any other summer. That will always be the best summer that anyone will ever experience. So as I'll be enjoying these months, I will still especially be missing my friends.

I've got some goals this summer!

-Eat well, exercise lots

-See as many "Blockbuster" movies as I can. Even if I know they're going to be horrible.

-Go to at least two Red Rocks Shows. Death Cab? Wilco? Kings of Leon? Gin Blossoms?

-Take at least one mini-road trip. Utah? Grand Canyon? Nebraska?

The only thing that bums me out about all this is.. I know it won't be long before I'm back on here, talking about how fast the summer went by, and how nothing went as planned. Let's just try to put that in the way back of the mind. After all, summer is about living each day for that day. You know, forgetting about yesterday and not thinking about tomorrow. Let's try to maintain that.

Just try to love everything this summer.

Now We Can See

So what have I been up to...

Well, I just realized that I've bought a lot of music lately. I need to take a break from it. I should have enough to tide me over anyways.

Here's what I've got recently:

-My Maudlin Career by Camera Obscura

-The Open Door EP by Death Cab for Cutie

-Lock Sport Krock by Nikola Sarcevic

-Let's Fall Back in Love EP by Slow Club

-Songs of Shame by Woods

-Boxer by The National (FINALLY)

-Now We Can See by The Thermals

They're all great.

So what else..

I finally caught up with season 2 of Chuck in time to watch the season finale tonight. It took a little while to grow on me, but I now love this show. It's fantastic.

Steph and I are attempting to become Frisbee throwing champions. We've had two "practices" so far and needless to say, we have a lot of room for improvement. Especially myself, sadly.

Due to financial issues, I'm going to have to move back into my mothers house. It's not going to be horrible, I'm here a lot of the time as is, but it's still nice to know I've got my little hideaway in Denver when Parker becomes a little much, which can happen quite easily. But I will be able to actually save some money, that I will absolutely need when I graduate. I'm hoping it won't be too bad.

I'm still glued to the NHL playoffs, although the first round hasn't been too incredibly exciting so far. At least not as much as I'd hoped for. Hopefully there will be more "drama" in the second round. However, there are a couple game 7's tomorrow which are always intense.

(As the commercial is playing in front of me) Is KFC going through an identity crisis?? I just saw them advertising "Kentucky Grilled Chicken". Uhh... What the fuck?

I recently created what I think to be the best mix CD that I have ever made. Most of you should know, that's a pretty bold statement for me to make. It stays private for now, but if the beloved recipient grants permission, I just might make it available to the public ;)

Finally..

I'm so sick of this Bipolar weather we've been having in Colorado. the weather sometimes tends to factor with my mood, so it's been messing me up a little. This morning when I left for school, I had to sport the hoodie w/ pea coat situation as snow was getting on my glasses, and by the time I left for work at 3, it was sunny outside and I was fine in my short sleeve. I'm just asking for some consistency.

"What if?" Is Such An Awful Game To Play

I'm about to go to sleep, but before I do..

There's been something bugging me all day for some reason. It actually happens occasionally. I was thinking about whether I made the right decision to move back to Colorado. To give a definitive answer, I think I made a mistake. But the question is ridiculous, considering that it has no relevance since it's all in the past.

At this point, right now, I wish I was still living in So Cal with all of my friends. I feel like I might have missed out on some opportunities, and I feel like I let some people down. It always seems like my friends are having such a great time out there, and I'm sad to not be apart of it. I am reassured almost daily, that I will never meet friends like these in my current situation, here in Colorado.

However, for obvious reasons, I am also really glad that I decided to move back. Meeting Stepho has been the best thing to happen to me since I've been back. I also enjoy being around my family, and having a bunch of "hockey friends".

I just worry myself sometimes that by the time I get back to So Cal, that the "party" will be over, and that all of my friends will have left, or stopped celebrating. But even if that's the case, that's life. It can suck, but it can also be wonderful. I really feel that we're more in control of that than we think.

Anyways, as I said, this is all irrelevant. Life happens.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: It's that time of year again..

Well, it's that time of the year again. The Stanley Cup playoffs are about to begin. Is my favorite team even in the playoffs? No. Did that at least have a mediocre season? No. The Colorado Avalanche finished dead last in the Western Conference.

Although my team didn't make it in, I'm still beyond excited for the NHL playoffs, as I am every year. The Stanley Cup playoffs is arguably, the most exciting event in sports. I would compare it to the likes of March Madness, The College World series, and The World Cup of soccer.

I've been hooked on the NHL ever since I watched the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 1996. There is so much emotion packed into each and every goal, save, and hit throughout the playoffs. Some of the games that have gone on thought the years could not have been scripted any better. There's been many nights in April and May when I've been up through the middle of the night, watching six-overtime games. There's only one Stanley Cup. They don't make a new one every year. This is the same cup that all the greats have kissed over the past decades. When the cup runs out of room for new names, they just add an extra ring too it. The Stanley Cup is the ultimate goal for every hockey player since the first time they put on a jersey.

It all starts tomorrow night. The versus network is pretty much going to have double-header coverage of the games for the next two months. For those who are unfamiliar, the playoff teams consist of the top 8 teams from each conference. Sixteen teams total. Each match-up will consist of a best-of-seven series. For a team to win the Stanley Cup, they will have to win 16 games.

Here are the first round match-ups...

Western Conference:

#1 San Jose Sharks Vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks:

So Cal vs. Nor Cal. There should be some heavy offense here, with talented young players on each team. San Jose has a goaltender advantage with Nabokov. The Sharks are obviously predicted to be the winner at the #1 seed. I could see the Ducks maybe winning one game to make the series go 5 games.

My Pick: Sharks

#2 Detroit Red Wings Vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

I'm definitely most excited to see this series play out. The Red Wings won the Cup last year, and this is the first time the Blue Jackets have made the playoffs in the history of their franchise. These two have become division rivals this season. Columbus's rookie goalie, Steve Mason, has been the one goalie that Detroit has not been able to score much on this season. He's the leading candidate for rookie of the year. I'm going to be rooting hard for the Jackets, and I think they could just maybe pull of the upset on the Wings who have only had mediocre goal tending all year.

My Pick: Blue Jackets

#3 Vancouver Canucks Vs. St. Louis Blues

This should be an easy series for the Canucks to win. They have the most talented goalie in the NHL, Robert Luongo, between the pipes for them. The Blues have had a surprisingly successful season, but they lack depth on offense and defense. St. Louis will be coming out the gate with a lot of energy, but they simply wont be able to keep up with this strong, experienced Vancouver squad. This could easily be a four game sweep for the Canucks.

My Pick: Canucks

#4 Chicago Blackhawks Vs. Calgary Flames

This will be another exciting series. I think this might be the closest series in the first round of the western match-ups. The Flames have made a great end of season run after making some huge moves at the trade deadline. However, they have been facing some key injuries lately. Chicago is FULL of young , raw talent that thinks they have just as good of a shot at the cup as any other team. They are a very balanced team in all positions. The flames goalie, Mikka Kiprusoff, must play nearly perfect in order to give his team a chance.

My Pick: Blackhawks

Eastern Conference:

#1 Boston Bruins Vs. Montreal Canadiens

This should be an extremely intense, physical series. These teams played each other a few days ago in the regular season, and there must have been over 100 penalty minutes total. These teams do not like each other at all. This is actually a rematch of last years first round match-up. Montreal won it last year, I think Boston has been way to consistent to choke now. This series could definitely go 7 games.

My Pick: Boston

#2 Washington Capitals Vs. New York Rangers

Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals are back in the playoffs once again. However, I think they are going to be the most over-rated team, at the #2 seed. They had a great regular season, but the playoffs are a whole different level of play, and I think New York has the experience and depth to pull of the upset.

My Pick: Rangers

#3 New Jersey Devils Vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Marty Brodeur has had a landmark season, as he became the winningest goaltender in NHL history. He's already won the cup, but I'm sure he's thinking it would be the perfect cap to his monumental season. The only reason that Carolina made it into the playoffs is their goaltender, Cam Ward. He started the season off rusty, but he played remarkably this month. The only way that the Canes can keep up with the Devils in this series, is if Ward continues this level of play.

My Pick: Devils

#4 Pittsburgh Vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Yet another, in-state match-up in the first round. This will most likely be the most popular, and energetic series of the round, or possibly the entire playoffs. Both teams have lots of young fire power. I think the penguins are a bit deceptive at the #4 spot, as I think they have a good chance of going all the way to the finals. They made it all the way last year, I think they have no reason not to repeat.

My Pick: Pens

Well, I'm finally done blabbing. As you can tell, I really get into this. If you've never really sat down and watched the playoffs, I encourage you to at least watch one game. The atmosphere is incredibly intense and exciting. I'll probably be blogging on a daily basis about the previous nights events, giving my take on all of it.

Nick

Lil Wayne is the Anti-Christ

Here's a mixtape I just made. I'm always making these for friends, but I rarely make them for myself.

Title: Lil Wayne is the anti-Christ

1. "You Vandal" by Saves the Day

2. "Crush" by Over It

3. "Jump in the Pool" by Friendly Fires

4. "Happy Kid" by Nada Surf

5. "Don't Say Anything" by Number One Fan

6. "Loose Lips Sink Ships" by Hit the Lights

7. "Car Ride Home" by Audio Karate

8. "Slow to Learn" by Manchester Orchestra

9. "Murder in the City" by The Avett Brothers

10. "Your New Twin Sized Bed" by Death Cab for Cutie

11. "Moab" by Conor Oberst

12. "Beach Baby" by Bon Iver

13. "So Far Around the Bend" by The National

14. "Aliens Exist" by Blink-182

15. "Highway Donkey" by Millencolin

16. "If Only Duct Tape Could Fix Everything" by The Movielife

17. "Stupid Kid" by Alkaline Trio

18. "Sweetest Air" by This Time Next Year

19. "I'm On a Boat" by The Lonely Island

20. "Gold and a Pager" by The Cool Kids

21. "Polaroid" by Shwayze

Recent Activity

Here are some things I've enjoyed recently.

Music:
Saturdays = Youth by M83
Youth Novels by Lykke Li
The Midnight Organ Fight by Frightened Rabbit

Films:
Thumbsucker
Lars and the Real Girl
Coraline
Vicky Christina Barcelona


Valentines Day was last weekend. I've never been a big fan of the "holiday", but I still had a perfect day with Stepho.

The Oscars are this weekend. My mom always throws a fun Oscar night party every year, so I'm pretty excited for that.

I'm also really excited for spring break which is in about a month! I'll be spending a long weekend in LA. I'm so excited to see all of my friends. I miss them very much. I'm even more excited for Stephanie to meet all of them. I'm convinced that they're the best people in the world.

Stay Together For the Kids

Last night at the Grammys, Blink-182 announced that they are coming back. Apparently they are going to make a new record and tour this summer. A lot of my friends are extremely excited. I'm pretty excited as well but probably not at the same level. Dude Ranch is definitely one of my favorite pop-punk albums ever, and I've been a fan of all their other albums besides their latest. All of the hype that's going on right now is inevetable I guess, but I just think it might leave a bucnh of people disappointed. For all I know, blink could release an incredible album after the 4 year hiatus. However, they could more easily make their worst album to date as well. Each of the members have been playing in different bands of different styles, so its hard to tell what's going to happen. I'm staying hopeful that they will return to true form, but I'm not going to let myself get too excited. Regardless, their live show has always been pretty good, so I'll hopefully get to experience it again this summer.

Idea?

Unless I am mistaken, many of us, at least our generation, use the internet to view bank statements, pay bills, etc.

Most businesses now will ask you if you would like your receipt, giving you the option in case you are the type that will just use the online statement. However, there are still plenty of stores and gas stations that give you a receipt regardless. We're all bitching about running out of natural resources right? Let US choose if we want the receipt! If the gas pump prints out a receipt for me, wanna know what I do, I walk a couple feet to the right and throw it in the trash can. A complete waist. We have been evolving into a paperless culture for a while now, it's time that people hop on board. Lets use our technology to our advantage.

I'm bored, I'm ranting. I've actually been wanting to say all of that for a while.