pop structure

Pop Structure #11- Top Pop Singles '11

2012-01-23T00:29:00.000-08:00

2011 was a great year for music (I guess)! Here's the top 10 pop singles that I was most impressed by in the year 2-0-1-1.

Hollywood Odd Couple #1- Cyndi Lauper and Jeff Goldblum

2012-01-22T23:58:00.000-08:00

Most people have completely forgotten this movie ever existed. Few people on the planet could have conceived the notion that the pop-icon of the 80's and Mr. Dry-As-Sand could have ever carried a conversation together, scripted or otherwise. But for those lucky few (and I mean few) who still remember the forgotten gem that is Vibes, know that Cyndi Lauper and Jeff Goldblum had...chemistry isn't the right word... something special.

The concept of the movie is even stranger than the cast (which also featured Peter Falk, no less). It's about two psychics (played by the Hollywood odd couple) that are hired to go to South America (totally random, I know) to find a hidden temple in the middle of the mountains (What?!). Naturally, the psychics at the beginning of the movie don't get along, but like a romantic comedy from the 1930's, they slowly develop feelings for each other, which is manifested in the ever-awkward dance sequence in the movie (truly a sight to behold).

If there ever was a movie to watch simple for it's sheer weirdness, watch Vibes. Even though the pairing is probably the strangest ever in Hollywood history, something about it works really well. I guess the movie just has a weird, but fun, vibe, pardon the pun.

Hollywood Odd Couple #2- Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton

2011-10-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

Our old pal Sly Stallone is no stranger to this countdown. He's been featured as number 8 with Estelle Getty. This time, he's paired with country legend Dolly Parton in a movie no one saw coming. Rhinestone, about a successful country star (Dolly Parton, of course) wages a bet with her friends that she could turn any person (the first person who walks past them, in fact) into a certified country star. Unfortunately, that person happened to be the Italian Stallion, who plays a New York City cab driver (who knew there was a country music scene in New York). What ensues is a sort of country-style Rocky training montage movie, so in theory, it's a perfect marriage between the two polar opposite stars. However, in the last scene, in which Sly performs his country song to the bar of country savants, Sly dances and sings in a matter that is utterly cringe-inducing. It's fantastic. Apparently, that was good enough for the guy who placed the bet and Dolly ends up the victor (I wouldn't have given my money so easily). Regardless, this is a perfect movie to see purely for it's bad factor. As a matter of fact, Stallone ended up winning a Razzie for Worst actor. Congrats!

Hollywood Odd Couples #3- Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dennis Rodman

2011-10-11T23:14:00.000-07:00

The early 90s were good to these men. One was a super successful action movie star who grossed just as much as icons such as Sly Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger . The other was a larger-than-life basketball personality rumored to be involved with Madonna (!!!). As time went on, the decade soon grew tired of the two. As a last-ditch effort both recognized their simmering stardom and in 1997, the two got together to make Double Team, an action-adventure movie with a paper-thin plot.

Not that it mattered. The movie was made to showcase why America fell in love with these two icons. JCVD was in charge of the ass-kicking action scenes, while Dennis Rodman dealt with the "comedic" banter, which of course was complete with thinly-veiled (okay, maybe not so thinly) basketball references (when throwing a grenade that misses its target, he mutters, "Oops. Airball"). To top it all off, the movie features a "I'm only doing because I have to" appearance of Mickey Rourke who plays the villain.

Despite all of its best efforts, though, America has (and continues to) stop listening.

Hollywood Odd Couples #4- Scarlett Johansson and Woody Allen

2011-06-05T23:14:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, Woody Allen was known for making funny, sophisticated comedies starring his favorite muse: New York City. Two things have changed drastically since then. He started doing movies in London and his new muse became Scarlett Johansson. Sometimes, it worked (like in Matchpoint), but in the case of Scoop, this pairing was a natural disaster. In this movie you had not one, but two, Woody Allen characters: Woody Allen himself and Scarlett Johansson, who looked downright creeped out and confused playing the part of the nebbish dweeb. Scarlett wasn't the only one creeped out or confused: so was everyone who watched the movie.

Peeps Pick!! Hollywood Odd Couples #5- Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder

2011-05-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

At first, it's a head scratching pairing. What does a lewd black comedian have in common with a silly Jewish actor? Well, not that much, but together, they make the funniest pairing Hollywood has ever made (eat your heart out, David Spade and Chris Farley). They have made some memorable movies, like Stir Crazy, Silver Streak, Another You, but to truly see them in top form, See No Evil, Hear No Evil is essential. Gene Wilder plays a deaf man, while Richard Pryor plays a blind man. Together, they must overcome a band of murderous thieves. It's classic Pryor and Wilder: two funny men on top of their game. It's a mismatch made in heaven.

Hollywood Odd Couple #6- Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie

2011-04-11T10:52:00.000-07:00

By all intents and purposes, The Tourist should have worked. It's a sleek, sexy thriller starring two of the biggest stars on Earth and it was made by the guy who directed the Oscar winning film The Lives of Others. Unfortunately, the film was lost in translation. The question of whether the movie was actually a comedy or a thriller escaped a lot of critics' lips, and because of it, it suffered in the box office.

The real reason why The Tourist failed to impress was because of the two stars. The lack of chemistry was more than apparent in the film. It looked like they didn't want to be in the picturesque streets of Italy (seriously?!). Not only that, Jolie seemed like she had signed up to do an action thriller, while Depp thought he was doing a comedy. When the two leading roles think they are in two different movies, that's when you run into trouble.

Hollywood Odd Couple #7- Jeff Bridges and Rosie Perez (and Isabella Rossellini)

2011-03-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

If the TV show Lost has proved anything, it's that a plane crash can bring people together. But some cases just seem a little ludicrous. Jeff Bridges (the Dude from The Big Lebowski) and Rosie Perez (the Chick from Do the Right Thing) together?

After both characters survive a plane crash, one (Jeff Bridges) is convinced that he is immortal, thinking no one can harm him. After much coaxing from his therapist, he meets Rosie Perez' character, whose child died on the plane and is fearful of everything. Together, they learn to balance each other out. Sure the acting is great (Perez was nominated for an Oscar), but seeing both of them together is a little jarring.

What's even more jarring is the fact the Isabella Rossellini, who is well known for her kooky, eccentric, often artsy characters plays Jeff Bridges grounded wife. Theoretically, the marriage happened before the plane crash, so how did these two people ever get together?

Here's a dramatic (and a little awkward) scene between Rosie Perez and Jeff Bridges:

Hollywood Odd Couples #8- Sylvester Stallone and Estelle Getty

2011-03-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

She was a Golden Girl. He was Rocky. Together, they are the mother-son pair that star in 1992 movie Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot. Reception for the movie was pretty bad (it won three Razzies, including Worst Actor, Worst Supporting Actress and Worst Movie) and Siskel and Ebert named it the worst movie of all time. However, for those of you who were wondering what Sly's butt looks like, it makes a cameo in this movie. That's probably the most entertaining aspect of the movie, besides watching the awful chemistry between the two actors.

Take a look at the Siskel and Ebert review I found on Youtube.

Hollywood Odd Couples #9- Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker

2011-02-28T13:03:00.000-08:00

What happens when two seemingly different cultures have to come together to solve a case? Borderline racism, but mild amusement. What happens when the same shtick happens again? And again? Well, two was too much, but three is just ridiculous. That's what happened with Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan in the Rush Hour franchise. By the second sequel (directed by Brett Ratner, no less), the joke wears so thin, it's practically non-existent. Also, let's not forget that the movie was banned in China. Why? Well, this might explain some things...

Hollywood Odd Couples #10- Burt Reynolds and Norman D. Golden II

2011-02-20T10:04:00.000-08:00

"I don't get along with kids. I don't like them, they don't like me..." is what Burt Reynolds' character says about his young co-star in the 1993 movie Cop and a Half. That much was apparent. Some of the scenes in the movie were just plain strange due to the interaction of the costars. This movie came out when Hollywood was obsessed with getting two random type of characters together and making them partners of the law (certainly pairing a dog and Tom Hanks in Turner & Hooch worked, so getting a white guy in a mustache and a little black kid together must work. Right?). This movie fared much worse than the others, though. Critics hated it, naming it the worst movie of 1993, and Burt Reynolds won a Razzie for Worst Actor.

Pop Structure #10- Hollywood Odd Couples

2011-02-14T09:17:00.000-08:00

There are some co-stars that, when paired in a movie, create fireworks. Case in point, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Other Hollywood teams are even better behind the camera lens (take a look at Ben Affleck and Matt Damon). There are other pairings that at first seem disastrous, but are actually heaven-sent (Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder, anyone?). This pop structure is not dedicated to these couples. This countdown will feature couples that seem so out of this world crazy and absurd that they, of course, fall flat on their face. Hollywood is all about taking risks, but some aren't worth the bet.

I'm Ready for My Closeup #1- Peter Gabriel "Sledgehammer"

2011-01-25T10:41:00.000-08:00

When Peter Gabriel's video for "Sledgehammer" came out in 1986, featuring not only a zygote, two dancing turkeys and an array of jerky back-up singers and extras, it also featured Peter Gabriel's face doing some crazy things: spitting out different types of seafood, riding a roller coaster, and, of course, getting hit by two sledgehammers. Not to mention the fact that a naked claymation man sprouts out of his face, a plethora of fruits and vegetables morph into his face, and a block of ice resembling his face gets smashed by a (what else) sledgehammer. No wonder this video still holds the record for most MTV Music Video Awards won (nine, as a matter of fact).

I'm Ready for My Closeup #2- Sia "Buttons"

2011-01-07T19:45:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you don't need a million dollar budget to make an interesting and unforgettable music video. No need for video vixens, pyrotechnics, expensive material objects (I'm looking at you P. Diddy). Sometimes all you need to make an awesome video is couple of clothespins, a basketball net, some tape, pantyhose, Serran wrap and a condom. Sia does this, and knocks it out of the park with her video for "Buttons." Looking like a high school yearbook picture (the soft early 90's background), Sia is able to contort her face with the help of these everyday objects. The result is pure art.

While P. Diddy's budget might escalate to the millions, Sia's video for "Buttons" is considerably much cheaper, and while she's at it, she's obtaining a little bit more of an artistic cred, too.

I'm Ready for My Closeup #3- CSS "Alala"

2010-12-30T22:32:00.000-08:00

Most music videos features gorgeous women singing along to a nice pop song (see the number nine video, Sheryl Crow's "My Favorite Mistake"), but in CSS's "Alala", we see what happens to a party when it gets a little out of hand. The video features the band scarred, burned and bleeding faces as a result of a nasty brawl at a party. The cool thing about the video is that you can see then go from bloody and gross to clean, so the video plays backwards. If you notice, you can see the lead singer lip synch the song backwards.

It's also awesome to see these attractive young girls get beat up.

I'm Ready for My Closeup #4- Marina and the Diamonds "I Am Not a Robot"

2010-12-26T17:13:00.000-08:00

In the video for "I Am Not a Robot", Marina has four distinct faces: the urban commando look, the rhinestone heavy glam princess, the night sky look and finally, the normal Marina look. The video's magic is in Marina's face makeup. In the night sky look, she almost blends in with the background. With the rhinestone look, she looks regal and pretty. In the commando look, she looks almost alien, until she washes her makeup off to reveal the true girl behind the makeup. Marina may not be a robot, but she is truly out of this world in this video.

Peeps Pick!! I'm Ready for My Closeup #5- Radiohead "No Surprises"

2010-12-12T23:23:00.000-08:00

No other video features a close-up shot that has made me more nervous than the video for Radiohead's "No Surprises." In this single shot video, Radiohead's lead singer, Thom Yorke's head is encased in a plastic bubble. As the lyrics to the song are displayed as if in a mirror, water rushes up and engulfs him completely. Just when you think he's going to drown, the water rushes out, and the liberating breath that Yorke, and us (because it's involuntary for us. We had to hold our breath, didn't we?), let out is wonderfully cathartic.

There are so many creepy elements to this video: Where is he? Why is he encased in a plastic bubble? What's with the bleeping lights? Why is his face so terribly asymmetrical? The fact remains, though, the video will stay in your head for a while.

Radiohead : No Surprises

I'm Ready for My Closeup #6- Joan Osborne "One of Us"

2010-11-21T12:23:00.000-08:00

Joan Osborne states an interesting case: what if God was a slob like one of us (slob, excuse me!?), just a stranger, one of us, trying to make his way home (who says God's a him?). In her music video, she has a cut-out of God, in all his heavenly glory (thunder, gray clouds, white beard), and makes him into a sort of Coney Island attraction, where people put their faces in the cut-out, and people take pictures. Good times. She's basically saying that any one of these Brooklyn natives can be God. Yes, even that child. So, is the ultimate message is that we, as individuals are our own Gods?

Woah, things are getting deep.

I'm Ready for My Closeup #7- Michael Jackson "Black or White"

2010-11-09T05:38:00.000-08:00

Macaulay Culkin rocking out and blowing his father out of the house, and then rapping with his mini-friends. African, Native American, Indian and Russian dancers dancing. The Statue of Liberty. Michael Jackson destroying a car and a nice victory crotch-grab to celebrate. Michael Jackson's video for "Black or White" has a lot going on. A lot. Yet, despite most of its insane images, nothing stands out more than the final segment where it features a close-up of people's faces of different races morphing into one another. I remember this being such a big deal when it came out, because the technology used was fairly new (and therefore expensive). The truth is, it's still very impressive. Also, keep your eyes peeled for a young Tyra Banks!!!

I'm Ready for My Closeup #8- Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You"

2010-10-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

Damn, that crack must have been laced because suddenly Whitney Houston is tripping on some serious stuff because she's hallucinating right before the show! Whether or not Whitney was under the influence of anything remains to be a mystery (not really) but the fact remains that the video for "I Will Always Love You" features one of the best closeups in the history of the music video. It's what transports Whitney back to that magical winter place in the middle of the woods where her character almost dies by the mysterious stalker, where her son almost drowned and where her sister got shot. Yeah, that's certainly a place I'd like to revisit right before I perform a set. Now that's what I call an acid flashback.

Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You: "The Bodyguard - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack"

I'm Ready for My Closeup #9- Sheryl Crow "My Favorite Msitake"

2010-10-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

When you write a song about your tumultuous relationship with rock and roll icon Eric Clapton, you don't need a distracting video. All you need is a couple of lights, a red leather outfit and, of course, a guitar. It also helps if you have a beautiful face. With a hot beauty mark. And dreamy eyes. And gorgeous hair. And perfect lips and teeth. And flawless skin. Basically, it would be a mistake if the video didn't feature Sheryl Crow's face.

I'm Ready for My Closeup #10- Alanis Morissette "Head Over Feet"

2010-10-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

Alanis Morissette was the perfect representation of the 90s female: unapologetic, honest and real. The birth of the pop princesses came (Britney, Christina, etc.) and washed all those crunchy girls away. In the video for "Head Over Feet", you can see Alanis as the person she is (or at least the person she markets herself as). She isn't wearing make-up. Her hair is simple. The video is just her face, singing along to the song (sometimes she doesn't sing along. She'll smile, walk around, pat her hair, or play the harmonica). If this concept was introduced nowadays, with the pop star in question not wearing make-up, just singing a song, it would feel like a gamble. However, this all proves that in the 90's a girl didn't have to be covered in make-up or dressed skimpy to be famous.

Here's a challenge for those who watch the video: what is she saying in 2:48?

Pop Structure #9- I'm Ready For My Closeup

2010-10-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

Having a great or interesting voice will only get you so far in the music industry nowadays. Considering that video did kill the radio star, the music video stars of the past twenty years were, at the very least, interesting to look at. The face is the moneymaker, after all. This pop structure is dedicated to music videos which feature the close-up, whether it be the artist's or some actor's. Sometimes all you need in a music video is a fresh face.

Avengers Movie Candidates #1- Dr. Strange

2010-09-22T08:25:00.001-07:00

Why this hero should have his own movie- An enigmatic man, Dr. Stephen Strange lives alone (save for his "man-servant" Wong) in his Santcum Sanctorum in Greenwich Village, immersed in the Dark Arts. Before he was the Sorcerer Supreme of the Marvel Universe, Strange was a successful neurosurgeon. Unfortunately, his narcissistic attitude made him intolerable and eventually, his comeuppance came in the form of a car accident that ruined his hands. Defeated and humbled, Strange went to the Himalayas in search for The Ancient One, where he learned the Dark Arts.

Why this hero should be in the Avengers movie- Dr. Strange is the go-to guy when it comes to inexplicable events in the Marvel Universe. He's helped heroes like The Fantastic Four and even Spider-Man, so why can't the same be true for the Avengers? As a matter of fact, Dr. Strange is in the current incarnation of the superhero team.

Who would play this hero in the movie- the perfect man to play this tragic hero is Oscar-winning actor Benicio Del Toro. He doesn't exactly look like the hero in the comics, but he can give a layered, grizzled and believable performance.

Avengers Movie Candidates #2- Black Panther

2010-09-09T22:54:00.000-07:00

Why this hero should have his own movie- Besides the obvious political implication (first African-American superhero to appear in a comic? During the 1960s? Discuss...), the Black Panther has a back story that is ripe for the silver screen. When not being an active member of The Avengers, T'Challa (his real name) is the leader of the fictional African country known as Wakanda. His country is known for having a very rare (and powerful) metal called vibranium, which many foreign countries want to get their hands on, but the Black Panther's job is to protect his land and his people. An awesome superhero action flick laced with some political allegory? Sounds like a movie to me...

Why this hero should be in the Avengers movie- The current lineup has, in all honesty, a lot of blow-hards. Iron Man is egotistical. Thor is self-centered. Hulk is... the Hulk. Black Panther bring in an air of regal modesty that would balance out the Avengers' lineup.

Who would play this hero in the movie- Djimon Hounsou, from In America, or as some of you might know him as Mr. Kimora Lee, would provide that fierceness that the Black Panther has. And he's from Africa, so that helps too.

Avengers Movie Candidates #3- Ms. Marvel

2010-09-01T08:49:00.001-07:00

Why this hero should have his own movie- Most people know Ms. Marvel as the superhero whose powers were stolen by the X-Man Rogue, leaving her in a coma, weak and defenseless. Don't be fooled. Ms. Marvel, a.k.a. Carol Danvers, is a force to be reckoned with. Capable of flight and super strength, Ms. Marvel is more than capable of handling her own movie. True, much like Super Girl, Ms. Marvel originally started as a female counterpart to Captain Marvel but since then has evolved into her own character.

Why this hero should be in the Avengers movie- Back when Ms. Marvel was created in the 1970s, many critics commented on the fact that she had no personality. She was just a female version of Captain Marvel. Only very recently did Ms. Marvel have a personality makeover, making her much more aggressive and less compromising. As a matter of fact, Ms. Marvel has become one of the most feminist characters currently on the Marvel lineup. This would be an interesting dynamic when paired with the alpha males currently on The Avengers.

Who would play this hero in the movie- No question here. Uma Thurman has proven that she is the one to call when a strong, aggressive female presence is needed.

Avengers Movie Candidiates #4- Luke Cage

2010-08-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

Why this hero should have his own movie- Being the original Hero for Hire, Luke Cage (or Power Man) is a perfect candidate for the Avengers' movie. Having superhuman strength and bullet-proof skin (yes, bullet-proof!) Luke Cage is a hero that was born out of the blaxploitation era of the 1970s. Yes, he's jive-talking and thuggish to the core, but Luke Cage also focuses on something that is often overlooked in Marvel comics: the reality of the inner-city streets.

Why this hero should be in the Avengers movie- Besides being a strong African-American character, Luke Cage, unlike the other more moral Avengers, is always seeking his own agenda. Like Deadpool, he's always interested in getting the highest dollar, but unlike Deadpool, Luke Cage is reliable and trustworthy. Also, considering his super-hero partnership with Iron Fist, we know he can play well with others.

Who would play this hero in the movie- If you've seen Black Dynamite you know that the best candidate is Michael Jai White, better known as Spawn from the Spawn movie. This guy is Luke Cage.

Peeps Pick!! Avengers Movie Candidates #5- Deadpool

2010-07-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

Why this hero should have his own movie- Deadpool isn't exactly a "hero", so to speak. As a mercenary, he really doesn't take sides in any conflict. His biggest concern is to get paid. Deadpool is known in the comic world as breaking the fourth wall, giving him the nickname "The Merc with a Mouth" (due to his smart-assness). But guess what? This guy will have his own movie soon! So there!

Why this hero should be in the Avengers movie- The fact that he is capable of breaking the fourth wall would add that bit of self-deprecating humor needed in a cast full of macho egos. I mean, Deadpool is a funny guy. And wouldn't it be funny if the character Deadpool knew he was a fictitious character in the movie. How meta!

Who would play this hero in the movie- Ryan Reynolds. Duh.

Avengers Movie Candidates #6- Spider Woman

2010-07-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

Why this hero should have her own movie- Jessica Drew, better known to Marvel geeks as Spider Woman, is such a rich and interesting character, it would be so incredible to see her in an Avengers' movie. Sure, she tends to play second fiddle to Spider Man, but aside from vague similarities of super-abilities, there is no link between the two characters. Her storyline resembles a spy/thriller film: she was pretty much a lab rat her whole young life. After escaping the facilities, she joined the villainous H.Y.D.R.A. After realizing H.Y.D.R.A.'s true intentions, she double-crossed them to join Nick Fury's S.H.I.E.L.D.

Why this hero should be in the Avengers movie- Well, considering that Spider Woman works for S.H.I.E.L.D., and since S.H.I.E.L.D. is a pretty prominent factor in the upcoming Avengers movie, it's only natural to have Jessica Drew in the movie. And yes, there will be another arachnid-named hero (Black Widow) in the film, we Marvel geeks know which of the two is the better one.

Who would play this hero in the movie- Now, don't kill me, but I think Megan Fox would play Jessica Drew really well. In the comics, Spider Woman has strong pheromones that make men feel attracted to her, while causing fear in females. Maybe Megan Fox and Jessica Drew have a lot in common...

Avengers Movie Candidates # 7- Ant Man/ Giant Man/ Yellowjacket

2010-06-29T20:43:00.000-07:00

Why this hero should have his own movie- Don't think the power of shrinking into the size of an ant is impressive? Well, how about wearing a helmet that allows you to communicate to ants? No? Okay, consider having the power to grow exponentially bigger. Is that better? Still not convinced? Yikes... well then, Ant Man/ Giant Man/ Yellowjacket is not the hero for you!

Why this hero should be in the Avengers movie- However, the man who wears these costumes is Dr. Henry Pym, an integral member in the Avengers. Without this super-scientist, we would not have The Wasp (#9 in our countdown) or The Vision (#10 in our countdown), or even the super-villain Ultron.

Who would play this hero in the movie- Nathan Fillion. You know, the guy who works on all the Josh Whedon stuff like Firefly and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. He's currently in the ABC show Castle. And apparently, he's a nice guy. And very funny. Here's a clip of him accepting the Cosmopolitan's Fun Fearless Male Awards, whatever that means.

Avengers Movie Candidates #8- Hercules

2010-06-08T22:48:00.000-07:00

Why this hero should have his own movie- It's like Clash of the Titans and The Incredible Hulk combined! What better way to combine Greek mythology and Marvel mythology into one. We all know the story of Hercules: one man with superhuman strength (because he's the son of Zeus) goes on a series of quests in order to prove himself a worthy hero. That's all true in the Marvel version of Hercules, except Hercules is an alcoholic (Tony Stark and him would get along) and he does the Twelve Labors in a reality show. Pretty incredible stuff.

Why this hero should be in the Avengers movie- Mostly because he has such a strong tie with Thor. As a matter of fact, they've fought many times. It would be interesting to see Hercules, from Greek mythology, be in the same team as the Norse God of Thunder, Thor.

Who would play this hero in the movie- Anyone who has ridiculous amounts of muscle (and that isn't Arnold Schwarzenegger). Oh, and not a gay porn actor because that would be too easy. Might I suggest Jeffrey Dean Morgan?

Avengers Movie Candidates #9- The Wasp

2010-05-31T23:41:00.000-07:00

Why this hero should have her own movie- Janet Van Dyne, a.k.a. the Wasp, is a character ripe for the movies. At first vain, brash, self-centered, and dare I say WASPY, Janet had to grow up fast when her scientist father was killed by a monster from another dimension. Teaming up with Dr. Hank Pym (which she later had an intensely tumultuous marriage with), Van Dyne was able to transform from diva princess to diva superhero. Plus, the Wasp is famous for always changing her costume frequently. I can almost see a montage of all her outfits a la Sex and the City.

Why this hero should be in the Avengers movie- Okay, so maybe her powers to shrink and grow insect wings aren't that impressive. Neither are her energy bolts she shoots from her arms (called "wasps' stings"). Her personality would definitely clash with all men in the group and personally, who doesn't want to see the Wasp drink a martini or two before going into battle?

Who would play this hero in a movie- Immediately my mind goes to Terri Hatcher from Desperate Housewives. Flighty, spoiled rich, and a little shallow. And she's got the martini-drinking down.

Avengers Movie Candidates #10- The Vision

2010-05-26T13:29:00.000-07:00

Why this hero should have his own movie- Because the plot would have have so many soapy twists. The Vision, an android capable of manipulating his density, making him light and transparent (much like a ghost), or heavy and strong (like a tank), was created by the super-villain Ultron (also an android) in order to infiltrate the Avengers' headquarters and lead them to a trap. Turns out, once the Vision saw how the Avengers worked together as a team, he turned sides and vowed to help the team defeat his creator. If that wasn't enough material to make an awesome movie, it's also important to note that Ultron was created by the Avengers' Henry Pym, a.k.a Giant Man!

Why this hero should be in the Avengers movie- The fact that the Vision was created by the Avengers' most hated villain would add such an interesting dynamic to the film (also, you have your villain in the movie in one shot). The heroes could spend a considerable amount of time debating whether to trust him or not. Not to mention his inner turmoil with not being human could add some emotional levity to the film.

Who would play this hero in the movie- Someone who is familiar playing a comic book character. For example Michael Rosenbaum (he played Lex Luther in Smallville).

Pop Structure #8- Avengers Movie Candidates

2010-05-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

In 2012, some big movie company will release the much anticipated Avengers movie, starring Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Nick Fury. All these characters will or have had movies of their own (except Black Widow and Nick Fury). All did well, financially speaking. Except the Hulk movie.

But in my opinion, the Avengers movie should have one more featured hero. I mean, why not, right? Four main superheroes battling evil has already been done (Fantastic Four), and that sucked. So why not five? Five's a nice, even number. This pop structure is a petition to add any of these heroes in the Avengers movie. It would also be nice to feature them in their own film. For, you know, back story and whatnot. So, c'mon big movie company, you still have time for one more hero! Chances are you haven't even written the script yet.

Best African-American Sitcoms #1- The Cosby Show

2010-05-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

Admit it. You wanted to be a part of the Cosby family. You yearned to belong to a big family of support and love. A house where the matriarch was a stern but nurturing lawyer and the dad was a kid-at-heart doctor. A house where the family felt so close and warm (not to mention wealthy).

If you're the 0.0001 percent of people who do live in such a household, then pinch yourself, because you're still dreaming. For the rest of America, The Cosby Show was the quintessential American family. The fact that they were African-American had nothing to do with the importance of the show. If anything, The Cosby Show was showed the viewing public that an African-American family can be successful and wealthy and well-spoken. Not to mention, funny.

Best African-American Sitcoms #2- Good Times

2010-04-25T13:45:00.000-07:00

Good Times, which ran on CBS from 1974 to 1979, was unlike any other show to air around that time period. It fully depicted the hardships a working class African-American family had to go through in Chicago. The show did not shy away from dealing with the serious stuff, like not having enough money to make ends meet, unemployment and balancing multiple jobs. And yet, the show was funny. The most notable character, J.J. (of "Dyno-mite" fame), is a pop culture phenomenon, and over time, took a lot of screen time.

In the sixth (and final) season, Florida Evans (the mother) had a memorable catch phrase as well. After she learned about her husband's death via mail, she uttered those three famous words: "DAMN DAMN DAAAAMN!"

Best African-American Sitcoms #3- Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

2010-04-14T02:26:00.001-07:00

We all love the theme song (some of us idiot savants even know the song in its entirety). We all know the Carlton dance. We all know that there was a switcheroo between moms that was never addressed or talked about. We all love Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. This sitcom was ingenious simply because it dealt with African-Americans with wealth and power (Phil was a judge, remember?) and African-Americans with no money or power (Will). Even though there were some very, very heavy episodes about the socio-economical gap between the characters (Rich people just don't understand, right Will?), The Fresh Prince was still capable of dealing with such matters with humor.

Okay, okay, here's the video for those of you who don't know the full version of the theme song:

Best African-American Sitcoms #4- What's Happening!!!

2010-04-01T19:45:00.000-07:00

Unlike other African-American sitcoms of the 70's, What's Happening never involved itself with social or ethnic issues being the focal point of the show (they got a lot of flak for "skirting serious issues" at the time). But that's why this show was so successful: the show wasn't necessarily a "message" sitcom. It was a show about a couple of friends and their comical exploits. The fact that everyone was black seemed to be a coincidence.

What's Happening!!! also sired one of pop culture's unforgettable characters: Rerun. Dubbed by some as the "father of popping and locking", Rerun brought a lot of life to the show. Don't believe me? Watch this clip:

Peeps Pick!! Best African American Sitcoms #5- Martin

2010-03-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

I never watched this show when it aired in the early 90s, but I recently had the opportunity to see it, and I have to say, Martin is incredibly funny. The show, centering around the life of a talk radio DJ Martin Payne and his girlfriend, Gina, was the definition of African-American culture in the early 90s. Martin's apartment is decorated with various African tribal masks (the resurgence of African culture in African-American culture was at its peak then) and there's a giant poster of Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing on display.

The success of the show had a lot to do with Martin's Lawrence comedic ability (for those skeptical people who's only seen his movies, please watch the show and you'll understand) and his incredible, and completely unforgetable, characters, like Sheneneh, Roscoe and Dragonfly Jones. It's a complete travesty that the relationship of the cast deteriorated, which ultimately led to the show's demise.

Here's a clip from my favorite character in all of TV Land: Sheneneh.

Best African-American Sitcoms #6- Family Matters

2010-03-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

Sure, there were inconsistencies (youngest daughter Judy went upstairs to never return, or talked about, again), but the fact remains this second longest running show to feature African-American main characters was probably the best show that was on the TGIF lineup on ABC. The show, about a tight-knit family living in Chicago, reached it's pop culture relevance when it introduced nerdy next door neighbor Steve Urkel mid-season. Even though the sitcom veered toward a "what crazy thing will Urkel do today" arc (can anyone ever forget his "cool" alter ego, Stefan Urkel?), the main focus was still about the heartfelt moments between the Winslow clan.

Check out this clip from the show, featuring the original Green/White Power Ranger Jason David Frank (a.k.a. Tommy).

Best African-American Sitcoms #7- The Jeffersons

2010-03-08T13:53:00.000-08:00

Bet you didn't know it was a spin-off of All in the Family. Or that there was a spin-off of The Jeffersons (Checking In) starring Florence the housekeeper. It was canceled after four episodes. Also, during the first season, George would spew the n-word with little restraint. But I bet you did know how good this show is.

The Jeffersons holds the title of being the longest running sitcom with a predominantly all black cast (11 seasons). And it really comes off as no surprise. The premise, about a working class family that "moves on up to the East Side" and live a privileged life, really questioned the tie between race and status. Also, with taboo subject matter (a black family having a black housekeeper, interracial marriage) The Jeffersons never scurried away from uncomfortable situations.

Check out this video of the Jeffersons roasting Muhammad Ali.

Best African-American Sitcoms #8- That's So Raven

2010-02-27T07:07:00.001-08:00

If you are a tween, know a tween, or just happen to appreciate some of the Disney Channel's programming, you'll know That's So Raven is one of the best shows out there. Raven-Symone, of The Cosby Show fame, displays her comedic talents in full force on this show. Her strengths lie in her character work (her character loves to dress up as other people) and her physical comedy (very much like Lucille Ball). Don't knock this show just because it's for the younger set. You might find yourself laughing.

Best African-American Sitcoms #9- Everybody Hates Chris

2010-02-16T17:44:00.001-08:00

Based on the teenage years of comedian Chris Rock, Everybody Hates Chris is like the black version of Malcolm in the Middle, a precocious, too-smart-for-his-age kid who's surrounded by comically deranged friends and family members. The show's strengths lie in the very talented cast (including Tichina Arnold or Pam on Martin), and the fact that it takes place in Brooklyn's Bed-Sty during the 80s. Perfect source material for an awesome show.

Best African-American Sticoms #10- A Different World

2010-02-11T11:38:00.000-08:00

Originally intended as a vehicle for Lisa Bonet (Denise Huxtable of The Cosby Show), A Different World focused on the lives of select students from the historically black college, Hillman College (never existed, by the way). Not only did the show bring incredibly memorable characters like Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert (who, in later seasons, became the focus of the show), but also by making the sitcom center in a traditionally black college, meatier plot lines like race relations, socio-economic status and even the HIV/AIDS epidemic, were prevalent.

Pop Structure #7- Best African-American Sitcoms

2010-02-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

It's February, and while most people are celebrating Valentine's Day, there are some of us that haven't forgotten that February is also Black History Month. This countdown is focused on all the shows that has placed a significant mark not only on African-American culture, but also on culture itself. Some shows are poignant due to its socio-political commentary, others introduce memorable characters that are hard to forget. Hopefully, I don't have to point out that all these shows share one thing (and no, it's not skin color): they will make you laugh.

Not Annoying Christmas Songs #1- Vince Guaraldi Trio "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

2010-02-05T00:56:00.000-08:00

Charlie Brown and company have perfected the art of the holiday TV special. They struck gold with It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and they did it again with A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, yet these two films pale in comparison to the mother of all holiday specials: A Charlie Brown Christmas. This is in large part due to the Vince Guaraldi Trio's cover of the classic "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." This song is literally Christmas wrapped up in a package, and I dare anyone not to get a little misty-eyed when listening to it. It's inevitable.

Here's the clip of the movie where the song is featured:

Not Annoying Christmas Songs #2- The Waitresses "Christmas Wrapping"

2010-01-29T09:26:00.000-08:00

Most Christmas songs that get airplay are about how how great the holidays are, how some people can't wait until the next Christmas. The Waitresses' "Christmas Wrappings" (so named because when it was released in 1981, rap music was starting to get people's attention) is not one of these songs. The story centers around a very busy (single) girl who is disillusioned with Christmas and even though she'll do all the things that people do (cards, tree decorating, etc.), she has stopped believing in the magic of Christmas.

Until we get to the end of the song. She goes to the A & P to get cranberries, meets the guy she was checking out all year, they fall in love, and her faith in Christmas is restored!

So, I guess it is just like the other Christmas songs they play on the radio. Oh well, it's still a great song.

Not Annoying Christmas Songs #3- The Killers "Don't Shoot Me Santa"

2010-01-25T08:44:00.000-08:00

Equal parts funny and creepy (but mostly funny) The Killers' "Don't Shoot Me Santa" takes the concept of Santa punishing bad little boys and girls to a new extreme. Instead of coals, however, Santa is out for the kill (in this case, it's the Killers' lead, Brendan Flowers). The cool thing about this track was that the proceeds went to AIDS charities as part of the Product Red campaign (remember all those GAP ads?) headed by Bono back in 2007.

Not Annoying Christmas Songs #4- John Lennon "Happy X-Mas (War is Over)"

2010-01-16T20:22:00.000-08:00

It's interesting to note that this song was written in the midst of the Vietnam War; a dark time where there was a lot of unrest not only in Vietnam, but also in the U.S. "War is over if you want it", the Harlem Community Choir chants towards the end of the song, making it seem no matter what, everything is going to be okay.

Too bad the video is incredibly sobering.

John Lennon - Happy Christmas (war Is Over) - A funny movie is a click away

Peeps Pick!! Not Annoying Christmas Songs #5- Frank Sinatra "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

2010-01-07T20:40:00.001-08:00

Frank Sinatra's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" evokes warm fireplaces, hot cocoa (or eggnog, if that's your thing) and just all around good feelings. This song is what everyone wants Christmas to be: smooth, comfortable and simple. However, for some of us, Christmas is a time of stress and late night scrambling for presents. Not to mention awkward moments at the family table.

Not Annoying Christmas Songs #6- Alvin and the Chipmunks "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)"

2009-12-29T19:06:00.000-08:00

It's incredible that:

1. Recording artists that have really high-pitched, irritating voices can make a song that is not only annoying, but enjoyable.
2. Said recording artists are animated rodents.

"The Chipmunk Song" (why is it the Chipmunk song? Probably because it's their only original song) is actually upfront about the most important thing in Christmastime: getting presents. Forget all those other songs about good tidings and togetherness. Alvin and his brothers know the true meaning of Christmas: consumerism.

Not Annoying Christmas Songs #7- David Bowie and Bing Crosby "Little Drummer Boy"

2009-12-19T11:42:00.000-08:00

Beyonce and Lady GaGa. Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock. Elton John and RuPaul. There have been many duets in the history of music that make your head cock to the side and say "WTF?!", but no other duet gives me whiplash than David Bowie and Bing Crosby's "Little Drummer Boy". Bing Crosby is no stranger to the Christmas song canon, but when paired with the glam-rocker, this standard song is, for a lack of a better word, awkward. True, Bowie does seem very reserved in this song, but these two people are so not in the same wavelength, they can't even agree to sing the same song!

The video itself is a testament of how weird this pairing is. Filled with empty banter, a staunchy setting, and strange subtext (Crosby, you're old! Bowie, you're a freak!), "Little Drummer Boy" is definitely worth watching.

Not Annoying Christmas Songs #8- Wham! "Last Christmas"

2009-12-14T06:01:00.000-08:00

Who hasn't had their heart broken on Christmas? The guys of Wham! certainly know a thing or two about heartbreak covered in saccharine melodies (need I remind you "Careless Whisper"?). "Last Christmas" is all about some guy (George Michael) running into the girl (but actually a guy) who broke his heart last Christmas. He's got a new girl (stop kidding yourself, it's a guy), but you know he's still fiending for that succubus. If there's a lesson to be learned in all this, it's that it's never a good idea to date people that are in your circle of friends.

By the way, has anyone listened to the lyrics? "Once bitten and twice shy"? Maybe she is a succubus after all:

Not Annoying Christmas Songs #9- Mariah Carey "All I Want for Christmas is You"

2009-12-10T13:18:00.000-08:00

"All I Want for Christmas is You" is the Great Divider of Christmastime music. Yes, the song is super catchy, super sweet and super simple (like a candy cane). However, it can also get pretty stale, bland and cliche if it is heavily featured (like a fruitcake). Let's be honest: this song is good. But it's also inescapable. During the season, it will follow you around, whether you're shopping at the mall, doing laundry, going grocery shopping, or even chilling in the waiting room of your doctor's/dentist's office. I can safely say that if this song wasn't killed to death by Lite FM, it would be a lot more enjoyable.

Not Annoying Christmas Songs #10- Paul McCartney "Wonderful Christmastime"

2009-12-06T13:08:00.000-08:00

Almost eerie with it's B-horror movie synths, "Wonderful Christmastime" is an unexpected Christmas song. Of course, the lyrics are all about celebrating the joyous holiday, but the instruments used (creepy synths and jingle bells) don't evoke the getting-warm-around-the-fireplace feel other Christmas songs have. Not to mention "the choir of children" singing "their songs", with their "ding-dongs" and "oohs" seem oddly stiff (which I love).

Don't think the song is creepy? Watch the video, please:

Pop Structure #6- Not Annoying Christmas Songs

2009-11-29T02:33:00.000-08:00

Well, it's about that time of the year already. Just when Thanksgiving is coming to an end, and some of us are camping out of the nearest mall for Black Friday, the whole country is getting ready to celebrate The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (according to Andy Williams). That's right: Christmas is just around the corner! Which of course could only mean one thing: the insane bombardment of Christmas music you will hear during this period. This pop structure is dedicated to those songs that aren't totally irritating, and some which I don't mind listening year-round.

When Animals Attack (On Film) #1- Monkeyshines

2009-11-21T11:52:00.000-08:00

An athlete gets run over by a truck and leaves him paralyzed. A man offers his genetically tampered Capuchin monkey (of course) to the nurse who's in charge of taking care of said jock. Monkey and man become psychically linked (genetically tampered, remember?), but then the monkey falls in love with the jock. Deeply in love. She starts killing anything and anyone that gets in the way of their love. Eventually, when she realizes the jock doesn't love her in that way, the monkey goes nuts and starts attacking him.

Creepy. Very weird and very creepy.

Monkeyshines, directed by George A. Romero, is probably the scariest animal attack movie because no one expects a Capuchin monkey to be a killing machine (and, yes, this cute animal will make you distrust all monkeys). Also, you can't help but sympathize with a man who is bound to a wheelchair. I guess it evened out the playing field.

It also demonstrates that love is freaking scary.

When Animals Attack (On Film) #2- Black Sheep

2009-11-13T22:05:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not talking about the Chris Farley/David Spade comedy. This is the incredible hilarious/creepy (like all horror movies should be) film hailing from New Zealand, a land where sheep outnumber humans exponentially. The reason why this movie works incredibly well is because the sheep are treated like human zombies: once the usually calm and not-so smart animal bite human flesh, their victims either get consumed or they turn into sheep-like monsters. Also, it doesn't hurt a film to be creative with its gory effects.

There's nothing scarier than a man running for his life while hundreds of killer sheep are chasing after him in the picturesque hillsides of New Zealand. There's also something funny/gruesome about a man transforming into a sheep creature. Take a look:

When Animals Attack (On Film) #3- White Dog

2009-11-07T11:07:00.000-08:00

If the title of the movie seems a little racial to you, that's because it is. White Dog is about a woman who takes home a dog she struck with her car. Turns out, this seemingly innocent pup turns into a vicious attack animal. However, the dog only attacks black people. The film actually proposes a good question: can racism be "cured"? The female lead takes the dog to Noah's Ark, a place where animals are trained. There, a black man tries to cure the dog to revert years of conditioning. Does it work? Rent the movie (it's on Netflix) and find out.

This film, slated to be released in 1981, never actually got to see the light of day at the theaters. People thought the content was too controversial, and so the plug was pulled before any "damage was done."

The most unsettling part of the film (besides the concept, of course) is the person who trained the dog to attack:

When Animals Attack (On Film) #4- Orca

2009-10-20T21:47:00.001-07:00

This movie is the direct outcome of the success of Jaws. Apparently, people thought that since a shark could give millions of people the willies, maybe another sea animal would do the trick. Hence Orca, the story of a crew of science people trying to survive a deadly killer whale attack.

The story itself is a little complex: these scientists (not really) originally wanted to capture a great white shark. When shit hits the fan and the shark attacks Ken (the main guy), an orca comes and kills the shark, saving his life. Showing his appreciation, he decides to capture what he thinks is the alpha male orca. This supposed male whale has a miscarriage and tries to commit suicide. The actual male sees all this, doesn't like it, and kills a crew member one by one.

A classic revenge tale, I guess. All I know is that it scared the crap out of me when I was a kid.

This is a trailer for the film. It gets a little carried away with itself:

Peeps Pick!! When Animals Attack (On Film) # 5- Congo

2009-10-03T22:08:00.000-07:00

Amy, a trained gorilla (she has a glove that enables her to "talk" through sign language) returns to the Congo jungle with the help of her scientist friends. However, a group of shady adventurers tag along and want a rare diamond that's hidden somewhere in the jungle. Vicious gorillas bred to protect the diamond show up and cause havoc. That's pretty much Congo in a nutshell. What I forgot to mention was how silly this movie actually is. With lines such as "Oh no! The bad apes have the crystal lasers" and "Stop eating my sesame cakes!" (a classic), this film was meant for chuckles more than actual thrills. It is cool, though, to see gorillas (or men in gorilla outfits) bash Tim Curry's head to a pulp.

Below is an amazing review of the film by Siskel and Ebert. Truly hilarious.

When Animals Attack (On Film) #6- Piranha 2: The Spawning

2009-09-09T22:28:00.000-07:00

What's worse than being eaten alive by hundreds of small flesh-munching fish? Well, not many things, but in Piranha 2: The Spawning the titular fish have grown (via U. S. government-run experiments, of course) "wings", making them a triple threat: in land, sea and air. If the scientific contradiction is enough to make your head whirl, hold on to your hats because this movie was James Cameron's directorial debut. Yes, that James Cameron. The guy who made The Abyss. And Aliens. And Terminator. And Titanic. Yeah, I know. Crazy.

One thing about flying piranhas: they always go for the neck. You'd think they were vampires.

When Animals Attack (On Film) #7- Ben

2009-08-31T21:20:00.000-07:00

This 1972 sequel to Willard faced various paradoxical problems from the get-go. Yes, this is technically a horror movie (it was definitely marketed that way) about a rat who attacks and kills people. However, the plot veers almost in a Disney fable-like direction. There's this boy with a heart problem (very sad) who becomes very good friends with Ben, the rat (aw, how sweet). And even though Ben is the leader of the flesh-craving rats, Ben only orders them to attack bullies who tease the poor, sick boy (cue the violins). I can honestly say this is probably one of the few G rated horror movies out there. Not to mention, the theme song to Ben was sung by none other than Michael Jackson, during his Jackson 5 era. Interestingly enough, the mega-success of the single overshadowed the movie entirely making Ben the movie and insignificant blip on the pop culture map.

When Animals Attack (On Film) #8- Frogs

2009-08-14T10:02:00.001-07:00

The title Frogs is actually a little misleading. A more apt title is Pond Creatures That Rally Together to Teach Humans a Lesson About Environmental Conservation by Killing Them. The interesting fact is that the frogs in this movie never attack. They just kind of stand there while snakes, alligators, spiders and even turtles annihilate a Southern family that take over the swamp during a July 4th celebration. Less of a horror film and more of a public-service announcement, Frogs unabashedly claim that if you fuck with nature and its animals, they will fuck you right back. Even the cute turtles. I wouldn't be surprised if this film was funded by PETA.

Here are some hilarious clips from the movie:

When Animals Attack (On Film) #9- Night of the Lepus

2009-07-31T19:14:00.000-07:00

There are some animals in this world that are inherently scary-looking. Sharks, rats, snakes, even bugs are truly horrifying. There are other animals, on the other hand, that just don't cause fear in people's hearts. Take rabbits, for example. These are the most cuddly, cutest creatures in all the animal kingdom. So to make a film about killer rabbits seemed like an oxymoron. And yet, we still have Night of the Lepus in our pop culture lexicon. The movie centers on a research facility/farm town experimenting on animals. As per usual, something goes horribly wrong and the town now has an overgrown bunny population that want human flesh. Of course this movie is a joke, but it's worth a watch just to see how the director tries, I mean really tries, to make rabbits scary (who knew they growled?).

The scariest thing in this film is the fact that it features two Academy award nominees: Stuart Whitman (The Mark) and Janet Leigh (Psycho). Turns out the only victims of this films are the stars dignity.

When Animals Attack (On Film) #10- Snakes on a Plane

2009-07-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

"Enough is enough! I have had it with these muthafuckin snakes on this muthafuckin plane!"

And the crowd goes wild. Granted, the crowd consists of dozens of Internet-obsessed fanboys, but nonetheless, they go wild.

Snakes on a Plane does pose an interesting question: in this post 9/11 world, with such intense airport security, how do terrorists terrorize without bringing any weapons on board? They get creative. Real creative. They bring snakes on a plane. And it would have worked if it weren't for Samuel L. Jackson (in all his foul-mouthed glory) tearing up some reptilian hide.

The real star of the movie aren't the snakes. It's Jackson's potty mouth. But in all fairness, wouldn't you be cursing your luck if you were stuck in this joke of a "horror" movie? This is what happens to the movie when its star is inexcusably absent: it becomes a better movie.

Pop Structure #5- When Animals Attack (On Film)

2009-07-18T12:58:00.000-07:00

This pop structure list is dedicated to all the amazing animal attack movies that are so abundant in the B-horror movie canon. Why see a movie about a serial killer slashing a bunch of randy co-eds when you can enjoy a film about a wild animal going ballistic and eating a whole bunch of people? I'm excluding Jaws on this list because, c'mon, it'd be too easy. So here we go, pop structure's best animal attack films of all time!

This is a Sport, Mario? #1- Super Smash Bros. (N64)

2009-07-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

In a world where Ultimate Wrestling is considered a sport, it's not much of a stretch to consider Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64 a sports game. I mean, the concept is very similar: characters from the Nintendo universe kick each others' asses until one of them is a speck in space. And in a similar fashion to Fight Club, there are no rules. Occasionally, items and weapons fall from the sky that help you defeat your opponent(s) quicker.

The best part of this game is that it simply doesn't limit itself in the Mario Universe. It goes beyond to feature characters from the Nintendo world, such as Starfox, Zelda and even Pokemon. Who knew that a plumber, a rodent and a cute dinosaur could kick so much ass?

This is a Sport, Mario? #2- Mario Kart Double Dash (Gamecube)

2009-06-29T12:49:00.000-07:00

Probably my favorite Mario Universe game of all time, excluding Super Mario 3. This game has everything a sports racing game has to offer: varied choice of automobiles, great (and sometimes challenging) courses and tons of unlockable materials. This game goes the extra mile (pun intended) by offering a plethora of Mario universe characters (Baby Luigi and Luigi in the same game!), great character-specific weapons, and the fact that you can pick two drivers (one driving and the other throwing weapons) makes this game dynamic and endlessly fun.

This is a Sport, Mario? #3- Super Mario Strikers Charged (Wii)

2009-06-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

Super Mario Strikers Charged for the Wii is a mix between football and soccer. The game plays like any other soccer video game (you wanna kick the ball into your enemy's net, blah blah blah), but, like football, you can literally kick the crap out of your enemy by items lying around on the field (that's dangerous!) or by your own fist (or claw, or paw, or tail). The aesthetic is very similar to a post-apocalyptic future world, which is a little unusual for the usually sunny look that has become a staple in most Mario games.

When a character is ready to make a goal, they unleash a specific "power kick", not unlike an episode of Dragonball Z (sometimes they use their hand which, last time I checked, is against soccer regulations). It looks really cool, but then the game becomes more about the cut scene than about actual gameplay, which frankly, could be spending watching an anime (preferrably not Dragonball Z).

This is a Sport, Mario? #4- Mario Hoops 3 on 3 (DS)

2009-06-11T22:58:00.000-07:00

I'm a little confused as to why Nintendo would release a basketball game for its handheld DS console. I mean, how many successful basketball games are there for a handheld console? The magic of this specific basketball game is that it's not just a basketball game: it's a Mario sports game, which means that Nintendo took its liberties. This is not a bad thing.

Forget the simple 2 or 3 point format of a normal basketball game. Mario Hoops makes you collect coins that are scattered around the court and when you are ready to make that basket, you use your stylus to get more coins. The fancier your shot, the more coins you get. So, in theory, it is possible to win a game (quite easily, might I add) by scoring 99 points in one basket. Not to mention that if you're playing defense, the referee is willing to look the other way while you obliterate the enemy with turtle shells, banana peels and bombs.

If you still don't understand the concept, here's the Japanese ad for the game. Somehow, the Japanese are better at explaining things than I am.

Peeps Pick!!! This is a Sport, Mario? # 5- Yoshi's Safari (SNES)

2009-05-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

Remember the Super Scope Gun? Remember the handful of games you got to play with the Super Scope Gun? Remember Yoshi's Safari, the best shooter game that was available for the Super Nintendo? No? Well, your loss.

In a world where hunting wild game is considered a sport, I think it's safe to say that in some stretch of the imagination, Yoshi's Safari is considered to be a sports game too (right???). Regardless, I can definitely see this game being re-released for the Wii system. Not to mention that the Wii has the zapper accessory; it's unfathomable why Nintendo isn't scurrying to give this game a 21st. century makeover. Also, how can you not love a game starring Yoshi?!

This is a Sport, Mario? #6- Mario Super Sluggers (Wii)

2009-05-17T21:45:00.000-07:00

By this point, we all know that most Mario sports games will deliver with tons of playable characters and nice, seizure-inducing environments. Also, Mario sports games are known for being notoriously simple; and why shouldn't they? These games are catered to the 7-12 age group. Mario Super Sluggers is very loyal to these cliches, except the problem here is the game is way to easy.

The benefits of having this game on the Wii is to use the remote as a baseball bat or the ball (you can even shake the Wii remote to determine how fast you run). The only stipulation is that no matter how hard (or lightly) you swing your remote, the chances of getting a home run are ridiculously high. This is kind of like playing wiffleball as a kid: you weren't exactly playing baseball, but your self-esteem shot through the roof!

Here's the intro video for the game. It's actually really cool to see Luigi be the hero, because in other games, he's usually the whipping boy (case in point, refer to the video at #9).

This is a Sport, Mario? #7- Mario Power Tennis (Gamecube)

2009-05-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

Let's be honest: tennis matches can get pretty boring. Unless you're a tennis fanatic, you wouldn't necessarily buy a tennis game due to its repetitive gameplay. Unless that game is, of course, Mario Power Tennis for the Gamecube. The tennis courts are all ripped right off the Mario universe, the characters are familiar and unique to each other. Also, you get to unleash a character-specific power move that makes this game slightly different than your everyday run-of-the-mill real life tennis match.

It's also worth mentioning that the Wii system is releasing this game for its console; adding better graphics and what I imagine easier gameplay.

This is a Sport, Mario? #8- Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii)

2009-04-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

Wow. If Nintendo bothered to ask any video game nerd of a Sonic/Mario Universe mash-up, the last scenario they would have conjured up would be at the Olympic games. Well, maybe if the Olympic games where fashioned after some Thunderdome-like coliseum, maybe it would have been more fun.

But alas, this game takes place in our universe. At the actual Beijing Olympics that took place in 2008. With normal, human sports, like fencing and discuss throwing. Before your head starts reeling from all these parallel dimensions that have been stapled together a la Sliders these sports are not altogether so dull. I mean, that's why people compete play sports in the first place, right? Because it's fun. I wouldn't know anything about that, but I will say that if I had to go against Sonic in the 100-yard dash, I'd throw in the towel immediately.

This is a Sport, Mario? #9- Mario Kart (Wii)

2009-04-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

Remember the Mario Kart in its original format on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System? The simple, circular tracks, the handful of playable characters, and the occasional banana peel, red/green shell or disco star? Well times have changed; because the latest incarnation of the popular racing series has mutated to fit the technologically demanding times. Not only is there a cornucopia of extra weapons to equip on your vehicle, but the tracks have evolved into something resembling a crazy straw. Add to that the fact that there are a ton of playable characters (including your own Mii!), and the choice of picking either the traditional Kart or a motorbike (dabbling into an entirely different sport, folks!), Mario Kart Wii is not your traditional racing game.

Let's also not forget the Wii Wheel feature of the game: A steering-wheel accessory that attaches to your Wii remote gives the game a realistic feel. Well, as realistic as a Mario racing game can get.

This is a Sport, Mario? #10- Mario Golf Toadstool Tour (GameCube)

2009-04-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

"Watch out, there's a fireball in the sky! And it's shooting towards the golf course! It's gonna kill us! It's...wait, it's just Mario's golf ball. Oh, it's another hole-in-one... Good job, Mario."

That being said, I think the connection between the game and the sport is pretty solid. I mean, Mario Golf Toadstool Tour plays very similarly to the Playstation's Hot Shots Golf. The exception, of course, is the comfortingly familiar characters in the Mario Universe. Oh, and the brightly colorful environment that is the Mushroom Kingdom.

The other game styles are refreshingly Mario-esque, as well. Courses like the Ring Shot (get the ball through the rings), Club Shots (slot machine picks the club for you) and Coin Shoot (get your ball to collect coins on the ground) will be able to distract gamers who aren't into golf (like myself).

Pop Structure #4- This is a Sport, Mario?

2009-04-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

I'm just gonna put it out there: I HATE sports games. It's not so much that sports suck (they do). It also has nothing to do with the fact that I suck at sports (well, maybe it does). Sports, and sports games, are like kryptonite to me. There are just too many rules, too many sweat glands at work; it's just too much!

That's why I love Mario sports games. Thank God for Nintendo, because their sports games are so user-friendly, they blur the line of what a sports game is. Also, how can you not love these characters?!

This countdown is dedicated to all the amazing Mario sports games that have been released. Not only will they be ranked in awesomeness, they'll also be categorized by how thin the line is that ties the game to the actual sport.

So to take a line from Mario's arsenal of catch-phrases: "Here we go!"

Top Pop Singles '08 #1- Lykke Li "I'm Good, I'm Gone"

2009-04-08T13:56:00.000-07:00

2008 the year of the New Female Artist. Acts like Santigold, Estelle and yes , even Lady Gaga, who no one has heard of before have risen out of nowhere to take this past year by its reigns. Even though Lykke Li's Youth Novels was released in 2007, her popularity has increased exponentially in the last year. This Swedish (I'm convinced they can never do wrong) singer's second single "I'm Good, I'm Gone" is hands down the best single of 2008. When you factor in the thumping pianos, the steady handclaps (watch out, Beyonce!), the catchy lyrics, and Li's incredibly unique voice, the end result is a pop masterpiece.

If you see the video for "I'm Good, I'm Gone", then you'll be able to see a lot of Lykke Li's amazing prescence. Just looking at her makes me love the song even more. And who doesn't want to see a video with female bodybuilders and a getriatic fistfight?!

Lykke Li - "I'm Good, I'm Gone"
Uploaded by bluntedsoul

Top Pop Singles '08 #2- MGMT "Electric Feel"

2009-03-31T22:12:00.000-07:00

2008's biggest breakout musical act was hands down MGMT. This Brooklyn based duo broke big with their "Electric Feel" single off their debut Oracular Spectacular. Their psychedelic synth-dance track is probably the sexiest song I heard all year, and this has everything to do with MGMT's high-pitched and slow delivery of the song. I especially get chills (the good kind) when they profess, "This is what the world is for/ Making electricity." I think they're on to something here.

The video makes me feel like I'm in Robin Williams Hook and Tim Curry's Legend mash-up.

MGMT - Electric Feel
Uploaded by wonderful-life1989

Top Pop Singles '08 # 3- Kid Sister ft. Kanye West "Pro Nails"

2009-03-26T14:20:00.000-07:00

2008 was not a good year for female rappers. Actually, as I am typing this, my memory cells are conjuring up flashbacks from the terrible VH1 reality TV show Miss Rap Supreme but that just proves that female rappers have turned into some sort of tacky gimmick. Thank God for Kid Sister and her single "Pro Nails", which not only proves that there are some serious contenders in the female rap monarchy (Lil Kim, Missy Elliot, Jean Gray, etc.), but the popular art of rapping about frivolous things (in this case it's about getting your nails did) just reached a new level of fun. I'm tired about rappers spittin' about how tough they've had it. It's about time someone rapped about "manicure sets and silky weaves!"

It also doesn't hurt to have the hipster king of hip-hop, Kanye West, lending a verse or two on the track. Personally, I think it's the best thing he's ever done. And this video is pure fun. This is my kind of hip-hop.

Kid Sister f. Kanye West "Pro Nails"
Uploaded by foolsgoldrecs

Top Pop Singles '08 #4- Hot Chip "Ready for the Floor"

2009-03-22T19:37:00.001-07:00

The tricky thing about dance artists is finding a nice medium between song content and song groove: you don't want to hear a song with flat beats but great lyrics, but at the same time, you don't want to dance to something with a great rhythm but embarrassing lyrics. Hot Chip has always had a great balance of the two, but there is no better track in their oeuvre than "Ready for the Floor" from Made in the Dark. Lead singer Alexis Taylor lends his simple, yet dreamy vocals to an insanely danceable track. The best part is that the song seems to change (and even evolve), while keeping Hot Chip listeners attentive and wanting more. I wouldn't expect anything less from one of my favorite bands of 2008.

The video for "Ready for the Floor" is truly amazing. It conjures up "Batdance"-era Prince, Robert Palmer and his statuesque models, and P.S. 1 in Long Island City. It should be considered a work of art. Literally.

Peeps Pick!!! Top Pop Singles '08 # 5- Beyonce "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"

2009-03-17T01:53:00.000-07:00

Not only did Beyonce's mega-hit conquer 2008, but it also served as a cautionary take to all the promiscuous men by warning, "If you liked it, then you shoulda put a ring on it." Playas, along with the rest of the galaxy, listened and danced along to Beyonce (or should I say Sasha Fierce?), thanks in no small part to her music video.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Beyonce (Sasha Fierce) is officially a pancake. Just go on youtube.com and spend hours looking at people spoofing either her song or her video.

It's easy to forget that the song consists of mainly repeptitive hand claps and robot alarm sounds, but sometimes less is more, no, Beyonce? Or Sasha. Or whatever your name is this week.

Top Pop Singles '08 #6- Hercules and Love Affair "Blind"

2009-03-09T01:02:00.000-07:00

Antony has done it again, this time in the form of Hercules and Love Affair. His unique, melodic voice, usually reserved for far more grandiose ballads, blends exceptionally well with 70s disco beats to create "Blind": the bands single from their self-titled album. It's very hard for a dance single to have much soul, but Antony's singing raises this already good, soulful song into something far far meatier, providing much appreciated heart, as well. And for that, I bow down to Hercules and Love Affair: the reigning gods of electro-disco (I'm not sure if that actually exists, but it certainly sounds good).

Top Pop Singles '08 #7- Gnarls Barkley "Run (I'm a Natural Disaster)"

2009-02-27T21:29:00.000-08:00

Their second album, The Odd Couple, did not do quite as well as their first (St. Elsewhere), but just because it wasn't popular with the masses (or critics) does not mean that it was a bad album. Personally, I prefer this album to the first, and it has a lot to do with their first single "Run (I'm a Natural Disaster)." Catchy, fast-paced, very fresh but oddly vintage; this track evokes a little of "Crazy", but without the excessive overexposure.

The video stars Justin Timberlake dressed as a Michael Jackson impersonator hosting a "Soul Train in the 80s" show. Not only is this video amazing, but apparently it's banned in the U.K. due to it's seizure-inducing content. Incredible!

Top Pop Singles '08 # 8- Of Montreal "Id Engager"

2009-02-21T18:51:00.000-08:00

Sexual promiscuity never sounded so good! "Id Engager", Of Montreal's first single from Skeletal Lamping, showcases Kevin Barnes' playful, yet perverted, libido. Backed by cooing and aahing dance grooves, Barnes unleashes his sexual impulses : "Ladies / I'm screaming out to you/ From the depths of this phallo-centric tyranny."

Rarely (if ever) does a band make cognitive psychology fun. Sigmund Freud must be dancing in his grave. But most likely not.

Top Pop Singles '08 #9- Adele "Chasing Pavements"

2009-02-13T19:51:00.000-08:00

Adele is from the House that Winehouse built. You know the one: young British torch singers who channel 60's pop stars. But unlike Winehouse and Duffy, Adele's got the best pipes, and considering her age (20), that's pretty damn impressive. "Chasing Pavements", her first single from her debut 19, is about being kicked out of a pub after punching her ex-boyfriend in the face.

Well, all the physical violence recently paid off when she won a Grammy for Best New Artist. Not to mention "Chasing Pavements" is still on the iTunes singles chart. Not bad for a rookie.

Top Pop Singles '08 #10- CSS "Move"

2009-02-09T08:32:00.000-08:00

We start the countdown with one of my favorite bands out now, CSS, and their single "Move" from their album Donkey. With the catchy-ass hook ("get up, get up, get up") and awesome disco/electro-pop sound, "Move" left quite a mark in 2008. Not to mention their visual presence reflects on their music: quirky and over the top. It's always comforting to see a band dress for the part, you know what I mean?

Pop Structure # 3- Top Pop Singles '08

2009-02-06T09:14:00.000-08:00

Growing up, I always looked forward to the end of the year. Why? Christmas maybe? Perhaps New Years? Nope! The highlight of my year was always tuning in to the music channels and watching various countdowns of the top videos of the year. I would always place my bet on who I thought should have been number one (like in '95, I predicted Mariah Carey's "Fantasy" would get the top spot. Alas, she came in at number ten).

This year, I've done my research of people's top picks and deduced my own countdown of the top singles of the year that was 2008. Remember, these are singles and not individual tracks, so artists who have promoted a song as a single (i.e.- music video, press) qualify.

Ideal Top Models #1- Heather

2009-02-04T16:52:00.000-08:00

I know I'm not alone here! Heather, from Cycle 9 of ANTM, has gotten the most Covergirl of the Week votes than any other Top Model contestant. During the casting special, Heather entered the judging panel (I shouldn't say "entered"; it was more of like an awkward staggering. It's like if the Hunchback of Notre Dame was made out of Silly Putty. Oh, and the Hunchback looked like a Givenchy model) it was love at first sight. Only minutes later does Heather admit that she has Aspergers syndrome, which might explain her awkwardness, but not her fierce beauty and natural ability in front of the camera.

I'd also like to mention that Heather is one of the very, very, very elite few who consistently was able to smile with her eyes, something Tyra preaches in her church, I mean judging panel. Tyra, and the rest of the world, are forever impressed.

Ideal Top Models #2- April

2009-02-01T23:18:00.001-08:00

I have a soft spot for over-achievers, especially in reality television. They're the unsung heroes of junk food pop culture and they never get the credit they deserve. One of the biggest TV over-achievers is April from Cycle 2. Her hunger to be the best in the competition overshadowed her personality, and made her a bit unlikable to the judges. The funny thing with April is, she didn't have to try at all. She was so beautiful and took great pictures, that by being an over-achiever, she committed the regrettable act of self-sabotage.

Ideal Top Models # 3- Toccara

2009-01-27T12:37:00.001-08:00

One of Tyra Banks' biggest mistakes in Top Model history was to eliminate Toccara from Cycle 3 and not making her a Top Model. Granted, this was a time in the show's history when plus-size girls were seen as a burden, not as a blessing (now, it's become a little absurd). I think Tyra did regret her oversight because she's been trying to make amends ever since (like admitting TWO plus-size girls in Cycle 7 and giving Whitney the title in Cycle 10; not to mention giving Tocarra the Lifetime Achievement Award in her Fiercee awards show).

They can come close, but no other contestant, plus-size or otherwise, can compare to Tocarra's raw fierceness.

I mean, even rapper Nelly is at a loss for words when he meets her:

Ideal Top Models #4- Kim

2009-01-21T13:16:00.001-08:00

Oh my God, what a dreamboat! There are maybe a zillion reasons why I love Kim from Cycle 5. She is smart. She is chill. She likes girls. She was able to come off like a saint during the Nicole/Bree granola /Red Bull kerfuffle. Her style was incredible, and she was truly a unique and original person. I mean, can you compare her to someone else from Top Model? There's literally hundreds to choose from... Yeah, I thought not. I especially love the fact that she was able to make it far in the competition without sacrificing an ounce of her tomboyish-ness. It's also good to know that currently, she's a VJ for MTV news. That's my Kim!

Peeps Pick!! Ideal Top Models #5- Naima

2009-01-11T17:02:00.000-08:00

Naima was great because she always seemed so over the drama. She was never part of any catty model brawls (well, except for the Nelson Mandela prison key fiasco, but Keenyah was the antagonizer). She was always so Zen, and that made have contributed to her win in Cycle 4 of America's Next Top Model.

Oh, come on, who are we kidding?!

Naima could outmodel almost any girl. She had great personality and a really cool sense of style. She is easily one of the most likable cast members of ANTM.

Ideal Top Models # 6- Jade

2009-01-05T22:00:00.000-08:00

Don't let the beautiful face fool you: Jade from Cycle 6 of America's Next Top Model is crazy. Quite easily the craziest person in this galaxy. Good thing she can model, or else Tyra would have sent her packing early on in the show. Luckily for the viewing public, we were able to enjoy all of Jade's... "Jade-ness" until the very end (she came in third).

Where do you start with someone like Jade? Words cannot describe how insane she is. So I'm just gonna let this video do all the explaining:

Ideal Top Models # 7- Elyse

2008-12-29T23:41:00.001-08:00

Not only does Elyse, from Cycle 1 of Top Model, have the coveted high fashion look, she's also intelligent. Like way, way intelligent. When she told Jay that she wanted to be a doctor, Ms. Jay retorted by explaining that being a doctor is a lot of "hard work." The outcome is the beginning of a series of rants, clever observations and just all around complaints that made Elyse (and Cycle 1) such an entertaining season.

Elyse was only one of the few girls in the show to have a realistic approach to modeling (and being in a reality TV show). Where other girls cried and stated that they would die if they couldn't win, Elyse would simply shrug and make fun of the other girl in her own sly, verbally elaborate way.

Ideal Top Models # 8- Michelle

2008-12-24T17:51:00.001-08:00

Tyra and Co. have an annoying tendency to leave girls who cannot take a good picture to save their lives in the competition because deep down Tyra knows that they have a lot of "potential" (They usually, inexplicably, make it really far). Don't believe me? Take:
Cycle 1: Robyn
Cycle 3: Kelle
Cycle 4: Michelle (with the skin disease)
Cycle 5: Coryn
Cycle 6: Gina, Faronda
Cycle 7: Jaeda, Melrose, Eugena
Cycle 8: Everyone
Cycle 9: Bianca
Cycle 10: Dominique, Whitney

Then, there are some girls, like Michelle from Cycle 7, that are true models from day 1. She outshown everyone, including her twin sister Amanda. Her biggest problem? She didn't want it bad enough. And with talent like that; it's a damn shame.

Ideal Top Models # 9- Shandi

2008-12-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

I think the best way to describe Shandi, the almost-winner of Cycle 2 of ANTM, would be "gawky." She wasn't the least bit shy (her make-out session with the Italian male model proves otherwise), or awkward (remember her busting a move in Tyra Banks' music video?), but her 5'10 stature and the way she moved her body made her seem a little uncomfortable in her own skin, making her transformation into a model all the more awe-inspiring.

Speaking of awe-inspiring and eye-popping, this ex-Walgreens clerk had a run-in with the law (MUGSHOT!) and a stint as a DJ around NYC.

Ideal Top Models # 10- Lluvy

2008-12-10T10:36:00.000-08:00

Lluvy, from cycle 4, has the distinct honor of having the worst picture ever taken in Top Model history (thanks to the Zodiac themed lingerie photoshoot). Also, she's the only contestant that has been compared to Shelley Duvall (yikes)!

Don't you love this girl?!?!?

And I'm not even covering the fact that she used to be in a gang (hard to believe) and that her father's dying wish was for her to be a model when she was three (harder to believe).

Ideal Top Models # 11- Mollie Sue

2008-12-07T11:48:00.001-08:00

I really felt bad for Mollie Sue from Cycle 6 of Top Model. I don't think the judges really understood her. They kept saying she was boring and dull and had no personality. But in all fairness, when you're stuck in a season with crazy-bots Faronda and JADE, even Janice Dickinson would be seen as a meek little mouse.

Also, you would think that someone who lost to Jade in that abysmal Cover Girl commercial (I mean, let's talk about crazy, Jade) would never work again. But, fortunately, I was wrong.