It's A Hit

Yes, I watched. And yes I loved every cheesy moment of it, brother...

NBC’s revamp of the campy competition classic “American Gladiators” scored the highest new series premiere rating of the season.

“Gladiators” earned a 5.9 preliminary rating among adults 18 to 49 and was seen by 12 million viewers. The demo rating gives "Gladiators" the best score for an NBC debut since “Heroes." Previously, the highest premiere tally this season was held by "Bionic Woman" (5.7), NBC's other action-filled primetime remake.

The two-hour premiere came in second during the 9 p.m. hour behind an original episode of “Desperate Housewives” (7.2), but it handily won the 10 p.m. hour. What’s more, “Gladiators’” final half-hour was its highest-rated, with a 6.1, which bodes well for the true test of the show’s strength when the show airs tonight in its regular time period.

MSNBC called the program “an awkward start,” but still “a thrilling television event.” BuddyTV said it’s “cheesy fun.” The Onion wrote, “After two grueling hours, I want my brain cells back.”

BEST MOVIES of 2007 (The Worst)

For some critics I think their favorite time of the year is putting together their WORST movies list. I personally am not one of those "critics." I hate bad movies. I hate wasting my time and money on crap. So when a movie is really well reviewed and then ends up being bad I am usually a little pissed off. Part of the reason I even bother with this blog is so that my friends might save a pointless trip to the movies.

So I have 2 lists for this post. The first is a list of movies that were well reviewed, but didn't deliver the goods as far as I am concerned. I didn't have to hate the movie for it to be on the list, but I certainly had to be in significant disagreement with the overall consensus.

3. Eastern Promises - I loved David Cronenberg's A History of Violence. I thought that it was an excellent thriller and really delivered the gut punches. So when Eastern Promises was delivered I thought for sure it was a can't miss done deal. Well I thought the movie was terribly drawn out, predictable, and had none of the moral ambiguity that made History so amazing. And the 5 minute fight with Viggo Mortensen's business flopping about was overkill.

2. Zodiac - Let me clarify by saying that I thought the acting was top notch in this film. Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey Jr. could all win awards this season and I wouldn't complain. However, the movie itself was slow and really didn't pass along the sense of urgency to the audience that many of the actual people in San Francisco must have been feeling. The movie was just bland. I didn't feel much different about Zodiac than I did about The Black Dahlia.

1. The Namesake - This return to your roots drama starring Kal Penn was pretty well received by most critics. And the larger number of them deemed Kal Penn a a really great actor. Don't get me wrong I love Kumar, but he can't really act that well. And this movie actually highlighted that. The movie was down right boring and it made me with that Dr. House hadn't just hired him as a new doctor on his team. (Ok, the movie wasn't bad enough to make me feel like that, but you get my point.


Now, this list is comprised of the WORST MOVIES of the year. Now, let's make sure we are clear, these are movies that I actually saw. Some things I knew were going to be awful as soon as I heard about them (I Know Who Killed Me). So this list is likely an incomplete one. But at least you can avoid the following movies and not lose any sleep over not seeing them... or because you did see them...

By the way, these movies deserve NO MORE of my time so I won't be writing much if anything about them.

5. The Number 23 - Jim Carrey, are you kidding me with this shit?

4. The Invisible - Should have been me that was invisible from this theater.

3. Rush Hour 3 - This is what happens when money is more important than quality. I look forward to the day when Chris Tucker finds a new role to play. I won't hold my breath.

2. The Golden Compass - I'd rather worship the devil than see this again.

1. Bug - Holy shit I can't believe I spent my money on this movie. And some critics liked it.


So, leave me some comments...what was the worst movie you saw this year?

BEST MOVIES of 2007 (Most Surprising)

This is always one of my favorite things to read by other movie enthusiasts. It's a list of the most surprising films of the year. This list is made up of movies that I had low expectations for and ended up being pleasantly surprised. The 6 movies on this list are the ones that had the largest difference between expectation and actualization.

Number 6 - Shoot 'Em Up
Another Clive Owen mention here. This guy really can make anything better. This movie was advertised as a non-stop roller coaster of a ride with tons of shoot outs, plenty of explosions, and some witty banter. When I hear that I immediately think about Michael Bay. And since I hate Michael Bay I had no desire to see this movie. But I kept hearing a little buzz here and a little buzz there. So I gave in and Netflixed it expecting to hate every mind numbing second of it. And yet there I was laughing at every line Paul Giamatti offered up. And there I was pumping my fist every time Clive Owen did something so fucking cool yet so fucking unbelievable. I never get why movie have so many bullets flying and so few people getting hit. I still don't get it, but by the end of this wild trip, I just didn't care.

Number 5 - Live Free or Die Hard
Are you kidding me. Another Bruce Willis as John McClain Die Hard movie? I kind of felt about this movie the same way I feel about Indiana Jones IV: The Cialis Crystal or whatever it is called. I know I'll like the movie, but I know I won't be able to NOT compare it to the classic Raiders of The Lost Ark. Just like I couldn't help but compare Live Free or Die Hard to the original Die Hard, which I've seen no less than 95 times. But with each stunt, special effect, cheesy joke, and unbelievable get away, I fell under the movie's spell even more. Justin Long helped breathe some new life into the franchise, giving Willis someone new to play off of. And the Kevin Smith cameo was priceless.

Number 4 - Walk Hard; The Dewey Cox Story
I hate spoofs. Hate them. I find no redeeming quality in many of them. Sure there are some funny bits in each spoof that comes along. Anytime pop culture is poked fun at there are going to be some chuckle worthy moments. The trailer for Meet The Spartans makes me laugh out loud every time I see that dude kicking Britney Spears into the giant pit. But ultimately those movies never make me feel like I got money's worth. Walk Hard was the ultimate exception for me. John C. Reilly was a perfect choice to play the Ray/Johnny Cash/Elvis Presley biopic spoofer. Things got off to a slow start, but the movie relied a lot on jokes through repitition and eventually it found its timing. When I laughed, I did so until I cried. There were things that didn't work, but those were all forgotten when things clicked.

Number 3 - Enchanted
Girlie Disney movies aren't really my thing. I don't like syrupy sweet flicks that always end with a big happy kiss. It's not real life. But strangely enough the moral of this movie was exactly that...there is no such thing as a Fairy Tale life. Real life has trials and tribulations. Amy Adams was so perfect in the lead role as the fairy princess that it was sick. I can't picture anyone in my mind who could have done a better job. The story moved quickly, was always funny and willing to never take itself too seriously. Enchanted was truly enchanting.

Number 2 - Disturbia
When someone would mention Shia LeBeouf before this movie I would have no idea who they were talking about. After seeing Disturbia, I will never forget again. He carried the movie by himself with ease. You never once thought about the fact that this guy was acting. It was if you really had a camera in the guy's bedroom. Ultimately this flick would have worked better as a romantic comedy than a thriller. When the movie went darker it lost its appeal. But the first half was almost perfect. Sarah Roemer played the love interest and her chemistry with LaBeouf was spot on. They had a chemistry that is often missed in movies. I laughed numerous times and it is very apparent to me that Shia is a real PTPer (Prime Time Player) in this business now. His next big role is next to Harrison Ford in this summer's new Indiana Jones movie. Word is, Steven Spielberg is so impressed with the kid that he is looking at making a new Indiana trilogy with him as the star.

Number 1 - Mr. Brooks
I had no expectations. Kevin Costner. Dane Cook? A thriller with a different twist on the serial killer genre. The little voice in Costner's head that willed him to kill was more than a voice. The figment of his imagination was played by William Hurt. And as this "psyche" followed Costner around you saw him slipping further and further away. It was really a great psychological trip. Dane Cook was actually pretty good, but his introduction into the movie actually played a little too heavy on coincidence. Besides that it was a really fun journey into one man's battle with his inner demons. If you haven't seen this one, check it out. If Kevin Costner could ever find a little consistency in his movie role choices he could be one of the great American actors. But his record shows a pattern of one good, one bad, one good, one bad...etc.

BEST MOVIES of 2007 (What I Didn't See)

As I continue my Best Movies of 2007 Series I have to next mention a few movies that I wish had already been released in Memphis so that they could be included in my list. These movies will most likely be reserved for a post in 2009 mentioning why they were great yet can't be included in my Best Movies of 2008. But, we'll worry about that next year. When I see these movies I promise to review them on here.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - This movie did actually get released in Memphis. Unfortunately for that one week I was too busy to make it to the theatre for 2 hours. I will get my hands on this dvd as soon as it is released and will make sure to post a review. For those of you who don't know, Brad Pitt is the star of this movie.

There Will Be Blood - Where there is Daniel Day Lewis there is Oscar talk. I'm not a big fan of Paul Thomas Anderson. I thought his movie Magnolia was way too long and too quirky just for the sake of being different. I though Punch Drunk Love was extremely boring. But I admit to being blown away by the trailers for Blood and I am really looking forward to seeing it. I also really like Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine). I think he stole the movie The Girl Next Door and I can't wait to see him in Where The Wild Things Are.

Into The Wild - This one was released in Memphis also. And I have no excuse for not going to see it. I loved the sountrack and still play it regularly. I think Emile Hirsh is the real deal and will be actng for years to come. I love movies like this and am pretty sure that I am doing you a disservice for not being able to include this in my top ten list. I'm sorry about that!

The Savages - This family drama is not making as many top ten lists. But two of my favorite actors in the world star in this one and I know that I am going to love it. The stars are Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney. Seriously, have you ever seen either of them NOT be brilliant?

So, I promise to review these as soon as I can. And at some point in the future I might revamp my 2007 list to include these.

OUT

BEST MOVIES of 2007 (A Continuing Series)

This first post in my BEST MOVIES OF 2007 SERIES is part BEST OF LIST and part disclaimer. Several great movies were released in Memphis in early 2007. But, because they were "officially" released in 2006 I have deemed them ineligible for the best of 2007 list. These movies would have easily made my best of list for this year, but instead they get a brief mention here...

The Last King of Scotland - This movie was the best that I SAW in 2007. I enjoyed every single aspect of the film. Forest Whitaker was brilliant and his many awards earlier this year were well deserved. This flick also cemented in my mind what a great actor James McAvoy is. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and I consider this movie a MUST SEE.

Children of Men - I know a lot of people thought that this was the best movie of 2006. It was certainly up there. Clive Owen is in a class of his own. Even mediocre movies are raised a level by his presence. This dire, futuristic film was part action, part tragedy, all amazing. Michael Cain did annoy me just a bit, but that's just because I don't find him all that entertaining. His role didn't alter my take on the movie.

Volver - A foreign language film that most of my friends will never see. But trust me when I tell you that this movie hit a home run on every aspect I consider important. The story was tight and provided plenty of twists and turns. The directing, done by the always inventive Pedro Almodovar, was versatile yet very direct and intentional without being distracting. The acting was believable and real, especially Penelope Cruz. After several horrible American roles, she had a triumphant return to her roots.

Pan's Labyrinth - Another foreign language film by another cutting edge filmmaker. This time the damage was being done by Guillermo del Toro. The story is an adult fairy tale. The movie was creepy and wonderful, brutal and kind. The only knock was not getting to spend more time in the wonderful fairy tale world.

Each of these movies were great in their own way. Each are movies I encourage you to see.

OUT

Just To Make You Feel Old...

Some 2008 Anniversaries...

TURNING 18 (or as the ROS guys say, “Movies You Can Legally Have Sex With”)
The Hunt for Red October
Pretty Woman
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Back to the Future Part III
Total Recall
Die Hard 2: Die Harder
Ghost
Goodfellas
Home Alone
Dances With Wolves
Misery
Edward Scissorhands
The Godfather Part III

10TH ANNIVERSARY FILMS
The Big Lebowski
The X Files
Armageddon
Blade
American History X
Shakespeare in Love

15TH ANNIVERSARY FILMS
Groundhog Day
Army of Darkness
Jurassic Park
The Fugitive
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
Mrs. Doubtfire
Schindler’s List
Philadelphia
Tombstone

20TH ANNIVERSARY FILMS
Beetlejuice
Big
Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Coming to America
Die Hard
Rain Man
Beaches

National Treasure: Book of Secrets - Movie Review

National Treasure: Book Of Secrets can really be summed up with one sentence; If you liked the first one, you’ll like the second one. The difference between the first movie and the second is that I had very low expectations for the first film and it far exceeded those. But with the sequel, my expectations were understandably higher and that caused the movie to feel flat at times.
I have two main beefs with this movie. The first being the amount of faith you must put into circumstance. In the first movie you were along for the ride, feeling like you were right there helping Cage and the crew put the pieces together. This time around you aren’t allowed to help in the problem solving at all.
The second problem I had? They tricked Ridley out. He used to be a fun loving nerd who had all the brains and none of the glitz. This time out he is more confident, less likeable, and ultimately less funny.
Also slowing the movie down were scenes with Cage’s mom and dad. I felt like I was watching Indiana Jones all over again with the great Indy dragging his pops everywhere.
That’s a lot of negative and I don’t want you to think that I didn’t enjoy the movie. I did. I had a good time and as far as pop corn flicks go, this was right on target. But I don’t see movies just for the good times. I also like my movies to make me think, to let me play along, or to make me question personal feelings about a moral situation. National Treasure: Book of Secrets did not meet any of those criteria.

MOVIE GRADE: C+

Joshua - Movie Review

I don’t know why this is, but kids in movies creep me out. I’ve always thought that Dakota Fanning was a demon. I think that kid in Problem Child is the son of Satan. I think the youngest Culkin kid is basically Spawn. I just don’t know what it is about them that make me cringe. Well the movie Joshua adds another kid to the list.
The movie follows a family of four. Dad, played by Sam Rockwell, mom, nine year old Joshua, and brand new baby girl.
Joshua is a piano prodigy and basically a genius. And yes, Joshua is supposed to be a little creepy. That’s the point of the story. It works.
Joshua appears to feel a little neglected now that baby sis has come home. He’s not getting the attention he wants or needs and it seems as if he is about to try anything to change that.
The movie builds to a fever pitch and ultimately pays off with a few scenes that literally had me yelling at the screen. Sam Rockwell does a great job as a dad struggling to love a child that he really doesn’t see himself in. It’s a role that he was made to play.
The only negative on the movie is that so many of the ideals have been played out before on the screen or in books and there was nothing new or special offered up here.
This movie was released by an independent company and didn’t make many people’s radars, but it’s available for rent now and you should check it out.
Fans of The Omen and other creepy child movies will like it.

MOVIE GRADE: B

Atonement - Movie Review

Atonement is getting a ton of press right now and rightfully so. The British romance story is certainly well acted. The story goes something like this: Keira Knightlyy plays a well to-do woman who falls for the family help in early 1900’s. The hired hand who woos Knightley is played by James McAvoy. The more movies I see McAvoy in the higher he climbs on my best actors list.
Well the real drama starts when Knightley’s younger sister accuses McAvoy of a horrible crime that he didn’t commit. The movie then follows the lost lovers as they fight to find their way back into one another’s arms throughout their lives.
The movie is based on an Ian McEwan novel. The movie at times feels like a book on screen which, if you manage to keep watching this sometimes slow period piece, makes a lot of sense in the end.
The acting is superb, easily Keira Knightly’s best work and another notch on McAvoy’s resume.
This isn’t really my type of movie, but it did hold my interest and I was very open minded. It won’t be number one on my Best Movie list, but it is certainly a movie that you should add to your movie que.

MOVIE GRADE: B+

COMING IN 2008

Starting on January 2nd I'll begin posting some short reviews for the many many movies I saw over the holidays. I saw National Treasure 2, Atonement, Ratatouille, Alien Vs Predator, Joshua, Hair Spray, Eastern Promises, Sweeny Todd, The Kingdom, The Hottest State and a few others.
I have also decided to begin my TOP 10 Movies of the Year countdown beginning next Monday the 7th. I still haven't seen There Will Be Blood or The Savages, but I will post without them for now and will adjust the list as needed.

I hope you all have a very happy new year.

Cree

What do you think?

The New Alanis...Pretty Hot.

Christmas Gift

Ok, so someone gave me the best and worst Christmas gift in the world today. It's an assortment of homemade cookies. And they are amazing. Which is why they are the best gift! But, because it is an assortment, I feel like I have to eat them all right now. Because what if the white chocolate mac. nut cookie isn't the best one. What if the best cookie is the heath bar crunch cookie. Or what if it's the peanut butter cookie. And that's why it is the worst gift too.

Does anyone else see my dilema?

I used the word Amicable today. I got made fun of by my friends. They didn't know what it meant and accused me of speaking above their heads. Honestly, I thought everyone used that word. Little did I know, there are people out there who can't even pronounce it. What do you guys think? Is Amicable an okay word to use in every day conversation?

I'm going to see several movies over the next week. I will be reviewing them all. Here is a list: Sweeny Todd, National Treasure 2, Alien Vs. Predator 2, and Charlie Wilson's War. I may also see Atonement and Margot and the Wedding, but only if time permits.

I'll be doing my best movies of the year list sometime in January after There Will Be Blood and The Savages are released in Memphis.

Have a very safe, happy, jolly, and Merry Christmas. And please stop for just a minute and think about what this holiday means to you. And cherish the time with your familes. We are getting older and we aren't promised a whole lot more holiday seasons with them. And when you're driving down the road, let someone cut in front of you and wave at them, don't give them the finger. You'll feel better about yourself.

Merry Christmas

Cree

Best Albums of '07- NUMBER 1

The HIVES

Black and White Album

For their 4th studio album, The Hives took their sweet time. They pranced around the world recording in different spots including a stint in Oxford, Mississippi. Go figure. But what the time off did was give the band some time to re-energize and come out swinging. Well the wait is over and the new record is explosive. It's kind of like listening to two different bands. The first half is vintage Hives with Tick Tick Boom and other rock songs. However, the band takes an unexpected left turn about half way through. The two best songs on the album were produced by Pharrell Williams. They are "Well Alright" and the funky "T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S."

Movie Review - JUNO

I had the pleasure of seeing one of the SPOILER ALERT! top 5 best movies of 2007 last night. Juno! It was freakin’ hilarious and far better than I had even expected; and let’s be honest, my expectations were pretty high.
Juno, named after the beautiful wife of Zeus and NOT the town in Alaska, is a far cry from the most popular girl in school. She’s not a nerd, but more of a freak/geek hybrid in my opinion. However, her choice in men (boys) is quite peculiar. Played by Ellen Page (X-Men 3, Hard Candy) Juno brings a zest to the screen that is hard to describe. She’s almost like a less beautiful, more cut throat Veronica Mars with all of her witty banter and pointed comebacks. She is feisty to the core.
Juno and her best friend Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera from Super Bad) are bored one day and they decide to do the deed. Bleeker is a nerd, a hard core mama’s boy, but he’s always true to himself and that makes him endearing. But, their “sexual activity” leads to pregnancy and that’s where the story picks up…
Juno, being a sixteen year old student, decides to give the baby up for adoption to a nice family that she finds in the Penny Saver Coupon Clipper. That couple is played by Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner. Bateman’s character is likeable and he plays off of Ellen Page really well, but he never seems to give himself over to the role completely. Jennifer Garner was the only part of the film that I didn’t like. She comes off as cold and stuck-up even during parts of the film that she is supposed to be winning over the audience. Maybe I will just never be able to see her in any role besides Sydney Bristow.
There were funnier movies this year, including Knocked-Up, if you are rating on a laughs-per-minute ratio. However, none of the comedies, including Super Bad, had as much heart to go behind the jokes.
I don’t want to ruin any of the jokes here and so I am refraining from giving you direct quote. Just know that every word that comes out of Page’s mouth is funny. Sometimes the sarcasm is coming so fast that you have to spend a second reliving the scene to get everything put down that she slings.
The movie’s dialogue is very hip. Of course, on that same note, the dialogue is very square too. For example, Bleeker tells Juno at one point that he’s cheesed off. I can’t think of a worse word to describe being angry than cheesed. Of course that’s what makes you love Bleeker.
J.K. Simmons plays Juno’s father. From his role in the Spider-Man trilogy to playing Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson’s boss on The Closer, he is always a riot on screen. It’s no different here. He and his wife played by Allison Janney do their best to accept the way things are and to help Juno through the pregnancy.
If you were a fan of last year’s Little Miss Sunshine, then Juno is one that you should add to your list. During this holiday season, with huge studio hits coming out like I Am Legend, Sweeny Todd, and Charlie Wilson’s War, please don’t forget to take some time and see the little movie that could.

MOVIE GRADE: A

The Dark Knight - Mini Review

I saw the first six minutes of The Dark Knight on YouTube over the weekend. For those of you living in a cave, The Dark Knight is the sequel to Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins. The movie will be out in the Summer of '08. All I can say after seeing the clip is wow.

The tone and pacing is nothing short of heart pounding. It's exactly what you would expect from Christopher Nolan (Memento). The scene takes place inside a bank during a robbery and is non-stop action from the first second. The robbery is being run by some of The Joker's cronies and unlike some of the other superhero movies, the villians here don't play nearly as nice. They shoot to kill first and never worry about asking questions.

For the record, Heath Ledger looks awesome as The Joker and I'm beginning to think that he was the perfect cast for this film. We'll see.

Best Albums of '07 - Number 2

Rilo Kiley

Under The Black Light

Jenny Lewis returned to Rilo Kiley after a year long break in support of her stint with The Watson Twins. Where the Jenny Lewis and The Watson Twins album was heavy and dug deep into some emotional baggage, Under The Black Lights is a much more fun, free-spirited effort. The best track on the disk is called "Smoke Detector," while the first single "Silver Lining" is a brilliant song about being the better half of someone who just doesn't complete you in the same way.

Best Albums of '07 - Number 3

Bright Eyes

Cassadaga

Ok, so maybe I am a little bit biased on this one...but it doesn't change the fact that this was an amazing album. After taking 2006 off, Conor and the gang returned with this offering. I had the pleasure of seeing them in concert twice in '07 and both shows were great. I assure you this album will pop up on many top-10 lists this year.

Jingle Jam 2007

I had the pleasure of heading down to Tunica Friday night for the Q107.5 Jingle Jam celebration. Amongst the hip-hop music, drunk morons, and booty dancing, a few bands actually took the stage to perform. Here’s a quick rundown of the show.

We arrived late, missing Matt Kearny and Quiet Drive. It’s too bad that we didn’t miss The Long Goodnight. They were the worst band on the bill by far. The lead singer was drunk and awkward. He didn’t seem comfortable up on the stage.

The act with the biggest crowd response was Baby Bash. Those who know me know that I don’t have a damned clue about no Baby Bash. I don’t want to know nothin’ ‘bout no Baby Bash. But the crowd had a good time and everyone danced and that’s all that mattered. I did learn that if you can say “yeah” over and over and over then you have a pretty good chance of being a rapper.

I Nine was pretty okay. The singer’s voice kind of got lost behind the guitar, but she was really into her music and very interactive with the crowd.

Shiny Toy Guns were my second favorite act of the night. Behind their hit single the leading lady (forgive my laziness for not looking up her name) was a riot on stage while the lead male vocalist was happy to give the spotlight. He settled in behind the mic and did his own thing. I was pleased with the crowd response to the show considering that they had to follow Baby Bash.

My favorite performance of the night came from Simple Plan. I was a little disappointed at first that their set was acoustic. But they pulled it off nicely running through 5 or 6 of their hits before hitting the casino floor to lose lots of money. They played Addicted and Perfect and their new hit single, which may be one of my favorite songs of theirs. If they make it back to Memphis on their new tour as promised then I look forward to seeing them plugged in.

Good Charlotte’s Benji and Joel played a quick acoustic set. I’m not sure they wanted to be there in the first place. But they zoomed through their 4 or 5 songs and were gone as fast as they had come. While they sounded good, their energy was low and something tells me that Mr. Nicole Richie might be getting too big for his britches.

Blake Lewis…who? He beat boxed his way through a couple of painful tunes. He helped his moronic brother (drummer) turn his mic on. He then danced around like a chicken through a couple of “real” songs. Thank goodness his set was short. I didn’t even have to pee, but I was about to take another bathroom break during his set.

And finally Three Days Grace took the stage…but I can’t do a review of them because I left to go play roulette. I hate Three Days Grace and it would have been disrespectful to my ears to sit there and listen to that nonsense.

Nevertheless, the show, booty music, pop-tunes, drunk lesbians and all, was a lot of fun. If anyone worth a damn is on the bill next year then you can count me in.

Best Albums of '07 - Number 4

Bishop Allen &

The Broken String

The best song on this collection is called "Click Click Click Click." It tells the story of someone who slips into a wedding and is captured on a photograph with the bride and the groom. This guy will now forever be a part of that very important day in their lives as he sits above the mantle next to the smiling couple. He sings about never meeting or introducing himself to anyone yet having an impact on their memories forever. The song is now featured in a digital camera commercial and is my favorite song of the year.

Best Albums '07 - Number 5

Eddie Vedder
into the wild - soundtrack

The best Pearl Jam album in years is actually not a Pearl Jam album. While it's light on rock it's heavy on great lyrics and does a great job taking you, well, Into The Wild. Best song is called "Society."