Double dose of excitement today, not only are you getting a new Moniker but also a sample of some aesthetic changes coming soon to the site. A new logo, layout, and general increase in excellence is on its on way. Now on to business.
Todays Moniker Monday is big cat. Some examples: "Way to leave it all on the racquet ball court big cat." "Too bad you decided to go with the RC Cola over the Sam's Choice big cat." Or, "Hey big cat, we rentin' High School Musical 2 tonight or what?"
Big cat is an empowering term but also one that can be used to convey a confusing and thick layer of sarcasm. You may have your friends, or enemies, in utter bewilderment as to whether you are encouraging them or giving a back handed compliment. In either case, it is a weapon you will want to have in your arsenal.
As always take it and run with it, what you do with it is yours. Toss some of your best examples in the comment section if you can find the time. I know you're busy, hopefully not with this.
"I was cleared of all the charges; with money, women, and my health." That is Bad Blake, and after watching Crazy Heart it's hard not to believe that's Jeff Bridges too.
Let's get this out of the way first, I don't like country music. Now I don't think country music is "bad" it is just typically not my thang. However me and this guy did have quite a time once at a Kenny Chesney concert, but that's a story for another time. Two things I do love though are movies and Jeff Bridges and I was more than willing to put aside my distaste for all things country for one of the most enjoyable 112 minutes I've ever experienced.
Crazy Heart tells the tale of Otis "Bad" Blake (Bridges), who was once a star on the country music scene, in the latter half of his career as a singer-songwriter, . Although a propensity for cigarettes, McClure's, and the public's changing opinion of what makes "good country" have left him broken. Actually that's putting it generously. Blake is not a bad man, he just happens to enjoy pretty much everything that is typically described as being bad for you. What follows is a story that is part redemption, part heart ache, part The Wrestler, and a sprinkle of The Big Lewbowski. I'm not going to go more into the plot because it's irritating when articles/reviews about movies are essentially plot summaries. With that being said, the story itself takes a very far backseat to Jeff Bridges performance.
It's impossible to not look at Bridges and see The Dude. For all intents and purposes he has transformed into him. The most amazing thing about Crazy Heart is that it now feels like he has become Bad Blake, or at least some ultimate Voltron -esque combination of the two. Throughout the movie you will find yourself rooting for him, hurting for him, and laughing along with Bad Blake on a journey that you never want to end but are afraid to find out how it will.
Supporting performances come in the form of Colin Farrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Robert Duvall who bring exactly what's needed to the screen without distracting from Bad. Side note: Colin Farrell is an Irish actor who is playing the part of a country singer that speaks and performs with a southern accent, and he nails it. My head just exploded. Gyllenhaal's turn as a journalist was well deserving of her Best Supporting Actress nomination, and Robert Duvall is just cooler than you or I will ever be. In different forms each of them play in part in Bad Blake's history and future which you can never tell for sure if that is something he treasures or regrets.
The Best Supporting Actor throughout Crazy Heart however is without a doubt the soundtrack. Academy Award, Grammy, and pretty much winner of everything else that you can win something for, producer T-Bone Burnett has put together something that got this made self professed absolutely-not-a-country-fan guy tapping his foot. Ryan Bingham, Waylon Jennings, Buck Owens, and others join Bridges on a set list that I would happily pay to see. It's not the type of music that is performed when it's country night on American Idol, but rather something that sounds like its rooted in too much whiskey and too many cigarettes. But all the while performed with a sly grin and a complete disregard for the consequences of either.
Crazy Heart is fantastic, Jeff Bridges is amazing, and some things are more enjoyable when they are least expected. Which also sums up the life of Bad Blake. This dude abides.
Wanted to wrap up another just really terrific week at Bushwood by giving a quick tip of the cap to the loyal supporters and dedicated readers. Some big changes and events will be coming over the next week which you should be excited about. There are only two days left to vote in the poll, and I'm banking on the fact that the entire Beavers team tosses in their two cents over the weekend to make sure Teen Wolf gets its due notice. If you haven't exercised your democratic right I reccomend you do so. I know this guy has, that's a true story.
On Monday invitations will be sent out for the 1st Annual Commemorative Memorial Gambling At Bushwood NCAA Tournament Bracket. It'll be run through CBS Sports, free to play, and all managed automatically online. All you will have to do is enter your picks and the rest takes care of itself. Invites will be sent out via Facebook If you're not a fan you should become one now so as to not make us have to do things the hard way. The grand prize package will be announced at the start of the the tourney and will include some Bushwood swag and other nuggets your friends will be jealous of.
More awesomeness coming over the weekend and a new Moniker coming Monday...
And for your viewing enjoyment, the funniest thing you will see all day:
From start to finish Plastic Beach is a full frontal assault on all of your senses, and probably ones you didn't even know you had. It's one part hip hop, one part trip hop, one part tripping balls, and all parts unique. Gorillaz storm ahead like this is Normandy Part Deux into what can only be described as a concept album not trying to be a concept album but working together as a greater sum than its individual parts. Please, I beg of you, listen to it.
If you're not aware, here are the logistics: While living together in London, Jamie Hewlett (creator of Tank Girl) and Damon Albarn (frontman of Blur) one day had a conversation that I'm guessing went something like this "Hey do you want to get something to eat? And oh by the way I think we should start an imaginary virtual band that's made up of cartoon zombie-ish people with monkey features." That is pretty much the only way I can rationalize in my brain how the concept for Gorillaz was born. The virtual band members Russel Hobbs, Murdoc Niccals, and Noodle are led by Albarn's alter ego 2D. Everyone except 2D represents the revolving door of musicians who have contributed on the previous two Gorillaz ventures. On both their debut album Gorillaz and the follow up Demon Days, the sound ranges from club like discotheque ragers to melodic swoons that put you into some type of absinthe induced haze. Plastic Beach is no different.
Rumor on the street is that Albarn was motivated to put together an enviromental themed album after visiting a landfill in Africa. Now I have never been to a landfill in Africa but I'm sure that if anything would want to motivate someone to write about the environment, that would probably be it. This may or may not have been the idea behind Plastic Beach when work on it first began in 2007 under it's original title Carousel. However through time, the evolution of creativity, possibly illegal substances, and God knows what else the album moved away from this focused of a narrative. That is not to say that the green-concious message doesn't still pop its head in and out, significantly on "Superfast Jellyfish" which rails against consumerism over a beat that sounds like it could be the theme for a new sugar coated breakfast cereal.
More than their previous efforts, Plastic Beach primarily serves as platform for Gorillaz to collaborate with other artists. With the exception of Snoop Dogg, who stopped being sweet when this happened, every single one of the guest spots fit perfectly with the flow and tone of the album. The standout being Mos Def and Bobby Womack on the album's first single "Stylo" (watch the video because its awesome) which is probably one of the most infectious songs in recent memory, making me seriously reconsider my choice of personal theme songs.
Other highlights include "Some Kind of Nature" featuring the dulcet tones of Lou Reed, a stripped down "Melancholy Hill" where Albarn is featured over what sounds like the sample track on a Casio keyboard, and "Glitter Freeze" which makes me want to do uncontrollable things which I can't explain but would more than likely have a great time while doing them. The rest of the whos who list consists of Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Kano, Bashy, Gruff Rhys, De La Soul, Little Dragon, Mark E. Smith, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, sinfonia ViVA and The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music. Yes you read that right, none of those were typos.
However, "Rhinestone Eyes" is the king of the sand castle on Plastic Beach. One of four songs not featuring a guest spot, "Rhinestone Eyes" is an example of everything that makes Gorillaz brilliant. A progressive and growing beat combined with Albarn's hypnotic delivery, turn what starts out as a simple track into something that will have you pumping your fist through the roof of your car. I'm serious, it's incredible.
Throw your preconceived notions out the window and do yourself a favor by adding Plastic Beach to your arsenal. Samples of a few tracks have been included in the player below for your listening enjoyment. Although this album deserves to be played in your car, hopefully not a Dodge Neon, with the volume needle buried.
Here at Bushwood we don't only want to provide you with snippets of the arts to increase your existence, but also provide you with something to make your day to day life better. Hence the creation of Moniker Monday.
Moniker Monday will be a weekly segment dedicated to coining a new nickname that you should implement throughout the week. It can be used as a term of appreciation, affection, or sarcasm. Use and abuse it until you've infected your office, dorm room, or brothel of choice with this catchy term. No need to explain it any further, pretty simple.
Todays Moniker Monday is boss. Some examples: "Great game out there boss," "Hey boss, nice work on not putting more paper in the copier," "Whoaaa boss, take it easy! We don't have an unlimited supply of vasoline in the back!"
Take it and run with it, what you do with it is yours. Toss some of your best examples in the comment section if you can find the time. I know you're busy, but hopefully not with this. I know, I can't believe it exists either.
Hurt Locker for Best Picture, Kathryn Bigelow for Director, Jeff Bridges for Best Actor, Sandra Bullock (just puked in my mouth) for Best Actress, Mo'Nique for Supporting Actress, Christopher Waltz for Supporting Actor. Really no need to spend anymore time than that on the subject because barring any uber shockers there shouldn't be any upsets tonight. Don't get me wrong, a lot of great movies this past year but kind of a bland one for awards-ish films.
So what should I expect at Bushwood this week you're asking? Coming tomorrow we will be debuting our new segment titled Monday Moniker, what that is exactly I can't tell you right now because than it would be Sunday Moniker and that doesn't sound as sweet. Throughout the week you'll be getting a new Site For Sore Eyes, Things You Might Not Know About But Probably Should, a look at the new Gorillaz album Plastic Beach, maybe some movie reviews, and pretty much anything else we feel like you need to know about to keep making your life that much more awesomer. Also, if you're on Twitter you should be helping The Staff of Bushwood with the #latetothepartyguy movement. If you're not hip yet, I highly suggest you search it out as a trending topic. And follow @ChampgneShakeUp (Judge Smails) and @bushwoodcarl (Carl Spackler).
We'll catch you back here tomorrow, and now here is the funniest thing you will see all day:
Due to the overwhelming response to the inaugural Bushwood Showdown, we have decided to make this a democracy. Look to the right towards the top of the page to find the poll to cast YOUR vote on who should win the Showdown. You've been presented with the facts and now let your voice be heard.
A new element has come to light which may or may not influence your vote. You will find it below, and I promise you that it is wort the 7-ish minutes or so of your time. If nothing else, enjoy seeing some familiar faces who you probably thought were dead or in rehab. And yes, that is Mr. Belding.
Remember to vote, and spread the word! Polls will be closing Sunday, March 14 at 11:59 PM.
No this is not a battle between Daniel Larusso and Scott Howard. Rather it is the first entry in the ongoing Showdown at Bushwood series where we will take two things, how closely related they will be is yet to be determined, and throw them into a steel cage to see who prevails as the winner. Tonight is the first battle between two things that really don't matter that much but are still important.
Widely considered two of the most influential films of all time, The Karate Kid and Teen Wolf will go down in the anals of history alongside The Flint Michigan Megabowl. I dare you to find me someone who has never tried to crane kick their friend or younger sibling in the face, or hasn't daydreamed of car surfing to The Beach Boys.
I'm not going to bore you with the details of these two slices of cinematic pie and assume that you are familiar with each. Quick note, the sequels of each film will have no bearing on this competition because if it did than we would have a stalemate due the horrendous nature of Teen Wolf Too and The Next Karate Kid . If you have never seen either, don't, and send the money you would spend on acquiring them to us at Bushwood and we will promptly come to your house and pummel you in the crotch for 90 minutes to get the same experience as watching them.
So I assume you're asking, then what is the criteria we are basing this epic clash of juggernauts on? Here is your answer: how much I wanted to be like the main character, soundtrack, mentor, villain, and the montage/ending.
How much I wanted to be like the main character: Yes I had one of these and wore it everywhere, socially acceptable or not. if you don't know what that is, stop reading now and punch yourself in the face. Daniel carried with him a greater relatability factor, it's true. You could feel his pain of hating the new school and city coming through the screen, and believed that after the beating he received at the Halloween costume party it probably was safer for him to just ride the stupid bus. Although as he changes, dare I say grows, throughout the movie you were along for the ride and felt like saying "I could learn how to do those things too, I want a yellow convertible, I want to take regular day to day maintenance work motions and turn them into deadly ninja moves and win The All Valley Karate Championship."
Conversely, Scott was more somebody you were rooting for but didn't really want to be like (a minimal amount of consideration goes to when he is wolfed out because, breaking news, everybody would want to be a werewolf). No knock against him, but a lot of Scott's life outside of Beaver basketball games was kind of a snooze. Maybe he was more somebody I would want to hang out with, rather than be, especially because he had the hook up. HOWEVER, one must consider that if you are either one of these guys, you also inherit their social circles. Therefore that puts Ali with an I up against this.
As difficult as this is, Chubby is the tiebreaker. Plus you'd get to turn into a werewolf.
WINNER: Teen Wolf
Mentor: On the surface, this one looks like a slam dunk for Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita's portrayal of what every eight year old's vision of a karate sensei looks like. Unfortunately the majority of the time they end up being this guy. However, a great genius by the name of Bobby Finstock litters Teen Wolf with nuggets of wisdom from start to finish. Here is a collection of Coach Finstock's greatest hits. An unbelievably under-recognized and under appreciated character, Finstock has fallen through the cracks and it's time he obtains the notoriety he deserves. All of that being said, while hilarious and inspiring, I don't think he is capable of single handily dismantling an entire group of high schoolers dressed as skeletons. AND I am pretty sure he is unable to heal torn ACLs with his BARE HANDS.
WINNER: The Karate Kid
Soundtrack: Let me guess, you've never heard of Bunny and The Wolf Sisters? Well I guarantee you've cut a rug to them wolf style and didn't even know it. Putting that up against Asian flutes? Gee, that was hard.
WINNER: Teen Wolf
Villain: Johnny Lawrence and Mick McAllister. One is a hot headed and arrogant karate master, the other is a hot headed and arrogant guaranteed double double every game out. While Mick was certainly a d-bag, he never really flushed out that "bully" role. He more seemed like the kind of kid that was really talented and athletic but spent most of his time getting blitz-krieged in his mom's basement. Johnny on the other hand is plain and simple, the ultimate adversary. He's got the swagger, the flunkies ("Must be take a worm for a walk week." Are you kidding me with how awesome that is?!?!), and the skillz. The clincher for Mr. Lawrence in this category is that you absolutely want to be him even though you know he is evil incarnate.
WINNER: Karate Kid
Music montage/Ending: I'm not even going to try and do them justice with words, just watch.
The Karate Kid
Teen Wolf
The fact that I've put myself in a position to be forced to choose between these two has now made me throw up in my mouth. At this point I regret starting this journey because I feel like I'm choosing which one of my BFFs are going to have their faces cut off in a contraption from Saw. Yet I must.
In the tightest contest since the Perkins High School Latin Club President race of '99, Teen Wolf brings it home based on the game winning efforts of the Beavers. While I am proud of Daniel for conquering his fears and foes to become The All Valley Karate Champion, Scott Howard lead his squad to victory as a team. Proving that while there is a karate kid in all of us, it takes a wolf to become a man to win a championship.
After Sunday's huge hockey gold medal game between the U.S. of F'n A. and OUR HAT it has been discussed ad nauseum if that one game will bring hockey into the spotlight in America.
I'm here to tell you that you can save your breath because their is no way that is happening. Yes, even I found my hockey fandom hidden away in the back of the closet and sat down to watch that game. I too was slightly mesmerized by the match up and the spectacle it became, but after it was all said and done I still did not have the hockey itch. Why you might ask? well I'll tell you; BECAUSE HOCKEY STILL SUCKS!!
Why does hockey suck and why will it never be popular in America? oh let me count the ways.
First of all hockey was invented by the Canadians. These are the same people who brought us Tim Hortons, Celine Dion, draft dodgers, Nickelback, French speaking North Americans, and presumably this. None of these things are good. If you tell me Tim Hortons has the best coffee I will come over to your house and splash my steaming hot Dunkin Donuts coffee induced bowel movement into your face (I'm not wasting my Dunkin Donuts coffee).
Second in order to be good at hockey you have to know how to skate. I don't know about you, but where I came from all the good ice skaters were either women or they turned into this. I'm sorry that was my neighbor. I meant THIS.
Hockey is low scoring. American's do not like low scoring sports like soccer. Americans like their sports like they like their porn stars; high scoring. Even low scoring football games are labeled as snooze-fests.(Don't give me that "I love a good defensive struggle" BS). We want that scoreboard to light up like an atom bomb (a truly American invention).
Hockey allows fighting, but only in the NHL. Don't get me wrong, Americans love violence. It just seems to me that a hockey fight sticks out of a hockey game like a pimple on a stripper's ass. I don't want a hockey game to break out during a great fight. That's why I get my fighting fix with MMA. Why stop the action to watch two fully padded "goons" swing haphazardly at each other's already gaping smile. I don't care if you think fights are an important part of the game. If they were so important to strategy they would allow it in the Olympics. Its all BS anyway. Oh boo-hoo did the mean man push you down when you were trying to score a goal? Don't get up and punch him in the face. Get up, grab your stick, ram a goal down the goalies throat, and taught your opponent with jeers of "Scoreboard bitch!" like any normal person would do. Also if fighting were so important to the game they would allow kids to do it too. I would be down with watching a couple eight-years-olds put permanent dents in each their heads while trying to knock some baby teeth out of that blond haired kid that rides to practice in a BMW. But sadly this is not the case.
Perhaps one of the biggest reasons that hockey will never be popular in America is because you can't find it on TV. Even games on NBC are frequently bumped or rarely advertised. Most of the games are on a network called Versus. Heard of it? Can you find it on your channel guide? Neither can I. Until hockey is a nearly daily fixture of Sportscenter it will never be recognized as a big sport in America.
Sorry hockey but you'll just have to continue to hang out in Canada with the polar bears and try to think of new ways to say "about." ENJOY!
In the coming weeks we'll be getting under way with the 1st Annual Commemorative Memorial Gambling At Bushwood NCAA Tournament Bracket. It'll be your standard format with more info to come as we get closer. It'll be free to join and there may or may not be prizes, but there will definitely be fun.
To join the group send us an e-mail at gamblingatbushwood@hotmail.com, then an invite will come your way. You can also get ahold of us on Facebook as well to express your interest in signing up for the most exciting thing since Crystal Pepsi. Like I said before stay tuned for more details soon, but I'd get in early on this if I were you. Even tell your mom to sign up so she can end up winning the whole thing just by picking the team with the uniforms she likes the most.
And as a bonus, here is the funniest thing you will see all day.
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