Greg's Daily Top Ten Lists

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

October 8, 2013

Greg's Top Ten Sigourney Weaver Movies:

10. The Ice Storm
9. Death and the Maiden
8. Ghostbusters II
7. Working Girl
6. The Year of Living Dangerously
5. Galaxy Quest
4. Dave
3. Alien
2. Ghostbusters
1. Aliens

Monday, October 7, 2013

October 7, 2013

Greg's Top Ten People I'd Like to see Shot out of a Cannon:

10. John Boehner
9. Pitbull
8. Miley Cyrus
7. Justin Bieber
6. Tom Brady
5. Joe Francis
4. Justin Bieber - cause I want to see that shit happen twice
3. Chris Brown
2. Kanye West
1. Kris Jenner circa 1978, cause I can get four for the price of one

Friday, October 4, 2013

October 4, 2014

Greg's Top Ten Favorite Live Aid Performances:

1. Queen - Full Performance: Without question, the undisputed king (no put intended) of Live Aid performances. Queen were a band in turmoil at the time - a quartet who saw their record sales suffer since their 1970s heyday. When 1985 rolled around, some people had forgotten how great Freddie Mercury and Queen were. This performance reminded the millions watching that Queen was far from gone. In fact, this particular performance might rank as the single greatest live performance by a rock frontman in the history of music. Think I'm full of it - just watch the second clip and judge for yourself. That's a frontman holding the crowd of 100,000 in the palm of his fucking hand. Amazing frontmen like David Lee Roth and Roger Daltrey couldn't hold a torch to Freddie - the king of all frontmen, IMO. I dare say, if Freddie wanted to run for Prime Minister of England the entire audience at Wembley would have voted him in without thought.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQsM6u0a038 (full performance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5PLBZ2xn2Y (the greatest 5 minutes of Live Aid)

2. U2 - Bad: It’s so hard to remember there was a time when U2 wasn’t the biggest band in the world. This preceded their breakout record, “The Joshua Tree”, by a few years. In fact, at the time of this performance, U2 hadn’t even record an album that charted in the US Billboard Top Ten - something they would do an incredible eight consecutive times following this performance. Though their spot at Live Aid didn’t launch their amazing run of hit records, it gave them unprecedented exposure to markets worldwide. Bono’s emotional rendition of “Bad” from their “Unforgettable Fire” album is a testament to just how powerful U2 are as a live band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zIW8qDPhos

3. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight: If there was a Most Valuable Player of Live Aid, Genesis lead singer Phil Collins would likely garner a ton of votes. Get this - Phil didn’t just play a few songs and leave, the guy played the Wembley Stadium leg of the concert in London, jumped on the Concorde and flew out to Philadelphia to play the US leg of the show. That’s dedication right there. This song is so haunting and beautiful all at once. It easily ranks as my favorite of Collins’ solo works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FvWFpU_uAw

4. David Bowie - Heroes: I never have anything bad to say about David Bowie. Ever. The man is untouchable and has no equal. Bowie was in the midst of a career revival of sorts when Live Aid was broadcast on the fledgling MTV. But, there was no denying that a visual chameleon and fashionista like David Bowie was made for the cable network’s target audience. Despite being well into his 40s, Bowie looked suave and current and totally connected with the crowd. It’s not my favorite Bowie performance, but the song “Heroes” really was the perfect song for the moment. Total decorum for an event that was all about raising money for starving children in Africa. Phil Collins might be the MVP of the show, but “Heroes” was the song of the show and really lends a spotlight to all of the real heroes of the day - those that gave their hard-earned money to help save the lives of countless people in turmoil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGOx0ZpMrrU

5. Elton John and George Michael - Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me: It’s no secret, I’m a big fan of George Michael’s vocal talents. Sure, he’s a complete mess as a person, but he’s still one of the greatest voices I’ve ever heard in my life. Combine the singing of George Michael with the piano playing of the great Elton John and you have a recipe for greatness. They’ve played this song together on many occasions, but this was the first time I ever saw them play Elton’s ballad, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.” This was just as Michael’s solo career was about to take flight. I always felt bad for George’s Wham! counterpart Andrew Ridgeley, who Elton introduces at the beginning of the song but ends up missing for the performance. At least Ridgeley had the good sense not to get caught soliciting sex in a public bathroom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljyt9_TFZd4

6. Sting, Phil Collins & Branford Marsalis - Every Breath You Take: Sting and Phil Collins singing together. What more do you need? How about one of the finest jazz musicians on the planet adding his genius to the mix? I mean, the amount of talent on that stage at the same time is incomparable. There are 25 Grammy Awards wins between the 3 men on that stage. My head almost exploded after writing that. 25, people. That’s insane. Kinda like how I spend a ton of time writing these Top Ten lists - it’s that insane.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1x7hc6d2bY

7. Simple Minds - Don’t You Forget About Me - Nostalgia is a funny thing. I still remember the first time I heard this song and how it literally caused the hairs on my arm to stand on end. I was sitting my grandmother’s living room watching The Breakfast Club and the song hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s perhaps the definitive 80s song and one of the most memorable movie soundtrack cuts of all time. To think that Billy Idol was offered the song and turned it down - not that it sidetracked his career, but it certainly didn’t help. It certainly put Simple Minds on the map all over the globe. Their stint at Live Aid coincided with the release of John Hughes’ classic coming-of-age drama. I think they made the moment count.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuAOl2oXXho

8. Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing: Mark Knopfler is the man. That is all. Ok, not really. I just can’t put into words how awesome he sounds on guitar here. He sounds so good live it’s not fair. He plays seamlessly while on the mic and absolutely kills it here. I listen to the live performance more than I listen to the studio track. It’s that good, IMO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plsMlX-qYP8

9. Spandau Ballet - Only When You Leave: It’s almost blasphemy for a Duran Duran fan to rank Spandau ahead of DD, but it’s too easy in this case. Quick history - Duran Duran’s original quintet of LeBon/Rhodes/Taylor/Taylor/Taylor was all but finished when Live Aid aired. Guitarist Andy Taylor was ready to ditch Duran Duran and pursue a solo career. Drummer Roger Taylor wanted out of the music business for good. Lead singer Simon LeBon was too busy sailing to concentrate on music full time. They were all on different pages and it showed. They sounded pretty bad during Live Aid and their performance would prove to be the last time the 5 members would be together until they reunited in 2001. On the other hand, the 5 member of Spandau sounded great and nailed their performance. Spandau lead singer Tony Hadley is a far superior singer, especially live. He sounds smooth, whereas Simon LeBon might get the award for the biggest gaffe of Live Aid. The second link will show you why…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHiKOBOhigs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mINh8ZOWSLw (fast forward to 2:54 to hear the bum note heard ‘round the world)

10. Madonna - Holiday/Into the Groove - Madonna in her infancy. I had to include it for no other reason than to show just how a snapshot in time of what fashion looked like in 1985. In a word - bad. In two words - really bad. That hair, the overuse of accessories, the suit, the dancing. It’s just awesome in the worst way. Madonna was just beginning to take off as a bonafide superstar. Songs like “Papa Don’t Preach” and “Like a Virgin” were just twinkles in Madonna’s eyes. In fact, she hadn’t even started dating Sean Penn at the time of this video. I still chuckle when I see this video because of how green she seems on stage. It’s just not the polished Madonna we’re used to seeing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JaHIMfi0YQ

October 4, 2013

Greg's Top Ten Bands I Want to See Live:

1. Depeche Mode - I blame Martha Santana for this one. Seriously, you couldn't wait one more month to go to Japan? Seriously.
2. Genesis - Bassi, if they ever do that dream tour with Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, no price will be too high, my friend.
3. Tears For Fears - Still haven't gotten around to this one yet. Now that they're back together I anticipate I might see them with someone. You hear me, Denise?
4. Iron Maiden - Of all the metal bands out there, they top my list and it's not even close. I'd say Guns N Roses, but I have no interest in seeing an overweight has-been who might show up an hour late to his own show.
5. Daft Punk - Everything these guys do is utter gold.
6. David Bowie - I swear, if he ever comes back around I'm going. No telling how much longer we have to enjoy the pure genius of The Thin White Duke. I made the mistake of putting off Pink Floyd too long. I won't make that mistake with Bowie.
7. New Order - Not sure how often they tour the States, but if they ever come around, count me in. I'm still amazed by the number of great songs they've penned over the years.
8. U2 - If they ever did a tour and just sang everything from before Zooropa I'd be completely on board. Since they usually pepper their shows with more current material, I'm less enthused. Still would be a great show and I know Jackie Marrwould agree.
9. Billy Idol - I dressed like him for an 80s party. The least I could do is see him live, right? BTW, I made a damn good Billy Idol.
10. Paul McCartney - I adore The Beatles. And although I'll never get to see them live, I'll take the next best thing. Heck, I'd even take seeing Ringo Starr just to say I saw a member of The Beatles live.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Saturday, September 21, 2013

September 21, 2013

Greg's Top Ten Movies I Never Tire of Watching

If I had a top ten list of movies I would always watch regardless of the amount of times I've seen it or what I'm doing at the moment it comes on TV, these would be they....

1. Die Hard - The single greatest American action movie of all time. It's the benchmark for which all other action movies are graded against. I can quote it almost scene for scene and would watch it any time, anywhere.

2. Heat - Three hours long and I couldn't care less. In fact, if it were six hours, I'd watch it. It's my all-time favorite movie in the suspense/thriller genre, it's star-studded, it's intense and it's incredibly well-acted. DeNiro and Pacino at the peak of their game and Val Kilmer in one of his last truly great screen performances before his career went down the tubes. Honestly, if you haven't seen it, get off your ass. You're gonna want to see it.

3. The Breakfast Club - I still remember the first time I saw it, many years after its initial release. What stands out for me the most is how I got goosebumps on my arms at the end of the film when Bender walks off the football field and raises his fist to the sky. I've seen probably over a hundred high school movies and I have yet to find one that impacts me quite like John Hughes' 80's classic.

4. Aliens - The first movie in the Alien series is a solid movie, but often bores me about a third of the way through. Aliens, on the other hand, grips me from front to finish with each viewing. It's a great example of a movie where the sequel might very well have surpassed the original.

5. The Hunt For Red October - This one should probably be higher given how often I pop it into my DVD player. Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn and Sam Neill were so damn good in this. I really can't believe it took me 10 years to view it for the first time. Once I did, I was hooked and can't stop watching it. While Das Boot might have set the bar for submarine movies, I think Red October is far more watchable on a repeated basis.

6. Sneakers - I'm always surprised, and pleased, to learn how many people have watched this one. It's such a damn good and ridiculously fun caper movie with a freaking awesome cast to boot! Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, Dan Aykroyd, Ben Kingsley, River Phoenix and so many more. It's pure fun and was filmed locally here in the SF Bay Area, which adds another level of interest for me since it's my backyard.

7. & 8. Beverly Hills Cop 1 & 2 - I've seen each at least 100 times. Heck, I've probably seen them both about 200 times! :p It's such a shame Eddie Murphy's career took a massive dump after the 80s ended because when he was at his best, he was untouchable. Nobody, and I mean nobody, was as funny, charming, entertaining and interesting.

9. Predator - I could easily throw about five or six Schwarzenegger films into this thread (e.g. Total Recall, The Running Man, True Lies, The Terminator, T2, etc...) but there's no movie Arnold starred in that I love more than the jungle horror of Predator. And who doesn't love Jesse "The Body" Ventura stealing every scene he's in? My only complaint is that they (SPOILER ALERT) killed him off so quickly in the movie. Other than that, it's a flawless masterpiece from John McTiernan, the same director that brought us Die Hard and The Hunt For Red October.

10. Real Genius - Here's one 80s movie that I am baffled isn't more popular and more well known. However, for those of us that have seen it, it's absolutely beloved and cherished. Never was Val Kilmer more hilarious and more memorable, IMO. I know, Top Secret was extremely funny and so was Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, but I find his portrayal of genius college slacker, Chris Knight, to be his greatest character performance. It's filled with so many great lines and unforgettable sequences (house filled with popcorn, anyone?) that it's really shocking how few people out there have actually seen it. Rent it now and thank me later!