Monthly Archives: December 2016

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It’s A Wonderful Movie: Ranking the Characters of “It’s A Wonderful Life”

Watching Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life has been a holiday tradition for millions of households for decades. Despite only a small portion of the film taking place at Christmas time, it is considered by many to be the greatest Christmas movie of all time. Personally, not only is it my favorite Christmas movie of all time, but my favorite movie of all time. Period. Additionally, Jimmy Stewart is my favorite actor, Clarence is my favorite movie angel, and the final scene is my favorite scene in cinematic history.

Due to the fact that I’m usually hyperventilating for the last ten minutes of the film, each time I watch it I learn something new about the characters that make the movie so classic. I am not saying that I was not crying hysterically during my last re-watch, because I was, but I did manage to maintain my focus on the individual characters and determine what it is about them that make them so damn lovable.

The cast of “It’s A Wonderful Life” (Photo credit: classicfilmaficionados)

 

Ranking the Cast of “It’s A Wonderful Life”

Before I begin the countdown of the characters, I would be remiss if I did not mention some notable omissions. The countdown is based on who I would want to be friends with the most. It is safe to say that I would not accept the Facebook friend requests from the following people.

Ma Bailey

(Ma Bailey if George was never born.)

 

Now hear me out, while Ma Bailey was super sweet for most of the movie, when I think back on her, the thing that stands out the most is how unbelievably awful she was at the end of the movie when George went to see her when he was still in his “Clarence trance.”

Just to know that Ma Bailey has that cruel side to her, however deep down it may be, makes me think poorly of her, and thus excludes her from the countdown.

Plus, Ma Bailey went and did the most “Ma” thing of all time and called Mary’s house to tell her that George was going to stop by. That is pretty messed up, Ma Bailey.

Mary’s Mom

Mary’s mom being all pissed off at Mary and George.

 

The absolute worst character in the movie. ZERO redeeming qualities. She would hate me, and I would hate her.

ZuZu’s Teacher

It was nice that she gave ZuZu a flower and all, but George is right, what kind of teacher would let her students walk home in the cold with their coats unbuttoned? That is pretty messed up, Mrs. Welch. Also, your husband needs to take a chill pill. Talk about anger issues.

 

To the countdown….

15. Sam Wainwright

(Hee Haw Sam)

 

While Sam Wainwright is far and away the most annoying character in the film, he makes up for his non-stop “Hee-Haw” and cockiness at the end by wiring George Bailey $25,000, which itself more than triples the $8,000 George needed. It does, however, go to show that Sam is such a show-boater that he needs to send that much money. Just so everyone knows how successful he is.

Bottom line: I would accept Sam Wainwright’s Facebook friend request, but I would block his annoying photos of him “Hee-Haw-ing” his friends, and his posts about his vacations and new cars, and only send him a private message should I ever find myself in a pickle.

 

14. Uncle Billy

(thefilmspectrum.com)

 

Sure Uncle Billy would be a blast to hang out with at the bar, but his uncanny ability to be so forgetful is unbelievably annoying. Uncle Billy is the main reason why everything started to unravel so quickly for George. He got distracted while making an $8,000 deposit and accidentally handed the money to his nemesis, Mr. Potter.

$8,000 back then is probably close to $100,000 today, and anyone that can be THAT irresponsible, is not anyone that I would need to be friends with. I don’t need any extra help with being an irresponsible adult, especially not from 60 year old Uncle Billy.

Bottom line: I would do a few shots with Uncle Billy when I saw him out at a bar, or at family functions, but steer clear of him otherwise. And I certainly would not trust him with running errands for me.

13. Martini

(npr.org)

 

Martini owns what is seemingly the only bar in town, Martini’s, so clearly he is someone that you would want to be in cahoots with. Right before George decided to attempt suicide, old man Martini even goes as far as to say that George is his best friend, and kicks Mr. Welch, (ZuZu’s teacher’s husband) out for hitting George. No questions asked.

Friends don’t care why someone punches you in the face. Even if you yell at their wives and threaten them over the phone, you’re still in the right. Martini is a good friend through and through.

Bottom line: Not only would I be Facebook friends with Martini, but I would be one of his most loyal customers and without question be invited to his customer appreciation Christmas party at Martinis.

 

12. Annie

(photo credit: 1stslice.com)

 

Annie, the long time maid of the Bailey family, is funny, sarcastic, and completely lovable. And her reason why she has money to spare and help out George is by far the best. “I’ve been savin’ this money for a divorce, if I ever got a husband” exclaims Annie as she throws down some cash onto the table. Classic, Annie.

Annie, however, does not understand why people drink as she told Pa Bailey and George, “Boys and girls and music. Why do they need gin?” Major strike. Mind your business, Annie.

Bottom line: Not only would I enjoy being Facebook friends with Annie for her humorous posts, but I think she would be a great follow on Twitter. I bet she could live tweet the shit out of The Bachelor.

 

11. Violet

Violet has been boy-hungry her entire life. Little Mary calls out little Violet for “liking every boy,” to which Violet responds, “what’s wrong with that?” Fast forward about 15 years, and Violet is still prancing the streets looking for her next piece of meat.

While Violet would be a ton of fun to hang out with, she seems to be a bit of a user and would not bring much in the way of a friendship. Sure, she comes to the Bailey house at the end and gives George his money back, but let’s be real here: she very likely just came back to try and scoop up Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Harry.

Bottom line: I would definitely follow Violet on Instagram, if for no other reason than to judge her, and feel better about myself for having my shit more together than she does.

10. Harry

Let’s face it, Harry Bailey is pretty damn near perfect. He got college educated, met a beautiful girl while there and married her. He got offered a solid job as a researcher, and then went on to save the lives of hundreds of soldiers and won the Congressional Medal of Honor. Plus, he can give one hell of a speech that could make even Old Man Potter tear up. All that and he has the looks of a movie star.

With all that being said, who the hell wants to be friends with someone so perfect? Anyone that is friends with him must have to constantly remind him how much better they are at sledding and swimming in ice water than he is, just to make themselves feel superior in at least two things.

Bottom line: We would be Facebook friends, but I would be overcome with jealousy over how perfect his life is every time he posted anything. Therefore, I would end up resenting him.

9. Mr. Gower

(photo credit: aveleyman.com)

Mr. Gower was awfully mean to young George Bailey one day. But, once you learn Mr. Gower was in such a bad mood because his son just died of influenza, you cut the guy some slack.

To show his gratitude to George for all his years of service, Mr. Gower buys George the biggest suitcase in town for the adventures that he never ends up taking. Mr. Gower may be grouchy sometimes, but he is quite funny when he is pissed (with the exception of the whole child abuse thing, of course.)

The following is footage of Mr Bower being pissed at young George. But it could also double as footage of me yelling at a student if they come into my classroom on a Monday morning whistling a happy

tune.

Bottom line: I doubt Mr. Gower would participate in any sort of social media, but he could get me some good pain killers when I needed them, and therefore, I would visit his shop for an ice cream and small talk everyday like clockwork.

 

 

For Part 2 Click Here.

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Top 100 Songs Of 2016 (Part 4, #70-#61)

For the first three lists click below.

#100 – 91       #90-81     #80-71

 

70. “That’s All I Need” – The Dirty Heads

Released exactly at 4:20 pm on 4/20 for obvious reasons, “That’s All I Need” is the first single off The Dirty Heads 2016 self titled album. The reggae band from Huntington Beach, CA are known for their laid back, go-with-the-flow style and “That’s All I Need” is one of their best singles yet. It is fun, (once you realize you are not being pulled over by the cops and the sirens are a part of the song) and begs to be blasted when having a summer party.

Best places to listen to this song on full blast:

  • Sunbathing by the pool
  • Summertime Road Trips
  • Parties or large gatherings

Places you do not want to listen to this song.

  • Work

69. “Blame” – Bastille

In perhaps their darkest, most violent song to date, Bastille’s “Blame” is a “gangster-style story inspired by The Godfather” says frontman, Dan Smith. Right from the get-go the lyrics take the listener to a dark place and hold you prisoner for the duration.

“You go sleep with the fishes
There’s no room for you here
There’s no room for you here
Wrap your teeth around the pavement
‘Cause your body’s a message
Send my regards to hell”

Smith also goes on to say that the song “…is like a super simple snapshot of two gang members, one of whom is pissing the other one off, and it’s like that moment before pulling the trigger, and it’s the snapshot of that, and it was using imagery from like The Godfather and from American History X to just create this brooding, mean snapshot into these two people’s really extreme emotions in this little fictional narrative.”

“Blame” is angry, dark and dramatic and the perfect song to sing along with to ease whatever tension may be dragging you down.

 

 

68. “Take It All Back” – Judah & the Lion

https://youtu.be/UgfiXAXlrmk

“Take It All Back,” the upbeat, catchy track from Judah and the Lion’s latest album, Folk Hop N’ Roll is a passionate confession that he would take everything back just to be with his love. Not only does it include the best use of a banjo in alt rock this year, but it is arguably one of the most fun chorus’ to sing along with.

 

 

67. “Overnight” – The Wild Feathers

Nashville natives, The Wild Feathers, sophomore album, Lonely Is A Lifetime, was released in 2016 and their first single, “Overnight,” is about wanting instant gratification and success, but not being willing to put in the time and effort needed.

“Overnight” is confirmation for fans of The Wild Feathers that they are willing to, and more than capable of, putting in enough effort to continue to take their music to the next level.

 

66. “Rita Mae Young” – The Record Company

One of the reasons I did not pay much attention to “Rita Mae Young” when I heard it on The Spectrum the first few times is because I assumed that it was a song from the 70’s that I wasn’t familiar with. I instantly liked it, but it wasn’t on my radar to make the end of the year countdown.

It wasn’t until the third or fourth time that I heard it that I decided to get more information on this bluesy, classic rock sounding track that I was certain was The Rolling Stones era band. And much to my surprise, I found out that the song was a new release by American rock band, The Record Company.

In “Rita Mae Young” The Record Company is able to perfect a style of music that for the past 40 years, many have tried, but few have succeeded.

 

65. “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” – Billy Currington

The first country-rock song to make the countdown is Billy Currington’s “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To.” Simply put, it is about getting over a break-up that was devastating at first, but as time goes by, the pain gets more bearable.

Thankfully time heals all wounds, because if it didn’t, we would never have this killer track by Billy Currington.

 

64. “Red Flag” – The Moth & The Flame

“Red Flag” is yet another nauseatingly beautiful love song that will make single people realize exactly how single they are.

“There’s a warning in the comfort
That you’re too good to be true
They tell me over and over
There’s someone better for you
You’re the warmth I feel beside me
And the fear of growing cold
The continual reminder
Of the risk we take when we get involved…”

If those lyrics aren’t beautiful enough to make you vomit, then maybe these will do the trick.

“At the pace that we’ve been running
When our lungs begin to sting
I’m hearing over and over
“Moderation in all things”
So you’ll hopefully forgive me
If I cannot slow this down
When my body bends to weakness
Your voice will be the sound

That conceals the pain”

We get it, The Moth & The Flame, you’re head over heals in love. Thanks for rubbing it in.

 

63. “Human” – Rag’n’Bone Man

There are not many songs that have as much of an instant impact as “Human” does. Upon the first hearing, I was yearning to hear it again. It’s the first hit single from Rag’N’Bone Man, a British singer-songwriter that blends blues, soul, hip-hop and rock into one to create some of the most unique music on the radio today.

If Rag’N’Bone Man can muster up enough passion and enthusiasm as he does for “Human” on his future work, expect him to become a household name in the coming years.

 

62. “Ophelia” – The Lumineers

The Lumineers have mastered the art of creating catchy, sing-along folk rock. “Ophelia,” arguably one of the most well-known rock songs of 2016, was a hit with people of all ages, and musical preferences. Frontman Wesley Schultz told Entertainment Weekly back in February, that the song was a “a vague reference to people falling in love with fame. That spotlight can seem like an endless buffet, but in reality, you’re just shiny, bright, and new to people for a quick moment — and then you have the rest of you life to live.”

“Ophelia” as well as the band’s second single off their sophomore album Cleopatra, the title track “Cleopatra,” solidified The Lumineers as one of the biggest bands in the folk-rock genre, and shows they are well on their way to giving the grandaddies of modern folk rock, Mumford & Sons, a solid run for their money.

 

61. “Cop Vs. Phone Girl” – Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind has never been shy to hide the fact that they are as democratic as Democrats can get. Their disdain for the Republican party seems to be rapidly intensifying with every passing year. And while many people are uncomfortable with artists shoving politics down our throats, Third Eye Blind does it is such a way that you can not help but respect.

Touching on social issues such as “Black Lives Matter,” police brutality, and racism, “Cop Vs. Phone Girl” is not only a song, but a summary of America in 2016 and what we have become as a nation. There is no other band around today that has the balls to do what Stephan Jenkins and Third Eye Blind does, and no band that can do it better than they can.

 

For 60-51 click here.

 

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Ranking All 10 The Voice Winners By Their Blind Audition

With the season 11 finale just hours away, it is a perfect time to take a look back at the first ten seasons of NBC’s The Voice winners. Back in season 1, Javier Colon only had to sing four times to make it to the 2011 finale. Contrast that with last season’s winner, Alisan Porter, who had to sing nine times to make it to her finale, and the deck is already stacked against Colon if the ranking went by best overall performance.

So the only fair way to rank the winners is to judge them by their blind audition that started their paths to victory.

So below, are the ten audition songs from each of the first ten winners of The Voice, ranked in order of least to most impressive.

The Final 4 Season 11 Contestants. (usatoday.com)

 

First Ten The Voice Winners

10. Jermaine Paul (Season 2) – “Complicated”

Let me make this abundantly clear; not only did I purchase this studio version on iTunes, but I have listened to it more than any other audition song in The Voice history. The studio version trumps this blind audition in comparison. But, judging just on this performance alone, it is miles behind all nine other auditions.

 

9. Sawyer Fredericks (Season 8) “I’m A Man Of Constant Sorrow”

While Frederick’s audition was incredible, looking back at his season, this was nowhere near his best song. This kid was flawless all season, and just kept getting better and better each week. Unlike some of the winners, his blind audition just blended in with the rest of his songs.

8. Daniele Bradbery (Season 4) “Mean”

Bradbery is undeniably one of the most successful winners the show has had throughout its ten seasons. “Mean” was a perfect song to highlight Bradbery’s niche, but she blew herself out of the water with some of her later performances in season 6. So looking back, “Mean” was just an average Daniele Bradbery performance.

7. Josh Kaufman (Season 6) “One More Try”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZvJdlmIZDQ

Unlike Fredericks, this was one of Kaufman’s most impressive performances of the season. The judges, and the public, were all baffled by how good it was, and Kaufman instantly became a frontrunner. Unfortunately for Kaufman, he, and “One More Try” are just not as memorable as the other six Voice winner’s blind auditions. He was by far my favorite all season, and I still barely remember him.

 

6. Craig Wayne Boyd (Season 7) “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin'”

Boyd was eliminated not once, but twice during season 7, only to be saved by Gwen Stefani the first time, and Blake Shelton the second. With that being said, his audition was one of the best country audition songs the show has ever seen. And likely a large reason why the coaches insisted on saving him repeatedly.

5. Tessanne Chin (Season 5) – “Try”

It took Jamacian Tessanne Chin about 15 seconds to turn all four judge’s chairs with her version of P!nk’s “Try.” Chin had more impressive songs that she could have used for the finale, but she ultimately decided on singing “Try” again, which certainly played a large role in why she won season 5.

4. Javier Colon (Season 1) “Time After Time”

Being first has its advantages. While “Time After Time” wasn’t the best performance of the season, it was an introduction to a stand out talent that the audience could get behind. Javier was a fan favorite from episode one because of this song, and rode that momentum right to the finale of the first season.

If you can get past how much younger Levine and Shelton looked just over five years ago, you will see a performance that ignited The Voice franchise and helped to make it the best singing competition show on television.

3. Alisan Porter (Season 10) “Blue Bayou”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td2gteczj3s

After this 90 second performance, Porter all but secured herself a position in the finals. Sure, she was a well known child actor, but “Blue Bayou” proved to America that she deserved her shot at success in the music business.

 

2. Jordan Smith (Season 9) “Chandelier”

Jordan Smith absolutely dominated season 9, and nobody else even had a fair chance. It was his to lose after the first 30 seconds of this song. Complete and utter domination started with “Chandelier” and concluded one year ago this week, with Smith winning season 9 of The Voice.

1. Cassadee Pope (Season 3) “Torn”

Without question, Pope is the most successful The Voice winner to date. Unlike most of the other winners, Pope can do it all: country, pop, rock, and even emo. She is The Voice’s version of Kelly Clarkson, and as the years go on, she continues to distance herself from the rest of The Voice winners in terms of her success. Her “Torn” performance was just that, a performance, not an audition.

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