Life in the Mind of a Modest Genius: The Year That Was...2007

The Year in Television 2007

Some veteran shows did the disappearance act from the list this year ("Desperate Housewives"). A couple of newcomers lived up to their hype. The question for this upcoming year will be can the rookies sustain longevity and can the once reliables make comebacks? Only time will tell, but for now, let's take a look back at the year that was A View of Scenes Transmitted...

15. Little People, Big World

It is no big secret that most "reality" shows are just as scripted as regular television shows. That is exactly why the title shouldn't really exist anymore. They make it blatantly obvious on shows like "Little People, Big World" where a middle-class family of six is constantly taking cross-country family vacations. However, watching a show about the Rohloff family on this huge farm seems to be fascinating.

14. Grey's Anatomy

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. No, it's not just the fact that they gave Isiah Washington his walking papers that has made this drop so far. It also seems that ever since T.R. Knight announced he's gay, they have gone all their way to make him seem flamboyantly heterosexual on the show and it's just not working. That and something about Katherine Heigl annoys me. Maybe it's the huge Julia Roberts-like teeth. Still not sure.

13. 30 Rock

The quality of this show varies from week to week. Sometimes it can be very good and other times just mediocre. It probably all depends on Tina Fey's writing mood that particular week. As soon as they establish some consistency, "30 Rock" has the potential to be around for quite a while.

12. Chuck

The first rookie to make an appearance on the countdown. There were few shows that had as much hype as this one did leading into the fall season. There were even fewer that lived up to their potential. Newcomer Zachary Levi as Chuck does an excellent job of helping this show sustain its momentum

11. Boston Legal

I'm still not too sure how to take this change of John Larroquette coming on board as a new partner. I rather liked the contrast that Rene Audberjonis brought to the show. However, bringing Gary Anthony Williams and Christian Clemenson to the forefront as more central characters was a good idea. I just hope they don't wear their shticks thin too soon.

10. My Name is Earl

I was leery at first that Earl (Jason Lee) going to jail was going to have the show suffer. How could he keep doing his karma list from in there? It never dawned on me that the prison system would give them an entirely new cast of characters to infuse even more humor to the show.

9. Reaper

It is like a cross between "Bedazzled" and "Ghost Rider". Although Ray Wise is definitely no Elizabeth Hurley as the devil. I love how each show is a different vessel to catch a different escaped soul and/or souls. It's a good thing it's on the WB. On one of the big three networks, it would probably fall by the wayside. On the the WB, it has at least one more year left to get even better.

8. Scrubs

What has helped keep this show is the fact that its on syndication on about three different other networks at the same time. As you watch the re-runs, you realize "Scrubs" really has not fallen off that much. Unlike many other shows, they have essentially the same cast they have had since the beginning. When something works, you stick with it.

7. The Office

One of these days, I will check out an episode or two of the British hit that heavily inspired this classic. Although to be honest, I seriously doubt the boss of that show could be anywhere near as perfect as Steve Carell is in his role. Even all the supporting characters have stepped up their game to keep "The Office" going strong.

6. The Soup

This one really could have make the list last year. Instead, I fooled myself into thinking that since it was not a "real" show, it should not be eligible. You will see very shortly why that doesn't matter now. If something is good, it should get the credit it deserves now matter how unconventional it is. Thanks, Joel McHale.

5. South Park

Another one that should have easily made the cut last year. Don't know how I could have missed this. I still remember when "South Park" was finishing up its third season and there were rumors flying around that creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone wanted to end it after three. The word was they didn't want it to get stale and tired. Well they managed to find a way to still have it be as fresh as it was 11 seasons ago. No one is off limits to these equal opportunity offenders and I still can't get enough of it.

4. Commercials

That's right, I said it. As I look back, I couldn't help but notice that some of the most memorable moments from television this year came from commercials that cracked me up. I don't know a single person that uses Cingular service, yet their spots like the meat cuter and the special burger have been hilarious. My own carrier T-Mobile has been knocking theirs out the box with back tat mentions and creepy fathers. Don't even get me started on what remains my favorite of the year...Orbitz dirty mouth.

3. Heroes

Anyone who watched the show from the beginning knew there was no way they were going to permanently kill off Sylar. He may go down as one of the greatest television villains around so of course he had to last more than one season. I can't wait to see how they evolve this season's storyline...soon as that pesky writer's strike is over.

2. The Game

I am still surprised at how good this show has gotten so fast. The premise alone ran the risk of this show being a punchline. That hasn't been the case at all. I'm diggin' the story of Derwin and Melanie staying estranged. I like how they worked in a steroids theme with Jason and Kelly (who, as a couple, constantly remind me of my frat brother Brandon and his girlfriend Chelsi). And ancillary character Tee Tee continues to keep me rollin'.

1. Friday Night Lights

Are you ready for some football?! The thing about this show is it keeps you entertained by having some of the focal stories not being about the team at all. They explore the lives of these young men and even their families. It just so happens that football is the one tie that binds them and in some instances, helps to keep them sane. I'm glad NBC decided to keep this around despite the fact it isn't the ratings juggernaut they had hoped for. Quality beats quantity every single time.

Posted on 31 December 2007 in The Year That Was...2007 | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Year in Photos 2007 (pt 2)

Returning by popular demand...okay, so what if it was just one person that requested it. I had so many good photos that it was worthy of a sequel anyway. Unlike so many Hollywood sequels that don't live up to the hype, here's one that you can enjoy just as much as the first...

Posted on 30 December 2007 in The Year That Was...2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Year of Passing Thoughts 2007

There were some notable passings of a variety of people over the year. A couple of family friends, some NFL stars, a dean and even a superhero (for now). We can't live forever. Nevertheless, many of these still come as a shock as I look back over the ones we lost in 2007.

I thought about doing this type of format last year but didn't for some reason. Along with the person and age, I am including what they were renown for. Even though the reason may only matter to me, it will make it easier to recognize some of the names.

May they all rest in peace...

Posted on 30 December 2007 in The Year That Was...2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Year in Music 2007

Not too bad of a year as far as music is concerned. There were several cuts that stayed in my head for quite a while. So much so that I had to double check to make sure they didn't make the list last year. It just seemed like they had been around forever. Not so much. They were just that good...

15. Please Don't Go (rmx) - TGT

Tank, Ginuwine and Tyrese. It's a shame that they still haven't gotten the props they deserve with the crossover crowd yet. Well unless you count Tyrese's roles in movies. Even if the "supergroup" thing doesn't work for crossover appeal, I'd still be okay with it. Just as long as they keep making songs like this.

14. Rockstar - Nickelback

Their cd "All the Right Reasons" came out nearly two years ago. The songs from it still sound just as fresh two years later. Actually, the songs from their last three cds still sound just as good. "Rockstar" goes against the norm of what I usually like in songs since it has a bit of a country twang to it; however, Nickelback is one of the few groups that can pull it off.

13. Like You'll Never See Me Again - Alicia Keys

I would have liked to put her hit "No One" here, but it got played out WAY too quick. Radio playing it to death wouldn't have been so bad. It turns out everyone here in the house likes the song so I had to hear it constantly. Every. Single. Day. That's okay. The thing with Keys is she'll always put out a cd with several hits to pick from so this is my new favorite.

12. Buy You a Drank - T-Pain f/ Yung Joc

T-Pain very quickly became the new Akon who originally became the new Roger Troutman. Too bad today's generation probably have no concept at all of the greatness of Zapp. Then again, most of the other folks that like this song are too young to be buying someone a drank anyway.

11. Lips of an Angel - Hinder

The raspiness of the lead singer's voice is what initially hooked me to the song. Then I really listened to the lyrics and saw how messed up it was. "My girl's in the next room/sometimes I wish she was you"? Oh well...still a good song.

10. Imagine Me - Kirk Franklin

I can't believe I missed this song the first time around when I initially picked up his "Hero" cd last year. It is currently the default ringtone on my Sidekick as well as on my MySpace page (that is about to be deleted pretty soon). Kirk changes the singers in his choirs more frequently than most people change underwear, but he still knows how to make hits.

9. Make Ya Beautiful - Ruben Studdard

I still think Ruben's PR people missed the boat with him filling that Luther void. He's not that old yet so there's still time for it to happen. Songs like this are doing a good job of keeping us preoccupied until that potentially happens.

8. Heaven Knows - John Legend

It was no easy feat to follow-up the classic "Get Lifted". Whenever I hear cds like that, I always think the artist may go down the road of Lauryn Hill and get more crazy than more hits. Fortunately, Legend didn't do that. His sophomore cd "Once Again" was self-explanatory as the cd's first single was yet another catchy jam.

7. Ain't Nothing Wrong with That - Robert Randolph and the Family Band

Whoever thought the slide guitar could be so funky? Then again, whoever knew what the slide guitar was until this cat started blowing up?

6. Big Girls Don't Cry (rmx) - Fergie f/ Sean Kingston

Something about Fergie really irks me and I just can't figure out what it is. It's more than just the fact that she peed on herself in concert and denied it. Maybe it's because Black Eyed Peas didn't get noticed until they got her as eye candy. It certainly didn't help that her first single "Fergilicious" was pure junk. She finally caught on to the fact that she needs to leave the rapping to someone else and stick to just singing.

5. In My Mind - Heather Headley

She's the best kept secret in world of R&B divas. While the Mariah Careys and Beyonces get all the mainstream attention, Heather quietly kept making amazing cuts like this one. She will get her due props one of these days. Even if she doesn't, I will continue to be impressed by her ability to drop tight ballad after tight ballad.

4. Like a Star - Connie Bailey Rae

I was trying to think of who she reminded me of and it finally came to me. Connie Bailey Rae is like a less eclectic Erykah Badu. One of the major differences being that CBR has musical ability as well as vocal skills. You could put on her entire cd and just chill out to it without skipping a cut. "Like a Star" just so happened to be the first single to drop and her star keeps shining because of it.

3. It's Not Over - Daughtry

Everytime I see the name, I can't help but think of this kid I went to high school with whose name was spelled very similarly. Although not near as masculine as Chris Daughtry. This song couldn't have been a bigger slap in the face to the "American Idol" people who would have loved to promote the "winner" of that season. It's just too bad that Daughtry has more talent in half of his little pinky than Soul Patrol wannabe had in his entire body. Although the subject of the song is about something different, the title does speak to what Chris still has ahead of him. It really isn't over.

2. Same Girl (rmx) - R. Kelly f/ T-Pain and Usher

To say Usher is in this is a bit misleading. He only shows up for a couple of "woo-hoos" then the rest of the song is the Rob and Pain show. The original was already a good cut. Once again, it's too bad that the subject matter was a little shady (Rob and Usher both mackin' the same girl). Nevertheless, there's no denying R.'s hit-making ability.

1. September - Kirk Franklin

If there was one group that no one should ever try to mess with remaking their songs it's Earth, Wind and Fire. No one could ever do the vocals justice like Maurice White and Phillip Bailey. Then again, I never would have thought it would have made a good gospel song either. Kirk tweaked some of the lyrics, found some more of those golden voices to fill in and created a song that nearly rivals the original.

Posted on 28 December 2007 in The Year That Was...2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Best Movies of the Year 2007

I tried to hold off on this as long as possible to give some more movies the chance to be contenders. However, today was the drop-dead date so there may be some left off. I was hearing very good things about "The Great Debaters" and "Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street". I just never had the time and/or resources to get around to them so they may make it next year.

Once again, I was skeptical there may not have been enough "great" films, but there ended up being more than what I had anticipated. There were some that although they didn't quite crack the top 10, they deserved honorable mention. You can click on the movie to be magically transported to the review I originally posted for them:

Just like last year, these are films that I didn't get around to seeing until this year. As it turns out, only one is from 2006 anyway, but any that I saw for the first time this year were eligible. Now to the goods...

10. American Gangster

Had "The Great Debaters" come out before "American Gangster", there's a good chance these Denzel movies could have supplanted one another. Okay, that's not 100% accurate. With as much as I like mafia/gangster movies, I don't see that happening. Denzel had already proved that he could be a hardcore bad guy with his turn in "Training Day". He took it to the next level with this flick and showed he could be a sophisticated thug also. I knew when I first saw the trailer for this much earlier in the year that it would be an amazing film. I love it when I'm right.

9. Talk to Me

Another biopic shows up on the list. About another guy I had never heard of until the movie came out. You put Don Cheadle in anything and the odds are pretty good that it's worth seeing. "Talk to Me" was no different. Cheadle is like the chameleon of the acting world. He can step into any role and automatically assume the persona of that character no matter what the background, accent or even nationality. His co-star. Chiwetel Ejiofor, has taken on the title that Cheadle once held. Now Ejiofor has become a scene stealer in his own right. The two of them togther combined to make this an outstanding piece of cinema.

8. Knocked Up

Before this year began, if you put Judd Apatow in a line-up with even just two other guys, I couldn't pick him out if you paid me. As it stands now, I still can't. But I will forever remember the name. This cat has now made three of of my favorite comedies of all-time: this one, one you will hear about ver soon and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin". Coincidentally enough, Seth Rogen has also been in all three. It's clear that he keeps getting typecast, but as long as he keeps making me laugh in every role, I could care less. This movie succeeded in spite of Katherine Heigl who has just seemed to be getting on my nerves lately. Not sure why...she just has. They could have put any female opposite Seth and I'm pretty confident this one would still be a classic.

7. No Country for Old Men

We used to share a philosophy when we competed in stepshows back in the day. It was always better to go last because you are freshest in the judges memories. In all actuality, if your squad has skills, it doesn't matter where you fall in the order. The same could be said for this film. I could have seen it months ago and it still would have stuck with me. I still can't get Javier Bardem's portrayal of Anton Chirguh out of my head. He was one of those characters whose presence is felt all throughout the movie even when he is not in the scene. Not many characters are written so well AND brought to life so brilliantly that they can do that. It's no wonder this flick has been up for so many awards.

6. The Departed

This is a prime example of what happens when you put off watching a movie so long that it spills over into the next year. It wasn't hard to tell that it was good enough to make the list for this year though. "The Departed" was one of those films that's probably best viewed at least a couple of times to catch some of the double-crosses early on. The problem is with time so limited and so many movies to see, I haven't had a chance for many repeat viewings of movies like I would have liked. Seeing this a couple more times may have pushed it up further on the list. Nevertheless, falling in at the mid-way point is nothing to laugh at.

5. Transformers

It almost breaks my heart to see this one didn't get further up on the list. Well that is a little dramatic. Seriously though, "Transformers" was still one of the best movies to come out in a while. It is not every day that they turn one of my favorite shows from my childhood into a live-action movie that is near flawless. Initially, I said that there are some scenes that come across as corny. They still do, but the action that permeates the film severely overpowers any shortcomings that exist. The best thing about this flick is the potential it has. We were only given a handful of Transformers from a world of dozens more to choose from. This franchise can only get bigger and better.

4. Reign Over me

The fact that this is the second Don Cheadle movie to make the countdown comes as no surprise. He was a busy man this year. I just never suspected that Adam Sandler would be a part of it. Then again, Sandler has been surprising me in his own way in recent years. Movies like "Spanglish" and "Punch Drunk Love" show can be serious when he wants to be. Not only that, he's not too shabby at it. I had a good idea when I first saw the preview for "Reign Over Me" that I would like it. I just didn't think it would be this too much. It was one of those character-driven films that could suffer in the hands of lesser talents. The likelihood of that occurring with Cheadle on board was slim.

3. Casino Royale

There are three certainties in life: death, taxes and that James Bond movies will continue to be made. There was a while there when it seemed like they were just going thru the motions. As a matter of fact, most of the ones from the 90s all seemed like the same movie. They had no choice but to go back to the drawing board, even if it meant getting a new Bond. Daniel Craig was surprisingly good as the latest actor to tackle the Bond role. It's far too early to tell if he'll evolve into the the best Bond of the franchise. It's even too premature to call this one the best Bond film of the bunch. However, it is certainly the best one to come out in a LONG time.

2. Superbad

The one that cemented Apatow's greatness. I am going to unapologetically admit that when it comes to sophomoric comedies, I cannot get enough of them. I don't think people realize how much of an art form it has to be to come off just right. There are tons of movies that make the jump straight to dvd that think they fall into this category. The truth is it takes a lot of talent to make a movie so goofy that it's funny. Apatow has tapped into that. It also helps tremendously that the cast here featured actors like Michael Cera, Seth Rogen (again) and Jonah Hill that are in top form. Never since "Revenge of the Nerds" has being a geek been so cool.

1. 300

Here we are at the end of the year, the dvd has been out since the beginning of this fall and I STILL don't have it in my collection. By now, I might as well go down to Hollywood Video and pick it up as a previously-viewed video as part of their 3 for $25 special. Not so much. I will eventually get the 2-disc, unrated, Director's Cut. Then I will have to watch it on the big screen with the stereo sound to recreate all the greatness "300" gave me in the theater. If it ever does re-surface at our local IMAX, you know where I'll be. Gerard Butler's King Leonidas was so outstanding that he even has me wanting to see "The Phantom of the Opera" just to see if his ability wasn't a fluke. Even if that was his single greatest performance, I could care less. "300" was shameless, popcorn fun and I loved every single minute of it.

Posted on 27 December 2007 in The Year That Was...2007 | Permalink | Comments (3)

The Year in Photos 2007

Now that Christmas is done, it's time to start all the year-end wrap-ups here on the site. First up is a re-cap of the year in review as told thru pictures. One of my goals this year was to take more photos. As I reviewed my archives, I noticed that I got a bit of a late start but did get some really good ones once I got going.

I decided to use a little bit different of a format this year as opposed to the one I used in 2006. This one requires a bit more patience than last year's. As usual, it is worth the wait. At least I think so...