For many moons, the one known only as the Nostalgia Critic (AKA That Guy, AKA Chester A. Bum, AKA Douglas Darien Walker, AKA codename bananaman) has entertained us with his booze-fueled reviews of crap-crafted movies. We've laughed, we've cried, we've choked on salami. Now that we're entering the year 2009, I thought it would be a good idea to look back on the man's funniest moments. Even though it wasn't my idea. So here comes the Top 11 Nostalgia Critic Moments of 2008. Why Top 11? If you don't know, then how did you ever end up here?
Watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as a kid, I always became unnerved by this scene. It's illogical, disturbing, and seems totally unnecessary. The Critic's mounting fear coupled with Wonka's creepy rhyming builds to a funny and satisfying girly scream.
Happy New Year, everyone! Like many of you reading this blog right now, I was delighted to have discovered the Nostalgia Critic on the internet this year. In a world with so many mediocre or just plain bad forms of entertainment, we're lucky to have found a champion like the Nostalgia Critic who symbolically tears the worst offenders apart. He's insightful, funny, and his videos are always well-written. Now that this year is over, we find ourselves looking back at his substantial collection of reviews, top 11 lists and other videos from 2008 and we find ourselves thinking... what would our own top 11 list be of his funniest moments?
Like I said back in November, the Angry Video Game Nerd may be content to dictate what his own best moments were, but I like to think that we're a little more freedom-loving than him. So, as a fan, I'm offering my personal top eleven for your consideration, and I highly encourage anyone else who's interested to post their own list! For democracy's sake.
Hello, I'm Y Ruler of Time. Welcome back to "This Is Awesome, Why Aren't You Talking About It?" Today we're going to be talking about one of the most popular forms of entertainment distributed via the Internet - pornIMEAN...I mean, webcomics. Many people dream of publishing comic strips or comic books, but only a very few people get this great privilege - and even fewer no doubt will in the future as newspapers continue to grow outdated. Many of the great comics out there are mainstream and are incredibly successful - Penny Arcade, PVP, xkcd, and the like being the prime examples. I won't get into the great wealth of advantages to hosting one's material on the internet instead of publishing it in the newspaper, because that's not what I'm here to talk about. Today I'm here to discuss the comics that fall through the cracks - the ones that are truly good but just don't get the feedback that they really deserve. Today I honor the best of the underachieving, by naming the Top 11 Underrated Webcomics.
Why top eleven? Because I'm a sheeperson slave to fads. BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. So, sit back, get ready to click some links, and enjoy as we count down the Top 11 Underrated Webcomics.
Call it an early Christmas present, but all the good little TGWTG viewers get a double-shot of Shoot.
If you've seen the front page recently, you'll see that Doug, His brother, and.....someone else, have done a Rifftrax on The Lion King. FINALLY, a TGWTG riff! Which i did suggest in a comment, so myself, and anyone who also suggested a TGWTG rifftrax, take credit.
However, because of this, Doug and his crew have had there names added to the list of people i have to ask this to:
(Please note that any barbs, jabs, slings or arrows directed at the Angry Video Game Nerd in this blog are made in the spirit of maintaining the comic rivalry between him and the Nostalgia Critic, and are not intended as genuine negative criticisms of his work.)
In every year of the Angry Video Game Nerd's unfortunate presence on the internet, the Nerd himself has put out a video highlighting his top ten moments. The value of these lists is ambiguous, as it is often debatable that ten good moments even exist in any given year of his material, but the idea itself is a great one when applied to his superior rival, the Nostalgia Critic! Of course, like most of the AVGN's ideas, this one has room for improvement. My suggestion: why not let regular viewers decide for themselves what the Nostalgia Critic's greatest moments were?
As someone who has written and directed their own work, I can tell you I'm biased about the quality of what I've done. Stories about pacifist orcish dentists may be hilarious to me, but I know for a fact that not everyone enjoys their subtle nuances. Anyway, I'm relatively sure that Doug himself would admit that it would be hard to objectively look at his complete works as the Nostalgia Critic and decide what he liked best. When you're the creator of something, it's only natural that you like just about everything about it.
More than anything else though, it seems clear to me that everyone has their own idea of what the Nostalgia Critic's best moments were. Now, the Nerd might be enjoying his totalitarian dictatorship in which his list is the only one that's acceptable, but I like to think thatguywiththeglasses.com is a little more democratic. So, in the spirit of freedom, I plan on writing up my personal list of the Top Eleven Nostalgia Critic Moments late next month, and I encourage other users to do the same!
Why top eleven? Because the Critic, unlike the Nerd, went one step beyond in his first year.
So, to all the other users out there who enjoy the Nostalgia Critic's videos as much as I did and would like to share what their own top eleven lists are, I'll see you in late December!
Hello, I'm derangedperson. I may be crazy, but I doubt it. Ripoff introduction aside, I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you. I'm a 24-year old film and music fanatic from West Bend, WI (a city 35 miles NW of Milwaukee) with no life and enough time on my hands to type out stuff like this. And since you're reading this, you obviously have no life either.
But I digress.
As a movie fanatic, one of my favorite narrative devices is the plot twist. When a movie takes everything you thought you knew and turns it on its head, it can either leave you slack-jawed in utter astonishment or throwing your popcorn at the theater screen and screaming "BULLSHIT!" Needless to say, I'm only gonna be looking at the greatest twists in movie history. There are many films that have etched their names in memory because of a great twist, and right now, I'm gonna give you my top 11 greatest twists in movie history. Why top 11? Because...well, just because. So, grab a can of soda, sit down with some popcorn, and get ready to be shocked. This is derangedperson's Top 11 Greatest Movie Twists.
As much venom as I spewed in my last two lists about covers, I’m not against the concept of covering songs altogether. For all the ripping on I did towards all the absolutely putrescent renditions I know of otherwise great songs, there are some that I like.
I would characterize a good cover as one that takes the song and either captures the spirit of the original to great effect, or takes it in a different interesting direction. (That last idea is kind of a double-edged sword if you think about it, because a lot of the terrible covers I talked about in my previous two lists took the originals in too far a direction, and absolutely sucked. Partially because they slapped their grill all over it trying to make it “theirs” with little regard for the original artist.)
Naturally talking about covers both good and bad brought up the suggestion of making a list of what I consider GOOD covers.
Okay.
Before continuing however, please go back and read my first two lists, which inspired this one.
I got some pretty positive responses from my list of bad cover songs, (Hopefully enough to make you all forget about the VG Protagonists that Suck list, I hope? Please? Put your torches and pitchforks away?) but there were people who thought there were a bunch of covers that I left out of my list that were bad enough to garner some negative recognition…That is just the thing, though. There are so many bad, awful, absolutely terrible covers of songs out there, that it’s a daunting feat to narrow them down to 20.
And so the prospect of a second list was presented to me.
Apparently I have struck a chord here, because bad music in general is a universal thing that everyone can relate to. (Hey, you hate that Laffy Taffy song? Me too!) America has spoken, and they want bad song covers.
All I can say is that you guys are just gluttons for punishment.
And so am I.
BUT WAIT!!! (Sorry, Benzaie) Before you read the rest of this, please have a look at the first article that inspired this sequel:
Halloween. A time of witches, bats, vampires, and (if you're anything like me) ceremonies meant to summon the Old Ones so that they may come forth and drive the world to madness. (That which is dead can eternal yaddayaddayadda)
And since videogames are chock full of scary beasts and and frightful terrors, I figured it was only appropriate to count down the scariest monsters in gaming. They may not have the clout of final bosses and villains, but these are the guys that terrify us and make us fill our pants with excrement.
If there are a few things that I am passionate about, foremost among them is music. I love good music, and I know a lot about it. In that respect, I consider myself kind of a purist. If I hear a really great, and truly timeless song, often times I think “That’s it. That’s the end all right there. That’s the version of the song we are gonna stick with, because it’s awesome, and everybody knows it.“
Some don’t quite see it the same way as I do, though. Often a band will look at a song they really truly like and start to think to themselves: “I can do that!“ And then there are covers of songs.
Some are really good. Some manage to be good by staying true to the original and not venturing TOO far from familiar terrain, (Social Distortion’s take on “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash, or Bauhaus’ take on “Ziggy Stardust” by David Bowie) while others may take the song in a COMPLETELY different direction, and end up with an intriguing new take on a classic. (DEVO’s take on “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones, or Apoptygma Berzerk’s take on “Fade To Black” by Metallica.)
Some…not so much.
I must warn you, readers…The songs that are listed below are abysmal butcherings of otherwise great songs, that are not meant for the human ear to take in. Why have I written this list, then? Do you have an enemy? Recognize the songs below to them. I guarantee after listening to them, their brain will be a fine paste by the end of the week.
Either way, proceed with caution into…
The 20 Worst Cover Songs Ever
20. “Heroes” by Oasis (Originally by David Bowie)
Let’s start this list out with a song that I think doesn’t NEED to be covered. EVER. The brothers Gallagher really dropped the ball on this cover, because it’s missing something that Bowie could bring to his original tune, but Liam (Or Noel. I can’t tell which one is singing on this one.) failed outright to even fake.
Sincerity.
The song was inspired after Bowie saw two lovers embracing by the Berlin Wall near Hansa Studios in Berlin, Germany. The song would evolve into one about two lovers separated by the Berlin wall, and the way Bowie sang it, it was like he genuinely cared about the subject matter, as if he WAS on the other side of the wall.
Oasis on the other hand, displays none of the vocal emotion that Bowie did in the original version, and sounds more like a bland Bowie cover group just going through the motions of covering a Bowie tune. Liam (I’m more sure than ever it’s Liam) has his typically shrill shriek on full ALWAYS, and the song is so drowned in distortion and other superficial shit that at first listen, it’s hard even to recognize the song they’re covering in the first place.
Watch This Video - In picking this one out, a few people who knew I was writing this pointed out that the version by the Wallflowers is way worse than Oasis'. Maybe, but I haven't heard the Wallflowers version. I HAVE heard Oasis' version, however, and it's pretty poor. So on it goes.
19. “Fell In Love With A Girl” by Joss Stone (Originally by The White Stripes)
I don’t care if she had The Roots backing her up when she was in her heyday a couple of years ago. There was never anything remotely interesting about Joss Stone, and this uninspired hip-hoppy cover of an already awesome garage rock tune proves it.
In Joss Stone’s version of the song, she effectively takes Jack White’s awesome guitar work and Meg White’s…actually pretty lousy drumming abilities…and glosses over them with that soul diva-ness that has at this point become interchangeable in today’s music industry. The guitars aren’t prominent anymore, the drumming is less powerful, the song is a lot slower, and it sounds pathetic by comparison.
The original White Stripes song rocked, but this one is weak, tame, and SAFE. She could have at least taken a LITTLE bit of risk by keeping the original title in. (Her cover was titled “Fell In Love With A Boy”, which doesn’t quite roll off the tongue like the original, if you’ll pardon the entendre.)
Greetings, and welcome back, to Part 2 of our countdown of the Top 11 consoles that, for some reason or another, just weren't big names. If you missed it, go read Part 1, where we count down the 5 consoles that could have made it into the big leagues, if they had just been handled a little better.
This time around, we're counting down the 5 consoles that just plain sucked. Either because they were poorly designed, or because the company who made it screwed the pooch so hard there was nothing for it but to put a bullet in the pooch's head. We also cap our list off with one console that was such an oddity, that you could really go either way with it. Once again, as he was in Part 1, Chip joins me to add his knowledge to my own. Say hello to our readers, Chip.
Greetings. This is my first time blogging here so what better way to begin a blog than to start with a subject of this calibur. Here we are once again enjoying the events that come to pass during the changing of the seasons. I am not sure about the rest of you but I've missed the smells of wood stoves burning and the rustle of leaves as they make their way down to the ground. And during this time of year we once again turn to the more primal aspects of our humanity and try to do our best to enjoy a good scare every now and then. Usually at this time of year I'm a bit "spookier" than usual and I'm sure we can all relate in preparing for our usual October night's activities. And once again like much of the rest of the entertainmint industry, they are hegding their bets to cash in on the event that gives us an excuse to dress up: Halloween.
And once again I've gone thru the bargin bins and my personal tastes/library to not only find the finest in hallowen inspired gaming, but to also enlighten thee in some games that might've fallen by the wayside and sadly were not given their moment in the spotlight. I'm still sticking to my usual style of a list: Only one game per franchise, two games per system and one wild card game for good measure. But why go to 11 again? Well, not only in honor to the online talents that are thatguywiththeglasses and thatdudeinthesuede, but to also pay my respects for the late great game publisher/localizer Working Designs: Because their games go to 11! (RIP) So with that said, lettuce begin!
Hello and welcome to another edition of Daffy's Top 11. Why top 11? Well, I don't know. ‘Cause it just sounds right.
I know I just did one of these. But something clicked in my mind and I just had to get it out.
Being that the ‘Dog Days of Summer' are almost upon us, I figured, "What better way to celebrate the demise of Summer ‘08 then with the Top 11 Coolest Cartoon Dogs?"
Welcome, once again, to yet another Top 11 by Daffy. Why top 11? ‘Cause I'm weird like that.
Today's list is all about the Top 11 Villains in 90s Kid's Shows. You know, I may be spending too much time on the dark side of the fight. Maybe the heroes deserve a chance. Hmm? Well, that's something to think about.
Anyway, as I've said in the past (and will, no doubt, say again in the future), this list probably has a lot of holes in it. These were the villains that I could think of. If you think you can do better, go ahead and try.
Hello everyone. Greetings and welcome to yet another Top 11 by Daffy. Why Top 11? Because everyone else is doing it and I'm a follower. I know you have all been anxious to read my latest installment. Well, here it is FINALLY!!!!
Today's topic is: Moments You Never Saw Coming in the movies. That's right. These are the top moments that had you saying, "OH MY GOD! Did that really happen?" But, I'm not gonna put the most obvious. Why? Because they have been done to death.
So, instead of putting them in this list, I'll just give them all honorable mentions.
A couple days ago, I wrote a blog talking about how "The Simpsons" has gone severely down hill while reviewing an episode from the newest season.
I figured that since I wrote such a negative blog about the show, I should also write a positive blog, because lets face it -- the show sucks now, but in the 90's it was one of the best shows on television.
So, I present you with My Top 11 Simpsons Episodes. Why top 11? Because it's apparently becoming trendy for users to do here, and I just wanna be popular. :(
top 11
This time around, we're counting down the 5 consoles that just plain sucked. Either because they were poorly designed, or because the company who made it screwed the pooch so hard there was nothing for it but to put a bullet in the pooch's head. We also cap our list off with one console that was such an oddity, that you could really go either way with it. Once again, as he was in Part 1, Chip joins me to add his knowledge to my own. Say hello to our readers, Chip.
