However, I try to learn from my mistakes, so here are my favorite pop culture memories from 2010.
MUSIC
I’ve long been a fan of 80s hair metal and it was nice to see some recent discs by acts from that period.
The Scorpions - Sting in the Tail (2010) – Solid disc, but a few more ballads than I like. Slave Me is the best track. A nice reminder of why I dug them so much while in the Army.
Dokken – Lightening Strikes Again (2008) – Okay, so the album didn’t come out this year, butthat’s when I discovered it. Put simply, it’s friggin’ awesome! The band sounds like they did in their prime. My favorite tracks were Give Me a Reason, Heart to Stone, and This Fire. I ran this disc continually for weeks.
Vince Neil - Tattoos & Tequila (2010) – Motley Crue’s front man stepped out on his own with an original track and several covers. All of the songs were well done with my favorites being the title track and the cover of Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress).
Vince Neil - Tattoos & Tequila (2010) – Motley Crue’s front man stepped out on his own with an original track and several covers. All of the songs were well done with my favorites being the title track and the cover of Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress).
Steel Panther – Feel the Steel (2009) – First of all, thanks to my friend, Scott Simmons, for turning me on to these guys. They’re a heavy metal group that parodies the hair bands of the 80s. Their music is extremely solid with some of the wackiest and dirtiest lyrics ever. My favorite song on the album was Shocker. Yeah, it’s about that. If you’re easily offended, stay away.Besides these discs, I put a lot of my favorites back into rotation including healthy doses of Sammy Hagar and Van Halen. Good stuff.
TELEVISION
What a great year for television shows. After losing The Shield, my favorites were limited to a few situationcomedies, Castle and Lie To Me. This year a number of new shows caught my eye and I’ve enjoyed watching television dramas again.
As a side note, the DVR is a great addition to enjoying television. I don’t have to be a slave to the television schedule to catch my favorites.
Blue Bloods (CBS) – Tom Selleck is back! This is what a cop show on a major network should looklike. I was never really a fan of NYPD Blues or any of the Law and Order creations so I was skeptical I could get into Blue Bloods. It’s far above my expectations. So much so that I actually will watch this before almost any of my other recorded favorites.Wallander (BBC on PBS) – Outstanding drama based on the books of Henning Mankell. Kenneth Branagh plays the title character. These are amazing stories but the series is limited to three 90-minute episodes each season. I haven’t read the books (yet) or seen the Swedish movies of the same (also yet). Hopefully, they’ll be as good as this BBC series.
Lie to Me (FOX) – Continues to be a favorite. The premise of the show is a bit thin, but the characters are enjoyable and the acting of Tim Roth is top notch.
Castle (ABC) – A returning favorite and also a premise that is a bit unbelievable. The series focuses on Rick Castle, a mystery writer who through a friendship with the mayor is allowed to shadow a beautiful NYC detective. The show is mostly fun and breezy.
Human Target (FOX) – Based on the DC comic of the same name, the show is a blast of fun every time. It’s a bit softer this season with the addition of a couple female characters, but Mark Valley is a stud and Jackie Earle Haley is awesome as Guerrero. This is what action television should be.
No Ordinary Family (ABC) – A series about a family with super powers? Okay, I’ll be interested. Throw in Michael Chiklis of The Shield as the father? Count me in. The show is a lot of fun and reminds me why I liked comic books so much. I will admit, it was initially hard for me to transition from Chiklis as Vic Mackey to him as the nice guy Jim Powell. However, once I let go of my Vic Mackey memories, the show became really enjoyable.
The Defenders (CBS) – Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell are awesome as two Las Vegas defense attorneys. The characters play off each other nicely and both actors are fun to watch. The only negative is that the episodes (and cases) wrap up neatly each week. Sometimes, though, that’s not such a bad thing.
Modern Family (ABC) – Okay, I will admit, I didn’t get into this show until a month or two ago. I’d heard some folks talking about it, but I largely ignored it. What a mistake! It’s got the best comedic writing since Arrested Development. Guaranteed to make me laugh.
MOVIES
The Girl ... - ... with the Dragon Tattoo, … Who Played With Fire, … Who Kicked the Hornets Nest. This Swedish series was amazing. Michael Nyqvist as Mikael Blomkvist and Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander were amazing. Don’t be a wimp and say you won’t watch them because they are subtitled. These are excellent flicks and available on DVD or On Demand.
I’m disappointed that Hollywood is involved now as remakes are underway with Daniel Craig as Mikael Blomkvist. He’s a great actor, but why does Hollywood think (and the American public demand) our own versions of amazing international movies?
Ninja Assassin – Sho Kosugi! That’s right, the Ninja master from the classic 80s movies is back. But this time he’s the heavy! This movie totally caught me off guard. I watched it a couple weeks ago On Demand and was blown away with its stylish filming and action scenes. If you’re a fan of 80s ninja movies, then check this out.
True Grit – A late comer, but the movie was fabulous. Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn is a hell of a lot more interesting (and believable) than John Wayne’s version. I know, I know, some of those John Wayne fans will see that as sacreligious but I’m one of those guys who have never really enjoyed him as an actor. If you get a chance, see this movie.
BOOKS
The Girl With The Dragoon Tattoo, et al by Stieg Larssons – I read the first two books of the series prior to seeing the movies. They were decent tales, albeit bloated. From what I’ve read, the author Stieg Larssons died after delivering the three manuscripts to his publisher. Perhaps, had he been alive a bit longer, an editor would have helped him tighten up the stories. Regardless, the plotting was interesting and the stories made some great movies. If you have to make a choice, see the movies instead.
The Art of the Deal by Donald Trump– Okay, so this book was written in 1987 and I originally read it when I was a senior in high school. I reread the book and it knocked my socks off on how good it was. Yeah, there is the traditional Trump bragging, but there were some amazing insights on deal making. Had I realized some of these concepts earlier, I might have avoided the (still) costly Laundromat debacle of 2008.
SPORTS
Shock Me, Make Me Feel Better - The Shock, Spokane’s arena football team stepped up this year from the Af2 to the Arena Football League (AFL) after it restructured. And just like their first season in the Af2, the Shock went out and, well, shocked the rest of the league by winning the Arena Bowl in their first year. This was done with a first year coach (Rob Keefe), as well. We’re spoiled by how good this team has been.Army Football – This week, they won their first bowl game since 1985. Go Army! Next year, let’s Beat Navy!
Cleveland Browns – Some things are better left unsaid.
That’s it for now. Was there more stuff that I dug this year? Oh, yeah, of course there was, but I’m limited to time and space.
Since 2011 is here it’s time to move on.
