Wow, they're walking on the edge of a white world! Why would wise wanderers want to wage their well-being on such a wild... uh... welativewy-wisky twek... uh... without... wealizing... um...
O, forget it.
Hey, guess what letter we're featuring today?! :D
Nope! I decided to start over with A! Back to the starting line with you all! MUAHAHAHA!!!!
OK, fine, we're doing W today. Which is coincidental, seeing as how it's W Day and all... we're going to start with Favorite Last Names... gee, I wonder which one I'll pick..? :P
Favorite Actors (W):
Denzel Washington: There are few people who hold the screen as well as Denzel. He's soooo smoooooth and powerful on screen. My fave, of course, being his Oscar-winning performance in
Training Day (2001), which is a really good movie full of great performances (in spite of the rather gaping plot holes, lol). I also loved him in
Devil With A Blue Dress (1995), where he played with
Don Cheadle in a sort of noir-pseudo-detective story. His filmography is impressive indeed, including
Cry Freedom,
Glory,
Malcolm X,
Philadelphia,
Crimson Tide,
Remember the Titans,
The Book of Eli and many, many others.
Bruce Willis: One of my 3 favorite Bruce's (along with
Campbell and
Lee), Bruce Willis can match Denzel in the
Impressive Filmography category, for certain. Literally dozens of high-caliber movies - a few of my faves pictured in the montage above. While Denzel may be the more skilled of the two, Bruce is still enjoyable, although his range is rather limited. He plays the same type of character in just about all of his roles - which is fine with me. He does it well. I also liked
Unbreakable,
Fifth Element,
The Whole Nine Yards,
The Kid,
Armageddon,
The Last Boy Scout and others.
Favorite Movie Performances (W):
Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland (2006): Career-defining, Oscar-winning performance by Forest Whitaker portraying Ugandan dictator
Idi Amin. Very powerful -- not sure I'd recommend it to just anyone. The movie will leave it's mark on you, for certain. Someday, I will watch it again. But not yet.
Kristen Wiig in Ghost Town (2008): A very funny movie to begin with. Ricky Gervais I'm torn about. I think he's a genuinely funny individual, but really, if it's possible to be too cynical/sarcastic/offensive, I think perhaps he's crossed into that realm. I certainly wouldn't want to know him in person. HOWEVER, we're not talking about Ricky here, we're talking about the show-stealer, Kristin Wiig. Really, it's a bit part (she plays a surgeon), but she is so quirky and funny, her comedic timing is spot-on. It's a joy to watch - definitely a reason to rent it if you haven't yet.
Speaking of people I'd like to meet...
People I'd Like To Meet (W):
Damien Walters: What healthy red-blooded American male could possibly watch Damien Walters do his thing, and not wish he could do that mad tumbling as well? I'd like to meet him just so I could shake his hand and say, "Dang, dude, you are insane. Love it." Good stuff.
[
Honorable Mention: Steven Wright (
comedian)
Bill Waterson (Cartoonist (Calvin & Hobbes))]
Favorite Books (W):
With the Old Breed, by Eugene B. Sledge (1981): My good friend Dave-O loaned me this book a few years back and it floored me. It's a boots-on-the-ground account of a Marine (Sledge) who fought in two of the most incredibly-taxing battles in the Pacific theater on WW2 - Peleliu and Okinawa. It's a first-hand account, no holds barred, and an incredible read. It is so visceral and detailed that it was used (in part) as the basis for the HBO series
The Pacific (2010). I've always had a big interest in World War 2 in general, so the subject matter would have likely hit me hard regardless. But it is really well written to boot. I think I'll re-read it soon and write a legitimate review.
Favorite Songs (W):
When I'm Gone by Eminem: He has some truly great songs, and also some absolute trash. Guess which category I think this falls under? Maybe it's his obvious strong love for and devotion to his daughter Haley that has established such a connection for me, since I can relate x3.
[Honorable Mentions: We Will Find Our Way, by John Elefante
Odds & Ends (W):
- Favorite Book Characters: Whirrun of Bligh (
The Heroes, by
Joe Abercrombie)
-
Favorite Movie Characters: Wolverine (
Hugh Jackman in
X-Men)
-
Favorite Webcomics: White Ninja, Wagnervana
OK, I guess that's it for W Day. Got something a little different planned for tomorrow, for X-Day.
Adios for now, eh!
Dave the Wagner
