Vote for Number One's Best of 2005

Happy New Year!

This year I am beginning a new tradition at Cinerati. I will post links to some, actually too many, of my favorite posts from this past year and you can tell me which ones you liked the best. This year there will be four categories: General, Comic Books, Movies, Games.

Without further ado, the nominees are:

General:

• Expletive Deleted
• Paul Feig: Geeks and Sex American Style
• Awaiting the Prestige
• A Day to Listen to the Velvet Underground
• Pictures from Selma
• Fighting for Residuals
• Kommon versus Cultured
• Titanic Crisis Ahead for the Times
• Day Late, but Still Missed

Comic Books:

• Flash! Ah, Ah!
• Comic Books and Art.
• You Stay Classy San Diego
• Illustration as Art
• Alan Moore and Warner to Split

Movies:

• Movies the Weekend of 3/11-3/13
• Elektra is Best Superhero Film of 2005
• Jiang Hu Hustle
• Kingdom of Cynicism

Games:

• Boardgames, Friends and Sideways
• No More Games of Global Conquest
• End of History and the Last Roleplaying Game
• Zombies Zombies Everywhere
• Sword and Skulls Boardgame Review
• Fantasy Flight's Beowulf
• NPR Covers Mining
• Why Hackers Hate White Wolf

There they are, the nominees for 2005. There are too many, even though I think I left out some interesting posts (like my Supernatural Spec post), but that's what happens when one nominates ones own work. I hope that other members of the Cinerati community will do similar posts.

Let me know what you think.

Spielberg to Hire World's Greatest Babysitter?

According to the Independent UK, Steven Spielberg may be looking at remaking the classic tale Mary Poppins.

There have been some snide comments made about the possibility of Spielberg making this film, Chuck Yarborough of Cleveland's Plain Dealer find the idea of remaking Mary Poppins so absurd he jokingly imagines a remake/sequel with ET starring in the title role. I, for one, look forward to seeing what a Spielberg version of Poppins would look like. I think Spielberg is at his best when he is making the "classic" Hollywood film. Catch Me if You Can and The Terminal were films that could have been made in any era of Hollywood, and been successful. His science fiction films can be hit or miss, the same is true for his "important" films, but when Steven decides he just wants to entertain us...well he does.

Neither The Hollywood Reporter or Variety have any more details on this story at the time I write this.

Eventually Even I Catch A Meme.

Continuing the Meme trail I caught over at David E's Fablog.

Four jobs you’ve had in your life: movie theater assistant manager, video store clerk, grocery store courtesy clerk, director of a non-profit.

Four movies you could watch over and over: Amelie, Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, About a Boy, The Thin Man.

Four places you’ve lived: Castro Valley, CA; Baumholder, Germany; Reno, NV; Los Angeles, CA.

Four TV shows you love to watch: House, Supernatural, Grey's Anatomy, Judge Judy.

Four places you’ve been on vacation: Bayern; Anaheim, CA; Milwaukee, WI; Seattle, WA.

Four websites you visit daily: Google Entertainment, ICV2, Cathy's World, Los Angeles Times.

Four of your favorite foods: Porterhouse Steak, Black Pepper Chicken, Chicken Marsala, Cobb Salad.

Four places you’d rather be: London, Seattle, Montreal, Chicago. But only for vacation. What is it Randy Newman says..."I love LA!"

Who Needs Medieval Times When You Can Hire Robin Hood?

Tim Pollard, a former Games Workshop employee no less, performs Robin Hood banquets regularly in locations across the UK. From time to time he has even performed in the United States. You can read about the adventures of the travelling "official Robin Hood of Nottingham" at his own blog, or you can watch a slideshow of him firebreating here.

Who knew that Robin Hood was a firebreather? And Maid Marion kisses that mouth?

California Military Residents Acquire New Benefits in 2006

When a person who is in the National Guard or in the Reserves is called up for active duty in a conflict, as is happening today, it can often lead to financial burdens back at home. Family members of the soldier often have to manage household affairs on a diminished budget as the soldier's pay shifts from that of a private sector job to that of a member of the military. The State of California, and the Federal Government, already have a number of laws to help families of servicemen and women, but the State of Califoria voted to expand the benefits offered. In September 2005, Assembly Bill 1666 (Frommer) passed and starting in January this law will:

provide protections for these persons in connection with their military service with respect to recording fees for a power of attorney, termination of a mobile telephony services contract, military leave of absence from specified educational institutions, waiver of attorney membership fees, payment of arrearages under terminated motor vehicle leases, and continuation of gas and utility services, as provided. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

The bill was passed with heavy bi-partisan support.

Gretsky Returns to Phoenix After Mother's Death

Wayne Gretsky, coach of the Phoenix Coyotes, has returned and will be coaching the Coyotes tonight. Gretsky had taken some time off to spend with his mother, who was suffering from lung cancer. Gretsky's mother died on December 19th.

It seems that two of the all-time great hockey players are having less than wonderful 2005s. Mario Lemieux, who has come back from serious illnesses in his career, has missed games this year due to an irregular heartbeat.

I Consider Myself a Shatner Devotee, but...

I can't believe I missed this.

The one-and-only William Shatner stars as The Storyteller in this rousing, campy series. Each episode tells a suspenseful story from an exciting time or place, filled with interesting characters, plenty of action, and surprising twists. All 15 episodes are included here, including "A Crack in Time," about a telepathic girl from the year 2098 who finds herself stranded in 20th century America, and "The Pirate," which tells the chilling tale of three vacationing children who stumble onto hidden treasure--and the sinister seafaring ghost that haunts it.

I will own this! I will have this! It shall be mine! That is my New Year's resolution!

After all, if I can enjoy all the Tek War books, and I do, this should be awesome!

Seriously, has anyone seen this? What channel was it on? What is the backstory?

I need information!