Top 10 War/Military Movies

Having just seen "American Sniper", and enjoying it tremendously, I thought that it was appropriate that I rank my all time favorite War/Military movies.  So with no further adieu, here are my Top 10 War/Military Movies:

1. Saving Private Ryan - 1998
2. The Hurt Locker - 2008
3. Zero Dark Thirty - 2012
4. Black Hawk Down - 2001
5. Apocalypse Now - 1979
6. Platoon - 1986
7. Full Metal Jacket - 1987
8. American Sniper - 2014
9. Flags of Our Fathers - 2016
10. Jarhead - 2005

Better Call Foul

I'm really going to miss Jon Stewart!  The right wing sure won't.

The Daily Show

POTpourri

• Bill Maher calls for Marijuana legalization. 
• 2015 Academy Awards winners list can be found here. 
• Don't worry, there's now a cream to get rid of that tattoo. 
• Is the "Right to Work" (for Less) really right for Wisconsin?  Doubtful. 
• So the GOP plan to govern is to play chicken?  Really? 
• Should Bill O'Reilly be suspended too?  Yeah, probably. 
• Mayweather vs Pacquiao set to happen May 2, 2015.  Finally. 
• Thank God that Barack Obama wasn't brought up like Rudy Giuliani. 
• Joey Logano wins the 2015 Daytona 500.  
• So long "Parks and Recreation", "The Mentalist" & "Two and a Half Men", nice knowing you. 
• Walmart finally did something right. It's a good start! 
• No, the Koch Brothers are not being altruistic in the giving of money to politicians.  
• Are Republicans just sitting around begging for America to fail?
• Winners & losers of the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine here.   
• Has Elsa Hosk always been this hot!  
• 2015 Razzie Awards winners list can be found here. 
• The cost of a decline in unions is startling.  They still have a role in society. 
• My favorite 40 yard dashes of the past week?  
• Mark Dayton has done a heckuva job as Governor of Minnesota. 
• I'm starting to sense that Republicans goal is to keep their voters stupid. 
• Is anyone else uncomfortable with Jeb Bush's foreign policy team? 
• You do realize that Scott Walker's record is really not that impressive don't you?
• Lindsay Graham announces 2016 Presidential run. 
• Don't believe everything those climate change deniers tell you. 
• Count me as bullish on Maxx Williams pro potential.   

Nina Agdal for Beach Bunny

She is so gorgeous!

TPSG Top 10 Movies of 1981

Continuing with my look at the best movies of years gone by.

Top 10 Movies of 1981:

1. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark - Harrison Ford, Karen Allen
2. Stripes - Bill Murray, Harold Ramis
3. Body Heat - William Hurt, Kathleen Turner
4. Escape From New York - Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef
5. Arthur - Dudley Moore, Liza Minnelli
6. Victory - Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine
7. Das Boot - Jurgen Prochnow, Herbert Gronemeyer
8. Chariots of Fire - Ben Cross, Ian Charleson
9. Reds - Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton
10. On Golden Pond - Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn

It doesn't get any more fun or edge of your seat than "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Arc".  "Stripes" is one of Bill Murray's best films.  "Body Heat" is a true erotic thriller, and that's a very good thing.  In my opinion, "Escape From New York" was one of Kurt Russell's best roles.  The original "Arthur" was hilarious and Dudley Moore was perfect in that role.  "Victory" may be Sylvester Stallone's most under appreciated film.  "Das Boot" is another great submarine movie!  "Chariots of Fire" won the Oscar for Best Picture for a reason.  "Reds" is Beatty & Keaton at their finest.  Seeing Henry & Jane Fond together is reason enough to see "On Golden Pond".   

White Pants

There is nothing like a hot girl in white pants!

2015 Academy Award Predictions

The 2015 Academy Awards are tonight.  I love the movies, I can't wait!

Here are my predictions for the major categories:

Best Picture:
Will win:  Birdman ***
Should win:  Boyhood

Best Actor:
Will win:  Eddie Redmayne - The Theory of Everything ***
Should win:  Eddie Redmayne - The Theory of Everything

Best Actress:
Will win:  Julianne Moore - Still Alice  ***
Should win:  Julianne Moore - Still Alice

Best Supporting Actor:
Will win:  J.K. Simmons - Whiplash  ***
Should win:  J.K. Simmons - Whiplash

Best Supporting Actress:
Will win:  Patricia Arquette - Boyhood  ***
Should win:  Patricia Arquette - Boyhood

Best Director:
Will win:  Alejandro G. Inarritu - Birdman  ***
Should win:  Richard Linklater - Boyhood

***Edited to add Actual Winners***
5 of 5 on my preditions!  Do I know my movies or what? 

Victoria's Secret Swim Special

Must see TV!  Thursday, February 26 on CBS.

POTpourri

• Being single is bad for your financial health. 
• Check out Rolling Stone's ranking of all 141 SNL cast members! 
• I liked what I saw out of the young Timberwolves at All Star Weekend. 
• To nobody's surprise, Republicans are having trouble governing. 
• Why has nobody told me about Monika Pietrasinska? Or Alena Blohm? Or Charlie Riina?
• Should the U.S. really be the world's police force?  
• Sorry NRA, but open carry is bad for America! 
• I love watching Allison Stokke pole vault. 
• Washington Post ranked all the U.S. Presidents.  History will be kind to Obama. 
• RIP Gary Owens & Jerome Kersey. 
• Is "The X-Files" returning to television? 
• It's really hard to stop a bad guy with a gun license. 
• Killing Obamacare would kill Americans. 
• Should Brian Williams really be our main concern about corporate media? 
• Why would anyone want to ban yoga pants?  I absolutely love them!  
• Isn't it time that Ruth Bader Ginsberg step down from the SCOTUS?  
• 10 Things Guys Won't Tell their Girlfriends. 
• Shakeups at MSNBC.  Joy Reid is not the problem there. 
• Apparently ISIS if full of pedophiles.  Sick bastards. 
• For the record, Katherine Webb is not too skinny, she's gorgeous!  
• Climate change has absolutely contributed to Boston's record snowfall. 
• Are you familiar with the risks of too much sitting?  

AZ Tidbits

• Surprise, Arizona is not the place to be single. 
• Big shakeup with the Phoenix Suns.  
• The Ducey/Douglas fued is becoming very entertaining. 
• Arizona Cardinals sign Larry Fitzgerald to a contract extension. 
• Poll shows divide between priorities of Arizonans & state leaders. 
• Arizona lost the most construction jobs in the country in 2014. 
• 10 things you should never do in Phoenix! 
• ASU & UA both ranked as Top 100 public colleges. 
• Arizona has a chance to lead the nation in battle against dark money. 
• New era of baseball kicks off at Arizona State University. 
• I love those cloud inversions at the Grand Canyon! 
• Are the Diamondbacks eyeing another Cuban player? 
• Is a mega-drought in Arizona's future? 
• Phoenix area hotels had a spectacular Super Bowl week. 
• Arizona legislator wants to outlaw federal gun laws. 
• Moderates are gaining ground in Arizona. 
• Rare Gray Wolf spotted near the Grand Canyon shot dead. 
• Do we really want secret meetings at the Arizona legislature?  
• ASU's Young Republicans aren't learning much in college. 
• Didn't Arizona already vote against payday loans?  
• Why does the Arizona legislature hate public schools? 
• 25 things to do in Arizona? 

Bill Maher on Corporate Media

Well said Bill Maher.

Possible Jon Stewart Replacements?

Like most people, I hated to hear that Jon Stewart is stepping down as host of "The Daily Show", but I guess that all good things must come to an end.  The question now becomes, who replaces Jon Stewart?  Don't get me wrong here, this is a great gig, it is a big time commitment though, I'm guessing some of the bigger names on this list may not want to make that sort of commitment, I'm going to list them anyways.  I'm confident they will find a strong replacement.

Here are my Top 20 possible candidates to replace Jon Stewart:

1. Amy Poehler - probably the perfect choice if she wants it. 
2. Chris Rock - smart, edgy, politically savvy, he'd be perfect. 
3. John Oliver - how long is that HBO contract?  
4. Tina Fey - like Amy Poehler, she'd be a great pick.  
5. Brian Williams - not as outlandish as it seems, he's very funny. 
6. Sarah Silverman - wickedly funny, politically astute, edgy, I'd love it!  
7. Patton Oswalt - there's a reason I suggest him for every opening.   
8. Jason Jones - he's great as a correspondent.  
9. Lewis Black - his Daily Show rants are legendary.  
10. Joel McHale - he's great on "The Soup" and very funny.  
11. Craig Ferguson - he needs a job, funny as hell. 
12. W. Kamau Bell - he was great on "Totally Biased"
13. Jessica Williams - she makes me laugh every time she's on. 
14. Aisha Tyler - sharp, politically active and very funny. 
15. Samantha Bee - alone or teamed with Jason Jones she has to be considered.
16. Chris Hardwick - what can't this guy do? 
17. Aasif Mandvi - he's been terrific as a correspondent. 
18. Aziz Ansari - this would be a perfect fit for his comedic talents. 
19. Amy Shumur - razor sharp, witty, funny, piping hot at the moment. 
20. Dennis Miller - I don't agree with his politics, but he is funny. 

On a side note, don't get too caught up in the new host either, as long as they keep their writers together this show will be just fine.

Zach LaVine Knows Dunking

He absolutely dominated this past weekends NBA Dunk Contest!



Slow-Mo here!

AZ Tidbits

• Let's get another Super Bowl in the Valley!
• Arizona Cardinals name James Bettcher as Defensive Coordinator. 
• State lawmaker interested in growing industrial hemp in Arizona. 
• Doug Ducey apparently values prisons over education. 
• Scottsdale nightclubs are still doing remarkably well. 
• RIP Kayla Mueller.  
• Coyotes center Martin Hanzal appears to be done for the season. 
• Arizona State football team finishes with a Top 25 recruiting class.  
• University of Arizona had a very nice football recruiting class too. 
• Who's going to take on John McCain in 2016?  
• Could Amare Stoudemire be returning to the Phoenix Suns? 
• Do you think that SRP will hear their customers? 
• ESPN is not very bullish on the Arizona Diamondbacks chances this season.
• Arizona ranked number 10 nationwide in LEED ratings. 
• Could the Arizona Cardinals target Adrian Peterson this offseason? 
• Foreclosures are way up in Phoenix and Arizona. 
• Is Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic on the market?  Apparently. 
• Who thought that electing Diane Douglas was a good idea again? 
• You've got to love Arizona State's 'Curtain of Distraction'.  
• Neo-Confederate nullification fever sweeps across Arizona. 

Happy Valentine's Day

Thank you Lisa Morales!

POTpourri

• Marijuana doesn't make you more likely to crash your car!
• Jon Stewart is leaving "The Daily Show".  Say it isn't so!
• 2014 was the best jobs year since 1999.  Much to chagrin of GOP. 
• Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2015 is now live!  
• Is it time for the NBA to change it's playoff format? 
• It doesn't get much better than Candice Swanepoel!  
• RIP Dean Smith, Jerry Tarkanian, Bob Simon, Ed Sabol & Billy Casper. 
• Great news on the Net Neutrality front!  Don't relax just yet though.
• Most of the 2016 GOP Presidential hopefuls are not very popular in their home states.
• 2015 Emmy Awards winners list can be found here. 
• Uninsured rate falls again under Obamacare. 
• Kendall Jenner is all grown up!  Well, kind of. 
• I wouldn't mind seeing an NHL team in Las Vegas.  
• Fox News seems to love freedom only when it's administered by a dictator. 
• Is Vernon Adams the next Russell Wilson? 
• There's nothing quite like a hot girl in short shorts! 
• Can geoengineering help in the fight against climate change? 
• NBC News suspends Brian Williams for six months. 
• Apparently, it's time to rethink the effects of cholesterol.
• Isn't it long past time that we see a Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao fight? 

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

It's on newsstands now!  The website is live too!

TPSG Top 10 Movies of 1982

Continuing with my look at the best movies of years gone by.

Top 10 Movies of 1982:

1. E.T. the Extra Terrestrial - Henry Thomas, Drew Berrymore
2. Blade Runner - Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer
3. Fast Times at Ridgemont High - Judge Reinhold, Jennifer Jason Leigh
4. 48 Hrs - Eddie Murphy, Nick Nolte
5. First Blood - Sylvester Stallone, Brian Dennehy
6. An Officer and a Gentleman - Richard Gere, Debra Winger
7. The King of Comedy - Robert DeNiro, Jerry Lewis
8. Tootsie - Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange
9. The Year of Living Dangerously - Mel Gibson, Sigourney Weaver
10. Gandhi - Ben Kingsley, Martin Sheen

There haven't been many better sci-fi films ever made than "E.T." and "Blade Runner".  "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" is without a doubt one of the funniest movies I have ever seen, and who can ever forget the Phoebe Cates pool scene!  "48 Hrs" could be the best buddy film ever made, it's action packed and hilarious to boot.  I loved "First Blood", it's easily one of Stallone's best films.  "An Officer and a Gentleman" is one of those rare films that appeals to everyone and Richard Gere is terrific in it.  Robert DeNiro as Rupert Pupkin in "The King of Comedy" is one of my all time favorite movies characters and has Jerry Lewis really been in anything better?  Dustin Hoffman in drag is a real trip in "Tootsie".  Mel Gibson had me wanting to become a foreign correspondence after "The Year of Living Dangerously", and Linda Hunt was unforgettable.   This list wouldn't be complete with the addition of "Gandhi", it's a terrific story about amazing man and Ben Kingsley rightfully won an Oscar for it.  

AC/DC at the Grammy's

Did you catch AC/DC at the Grammy's?   Easily the highlight of the show in my opinion.

TPSG 2015 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

With the Super Bowl being over, it's time to start thinking NFL Draft!  The Senior Bowl has also come and gone, that usually kicks off draft talk.  Next up on the docket is the NFL Scouting Combine from February 17-23.  So here it is, my initial, pre-Scouting Combine, still way too early, 2015 NFL Mock Draft!

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston - QB - Florida State
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams - DT - USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Randy Gregory - DE - Nebraska
4. Oakland Raiders - Amari Cooper - WR - Alabama
5. Washington Redskins - Brandon Scherff - OT - Iowa
6. New York Jets - Marcus Mariotta - QB - Oregon
7. Chicago Bears - Shane Ray - DE - Missouri
8. Atlanta Falcons - Vic Beasley - LB - Clemson
9. New York Giants - Landon Collins - DB - Alabama
10. St Louis Rams - La'el Collins - OT - LSU 
11. Minnesota Vikings - DeVante Parker - WR - Louisville
12. Cleveland Browns - Kevin White - WR - West Virginia
13. New Orleans Saints - Dante Fowler Jr - LB - Florida
14. Miami Dolphins - Danny Shelton - DT -  Washington 
15. San Francisco 49ers - Dorial Green-Beckham - WR - Oklahoma
16. Houston Texans - Andres Peat - OT - Stanford
17. San Diego Chargers - Eddie Goldman - DT - Florida State
18. Kansas City Chiefs - Jalen Strong - WR - Arizona State
19. Cleveland Browns - Malcom Brown - DT - Texas
20. Philadelphia Eagles - Trea Wayne - CB - Michigan State
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Shaq Thompson - OLB - Washington
22. Pittsburgh Steelers - Marcus Peters - CB - Washington
23. Detroit Lions - Jordan Phillips - DT - Oklahoma
24. Arizona Cardinals - Benardrick McKinney - ILB - Mississippi State
25. Carolina Panthers - Ereck Flowers - OT - Miami 
26. Baltimore Ravens - Melvin Gordon - RB - Wisconsin
27. Dallas Cowboys - Todd Gurley - RB - Georgia
28. Denver Broncos - T.J. Clemmings - OT - Pittsburgh
29. Indianapolis Colts - Eric Kendricks - LB - UCLA
30. Green Bay Packers - Denzel Perryman - LB - Miami
31. Seattle Seahawks - Sammie Coates - WR - Auburn
32. New England Patriots - A.J. Cann - OG - South Carolina

I'm not sold on Jameis Winston as the best player in the draft, but the Buccaneers absolutely have to get better at QB so he makes way too much sense at number 1 overall.

The Vikings could go a number of ways, a number 1 WR to team with Teddy Bridgewater makes the most sense to me though.  I've heard OT mentioned for them too but I don't think they are ready to give up on Matt Kalil, and Phil Loadholt still has some tread on him.  To me, OG would seem like a more pressing need for the Vikings than OT.  They also could use another CB, S and LB.

The Cardinals surprisingly have a lot of holes to fill, the biggest among them would include ILB, OLB, DE, RB, WR and QB.  I'd be kind of surprised if they didn't pluck a LB in round one and I'd love to see Brett Hundley picked in round 2 if he's still available.  

John F Kennedy Quotes

“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.” 

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." 

"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind." 

"My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

"The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth." 

"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." 

"Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future."

"There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction."

"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future."

"Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others."

"A child miseducated is a child lost."

Ricky Rubio

Welcome back Ricky Rubio!

POTpourri

• Why does 2016 smell more like an auction than an election? 
• Serena Williams & Novak Djokovic win 2015 Australian Open titles.  
• No, income inequality did not just start to happen once President Obama took office.   
• Has Julia Pereira always been this hot!  
• I loved The Tonight Show's "Saved By The Bell" reunion.  
• Byron Buxton tops mlb.com's 2015 Top 100 Prospects list. 
• 2015 NFL Hall of Fame class named.  Congrats to Mick Tingelhoff. 
• The NFL should sign Luci Ford up as a spokesmodel pronto!  
• Are American labor unions doomed?   Let's hope not. 
• Bruce Jenner set to come out as transgender.  
• Positive reviews for "Better Call Saul"!  I can't wait! 
• Isn't it time that Americans For Prosperity leaders are charged with felonies? 
• Why are the super wealthy building bunkers in the middle of nowhere?? 
• How can you not enjoy the underboob?   
• The U.S. could learn a thing or two from Croatia.  
• 2015 NFL Honors winner's list can be found here.  Aaron Rodgers named MVP. 
• Too much running can be just as bad as no exercise at all.  
• Are you familiar with Paul Ryan's most shameless lie ever? 
• I am quite enjoying "Man Seeking Woman" on FXX, give it a watch. 
• 2015 NBA All Star game rosters selected.  
• I should probably be paying closer attention to Hethielly Beck!
• Did Saudi Arabia have a role in 9/11?  Perhaps. 

2015 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Hannah Davis is looking fine!

AZ Tidbits

• Is Glendale regretting their decision to become a sports mecca?  
• I really enjoyed Super Bowl Central in downtown Phoenix. 
• Brooks Koepka wins the 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open. 
• There were celebrities galore in Phoenix for the Super Bowl.  
• 10 Ways Phoenix Arizona weather can be less than perfect. 
• Sheriff Joe Arpaio announces yet another run for Maricopa County Sheriff. 
• Arizona Diamondbacks farm system ranked in the middle of the pack. 
• I think the Arizona immigration debate just got re-ignited.  
• Is it too early to eye another Phoenix Super Bowl?  
• Arizona democratic lawmakers are going to go after Dark Money.  
• Phoenix Mercury All Star Diana Taurasi to skip the next WNBA season. 
• Jimmy Fallon & The Tonight Show made an appearance in Phoenix post Super Bowl.
• Scottsdale fared quite well during Super Bowl week. 
• Court tosses Monica Jones conviction, rightfully so. 
• Bruce Arians, Todd Bowles & Larry Fitzgerald win NFL post season awards. 
• 10 myths about Arizona debunked here! 
• Super Bowl XLIX was the most watched program in U.S. television history. 
• Warren Sapp arrested in Phoenix for soliciting prostitution. 
• Not all is well for John McCain in Arizona. 
• Arizona Diamondback appear to be out of the James Shields derby.  
• At least Diane Douglas acknowledges there is lots of room for improvement. 
• It sounds like it may be an active trading deadline for the the Arizona Coyotes. 
• Immunize your children idiots!  It's not all about you! 
• Can Arizona score economic points with Super Bowl XLIX?  
• Phoenix is no longer one of the Top 10 fastest growing cities. 

What a Month for Arizona!

Months like this are one of the reasons that I love living in Arizona.  Just take a look at all these events from the past couple of weeks:

01/10/15 - 01/18/15 -  Barrett-Jackson Car Auction
01/17/15 - Colorado @ Arizona State
01/18/15 - PF Chang Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon
01/25/15 - NFL Pro Bowl
01/25/15 - Los Angeles Clippers @ Phoenix Suns
01/28/15 - Washington Wizards @ Phoenix Suns
01/28/15 - Oregon State @ Arizona State
01/29/15 - 02/01/15 - Waste Management Phoenix Open
01/30/15 - Chicago Bulls @ Phoenix Suns
01/30/15 - Oregon @ Arizona State
02/01/15 - Super Bowl XLIX

Spring training is next on the docket.

Add in the beautiful scenery and the great weather and Arizona really is hard to beat.

Cool Pics!

Super Bowl XLIX

New England Patriots 28, Seattle Seahawks 24

Wow, what a finish!  What a game!  These last 2 Arizona Super Bowls have been as good as any!  Get us another Super Bowl pronto!  The Patriots were down 24-14 midway through the fourth quarter, then scored 2 late touchdowns and held off a furious Seahawks rally to clinch the title.  You couldn't ask for a better game, this is why the NFL is by far the most popular sport in America.  Congratulations to the New England Patriots!

Observations:

• 4 titles in 14 years for the Patriots.  That's called a dynasty. 
• How do you not run the ball to Marshawn Lynch on that last Seahawk drive?  
• Bill Belichick is without a doubt the best coach in the NFL. 
• That Jevon Kearse catch brought back memories of David Tyree's Super Bowl catch. 
• Are we sure that Julian Edelman wasn't concussed in the 2nd half?   
• Malcom Butler meet Larry Brown!  What an unlikely hero!
• It really was in poor tastes to boo Bill Belichick during the national anthem. 
• Can we now consider Tom Brady the Best QB of all time?  
• Pete Carroll was coaching such a great game right up until the very end. 
• I loved having the Super Bowl in town, the buzz was everywhere!  
• Darrell Bevel may have cost himself any future head coaching jobs. 
• I was hoping that the deflategate karma would come back to haunt the Patriots. 
• The Seahawks weren't very classy in defeat were they? 
• I was hoping that Kevin Williams would come away with a Super Bowl ring. 
• Tom Brady is now a 3 time Super Bowl MVP.  
• I thought that Chris Matthews was an MSNBC host.  
• Snickers gets my vote for best Super Bowl commercial.  Unless I just missed Carl's Jr's.  
• Did Nationwide Insurance run the worst Super Bowl commercial ever? 
• It's about time they opened that roof for a football game!
• I rather enjoyed that Katy Perry halftime show.  
• Next year?  Super Bowl 50 @ Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, CA