JJ BANKS’ Blog

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND BEST WISHES IN ‘09!!!

     Wow, when we look back at 2008 years from now I’m sure we’re going to say, “Man, what a shitty fucking year!” But for now let me indulge you with some “Best of ‘08″ lists based on the opinion of the smartest, wittiest, and coolest human being on the planet…me! And if you disagree with any of my choices I’ll come to your house and kill your family. 
    
     Enjoy and God Bless!

BEST BOOKS I READ THIS YEAR
(doesn’t necessarily mean they came out in 2008)

4. The Vengeful Virgin by Gil Brewer

3. In The Money: Strategies for Winning Texas Hold’em Cash Games by Antonio “The Magician” Esfandiari

2. The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon

     After reading this I wish I could tell you that the worst is behind us, but I’m not so sure, especially with an inexperienced jackass moving into The White House.

BOOK OF THE YEAR
Harrington on Hold’em Volume 1: Strategic Play by Dan Harrington

     One of the best poker books ever written.

FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2008

Honorable Mention:
“Vampire Weekend”
Vampire Weekend

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
“Real Emotional Trash”
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks

     OK, I need to start listening to more new music, but Malkmus and friends released a masterpiece this year.

FAVORITE VIDEO GAMES OF 2008

3. Ninja Gaiden II

     And “yes”, I did finish this game despite its insane and at times brutal difficulty level.

2. Castle Crashers

GAME OF THE YEAR
Grand Theft Auto IV

     This game lived up to all the hype for me and is one the reasons why video games now share the same artistic platform as music and movies.

(Editor’s Note: I’m disappointed I didn’t get to: “Gears of War 2″ or “Left 4 Dead”.)

BEST MOVIES OF 2008

6. Iron Man

5. Starship Troopers 3: Marauder

     My biggest surprise of 2008! The true sequel to the original. 

4. Step Brothers

FILM OF THE YEAR
Cloverfield

     I went back and forth between “Clovie” and “TDK” when determining this, but as cool as “The Dark Knight” was, the theater going experience that was “Cloverfield” made it #1 for me. Throw in some clever internet marketing and an active forum and message board community and you have the most revolutionary and entertaining film of 2008.

(Editor’s Note: I’m disappointed I didn’t get to “Pineapple Express”, “The Wrestler”, “Slumdog Millionaire” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”.)

THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Rated: PG - 13
Runtime: 152 min

     Not that there aren’t enough people talking about this film already but for what its worth here are my two cents about the biggest movie to hit the screens in a decade. First of all, I’m a big fan of the Tim Burton era of Batman. In fact I’m such a fan of Burton’s work that I didn’t even bother to see “Batman Begins” when the series restarted itself a few years ago and I really had no desire to even see “The Dark Knight” until I heard everyone going apeshit over it. So I then figured, well I have to check this out, but in order to do so I thought it would only be fair to start with where Batman go his new jump start.

“Batman Begins” (2005)

     “Batman Begins” was a great film and I thought it really shined in separating itself from the previous Batman films. Nolan presented a fresh new viewpoint of a story that had already been told. However, I found the film dragging in some places, especially in the beginning. I thought they could have gotten to Batman making his Batcave and going to fight the bad guys a little faster. Also, the casting was kind of weird. You got an English actor trying to come off as an Italian Mafia Boss? And for some reason Liam Neilson has never been intimidating to me. Don’t even ask me about Katie Holmes’ character. I did like how the ending set-up the next film, but to steal a line from The Joker I’d like to ask Christopher Nolan “Why so serious?”

“Why so serious?”

     Ok Batman fanboys get ready to flame!!!

     To me there’s enough cynicism in the world already that I don’t need it in my superhero movies. I like triumphant endings where we know good has conquered evil. Once again “Why so serious???!!!” You guys do realize that when all is done and said this movie is still about a guy who dresses up as a fucking bat and fights crime. So “Why so serious?” I understand how this extreme grittiness and edge would appeal to certain guys at certain ages, but I want my superheroes to just be superheroes and not case studies in manic depressive indentity disorders.
 
      Next, let’s take a look at the cast of “TDK”. How many people did Maggie Gyllenhaal’s agent have to blow to get her this role? I mean c’mon I’ve seen hotter girls working at the DMV. Also, as great as Heath Ledger’s performance as The Joker is, to me that role isn’t that hard. Put some crazy makeup on and act like a complete psychopath is actually kind of one dimensional role, but hey it’s a shame he croaked before the film came out, so let’s all praise him. And just exactly how was The Joker able to get all these thugs that gave me “Manhunt” flashbacks and set-up all these elaborate schemes at a moment’s notice? It’s funny how fanboys claim how realistic this film is when actually its very far from it.

     What “The Dark Knight” did accomplish better than any other comic book film ever was that its plot actually had a legitimate reason for having more than one villain in it. This was pulled off way better than any other film ever (yes I’m pointing at you “Spider-Man 3″). Overall, Nolan made another very original and exciting story about Batman but for all these fans standing in line to see the film for the 7th time with a raging hard-on, I think you need to relax.