The name is Bond, James Bond...

007

A legend in cinema from the very first release "Dr. No" to the latest release "Quantum of Solace", James Bond films have been a favorite series of mine since my dad took me to see "Moonraker" at the theater way back in 1979.  As a fan I have seen each Bond film numerous times and have enjoyed many lazy Saturdays being entertained by the classic Sean Connery flicks, somewhat unbelievable Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton cheese-tastics and the great Pierce Bronson versions and now the absolutely incredible Daniel Craig movies.  I thought that today would be a good day list my top 5 Bond flicks and would like to invite responses and personal lists as well.  First I'm gonna list all of the Bond movies in order of release and then get to the good stuff:

1. Dr. No
2. From Russia With Love
3. Goldfinger
4. Thunderball
5. You Only Live Twice
6. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
7. Diamonds Are Forever
8. Live and Let Die
9. The Man With The Golden Gun
10. The Spy Who Loved Me
11. Moonraker
12. For Your Eyes Only
13. Octopussy
14. A View To A Kill
15. The Living Daylights
16. License To Kill
17. Goldeneye
18. Tomorrow Never Dies
19. The World Is Not Enough
20. Die Another Day
21. Casino Royale
22. Quantum of Solace

Top 5
1.  From Russia With Love:  In my opinion this is the best of the Connery films.  Its got it all.  Crazy gadgets, sexy women and good storyline.

2.  Casino Royale:  This was the James Bond that the world was waiting for.  Daniel Craig brought an element of "darkness" to his role as Bond.  Realistic storyline, no cheese included.  Sorry Sir Connery, Craig has became my favorite Bond.  At the end of the movie when Craig quoted the famous phrase "the name is Bond, James Bond" everyone in the theater was convinced that a new legacy in Bond history had begun.  He has turned Bond into a person that could exist in today's society.

3.  Goldeneye:  Bronson took the roll by the balls and reigned supreme throughout his years serving Her Majesty's Secret Service.  I enjoy all of the Bronson films but his first go as Bond was fantastic.

4.  The Man With The Golden Gun:  Good story, cheesey weapons and storyline and in my opinion the best of the Roger Moore films.

5.  Quantum of Solace:  I can't begin to explain how hard it was to narrow down all of these classic films to a top 5 but I must admit Daniel Craig has become a fantastic Bond and truly owns the role.  I read today that Craig is contracted for two more Bond films.  I am looking forward to seeing more of Craig as there will be no doubt that with the technology in today's film industry, each of his films will be instant classics that will rival a great history of Bond movie classics.

If you are a fan of Bond then no doubt you have a Top 5 as well.  Feel free to comment and post your lists and thoughts.

Enjoy!

Ipod today
Miles Davis "Kind of Blue"

What happened to blue laws???

As I have warned follower's before...this is a bitch session. What happened to the blue laws? There was a time when retailer's had to be closed on Sundays and just about every major holiday. I, of course, had to work today being that I have chosen the retail lifestyle for a profession. Now I don't mind working on Sunday's, I just wish that people that shop on Sunday acted like they have a little sense and a little respect to employees that would truly rather be off than listening to unhappy shoppers. My store closed at 6:00pm today. These hours have been posted for the better part of two weeks and yet multiple asshole customers show up just after 6:00pm complaining that we should be open. Why on earth would we close our doors a little earlier than normal to allow our employees a little extra time to spend with their loved ones on a holiday. One customer in particular was so mad that he was threatening to shop at our competitor from now on. Good bye and good riddance. We were open from 9-6pm today and if you couldn't take time out of your busy schedule to show up during our holiday hours, we open back up tomorrow at 6:00am. If you don't like it, tough shit...like I said at the beginning...What ever happened to the blue laws???

Most under-rated metal band ever...

Annihilator

If you know me then you know I am a fan of all types of music, especially metal. I'm gonna bring to light a band that up until last year that I had heard of but had never heard. The band is Annihilator from Canada. I came across a collection of their music from a friend of mine at work who told me to give them a shot as he was aware of my motto when it comes to metal, "the heavier, the better!". The band features guitarist Jeff Waters and he is the lifesblood of this project. He is, by far, one of the greatest metal guitarist that has ever shredded a fretboard. The band are known in the music industry as pioneers of thrash metal and are often referred as influences to many of today's younger metal generation of bands. Annihilator formed back in 1984 and have been putting out great metal ever since. I only wish I would have given them a chance all those years ago when I first heard the name. How would I describe them? Try mixing Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Testament and you might be able to imagine the sound that is Annihilator. In my research of Annihilator's history and origins I have come across one particular subject that comes up over and over. Jeff Waters is a friend to the fans of Annihilator. I have not come across one story of Waters being an ass or a jerk. I come across countless tales of how he is completely friendly and takes time to talk to people when he is off stage. For that reason alone I must say I regret not trying to catch a live show by them years ago. My buddy Renfro likes to rates albums and I'm gonna take a page from his book and list Annihilators works over the years and give a top 5.
Here is a list of Annihilator's albums:

Studio albums
Alice in Hell (1989)
Never, Neverland (1990)
Set the World on Fire (1993)
King of the Kill (1994)
Refresh the Demon (1996)
Remains (1997)
Criteria for a Black Widow (1999)
Carnival Diablos (2001)
Waking the Fury (2002)
All for You (2004)
Schizo Deluxe (2005)
Metal (2007)

Here is my top 5:
1. Alice in Hell. This album was the beginning of a beautiful start. Incredible guitar playing and catchy riffs. This is a must own.



2. Never, Neverland. Album #2 and this is no sophomore slump. Waters and crew continue where they left off on Alice. Shred + Thrash = Classic

3. Schizo Deluxe. I realize that most fans regard the first three albums as the best of the best but Schizo and All For You hit me just right. Schizo has vocalist Dave Padden and for some reason I really dig his vocals.

4. All For You. This album may have turned off a few fans with the introduction of Dave Padden on vocals, but I love it. Great music and great mix of thrash and metalcore. Probably the most commercial album they have ever released.



5. King of the Kill. Jeff Waters does the vocals on this one. Great album, great sound. Thrashtastic!



I really wanted to add more than a few videos but when I was surfing youtube there was a ton of good stuff and it became very hard to pick and choose. I recommend checking out his NAMM show videos and his Hughes and Kettner amp demo tour. His interaction with the fans is a testament to his talent and true appreciation of his fans. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to the new Annihilator album due out in late May of this year. Enjoy!

Counts, this is for you:
Ipod jam
Annihilator (of course)
Alice in Hell