The Champ Speaks

My Top Films Of 2012

2013-02-05T22:17:00.001-08:00

It's that time of year. Remember, the rankings are subjective to my enjoyment level. I'm not necessarily rating on what was a better movie technically. A movie maybe have bumped slightly if I didn't like it but I realize it was well made. Alternatively, if it's a crappy movie but I still loved it, it would also get bumped.
At any rate, the following are the Top 10 followed by the rest of the list.

One - Le Miserables

I mostly do not enjoy musicals. I liked one other musical movie called Camp, which was basically like a Degrassi goes to musical theater camp. In the theater I saw Cats when I was in school and remembered liking it; and The Wedding Singer because one of my favorite comedians, Stephen Lynch, was in it, which I remembered liking as well. Outside of that, I abhor Glee and it's ilk.
I remember seeing commercials for the Broadway show regularly on TV as a youngster. That and Madame Butterfly. What was funny when watching this was that even though I'd never seen it, some of the songs sounded familiar. For some reason those commercials stuck with me a little bit.
Turns out, I might like the odd musical more than I thought. The acting was awesome, most of the singing was great (you will never hear a song as wonderful and heartbreaking as Anne Hathaway's "I Dreamed A Dream" scene, even listening to it from the soundtrack and almost bring me to tears).
The movie is long though. So long that I almost checked out about half way through. I didn't really care about the kids that went to war (aside from poor Éponine) but the story eventually came back around and caught my attention again. And while Russell Crowe looked the part of the antagonist authority figure, his voice was terrible for this. I cringed every time he opened his mouth.
The film also suffers from a nagging pet peeve I have: proper accents. The movie is about the French Revolution and yet it's played entirely with British accents. I couldn't watch Valkyrie for this very reason. Le Miz, however, is a much better quality film that Valkyrie and I was much more willing to over look the negatives.

Two - The Cabin in the Woods

From everything I've read, you will either hate or love this movie. It's been described as "meta" and I can't really explain that without giving away the ending, which is really the whole point of seeing the film.
The story line and characters follow the typical horror movie cliches but does so with a sense of humor. One character even closely resembles Shaggy from Scooby-Doo.
Cabin is not your typical horror movie and you won't know what the hell is going on until it plays out, but it's worth watching for the bat shit crazy ending alone.

Three - The Avengers

It took me two viewings to really enjoy The Avengers. When I first saw it, I didn't love it. I certainly thought it was good, but there were a few things that bothered me. Nothing incredibly damning, but annoying none the less. I did get excited to see Thanos in the cut scene at the end and was immediately disappointed when I saw, what looked like a comic nerd wearing an old school Marvel T-Shirt waiting in the bathroom, and attempted to discuss the Infinity Gauntlet and was met with "what's that" and "who was that purple guy". *sigh* At any rate, I went back to see it, this time in 3D and decided to let my inner comic nerd relax and found that I liked it a lot more.

Four - Django Unchained

I originally had no interest in seeing Django based on the first trailer. It didn't really register with me for some reason, even thought it was a Tarantino flick (which I generally like). Still after hearing all the buzz that came with the film and being a fan of things that offend people , I decided to go check it out. Turned out to be a good choice because the movie is fantastic from the first scene. The moment Christoph Waltz opens his mouth, he snatches your attention. He plays uniquely charismatic, whether a good guy or bad guy (Inglorious Basterds opening scene was AMAZING just because of his turn as a nazi).
The chemistry between him and Jamie Foxx was on par with an old mixed race buddy cop movie (ie Lethal Weapon). Leonardo DiCaprio, plays a ferocious, but not too smart, villain (which is rare) expertly. Although a lot of people complained that the movie was too long, I never found myself looking at the clock. There is enough story and elements to keep it interesting.

Five - The Sound Of My Voice

I kind of new that I would like this movie for some reason. I already knew I liked the main actress Brit Marling from the film Another Earth (which was ok but not great, but thought she was brilliant in it). After reading a little about the story and seeing a clip of the first minute or two, I kept myself in the dark (as I do with most movies I eagerly anticipate) and just waited for the blu-ray release. I was not disappointed. It's basically about cult leader, but it's more than that. You watch a character with a strong belief have the idea ripped out of his soul, confusing him and yet staying ambiguous, despite our culture's need of having a story only have an explained beginning, middle and end.
Sound is an interesting character study and fantastic acting.

Six - Looper

Looper was great, but like many time travel movies before it, there are holes to be filmed and a couple of story choices that don't make sense. The action and interaction between Bruce Willis and JGL is what carries the movie, but then again, anything that JGL is involved in is bound to be, at the very least, a good movie. Looper is probably a step above good but a couple of elements keep it from being great. Still recommended.

Seven - Absentia

I really only expected a typical B horror movie. The cover doesn't really suggest otherwise. So I checked my brain out for a mindless creature feature. It was surprisingly great and the fact that it was a lower budget indie film probably helped.
Absentia is about a pregnant woman and her search to find her husband, who disappeared mysteriously, and her addict sister and the creepy circumstances surrounding the case.
It's creepy and you don't really get to see the creature much, or even know if it's real.
Turn the lights out and check it out.

Eight - The Raid: Redemption

The Raid is the best martial arts action film I've seen in quite a long time. I'd never heard of Raid before it showed up on the box office list and decided to rent it. From start to finish there is lots of action. Both police/military shoot outs and close range, hand-to-hand combat. The bad guy isn't really crazy scary or effective enough to want to the task force "get him" in the end, but thankfully this is not necessary. The fighting is a throwback to old school kung-fu flicks and caries the film well.

Nine - The Dark Knight Rises

I'm sure that a lot of people have this ranked higher and will likely be like WTF? But again, the inner comic nerd in me found too many little annoyances that kept it from being ranked higher.
There isn't much to be said about DKR that hasn't already been said, so I won't repeat it..
Overall I liked it better than Begins but Dark Knight was probably a better film.

Ten - The Hunger Games

Another movie that has had everything you could possibly say about it, said.
Even though the story is not the most original story, it was well directed and looked great. I thought the story could have been tighter and more complex, but considering it's summer blockbuster status, I'm not surprised that it isn't. It's a pretty good action movie and worth the watch.

The rest of the list:

Flight
Superman vs. the Elite
Snow White & The Huntsman
Rock of Ages
Men in Black 3
Delicacy
Chronicle
Premium Rush
The Devil Inside
Justice League: Doom
The Loved Ones
Lockout
Project X
Red Tails
Battleship
4.3.2.1
Big Miracle
Apartment 143
Iron Sky
Contraband
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Haywire
Ted
21 Jump Street
V/H/S
Detention
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1
Safe House
Paradise Lost 3
God Bless America
Safety Not Guaranteed
Skyfall
The Amazing Spider-Man
Total Recall
Red Dawn
Die
Prometheus
Mansome
The Three Stooges
Goon
Get the Gringo
Some Guy Who Kills People
Monster Brawl
Craigslist Joe
All Things Fall Apart
Beasts of the Southern Wild
BKO: Bangkok Knockout
Intruders
Chernobyl Diaries
Rampart
Think Like a Man
Sand Sharks
Silent House
Meeting Evil
The Innkeepers
Damsels In Distress
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
The Lucky One
Columbus Circle
The Fat Boy Chronicles
The Mortician
The FP
Savages
The Expendables 2
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
After Porn Ends
Polisse
Game Change
The FP
Casa de mi Padre
Beyond the Black Rainbow
Jersey Shore Shark Attack
Bad Ass
Port City
Grimm's Snow White
Bounty Hunters

400 Pound Boy From Detroit Gets Knocked The Fuck Out

2012-11-21T11:30:00.005-08:00

Video Of The Day: There's nothing gay going on here...

2012-11-15T14:35:00.004-08:00

Crazy homeless guy shouts N-Word on crowded train full of black people. Finds out why it's not a good idea...

2012-10-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

Video Of The Day - Woman At VP Debate Calls Obama A Communist... the runs out of steam...

2012-10-12T11:40:00.002-07:00

The sad thing about this video is that this is many, many people. Everyone believes they should have a voice, but in the end, I really think about half the population is really suitable to vote.

And even then, those people have choices that are fixed.
We're doomed I tell ya, DOOMED

The Champs Competitive Eating Mixtape : Vol 2

2012-10-11T19:18:00.000-07:00

I've been going through my blog and updating old posts and deleting some outdated links. I saw that I posted my competitive eating mix a while back and figured I'd post what I've been using lately. So here's my current list of tracks...

1. Nero - Promises
2. Kid Sister - Right Hand Hi
3. Steve Aoki - I'm In The House
4. Godsmack - War And Peace
5.Hypercrush - Boom Box
6. Chris Brown - What I do
7. Jay-Z/Kanye West - That's My Bitch
8. La Coka Nostra - Once Upon A Time
9. Travis Barker & Steve Aoki - Misfits
10. Liquid Six - We Here Now
11. Mustard Pimp - Ace Of Spades (Dupstep Remix)
12. G-Unit - I'll Whip Ya Head Boy
13. Canibus - CPTN Cold Crush
14. Paul Wall - I'mma Get It
15. Childish Gambio - Bonfire
16. Pharoahe Monch - Desire
17. Ice Cube - Too West Coast
18. Mindless Self Indulgence - Never Wanted To Dance
19. Methods Of Mayhem - Fight Song
20. Skillet - Awake & Alive (Rock Radio Mix)
21. Sleigh Bells - Crown On The Ground
22. Luciana - I Like That

Video Of The Day - Dick Will Make You Slap Somebody

2012-10-11T16:57:00.003-07:00

Not that I'm bragging, but I know some people this would be true for :P

Video Of The Day - Best Football Player Intro Ever

2012-10-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, so first of all, this guy rules based on his name alone.
But then, he introduces himself to the folks at home.

And proves that the book is just as cool as the cover.

Bonus Video: Key & Peele lampooning these intros...

Video Of The Day - Arizona Car Chase Ends in Suicide

2012-09-28T14:59:00.001-07:00

Video Of The Day - Three Loco - Neato

2012-09-24T16:19:00.003-07:00

The Loco - Neato

Bonus Video:
Dirt Nasty feat. LMFAO - "I Can't Dance" (Music Video)

Video Of The Day - Rapper DMX Tries To Use A Computer

2012-09-20T16:43:00.000-07:00

DMX is a funny dude.
I like how he tries to use the computer with the same movements that he raps with.

Contest Video - 2012 Chef One Dumpling Eating Contest (With Interviews)

2012-09-18T09:33:00.003-07:00

I love my new Go Pro camera. Takes great video, but the sound sucks.
So please accept apologies for the crappy sound on these videos.
At any rate, here is the video for the 3rd and most competitive heat of the Chef One Dumpling Eating contest. Interviews in the front, top eater results at the end.

Here's a full shot of the contest from Wayne Algenio.

And the 2nd round where Wayne, who is a rookie, put down an impressive 55 Dumplings.

Video Of The Day - THE ULTIMATE FAT PEOPLE BREAKING STUFF COMPILATION

2012-09-13T13:51:00.001-07:00

It's my birthday! But in mother Russia, birthday boy give gift to YOU!

Video Of The Day - Heavy Metal Bob Marley

2012-09-12T10:28:00.001-07:00

This guy does great mash-ups. He takes the vocal and video's from a song and creates his own music behind it.

Here are my two other favorites that he's done:

Metallica - Enter Sandman (Smooth Jazz Version)

A Taylor Swift song I can actually bare to listen to.
You Belong To Me (Metal Version)

AND, as a bonus, the highly infectious Justin Bieber/Slipknot mash-up of Baby (done by a different youtuber)

Contest Video - 2012 Taste of Hamburg-er Festival National Hamburger Eating Championship - 1st person view

2012-09-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

Here is the video from this past weekends burger contest. There's an intro and outro and the contest was filmed from the first person perspective.

I don't believe I will be doing this point of view often, just wanted to experiment and may do so again in the future. I will, however, do more contest videos in general now that I have the HD GoPro thanks to my wonderful girlfriend.
Speaking of which, don't forget to follow @LadyNTheChamp on Twitter when we announce our relationship based podcast. We'll be talking about and amongst ourselves and also giving advice. Our email for that is Lady.TheChamp@aol.com. Hit us up with any relationship advice questions you might have.

Anyway, here is the video of the contest and below that is the amateur contest held before the Pro contest.

Video Of The Day - The Only Life Coach You'll Ever Need

2012-08-27T13:19:00.001-07:00

Video Of The Day - Angry Hitler Is Angry At Jon "Bones" Jones

2012-08-24T13:34:00.001-07:00

Bawhahahahahahahahahahahaha *breath* ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Bonus Video: Here's a fan that seems equally upset:

Credit to www.middleeasy.com for posting the videos

Video Of The Day - Gangnam Style And Bonus Video

2012-08-21T20:24:00.002-07:00

I caught this video about a week ago, to find out it already has 30 million views.

I'm happy to add more views because this thing is catch as hell...

I don't understand a word that is being said, but it pretty much sounds like a Korean LMFAO.

And you will not be able to get it out of your head.

Side Note: Korean Redheads get The Champ seal of approval...

And as a bonus, the always entertaining "Teens React" series for this video...

If you only see one akward thing this year, see this...

2012-08-16T15:39:00.000-07:00

Ok, I want to make it clear, I'm not making fun of this kid. At the end of the day, this is kinda the sweetest thing ever. But it's sooooo uncomfortable. And just when you think it's over, the credits roll and it gets worse.

Here's the thing, I was this kid. When I was in high school, I was in love with Melissa. Mind you we just talked through the halls going to class. It was nothing major, but I thought I was in love.
This was the first time I think I was experiencing major feelings for a girl.
One day, I decided I was going to tell her. So after walking to the last class of the day, I gave her the note and the tape and walked right out the door.
She stopped talking to me after that. For, like, 2 years until one day I apologized. It was a pretty bad time in my life. But it seems from the youtube comments from the kid that he actually pulled it off with the girl, so kudo's to him.

With that, I present: Music video for Emily

My entry for the Jake's Wayback “Why Wayback is Waybetter” contest...

2012-08-13T14:58:00.000-07:00

Video Of The Day - Hindustan Superman

2012-08-10T16:25:00.004-07:00

Gif Of The Day - David Robinson Interrupted...

2012-08-09T11:38:00.002-07:00

Watch it a few times in a row for maximum laugh capacity...

Time Waster Of The Day - My Dear Boss (Games)

2012-08-03T16:45:00.000-07:00

Fat Rat Games

Contest Report: Meadowlands Corntastic Weekend Con On The Cob Eating Contest

2012-08-02T17:10:00.004-07:00

On the last contest report, I mentioned being happy that there were two healthy food contests in a row. Well, at least at the watermelon contest, I had a shot. When the contest info was released, the information on the Meadowlands' website stated that you could sign up for their two minute contest on the day of the contest at the track. A day before the contest was to go on, my buddy Joel "The Cannon" who also expected to compete told me the website changed. The listing for the contest now stated that the contest was three minutes and that ten entrants would be selected by random drawing.

With both the intent of being a nice guy and also attempting to eliminate some competition. I informed some of the competitors that might travel from a distance, that their shot at $500 decreased dramatically with this new rule.Since myself and Joel lived less than an hour away, we decided to make the trip anyway. Pat Philbin also showed up as the contest was right in his backyard in New Jersey. Good old Joe Menchetti still figured he could weasel his way into a slot and showed up as well. I found out that it would not be as simple as Joe might have thought.

I signed up for the contest and met up with the rest of the eaters. Joel and I struck up a deal where we would split the money should one, or both of us be selected for the contest. This way at least we would both walk away with some cash. Then a light bulb flashed. I thought it might be a good idea to enter my girlfriend Michele's name into the drawing. If she were selected, I would say she didn't want to compete and ask to take her spot. The people running the contest told me that if she chose not to compete a new name would be drawn. At that point, I figured if she was selected and none of the other pros were, then she would have a shot at winning some money since everyone in would be an amateur.

The names were drawn and as it turns out, her name was the first one called, as she jokingly predicted when I signed her up. We listened to the other names with intent, but Joe, Pat and I were not selected. Joel, however, was. He was a little out of practice as he had only competed once in the last 4 months and was being more selective with contests since he was beginning to lose weight, I felt confident about our chances. My girlfriend, on the other hand, had no idea what she was getting into.

The contestants were seated and I stood in front of Michele to cheer her on while Joel was in my corner eye view, but the way the stage was set up, you could really only focus on about 4 of the contestants, so I couldn't exactly see how he was doing aside from the back of the number counting sheets the judges held up.
While my girlfriend says she was eating the corn pretty fast, she really looked like she was just having some corn with a meal. It was kind of cute, but I knew that she didn't have a chance after the first cob. She wound up finishing with three. When the final bell rang after the three minutes, a winner was announced with ten eaten while Joel wound up tying two other contestants with six. He was initially credited with seven, which would have been good for 2nd place, however one was taken off for some reason. To be truthful, after watching the video below, I definitely do not think this guy ate clean and should have had some of his cobs thrown back, as they promised they would do if it was not 90% clean.

The remaining three eaters entered an eat off and again, the count was screwy as Joel and another guy ate 4 cobs and they picked up one of each contestants cobs and said "he did 3.5 and he did 3.25". While, at the very least, they should have went to another eat off for 2nd place.

Wacky judging is always to be expected in a contest like this, my only regret is not being able to get up there and have a shot at winning it all.

Here is the contest report, which actually wound up almost being a profile for Joel and his weight loss...

Jumbo corn on the cob holders - Pack of 24 (Google Affiliate Ad)

Video Of The Day - Old School Rap - Smoothe da Hustler ft. Trigger tha Gambler - Broken Language

2012-07-31T00:55:00.002-07:00

Bringing back high school day memories....