Best of 2010: Films

2010 was actually a really great year in movies. I actually had to cut out some films I really liked, such as Kick-Ass and The Town when compiling this list.

The Social Network
Yes, the Facebook movie ended up being a pretty damn good flick. I had mixed expectations because the trailer didn’t impress me too much (other than the choir version of Radiohead’s “Creep” as background), however I knew David Fincher was a quality director as he has directed The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Se7en, and my personal favorite movie of all time, Fight Club. Fincher managed to make a movie that was completely dialog and litigation-based into something very intriguing. Who knew that the world’s biggest social networking site was birthed out of so much drama?


Inception
I hope those of you that watched this movie don’t have a dirty mind because it was definitely a mind-fuck. Christopher Nolan might have just won my heart as my favorite director with this psychological thriller. And I believe that Leonardo DiCaprio is the best actor of the past 20 years. That collaboration can be nothing less of amazing and though I had sky high expectations for this film, it exceeded those expectations.


Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
I will admit that I am a sucker for Michael Cera films, after his role as George Michael in the cult comedy hit Arrested Development, I will always have a soft spot for him. Yes, he will always be typecasted as the nerdy indie kid however I don’t really think anyone plays it better. This movie is the quintessential nerd movie and I loved every bit of it.


Exit Through the Gift Shop
It’s a documentary about street artist Banksy, but it’s really not. Banksy drew me in to watching this documentary but excitement of the street art genre and the personalities that came along with it kept me watching. You meet Invader, Shepard Fairey, Banksy, and the eventual Mr. Brainwash. Something I especially liked about the documentary is that it also shows what I like to refer to as the “shitty hipster side” of art. If you want to see what I mean, make sure to check out this documentary.


Black Swan
If Natalie Portman doesn’t win an Oscar for this role, I’m going to be pretty upset. Who would have thought a movie that revolves around ballet would be one of my favorites of the year? Well director, Darren Aronofsky, made it that way for me. This movie is definitely fits the description of PSYCHOLOGICAL thriller and some of the more haunting images of the movie stuck with me for days. Above all, in my opinion Portman gives the most impressive performance I’ve seen since Heath Ledger in the Dark Knight. A definite must-watch.



Stay gold.
-Juicy Justin.

Best of 2010: Sports Moments

New Orleans Saints win the Superbowl
Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and they have been trying to recover ever since. I’m happy that the fans in New Orleans finally had something to celebrate and cheer about. The game was also super exciting and I don’t really think you can find many athletes as humble as Drew Brees. Here was the game breaker; an onside kick to begin the second half. It was something I had never seen before and I'm still amazed they pulled it off:


Cain Velasquez beats down Brock Lesnar for UFC Heavyweight Championship
I may be a bit biased because me and a some of the L&O crew were actually in the building as this happened but I don't really care because it will continue to be one of the most memorable sports moments of my life. In this match, Cain Velasquez was a huge underdog as most felt like he couldn't match Brock Lesnar's power, athleticism, and overall size. However, Velasquez overcame all odds and became the first Mexican heavyweight champion in all of combat sports. The first video is our crowd reaction to Cain's victory and the second video is a video shot from up in the stands and shows the complete fight:



Blake Griffin is a highlight machine
Now this isn't exactly a specific moment in sports, but a compilation of moments. The Los Angeles Lakers aren't the only reason to love basketball in L.A. we now have Blake Griffin, Power Forward for the L.A. Clippers. And quite honestly Blake has to be one of the most athletic dudes I've ever seen for 6'10. Dude is straight nasty and this is his "official" rookie season. Watch out for him, he's a bad man:



Lakers win NBA Championship in close Game 7
Game 7, two of the most exciting words in all of sports. A Lakers come back victory in the biggest game of the season. 'Nuff said.


Anthony Pettis’ “ninja” kick on Benson Henderson
The thing I've always loved about sports are the moments where you ask yourself "did that just happen?" This is one of those moments. Even a couple weeks after this happened I'm still completely bewildered that such a maneuver can happen in MMA and after at least 60 times of watching it over and over, I guess it's finally sunk in. Keep in mind that this happened in the last round of a really competitive fight. In my opinion the fight was a complete draw up until that last round then Pettis brought out the kick that had every MMA fan jumping out of their seat. I've said it once and I'll say it again, Anthony Pettis is definitely one of the most exciting fighters in all of MMA and is definitely one to watch out for:


Stay gold.
-Juicy Justin.

Art is Hard.

I don't consider myself a connoisseur of art or anything. I don't even think I'm a real fan of what you would consider as traditional art. Never having picked up a brush myself, other than the forced painting and drawing of high school art class. However, street art is something that I can get into. There is something I've always admired about ninja-like tactics mixed in with can control.

The Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego currently has a street art exhibit called "Viva la Revolucion: A Dialog with the Urban Landscape." Being a fan of Shepard Fairey and Banksy (Who isn't?) I had to check it out. So here's a short video I compiled of some of the pieces that they had there:



If you're planning on getting out there and checking it out; make sure to get there before January 2, 2011 because that's when the exhibit ends!

Another cool thing that goes along with the exhibit is that many of these street artists like Shepard Fairey, Invader, Swoon, and JR unveiled some of their art all throughout San Diego streets. I wasn't able to view all the sites, but I got to see Shepard Fairey's piece in Hillcrest and Invaders' throughout Horton Plaza in Downtown San Diego.

Juicy Justin's Daily Song: The Grouch "Artsy"
Always loved the lyrics to this song and the video is pretty cool too. Just listen.


-Stay gold.
-Juicy Justin.

Renegades.

The other day I read that Rage Against the Machine was working on a new album set to come out in 2011. This news means a lot to me because I can honestly say that Rage Against the Machine was the first band I loved growing up. I used to print out album covers and pictures off their website and put them all over my notebooks throughout high school. I even memorized and read a poem by singer Zach De La Rocha for my English class. When they announced their break-up, I can call it the first real loss I've had in my life. However, I still had 4 great full-length albums to remember them by.

Rage Against the Machine wasn't just a band to me, and it wasn't just their music. They TAUGHT me to question authority. To not believe in all these bullshit George Washington chopped down a cherry tree stories that have been planted in our minds since the day we started to school. To think for myself and make attempts in not letting others influence my morals and beliefs. They spoke to me.

And to be able to hear new music from them will be an absolute treat. They haven't written original music since their 3rd release, "The Battle of Los Angeles," which came out in 1999. So now that I've lost faith in "Detox," glad there's a new record I can wait on pins and needles for. And I'm definitely hoping for a tour sometime in 2011 so I can finally see them live.

Here are three awesome stunts that Rage Against the Machine has pulled off in the last decade and this is why I love them so damn much:

Back in 2000, George W. Bush and Al Gore were campaigning to be the next President of the United States and the Democrats had decided to hold their National Convention in Los Angeles. Los Angeles being home to Rage Against the Machine, they decided to hold a concert/rally just across the street from the convention. I remember watching it going on on TV and begging my parents to drop me off there. My parents weren't about to drop a teenager off at such an event, but it is one thing I wish I had been a part of. Well besides the part where the LAPD shot rubber bullets at everyone after the performance. Anyway, check it out here:


In 2008, the Republican National Convention was held in Minnesota. The plan was to have the same kind of performance as the previous Democratic National Convention. However, after arguing with state officials they weren't able to perform quite the way they wanted. Being a band of action, Zach De La Rocha grabbed a bullhorn, asked the crowd to be quiet, and performed 2 songs A Capella. If that's not Rock 'N Roll, I don't know what is.


Most recently, last year around this time they had an interview and performance on an early morning BBC radio show. The show had several discussions with the band about performing their song "Killing in the Name Of" without any profanity. However, in true Rage Against the Machine fashion as well as in vein of the actual song they were performing De La Rocha belted out "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me" so many times they cut them live and created a whole mess of controversy. But honestly, was it really any surprise?


FUCK YOU, I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME.

Stay gold.
-Juicy Justin.

The Challenge: Chuck vs. Alcohol

For a couple months now I've been thinking about doing some kind of web-series, so here is my first attempt at one. I'll let the video do the explaining:



So if you have an idea for a challenge or you're willing to do a challenge then hit me up on one of the various forms of social networking that I listed at the end of my video!

Juicy Justin's Daily Song: Saves the Day "Firefly"
This song encompasses what it's like to be young, dumb, drunk, and in love more than any other song. It brings back so many fond memories and is a guaranteed crazy sing-along if people know the words. Saves the Day pretty much got me through my awkward adolescent years and performed at some of the most memorable concerts I've ever been to. Here's a toast to the past...