During this year's Blogging From A to Z April Challenge, I'm highlighting things more people should know about. For the most part, I'll be ignoring the most popular and widely known items (and sometimes my personal favorites) in order to promote the unfamiliar and underappreciated.Yeesh, only two letters left. Let's make it one, shall we?
FILM
Young Frankenstein
Dr. Frankenstein (pronounced Frahnkenshteen) would rather not be associated with his mad grandfather. But he inherits the man's castle and equipment, and then stumbles upon his writings (as well as his beautiful lab assistant), and begins to change his mind... to the fury of the townspeople. With Gene Wilder, the amazing Madeleine Kahn, and Peter Boyle as The Monster, this is perhaps Mel Brooks' finest (and funniest) work.
Dr. Frankenstein (pronounced Frahnkenshteen) would rather not be associated with his mad grandfather. But he inherits the man's castle and equipment, and then stumbles upon his writings (as well as his beautiful lab assistant), and begins to change his mind... to the fury of the townspeople. With Gene Wilder, the amazing Madeleine Kahn, and Peter Boyle as The Monster, this is perhaps Mel Brooks' finest (and funniest) work.
TELEVISION
The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles
An epic adventure each episode with the young man (or younger boy) who would become the world's favorite whip-wielding archaeologist? Yes, please.
An epic adventure each episode with the young man (or younger boy) who would become the world's favorite whip-wielding archaeologist? Yes, please.
GAME
Yinsh
When you move one of your rings across the board, leave a disc of your color in its place, and flip over every disc your ring jumps. You're trying to get five of your color in a row, while blocking your opponent from doing the same. And you're trying to do this three times, but with each success you get one fewer ring to work with. A wonderful abstract strategy game for 2 players (and one of six in project GIPF).
When you move one of your rings across the board, leave a disc of your color in its place, and flip over every disc your ring jumps. You're trying to get five of your color in a row, while blocking your opponent from doing the same. And you're trying to do this three times, but with each success you get one fewer ring to work with. A wonderful abstract strategy game for 2 players (and one of six in project GIPF).
MUSIC
Young M.C.
The first CD I ever bought was Young M.C's Stone Cold Rhymin'. You know, back before rap went all gangsta on us. Back when it was fun. Now, some music from the '80s hasn't aged too well — surprising, I know — but this album, at least, is just as good now as then. Perhaps better, when compared to everything that's come since. So don't just stand there; bust a move.
The first CD I ever bought was Young M.C's Stone Cold Rhymin'. You know, back before rap went all gangsta on us. Back when it was fun. Now, some music from the '80s hasn't aged too well — surprising, I know — but this album, at least, is just as good now as then. Perhaps better, when compared to everything that's come since. So don't just stand there; bust a move.
LITERATURE
Yukon Ho! by Bill Watterson
Calvin & Hobbes is the best comic strip in the history of comic strips. If you didn't already know this, you need to go directly to your local bookstore or library (or friend's house) and start reading. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200,1 just go and fill your day with a precocious 6-year-old and his stuffed tiger. And if your friend asks why you're in their house, tell 'em I sent you. And that I say hi.
Calvin & Hobbes is the best comic strip in the history of comic strips. If you didn't already know this, you need to go directly to your local bookstore or library (or friend's house) and start reading. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200,1 just go and fill your day with a precocious 6-year-old and his stuffed tiger. And if your friend asks why you're in their house, tell 'em I sent you. And that I say hi.
You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometime, you just may find, you get whatever the hell I decide to give you.
1Although, if you happen to come across $200 on the street, you might as well pick it up. (And as your new financial advisor, I get 10%.)
Young Frankenstein is great, but I'd put Blazing Saddles at the top of that particular pile.
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
The Funnily Enough
Which is exactly why I said "perhaps." For me, Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles are the two vying for the title of Brooks' best.
DeleteI'm go glad you put Calvin and Hobbes on this list because I was getting worried that I hadn't seen/heard/played/read any of your selections today.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Calvin and Hobbes is the best.
Oh, I'm sure you've heard "Bust a Move" somewhere along the way; you just never went out of your way to do so.
DeleteI made sure to get myself the complete C&H; the giant 3-book bound edition. Totally worth it.
Young Frankenstein is one of my favorite movies!
ReplyDeleteWell, as I've always said, you have great taste. (Okay, I haven't always said that, but for the last year and a half, since we "met"...)
DeleteYukon Ho! was my first and favorite Calvin and Hobbes book! I can still remember a verse or two of the poem in the front of the book.
ReplyDeleteBill Waterson is a genius!
Matt Conlon
=]V[=
The Brew Newb
'Twas my second. And I'm unable to pick a favorite, they're all so good. If I had to, I'd pick based solely on book title (which, unfortunately, would put Yukon Ho! near the bottom... which is why I don't do that).
DeleteYoung Frankenstein is one of my all-time favs, as is Yukon Ho! Great choices for Y!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katie! Of course, I like to think I've shared great choices throughout the A to Z, even if few had ever heard of them (with the possible exception of X).
DeleteI loved Young Frahnkenshteen. I haven't seen it in a hwile. I'll have to go find it and watch again.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a few years for me, too. I'll have to do the same.
DeleteI love Young Frankenstein...I can't even remember how many times I have seen it. Truly is one of Brook's finest works. That ring game looks pretty cool too. But I ain't bustin' no move, might hurt myself.
ReplyDeleteYinsh is pretty cool. If only I could find someone to play against... sadly, none of my friends or relatives seem to like abstract strategy games.
Delete