friends holiday marathon

This year on Thanksgiving, Dave and I watched all 10 Thanksgiving episodes from Friends, and wrote little reviews and picked out our favorite quotes from each one. As I was searching online for photos of each episode to complement my post, I discovered that EW.com did the exact same thing this year for Thanksgiving. So there ya go. I guess I could have been a writer for EW after all.

Our favorites for Best Overall Thanksgiving Episode?

3rd Place: Season 10 - The One with the Late Thanksgiving (above)
Everyone wants to have dinner at Monica & Chandler's except for M & C, who say it's too much work. But they agree to host the meal anyway (Chandler proudly prepares the cranberries and boasts about them many times, to which Monica responds, "A monkey could do it!"), and the other friends are late for one reason or another, making M & C very angry. The result is an episode full of funny one-liners and riffs on things as silly as rock-paper-scissors (Joey: "Fire beats everything!" Phoebe: "Mm-mm... water balloon!") and foam fingers from sporting events. Jokes about spelling bees and beauty pageants also fit in there somewhere, but Chandler steals the show with his ongoing obsession over his cranberries, "or should I call them Chan-berries?"

2nd Place: Season 6 - The One Where Ross Got High
Dave and I have watched this episode about ten times this year. It's one of our favorites. Everyone's over for Thanksgiving as normal, including Ross & Monica's folks. Remember? It's the Thanksgiving "where Rachel messed up the trifle". She made a trifle with the usual dessert fixin's and then threw in a layer of beef sauteed with peas and onions (accidentally combining the recipes for trifle and shepherd's pie). Ross declared it "tastes like feet!" and Joey gobbled it up in true Joey fashion. Classic. But the best part for us is the climactic argument where Mon & Ross are trying to one-up each other in front of their parents, and Mrs. Geller finally gives one of the best monologues ever, chastising everyone in the room with her scathing tone, concluding with: "Rachel, you weren't supposed to put beef in the trifle. It. Did. Not. Taste. Good." Dave and I quote this one to each other all the time.

1st Place: Season 8 - The One With the Rumor
Two words: Brad Pitt.
When he was still married to Aniston, he guested as a formerly fat high school classmate of Rachel's, Monica's, & Ross', over for Thanksgiving dinner. He & Ross formed the "I hate Rachel Green" club and spread unpleasant rumors about her that spread all across Long Island (even Chandler heard about it, before he was her friend). Perfect irony that his character "hated" Rachel. Lots of classic moments and genuine laughs (Phoebe hilariously represents every female watching when she gleefully hugs Brad Pitt, looking to heaven and saying, "Well done".)

Best lines:

Phoebe: "Oh, come on Will, just take off your shirt and tell us!" (to Pitt, when he was hesitant to share the rumor)

Chandler: "It'd be better for my ego if you didn't stand right next to me." (to Pitt)

Will (Pitt): "My two greatest enemies, Ross: Rachel Green & complex carbohydrates."

Most folks would agree this is one of the best Friends episodes ever.

Favorite Five

Anna posted recently about networks showing reruns in light of the writer's strike (which could affect our tv-watching enjoyment if something doesn't get worked out soon!)... and asked us which shows we'd enjoy watching in reruns. I thought about it. It's basically the same question as "Which shows would I want to buy on dvd?" In my new list format, here's my "favorite five tv shows to watch in reruns or own on dvd":


1. The Wonder Years. Easy. I've wanted this on dvd since dvd's were invented. If only they could get those stupid music-rights-issues settled! You may recall, the show utilized a ton of classic sixties music to underscore the emotion of the storytelling. If it is to be transferred to dvd, they'd have to redo each episode with different songs due to money & rights issues. I don't know how else to describe it because I'm not that bright when it comes to the details. Anyway, TWY will always be one of my favorite tv shows ever. I am the same age as Fred Savage, so I more or less grew up with Kevin as the show progressed over the years. (Random scene: in the finale, Kevin follows Winnie to a summer camp place where she's working, and confronts her at the pool. He's wearing a t-shirt with a tomato on it - I have no idea why - and after she rejects him, the narrator's voice says all seriously, "I felt I had been shot... right through the tomato." Even in its poignancy and drama, the show was very funny.)


2. Sports Night. One of the best series I have ever had the privilege of watching. Dave & I watched it on dvd those early weeks after Lucy was born (thanks, Rob!). Witty, smart, hilarious, moving, romantic. Unforgettable. Come to think of it, if anyone seriously wants to get this for me as a Christmas gift, I'd be all over that.

3. My So-Called Life. I saw a few episodes of this coming-of-age classic on vhs, thanks to my old roomie Brie. I liked what I saw. It was compelling and entertaining. It ended too early, making it that much better. Having only seen some of it only one time, I'd love to view it again.


4. Freaks and Geeks. I haven't seen any episodes of this show, and I hear it's pretty great. Also plagued by great reviews and early cancellation. Plus, it's got Marshall in it. I love Marshall.


5. Veronica Mars. I have to give this show a shout-out because Dave & I recently discovered it at our local library. Twisty, turny, snarky, fun little show about a sassy high-school girl who is something of a Nancy Drew. We love it. It's like Lost: who thinks up this stuff? It's so complicated and brilliant. Alas, our library doesn't yet carry season 3. No spoilers, please!

What about you? If first-run shows are history for the time being, which shows would you choose for your prime time viewing?

Favorite Five

Here are my five favorite Counting Crows songs:


St. Robinson in His Cadillac Dream
the funnest song to try to sing along with; great driving music


I was born on the shores of Chesapeake Bay
But Maryland and Virginia have faded away
And I keep thinking tomorrow is coming today
So I am endlessly waiting


Speedway
very melancholy and emotional


In all this time, the bottom line
You don't know how much I feel
You say you see
But I don't agree
Don't know, don't know how I feel


Miami
just a cool song. i like how it builds up to its conclusion about "shutting it down" in New Orleans


The bus is running
It's time to leave
This summer's gone
And so are we
So come on baby,
Let's go shut it down in New Orleans


I Wish I Was a Girl
easy and fun to sing along to


For all the things I'm losing
I might as well resign myself to try and make a change
And I'm going down to hollywood
They're gonna make a movie from the things
That they find crawling round my brain


Sullivan Street
best melancholy Crows song of all time


She's nearly crawling on her knees
It's almost everything I need


Plus I have to include what are probably my favorite CC lyrics in all of their songs:

We'll I'm all messed up, that's nothing new

Hey monkey, when you open up your blue eyes,

I don't know if I'm wide awake or dreaming

But all I ever need is everything

("Monkey")

Dave's faves:
Hanginaround ("came out right about the time I was tired of living in California, so I left there")
Long December ("because it came out right before I went out to California, and it talks about being there")


Bob's fave:
Raining in Baltimore ("it bookends a great episode of Homicide")

Can't choose just one? How about 100?

It's no secret that I love movies. I'm a huge movie fan. About five years ago, someone I know who likes movies a lot challenged me to make a top 100 list of movie favorites, and he showed me his own. It was fascinating. Chuck had the lot of us working up our own Top 100 lists, namely Melissa & me. Recently I decided to update my list. It occurred to me that I don't use my blog to discuss completely unnecessary things often enough, so here you go!

Below is my Top 100. It's organized alphabetically, save for the top 10, which are ranked in favorite order. Disclaimer: I do not profess that these are the best 100 films of all time. These are simply ones I like have have enjoyed many times.

1. A River Runs Through It - a beautiful exploration of faith and family, with gorgeous photography and a score that completely moves me. There is so much one can take from this film.

2. The Shawshank Redemption - I love the theme of redemption, and this one is quintessentially sweet! The end, when Morgan Freeman's character says, "I hope...", is one of the happiest movie endings I've ever seen. His redemption is more poignant to me than that of Tim Robbins' character.

3. Moulin Rouge! - crazy-fun and gorgeous colors; a feast for the eyes and a classic love story, not to mention a phenomenal soundtrack. Dave and I danced to "Your Song" at our wedding and our recessional was "Come What May" (I will love you until our dying day...)

4. Walk the Line - Joaquin Phoenix will probably end up in a different blog, since I think he's the best thing since bean & cheese tacos, but he MAKES this movie what it is. I first saw this not really interested in the life of Johnny Cash, and both times Dave & I went, I was fascinated by the life he led, the music he created, and the portrayal Joaquin gives him. There's hope for redemption in the father-son relationship that anchors the film, too.

5. The Village - Phenomenal movie. I like all of Shymalan's films and think he is a great storyteller. (Marketing or mismarketing a movie is a different issue altogether). This is my favorite one. Again, it's got my boy Joaquin in it. The central love story is simple and beautiful, and the acting by Bryce Dallas Howard & Adrien Brody impressed me to no end. Favorite scenes: when Ivy Walker is waiting at the doorway for Lucius to come "save" her, and he comes out of the darkness to grab her hand and move her to the cellar (beautiful slow-motion there); when Ivy & Lucius discuss their future wedding and their relationship on the porch.

6. The Other Side of the Mountain Part 2 - it's hokey and unintentionally funny at times, but the love story is really sweet. I think only Annawhiner & my family have ever seen this one.

7. Before Sunset - this movie wouldn't be what it is without Before Sunrise, but it's better. It's completely heartbreaking and it ends too soon and it left me with a melancholy feeling for days afterward. Best left for a rainy day.

8. Empire Records - gets better with repeated viewings, and has some of the best quotable lines ever. A pre-famous Renee Zellweger & Liv Tyler. Funniest character is Lucas, played by Rory Cochrane, who is freaking hilarious.

9. Evolution - supremely silly and vastly funny ensemble comedy. I love that David Duchovny and Julianne Moore, two "serious" actors, crack joke after joke in this one. She plays a great klutz. This one made me get a crush on Orlando Jones.

10. Groundhog Day - funny, quotable, and literally timeless. I can watch it over & over again, which is subtly ironic.

11. 13 Going on 30

12. Amelie of Montmarte

13. American Graffiti

14. As Good As It Gets

15. Back to the Future

16. Bird on a Wire

17. The Breakfast Club

18. Bridget Jones' Diary

19. Caddyshack

20. Can't Buy Me Love

21. Cast Away

22. A Christmas Story

23. The Chronicles of Narnia - Lion, Witch, & Wardrobe

24. City Slickers

25. Crossing Delancey

26. Dead Poets' Society

27. Deep Impact

28. Emma

29. Father of the Bride

30. A Few Good Men

31. Field of Dreams

32. The Firm

33. Fletch

34. Forrest Gump

35. French Kiss

36. Fried Green Tomatoes

37. Garden State

38. Good Will Hunting

39. The Goonies

40. Gosford Park

41. Happy Gilmore

42. Innerspace

43. It's a Wonderful Life

44. The Italian Job (2003)

45. A League of Their Own

46. Life is Beautiful

47. Little Women

48. Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring

49. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

50. Love Actually

51. Love Story

52. Memphis Belle

53. Mr. Holland's Opus

54. Much Ado About Nothing

55. My Cousin Vinny

56. My Dog Skip

57. The Natural

58. North By Northwest

59. The Notebook

60. Notting Hill

61. Ocean's Eleven

62. An Officer and a Gentleman

63. Oklahoma!

64. On Golden Pond

65. The Parent Trap (1998)

66. The Pelican Brief

67. The Princess Bride

68. Quiz Show

69. Rain Man

70. The Rainmaker

71. Reality Bites

72. Remember the Titans

73. Romancing the Stone

74. Romy & Michele's High School Reunion

75. Rudy

76. Runaway Bride

77. Say Anything...

78. Scent of a Woman

79. School of Rock

80. Sense & Sensibility

81. Shadowlands

82. Singles

83. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

84. The Sixth Sense

85. Something's Gotta Give

86. Spider-Man

87. Steel Magnolias

88. Ten Things I Hate About You

89. That Thing You Do!

90. Titanic

91. Tommy Boy

92. True Lies

93. Under the Tuscan Sun

94. Untamed Heart

95. Wayne's World

96. When Harry Met Sally...

97. While You Were Sleeping

98. With Honors

99. X2: X-Men United

100. You've Got Mail

Do you see any on here that you like? What are YOUR favorites? Leave comments and tell me what you think!

Beliefs

I read books occasionally. I like to make it seem like I'm more of a reader than I actually am. My bookshelves are filled with literature and books on theology and the like. My bookshelves look good, too. Sometimes I take one off of the shelf, open it, start to read it, and say to myself, "This is a good discipline. I should do this more often." Then I close the book, find the remote, and turn on the tv, usually settling on something useless. Definitely something brainless. It's easier to pretend I've got life figured out so I don't have to think much rather than to face the fact that I am a frail human being with innumerable shortcomings. My twisted logic often tells me I'd be a better person if I read more.

Anyway, sometimes out of the blue clear sky God drops a book in my life that I should consume in order to better myself. These books usually get my heart racing because I finally feel like I'm "on to something" in my walk with Jesus. I get both excited with the possibility for change in my soul and a little overwhelmed by wondering how change is going to look in the nitty gritty day-to-day life.

During college, those books were What's So Amazing About Grace? (Yancey), Speaking of Jesus (Stiles), and The Ragamuffin Gospel (Manning). Each of them were packed with truths that I needed to wrap my soul around. In '04, the book was Boundaries (Cloud). These are all titles that I still recommend to people.

Now, it's Blue Like Jazz, by Don Miller. Truthfully, this is my favorite. It reads easiest, and it's a wonderfully poignant memoir. I aspire to write like this guy. Someday I think I'll have my own memoir that not only touches people with its (sometimes biting) honesty, it'll inspire and encourage change in their souls.

I'm sure many of you have read this book already, but if you haven't, you seriously need to. I'm not going to summarize why. Just trust me on this. But a chapter that has pierced me in the last day or so is on Beliefs. I'm going to quote him now:

"If [my friend] is right, if I live what I believe, then I don't believe very many noble things. My life testifies that the first thing I believe is that I am the most important person in the world. My life testifies to this because I care more about my food and shelter and happiness than about anybody else.

I am learning to believe better things. I am learning to believe that other people exist, that fashion is not truth; rather, Jesus is the most important figure in history, and the gospel is the most powerful force in the universe. I am learning not to be passionate about empty things, but to cultivate passion for justice, grace, truth, and communicate the idea that Jesus likes people and even loves them."

There is more I want to do with this information than just quote it. I want to live it. Lately, Dave and I have been struck with the truths of the AIDS pandemic in Africa. Our eyes have been opened to the horrors people face there and the staggering statistics that we have long turned away from. We have signed the ONE campaign's petition and we have begun sharing these ideas with our friends. But how do we love Jesus by loving others in real, tangible ways?

Much more can be said about these things, but I am curious how you follow Jesus. How do you put your passion for justice, grace, truth, and Jesus into practice? If you are so inclined, talk to me about it.

I'm living a safe life and I make safe decisions because safety best suits my selfishness.

Death Cab for Cutie

I am really digging their new album.