Matt Hobbs - Top 5 Movies/Music
Top Movies
1. The Usual Suspects - Bryan Singer
I have never been left so blown away by a film as when I watched the Usual Suspects for the first time. My friends kept me completely in the dark on the story line, not even letting me read the back of the box. I can't even count the number of times I've seen it and i still find something new every time, Spacey's performance is just amazing.
2. Spaceballs -Mel Brooks
Mel Brooks was our generation's Chaplin (sans political commentary). the script of Spaceballs is Brooks at his absolute best and also has the great John Candy and Rick Moranis, how could you possibly go wrong.
3. Last of the Mohicans - Michael Mann
One of the best film scores of all time, and Daniel Day Lewis is just a crazy good actor. The culmination at the end when the father avenges his son is brutal and heart wrenching. A masterpiece, what every epic war film (Gladiator, 300, Troy, The Patriot etc) aspires to.
4. Tokyo Drifter - Seijin Suzuki
The Film tha tTarentino literally stole scenes from for Kill Bill. In a genre known for being difficult to follow and over the top this is a Japanese yakuza film where the director was actually fired from the studio for being too incomprehensible and the action too crazy. Not true at all. far from it, this film displays a film maker breaking all the rules and notions of how continuity editing and a film should look like to the audience. The use of color and music make this film a true under seen classic.
5. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Ang Lee
Ang Lee's masterpiece, not only made the chinese martial arts films accessible to the American audience but brought together three generations of Chinese stars to produce a film that stands as both a martial arts masterpiece and an emotion filled drama. The cinematography is top of the line and absolutely gorgeous.
Top 5 Music Artists
1. AFI
The band that started my crazed journey into music (i proceded to then work for a music company and now have literally over 1400 cd's all due to AFI!!). Insightful lyrics, and music that continues to evolve and challenge itself, each cd shows a different aspect of the band
2. Buena Vista Social Club
The absolute most tasteful and well written cd, musically I have ever heard. each of the members, on their own, helped define and change the shape of cuban jazz and are each considered masters, and national treasures. Brought together by the great Ry Cooder, it is just impossible to get beyond the monumental experience that listening to this cd is. In an era of over-hyped, over-payed music blow-holes, this shows what music is should alwasy aspire to.
3. Rammstein
A massive sound, one review said, Music to invade Poland to, and a huge flare for cinematics Rammstein puts together a sound that is both unique and over the top. With music videos that challenge any film on artistic merit and cinematography (just search youtube and watch the video for Sonne), and concerts that no other band can stand up to (Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters once said in an interview that he would never want Rammstein to open for the Foo Fighters because Rammstein would blow any band of the stage) it is no wonder that they are the best selling German artist of all time.
4. Judas Priest
Rob Halford. No more words are really necessary, the greatest metal screams of all time, imitated by every power metal band on the planet. and backed by KK and Glenn, producing guitar riffs and setting the stage for the possibility of two lead guitarists and twin solos in music. It is just ridiculous to think of all this group has accomplished and done, not only for metal but music in general, and their still going strong. As old as Halford is, his voice just gets better and better.
5. Mithotyn
Alright now i'm really going to start testing people's knowledge and conception of what is considered 'good' music. Norwegian Viking Black Metal at it's finest. Melodic guitar riffs that metallica wishes they could come up with!