KOA's 100 Films, Take Two: 100-91

As the finishing touches were going on this list, I sent Matt Barnes a picture of my jumbled research with the caption, "You are the only person I know who would appreciate AND understand this."  He responded, "Yep. So sad."

And yet here we are again, embarking on another journey centered around my favorite 100 movies.

Before I begin unveiling, let me give you a heads up on what to expect this time around.

- There are changes to my top ten - including the exclusive top five.

- We have 24 new additions to the list.

- Every film that was in the top forty in 2011 is present on the 2015 version.

- For the 76 films that originally appeared in 2011, I will re-post what I originally wrote with an "Update" section as to why the film jumped up or slid down.  Be on the lookout for additional footnotes as well.¹

- We will post ten movies a week until we reach the top twenty.  From there we will unveil five movies a week until we reach the top ten.  From there we will post one movie at a time.

- Yes, there will be recap posts on Matt Barnes' selections.  One can only hope he keeps gems like Jungle 2 Jungle, One Fine Day, and Anaconda from his 2011 list.

- Yes, we will be keeping tabs on who my favorite actors and directors are based off this list.  In 2011, my favorite actor was Tom Hanks, my favorite actress was Jennifer Connelly, and my favorite director was a tie between Christopher Nolan and Clint Eastwood.

- No, we will not be posting trailers to these films like we did in 2011.  Sorry folks.

- However, by simply clicking on each film's title it will take you straight to Amazon.  Feel free to buy me as many movies as you feel appropriate.

And without any further ado, here are the first batch of films to crack my favorite 100.

KOA's 100 Films, Take Two: An Introduction

Three and a half years ago we embarked on the biggest endeavor this blog had ever seen.  It encompassed seven months, forty-two published posts and ended with a final ranking of my favorite 100 films.  Nothing has even come close to surpassing that list, whether it be based on sheer length, difficulty or importance.

Well, that is until now.

Sequels are incredibly difficult to get right.  For one, they all come with preconceived judgements and comparisons tracing back to the original.  Instead of being their own entity, second acts tend to hover in the lingering shadows of the premier.  In film successful ones are quite rare.  The Godfather Part Two and The Dark Knight are examples of the few exceptions.  More often sequels resemble The Hangover Part II or Major League II in that they use the same formula as their predecessors but with a tired twist on the storyline.

In understanding that premise it is with great caution that we embark on this upcoming journey.

The King of Arguments 100 Favorite Films: Version 2.0

Same idea, same format, different movies.  A revamped look at my 100 favorite movies of all-time. Coming along for the ride is my usual ranker-in-crime, Matt Barnes.  Starting tomorrow we will begin counting down our own separate lists as we try to build off the success our original 100 films list had back in 2011.

Film Review: Gone Girl

As Gone Girl kicks off the beginning of Oscar season, it also signals the start of my movie reviews. The goal is to review every single movie that I see in the theatre, as well as the occasional DVD/Redbox film.  At the very least it will make my life significantly easier when it's time to update my favorite 100 movies again.

Note: This post will contain spoilers, so if you haven't seen this film you may want to stop reading at this point. 

Gone Girl (2014)

Director: David Fincher

Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Tyler Perry and Neil Patrick Harris

Plot: "With his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent."

Since You've Been Gone (Part Two)

In case you missed it in PART ONE we tackled the first half of the ten biggest articles I failed to write during the last 18 months.  In the second installment we look at the five biggest omissions to the King of Arguments blog since December of 2012.   

Since You've Been Gone (Part One)

For the few of you that have been following the King of Arguments since its inception nearly a decade ago, you have come to expect lengthy delays in between posts.  Going multiple weeks and even several months without publishing new content has been standard operating procedures.  

None were as long as the most recent one which thankfully came to an end a couple weeks ago.  It lasted an astonishing 18 months.  There were zero updates to this blog for all of 2013 and half of 2014.  It really does pain me to write that last sentence.  18 months.  That’s brutal.

I wake up every day and want to spend it writing.  That’s as true of a statement as I’ve ever wrote.  I get dressed for work right in front of my computer and think while staring at it, “one of these days I’ll be going to work right here.”  So you can imagine the peril it causes when I go an entire 18 months and fail to create one single new article.  

While it is true that the past is the past, and as our good friend Daniel Faraday instructed us on LOST, “whatever happened, happened” we are going to get back on the horse by taking a look at all that I missed since December of 2012.  These are the top 10 blog posts (or at least the cliff notes version of them) that would have been made had I not taken a sabbatical from this website.

Seven Mistakes By The Lake

December 16th, 2012.  Think of all that has changed in your life in the past 18 months.  My job has changed, my apartment has also changed, and incredibly even my favorite television show of all-time has changed.  Think of all that has changed around you.  LeBron James left Miami for Cleveland, Notre Dame made it to a BCS National Championship game, and Jimmy Fallon hosts The Tonight Show.  It really is staggering how much can happen and how much life can look completely different in just a year and a half.  And yet, it can look the same too.  Derrick Rose is still battling injury concerns, The Big Bang Theory is still the number one television show, and the Cleveland Browns are still trying to find a QB.

30 for 30 (Part Two)

In PART ONE, the King of Arguments got the ball rolling on the thirty things he wants to accomplish before he turns thirty.  Swimming in the Pacific Ocean, learning how to play the guitar, and running a half-marathon were just some of the items that made the list so far.  There's only one way to find out what's left.  

30 for 30 (Part One)

In this epic post, the King of Arguments lists the 30 things he hopes to accomplish before he turns the big 3-0.  They include some destination spots, a few sporting accomplishments, and exacting revenge on a personal vendetta.  It was a list that took quite some time to put together, and one that will take three years to finish.

KOA's 50 Favorite TV Shows: 45-41

Five shows in, forty-five more to go.  In this batch we find another Nickelodeon classic, a pair of comedic sketch-shows, a news program, and our first game-show.  Three of these shows have been on the air since 1975 and have combined to win a plethora of awards.  Let's keep the ball rolling boys and girls. 

An Ode To Kevin

The King of Arguments takes time from ranking his favorite television shows to acknowledge a man that goes by a lot of different names.  Some know him as Lil' Scooter.  Others are prone to call him Kev, or Hunt, or K-Hunt, or Coach, or Mr. Hunt, or Randy Junior. Whatever your preference, there's only one Kevin Hunt.  

KOA's 50 Television Shows: 50-46

Yes, it's not related to television, but it's still my favorite way to start out a brand new list.

As Lao-tzu so eloquently put it, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

KOA's 50 Television Shows: An Introduction

By: Luke Florence

Last summer we went on an incredible, exhausting and revealing journey as I unveiled my favorite 100 movies of all-time.  This time around we are looking for more of the same, as I embark on an adventure to rank my 50 favorite television shows.

Laugh-out loud comedies, thought-provoking dramas, cash-winning game shows, and even an occasional cartoon will all make an appearance during these next three months.  The only question is in what order will they show up?

There's only one way to learn more details on this project and to see which shows just missed the cut.

Spring Cleaning V.III (Part Two)

By: Luke Florence

In the spring cleaning sequel, the King of Arguments discusses LeBron James, the controversy surrounding the Pacquiao vs. Bradley fight, and unveils a brand new list - this one of the musical variety.

Reading is FUNdamental boys and girls, so prepare to enjoy the hell out of this column.

Spring Cleaning V.III

By: Luke Florence

After an extended absence, the King of Arguments returns with a little spring cleaning.  The first part of his spring cleaning discusses the Chicago Bulls and Pittsburgh Penguins playoff exits, John Mayer's new album, and plans for the upcoming summer.

Yes it's been awhile, but the KOA is back in the saddle again (seriously, how many times have I said that?) and is on the search for redemption. 

Unlike I'll Have Another, let's giddy up.

A Sweet View of The Sweet Sixteen

By: Luke Florence

Certain March Madness memories will never escape me. It's almost as if they've become a part of me. I'll never forget Bryce Drew's miraculous shot, Christian Laettner's impossible game-winning 15-footer, or Tyus Edney going coast-to-coast to seal the deal. There's countless others. And yet, despite the numerous memories, it's always been at a distant. Sure having a bracket gives you a rooting interest in each and every game, but that's like having a nose-bleed seat at the Final Four. Yeah it's nice being there, but it's nothing like the experience you could get sitting court-side.

Thanks to John Groce, DJ Cooper and the rest of the Ohio Bobcats I finally have that elusive court-side ticket this season. It's been undeniably sweet ... pun fully intended.

2011: Year of The Pursuit of Happiness (Sports)

By: Luke Florence

"The pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase: if you pursue happiness you'll never find it." - C.P. Snow.

With movies dominating the majority of 2011 on The King of Arguments something had to get left behind. Unfortunately, sports became the victim. It's been more than a year since I last posted about anything related to athletics at all. Some of my newer visitors have no idea that I started this blog so I could do just that ... write about sports.

Who knows if 2012 brings any more or any less sports-related posts. I can't predict the future (even though that's exactly what I attempt to do in this column). What I do know is that 2011 was the year my favorite teams (Irish, Browns, Bulls, Penguins, and Indians) were all on the pursuit of happiness.

Some came closer than others.

2011: Year of The Pursuit of Happiness (Television Shows)

By: Luke Florence

When thinking about what 2011 brought me in terms of television programming, one word came to mind.

Strange.

For the first time in four years my favorite television show was no longer around (LOST). For the first time in four years I didn't have a must-see show. For the first time in four years I simply didn't have a television show. And it felt ... strange.

After LOST went off the air in May of 2010 I took a break from TV. It wouldn't have been fair to try and watch another show after riding such an emotional high LOST provided. The best way to move on, for better or worse, is a combination of distance and time. After enough of both had passed I decided it was time to dive back in to see what television had to offer.

2011: Year of The Pursuit of Happiness (Books)

By: Luke Florence

There's something about a good book that is unparalleled in terms of entertainment value. A good book at it's best is pure creation on two fronts. One on side there is the author, the original creator who put the pen to the paper and allowed the world a glimpse inside their mind. On the other is the reader, the receiver, who takes those words and creates their own images and ideas to coincide with the words they are digesting.

In 2011 I read eight new books which took me to different places - some good, some not so much - but all of which taught me something about myself. A book doesn't have to be good to teach a lesson.

2011: Year of The Pursuit of Happiness (Movies)

By: Luke Florence

As 2010 turned into 2011 there was one song that I was listening to more than any other. It was Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness." I thoroughly enjoyed the beat, Cudi's rap style, and the message surrounding the song. So, when it came time to slap on a label for 2011, I figured Cudi's tune would be a perfect fit.

It's been a while since I've done a year-in-review post. To be exact, it's been three long years. In the past I've recapped the seasons for my six favorite teams (Bulls, Browns, Indians, Penguins, and the Irish) and then given awards for my favorite movie, favorite sporting event, etc. This year we will do things a little different.

In separate posts, I will discuss 2011 from differing angles. This first one will be my look back at movies, with subsequent posts covering television shows, books, my personal life, and of course, my sporting teams. All will lead to a more comprehensive and in-depth look at 2011 and my pursuit of happiness.

Seems fitting that we start with my 2011 review of movies due to the fact that I spent the last seven months on this blog recapping my favorite 100 films, we might as well keep that movie momentum moving. Will any film released in 2011 crack my top-100? What was my favorite film of the year? Or my favorite individual performances? Only one way to find out.

KOA's 100 Films: Top Fifteen Trailers

By: Luke Florence

As soon as I finish one list I start another one, only this next one won't take six months to complete, although it did take that long to gather all the necessary information.

Now that I have posted more than 100 movie trailers over the last 24+ weeks it's time to rank the top fifteen. Granted, these probably aren't my favorite trailers of all-time, but they certainly are ones I always enjoy.