Monthly Archives: July 2014

Grade A, Choice Picks: Top 5 Patriotic Moments

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Seeing as how it is the 3rd of July, the 4th of July is tomorrow!  What better way to celebrate the eve of this great day for this great nation of ours than to watch some patriotic moments.

5. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington “Fillibuster”   Is there anything more American than a fillibuster?  You’ve got democracy in action, freedom of speech, and Americans love to hear themselves talk.  “You all think I’m licked.  Well, I’m not licked and I’m going to stay right here and fight for this lost cause.

4. Team America: World Police “America: F*** Yeah”   I haven’t even seen this movie but my brothers have sung this song enough times for it to make me feel patriotic.  For the sensitivity of some of my readers, I won’t include the video.  But I will link it.

3. Independence Day “President’s Speech”   Maybe one of the best movie speeches out there and certainly the most patriotic.  “And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: ‘We will not go quietly into the night!’ We will not vanish without a fight! We’re going to live on! We’re going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!”

2. The Sandlot “Fireworks on the Fourth of July”   This one ranks high for me partly out of nostalgia for the movie but mainly out of nostalgia for those summer days as a kid, running around the neighborhood with the smell of BBQ hanging in the air.  Also, Ray Charles’ rendition of “America the Beautiful” is just the tops.

1. Miracle – Pretty much the whole movie  I had a hard time picking a specific moment so I’m not going to.  BUT, if you held a gun to my head, I would probably pick the moment where Mike Eruzione exclaims “I play for the United States of America!”

Honorable Mention: I tried to stick to movies only, but everything out of Ron Swanson’s mouth gets an honorable mention.

What moments from film or TV make you proud to be an American?

– Ellen

Grade A, Choice Picks: Best So You Think You Can Dance Routines

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We are well into summer which can only mean one thing: we are well into So You Think You Can Dance.  Well, we are at least past the auditions (thank goodness) and are now onto the good stuff!  I love me some SYTYCD so I, of course, have my favorite dances.  You will notice that I am partial to certain styles and certain choreographers.  Sorry ballroom and Mandy Moore (the choreogrpaher and not the pop star/”actress”). What can I say, I know what I like.

10. “If It Kills Me”- Jeanine and Jason – Season 5 Contemporary – Choreographed by Travis Wall

Travis Wall has some great dances but I have always loved this one featuring the locket.  It also introduced me the acoustic version of this Jason Mraz song which I proceeded to play on loop for the rest of that summer.

9. “I Am the Best” – Jenna and Mark – Season 10 Jazz – Choreographed by Mark Kanemura

Mark’s first run at choreo on the show totally won me.  It is weird and awesome which is always a winning combo for me on this show.  Definitely best use of a ponytail on this show.  Possibly ever.

8. “Gravity”- Kayla and Kupono – Season 5 Contemporary – Choreographed by Mia Michaels

I was biased going into this dance because I love the song, but Mia’s depiction of the turmoil of addiction was beautiful and haunting.  Something always brings me back to this dance.

7. “Bleeding Love”- Chelsie and Mark – Season 4 Hip-Hop – Choreographed by Nappy Tabs

Season 4 was my first season that I watched so I have always been partial but this was the first dance that I remember watching over and over. Also, just Nappy Tabs.  I love them infinity.

6. “The Garden”- Courtney and Mark – Season 4 Jazz – Choreographed by Sonya Tayeh 

Oh, Sonya.  You can spot one of her dances from a mile away and this has always been the epitome for me.  It is her patented blend of creepy/spastic/sexy/weird.

5. “Mercy”- Twitch and Katee – Season 4 Contemporary – Choreographed by Mia Michaels

Whoa, three season 4 dances in a row!  Not intentional but like I said, I’m partial to season 4.  Another thing I am partial to? Twitch.  He is just my favorite dancer ever from this show.  This one goes down as best use of a prop for me.

4.”Circle of Life”- Group Routine – Season 9 Hip-Hop – Choreographed by Nappy Tabs  

I must have watched this dance at least 10 times the night it debuted.  The super cool remix is just a bonus on top of an awesome dance.  I never know where to look during it because there is just so much going on!

3. “Ramalama Bang Bang”- Group Routine – Season 2 Jazz – Choreographed by Wade Robson

Another weirdo dance that I really love.  What does this say about me.  I cannot listen to this song without doing that “unzip my body take my heart out” move.  And I listed to this song a lot.

2. “Bang Bang”- Eliana and Alex – Season 9 Contemporary – Choreographed by Stacey Tookey

The quiet simmer of this dance is utterly enthralling.  I can never look away.

1. “Outta Your Mind”- Twitch and Alex – Season 7 Hip-Hop – Choreographed by Nappy Tabs 

Look, I love the hip hop on the show.  Especially when it is Nappy Tabs and ESPECIALLY when it is Twitch.  Also, Alex freaking Wong.  He is just too good in this dance to be a ballerina.

 

What is your favorite SYTYCD?  I still have a lot of favs that I had to leave off, so I’m sorry if it was yours.