You know the ones. Those best lists with quirky categories such as "Best Place to Splurge on your Pet," "Best Place to Score a Lunch with a Celebrity," or "Best Place to Buy Chocolate Covered Ants."
Who puts those lists together and where do they get those strange categories?
I figure I am as good a person as any to come up with my own categories and put together such a list, so that's what I am going to do
(I know, but sometimes retirement gets boring, and I have too much time on my hands).
So, my Peeps, here is my list of
The Best [and Most] of Everything.
Feel free to weigh in because I am sure you also have your favorites and some of my picks might prove to be controversial.
Most Handsome Actor
(not married to Angelina Jolie).
Since Brad has won People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" Award more than once, I thought I would take him out of the running. And I know you think I am going to say Tom Cruise or Ralph Fiennes or Kevin Costner here, because I have waxed poetic over them in my blog before, but no, you may have noticed my affections have been lowered - by age - to
*Chris Hemsworth*
This guy is perfection. See for yourself in "Thor" or "Rush."
*Channing Tatum*
Sigh.
I likem' young.
Most Beautiful Actress
(not married to Brad Pitt):
Angelina Jolie is indeed beautiful, but even she doesn't compare to
*Elizabeth Taylor*
In her heyday, she was considered the most beautiful woman in the world. She was even beautiful when she was fat. And her raucous sense of humor and free lifestyle just made her more attractive.
See her at her most beautiful in "A Place in the Sun."
Honorable Mention:
*Hedy Lamarr*
If you don't know who she is, treat yourself to a glimpse into the Golden Age of Hollywood by watching "Algiers (1938)."
( The famous line "Come with me to the Casbah" came from the trailer for this film, but never actually was uttered in the film itself).
or Comrade X (1940) with Clark Gable.
She was also a smarty pants who invented some early technology that eventually morphed into the cell phone.
Funniest Musical Film
(that wasn't supposed to be funny)
*Moulin Rouge*
C'mon, tell me Ewan McGregor did NOT look like a muppet when he sang.
Best Movie Featuring a Dragon
*Dragonworld*
I just love this movie and can't wait to watch it with my grandsons. It's only available on VHS and could be hard to find, but it's worth it. Who can resist a Dragon named Yowler? And you movie buffs - a young Alastair MacKenzie of "Monarch of the Glen" fame is credited as Sam MacKenzie.
Best Film of all Time
*Citizen Kane*
No argument as far as I am concerned, though I am sure you have your favorites. But this film was a milestone in cinematography, music and narrative structure, and the montage showing the disintegration of a marriage in less than three minutes is brilliant.
Honorable Mention:
*Paul Blart, Mall Cop*
Just kidding, but it's a surprisingly fun film.
Best Soap Opera
*Eastenders*
I am not one to watch soap operas these days and it doesn't seem like anyone else does either since most of the daytime soaps have gone off the air. I mean, who gets to stay home and watch TV these days? Well, some of us do, but that's beside the point.
"Eastenders" is a British soap that started in 1985. It first aired here on PBS, believe it or not, and was eventually picked up by BBCAmerica. After BBCAmerica unceremoniously abandoned it and us fans, we have had to find alternatives, one of which these days is You Tube, so check it out. It is nothing like American soap operas with botoxed leading ladies and lots 'o sex. This soap follows regular folks living on a Square in London's East End. I mean, one of the leading ladies is in her 80's! Fancy that.
Best Athlete Who Didn't Use Steroids or Run Around on His Spouse (though He Did Run Around)
*California Chrome*
He has won The Kentucky Derby and The Preakness. Can he win the Triple Crown at The Belmont? See what happens this Saturday.
Best Restaurant When Someone Else is Paying
*Any restaurant where a steak costs over $50*
Here in Seattle, Canlis is arguably the gold standard, not just for its food, but for the service, which is impeccable. If I am going to pay big prices, I don't just want extraordinary food. I want an extraordinary experience. You get it at Canlis
(Speaking of restaurants, see my blog this coming Friday for my restaurant pet peeves).
Best Food to Eat While Watching Lifetime Movies
*Anything that can be eaten while reclining*
Nothing is more relaxing than watching Lifetime Movies
Read all about them in my post "Lifetime Movies: A Baby Boomer's Appreciation."
Best New Year's Eve Resolution
*Not To Make Any New Year's Resolutions*
Best Day Trip
*Wine Tasting*
Best Day Trip That Doesn't Involve Wine
Mmmmm?
Best Vacation for People Who Like Each Other
*Rent a narrowboat in England*
Read all about it in my post "My Favorite Summer Vacation: A Narrow Boat Cruising Adventure in England."
Best Way To Get Exercise
*Stair Walking*
(or exploring your town through urban walking)
Read all about it in my post "The Joys of Stair walks."
Best Dog Breed
*Poodles*
No shedding, they are smart and they really want to be with you, unlike some people
And they let you dress them up in cute outfits.
Honorable Mention:
*Collies*
There actually are some good collies out there, unlike some I won't mention.
I grew up with a collie, Echo, who ran all over the neighborhood doing good deeds.
(Dogs could run free in those days and no one ever seemed to pick up dog poop. Strange to contemplate).
I tried to recreate the good old days of Echo with Mildred. Oy. Let's just say, "You can't go home again."
Best Name for the Cutest, Most Darlingest Poodle on Earth.
*Tarquin*
I had gotten the name from the name of Sir Laurence Olivier's son, but turns out Tarquin was a popular name in England in the 1950's and that name fits him perfectly, don't you think?
Best Way to Spend a Rainy Day
*Reading a book*
Remember those?
Honorable Mention
*Cook Something that can be eaten While Reclining and Watching Lifetime Movies*
Because the only thing more relaxing while reclining and watching Lifetime Movies is eating while reclining and watching Lifetime Movies (unless it's eating, reclining and watching the Housewives).
Best Book from Childhood Memory
*The "twins" series by Lucy Fitch Perkins*
She wrote "The Dutch Twins," "The Italian Twins," "The Colonial Twins of Virginia..." It was always a boy and a girl set of twins. I loved those books and remember my anticipation as I headed to the library to check out yet another in the series. I read every single one and my young friend Chuckie (not to be confused with Hubby of the same name) and I would act them out. Early acting bug, I guess.
Best Blog
*Ahem*
The Best of the Best and
the Most of the Most
*My Hubby*
And
*My Family*
*And the newest member*
What do you think?
What are your "Bests" and "Mosts"?
See you Friday for
"My Restaurant Pet Peeves"
Thanks for reading!
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Check your local library for DVDs and books mentioned.
Note: Next time you are wondering whether or not to watch a particular film, check out my reviews on IMDB (The International Movie Database).
If I reviewed a movie, you can now find my reviews there too.
Find the page for the movie, click on "Explore More" on the right side panel and then scroll down to "External Reviews." Click on that and you will find me alphabetically under "Rosy the Reviewer."