Best Comedy Series on Netflix

Well I might as well keep it going with my most popular blog series to date: The Best of Netflix. It's also my only "blog series" to date... but whatever.

As we all know by now, I love the Netflix. I haven't paid for cable in over a year despite the fact that I've worked on a handful of shows that appear on it. For some reason, I feel more motivated to watch the hidden gems that are picked by some sort of higher power for $7.99 a month.

And within these hidden gems are plenty of TV comedies that will tickle your funny bone. And yes, I apologize for using "tickle your funny bone". But let's just cut to the chase...

First a disclaimer: This list will be biased towards my weird sense of humor. So sorry in advance:


The Top 10 Comedy Shows on Netflix:

10. The Whitest Kids U' Know  - Season 5
An acquired taste, but once it's acquired, you can't turn away. Some of the sketches miss their mark, but most are hilarious and can really draw the viewer in with the ridiculousness of the material. Exhibit A:

9. Reno 911! - Season 1-6
Speaking of acquired tastes, this one is another. I never fell in love with the show, but its got that drawing power that sucks you in without you even knowing. The characters are great but some could have used a little more work. Still worth watching.

8. That 70's Show - Season 1-8
The seasons have their ups and downs, and whenever a character leaves, we're left with a giant hole in the comedy, but the show still holds up. How That 70's Show not be special when just about every main character has gone on to have very successful careers?

7. How I Met Your Mother - Season 1-6
This is the type of show where you have to pick your poison. Some characters are awesome and over-the-top (Barney), while others are lame yet awkwardly familiar (Ted). Plus you can learn a lot from watching HIMYM:

6. Blue Mountain State - Season 1-3
You know what sucks? When you get really invested into a show right after it gets canned. That's what happened here for me. The show is hilarious and so over-the-top that its hard not to like. Plus the main cast really brings it. Especially "Thad".

5. Trailer Park Boys - Season 1-7
Most Americans have their own interesting opinions on our Canadian friends up north, but this show will completely reverse any stereotype your mind has adapted. The story is so simple: Sell weed and figure out a way to get rich in a trailer park.Yet it's way more than that. Plus, there's Ricky:

4. Workaholics - Season 1
Oooh I LIKE thaat! After just the first episode, I fell in love with every individual who had a role with producing this show. My one problem is that only the 1st season is available while the 3rd season is playing on Comedy Central right now. I had to walk to my local Bull Moose and pick up the 2nd season before I fell too far behind. Still totally worth it.

3. Louie - Season 1-2
The best written show of the bunch. Louis CK is the George Carlin of this age, and I say that as a huge fan of Carlin's work. Smart humor with plenty of stupidity to keep people like me happy. Plus, this show actually makes you think every once in a while... but who wants to think?

2. The League - Season 1-2
FX is killing it. 2 of my top 3 shows are on the network, and if I had my way, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Wilfred would be on Netflix as well. But to explain this selection, let me say one thing... Shiva Kamini Soma Kandarkram!

1. Chappelle's Show - Season 1-3
Did you expect any other show to be in this spot? There has never been a man that has spit more annoyingly quotable lines from his mouth in a 3 year span than Dave Chappelle. Hell, I could have made this list just about my personal favorite quotes (which actually might have to happen). I think everyone would agree with me when I say this show was legendary.

And there you have it. Another reason for TV fanatics to hate me. But hey, I'm only human and can't watch everything Netflix has to offer. So here's another 10 shows that I tried but didn't watch enough to really get into:

Parks and Recreation
Arrested Development
Peep Show
The IT Crowd
Spaced
30 Rock
The Office
My Name is Earl
Malcolm in the Middle
The Hard Times of RJ Berger

Happy watching people.

9/13/12 UPDATE
Immediately after writing this post, I became hardcore invested into Arrested Development, which makes me think this list needs an update. Whitest Kids U Know should be dropped and I'd place Arrested Development up at number 2 just because it's the best written comedy series on Netflix PERIOD. I seriously can't wait for the upcoming renewal as well as a future movie.
- Eddie


TODAY'S TASTY TRACK
 
Zion I & The Grouch
"Leader"
They say there's too many
cooks in the kitchen.
Well I rather be one of
them than some of chicken.

The Way We Get By

Let me summarize freelance filmmaking in one word...

Unpredictable.

Yup, that will do it. Because it feels as if every time I start putting my fingers to the keyboard for another rant about how work has become dryer than a cat's tongue (yeah I went there), things pick up faster than ever before.

Alright, so let's bring everyone up to speed. It all started with a downer. I got a recommendation for that George H.W. Bush HBO documentary being shot in Kennebunkport but we couldn't make it happen. That was a big letdown because that sounded like such a great experience. Who wouldn't want to kick it with Barbara and the gang? Even though I'm sure it was nothing like I expected.

Would have been a grand ol' time.

Then while I'm kicking rocks around in personal anguish, I get a call from a production company coming to Portland for a Food Network show. I spend 75% of my day thinking about what I'm going to eat... so of course I said yes. By the way, the other 25% is spent actually eating.

Then like 2 days after that, I get an even more exciting call. Turns out A&E's Hoarders is coming to Manchester, NH and could use some help the following weekend. That was a big HELL yes.

A dream come true?

I would have been completely content right there. But then today I get an e-mail from a production company coming to Portland for the Cooking Channel. And the best part is that everything actually fits into my schedule. Does that ever happen???

Oh, and remember that blog post about the Best Documentaries on Netflix? I actually received an e-mail from the producer of an award winning documentary called The Way We Get By. It was shot in Bangor, ME and focuses on a group of senior citizens who greet U.S. troops going through the Bangor International Airport. She recommended her movie after reviewing the list. So I clicked on the Netflix and gave it a watch... and of course she was COMPLETELY right. Such a touching documentary that without a doubt deserves a spot on that list. She told me about her next project and how she could use some help but it's way up near the Canadian border so the logistics aren't looking good. But either way I wish her crew the best of luck.

So yeah, looks like I'm about to get real busy again. I love it.

Despite the hectic schedule, I'm definitely going to have to make some time for a Fourth of July celebraish. And by "celebraish" I mean call up a bunch of hooligans, fill a cooler with the first stereotypical 30 rack of beer I see that has the colors red, white, & blue on it, grab a chair (preferably a recliner with optional footrest), find a body of water to place said chair and/or optional footrest, and watch things explode into magical pixie dust. Perfect way to recoup during a period like this. If I don't accomplish this plan, then the "terrorists" have won.

Not on my watch.


TODAY'S TASTY TRACK
 
Spoon
"The Way We Get By"
We go out in stormy weather
We rarely practice discern
We make love to some weird sin
We seek out the taciturn
And that's the way we get by

WORDS & JUNK FOOD

Remember that short period of time when I wanted to move to Florida? Well, then someone in Miami had to go and get their face eaten off by a drugged up lunatic (bath as-salt?). And of course I had to make the mistake of looking at the picture... uggggggh. There's a day ruiner right there. By the way, according to auto-correct, "ruiner" isn't a word. Well I'm a certified Ruiner of Words so that can't hold me back.

Anyways, I thought it would be nice to throw down a little rant on the blog since I've basically vanished from it. I feel as if every month I've tried to set a goal for blog posts but I never reach it due to the fact I'd rather be doing... well... anything else. Living close to Downtown Portland in the summer really increases my motivation to step outside. But lucky (or unlucky) for you, it's currently raining so I'm actually stuck at a desk editing video and in need of gaining my mind back. So let's begin:

The topic on my mind right now is restraints. And no, I'm not just talking about the Webster Dictionary restraints that I have to deal with on a daily basis. I'm talking about some of the ridiculous laws that our politicians are lobbying for. And the worst part is, they're SUCCEEDING.

OH NO! It's going to be one of those blogs...

Yeah my apologies but I'm going there. This rant slowly manifested itself when I found out yesterday that residents in Middleborough, MA have voted to create a $20 fine for swearing in public.

Fucking really?

My apologies, because I wrote before that I'm personally trying to swear less in this blog, but the town of Middleborough should realize what makes a word bad in the first place. A word becomes a "bad" word when we place restraints on it. By restricting a curse word, we are only increasing the imaginary power behind it. Words aren't created to be bad. Words are man-made and are dictated by the way we choose to use them.

When something is restricted, it's aura grows. When people can't have something, the power behind that something skyrockets.

Skyrockets in flight. Afternoon delight!

Whether it's something physical or mental.

Exhibit A: Drugs. Exhibit B: Porn for Minors. Exhibit C: Underage drinking. Exhibit D: Hot cheerleaders.

It's just human nature people. We want what we can't have. It's why you're currently working instead of rolling around in the mud. Because you want money to buy things you can't have right now. You can have a good ol' mud roll whenever you want (terrible example, I know).

Alright let's recap the travel we've completed before we move forward. So far we've already gone from Miami, Florida to Middleborough, Massachusetts. Now we head a bit south to New York City. If you haven't heard, Mayor Bloomberg is on the verge of banning large sugar-filled drinks at restaurants and other locations.

I personally don't drink a lot of the drinks that will be affected, but dammit, if people want a soda that's contents are equivalent to 50 packages of sugar then let them get a soda that's contents are equivalent to 50 packages of sugar. The individuals making these rules for us are basically saying "Hey, you're not smart enough to make your own decisions so I'm going to make them for you. Plus, I'm sick of looking at your tummy jiggles every time I see you at the local Starbucks." Ridiculous. By the way, my apologies if I've offended anyone that has to deal with "tummy jiggles" on a daily basis. It's a serious disorder, people.

But Bloomberg's health panel isn't done yet. They're also looking to limit the size of that delicious, buttery popcorn you pick-up every time you return to the theater for the latest Twilight midnight premiere. And milk could be the next target.

I hate to sound like a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon, but what happened to freedom? What happened to doing things because they made us happy in the moment? Sure, it's going to hurt us in the long run, but some politicians are acting like we're so stupid we don't realize that. Plus, how come I can still go into the local NY bodega and pick up 40 oz. of St. Ide's non-high gravity malt liquor heaven with a side of Twinkie's wrapped in Slim Jims but I can't have a 20 oz. Slurpee?

Let's get our priorities straight people. Amurikah.

TODAY'S TASTY TRACK


Jack White
"Sixteen Saltines"
Spike heels make a hole in a lifeboat,
Driftin' away when I'm talking and laughing as we float,
I hear a whistle, that's how I know she's home,
Lipstick, eyelash, broke mirror, broken home,

Best Documentaries on Netflix

Documentary films have been one of the most overlooked genres in the world of popular media. Sure, we have our fair share of attention garnered for reality TV programming, but a lot of documentaries are overlooked due to the social need for weekly celebrity anguish. And why advertise a great documentary when you can gain a greater profit from a Michael Bay inspired explosion-fest... not that I'm saying anything is wrong with that.

A majority of the work I've done so far has been documentary-based, which has forced me to spend a lot of time studying the techniques of popular filmmakers on Netflix. So it was only a matter of time before I created a list of must-watch documentaries. So without further adieu, here's the Top 10 Documentaries on Netflix (in my honest opinion):


10. When You're Strange
You couldn't find a better character to base a documentary on than Jim Morrison. The man was without a doubt one of the most interesting men of the late 60's/early 70's. And let's be honest, The Doors are an amazing band that is often overlooked due to their quick flash of brilliance.

9. Exit Through the Gift Shop
An excellent look into the world of graffiti artists, as well as the hypocrisies of art. This film does a great job of not only showcasing some of the brilliant minds of the early underground world of street art, but also how even an idiot could be seen as a art prodigy if they manipulate people enough.

8. Gonzo
I find Hunter S. Thompson to be one of the most inspiring yet unpredictable men I've ever studied. He is without a doubt a pioneer of modern day journalism and his impact on the media world is often overlooked. Of course the man is bat shit crazy due to the life he chose to live, but sometimes you have to be bat shit crazy to survive.

7. Collapse
Any film that gets me thinking is one worth watching again. You can go into this film with your own opinions but you'll leave questioning a lot of things in this world. Hopefully you're not a conspiracy theorist because you might even leave with a completely paranoid sense of thought.

6. Bastards of the Party
A topic that's often completely misunderstood. A lot of individuals think that gang warfare has always been apart of our nation. This documentary goes deeper. It's great to know the history and some of the role-players and game-changers who were actually trying to revolutionize society but ended up with a bloody mess.

5. Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead
Oh man, get ready to become disgusted with what you're doing to your body. This film is an inspirational piece that shows how huge changes in what you eat can completely alter your mind, body, and health. Change that comes through fasting with a diet of nothing but fruit/vegetable smoothies. Yeah, definitely easier said than done. You'll finish this movie with a sudden urge to drive to Wal-Mart and buy a juicer.

4. Religulous
Even if you are obsessed with your religious beliefs, you should still watch this film. It's great to hear all sides when dealing with something that is such a gigantic part of most people's lives. Plus, it's just fun to question ideas and stories that have been apart of our society for centuries.

3. Being Elmo
I was beyond ecstatic when I found out that Netflix was beginning to stream this one. This film leaves you wanting to accomplish all of your childhood dreams. The voice of Elmo, Kevin Clash, is such an inspiration for anyone that wants to make it in a world that has placed the odds against them.

2. Dear Zachary
Get the tissue box ready because you are going to cry. This film will make you hate people and always think twice when dealing with the strangers you meet. There isn't an emotion that this film doesn't tug at. So prepare yourself before turning this one on. Plus it's a very compelling story.

1. Man on Wire
James Marsh is a great documentary director and he shows it here. This is one of the only films on this list that I can call not only moving but also beautiful in it's own sense. I also learned more from the techniques used here than any other documentary I've watched. Marsh's other film, Project Nim, is also a great one but it's currently not on Netflix.


Honorable Mention:
Bowling For Columbine
Dive!
DMT: The Spirit Molecule
Food Inc.
How Beer Saved the World
Nightmares in Red, White, & Blue
Winnebago Man
WWE Rivalries: Michaels vs. Hart


TODAY'S TASTY TRACK

 
The Guess Who
"These Eyes"
The hurtin's on me, yeah
And I will never be free, no, no, no
You took the vow with me, yeah
An' you spoke it, an' you spoke it, babe

No Sleep Till Success

Holy cannoli have I been a busy beaver. By the way, that opening statement was me trying to swear less. Mission somewhat accomplished at the cost of my own dignity.

Anyways, life's been jam-packed. I moved into an apartment a little closer to downtown Portland so that I can guarantee myself a more interesting summer. Then the day we were suppose to move in, we show up and the tenant currently occupying our rooms was just beginning to bring empty boxes up to start packing; leaving us in limbo with what to do. Of course, I did what any person expected from me... I went out for wings and beer to calm myself down.

It did the trick.

We put our sheets back on our former beds and gave the tenant another day. Then the next day, we return around 12pm to find out that the guy has barely even started packing. At this point I have no idea what to do. I don't want to call the cops but at the same time I have the sudden urge to chuck an older man out from a 3 story high window. Once again, I refrain. The guy says he'll be out by 4:00pm so we once again leave for calming beers.

4 o' clock comes, and the man is no where to be found. The only things missing from the apartment are a few boxes and the dining room table. The place is still filthy and covered with his stuff. At this point I have to sit.

I sit some more...

He finally comes back acting all apologetic with excuses up the wazoo because he doesn't want to get the popo involved. Neither do we so he's got us there. We come to the conclusion that we're just going to have to sit and watch him and his crew of flunkies empty out this apartment. So we did. 5 hours later, we finally have our apartment. It looks disgusting and needs a complete makeover, but dammit we have it.

Then 2 days later and barely enough time to clean/unpack I'm running around Portland, ME for an episode of MSN's "re:discover". I had a great time and learned a lot more about the area but the 12 hour work days and considerable amount of stress can really get to a man. Luckily I had the day of Cinco de Mayo to collect myself a bit and get back to conquer the last 2 days of shooting.

But what really brings me down is the fact that I should be starting another lengthy production job right now. I had to make an extremely hard decision on a 2 month shoot down in Manchester, NH. I was in contact with Leftfield Pictures who will be in the area working on a show for the National Geographic Channel and we were close to a deal for me to help them out but I had to decline. It might have been the hardest thing to do just because I was so interested in the content and what the company has done in the past. It was just really bad timing for me professionally but the individuals I talked to over there were great and I hope to work with them down the road. Best of luck.

So now I'm here. Back at the desk with some interesting stuff coming up but still in search of something beyond that.

Something greater.

But on an optimistic note, I'm looking forward to another summer in Portland, ME with my friends and the awesome scenery that I've grown to love. If last summer was the best I've had my entire life, then this one is definitely looking to surpass that by a huge margin. I'll get into the details of that in a later post. But for now...


TODAY'S TASTY TRACK


Beastie Boys
"No Sleep Till Brooklyn"
R.I.P
MCA

Opinion on George Zimmerman and Society

Looks like I'm going to have to take a break from using this blog as my own personal diary ("journal" for those uncomfortable with their sexuality) after reading this article:

Man Beaten By Mob, In Critical Condition

There are countless acts going on in the United States that make me question the level of humanity throughout our society, but very few annoy the hell out of me like the ridiculousness that has enveloped both sides of the fence of the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case.

Just in case you haven't been paying attention (because I wish I haven't been), here's a quick synopsis from Wikipedia. By the way, a big sorry to EVERY college professor who has ever told me not to do this... but turns out in the real world not many people care:

The fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman took place on February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida, US. Trayvon Martin was a 17-year-old African American male who was unarmed;^[2] George Zimmerman is a 28-year-old biracial Hispanic^[3] American who was the community watch coordinator for the gated community where the shooting took place.^{[4][5][6][7][8]}
While on a private errand, Zimmerman saw Martin walking inside the gated community where he was visiting his father and his father's fiancée. Zimmerman called the Sanford Police Department to report Martin's appearance and behavior as suspicious. Shortly afterwards, there was an altercation, which ended with Zimmerman fatally shooting Martin once in the chest at close range.^{[9][10][11][12][13]}
When police arrived on the scene, Zimmerman told them that Martin had attacked him, and that he had shot Martin in self-defense.^[2][14] Zimmerman was bleeding from the nose and had a wound on the back of his head.^[15][16] EMTs treated Zimmerman at the scene, after which he was taken to the Sanford Police department where he was questioned for hours,^[16] taped a video statement, and was released without being arrested.^[15] Police said that they had not found evidence to contradict his assertion of self-defense.^{[17][18][19][20]} According to media reports, the lead homicide investigator recommended that Zimmerman be arrested, but the state attorney's office was responsible for the decision not to arrest and charge Zimmerman the night of the shooting.^{[18][19][20][21]}
The circumstances of Martin's death, the delay in charging Zimmerman, and questions about Florida's Stand Your Ground law have received national and international attention. Allegations of racist motivation for the shooting contributed to public demands for Zimmerman's arrest.^[22][23] A Special Prosecutor was appointed to take over the investigation and on April 11, 2012, she chose to file charges of murder in the second degree against Zimmerman.^[24][25] Zimmerman then turned himself in and was placed in custody.^[26][27] On April 20, the judge approved Zimmerman's bail on a $150,000 bond.^[28] He was released from jail on April 23 and is required to wear an electronic monitoring device until trial.

Thank you Wikipedia, because I really didn't want to go through that whole story again.

Anyways, this story has created a whole new kind of race war despite any (yet) proven evidence of racism to begin with. And ever since Zimmerman was placed on bail, a lot of people have been starting to form Twitter lynch mobs in response. Publicly declaring that they themselves will murder Zimmerman if they see him or requesting someone else to do so.

WHY CAN'T WE AS A HUMAN RACE EVER LEARN FROM PAST MISTAKES???

We quote past leaders on our social networking accounts for a quick "like" or "retweet" but then we refuse to follow (or understand) the actual philosophical meaning. Did Martin Luther King Jr. never exist? Does Mahatma Gandhi ring a bell? Must more die before we put our heads down in shame once again? Will we just ignore this period in our history books just like we did most other American mistake we've made collectively in the past?

And I'm not writing this because I'm taking one concrete side. There are obscene radicals on both ends of this dual-burning candle. And they'll only get worse as more retaliation is brought into the equation.

Do I believe what Zimmerman did was right? Absolutely not. Should he be out on bail? Well according to Florida law, yes. I believe the man should get what he deserves as appointed by a court of law. If what he did is proven as racist, then vilify the hell out of him. Otherwise, stand up and vilify those who place the laws that you disagree with to begin with.

Doesn't mean you have to promote the murder of those you personally feel are to blame for Trayvon's death. It means you should get off your computer/phone and stand in front of those you voted for. And if you didn't vote at all, then why are we even having this conversation to begin with? (oh wait... I didn't vote either)

If you have a problem with that then there's an old quote: "Don't hate the player, hate the game." Hate the jumbled justice system that is in need of a massive facelift. Not those who are getting an wrist-slapped ride. Because we all paved the steps there to begin with.

Wake up, America.


TODAY'S TASTY TRACK

Freestyle Fellowship
"We Are"

Keep on Rollin', Baby

"Did he really start us off with a title derived from a Limp Bizkit lyric? Wow, Eddie must have finally found his cuckoo's nest."

Just for you, Jack.

Oh, I most certainly have. But on the bright side, looks like we're heading back into the ever-so-great Maine Production Season. Eddie's getting calls again, which is a huge relief for the money-sack.

From late November until early April, there weren't many projects that I'd proclaim as "grand" coming my way. Thankfully things are starting to pick up along with the warm weather. I just wrapped alongside the crew of Abandoned with an episode that will air on the National Geographic Channel. The crew/talent were great and created a completely different experience from what I'm use to. I'm still aching from carrying equipment and holding up lights for prolonged amounts of time.

Then I received a call from an individual who's gathering up individuals for Buick's web series "Re:discover", which will be coming to Portland. It isn't 100% official yet but sounds like something I'd definitely be interested in.

But I'm still hungry... very hungry. Like Taco Bell 12 Taco Party Pack hungry.

...or hungry enough to eat a whole cat.

So I'll be waiting patiently by my phone while I do the same ol' job research. My goal is to not stop moving from this point until late August. Except of course for the occasional nappy time and ...well ... Taco Bell 12 Taco Party Pack consumption break.

Boo-ya-ka-sha.


TODAY'S TASTY TRACK
 
The Avett Brothers
"Murder in the City"
If I get murdered in the city
Don’t go revengin' in my name
One person dead from such is plenty
No need to go get locked away