15. FUBAR

If you've heard of this movie before, give yourself a pat on the back. To say it's obscure is like calling The Godfather "decent". It doesn't look like much either, which surely adds to the infrequency of it actually being watched. But therein lies its true beauty - the absolutely hidden gem, unpolished, ignored, and buried in racks of mediocrity.

I went into this movie with no expectations. Actually, you could probably say I had apprehensions. But FUBAR delivered from the start, and it now resides in the exclusive pantheon of films that traversed almost the entire spectrum of hate/love. We're talking from a negative-5 (when I saw the dvd case) to a solid 8. That's a 13-point swing.

The film is a documentary-style story centered around two headbanging Canadian friends who haven't amounted to much, but are still "just givin' er" every day. Terry Cahill and Dean 'the Deaner' Murdoch share with us their daily lives, offering insights on careers, dating, how to drink beer, and ultimately, delve into their philosophies on their own mortality. Most of the lines from the movie are hilarious by themselves; couple them with their situations and their settings and it makes for a brilliant 90 minutes (if you don't mind swearing, that is).

14. Bar Refaeli

Um... Put difficult to sentences into words. Use will just one:
Outrageous.

13. The Washington Independent

Rumor has it that there has been quite a bit of political controversy over the past year. Naturally, that also comes with an endless barrage of stories and opinions to keep us oh-so-well-informed. How noble, right? Um...

If you follow politics on the internets, my numbers* suggest you started at say, Fox News or MSNBC. Now, while Fox News has been absurd for the better part of a decade, MSNBC has been making significant strides in keeping pace. You likely got tired of the relentless diatribe and/or selective rhetoric, and moved on to the gentler leanings of CNN or [sigh...] USA Today. But if you're savvy, you might have kept searching for that elusive source of unbiased quality. The New Republic or the Huffington Post? (socialist propaganda!) The Drudge Report? (fascists! and nearly unreadable) Politico? (not bad actually... i mean, overrated!) Enter The Washington Independent.

Their own description says it best:

The Washington Independent is a fleet-footed webpaper of politics and policy. We are the ink-stained wretches of the digital era. We aim for snap-crackle-pop reporting in our articles and blog posts – all working together to tell a bigger story. We provide thought-provoking commentary from insightful experts. We write to record scenes from the passing show, to stir things up and to keep the bastards honest. We seek to explore and define our nation and the context for our times.

Founded by the Center for Independent Media, the site offers (so far) the most balanced articles and op-ed pieces I've seen published. The topics and writing are excellent, and the site is very easy to navigate. And just now entering it's second year, the best is yet to come.

*by 'numbers' I mean 'rash generalization'

12. iConcertCal

Pissed that you totally missed the Jonas Brothers show last week? Dying to know if there will be enough time between an upcoming Ray LaMontagne album and your sweetie's birthday to memorize every saccharine-coated line? Wondering why you're still reading this? Well, there's hope for you yet...

iConcertCal is a free, downloadable plug-in that works through iTunes. It shows a calendar of all upcoming performances of every artist in your iTunes library within any radius of your city. It even gives links to purchase tickets! Booyah!

Another, often overlooked feature is the album release notification. All upcoming albums by the artists in your library are shown on the calendar, and can be prompted to alert you when their songs are played.

Both of these features are great when you don't have the time or attention span to dig through the entertainment section of the paper for kick-ass music to catch. It's free, very helpful, and super easy to use. Enjoy the show.

11. Lamb

Ever wonder what Jesus was like growing up? Well, this probably isn't it. But it's a hilarious version as told by his lifelong best friend Biff. Yes, Biff (also the Hebrew word for 'a slap across the back of the head', allegedly). This story is Biff's gospel, and recounts the 25 years the inseparable pair spent together.

From a morality standpoint, Biff and Joshua (aka Jesus) have little in common. This works in Josh's favor, as he is able to learn about sin without actually committing any; Biff, on the other hand, is usually more than willing. It's through these vicarious experiences that Josh is able to relate to the underlying forces that drive sin and temptation. But despite the potentially heavy subject matter, the humor is sharp and keeps the story relatively light:

(on the topic of Kama Sutra)
Biff: "Josh are you sure it doesn't bother you talking about this stuff when you will never be allowed to do it?"
Josh: "No it's interesting. It doesn’t bother you when I talk about heaven does it?"
Biff: "Should it?"
Josh: "Look! A Seagull!"

The two spend most of their lives traveling the known world, seeking out each of the three wise men and their individual spiritual virtues, so that Josh can figure out not just how to be the messiah, but what to do with that responsibility. The combination of the Josh's sanctity and Biff's utter humanity offers a dialogue that creates a more complete picture of both the good and sinister sides of human nature.

A college friend recommended this book several years ago, and I'm now on copy #4 (I lend it out often - it doesn't always come back. C'est la vie...). I don't know anyone who has taken offense to the story or the portrayal of a funny, curious Jesus, but I suppose there's always a chance. Christopher Moore is absolutely a satirist, and though the text is littered with profanity and the occasional debauchery, there is no sense of blasphemy or real criticism of religion. Only a humorous, thought-provoking, and often touching story of two best friends with one great task.

10. Zoë Keating

Strings, strings, how I love the strings. Of all the classical instruments, the string section can pull me in every direction. And the king of the strings is none other than the glorious cello.

If you're like me, you've wondered what an orchestra would sound like if it were made up entirely of cello music. High and mid cello for the melody. Low cello for the underlying bass. You get the idea - a full symphonic range and harmony produced by the most beautiful instrument. This is where Zoë Keating rocks your world.

From her website:

Armed with just her cello and a small box of electronics, Zoë Keating is a one-woman orchestra. She records layer upon layer of cello, her feet dancing over an array of pedals to transform her solo performances into multipart works.

The result is a collection of songs that grow from a single line to a full wall of layered sound, with pieces flowing in and out, all wonderfully wrapped into packages both sweeping and haunting. Her music can be found on iTunes, and she was also the featured guest on a mini-episode of Radiolab, which offers a nice look at how her songs are built.

9. Planet Earth

I figured this would be too obvious to mention, but over the past month I've been amazed at the number of people who have yet to treat themselves to such an enthralling and beautiful series. Everyone needs to watch this, no question.

But if you need convincing, Planet Earth is an 11-part series produced by the BBC and the Discovery Channel. Filming all over the world in every major habitat took over five years, but the patience paid off in the scenes that were captured, some of which had never been seen before, let alone recorded. On high-definition cameras. For us to enjoy. You will constantly be amazed at not just the camerawork but also the incredible and bizarre scenes that take place in nature every day. It is constant combination of entertainment and education, whether it's interesting, beautiful, comical, or downright brutal.

I can't stress enough how great this series is, especially when watched on a proper-sized screen. I don't know anyone who has seen one episode and was not immediately hooked. It is truly a stunning view of the natural world.

8. Myron Rolle

Many professional athletes have been produced at the football factory program of Florida State University. Before the 2008 football season, many thought current strong safety Myron Rolle, a junior, was due to make that leap into this year's NFL draft. FSU fans expected Rolle to follow his strong start (first team frosh all-american, ACC defensive rookie-of-the-year) with a memorable seaon, and he didn't disappoint. He earned all-america honors for a decent Seminoles team, and looks to be a solid draft pick. But unfortunately for NFL teams and fans, they must wait another year.

No, he didn't decide to return to FSU for his senior year. In fact, he's already earned his degree... in Exercise Science, including his pre-med requirements. So why didn't the aspiring neurosurgeon enter the draft this year? He was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship, and will be studying Public Administration at Oxford University, arguably the most prestigious school in the world.

In an age when college athletes aren't regarded as students, and when it's rare to see graduates in the drafts, Rolle is truly an incredible example.

7. Hy-Five: Songs For Walking Into A Room

Everybody likes to make a grand entrance, whether it's a planned event or just a spontaneous occurance. Most of us don't have many opportunities for the former, but we all have chances to pretend to be super-cool when walking into a room of friends and acquaintances. The music playing is a crucial element to the coolness projected by you, and can make or break your entrance.

The following is a list of five songs that will propel you from "oh" to "OHHH!!!" The beats are funky but not spastic, and the tempos are perfect, ensuring even the squares won't be able to resist feeling them. If this can be properly timed, prepare to dazzle. If you hear one of these songs playing in another room, immediately head for the doorway. Or, just play these while you're walking with your Ipod and strut away. You know you're bad.

1. Gold For The Price Of Silver - Kings of Convenience
2. Fake Bonanza - Mos Def
3. New York - Cat Power
4. Light Years - 311
5. Mr. Jinx - Quarashi

6. The Monte Cristo Sandwich

I love sandwiches. I'd wager that you do too. Think about it - take any kind of delicious meat (or eggs, if you're rolling with the egg sal), add a couple slices of heavenly cheese, a dollop of a tasty condiment, and wrap it up in a convenient bread package... yeah, you know. The variations are endless, making "sandwiches" one of the greatest foods in existence. Did I mention I love sandwiches?

When I was 19, my affinity for the sandwich reached a new apex when I rolled the dice on previously unheard of menu item - the Monte Cristo. I hit the jackpot. Picture this: a double-decker sando with deli sliced ham AND turkey, two slices of premium cheese (I suggest a nice havarti or fontina), a thin spread of fruit preserves (usually cran or raspberry, though my favorite was an apple chutney), and bread of your choice, which is french-toasted. It literally blew my mind... and knocked Denny's Breakfast Dagwood from the top spot. It was incredible.

The problem with the Monte Cristo (aside from its relatively high caloric load) is that it is far from common on lunch menus. The majority of instances I've seen it have been daily specials, so beware if you've decided on one ahead of time. However, this makes it that much more special when you see it, and the lack of anticipation will only heighten the experience. Or, you can just make it yourself at home, with minimal effort, and maximum customization. Tastebuds, rejoice.

5. Get Fuzzy

When Bill Watterson said goodbye to Calvin & Hobbes about 15 years ago, the critic Charles Solomon wrote it had "left behind a hole in the comics page that no strip has been able to fill." Damn straight. C&H was the most brilliant comic strip ever written. But the methods and style Watterson used had been impressed upon some younger writers, and over the past several years a few strips have become successful in their own rights, though the spirit of Calvin resonates throughout. The best of these syndicated strips is Get Fuzzy.

Rob is an everyday guy who works for an ad agency, likes sports and music (and the occasional dash of nerdery), and shares his place with his cat and dog. Bucky, the cat, is aggressive, destructive, cynical, and completely egocentric. Satchel, on the other hand, is generous and sweet, though also completely dense. Due to Bucky's irrationality/hostility and Satchel's well-intended idiocy, Rob finds himself constantly playing referee. Frustration, and thus hilarity, ensues.

The strip is sharply drawn and cleverly written, touching on current events as well as general daily life. Also, it's loaded with puns! Most local and national newspapers run the strip, and it can also be read daily online. Eight collections and four treasuries (each treasury consists of two collections, natch) have been published, as well as numerous calendars and other merchandise. If you like a good chuckle in the morning, see what the guys are up to. Surely it will be some sort of trouble.

4. Dave Chappelle's Block Party

I caught this on cable the other night, and I couldn't have been happier. I thought it was great the first (and only) time I'd seen it, which was a few years ago, and it got me again. Great story, funny jokes, well made... oh, and the music, of course.

At the height of his fame, Dave Chappelle decided to throw a block party for a Brooklyn neighborhood - free of charge, anybody welcome, and by total surprise (well, until 2 days before). The crowd that swarmed the block had no idea who would be performing, and they were treated to a line-up of some of the best and most respected hip-hop artists and musicians in the industry. Truly this was an insane show, Chappelle declaring it "the concert I've always wanted to see." From Kanye West to Mos Def to The Roots and much more, the night was capped by the sudden, one-night reunion of The Fugees.
It's no surprise Chappelle asked these particular artists - they're some of the most socially conscious and revered people in the game. Who else would agree to be a part of such an event, a free show (funded completely by Chappelle) dedicated to the spirit of community?

Woven into the concert footage is the documentary, consisting mostly of Chappelle's trip to rural Ohio to recruit some party-goers, including middle-aged white folks and a small collegiate marching band, as well as back-stage clips and discussions with the musicians and Chappelle. The interactions and conversation are fascinating, Chappelle shows his off-screen persona yet is still hilarious, and the emotional payoff is moving. A great show, a great film, and all for the greater good. And according to Chappelle, the greatest night of his career.

3. Radiolab

For those with a curious mind, the folks at WNYC and NPR have been doing a huge favor. Radio men (and obvious non-scientists) Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich tackle a different fascinating topic each epidsode, using colorful stories and interviews to paint a picture and bring up ideas most people don't normally think about. Very well produced, these episodes are a very entertaining way to wrap your mind around fascinating subjects.

Five seasons of five episodes have been produced, with several mini-episodes sprinkled in over the off-seasons. Each full episode of Radiolab runs about sixty captivating minutes, and can be easily downloaded or streamed from either the Radiolab website or Itunes. Your brain will thank you.