For those of you that don’t know the beauty of Bracketology, it is defined by Wikipedia as “the process of predicting the field of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, named as such because it is commonly used to fill in tournament brackets for the postseason.” But to me it just means basketball; weeks and weeks of glorious basketball. And although everyone that enters their bracket into a pool would like to win, it isn’t even about winning, it is about participating. Seeing your friend’s picks, enjoying the games together – it really doesn’t get any better than that.

There are four days in the month of March that stand above the rest – the first Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. And this Thursday – it begins. It has truly become an unofficial national holiday. People take off of work just to sit glued to the television, tightly gripping a painstakingly filled-out bracket in their hands, watching as many games as humanly possible. And the unlucky stiffs that can’t get out of work watch them on their computer, listen on the radio – whatever it takes to get a piece of the action. So don’t be surprised on Thursday afternoon if you hear a booming “YES” or “YOU’VE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME WITH THAT CALL” come from your cube mate.

To me, the reason the first four days of the tournament are so incredibly important is that you get to see so many games. For a basketball fan like me, it is a chance to watch teams play that I never get to see. Every year there are upsets that have us all cheering for the underdog. We all love to see a 14 seed take out a three seed or a 12 seed go down to a five. These Cinderella stories give a national stage to teams like Davidson in 2008 that made it to the Elite 8 and gave the Kansas Jayhawks (the eventual Champions) a run for their money. Or what Wichitan can forget the likes of George Mason? This is quite possibly the best Cinderella story in NCAA basketball tournament history. George Mason was an 11-seed taking it all the way to the Final Four, knocking off the Shockers and number one seed Connecticut along the way.

Great basketball, amazing stories and if you are lucky enough to see your team play and win in the tournament – “That’s gold, Jerry! Gold!!” So get out there and download a bracket, fill it out and play along. You don’t have to place a wager to enjoy (cue the music) March Madness.

Here are some March Madness stories from local basketball fans.

Joley: Most of my traditions revolve around my bracket selections. I carry my bracket with me for the entire tournament, so it is generally a wrinkled, beer-stained mess by the end of the first weekend. I have a Sharpie for each region that has to color-coordinate with my chosen regional winner’s school color. I also carry at least two hats and two shirts with me and change at the bar as my selected Final Four teams play. This combines my love of March Madness with shopping and gives me a disguise when I get into my annual altercation with a rabid KU fan.

Cory: I met my wife, Holly, for lunch at Heroes 10 years ago on opening day of March Madness and came to the realization that this could be the greatest two days of the year. I decided at that point I would never again work the Thursday and Friday that starts March Madness. This year I will be meeting friends for lunch at Hooters on Friday and will finish at the American Legion in Halstead.

Scott: The tournament? We don’t even have to speak about it. Plans come together in minutes, not days. The first two days are about male bonding and cracking the same jokes, but most importantly, they are about basketball. In truth, those two days really begin four days prior when the brackets come out. I pour over every matchup, carefully filling out my bracket before looking at the finished product, declaring it the most awful thing I have ever seen and starting over again. This is the point when March Madness truly becomes special. Can I name one player on UTEP’s team? Nope. But I will cheer for them as my adopted team since I have them picked for the upset. You’ve got so many games being played over the course of two days that unbelievable finishes and wild upsets are almost a given. You have something invested in every game. The bar can sound like a KU/K-State game during every single game because everyone wants to highlight their bracket rather than cross a team off.

Luke: For 18 years I have been running a pool for free out of my love for basketball and what I feel is the best sporting event in all of sports. I enjoy the storylines and excitement that every year brings. It was especially sweet the year Wichita State went. It actually started my tradition of taking off the first Thursday (as a legitimate vacation day) and spending it with my wife and friends. I remember that it all started for me with the black socks and style of play from the Michigan Fab Five. I bet my first $20 on the Duke vs. Michigan game… and lost, of course.

Emily: When KU played in the Final Four in 2003, I was in charge of saving seats at Tanner’s and got there when they opened… equipped with Cosmo and other assorted girly magazines to wait until game time (which was, like, 6 p.m.) I held off on drinking until 3:30… but I really don’t remember a lot of that game. Just remember I had a good time! It seems like I often end up saving seats… maybe that’s the unofficial role I play in March Madness.

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I’ve been a bachelor for most of my late twenties. For whatever reason, I just haven’t found that special lady I want to settle down with. Some people might call this a fear of commitment… and those people would probably be right. And since I’m rapidly approaching 30, I’m finding most of my guy friends are either married or in serious relationships.

I do my best to not be “that friend;” you know, the friend that women in relationships hate their men hanging out with. I try to be cordial with my friends’ significant others and include them in plans whenever possible. But when we all hang out (girlfriends included) the conversation eventually turns from being scholarly and intellectual, to a bunch of guys regurgitating famous movie lines.

As sad and pathetic as this little man-ritual is, it’s still male bonding. Most of the time, the group will realize how immature we’re being and bring the conversations back into adult-land. But there have been a few select instances when it’s just too hard to forfeit this quotation competition and it must continue on.

To avoid becoming bored to death whenever this happens, I’m proposing the ladies learn a few lines from some classic comedies to help them stay in the conversation. The following movies, without a doubt, will be quoted by a group of guys at some point during a typical night out. Guaranteed  Not only can these lines help you keep up with the group, but most of them can be said randomly through out the night, leaving every single guy in the group wishing you were his girlfriend.

The following quotes were chosen not only for their comedic depth and chronological range, but for their ability to be used in many social situations. Below, you’ll find examples of common situations that happen during a night out with guys and a corresponding quote to use. No need to watch the entire movie ladies, memorizing just a few of these will fool any man. We’re simple creatures.

When making plans for the night: “We’re gonna play hockey at Sue’s house until 10:30, and then we’re either going to the Lava Lounge for Sinatra Night… or we’ll be at the Derby for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. We might also check out Swing Night at the El Rey. And if we’re not there we’ll be at the Three of Clubs, allright? Otherwise we’ll be at the Dresden Room, so come on out and meet up with us.” - Swingers

When someone asks, “What are we going to do?”: “The question isn’t “what are we going to do;” the question is “what aren’t we going to do?” Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

When meeting someone new: “What brings you to this nape of the woods, neck of the wape?” Caddyshack

Introducing yourself: “I don’t know how to put this but…I’m kind of a big deal.” Anchorman

Ordering scotch: “I’ll have a scotch on the rocks. Any scotch will do as long as it’s not a blend of course. Single malt Glenlivet, Glenfiddich perhaps maybe a Glen… any Glen.” Swingers

Once you’ve received your scotch: “I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly…” Anchorman

If someone asks you to do something: “We can do that; we don’t even have to have a reason.” Caddyshack

If someone says there’s a one in a million chance of you dating them: “So you’re telling me there’s a chance. Yeah!” Dumb and Dumber

If you need to build someone’s confidence during the night: “You’re so money and you don’t even know it!” Swingers

If someone is wearing awful-smelling cologne: “It’s a formidable scent. It stings the nostrils. I’m gonna be honest with you, [insert name], that smells like pure gasoline.” Anchorman

When someone doesn’t respond to a question you’ve asked: “Bueller?… Bueller?… Bueller?” Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

If someone does something stupid/awesome during the night: “Just when I thought you couldn’t possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this…  and totally redeem yourself!” Dumb and Dumber

At any point during the night: “I love lamp.” Anchorman

When trying to sounds philosophical: “The Zen philosopher Basha once wrote, ‘A flute with no holes, is not a flute. A donut with no hole, is a Danish.” Caddyshack

When the bar/party starts to suck: “This place is dead anyways.” Swingers

If you want the drunk people in your house to leave: “You’re still here? It’s over. Go home. Go.” Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

And finally, ladies, if you want to win any movie quoting game, or if you’re looking for a marriage proposal: Simply quote, Bill Murray’s “Dali-lama” speech from Caddyshack in its entirety.

What comedies do you and your friends like to quote?

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The “Once Upon A Time” series is performed by adult actors at the Wichita Children’s Theatre and Dance Center, located downtown at 201 Lulu. You can come just in time for the performance, but I highly recommend you spend a few dollars more and come early for dinner sponsored by Pizza Hut (show only $5.50, pizza and show $7.00). Kids and parents get two generous slices of pizza and your choice of soda or water. While you eat, there are tables set up for simple themed craft projects. One year we made beanstalks for Jack and the Beanstalk, and when it came time for Jack to climb up to the Giant’s lair, we held up our beanstalk creations and yelled, “Climb, Jack, climb.” This is just one of the many ways the actors get the audience involved in the performance.

When it’s showtime, you can either grab a colorful carpet swatch and sit on the floor in front of the stage or climb the bleachers in the back of the room. Using music, bright costumes, audience participation and even pratfalls, the actors take children on a journey through well-known fairy tales, nursery rhymes and even classic books. The spring series runs February, March and April, with a different show each month. February’s performance is based on the popular Doreen Cronin book Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type.

My daughter prefers the PJ Performances because she considers the ultimate form of rebellion to be going out in public with her pajamas on. She carefully picks out her best bedtime ensemble and then struts in to the theatre carrying her pink blanket and the lucky stuffed animal she’s chosen from her menagerie to accompany her.

Knowing that kids’ attention spans are limited, actors keep the performance to a reasonable 45 minutes. After the show, kids can line up for autographs, pictures and hugs, and the actors oblige until the last little tyke has had a chance to say hello. This was especially helpful to us after Jack and The Beanstalk , when my daughter, age 4 at the time, was a little fearful of the Giant during the show. Once she saw him up close and he flashed his familiar smile, she remembered he was also the silly “Boy” from The Boy Who Cried Wolf and all was right with the world again.

For show times, ticket prices and information on another one of our favorites, the summer Picnic Series, you can visit the Wichita Children’s Theatre website.

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Wait a minute, Westsiders! Before you drive your jumbo-sized SUVs off a cliff after reading this post, you should know it’s the finale in a two-part “duel” between a passionate Westsider and an equally passionate Eastsider and the West Side had its moment of glory yesterday. But don’t leave the debate up to us – be sure to chime in with a comment about why YOUR side of town is superior.

When I moved to Wichita five years ago, I settled into an apartment on the Northeast side because it was down the street from the office where I worked. It was convenient. Lots of “stuff” was close by. And by “stuff,” I mean familiar big box stores and chain restaurants. And for the first six months, I didn’t leave my new neighborhood. Somehow the city of Los Angeles failed to intimidate me, but Wichita did.

It wasn’t until I regained my bravery and began to venture out on my own that I discovered the gems that made me fall in love with my adopted city: Riverside Park, College Hill, Delano, Old Town. I loved the fifties-style ranch homes along north Woodlawn with their tree-lined streets. I became enamored with the peculiar city-within-a-city that is Eastborough (to this day, I’ll go out of my way to drive – at no more than 20 MPH! – through the tiny neighborhood just so I can gawk at the gorgeous homes). And because I’m a sucker for a good garage sale, I started to explore areas of Wichita that I hadn’t even realized existed.

By my third year in Wichita, I decided to leave the East side and moved west for no other reason than I wanted a change. I extended my commute by ten minutes (still a breeze compared to the gridlock of LA), but gained a new part of town to check out.

And this is where my fair and balanced story stops being fair and balanced.

The West side… sucked.

So while I’m preparing for the hate mail and the negative comments and the stones half of you are picking up to throw, I gotta level with you – I just don’t get what’s appealing about Colorado the West side. Is it New Market Square with its massive chain stores and terrible layout? Is it the endless rows of tract homes that look exactly the same? Is it the sprawling parking lots and man-made lakes?

While I’m sure the people who choose to call the West side home are lovely, kind, salt-of-the-earth people, they are clearly unable to drive any vehicle smaller than a Chevy Suburban and therefore require an unnecessary number of insanely wide lanes to drive. Driving down 21st street west is like driving down the runway at MidContinent Airport.

The East side has Bradley Fair, two out of the three Bella Luna Cafes, Watermark Books (not to mention two Barnes & Noble stores and a Borders), both Il Vicinos, The Donut Whole, Cocoa Dolce, Chesters Chophouse and its polar opposite, Zen Vegetarian Cuisine, Sumo Japanese Grill, Pink Saloon, Aspen Boutique, Food for Thought AND Green Acres Market… should I go on?

Yes? No problem.

We have culture. Wichita Center for the Arts, anyone? Ulrich Museum of Art? The Crown Uptown? I mean, we have Wichita State University for crying out loud. Plus our Warren Theater, the only one in town to show smaller art house and independent films, could beat your Warren Theater up and steal all of its lunch money.

You have a bar. At the mall. We have crowds of Shocker fans rooting for their team at Larry Bud’s. We have karaoke at O’Brien’s and live music at Kirby’s Beer Store. We can spend our Friday night sipping on our favorite varietal at Clifton Wine and Jazz or dancing to the best of the eighties, nineties and today at Margaritas and top it all off with a cocktail at Harry’s Uptown.

Charles Koch lives here. And if it’s good enough for a multi-bagillionaire, it’s certainly good enough for me.

So while you Westsiders spend your daily commute squinting into the sun, I spend mine with the sun at my back while I head home to the little slice of heaven known as the East side.

Photo courtesy of Eric Wittman

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Hold on Eastsiders, before you get your Bradley Fair-purchased panties in a bunch about this post, you should know it’s the first in a two-part “duel” between a passionate Westsider and an equally passionate Eastsider. So while we encourage you to comment away about why YOUR side of town is superior, the East side will officially get its turn tomorrow.

I was born and raised on the West Side of Wichita and I’m damn proud of it. I know Eastsiders think Westsiders are all farmers and rednecks, but it isn’t so! Well, mostly anyway.

The West side has awesome amenities, some of which we even got BEFORE the privileged East including the first Warren Theatre in town. Yeah, Bill Warren loves us best and why shouldn’t he? We were instrumental in the success of his Palace Theatres (cheap movies in a cool building) and yes, we had that first too.

Shopping out west isn’t anything to turn up your nose at either. Easties have Bradley Fair but we have the ever-growing New Market Square where we will see your GAP and raise you an Old Navy (more affordable anyway,) an Under the Cork, Get Cooking and a Shoe Carnival. And we won’t even get into the Towne East versus Towne West argument because OUR mall has a tattoo parlor. The closest to edgy Towne East gets is Hot Topic.

We also have steakhouses. Yep. Westsiders are known for our love of a nicely grilled steak and restaurateurs have accommodated us. You want to lure a Westsider to your end of the ICT, put up a good steakhouse. But make it affordable, because Westsiders aren’t dripping with old money like those Easties are. Timberline, Outback, Logans, Texas Steakhouse, all these cut their chops on the teeth of well-fed Westsiders. An experience found only out west? Pei Wei. ‘Nuff said.

West side culture (and we are cultured) dictates that we be a friendly bunch. No stuffy uppercrusts here, just nice folks. We stake claim to Delano too. I know, it’s close to downtown, but Delano is the original (very wild) West side. The folks who live there now aren’t quite as wild although our founding fathers probably never pictured a hipster hangout like The Vagabond or a French-Lebanese slice of heaven at La Gallete, but we love our Delano.

I would love to claim Riverside too but Riversiders can never truly be tamed or claimed. They belong to themselves and the North End. But, I would put Riverside up against College Hill any day! In fact, we should start at Riverside/College Hill rivalry. Battle of the Big Old Houses and Beautiful Scenery. I love it.

But, back to the far Westies. We’re friendly, helpful and yes, many of us drive big trucks. I mean, this is the Wild West and we are still taming some of that land out yonder past Maize Road.

Photo courtesy of Eric Wittman

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This got me to thinking of my favorite kids’ movies. You know, the ones I’d watch, even if my kids aren’t anywhere around. After some serious soul-searching, this is what I came up with:

Shrek: He’s green, he’s gross, and he’s great. Not only is this movie full of humor for every age level, it’s rounded out with a great soundtrack and unmatched (at the time) computer graphic art. What’s not to love?

The Nightmare Before Christmas: Tim Burton’s masterpiece was a favorite of mine from day one. The creative characters were refreshing, if more than a little creepy. This movie was a great preview of things to come from Burton.

The Jungle Book (1967 Disney animated version): This is the first movie I ever saw in a theater. It was showing one summer in one of those cheap “kid fest” movie matinees, and my aunt took me. It’s pretty hot in Wetumpka, OK, in August, and we didn’t have air conditioning at home. The combination of Baloo, buttery popcorn, and A/C means that I will always love this movie.

Babe: It’s an adorable orphaned pig who talks, herds sheep, antagonizes the evil cat, gets into escapades with the anorexic duck, and in the end charms the world. Come on! You can’t ruin this movie! (Unless you make a less-than-stellar sequel!)

Toy Story: I know I’ve given CGI a lot of kudos here, and maybe it’s just because I grew up in the dawn of computers – literally. Toy Story is a great visual, though, and a great story. Jealousy, friendship, revenge, atonement, all wrapped up in a group of familiar toys.

While I’m at it, I have to give a shoutout to ALL the Pixar shorts. Really, I don’t think I’ve seen one yet that didn’t just amaze me with its creativity and intense graphics. The people at Pixar demonstrate some of the best talent in kids’ movies by far.

Disney has so many classics, like Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Hercules, Finding Nemo, and Cars. Other movies aimed at older children (such as Transformers), foreign movies and anime all have their place in my life as well.

To be honest, I almost couldn’t get the list down to five movies. In the end, I went through my old box of VHS films and looked to see which ones were the most battered and beat up. These five didn’t have cases anymore. One was missing the part that covers the actual “film.” One had half the label missing. One was… sticky… yuck. (I love having five kids.) Yet, this let me know which ones we used to watch when they were younger, over and over, before we switched to DVD. One thing I know from experience is that if I didn’t love the movie as well, we wouldn’t have put that many miles on it.

I’m sure everyone could make their own list. Give us your opinion in the comments!

image credit

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We’ve all been there. Friends or family come in from out of town and we scramble to clean our house and stock the fridge and keep our guests entertained. But the entertaining part doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. In fact, there is a plethora of free or low cost things to do to show off the city of Wichita and have fun while you’re at it. Of course, you don’t have to be with out-of-town guests in order to take advantage of these opportunities.

• Catch a matinee at the Warren Old Town. Or go on a Wednesday when tickets are only $5 all day. The novelty of ordering food from your seat will amuse guests and the renovated theater is a great place to catch a flick.
• Starting in Eastborough, drive west on Douglas Avenue, marveling at the enormous homes in the city-within-a-city. Keep going through College Hill, into the Douglas Design District, through Old Town and Downtown, crossing the Arkansas River and finishing up in Delano. Cap off the tour with a burger at TJ’s Burger House, a pulled pork sandwich at Delano BBQ Company, fresh pastries at La Galette or your favorite libation at The Vagabond.
• Lace up your bowling shoes and take to the lanes at The Alley. Catch the early bird special on Sunday or Saturday from 9:30 am – noon and pay only $0.99 per game. Or check out HIP night on Mondays. For a $6 cover charge, enjoy unlimited bowling and billiards and great drink specials.
• First Friday and Final Friday give visitors the opportunity to experience big city culture around Wichita. The monthly music and art crawls offer free entertainment and the chance to see some of the unique venues and galleries throughout Old Town, downtown and Delano.
• Enjoy the beauty of the outdoors with a picnic in one of Wichita’s first-rate public parks. Riverside Park and OJ Watson Park are just two of many sprawling (and gorgeous!) options to choose from.
• Visit the Wichita Art Museum on Saturdays and enjoy free admission. Arrive early and dine at the museum cafe before checking out the extensive permanent collection and visiting exhibits.
• Catch a Shocker game at Larry Bud’s and cheer along with the legions of WSU fans who pack the place on game night.
• Spring, summer and fall evenings wouldn’t be complete without Monday night 2-4-1 martinis on Mort’s patio. Share a table with someone you don’t know, make a new friend, listen to live music and enjoy one of the 160 martinis on the menu.
• Wednesdays during the winter months offer $2 admission to the Sedgwick County Zoo. From the penguins to the lions to the gorillas, there’s something for everyone.
• Split a salad and an order of hummus (the portions are huge!) at one of Bella Luna Cafe’s three locations. On Monday’s, share a half-price bottle of wine. In the warmer months, people watching on the patio at the Bradley Fair location is part of the fun.
• As drive-in theaters become a thing of the past throughout most of the country, Wichita still boasts it’s own Starlite Drive-In. In the warmer months, loading up the car with people (and snacks!) and checking out a double or triple feature is a great way to have fun and stretch your dollar.
• Take a road trip to Yoder, Kansas and eat breakfast at the famed Carriage Crossing Restaurant and Bakery where the cinnamon rolls and pies are legendary. Browse the charming local shops and pick up freshly butchered meat from Yoder Meats for dinner.
• Drive out to Hutchinson for a tour of the Kansas Underground Salt Museum. Put on a hard hat and travel 650 feet into the earth and tour the underground caverns. You’ll even get to take home your own piece of salt.

What is your favorite way to show off your city? Share your favorite Wichita-area activities in the comments.

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My companions and I drove home defeated, but I did manage to attend a movie the following day by purchasing tickets three hours in advance. As my mom and I settled in to enjoy the flick, elbow to elbow in the crowded theater, the welcome message began to play. You know the one, where the guy with the booming voice tells you how movie ticket sales for the Warren are up in the midst of our struggling economy. I thought to myself, “Of course they are! The Warren is the only real movie theater in town!”

Then the movie started, and I put my thoughts of local monopolies aside for two wonderful hours spent with George Clooney and his smile. But later that evening, my thoughts wandered back to movie options in Wichita. Yes, we have Northrock 14 on the east side. But what happened to Cinemas East and West? What happened to the movie theater in Towne East? Why did the Palace East have to become a church? And what about Northrock 6? They spent all that time putting in balcony seating, just to have it become an office park: why?

I guess I already know part of the answer and it gives me pangs of guilt. When the Warren opened up, it was so nice and big and new. It made Cinemas East look so pathetic. The Palace was a good place to see the latest independent films, but it seemed so shabby. Even Northrock 14, which is only about 10 years old, seemed to have a funny smell when compared to the bright and shiny Warren.

Sometimes I daydream about hitting it rich and opening up an independent movie theater here in Wichita. I can only guess, though, based on the string of theater closings in the past decade, that it must cost more and be more work than it looks.

I’m not calling for a boycott of the Warren, nor do I know how to answer my desire for a simpler movie-going experience other than trekking over to the west side to go to the Palace West. I just wish I had supported the smaller Wichita theaters more when I had the chance.

What are your thoughts about theater options in Wichita? Sound off in the comments.

(Image Credit)

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Taken – This may or may not have made the list solely for my enjoyment of Liam Neeson as a badass. However, it had other redeeming qualities, too. It was tense and thrilling, and didn’t get bogged down in misleading side stories. In this film, you got just what you came for… Liam Neeson.

Sunshine Cleaning – Though it appeared in Sundance in 2008, “Sunshine Cleaning” did not make it to theatres until March of 2009 – but it was worth the wait. Who doesn’t want to see Amy Adams cleaning up putrid human remains? Despite the sometimes macabre subject matter, it was an optimistic indie that gained some mainstream notice.

District 9 – This movie worked on a couple of different levels. It’s an easy piece of escapism, because really, prawn aliens and mutating DNA? Who does that? But you also get the point that you are supposed to be taking away some kind of message from this special-effects orgy. Xenophobia? Forced evacuations? All slipped into our subconscious through the use of CGI? Brilliant!

Inglorious Basterds – I am an unabashed fan of all things Tarantino; I quote “Pulp Fiction” in completely inappropriate situations and I think that “Reservoir Dogs” should be required viewing in the United States. I don’t know anyone else who could have woven Brad Pitt so believably into the Holocaust and still have me laughing.

The Blind Side – I kind of want to kick my own ass for including this film, but it just couldn’t be ignored. It was a tear-jerker for the ladies and had some manly-man football action for the guys. It was relatively close to box-office perfection. I know that Sandra Bullock had to stretch to fill the role of rich southern woman, but she made the leap… I didn’t want to see it. I saw it. And I’m glad.

Avatar – I’m aware that I’ll get some flack for putting this ‘masterpiece’ so far down on the list, but it is my list, and so here it shall stay. But it was a great movie. I mean, if James Cameron has to invent new technology just to make a movie, it has to be good. And having your movie advertised on Bones and on my Coke Zero cans was a brilliant marketing plan – way to reach a new demographic! This only added to my level of admiration for the Cameron brand.

Up – Pixar’s latest gift to kids and parents alike delivered in spectacular fashion. Children laughed, adults cried; there was something for everyone. I truly believe this was their best effort to date, and showing it in 3D? Even better! Thanks for giving me a movie I don’t mind taking my 7-year-old to see (you listening, Alvin and the Chipmunks??).

Up in the Air – You had me at George Clooney. But in this movie, he was George Clooney again – he was serious and sexy and gave me little tingles… That’s what we’ve been missing in all of the Ocean’s movies. His leading ladies weren’t bad, either, but who wants to waste line space on them when there’s George Freaking Clooney? Ok, I’ll stop.

(500) Days of Summer – This is going to be one of my picks for “Best of the Decade.” Another indie film that proved to be a commercial success, this Sundance explosion broke past the limited openings to reach even the not-so-cool-kids like me. And let’s not forget the kick-ass soundtrack: You put Hall & Oats and Regina Spektor together with Simon & Garfunkel and Feist and you’ve got something.

The Hangover – Yep, the highest grossing rated-R comedy ever made the cut. Come on, try to disagree. I dare you. This movie had everything: Mike Tyson, a tiger, roofies, and lines that will be drunkenly quoted by frat-boys for years to come. I will admit, I was a little embarassed by how hard I laughed at Zach Galifianakis simulating a baby masturbating, but then I decided to run with it – and laughed my ass off. Tip: Spring for the unrated version. Totally worth it.

Honorable Mentions:

The Proposal – The best romantic comedy of the year; much better than we had any right to believe.

I Love You Man – Granted, this only gets a nod because of my love of all things Paul Rudd, but it brought the bromantic comedy into existence.

The Hurt Locker – Definitely the best movie you’ve probably never heard of, and a shoe-in for best movie about the conflict in Iraq.

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – These are basically only mentioned for their furtherance of the franchise. And, you know, for not completely screwing up the good thing they’ve had going.

Michael Jackson: This is It – This was 2009. Love him or hate him, he was a legend, and if you watch the movie, you’re going to be impressed. Not something I’d sit through twice, but a good show nonetheless.

What are your picks for the year’s best flicks? Sound off in the comments.

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3. [watch] Great Christmas Flicks

Some family traditions include a day of board games or venturing out to catch one of the flicks that premiere on Christmas Day. Not mine though. As much as I want to see Sherlock Holmes, it’ll have to wait, because I am a homebody who lives for the one day of the year when I can watch holiday movies and feel normal. When I watch them in June, I feel wrongly judged, but hey, I think Christmas spirit should be sprinkled throughout the year.

Here are the five movies I watch on Christmas in order of cinematic awesomeness:

5. Babes in Toyland (the 1986 version) – A young Drew Barrymore and a 22-year-old Keanu Reeves made for my most overplayed Christmas movie growing up.  Sometimes my family forces me to forego this one because they don’t think it belongs on this list. Or on any list. Or on the planet at all. I may be the verb [ICT] youngin’, but I know I’m not the only one who finds getting magically transported to a world of living toys to be totally life changing.

4. Home Alone - Hell yeah, what kid doesn’t want to live vicariously through Macaulay Culkin when he’s left king of the house by mistake when his family leaves for Christmas vacation without him? I never did understand how you could go to France and forget a kid though.

3. It’s A Wonderful Life - I love light-hearted family fun as much as the next person, but you always need that token “what Christmas is really about” film and It’s a Wonderful Life is that for me. It embodies all the good things in life that are exemplified in the holiday season: friends, family, and life’s little joys.  Also George and Mary are one of my favorite love stories.

2. A Christmas Story – I fully expect some hate comments for not putting this at the top of the list, but it’s not my number one! I only kind of love it. I’m not OHMYGODTHISISTHEONE involved with this classic movie. I think it’s because I really do have a fear of getting my eye shot out with a Red Ryder BB gun.

1. Elf - I’m pretty sure this movie gets funnier every year. I spend the fall months devising how many Buddy the Elf quotes I can incorporate into conversation during December.  My day job as a receptionist gives way too many opportunities to greet callers with “Buddy the Elf – what’s your favorite color?” Of course, I don’t do that because I’m 100% sure they’d fire me. And whenever I see a mall Santa, I have to fight back the urge to yell “you sit on a throne of LIES!!!”

Sure, hate me because A Christmas Story got robbed, but tell me: what’s your family’s “must-see” every year?

Related posts:

1. [watch] Kids’ Movies That Parents Will Actually Like
2. [drink] Where to Go When You’re Thirsty on Christmas
3. [do] Guide to Surviving Christmas Alone