Here's a brand new time consumer from the ever fizzling, buoyant minds of eccentric sports enthusiast Connor Smith and pretentious hipster scum Chris Byrne. The CvsC List Challenge consists of new top 10 lists every few days or so concerning random topics of mass intrigue.
Each player makes a list of their personal ten favorite examples and then the rest is left to the visitors. A corresponding poll will be featured in the upper right column of the site giving options to vote upon whose list earns the $ (figuratively).
The winner of each post with have the advantage of choosing the next list topic thus parlaying into their own obscure knowledge. For example, Connor may choose a list of the top 10 Jewish baseball players of all-time while Chris picks the top 10 Elephant 6 offshoots.
As foreseen, this method may lead to an infinitesimal stretch of one sided advantages. The solution is in the case of one player winning three consecutive rounds, that player gets a 'super point' worth 3 total points rather than the 1 point per round. After said 'super point' is rewarded in grand fashion, a third party will choose a neutral topic challenge. (That means you).
Finally, possible future rounds of CvsC will feature guest challengers.
This may strike as the beginning of the more stretched obscure list challenges of CvsC, but that's just how we wanted it to begin with. So with Connor finally being able to choose the topic, a geographical knockabout seemed like a good kicker. Little did he know (or maybe he already did, i'm not sure)...regardless I (Chris) am actually a geography major but have ironically been to only four other states outside Illinois. So with Connor's extensive traveling escipades, this is essentially an even battle. Finally, I think it should be noted that the topic is top 10 underrated states, not top 10 best/coolest states, otherwise Colorado would run the whole lists amuck. Amuck I say!
----------Connor---------- "'Wolverine State,' how fucking cool is that?"
10. - Pennsylvania They have one bad-ass sports following that includes such gems as the Pirates, Flyers, Eagles, Phillies, 76ers, Steelers, and Penguins! In addition to having some incredible sports teams, they also have Gettysburg. Just imagine if Sidney Crosby and Bam Margera hung out at Gettysburg, how cool would that be?
09. - South Dakota In addition to having an ode to my favorite president Thomas Jefferson on Mt. Rushmore, this is the most authentic prairie state. It's also the home of the Sioux nation!
08. - Michigan Detroit is the worst city in America. Once you get past that, Michigan is pretty great. It's an incredibly scenic state with phenomenal views of Lake Michigan and its nickname is the "Wolverine State," how fucking cool is that?
07. - Oregon The Goonies was filmed in Oregon.
06. - New York New York City takes all the credit for New York State, but upstate New York is one of the most beautiful sites in our great country. New York also has Cooperstown, home of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
05. - Delaware No sales tax, bitch.
04. - Montana Mountains in the western one-third of the state; eastern two-thirds gently rolling northern great plains. That says it all right there.
03. - Arizona Arizona is the only place in the world where you can see mountains consisting of 100% red rocks (Sedona). Arizona is also the home of the beloved Arizona Diamondbacks as well as the most stunning mountain landscapes in the country, PLUS they let you climb them!
02. - West Virginia WV takes a rough rap for being in John Denver songs and having a racist population. Well dammit, I love John Denver! But I do hate racists. Nevertheless, the greatest racist-killer of all-time, John Brown led a slave revolt in this state. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah River are two marvels of nature for their sheer brilliant beauty.
01. - Wyoming Demetri Martin makes fun of this state in his act when he claims that all states that are perfect polygons are terrible to live in. While I do love Demetri Martin, let me give you 10 reasons why Wyoming is awesome: the state motto is "equal rights," Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful, Jackson Hole, Wyoming was the first state to give women the right to vote, there are more cows than people there, more than 600 species of wildlife inhabit Wyoming, their state coin has a bucking bronco on it, and it has the single most bad-ass landscape of any state in the union. Go Wyoming!
----------Chris---------- "Forgive me as I geographically geek-out all over you"
10. - Alaska Ironically meaning 'the mainland', Alaska is one of the best places to strike it rich with natural resources. It even will make it easier on you by not instituting sales tax or even income tax. Preferably however, the natural resources look pretty nice naturally as Alaska could easily have its own Planet Earth episode to gawk and ogle over.
09. - Maryland Nestling the D. of C., Maryland is personally the oddest shaped state but make up for it by having the most kick-ass state flag in the Union.
08. - New Hampshire Again, NH also does not institute income or sales tax and was the first post-colonial sovereign nation in the Americas which explains the ways behind their almost frightening state motto, "Live Free Or Die!" Plus, skiiiing.
07. - Washington 'The State' owns, along with Reflection Lake, some of the most interesting state symbols as it hides up there in the Pacific Northwest. WA's state animal is the Orca Whale and most amusingly, the state song is 'Louie, Louie."
06. - Utah Sundance Film Festival. Boom!
05. - Pennsylvania Riddled as the butt of endless vampire jokes, Pennsylvania indeed was the toughest state to remember how to spell for those fourth grade geography tests (or maybe Massachusetts) but interesting enough Pittsburgh is the only city that has the same color coordinated major sports teams with the Penguins, Steelers and Pirates (who own the best viewing from a ballpark, check this out). Also, the great state claims home to the setting of the two best shows on television, The Office and It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia.
04. - Oregon The word 'oregon' doesn't mean absolutely anything in any language whatsoever, but who cares when it's the home to Crater Lake and one of the most bibbity-boppin' music scenes in the country (The Shins, The Decemberists, The Helio Sequence, Viva Voce, The Thermals, Earlimart, The Dandy Warhols, Menomena, The Minders, Stephan Malkmus, etc.).
03. - Illinois The Associated Press proclaimed Illinois to be 'the most average state' of the United States. Really AP? I think you may have to gravely reconsider. Deep-dish pizza! Jazz! Blues! House! The Columbian Exposition! This! No ketchup allowed! The Digman! The mob! And don't even tell me they didn't consider the freakin' 1990s Bulls! Come on AP, even 'Downtown' Randy Brown is making you feel the illinoise!
02. - Wyoming YELLOWSTONE. NATIONAL. PARK.
01. - Montana Where the cowboys cross with dinosaurs. Forgive me as I geographically geek-out all over you, but Montana is in the rare geographical position of a triple divide, by which meaning that Montana's water systems flow to empty in three different oceans. Wrap you mind around that jive, suckas!
With the outlook not so good for Connor as of late, going against the Chris-siding trends, his nightsongs playlist garnered him his first win in three tries eliminating the possibility of a CvsC trifecta. Thus so, prepare for a diversion from Chris' music and cinema knacks towards Connor's politics and tourism shenanigans with his choosing of CvsC List Challenge #6 topic. But first, let's check the boards, shall we?
List Challenge #5 Results Connor - 14 votes Chris - - - 8 votes (pathetic)
Ever since last summer I (Chris) have grown a great appreciation for the expansion of my excessive biking adventures to include late late late expeditions. The calming darkness is unsurpassed along with the isolation and quaint aspired lonesome puts music to a whole new experience as it becomes almost more than the full attention without bothersome distractions. My own iPod claims an admittingly ridiculous 461 song playlist specifically for nightbiking. So narrowing it down to 10 has been the most draining list construction of C.vs.C yet and also explains the almost week overdue deadline mishap. And although Connor already leads with the advantage of his Chicago setting, the lesser Champaign, Urbana backdrop doesn't suffice too much as long you can avoid the occasional bumbling college drunkard giggling excessively shouting at you from across the quad.
It is highly encouraged that the voting participators download each set of tracks, do field research and actually engage in what has become a time-honored tradition for Connor and myself.
Also, I apologize for the font inconsistency, Blogger doesn't seem to be cooperating nicely these days.
---------- C o n n o r ---------- "No suburb love on this one"
10. - "Satellite" by Guster [mp3] The jangle pop trio is normally known for their poppy bubble gum ballads, but "Satellite" is the perfect computerized attempt at 00s prog-rock to be listened to when you're cruising through the forests to West Chicago on the east side bike trail.
09. - "Young at Heart" by Frank Sinatra [mp3] No list with "night" in the title would be complete without Frank. The crooner lends the perfect tune for those rides through a deserted downtown Geneva on a late summer night.
08. - "Heart of Gold" by Neil Young [mp3] Neil's most famous ballad lends a voice to all bikes rides west of Randall Road: Hello Elburn!
07. - "Vincent" by Don McLean [mp3] There's something about McLean's somber tale of Vincent Van Gogh's life that makes it perfect for a ride along Lake Michigan on any "starry starry night."
06. - "Stars of Track and Field" by Belle and Sebastian [mp3] So many B&S songs are perfect for this category, but this one is unique in the sense that it's about track and field, but it's not fast enough to run to...but it's perfect for biking!
05. - "Boy With a Coin" by Iron and Wine [mp3] This eerie tune works perfectly for Chi-Town, sorry...no suburb love on this one.
04. - "Don't Panic" by Coldplay [mp3] Don't panic that your ride to Naperville is 18 miles! This song will get you through it.
03. - "Sun King" by The Beatles [mp3] Sycamore, farm fields, one 50s style gas station for 20 miles, "Sun King"....(drooling)
02. - "To Be Alone With You" by Sufjan Stevens [mp3] If you could rig a way to make your bike float with some form of helium filled wheels (and perhaps an oxygenated tube if it fails), this song would take you all the way across Lake Michigan.
01. - "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" by The Postal Service [mp3] I'm saving this one for DC, but it's perfect for any sleeping city at 3 am. Just don't go to New York or Vegas.
---------- C h r i s ---------- "Canceling out any notion of time or troubles"
10. - "Farewell To The Pressure Kids" by Kevin Drew [mp3] Quite a way to kick it off the ride with the opening Spirit If... track as it counters between the bombastic paranoid introduction and eventually calms down after Kevin Drew (the ringleader of Broken Social Scene) catches his breath and lingers on with a smooth atmospheric clarinet closing.
09. - "Alone, Jealous & Stoned" by Secret Machines [mp3] Pink Floyd mockeries, Secret Machines have since pretty much disbanded but left behind an onslaught of angst-riden ballads. For the nightbiking category, "Alone, Jealous & Stoned" works wonderfully even if you're not under any of the mentioned physical or mental conditions.
08. - "Next Exit" by Interpol [mp3] If you were to make a playlist of this list, might I suggest that this song initiate the tracks. Interpol basically spawned from the night making really anything they do fit for situations like this with brooding, dark linings and bored, yet haunting vocals.
07. - "Vittorio E." by Spoon [mp3] Once again Spoon proves their unique ability to turn sheer simplicity into undisputed greatness. This repetitive, yet gaining song gives off like a far-off echo perfect for riding in a deserted metropolis.
06. - "Biomusicology" by Ted Leo & the Pharmacists [mp3] If only this was an actual course taught by Prof. Leo would it work ever more than a monumental nightbiking soundtrack with its rolling drums and the climactic bended guitar that sounds more like a sweeping cello (not to be confused with the actual cello in the song).
05. - "The Light Before We Land" by The Delgados [mp3] Probably the least popular track on my list, this little gem from the little Scottish dream pop band, The Delgados, churns a mixture of placid chaos with wisping vocals, yearning strings and all broken up by thunderous interludes of brash strikings. Got that?
04. - "All My Friends" by LCD Soundsystem [mp3] An obvious choice if you're familiar with the absolute infectious workings of LCD Soundsystem. "All My Friends" is a 7+ minute marathon of jaunted rhythmic piano intricately placing additions of guitar and bass here and there all comforted with snare-tastic drum attack that makes the whole track downright reflective.
03. - "Backyards" by Broken Social Scene [mp3] Collected on the You Forget It In People b-sides comp, Beehives, "Backyards" hasn't even gained nowhere near a tenth of the respect and recognition it deserves. With Amy Millan's playfully smooth vocals caressing over bumbling banjo (that surprisingly fits perfectly) and wavering tones of carelessness to garner one the most chilling yet comforting BSS tracks composed, which is saying a whole damn lot.
02. - "Vito's Ordination Song" by Sufjan Stevens [mp3] The most mellow song of the list, Sufjan's Michigan closer makes melting seem like an understatement as the song drifts along like a fluffy night cloud of intimacy canceling out any notion of time or troubles.
01. - "Gideon" by My Morning Jacket [mp3] With each bombastic corresponding inclusion, "Gideon" triumphs as the best nightbiking song for too many reasons to mention. Just ride and listen to it really, really loudly and you'll get it with a little help from Jim James' canyon carving vocals.
First off, I would like to thank and congratulate the loyal subscribers of C vs. C for tying the record for most votes tallied. List #3 of the Top 10 Most Breathtaking Film Scenes gathered a rejuvenating 32 votes matching a total only previously graced by the virgin list of Top 10 Wikipedia articles. Nice work everybody. Your checks will be arriving shortly in the mail.
Second, I would like to instate C vs. C as not only a mecca for all things slammin', but also a genuine learning community. For example, it is highly encouraged that user input be a commonplace. So if you found an interesting Wikipedia article (like the Digman did with this one [link]), or if you really, really like Justin Upton, or are appalled by the lack of "Penny Lane," or are hard-pressed on the inclusion of this tension infused film scene [link], let us know! Drop a holla in the comment reels, yo.
Also, I'd like to bring to attention that I (Chris) have a given chance at accomplishing the first ever 'super point' in which Connor or I establish a 3 in-a-row winning streak. The prize has been revamped as only 1 bonus point value in addition to the standard point. This comes in place of the original 3 bonus point trophy. The remaining 'super point' rules apply in that in its wake, a new list topic is garnered by a third-party reader, so start conjuring killer topics to be tackled by the unstoppable tandem that is Chris and Connor.
List Challenge #4 Results Chris - - - - 17 Votes Connor - - - 15 Votes
Total Scoring Chris - - - - 3 Points Connor - - - 1 Point
Now that I'm in college, I spend half of my minimal waking hours panicking and hysterically flustering over the work content. So what do I do to cool my jets? Alike 99.9% of my fellow students, I procrastinate the hell out of everything whether it's a simple survey or a twelve page anthem of a paper on the ultimate demise of Mexico City. Seriously, it's in shambles about to crack. But the main blame cast upon this common affliction is movies. Films let you forget about your troubles whether or not you placed them upon you own self or otherwise. This is true especially for those select scenes that tug at your heart, make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, and pour an overall tingle of awe from head to toe. So get your Netflix queues ready because CvsC is proud to bring you our feature presentation of List #4, top ten most breathtaking movie scenes.
forewarning - The content may include spoilers, so if you haven't seen the film, you may not want to watch the clip. Also, it must be known that to fully appreciation the impact of these scenes is to watch each film in it's entirety.
---------- C o n n o r ---------- "watch the clip and try not to piss your shitters"
10. - EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH Obi-Wan Chops Off Anakin's Legs and Arm - Easily the most disturbing and graphic scene of the Star Wars saga, this scene is the turning point of the Star Wars saga.
09. - ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND Cars Fall Along The Sidewalk As Clem Walks Away From Joel - Perhaps a subtle moment in Michel Gondry's masterpiece, this is the most brilliant scene in the film in my opinion. It marks the beginning of Joel's journey through his mind.
Skip to the 8:53 mark
08. - GLORY Final Battle Scene - Although America's first all-black battalion was unsuccessful in their battle in North Carolina, this scene is as good a chance as any to root for a side you know is going to lose. It is easily one of the most brilliant scores in cinematic history.
07. - THE SIXTH SENSE First Ghost Appearance - Forget "I see dead people." When I see Haley Joel Osment walk in to the hall to see what teenage voice is in his hallway and discover a boy that has the back of his head blown off by his father's gun, it makes me never want to get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night EVER AGAIN.
(no found video) :(
06.WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY "What Is This...A Freak Out?" - While Johnny Depp did a great job portraying Mr. Wonka in Tim Burton's remake, Gene Wilder is as untouchable as an actor can be. His performance is as hilarious as it is frightening and odd. The best example of this is when he takes the lucky members of his tour for a wild ride with surreal images of Clockwork Orange-like businessman and psychedelic colors.
(no found video) :(
05. - CONTACT Jodie Foster's Mysterious Flight - Whether or not you believe Jodie Foster's character in Contact truly embarked on her journey to visit extra-terrestrials or just dreamt the mission that was in reality roughly less than 10 seconds, the scene of her journey is one of the most mesmerizing in science fiction history.
04. - APOCALYPSE NOW Opening Scene - The film that best represents the torrid conditions of the Vietnam War begins with the most chilling song of all time: "The End" by The Doors. In the era of fragging (murdering your commanding officer), the music goes perfectly with the scene.
03. - THE SHINING Danny Meets The Twins On His Big Wheel - Nothing needs to be said, just watch the clip and try not to piss your shitters. It's so surreal I can't even speak.
02. - DR. STRANGELOVE "We'll Meet Again" - Stanley Kubrick's true masterpiece ends as satirical as it begins with the world leaders preparing for the ensuing nuclear holocaust they have caused. Their preparation fades in to a rousing rendition of "We'll Meet Again" set to numerous atomic bomb explosions. You won't know whether to laugh or cry.
01. - SAVING PRIVATE RYAN Normandy Beach Invasion - There are few movies that truly make you feel like you're in the scene. WWII veterans agree that Steven Spielberg portrayed the event perfectly.
---------- C h r i s ---------- "I dropped my from-home bag of dry cereal"
10. - THE PIANIST Chopin's Ballade No.1 In G Minor - Roman Polanski's Cannes Palme d'Or (best picture) winning WW2 masterpiece would not have had been anywhere near emotionally draining without the inclusion of this scene of Adrian Brody's character clinging on to the last prized aspect of his former shattered life
09. - THE GODFATHER Sonny At The Tollbooth - It's been very difficult in selecting these scenes, but choosing just one scene from this movie was especially grueling. I chose the scene that is personally most memorable when Sonny goes to the tollbooth with a surprise.
08. - AMERICAN BEAUTY The Death of Lester Burnham - This is the most lingering scene I've ever witnessed. A perfect closing to a spectacular film, the scene affects the way you act and feel for the next few days afterwards.
07. - THE TWO TOWERS Sam's Speech - Again, tough cookies on choosing specific scenes from each of the films in the trilogy, but a true standout is Sam's putting it all in perspective motivation speech that proves that there is still some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for.
06. - THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU "I Wonder If He Remembers Me" - One of the most perfect song/scene pairings, "Starálfur" by Sigur Rós gracefully haunts the depths and compliments the tragic emotions of Wes Anderson's worst film (but I still like it a lot, you've got to remember I'm a silly indie kid).
05. - SAVING PRIVATE RYAN D-Day Omaha Beach Invasion - There's no way a list like this should exclude something as realisticly terrifying as this scene
04. - THE USUAL SUSPECTS "The Greatest Trick The Devil Ever Pulled Was Convincing The World That He Didn't Exist" - WARNING! If you have never seen The Usual Suspects, DO NOT WATCH THIS clip, it will ruin everything.
03. - THE TWO TOWERS Gandalf And The Balrog - Two from one movie I guess is ok now, especially if they hail from The Two Towers. When I saw the underground lake in theaters for the first time, I dropped my from-home bag of dry cereal (Golden Grahams of course!) all over the floor and didn't care because my body was frozen in wondrous fixated awe. The second time I saw it in theaters even though I knew what was coming, my jaw still dropped like it was hott, The third time (yes, third time) I saw this in theaters, my heart simply stopped, instantly died and became a phantom which I have maintained to keep a secret until now. (boo!)
02. - FIGHT CLUB "You Met Me At A Very Strange Time In My Life" - Who ho ho! What an ending. The perfect pairing of the psychological jigsaw swamp that is Fight Club tandemed with the striking eeriness of the Pixies "Where Is My Mind." The is also and ending, so if you haven't seen Fight Club (first of all, for shame!) do not watch this.
01. - CHILDREN OF MEN Single Take Tenement Complex Scene - Utterly breathtaking. Too bad after scouring the internet, it is nowhere to be found, but those who have seen Children of Men know what I'm talking about (it's not the scene pictured at the beginning) and those who haven't seen Children of Men are hereby exiled from my friendship.
Against all odds, the underdog, Chris, edges the heavily favored Connor by late inning heroics via a last second two vote walk-off to pull ahead for the clincher. Geoff Blum would be proud. While Chris popped champagne bottles in his clubhouse/dorm he decided (along with that this many baseball references/puns in one post is stretching it a bit too much) on the next heralded CvsC list challenge after a look at the scoreboard.
List Challenge #3 Results Chris - - - - 11 Votes Connor - - - 10 Votes
Total Scoring Chris - - - - 2 Points Connor - - - 1 Point
As winner of LC #3, Chris chooses the next topic: Top 10 Most Breathtaking Movie Scenes
Voting ends May 4th at midnight
