PCB's Conference Championship Picks

Here we are. On the doorstep of the Superbowl. Only four teams left. And one of them is not the Green Bay Packers. If you read my "5 stages of grieving for Packer's fans" post, you know I've already moved on, and I hope you have as well. The sooner you can move on, the sooner you can enjoy the 3 remaining NFL games left over the next 8 months(Pro Bowl doesn't count). If you've been keeping up with the blog, you know that my picks went 3-1 the first weekend, followed by a disastrous 1-3 last weekend. I'm guessing if anyone used my picks for gambling purposes last weekend, they are now living in a cardboard box below the Kilbourn Bridge. Sorry! With the outcomes of the games this past weekend, we were all denied a "Fail Mary" rematch in Green Bay as well as another Manning/Brady shootout. Even though the games didnt go as I forsaw, two of the games were devastatingly entertaining and unforgettable(The two forgetable games? Obviously the "Collapse at Candlestick" and the Patriots dismantling of the once promising Texans on Sunday).

The Baltimore/Denver game was close throughout and only because of a "WTF" 70 yard TD bomb with less than a minute to play by Joe Flacco were the Ravens able to send the game into overtime. The teams went back and forth, eventually going into a 2nd overtime(which virtually never happens. Its only happened 6 times TOTAL in the history of the NFL playoffs) where Peyton threw an ill-advised pass across the middle, setting the Ravens up with a short field of play. Three plays later, the Ravens kicked a FG, ending Peyton's magical 2012 run and sending the Ravens to the AFC championship for the third time in 5 years(2008,2011,2012). Final score: Baltimore 38, Denver 35. Pop Culture Badger's record for the weekend: 0-1.

We all know what happened with the game Saturday night(Pop Culture Badger's record through Saturday: 0-2), so let's just jump ahead to Sunday afternoon.

If you didn't catch the Seattle/Atlanta gameyou may have missed out on what could be the best game of the playoffs. To recap, Atlanta jumped out to a 20 point halftime lead and got complacent in the second half. They then allowed 21 points in the FOURTH QUARTER, letting Seattle take the lead for the first tim in the game with only 31 seconds left. For all intents and purposes, Atlanta should have been dead and buried.

Somehow in a very un-"Atlanta"like way the Falcons completed a few long passes in a matter of seconds getting into FG range, setting themselves up for the win. Their kicker Matt Bryant trots out, lines up his kick, AND MISSES....

But wait! Seattle had called a timeout before the kick, attempting to "freeze" the kicker(Which has worked once in approximately 5,000 attempts). Bryant lines up again, boots it right down the middle. Game over, right? WRONG.

Atlanta nearly blew the "comeback" by pooch kicking it, giving Seattle the ball near midfield. I'm sure I am not the only Packer's fan who had "Fail Mary" flashbacks, as Russell Wilson heaved up a toss towards the endzone. Luckily for Atlanta fans, Julio Jones intercepted it, ensuring the Falcon's would be hosting the NFC championship game this weekend.

Which leads us to the Conference Championship games this weekend. Lets get to it!

NFC Championship
San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons
Sunday @ 2:00 PM
Line: SF by 4

Considering I picked both of these teams to lose last week, maybe I'm not the best judge of this game. There are quite a few questions that I have that this game will answer and will ultimately determine the winner. Those questions and my gut feeling to them are:

* Can Colin Kaepernick repeat his performance?

Gut feeling: Not a chance, but we need to remember that the talent gap between the 49ers and Falcons is vastily larger than the gap between the 49ers/Packers. Even if "Kaep" can only give 70% of what he showed vs. the Packers, I think the 49er's still have a great chance. As porous as the Green Bay defense was, I believe the Falcons are even worse, and they're not at full strength. The heart of their linebacking corp, John Abraham, has been limited at practice. This does not bode well as he would have been one of the biggest factors in stopping "Kaep" from breaking out of the pocket and scampering up the field again and again.

* Will the fact that the Falcons finally won a playoff game with the current regime have any effect on the game?

Gut feeling: Unequivocally YES. Ask any sports player how much their psyche weighs on their gameplay. With Atlanta getting the proverbial "monkey off their backs", they can focus solely on the 49er's without having to worry about some "curse" or "dry spell" drummed up by the media. They will remember how they stopped the hottest team in the NFL by withstanding a furious 4th quarter comeback before assembling a miraculous drive to get themselves in FG range. I wouldnt have thought it after the "Collapse at CandlesticK", but the Falcons actually have the momentum going into the NFC championship.

* Which will bend or break first: Atlanta's high flying pass happy offense or San Fran's slow down, smash-mouth, airtight contain defense?

Gut feeling: This one may shock you, but I believe San Francisco's defense will finally hit the wall against Atlanta's passing game.

In a matter of eight days, San Francisco will have played the two best recieving corps in the NFL. Even though Matt Ryan is no Aaron Rodgers, he still is a top 10 QB who no longer has the stigma of "never won a big game" hanging on him like dead weight. Between Julio Jones, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta had three of the top 25 receiving targets in the entire league this year. The Packers in hindsight had two at best(Jones, Cobb). I don't believe San Fran can play lockdown D in back to back weeks, especially with one more stud to guard. Which leads me to my prediction....


Atlanta 31, San Fran 27

Shocking right? This isnt a revenge pick in any way against SF for the destruction of the Packers last week, I just think that "Kaep" used his coming out party a week too early. Let me explain.

"From the University of Nevada-Reno..."
I'd compare the NFL playoff's to a race in Mario Kart. San Francisco had the uber-weapon, blue shell(Kaepernick), but got restless and used it on lap 2. Now there stuck with the useless banana.

Atlanta had a green shell, got behind Seattle, aimed perfectly and took them out. With their playoff win last week they picked up a star, set it off, and are homing in on the 49er's whose banana is now useless.(If you understood, the last two paragraphs, congratulations! You're a geek like me). Atlanta's at home, with momentum, knows what Kaep is capable of and can plan accordingly, and they are free of stress thanks to finally winning a crucial game. Who do you think has more pressure on them? Atlanta whose gotten farther than anyone believed they could and finally won an important game or San Fran who have now become the early favorites to win it all? Atlanta wins.

Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots
Sunday @ 5:30 PM
Line: New England by 9


To say there is bad blood between these two teams is an understatement. Baltimore wants to avenge their loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship from last year, while New England and it's fan base are still livid over losing to Baltimore earlier this season by 1 point, which in a roundabout way cost them the overall #1 seed in the AFC. In that game from week 3, Joe Flacco eviscerated NE's defense to the tune of 382 yards and 3 TD's, while New England was penalized an ungodly 24 times. Bill Belichick was not pleased with the result, even grabbing an officials arm after the game had ended.

Both squads' "faces of the franchise", Ray Lewis for Baltimore and Tom Brady for New England, are either retiring or reaching the twilight of their careers. Sure, Tom Brady had another stellar season, but his numbers were down across the board. Remember he is 35, which means regardless of talent, he's on the downside of his career. Ray Lewis, in case you've been living in a cave on the moon, is retiring, so both teams have an overwhelming anxiety to win now, which can aid AND hinder their play.

Weather and homefield will not come into account at all. Both defenses are a wash. Baltimore has a better running back tandem, while New England has better wide recievers/tight ends.

It all comes down to one player...Joe Flacco.

I've given up on guessing how good Flacco really is. During the regular season he was awful at times, and yet in back to back do-or-die playoff games he has shown flashes of greatness and clutchiness(not sure if this is word).

Whose leading the playoffs in QB rating? Flacco with an astonishing 120.0, while Tom Brady is firmly in 2nd with 115. Then there is a substantial drop off to 3rd place Russell Wilson with 102.4(who obviously can't improve is numbers this year). They are the only 3 with a rating over 100.

So we've got the top 2 QB's in the playoffs gunning against each other, while each of their respective defenses attempt to play rope-a-dope and just absorb the blows. Getting back to Flacco, which one shows up determines everything. If "past two weeks" Flacco shows, New England is in deep trouble. If "shaky-flaky, big-mistakey" Flacco shows up Baltimore is toast.

My prediction?

Shaky-Flaky rears his ugly head, tosses 1 or 2 untimely interceptions, and New England returns to the Super Bowl for the 6th time in the Brady/Belichick era.


New England 31, Baltimore 20





Thoughts, comments, questions? Your predictions? Send 'em to me at popculturebadger@gmail.com

Top 13 Pop Culture Debuts for 2013

It's the middle of winter here in Wisconsin, which means every day we're greeted with ugly overcast skies and low 20 degree temperatures. The Packer's season is over, we're nearly two months away from March Madness, and Spring Training for our beloved Brew Crew hasn't started yet. Fear not though! 2013 is packed with Pop Culture greatness from start to finish. If you're a fan of movies, video games, TV, literature, or music, there is at least one or two brand new things to look forward to that will help you get through the next few months of boredom and unbearable weather.

The following 13 pop culture items, set to arrive in 2013, are sure to warm you up,and help you forget about the dirty piles of snow outside your door and the "Black Death" level flu that apparently is going around.I've ranked them in descending order based upon what I, the Pop Culture Badger, am most looking forward to in the next calendar year.


First, a few pop culture items that just missed the list:*


*Word of warning, this list is very movie heavy due to the fact that movies for the most part have solid release dates and studios generally attempt to drum up interest with the general public months in advance through trailers and website; whereas new TV shows seem to appear from nowhere, video games seldom hit their original release dates on time, album quality is impossible to tell until their actual release, and the quality of new books can only be surmised based upon the author's past work.

I've also included trailers for most of the listings in order to let you make up your own mind.


2013 Pop Culture Honorable Mentions

*Pacific Rim Giant robots and monsters battle it out in flick directed by Guillermo Del Toro, AND Charlie Day from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" is in it? Hell Yeah. Didnt crack the list because the only trailer released so far hasn't shown much in the ways of footage/acting. The visual effects look pretty sweet, but its tough to tell whether we have another "Cloverfield"(awesome!) or that Godzilla film with Matthew Broderick(Merciful Jesus NO!!!!!!!).

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*The Following -Set to debut on January 21st on FOX, "The Following" could become the breakout show of 2013 or it could be cancelled after 5 episodes. I just can't tell. It does have James Purefoy, a Pop Culture Badger favorite thanks to his portrayal of Marc Anthony in HBO's "Rome", as a sadistic escaped serial killer matching wits with his arch-nemesis played by Kevin Bacon.



Unfortunately, Bacon did provide the world of pop culture with this Oscar-worthy "dance your anger away" scene:


The scene really doesn't hit its utterly ridiculous stride until the 1 minute mark. Now you know why I'm a little apprehensive about the whole thing.Moving on...

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*Oz, the Great and Powerful
-Much like the other two entries on the honorable mention list, "Oz, the Great and Powerful" could be fantastic, or it could be 2 hours of your life that you can never get back. What does it have going for it? The visuals, based upon the trailer, look stunning. They cast they were able to secure is solid. Plus, Sam Raimi, director of the Spiderman films as well as a "Pop Culture Badger Hall of Fame" movie entry in "Army of Darkness".

Two things that put me off about the film; James Franco, who, I think died on stage at the 2011(?) Oscars, is the headliner, and Sam Raimi also directed "Spiderman 3" which nearly killed an entire comc book franchise as well as destroyed Tobey Maguire's career thanks in no small part to scenes like the one below. If there are children in the room, have them leave NOW.


No comic book movie scene elicited more "What the Fuck!"s or "Are you kidding me?!"s from the audience. It grabbed the title from "Batman & Robin" which I thought woud never be topped. "B & R" was so awful that not only did everyone associated with the film, including George Clooney and Joel Schumacher, eventually apologize for destroying the Batman Movie lineage, someone was able to put together a list of the TOP 15 WORST SCENES from the movie, and I'm sure they still left 5-10 scenes out.


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#13. 42

It's about time that Hollywood decided to make a movie based upon the most influential sports player of all time, Jackie Robinson. They also smartly decided to go with a virtual unknown actor, Chadwick Boseman, to play Robinson which should allow the character to shine. Surrounding him with quality talent like Harrison Ford(welcome back!), Alan Tudyk, and Christopher Meloni should only add to the possibility of greatness. I'm sure there will be some scenes of cringeworthy racism, but that's what Robinson had to deal with in breaking the color barrier in sports. I just hope they stay true to his story and don't end up creating some sacchrine sweet happy plot line. For once I hope they tell it like it is; a story of man who overcame giant obstacles and helped change the way an entire nation looked at race.

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I just pray to God that the Jay-Z song from the trailer is not in the movie. Somehow I don't believe Robinson would want a musician who wrote the famous line "I got 99 problems but a bitch aint one", to write a song in his honor. Ill get off my soapbox now.

#12-Anchorman, The Legend Continues

The follow up to one of the most quote worthy, laugh out loud, funniest movies of the last 10 years, "Anchorman, The Legend Continues..." re-unites Ron Burgundy and the rest of the Channel 4 news crew for one more go around in 1970's San Diego. The murder's row of comedians guarantees at least 10-15 quotes that me and my friends will be spitting out for years to come. The only downside is we all have to wait until december to actually watch it. I also worry that the first film set the bar so high, that the sequel may not be able to measure up.










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#11. Kick Ass 2

The first Kick Ass movie came out of nowhere and blew the general publics minds with its story of a teen boy who decides to become a superhero leading to often tragic results. It was a breakout film for several of the actors, especially Chloe Grace Moretz's portrayal of Hit Girl, who absolutely stole the show. It was also the last good movie starring Nicholas Cage which is saying a lot since he now stars in 20 movies per year.

The sequel pulled an absolutey coup when they signed Jim Carrey to star in it. Unfortunately, there isnt a trailer yet, let alone a friggin poster. In fact, if it wasn't for a mention in Entertainment Weekly about its release this year, i would have completely forgotten they were even making it.

In place of a trailer, here is one of my favorite scenes from the first film. Enjoy!

#10. Thor: The Dark World

Much like the first Kick Ass, I didn't have huge expectations for the first Thor film. needless to say, it blew me away. Thor is one of the most unoriginal comic characters ever; I mean they just took his entire original Norse mythological background and dumped him into the Marvel Universe, which must have taken Stan Lee about 20 seconds to do. This fact, in addition to the casting of unknown actor Chris Hemsworth, as well as Shakespearean actor turned director Kenneth Branagh helming the film led me to believe that Thor was going to be a waste of time. It proved me wrong on every point.

The writing was fast paced yet engrossing, the acting was fantastic, and the storyline had the perfect mix of action, drama, and comedy. Which led to its follow up, "Thor: The Dark World" securing a place on this list. Everyone from the first film is back, and a new villain played by "Dr. Who" alum, Christopher Eccleston only adds to my interest in the next film. Unfortunately, the film isnt due out until november which means we've got wait 10 months until we can actually see it.

#9. Dead Space 3

One of only two video games to make the list, Dead Space 3 continues the story of engineer Isaac Clarke and his never-ending battle against the demonic necromorphs that have plagued him since he first stepped foot on the USG Ishimura nearly 5 years ago. The Dead Space series snatched the title of greatest survival horror series from Resident Evil(which no one thought was possible) and shows no sign of relinquishing it. Few games have perfected the "monster jumping out of nowhere, scaring the crap out of you when you least expect it" moment like the Dead Space series, and it has it in spades.

The series' setting has expanded and changed over time, beginning on a ship in DS, then to a city in space in DS2, and finally settling on an entire frozen planet for DS3. A new character is set to be introduced in the new game, allowing for the game to add in a cool co-op feature that was missing from the first two games. The best part is that Dead Space 3 is set to be released in less than a month on February 5th. Just in time to destroy relationships before Valentine's Day!

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#8. David & Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell

The only book that made the list, Gladwell's next book "David & Goliath" will assuredly continue his trend of taking an abstract look at trends within society. Using obscure facts to hammer home his points, his books will make you feel like a genius after reading them. I'm particularily interested in his look at underdogs against the impossible as I'm sure he will use several classic sports stories to illustrate his points. His writing is intelligent, mindblowing, and thought provoking which is just what everyone needs nowadays.

Do yourself a favor and pick up one of his older titles like "Tipping Point" or "Outliers" and bathe in the genius that is Gladwell. Just because he kind of looks like Sideshow Bob doesn't mean he isnt one of the most intelligent, smart, clever writers working today.

#7. Catching Fire

The second film in the "Hunger Games" trilogy, "Catching Fire" is due to be released on November 22. It's a long time for me to wait to see my future ex-wife, Jennifer Lawrence, in her next mega-hit. Having read the book already, I'm interested to see how the movie will portray the "Empire Strikes Back" level bombshells that close the book.

If you've read my "best of 2012" list, then you know how much I enjoyed the "Hunger Games" movie. I have even higher expectations for "Catching Fire". Comparing the two books, CF was better in almost every way. The characters matured, the storyline was more tense, and the ending came from nowhere. Although they have changed directors for the second film, I'm not expecting a letdown and I have no doubt CF will be one of the top 2 or 3 highest grossing films of 2013, if not the highest grossing film of the year. Unfortunately due to the late season release coupled with the immense popularity of the series, there is good chance I won't even see it until early 2014.

Gratuitous Jennifer Lawrence photo required with each mention per Pop Culture Badger Law

#7. Iron Man 3

Truth be told, I'm a little apprehensive about this film. The first Iron Man film was an unheralded success that resurrected Robert Downey Jr.'s dying career. It showed a quality movie can elevate even a second tier superhero to cult status through great writing and acting with the perfect blend of humor, suspense, and action.

The second film, in my mind, practically destroyed all that cinematic goodwill that the first built up with a "going through the motions" sequel that never attempted to elevate above its predecessor. It's villain, played by Mickey Rourke, was boring and uninteresting. The storyline of Tony Stark fighting the government over control of the Iron Man armor was unnecessary, and the "chemistry" between RDJ and Gwyneth Paltrow felt forced and unneeded. Needless to say, I was not a fan.

Luckily with the release of "Avengers", I got the Iron Man I wanted. A super genius lothario who can match wits and quips with the best while also allowing his surrounding characters to carry a larger part of the load.

Does the trailer look good? Yes, but IM3 wouldn't be the first bad movie that had a cool trailer. The early clips have a "Dark Knight Rises", "end of a hero" feel that coudl make this even better than the first Iron Man.
Should they have gotten an asian actor to play Mandarin instead of Ben Kingsley? Tough to tell. The writers have touched on this in interviews and have stated the character was tweaked and updated, which makes sense as the comic book Mandarin bordered on being one of the most un-PC comic book characters EVER. Kingsley's a great actor and from the tiny portion they show in the trailer, Kingsley seems to have nailed a quiet anger that could work wonders and right the Iron man franchise. Will I see Iron Man 3 in the theaters? Most definitely. Action and Sci-Fi films are MADE for the big screen because of the outrageous visual effects that are packed into each frame. Will it be good? Only time will tell.


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#5. Under the Dome TV series

A late addition to my list, "Under the Dome" was originally a novel written my renowned author Stephen King about a small town that finds itself cut off from the rest of the world by a...dome. That alone would make it a show where I would at least watch the pilot, but then I found out that Brian K Vaughn has been hired to adapt the book and will be one of the writers. Hell Yeah!

If you're not familiar with Brian K Vaughn let me give you the inside scoop. BKV was not only one of the writers on "Lost", he also penned two of the greatest comic book series of the last twenty years with his writing of "Y the Last Man" and "Ex-Machina". I could go off on the greatness and wonder of both series but this list is already long enough. Both series won Eisner awards, which are the Oscars of the comic book world. If you have a library card(which I hope you do. It is free after all) get on your library's website and request the books. They have turned even the staunchest opponents of the literary signifigance of comics/graphic novels to believers.

Here are links to both of their wiki pages:

Y, the Last Man

Ex-Machina

*Don't scroll down too far in reading their pages. Just read the first paragraph or so to get a feel of what the general theme of each book is about.

So you one of my two or three favorite comic writers in BKV writing and adapting a Twilight Zone-esque novel by arguably the greatest horror writer ever. Sign me up twice!

#4. Man of Steel

As you may have surmised from my blog, I LOVE BATMAN. I mean, how can you not? He's super intelligent, has the coolest gadgets, goes toe to toe with gods, and is just a man. Given all of these facts, even I can admit, Superman is the biggest most influential superhero of ALL TIME, and its not even close. There is no Batman with out Superman. There is no Spiderman without Superman. There is no X-Men...well, you get the picture.

An entire branch of pop-culture can be traced to a single character! That's mind-blowing. Super hero movies have virtually carried the load for Hollywood box office numbers for the last 10+ years. So Superman can invariably be thanked for carrying TWO types of pop-culture.

Thanks to "Man of Steel", Superman finally gets his due. Older fans can moan that the original Superman films from the late 70's and early 80's were fine cinamtic fare, but have you seen those films recently? Maybe the newer films with their futuristic visuals have raised my expectations higher, but across the board, the more recent comic book movies are just better.

"Man of Steel" has taken a page from Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy and made Superman grittier and more realistic. A far cry from Superman reversing time by spinning the entire planet backwards to save Lois Lane in the first film. It's downright cringeworthy.

"MoS" has loaded its cast with quality actors like Henry Cavill(awesome in "the Tudors) as Superman, Michael Shannon(outstanding in Boardwalk Empire) as General Zod, and Lawrence Fishburne(welcome back Morpheus!) as Perry White. They were even able to snag Wisconsin's own Zach Snyder who directed movies based upon two of the greatest comic/graphic novels of the last 30 years, "Watchmen" and "300".

The latest trailer looks outstanding and if everything breaks right, this could be the first in a line of great comic movies that could eventually(BLASPHEMY ALERT) challenge Nolan's Batman trilogy for greatest of all time. By the way...Nolan is also producing this film. Jackpot!


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#3. Star Trek Into Darkness

Let's jump into my pop culture time machine and jump back to the spring of 1999. In a few months the newest Star Wars film in 15 years is set to come out. For the last 20+ years, the "Star Wars" trilogy is widely considered to be one the hallmarks of movies in general and has spawned a money making machine that spreads from literature to video games, to merchandise.

In the realm of geekdom, Star Wars is king and Star Trek is a distant, distant second. Star Trek maintains its cult following course, pumping out a couple TV shows that run the gamut from entertaining to barely watchable.

And then "Phantom Menace" comes out, and the first cracks in the impenetrable dam of Stars Wars start growing. Be it the annoying kid who eventually will become the greatest badass in the galaxy, to the horrendously boring "political senate" meetings, to the unbelievable grating Jar-Jar Binks, to the veiled racist alien races that are sprinkled throughout the film, "Phantom Menace" nearly destroyed the view of perfection that the original trilogy had painstakingly built.

Fast forward 3 years for the release of "Attack of the Clones". Boom! The cracks get even larger, as huge chunks of the wall are exploding out with each viewing. But fear not, there is still one more film, "Revenge of the Sith" coming out in two years that can reverse the awful trend and plug the holes.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Revenge of the Sith" is released, the whole dam crumbles instantly, and the "Star Wars" legacy is tainted forever. Sure, each of the films made billions of dollars but thats because we as the audience we're going through the motions hoping that each film would resurrect that feeling we first felt upon watching the original trilogy.

This wasn't like when the first "Star Wars" movie came out and the casual fan went to see it 10-15 times. The only ones who went to see the new trilogy more than once were the Star Wars sheeple who probably felt honor bound to see it more than once.

Regardless of how bad the Star Wars franchise had crapped it self, it was still the Sci-Fi king. Star Trek had put out a few movies now and then, but they never could bring in the casual fan which in turn creates more diehard fans.

Fast forward again to 2009, as a re-booted Star Trek movie helmed by wunderkind JJ Abrams hits the theaters and blows away the last 3 Star Wars films. Thanks to a single movie, Star Trek closed the gap considerably and was hot on the trail of Star Wars. It had great writing, great acting, superb special effects, tension, humor; basically everything the last three Star Wars films didnt have.

I'll admit, "Star Wars" is still king of the jungle, but Star Trek, based upon the latest trailer will continue to get better and better. Instead of resting on their laurels after a stellar reboot, it seems they're attempting to out-do the first film by upping the action and body count, and introducing a new villain(played by Benedict Cumberbatch who absolutely kills in BBC's "Sherlock" TV series. it's on Netflix, check it out if you get the chance.).

Based upon what I've seen so far, within the next five to six years, we could see a new king of Sci-Fi which up until ten years ago seemed impossible. Thats how good Star Trek has become and how bad Star Wars has failed.


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#2. Bioshock Infinite

The second video game on this list, Bioshock Infinite continues its series' trend of mind blowing visuals, visceral gameplay, outside the box thinking, and unparalled world creation.

The first two games in the series were set in Rapture; a free-from-government undersea domain plunged into a civil warzone between crazed power-enhanced maniacs who run rampant across a lush world. Some may argue, but Rapture is the greatest video game world ever created. It was stunning, breathtaking, and completely original. Few games can cause a player to take a step back and fully take in their surroundings. Bioshock 1 & 2's Rapture did. The world was backed by some of the greatest gameplay ever. Their combination of First person shooters, Role-playing elements, and immersive storylines have won so many awards, its scary.

Needless to say, I'm going to purchase Bioshock Infinite the day it comes out and probably spend the next several days playing it non-stop. The series so far has been addicting and its replay value is through the roof. Word from the reviewers who have had the honor of playing it already say it is even better than the first two, and I think the trailer below bears this out. Outside of the Elder Scrolls series(Skyrim, Oblivion, Morrowind, etc.), the Bioshock series is by far my favorite game series still being produced, and it continues to get better with each release.

Bioshock Infinite was originally scheduled to be released last October, but the makers pulled it back to improve the gameplay and fix any potential glitches that arose during beta testing. Don't they know I want it now!


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This is it, the biggest pop culture moment of 2013. What could it be? scroll down and brace yourself!

#1. The Return of "Arrested Development"

Bar-none one of the funniest shows EVER, "Arrested Development" was able to plod along for three seasons even with a constantly shifting timeslot and low ratings. Ask virtually anyone who has watched a few episodes of what they thought. You may soon find yourself talking lovingly about favorite episodes, moments, characters, and lines of dialogue for hours on end.

It can be watched repeatedly. The recurring jokes, famous lines, awesome cameos, and subversive relationships between the characters only grow in fondness during repeated viewings. Each character, though flawed, show redeeming qualities and you can't help but root for the Bluth's to overcome the disasterous situation that they placed themselves in.

I bet I have watched the entire run 7-10 TIMES and I still find hidden jokes and turn-of-phrases that I never noticed before. The level of detail and attentiveness that the writers and cast devoted to it is unheralded and it has unspurprisingly led to it's immense juggernaut-like following.

To say it is a cult show is selling it short. Here we are 7 years after its orginal run ended and its popularity hasn't waned; it's grown. The public's push for more AD has led to the creation of 14 new episodes which will dovetail and build into a feature film. What other show can claim that?

Do yourself a favor if you haven't watched the show. Set aside a weekend and watch the original series. Once you get an episode or two under your belt YOU WILL BE ADDICTED, and you will probably end up watching it several times.

In the end, You will discover what a lot of us already know; "Arrested Development" is the funniest TV show of the last 20 years and we're about to get even more of it.

2013 is going to be an awesome year....






Did I miss something you're looking forward to? Did you just hear about something you want others to know about?Or did you agree with my list completely? Let me know, drop me an email at popculturebadger@gmail.com

"The Collapse at Candlestick" - the 5 Stages of grieving for Packer's fans, and the 3 burning questions everyone has

Its been less than 48 hours, since the Packer's were demolished on Saturday night by Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers, and if you're a Packer's fan like me you're probably going through the 5 stages of grief. Maybe due to the fact of watching my sports teams crumble at the most inopportune times over a lifetime of fandom, I was able to forsee the collapse and start my grieving/healing process early. Use the chart below and accompanying notes/quotes to determine how far along in the healing process you are.



Stage 1-Denial

I hit this stage roughly towards the end of the 3rd quarter. San Fran was up 31-24, and Kaepernick had already sliced and diced the Packers Defense. The clock for the 3rd quarter mercifully ended, but unfortunately the 49ers now stood at the GB 2 yard line. 3 seconds into the 4th quarter, Frank Gore trots into the endzone, putting the 49er's up by 14.

Quote: "We can still win this! We're only down by 14, we've got A-Rodg, and we're getting the ball back with a full quarter to play. We just need a few stops and this game is ours!"




Stage 2-Anger

I hit this stage pretty quickly soon after Frank Gore's 4th quarter score. Packer's get the kick off, put together a respectable drive that takes off way too much time before finally having to punt. Tim Mastay's punt pins the 49er's at their own 7 with about 11:30 minutes left. A comeback is starting to slip away, but not impossible at this point. We just need a stop.

11 plays and nearly 8 minutes later, backup 49ers running back Anthony Dixon plows into the endzone, putting the 49ers up 45-24 with only 3:34 left on the clock. Hulk Mode time.

Quote: "What the fuck Capers! Pull your head out of your ass, quit blitzing, and stop them for chrissakes! God-dammit!"(This is what I was screaming in my mind, but I was watching the game at my buddy Dave's house and is young daughter was around. Even after a steady supply of craft beers spread over 7 hours, I was able to control my language. My girlfriend, Hannah, was not able to show the same restraint.)


Stage 3-Bargaining

This stage for me came and went fast. It lasted approximately 30 seconds, as I tried to determine if a comeback was even possible.

Quote- "Ok God, if you're up there, I promise to never (insert whatever vice weighs heavily upon you) again if you just let the Packer's score here, get an onside, score again, get an onside, score again..."

Once I realized there was no chance of a comeback, I hit stage 4 like a ton of bricks.


Stage 4-Depression

The most obvious stage of grief and probably the stage most Packer's fans still find themselves in as of Monday morning. It's a stage that virtually every sports fan finds themselves in at least once a year unless their team wins it all. It's just a fact of being a fan. The higher your expectations are for your team, the harder the fall feels when your team stumbles. And if your team, like my Packers, collapses in on itself like a sun going supernova it becomes unbearable.

You spend nearly 6 months following them, reading article after article about them, you talk about them with complete strangers and friends. And then its all gone. The pit in you're stomach feels like it will never leave. You'd swear a part of your soul is missing and its not coming back.

Quote- "The Packers are awful! Why did I let myself get sucked in again? How in God's name did I think they'd be able to win against a team that beat them in week 1 with an even worse QB? Life Sucks!"

But then there's a moment that all sports fans have. Its impossible to know what will trigger it, but it will happen to all of us, and it leads to stage 5.


Stage 5-Acceptance

Thankfully for my own sanity, I hit this stage within 10 minutes of the game's final seconds. My buddy Dave and I stood outside his house, smoking a cig, watching as a strange ice pellet storm raged, and just talked about the game and the Packer's road ahead. It was wonderfully cathartic. It's why alcoholics go to AA meetings. You need to release all the bad feelings and mojo and just talk about your situation with someone whose walked the same road. Someone who knows how you're feeling because they're dealing with the same issues. We're only human after all. We need to know that our emotions are not exclusive.

Quote- "All in all we still had a great year. Looking back, the 49ers were just a better team. We came back from a 2-3 record and an absolute robbery in the "Fail Mary" game to win our division and win a playoff game against a hated rival."

At the end of the day, we need to remember, its just a game. There will still be a season next year and the Packers will be one of the favorites. The sun will rise and life will go on.



If you still can't get out of your funk here are a few things to think about before next season:


* Aaron Rodgers is our quarterback, and he's only 29. If you follow the NFL religiously like I do, you know QB's hit their prime right at about 30, and there prime lasts until about 33-34. That means we still have 4-5 years of Rodgers dominating the league and making secondaries look foolish. We are blessed.

* The Packers are a young team on both sides of the ball. Look at our roster; Rodgers, James Jones, Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, Dujuan Harris on offense, and Clay Matthews, Casey Hayward, B.J. Raji, Tramon Williams, M.D. Jennings, and A.J. Hawk on defense. Every player on this list is under 30. Virtually every team in the league would kill to have a nucleus of young talent like that.

* Our GM, Ted Thompson, knows how to fill gaps in the draft. Thompson, since his hiring, has proven that he can find talent in virtually any round of the NFL Draft. Do the Packers have holes? Most definitely. Our offensive line is a turnstile most games,and a few of our big names are getting older(Charles Woodson), but if any GM can plug those gaps through the draft instead of spending ridiculous amounts of money in free agency, its Ted Thompson.

If you are still worried, rest assured that you will have a moment of clarity some time before the start of the 2013 season when you realize how great our team is. You'll have forgotten about Colin Kaepernick running untouched at will against a defense that seemed equal parts lost and confused. You'll remember the good times and disregard the bad. A sense of hope and nostalgia will return and you'll cheer on the Pack as if nothing ever happened. And thats just the way it should be, because thats the way it's always been.

That's sports and thats what makes them great. Its one giant cycle of emotional up's and downs that repeats every year. It's what draws us to them, it's what drives us to buy t-shirts and jerseys that grown men we've never met wear. There's a connection and it's addicting; we can't get enough. Hope springs eternal, and I'm reminded of a quote from Shawshank Redemption. It's a quote that you can always go back to as a sports fan when time's are tough to find your center.

"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."


Hopefully I've talked you off the ledge, and you will be able to move on. I'm sure there are still some lingering questions you may have because of the game. I know I did. Here are a few in particular and how I would answer them.


Q: Is Colin Kaepernick an elite quarterback?

A: Hold the phones people; it is WAY too early to tell. First the facts. Kaepernick has only played 5 games TOTAL and before he manhandled the Packers, setting the record for most rushing yards by a QB in NFL history, his gameplay would be considered above average at best. He also has the benefit of playing with one of the top 3 defenses in the league giving him plenty of opportunities to wreak havoc.

Does he have a great skill set? Without a doubt. Anyone who watched the game saw a QB making pinpoint throws, running the option like a Heisman level college QB against a Div. II squad, and generally enforcing his will on every facet of the game. But one game, does not a player make. Once defensive co-ordinators have several hours of game film on Kaepernick and can plan effectively against it, there's a very good chance(almost a lock) that Kaeprnick will NEVER have as dominating a game as he had against the Packer's. We just happened to be the team that ran into the buzz saw and thanks to our Defensive co-ordinator, he never had to change his sterling gameplay. Which brings us to the second question.



Q: Should the Packers fire Dom Capers?

A: By far the biggest question that came out of the game, firing or keeping Dom Capers will be debated endlessly over the next few days. I tried to look at this objectively. It's too easy to have a kneejerk reaction after a game like that.

My take? DOM CAPERS NEEDS TO GO. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had a great article in the Sunday morning paper, illustrating the stats of the last three Packer playoff losses and the numbers are just startling. Outside of that magical playoff run in 2010-2011, the Packer's defense rolled over and played dead three times to the average tune of over 40 points and 500 yards allowed per game in those devasting losses.

Sure, it's the playoffs and they were playing quality/elite teams each of those game, but that is no excuse for those numbers. As stated in the "things to think about", the Packers have great, young players in defense. So what happened saturday night? Nothing. Which is the reason we got stomped so bad.

Its hard to remember, but the Packer's were only down by 3 points at halftime and were going to get the ball right away. Kaepernick had shown what he was capable of during the first half, and a change in defensive schemes was needed. Blitzing "Kaep" was demonstrated to be the worst possible thing the D could do. It forced him out of the pocket while leaving the middle oof the field wide open, allowing him to run roughshod up the field.

So what does Capers do in the second half? He keep blitzing. Albert Einstein once said "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." If this is true, Capers needs to be committed immediately.

I admit, Kaepernick's throws were Rodgers-like for the most part but clearly between the running game and passing game, the passing game was the weaker link. Did Capers hang a linebacker to act as a QB spy, shadowing Kapernick at all times? Of course not. That would have made too much sense.

It begs the question "if Capers had made the appropriate changes would the Packers have won?". Truthfully, I don't know. The 49er's looked awfully dominant and momentum was definitely on their side. I wholeheartedly believe though, that if there was a change, ANY CHANGE, the game would have been a lot closer.


Q: Would the outcome of the game have been any different if Jeremy Ross is able to hold onto the punt he fumbled early in the second quarter?

A: A resounding YES. If you don't remember or have already buried the memory of the game deep into your psyche, here are the details leading up to the fumble: There were still roughly 10 minutes left in the half, the Packers are up 14-7 and had just stopped San Francisco at mid-field forcing them to punt. 20 seconds later, Ross muffs the punt at the GB 9. 3 plays later San Fran ties the game on 3rd down and rides a wave of momentum that carries through the rest of the game.

If Ross doesn't fumble, chances are the Packers drive and at least get a field goal and probably go into halftime up 10(17-7) with the second half kick-off coming their way. Instead GB's defense has to trot back onto the field with their backs against the wall after a huge stop and attempt to hold them to a field goal AT BEST. This was by far the biggest play of the game, and MCCarthy eluded to it as much.



That's all I've got for now. I'll have my picks for the Conference Championship games later this week as well as my picks for the major NFL awards.

Remember Packer's fans...There's always next year.

NFL Playoffs-2nd Round Predictions

Pop Culture Badger is back, and I'm bringing my predictions for the 4 divisional round playoff games that are set to kick off this weekend. I went 3-1 last week and should have gone 4-0, but RGIII's leg disintegrated on national TV twice, after leading the Redskins to a 14-0 advantage(Word is RGIII maybe out for the entire 2013 season. Sorry 'Skins fans). My picks for the scores last week were quite a ways off, as the weekend was filled with surprisingly low scoring games from some of the most high powered offenses in the league. I cant let that sway me this week. I've just got to go with my gut. Without further adieu, here we go!


Saturday @ 3:30 PM CT

Balitmore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos

Ray Lewis and Co. travel to the Mile High City to take on roboneck himself, Peyton Manning, and the suddenly unstoppable passing attack of the Denver Broncos. The second round of the playoffs is always tough to judge as you have the first set of teams who have had almost two weeks to practice and gameplan for the visitors. Occasionally this absolutely backfires and the home team gets demolished(See NY Giants vs. GB Packers in january of 2012).

I dont foresee a let down by the Bronco's in this game. With Manning, you have one of the greatest QB's EVER whose been in virtually every situation possible. There is literally no game situation you can throw at him that he hasn't seen before. Throw in Denver's defense which is arguably the best he's ever played with and you have one of the toughest teams around.

Baltimore on the other hand had to play last week and needed a nigh-perfect game from shaky Joe Flacco to win. Add in the fact that Baltimore probably used up all of the feel good mojo from Ray Lewis' impending retirement to offset the "Chuckstrong" mojo from Indy. Denver's favored by 10 which feels about right considering all the mitigating factors. Denver win's handily.

Prediction:

Denver 30, Baltimore 13


Saturday @ 7 PM CT

Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers

By far the biggest and most evenly matched game of the week, Packers vs. 49er's marks the return of Aaron Rodger's to his home state(A fact that will be brought up at least 100 times in the pregame alone). The Packer's will be looking to avenge the 1st week schellacking San Fran layed down on the Packers at Lambeau.

Last week the Pack, playing at full strength for the 1st time in months vs the Vikings, were able to contain Adrian Peterson and thusly won handily. Thanks must be given to Minnesota's QB replacement, Joe Webb, who could not have played worse. Outside of a throwaway TD late in the game, GB would have won by three scores which would have been the biggest blowout of the playoffs.

San Francisco will be down one of their best defensive players, Justin Smith, who has a torn tricep. He may still play, but will definitely not be at full strength. Considering the erratic play of the Packers' offensive line this definitely is a late christmas gift for the Pack. Helming the 49er's offense will be late season replacement QB, Colin Kaepernick who is a run and gun QB in the mold of Michael Vick or RGIII. He replaced the more traditional pocket QB San Fran started the season with, Alex Smith. On the bright side for San Fran, Kaepernick has had several weeks to get acclimated to being a starter while also playing several top of the line teams(New England, Seattle). On the downside, this will be Kaepernick's first playoff start and he'll be competing against one of the top 2 or 3 QB's in the league in Aaron Rodgers.

With the return of Charles Woodson, as well as most of the Packer's original starting lineup, as stated before, GB is not only at full strength but is also motivated to even the score from week 1. Close game, but GB pulls it out in the end.

Prediction:

Green Bay 27, San Francisco 24


Sunday @ 12 PM CT

Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons

Its the Bird Bowl! On one side, Seattle, the most over-hyped bandwagon team of recent memory, vs the Falcons, the first #1 seed in several years that has gotten virtually no respect. Both teams are down dominating defensive players; Chris Clemons for Seattle and John Abrams for Atlanta.

Seattle, even with the loss of Clemons, is fielding the best defense left in the playoffs, while Atlanta's offense can still put up HUGE numbers thanks to one of the most loaded passing team's with Matt Ryan tossing balls to Julio Jones, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez. This game will depend on who break's first.

As much as it pains me to write this, Seattle at this point does look unstoppable. They've got definitive edges at virtually every important position and have momentum on their side. In most games, having homefield advantage would help a team's cause, but Atlanta is notorious for having some of the worst pro fan's in the league.

Still, Atlanta is favored by 3 so Las Vegas see's something in Atlanta that the rest of us are missing. Putting prejudices aside, I can't see how Atlanta pulls this one out. I see a close game early, until Seattle pulls away ensuring a Seattle vs. Green Bay rematch in the NFC Championship.

Prediction:

Seattle 30, Atlanta 14


Sunday @ 3:30 PM CT

Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots


In a game between the AFC's future(Houston) versus the AFC's dominating past(New England), the second weekend of the NFL playoffs ends with what should be an entertaining slugfest.

Houston disappointed some fans, myself included, with a rather pedestrian effort against Cincinnati, which they could have easily blown if not for an equally inept performance by the Bengals. Houston has stars on both sides of the ball, but must face the fact that their QB, Matt Schaub, still has yet to prove himself as an elite level player. Too often, his throws are offline or his poor decision making leads to untimely turnovers, which are both extremely detrimental to a teams chances once the playoffs arrive.

New England still has Tom Brady and Bill Belichick leading the way, but as both get older, their window for another Super Bowl win closes a little more. The Patriots, as evident by their curb-stomping of the Texans on Dec. 10th to the tune of 42-14, can still dominate quality teams if everything breaks right, but lest we forget the same Patriots team lost to the Arizona Cardinals who were by far one of the worst teams this year.

More often than not, the Patriots played quality, mistake free football this season, which does not bode well for the Texans. As a dome team, the Texans will have to travel to Foxboro in mid january and attempt to keep pace with a rested Patriots squad. Patriots are favored by 10 in this one and I see them covering as one too many Schaub misfires lead to unintended New England scores.

Prediction:

New England 28, Houston 17


So if my predictions are correct, Seattle will travel to Green Bay in a rematch of the "Fail Mary" game, while New England travels to Denver to pen another chapter in the Brady vs. Manning storyline. I would say I'm not the only fan that is salivating over a possible final four of those teams. Fingers crossed, I'll see you all next week.

Go Pack!

Pop Culture Badger's "best of" lists of 2012

I couldnt call myself the Pop Culture Badger if I wrote nothing but football entries, so here are a few lists from the various branches of pop culturedom highlighting the best as well as a few of the worst of what 2012 had to offer.

Top 5 Movies

1. Avengers-Probably the best "super-hero" movie ever made*(I consider both Dark Knight movies to be drama/thriller movies that happen to use the characters and world of superheroes, Its a big difference in my mind, and yes I'm a geek), Avengers was pure nerd heaven from start to finish. Big props given to Marvel and Disney for taking the time over the last few years to cultivate and develop the characters in their own movies and then seemlessly combine them into the final blockbuster product. It had action, humor, tension, and the few occasional shout outs to the Marvel Universe. And Joss Whedon directed it which cannot be understated in nerd circles.

*the "Best Super Hero Movie Ever Made" title has changed hands literally 20 times in the last ten years(which gives me an idea for a future blog post. stay tuned...)

2. Dark Knight Rises-Falling just behind Avengers, Dark Knight Rises, the final chapter in the "Christopher Nolan led/this is how you do serious super-hero films without segreting your core audience" trilogy of Batman films, sent the Caped Crusader off in style. Its meticulously crafted plot had fans guessing how it all would end and Nolan & Co. did not disappoint. In fairness, I liked Dark Knight better, but that was more due to Heath Ledger's Oscar winning performance as the Joker.

A few negatives about DKR, as small as they are, that I want to put out there anyway: Bane's voice was just an odd choice by Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway's Catwoman really provided nothing to the plot(suprising considering Hathaway is a proven A-list actress), and the movie clocked in at 165 minutes which is a little off putting for the non-diehard Batman fans. All things considered though, if it wasnt for the Avengers, Dark Knight Rises would easily have been the best movie this year. Thats how big of a gap the #1 & 2 movies built over the the other nominees.

3. Hunger Games
-A quality film whose box office numbers were driven through the roof by its rabid teen fanbase, Hunger Games did a strange thing for a movie based upon a hit book, it actually followed the plot of the book as closely as possible. What an idea! Post apocalyptic teens wage battle for their own survival in a future america,umm...yes please. The acting was spot on, the visual imagery was captivating(the costumes though, were a bit too wierd for my tastes, but they also were that way in the book, so I'll allow it), and of course my future ex-wife Jennifer Lawrence headlined the film.

I saw Hunger Games on its opening night and you wouldn't believe the number of people in costume; we're talking Lord of the Rings level wackiness, and its all warranted. They still have two more books to work with so expect another box office juggernaut with at least two more entries on the way. Like Harry Potter, once adult non-fans look past the suggested age range of the books, they will find clever storytelling with heart and the right amount of tension that can be enjoyed by anyone. And dont forget, Jennifer Lawrence...

She's only 22?! Deleting browser history now...

4. Skyfall-He's back! After an awful sophomore campaign with "Quantum of Solace", Daniel Craig's James Bond returned with ass-kicking avengeance. Javier Bardem's creepy turn as Raoul Silva, former MI-6 agent turned traitor, was memorable to say the least. The plot and action were fast paced, and helped fill in a few more blanks in Bond's mysterious past. The ending was surprising(in a good way) and definitely set the stage for more Bond goodness down the road.

On the flip side, the Adele song for the movie, titled "Skyfall"(big reach there) is annoying and grating and seemed to have been written in about three minutes on a napkin, and yet it is still one of the most downloaded I-Tunes' songs. I weep for society.

5. Cabin in the Woods
The other four films on this list were probably seen by the vast majority of society. This one? Not so much. Joss Whedon produced this horror film gem which pokes fun at the entire horror movie genre. Some of the deaths are gruesome(not a bad thing, but it could definitely hold some people back from watching) and there are too many laugh out loud moments to single out. The writing and dialogue are clever and ingenious which are rarities in the genre. Seriously, if you havent seen it yet, watch it, if only for the greatest moto-cross crash in history involving Thor himself, Chris Henmsworth.





Just missed the cut: 21 Jump Street, the Campaign, Haywire, Chronicle, Woman in Black


Worst movie: John Carter-Stopped watching it after 10 or 15 minutes on Xbox video. In other words, it was so bad I had no problem throwing the five dollar rental fee away and doing something else.
Just google "John Carter awful" and read some of the reviews to get a better feel to the level of putridness that John Carter dumped upon movie goers. Right out of the gates, John Carter was filleted by virtually every movie reviewer and for good reason. If you paid to see this in the theaters and you are not related to one of the actors, I am speechless.

Top 5 Albums

...I bought this year and are evidence that my music tastes are nearly 8 years behind everyone else's

1. Breaking Benjamin-Shallow Bay-Best of album from one of the most unheralded rock bands of the last ten years. Of course they broke up, guaranteeing I'll probably never get to see them live.

2. Linkin Park-Living Things-Linkin Parks latest album re-established themselves as the kings of the "rap-rock" genre(a designation that I hate). The first single "Burn it down" could easily have been a song off "Hybrid Theory"(one of the greatest debut albums of the last 20 years). The rest of the album fluxuates between all of the different styles they have attempted over the years, and for the most part they succeed. A worthy pick up for any fan of the rock genre, it still is on the Billboard top ten rock albums even though it was released IN JUNE.

3. Maroon 5
-Ahhh...the "skeleton" in my musical closet, Maroon 5, continues to pump out funk driven, love rock that makes the ladies go crazy. Believe me. If your single and a guy, go out and buy all the Maroon 5 records, listen to them, and go to the next Maroon 5 concert you can. The girl to guy ratio is at least 5 to 1, and most of them are drop dead gorgeous. Their latest album, "Overexposed", drives them further from their more "hard rock" earlier days, but it's still an enjoyable, beat driven album. Touches of disco and mo-town are worked seamlessly into their repetoire and show that the band can change their stripes while still being successful. Of course having Adam Levine taking his shirt off every three seconds helps drive album sales for certain demographics, but I can look past that if they keep up their brand of music.

4. Disturbed-Indestructible-You dont get more "metal" then these guys. I mean...look at that album cover! You could ask any metal fan what would make the perfect cover and they would say "Give me a Grim Reaper character and some flames". Disturbed replied, "Here you go!".

Album cover withstanding, the album produced two of the greatest metal songs(also two of the most fun songs to play on "Rock Band". Seriously. I bet I've played both at least 40 plus times and they still get me fired up.) in recent memory and Indestructible is one of the best work-out albums I've ever heard. Disturbed continues to plug away and produce hard-driving metal that apologizes to no one.

5. Rise Against-Appeal to Reason- Much like Disturbed's "Indestructible", RA's "Appeal to Reason" came out several years ago, but I didnt pick it up until this year. Shame on me I say. The Chicago based band has established themselves as the heir apparent to "Rage Against the Machine" with their socially conscious rock which they use to highlight everything from the Irag War, the economy, and politics in general. This album throws out several unforgettable tracks that are catchy, timeless, and invigorating. Once again, their songs are a blast to play on Rock Band; making each and everyone a worthwhile download.

Top 3 concerts I attended

(In other words, I have an obsession with 311)

1. 311 day in Vegas-The more I think about it, the two nighter show the boys from Omaha threw out may be the best concert I have ever attended; it was that fantastic.
2. 311 at Summerfest-Perfect band, perfect weather, perfect set list, perfect company for the show.
3. Rise Against at Eagles Ballroom-Awesome show with tons of energy, it felt weird to see a band where I didnt know all the lyrics to their songs(last non-311 show before Rise Against? Maroon 5 @ Summerfest in 2011. Last one before that? I dont even remember). I didnt even dare to go into the mosh pit for the show as I'm getting too old for it and I would have been trampled to death by giant 16/17 year olds. Seriously, in twenty years we'll see the first 8 foot tall elementary school basketball player.

Top 10 books

Proving some people still read things beyond twitter and facebook updates
*I've linked each book to their accompanying sales page at Boswell Books(the last independent book store left in Milwaukee, Plus my girlfriend works there) in case you're interested in purchasing any of them which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

1. Growing Up Dead in Texas by Stephen Graham Jones-If Quentin Tarantino and Cormac McCarthy joined forces to write a journalistic expose on a mysterious fire in a small Texas town and the reverberating effects on the surrounding community, this would be the book they would make. The writing is compelling, engrossing, and pure in its intent.

2. Two Graves by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
-By far my favorite authors working today, Preston and Child delivered their finest novel in the "Pendergast" series in years. As with all their novels, they weave science, crime, and the supernatural seamlessly. The book is addicting, the characters feel real, and the twist and turns(Preston/Child mainstays) are used to perfection. Within the Pendergast universe, "Two Graves" has added more to the backstory and laid the groundwork forfuture titles than any of their novels since "Brimstone".

3. Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
I admit, I was totally late to the party on these three books. I had read "Hunger Games" before the film came out, but didnt read the next two, "Catching Fire" & "Mockingjay" until being inspired by the film. Two days later, I had devoured the other two books and was absolutely captivated. Each book stood on its own and had a feel all their own(Kind of like the original three Star Wars films except no Ewoks). Suzanne Collins leaves no stone unturned and actually finalizes the trilogy instead of leaving it open ended for future tales and monetary gains. Collins answers all questions readers may have had throughout the series and the fact their is a definitive ending makes reading the series that much more enjoyable. All three are quick reads and there is not a single wasted sentence. Few books, let alone whole series can say that.

4. BZRK by Michael Grant A rousing, futuristic thriller from proven Young Adult author Michael Grant, BZRK weaves a tale of nanotechnology, rebellion, and a fight for the greater good. It's just an enjoyable Sci-Fi tale that's as intelligent as it is original.

5. Ex-Pats by Chris Pavone A cloak & dagger thriller that spins the Espionage genre on its head, Pavone's debut novel follows a retired CIA agent who reluctantly retires and moves to Luxembourg becoming a stay at home mom in the process. As her former life appears to catch up with her, she begins to wonder if she will ever be able to break her old habits and profession. A great novel that is even more amazing considering its Pavone's first published work. The ending is impossible to guess and is continuously revealed until the very last sentence.

6. In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson-Erik Larson, author of one of Pop Culture Badger's favorite non fiction books ever "Devil in the White City", returns with his true to life story of the american ambassador to Germany in the years between WWI and WII who foresaw the rise of the National Socialist German Workers' Party, i.e. Nazi's, and the awful, world bending effects they would have on the international stage.

Even the most diehard WWII buffs will be fascinated by the cast of historical figures that William Dodd, the ambassador, crossed paths and mingled with over his several years in Berlin. Dodd repeatedly attempted to warn his counterparts in the US about the evil on the horizon, and well...we all know how well that turned out. Much like "Devil in the White City", the level of research that Larson must have undertaken in order to write the book is mindblowing, and the results are worth the read in every way.

7. Bushville Wins by John Klima- An enjoyable non-fiction look at the 1957 Milwaukee Braves magical season that any fan of baseball will devour, "Bushville Wins" is a re-telling of one of the original underdog sports stories chronicling the Braves' move from Boston to "lowly" Milwaukee and their eventual dethroning of the mighty New York Yankees. Some of the behind the scenes stories of the players' interactions between each other as well as the adoring public is captivating and enlightening.

8. The Third Gate by Lincoln Child Oh Lincoln Child, you've done it again. This time, he weaves a story of lost tombs, ghost kings, deadly curses, and action, action, action! Like a modern Indiana Jones heavy on science, myth, and speculation, Child's book is the classic "stay up way to late to read just a few more chapters" novel. I'm still aghast that none of his books have been made into a movie as his tense twists and cliffhangers are tailor made for the screen.("Relic" was made into a movie starring Tom Sizemore(HUGE red flag there), but thanks to Hollywood's "tweaking" of the plot it was absolutely ruined and corrupted. Although, I was one of the 5 people in the world who paid to see it in the theaters. It was literally the first movie I saw where I was the only one in the theater.)

9. Grantland vol. 2 & 3-Collecting the finest next gen sports writing being produced today, the "Grantland volumes" cover everything in the world of sports as well as occasionally delving into other pop culture streams. The list of A-list authors who've contributed to it include Malcolm Gladwell, Wisconsin native Chad Harbach(whose novel "Art of Fielding" was bar-none the best book I read in 2011. His entry in Grantland chronicles the Brewers 2010 NLCS game 5 loss to the Cardinals and the historical build-up to the moment. Its obviously one of my favorite entries in the books), Don Delillo, Chuck Klosterman, and,of course, Bill Simmons(by far the biggest inspiration of this blog.) These are must reads for the intelligent sports fan.

10.Shadows over Baker Street-Smashing the world of Sherlock Holmes with HP Lovecraft's Chthulu mythos, "Shadows over Baker Street" is a heavenly mashup of detective novel and horror fiction spread out over several short stories, which surprisingly works flawlessly. The standout story is penned by renowned novelist Neil Gaiman, whose story alone is worth the purchase. Fans of Holmes or horror will revel in the printed page awesomeness bound in this book.

Top 3 Video Games

1. Dishonored-Victorian era steampunk setting? Check. Master Assassin bent on revenge? Check. Awesome storyline that changes and fluctuates with each choice you make? Check. The ability to hilariously send swarms of carniverous rats after your enemies? Double Check! Add it all up and you get the best game of the year.

2. X-COM Enemy Unknown-Defending Earth from an impending alien invasion has never been more fun or more tense. Xcom's turn based game play forces every player to turn into a master stategist or face the permanent consequences. Characters you build up and grow attached to can die if you mess up ONCE(One of the reasons I stopped naming them after myself or my friends). The difficulty level is much higher than most games being produced today which only adds to the suspenseful narrative. Great graphics, great gameplay, borderline insane difficulty at times...great game period.

3. Witcher 2-If you took the fantasy world of "Skyrim", the choice effecting gameplay of the "Mass Effect" series, and the difficulty/frustration/"pull your hair out, how do I keep dying" of XCom you'd get "Witcher 2". It's addicting at times, blood boiling aggravating at others while always staying original in scope and story. Its the only game on this list I haven't beaten in one way shape or form, which only adds to my need to go back for another go-around. Did I mention the nudity and NC-17 level violence?

Top 5 TV shows

1. Game of Thrones-Without a doubt the best "new" show of the last three years, "Game of Thrones" continues to build its fanbase through engrossing storytelling, flawed characters, sharp dialogue, the perfect amount of twists, as well as addicting plotlines. The acting is unbelieveable, the visual effects and setting are stunning, AND it got even better during the second season. There are few shows where I count down the days until the next episode, let alone watch during its original runtime(thanks to DVR, this IS a rarity for most nowadays). Even though it is "fantasy" show, even the most ardent haters of the genre are quickly swept up in the "GoT" addiction.

2. Parks & Recreation-Following the trials and tribulations of the Pawnee Parks department and its workers, "Parks & Rec" holds the title of funniest show on television, and in my mind its not even close. The show's writers have imbued the characters with levels of imperfections and shortcomings that only solidify their connection to the audience. There are at least 5 laugh out loud moments each episode, and if you've watched the entire run you know the show is still hitting its stride. There's heart and humanity in spades and all of it feels genuine. Unlike "the Office" which jumped the shark years ago, "Parks & Rec" is only getting better and is now the TV comedy all others should be compared to.

3. Homeland-This ranking is more based on the 1st season than on the 2nd which is suffering the classic "sophmore slump" of great television. Concentrating on the first season, "Homeland"s sweep of the award shows was absolutely warranted. The relationship between Claire Dane's and Damian Lewis' characters was one of the most intriguing in recent memory. Their constant mental game of cat and mouse that left audiences guessing until the very last episode was as mentally exhausting to the viewer as it was to them. The show's ability to keep audiences wondering as to what was really going on was unbelieveable. Hopefully in the future, "Homeland" will return to its thought provoking roots, mind bending writing, and enigmatic characters and enthrall audiences like I know they can.

4. Grimm- I guarantee "Grimm" is the only show on this list that the vast majority of people have never heard of, let alone even watched. It's their loss. A detective/procedural crime drama in which folktale characters and monsters are real, "Grimm" follows detective Nick Burkhardt who descends from the mythical monster hunters of the show's title. There's enough humor and humanity to make "Grimm" addicting and absorbing on a weekly basis. Do yourself a favor and rent the first season. If you're like me you will not be disappointed.

5. Bob's Burgers-The most consistently funny primetime cartoon since "Family Guy"s prime, "Bob's Burgers" story of a restaurant owner and his crazy family's life in an unnamed seaside town is irreverent and original(unlike "American Dad" which copied "Family Guy" which copied "the Simpsons" which copied "the Flinstones). There is not one standout from the cast of main and supporting characters thanks to the writers and animators ability to flesh out each one and allow them to stand on their own merit. Much like "Parks & Rec", "Bob's Burgers" continues to get better.