I did a comment on the Oscars before I saw this wonderful film. I watched it today, and not only did Helen Mirren deserve the Oscar for best actress, but one of my favorite actors, James Cromwell definitely should have been nominated too. It wasnt the best film of the year (see entry on the Departed), but it deserved to be nominated, which it was. When I do a list of best historical movies soon, this will be at or near the top.

Anyone who saw my last post knows my feelings about The Departed. About once every 5-6 years, I agree with a best movie pick. That Scorsese won best director is just a great bonus.

In honor of the movie I think was the best this year- a mob movie- not in particular order except at the top.

10. Cotton Club- little known early Richard Gere movie about the famous club and the mob stuff that happened there.

9. Godfather pt.3- sorry, I just didnt like the first two.

8. On the Waterfront- Marlon Brando's best film by far. It coulda been a contender.

7. Scarface- not purely a mob film, but one of my favorite Pacino movies.

6. Gangs of New York- yes, it was extremely graphic and violent, but a great film nonetheless.

5. Payback- more of a crime noir film, but so good I had to put it somewhere- one of my favorites with Mel Gibson.

4. The Untouchables- pretty awful for historical accuracy, but a great movie anyway- Sean Connery deserved the best- supporting oscar he got for it.

3. White Heat- James Cagney's best movie- definite Mother issues here.

2. The Departed- it may surpass my current #1 after a few more viewings, but definitely the best movie of last year. Scorsese deserves his long overdue first best-director oscar for this one.

1. Goodfellas- I know a lot of people who think this, not The Godfather, was the best mob movie ever- I agree.

What I thought was the best new show this year, Jericho, returns tomorrow, 2/14, on CBS, at 8Eastern, 7Central and Mountain time, with an episode that recounts all of what happened in the fall episodes before it went on hiatus. this is a great show, and if you can catch this episode, you will know what is going on when regular episodes start next week. Also, I make no secret that I am a nut for certain reality series- Survivor is off to a great start, the Apprentice LA is fun to watch as an ex-homeless guy just to see all the wanna-be rich guys and girls whine about living in tents, and Amazing Race All-Stars starts this Sunday- talk about must see TV!

I was going over some of my old posts and found I hadnt done one on authors for a while. Two new guys Im reading a lot of right now as I have just discovered them are Lee Child, and James Lee Burke. Both are great reads. Also, James Patterson's Step on a Crack, which introduced a new series, was also a great read.