The Top Ten Breakout Performers of ’09

Let’s face it, 2009 had a season of terrible, big budget, disastrous movies. So much so I felt I threw away over $100 to hyped-up pieces of poo. At the same time, there were some excellent films hidden amongst the Autobots, the superheroes, and The Ugly Truth. For many, most of their success came from the fresh faces we saw in an industry where the same garbage is recycled constantly.

Here are ten actors whom I believe took that next step in their careers this past year.

10) Jesse Eisenberg

Who I always considered the “other Michael Cera,” Eisenberg showed us his goofy and awkward nature in Adventureland, and Zombieland and managed to stand on his own. In 2010, he’ll be starring as Mark Zuckerberg, cofounder and current CEO of Facebook, in David Fincher’s The Social Network.

Stephen Lang

9) Stephen Lang

Public Enemies had many problems throughout. But, it was Lang who upstaged Christian Bale in every scene he was in. In fact, Lang was not only in the last seen of Enemies, but was also in the first in The Men Who Stare at Goats. It’s obvious he got these roles because of the one he’ll be remembered for — the buff, scary, military badass in James Cameron’s Avatar. There is no question in my mind that when Hollywood needs an old, grey haired, macho man in a script, they’ll be calling Lang’s agent.

8 ) Chris Pine

Personally, Pine got my attention back in ’06 when he played one of the Tremor Brothers in Smokin’ Aces. Now, he is known worldwide as the new James T. Kirk. The difference between Pine and William Shatner is that when people watch the old Star Trek, they see Shatner. Pine has the opposite problem; they see Kirk, not Pine. One could argue he was so good for that role you don’t see the actor. Unfortunately, right now, his name is still unknown to many.

Are Thirteen Santas Better Than One?

If you woke up this morning to a whole bunch of new toys, appliances, and mandarin oranges wrapped up and/or stuffed in stockings, then you were visited by Santa Claus. These are the footprints we’ve come to expect from this fictitious character.

It’s because all know who Kris Kringle is. We’ve always been told he goes around the whole world in one night.

However, that’s not true. Because in Iceland, they don’t have a Santa. They have thirteen.

They’re called Yule Lads. Here is the list from Wikipedia of their names and what they do. And so you know, this is NOT a joke.

Sheep-Cote Clod

Sheep-Cote Clod: Harasses sheep, but is impaired by his stiff peg-legs.

Gully Gawk: Hides in gullies, waiting for an opportunity to sneak into the cowshed and steal milk.

Stubby: Abnormally short. Steals pans to eat the crust left on them.

Spoon-Licker Steals Þvörur (a type of a wooden spoon with a long handle – I. þvara) to lick. Is extremely thin due to malnutrition.

Pot-Scraper: Steals leftovers from pots.

Bowl-Licker: Hides under beds waiting for someone to put down their ‘askur’ (a type of bowl with a lid used instead of dishes), which he then steals.

Door-Slammer: Likes to slam doors, especially during the night.

Bromantic Drunk Dialing: Are We There Yet?

We live in a time where drunk dialing and texting are quite common. We’re also in an era where we’re opening up to the idea of “bromance.” This is truly the first decade ever where society has not only encountered these two topics, but accepted them.

But, are we ready to mix the two together?

Are we ready for bromantic drunk dialing?

My answer is no. It’s impossible. The definitions of each reveal a contradiction between the two.