DOUBLE DECKER DAILY DIRT: Secret agent and espionage type of movies dot list of top film franchises…and sometimes, you just need to hear a few sad tunes 

Daily Dirt for Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 – Secret agent and espionage type of movies dot list of top film franchises

Don’t hate me for the “Twilight” pick … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 443 of The Daily Dirt.

1. If you’re a movie fan, think about this for a minute.

What is your favorite all-time movie series? Which franchise has kept you returning to the theater, no matter how many sequels/prequels that are thrown at you?

This is one of those categories where there are really no correct or incorrect answers. it simply comes down to personal taste. In my case, here are my 10 favorite fil franchises:

1. “James Bond”: Even a bad James Bond movie is better than a “good” Star Wars film. (Guess it’s no secret which series won’t be making this list, eh?)

2. “Indiana Jones:” All of the films have been clever and had some memorable catch phrases and comic relief. The fifth Indiana Jones film is scheduled for June 2023 release. 

3. “Batman/Dark Knight:” The majority of these movies have been exceptional, especially the “Dark Knight” films with Christian Bale. Granted there have been a couple of lame efforts, primarily when other unneeded super heroes were involved, but for the most part this series has been well above average.

4. “Twilight:” I know I’ll take some grief for this one, but I’m a sucker for vampire movies.

5.”Mission: Impossible:” Outside of the James Bond films, I rarely watch any movies a second or third time — except for these Tom Cruise epics. I seem to pick up on something new each time I watch one. I think most secret agent-type films are like that.

6. “The Terminator:” Back when Arnold Schwarzenegger was truly Arnold Schwarzenegger.

7. “The Godfather:” I have always felt, at some point, we would see “Godfather Part IV” But I’m still waiting.

8. “Bourne:” This series will always earn a spot on the medal stand of best-ever espionage classics. The Bourne films are probably Matt Damon’s best work — ever.

9. “Die Hard:” With any Bruce Willis film, you can usually expect comedy, violence … and probably more of each. Over and Over. 

10. “Rocky:” Who doesn’t love a swollen face and quality black eye? These are like an in-ring version of “Rambo.”

2. My list of must-see NBA players, in no particular order, when they are on TV:

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers: He might be an MVP favorite as the season develops. Well-spoken and oh-si-talented, the spotlight is now diorectly on him in his first season on the shores of Lake Erie. 

Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies: The latest evolution of the human highlight film. This guy is such a joy to simply sit back and watch.

Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks: Who doesn’t love a big, lumbering, left-handed white guy who can bury 3-pointers? 

Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors: The best pure shooter. Ever.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks: What I like best about this skyscraper is he seems to obviously improve another facet of his play each season.

Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns: Smoooooth. One of the softest jumpers in the game.

Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers: Not only talented, but entertaining. And the best entertaining part of his game might be those 3-pointers.

3. I recently found the GRIT Network on DirecTV (Ch. 81), which I know is on some cable systems, too.

If you are a fan of the classic westerns (both TV programs and movies), you’ll love this gem of a site. I guarantee it. For example, I had not seen “The Life and Times of Wyatt Earp” since I was in first or second grade, but thanks to GRIT, Hugh O’Brian and I are best friends again.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — And if there ever were a fourth “Godfather” film, who could star? How about Sylvester Stallone, Matt Damon and Tom Cruise?

Daily Dirt for Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 – Sometimes, you just need to hear a few sad tunes 

From Pearl Jam to the Ol’ Possum … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 443 of The Daily Dirt.

1. If you’re in a happy-go-lucky kind of mood now, just skip the first thought of the day. 

There are times when I simply want to hear some sad music. Maybe it’s a dark, rainy day. Or late some evening when the rain is bouncing gently off the windows of the man cave. Whatever the reason, here are my three picks — and an honorable mention selection — for those kinds of situations:

Gold medal: “Last Kiss,” by Pearl Jam. Eddie Vedder’s vocals are simply haunting.

Silver medal: “My Immortal,” by Evanescence. The same with lead singer Amy Lee’s interpretation of this dark, dark classic.

Bronze medal: “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” by George Jones. If you don’t have chills by the end of this famous song  by the Ol’ Possum, check your heartbeat — or lack of one.

Honorable mention: “You’re Beautiful,” by James Blunt. “I saw your face in a crowded place, and I don’t know what to do … because I’ll never be with you.” 

2. NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy was talking about the rise of the Cleveland Cavaliers the other night.

“They have a lot to be proud of with this roster construction,” he began.

Van Gundy specifically spoke of the team’s young talent that is committed to the franchise — in both contract and spirit. Players like Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland.

“What changed it around?” Van Gundy asked of the listening audience. “Talent — with character.”

Sounds like a solid game plan for any kind of pro team. More often than not, it’s the latter part of that statement that separates the haves from the have-nots. The Cavaliers might be a club for the casual fan to keep track of this season.

3. Here’s some interesting (at least to me) facts about hair color, according to holleewoodhair.com:

• Black/dark-brown is the world’s most common hair color. A whopping 75 to 84 percent of the world’s population has naturally black or dark-brown hair.
• Only 3 percent of the world’s population is naturally blonde.
• Just 2 percent of the world’s population has naturally red hair, although 13 percent of residents of Scotland have red tops.
• Natural redheads are likely to be left-handed.
• More than 60 percent of Americans have grey hair by the time they are 60 years old.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — For the record, I had a lot of grey hair well before reaching 60. Now, I don’t even have a lot of hair.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He double-dipped today.