Help Dr. Phineas Waldolf Steel create a Utopian Playland (www.doctorsteel.com)
Terry Gilliam and Mark Mothersbaugh. But probably not at the same time, as we'd have little to talk about.
Jesus Jones. And yes, they did more than that "Right Here, Right Now" song. 5 albums in total. I consider Mike Edwards (the lead singer/songwriter) a lyrical genius. Oingo Boingo, because Danny Elfman taps into another realm to create his art. AC /DC because they'd never waste time with a power ballad. Devo, Midnight Oil and a rather obscure band called Happyhead who had one album. As the years have gone on I've developed a fondness for Tom Petty and John Mellencamp as well. And Beck, let's not forget how utterly cool I think Beck is.
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. I saw this film in 7th grade (in the theatre for that week it ran, no less) and decided "This is what I need to do with my life." Shawshank Redemption is a film that, no matter what I'm doing, if I'm flipping channels and it's on, I'm stuck watching it. Strangely, I'm not really into sports but I adore sports films, like Major League, Remember the Titans and so forth. And, though this kinda creeps people out, I really enjoy the Hellraiser and Saw films, not for the gore, but for... well, ask me if you're curious.
BBC's new Doctor Who is fantastic and the spin-off Torchwood rocks my world as well. Terminator: the Sarah Cronner Coni... Conner Chronicles was a fun ride, too. Heroes keeps sucking me in then letting me down at the end. Battlestar Galactica is a darn fine show. I enjoyed LOST for a time. If Deal or No Deal is on I find myself compelled to watch it, even if I think Howie Madell has become the Devil. Invader Zim, by the way is my favorite cartoon of all time. I feel a kinship with Dib Membrane. And finally (drum roll) FUTURAMA! Easily the best, most re-watchable show ever made.
Stephen Baxter's The Time Ships, a follow-up to H.G. Well's The Time Machine. Fantastic book. And if you're in the mood for conscious-expanding sci-fi Dan Simmon's Hyperion and Endymion books are astounding. I also have a soft spot for the poetry of John Keats.
Well, I'd have to say my father is my biggest hero. I am the man I am today because of him. But having grown up on comics and television I have a slew of fictional heroes that shaped my persectives as well. Green Lantern because of his unswerving willpower and human failings, Doctor Who because of his logical mind and ability to always do the right thing, Optimus Prime because even a giant robot that transforms into a truck can be more human than we can sometimes.