Music:
Irish Punk is God's gift to humanity. Flogging Molly is the greatest band to have walked the earth. I've only seen them twice so far. Dropkick Murphys rock. Then of course how can I not mention Metal? I'm talking about good metal. Within Temptation has been my favorite for years. I think their best album was Mother Earth. Then there's Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, Nightwish, Theatre of Tragedy, Ayreon, Epica, Iron Maiden, Leaves Eyes, Tristania, Therion, Stolen Babies, and Unshine.Oldies like the Beach Boys, Mamas and Papas, and the Beatles. The beatles are one of my favorites.The Killers, U2, Gin Blossoms, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, The Editors, Depeche Mode, Sparta, Wolfmother.But perhaps the most profound artist of the 20th century that I listen to is Mr. T, with his groundbreaking album "Mr. T's Commandments," foo'!!
Movies:
Epics are my favorite genre of film, but I watch pretty much any kind from indy to comedies. I'm as much a sap as the next guy. Saving Silverman, Monty Python films, Old School, Wedding Crashers, Swingers. Lord of the Rings, Willow, Braveheart, Excalibur, Merlin, The Village, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven. Pay It Forward, It's a Wonderful Life, Dr. Strangelove, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles.
Television:
The Simpsons, Family Guy, Stargate, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Rome, Dead Like Me. News. History Channel. I'm not into reality television so much, at least that damned road rules stuff.
Books:
I will argue until the end of time that the book is always better than the movie. I prefer not to let the art be filtered, particulary through Hollywood's eyes. I tend to read fantasy books more than any other genre. Tolkein's The Silmarillion is the best I have ever read, including both fiction and non fiction. Raymond E Feist, George RR Martin, Tolkein, Terry Brooks. Dismissing sci fi or fantasy as merely "escape" demonstrates ignorance. All art teaches and offers messages. And "meaningful" literature is a term that belongs to all writings.Epics rock! Aside from all the sex and violence, the poetry and stories are unmatchable. The Odyssey, Iliad, Aeneid, Paradise Lost, and the Divine Comedy.I'm always reading a book on classic literature or philosophy, even if i'm in the middle of a sci fi book or graphic novel. It's good to have change. John Milton, Jacques Maritain, Thomas Merton. Wuthering Heights, Prayer for Owen Meany, Five People you Meet in Heaven, Lord of the Flies, Spiritual Canticle, Dark Night of the Soul, Great Gatsby, America is in the Heart, Neverwhere, Anansi Boys.