Arrow Makes its Mark

A dark shadowy figure stands on the edge of a lit skyscraper looking below and searching for his next target which when eliminated will cleanse his city just a little bit more. He leaps and flies down a zip-line to a nearby rooftop. He takes out the henchmen surrounding his man with speed and tenacity. The shadowy figure steps forward into the light, "You have failed this city." Not something you would want to hear from a hooded man pointing an arrow at you... but definitely what you would want to hear if you can't get enough action and suspense like me.

The CW's newest hit action drama series Arrow is nearing the end of its first of possibly many successful seasons to come. Arrow is based on Detective Comics character Oliver Queen who shipwrecks on an island and returns five years later to become Green Arrow -- the green hooded vigilante and guardian of Starling City. Adapting to his new role as a vigilante isn't the only area Oliver must adjust to. Oliver also needs to find where he fits in socially since a lot has changed since he was on the island. 

Oliver's girlfriend he left behind, Laurel Lance, is now dating his best friend Tommy Merlin. Laurel is now a successful defense attorney who seems to have a thing for the vigilante. On the other hand, Tommy is Oliver's business partner and despises Arrow feeling that the vigilante is a cold killer and needs to be stopped. Laurel's father, Detective Quentin Lance, feels the same way as Tommy and vows to do everything necessary to take the vigilante down because he believes he is too dangerous to be able to take the law into his own hands. Oliver's mother is hiding secrets about her involvement in the shipwreck, murder of her husband and attempted murder of her son. Oliver's sister, Thea, believes that her mother isn't a saint like her brother believes she is and is dating a petty thief, who after being saved by Arrow feels that he owes his life to the vigilante.

Oliver can't do everything on his own and seeks the help of his personal secretary Felicity Smoak and bodyguard John Diggle to assist him with locating his targets and coming through for him when he gets in over his head. With the help from Felicity, Diggle, and sometimes unbeknownst to his friends and family, Arrow hunts down Starling City's most corrupt criminals and rids the city of corruption one arrow at a time..

 Watch Arrow Wednesday nights at 8:00 on The CW, and see how Oliver Queen handles the difficult balancing act of having a social life and fighting crime without causing his loved ones to feel betrayed, or worse placing them in harm's way. With only three episodes left in the first season, check out Arrow and be sure to watch the dramatic ending of the first season before you're left waiting all summer for the next season's premiere.

Adam's Top Ten Christmas Movies

     1.       Elf

No matter who you are or how old you are. No other movie will get you in the Christmas spirit like watching Elf… unless you’re singing loud for all to hear.

2.       How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Animated and live action)

There would be something missing if the Grinch was left out of Christmas because… maybe, just maybe Christmas means a little bit more… and in a grinchly way he reminds us of that.

3.       The Santa Clause

When it comes to a movie involving Santa Clause, there’s no other movie that captures the brightness and wonder like The Santa Clause.

4.       Die Hard 2

Yes, shocking I know. But you can’t expect an action movie loving guy like me not to have one action movie on the list… and no one saves Christmas from terrorists quite like John McClane.

5.       Home Alone 2

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York rounds up the top 5 and beats out its prequel Home Alone because the booby traps are more intense and the atmosphere of NYC sure beats Kevin’s house.

6.       Miracle on 34^th Street

The second Santa Clause movie Miracle on 34^th Street is a Christmas movie that everyone needs to see. This movie is a modern classic and also happens to have the best acting on this entire list.

7.       Jingle All the Way

What could possibly be better than a movie about a father forgetting to buy a Christmas gift for his son and getting trampled on by crazed mothers?? if Arnold Schwarzenegger was in the movie… OH wait. He is!

8.       The Christmas List

This small budget Christmas film has a great storyline and solid acting. It’s no wonder why this movie made in 1997 is still a highlight on the Hallmark channel. If this was a big budget film it would star Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. If you haven’t seen it, it’s definitely a great one worth watching.

9.       Jack Frost

Michael Keaton plays this modern day Frosty in Jack Frost, but Keaton gives this snowman a more human quality and stresses the importance of family and being a father to your children.

   

10.   I’ll Be Home for Christmas

No list would be complete without a wildcard making the list, and that wildcard is I’ll Be Home for Christmas starring Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Jessica Biel. This movie marked the diminishing career for Thomas and the uprising for Biel and turned out to be a very funny and intriguing Christmas movie that further stressed the moral that family and your loved ones are far more important than material things.

There were a lot of worthy Christmas movies that did not make the cut, but this wraps up My Top Ten Christmas Movies. Is there a movie you think should be on this list? Did I leave anything off? Please share your thoughts and comments on what ten Christmas movies would make it on your list.