#top-five

Why it matters: While monthly rankings are often determined by a fraction of a degree, it's the long-term trends that climate scientists pay more attention to when assessing our changing climate.

By the numbers: According to NOAA, October 2018 came in just behind October 2015 in terms of the global average surface temperature anomalies. Notably, the report found:

The 10 warmest October global land and ocean surface temperatures have all occurred after 2003.

The last five years (2014–2018) have been the five warmest Octobers on record.

Record warm temperatures during the month were seen across parts of the Atlantic and Indian oceans, Alaska, the Bering and Barents seas, central and eastern Russia, northern Australia, and central Africa.

Not a single land or ocean region had a record cold October.

Central and eastern Russia as well as Alaska saw average monthly temperatures that exceeded 5.0°C, or 9.0°F, above average, which is an unusually high departure from the norm.

Cooler regions were seen across Canada, parts of the Lower 48 states and in central China.

Global ocean temperatures were also at the second-highest levels on record for October, which in part reflects a gathering El Niño event in the tropical Pacific Ocean.

These are my TOP FIVE PICTURES for Gray-card 2014!

http://andreduarteposts.tumblr.com/post/105313220905/walking-on-the-moon

http://andreduarteposts.tumblr.com/post/105085822735/the-life-of-forms

http://andreduarteposts.tumblr.com/post/100885660945/the-tunnel

http://andreduarteposts.tumblr.com/post/104288665825/poor-heart-of-glass

Wow, honestly this is tough.  I mean I love each and every one of my friends and followers equally but I'll try and answer.

Followers (Not in order) :

the-consulting-neighbor

mr-holmes-of221b

nekokell

sherlockpins

thedominatrixofengland

Friends (Still not in order and I mean Tumblr friends):

sherlockpins

the-consulting-neighbor

bluesgreensandbutts

mr-holmes-of-221b

nekokell

So for all my work as the National Classic Cinema Examiner, one of the things I've done is asked for anyone interested in giving a Top 5 favorite classic film list.  I got a recent answer, though the films were a little more recent than the classic era.  Yet I'm sure she put a lot of thought into the list, so it's still going to get some attention on this page.

This Top 5 list was provided by Stephanie Gruber of Philadelphia, an artist and restaurant worker and a Wildcat alum - considering she graduated from Villanova in 2009.  (She can also be seen on Tumblr as well - stagr.tumblr.com)  Here are her top 5 favorite movies of all time...

5. The Nightmare Before Christmas (Henry Selick, 1993)

While another filmmaker was the credited director, Stephanie (and many others who loved the film) sees the film's real genius in writer-producer Tim Burton.  "He can do no wrong," she said.  "[There's] hauntingly beautiful imagery, a unique story, and it's fun to watch for both Halloween and Christmas...I watch it on both holidays every year."

4. The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, 2008)

Nolan's second Batman film (after Batman Begins) was a worldwide blockbuster, and part of the reasoning for that is largely connected to the late Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning turn as the Joker.  Stephanie agreed: "Ledger's unforgettable performance playing a twisted yet compelling character."  She also said the "phenomenal story telling" was another reason why she could watch the film over and over, with every scene still making a big impact. 

3. Into the Wild (Sean Penn, 2007)

Author Jon Krakauer's book about how Christopher McCandless abandoned his privileged life for a different, more isolated world was given the big-screen treatment by Oscar-winning actor Penn (who has also had some success as a director).  Stephanie said the true story made the connection all the more personal.  "The story is just emotional," she said.  "And Emile Hirsch (who played McCandless) plays a relatable and intriguing character."

2. Newsies (Kenny Ortega, 1992)

Of all the films on her Top 5 list, this musical was a critical and commercial failure.  Yet Stephanie still likes the film - and always has.  "It's been my favorite movie since childhood," she said.  "It's fun, it's funny, and it simply makes me feel good from beginning to end."  She praised the music and choreography by Ortega, who was making his directing debut.  And there was one more reason for Stephanie liking this film.  "It also doesn't hurt that Christian Bale is the lead."

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Peter Jackson, 2003)

The last and hugely-successful film of the trilogy certainly left its mark on many, including Stephanie.  Yet she singles out this film for many reasons.  "[It's] an experience all in its own," she said.  "It takes you away to this other world...the character development, the scenery, the action, the special effects.  The final resolution all lend to the magnitude of this film."