Saints Report # 15

Q:  What odds could you have gotten betting that the Saints would lose 5 straight home games after winning 20 in a row?
A:  A Breesizilion to one.

Q:  What odds could you have gotten betting that the Falcons could win the division by going 6-0 in the division and 1-9 outside it, which could be the case by Sunday night?
A:   Dammit Jim, I’m a doctor, not a gambler

Q:  Is Jimmy Graham a football player or a basketball player?
A:  He keeps dribbling the ball, you tell me

Q:  How much time did Matt Ryan have to throw Sunday when they beat the Saints 30 – 14?
A:  You could’ve timed it with a sundial

Q:  Do you have a nickname you’d like to propose for our offensive line?
A:  Yes.  “Unabated to the Quarterback.”

Q:  Is Devery Henderson walking through that door?
A:  No

Q:  We’ve never really been able to replace him as a deep threat have we?
A:  Joe Morgan, but apparently Sean Payton thought he was better suited as a second baseman

Q:  Is Will Smith walking through that door?
A:  Not the Will Smith you’re thinking of.

Q:  Kenny Stills and Marques Colston played well though didn’t they?
A:  Yes, but Julio Jones was the best player on the field

Q:  Don’t Super Bowl teams have to re-load all the time.
A:  Yes. 

Q:  Where is training camp for the Saints next year?
A:  Chicago.  Goodell has mandated it.

Q:  What are our biggest needs in the draft?
A:  3 cornerbacks, and 3 linebackers

Q:  What will we draft?
A:  A Wide Receiver

Q:  Is Brees fading?
A:  Did you see Peyton Manning play Monday night?

Q:  Who do you consider the heart and soul of the Saints?
A:  Lance Moore

Q:  What did you think of the Saints play calling this year?
A:  I think it’s perfectly logical to throw the ball from an empty backfield on second and 2, but run it on second and 9.

Q:  Will Rob Ryan be back?
A:  No.  He will be offered the head coaching job of the New York Jets

Q:  Is it time to start looking for the successor to Brees?
A:  Sure.  If it’s going to take 40 years again. 

Q:  Will you watch the game Sunday?
A:  Of course.  I’m a glutton, not a gambler.

Q:  What do you think would happen if they gave Pierre Thomas the ball 20 times a game?
A:  We’ll never know.

Q:  Do you think Payton and Loomis will blow up the team next year?
A:  Yes

Q:  Aren’t some Saints overpaid?
A:  Yes, but so are Brad Pitt, Taylor Swift, and Elvis Presley.  The playing field is level, and we will find a way to add another high priced free agent like Jarius Byrd, so don't fret.

Q:  Would you like to propose a theme song for this year?
A:  Lieutenant, haven't we already covered that?

Q:  Any final thoughts?
A:  You got bullied into that courtroom

Saints Report #14

Roger Goodell hates the New Orleans Saints, so every year he sends them to the Windy, wet, cold City of Chicago.  What’s up with that?

Fortunately, the good Saints, let’s say the Saints of 2011, showed up and trounced the Bears with a methodical performance on offense and an inspired one on defense, winning 31-15.  Now all we need is a little 6 game winning streak and The Lombardi Trophy will be ours!

How did they win?  Two obvious things.

1)      The Saints out-Pierred them   I’m not a personnel evaluator, but it seemed to me in the exhibition games that Free Safety Pierre Warren was the real deal.  He out-played the other Safeties and showed a nose for the ball.  He got cut, and someone named Marcus Ball was kept.

In desperation, after season ending injuries to Rafael Bush and Jarius Byrd they were lucky enough to get him back.  All he did last night was intercept 2 passes which hasn’t been done by a Saint Safety not now in jail since about 1970, I’m guessing.  Meanwhile the Senior Pierre, Thomas, was running amuck with screen passes and reminding everyone what he can do when healthy.

2)      The Saints out-quarterbacked them.  I hope all the Talk Show/Internet loud mouths who have been complaining about Drew Brees got a look at the game last night for two reasons.  First, how good Brees is.  I don’t see a quarterback in decline, like everyone is yakking about.  I sometimes see a quarterback who a) tries to do too much, and b) has injured or under performing weapons around him, and c) occasionally has a bad game (like every other quarterback who has ever played – did you see Aaron Rodgers this week?) 
Secondly I hope everyone got a good luck at Jay Cutler for contrast, because the Saints history book is loaded with Quarterbacks even worse than him.  AND HE MAKES MORE THAN BREES.

Brees’ salary seems to irk some.  It shouldn’t.  It’s called the entertainment dollar.  It distorts things and we can’t relate.  The $20 million a year neighborhood is where the top quarterbacks play.  Sorry.  If you think he should take less to win and spread the wealth, you’re kidding yourself.  Would you say “don’t pay me $20 an hour, pay me $10 an hour and give it to my coworkers?  Sure.

Sorry, occasionally I have to live up to the name of the column and rant a little.  The most encouraging thing about the game was that the Saints defense looked better, even though it was a sub-par offense they were playing.  New defensive backs were flying around like it was their first NFL game because, well it was.  Kenny Vaccaro’s reduced role held him to only one unnecessary roughness penalty.  I’ve got to give a little credit to Rob Ryan for bringing it together, since he has been torched in the press all year.  His blitzes actually worked and the Saints harassed Cutler all night.

The Saints have a core.  It’s Bress – Colston – Thomas on offense.  They’re getting older.  It’s a fact.  Give ‘em some football Geritol and let’s keep them as long as we can.

Now the biggest game in years, and it would just have to be against THEM.  With a short week to prepare (because Goodell hates us) the despised dirty birds come to the dome and we used to know what was going to happen there.  This year all bets are off.  Who knows which Saints team or Falcons team will show up?  I certainly don’t.  But my entertainment dollar has already been spent, so I’ll be there to find out.

At the Cinema - November 2014

Interstellar – 10
You’ll like this movie if you like time travel, space travel, and mind travel. 

I guess there are only a few things we should really worry about.  This movie is about one of them – the end of the world.  What would happen if the planet was just “give out?”  That’s how this movie begins.  The world has become a dust bowl.  The dust is choking the world and it’s time to find another inhabitable planet.  It’s a disturbing scenario.

Matthew McConaughey to the rescue.  Off he goes through Director Christopher Nolan’s chaotic imagination.  Anne Hathaway is along for the ride and they go searching outer space, though time, black holes, worm holes, and other not-so-easy-to-understand landscapes.

It’s an amazing journey.  To save the world McConaughey must leave his family behind and his daughter is none too happy as she harbors the resentment for the rest of her life.  There certainly are ramifications when you are trying to save the world. 

I’ve often found Christopher Nolan’s work to be exceptional, and he wields his imagination as a weapon in movies like Inception, Memento, and The Dark Knight Trilogy.  This may be his best yet.  But, it’s not always an easy film to understand, and definitely not for everyone.  I strongly recommend you take the ride.

The Theory of Everything – 9

You’ll like this movie if you like biographies and great acting.
This is the low key and rather amazing story of physicist Steven Hawking.  His work serves as much of the basis for the concepts in Interstellar, and his theories about black holes and time are an effective backdrop to his personal story.  Hawking was diagnosed with ALS in the early 60’s and told he would live 2 years.  Amazingly, he is still a productive scientist even though he lost his ability to speak decades ago.

Even more amazing are the performances in this film.  How do you find someone who can portray Hawking?  Well, his name is Eddie Redmayne and his physical transformation into Hawking is incredible.  The script is based on a book by his wife Lisa, who is portrayed wonderfully by Felicity Jones.  This is as much her story as it is Hawking’s. 

If you are feeling sorry for yourself, this film will cure that.

Hunger Games – Mockingjay Part 1 – 7
You’ll like this movie if you liked the first two Hunger Games movies.  Not much has changed.  I thought the second movie was a redo of the first.  This one appears to be a preview of the last, coming soon to a theater near you. 

This must have been what it felt like to watch an old Hollywood serial.  They used to make these, less the production values.  Of course, they didn’t have Jennifer Lawrence, who attacks the role of Katniss, the Mockingjay, with the earnestness of a true heroine.

The action scenes in this movie are actually a cut above what is usually visible in the explosion-laden Hollywood film of 2014.  But, there’s just not enough of them, which is a very difficult thing to come out of my mouth.  Too much soap, not enough war.  There’s just that feeling that the story is being stretched out for a two part extraction of dollar bills from the movie going public.  But if you liked the first two, you’ll like this one.

Scanning the Satellite

Jersey Boys – 8

I finally caught the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons on pay per view.   I had deliberately passed on seeing the movie in theaters until I saw the Broadway play, which I can’t wait to see again.  The play is terrific and is now an industry of its own, with many touring companies and even schools to train those who could play the four Jersey boys.

John Lloyd Young won a Tony for his portrayal of Frankie Valli and he carries this movie with his performance. 

The movie was directed by Clint Eastwood and I approached that with a little trepidation which turns out to be well-founded.  But, when you think of it, what director out there is a musical director?  It’s not as bad as when Sylvester Stallone was picked to direct the Saturday Night Live sequel.

There’s a lot of emphasis on the seedy side of the Jersey Boys, but the music is still good enough to carry the day, especially the rousing finale behind the closing credits.  Both the play and the movie even leave out some great songs.  But one of the songs that concludes the movie, “Who Loves you” makes the list of songs that at one point dominated our fraternity house.

Not that anyone cares, but here’s that pantheon of songs 1972 – 1976:

Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding

Can’t Get Next to You

Johnny B. Goode

Hit the Road Jack

Jesus is Just Alright

I’ll Be Around

Who Loves You

Now you know.

Saints Report # 13

I have to close my eyes anymore when I watch you play

And there’s no way like before that I can watch the re-play

You’re trying hard not to blow it (Payton).

But Payton, Payton I know it….

You’ve lost that winnin’ feeling,

Whoa, that winnin’ feeling.

You’ve lost that winnin’ feeling,

Now it’s gone…gone…gone…whooooh

Now there’s no confident look in your eyes

When you get the balll

And now you’re starting to fumble often,

It makes me just feel like crying, (Payton)

“Cause baby, the Superdome is dying.

You’ve lost that tacklin’ feeling

Whoa, that tacklin’ feeling

You’ve lost that tacklin’ feeling,

Now it’s gone…gone…gone…wooooah

Jimmy, Jimmy, I get down on my knees for you

If you would only catch it like you used to do, yeah

We have a qb…a qb….a qb you don’t find everyday,

So don’t…don’t….don’t…don’t let it slip away.

Breezy (breezy),  Curtis (curtis)

I beg of you please…please

I need a bomb (I need a bomb)

I need a sack (I need a sack)

So bring it on back (So bring it on back),

Bring it on back (So bring it on back)

Bring back that winnin’ feeling.

Whoa, that blitzin’ feeling

Bring back that tacklin’ feeling

Cause it’s gone…gone…gone.

And I can’t go on,

Noooo……………..

Bring back that superdome feelin’

Whoa, that football feeling

Bring back that “Who dat” feeling

Before it’s gone….gone….gone.

Saints Report #12

Don’t ask me.

If I knew when the Saints were going to show up and play a football game like that, I’d be living in Vegas and making a living with my knowledge.

But I did figure out how they did it.  Time travel.  That was the 2009 Saints that won that game.  Only possible explanation.

The Saints, (off a short week after Monday Night Football) traveled to Pittsburgh (off a bye week) and bounced the Steelers all over the field en route to a 35 – 32 victory that was only close because the Steelers scored 2 touchdowns late.  If you saw this coming, move to Vegas.

During the Thanksgiving Family Holiday we watched two things that set this up.

One night on Netflix I introduced the family to the classic Star Trek episode “City on the Edge of Forever.”  Captain Kirk and Spock have to travel back in time to undo the damage McCoy has done by changing history.  Written by famed science fiction writer Harlan Ellison, this is generally considered the best original Star Trek episode.

Then, another night we rented “Edge of Tomorrow” about a soldier, played by Tom Cruise, who keeps reliving the same day over and over.  One of the best movies of the year.

Great time travel stuff.

So Sunday, the Saints offense, defense, and special teams all played like they were in a time warp. 

It started with Drew Brees, who played mistake free, this time with the support of a running game.  He threw at all-stars like Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu with no hesitation and ended the day with another 5 touchdown game.   When I listen to the idiots who think Brees is done, I want to throw them in a time machine and sentence them to a life where the quarterback is always named Bobby Joe.

I knew I was in an alternate universe when the normally-invisible-except-when-he’s-dropping-a-pass  Nick Toon even barreled his way into the end zone for his first career touchdown.  I get the impression that Payton thinks Toon is their next Marques Colston.  I don’t see it, but what do I know.

The secondary played their best game of the year, picking off Roethlisburger twice just when he was looking like an MVP candidate.

The Saints got off to a slow start as Patrick Robinson (3 possible interceptions) Toon and Colston (who would later score) all dropped the ball early.  But, just when you thought it was going to be a long day, the Saints clicked.  Even Kenny Vacarro, who has been a disappointment this year, made as many big plays (including an interception) as he did drawing penalties.  It was as impressive as it was unexpected.

Now comes the test.  Four games to go.  Which team will show up week to week?  Wish I had a hot tub time machine so I would know ahead of time. Don’t look now, but if this starts a little winning streak, the Saints could win the division, play a home playoff game, and scare some teams that have been very good all year.  Remember when the Giants went 9-7 and rolled through the playoffs?  There’s precedent.  It’s not how you start the race, it’s how you finish it.  And a time machine helps.

Saints Report #11

Random Thoughts as I watched the Saints on Monday Night Football.

Can’t believe all these pundits are picking the Saints to win this game.  I know none of them watch the Saints, but surely they’ve heard how bad we are.

When Ray Lewis is the one talking sense on the panel, it’s time to re-load your panel.  Who’s retiring this year?
Suzy Kolber has lightened her hair color.
I haven’t looked at www.kissingsuzykolber.com for a long time.  Wonder if it’s still up.
The Saints will receive the kick.  I think they know they will need all the possessions they can get.
So glad to see Joe Morgan on the field finally. 
Not that I wanted to see Meachum get hurt, but let’s see what Morgan to do.
Wow, 2 big plays.  Wonder how many targets he’ll get now.  (Answer – he would ultimately get 13 snaps)  Payton must be worried about his stamina.  Why play someone who’s shown game breaking ability?
The Saints can’t run the ball at all, which will make for a long night.
First and goal from the 2 and we don’t score.
Well as I always say, if you can’t run it for a yard, you don’t deserve to win.
Thus – the last 2 weeks.
Normally I want us to run the ball, but this mismatch is rather obvious.  We can’t.
But it is good to see Pierre Thomas breaking tackles.  As bad as we tackle he must score on every play in practice.
Speaking of Pierre’s, I was really surprised to see Pierre Warren cut in training camp.  He seemed to be a playmaker.  And there he is making a takeaway. 
The only thing Marcus Ball has taken so far is his salary, but he beat Warren out?
Speaking of questionable personnel decisions....
Wait, is that a Nick Toon sighting?  By the end of the night he will make his 7^th catch in 3 years.  Quite a return for a 4^th round pick.  I think he has dropped that many passes as well.  A wasted “bloodline” draft pick.
If that was a logical draft pick, based on his dad being Nick Toon, then someone needs to offer me a job as an electrical engineer.
I’ve missed two straight episodes of “The Good Wife” and maybe this is a good time to catch up.
Obama is about to grant a 3 year stay to 5 million immigrants.  Surely, there’s one that can cover Steve Smith.
Sure am glad I don’t live in Baltimore right now.  I’d have to take tomorrow off to hide.
Speaking of Obama, I wonder if he could pardon our defense.
Starting with David Hawthorne who drops an interception served up on a silver platter.  I don’t care what anyone says, are Linebackers are AWOT.  Absent without tackle.
Why does no one ever drop a potential Brees interception?  They gobble them up and run them back like they haven’t eaten for a week.
Does anyone else notice that Brees keeps his helmet on after he throws an interception?
I’m really starting to like Taylor Swift
Texts are coming in from across the country.  Rubbing it in.  Haters gonna hate.
How many hours is it til we can eat turkey?
This Edibaldi guy really hustles.  He seems to catch people from behind.  Of course, he gets lots of opportunities to do that.
Has Rob Ryan ever blitzed just one person?  Does he have to send everybody when he blitzes?  Have we touched Flaco tonight?
Does anyone else see the similarities between Bill Cosby and Darren Sharper?
Other than the fact that either could start for our defense?
Wondering if I should give Homeland another try?  Heard it’s getting better.

Brees finishes an amazing 35 for 45 with 420 yards and 3 TD’s, with no running game support and no defense, but that one interception as he was getting hit is what we will remember.  Wonder where we would be without him?  Wonder where we would be if we had the Raven’s defense. Wonder who wrote the book of love.

Tomorrow everyone will be talking about all the teams in the AFC North being 3 games over .500 and all of the NFC South being 3 games under .500.  Duh, they play each other.  No one in our division matches up with that big brawny division.  Don’t get all excited.  They aren’t that good and we aren’t that bad.  For example, bet we’d match up pretty well with Division I. 

Whew, glad that homestand is over.  Now we can get back on the road where we play so well.  Here’s reality – if we win out against our division, I’m going to have to spring for playoff tickets.  I’m going to have to think about that.

Oh well, there’s Turkey in my future.  Lots of it.

Saints Report #10

The Saints have lost several games this year that could have gone either way, with just a play or two being the difference

This was not one of those games.

In a game that was only briefly in doubt, the Saints got rolled by another AFC North Team.  This time the Cincinnati Bengals came to town and delivered 2 pieces of bad news.  First, a 27 – 10 total domination the likes of which the Superdome hasn’t seen in the Payton era.  Secondly, the Ravens and Steelers are next.

What went wrong on the floor of the dome?  Just about everything.  The Bengals ran the ball at will.  The Saints couldn’t.  The Bengal receivers couldn’t be covered.  The Saints receivers were held in check.  The Bengals offense made several big plays.  The Bengals defense made several big plays.  The Saints offense only made a few.  The Saints defense made none that I can think of.

Bengal big plays?  Well if the Saints had any chance it evaporated on their 2^nd possession of the game after both teams had lengthy drives.  The Bengals put together a goal line stand early in the 2^nd quarter from their own 2 yard line.   A pass on first down fell incomplete.  The Saints commitment to running the ball apparently doesn’t come into play with a first down on the 2.   Two runs then went nowhere, then a 4^th down pass was completed but short of the end zone.

This was just the beginning of a game-long lesson in tackling by the Bengals.  While the Saints were floundering in tackling and coverage, the Bengals kept the Saints receivers in front of them all day, and controlled the line of scrimmage.  It was old-fashioned control-the-clock football, something the Saints, with all their talent on offense can only pretend to, especially when long drives go unfinished.

Meanwhile, the defense was overmatched all day, and when the Bengals needed a big play, QB Andy Dalton just looked to AJ Green, who is going to be a perennial all-pro.  The Saints strategy was to cover him one on one (big mistake) and usually with a rookie (bigger mistake).  The Saints glaring weaknesses at the cornerback position were on full display all day.  If the Saints have 7 draft picks next year, 6 need to be defensive backs.  When your only reliable defender, Keenan Lewis, is injured, choices are few.  Safety Rafael Bush was late in coverage all day, then suffered a broken leg, so he is done for the year, joining rookie safety Vinnie Sunseri on Injured Reserve.  Hopefully Pierre Warren, who was spectacular in pre-season and got cut, has been working out.

By the end of the day all the lessons the Saints had learned were made worse by the fact that they had been caught by the Falcons at the top of the division standings.  Terrific.  A depleted, error-making team is 4-6 with no room for error.  

Saints Report #9

The hit song “Land Down Under” has a famous reference to a Vegamite Sandwich.

The Saints moved down under .500 with another sandwich of their own.  They started weak, and finished weaker, even if the meat of the sandwich was pretty good.  The stale bread was a Drew Brees interception that helped put the Saints in a 14-0 first quarter hole, then a Brees fumble in overtime that led to an immediate field goal for a 27-24 win by the San Francisco 49’ers.

Besides the turnovers that continue to burn the Saints, there were two other plays that will be remembered in this disappointing loss that moved the Saints to 4-5.

The Saints had battled back from a 14-0 first quarter deficit to take a 24-21 lead late into the 4^th quarter.  It was the kind of grind it out comeback lead by the passing of Brees, big catches by Colston, Graham, and Cooks, and pounding running by Ingram that coulda, shoulda served as a signature win for this struggling team. 

But if you thought they were going to hold that lead, you don’t know these Saints.

The defense had played magnificently and had the 49’ers in a 4^th and 10.  Hold them and the game is yours.  But no, just when you think the defense has turned the corner and is ready to seal the deal, they give us another Golden Tate-like moment.  This time it was a 51 yard completion from Colin Kapernick to Michael Crabtree, who somehow got open enough to pitch a tent.  Their field goal sent it to overtime.

But not before Brees threw a perfect Hail Mary to the end zone at the end of regulation that Jimmy Graham caught rather easily.  Too easily as it turned out, when the referees nullified the catch with a rare offensive interference call on Graham for pushing off a defender, who was either a great actor or a pretty weak defensive back.  Traditionally the Hail Mary has featured everyone pushing and shoving in the end zone, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen pass interference called, but if they are going to start calling it, this was probably a good place to start.

A couple of stalled series in the OT led up to Brees getting the ball knocked out of his hand and the Saints 2014 tradition of mistakes at the worst possible moment continued.  They could be 8 – 1 with a little luck at the end of games, but Luck plays for the Colts, and the Saints keep making lousy sandwiches.

The home winning streak is over and the Saints either start a new streak next week against the Bengals or continue to try to give away the division that no one wants.

At the Cinema - October 2014

Gone Girl – 8

Everyone’s talking about this movie and here’s what they’re saying, “It’s just like the book, It’s as good as the book,  It's not as good as the book. It’s different from the book, they changed the ending, they didn’t change the ending, they left some stuff out, blah, blah, blah.”

I didn’t read the book, so I don’t care about all that.  If you are blissfully ignorant, as I am and always want to be upon entering the theater, this movie stands on its own pretty well.

I’m a big fan of Director David Fincher, and while I think this movie doesn’t rise to the level of either The Social Network, or The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo, two of my favorite recent movies, it’s still worth seeing.  I actually got the feeling Fincher went out of his way to please the book fans, probably leaving a few flourishes on the table.

The movie starts on the morning of the 5^th anniversary of Nick Dunne and his wife Amy.  It is the morning that Amy disappears.  Soon Nick is under investigation for her murder as the search for Amy attracts nation-wide attention, because Amy is kind of famous.  Would anyone have cared so much if she wasn't "Amazing Amy?'

Ben Affleck is the perfect oaf as Nick.  He quickly loses any sympathy as suspicion grows.  The movie is a history lesson of their relationship.  But as Amy’s story is told in flashback with her own voiceover discussing their marital woes, the mystery deepens and becomes more complex with each twist.  Rosamund Pike is stunning as she tells the story of her marriage.  What happened to Amy turns out to be less important than why it happened.

The supporting cast like Kim Dickens (whom I love from Treme) and Carrie Coon (whom I love from The Leftovers) are all terrific.  The movie is good, but it never soars to the level I guess all those readers expected.

Nightcrawler – 8

This is a movie that will make you feel like you’ve been slimed and that’s exactly the way the filmmakers want it.  If you go see a horror movie today, you know you’re watching fantasy.  This movie slithers along with just enough reality to make you want to go take a shower. 

There are two distinct themes at work.  The first is a character study of a slick psychotic who will assert his will to get whatever he wants.

Jake Gyllenhaal plays Louis, a hustler with the moral compass of Charles Manson.  He also comes armed with a talkative charm filled with internet sound bites.  When he stumbles upon a potential profession racing to crime scenes, filming the gore, and selling it to a TV station where “if it bleeds, it leads,” he seems to have found his calling.  Gyllenhaal’s performance is terrific as Louis.  You can’t compromise your ethics if you don’t have any, but he shows that you can actually go ever lower and lower in a quest for prominence. 

The second theme is a satirical look at the deteriorating level of what passes for journalism in this TMZ era.  Renee Russo is the second rate news producer of the last place news show.  She becomes a willing purchaser of his exclusive footage, and they each manipulate each other, him trying to create a career, and her trying to salvage one. 

The film culminates in a thrilling car chase that Louis and his reluctant assistant Rick initiate, then are right in the middle of.  It’s a masterpiece of filmmaking by first time director Dan Gilroy.  This won’t be his last film, not the way he captures this.  We’re in for more sliming.

The Judge – 7

You’ll like this movie if you like charaismatic acting and a smorgasboard plot.

Robert Duvall is the judge and Robert Downey Jr. is the estranged son who must defend him from a murder charge.  That’s the essence of this very typical movie as constructed by the people who make movies today.  The stars, including Vincent D’onofrio, Vera Farmiglia, Billy Bob Thornton, and Leighton Meester (hotter than a firecracker) are terrific, the plots are all over the place, and the movie is about 20 minutes too long

There’s feel good.  There’s feel bad.  And there’s everything in between as The Judge struggles to maintain his long legacy of public service despite the fact that he may have run an ex-con over with his old car. 

Robert Downey Jr and Robert Duvall are such magical screen presences here that they hold your attention through all the wildness as the script gyrates them all over the place.  It’s kind of like rolling several TV movies together. Just try to keep up. 

Here's the amazing Carrie Coon of The Leftover and Gone Girl:

Saints Report #8

The First Place New Orleans Saints.  Whew, that took awhile.

With two blow out wins in 5 days the Saints moved into first place with a 4-4 record in the decrepit NFC South. 

The Saints brought their defense and their running game on the road and knocked off the Carolina Panthers 28 – 10.  Two typical road turnovers kept the first half close but the Saints closed strong to lead 14 – 0 at the half.  They put the game away in the second half as they continued their trend of offensive balance.

Finally the Saints inexplicable seven game regular season road losing streak came to an end.  During the streak they found every possible way to give games away, usually with well-timed turnovers.  In this game Carolina matched the Saints turnovers.  Cam Newton looked like Clayton Kershaw, with his fastballs missing the mark, to Drew Brees’ Madison Baumgartner imitation.  Brees tried to force a few, but when clean in the pocket, he threw strikes.  His pitch count of 34 attempts to go with about the same number of rushing attempts, mostly by Mark Ingram who ran for 100 yards, struck that perfect balance that makes the Saints so dangerous.  Sean Payton has gone through a play calling rebirth.  The Saints ran the ball, controlled the clock, and kept their defense rested.

The simplified Ryan defense responded with another good performance, although they were helped by the wildness of Cam Newton, who simply couldn’t find the strike zone.  One last baseball analogy.  The Saints receivers played errorless ball.  Graham and Colston who have both had critical drops, were rock solid, and Graham seems to be rounding into that all-pro form.  Even Robert Meachum caught a pass.

After a long weekend it’s time for a home stand.  But it is going to be a tough one as the teams coming in (49ers, Bengals, and Ravens) are very good teams.  It’s obvious that the Saints would rather play great teams at home than good teams on the road.  Their formula for success appears simple.  The Saints will win the battles with boots on the ground, which will only help their air superiority.  

After a disconcerting start, maybe the Saints are beginning to be what we thought they’d be.  The last two games have certainly been the team we expected to see when the season began.  Too bad it took half a season.  The season has resembled a roller coaster with little hills and valleys, then a big climb to the top of the hill, with the Saints sitting at the top of the big hill, ready to roll down through the second half. 

We hope.

By the way, here's my World Series comment.  If you watched you saw the single most valuable baseball performance of all time.  Madison Baumgartner's pitching surpassed gems of the past like Micky Lolich, Orel Hershiser, and Jack Morris.  Here's why - he was virtually a one man team, which usually doesn't win in baseball.  The San Francisco Giants played a very average Series, and their pitching was none too stellar.  Except for Madison.  The only comparison I could come up with was Sandy Koufax, who remains the best pitcher I've ever seen.  Sandy's games were often 1-0 because Dodger bats were anemic.

Why is baseball the greatest game?  Because the playoffs and World Series are different.  It humbles some (Clayton Kershaw) and allows others to elevate (Baumgartner.)  Baumgartner's slingshot deliver which on TV seemed to come out of right field, not center field, was dominant and it leads me to one question.  Why can a lefthander slingshot it, and a right hander can't?  Something to do with the earth's rotation?  If you can answer that one, please email me.