Suddenly, he’s gone.
Our good friend Frank Kennedy passed away Friday Night after a 2 month battle with lung cancer. Our thoughts go out to his wife Annette and their family.
You probably didn’t know Frank. If not, you missed knowing one unique individual.
We loved being around Frank and Annette. Frank was a big man with an even bigger heart. I know that’s a cliché, but I’ll defend its use in this case. When he was one of the Ford Dealers I serviced, I spent many hours with him learning and listening. He was a great story teller, whether it was about his days as a policeman in the DC area, or his many years in the car business. I will always remember the 10 year battle he fought trying to thrive and survive as a car dealer in a small wonderful community in Maryland that he and Annette had made their home. He was a short distance from a huge dealership, but through legendary perseverance he carved out a respectable business against the odds. How many people still get up and go to work at 5:30 every morning? Well Frank did, every day. And he loved it.
What made Frank a great salesperson was something you don’t see anymore. He would look you in the eye and absolutely absorb what you were saying. His smile would light up when yours did. His eyes would sparkle when yours did. He was just a joy to be around. He listened to you and you listened to him.
We know how much his family is hurting today because Frank was a person that enjoyed life to the fullest, and you just came along for the ride. I could tell all the stories about going out to eat with Frank where he inevitably ended up in the kitchen talking to the chefs about how great the food was and how much he enjoyed it. We would be standing at the front door, going "where's Frank?" When we left the restaurant we had eaten great food. Frank had made new friends.
I remember after taking Frank to Il Mulino in New York City, we were having a discussion about where we'd like to eat our last meal. I was so proud that Frank said Il Mulino - that was the ultimate, that he had enjoyed that meal so much. I'd have given anything to take Frank there one more time, for one more ride.
I often hear the term “wrongful death.” It makes me wonder, what death isn’t? Someone hurts and misses with every passing.
But, what makes this one hurt so much to me is that it was preventable.
Like most who die of lung cancer, Frank was a smoker.
We’ve all lost someone to cancer, and we know how horrible it is.
Breast cancer is an epidemic of the last 100 years.
We’re not sure what causes it.
Colon cancer is reaching epidemic proportions.
We’re not sure what causes it.
Lung cancer?
Well, we’ve figured out what causes it.
Not everyone who smokes gets it, but almost all who get it smoke.
Everyone who knows me knows how much I despise this product. I don’t blame those who smoke. If you’re hooked, you’re hooked, and we know how hard it is to quit.
It is the peddlers who should be ashamed. This is a product solely designed to get you to “have” to use it, not choose to use it. It is chemically enhanced to increase its addictive properties. It is a product that were it presented for market today, would never get approved. They stack the deck to their advantage like no other business in America.
Yet it lives on.
How long?
In the recent health care debate, through all the noise I kept thinking, “Hey – wait a minute, here’s an answer for you – how about let’s stop this tobacco insanity? It would save billions in health care costs.”
We’ve made incredible progress in reducing the effects of smoking, but it lives on as a legal product, that kills an estimated half million people a year in the US, and accounts for 30% of cancer deaths. 30%! Half a Million! That's 1369 a day! I used my calculator.
I have lost friends to cancer. I have friends battling it right now. You do too. For many, it's nothing that they did.
But, to put it in “hurricane” parlance, if you smoke, you’re choosing not to evacuate. Or, to put in in "local" parlance, guns don't kill people, smoking kills people.
It’s a helluva risk, and one that will some day affect people you love and who love you.
So today I rant because I’m devastated that I have lost another friend to this horrible disease. On this day, I apologize if it seems inappropriate, but once again in my life I’m mad and sad.
Good bye Frank. We will miss you like you’d never believe. But I’m also going to wonder about those days we could have spent shooting the bull on your beautiful back porch overlooking that valley.
I’m going to wonder what could have been if there wasn’t really an evil empire.
How Long? How Long?
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
At The Cinema - April 2010
Hot Tub Time Machine – 2
You’ll like this movie if
a. You’re easily amused
b. You like John Cusack
c. You think it’s a great concept
I give this a 2 for the 2 times I laughed.
Some movies are great scripts, with great titles. With this one, they should’ve stopped right there, kind of like Snakes on a Plane. Better to imagine it than actually sit through it.
Look, I like raunchy comedy as much as anyone. But, there’s one key element that should be present. It should be funny. This movie just falls flat. The main characters are so broad and boring that the only spark to the film is in the females who apparently inhabited the 80’s. They’re genuinely likeable, interesting, and well-acted. Other than that, not much works. Maybe the 80’s that the protags travel back to just weren’t that funny. The movie just never engaged for me.
The plot telegraphs itself like a hanging curveball, and yet it is so full of holes it’s borderline ridiculous. I could give it away, but why spoil the lack of fun? Let’s just say that in Back to the Future, hair growth ability wasn’t one of the things that changed as people vaulted back and forth through time. So, all in all, a huge disappointment. I went looking to be entertained and should have stayed home. I’d have laughed more at one of those Jimmy Kimmel short films he’s doing these days. In the best spirit of the 80’s I wanted to just yell, “Engage, Maverick, engage.” It never did.
Date Night – 8
You’ll like this movie if
a. You like Tina Fey
b. You like Steve Carrel
c. You like to laugh
This movie is Shakespeare by comparison. First and foremost the stars of this lightweight froth, Tina Fey and Steve Carrell are today’s comedy royalty. Their timing, rapport and delivery are a pleasure to watch, and it’s nice to see stardom deserved for a change.
It’s also nice to see a realistic portrayal of a married couple that actually seem committed to each other. Sure, they’re thrust into an unrealistic story, but it’s their skill that makes the ridiculous believable. Nice can be funny – what a revelation.
What’s really cool is that the movie gets funnier as it progresses. Instead of fizzling out early like so many comedies the movie builds to a hilarious climax. Nice work, and a nice way to spend an hour and a half. That’s right, short and sweet too.
Here’s hoping the two stars make more movies together. We could use a Tracy and Hepburn.
You’ll like this movie if
a. You’re easily amused
b. You like John Cusack
c. You think it’s a great concept
I give this a 2 for the 2 times I laughed.
Some movies are great scripts, with great titles. With this one, they should’ve stopped right there, kind of like Snakes on a Plane. Better to imagine it than actually sit through it.
Look, I like raunchy comedy as much as anyone. But, there’s one key element that should be present. It should be funny. This movie just falls flat. The main characters are so broad and boring that the only spark to the film is in the females who apparently inhabited the 80’s. They’re genuinely likeable, interesting, and well-acted. Other than that, not much works. Maybe the 80’s that the protags travel back to just weren’t that funny. The movie just never engaged for me.
The plot telegraphs itself like a hanging curveball, and yet it is so full of holes it’s borderline ridiculous. I could give it away, but why spoil the lack of fun? Let’s just say that in Back to the Future, hair growth ability wasn’t one of the things that changed as people vaulted back and forth through time. So, all in all, a huge disappointment. I went looking to be entertained and should have stayed home. I’d have laughed more at one of those Jimmy Kimmel short films he’s doing these days. In the best spirit of the 80’s I wanted to just yell, “Engage, Maverick, engage.” It never did.
Date Night – 8
You’ll like this movie if
a. You like Tina Fey
b. You like Steve Carrel
c. You like to laugh
This movie is Shakespeare by comparison. First and foremost the stars of this lightweight froth, Tina Fey and Steve Carrell are today’s comedy royalty. Their timing, rapport and delivery are a pleasure to watch, and it’s nice to see stardom deserved for a change.
It’s also nice to see a realistic portrayal of a married couple that actually seem committed to each other. Sure, they’re thrust into an unrealistic story, but it’s their skill that makes the ridiculous believable. Nice can be funny – what a revelation.
What’s really cool is that the movie gets funnier as it progresses. Instead of fizzling out early like so many comedies the movie builds to a hilarious climax. Nice work, and a nice way to spend an hour and a half. That’s right, short and sweet too.
Here’s hoping the two stars make more movies together. We could use a Tracy and Hepburn.
Monday, April 19, 2010
New Orleans Rising
Suddenly, New Orleans is a media darling.
Tremendous positive vibes extended from the whole Gulf Coast as the Super Bowl celebration morphed into a more joyous than usual Saints-led Mardi Gras.
The French Quarter Festival in early April continues to grow and bring tourists in to sample the local music and great restaurant food.
Then, last week HBO premiered their new series “Treme” a celebration of the culture and music of New Orleans set against the backdrop of Katrina recovery. It’s getting rave reviews and hopefully will expand the appreciation of the music.
The first show was a little uneven as the characters got established, but the second show last Sunday was a rollicking good time. If you don’t have HBO, now is the time to get it. This is incredible television, and it gets New Orleans right.
And now it’s time for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. For 2 magical weeks starting the last weekend in April, the Fair Grounds pulse with national and local music acts as well as the most incredible cuisine-sampling of local food one could experience.
Here’s a little helpful Q&A:
Where do I get tickets?
Any ticketmaster outlet, such as The Coast Coliseum. Cash only. $53.25 per day, all fees included. Whatever you do, get advance tickets. The “at the gate” line to buy tickets is not where you want to be.
What do I bring?
Sunscreen, hat, a lawn chair, plenty of cash, maybe a blanket.
What do I wear?
If you are a male, shorts and a t-shirt will do.
If female, you will need to wear a sheer, nearly transparent t-shirt, that kind that, should it get wet, would be terribly revealing. Of course, please rest assured that it never rains at Jazz Fest.
What do I eat?
The Jazz Fest begins with a soft-shell crab poboy. The music can not begin until Crawfish Monica is tasted. After that, you’re on your own.
Where do I sit?
We will be set up facing the Acura Stage. We’ll be stage right by the Big Chief Stands, against the fence, usually as far back as the big speaker stand. Easy access to Crawfish Monica.
What are the cubes?
That's the name for the music schedule you can find at www.nojazzfest.com, which you should study intently for the next few days.
What music?
This Saturday, our first day at the fest, it will be Simon & Garfunkel making their only US appearance of the year. It will undoubtedly be as memorable as some of my favorite previous moments from 30 years of intermittent festival attendance:
The Temptations – 1987 – Can’t Get Next to You. – Yes, finally got to see about 10,000 people sing along.
Sheryl Crow – 2008 – Closes a great set by ripping through Led Zeppelin’s “Rock & Roll.”
Alison Krause – 2008 – an accapella version of “Down to the River” with Robert Plant singing back up.
Bonnie Raitt – several times. A Jazz Fest favorite, her set last year with Jon Cleary, and the first time I heard her sing “Nick of Time” stand out;
Marcia Ball – 2009 – her heart felt version of Randy Newman’s “Louisiana 1927” brought the Fair Grounds down.
Cowboy Mouth – several times. In their first performance since Katrina they opened with the song they had written in exile, “Take Me Back to New Orleans.” One of many bone shaking performances they’ve provided. When you’re dancing in the rain with lightening flashing around you, you know you’ve lost your sanity. Not that it ever rains.
Kenny Neal – 2003 - ignites the Blues Tent
Stevie Wonder -2008 - blasts through hit after hit while we rock out in a pouring rain, the highlight being Sir Duke. Not that it ever rains.
Van Morrison – 2004 - Into the Mystic. He’ll be there this year as well, and I swear his 3 backup singers are the most beautiful on the planet. I think they can sing too.
Irma Thomas, Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint and many other legends
What are you waiting for?
You don’t want to miss Simon & Garfunkel sing one of their great New Orleans songs saluting our most famous sandwich:
The Crawfish:
I am just a poor boy
Though my bread is often dressed
I have squandered my resistance
For a mealtime full of miracles
All lies and jest
Still a man eats what he wants to eat
And disregards the rest
When I left Mothers for Parasol’s
I was no more than a boy
In the company of oysters
In the quiet of the Central Grocery
Running scared
Laying low seeking out the poor boys
Where the ham and catfish go
Looking for the places only they would know
Lie la lie…
Asking only shrimp for wages
I come looking for a job
But I get no offers
Just a come-on from the whores on Orleans Ave
I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there
Lie la lie…
Now soft shells are rolling by me
They are rocking evenly
And I am hungrier than I once was
Fatter than I’ll be
That’s not unusual
No it isn’t strange
After Ferdi upon Ferdi
We are more or less the same
After changes we are more or less the same
Lie la lie…
Now I’m laying out my eating clothes
And wishing I was gone
Going home
Where the New Orleans levees aren’t bleeding me,
Leading me, going fest
In the clearing stands a crawfish
And a mudbug by his trade
And he carries the reminders
Of etouffe that laid him down
Or stewed him till he cried out
In his anger and his shame
I am leaving, I am leaving
But the crawfish still remains
Lie la lie
See you there!
Tremendous positive vibes extended from the whole Gulf Coast as the Super Bowl celebration morphed into a more joyous than usual Saints-led Mardi Gras.
The French Quarter Festival in early April continues to grow and bring tourists in to sample the local music and great restaurant food.
Then, last week HBO premiered their new series “Treme” a celebration of the culture and music of New Orleans set against the backdrop of Katrina recovery. It’s getting rave reviews and hopefully will expand the appreciation of the music.
The first show was a little uneven as the characters got established, but the second show last Sunday was a rollicking good time. If you don’t have HBO, now is the time to get it. This is incredible television, and it gets New Orleans right.
And now it’s time for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. For 2 magical weeks starting the last weekend in April, the Fair Grounds pulse with national and local music acts as well as the most incredible cuisine-sampling of local food one could experience.
Here’s a little helpful Q&A:
Where do I get tickets?
Any ticketmaster outlet, such as The Coast Coliseum. Cash only. $53.25 per day, all fees included. Whatever you do, get advance tickets. The “at the gate” line to buy tickets is not where you want to be.
What do I bring?
Sunscreen, hat, a lawn chair, plenty of cash, maybe a blanket.
What do I wear?
If you are a male, shorts and a t-shirt will do.
If female, you will need to wear a sheer, nearly transparent t-shirt, that kind that, should it get wet, would be terribly revealing. Of course, please rest assured that it never rains at Jazz Fest.
What do I eat?
The Jazz Fest begins with a soft-shell crab poboy. The music can not begin until Crawfish Monica is tasted. After that, you’re on your own.
Where do I sit?
We will be set up facing the Acura Stage. We’ll be stage right by the Big Chief Stands, against the fence, usually as far back as the big speaker stand. Easy access to Crawfish Monica.
What are the cubes?
That's the name for the music schedule you can find at www.nojazzfest.com, which you should study intently for the next few days.
What music?
This Saturday, our first day at the fest, it will be Simon & Garfunkel making their only US appearance of the year. It will undoubtedly be as memorable as some of my favorite previous moments from 30 years of intermittent festival attendance:
The Temptations – 1987 – Can’t Get Next to You. – Yes, finally got to see about 10,000 people sing along.
Sheryl Crow – 2008 – Closes a great set by ripping through Led Zeppelin’s “Rock & Roll.”
Alison Krause – 2008 – an accapella version of “Down to the River” with Robert Plant singing back up.
Bonnie Raitt – several times. A Jazz Fest favorite, her set last year with Jon Cleary, and the first time I heard her sing “Nick of Time” stand out;
Marcia Ball – 2009 – her heart felt version of Randy Newman’s “Louisiana 1927” brought the Fair Grounds down.
Cowboy Mouth – several times. In their first performance since Katrina they opened with the song they had written in exile, “Take Me Back to New Orleans.” One of many bone shaking performances they’ve provided. When you’re dancing in the rain with lightening flashing around you, you know you’ve lost your sanity. Not that it ever rains.
Kenny Neal – 2003 - ignites the Blues Tent
Stevie Wonder -2008 - blasts through hit after hit while we rock out in a pouring rain, the highlight being Sir Duke. Not that it ever rains.
Van Morrison – 2004 - Into the Mystic. He’ll be there this year as well, and I swear his 3 backup singers are the most beautiful on the planet. I think they can sing too.
Irma Thomas, Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint and many other legends
What are you waiting for?
You don’t want to miss Simon & Garfunkel sing one of their great New Orleans songs saluting our most famous sandwich:
The Crawfish:
I am just a poor boy
Though my bread is often dressed
I have squandered my resistance
For a mealtime full of miracles
All lies and jest
Still a man eats what he wants to eat
And disregards the rest
When I left Mothers for Parasol’s
I was no more than a boy
In the company of oysters
In the quiet of the Central Grocery
Running scared
Laying low seeking out the poor boys
Where the ham and catfish go
Looking for the places only they would know
Lie la lie…
Asking only shrimp for wages
I come looking for a job
But I get no offers
Just a come-on from the whores on Orleans Ave
I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there
Lie la lie…
Now soft shells are rolling by me
They are rocking evenly
And I am hungrier than I once was
Fatter than I’ll be
That’s not unusual
No it isn’t strange
After Ferdi upon Ferdi
We are more or less the same
After changes we are more or less the same
Lie la lie…
Now I’m laying out my eating clothes
And wishing I was gone
Going home
Where the New Orleans levees aren’t bleeding me,
Leading me, going fest
In the clearing stands a crawfish
And a mudbug by his trade
And he carries the reminders
Of etouffe that laid him down
Or stewed him till he cried out
In his anger and his shame
I am leaving, I am leaving
But the crawfish still remains
Lie la lie
See you there!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Should've Done This Last December
It may be a little late for this but I read this interesting article:
http://nymag.com/arts/all/aughts/62513/
It properly lauded some great Television shows of the decade, so I thought I’d compile my list of the best TV of the decade, to go along with my movie list.
Now let me caution you over some omissions that you will get fired up about. As I previously have stated, although a big fan of HBO, I never fell for The Sopranos and Sex in the City, both mentioned prominently in the article. I’m not a big fan of reality shows, thus no Survivor, although AI can’t be ignored. But, here’s what I loved in the last decade:
1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Nothing I’ve ever seen has captured the angst of high school and college like this. The vampires were just a plus.
2. Real Time with Bill Maher – Nothing made me laugh more.
3. House – Nothing was as much fun to watch unravel.
4. Weeds – Nothing was crazier
5. Curb Your Enthusiasm – Nothing made me cringe more (well maybe Friends)
6. Six Feet Under – Nothing started and ended better
7. Firefly – Nothing left me wanting more so much
8. How I Met Your Mother – Nothing sucked me in to it’s arc more
9. Lie to Me – Nothing had a more interesting premise
10. American Idol – Nothing more entertaining and unentertaining
11. The Chris Isaak Show – Nothing I’d like to have on DVD more
12. Penn & Teller’s Bullshit – Nothing more appropriate
13. Californication – Nothing more daring
14. Brotherhood – Nothing more engrossing – my Sopranos
15. Glee – Nothing more talented
16. Sarah Connor Chronicles - Nothing said "to be continued" more
17. This Week with George Stephanopolous – Nothing more informative
18. The Sports Reporters – Nothing more infuriating, sometimes
19. Sportscenter – Nothing more omnipresent
20. George Carlin’s HBO Specials – Nothing a better legacy
21. Cold Case – Nothing more inventive
22. The Practice – Nothing more intense
23. Kitchen Nighmares – Nothing was more true to life – for me.
24. 24 – Nothing more pulse-pounding
Final Score – Showtime 5, HBO 4 how interesting.
And a special mention to the best single episodes I saw:
Six Feet Under: Finale
House: Three Stories
Buffy: The Body, and Once More with Feeling
And the Best Sequence of Episodes: Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Producers arc.
Shows I still haven’t watched that may merit consideration. I made a conscious decision to just wait for the DVD’s. I’ll let you know my verdict some day, I hope: The Wire, Battlestar Gallectica, Mad Men, Lost, among others.
Here’s the strangest thing about my list - #’s 1 and 7 – the Joss Whedon masterpieces – I never saw a single episode the day it originally aired. I caught the entire Buffy on the FX channel reruns, and Firefly solely on DVD.
And one final note on Buffy, for those of you who might want to start trolling through the DVD’s. The third season, the Senior Year, is IMO the finest single season of a TV show ever. The writing is jaw-dropping.
What did we miss? What did you like?
http://nymag.com/arts/all/aughts/62513/
It properly lauded some great Television shows of the decade, so I thought I’d compile my list of the best TV of the decade, to go along with my movie list.
Now let me caution you over some omissions that you will get fired up about. As I previously have stated, although a big fan of HBO, I never fell for The Sopranos and Sex in the City, both mentioned prominently in the article. I’m not a big fan of reality shows, thus no Survivor, although AI can’t be ignored. But, here’s what I loved in the last decade:
1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Nothing I’ve ever seen has captured the angst of high school and college like this. The vampires were just a plus.
2. Real Time with Bill Maher – Nothing made me laugh more.
3. House – Nothing was as much fun to watch unravel.
4. Weeds – Nothing was crazier
5. Curb Your Enthusiasm – Nothing made me cringe more (well maybe Friends)
6. Six Feet Under – Nothing started and ended better
7. Firefly – Nothing left me wanting more so much
8. How I Met Your Mother – Nothing sucked me in to it’s arc more
9. Lie to Me – Nothing had a more interesting premise
10. American Idol – Nothing more entertaining and unentertaining
11. The Chris Isaak Show – Nothing I’d like to have on DVD more
12. Penn & Teller’s Bullshit – Nothing more appropriate
13. Californication – Nothing more daring
14. Brotherhood – Nothing more engrossing – my Sopranos
15. Glee – Nothing more talented
16. Sarah Connor Chronicles - Nothing said "to be continued" more
17. This Week with George Stephanopolous – Nothing more informative
18. The Sports Reporters – Nothing more infuriating, sometimes
19. Sportscenter – Nothing more omnipresent
20. George Carlin’s HBO Specials – Nothing a better legacy
21. Cold Case – Nothing more inventive
22. The Practice – Nothing more intense
23. Kitchen Nighmares – Nothing was more true to life – for me.
24. 24 – Nothing more pulse-pounding
Final Score – Showtime 5, HBO 4 how interesting.
And a special mention to the best single episodes I saw:
Six Feet Under: Finale
House: Three Stories
Buffy: The Body, and Once More with Feeling
And the Best Sequence of Episodes: Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Producers arc.
Shows I still haven’t watched that may merit consideration. I made a conscious decision to just wait for the DVD’s. I’ll let you know my verdict some day, I hope: The Wire, Battlestar Gallectica, Mad Men, Lost, among others.
Here’s the strangest thing about my list - #’s 1 and 7 – the Joss Whedon masterpieces – I never saw a single episode the day it originally aired. I caught the entire Buffy on the FX channel reruns, and Firefly solely on DVD.
And one final note on Buffy, for those of you who might want to start trolling through the DVD’s. The third season, the Senior Year, is IMO the finest single season of a TV show ever. The writing is jaw-dropping.
What did we miss? What did you like?
Monday, March 29, 2010
At The Cinema - March 2010
First the Review, then the Tribute
Ghost Writer – 8
You’ll like this movie if you
a. Like Roman Polanski
b. Like an intelligent, adult story
c. Like international intrigue
Not that this movie is at all believable. The first disconnect comes when you find that most of the movie takes place in the United States, in a Cape Codish New England Compound. It is distracting because I couldn’t help thinking, wait – did Polanski sneak into the U.S. to film this? How did he do this? It took me about 30 minutes to get over the incongruity. I was caught completely by surprise.
Then the story of international intrigue unspools for awhile, until the end when there is a big reveal and for me, the movie completely comes apart in the last 30 seconds, yes the last 30 seconds, with a ridiculous ending that strains all the credibility that has been built up for 2 hours.
Despite these bookend problems, the movie is actually well made and interesting. It involves a Tony Blair era British prime minister (Pierce Brosnan – very good here) who is being accused of war crimes as he employs a new ghost writer for his memoirs (Ewan McGregor - as bland as ever) after his long-time ghost writer has bit the dust in a wave of suspicious circumstances.
Polanski exhibits his usual polish. It ain’t no Chinatown, but what is? It’s got the requisite number of smoke screens and plot twists and you won’t fall asleep. You won’t believe it all, but you won’t be bored.
And now the tribute.
An era ended last week with the cancellation of At The Movies, which was chaired for so many years by Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and then a succession of equally enthusiastic, although not quite as engaging, hosts. Each week the pair would review movies and the thing that you always got from them was their joy of discovery when they had found a masterpiece.
Life is filled with many coincidental relationships.
There’s the luck of the alphabetical draw, the high school friend you sit next to in class after class until you have a lifelong connection.
There’s the college friends you connect with through a fraternity, a class, or a shared passion for something.
There’s the fellow worker that you click with.
There’s the moment of luck that puts you at the same intersection with what will be the love of your life.
Then there’s a teacher who unlocks a lifetime hobby. For me it was that Film Introduction Class at the University of Southern Mississippi. The Teacher was Colonel Albers and I sat there enthralled as he took us through the history of film, much of it silent classics by DW Griffith and other long forgotten directors. The class culminated with a full screening of Hitchcock’s Rebecca, and I was done. I’d always liked movies, but now it became a full fledged useless, costly, but thoroughly enjoyable hobby.
That thrill that Siskel and Ebert felt became mine too. In the 70’s when I walked out of Chinatown, or The Exorcist, or Nashville, or Star Wars, or Annie Hall I had that same exhilaration, just like seeing a Broadway play, or a classic sports event.
Siskel and Ebert walked me through the movies. Almost every week I’d listen, learn, and follow. I learned that I often agreed with Siskel on drama and Ebert on comedy, but when their two thumbs went up, it was probably going to be good.
When Gene Siskel died suddenly I felt like I had lost a friend, and I remember how much he loved Saturday Night Fever, Fargo, and arguing with Roger.
When Roger Ebert’s voice was lost to cancer, I was so sad that I would never get to hear his excitement again. I remember his passion for Raging Bull and Apocalypse Now.
Roger wrote a beautiful piece last week about Sneak Previews/At the Movies and its demise as a syndicated show. Everything’s changing, but I had just assumed it would go on forever, even though I had to admit I didn’t watch much in the last few years.
So, my hat’s off to Siskel & Ebert and their successors. What a wonderful appreciation you’ve given us for one of the truly unique American products.
Hooray for you. Hooray for Sundance. Hooray for Hollywood.
Here's Roger:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2010/03/see_you_at_the_movies.html
And here's a real film critic's incredible take:
http://sunsetgun.typepad.com/
Ghost Writer – 8
You’ll like this movie if you
a. Like Roman Polanski
b. Like an intelligent, adult story
c. Like international intrigue
Not that this movie is at all believable. The first disconnect comes when you find that most of the movie takes place in the United States, in a Cape Codish New England Compound. It is distracting because I couldn’t help thinking, wait – did Polanski sneak into the U.S. to film this? How did he do this? It took me about 30 minutes to get over the incongruity. I was caught completely by surprise.
Then the story of international intrigue unspools for awhile, until the end when there is a big reveal and for me, the movie completely comes apart in the last 30 seconds, yes the last 30 seconds, with a ridiculous ending that strains all the credibility that has been built up for 2 hours.
Despite these bookend problems, the movie is actually well made and interesting. It involves a Tony Blair era British prime minister (Pierce Brosnan – very good here) who is being accused of war crimes as he employs a new ghost writer for his memoirs (Ewan McGregor - as bland as ever) after his long-time ghost writer has bit the dust in a wave of suspicious circumstances.
Polanski exhibits his usual polish. It ain’t no Chinatown, but what is? It’s got the requisite number of smoke screens and plot twists and you won’t fall asleep. You won’t believe it all, but you won’t be bored.
And now the tribute.
An era ended last week with the cancellation of At The Movies, which was chaired for so many years by Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and then a succession of equally enthusiastic, although not quite as engaging, hosts. Each week the pair would review movies and the thing that you always got from them was their joy of discovery when they had found a masterpiece.
Life is filled with many coincidental relationships.
There’s the luck of the alphabetical draw, the high school friend you sit next to in class after class until you have a lifelong connection.
There’s the college friends you connect with through a fraternity, a class, or a shared passion for something.
There’s the fellow worker that you click with.
There’s the moment of luck that puts you at the same intersection with what will be the love of your life.
Then there’s a teacher who unlocks a lifetime hobby. For me it was that Film Introduction Class at the University of Southern Mississippi. The Teacher was Colonel Albers and I sat there enthralled as he took us through the history of film, much of it silent classics by DW Griffith and other long forgotten directors. The class culminated with a full screening of Hitchcock’s Rebecca, and I was done. I’d always liked movies, but now it became a full fledged useless, costly, but thoroughly enjoyable hobby.
That thrill that Siskel and Ebert felt became mine too. In the 70’s when I walked out of Chinatown, or The Exorcist, or Nashville, or Star Wars, or Annie Hall I had that same exhilaration, just like seeing a Broadway play, or a classic sports event.
Siskel and Ebert walked me through the movies. Almost every week I’d listen, learn, and follow. I learned that I often agreed with Siskel on drama and Ebert on comedy, but when their two thumbs went up, it was probably going to be good.
When Gene Siskel died suddenly I felt like I had lost a friend, and I remember how much he loved Saturday Night Fever, Fargo, and arguing with Roger.
When Roger Ebert’s voice was lost to cancer, I was so sad that I would never get to hear his excitement again. I remember his passion for Raging Bull and Apocalypse Now.
Roger wrote a beautiful piece last week about Sneak Previews/At the Movies and its demise as a syndicated show. Everything’s changing, but I had just assumed it would go on forever, even though I had to admit I didn’t watch much in the last few years.
So, my hat’s off to Siskel & Ebert and their successors. What a wonderful appreciation you’ve given us for one of the truly unique American products.
Hooray for you. Hooray for Sundance. Hooray for Hollywood.
Here's Roger:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2010/03/see_you_at_the_movies.html
And here's a real film critic's incredible take:
http://sunsetgun.typepad.com/
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Idolatry
Now I stoop to blogging about American Idol. By request, I might add.
I rarely get to watch American Idol when it comes on. Thanks to the DVR, I can spin through the vocals on the weekend. But, as usual I’ve picked my early favorite.
The first time I saw Jordin Sparks I said that we would be entertained by her for a long time to come..
That was followed by 2 men with guitars. David Cook and Kris Allen charmed America because, well America loves men with guitars.
This year it looks like the media darlings are guitar-strumming women – Crystal Bowersox and Lilly Scott. The male favorite is Casey Price, another strummer. Most think they’ll be the final 3 left standing.
So, of course I’m going to go on record with my darkhorse. My pick is Siobhan Magnus. Her voice and stage presence has blown me away, and I think she’ll be entertaining us for years to come, win or not. She’s a pure singer, shows no fear, and sings whatever she feels like. Don’t miss her. Who knows how long she’ll last.
Here’s the irony. I’m getting the feedback that Idol has jumped the shark.
Maybe it's the addition of the 4th judge that has done it. Kara played the spoiler role last year, but she’s grown on me, even though I think when her mouth is moving it’s just Randy’s opinion getting sterilized. This year Ellen Degeneres has been an intelligent upgrade to Paula Abdul, who’s not missed at all. Or maybe it's her unpredictable wackiness that's actually missing.
The problem is there’s no diversity of opinion. Except for Simon Cowell, the judges parrot each other. Meanwhile Simon seems to be advancing an agenda rather than judging singing. Last year I got a little frustrated with him for his constant undermining of Alison Iraheta as the finals neared. He constantly derided her with non-performance related critiques like “I don’t think you think you can win.” He gets a theme going on a contestant and he hammers away on script.
He’s started down the same road with Siobhan. He obviously doesn’t want her in the finals. His pick is Crystal and I say, “not so fast.” Crystal’s been very good so far, but let’s see what she does when she has to come out from behind the guitar. His comments this week that Siobhan didn’t do anything different with “House of the Rising Sun” were ridiculous. Maybe it’s reverse psychology. I don’t know. For years he's been the whole show, on the mark most of the time. He looks bored and he's become as Johnny-one-note as any of the contestants.
The thing to appreciate about American Idol is that it has brought back some great old music. They constantly say it’s a singing competition. It’s not. It’s a performance competition. They yammer on about song selection, instead of the delivery of the song. “We don’t know who you are,” etc. etc.
Too bad.
It's the most popular show in the history of television, but so far this year it's old, it's stale, and it's fading. The contestants are not up to par, and the judges are even more boring.
It's a little pitchy.
It just doesn't work for me.
At least not yet.
I rarely get to watch American Idol when it comes on. Thanks to the DVR, I can spin through the vocals on the weekend. But, as usual I’ve picked my early favorite.
The first time I saw Jordin Sparks I said that we would be entertained by her for a long time to come..
That was followed by 2 men with guitars. David Cook and Kris Allen charmed America because, well America loves men with guitars.
This year it looks like the media darlings are guitar-strumming women – Crystal Bowersox and Lilly Scott. The male favorite is Casey Price, another strummer. Most think they’ll be the final 3 left standing.
So, of course I’m going to go on record with my darkhorse. My pick is Siobhan Magnus. Her voice and stage presence has blown me away, and I think she’ll be entertaining us for years to come, win or not. She’s a pure singer, shows no fear, and sings whatever she feels like. Don’t miss her. Who knows how long she’ll last.
Here’s the irony. I’m getting the feedback that Idol has jumped the shark.
Maybe it's the addition of the 4th judge that has done it. Kara played the spoiler role last year, but she’s grown on me, even though I think when her mouth is moving it’s just Randy’s opinion getting sterilized. This year Ellen Degeneres has been an intelligent upgrade to Paula Abdul, who’s not missed at all. Or maybe it's her unpredictable wackiness that's actually missing.
The problem is there’s no diversity of opinion. Except for Simon Cowell, the judges parrot each other. Meanwhile Simon seems to be advancing an agenda rather than judging singing. Last year I got a little frustrated with him for his constant undermining of Alison Iraheta as the finals neared. He constantly derided her with non-performance related critiques like “I don’t think you think you can win.” He gets a theme going on a contestant and he hammers away on script.
He’s started down the same road with Siobhan. He obviously doesn’t want her in the finals. His pick is Crystal and I say, “not so fast.” Crystal’s been very good so far, but let’s see what she does when she has to come out from behind the guitar. His comments this week that Siobhan didn’t do anything different with “House of the Rising Sun” were ridiculous. Maybe it’s reverse psychology. I don’t know. For years he's been the whole show, on the mark most of the time. He looks bored and he's become as Johnny-one-note as any of the contestants.
The thing to appreciate about American Idol is that it has brought back some great old music. They constantly say it’s a singing competition. It’s not. It’s a performance competition. They yammer on about song selection, instead of the delivery of the song. “We don’t know who you are,” etc. etc.
Too bad.
It's the most popular show in the history of television, but so far this year it's old, it's stale, and it's fading. The contestants are not up to par, and the judges are even more boring.
It's a little pitchy.
It just doesn't work for me.
At least not yet.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Oscar Preview
No self respecting film critic (is that what I think I am?) lets the Oscars come and go without running their mouth.
For 20 years I couldn’t wait for the Siskel & Ebert Oscar show when they’d tell us who should win. Unfortunately, Gene Siskel has left us and Roger Ebert has been (vocally) silenced by cancer, so I’ll give you my gonna/shoulda.
Unfortunately, in recent years, the Oscars have become less suspenseful as clear favorites have emerged each year, but here goes:
Best Supporting Actress:
Will Win: Mo’Nique for Push – She’s swept all the awards. I didn’t see it. Oops, guess I'm not much of a film reviewer
Should Win: Anna Kendrick. When you steal a movie from George Clooney and Vera Farmiga, you should win. She has no chance, but of the ones I saw, hers was the knockout performance.
Best Supporting Actor:
Will Win: Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds. He’s swept all the awards too
Should Win: Christoph Waltz and it’s not even close. When you hate a villain this much, you know he’s working some magic.
Best Actress
Will Win: Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side
Should Win: Sandra Bullock in The Proposal (I liked her even better in that movie). Actually, from a technical standpoint, what Meryl Streep did in Julie and Julia far outpaces Sandra, but Sandra’s got the momentum, the flashier role, and the usual “Lifetime of work” recognition on her side. Meryl’s going for the party. But don’t be surprised if she pulls the slight upset. The Academy can’t keep making Streep a bridesmaid when she’s churning out incredible performances year in, year out. Both were awesome.
Best Actress
Will Win: Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart
Should Win: Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker. Sorry, he has no chance, but this portrait of an adrenaline junkie was a character study for the ages.
Best Director
Will Win: Kathryn Bigelow for the Hurt Locker
Should Win: James Cameron for Avatar. These movies are both such incredible achievements, and so dissimilar, that I’ll be rooting for a tie. The fact that these two directors were once married makes this the most suspenseful race of the night, in a Jersey shore kind of way.
Best Picture
Will Win: Avatar
Should Win: The Hurt Locker, by the tiniest of margins. While Avatar is a stunning achievement, the intensity of sitting in a theater watching The Hurt Locker has stayed with me for 9 months. I can’t wait to see it again, and yet I’m not sure if I can sit through it again. It’s a masterpiece, and definitely not for the faint of heart.
If Avatar wins it will be the highest grossing film to ever win Best Picture, and if The Hurt Locker beats it, it will be the lowest. Now, that’s suspense.
Other comments: Funny that in the year that the Academy decided to add five more pictures to the Best Picture pool, the second five clearly don’t belong. And the inclusion of District 9 (which I thought rivaled Planet 9 as one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen) instead of Star Trek strains all credibility.
In general, I suspect it will be an Avatar night, and it will be well deserved.
Pass the chips.
For 20 years I couldn’t wait for the Siskel & Ebert Oscar show when they’d tell us who should win. Unfortunately, Gene Siskel has left us and Roger Ebert has been (vocally) silenced by cancer, so I’ll give you my gonna/shoulda.
Unfortunately, in recent years, the Oscars have become less suspenseful as clear favorites have emerged each year, but here goes:
Best Supporting Actress:
Will Win: Mo’Nique for Push – She’s swept all the awards. I didn’t see it. Oops, guess I'm not much of a film reviewer
Should Win: Anna Kendrick. When you steal a movie from George Clooney and Vera Farmiga, you should win. She has no chance, but of the ones I saw, hers was the knockout performance.
Best Supporting Actor:
Will Win: Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds. He’s swept all the awards too
Should Win: Christoph Waltz and it’s not even close. When you hate a villain this much, you know he’s working some magic.
Best Actress
Will Win: Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side
Should Win: Sandra Bullock in The Proposal (I liked her even better in that movie). Actually, from a technical standpoint, what Meryl Streep did in Julie and Julia far outpaces Sandra, but Sandra’s got the momentum, the flashier role, and the usual “Lifetime of work” recognition on her side. Meryl’s going for the party. But don’t be surprised if she pulls the slight upset. The Academy can’t keep making Streep a bridesmaid when she’s churning out incredible performances year in, year out. Both were awesome.
Best Actress
Will Win: Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart
Should Win: Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker. Sorry, he has no chance, but this portrait of an adrenaline junkie was a character study for the ages.
Best Director
Will Win: Kathryn Bigelow for the Hurt Locker
Should Win: James Cameron for Avatar. These movies are both such incredible achievements, and so dissimilar, that I’ll be rooting for a tie. The fact that these two directors were once married makes this the most suspenseful race of the night, in a Jersey shore kind of way.
Best Picture
Will Win: Avatar
Should Win: The Hurt Locker, by the tiniest of margins. While Avatar is a stunning achievement, the intensity of sitting in a theater watching The Hurt Locker has stayed with me for 9 months. I can’t wait to see it again, and yet I’m not sure if I can sit through it again. It’s a masterpiece, and definitely not for the faint of heart.
If Avatar wins it will be the highest grossing film to ever win Best Picture, and if The Hurt Locker beats it, it will be the lowest. Now, that’s suspense.
Other comments: Funny that in the year that the Academy decided to add five more pictures to the Best Picture pool, the second five clearly don’t belong. And the inclusion of District 9 (which I thought rivaled Planet 9 as one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen) instead of Star Trek strains all credibility.
In general, I suspect it will be an Avatar night, and it will be well deserved.
Pass the chips.
At the Cinema - February 2010
Shutter Island – 8 out of 10
You’ll like this movie if you
a. like mysteries
b. like Martin Scorcese
c. like to discuss a movie afterward
When you go to as many movies as I do you see a lot of previews – the coming attractions. Recently a movie came and went in theaters very quickly. I’d seen the previews of “The Lovely Bones” so many times that a) I felt like I’d seen the whole movie and b) I felt very invested in it. Since it was a Peter Jackson movie, heavily hyped, I thought it would be around a while and be a big hit.
Wrong. Bad reviews and it was gone quickly. I was disappointed that I didn’t get to see it, only because I was so invested in having seen those previews for months.
Martin Scorcese’s latest epic suffers from the same “trailer overkill.” I’d seen the previews so many times, I went in to the theater correctly predicting what the story was ultimately going to be about.
The movie is a roller coaster. It alternates scenes of brilliance with clichéd scenes you’ve seen a million times. I laughed at the manipulation in some scenes in the early goings, but ultimately the master finds his footing with a great final 30 minutes that may leave you befuddled. I left the theater absolutely sure of what I thought had happened. I suspect the internet boards will be debating the ending, but what you can’t debate is how good Scorcese is at his craft.
Leonardo DiCrapio, Scorcese’s current day DeNiro, tackles the toughest roll of his career with great conviction. He is totally convincing as the conflicted US Marshall. It is a great performance and it has to be because the movie’s centerpiece is his believability.
If you can figure out what to believe.
Garbage – The Revolution Starts at Home – 10 out of 10
You’ll like this movie if you
a. are breathing
b. care at all about the environment
c. want to keep breathing
Ok, technically this is a 2007 Documentary. But I just had to write about it, because this is the reason I have DirecTV and all those overpriced movie channels. Sometimes I can’t sleep, so I get up at 3 in the morning, and I catch a riveting movie I’ve never heard of on one of those obscure channels.
Revelations – that’s what this movie is about. Filmmaker Andrew Nisker convinces a Canadian family, the McDonalds, to keep all their garbage for 90 days. Along the way he tells us more about the waste we produce than we ever wanted to know. From showing us what really happens in a recycling plant, to where our garbage goes, to the impact of the chemicals we use, to the difficulty in dealing with that stupid packaging we all struggle with, well let’s just say that the hits just keep on coming.
We went to Winn Dixie the next night and I took those canvas sacks, determined to lessen my use of plastic (sorry Dustin) for good.
We learn that Canada is exporting garbage to the US along with those hockey players. We learn that 3 million water bottles a year are going into land fills, never to be decomposed. We learn the impact of strip mining in West Virginia, and land fills in Michigan.
If this movie doesn’t shock you just a little I’d be really surprised.
And there’s no need to store your garbage for 3 months to get the message.
Crazy Heart – 8
You’ll like this movie if you
a. like country music
b. like great acting
c. like an adult evening at the movies
Jeff Bridges gives a sure-to-be-Oscar-winning performance as Bad Blake, a prototypical down and out fading country singer. He’s a-smokin’ and a-drinkin’ and a-womanizing his way through 2 bit bowling alley and honky tonk venues when he runs smack dab into Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and who wouldn’t be awakened by that. That’s believable. Not being a woman I can't explain why she finds him attractive. But this is movieworld so to advance the story she conveniently falls for him and you could write the rest of the story. Drunk gets girl, drunk loses girl, etc. etc.
This is a paint by the numbers movie that you’ve seen a thousand times before, as recently as last year (The Wrestler.) It is the two stars who elevate the material, keeping us interested through the predictable and inevitable conclusion. What’s nice about the movie is that it is adult fare, methodically paced, with intelligent conversation and characters we care about. We’re just not sure why they care about each other. Love works in mysterious ways.
Bridges will win his Academy Award as a nod to a career of stellar work, and this is one of those showy performances that soak up awards like a sponge. Many a competent actor could have pulled off the dramatic scenes. It is actually Bridges’ singing and stage work, wonderfully captured in sound and atmosphere, that escalate the performance. His song writing scenes are fascinating and lend some insight into the genius of both Bad and Jeff. Maggie Gyllenhaal also adds to her resume with a great performance. She’s terrific.
Jeff, clear one more spot on the mantel to go with the passel you’ve won so far. A Lifetime Achievement Award is coming your way.
You’ll like this movie if you
a. like mysteries
b. like Martin Scorcese
c. like to discuss a movie afterward
When you go to as many movies as I do you see a lot of previews – the coming attractions. Recently a movie came and went in theaters very quickly. I’d seen the previews of “The Lovely Bones” so many times that a) I felt like I’d seen the whole movie and b) I felt very invested in it. Since it was a Peter Jackson movie, heavily hyped, I thought it would be around a while and be a big hit.
Wrong. Bad reviews and it was gone quickly. I was disappointed that I didn’t get to see it, only because I was so invested in having seen those previews for months.
Martin Scorcese’s latest epic suffers from the same “trailer overkill.” I’d seen the previews so many times, I went in to the theater correctly predicting what the story was ultimately going to be about.
The movie is a roller coaster. It alternates scenes of brilliance with clichéd scenes you’ve seen a million times. I laughed at the manipulation in some scenes in the early goings, but ultimately the master finds his footing with a great final 30 minutes that may leave you befuddled. I left the theater absolutely sure of what I thought had happened. I suspect the internet boards will be debating the ending, but what you can’t debate is how good Scorcese is at his craft.
Leonardo DiCrapio, Scorcese’s current day DeNiro, tackles the toughest roll of his career with great conviction. He is totally convincing as the conflicted US Marshall. It is a great performance and it has to be because the movie’s centerpiece is his believability.
If you can figure out what to believe.
Garbage – The Revolution Starts at Home – 10 out of 10
You’ll like this movie if you
a. are breathing
b. care at all about the environment
c. want to keep breathing
Ok, technically this is a 2007 Documentary. But I just had to write about it, because this is the reason I have DirecTV and all those overpriced movie channels. Sometimes I can’t sleep, so I get up at 3 in the morning, and I catch a riveting movie I’ve never heard of on one of those obscure channels.
Revelations – that’s what this movie is about. Filmmaker Andrew Nisker convinces a Canadian family, the McDonalds, to keep all their garbage for 90 days. Along the way he tells us more about the waste we produce than we ever wanted to know. From showing us what really happens in a recycling plant, to where our garbage goes, to the impact of the chemicals we use, to the difficulty in dealing with that stupid packaging we all struggle with, well let’s just say that the hits just keep on coming.
We went to Winn Dixie the next night and I took those canvas sacks, determined to lessen my use of plastic (sorry Dustin) for good.
We learn that Canada is exporting garbage to the US along with those hockey players. We learn that 3 million water bottles a year are going into land fills, never to be decomposed. We learn the impact of strip mining in West Virginia, and land fills in Michigan.
If this movie doesn’t shock you just a little I’d be really surprised.
And there’s no need to store your garbage for 3 months to get the message.
Crazy Heart – 8
You’ll like this movie if you
a. like country music
b. like great acting
c. like an adult evening at the movies
Jeff Bridges gives a sure-to-be-Oscar-winning performance as Bad Blake, a prototypical down and out fading country singer. He’s a-smokin’ and a-drinkin’ and a-womanizing his way through 2 bit bowling alley and honky tonk venues when he runs smack dab into Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and who wouldn’t be awakened by that. That’s believable. Not being a woman I can't explain why she finds him attractive. But this is movieworld so to advance the story she conveniently falls for him and you could write the rest of the story. Drunk gets girl, drunk loses girl, etc. etc.
This is a paint by the numbers movie that you’ve seen a thousand times before, as recently as last year (The Wrestler.) It is the two stars who elevate the material, keeping us interested through the predictable and inevitable conclusion. What’s nice about the movie is that it is adult fare, methodically paced, with intelligent conversation and characters we care about. We’re just not sure why they care about each other. Love works in mysterious ways.
Bridges will win his Academy Award as a nod to a career of stellar work, and this is one of those showy performances that soak up awards like a sponge. Many a competent actor could have pulled off the dramatic scenes. It is actually Bridges’ singing and stage work, wonderfully captured in sound and atmosphere, that escalate the performance. His song writing scenes are fascinating and lend some insight into the genius of both Bad and Jeff. Maggie Gyllenhaal also adds to her resume with a great performance. She’s terrific.
Jeff, clear one more spot on the mantel to go with the passel you’ve won so far. A Lifetime Achievement Award is coming your way.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Exhale
I need to write about something other than the New Orleans Saints.
I rarely write about politics, because I believe none of what I hear and half of what I see. I think I’m just a natural born contrarian. (I know what you just said.) I find that the majority side of any issue is rarely the place to be, and my natural reaction to most political statements is “What BS!”
Sometimes I think the less Government does the better, followed by wondering why they never seem to get anything done.
My current concern was beautifully expressed by somebody I saw interviewed on TV the other day. I wish I could remember who he was to give him proper credit, but he talked about what he called “the sorting of America” in that we’ve all sorted ourselves into two viewpoints and they conflict so much that nothing gets done.
The contrarian point is one often expressed by another commentator who thinks there is only one party in America because both parties are beholden to corporations, so they manipulate everything.
Either way you look at it, I almost jumped out of my seat when I read this paragraph of Leonard Pitts' column this morning:
To listen to talk radio, to watch TV pundits, to read a newspaper’s online message board, is to realize that increasingly, we are a people estranged from critical thinking, divorced from logic, alienated from even objective truth. We admit no ideas that do not confirm us, hear no voices that do not echo us, sift out all information that does not validate what we wish to believe.
Have to admit that I found that rather profound. Just doesn’t seem like we as a nation think much anymore, or find ways to solve problems. Everyone just pounds away on the talking points. Where did our problem solvers go? Once I was told by someone that your sole worth to the company you work for is in your ability to solve problems. If you can’t do that, you won’t have a job long.
Made me think about Congress which increasingly resembles that scrum after the Saints on-side kick. Except there’s no ball in there – they’re just rassling.
I rarely write about politics, because I believe none of what I hear and half of what I see. I think I’m just a natural born contrarian. (I know what you just said.) I find that the majority side of any issue is rarely the place to be, and my natural reaction to most political statements is “What BS!”
Sometimes I think the less Government does the better, followed by wondering why they never seem to get anything done.
My current concern was beautifully expressed by somebody I saw interviewed on TV the other day. I wish I could remember who he was to give him proper credit, but he talked about what he called “the sorting of America” in that we’ve all sorted ourselves into two viewpoints and they conflict so much that nothing gets done.
The contrarian point is one often expressed by another commentator who thinks there is only one party in America because both parties are beholden to corporations, so they manipulate everything.
Either way you look at it, I almost jumped out of my seat when I read this paragraph of Leonard Pitts' column this morning:
To listen to talk radio, to watch TV pundits, to read a newspaper’s online message board, is to realize that increasingly, we are a people estranged from critical thinking, divorced from logic, alienated from even objective truth. We admit no ideas that do not confirm us, hear no voices that do not echo us, sift out all information that does not validate what we wish to believe.
Have to admit that I found that rather profound. Just doesn’t seem like we as a nation think much anymore, or find ways to solve problems. Everyone just pounds away on the talking points. Where did our problem solvers go? Once I was told by someone that your sole worth to the company you work for is in your ability to solve problems. If you can’t do that, you won’t have a job long.
Made me think about Congress which increasingly resembles that scrum after the Saints on-side kick. Except there’s no ball in there – they’re just rassling.
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Saints Championship Report # 20 - February 8, 2010
I’m almost writeless.
Almost.
I’m almost speechless.
Almost.
My voice ran 74 yards with Tracy Porter. The Saints finally completed the march.
The New Orleans Saints have won the Super Bowl. Put that in your straw and drink it.
For 43 years the Saints fans have experienced the agony of defeat.
But the turning point came with the real agony of Hurricane Katrina
That’s when we realized that defeat isn’t an agony. Defeat in a ball game is going to happen from time to time, but it’s a temporary pain, and it’s disappointing but it ain’t agony.
Agony is when you’re in the superdome and it’s not for a football game.
Agony is the moment you realize your house has floated away, or your friend is homeless.
That’s agony.
We’ll take more football defeats, just let us keep our team.
Losing is painful, but it’s not as bad as not having a team at all.
Now the thrill of victory – that’s for real. When the Saints won the 44th Super Bowl last night 31-17 it made 43 years of defeats slide away into the swampy Bayou.
My Random thoughts:
Can you remember each Brees incompletion?
It was the Saints receivers who shone. We knew they were better than these inexperienced Colts receivers. Yes, Dallas Clark was great, but the rest of the receivers looked the way the Saints were supposed to look – star struck and nervous. Clank.
Everyone is talking about the Colts’ drops of passes, but if Marques Colston hadn’t killed a drive whiffing on an early pass that Brees almost planted in his facemask, the Saints may have gotten rolling a lot sooner.
Everyone is talking about Sean Payton’s decision to on-side kick to start the second half. They should be talking about it, because what we were talking about during the halftime (which lasted longer than an episode of Grey’s Anatomy) was how critical the first drive was going to be – and that the Saints had to stop the Colts, they couldn’t afford to fall behind 17 – 6. Sean Payton was thinking the same thing.
When you have The Who playing at halftime, don’t you think the Who Dats are going to win?
I’ve played and coached a lot of sports, sometimes not very well. A competitor doesn’t always trust his coach. What is obvious about the Saints (and their fans) is that they have complete trust in Sean Payton. As Dizzy Dean used to say, “It ain’t braggin’ when you done done it.” Now Payton has done done it to the tune of a championship. With one under his belt, watch out.
When did I know that the Saints finally had a coach?
A few years back when he cut his own fifth round draft choice Antonio Pittman to keep Pierre Thomas. It had been obvious during the pre-season that Thomas was clearly better, and Sean Payton didn’t hesitate to cut a draft choice that had been outplayed.
It was a lot of fun to beat the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. Again.
We will now get to see Tracy Porters’ interception return more than Billy Cannon’s Halloween run. Probably already have.
What I love about the Saints is the role that is played by the over-achievers like undrafted free agents Pierre Thomas, Lance Moore, and Chris Reis, who recovered the on-side kick. Something to be said for some talent, grit, and steady development.
Stick with me. Back on September 10th I told you the Saints would win the Super Bowl and Drew Brees would be the MVP of it. These playoffs reminded me of the 1971 World Series when the world finally got to see how good Roberto Clemente was. Now the world knows the secret, that Brees may be the most accurate passer ever. And the difference between Manning and Brees? Touch. Did you notice how many drops the Colts had on difficult and hard passes? Manning, like Brett Favre, throws bullets. Brees feathers the ball into tight spots. The secret’s out.
It was during the early season 13 – 0 run that I knew it was going to happen. Not just because they started 13 – 0, but because they won every conceivable way. Coming from behind, blowing teams out, grinding it out, catching lucky breaks. It’s an intangible confidence- like thing. They had it – if you went to a game, you could just see it.
Like the man said about pornography, “I can’t define it, but I know it when I see it.”
Here’s a forgotten MVP – How about right tackle Jon Stinchcomb? While all the focus was on Dwight Freeney and Jerome Bushrod, did you ever hear the name of Robert Mathis, their other Pro-Bowl defensive end called all night? I didn’t. The Saints offensive line made the Colts defensive line disappear.
We were all excited when Payton fired his good friend Gary Gibbes as defensive coordinator and replaced him with Gregg Williams. The reason I was so sure this was the Saints year was they did exactly what I told them to. When they called me to ask me if I was going to renew my season tickets, I told the caller, “Would you please tell GM Loomis to draft all defense?” They did. First round pick Malcolm Jenkins, while he struggled at times, was a big contributor last night. We haven’t even seen several of the draft picks yet. They spent the year on injured reserve – just think if they’re as good as our recent drafts. Free agents Jabari Greer and Darren Sharper gave the defense jolts of credibility and experience. Everyone kept talking about the Saints being ranked 25th in defense this year. They failed to realize that they were rated about 8th until the 2 starting cornerbacks Greer and Porter went down with injuries.
At the time I thought it was a gamble to draft a kicker and a punter in consecutive drafts. Again, the Saints brain trust proved that they are superior evaluators of talent. Both Morstead and Hartley played huge rolls last night.
I truly believe this is just the beginning of a Patriots-like run.
Who Dat can’t wait to do it again?
So, Excuse me while I go clean the champagne out of the carpet. I always wanted to pour champagne over people’s heads, but I didn’t know it was so sticky.
See you at the victory parade. New Dats welcome.
Wait til next year.
Almost.
I’m almost speechless.
Almost.
My voice ran 74 yards with Tracy Porter. The Saints finally completed the march.
The New Orleans Saints have won the Super Bowl. Put that in your straw and drink it.
For 43 years the Saints fans have experienced the agony of defeat.
But the turning point came with the real agony of Hurricane Katrina
That’s when we realized that defeat isn’t an agony. Defeat in a ball game is going to happen from time to time, but it’s a temporary pain, and it’s disappointing but it ain’t agony.
Agony is when you’re in the superdome and it’s not for a football game.
Agony is the moment you realize your house has floated away, or your friend is homeless.
That’s agony.
We’ll take more football defeats, just let us keep our team.
Losing is painful, but it’s not as bad as not having a team at all.
Now the thrill of victory – that’s for real. When the Saints won the 44th Super Bowl last night 31-17 it made 43 years of defeats slide away into the swampy Bayou.
My Random thoughts:
Can you remember each Brees incompletion?
It was the Saints receivers who shone. We knew they were better than these inexperienced Colts receivers. Yes, Dallas Clark was great, but the rest of the receivers looked the way the Saints were supposed to look – star struck and nervous. Clank.
Everyone is talking about the Colts’ drops of passes, but if Marques Colston hadn’t killed a drive whiffing on an early pass that Brees almost planted in his facemask, the Saints may have gotten rolling a lot sooner.
Everyone is talking about Sean Payton’s decision to on-side kick to start the second half. They should be talking about it, because what we were talking about during the halftime (which lasted longer than an episode of Grey’s Anatomy) was how critical the first drive was going to be – and that the Saints had to stop the Colts, they couldn’t afford to fall behind 17 – 6. Sean Payton was thinking the same thing.
When you have The Who playing at halftime, don’t you think the Who Dats are going to win?
I’ve played and coached a lot of sports, sometimes not very well. A competitor doesn’t always trust his coach. What is obvious about the Saints (and their fans) is that they have complete trust in Sean Payton. As Dizzy Dean used to say, “It ain’t braggin’ when you done done it.” Now Payton has done done it to the tune of a championship. With one under his belt, watch out.
When did I know that the Saints finally had a coach?
A few years back when he cut his own fifth round draft choice Antonio Pittman to keep Pierre Thomas. It had been obvious during the pre-season that Thomas was clearly better, and Sean Payton didn’t hesitate to cut a draft choice that had been outplayed.
It was a lot of fun to beat the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. Again.
We will now get to see Tracy Porters’ interception return more than Billy Cannon’s Halloween run. Probably already have.
What I love about the Saints is the role that is played by the over-achievers like undrafted free agents Pierre Thomas, Lance Moore, and Chris Reis, who recovered the on-side kick. Something to be said for some talent, grit, and steady development.
Stick with me. Back on September 10th I told you the Saints would win the Super Bowl and Drew Brees would be the MVP of it. These playoffs reminded me of the 1971 World Series when the world finally got to see how good Roberto Clemente was. Now the world knows the secret, that Brees may be the most accurate passer ever. And the difference between Manning and Brees? Touch. Did you notice how many drops the Colts had on difficult and hard passes? Manning, like Brett Favre, throws bullets. Brees feathers the ball into tight spots. The secret’s out.
It was during the early season 13 – 0 run that I knew it was going to happen. Not just because they started 13 – 0, but because they won every conceivable way. Coming from behind, blowing teams out, grinding it out, catching lucky breaks. It’s an intangible confidence- like thing. They had it – if you went to a game, you could just see it.
Like the man said about pornography, “I can’t define it, but I know it when I see it.”
Here’s a forgotten MVP – How about right tackle Jon Stinchcomb? While all the focus was on Dwight Freeney and Jerome Bushrod, did you ever hear the name of Robert Mathis, their other Pro-Bowl defensive end called all night? I didn’t. The Saints offensive line made the Colts defensive line disappear.
We were all excited when Payton fired his good friend Gary Gibbes as defensive coordinator and replaced him with Gregg Williams. The reason I was so sure this was the Saints year was they did exactly what I told them to. When they called me to ask me if I was going to renew my season tickets, I told the caller, “Would you please tell GM Loomis to draft all defense?” They did. First round pick Malcolm Jenkins, while he struggled at times, was a big contributor last night. We haven’t even seen several of the draft picks yet. They spent the year on injured reserve – just think if they’re as good as our recent drafts. Free agents Jabari Greer and Darren Sharper gave the defense jolts of credibility and experience. Everyone kept talking about the Saints being ranked 25th in defense this year. They failed to realize that they were rated about 8th until the 2 starting cornerbacks Greer and Porter went down with injuries.
At the time I thought it was a gamble to draft a kicker and a punter in consecutive drafts. Again, the Saints brain trust proved that they are superior evaluators of talent. Both Morstead and Hartley played huge rolls last night.
I truly believe this is just the beginning of a Patriots-like run.
Who Dat can’t wait to do it again?
So, Excuse me while I go clean the champagne out of the carpet. I always wanted to pour champagne over people’s heads, but I didn’t know it was so sticky.
See you at the victory parade. New Dats welcome.
Wait til next year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)