This week we'll be taking a look at the current #1 movie at the box office, American Gangster. Ridley Scott directs this detective (Russell Crowe) vs. gangster (Denzel Washington) drama, set mostly in New York City during the end of the Vietnam War.
Ryan: It is not everyday that two Hollywood megastars co-star in a major motion picture. The pairing of Washington and Crowe is what makes American Gangster such a must see film. Make no mistake about it: American Gangster is a very good film. It is not a movie that's an instant classic (or even best picture material like last year's The Departed) but it is a film that is tremendously well put together that showcases the talents of two of the best actors of their generation.
Andy: It's true that Crowe and Washington are both big stars, but make no mistake about it. Denzel Washington's presence here is what filled theatres. In spite of his obvious talent as an actor, Russell Crowe has never connected with his audience as a major draw to a movie. Washington, on the other hand, almost always seems to have a strong opening weekend, at least. This movie offers an example of why this may be the case. Crowe and Washington both have outstanding, equally impressive performances. But Washington seems so much cooler doing it than Crowe does. I wish Washington did not so frequently play the tough-as-nails anti-hero, but he sure is good at it.
Ryan: This isn't Washington's or Crowe's best work but they do deliver strong performances. They don't share much screen time together and that might put off some moviegoers. But their respected performances are solid enough that they propel the dual narratives along until they intersect each other. When they do finally meet up on screen it makes for a really cool movie moment. The scene might not have the most dramatic effect that one might want from the pairing of two stars but overall the scene works within the framework of the film.
Andy: I actually would have liked to see Ridley Scott play up the meeting of Crowe and Washington's characters a little bit more. The whole movie is leading us toward their inevitable confrontation, and when it happens it's a little anticlimactic. It would have been fun to watch two actors of this caliber trading chops on screen, but instead we get a bit of a tidy, wrapped up ending. As Ryan said, it does fit the movie pretty well, but it's hard not to wonder what could have been between the two.
Ryan: Like I said before, American Gangster is a fine film but it doesn't have that “something extra” that really grabs you. It's a film that's good enough to end up on many critics' top ten lists but it won't be a film that makes the number one spot. It just lacks that pizzazz that would have made it a great film. It's based on a true story and at times it feels like the movie's pace is more along the lines of a Sixty Minute's news segment as opposed to a drug-trafficking crime thriller. The resolution to the movie is a bit clunky as well as the movie takes an unexpected turn with the two leads that might frustrate some moviegoers. Even with these shortcomings, American Gangster is a finely made entertaining film.
Andy: Good, not great is a fine way of summing this movie up. There aren't that many shortcomings of the film, but nothing jumps out as being particularly overwhelming, either. It may garner a couple of random Oscar nominations, but mostly it's just a good, escapist crime drama. If this is the sort of movie you are into, you won't be disappointed, but no new ground has been broken here.
American Gangster is solidly constructed and well acted. Final grade: B+.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Colts fallout Part II
All right...yes I was pissed on Sunday night. It wasn't until the Shelbyville exit (we watched the game at Reiger's condo in downtown Indy) that I could muster some words together to talk to my wife. (Hats off to her for putting up with my surliness...but she knows the drill...It just takes me some time to process a demoralizing sports lost with one of my teams). Ultimately it was a helluva of a game. It was exciting...it was nailbiting...it lived up to the hype. I don't think the Colts necessarily blew it...maybe gave it away...the Patriots on both ends of the ball made the plays in the fourth quater...and the Colts didn't.
Here are my observations:
1. Not much of a surprise but the Colts and Patriots are the best two teams in the NFL. Most people are aware of that...but this game proved it. It also proved that they are still, I think, evenly matched. The Patriots got us on Sunday but by no means are they utterly superior to us. If we played 10 games we would win half of them.
2. Randy Moss is a stud. When the pass rush faltered in the fourth quarter, it was then that Brady had the time to make the big play...and Moss has got to be the best big player receiver in the NFL. If they play again...I'm not to sure how the Colts will try to stop him...although I don't think Tim Jennings is the answer.
3. The Colts defense is good...I mean Super Bowl good. For 50 minutes they pretty much shut down the best offense in the NFL. They were making plays and getting pressure on Brady (which is the key to slowing them down and also why I think down the road...that the NY Giants might have more than chance to beat them). Unfortunately, due to fatigue or the Patriots making adjustments, the defense just could not hold them for the whole game. That was dishearting because they played their asses off.
4. I'm not saying that the injuries to several of our starters cost us the game but come on...it would have made a big difference...easily a 4 point difference. For the first time, the Colts offense really missed Harrison. The passing game was pretty slow and it is safe to say that with Harrison on the filed...at the very least...it opens more things up for the rest of the guys. The offensive line really missed Tony Ugoh as well especially in the fourth quarter. The line really let down the rest of the offensive in the fourth with the penalties and the lack of protection. And not to call out Charlie Johnson, who did an admirable job, but Ugoh is a stud and he would have made a difference. Maybe the defense would not have stumbled in the fourth quarter if Freddy Keiaho and/or Tyjuan Hagler would have played. Those guys are playmakers and greatly would have added to the defense's depth. I just think if the team was at full strength the result would have been different.
5. I don't buy the notion that the Colts can't win a potential rematch in Foxborough (AFC Championship). With the defense that the Colts have and with the ability to pound the ball with the run, they can win a smash'em up cold weather game. I'm not saying they should win...but they can. Furthermore, a cold weather game might actually effect the Patriots offense more than the Colts. The Pats are basically running the same 3 WR-set offense that the Colts ran in 2004. In a cold weather game with a tough defense (that the Colts have) the Pats' offense is not going to be running at optimum levels. I rather the game be in Indy...no question about that...but it's not a lost cause in New England (after all we have beat them the last two times in Foxborough).
6. I sill hate the Patriots. Tom Brady is great quarterback but he's also a whiny bitch. I remember quite vividly two instances of him whining during the game. (I'm aware that Manning doesn't have the best body language either...but he's better with it now). Bill Belicheck, while being a great football coach, is far from being a classy guy. His post-game handshake with Dungy boarded on being completely ridiculous. As for Teddy Bruschi...I just hate that guy. I'm just not going to say anything more.
Bottom line...the Patriots are a great team but so are the Colts. I hope we get them in the playoffs because we can beat them no matter where the game is going be.
Our next game in San Diego is not going to be an easy game...but I think we will get back on track.
Go Horse!
Here are my observations:
1. Not much of a surprise but the Colts and Patriots are the best two teams in the NFL. Most people are aware of that...but this game proved it. It also proved that they are still, I think, evenly matched. The Patriots got us on Sunday but by no means are they utterly superior to us. If we played 10 games we would win half of them.
2. Randy Moss is a stud. When the pass rush faltered in the fourth quarter, it was then that Brady had the time to make the big play...and Moss has got to be the best big player receiver in the NFL. If they play again...I'm not to sure how the Colts will try to stop him...although I don't think Tim Jennings is the answer.
3. The Colts defense is good...I mean Super Bowl good. For 50 minutes they pretty much shut down the best offense in the NFL. They were making plays and getting pressure on Brady (which is the key to slowing them down and also why I think down the road...that the NY Giants might have more than chance to beat them). Unfortunately, due to fatigue or the Patriots making adjustments, the defense just could not hold them for the whole game. That was dishearting because they played their asses off.
4. I'm not saying that the injuries to several of our starters cost us the game but come on...it would have made a big difference...easily a 4 point difference. For the first time, the Colts offense really missed Harrison. The passing game was pretty slow and it is safe to say that with Harrison on the filed...at the very least...it opens more things up for the rest of the guys. The offensive line really missed Tony Ugoh as well especially in the fourth quarter. The line really let down the rest of the offensive in the fourth with the penalties and the lack of protection. And not to call out Charlie Johnson, who did an admirable job, but Ugoh is a stud and he would have made a difference. Maybe the defense would not have stumbled in the fourth quarter if Freddy Keiaho and/or Tyjuan Hagler would have played. Those guys are playmakers and greatly would have added to the defense's depth. I just think if the team was at full strength the result would have been different.
5. I don't buy the notion that the Colts can't win a potential rematch in Foxborough (AFC Championship). With the defense that the Colts have and with the ability to pound the ball with the run, they can win a smash'em up cold weather game. I'm not saying they should win...but they can. Furthermore, a cold weather game might actually effect the Patriots offense more than the Colts. The Pats are basically running the same 3 WR-set offense that the Colts ran in 2004. In a cold weather game with a tough defense (that the Colts have) the Pats' offense is not going to be running at optimum levels. I rather the game be in Indy...no question about that...but it's not a lost cause in New England (after all we have beat them the last two times in Foxborough).
6. I sill hate the Patriots. Tom Brady is great quarterback but he's also a whiny bitch. I remember quite vividly two instances of him whining during the game. (I'm aware that Manning doesn't have the best body language either...but he's better with it now). Bill Belicheck, while being a great football coach, is far from being a classy guy. His post-game handshake with Dungy boarded on being completely ridiculous. As for Teddy Bruschi...I just hate that guy. I'm just not going to say anything more.
Bottom line...the Patriots are a great team but so are the Colts. I hope we get them in the playoffs because we can beat them no matter where the game is going be.
Our next game in San Diego is not going to be an easy game...but I think we will get back on track.
Go Horse!
Colts Fallout, Part I
When you win the game...you don't whine and complain...please remember this New England fans and media.
Shortly after the game, the New England brass started complaining about the Colts pumping noise into the Dome. (Not a new accusation--a few years ago the Pittsburgh Steelers accused the Colts of pumping artificial noise into the dome).
CBS, who broadcasted the game, quickly chimed in what really happened during the game.
Via indystar.com
This doesn't surprise me at all. CBS almost always has sound issues during the football broadcasts especially with their HD feeds. I know I'm a Colts apologist but I completely buy CBS's argument. Bottom line...the Colts aren't pumping noise into the dome to gain an unfair advantage...they aren't New England.
Shortly after the game, the New England brass started complaining about the Colts pumping noise into the Dome. (Not a new accusation--a few years ago the Pittsburgh Steelers accused the Colts of pumping artificial noise into the dome).
CBS, who broadcasted the game, quickly chimed in what really happened during the game.
Via indystar.com
Sorry, conspiracy fans, there's no "Noisegate."
An unusual sound on the telecast of Sunday's game between the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots was a CBS production issue and not evidence of the Colts breaking NFL rules by enhancing noise at the RCA Dome, a network spokesman said Monday.
"It was the result of tape feedback in the CBS production truck," the network's LeslieAnne Wade said. "In no way was it from the stadium."
Yahoo Sports reported that Patriots president Jonathan Kraft complained about the noise issue after the game to Milt Ahlerich, the NFL vice president of security.
There were at least three posts on YouTube.com from the CBS telecast pointing to the first play of the fourth quarter as possible evidence.
The play, in which Patriots quarterback Tom Brady completes a 14-yard slant to Randy Moss, has a vibrating sound amid the crowd noise that stops abruptly after the tackle. One post characterized the sound as being like a CD skipping or "stuck."
"That's the end of that story," said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, who added that no other part of the game is under investigation for noise violations.
A statement from the Colts said: "We trust this will put an end to the ridiculous and unfounded accusations that the Colts artificially enhanced crowd noise at the RCA Dome in any way."
This doesn't surprise me at all. CBS almost always has sound issues during the football broadcasts especially with their HD feeds. I know I'm a Colts apologist but I completely buy CBS's argument. Bottom line...the Colts aren't pumping noise into the dome to gain an unfair advantage...they aren't New England.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Hot Stove Heating Up
I know baseball season is over and that IU is getting ready to tip the season off and the Colts are 7-1...so my focus shouldn't be on baseball. But...I found this pretty cool website dealing with hot stove rumors.
I need one more night's sleep and then I will be able to express my feeling on the Colts defeat on Sunday night. Of note...I didn't break anything.
I need one more night's sleep and then I will be able to express my feeling on the Colts defeat on Sunday night. Of note...I didn't break anything.
Maddux resigns with Padres
Via espn.com
Not much of a surprise here. I'm glad they got it done right away. With the pitching staff that the Padres have...they should at the very least contend for the NL Wild Card (if not the division).
The San Diego Padres and pitcher Greg Maddux have agreed to terms on a one-year, $10 million deal, according to sources.
Maddux, who could have been a free agent, held a player option for $8.75 million for 2008. The Padres held a team option for $11 million for 2008.
Maddux has pitched 22 seasons for four teams, most of that time with the Atlanta Braves. He has 347 career wins, good for ninth on the all-time list.
A four-time Cy Young winner, Maddux was 14-11 with a 4.14 ERA in 34 starts for the Padres last season. San Diego lost a one-game playoff with the Colorado Rockies for the National League wild card.
Buster Olney is a senior writer at ESPN The Magazine
Not much of a surprise here. I'm glad they got it done right away. With the pitching staff that the Padres have...they should at the very least contend for the NL Wild Card (if not the division).
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Saturday Morning Thoughts
I haven't written a lot lately...not sure why...but it seems that I've been overly tired after getting home from work. I think the change in weather has my allergies in a funk.
Regardless a couple of things...
--There's a football game going on tomorrow...maybe the GREATEST REGULAR SEASON NFL GAME EVER...as the coverage on ESPN has been non-stop. The only way it could be a bigger story if by some chance the Yankees or A-rod were involved. Anyway, it looks Marvin Harrison might not play again. Which stinks...there was even a report that his knee pain would not only effect him this season but for the rest of his career. Since then the Colts have countered that report of saying that it isn't true. Obviously I hope that is the case as Marvin is my favorite football player...and a key ingredient to the Colts continued success. I have a feeling that he might play tomorrow in a limited fashion.
--Also related to the Colts...I found this interesting post on si.com comparing the 2004 Colts (and Manning's 49 TD passes) to the 2007 Patriots and Brady's pursuit of the record. There is this perception among Colt-haters that the Colts and Manning not only ran the score up on their opponents but that Manning was also padding his numbers. This article puts that nonsense to rest.
--Well it looks like I'm going to have pay ETC a visit. IU tips off the regular season a week from Monday and we still don't have the Big Ten Network on Insight. I've been hesitant because I like Insight's service (ie. the dual DVR box that we have)...if ETC has that...we'll be making the move for sure...if they don't...I'm not sure what we are going to do. It's frustrating me...plus I have this suspicion that Insight might eventually get it done at the last minute. That is normally how those deals go down. Bottom line...it's pissing me off.
Have a great weekend...Go Colts!
Regardless a couple of things...
--There's a football game going on tomorrow...maybe the GREATEST REGULAR SEASON NFL GAME EVER...as the coverage on ESPN has been non-stop. The only way it could be a bigger story if by some chance the Yankees or A-rod were involved. Anyway, it looks Marvin Harrison might not play again. Which stinks...there was even a report that his knee pain would not only effect him this season but for the rest of his career. Since then the Colts have countered that report of saying that it isn't true. Obviously I hope that is the case as Marvin is my favorite football player...and a key ingredient to the Colts continued success. I have a feeling that he might play tomorrow in a limited fashion.
--Also related to the Colts...I found this interesting post on si.com comparing the 2004 Colts (and Manning's 49 TD passes) to the 2007 Patriots and Brady's pursuit of the record. There is this perception among Colt-haters that the Colts and Manning not only ran the score up on their opponents but that Manning was also padding his numbers. This article puts that nonsense to rest.
--Well it looks like I'm going to have pay ETC a visit. IU tips off the regular season a week from Monday and we still don't have the Big Ten Network on Insight. I've been hesitant because I like Insight's service (ie. the dual DVR box that we have)...if ETC has that...we'll be making the move for sure...if they don't...I'm not sure what we are going to do. It's frustrating me...plus I have this suspicion that Insight might eventually get it done at the last minute. That is normally how those deals go down. Bottom line...it's pissing me off.
Have a great weekend...Go Colts!
Friday, November 2, 2007
The Rock Does As He Pleases
Joblo.com is reporting that the Rock told MTV.com that he will play Black Adam in yet untitled Shazam movie. Although not confirmed by the filmmakers, director Peter Segal and writer John August...it looks like the Rock is ready to go.
That could work...he certainly has the look and build to pull off Black Adam.
I just want to know who is going to be playing Mr. Tawny now.
That could work...he certainly has the look and build to pull off Black Adam.
I just want to know who is going to be playing Mr. Tawny now.
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