Blog Break

1. I'm having computer issues...not making me very happy.

2. I will be taking a short vacation to the great state of North Carolina to attend my good friend's wedding (Andy and Elizabeth).

In essence...no entries until Monday. I hope everybody can handle that.

Keep it real.

Batman anime DVD

I heard about this a few weeks ago...looks like it is going to happen. Sounds very cool. I would assume it would come out a few weeks before The Dark Knight gets released (July 2008).

Per Newsrama:

Set in the period between BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT, this brand new adventure follows BATMAN as he unravels a mystery over six original stories done in the style of Japanese Anime. Each of the six original stories has been written by a highly respected screenwriter or comic book creator. The talent includes Academy Award nominee Josh Olsen (The History of Violence), screenwriter of the Blade films and Batman Begins David Goyer, and famed comic book writer Brian Azzarello, among others.

The Batman Anime DVD is viewed as a perfect companion piece to BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT. The original stories introduce a number of classic characters from the DC Comics BATMAN universe as well as following up on characters and storylines that were introduced in BATMAN BEGINS.

Superbad (R-rated clip)

I came across this clip for Superbad and couldn't resist posting it. I've been talking this movie up for months and I think its going to deliver and be one of the funniest films of the year. It opens August 17.

Maddux vs. Bonds

One good thing about Bonds pursuit of the record is more baseball on ESPN...more specifically more NL west coast baseball on ESPN.

The Bonds circus rolled into San Diego last night...as the Giants took on the Padres...more specifically--as ESPN was hyping it--Maddux vs. Bonds. With this case, I can get into the hype. I was shocked that the matchup actually led off PTI yesterday evening. But considering that its two future hall of famers going at it with the home run record in reach...in my mind...it is worth hyping it up.

Further adding to the buzz were the comments that Maddux made prior to the game--

“It's easy pitching to Barry because if it matters, you just walk him...I mean, it's not that hard to throw four a couple feet outside...I know he taught me to beat lineups and not hitters. You do what you can to keep him in the park. No disrespect to the other eight guys, but you've got to make sure Barry doesn't beat you.”

It was these comments by Maddux that led to much of the discussion leading up to the game...would Maddux actually pitch to him?

It didn't take long to answer that. With a runner on second in the 1st inning, and Bonds at the plate...Maddux's first pitch set the tone on how he was going to pitch to Barry...and that was that he was going to go right after him (in terms of how Maddux goes after a batter). It was a pretty cool moment that after that first pitch Bonds and Maddux--with a grin and head nod--acknowledged their mutual respect that they have for each other. Certainly that first at bat was the highlight of the game for me. Bonds worked the count full. I told Jenny that Maddux was going to try and get him on the inside corner with that cut/sinking fastball that he throws to lefties. And sure enough he struck out Bonds looking...vintage Maddux. I was pumped.

In Bonds's next two plate appearances against Maddux, Bonds took his licks. Maddux induced him for a ground out and a fly out. In retrospect one could see Maddux's comments as a way to maybe throw Bonds off a little bit. He certainly implied that he was not going to pitch to him, but in fact he pitched to him probably more than he should have. Maddux isn't the pitcher that he used to be...but more times than not he is still one step ahead of the hitters.

As for the rest of the game...Maddux ended up throwing a quality start (6.1 innings/ 3 earned runs) but it was his opponent, Matt Cain, that was the story of the game up until the 8th inning. Cain was simply baffling the Padres hitters as they could muster no offense whatsoever. Finally in the 8th...after a couple of hits...Cain exited the game. Newly acquired outfield Scott Hairston came to bat and belted a game-tying home run. Lo and behold in the tenth inning Hairston belted a walk off solo home run to win the game.

It was an unbelievable finish to a classic ballgame. Hats off to Hairston for hitting not one...but two crucial home runs. No question he was the player of the game. In essence it was just a great game. The Bonds/Maddux hype...with my perspective...lived up to the hype and for a Padres fan the end of the game was simply exhilarating.

(photo courtesy of AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

That sure woke me up

I'm sitting here this morning...checking my teams...while watching Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN2. Mike and Mike are not there so I'm blessed with Doug Gottlieb and some other dude.

No shitting...Gottlieb just referred to Micheal Irvin, who is getting inducted into the NFL hall of fame this weekend, as the second greatest wide receiver of all time.

Wow...they pay this guy for his thoughts.

Update: Here are Michael Irvin's all-time ranks:

Receptions...he is 21st all time (750)
Receiving TD's...he is 43rd all time (65)
Yards...he is 14th all time (11,904).

By comparison

Marvin Harrison is

4th in all time receptions (1,022)
3rd in receiving TD's (122)
6th in receiving yards (13,697).

Again...maybe the dumbest comment that I've ever heard coming from an ESPN "analyst"

Smallville Rumblings from Comic Con

Really I couldn't resist to post another pitcher of Laura Vandervoort aka Supergirl...

But anyway some interesting tidbits from the forthcoming seventh season (and yes that is hard to believe).

--Phil Morris (Martian Manhunter) will be guest starring in several episodes.

--Green Arrow, Justin Hartley, will also be back in some capacity this season.

--Dean Cain, who played Superman/Clark Kent on Lois & Clark will be guest starring as a villain in one episode.

--No Batman/Bruce Wayne...and probably no Wonder Woman

--Apparently Rosenbaum had back surgery but he's all right...probably hurt himself in that pimp wagon of a van that he owns.


--I think it is unclear at this point how much of Lana Lang we are going to be seeing. She might only be around for half the season (assuming...and I think it is a pretty safe assumption...that she's not dead).

Smallville continues to be one of my favorite shows. One might assume that the show is not what it once was but there were some great episodes last season. As long as they can weave new characters and ideas in and out of the Superman myth the show will continue to be successful.

Special shout out to Kryptonsite...the Smallville website that always keeps me informed.

Shoot 'em Up Red Band Trailer

The Red Band Trailer for Shoot'em Up can be viewed by going to the official website...click here.

Click on "view age restricted content"...and then enter your name, birthday & zipcode.

The trailer kicks ass...Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Monica Bellucci and Motley Crue...what more does one want.

I would have to say that as the Fall Movie season arrives the three movies that I'm most looking forward to see are 3:10 to Yuma, Shoot'em Up, and Rambo 4 (actually I'm not even sure when that comes out).

Anyway...I've said it before...I like that Hollywood is putting out these red band trailers especially since most of them more accurately showcase what movie's "about."