I just finished reading Tim Kurkjian's ( I think his first book...no wait...second book) Is This a Great Game, or What?
It was a fast read (almost too fast) but very enjoyable. It's basically Kurkjian being Kurkjian...ie telling fascinating stories and detailing crazy (stat driven) tales about the game of baseball.
I was thinking that it would be awesome to have this book on audio with Kurkjian reading it. He has a geeky quality that I find enjoyable when I'm watching him on Baseball Tonight. I recommend this book to all baseball fans. It is just a very enjoyable read.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Decatur County's First 2008 Baby
Do it Obama!
CNN is projecting that Barack Obama has won the Iowa Caucus (although it was a close three way race).
This is fantastic news.
Now it's on to New Hampshire.
Boy...I'm excited. It feels like the Colts just won the Super Bowl or IU just made it to the final four....
well...maybe I'm not that excited.......OK I'm not that excited.
But for the first time in a long time I have a postive vibe about where this country is headed (and that is something to be excited about).
This is fantastic news.
Now it's on to New Hampshire.
Boy...I'm excited. It feels like the Colts just won the Super Bowl or IU just made it to the final four....
well...maybe I'm not that excited.......OK I'm not that excited.
But for the first time in a long time I have a postive vibe about where this country is headed (and that is something to be excited about).
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
"Charlie Wilson's War" movie review
This week we watched the political comedy Charlie Wilson's War (R). Tom Hanks plays the Texas congressman who, pressed by a wealthy campaign donor (Julia Roberts) begins to covertly aid rebels in Afghanistan in the late 80s. Philip Seymour Hoffman costars and Mike Nichols directs.
Andy: Charlie Wilson's War is an unconventional comedy. Its subject is both historical and political, which usual does not bode well for a comedy. Almost every comedy that comes out of Hollywood is built around a romantic relationship, culminating with a marriage or connection between the romantic leads. Not only is there no marriage, there is no romantic theme in the film at all. Remarkably, this works perfectly for this film. What Nichols has done is create a political thriller that is a comedy that does not take itself seriously. It seems like a simple idea, but it has rarely been attempted, much less pulled off this successfully.
Ryan: There’s no question that Charlie Wilson’s War is one of the most fascinating films of the year. Making it even more remarkable is the fact that the movie is based on a true story. This is definitely a case of real events being stranger than fiction. Watching the movie, it seems unbelievable that this really happened. But from what I can tell, much of the movie’s events are indeed accurate. Considering how absurd the events are in the movie, it was a smart decision making the film a comedy. A more serious movie involving the subject matter probably would have been laughable (but not in a good way).
Andy: In a film full of Oscar winners, it is the most recent member of the club that steals the show. Julia Roberts is largely wasted in the movie, and Hanks carries it in the leading role, but Philip Seymour Hoffman absolutely steals the show in every scene he is in. Be prepared, because his character is completely obnoxious, foul mouthed, and rude. But just like Hoffman himself, he's unconventionally good at his job and ridiculously fun to watch.
Ryan: Hoffman is simply outstanding in the movie. There is one scene in particular in the movie that perfectly captures the crassness of Hoffman’s character. It is hands-down one of the best scenes of the year. He’s already scored a Golden Globe nomination and I don’t think an Oscar nod would be out of the question. The other fine performance in the movie belongs to Hanks. This isn’t one of his defining performances but seeing Hanks utilize his comedic talents (which he doesn’t use all that often anymore) is quite a joy. Like Andy alluded to, Tom Hanks knows how to carry a film and he again does it here.
Andy: While Charlie Wilson's War is not a perfect film, it does not have any major flaws. Aaron Sorkin's screenplay is strong with both storytelling and dialogue and it would be hard to ask for much more out of any of the performers. It also walks the precarious line of being politically relevant without coming across as preachy. All of this leads one to believe that when awards start getting handed out, Charlie Wilson's War will be on the receiving end of some of them.
Ryan: Charlie Wilson’s War box-office numbers have under-performed but that isn’t too much of surprise considering the track record of other recent war-themed movies. As Andy mentioned—as opposed to most of those other recent movies—Charlie Wilson’s War’s politics do not get in the way of the storytelling. The movie is not overt in seeing how the events in the movie would go on to influence future political policy regarding the United States and The Middle East. Instead it makes poignant allusions to our present battle of The War on Terror.
Charlie Wilson's War is one of the most captivating movies of the year. The movie entertains as well as informs. Final grade: A-.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
A sneak peak of film's of 2008
This should be my top 10 movies of 2007 but I haven't had the chance or (opportunity) to see all those end of the year flicks (like The Savages or There Will Be Blood...or even Atonement). Instead I'll look ahead and give my top ten anticipated-films of 2008.
9. Tropic Thunder
The last time Ben Stiller directed one of his own comedies it was one of his bests--Zoolander. The premise of the movie is promising (Through a series of freak occurrences, a group of actors shooting a big-budget war movie are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying.) An eclectic cast consisting of Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Nick Nolte, Matthew McConaughey should make that movie premise work.
8. Pineapple Express
Judd Apatow had a brilliant 2007 (Knocked Up and Superbad) so hopefully he can parlay that into 2008 with this comedy involving Seth Rogen and James Franco.
7. Cloverfield
The biggest cinematic mystery in a long time is going to be answered very shortly as Cloverfield opens in a few weeks. I must admit that I've been caught up (to a degree) with the buzz surrounding this film. I have a feeling that its going to be either a big hit or a big miss.
6. Wanted
A Russian director (Timur Berkmambetov)...a Mark Millar graphic novel...and Angelina Jolie. This could be recipe for a summer hit or a summer dud. I haven't had the chance to read Millar's mini-series (although I want to)...the trailer for this movie looked pretty cool. On a side note it has the James McAvoy factor so I would be watching it regardless if it was based on a comic book or not.
5. Valkyrie
A Bryan Singer project with Tom Cruise...a few years ago it would have been a no-brainer. Singer is still one of my favorite directors...although his stock is a little down with Superman Returns not being as big as it could (should have been). As for Cruise...well he's Tom Cruise and whether deserved or not his name just doesn't have the cinematic weight as it once did...although I still think he's a helluva of an actor. Here's the trailer.
4. The Incredible Hulk
I realize that I'm just about the only person who liked Ang Lee's The Hulk movie. But I completely understand that a reboot was needed. The fact that Edward Norton is playing Bruce Banner is simply unexpected but quite cool considering that he's one of the best actors of his generation. Again I'm not a Marvel man but like Iron Man I've always liked the Hulk.
3. Bond 22
The next installment of the Bond franchise is currently untitled but expected to come out sometime in November. Daniel Craig's first go around as 007 was just freakin' awesome. Casino Royale was one of the best Bond films so my excitement regarding Craig's second outing is pretty high.
2. Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Really...what needs to be said about this. Indiana Jones is a cinematic icon. Spielberg, Ford...and even Shia...what is there not to be excited about?
1. The Dark Knight
This will probably be like the greatest movie of all time.
But seriously (and all bias aside)...Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale know what they are doing with the character of Batman. It looks like Heath Ledger knows what he is doing with the Joker. For proof...click here see the trailer.
10. Iron Man
The trailer for the film isn't to bad but seeing some of the other footage that was shown at the San Diego Comic Con was pretty impressive. Marvel's movies have been pretty bad here lately so maybe Iron Man will buck the trend. I'm not a Marvel guy but I've always liked Iron Man. 9. Tropic Thunder
The last time Ben Stiller directed one of his own comedies it was one of his bests--Zoolander. The premise of the movie is promising (Through a series of freak occurrences, a group of actors shooting a big-budget war movie are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying.) An eclectic cast consisting of Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Nick Nolte, Matthew McConaughey should make that movie premise work.
8. Pineapple Express
Judd Apatow had a brilliant 2007 (Knocked Up and Superbad) so hopefully he can parlay that into 2008 with this comedy involving Seth Rogen and James Franco.
7. Cloverfield
The biggest cinematic mystery in a long time is going to be answered very shortly as Cloverfield opens in a few weeks. I must admit that I've been caught up (to a degree) with the buzz surrounding this film. I have a feeling that its going to be either a big hit or a big miss.
6. Wanted
A Russian director (Timur Berkmambetov)...a Mark Millar graphic novel...and Angelina Jolie. This could be recipe for a summer hit or a summer dud. I haven't had the chance to read Millar's mini-series (although I want to)...the trailer for this movie looked pretty cool. On a side note it has the James McAvoy factor so I would be watching it regardless if it was based on a comic book or not.
5. Valkyrie
A Bryan Singer project with Tom Cruise...a few years ago it would have been a no-brainer. Singer is still one of my favorite directors...although his stock is a little down with Superman Returns not being as big as it could (should have been). As for Cruise...well he's Tom Cruise and whether deserved or not his name just doesn't have the cinematic weight as it once did...although I still think he's a helluva of an actor. Here's the trailer.
4. The Incredible Hulk
I realize that I'm just about the only person who liked Ang Lee's The Hulk movie. But I completely understand that a reboot was needed. The fact that Edward Norton is playing Bruce Banner is simply unexpected but quite cool considering that he's one of the best actors of his generation. Again I'm not a Marvel man but like Iron Man I've always liked the Hulk.
3. Bond 22
The next installment of the Bond franchise is currently untitled but expected to come out sometime in November. Daniel Craig's first go around as 007 was just freakin' awesome. Casino Royale was one of the best Bond films so my excitement regarding Craig's second outing is pretty high.
2. Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Really...what needs to be said about this. Indiana Jones is a cinematic icon. Spielberg, Ford...and even Shia...what is there not to be excited about?
1. The Dark Knight
This will probably be like the greatest movie of all time.
But seriously (and all bias aside)...Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale know what they are doing with the character of Batman. It looks like Heath Ledger knows what he is doing with the Joker. For proof...click here see the trailer.
Happy New Year!
I couldn't resist posting this hit that occurred Sunday night in the Colts/Titans game.
My question is...why was Bob Sanders wearing Darrel Reid's jersey on special teams.
Just kidding, Mr. Reid...that was the hit of the year.
My question is...why was Bob Sanders wearing Darrel Reid's jersey on special teams.
Just kidding, Mr. Reid...that was the hit of the year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)