Thursday, April 9, 2009
New Job Opportunity
My people,my people!Big things are on the horizon.I've been offered a position with a new sportswear company called CRONS that is starting to gain popularity. All their clothes are made from eco-friendly materials and everything offered comes at a very fair price if I may say so. If I take the position I will be in charge of outside sales to the region I live in.Should I take it?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Suspensions?Really??
I watched the Lakers game last night.I saw the "flagrant foul".The truth is,even if I wasn't a Lakers fan there is no way I would be screaming for the suspensions of Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom.I was very surprised when I woke up this morning on the heels of an embarrasing blowout Lakers loss to the Blazers to see that both these players might be suspended without pay for multiple games.A,the foul wasn't that hard.It was hard,but both players were flying through the air at high speeds and I know from experience what happens in those situations.B,Ariza was going for the ball.If you have any desire to dispute that you are probably a lawyer or a complete idiot.
If indeed there are going to be suspensions,shouldn't we be talking about some on both sides?After all, multiple Blazers players including Brandon Roy and Lemarcus Aldridge went after Ariza to rough him up.I don't think anything would actually have happened past some pushing and shoving given basketball player's history of violence,or lack there of.In the history of the NBA there's been what,4 big fist fights?Give me a break,this was more of a non incident than an incident at all.Did anyone scream for Al Horford to be suspended when he threw Tj Ford head first into the floor last year?No,didn't think so.Everyone needs to take a deep breath,including David Stern and weigh out both sides of this.On a side note,the Lake Show needs to kick it into overdrive if they plan on coming out of the west in first place.Or maybe this is all part of their plan?I've seen stranger things from Phil.If the Playoffs started today the Lakers would get a first round date with the Mavericks....but honestly I don't see Dallas making the playoffs.If they do,it's only because the Suns have so many injuries and all of the other Western teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.Thats right,mid march and there are only 9 teams left within reach of a playoff spot in the West. Consider that on the East Coast,all 15 teams are still eligible...it's a big deal.
If indeed there are going to be suspensions,shouldn't we be talking about some on both sides?After all, multiple Blazers players including Brandon Roy and Lemarcus Aldridge went after Ariza to rough him up.I don't think anything would actually have happened past some pushing and shoving given basketball player's history of violence,or lack there of.In the history of the NBA there's been what,4 big fist fights?Give me a break,this was more of a non incident than an incident at all.Did anyone scream for Al Horford to be suspended when he threw Tj Ford head first into the floor last year?No,didn't think so.Everyone needs to take a deep breath,including David Stern and weigh out both sides of this.On a side note,the Lake Show needs to kick it into overdrive if they plan on coming out of the west in first place.Or maybe this is all part of their plan?I've seen stranger things from Phil.If the Playoffs started today the Lakers would get a first round date with the Mavericks....but honestly I don't see Dallas making the playoffs.If they do,it's only because the Suns have so many injuries and all of the other Western teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.Thats right,mid march and there are only 9 teams left within reach of a playoff spot in the West. Consider that on the East Coast,all 15 teams are still eligible...it's a big deal.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Lakers-Grizzlies Recap
I'll start by saying that this was the most boring game I've seen out of the Lakers all year.Hands down.Kobe had a big game,but if you watched the game you could tell that he wasn't really exerting
himself like he usually does.I think that my boys are finally hitting their mid season wall.Most of the other teams have already gotten past that point and are now gearing up for a late season push(the Hornets in particular)so it will be interesting to see over the next two months if the Lakers can handle the pressure of having a few teams breathing down their necks.
All that being said,I've got to congratulate Memphis on trying hard the whole game.Say what you will about the Grizzles(I know I spelled that wrong) but them boys have heart. In a few years they are going to be very dangerous,2001-2002 Clippers style.There are literally college teams that have older starting lineups than the Grizzlies.Be warned,we're looking at a future 60 win team here if they all stay together.
Lamar Odom continues to amaze me.He razzles and dazzles and dizzles,yet scores two points.He still managed a near triple double with blocks rebounds and assists though,sitting out the entired fourth quarter with Kobe and Pau while DJ MMMMMMMbenga decided he would terrorize poor Marc Gasol.For a man with no neck,he's showing he's got game lately.Claps to you DJ.Also,does anyone know when Hakim Warrick's contract is up?This man needs to be let loose,I get sad every time i see him glued to the bench on a team that has no hope of reaching the playoffs this year.Let the man PLAY!!
At the end of the the night the Lake show gets a 99-89 win and regains the leagues best record at 49-12 while coming one point short of sending the home crowd home with the coveted taco treasure and the Grizzlies keep one of the worst records at 15-44.Keep your head's up Memphis,at least the boys are trying.
himself like he usually does.I think that my boys are finally hitting their mid season wall.Most of the other teams have already gotten past that point and are now gearing up for a late season push(the Hornets in particular)so it will be interesting to see over the next two months if the Lakers can handle the pressure of having a few teams breathing down their necks.
All that being said,I've got to congratulate Memphis on trying hard the whole game.Say what you will about the Grizzles(I know I spelled that wrong) but them boys have heart. In a few years they are going to be very dangerous,2001-2002 Clippers style.There are literally college teams that have older starting lineups than the Grizzlies.Be warned,we're looking at a future 60 win team here if they all stay together.
Lamar Odom continues to amaze me.He razzles and dazzles and dizzles,yet scores two points.He still managed a near triple double with blocks rebounds and assists though,sitting out the entired fourth quarter with Kobe and Pau while DJ MMMMMMMbenga decided he would terrorize poor Marc Gasol.For a man with no neck,he's showing he's got game lately.Claps to you DJ.Also,does anyone know when Hakim Warrick's contract is up?This man needs to be let loose,I get sad every time i see him glued to the bench on a team that has no hope of reaching the playoffs this year.Let the man PLAY!!
At the end of the the night the Lake show gets a 99-89 win and regains the leagues best record at 49-12 while coming one point short of sending the home crowd home with the coveted taco treasure and the Grizzlies keep one of the worst records at 15-44.Keep your head's up Memphis,at least the boys are trying.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Reviewing Australia
There really isn't much to say about this film than most people already know.It took a lot of time and money to make,it's about the effects of WWII on Australia,and there is a love story intertwined.
For 290 million dollars and 3 years of filming(yes you read that right) I was expecting one heck of a movie.I remember thinking"there had better be some massive explosions and really good camera work or I will call this a bust".Turns out there were both.Also we get to see Hugh Jackman get into a pretty lengthy bar fight right at the beginning.I couldn't help but wish that all of the sudden he would sprout the wolverine claws and shred everyone to bits,that unfortunately didn't manifest.It was nice to see Hugh Jackman in a role that really fits him though,when he is covered in dirt and hair...he just seems at home.
As for the other two lead actors,Nicole Kidman and Brandon Walters(Nullah), they both did brilliant jobs.Walters has a hugely succesful career ahead of him if he can somehow avoid becoming an over publicized child star that crashes in to an adolescence filled with drugs.I'll give him 4 to 1 odds on that.His character totally steals the show in my opinion.If it weren't for him,"Australia" would have been simply another sappy love story set in WWII but on a different continent than the ones we have all seen before.
I also enjoyed how they writers managed to intertwine a bit of an aboriginal history lesson in this movie too. Not too much is heard on this side of the world about the racism that took place in Australia during the beginning and middle of the 20th century and this was really eye opening if it was accurate. It actually made it look like colored people in their country had it much worse than the colored people of North America.
If you have an extra three hours to watch a movie,i recommend Australia.The only drawback to it would be if you have trouble understanding foreign accents as my parents do...be warned.
4/5
For 290 million dollars and 3 years of filming(yes you read that right) I was expecting one heck of a movie.I remember thinking"there had better be some massive explosions and really good camera work or I will call this a bust".Turns out there were both.Also we get to see Hugh Jackman get into a pretty lengthy bar fight right at the beginning.I couldn't help but wish that all of the sudden he would sprout the wolverine claws and shred everyone to bits,that unfortunately didn't manifest.It was nice to see Hugh Jackman in a role that really fits him though,when he is covered in dirt and hair...he just seems at home.
As for the other two lead actors,Nicole Kidman and Brandon Walters(Nullah), they both did brilliant jobs.Walters has a hugely succesful career ahead of him if he can somehow avoid becoming an over publicized child star that crashes in to an adolescence filled with drugs.I'll give him 4 to 1 odds on that.His character totally steals the show in my opinion.If it weren't for him,"Australia" would have been simply another sappy love story set in WWII but on a different continent than the ones we have all seen before.
I also enjoyed how they writers managed to intertwine a bit of an aboriginal history lesson in this movie too. Not too much is heard on this side of the world about the racism that took place in Australia during the beginning and middle of the 20th century and this was really eye opening if it was accurate. It actually made it look like colored people in their country had it much worse than the colored people of North America.
If you have an extra three hours to watch a movie,i recommend Australia.The only drawback to it would be if you have trouble understanding foreign accents as my parents do...be warned.
4/5
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Ten (relatively) old movies that we should all enjoy
Almost every day I scour the land of Netflix,searching for hidden gems that I haven't watched yet.On occasion i unearth a good one and while the movie titles that follow may be well known to our parents and grandparents,chances are the majority of twenty-somethings and teens haven't seen them.They may not offer the special effects of "Transformers" or the gore of "Gladiator" but they are excellent nonetheless.
1.Spartacus(1960)-Kirk Douglas.Picture Gladiator made 49 years ago and this is what you get.Before Kirk Douglas looked like a wrinkled dress shirt he was a bad mama jamma.If you don't know who Spartacus was,this movie can serve as a history lesson too.We're all about education up in here!
2.Escape From Alcatraz(1979)-Clint Eastwood. Once upon a time Clint Eastwood was not old.That time was long before I was born but he is still one of my favorite actors.He reminds me of a friend's grandfather,old and surly...yet endearing.Anyways,"Escape From Alcatraz" is based on the true story of a convict who planned an escape from...you guessed it...Alcatraz. This is old school Clint at his best.
3.Cool Hand Luke(1967)-Paul Newman.My dad made me watch this for the first time with him when I was six.That being said, if there is one Paul Newman movie you must see,let it be "Cool Hand Luke".The man oozed awesome(R.I.P.). Who else can make going to jail for cutting the tops off of parking meters seem anything more than foolish?Paul Newman can!Who can eat 50 hard boiled eggs in one setting?Paul Newman can!!! George Kennedy co-stars in the film that follows the trials and tribulations of an ex soldier who becomes a drunken trouble making loner.
4.All Quiet On The Western Front(1979)-Ernest Borgine.Chances are,if you took history class in high school with a teacher that knew what they were doing you got to watch this movie.It is based on the lives of a group of young German soldiers during WW1.There's really nothing more to say.It's old,there are guns involved.Watch it.
5.The Nutty Professor(1963)-Jerry Lewis.The REAL Nutty Professor! I first saw the Eddy Murphy version,and I now harbor a deep resentment for the man.The Jerry Lewis version is on a whole different level.Late one night in his lab,a professor conctocts a secret potion that turns him from an unwanted nerd into a blooming casanova.Hilarity ensues.Certain scenes of the movie used to give me nightmares when I was little,but it's safe to watch now.
6.The Buttercream Gang(1992)-Michael D Weatherred.I know, "The BC Gang" technically wasn't before my name,but how many of YOU have even heard of it?My point exactly. This movie brings back great childhood memories.It's a story about unconditional friendship,quite heartwarming if you ask me.A do-gooder gang loses their leader when he moves to Chicago and when things don't work out he returns a changed boy.His friends take it upon themselves to restore their friend back to his old self.
7.The Outsiders(1983)-Tom Cruise,Matt Dillon,Patrick Swayze,Rob Lowe,Tom Waits,Emilio Estevez,Diane Lane.Do you need any more reasons to watch than the ones I just gave you?If you do,there are "greasers".Greasers and gang fights and leather jackets.Oh and it's directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
8.The Apple Dumpling Gang(1975)-Bill Bixby,Don Knotts,Tim Conway.After a man inherits 3 orphans and an earthquake shakes the town,the children stumble upon a gold nugget while exploring a mine shaft.After they are hunted down by dirty rotten criminals intent on stealing the gold,the story takes off.It takes place in the old west of the late 1800's."The Apple Dumpling Gang" is a kids movie that I still enjoy to this very day.If you don't laugh at least a handfull of times during this movie,chances are that you have no heart.Check Yourself!
9.New Jersey Drive(1995)-Sharron Corley.This movie is like the East Coast version of "Boys In Da Hood",without all the famous actors.It's still a great movie to enjoy,if you can ignore the number of times that "know what I'm sayin?" is said.The story revolves around a group of inner city friends that steal cars and sell them to chop shops.Naturally there are police with vendettas involved.
10.The Bridge on the River Kwai(1957)-William Holden. Another movie that I got to see during history class. Before this movie,I was not a big fan of black and white cinema."The Bridge on the River Kwai" changed things. It takes place during WWII when the Japanese force a group of British POW's to build a bridge. At the same time,Bristish agents are making plans to destroy the bridge because of the strategic importance it has to the Japanese.
So there you have it.20 odd hours worth of quality entertainment that you probably didn't know existed before now.You can thank me in the form of cash.
1.Spartacus(1960)-Kirk Douglas.Picture Gladiator made 49 years ago and this is what you get.Before Kirk Douglas looked like a wrinkled dress shirt he was a bad mama jamma.If you don't know who Spartacus was,this movie can serve as a history lesson too.We're all about education up in here!
2.Escape From Alcatraz(1979)-Clint Eastwood. Once upon a time Clint Eastwood was not old.That time was long before I was born but he is still one of my favorite actors.He reminds me of a friend's grandfather,old and surly...yet endearing.Anyways,"Escape From Alcatraz" is based on the true story of a convict who planned an escape from...you guessed it...Alcatraz. This is old school Clint at his best.
3.Cool Hand Luke(1967)-Paul Newman.My dad made me watch this for the first time with him when I was six.That being said, if there is one Paul Newman movie you must see,let it be "Cool Hand Luke".The man oozed awesome(R.I.P.). Who else can make going to jail for cutting the tops off of parking meters seem anything more than foolish?Paul Newman can!Who can eat 50 hard boiled eggs in one setting?Paul Newman can!!! George Kennedy co-stars in the film that follows the trials and tribulations of an ex soldier who becomes a drunken trouble making loner.
4.All Quiet On The Western Front(1979)-Ernest Borgine.Chances are,if you took history class in high school with a teacher that knew what they were doing you got to watch this movie.It is based on the lives of a group of young German soldiers during WW1.There's really nothing more to say.It's old,there are guns involved.Watch it.
5.The Nutty Professor(1963)-Jerry Lewis.The REAL Nutty Professor! I first saw the Eddy Murphy version,and I now harbor a deep resentment for the man.The Jerry Lewis version is on a whole different level.Late one night in his lab,a professor conctocts a secret potion that turns him from an unwanted nerd into a blooming casanova.Hilarity ensues.Certain scenes of the movie used to give me nightmares when I was little,but it's safe to watch now.
6.The Buttercream Gang(1992)-Michael D Weatherred.I know, "The BC Gang" technically wasn't before my name,but how many of YOU have even heard of it?My point exactly. This movie brings back great childhood memories.It's a story about unconditional friendship,quite heartwarming if you ask me.A do-gooder gang loses their leader when he moves to Chicago and when things don't work out he returns a changed boy.His friends take it upon themselves to restore their friend back to his old self.
7.The Outsiders(1983)-Tom Cruise,Matt Dillon,Patrick Swayze,Rob Lowe,Tom Waits,Emilio Estevez,Diane Lane.Do you need any more reasons to watch than the ones I just gave you?If you do,there are "greasers".Greasers and gang fights and leather jackets.Oh and it's directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
8.The Apple Dumpling Gang(1975)-Bill Bixby,Don Knotts,Tim Conway.After a man inherits 3 orphans and an earthquake shakes the town,the children stumble upon a gold nugget while exploring a mine shaft.After they are hunted down by dirty rotten criminals intent on stealing the gold,the story takes off.It takes place in the old west of the late 1800's."The Apple Dumpling Gang" is a kids movie that I still enjoy to this very day.If you don't laugh at least a handfull of times during this movie,chances are that you have no heart.Check Yourself!
9.New Jersey Drive(1995)-Sharron Corley.This movie is like the East Coast version of "Boys In Da Hood",without all the famous actors.It's still a great movie to enjoy,if you can ignore the number of times that "know what I'm sayin?" is said.The story revolves around a group of inner city friends that steal cars and sell them to chop shops.Naturally there are police with vendettas involved.
10.The Bridge on the River Kwai(1957)-William Holden. Another movie that I got to see during history class. Before this movie,I was not a big fan of black and white cinema."The Bridge on the River Kwai" changed things. It takes place during WWII when the Japanese force a group of British POW's to build a bridge. At the same time,Bristish agents are making plans to destroy the bridge because of the strategic importance it has to the Japanese.
So there you have it.20 odd hours worth of quality entertainment that you probably didn't know existed before now.You can thank me in the form of cash.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Review for W.
I'm going to keep this review short,but still get all the important parts in.
Oliver Stone turned this movie out in impressive fashion,it's rumored that this movie took only 9 months to make. Based upon the life of George"Dubya"Bush,W. follows George from his partying days as a Yale frat boy to his final years in the White House as the president of the United States.
The movie follows two era's in George's life at once all the way until the end,where all we see is the the modern era Bush,plowing through Iraq hunting for terrorists.From his days working on an oil rig in Texas to running for Governer years later,Oliver Stone seemed to make sure he covered his bases.Early in the movie there was alot of alcohol involved but later in the movie we get to see curious George conquer his addiction when he becomes a reformed Christian.
I was skeptical of this movie at first,given Oliver Stone's political history but he did a splendid job of weaving in enough good and bad to make a clear picture.W. made Mr.Bush seem like the uncle we all wish we had as a kid,the laid back,down to earth guy who just wants to wear his cowboy boots in peace.We also get to see other side's of Bush that I didn't know existed.The feuds with his father George Sr., his passion for physical fitness and his fear of cameras(that explains alot).
The end of the movie left me feeling bad for the man quite frankly. He seemed like a puppet on a string,wanting to please everybody and not sure who to turn to for advice. I think it's fair to say that the movie portrayed Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney as the ringleaders behind the Iraq war.Maybe that is true and maybe it isn't but I think that this film portrays things from a different perspective than what we've been fed by the mainstream media for the last 8 years.Josh Brolin was very commanding on screen as Bush and at times I forgot I was watching actors and not real life.
I give this movie a 3 for two simple reasons.First of all,it wasn't a stand out film.It was good,but it was just average good.I doubt that any of the actors in this movie will have their careers defined by their roles in the film.Secondly,I hated the flashbacks.At one point it would be 2001,then flash to 1966,then to 1988,then to 2002,so it was a little annoying at some points. The only other qualm I have with W. is the fact that it can't decide if it wants to be a drama or a comedy.This may have been done on purpose,I don't know.
So there you have it.W. in all his glorious and well....not so glorious times.I hope you all have found this to be a little bit helpful at least,maybe it will convince some people like me who couldn't decide if the movie would be worth two hours of your life.It was worth my two hours,barely.
Oliver Stone turned this movie out in impressive fashion,it's rumored that this movie took only 9 months to make. Based upon the life of George"Dubya"Bush,W. follows George from his partying days as a Yale frat boy to his final years in the White House as the president of the United States.
The movie follows two era's in George's life at once all the way until the end,where all we see is the the modern era Bush,plowing through Iraq hunting for terrorists.From his days working on an oil rig in Texas to running for Governer years later,Oliver Stone seemed to make sure he covered his bases.Early in the movie there was alot of alcohol involved but later in the movie we get to see curious George conquer his addiction when he becomes a reformed Christian.
I was skeptical of this movie at first,given Oliver Stone's political history but he did a splendid job of weaving in enough good and bad to make a clear picture.W. made Mr.Bush seem like the uncle we all wish we had as a kid,the laid back,down to earth guy who just wants to wear his cowboy boots in peace.We also get to see other side's of Bush that I didn't know existed.The feuds with his father George Sr., his passion for physical fitness and his fear of cameras(that explains alot).
The end of the movie left me feeling bad for the man quite frankly. He seemed like a puppet on a string,wanting to please everybody and not sure who to turn to for advice. I think it's fair to say that the movie portrayed Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney as the ringleaders behind the Iraq war.Maybe that is true and maybe it isn't but I think that this film portrays things from a different perspective than what we've been fed by the mainstream media for the last 8 years.Josh Brolin was very commanding on screen as Bush and at times I forgot I was watching actors and not real life.
I give this movie a 3 for two simple reasons.First of all,it wasn't a stand out film.It was good,but it was just average good.I doubt that any of the actors in this movie will have their careers defined by their roles in the film.Secondly,I hated the flashbacks.At one point it would be 2001,then flash to 1966,then to 1988,then to 2002,so it was a little annoying at some points. The only other qualm I have with W. is the fact that it can't decide if it wants to be a drama or a comedy.This may have been done on purpose,I don't know.
So there you have it.W. in all his glorious and well....not so glorious times.I hope you all have found this to be a little bit helpful at least,maybe it will convince some people like me who couldn't decide if the movie would be worth two hours of your life.It was worth my two hours,barely.
Friday, February 13, 2009
NBA All-Star Friday
We'll pick this one up during the rookie challenge.Here are the rosters for both teams
Rookies-Coached by Kurt Rambis
Assistant Coach-Dwyane Wade
Michael Beasley(Heat)*
Rudy Fernandez(Blazers)*
Marc Gasol(Grizzlies)*
Eric Gordon(Clippers)*
Brook Lopez(Nets)
O.J. Mayo(Grizzlies)
Greg Oden(Blazers)-Not playing due to injury
Derrick Rose(Bulls)*
Russell Westbrook(Thunder)
Sophomores-Coached by John Kuester
Assistant Coach-Dwight Howard
Aaron Brooks(Rockets)
Wilson Chandler(Knicks)
Kevin Durant(Thunder)*
Jeff Green(Thunder)*
Al Horford(Hawks)*
Luis Scola(Rockets)
Al Thornton(Clippers)*
Rodney Stuckey(Pistons)*
Thaddeus Young(76ers)
I've gotta mention that none of these guys look amused at all to be taking part in tonight's festivities.
D Wade is wearing the most ridiculous get up ever.He's rocking the bowtie and square framed glasses.
Has anyone else seen this new Gatorade commercial that has KG in it?It's a parody of a Monty Python skit,also featuring the Jabawakis...however you spell it.Pretty funny stuff though,even though i have a strong feeling of hate towards the Celtics stemming from the Finals last year.
The TNT squad just isn't the same without Sir Charles. I'm glad to hear he's coming back from his errrr "leave of absence" due to Bj-Gate next week.
Apparently Kenny Smith thinks Derrick Rose is a shooting guard,interesting?Someone needs to do their homework before leaving the hotel room.Maybe he's been hitting a bit of the sauce tonight.
First Quarter
Al Horford starts off the scoring with a sloppy layup,followed by a 3 point answer by Eric Gordon
Stuckey on the Alley oop!4-3 sophs
Eric Gordon has 5 already,could we see 40?6-5 sophs
The Sophomores haven't missed a shot yet,granted it's only 5 shots and its now 11-5
I'm surprised there haven't been any dunks so far,and just as I say that K Durant throws one down at the 16:26 mark. 13-7 sophs
Marc Gasol just missed a free throw very,very badly.Fundamentals kids.13-11 sophs after Rudy Fernandez hits a 3.A missed shot and a Beasley layup means we're suddenly tied up.
Rookies take the lead on another 3 by Eric Gordon.The man clearly isn't playing around,he's got 8.
Rudy with another bucket and the Sophs take a timeout at 14:21 in the first half with the Rookies leading 19-14.Eric Gordon has a quick 10.The Clippers could really use some more of his firepower this year...
O.J. Mayo comes into the game out of the time out for the rookies,with Marc Gasol taking a seat.
Brook Lopez with the Jam!21-16 Rookies
Kevin Durant seems to have forgotten this game is for fun,and following a posterization of Brook Lopez he takes a seat.
Brook Lopez says no to Luis Scola's dunk attempt,23-19 Sophs with 12:48 remaining.
I'm still utterly shocked that I haven't seen anything to make me jump.
Michael Beasley is going back to the 90's with one purple shoe and one orange shoe.He's wearing the Adidas TS.
Michael Beasley with a dunk,28-22 Rookies 11:00 left in the half.
Dwight Howard sees something wrong and calls a time out.Time for a pep talk Dwight!Get some Highlights out of these guys!
Apparently both of these teams have agreed to play the swiss cheese defense,followed by a hung over offense.
After another bucket by B.Lopez it's 31-24 Rookies.I know this one is way too soon to call,but we could be seeing history folks!!
Wilson Chandler gets his first point...yes singular,followed by another K.Durant bucket and its 31-27 with 9:50 left in the first.
Is it just me or does Durant look like he could fall out of his shorts if he isnt careful?
I will take this time to point out that Marc Gasol's beard is much nicer looking than his brother Pau's.
Still waiting for Derrick Rose to do something out there,he looks uncomfortable.Of course,he just made a layup.Foot=in mouth.
O.J. misses a pretty layup and its 38-29 Rookies with 7:53 remaining.
OH! Al Thornton strikes with a double pump two handed dunk on Brook Lopez.
Kenny Smith reminisces about playing in the rookie game during his day with two left shoes.Really,who forgets their shoes?
Aaron Brooks nails a 3 and its 41-35 Rookies still on top.
Mayo gets ripped by Luis Scola who passes to Al Thornton who promtly throws an alley oop to Jeff Green who obliges with a two hand slam.
Rudy Fernandez with a bucket and its 48-41 Rookies with 5:00 remaining
Thaddeus Young and Rodney Stuckey come back in the game and the Sophs have made a little run,48-45 Rookies with 3:45.
Whoever was in charge of making these jersey's needs to consider a new career...
Jeff Green on another dunk, the boys from the Thunder have taken it upon themselves to represent.52-47 Rookies.
O.J. makes it raaaaain from 3!55-47
Russel Westbrook gets a steal,takes off and passes to M Beasley for a layup and the Rookies open up a 10 point lead.
Durant yet again,I need to see the box score.He's got 16 but more importantly Eric Gordon is still watching the game from the bench.So much for 50.
Al Thornton with a rainbow J from 15 and it's 59-53 Rookies with 24 seconds remaining and Rudy Fernandez at the line.
Jeff Green banks a 3 at the buzzer after an Al Horford dunk and all of the sudden its a 3 point game.
Michael Beasley,Rudy Fernandez and Eric Gordon all have hit the double digits for the Rookies with Kevin Durant and Al Thornton leading the Sophomores with 16 points and 10 points,respectively.
It's pretty clear to this point that defence has been put on the back burner as usual,but that's all part of the fun right?Corbin Bleu(who?) is providing the halftime entertainment and it reminds me of a scary Disney dream I once had.This is not acceptable.....ok seriously,make it stop?One of his backup dancers is having a personal fight with her mom jorts...her belly wants to explode out of them.Apparently no one bothered to mention that the performers may want to learn more than one dance move,which is a herky jerk kick followed my a hair whip and a smile.Thankfully,after 5 minutes of torture,I have seen the end of Mr. Bleu.Who are they going to pull out next year,New Kids On The Block?Excuse me while I Vomit.
C Webb is in the house!!The TNT set this year is really interesting, it's suspended above the ground.C Webb wastes no time poking fun at Steve,I mean...Dwayne Wade and his outfit.They're weighing in on the trade that happened today,and I've got to say that both teams really benefited here.Haslem gets to move back to PF and Jermaine is allowed to run the pick and roll with Wade,while also moving back to a slower paced offense that will allow him to not put as many miles on those knees of his.On the other side you've got Marion,and I can't see him staying in the T. for any longer than he has to. Big changes are in store up north.
Coming out of half time the game gets tied up on a play I didn't get to see because the camera is trained on the announcers.
Marc Gasol gives his team the lead again and he's got 10 and 5.
Eric Gordon for 3,5 point game with 18:25 left in the game
Marc Gasol!!He just pulled the Black Tornado out of Shaq's bag of tricks and throws it down with two hands.And 1.70-61 Rookies
Kevin Durant,another dunk.And 1. Four point game,17 minutes and change
Kevin Durant,another dunk.Four point game yet again,72-68 until Rudy Fernandez hits another 3 to put the Rookies back up by 7.
Aaron Brooks takes it strong to the lane and I didn't notice how fast he is until now...the Lakers could use a fast young point guard...Mitch K,get on it!
Russell Westbrook flies in for the putback layup,this game is getting good.Beasley gets away with a little travel,but gets the bucket and the foul.7 point game,Rookies still on top.
This game is turning into the Michael Beasley vs. Kevin Durant show.Dwight Howard takes an opportunity to yell at the refs for mis-treating his players.T him up!
If you're wondering why I haven't mentioned Rodney Stuckey or Thaddeus Young,well that's because they aren't doing anything worth mentioning.
Craig Sager must feel better now that someone has beat him out for worst suit ever.
Out of a timeout Kevin Durant gets to the line and sinks the free throws.That's 26 points on 11-14 shooting folks.8 point game with 14:45 left,Rookies on top
TNT is really pushing this show Leverage on us,making mash-up commercials riddled with NBA highlights.Still not going to watch.
Brook Lopez just crossed someone up and he looks like a man posessed right now.
Thaddeus Young scores!!Michael Beasley has 20 now following a dunk and then Kevin Durant wastes no time getting number 27,28 and 29 to bring the sophs within 10.
Dial him up for another 3.89-82 Rookies.
Kevin Durant with the assist,then the steal,then another 3...Ladies and Gents thats 35.2 point game.Timeout Rookies it's 89-87.
With 12 minutes left,Kevin Durant needs one more bucket to have the Rookie Challenge scoring record.See,I told you we could witness history.
Al Horford's free throws tie the game up until Russell Westbrook draws a foul on Kevin Durant and puts the rookies back up by a deuce.11:06 remaining,91-89
Al Horford has come alive,he ties the game back up with another dunk.
Jeff Green gives the Sophomores their first lead in a long long time,94-91 Sophs on top.
Thaddeus Young gets a bucket and all of the sudden the Sophs have opened up a 5 point lead,capping off a 17-4 run.
Kevin Durant gets back on the floor with 9 minutes left and Rodney Stuckey at the line.Get.him.the.ball.
Derrick Rose needs to shave that nasty thing he calls a stache.
Eric Gordon for 2 ,followed by a Rodney Stuckey layup.100-95 Sophomores and after a turnover their coach Dwight Howard has had enough.Time Out 100-97,7 minutes and change remaining.
I officially have a new favorite commercial.Jim Beam,you have good taste in women my friend.
McDonalds is really pushing the 1/4 pounder with cheese,this has to be the 10th commercial I've seen for it tonight.What,is the Big mac not "chic" anymore?
Marv Albert gives me the stat I've been waiting for.16 dunks.If I recall correctly,that's about 1/3rd as much as a normal game like this.
Rodney Stuckey extends the Sophomore lead to five with 7:20 left.
Thaddeus Young on garbage duty,7 point lead.
Kevin Durant,the record is yours my friend.his bucket puts the Sophs back up by 7 after a Brook Lopez layup briefly made it a 5 point game.
Brook Lopez tries tapping the ball off Luis Scola and out of bounds but the refs will have none of his trickery.
WILSON!Chandler with a thunderous dunk,10 point lead for the Sophs with 5 minutes left and Dwight Howard is laughing at D-Wade.
Durant has a chance for 40.He's at the line for two with 37 already and he sinks them both.15-21 from the field with 6 rebounds.Are you not entertained??
Beasley brings the Rookies back within 6,nailing the 3.112-106 Sophomores on top,3:00 left
Beasley again and he has 27,4 point game.
Jeff Green may have just gotten his armpit to the rim.6 point game.1:30 left.
Rudy Fernandez brings it back within 4.114-110,but Kevin Durant gets an and 1 to give him 42 and a 7 point lead.
Marc Gasol now has 15 and 7 but i fear it is all in vain.
Kevin Durant with a reverse dunk gives him 44,7 point lead with 25 seconds and this one is all sewn up folks.
Just as I say that O.J. Mayo hits a long jumper off of a Marc Gasol offensive rebound following a missed free throw by Beasley and all of the sudden its a 3 point game with 11 seconds left.
Kevin Durant back at the line.going for 46,cash money folks.No MVP voting will be neccessary for this one.
Wilson Chandler hits a meaningless free throw with 4 seconds left,Beasley sticks a 3 that doesn't count at the buzzer and that's the ball game.122-116 Sophs,let's hug it out.
In closing I'd like to say that this game was much more competitive than years past. The Rookies lost the lead but they instilled hope in then next group of youngsters tha wishes to dethrone the Sophomores,whoever that may be.My coverage will continue tomorrow starting with the dunk contest more than likely,I'll have to look at the schedule.Until then,I bid thee goodnight fellow hoopheads.
Rookies-Coached by Kurt Rambis
Assistant Coach-Dwyane Wade
Michael Beasley(Heat)*
Rudy Fernandez(Blazers)*
Marc Gasol(Grizzlies)*
Eric Gordon(Clippers)*
Brook Lopez(Nets)
O.J. Mayo(Grizzlies)
Greg Oden(Blazers)-Not playing due to injury
Derrick Rose(Bulls)*
Russell Westbrook(Thunder)
Sophomores-Coached by John Kuester
Assistant Coach-Dwight Howard
Aaron Brooks(Rockets)
Wilson Chandler(Knicks)
Kevin Durant(Thunder)*
Jeff Green(Thunder)*
Al Horford(Hawks)*
Luis Scola(Rockets)
Al Thornton(Clippers)*
Rodney Stuckey(Pistons)*
Thaddeus Young(76ers)
I've gotta mention that none of these guys look amused at all to be taking part in tonight's festivities.
D Wade is wearing the most ridiculous get up ever.He's rocking the bowtie and square framed glasses.
Has anyone else seen this new Gatorade commercial that has KG in it?It's a parody of a Monty Python skit,also featuring the Jabawakis...however you spell it.Pretty funny stuff though,even though i have a strong feeling of hate towards the Celtics stemming from the Finals last year.
The TNT squad just isn't the same without Sir Charles. I'm glad to hear he's coming back from his errrr "leave of absence" due to Bj-Gate next week.
Apparently Kenny Smith thinks Derrick Rose is a shooting guard,interesting?Someone needs to do their homework before leaving the hotel room.Maybe he's been hitting a bit of the sauce tonight.
First Quarter
Al Horford starts off the scoring with a sloppy layup,followed by a 3 point answer by Eric Gordon
Stuckey on the Alley oop!4-3 sophs
Eric Gordon has 5 already,could we see 40?6-5 sophs
The Sophomores haven't missed a shot yet,granted it's only 5 shots and its now 11-5
I'm surprised there haven't been any dunks so far,and just as I say that K Durant throws one down at the 16:26 mark. 13-7 sophs
Marc Gasol just missed a free throw very,very badly.Fundamentals kids.13-11 sophs after Rudy Fernandez hits a 3.A missed shot and a Beasley layup means we're suddenly tied up.
Rookies take the lead on another 3 by Eric Gordon.The man clearly isn't playing around,he's got 8.
Rudy with another bucket and the Sophs take a timeout at 14:21 in the first half with the Rookies leading 19-14.Eric Gordon has a quick 10.The Clippers could really use some more of his firepower this year...
O.J. Mayo comes into the game out of the time out for the rookies,with Marc Gasol taking a seat.
Brook Lopez with the Jam!21-16 Rookies
Kevin Durant seems to have forgotten this game is for fun,and following a posterization of Brook Lopez he takes a seat.
Brook Lopez says no to Luis Scola's dunk attempt,23-19 Sophs with 12:48 remaining.
I'm still utterly shocked that I haven't seen anything to make me jump.
Michael Beasley is going back to the 90's with one purple shoe and one orange shoe.He's wearing the Adidas TS.
Michael Beasley with a dunk,28-22 Rookies 11:00 left in the half.
Dwight Howard sees something wrong and calls a time out.Time for a pep talk Dwight!Get some Highlights out of these guys!
Apparently both of these teams have agreed to play the swiss cheese defense,followed by a hung over offense.
After another bucket by B.Lopez it's 31-24 Rookies.I know this one is way too soon to call,but we could be seeing history folks!!
Wilson Chandler gets his first point...yes singular,followed by another K.Durant bucket and its 31-27 with 9:50 left in the first.
Is it just me or does Durant look like he could fall out of his shorts if he isnt careful?
I will take this time to point out that Marc Gasol's beard is much nicer looking than his brother Pau's.
Still waiting for Derrick Rose to do something out there,he looks uncomfortable.Of course,he just made a layup.Foot=in mouth.
O.J. misses a pretty layup and its 38-29 Rookies with 7:53 remaining.
OH! Al Thornton strikes with a double pump two handed dunk on Brook Lopez.
Kenny Smith reminisces about playing in the rookie game during his day with two left shoes.Really,who forgets their shoes?
Aaron Brooks nails a 3 and its 41-35 Rookies still on top.
Mayo gets ripped by Luis Scola who passes to Al Thornton who promtly throws an alley oop to Jeff Green who obliges with a two hand slam.
Rudy Fernandez with a bucket and its 48-41 Rookies with 5:00 remaining
Thaddeus Young and Rodney Stuckey come back in the game and the Sophs have made a little run,48-45 Rookies with 3:45.
Whoever was in charge of making these jersey's needs to consider a new career...
Jeff Green on another dunk, the boys from the Thunder have taken it upon themselves to represent.52-47 Rookies.
O.J. makes it raaaaain from 3!55-47
Russel Westbrook gets a steal,takes off and passes to M Beasley for a layup and the Rookies open up a 10 point lead.
Durant yet again,I need to see the box score.He's got 16 but more importantly Eric Gordon is still watching the game from the bench.So much for 50.
Al Thornton with a rainbow J from 15 and it's 59-53 Rookies with 24 seconds remaining and Rudy Fernandez at the line.
Jeff Green banks a 3 at the buzzer after an Al Horford dunk and all of the sudden its a 3 point game.
Michael Beasley,Rudy Fernandez and Eric Gordon all have hit the double digits for the Rookies with Kevin Durant and Al Thornton leading the Sophomores with 16 points and 10 points,respectively.
It's pretty clear to this point that defence has been put on the back burner as usual,but that's all part of the fun right?Corbin Bleu(who?) is providing the halftime entertainment and it reminds me of a scary Disney dream I once had.This is not acceptable.....ok seriously,make it stop?One of his backup dancers is having a personal fight with her mom jorts...her belly wants to explode out of them.Apparently no one bothered to mention that the performers may want to learn more than one dance move,which is a herky jerk kick followed my a hair whip and a smile.Thankfully,after 5 minutes of torture,I have seen the end of Mr. Bleu.Who are they going to pull out next year,New Kids On The Block?Excuse me while I Vomit.
C Webb is in the house!!The TNT set this year is really interesting, it's suspended above the ground.C Webb wastes no time poking fun at Steve,I mean...Dwayne Wade and his outfit.They're weighing in on the trade that happened today,and I've got to say that both teams really benefited here.Haslem gets to move back to PF and Jermaine is allowed to run the pick and roll with Wade,while also moving back to a slower paced offense that will allow him to not put as many miles on those knees of his.On the other side you've got Marion,and I can't see him staying in the T. for any longer than he has to. Big changes are in store up north.
Coming out of half time the game gets tied up on a play I didn't get to see because the camera is trained on the announcers.
Marc Gasol gives his team the lead again and he's got 10 and 5.
Eric Gordon for 3,5 point game with 18:25 left in the game
Marc Gasol!!He just pulled the Black Tornado out of Shaq's bag of tricks and throws it down with two hands.And 1.70-61 Rookies
Kevin Durant,another dunk.And 1. Four point game,17 minutes and change
Kevin Durant,another dunk.Four point game yet again,72-68 until Rudy Fernandez hits another 3 to put the Rookies back up by 7.
Aaron Brooks takes it strong to the lane and I didn't notice how fast he is until now...the Lakers could use a fast young point guard...Mitch K,get on it!
Russell Westbrook flies in for the putback layup,this game is getting good.Beasley gets away with a little travel,but gets the bucket and the foul.7 point game,Rookies still on top.
This game is turning into the Michael Beasley vs. Kevin Durant show.Dwight Howard takes an opportunity to yell at the refs for mis-treating his players.T him up!
If you're wondering why I haven't mentioned Rodney Stuckey or Thaddeus Young,well that's because they aren't doing anything worth mentioning.
Craig Sager must feel better now that someone has beat him out for worst suit ever.
Out of a timeout Kevin Durant gets to the line and sinks the free throws.That's 26 points on 11-14 shooting folks.8 point game with 14:45 left,Rookies on top
TNT is really pushing this show Leverage on us,making mash-up commercials riddled with NBA highlights.Still not going to watch.
Brook Lopez just crossed someone up and he looks like a man posessed right now.
Thaddeus Young scores!!Michael Beasley has 20 now following a dunk and then Kevin Durant wastes no time getting number 27,28 and 29 to bring the sophs within 10.
Dial him up for another 3.89-82 Rookies.
Kevin Durant with the assist,then the steal,then another 3...Ladies and Gents thats 35.2 point game.Timeout Rookies it's 89-87.
With 12 minutes left,Kevin Durant needs one more bucket to have the Rookie Challenge scoring record.See,I told you we could witness history.
Al Horford's free throws tie the game up until Russell Westbrook draws a foul on Kevin Durant and puts the rookies back up by a deuce.11:06 remaining,91-89
Al Horford has come alive,he ties the game back up with another dunk.
Jeff Green gives the Sophomores their first lead in a long long time,94-91 Sophs on top.
Thaddeus Young gets a bucket and all of the sudden the Sophs have opened up a 5 point lead,capping off a 17-4 run.
Kevin Durant gets back on the floor with 9 minutes left and Rodney Stuckey at the line.Get.him.the.ball.
Derrick Rose needs to shave that nasty thing he calls a stache.
Eric Gordon for 2 ,followed by a Rodney Stuckey layup.100-95 Sophomores and after a turnover their coach Dwight Howard has had enough.Time Out 100-97,7 minutes and change remaining.
I officially have a new favorite commercial.Jim Beam,you have good taste in women my friend.
McDonalds is really pushing the 1/4 pounder with cheese,this has to be the 10th commercial I've seen for it tonight.What,is the Big mac not "chic" anymore?
Marv Albert gives me the stat I've been waiting for.16 dunks.If I recall correctly,that's about 1/3rd as much as a normal game like this.
Rodney Stuckey extends the Sophomore lead to five with 7:20 left.
Thaddeus Young on garbage duty,7 point lead.
Kevin Durant,the record is yours my friend.his bucket puts the Sophs back up by 7 after a Brook Lopez layup briefly made it a 5 point game.
Brook Lopez tries tapping the ball off Luis Scola and out of bounds but the refs will have none of his trickery.
WILSON!Chandler with a thunderous dunk,10 point lead for the Sophs with 5 minutes left and Dwight Howard is laughing at D-Wade.
Durant has a chance for 40.He's at the line for two with 37 already and he sinks them both.15-21 from the field with 6 rebounds.Are you not entertained??
Beasley brings the Rookies back within 6,nailing the 3.112-106 Sophomores on top,3:00 left
Beasley again and he has 27,4 point game.
Jeff Green may have just gotten his armpit to the rim.6 point game.1:30 left.
Rudy Fernandez brings it back within 4.114-110,but Kevin Durant gets an and 1 to give him 42 and a 7 point lead.
Marc Gasol now has 15 and 7 but i fear it is all in vain.
Kevin Durant with a reverse dunk gives him 44,7 point lead with 25 seconds and this one is all sewn up folks.
Just as I say that O.J. Mayo hits a long jumper off of a Marc Gasol offensive rebound following a missed free throw by Beasley and all of the sudden its a 3 point game with 11 seconds left.
Kevin Durant back at the line.going for 46,cash money folks.No MVP voting will be neccessary for this one.
Wilson Chandler hits a meaningless free throw with 4 seconds left,Beasley sticks a 3 that doesn't count at the buzzer and that's the ball game.122-116 Sophs,let's hug it out.
In closing I'd like to say that this game was much more competitive than years past. The Rookies lost the lead but they instilled hope in then next group of youngsters tha wishes to dethrone the Sophomores,whoever that may be.My coverage will continue tomorrow starting with the dunk contest more than likely,I'll have to look at the schedule.Until then,I bid thee goodnight fellow hoopheads.
NBA All-Star Weekend Madness
If you follow basketball,like all good citizens of this world do, you know that this weekend is the Christmas of the NBA season.I'm talking about the All-Star weekend baby!A place where roundball fans come together to see some of the biggest stars in the game come together for a very entertaining spectacle.
Tonight we've got the Rookie Challenge,following the Celebrity All Star game.I'm really not sure what to expect from tonight,we could be in for a really dry evening as all the good stuff takes place Saturday and Sunday. Either way I'll be following it closely and providing updates.If you're lucky I'll post game notes.Until then,there is chicken to be eaten and video games to be played,so I'm out.
Tonight we've got the Rookie Challenge,following the Celebrity All Star game.I'm really not sure what to expect from tonight,we could be in for a really dry evening as all the good stuff takes place Saturday and Sunday. Either way I'll be following it closely and providing updates.If you're lucky I'll post game notes.Until then,there is chicken to be eaten and video games to be played,so I'm out.
Review for Changeling(Angelina Jolie,John Malkovich)
I'll be the first to admit...when I saw the previews for this movie I was not thoroughly impressed.I wouldn't even call it marginally impressed.If movie previews could make a man fall asleep,that would have been the one to do it.Then Ron Howard and Clint Eastwood flipped the script and surprised me with what turned to be a very good movie.
WARNING:this is a full review,if you don't like spoilers don't read past the first second paragraph.
The movie takes place in early 20th century Los Angeles.Angelina Jolie plays a single mother in the film(I'm guessing being a single mom was much more of a social taboo back then than it is now).She works at a switchboard operating office as a supervisor.Being a single mother who assumingly doesn't have very much money between making house payments and supporting her son Walter,to pay a babysitter.
The story starts to unfold relatively fast,which is hard to believe if you look at the running time for this film(somewhere around 2 hours 45 minutes).Christine and Walter are supposed to spend a day together going to the movies until her boss calls and pleads with her to take a shift at the switchboard operations center.After minutes of deliberation she agrees,much to the shagrin of her young son who had his heart set on the movies.Side note-If I had nothing else to do at home but sit in front of a radio and stare at it,I would probably be pretty angry..Walter takes it like a champ though.Christine prepares young Walt a sandwich and a glass of milk and tells him that she will leave it in the fridge for him,and that a neighbor will be by to check on the house and him periodically.
Of course if you've seen the previews to Changeling you know what happens next.Young Walt disappears.Vanishes into thin air.Christine rushes home after missing her trolley because her boss was informing her that she had just earned a promotion.When she does arrive home she searches frantically for her son who is nowhere to be found.She informs the police of her missing 9 year old and naturally they tell her to stop worrying,because they have better things to do.Brilliant policing by the LAPD,I tell you what.
Christine decides that she has to take matters into her own hands and later with the help of a pastor played by the brilliant John Malkovich,they set off to find the missing boy.What happens next comes as a surprise to them...not to mention me.The police inform Christine that a young boy has been found and that he matches the description of Walter,her missing son.Overjoyed she rushes to the train station with the Chief of the LAPD and the press,who have made sure that her story is in the headlines.The boy that greets Christine at the train station however is not her son.Of course the police have many explanations to why she isn't able to recognize him,citing lack of food,a shrunken spine and severe trauma that could have altered his appearance.
After agreeing to give the situation a few days to work itself out Christine decides that the boy is not hers,just as she thought. An LAPD captain in charge of Christine's case then determines her to be an annoying pest who has gone crazy and doesn't lover her son,so he does what any good policeman would do.He throws her into the psycho ward(note the sarcasm in that last sentence).A psycho ward which happens to be filled with only women.I'm not sure if back then the men and women had to be seperated but judging by the treatment given to the women in those facilities back then,seperating men and women was probably the least of their concerns.
A week later John Malkovich comes to the rescue of Christine just as she is about to have her brain half melted with electro-shock therapy.In the following days they hire the best lawyer in Los Angeles and manage to get all of the patients diagnosed with similar "conditions" to Christine released. While all this is going on, a second investigation is being started.A young Canadian boy had illegaly crossed the border and was staying with his uncle on the man's chicken farm.It turns out the man was not only butchering chickens he was butchering little boys as a hobby.What a pleasent story this is turning out to be right?To make a long story short,the boy ends up confessing to the murders of at least 20 boys and despite initial doubts from the officer he was talking to,the boy guides him to a shallow grave filled with the bones of all these boys.The LAPD informs Christine that they think Walter was among the boys killed.Was he?What happens at the end of the movie?Go watch it and find out!
Clint Eastwood did a really good job with this movie.Besides Malkovich and Jolie,the film was lacking any real star power.There are several actors that are familiar to the eyes but no headliners.That being said,the acting was amazing.By the end of the movie I felt like it was my son that ran away and I dont even have pets,much less children.I do think the movie was drawn out a little more than it needed to be,but it also left me with a lot of unanswered questions.I'm not a big fan of open ended endings so I give this movie a solid 4 out of 5."Changeling" may not change lives and alter the course of the universe,but you'll second guess leaving your kids to play in the park while you sit on a bench and read the newspaper.
It should be noted that when I first saw the previews,like I said before I was expecting a snooze fest,so a 4 is a large improvement over the 1 I thought I was going to give it.
WARNING:this is a full review,if you don't like spoilers don't read past the first second paragraph.
The movie takes place in early 20th century Los Angeles.Angelina Jolie plays a single mother in the film(I'm guessing being a single mom was much more of a social taboo back then than it is now).She works at a switchboard operating office as a supervisor.Being a single mother who assumingly doesn't have very much money between making house payments and supporting her son Walter,to pay a babysitter.
The story starts to unfold relatively fast,which is hard to believe if you look at the running time for this film(somewhere around 2 hours 45 minutes).Christine and Walter are supposed to spend a day together going to the movies until her boss calls and pleads with her to take a shift at the switchboard operations center.After minutes of deliberation she agrees,much to the shagrin of her young son who had his heart set on the movies.Side note-If I had nothing else to do at home but sit in front of a radio and stare at it,I would probably be pretty angry..Walter takes it like a champ though.Christine prepares young Walt a sandwich and a glass of milk and tells him that she will leave it in the fridge for him,and that a neighbor will be by to check on the house and him periodically.
Of course if you've seen the previews to Changeling you know what happens next.Young Walt disappears.Vanishes into thin air.Christine rushes home after missing her trolley because her boss was informing her that she had just earned a promotion.When she does arrive home she searches frantically for her son who is nowhere to be found.She informs the police of her missing 9 year old and naturally they tell her to stop worrying,because they have better things to do.Brilliant policing by the LAPD,I tell you what.
Christine decides that she has to take matters into her own hands and later with the help of a pastor played by the brilliant John Malkovich,they set off to find the missing boy.What happens next comes as a surprise to them...not to mention me.The police inform Christine that a young boy has been found and that he matches the description of Walter,her missing son.Overjoyed she rushes to the train station with the Chief of the LAPD and the press,who have made sure that her story is in the headlines.The boy that greets Christine at the train station however is not her son.Of course the police have many explanations to why she isn't able to recognize him,citing lack of food,a shrunken spine and severe trauma that could have altered his appearance.
After agreeing to give the situation a few days to work itself out Christine decides that the boy is not hers,just as she thought. An LAPD captain in charge of Christine's case then determines her to be an annoying pest who has gone crazy and doesn't lover her son,so he does what any good policeman would do.He throws her into the psycho ward(note the sarcasm in that last sentence).A psycho ward which happens to be filled with only women.I'm not sure if back then the men and women had to be seperated but judging by the treatment given to the women in those facilities back then,seperating men and women was probably the least of their concerns.
A week later John Malkovich comes to the rescue of Christine just as she is about to have her brain half melted with electro-shock therapy.In the following days they hire the best lawyer in Los Angeles and manage to get all of the patients diagnosed with similar "conditions" to Christine released. While all this is going on, a second investigation is being started.A young Canadian boy had illegaly crossed the border and was staying with his uncle on the man's chicken farm.It turns out the man was not only butchering chickens he was butchering little boys as a hobby.What a pleasent story this is turning out to be right?To make a long story short,the boy ends up confessing to the murders of at least 20 boys and despite initial doubts from the officer he was talking to,the boy guides him to a shallow grave filled with the bones of all these boys.The LAPD informs Christine that they think Walter was among the boys killed.Was he?What happens at the end of the movie?Go watch it and find out!
Clint Eastwood did a really good job with this movie.Besides Malkovich and Jolie,the film was lacking any real star power.There are several actors that are familiar to the eyes but no headliners.That being said,the acting was amazing.By the end of the movie I felt like it was my son that ran away and I dont even have pets,much less children.I do think the movie was drawn out a little more than it needed to be,but it also left me with a lot of unanswered questions.I'm not a big fan of open ended endings so I give this movie a solid 4 out of 5."Changeling" may not change lives and alter the course of the universe,but you'll second guess leaving your kids to play in the park while you sit on a bench and read the newspaper.
It should be noted that when I first saw the previews,like I said before I was expecting a snooze fest,so a 4 is a large improvement over the 1 I thought I was going to give it.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Reviewing The Bourne Trilogy
Anyone that calls themselves an action movie aficionado has seen the Jason Bourne movies.If you haven't,here is a brief summary of each movie(possible spoiler alerts)!
The Bourne Identity-2002
Our hero starts the movie by floating unconscious in some ice cold water off the coast of Europe,having been shot twice in the back and generally not digging life.We don't find out til much later how he ended up in this predicament and I'm not going to tell you until you're done watching the movie. After he is spotted in the water by a fishing boat, the kind old ship doctor takes a liking to Bourne and nurses him back to health.Along the road to recovery the doctor finds a small device embedded in Jason's hip that shoots a laser onto a surface displaying the account number and name of a bank in Zurich,Switzerland.
Once the fishing boat goes to port the doctor sends Mr. Bourne oh his way.Suffering from amnesia and with only the money in his pocket given to him by the good doctor,Bourne sets off to find out all the information about himself that he can.He discovers a safety deposit box under his name at the bank in Zurich that is filled with money,passports and a gun.What follows is the beginning to my favorite series of movies to date.If you're a movie fan looking for car chases,death and utter mayhem,you my friends have chosen the right movie.
I can't reveal any more of the story without ruining it,so I will leave you with saying that Bourne meets a friend and many enemies along the way.The story does a very good job of keeping itself fast paced and action packed yet still manages to contain enough information to not leave you confused and asking TOO many questions.Of course you will be left with a few head scratchers at the end of the movie,but that's the point.At the same time,if there had never been a sequel the ending to The Bourne Identity is satisfying enough to not make you want to storm Matt Damon's house demanding answers.
As part of my first major blogging decision I have decided to rate this series as a whole since it is basically one really long movie instead of three seperate ones.
The Bourne Supremacy-2004
The second installment of Jason Bourne's journey to find himself starts in India.After escaping pursuers chasing him through the armpits of Europe,Bourne meets up with a woman that he met in the first film and they run off to spend a blissful eternity together in the land of cows and curry.I didn't tell you about the woman before because it would have been a spoiler...but assuming you watched "Identity" before reading this like I instructed you to,you now know her name is Marie.The American's that were chasing our lovebirds in the first movie have gotten ahold of their location once again and it's not long into the movie before Marie and Jason are on the run again.
(side note; Marie got much better looking in the two years between "Identity" and "Supremacy"...kudos to her) It's really too bad that she doesn't last long enough to oogle at very much.Yes,I just told you she dies.Oops!I actually had to tell you that because it happens right at the beginning and without explaining this the movie would make no more sense than a drunken street bum.Now...after Marie becomes one with a dirty Indian river, Mr.Bourne gets genuinely enraged and sets out to wreak havoc on Europe once again.During the course of this movie he starts to re-gain memories that he had lost and begins to learn about who he was and what atrocities he had commited before he got shot in the back at the beginning of the first story.
The second movie ends with an apology from Jason Bourne to his first victim's daughter. He leaves the girl crying,and then promptly gets shot in the back once again as he is leaving the building(not by the girl but by a fellow assasin ordered to kill him).This movie does a great job at intertwining the first story with the second while introducing lots of new plot lines and charachters.If you have any ounce of intelligence you'll be able to follow right along.As for the rest of you,if you don't know what's going on by now you shouldn't be watching.
The Bourne Ultimatum-2007
The third and final(for now....more on this later) chapter of the Bourne Trilogy actually begins in a confusing manner.After having actually ended the last movie in New York,staring into Pam Landy's office, Bourne starts off the third movie in Russia again...shot in the back.When I first saw this my mind wanted to explode.I had just finished watching "Supremacy" and I didn't see how he could have gotten shot again in Moscow without some explanation as to how he got there.Then it clicked.The third movie actually starts during the end of the second movie.Capiche?Now that we have that cleared up it's back to business.
Jason starts having more flashbacks,this time to the very beginning of his life as Jason Bourne.At the end of the second story Pamela Landy,who has by now established herself as at least some sort of an ally in this backstabbing movie,tells Bourne that his real name is David Webb.Now that Bourne knows this he starts remembering being in a room where he was transformed into Jason Bourne by an old man with bushy eyebrows.
There is a new villain altogether in this last movie.He is the deputy director of the CIA and he's brought it upon himself to throw all of his resources at Bourne in an attempt to cover up secrets that were uncovered by a London reporter.He naturally thinks it is Bourne that is leaking secrets about the government so he wants them both assasinated.The storyline follows our hero in a valliant attempt to reclaim his life and set the record straight.What will happen?Will there be a 4th?You must watch...and find out.
(actually if you google you can find that there will indeed be a 4th movie and that Matt Damon has signed on for it.)
So there you have it. you now the basic plotlines of all three movies.You can probably tell already that i adored these movies but if you are dense in the head and need some re itteration here it is.The Bourne movies contain amazing jobs by the actors themselves,breathtaking views of much of Europe and New York City,top notch special effects and enough twists to make a roller coaster queasy.I give this movie my most impressive grade.5!
1-the worst.the bottom of the barrel..utter and complete failure(the machinist)
2-almost the worst.the director and producer should still feel ashamed(the new Saw movie)
3-dead average(aka Righteous Kill)
4-above average but with something missing(see Spiderman 3)
5-as good as it gets(Scarface,The Godfather,Training day)
That's all for now.Much,much more to come!
The Bourne Identity-2002
Our hero starts the movie by floating unconscious in some ice cold water off the coast of Europe,having been shot twice in the back and generally not digging life.We don't find out til much later how he ended up in this predicament and I'm not going to tell you until you're done watching the movie. After he is spotted in the water by a fishing boat, the kind old ship doctor takes a liking to Bourne and nurses him back to health.Along the road to recovery the doctor finds a small device embedded in Jason's hip that shoots a laser onto a surface displaying the account number and name of a bank in Zurich,Switzerland.
Once the fishing boat goes to port the doctor sends Mr. Bourne oh his way.Suffering from amnesia and with only the money in his pocket given to him by the good doctor,Bourne sets off to find out all the information about himself that he can.He discovers a safety deposit box under his name at the bank in Zurich that is filled with money,passports and a gun.What follows is the beginning to my favorite series of movies to date.If you're a movie fan looking for car chases,death and utter mayhem,you my friends have chosen the right movie.
I can't reveal any more of the story without ruining it,so I will leave you with saying that Bourne meets a friend and many enemies along the way.The story does a very good job of keeping itself fast paced and action packed yet still manages to contain enough information to not leave you confused and asking TOO many questions.Of course you will be left with a few head scratchers at the end of the movie,but that's the point.At the same time,if there had never been a sequel the ending to The Bourne Identity is satisfying enough to not make you want to storm Matt Damon's house demanding answers.
As part of my first major blogging decision I have decided to rate this series as a whole since it is basically one really long movie instead of three seperate ones.
The Bourne Supremacy-2004
The second installment of Jason Bourne's journey to find himself starts in India.After escaping pursuers chasing him through the armpits of Europe,Bourne meets up with a woman that he met in the first film and they run off to spend a blissful eternity together in the land of cows and curry.I didn't tell you about the woman before because it would have been a spoiler...but assuming you watched "Identity" before reading this like I instructed you to,you now know her name is Marie.The American's that were chasing our lovebirds in the first movie have gotten ahold of their location once again and it's not long into the movie before Marie and Jason are on the run again.
(side note; Marie got much better looking in the two years between "Identity" and "Supremacy"...kudos to her) It's really too bad that she doesn't last long enough to oogle at very much.Yes,I just told you she dies.Oops!I actually had to tell you that because it happens right at the beginning and without explaining this the movie would make no more sense than a drunken street bum.Now...after Marie becomes one with a dirty Indian river, Mr.Bourne gets genuinely enraged and sets out to wreak havoc on Europe once again.During the course of this movie he starts to re-gain memories that he had lost and begins to learn about who he was and what atrocities he had commited before he got shot in the back at the beginning of the first story.
The second movie ends with an apology from Jason Bourne to his first victim's daughter. He leaves the girl crying,and then promptly gets shot in the back once again as he is leaving the building(not by the girl but by a fellow assasin ordered to kill him).This movie does a great job at intertwining the first story with the second while introducing lots of new plot lines and charachters.If you have any ounce of intelligence you'll be able to follow right along.As for the rest of you,if you don't know what's going on by now you shouldn't be watching.
The Bourne Ultimatum-2007
The third and final(for now....more on this later) chapter of the Bourne Trilogy actually begins in a confusing manner.After having actually ended the last movie in New York,staring into Pam Landy's office, Bourne starts off the third movie in Russia again...shot in the back.When I first saw this my mind wanted to explode.I had just finished watching "Supremacy" and I didn't see how he could have gotten shot again in Moscow without some explanation as to how he got there.Then it clicked.The third movie actually starts during the end of the second movie.Capiche?Now that we have that cleared up it's back to business.
Jason starts having more flashbacks,this time to the very beginning of his life as Jason Bourne.At the end of the second story Pamela Landy,who has by now established herself as at least some sort of an ally in this backstabbing movie,tells Bourne that his real name is David Webb.Now that Bourne knows this he starts remembering being in a room where he was transformed into Jason Bourne by an old man with bushy eyebrows.
There is a new villain altogether in this last movie.He is the deputy director of the CIA and he's brought it upon himself to throw all of his resources at Bourne in an attempt to cover up secrets that were uncovered by a London reporter.He naturally thinks it is Bourne that is leaking secrets about the government so he wants them both assasinated.The storyline follows our hero in a valliant attempt to reclaim his life and set the record straight.What will happen?Will there be a 4th?You must watch...and find out.
(actually if you google you can find that there will indeed be a 4th movie and that Matt Damon has signed on for it.)
So there you have it. you now the basic plotlines of all three movies.You can probably tell already that i adored these movies but if you are dense in the head and need some re itteration here it is.The Bourne movies contain amazing jobs by the actors themselves,breathtaking views of much of Europe and New York City,top notch special effects and enough twists to make a roller coaster queasy.I give this movie my most impressive grade.5!
1-the worst.the bottom of the barrel..utter and complete failure(the machinist)
2-almost the worst.the director and producer should still feel ashamed(the new Saw movie)
3-dead average(aka Righteous Kill)
4-above average but with something missing(see Spiderman 3)
5-as good as it gets(Scarface,The Godfather,Training day)
That's all for now.Much,much more to come!
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