Saturday, February 27, 2010
Olympic Hockey
It was 30 years ago when the United States upset the Soviet Union in the "Miracle on Ice" game in the winter olympics and this year's United States team has a chance to pull off another upset to win the gold medal. While it would not be anywhere near as big an upset as the "Miracle on Ice" game, if the United States can upset Canada again it can provide a much needed boost to get people interested in hockey in America. Hockey is Canada's sport and Team Canada will be firing on all cylinders tomorrow to make sure they are not embarassed again by the United States in their own backyard. Canada is definitely the more talented team and should be favored to win tomorrow but the leadership of Jamie Langenbrunner (I wish he was still on the Stars), Chris Drury and Brian Rafalski has been outstanding so far as has the play of Goalie Ryan Miller and this gives the United States a reasonable chance to win tomorrow. If the leadership and goaltending remain great and a few of the U.S's younger players like Zach Parise, Eric Johnson and Patrick Kane can play consistently at the high level they are capable of, the United States can bring home the gold this year. It won't take a miracle to defeat Canada but the United States will need to be at their best to win. This game has the potential to be a classic that will remain in the fans memories long after it has ended. Let's hope when it is over we here USA, USA chants again.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The Saints were super
Another football season is finished and the New Orleans Saints victory over the Indianapolis Colts proves that a team that finishes weak in the final part of the regular season can still play well in the playoffs and ultimately win the superbowl. Head Coach Sean Payton showed more guts than any other coach in recent memory by calling for an onside kick at the start of the 2nd half. Had it not worked every sports journalist and blogger (like me) would be saying that Payton was brain dead for trying it but that is why there are true football men who don't just write about football but live it every day of their lives. Quarterback Drew Brees was near perfect in his execution of the Saints offense and deserved to win the MVP award, while the Saints defense confused Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning enough to create an interception that would seal their victory.
As usual the sports media was its usual self in propping up an athlete only to tear him down when he fell short of expectations. The victim of this was of course Peyton Manning this year. First the media was saying prior to the game that if the Colts win he could be ranked among the greatest quarterbacks of all time. After the game they said that Manning's legacy will be impacted and that Manning is overrated since he is 9 and 9 in the playoffs. I wish someone would remind the media of an obvious fact about football. It is a team sport! Peyton Manning did not lose the superbowl, the Indianapolis Colts did. The great quarterbacks like Joe Montana, John Elway, Terry Bradshaw and Tom Brady did not win their superbowls single handedly either. They were part of great teams that won superbowls. Manning's interception to Tracy Porter late in the 4th quarter was costly but why can't we credit Porter's ability to read the play and jump in front of Wide Receiver Reggie Wayne to make the interception. Furthermore Manning was powerless to do anything in the second quarter since the Saints offense controlled the ball for almost all of the quarter and is not part of the Colts special teams which was caught off guard on the onsides kick that started the 2nd half.
To the city of New Orleans, whether people want to say the Saints won the game or the Colts lost it is completely irrelevant. The Lombardy trophy has made its way to New Orleans for the first time in its franchise history and a city that was nearly destroyed in 2005 after hurricane Katrina has had its spirits raised as high as they've ever been. I'm sure the partying on Bourbon Street will be going on for a long time.
Congratulations Saints fans, you and your team deserved this victory.
As usual the sports media was its usual self in propping up an athlete only to tear him down when he fell short of expectations. The victim of this was of course Peyton Manning this year. First the media was saying prior to the game that if the Colts win he could be ranked among the greatest quarterbacks of all time. After the game they said that Manning's legacy will be impacted and that Manning is overrated since he is 9 and 9 in the playoffs. I wish someone would remind the media of an obvious fact about football. It is a team sport! Peyton Manning did not lose the superbowl, the Indianapolis Colts did. The great quarterbacks like Joe Montana, John Elway, Terry Bradshaw and Tom Brady did not win their superbowls single handedly either. They were part of great teams that won superbowls. Manning's interception to Tracy Porter late in the 4th quarter was costly but why can't we credit Porter's ability to read the play and jump in front of Wide Receiver Reggie Wayne to make the interception. Furthermore Manning was powerless to do anything in the second quarter since the Saints offense controlled the ball for almost all of the quarter and is not part of the Colts special teams which was caught off guard on the onsides kick that started the 2nd half.
To the city of New Orleans, whether people want to say the Saints won the game or the Colts lost it is completely irrelevant. The Lombardy trophy has made its way to New Orleans for the first time in its franchise history and a city that was nearly destroyed in 2005 after hurricane Katrina has had its spirits raised as high as they've ever been. I'm sure the partying on Bourbon Street will be going on for a long time.
Congratulations Saints fans, you and your team deserved this victory.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The Wrestler
Sometimes the best moments in films come from small quiet scenes that have little if any dialogue. The opening scene of director Darren Aronofsky's film "The Wrestler" shows the back side of Mickey Rourke's character Randy "The Ram" Robinson sitting on a chair in a locker room after he has just wrestled in a high school auditorium. No dialogue is needed for the audience to see that "The Ram" is both physically and emotionally in pain. "The Wrestler" is a moving and sometimes sad movie of a man struggling to make his way in life after his best years have long since passed him by. Randy "The Ram" Robinson on the outside is fake. His real name is Robin, the tan on his body is from indoor tanning booths, and his muscles are the result of steroids but his desire to be a good man and his character flaws that can prevent him from being one are very real and easy to relate to.
Aronofsky is a director that likes to use creative editing and unique camera shots in his films but in "The Wrestler" he has the good sense to leave that out and let the story develop quietly. Robinson, a once famous and successful wrestler, now lives in a trailer park and has to make ends meet by working in a grocery store, wrestling in high school auditoriums, and signing autographs in community centers that only a few fans go to. In his spare time he goes to a topless bar to meet his favorite perfomer "Cassady" whose real name is Pam (well played by Marissa Tomei). She dances for him and listens to what he has to say about how things have been going for him. Even though Robinson probably knows she is playing him, he still chooses to open up to her since he has alienated himself from his family and most of his friends. After Robinson is offered a chance to take part in a reunion match with an old rival in a big time arena, he suffers a heart attack after a match and is told by his doctor that he can no longer wrestle. He then tries to reestablish a relationship with his daughter (played by Evan Rachel Wood) who he walked out on many years ago. She is in college now and has hard feelings about him but Robinson is at the point of his life where he realizes the consequences of his poor decisions. On a boardwalk he confesses to her the mistakes he has made and is able to start mending his relationship with his daughter. Unfortunatley afterward his destructive behavior with drugs and women return and his relationship with his daughter is again damaged but this time probably beyond repair. Left with little in his life that has meaning, Robinson agrees to wrestle in a sold out arena with his old rival even though his doctor has told him his heart is to weak handle it. The final scene of Robinson performing in the ring and saluting his fans is nothing short of heartbreaking.
"The Wrestler" is a movie that can only work with a strong performance from the lead character and Mickey Rourke delivers the performance of his career. Like the character he plays Rourke was once respected in a younger day and made poor choices both personally and professionally that wrecked his career. Most of the time performances by actors are judged based on how well they disappear in their character and make us believe they are that person but Rourke did something that might have been more difficult and definitely more courageous in his portrayal of Randy "The Ram" Robinson. He honestly revealed himself and ultimately created a character who with all his flaws was still a man that audiences could identify with and embrace. Everyone knows that wrestling is fake but the emotions generated in the "The Wrestler" are very real.
Aronofsky is a director that likes to use creative editing and unique camera shots in his films but in "The Wrestler" he has the good sense to leave that out and let the story develop quietly. Robinson, a once famous and successful wrestler, now lives in a trailer park and has to make ends meet by working in a grocery store, wrestling in high school auditoriums, and signing autographs in community centers that only a few fans go to. In his spare time he goes to a topless bar to meet his favorite perfomer "Cassady" whose real name is Pam (well played by Marissa Tomei). She dances for him and listens to what he has to say about how things have been going for him. Even though Robinson probably knows she is playing him, he still chooses to open up to her since he has alienated himself from his family and most of his friends. After Robinson is offered a chance to take part in a reunion match with an old rival in a big time arena, he suffers a heart attack after a match and is told by his doctor that he can no longer wrestle. He then tries to reestablish a relationship with his daughter (played by Evan Rachel Wood) who he walked out on many years ago. She is in college now and has hard feelings about him but Robinson is at the point of his life where he realizes the consequences of his poor decisions. On a boardwalk he confesses to her the mistakes he has made and is able to start mending his relationship with his daughter. Unfortunatley afterward his destructive behavior with drugs and women return and his relationship with his daughter is again damaged but this time probably beyond repair. Left with little in his life that has meaning, Robinson agrees to wrestle in a sold out arena with his old rival even though his doctor has told him his heart is to weak handle it. The final scene of Robinson performing in the ring and saluting his fans is nothing short of heartbreaking.
"The Wrestler" is a movie that can only work with a strong performance from the lead character and Mickey Rourke delivers the performance of his career. Like the character he plays Rourke was once respected in a younger day and made poor choices both personally and professionally that wrecked his career. Most of the time performances by actors are judged based on how well they disappear in their character and make us believe they are that person but Rourke did something that might have been more difficult and definitely more courageous in his portrayal of Randy "The Ram" Robinson. He honestly revealed himself and ultimately created a character who with all his flaws was still a man that audiences could identify with and embrace. Everyone knows that wrestling is fake but the emotions generated in the "The Wrestler" are very real.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Superbowl Pick
For the playoffs I was a pathetic 2 and 10 with my picks. It's a good thing I don't gamble anymore. The two games I was right on were the games the Colts won and they are the current favorite to win the superbowl. This is a game that can go either way and is very difficult to pick since neither team has a defense that looks like it can stop the opposing team's offense.
New Orleans with Running Backs Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell should be able to establish a running game and if Reggie Bush gets involved as well the Saints will be able to score often. Indianapolis needs Peyton Manning to play turnover free football and if he reads New Orleans blitzes correctly, which I think he will, Wide Receivers Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, and Austin Colley along with Tight End Dallas Clark should have big games.
The questions are which team's defense will play above people's expectations and which team's offense will turnover the ball more. Since Indianapolis is the more experienced team I'll pick them to win. New Orleans covers the spread but doesn't quite win the game.
Colts 31 Saints 28.
This game has the potential to be an exciting superbowl. Let's hope it lives up to the hype.
New Orleans with Running Backs Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell should be able to establish a running game and if Reggie Bush gets involved as well the Saints will be able to score often. Indianapolis needs Peyton Manning to play turnover free football and if he reads New Orleans blitzes correctly, which I think he will, Wide Receivers Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, and Austin Colley along with Tight End Dallas Clark should have big games.
The questions are which team's defense will play above people's expectations and which team's offense will turnover the ball more. Since Indianapolis is the more experienced team I'll pick them to win. New Orleans covers the spread but doesn't quite win the game.
Colts 31 Saints 28.
This game has the potential to be an exciting superbowl. Let's hope it lives up to the hype.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Superbowl Time
Superbowl Sunday is drawing near and there is reason for excitment. The last two superbowls were very close exciting games where the winning team (the Giants and Steelers) pulled out victories with a touchdown in the last minute of the game. Whether this year's superbowl will be close remains to be seen but there should be plenty of offense to go around. New Orleans in the regular season ranked 1st in offense with Indianapolis ranked 9th. On defense Indianapolis ranked 18th while New Orleans ranked 24th. With the offensive weapons New Orleans has and with Colts Defensive End Dwight Freeney injured, the Saints should be able to move the ball consistently and create big plays by exposing the inexperience Colts secondary. Indianapolis's offense is in for a big day as well. Quarterback Peyton Manning is at his best right now and with only a week to prepare threw for 377 yards and 3 touchdowns to defeat the New York Jets in the AFC conference finals. The Jets defense ranked first in the regular season and if Manning can put up those kind of numbers against the Jets just imagine what he can do with two weeks to prepare against a defense that ranked 24th in the regular season.
Since Dwight Freeney is injured it is tough to pick a winner at this point but if the weather is good on Sunday, we may be in store for one of the highest scoring superbowls ever.
Since Dwight Freeney is injured it is tough to pick a winner at this point but if the weather is good on Sunday, we may be in store for one of the highest scoring superbowls ever.
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