Lesson from last week: If sports casters ever bring up the virtue of "momentum" again, feel free to throw last week in their face as the red-hot Cowboys and Chargers got appropriately and unexplainably embarrassed, respectively. Conversely, the Colts won with relative ease after four weeks of just playing Madden '09.
New York (Jets) at Indianapolis
The Jets were not only unlikely to win a spot in the playoffs last fall but their head coach Rex Ryan said it "was not possible." Go figure, the Colts came from behind to beat the Jaguars, giving them home field advantage throughout the playoffs (rendering their last two games obsolete). One of said games was against the Jets, who then managed to beat "the Colts" and enter the playoffs. So if the football gods are cruelly ironic, the Jets have to win this game. But while people do a lot of praying on Sundays, I don't think this theological angle is a common betting technique. In fact, so many people are going to be betting on the Colts that it'd be the smarter bet to pick the Jets (money-wise). And though the Jets' defense has been flying, Rex Ryan has never beaten Peyton Manning (excluding that throw-away game)--including the years Ryan was defensive coordinator for the Ravens. And while Peyton Manning is always enough reason to pick the Colts to win any game, I think their own defense has been an understated factor this season. I have to pick the Goliath of this game. Colts win.
Minnesota at New Orleans
I wrote on November 28th that a Vikings-Saints conference championship game would be "more fun and more expected than anything the Superbowl can promise" and I can proudly still stand by that. Both are exceptional teams on both sides of the ball and have quarterbacks putting up unprecedented numbers. Easily the most surprising thing about Favre this entire season has been his new-found ability to sacrifice a play. The man has learned to throw the ball away or go for the short pass rather than force an circus throw down the field. I take this as an indicator that Favre has learned to trust his teammates for the first time in years--and with good reason. However, throw-for-throw, I like Drew Brees more--as also previously written about. And if I liked the quarterbacks the same, I'd still go with the Saints because their head coach, Sean Payton, keeps drama out of the locker room and juggles a better running game. And if I liked the coaches the same, I'd still go with the Saints because they are at home and all four Minnesota losses this year were away games. Saints win.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
The Times I Live In
I can't write the next great American novel. I can't even write a story longer than 10,000 words (most of these blog posts run between 300-600 words). I can't stick with a single story for more than a pair of months. That's why I have to try.
To have a good present, I need to have a great future and a selective past.
I have written short (and short-short) stories and will continue to do so; but now it's time to write the unwritten. The thousand-thousand ideas. Shields will be broken and compromises will be made, but this will not be the last endeavor to a place bordered by failure.
This isn't the final whistle, it's the kickoff. It's time I start playing this new literary game of ambitions: We Service What We Sell.
To have a good present, I need to have a great future and a selective past.
I have written short (and short-short) stories and will continue to do so; but now it's time to write the unwritten. The thousand-thousand ideas. Shields will be broken and compromises will be made, but this will not be the last endeavor to a place bordered by failure.
This isn't the final whistle, it's the kickoff. It's time I start playing this new literary game of ambitions: We Service What We Sell.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Nick Rundowns Some Movies
These movies aren't out yet but trailers are made for pre-release criticism.
THE RED BARON - This early fighter pilot film brings back 2006's FLYBOYS--but woefully without James Franco. And while it's from the German perspective, I don't think this movie will have the vague culture-sharing moments that dragged down LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA (aside from everybody in Europe speaking English). Also, remember, it's only about WWI so it's okay to like the Germans in this movie.
EDGE OF DARKNESS - This movie was green-lit after the unpredictable success of Liam Neeson's star-vehicle: TAKEN. Another old, Oscar-winning actor beats up young thugs who have kidnapped/killed his daughter. But can Mel Gibson play a crazy man? Sounds like kind of a stretch to me.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND - Tim Burton retells another tale few people have actually read. He continues to make Burton-esque decisions; such as casting the eccentric Johnny Depp to play the eccentric Mad Hatter and assaulting your eyes with ugly colors. This movie does nothing but further confirm that experimentation is a dead concept to Burton and Depp.
CLASH OF THE TITANS - This movie can jump off a cliff. The preview indicates the filmmakers made this classic story as trashy, obnoxious and meaningless as possible. If there is justice in the world, after this movie Sam Worthington will at least be thrown in "movie jail" and at best become known as another "former next big movie star."
WALL STREET 2 - Oliver Stone will likely continue his streak of ruining timely concepts with awful writing, awful casting and self-important directing. I have no reason to believe Stone will reach for unique drama; but I can take some solace in the fact that he won't be butchering history in his own rendition of true people ala Nixon, JFK, Alexander, World Trade Center, W., etc.
SALT - Stupid.
ROBIN HOOD - The gray color schemed deconstruction of a literary hero is so last decade. And even if it wasn't, Ridley Scott still needs to prove this is a character with layers like an onion, not a balloon meant to be played around with for two hours and then left to deflate in silence. What frustrates me most is that the trailer includes the promise to show "the hero behind the outlaw" in Robin Hood's character. What? Everybody already knows him as a hero! If you're a trying to spin a different angle on Robin Hood, why not emphasis the outlaw-ness? Or loneliness? Or short-sightedness? This movie was too easy on every level.
THE RED BARON - This early fighter pilot film brings back 2006's FLYBOYS--but woefully without James Franco. And while it's from the German perspective, I don't think this movie will have the vague culture-sharing moments that dragged down LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA (aside from everybody in Europe speaking English). Also, remember, it's only about WWI so it's okay to like the Germans in this movie.
EDGE OF DARKNESS - This movie was green-lit after the unpredictable success of Liam Neeson's star-vehicle: TAKEN. Another old, Oscar-winning actor beats up young thugs who have kidnapped/killed his daughter. But can Mel Gibson play a crazy man? Sounds like kind of a stretch to me.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND - Tim Burton retells another tale few people have actually read. He continues to make Burton-esque decisions; such as casting the eccentric Johnny Depp to play the eccentric Mad Hatter and assaulting your eyes with ugly colors. This movie does nothing but further confirm that experimentation is a dead concept to Burton and Depp.
CLASH OF THE TITANS - This movie can jump off a cliff. The preview indicates the filmmakers made this classic story as trashy, obnoxious and meaningless as possible. If there is justice in the world, after this movie Sam Worthington will at least be thrown in "movie jail" and at best become known as another "former next big movie star."
WALL STREET 2 - Oliver Stone will likely continue his streak of ruining timely concepts with awful writing, awful casting and self-important directing. I have no reason to believe Stone will reach for unique drama; but I can take some solace in the fact that he won't be butchering history in his own rendition of true people ala Nixon, JFK, Alexander, World Trade Center, W., etc.
SALT - Stupid.
ROBIN HOOD - The gray color schemed deconstruction of a literary hero is so last decade. And even if it wasn't, Ridley Scott still needs to prove this is a character with layers like an onion, not a balloon meant to be played around with for two hours and then left to deflate in silence. What frustrates me most is that the trailer includes the promise to show "the hero behind the outlaw" in Robin Hood's character. What? Everybody already knows him as a hero! If you're a trying to spin a different angle on Robin Hood, why not emphasis the outlaw-ness? Or loneliness? Or short-sightedness? This movie was too easy on every level.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
She Can Never Know
Benjamin Harrison sat behind a desk that could not be lifted by three men. This was partially because the desk was so heavy but also because it was illegal to steal furniture from the Oval Office. Harrison wrote on a piece of paper in silence. He wrote like a man writing a resignation letter, but he was not resigning. Nor was he just writing from the White House, he was writing from the soul.
In the letter Harrison confessed how he felt and when he started to feel that way. He told the woman why she was so special and how he could see a perfect life with her, even if the universe remained imperfect. Mention of her name stopped his world and seeing her lifted his heart every time. He started a new paragraph when he decided he must mention the obvious chasm between them, her husband, his friend, his party’s leader; all one man: Senator James Blaine.
With a single knock and a single second pause, Harrison’s secretary entered the office. Harrison had overheard many snide remarks on his choice to hire a woman as his personal secretary. He trusted a woman to organize his schedule? To communicate with ministers and kings around the world? What next, would Harrison hire a woman as Secretary of State? Or Supreme Court Justice? Perhaps Harrison thought a woman could be president. Obviously Harrison did not have a keen eye for competence.
Harrison, only slightly started by the intrusion, began to burn the letter he had written. And while his secretary was not the smartest person in the country, she knew enough to not waste time asking questions about a destroyed message.
Sir, she started, unsure if she had his attention. Walters just told me Puck is going to feature a segment criticizing you for allowing the creation of what they are calling “the Billion-Dollar Congress.”
Harrison continued to burn the letter until he couldn’t hold it any longer and dropped it on his desk. The fire would leave a small burn mark, but no bigger than the others. Harrison responded to his secretary by pointing out only President Jackson had gotten the country out of a national debt, and that only lasted for about thirty minutes. Unsure of whether to laugh or not, his secretary chose to remain silent.
Perhaps I should call together some reporters and defend the spending, Harrison suggested.
I wouldn’t sir.
Why?
For one, Senator Blaine has already come out and defended the policies and Republican Party.
Was it a speech?
Yes, sir.
Was it good?
Yes, sir.
Good, I suppose.
Harrison wondered if he should still say something to the public. He was, after all, the president. It did seem redundant though. Then it clicked. He could just ask Blaine what to do. He could ask him over for dinner and the three of them would talk about the direction of the party.
Who else are you talking about, sir?
Me, James, and Harriet.
His wife?
Yes. She’s a good friend of mine.
This all was quite short notice, Harrison knew. Blaine would likely already have plans for this entire week; he was, after all, a very busy senator. But maybe Harriet would still like to come to the White House for dinner. But no, James loved her and she loved James.
Sir?
Go now, schedule nothing and forget this conversation.
Like the others, Harrison’s secretary whispered to herself as she left.
Harrison realized his recent excitement had led him to the middle of the room for no particular reason. He then sat back down and looked at the smoldering ashes on his desk. Harrison loved Harriet but that just wasn’t going to be enough. Harrison wiped away the ashes like tears.
Caroline, Harrison’s wife, died two weeks before he lost his bid for re-election.
In the letter Harrison confessed how he felt and when he started to feel that way. He told the woman why she was so special and how he could see a perfect life with her, even if the universe remained imperfect. Mention of her name stopped his world and seeing her lifted his heart every time. He started a new paragraph when he decided he must mention the obvious chasm between them, her husband, his friend, his party’s leader; all one man: Senator James Blaine.
With a single knock and a single second pause, Harrison’s secretary entered the office. Harrison had overheard many snide remarks on his choice to hire a woman as his personal secretary. He trusted a woman to organize his schedule? To communicate with ministers and kings around the world? What next, would Harrison hire a woman as Secretary of State? Or Supreme Court Justice? Perhaps Harrison thought a woman could be president. Obviously Harrison did not have a keen eye for competence.
Harrison, only slightly started by the intrusion, began to burn the letter he had written. And while his secretary was not the smartest person in the country, she knew enough to not waste time asking questions about a destroyed message.
Sir, she started, unsure if she had his attention. Walters just told me Puck is going to feature a segment criticizing you for allowing the creation of what they are calling “the Billion-Dollar Congress.”
Harrison continued to burn the letter until he couldn’t hold it any longer and dropped it on his desk. The fire would leave a small burn mark, but no bigger than the others. Harrison responded to his secretary by pointing out only President Jackson had gotten the country out of a national debt, and that only lasted for about thirty minutes. Unsure of whether to laugh or not, his secretary chose to remain silent.
Perhaps I should call together some reporters and defend the spending, Harrison suggested.
I wouldn’t sir.
Why?
For one, Senator Blaine has already come out and defended the policies and Republican Party.
Was it a speech?
Yes, sir.
Was it good?
Yes, sir.
Good, I suppose.
Harrison wondered if he should still say something to the public. He was, after all, the president. It did seem redundant though. Then it clicked. He could just ask Blaine what to do. He could ask him over for dinner and the three of them would talk about the direction of the party.
Who else are you talking about, sir?
Me, James, and Harriet.
His wife?
Yes. She’s a good friend of mine.
This all was quite short notice, Harrison knew. Blaine would likely already have plans for this entire week; he was, after all, a very busy senator. But maybe Harriet would still like to come to the White House for dinner. But no, James loved her and she loved James.
Sir?
Go now, schedule nothing and forget this conversation.
Like the others, Harrison’s secretary whispered to herself as she left.
Harrison realized his recent excitement had led him to the middle of the room for no particular reason. He then sat back down and looked at the smoldering ashes on his desk. Harrison loved Harriet but that just wasn’t going to be enough. Harrison wiped away the ashes like tears.
Caroline, Harrison’s wife, died two weeks before he lost his bid for re-election.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Lighting a Fire Under HBO
Somebody apparently lit a fire under an HBO executive to come up with some arguably original, award-winning, budget-busting new series because next season HBO will premiere its craftiest show ever: SALEM.
SALEM will chronicle the the period of witch trials in colonial Massachusetts, in which 150 people were imprisoned and 20 were publicly executed--promising a devilishly good time. The story lines will followed the judiciary and political intrigue that went along with the trials and also follow the specific lives of many characters affected--some based on real people and others acting as compilations of townspeople at the time, according to the best historical records.
With so many possibilities, this series isn't being watched just by the eye of newt, but the eyes of critics everywhere. This period piece story, like most HBO series, required a production budget far greater than most networks shill out for such a witch pitch as an entire Salem village has been reconstructed as it was some 400 years ago. No black magic here, just $80 million.
The series will mostly follow accused witches (such as Sarah Good, Sarah Osbourne, Tituba, etc) and the people accusing them (such as John Hawthorne, Johnathan Corwin, etc). The series creators want to depict life as it actually was, including the sexual promiscuity in the town, while adding touches of dramatic liberties--such as adding romantic relationships among the more fictional characters.
The show may also undergo certain creative changes in the first season as the producers go through their own trial by fire. Undoubtedly though SALEM will develop a following of loyal viewers made up of some frustrated historians but mostly just of rich people curious about how much sex was going on in SALEM at the time of the trials.
Producer Gilbert Wilson has already said that SALEM will not adhere to modern television audience sensibilities and depict the town as historically accurate as possibly, no matter how much sex everyone was having. Wilson is physically excited himself for the upcoming show as premium channel audiences have gotten into bed with other sex-filled period pieces. Many critics credit the genre's popularity to their ability to be historically accurate, a budgetary and rating-restricted impossibly on network and even cable television.
"It's really amazing how much sex people had during these time periods," said television critic Burt Lippentoncott, "I mean, damn, they were at it all the time; at least according to these well-produced shows. I guess they just had more time back then to have sex, nowadays we have a bunch of shows to watch. Personally, I even blame television for killing my wife's libido--all we do in bed anymore is watch shows about other people having sex. That reminds me, The Tudors is on tonight!"
Call me a liar with my pants on fire, but I believe HBO's got another winner under its belt with this witchin' good series about smart political intrigue, well-developed characters and historically accurate, uncensored romantic entanglements.
SALEM will chronicle the the period of witch trials in colonial Massachusetts, in which 150 people were imprisoned and 20 were publicly executed--promising a devilishly good time. The story lines will followed the judiciary and political intrigue that went along with the trials and also follow the specific lives of many characters affected--some based on real people and others acting as compilations of townspeople at the time, according to the best historical records.
With so many possibilities, this series isn't being watched just by the eye of newt, but the eyes of critics everywhere. This period piece story, like most HBO series, required a production budget far greater than most networks shill out for such a witch pitch as an entire Salem village has been reconstructed as it was some 400 years ago. No black magic here, just $80 million.
The series will mostly follow accused witches (such as Sarah Good, Sarah Osbourne, Tituba, etc) and the people accusing them (such as John Hawthorne, Johnathan Corwin, etc). The series creators want to depict life as it actually was, including the sexual promiscuity in the town, while adding touches of dramatic liberties--such as adding romantic relationships among the more fictional characters.
The show may also undergo certain creative changes in the first season as the producers go through their own trial by fire. Undoubtedly though SALEM will develop a following of loyal viewers made up of some frustrated historians but mostly just of rich people curious about how much sex was going on in SALEM at the time of the trials.
Producer Gilbert Wilson has already said that SALEM will not adhere to modern television audience sensibilities and depict the town as historically accurate as possibly, no matter how much sex everyone was having. Wilson is physically excited himself for the upcoming show as premium channel audiences have gotten into bed with other sex-filled period pieces. Many critics credit the genre's popularity to their ability to be historically accurate, a budgetary and rating-restricted impossibly on network and even cable television.
"It's really amazing how much sex people had during these time periods," said television critic Burt Lippentoncott, "I mean, damn, they were at it all the time; at least according to these well-produced shows. I guess they just had more time back then to have sex, nowadays we have a bunch of shows to watch. Personally, I even blame television for killing my wife's libido--all we do in bed anymore is watch shows about other people having sex. That reminds me, The Tudors is on tonight!"
Call me a liar with my pants on fire, but I believe HBO's got another winner under its belt with this witchin' good series about smart political intrigue, well-developed characters and historically accurate, uncensored romantic entanglements.
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