I stumbled across a news item today that shocked me. I pay attention to the goings on of the world quite a bit, and yet I somehow missed the passing of a fantastic film maker. I don't know if its because we're just numb as a society from all the the celebrity passings lately or because he was always under appreciated, but the lack of coverage was astonishing. If you had to put together a list of movies from your childhood (if you are my age or a bit older) to make your kids watch when they are teenagers, what would be on that list?
The Breakfast Club
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Weird Science
Pretty in Pink
Sixteen Candles
National Lampoon's Vacation
What do all these have in common? John Hughes. In addition to those classics, he was also behind Trains, Planes, and Automobiles, Uncle Buck, Home Alone, and many others. He passed suddenly of a heart attack earlier this month. The sad thing is that it wasn't until he died that I really sat down and looked at everything he did. Half of those movies I listed I didn't even realize were his. How different would not only my childhood have been, but American comedy in film have been if Hughes had never picked up a camera? So maybe he would never have won an Oscar, but he made films that millions of people genuinely love. He captured the spirit of a decade's youth perfectly. So rest in peace, John Hughes, your films will be beloved by millions for some time.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Football, Part Deux
So thus far, I have my Giants coming out of the NFC. Vegas has my back on this one, so I'm not too much of a homer making that pick. With a quick glance at the AFC, you have to like the Pats, but let's break it down.
Let's start in the AFC East, where there are plenty of questions going in to this season. Does Brady recover from the devastating knee injury? Were the 'Phins a fluke? Can Sanchez pull a Matt Ryan on a decent Jets team? Why the hell did the mediocre Bills sign TO to kill their young QB? Yes, yes, no but it won't matter, and... I have no idea. The Pats are clearly the class of the division. Even if Brady can only play at 75% all year, they have too many weapons. I think the Jets ride their defense and running game to second in the division and compete for a wild card. Sanchez is good, but not great in year 1. He won't kill them, but won't win a game by himself. Miami comes back to earth at 8-8 most likely. The Bills are likely in the 8-8 or 7-9 range as well, but with Dick Jauron at the helm and Trent Edwards under center, plus you-know-who on the roster, well anything is possible.
In the AFC North, I think you can throw away the Ohio teams right off the bat. Look at their schedules and see if you can find more than six wins, I dare you. The other two teams in the division were playoff teams last year, and not much as changed. You have to give the nod to the Super Bowl champion Steelers to win the division. With no real offseason injuries or departures to fret about, the Steelers should compete with the Pats for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Ravens defense should be solid as ever, and the offense has had another year to grow and mature. This looks like a playoff team to me as well.
Tennessee remains the biggest enigma to me in the South division. I can't imagine Kerry Collins being a long term solution at quarterback, but Vince Young hasn't proven to be a viable option either. Who knows how the defense will play without its leader, Haynesworth, who departed for greener pastures? One thing is certain, their running attack should be one of the best in the league, but I don't think thats enough. Houston is a sexy pick to be a contender this year. Then again they are every year for the past 3-4 years. Then they go 8-8. They have talent, let's see what they do with it because I'm not buying any Houston preseaon hype any more until I see it on the field. Jacksonville is a throw away team this year. The defense still can't stop the pass and the offense rests solely on the back of Maurice Jones-Drew, who can't carry this team. This leaves me with Indy as the winner here, and I think reports of their demise have been greatly exaggerated. They'll be in contention, yet again. I don't think they're Super Bowl good, but they make the playoffs for sure.
I don't know what it is about the West in football lately. The AFC is nearly as atrocious as the NFC's version. San Diego is the only team worth discussing really. Denver is falling apart at the seams in the wake of Shanahan's firing, and Oakland is just terrible. Kansas City is building something interesting, but is at least a year or two away. Chargers steam roll this one.
So my playoff picture looks like this:
1. Steelers
2. Patriots
3. Chargers
4. Colts
5. Ravens
6. Jets
I'd pick Baltimore and San Diego to win in wild card weekend. Then the Ravens in an upset and New England to continue their ownership of the Bolts. And only because I want the epic rematch, I pick New England to go to the Super Bowl.
So my preseason Super Bowl pick is... the New York Giants.
And in other news, the Sun rose in the east today...
Let's start in the AFC East, where there are plenty of questions going in to this season. Does Brady recover from the devastating knee injury? Were the 'Phins a fluke? Can Sanchez pull a Matt Ryan on a decent Jets team? Why the hell did the mediocre Bills sign TO to kill their young QB? Yes, yes, no but it won't matter, and... I have no idea. The Pats are clearly the class of the division. Even if Brady can only play at 75% all year, they have too many weapons. I think the Jets ride their defense and running game to second in the division and compete for a wild card. Sanchez is good, but not great in year 1. He won't kill them, but won't win a game by himself. Miami comes back to earth at 8-8 most likely. The Bills are likely in the 8-8 or 7-9 range as well, but with Dick Jauron at the helm and Trent Edwards under center, plus you-know-who on the roster, well anything is possible.
In the AFC North, I think you can throw away the Ohio teams right off the bat. Look at their schedules and see if you can find more than six wins, I dare you. The other two teams in the division were playoff teams last year, and not much as changed. You have to give the nod to the Super Bowl champion Steelers to win the division. With no real offseason injuries or departures to fret about, the Steelers should compete with the Pats for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Ravens defense should be solid as ever, and the offense has had another year to grow and mature. This looks like a playoff team to me as well.
Tennessee remains the biggest enigma to me in the South division. I can't imagine Kerry Collins being a long term solution at quarterback, but Vince Young hasn't proven to be a viable option either. Who knows how the defense will play without its leader, Haynesworth, who departed for greener pastures? One thing is certain, their running attack should be one of the best in the league, but I don't think thats enough. Houston is a sexy pick to be a contender this year. Then again they are every year for the past 3-4 years. Then they go 8-8. They have talent, let's see what they do with it because I'm not buying any Houston preseaon hype any more until I see it on the field. Jacksonville is a throw away team this year. The defense still can't stop the pass and the offense rests solely on the back of Maurice Jones-Drew, who can't carry this team. This leaves me with Indy as the winner here, and I think reports of their demise have been greatly exaggerated. They'll be in contention, yet again. I don't think they're Super Bowl good, but they make the playoffs for sure.
I don't know what it is about the West in football lately. The AFC is nearly as atrocious as the NFC's version. San Diego is the only team worth discussing really. Denver is falling apart at the seams in the wake of Shanahan's firing, and Oakland is just terrible. Kansas City is building something interesting, but is at least a year or two away. Chargers steam roll this one.
So my playoff picture looks like this:
1. Steelers
2. Patriots
3. Chargers
4. Colts
5. Ravens
6. Jets
I'd pick Baltimore and San Diego to win in wild card weekend. Then the Ravens in an upset and New England to continue their ownership of the Bolts. And only because I want the epic rematch, I pick New England to go to the Super Bowl.
So my preseason Super Bowl pick is... the New York Giants.
And in other news, the Sun rose in the east today...
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Football season!!!
That magical time of the year is almost here. There's really nothing better then spending a Sunday, or even a Saturday with college ball, in front of the TV with my beloved NY Giants, beer, and fried food. I'm happy to say that this year I'll be watching on my cousin's large Hi-Def plasma, which is a big upgrade from the little pos I had last year.
I'm an unashamed Giants fan, and I really like our chances this year. The defense is looking strong, especially with Ossi back. We should have one of the best secondaries in football, and if the linebackers are decent, this D will be a terror. On offense, we just need one of these young receivers to step up now that Plax is gone. The running game is going to do most of the work anyway, and Kevin Boss is already a beast across the middle at TE. Coming off this Mets season, I'll enjoy watching a professional sports team again. I usually make predictions at this time of year like every other armchair quarterback out there. So I'll do it on the internet this year and give everyone fuel to make fun of me in six months when this is all wrong.
Let's start with the deadly NFC East. Hmmm.... I wonder who I'm picking here? Seriously, this is the toughest division in the league yet again. Any team that comes out of it if going to be in good shape to make the Super Bowl down the road if they stay healthy. I do think the Giants will take it, and that's not completely a homer call. You can never really trust the Andy Ried/Donovan McNabb combo in a big game, late in the season... assuming Michael Vick isn't the starter by the year's end. They are an interesting team to be sure, and potentially a Wild Card. I just don't think they have the chops to win the division. Dallas and Washington are both good teams, I don't see them as playoff teams. Felix Jones could be a superstar, but Romo is overrated and Wade Phillips is the wrong coach for that team. The 'Skins defense will keep them competitive, but where are the points coming from? They finish last in the division.
The NFC North will probably be one of the more interesting divisions to watch with all the off season intrigue. I, and I can't believe I'm saying this, think the Bears might win this thing. Favre will play one big game for Minny early in the year before he fades into the sunset again and becomes a $12 million interception machine. Detroit is, well, Detroit. Stafford ain't Matt Ryan. I thought he was overrated at Georgia, but even if he was as good this team just has nothing. The Kittens are a joke again, but improve to 3-13! Big news. I think the fate of the division rests on Green Bay's defense. If they are as miserable as they were last year the Pack might finish third in the division, but if they shape up into a top 15 unit, this team becomes dangerous. The Bears round out this "What If" machine of a division with questions about their offense. Is Cutler the savior for this team? I've never really liked Cutler, but even if he is as good as people think, who's catching the ball? And was Forte a one season wonder? Honestly, the Vikes, Pack, and Bears could each end up 7-9 or 11-5 and neither would surprise me. I close my eyes and say Chicago.
The NFC South is a two horse race as I see it. The Saints and Falcons are going to compete. The Bucs are rebuilding and probably won't be much of a factor this year. The Panthers are fading. Deangelo Williams will put up numbers, but on a mediocre team. I think we'll see the last of Jake Delhomme this year. If the Saints can put together anything remotely resembling a defense they would be scary. They can score points is huge chunks, but their defense can't get off the field to get that high octane offense back out. The Falcons are a tough team to predict. The usually follow a winning season with a losing one. Michael Turner couldn't run against good defenses. But they did add the greatest pass catching tight end in NFL history. Tony Gonzalez is a game changer. I think the Saints put it together and win this year, and the Dirty Birds probably take a Wild Card spot.
And then there's the NFC West. I mean, if the Cards didn't play in this division would anyone care about it at all? The Rams and Niners are just... bad. The Cards felt like a fluke last year, but they have one of the most exciting players in the game in Larry Fitzgerald. I'm convinced Kurt Warner will never willingly retire. Either he'll finally stop getting contracts or he'll drop dead right on the field. Seriously Kurt, don't go all Farve on us. The Seahawks could be good, but their QB is Matt Hasselbeck, and I still don't understand who thought this guy should ever have been a starter. They also have a history of injury problems. Its bad when your huge divisional showdown is between Arizona and Seattle, well this incarnation of those teams anyway. I guess I'll take the Cards, only because they won it last year. Wouldn't be surprised if Seattle took it though.
They way I call it...
1. Giants
2. Saints
3. Bears
4. Seahawks
5. Eagles
6. Falcons
I'll take the Bears and Eagles in the wild card round. The Giants and Saints go to the NFC championship, and the New York football Giants advance to the Super Bowl.
I'll do the AFC tomorrow.
I'm an unashamed Giants fan, and I really like our chances this year. The defense is looking strong, especially with Ossi back. We should have one of the best secondaries in football, and if the linebackers are decent, this D will be a terror. On offense, we just need one of these young receivers to step up now that Plax is gone. The running game is going to do most of the work anyway, and Kevin Boss is already a beast across the middle at TE. Coming off this Mets season, I'll enjoy watching a professional sports team again. I usually make predictions at this time of year like every other armchair quarterback out there. So I'll do it on the internet this year and give everyone fuel to make fun of me in six months when this is all wrong.
Let's start with the deadly NFC East. Hmmm.... I wonder who I'm picking here? Seriously, this is the toughest division in the league yet again. Any team that comes out of it if going to be in good shape to make the Super Bowl down the road if they stay healthy. I do think the Giants will take it, and that's not completely a homer call. You can never really trust the Andy Ried/Donovan McNabb combo in a big game, late in the season... assuming Michael Vick isn't the starter by the year's end. They are an interesting team to be sure, and potentially a Wild Card. I just don't think they have the chops to win the division. Dallas and Washington are both good teams, I don't see them as playoff teams. Felix Jones could be a superstar, but Romo is overrated and Wade Phillips is the wrong coach for that team. The 'Skins defense will keep them competitive, but where are the points coming from? They finish last in the division.
The NFC North will probably be one of the more interesting divisions to watch with all the off season intrigue. I, and I can't believe I'm saying this, think the Bears might win this thing. Favre will play one big game for Minny early in the year before he fades into the sunset again and becomes a $12 million interception machine. Detroit is, well, Detroit. Stafford ain't Matt Ryan. I thought he was overrated at Georgia, but even if he was as good this team just has nothing. The Kittens are a joke again, but improve to 3-13! Big news. I think the fate of the division rests on Green Bay's defense. If they are as miserable as they were last year the Pack might finish third in the division, but if they shape up into a top 15 unit, this team becomes dangerous. The Bears round out this "What If" machine of a division with questions about their offense. Is Cutler the savior for this team? I've never really liked Cutler, but even if he is as good as people think, who's catching the ball? And was Forte a one season wonder? Honestly, the Vikes, Pack, and Bears could each end up 7-9 or 11-5 and neither would surprise me. I close my eyes and say Chicago.
The NFC South is a two horse race as I see it. The Saints and Falcons are going to compete. The Bucs are rebuilding and probably won't be much of a factor this year. The Panthers are fading. Deangelo Williams will put up numbers, but on a mediocre team. I think we'll see the last of Jake Delhomme this year. If the Saints can put together anything remotely resembling a defense they would be scary. They can score points is huge chunks, but their defense can't get off the field to get that high octane offense back out. The Falcons are a tough team to predict. The usually follow a winning season with a losing one. Michael Turner couldn't run against good defenses. But they did add the greatest pass catching tight end in NFL history. Tony Gonzalez is a game changer. I think the Saints put it together and win this year, and the Dirty Birds probably take a Wild Card spot.
And then there's the NFC West. I mean, if the Cards didn't play in this division would anyone care about it at all? The Rams and Niners are just... bad. The Cards felt like a fluke last year, but they have one of the most exciting players in the game in Larry Fitzgerald. I'm convinced Kurt Warner will never willingly retire. Either he'll finally stop getting contracts or he'll drop dead right on the field. Seriously Kurt, don't go all Farve on us. The Seahawks could be good, but their QB is Matt Hasselbeck, and I still don't understand who thought this guy should ever have been a starter. They also have a history of injury problems. Its bad when your huge divisional showdown is between Arizona and Seattle, well this incarnation of those teams anyway. I guess I'll take the Cards, only because they won it last year. Wouldn't be surprised if Seattle took it though.
They way I call it...
1. Giants
2. Saints
3. Bears
4. Seahawks
5. Eagles
6. Falcons
I'll take the Bears and Eagles in the wild card round. The Giants and Saints go to the NFC championship, and the New York football Giants advance to the Super Bowl.
I'll do the AFC tomorrow.
MMO's are a government conspiracy to destroy my life.
They are, honest. For the unwashed, an MMO is a Massively Multiplayer Online game. They basically create an entire virtual world, which is so vastly superior to the actual world, that one wonders why you'd ever spend any time in this "real world" shit. To say they are addicting is like saying Mt. Everest is big. They're the friggin heroin of games. Seriously, they make you lounge around in a semi-comatose state and chase dragons. I dare you to find me a better analogy. If I start free basing my keyboard, I know I have a problem. So why is this suddenly a bigger problem? Glad you asked, but first, some background info.
I've been playing World of Warcraft since 2004, and Warcraft games in general since Warcraft 2 (still one of my top 5 games of all time) was released in 1995.
I'm a ridiculously huge Star Wars geek. So on top of all 6 movies, I own at least that many computer/console games, a dozen novels, action figures, mini series, and a working lightsaber. I quote/reference Star Wars constantly.
Now for the conspiracy. Blizzard Entertainment is releasing the third expansion of WoW, titled "Cataclysm". It features a nearly complete revamp of the original world, and the return of some fan favorites and premier of long awaited features and areas. In the very same year (potentially), Bioware (the company that brought us Knights of the Old Republic, only the greatest Star Wars game ever made and another of my favorites) is releasing Star Wars: The Old Republic. An MMO based in the Star Wars universe made by Bioware. Excuse me while I recover from my nerdgasm. This can only be a plot to destroy my life and shatter my sanity. Now I have to find time to pwn the Horde, and Force choke a bitch or two all the the same day? I am but one man.
I have to say, I'm a little more amped about TOR. Its set thousands of years before the events of Episode 1 in the middle of a war between the Rebulic and the Sith Empire, which returned suddenly from the depths of space outside the known galaxy. The great thing about it is that Jedi (or Sith, you know, the bad ones) aren't the be all, end all of existence. You can play a bounty hunter or a smuggler and go toe to toe with a Force user and come out on top. Combine that with stellar graphics and an immersive story, and you've got a title that looks like it can't fail. On the other hand, after these both come out I could lose my job, my friends, and everything I hold dear until I'm naked on the side of the road trading sexual favors for play time.
I have a bad feeling about this.
I've been playing World of Warcraft since 2004, and Warcraft games in general since Warcraft 2 (still one of my top 5 games of all time) was released in 1995.
I'm a ridiculously huge Star Wars geek. So on top of all 6 movies, I own at least that many computer/console games, a dozen novels, action figures, mini series, and a working lightsaber. I quote/reference Star Wars constantly.
Now for the conspiracy. Blizzard Entertainment is releasing the third expansion of WoW, titled "Cataclysm". It features a nearly complete revamp of the original world, and the return of some fan favorites and premier of long awaited features and areas. In the very same year (potentially), Bioware (the company that brought us Knights of the Old Republic, only the greatest Star Wars game ever made and another of my favorites) is releasing Star Wars: The Old Republic. An MMO based in the Star Wars universe made by Bioware. Excuse me while I recover from my nerdgasm. This can only be a plot to destroy my life and shatter my sanity. Now I have to find time to pwn the Horde, and Force choke a bitch or two all the the same day? I am but one man.
I have to say, I'm a little more amped about TOR. Its set thousands of years before the events of Episode 1 in the middle of a war between the Rebulic and the Sith Empire, which returned suddenly from the depths of space outside the known galaxy. The great thing about it is that Jedi (or Sith, you know, the bad ones) aren't the be all, end all of existence. You can play a bounty hunter or a smuggler and go toe to toe with a Force user and come out on top. Combine that with stellar graphics and an immersive story, and you've got a title that looks like it can't fail. On the other hand, after these both come out I could lose my job, my friends, and everything I hold dear until I'm naked on the side of the road trading sexual favors for play time.
I have a bad feeling about this.
Welcome one and all....
Welcome to this little glimpse inside my twisted brain. Guess I should start by saying who "me" is though. As I right this, I'm 26 years old, vaguely employed, have the world's strangest love life, and live in New Jersey. Can things get worse? I say no. I'm a self proclaimed nerd, a sarcastic asshole, a quasi-elitist, and generally a lazy, laid back individual. I plan on posting here a few times a week about whatever the hell strikes my fancy. Sports, politics, music, video games (World of Warcraft in particular), movies, comics, love, life, and philosophy are all fair game. I'm thinking about doing a comic strip as well.
Also, my real name is not Buck. My parents aren't that cruel, although they did almost name me Giovanni (and in another near miss I avoided the initials A. S. S.). However its been my nickname since I was 15, and its stuck to the point that my friends used to call the house and ask for Buck and my mother handed me the phone without question.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy.
Also, my real name is not Buck. My parents aren't that cruel, although they did almost name me Giovanni (and in another near miss I avoided the initials A. S. S.). However its been my nickname since I was 15, and its stuck to the point that my friends used to call the house and ask for Buck and my mother handed me the phone without question.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy.
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