Ok, well, I must care because I'm blogging about this. But, in a very short time, I won't care, because I'll find better things to do with my time. On a day when an 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan, causing loss of life and potentially billions of dollars in damage, the NFL players union decertified in the on-going labor strife with the NFL owners. In a time when there is 9% unemployment, Billionaires (owners) are fighting with Millionaires (players) over $650 million dollars a year. If you ask me (and I hope most normal people)...this is ridiculous!
The NFL is the golden goose, and greed is going to kill the golden goose. Well, greed and pride...as the NFL Players Association Director DeMaurice Smith put it, “Well it is with a great deal of pride that the members and the players of the National Football League said ‘No…We are going to demand as your business partners that you meet us halfway and justify taking any money from us.” As Proverbs 16:18 puts is..."Pride goes before disaster, and a haughty spirit before a fall." There's obviously way too much pride here, and this decertification is a disaster for the NFL. The decertification starts the process of allowing the players to file anti-trust lawsuits against the NFL owners, which could lead to the loss of the 2011 season.
When baseball lost the 1994 World Series due to labor strife, fans stayed away. In fact, it was around that time that the NFL surpassed baseball in popularity, and it's remained that way ever since. Now, in their pride and haughtiness, the owners and players have decided that they will put the fans to the test. They are going to risk the future of this league, betting on the fact that the fans will come back after this mess is over. If history is any indication, the NFL is in for some lean years if this labor clash results in missed games. Fans will find other things to do with their Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings, because there are other options out there. Yes, I think the NFL is in for a fall, and both sides are to blame.
This is the last comment you will hear from me on this topic until it is resolved. I don't care what kind of garbage each side puts out there. I'm sure DeMaurice Smith, who is a trial lawyer by trade, will represent the players in this mess, and he has proven capable of saying just about anything. In fact, a conspiracy theorist could hypothesize that Smith orchestrated this whole thing, knowing that he would, most likely, get to represent the players in their litigation against the league. On the other side, you have owners who are very wealthy and full of pride. They are used to getting their own way, and I expect they won't budge, and will probably say some ridiculous things along the way as well. But, I plan to remain silent...this mess gets no more time from me.
So, I'm signing off on this topic for the duration. Over and Out!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Top 5 Silly/Spoof Movies
As you'll see from this list, they just don't make silly and/or spoof films the way they used to. From this top 5 list, you'll see that, in my opinion, Hollywood stopped making good spoof films in the early 1990's.
Without further adieu, the Top 5 Silly/Spoof Movies
5 - "Hot Shots!": This is the newest film on this list (made in 1991) and shows how funny Charlie Sheen and Cary Elwes and be. Note that Elwes was also excellent in "Robin Hood: Men in Tights", which would be around #8 if this list was a top 10 list. But, whenever he's on screen, Lloyd Bridges steals the show as Admiral Benson. "Hot Shots!" is a spoof of "Top Gun" and Charlie Sheen plays Topper Harley...the world's greatest pilot, who also happens to have mental issues. "Hot Shots!" was directed by Jim Abrahams, who I think you'll see again on the list.
4 - "The Naked Gun": Directed by David Zucker, "The Naked Gun" is classic Leslie Nielsen. As Lt. Frank Drebyn, Nielsen stumbles and bumbles his way to stopping the evil Ricardo Montalbon. Along the way, he falls in love with Priscilla Presley, umpires a baseball game, tackles Reggie Jackson and makes a fool of the Queen of England. You'll be laughing from start to finish.
3 - "Spaceballs": The only Mel Brooks movie to make my list, though "Blazing Saddles" "History of the World Part 1" and "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" are in the conversation, this is the only one I could put in the top 5. "Spaceballs" is a spoof of "Star Wars", starring Bill Pullman as Lonestar, John Candy as Barf (the mog...half man/half dog...he's his own best friend) and Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet, "Spaceballs" was my introduction to the spoof film genre in 1987.
2 - "Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail": It was really hard for me not to make "Holy Grail" #1 on this list. Just say "Holy Grail" and people know what you are talking about. One of the funniest, silliest movies ever made, from the craziest British comedians of all time. King Arther, Sir Lancelot, and the whole crew are on a quest for the Holy Grail. Along the way, they face off against French Taunters, the Knights who say "Ni", the Castle Anthrax, Tim the Enchanter and finally the Police. Oh, and you've also got the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch. You have to see it to believe it...classic in every way.
1 - "Airplane!": The entry film for the directing team of David Zucker and Jim Abrahams, "Airplane!" is the quintessential spoof film. Starring Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges, Robert Hays, Robert Stack, Peter Graves, Kareem Abdul Jabaar and Barbara Billingsley, this movie literally has everything. You have to watch it multiple times to catch every joke and gag. The best part, and the reason this is #1, is this is really the original spoof. All the actors take the entire movie very seriously, and deliver every line with a perfectly straight face. While they do, you are cracking up every minute. Classic does not go far enough with "Airplane!".
Without further adieu, the Top 5 Silly/Spoof Movies
5 - "Hot Shots!": This is the newest film on this list (made in 1991) and shows how funny Charlie Sheen and Cary Elwes and be. Note that Elwes was also excellent in "Robin Hood: Men in Tights", which would be around #8 if this list was a top 10 list. But, whenever he's on screen, Lloyd Bridges steals the show as Admiral Benson. "Hot Shots!" is a spoof of "Top Gun" and Charlie Sheen plays Topper Harley...the world's greatest pilot, who also happens to have mental issues. "Hot Shots!" was directed by Jim Abrahams, who I think you'll see again on the list.
4 - "The Naked Gun": Directed by David Zucker, "The Naked Gun" is classic Leslie Nielsen. As Lt. Frank Drebyn, Nielsen stumbles and bumbles his way to stopping the evil Ricardo Montalbon. Along the way, he falls in love with Priscilla Presley, umpires a baseball game, tackles Reggie Jackson and makes a fool of the Queen of England. You'll be laughing from start to finish.
3 - "Spaceballs": The only Mel Brooks movie to make my list, though "Blazing Saddles" "History of the World Part 1" and "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" are in the conversation, this is the only one I could put in the top 5. "Spaceballs" is a spoof of "Star Wars", starring Bill Pullman as Lonestar, John Candy as Barf (the mog...half man/half dog...he's his own best friend) and Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet, "Spaceballs" was my introduction to the spoof film genre in 1987.
2 - "Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail": It was really hard for me not to make "Holy Grail" #1 on this list. Just say "Holy Grail" and people know what you are talking about. One of the funniest, silliest movies ever made, from the craziest British comedians of all time. King Arther, Sir Lancelot, and the whole crew are on a quest for the Holy Grail. Along the way, they face off against French Taunters, the Knights who say "Ni", the Castle Anthrax, Tim the Enchanter and finally the Police. Oh, and you've also got the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch. You have to see it to believe it...classic in every way.
1 - "Airplane!": The entry film for the directing team of David Zucker and Jim Abrahams, "Airplane!" is the quintessential spoof film. Starring Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges, Robert Hays, Robert Stack, Peter Graves, Kareem Abdul Jabaar and Barbara Billingsley, this movie literally has everything. You have to watch it multiple times to catch every joke and gag. The best part, and the reason this is #1, is this is really the original spoof. All the actors take the entire movie very seriously, and deliver every line with a perfectly straight face. While they do, you are cracking up every minute. Classic does not go far enough with "Airplane!".
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Happy Lent Everybody!
Yeah, I know...Lent and Happy are not supposed to go together. Well, unless you understand what Lent is about, then, like me, you'll love Lent. For those who aren't aware of the Liturgical Calendar, today is the first day of Lent...Ash Wednesday. In just 6 weeks, we'll celebrate the biggest day on the church calendar...Easter.
As I get older, I get more perspective on Lent, and this is especially true since I converted to Catholicism. This is really a special time of year...a time for reflection and penance, and most importantly a time for spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God. I know, some of you are probably saying, "why don't you focus on that year around?" and you do, but Lent seems to ratchet up the intensity of that focus and makes it more intentional. Every year, I pick something to work on during Lent, rather than giving up something like chocolate. Some years, it sticks better than others. I believe I have picked something this year that will really help me grow, and I ask for prayers that it will. I'm not sharing what I am working on. When Lent is over, I'll let you all in on the secret, and I'll let you know how I did.
I hope all of you are able to find time for spiritual growth over these next 40 days. Read the Bible a little more, spend a few extra minutes each day in prayer, try being nicer to your friends and coworkers, if you haven't been going to church, start going to church...or do all four. I pray that all of you experience a deepening of your relationship with God this Lent, and I hope you will pray for the same for me. God Bless!
As I get older, I get more perspective on Lent, and this is especially true since I converted to Catholicism. This is really a special time of year...a time for reflection and penance, and most importantly a time for spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God. I know, some of you are probably saying, "why don't you focus on that year around?" and you do, but Lent seems to ratchet up the intensity of that focus and makes it more intentional. Every year, I pick something to work on during Lent, rather than giving up something like chocolate. Some years, it sticks better than others. I believe I have picked something this year that will really help me grow, and I ask for prayers that it will. I'm not sharing what I am working on. When Lent is over, I'll let you all in on the secret, and I'll let you know how I did.
I hope all of you are able to find time for spiritual growth over these next 40 days. Read the Bible a little more, spend a few extra minutes each day in prayer, try being nicer to your friends and coworkers, if you haven't been going to church, start going to church...or do all four. I pray that all of you experience a deepening of your relationship with God this Lent, and I hope you will pray for the same for me. God Bless!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Movie Review: Invictus
I think it's time we acknowledge that Clint Eastwood is the best director of our time. He's better than Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and Ron Howard, and really anybody else that you can think of. The guy has won best director twice and been nominated a couple of other times. And, the thing about Clint Eastwood is, he directs movies that normal people want to see. I look at the movies he's directed, and I've actually seen a bunch of them, including my all time favorite western, "Unforgiven", along with "Gran Torino", "Pale Rider" and "Absolute Power." He tells stories that everyone wants to see and he tells them well. I think this realization means I have to go back and watch other Clint Eastwood directed movies that I've skipped.
So, on to the latest Eastwood directed film that I watched and really liked, "Invictus", starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. "Invictus" tells the story of the 1995 World Cup of Rugby, played in South Africa. But, it's much more than a sports movie, it's about the unification of the country around Rugby after Apartheid ended and Nelson Mandela was elected President. Mandela banks a lot of his Presidency and his plans for unity on the ability of this Rugby Team to unite the country, which makes for a very interesting and compelling story. The fact that it's based on actual events makes it all the more meaningful.
Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandela, and is perfect for the role. His performance is excellent, yet humble. You can tell that he really felt honored to play the role of Mandela, and I think he did a terrific job. Matt Damon plays the captain of the South African Rugby team, Francois Pienaar. It seemed that Damon was definitely in the supporting actor role, but he did a terrific job. Apparently both Freeman and Damon received Oscar nominations for their roles in "Invictus". Add in a good story, and you had a 4 star movie. In fact, the only complaint I have is that it took way too long to adjust to the various accents used by the different actors. Still, a good movie, and definitely worth 2 hours of your time.
So, on to the latest Eastwood directed film that I watched and really liked, "Invictus", starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. "Invictus" tells the story of the 1995 World Cup of Rugby, played in South Africa. But, it's much more than a sports movie, it's about the unification of the country around Rugby after Apartheid ended and Nelson Mandela was elected President. Mandela banks a lot of his Presidency and his plans for unity on the ability of this Rugby Team to unite the country, which makes for a very interesting and compelling story. The fact that it's based on actual events makes it all the more meaningful.
Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandela, and is perfect for the role. His performance is excellent, yet humble. You can tell that he really felt honored to play the role of Mandela, and I think he did a terrific job. Matt Damon plays the captain of the South African Rugby team, Francois Pienaar. It seemed that Damon was definitely in the supporting actor role, but he did a terrific job. Apparently both Freeman and Damon received Oscar nominations for their roles in "Invictus". Add in a good story, and you had a 4 star movie. In fact, the only complaint I have is that it took way too long to adjust to the various accents used by the different actors. Still, a good movie, and definitely worth 2 hours of your time.
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