No Augusta? I am a bit surprised, but a solid list and also rans are all worthy. But I thought you played Oakmont...
Okay, the next challenge is something completely different. You have a time machine that will take you to any time and any place in the past. (It gives you the give of tongues, also.) You have five trips.
Who are the five people you would visit in history? Why? Feel free to describe what you might say or do.
Rules: you can't alter the space-time continuum, so any attempt to kill Hitler will not succeed.
7.31.2007
Winter Rules Everywhere!
Interesting list. Actually, we don't have very many in common, looking at them. I live near Pacific/Bandon Dunes here in the pacific NW, I'm dying to play there, I've heard people fawning all over themselves to compliment this course. Medinah would have been on my list had I a month to live, but alas, not if it's only a week. An old girlfriend told me to kiss her where it smells, so I drove to New Jersey and planted one; no interest in Pine Valley. The only thing that would drag me back to New Jersey is a Bon Jovi concert (mostly because Mrs Thew would be soupy at seeing Jon strut his stuff). Anyway, here ya go, my last week on earth golfing:
Sunday - Oakmont - maybe if I land in the CHURCH pews I'd get a diving reprieve?
Monday - Pinehurst
Tuesday - Winged Foot
Wednesday - Bethpage Black
Thursday - TPC @ Sawgrass
Friday - Pebble Beach
Saturday - St. Andrews
Professional courses I've actually played:
Oak Hill in Rochester, NY. Made a decent enough accounting of myself, shot an 81.
Kapalua (since I've already played this gorgeous gem, I will not play it again before I die) in Maui. Windy yes, but the slick greens are the big monster at this place. Shot an 82.
Couer d' Alene in Idaho (1994 Andersen Championships for those of you "out of the loop") could not withstand my assault, a solid 76 at this Pac NW Gem. Got to play a 19th hole that night too. *grin*
The Monster @ the Concord Resort in Lake Kiamesha, NY? I have played there before, it's a really angry course. My best score is in the mid to high-80's (last time I played there was age 16?) after a stellar 40 on the front started my round off nicely. I know I'd do WAY better at 42 than anything prior to 30.
Tilam, your turn to choose topic?
Sunday - Oakmont - maybe if I land in the CHURCH pews I'd get a diving reprieve?
Monday - Pinehurst
Tuesday - Winged Foot
Wednesday - Bethpage Black
Thursday - TPC @ Sawgrass
Friday - Pebble Beach
Saturday - St. Andrews
Professional courses I've actually played:
Oak Hill in Rochester, NY. Made a decent enough accounting of myself, shot an 81.
Kapalua (since I've already played this gorgeous gem, I will not play it again before I die) in Maui. Windy yes, but the slick greens are the big monster at this place. Shot an 82.
Couer d' Alene in Idaho (1994 Andersen Championships for those of you "out of the loop") could not withstand my assault, a solid 76 at this Pac NW Gem. Got to play a 19th hole that night too. *grin*
The Monster @ the Concord Resort in Lake Kiamesha, NY? I have played there before, it's a really angry course. My best score is in the mid to high-80's (last time I played there was age 16?) after a stellar 40 on the front started my round off nicely. I know I'd do WAY better at 42 than anything prior to 30.
Tilam, your turn to choose topic?
Fore! I Mean My Top 7 Courses...
One week. Shall I assume that "private" courses have a terminal illness clause? One other caveat: I have played The Country Club, so I have been able to strike that from the list and .
Sunday: Augusta - I just want to make sure I get this round in.
Monday: Pebble Beach - Seeing it so many times on the tube makes it seem like a neighborhood course.
Tuesday: Pacific Dunes - And its neighbor, Bandon Dunes, become instant classics.
Wednesday: Kapalua - I hate windy courses, but I am dying in a few days anyway...how much worse could my mood get?
Thursday: Medinah - A diamond in the Midwest.
Friday: Pine Valley - The only nice thing in NJ.
Saturday: The Monster - Sentimental reasons. Let's see if I do any better at 44 then at 14.
Back at you...*croak*
Sunday: Augusta - I just want to make sure I get this round in.
Monday: Pebble Beach - Seeing it so many times on the tube makes it seem like a neighborhood course.
Tuesday: Pacific Dunes - And its neighbor, Bandon Dunes, become instant classics.
Wednesday: Kapalua - I hate windy courses, but I am dying in a few days anyway...how much worse could my mood get?
Thursday: Medinah - A diamond in the Midwest.
Friday: Pine Valley - The only nice thing in NJ.
Saturday: The Monster - Sentimental reasons. Let's see if I do any better at 44 then at 14.
Back at you...*croak*
7.30.2007
When Silver Equals Gold
So the 49ers were famous for their activities in and surrounding the gold rush - but many will remember Bill Walsh's striking SILVER when hoisting the Lombardi trophy as the NFL Super Bowl champion. His legacy will live on long beyond his passing - the sport has lost a real pioneer.
One of Michael Vick's co-defendents is pleading guilty and stating that he will cooperate fully with the federal government and that this is NOT a deal to bury Vick. Seems like friendship for mah homie only goes so far...
Okay, back to the debate:
TILAM, you have 1 week to live, and you can play golf on ONE course per day. Pick 'em...
One of Michael Vick's co-defendents is pleading guilty and stating that he will cooperate fully with the federal government and that this is NOT a deal to bury Vick. Seems like friendship for mah homie only goes so far...
Okay, back to the debate:
TILAM, you have 1 week to live, and you can play golf on ONE course per day. Pick 'em...
Then Miner, 49er, Soon Began to Peak and Pine
Bill Walsh has died. Most people forget that the success of the NFL is a 20-25 year phenomenon. After the Bradshaw/Noll Steelers and Staubach/Landry Cowboys peaked the public's interest, along came a quarterback named Montana and a classy Coach by the name of Bill Walsh. On January 10, 1982, Dwight Clark caught a pass which became know as The Catch and the Niners beat the Cowboys in the NFC Championships and the torch was passed. Walsh leaves behind an impressive legacy of proteges.
With the Michael Vick saga grabbing the front page, it is important to remember the Class Acts in the sport.
Requiescat in Pace
With the Michael Vick saga grabbing the front page, it is important to remember the Class Acts in the sport.
Requiescat in Pace
Hmmmmm, Not Quite What I was Expecting
We do agree, as it turns out, on more than a few of these. I have a few to add, though I am guessing that these are a bit obscure. But first a story...
When I was a Little Tilam, my folks went out to eat and left my younger brother, my younger cousin and me at home with our much older cousin babysitting. That night we were watching a horror flick called "The Crawling Eye." I was probably 8 or 9 and the other two were 6 or 7. We were on the couch scared out of our minds watching this thing when my cousin went to the bathroom. As a joke, she let out a blood curdling scream. I have never been more scared in my life. At that age, there were Crawling Eyes and it definitely had just eaten our cousin.
Horror movies suck you in and make you believe.
The ones we agree:
Psycho. Hitchcock at his horrible best. I still get scared.
Alien. Classic haunted house genre done perfectly. Deleted scenes too much for even jaded audiences.
Exorcist. The grandpappy of the "possession" thrillers, so Rosemary's Baby and The Omen don't make it.
Jaws. "You're gonna need a bigger boat," to knock out this movie.
The Shining. "Here's Johnny!" Nicholson at his creepy best.
Caveat: I have not seen Saw, but more then Thew place it in the Top 10...
The next five:
The Sixth Sense. Loved it and the final twist just made the movie.
Manhunter. The much better prequel to Silence of the Lambs. Dark and disturbing.
Halloween. The original slasher is still the best.
The Other. The movie was just as scary as the book. Several plot twist keep you guessing.
The Changeling. George C. Scott overlooked pants pisser. Makes a rubber ball bouncing down the stairs terrifying.
There several honorable mentions. I loved Poltergeist. In particular the use of kids to create the suspense got to me. I need to tip my hat to Willard. Another 70s throwback that scared the shit out of me (and everyone else). I also loved Se7en with Brad and Gweneth, and thought the end was great. Kudos also to Jurassic Park which managed to peg the "oh, shit" meter a few times.
Here is another perspective from the Boston Globe.
Finally, I would be remiss in not mentioning Resident Evil. No, not the movie, but the game. The music, the undead, CLASSIC!
When I was a Little Tilam, my folks went out to eat and left my younger brother, my younger cousin and me at home with our much older cousin babysitting. That night we were watching a horror flick called "The Crawling Eye." I was probably 8 or 9 and the other two were 6 or 7. We were on the couch scared out of our minds watching this thing when my cousin went to the bathroom. As a joke, she let out a blood curdling scream. I have never been more scared in my life. At that age, there were Crawling Eyes and it definitely had just eaten our cousin.
Horror movies suck you in and make you believe.
The ones we agree:
Psycho. Hitchcock at his horrible best. I still get scared.
Alien. Classic haunted house genre done perfectly. Deleted scenes too much for even jaded audiences.
Exorcist. The grandpappy of the "possession" thrillers, so Rosemary's Baby and The Omen don't make it.
Jaws. "You're gonna need a bigger boat," to knock out this movie.
The Shining. "Here's Johnny!" Nicholson at his creepy best.
Caveat: I have not seen Saw, but more then Thew place it in the Top 10...
The next five:
The Sixth Sense. Loved it and the final twist just made the movie.
Manhunter. The much better prequel to Silence of the Lambs. Dark and disturbing.
Halloween. The original slasher is still the best.
The Other. The movie was just as scary as the book. Several plot twist keep you guessing.
The Changeling. George C. Scott overlooked pants pisser. Makes a rubber ball bouncing down the stairs terrifying.
There several honorable mentions. I loved Poltergeist. In particular the use of kids to create the suspense got to me. I need to tip my hat to Willard. Another 70s throwback that scared the shit out of me (and everyone else). I also loved Se7en with Brad and Gweneth, and thought the end was great. Kudos also to Jurassic Park which managed to peg the "oh, shit" meter a few times.
Here is another perspective from the Boston Globe.
Finally, I would be remiss in not mentioning Resident Evil. No, not the movie, but the game. The music, the undead, CLASSIC!
Oh, the horror!
For my money, if it's a horror flick, and no one dies in the first 5 minutes, it's not worth the money. But as Tilam says, good horror flicks are not about blood, gore, entrails, and nakes co-eds (well, maybe naked co-eds), good horror flicks affect your mind, not your eyes. Splatterfests with flying karo syrup and body parts, drooling nasties feasting on the innards of poor women, these were de facto for a long time. Now we see a change back to the psychological horror movies, movies that scare the shit outta you with suspense, not with boogeymen leaping out of the close and cutting you up with a meat cleaver (which, btw, can be kinda cool looking).
So, in response to Tilam's conversational segue, I present Thew's top 10 horror flicks:
Psycho
Jaws
Carrie
Saw
The Exorcist
Alien
the Hitcher Rutger Hauer is AWESOME
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The Omen
The Shining
Honorable mention goes to a few others, in my opinion. Bram Stoker's Dracula is a great movie just because of Gary Oldman's portrayal of the Count, at least in the earlier part of the movie - he brings a power and, well, sexiness to the character never before seen. Also props to the "big three" of the 80's (or so), Halloween with a young hottie named Jamie Lee Curtis, Friday the 13th with a young Kevin Bacon, and Nightmare of Elm Street with a young Johnny Depp. The Sixth Sense was not so much of a "psychological horror flick" but was a great suspense movie and kudos for a GREAT ending twist. The Amityville Horror probably should make it on the list, but I'm kinda "so so" about it - oooo, spooky spooky, but ultimately not as much of an impact as I'd like. I'm going to get slammed for not including Silence of the Lambs, but I don't see it as a "horror flick", it's more of a crime drama. But based on Anthony Hopkins' creepy joi de verve in playing Hannibal the Cannibal, it must be mentioned. I'd give some props to Salem's Lot but ultimately have a real difficult time praising a HORROR moving starring Hutch and Lance Kerwin, one of the boy toys of the 70's.
So, in response to Tilam's conversational segue, I present Thew's top 10 horror flicks:
Psycho
Jaws
Carrie
Saw
The Exorcist
Alien
the Hitcher Rutger Hauer is AWESOME
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The Omen
The Shining
Honorable mention goes to a few others, in my opinion. Bram Stoker's Dracula is a great movie just because of Gary Oldman's portrayal of the Count, at least in the earlier part of the movie - he brings a power and, well, sexiness to the character never before seen. Also props to the "big three" of the 80's (or so), Halloween with a young hottie named Jamie Lee Curtis, Friday the 13th with a young Kevin Bacon, and Nightmare of Elm Street with a young Johnny Depp. The Sixth Sense was not so much of a "psychological horror flick" but was a great suspense movie and kudos for a GREAT ending twist. The Amityville Horror probably should make it on the list, but I'm kinda "so so" about it - oooo, spooky spooky, but ultimately not as much of an impact as I'd like. I'm going to get slammed for not including Silence of the Lambs, but I don't see it as a "horror flick", it's more of a crime drama. But based on Anthony Hopkins' creepy joi de verve in playing Hannibal the Cannibal, it must be mentioned. I'd give some props to Salem's Lot but ultimately have a real difficult time praising a HORROR moving starring Hutch and Lance Kerwin, one of the boy toys of the 70's.
The Cooler King
C'mon. Give me a hard question.
Kudos to Animal House, which I should have considered more seriously and bumped Fletch. Same with Bachelor Party, which certainly deserves a mention, though is not Top 10 material.
The seems to be an Ahnold bias with both Terminator and Predator in the Thew Top 10. Oddly, I was torn about including an Ahnold flick, but my favorite Schwarzenegger movie is Total Recall. Terminator is a close second.
But the fact is that there at least 20 Top 10 Guy Movies. I just don't think you can narrow it down to a "definitive" 10.
Now, I pass the leadership hat back to Thew and ask for his Top 10 Horror Films. Caveat, we do not measure "horror" by the amount of blood, we measure "horror" by the minutes of sleep lost and the number of heart attacks during the movie.
Kudos to Animal House, which I should have considered more seriously and bumped Fletch. Same with Bachelor Party, which certainly deserves a mention, though is not Top 10 material.
The seems to be an Ahnold bias with both Terminator and Predator in the Thew Top 10. Oddly, I was torn about including an Ahnold flick, but my favorite Schwarzenegger movie is Total Recall. Terminator is a close second.
But the fact is that there at least 20 Top 10 Guy Movies. I just don't think you can narrow it down to a "definitive" 10.
Now, I pass the leadership hat back to Thew and ask for his Top 10 Horror Films. Caveat, we do not measure "horror" by the amount of blood, we measure "horror" by the minutes of sleep lost and the number of heart attacks during the movie.
7.27.2007
Firing the Movie Critic Bullitt(s)
I wouldn't say "screwed up", I'd merely offer different points and theatrical fodder.
"Stand by Me" is a movie for guys...who are just entering puberty. It's not a movie I'd throw in the DVD player and watch with a bunch of men, scratching burping farting and oogling. "Die Hard" is a great flick, but it's still off my radar, mostly because of Bonnie Bedelia's cocaine snorting dickhead co-worker. But "yippie ki yay mother f*****r" is a great line to repeat when you have the chance. I've never seen "the Magnificent Seven" so I cannot comment on that movie - although it must have been good to have a movie "Seven Samurai" branched from it - or is that the other way around? "Fletch" is a great movie, Chevy Chase was great, but I'd still pick "National Lampoon's Vacation" over this one. "Ben Hur" is awesome, but it's way too long to hold the attention of "guys"...
Okay, you're right, you screwed up badly with "Stand by Me".
So without further adieu, I offer THEW's Top 10 GUY movies...
Tombstone "You die first, get it? Your friends might get me in a rush, but not before I turn your head into a canoe."
Terminator "I'll be back"
Gladiator "Stick a sword into a man's flesh, and they will applaud your for it"
Scarface "Say hello to my little frien'!"
Rollerball "Jonathan!"
Predator "Get to duh choppah!"
Animal House "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid "What do you mean you can't swim - the fall will probably kill ya!"
The Blues Brothers "We're on a mission from God"
Dirty Harry "Do ya feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?"
But since *I* feel there are so many quality movies, here are my honorable mentions.
Troy Heads the list of "conflict" movies - containing battles, wars, fights, as the primary setting or storyline. Next comes Apocalype Now, The Great Escape (TILAM! What was Steve McQueen's nickname in the movie?!), and The Dirty Dozen. Lest we forget our neighbors from down unda, Mad Max also deserves a footnote.
Comedies are well represented above, and with some quality near misses: Monty Python and the Holy Grail is one of the best, and who can not be moved to tears by the Bachelor Party scene at the end of the movie ("Hi, come on in. Drugs to the right, hookers to the left."). Rodney Dangerfield is hilarious in Back to School, never count this classic movie out either.
Deliverance I don't really see as a guy movie, mostly because of the rampant inbreeding insinuations as well and Ned Beatty taking it up the ass ("Squeal like a pig!").
Speaking of that, Raging Bull is a near miss (and I mean NEAR) in addition to having one of the great all-time smackdown lines - "You punch like you take it up the ass". THAT is Oscar material folks. But men beating the hell out of each other can be a common theme in this list, thus an honorable mention to Fight Club.
There has to be some cheese in here as a near miss, Top Gun takes this spot. And even though it's a great movie, a guy movie, and cannot be ignored, Rocky is still slightly cheesy.
Organized crime enters the zip code with a couple of classic movies, old AND new: The Godfather always makes us an offer we can't refuse when asked to watch, while Goodfellas is always asking "Do I amuse you?".
Amazon Mars Babes, Wild Sorority Girls from the Planet Playtex, Wild Things, Debbie Does Dallas, Behind the Green Door, the Devil in Miss Jones, and Deepthroat also cum to mind, but I think that category is sort of ... well, out there.
"Stand by Me" is a movie for guys...who are just entering puberty. It's not a movie I'd throw in the DVD player and watch with a bunch of men, scratching burping farting and oogling. "Die Hard" is a great flick, but it's still off my radar, mostly because of Bonnie Bedelia's cocaine snorting dickhead co-worker. But "yippie ki yay mother f*****r" is a great line to repeat when you have the chance. I've never seen "the Magnificent Seven" so I cannot comment on that movie - although it must have been good to have a movie "Seven Samurai" branched from it - or is that the other way around? "Fletch" is a great movie, Chevy Chase was great, but I'd still pick "National Lampoon's Vacation" over this one. "Ben Hur" is awesome, but it's way too long to hold the attention of "guys"...
Okay, you're right, you screwed up badly with "Stand by Me".
So without further adieu, I offer THEW's Top 10 GUY movies...
Tombstone "You die first, get it? Your friends might get me in a rush, but not before I turn your head into a canoe."
Terminator "I'll be back"
Gladiator "Stick a sword into a man's flesh, and they will applaud your for it"
Scarface "Say hello to my little frien'!"
Rollerball "Jonathan!"
Predator "Get to duh choppah!"
Animal House "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid "What do you mean you can't swim - the fall will probably kill ya!"
The Blues Brothers "We're on a mission from God"
Dirty Harry "Do ya feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?"
But since *I* feel there are so many quality movies, here are my honorable mentions.
Troy Heads the list of "conflict" movies - containing battles, wars, fights, as the primary setting or storyline. Next comes Apocalype Now, The Great Escape (TILAM! What was Steve McQueen's nickname in the movie?!), and The Dirty Dozen. Lest we forget our neighbors from down unda, Mad Max also deserves a footnote.
Comedies are well represented above, and with some quality near misses: Monty Python and the Holy Grail is one of the best, and who can not be moved to tears by the Bachelor Party scene at the end of the movie ("Hi, come on in. Drugs to the right, hookers to the left."). Rodney Dangerfield is hilarious in Back to School, never count this classic movie out either.
Deliverance I don't really see as a guy movie, mostly because of the rampant inbreeding insinuations as well and Ned Beatty taking it up the ass ("Squeal like a pig!").
Speaking of that, Raging Bull is a near miss (and I mean NEAR) in addition to having one of the great all-time smackdown lines - "You punch like you take it up the ass". THAT is Oscar material folks. But men beating the hell out of each other can be a common theme in this list, thus an honorable mention to Fight Club.
There has to be some cheese in here as a near miss, Top Gun takes this spot. And even though it's a great movie, a guy movie, and cannot be ignored, Rocky is still slightly cheesy.
Organized crime enters the zip code with a couple of classic movies, old AND new: The Godfather always makes us an offer we can't refuse when asked to watch, while Goodfellas is always asking "Do I amuse you?".
Amazon Mars Babes, Wild Sorority Girls from the Planet Playtex, Wild Things, Debbie Does Dallas, Behind the Green Door, the Devil in Miss Jones, and Deepthroat also cum to mind, but I think that category is sort of ... well, out there.
Top Ten Guy Movies
You know to be fair to Thew, it is easy to sit back and criticize a pioneer. So I thought I would take the liberty and post the next list first. That way he can say something like, "Tilam, that jerk, how could he forget the BEST GUY MOVIE EVER!!!"
I would offer some criteria, while there is nothing more most guys would like to do then watch Neve Campbell and Denise Richards kiss, Wild Things is not a guy movie. Now part of the indication of it being a guy movie may be your wife/girl friend/date says, "Ugh! No way," but that is merely one positive contributing factor.
Okay, so here it goes:
- Stand By Me. This is definitely the definitive guy move for the late-Boomers.
- Deliverance. Dueling banjos. Burt Reynolds (who narrowly missed the last list). Total suspense. It also allows me to grudgingly not put Smokey and the Bandit on the list.
- Dirty Harry. With all the Clint Eastwood movies there have been, especially The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, it is really hard to choose.
- Die Hard. Yippee Ki Yay. Love it the 10th time.
- The Godfather. My homage to James Caan, not Marlon Brando.
- The Great Escape. Beats out some outstanding war movies like Apocalypse Now, The Longest
Day, Saving Private Ryan, Midway and To Hell and Back. There are a bunch more great war flicks, including my sleeper favorite, Rambo II.
- Gladiator. Beats out Ben Hur and 300 in the same genre. Leaving Charlton Heston off the list is just hard.
- The Magnificent Seven. This is freakin' heart-breaking because it means I leave Gary Cooper (High Noon) and John Wayne (The Alamo, True Grit, Rio Lobo) off the list. Something is not right.
- Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. "Who are those guys?" And Katharine Ross, too.
- Fletch. Sorry, I have to respect the guy comedy...and Caddyshack was on the other list.
Other I thought really hard about are The French Connection, and Bullitt, but there so many more. This was much tougher then the last category.
Thew, I am anxious to hear where I screwed up...
I would offer some criteria, while there is nothing more most guys would like to do then watch Neve Campbell and Denise Richards kiss, Wild Things is not a guy movie. Now part of the indication of it being a guy movie may be your wife/girl friend/date says, "Ugh! No way," but that is merely one positive contributing factor.
Okay, so here it goes:
- Stand By Me. This is definitely the definitive guy move for the late-Boomers.
- Deliverance. Dueling banjos. Burt Reynolds (who narrowly missed the last list). Total suspense. It also allows me to grudgingly not put Smokey and the Bandit on the list.
- Dirty Harry. With all the Clint Eastwood movies there have been, especially The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, it is really hard to choose.
- Die Hard. Yippee Ki Yay. Love it the 10th time.
- The Godfather. My homage to James Caan, not Marlon Brando.
- The Great Escape. Beats out some outstanding war movies like Apocalypse Now, The Longest
Day, Saving Private Ryan, Midway and To Hell and Back. There are a bunch more great war flicks, including my sleeper favorite, Rambo II.
- Gladiator. Beats out Ben Hur and 300 in the same genre. Leaving Charlton Heston off the list is just hard.
- The Magnificent Seven. This is freakin' heart-breaking because it means I leave Gary Cooper (High Noon) and John Wayne (The Alamo, True Grit, Rio Lobo) off the list. Something is not right.
- Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. "Who are those guys?" And Katharine Ross, too.
- Fletch. Sorry, I have to respect the guy comedy...and Caddyshack was on the other list.
Other I thought really hard about are The French Connection, and Bullitt, but there so many more. This was much tougher then the last category.
Thew, I am anxious to hear where I screwed up...
Whoa! Now for Some Serious Debate and a Major Sports Movie Gaff
Okay, some quick thoughts on the movie list. There are a few omissions in the consideration category at least. And he did not even THINK about the GREATEST SPORTS MOVIE EVER!
But without further delay...
I agree with:
Raging Bull
Hoosiers
Caddyshack
I did not see (gasp!!):
Friday Night Lights
Remember the Titans
Million Dollar Baby
Would have in my Top 10 no matter what:
Breaking Away
The Rookie
Miracle
So some other point one should consider. First, Bull Durham is not even Kevin Costner's best baseball movie...it is second behind For the Love of the Game and in front of Field of Dreams.
I would also look at Glory Road, Invincible and The Longest Yard (original).
He is also not considering two soccer movies: Goal and The Game of Their Lives.
Of the comedies, I would only have Caddyshack in my Top 10. Overall, I have a preference for "feel good" come from behind types of sports movies. I loved Slap Shot and Major League.
But I am shock, nay beyond shock, that he did not even call out the best, I mean THE BEST, sports movie ever.
The Pride of the Yankees. OMG, High Noon in Pinstripes.
All the others...well, I just don't think they cut it. So my Top 10 are:
The Pride of the Yankees
Breaking Away
Hoosiers
Miracle
The Rookie
Raging Bull
For the Love of the Game
Invincible
Glory Road
Caddyshack
The only caveat is to swap out the movies I did not see at some future date.
And I would swap out Jennifer Garner for Ashley Judd in a heartbeat...
And on September 21, Faith Hill for Jody Foster
Oh, and Kate Hudson for Jessica Simpson...
Oh, and Mrs. Tilam for all of the above.
But without further delay...
I agree with:
Raging Bull
Hoosiers
Caddyshack
I did not see (gasp!!):
Friday Night Lights
Remember the Titans
Million Dollar Baby
Would have in my Top 10 no matter what:
Breaking Away
The Rookie
Miracle
So some other point one should consider. First, Bull Durham is not even Kevin Costner's best baseball movie...it is second behind For the Love of the Game and in front of Field of Dreams.
I would also look at Glory Road, Invincible and The Longest Yard (original).
He is also not considering two soccer movies: Goal and The Game of Their Lives.
Of the comedies, I would only have Caddyshack in my Top 10. Overall, I have a preference for "feel good" come from behind types of sports movies. I loved Slap Shot and Major League.
But I am shock, nay beyond shock, that he did not even call out the best, I mean THE BEST, sports movie ever.
The Pride of the Yankees. OMG, High Noon in Pinstripes.
All the others...well, I just don't think they cut it. So my Top 10 are:
The Pride of the Yankees
Breaking Away
Hoosiers
Miracle
The Rookie
Raging Bull
For the Love of the Game
Invincible
Glory Road
Caddyshack
The only caveat is to swap out the movies I did not see at some future date.
And I would swap out Jennifer Garner for Ashley Judd in a heartbeat...
And on September 21, Faith Hill for Jody Foster
Oh, and Kate Hudson for Jessica Simpson...
Oh, and Mrs. Tilam for all of the above.
A Flurry of Guy Opinions
Political Candidates, Sports Idiots, Bombs in the Middle East, when will all the BS end? Not sure, but here's a good opportunity for a break and points for discussion - Thew's Top 10 Sports Movies!
Not in any specific order.
Hoosiers
Caddyshack
Friday Night Lights
Remember the Titans
Bull Durham
Slap Shot (I still have my Hanson #17 jersey!)
Major League
Pumping Iron
Million Dollar Baby
Raging Bull
No, Happy Gilmore didn't make it.
Neither did A League of their Own, which was a good movie but not top 10 material.
The Natural was too schlocky for me.
Brian's Song was a good movie, but ultimately missed the cut.
Rocky? An easy choice, but Raging Bull is more visceral, and DeNiro is head and shoulders above Sly as an actor.
Cinderalla Man was THIS close, but Million Dollar Baby was ultimate more enjoyable and kept my attention better.
Tin Cup was a fun movie, but Caddyshack ("big hitter da lama") is the "cinderella story outta nowhere", and is the classic golf movie.
Dead Solid Perfect is another good movie, enjoyed with popcorn and beer at Tilam's casa so many years ago, but it was too dull at times.
*************
Not to be outdone by the Sports World, since we're talking about favorite guy things, here is a list of my top hotties (by age group!):
Top 5 under 30
Jessica Alba
Jessica Simpson
Jessica Biel built and in shape - woof woof
Jennifer Love-Hewitt
Kate Beckinsale
Top 5 30-40
Rebecca Romijn
Jennifer Anniston
Jennifer Garner
Penelope Cruz Kudos for dumping Cruise
Evangeline Lilly I'd like to be LOST with her on an island
Top 5 40+
Diane Lane
Jody Foster
Rachel Hunter (2 words: Stacy's Mom!)
Renee Russo (you might forget she played Mel Gibson's ass kicking girlfriend in Lethal Weapon 14)
Demi Moore
Not in any specific order.
Hoosiers
Caddyshack
Friday Night Lights
Remember the Titans
Bull Durham
Slap Shot (I still have my Hanson #17 jersey!)
Major League
Pumping Iron
Million Dollar Baby
Raging Bull
No, Happy Gilmore didn't make it.
Neither did A League of their Own, which was a good movie but not top 10 material.
The Natural was too schlocky for me.
Brian's Song was a good movie, but ultimately missed the cut.
Rocky? An easy choice, but Raging Bull is more visceral, and DeNiro is head and shoulders above Sly as an actor.
Cinderalla Man was THIS close, but Million Dollar Baby was ultimate more enjoyable and kept my attention better.
Tin Cup was a fun movie, but Caddyshack ("big hitter da lama") is the "cinderella story outta nowhere", and is the classic golf movie.
Dead Solid Perfect is another good movie, enjoyed with popcorn and beer at Tilam's casa so many years ago, but it was too dull at times.
*************
Not to be outdone by the Sports World, since we're talking about favorite guy things, here is a list of my top hotties (by age group!):
Top 5 under 30
Jessica Alba
Jessica Simpson
Jessica Biel built and in shape - woof woof
Jennifer Love-Hewitt
Kate Beckinsale
Top 5 30-40
Rebecca Romijn
Jennifer Anniston
Jennifer Garner
Penelope Cruz Kudos for dumping Cruise
Evangeline Lilly I'd like to be LOST with her on an island
Top 5 40+
Diane Lane
Jody Foster
Rachel Hunter (2 words: Stacy's Mom!)
Renee Russo (you might forget she played Mel Gibson's ass kicking girlfriend in Lethal Weapon 14)
Demi Moore
7.26.2007
Around the Political Horn
Now that sports are done (for now), let's see what is going on in the political world. (The answer is, alot, but these are the things that interest me, and allow me another excuse to show a picture of a congressional staffer.)
Democrat Candidates. Like it or not, Hillary is lapping the field. Obama v1.0 is showing his inexperience with answers like, "Of course, I will meet (and legitimize) every petty despot in the world." Now I believe in diplomacy as well as the next guy, but you really need a negotiating partner who makes a good faith effort to come to terms and honor its agreement. Obama, I have two words for you: Neville Chamberlain. Don't be fooled.
John Kerry. Has there been a more disgraceful representative of the Commonwealth? While most analyst agree that the bloodshed in Iraq will get significantly worse if the US leaves, the great Senator compares those forecasts with the concern with about pulling out of Vietnam: "We heard that argument over and over again about the bloodbath that would engulf the entire Southeast Asia, and it didn't happen."
It didn't happen. 1-2 million Cambodians dead at the hands of Pol Pot, 100Ks of Vietnamese and Laotians shipped to "reeducation" camps. All Neo-Con propaganda. Nope. Did. Not. Happen. I think we are seeing the Democrats strategy for the aftermath of a US withdrawal.
Eliot Spitzer. To any objective observer, the guy has been a total shithead thug for years. Bullying innocent, but high profile, targets to extort ransom from their corporations. Did he ever land a big fish? Usually, his vehicle of choice were anonymous leaks of exagerated claims or outright lies. Now, he has been caught. Freud called this behavior "projection."
Fred Thompson. Readers know I am a Thompson fan, but enough already. Shit or get off the pot. Declare or say no. Fred, you are starting to look like an ego-maniac more concerned with the attention then service.
Democratic Congress. After riding into town on a wave of public discontent with the way Republicans were behaving, they proceed to take this as an indictaor that the public wants them to behave even worse. More pandering to special interests, MORE pork (I hardly thought that possible), more socialized Medicine (the lesson of HillaryCare: keep things secret!) and more anti-Bush rhetoric. Governing? Let's see...nope, to paraphrase Senator Kerry, it ain't gonna happen.
The result: lower approval ratings then the President! I hardly thought THAT possible!
Work calls...
Democrat Candidates. Like it or not, Hillary is lapping the field. Obama v1.0 is showing his inexperience with answers like, "Of course, I will meet (and legitimize) every petty despot in the world." Now I believe in diplomacy as well as the next guy, but you really need a negotiating partner who makes a good faith effort to come to terms and honor its agreement. Obama, I have two words for you: Neville Chamberlain. Don't be fooled.
John Kerry. Has there been a more disgraceful representative of the Commonwealth? While most analyst agree that the bloodshed in Iraq will get significantly worse if the US leaves, the great Senator compares those forecasts with the concern with about pulling out of Vietnam: "We heard that argument over and over again about the bloodbath that would engulf the entire Southeast Asia, and it didn't happen."
It didn't happen. 1-2 million Cambodians dead at the hands of Pol Pot, 100Ks of Vietnamese and Laotians shipped to "reeducation" camps. All Neo-Con propaganda. Nope. Did. Not. Happen. I think we are seeing the Democrats strategy for the aftermath of a US withdrawal.
Eliot Spitzer. To any objective observer, the guy has been a total shithead thug for years. Bullying innocent, but high profile, targets to extort ransom from their corporations. Did he ever land a big fish? Usually, his vehicle of choice were anonymous leaks of exagerated claims or outright lies. Now, he has been caught. Freud called this behavior "projection."
Fred Thompson. Readers know I am a Thompson fan, but enough already. Shit or get off the pot. Declare or say no. Fred, you are starting to look like an ego-maniac more concerned with the attention then service.
Democratic Congress. After riding into town on a wave of public discontent with the way Republicans were behaving, they proceed to take this as an indictaor that the public wants them to behave even worse. More pandering to special interests, MORE pork (I hardly thought that possible), more socialized Medicine (the lesson of HillaryCare: keep things secret!) and more anti-Bush rhetoric. Governing? Let's see...nope, to paraphrase Senator Kerry, it ain't gonna happen.
The result: lower approval ratings then the President! I hardly thought THAT possible!
Work calls...
7.25.2007
The Zombie Watch
Posting has been incredibly lite for both of us for the last month. For me, it was a surprise as summer is normally a slower time at work...but not necessarily this summer.
Anyway, regarding some of Thew's points:
I can't imagine a worse Baseball Commish then Selig. At least in the sense that I just don't think he gives a rat's ass about the average fan. And, as Thew has said, he does not respect the Game. Finally, though, someone has bitch-slapped some sense into him. That said, the Brew Crew has got to be one of the "feel good" stories in the MLB.
The NBA...Nothing But Assholes. When is the NCAA season starting?
My favorite soccer story is not Beckham right now, but the Asian Cup. After beating the South Koreans in PKs, the Iraqis play the Saudis, who beat Japan. Politics aside, this has got to be a tremendous boost to the people of Iraq. (The terrorists expressed their displeasure.) I think its time that the European clubs will take a flyer on a few players.
Any word on Michelle Wie?
In other sports news, Ben Rothisnvhvhnzcm is dating Missy Peregrym of Heroes and Stick It fame. Which is just an excuse to add a picture of her.
Anyway, Yankees are creeping up and the fact that the Red Sox are beating the Indians, leaders for the AL Wildcard, makes the Sox-Tribe series a win-win for the Yankees. They do have a tough stretch coming up though, which will make or break the season. 4 games against Detroit (in NY), travel for 3 against the Angels, 4 more at Detroit after which they come home and play 3 against the Red Sox. 14 straight games against division leaders.
In other sports news, I have a nasty taste in my mouth after my girls' soccer season. No, not because we lost, but we only placed one player on the 2007-08 Select (All Star) Squad. Now let me get this straight: the team mops the floor with the opposition, only has 1 or 2 close games and one ONE All-star Selection? A bitter, bitter pill. I take total blame, of course. They took the team concept to a very high level and did not cut it as individuals in the try-outs.
Well, work calls....
Anyway, regarding some of Thew's points:
I can't imagine a worse Baseball Commish then Selig. At least in the sense that I just don't think he gives a rat's ass about the average fan. And, as Thew has said, he does not respect the Game. Finally, though, someone has bitch-slapped some sense into him. That said, the Brew Crew has got to be one of the "feel good" stories in the MLB.
The NBA...Nothing But Assholes. When is the NCAA season starting?
My favorite soccer story is not Beckham right now, but the Asian Cup. After beating the South Koreans in PKs, the Iraqis play the Saudis, who beat Japan. Politics aside, this has got to be a tremendous boost to the people of Iraq. (The terrorists expressed their displeasure.) I think its time that the European clubs will take a flyer on a few players.
Any word on Michelle Wie?
In other sports news, Ben Rothisnvhvhnzcm is dating Missy Peregrym of Heroes and Stick It fame. Which is just an excuse to add a picture of her.
Anyway, Yankees are creeping up and the fact that the Red Sox are beating the Indians, leaders for the AL Wildcard, makes the Sox-Tribe series a win-win for the Yankees. They do have a tough stretch coming up though, which will make or break the season. 4 games against Detroit (in NY), travel for 3 against the Angels, 4 more at Detroit after which they come home and play 3 against the Red Sox. 14 straight games against division leaders.
In other sports news, I have a nasty taste in my mouth after my girls' soccer season. No, not because we lost, but we only placed one player on the 2007-08 Select (All Star) Squad. Now let me get this straight: the team mops the floor with the opposition, only has 1 or 2 close games and one ONE All-star Selection? A bitter, bitter pill. I take total blame, of course. They took the team concept to a very high level and did not cut it as individuals in the try-outs.
Well, work calls....
7.24.2007
Back from the Dead
Okay, musings into the world of sports, after an extended period of, well, amusement at the travesty of people in the sports world today...
Does ANYONE give a damm about the Tour de France after yet ANOTHER doping incident?! When will this sport go away? You think steroids in baseball or football are out of control?!
Speaking of steroids in baseball - SHAME ON YOU Bud Selig for avoiding the inevitable breaking of the career Home Run record. Yes, it's Barry Bonds. Yes, the circumstantial evidence to indicate he took steroids is off the charts. But this is AMERICA, where you are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and he owes it to the GAME to be there when the record is broken. Not doing do, not making at least some mention and ceremony about it, means that in his mind he's already convicted Bonds of using performance enhancing drugs without due process. Did Bonds use 'em? Probably, hard to imagine he didn't. But "imagining" and "having definitive proof" are two different things, and say what you want, Selig needs to be there. Well, in any event, regardless of this, I think he's an asshole anyway...never like the guy, he's got a major Napoleonic complex.
And in the "holy shit I thought the athletes were assholes!" department, we present Tim Donaghy. Almost makes the asshole punk ghetto thugs in the NBA seem like stand up guys...well, almost...
Here comes the Yankees? Several weeks ago, in the middle of an 11 game winning streak, I said "looks like they are making their charge". I was wrong then. I might be wrong now. They certainly are a Jeckyll and Hyde team this year. But the Sawx can hear footsteps behind them now, a once near insurmountable 14 game lead is now down to 7 1/2 games. The Yankees are playing with a fair amount of confidence now, I wonder what is going through the minds of the Boston players.
Becks, we hardly see ya mate! Your much ballyhoo'd inagural appearance in MLS was a late game substitution, and now you're out of action with that ligament injury. Here's to hoping you begin what I hope to be a successful career in the US.
Do I need to add anything to the Michael Vick story than you've probably been overloaded with at this point? Are they targeting him because he's high profile? Maybe a little. But to bring down a hydra like this you have to chop off the heads. The fact that he IS high profile makes this a fundamentally different case and message - it provides a platform to get a MAJOR player in the dogfighting subculture, and a chance to show other people that fame means nothing - if you are committing a FEDERAL crime, we will get you. If this were Bill Gates, Andrew Young, it'd still be the same. This might also show that you cannot lie and say "I didn't know what was going on with my homies". Frankly, judging from the rampant stupidity displayed by his younger brother, Marcus, Michael's idiocy isn't particularly surprising.
Is there a sadder story of an old out-of-the-spotlight athlete trying to get his face into the public issues than Gary Player? Had anyone seen Jason Gore? Phil Mickelson? Hell, John Daly?! The guys on the tour don't have any of the physiques that would indicate that they took steroids at all - well, except maybe for *GASP* Tiger Woods. Tiger is a workout freak, that is known, but steroids? He's not hitting it any longer than he used to - matter of fact, I think he lost some distance. Also, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, Camillo Villegas - young, in shape, slim men who probably haven't tried a day in their life to bulk up. HEAR IT NOW - If ANYONE in the PGA has done steroids, based on the players' builds, they have failed miserably! *lol* The only guy who made a real significant change in his physique is Bill Glasson, and his was probably 10 or so years ago. I'm not sure what Gary Player is trying to accomplish here, but if he is trying to bring attention to the "best bodies" in golf, you need only look at the #1 player in the world. Is this a veiled accusation? Hmmm. Gene W has an interesting article on Gary's vague statements, calling him to the carpet...
Speaking of Sergio, what a whiner! Hitch up your big boy britches and admit you played a lousy 18 holes on the final day of the British Open and lost the tournament. Don't piss and moan about your "fate" and the "bad breaks". "I didn't miss a shot in the playoff and hit unbelievable putts. But they just didn't go in." Umm, if you hit unbelievable putts, they would have dropped. Unbelievable putts don't miss, they go straight in the clown's mouth! After a birdie at the third hole gave him a four-shot lead, he made bogeys at the fifth, seventh and eighth holes to let the world back into the tournament. Were all those bogeys bad luck? Don't think so. What about other golfers? Wonder how Andres Romero feels about his second shot on the 17th hole that barely missed clearing the burn, but somehow ricocheted directly to the right and out of bounds? Or what about Harrington, whose tee shot at the home hole narrowly missed bouncing across a bridge to safety only to find the burn? Or Ernie Els, who missed a playoff by two strokes and is wondering how a couple of back-nine putts stayed out of the hole? PUHLEEZE! It is a game of bad breaks, of cruel bounces, of putts that spin out of the cup. Sergio should know that. Stop hiding behind the excuse of "bad luck" and admit that you didn't close the deal - then go back out, settle down, and win one of 'em.
Does ANYONE give a damm about the Tour de France after yet ANOTHER doping incident?! When will this sport go away? You think steroids in baseball or football are out of control?!
Speaking of steroids in baseball - SHAME ON YOU Bud Selig for avoiding the inevitable breaking of the career Home Run record. Yes, it's Barry Bonds. Yes, the circumstantial evidence to indicate he took steroids is off the charts. But this is AMERICA, where you are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and he owes it to the GAME to be there when the record is broken. Not doing do, not making at least some mention and ceremony about it, means that in his mind he's already convicted Bonds of using performance enhancing drugs without due process. Did Bonds use 'em? Probably, hard to imagine he didn't. But "imagining" and "having definitive proof" are two different things, and say what you want, Selig needs to be there. Well, in any event, regardless of this, I think he's an asshole anyway...never like the guy, he's got a major Napoleonic complex.
And in the "holy shit I thought the athletes were assholes!" department, we present Tim Donaghy. Almost makes the asshole punk ghetto thugs in the NBA seem like stand up guys...well, almost...
Here comes the Yankees? Several weeks ago, in the middle of an 11 game winning streak, I said "looks like they are making their charge". I was wrong then. I might be wrong now. They certainly are a Jeckyll and Hyde team this year. But the Sawx can hear footsteps behind them now, a once near insurmountable 14 game lead is now down to 7 1/2 games. The Yankees are playing with a fair amount of confidence now, I wonder what is going through the minds of the Boston players.
Becks, we hardly see ya mate! Your much ballyhoo'd inagural appearance in MLS was a late game substitution, and now you're out of action with that ligament injury. Here's to hoping you begin what I hope to be a successful career in the US.
Do I need to add anything to the Michael Vick story than you've probably been overloaded with at this point? Are they targeting him because he's high profile? Maybe a little. But to bring down a hydra like this you have to chop off the heads. The fact that he IS high profile makes this a fundamentally different case and message - it provides a platform to get a MAJOR player in the dogfighting subculture, and a chance to show other people that fame means nothing - if you are committing a FEDERAL crime, we will get you. If this were Bill Gates, Andrew Young, it'd still be the same. This might also show that you cannot lie and say "I didn't know what was going on with my homies". Frankly, judging from the rampant stupidity displayed by his younger brother, Marcus, Michael's idiocy isn't particularly surprising.
Is there a sadder story of an old out-of-the-spotlight athlete trying to get his face into the public issues than Gary Player? Had anyone seen Jason Gore? Phil Mickelson? Hell, John Daly?! The guys on the tour don't have any of the physiques that would indicate that they took steroids at all - well, except maybe for *GASP* Tiger Woods. Tiger is a workout freak, that is known, but steroids? He's not hitting it any longer than he used to - matter of fact, I think he lost some distance. Also, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, Camillo Villegas - young, in shape, slim men who probably haven't tried a day in their life to bulk up. HEAR IT NOW - If ANYONE in the PGA has done steroids, based on the players' builds, they have failed miserably! *lol* The only guy who made a real significant change in his physique is Bill Glasson, and his was probably 10 or so years ago. I'm not sure what Gary Player is trying to accomplish here, but if he is trying to bring attention to the "best bodies" in golf, you need only look at the #1 player in the world. Is this a veiled accusation? Hmmm. Gene W has an interesting article on Gary's vague statements, calling him to the carpet...
Speaking of Sergio, what a whiner! Hitch up your big boy britches and admit you played a lousy 18 holes on the final day of the British Open and lost the tournament. Don't piss and moan about your "fate" and the "bad breaks". "I didn't miss a shot in the playoff and hit unbelievable putts. But they just didn't go in." Umm, if you hit unbelievable putts, they would have dropped. Unbelievable putts don't miss, they go straight in the clown's mouth! After a birdie at the third hole gave him a four-shot lead, he made bogeys at the fifth, seventh and eighth holes to let the world back into the tournament. Were all those bogeys bad luck? Don't think so. What about other golfers? Wonder how Andres Romero feels about his second shot on the 17th hole that barely missed clearing the burn, but somehow ricocheted directly to the right and out of bounds? Or what about Harrington, whose tee shot at the home hole narrowly missed bouncing across a bridge to safety only to find the burn? Or Ernie Els, who missed a playoff by two strokes and is wondering how a couple of back-nine putts stayed out of the hole? PUHLEEZE! It is a game of bad breaks, of cruel bounces, of putts that spin out of the cup. Sergio should know that. Stop hiding behind the excuse of "bad luck" and admit that you didn't close the deal - then go back out, settle down, and win one of 'em.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)