In honor of his birthday, this past week...

...I am once again nominating this guy to run for President. He has the experience, the attitude, and the intestinal fortitude to keep America strong.

Flair in '08

WHOOOOOOOOOOO!

On to today's Comic Book Movie:

#6--The Punisher (2004)

I love a revenge movie and this definitely is one. It follows the general outline of the comics with Frank Castle seeking revenge on the mobsters who kill his family, but with nice updates for the 21st century. Thomas Jane works really well as Castle. John Travolta is good as Howard Saint, the mobster-in-question and watch out for a Kevin Nash appearances as "The Russian". Highlights include Castle's fight scene with the Russian and his popsicle torture of Mickey Duka. As I said, if you like revenge, you need to see this movie.

Memorable Quotes:

Candelaria: Vaya con Dios, Castle. Go with God.

Frank Castle: God's going to sit this one out.

Frank Castle: I leave this as a declaration of intent - so no one will be confused. Frank Castle: 1. "Sic vis pacem parabellum." Latin. Boot Camp Sergeant made us recite it like a prayer. "Sic vis pacem parabellum - If you want peace, prepare for war."

Frank Castle: 2. Frank Castle is dead. He died with his family.

Frank Castle: 3. In certain, extreme situations, the law is inadequate. In order to shame its inadequacy, it is necessary to act outside the law. To pursue - natural justice. This is not vengeance. Revenge is not a valid motive, it's an emotional response. No, not vengeance. Punishment.

Today's musical selection:

AC/DC--You Shook Me All Night Long

An 0-8 second half...

...is a distinct possibility. Nevertheless, I'm headed to Raleigh on Saturday with my father to see the Pack play Duke. Should be interesting. I've never witnessed a ritual suicide before.

Being a movie guy, I run across cool movie-related stuff every once in a while. That applies to this article about the Man With No Name. Especially interesting to me (and probably to Jim) was the following:

"George Lucas attributes the character of Boba Fett to The Man with No Name in the DVD commentary on The Empire Strikes Back. His armour is reminiscent of Eastwood's poncho used throughout the trilogy. The most obvious similarity between the characters is that they are both bounty hunters. In true style of "a man with no name", Fett's name is not mentioned once in The Empire Strikes Back. When he enters the scene on Cloud City after Darth Vader blocks Han Solo's blaster shots with his hand, the clink of spurs can be heard clearly, even though the character does not wear spurs."

Today's Comic Book Movie:

#7--Batman (1989)

This set the stage for all comic book movies to follow. Tim Burton achieved a true commitment to the characters and avoided the campiness that had pervaded the TV show. Keaton does a great job as Bruce Wayne/Batman, but the real star is Jack Nicholson as the Joker. His over-the-top style and purely vicious attitude really push the film along, and really, who can't get behind Nicholson as the bad guy?

Memorable Quote:

Vicki Vale: Some people think you're as dangerous as the Joker.
Batman: He's psychotic.
Vicki Vale: Some people say the same about you.
Batman: What people?
Vicki Vale: Well, face it. You're not exactly normal, are you?
Batman: This isn't exactly a normal world, is it?

Today's Musical Selection:
Alice Cooper--Poison

Speaking of comics...

...here's to the return of an American Hero.

And, here's today's comic book movie:

#8--300 (2006)

This movie was adapted from Frank Miller's graphic novel of the same title. It tells, in a highly stylized, and somewhat historically inaccurate way, the story of the battle of Thermopylae in 481 B.C. In that battle, 300 Spartans and about 10,000 other Greeks held off 150,000 Persians for two days before being betrayed. When the betrayal is evident, Leonidas, the Spartan king, sends the other Greeks away, leaving his 300 men to face then enemy alone. They die to the last man to defend Greece. Gerard Butler steals the show as Leonidas, but the battle scenes are what you really want to watch it for.

Memorable Quote:
King Leonidas: My children, gather round! No retreat, no surrender; that is Spartan law. And by Spartan law we will stand and fight... and die. A new age has begun. An age of freedom, and all will know, that 300 Spartans gave their last breaths to defend it!

Today's Musical Selection:
Eric Clapton--Lay Down Sally

A random link...

...and #9 on the comic book movies list.

Historical stuff always interests me and this is an extremely well-done site. Check out FirstWorldWar.com. It features a lot of fascinating bios as well as propaganda posters and articles about the lives of soldiers during the war. On to the list:

#9--X-Men (2000)

To paraphrase Jim and Casey, it didn't suck. Actually, it was a fairly good adaptation of what many thought would be an extremely difficult subject to get right. The strong point was in the casting. Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, Famke Janssen as Jean Grey, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Rebecca Romjin as Mystique, and the guy who tore the roof off (literally and figuratively) Sir Ian McKellen as Magneto. Great actors, pretty good story, and Jackman smart-assing his way through the story combine to make this worthy of inclusion in the top ten.

Memorable Quote:
Magneto: Does it ever wake you in the middle of the night? The feeling that one day they will pass that foolish law or one just like it and come for you? And your children?
Prof. Charles Francis Xavier: It does indeed.
Magneto: What do you do, when you wake up to that?
Prof. Charles Francis Xavier: I feel a great swell of pity for the poor fool who comes to that school... looking for trouble.

Today's musical selection:
Aerosmith--Walk This Way

Ho-hum...

...lost again and the team doesn't give a shit. Oh well.


Starting a new top ten movies today. Actually, it's going to be an exercise in seeing if Jim and I can actually agree on any of this. So, today we unveil the beginning of the Top Ten Comic Book Movies List.

#10--Blade (1998)
I really enjoyed this movie when I first watched it. Blade's mother was bitten by a vampire while she was pregnant. As a result, he has all of their strengths and none of their weaknesses. He is called the "day walker" because sunlight doesn't affect him. With his helper Abraham Whistler (played with gusto by Kris Kristofferson), Blade hunts down the vampires as they try to take over the world. Great job by Wesley Snipes and great job by Kristofferson.

Memorable Quote:
Blade: There are worse things out tonight than vampires.
Dr. Karen Jenson: Like what?
Blade: Like me.

Today's musical selection:
Joe Walsh--Life's Been Good

This is unbelievable...

...$1 million/Day?

And all for a job that pays $500,000 per year. I don't get it.

Anyway, on to our grand finale:

#1--Hoosiers (1986)

Yes, here it is, the all-time best. Another "based-on-a-true-story" flick about the the 1952 Indiana State Basketball tournament. A story of redemption on several fronts and a feel-good story to boot. Tiny Hickory High School in Hickory, Indiana, with frst-year coach Norman Dale fights its way through all kinds of adversity (including the hostility of the town toward the coach and the fact that they start out with only six players) and wins the Indiana State High School Basketball Tournament, which at the time included all the teams in the state. Gene Hackman does a wonderful job as Coach Norman Dale and Dennis Hopper is great as town drunk and assistant coach Shooter Flatch. Interestingly enough, the actor who played Jimmy Chitwood, offensive star of the team, was the only actor who had no organized basketball experience before the film.

Memorable Quote:
Wilbur 'Shooter' Flatch: [after Buddy Walker steals the ball] Time! Time!
Wilbur 'Shooter' Flatch: [in the timeout huddle] Alright, boys, this is the last shot we got! We're gonna run the picket fence at 'em! Jimmy, you're solo right! Everett, Merle should be open on the other side of that fence! Now, boys, don't get caught watchin' the paint dry!

Todya's Musical Selection:
James Taylor--Fire and Rain

I wish I could give up...

...because NC State Basketball is like an addictive poison. It slowly kills you, but once you're hooked, you're hooked. On to today's sports movie:

#2--Bull Durham (1988)

Ahh, minor league baseball. Also, a great three-person cast. This film chronicles the ups and downs of relationships during a minor league baseball season in Durham, NC. Great story, great writing, great acting, and, a very quotable movie. Look out for the visuals of the old Durham Athletic Park and a very famous scene in Mitch's Tavern in Raleigh. This movie is great and is #2 only because #1 is awesome.

Memorable Quote:
(Once again, there are many. I chose this one because of its association with Mitch's, and thus my alma mater)

[LaLoosh challenged Davis to a fight]
Ebby Calvin LaLoosh: I don't hit no man first.
Crash Davis: All right, then...
[throws him a baseball]
Crash Davis: ... hit me in the chest with that.
Ebby Calvin LaLoosh: I'd kill you!
Crash Davis: Yeah? From what I hear, you couldn't hit water if you fell out of a f***ing boat.

Today's musical selection:
David Allen Coe--Jack Daniel's, If You Please

A plea from the fanbase...

...to the members of the NC State Basketball Team:

Please guys, just one time. If we played these guys ten times, they might win nine, but that still leaves...ONE TIME.

Today's sports movie:

#3--Remember The Titans (2000)

Maybe the best football movie ever. It tells the story of the 1971 T.C. Williams High School Titans football team. Surrounded by the chaos of school integration in Alexandria, Virginia, the Titans are able to come together as a team, overcoming obstacles along the way. In this vein, they complete a perfect, undefeated season as Virginia State Champions and end up ranked as the second-best high school team in the nation. Denzel is great as Coach Herman Boone, but also look out for a pre-Scrubs Donald Faison and future indestructible cheerleader, Hayden Panettiere.

Memorable Quote:
Coach Boone: Are your parents here?
Bertier: Yes.
Coach Boone: Good.
[nods his head at Gary's mom]
Coach Boone: You take a look at her. Cause once you step on that bus you ain't got your mama no more. You got your brothers on the team and you got your daddy. You know who your daddy is, doncha? Gary, if you want to play on this football team, you answer me when I ask you who is your daddy? Who's your daddy, Gary? Who's your daddy?
Bertier: You.
Coach Boone: And who's team is this, Gary? Is this your team? Or is this your daddy's team?
Bertier: Yours.
Coach Boone: Now get on the bus. Put on your jacket first and then get on the bus.

Today's Musical Selection:
Brad Paisley--Alcohol

Paging Lakista McCuller and CC Harrison...

...we're gonna need you guys tomorrow night.

Today's sports movie:

#4--Field of Dreams (1989)

You can't beat Kevin Costner hearing voices. Just as A League of Their Own was a sports movie with chicks in it, this is a fairy tale with a sports wrapping. Iowa farmer and huge baseball fan Ray Kinsella hears a voice saying "If you build it, he will come." He interprets this to mean that if he plows under his crop to build a baseball diamond, the unfairly-accused "Shoeless" Joe Jackson will once more be allowed to play baseball. He builds the field and Jackson (or Jackson's ghost) shows up. However, the voice doesn't stop. It leads Kinsella to kidnap his favorite author, engage in 17 years worth of backward time travel, and pick up a hitchhiking baseball player from 67 years ago. In the end, it leads him back home, where he is able to purge the regret of a poor relationship with his father, who has been allowed to play on the field with other big-league players from years past. Just a feel-good movie all the way around. Notable for James Earl Jones as the author and Ray Liotta as "Shoeless" Joe.

Memorable Quote:
Shoeless Joe Jackson: Is this heaven?
Ray Kinsella: No, it's Iowa.

Today's Musical Selection
Boston--More Than a Feeling

NIT Campout starts today...

...and I wouldn't go if you paid me. Two great lessons for me about the problems with pulling for NC State. Occasionally, the team's not going to show up (See BC). And, occasionally, they're going to tease you with heart and effort and then rip your heart out by collapsing in the last two minutes (See Clemson). If only I could just not care... Well, anyway, on to today's sports movie. We enter the top five with:

#5--Major League (1989)
This is probably the funniest start-to-finish sports movie I have ever watched. You have an ensemble cast just dying to make you laugh and they do, for the whole length of the movie. Released in a time when the Cleveland Indians were the laughing stock of Major League Baseball, it follows the attempts of a baseball owner to force attendance down to the point where she can get out of her lease with the city and move the team to Miami. She does this by putting together a team of has-been and never-were players in the hope that their losses will drop the bottom out of the crowds. When the players find out what she's up to, they muster the effort to win consistently, and as they do, hilarity ensues.

Memorable Quote (There are so many, but I had to pick one, so I picked this one in honor of Mike).

Jake Taylor: That's my wife...
Willie Mays Hayes: Does she know that?
Jake Taylor: Well, she would've been if I hadn't screwed it up... who's that guy she's with?
Willie Mays Hayes: I don't know. He's not wearing a nametag.
Rick Vaughn: Want me to drag him outta here, kick the shit out of him?

Today's musical selection:
Foreigner--Feels Like the First Time

Stick a fork in them...

...the Pack is done. No pride, no heart, no brains, no balls. They lost last night to a BC team that had lost six in a row. They gave up a career high to Tyrese Rice, the only guy on the team you really need to guard. So, no NCAA's for this team. They'll be lucky to make th NIT. On to today's sports movie:

#6--Tin Cup (1996)

Probably the best golf movie I know. Not as funny as Caddyshack, but a better story. Costner proves (as he will throughout this countdown) that he's at his best when he plays himself. Rene Russo is always a good addition and Cheech Marin provides some great comic relief. I particularly enjoyed the sequence of Roy McAvoy shooting par on the back nine, using only a 7-iron.

Memorable Quote:

Roy 'Tin Cup' McAvoy: You know why I still hit that shot?

Romeo Posar: Yeah, because it's the only way you could beat Dave Simms.

Roy 'Tin Cup' McAvoy: No.

Romeo Posar: 'Cause it was that look on your face...

Roy 'Tin Cup' McAvoy: I hit it again because that shot was a defining moment, and when a defining moment comes along, you define the moment... or the moment defines you.

Today's musical selection (in honor of NC State Basketball)
Pink Floyd--Comfortably Numb

The damnedest thing...

..happened to me this morning. I was pulling out of my road to go to work and the frost wasn't totally cleared off of my windows, so I tried to roll down my passenger side window to look out and it shattered. Guess it was frozen in the frame or something. Anyway, I'm getting that replaced today. Pack plays at BC tonight. Looks like an opportunity for a road win, if we play smart. Here's today's entry in the top ten list:

#7--The Longest Yard (1974)

Count me among the people who thought the 2005 remake was vastly inferior. The original casts Burt Reynolds as Paul Crewe, former all-pro QB sent up the river for stealing his girlfriend's Maserati and dumping it in Tampa Bay. He is initially unpopular in prison due to the fact that he shaved points off a football game which, according to his only friend, "is just un-American". Of course, he's made by the warden to form a team of convicts to face off against the the semi-pro team made up of the prison guards. To me, it's much darker and much funnier and a much better movie than the remake. More graphic violence, too.

Memorable Quote:

Caretaker: Most of these old boys don't have nothing. Never had nothing to start with. But you, You had it all. Then you let your teammates down, got yourself caught with your hand in the cookie jar.
Paul Crewe: Oh I did, did I?
Caretaker: Oh I ain't saying you did or you didn't. All I'm saying is that you could have robbed banks, sold dope or stole your grandmother's pension checks and none of us would have minded. But shaving points off of a football game, man that's un-American.

Today's musical selection:
Billy Joel--Piano Man

Picking up speed...

...seems to be the order of the day for the Obama campaign. He seems poised to win the Potomac primaries (MD, VA, DC), and Hillary may not win another until Texas on March 4. If her money begins to dry up because of a perceived lack of momentum, she's through. And then, presumably, we'll be through with the Clintons (Thank God!).

A link that will interest Mark, but should interest everyone: LBJ vs. JFK?

And today's entry in the sports movie countdown:

#8--Glory Road (2006)

I know you find this hard to believe, given the author of this blog, but it's another historical picture. This one details the national championship season of the Texas Western Miners in the 1965-66 season. The National Championship game featured an all-white Kentucky team, coached by notorious racist Adolph Rupp competing against the all-black starting five of the miners. Despite the fact that many people believed, at the time, that black players did not have the mental acuity and toughness to win it all, Coach Don Haskins' miners proved them wrong in what has been called "the most important college basketball game ever played." Josh Lucas and Jon Voight give strong performances as Coaches Haskins and Rupp, respectively, but the real star is Derek Luke, in his role as Bobby Joe Hill, point guard for the Miners.

Memorable Quote:

Willie 'Scoops' Cager: They're trying to take our dignity away from us.
Coach Don Haskins: Your dignity's inside you. Nobody can take something away from you you don't give them.

Today's musical selection:
Patsy Cline--Walkin' After Midnight

Crash and Burn...

...Twice over the weekend. First, NC State blows an 11 point halftime lead at Maryland to lose by 14. I don't know what the hell's going to happen if we ever play two halves of basketball on the road. The world will probably end. Then, Clemson has it in their hands, leading by 15 in the second half at Chapel Hill, where, as the announcers remind us ad nauseum, they have never won a game and they blow it in double OT to lose by 10 to Carowhina. I'm not saying the officials favor the Holes, but a 36-7 free throw advantage when both teams are trapping and both teams tend play an inside game is a bit questionable.

Now, on to today's sports movie

#9--A League of Their Own (1992)

People call this a chick movie, but it's really a sports movie with chicks in it. Plus, it features Tom Hanks in one of his funniest roles ever. Madonna's character doesn't totally piss me off and Rosie O'Donnell almost doesn't even register on my pissed-off-o-meter. Once again, a historical flick, so the writing is helped out. A good story, with good actors, helped out by the induction of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League into the Baseball Hall of Fame

Memorable Quote:

Jimmy Dugan: Evelyn, could you come here for a second? Which team do you play for?
Evelyn Gardner: Well, I'm a Peach.
Jimmy Dugan: Well I was just wonderin' why you would throw home when we got a two-run lead. You let the tying run get on second base and we lost the lead because of you. Start using your head. That's the lump that's three feet above your ass.
[Evelyn starts to cry]
Jimmy Dugan: Are you crying? Are you crying? ARE YOU CRYING? There's no crying! THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!
Doris Murphy: Why don't you give her a break, Jimmy...
Jimmy Dugan: Oh, you zip it, Doris! Rogers Hornsby was my manager, and he called me a talking pile of pigshit. And that was when my parents drove all the way down from Michigan to see me play the game. And did I cry?
Evelyn Gardner: No, no, no.
Jimmy Dugan: NO. NO. And do you know why?
Evelyn Gardner: No...
Jimmy Dugan: Because there's no crying in baseball. THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL! No crying!

Today's Musical Selection:
Led Zeppelin--Rock n' Roll

All kinds of BS...

Duke won. I guess I'm glad, but at this point, choosing a winner between Duke and Carowhina is like choosing between syphilis and gonorrhea.

Mitt Romney has left the race. I wasn't enamored of him, but he was easily the most conservative of the Republicans left in the race. I think McCain really has the nomination now. With his views on immigration and taxes and his constant ass-kissing to the libs, I might as well vote for Hillary. Looks like I'll be checking the "Libertarian" box this November.

I've been thinking about the movies I've been watching recently and I've decided to post some Top Ten Lists. I'll be doing one movie per day, which I hope will help my consistency in posting to this blog. First list is of my Top Ten Sports Movies:

#10--Miracle (2004)

Worth a look just for Kurt Russell's portrayal of 1980 US Olympic Hockey Coach Herb Brooks. From what the players on that team say, Russell nailed it. Of course, it helps to have the story written for you. They also had Al Michaels reproduce his commentary form the actual match against the Soviets at Lake Placid, but the final call is the original broadcast tape from 1980.

Memorable quote:

Herb Brooks: Great moments... are born from great opportunity. And that's what you have here, tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight. One game. If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can! Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players. Every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it

Today's Musical Selection:
Doobie Brothers--Black Water

So much to talk about...

...so little time.

Hats off to the Pack for a hang-tough win against VaTech last night. Hickson looked like a rebounding beast and Javi Gonzales is really improving. RPI is back to 40 and that's a very important number for NCAA consideration.

Today is National College Football Signing Day. Several of the Pack's major targets have already faxed in their LOI's, but more are to come. Reel them in, TOB.

Super Tuesday was yesterday and it's beginning to look like John McCain will be the Republican nominee. I respect his service in the military and he's done some good things as a senator, but I wish he was a little more conservative on issues like immigration/border security and tax cuts. In my opinion, he spends entirely too much time trying to get the press and the Democrats to like him and not nearly enough time pushing Republican issues. I guess time till tell.

Today's musical selection:
Steve Miller Band--Rockn' Me

Damn Right...

You Are Most Like Ronald Reagan

People tend to think you're a god - or that you almost ruined the country. But even if people do disagree with you, they still fall victim to your charms!

What Modern US President Are You Most Like?

Sports thoughts, Post-Super Bowl Sunday

The Sasser curse hit Tom Brady and he couldn't do a damn thing yesterday. And what the hell happened to the Patriots' OL? 5 sacks? Anyway, as much as I hate it, I have to give credit to Eli Manning for that last drive and to Jacksonville Jerichoholic Plaxico Burress for catching the game-winning TD. Real MVP, in my opinion, was the Giants defense.

Carolina had better hope that Ty Lawson is OK, 'cause QT ain't gonna get it done.

OK, so it wasn't DT tipping in the Burleson miss for the #2 Wolfpack on Super Sunday 1973. It was still awesome. Big Ben with the hustle play runs 94 feet unchecked and dunks the last two points to complete the victory over Wake Forest, 67-65. We are at 3-4 in the ACC with VaTech coming to town on Tuesday for our 3rd game in five days. Hope we've got the energy to show up. Right now, we're only one game off of third place in the ACC.

Today's musical selection:
Dr Hook and the Medicine Show--Cover of the Rolling Stone