I know I wasn't the only driver slowed in reaching my destination, by workers repainting the shamrock on the street in front of Kelly's Irish Pub.
Seriously? We're going to shut down a lane of traffic on 53RD STREET - at one o'clock in the afternoon - for a shamrock!
I want to point out, I have no problem with Kelly's. I've been there a few times and think it's an alright place. And, yes, I realize they are getting ready for their big St. Patrick's Day event this weekend. (including skydiving leprechauns, I'm told) I just want this touch-up job done at a time of day when 53rd Street is less congested.
And the real kicker is.. I could still see the shamrock from the last time they painted it.. plain as day! It's enough to make me want to start swingin' my shillelagh!!! (I don't actually have one, regretably)
Okay, I'm done now.
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
DUDE FLICKS
I heard someone ask a trivia question on TV yesterday:
"What are the only three sports-themed movies to win the Oscar for Best Picture?"
I'm not going to tell you the answer, (look it up yourself!) but I will give you a blog entry inspired by the question:
Presenting...
My Top 10 Favorite Sport Movies:
1) Hoosiers - I was a real basketball junkie when I saw this one, so it stands out as a favorite in my mind. Probably one of my favorite films, period. It's soooo predictable and schmaltzy, but I'm a sucker for a feel good movie. It makes me want to go back to college and walk onto the team every time I see it. I've got at least three years of eligibility left.
Favorite moment - When Jimmy looks at Coach Dale in the final timeout and calmly says, "I'll make it."
2) Rocky - What can you say. It's the ultimate underdog story. And even though Sylvester Stallone's descent into a caricature of himself may have tarnished the film for some, it remains a fantastic sports film. I still get goose bumps in the final scenes. By the way, the composer who wrote the film's famous insparational score is fellow LSU graduate, Bill Conti. Geaux Tigers!!!)
Favorite Moment - When Rocky loses. It would've been easy to have Rocky somehow win a decision or score an unpredictable knockout in the final round, but winning wasn't the point. Rocky just wanted to go the distance with Apollo Creed, something no fighter had ever done, and prove - to himself, his woman and the world - he wasn't "a bum".
3) Bull Durham - My wife doesn't understand why I love this movie. Well, I think you have to love baseball first. Tim Robbins gives us a wonderful character, even if he does throw like a girl.
Favorite Moment - When Crash refuses to call the ump a cocksucker, but repeatedly points out it was a cocksucking call. I'm laughing right now just thinking about it.
4) Major League - Not exactly top-notch cinema, but who cares. My brother and I must have watched this one about a million times and know far too many of the lines.
Favorite Moment - Too many to mention, but I'll go with, "Yo, bartender! Jobu needs a refill!!!"
5) Dodgeball - This one is more of a mock sports movie, but it does center on a sport, of sorts. And it just makes me laugh throughout.
Favorite Moments - Lance Armstrong stealing the scene when he shames Peter into going back for the final match, and also when the audience is first introduced to ESPN 8, The Ocho
6) The Sandlot - It's probably becoming obvious I prefer light-hearted movies. I think this one is underrated. I'm a sucker for sap.
Favorite Moment - When Smalls doesn't understand why a ball signed by Babe Ruth would be so valuable.
7) Requiem For a Heavyweight - See, I can enjoy something serious. This one is more than a downer. It's heart-breaking at times. But I also think it's a great character study.
Favorite Moment - When the lead clumsily tries to charm the girl on their date.
8) The Longest Yard - Not the crappy remake, but the Burt Reynolds original. I like Adam Sandler, but how could he match the often-but-not-in-this-movie mustachioed manlyness of Reynolds. And Eddie Albert, as the warden, proves he can be more than funny. He's down-right menacing in some scenes.
Favorite Moment - When Crew throws the ball into the D-lineman's groin... the SECOND time.
9) The Bad News Bears - Needs no explanation. Just great. And another one that didn't need to be remade.
Favorite Moment - Buttermaker chugging beers in the dugout during a Little League game. What a coach!
10) Miracle - I love movies based on true stories, and this one is well done. The on-ice scenes seemed authentic, because the actors could skate.. or maybe they just hired skaters who could act.
Favorite Moment - When we beat the Russians, of course!
*Honorable Mention) Tin Cup - Just missed the cut.
And finally, for my wife:
The Top 5 Chick Flick Sports Movies (not made for TV, like most)
1) The Cutting Edge - A favorite of women across the land... for some reason. Arguably D.B. Sweeney's finest performance, unfortunately for him.
2) Bring It On - A movie about something that requires athleticism and includes competitions, so it is a sports movie. And it is undoubtedly a chick flick.
3) Million Dollar Baby - The story of an old fart and a slow-witted girl from the sticks. I saw most of it and it's actually pretty good. It's also a big downer.
4) The Karate Kid 3 - Hillary Swank is the unquestioned queen of chick flick sports movies.
5) Heart Like a Wheel - I think seven people have seen this movie, which features a breakout (and by breakout, I mean so unmemorable all but seven people missed it) performance by Anthony Edwards.
"What are the only three sports-themed movies to win the Oscar for Best Picture?"
I'm not going to tell you the answer, (look it up yourself!) but I will give you a blog entry inspired by the question:
Presenting...
My Top 10 Favorite Sport Movies:
1) Hoosiers - I was a real basketball junkie when I saw this one, so it stands out as a favorite in my mind. Probably one of my favorite films, period. It's soooo predictable and schmaltzy, but I'm a sucker for a feel good movie. It makes me want to go back to college and walk onto the team every time I see it. I've got at least three years of eligibility left.
Favorite moment - When Jimmy looks at Coach Dale in the final timeout and calmly says, "I'll make it."
2) Rocky - What can you say. It's the ultimate underdog story. And even though Sylvester Stallone's descent into a caricature of himself may have tarnished the film for some, it remains a fantastic sports film. I still get goose bumps in the final scenes. By the way, the composer who wrote the film's famous insparational score is fellow LSU graduate, Bill Conti. Geaux Tigers!!!)
Favorite Moment - When Rocky loses. It would've been easy to have Rocky somehow win a decision or score an unpredictable knockout in the final round, but winning wasn't the point. Rocky just wanted to go the distance with Apollo Creed, something no fighter had ever done, and prove - to himself, his woman and the world - he wasn't "a bum".
3) Bull Durham - My wife doesn't understand why I love this movie. Well, I think you have to love baseball first. Tim Robbins gives us a wonderful character, even if he does throw like a girl.
Favorite Moment - When Crash refuses to call the ump a cocksucker, but repeatedly points out it was a cocksucking call. I'm laughing right now just thinking about it.
4) Major League - Not exactly top-notch cinema, but who cares. My brother and I must have watched this one about a million times and know far too many of the lines.
Favorite Moment - Too many to mention, but I'll go with, "Yo, bartender! Jobu needs a refill!!!"
5) Dodgeball - This one is more of a mock sports movie, but it does center on a sport, of sorts. And it just makes me laugh throughout.
Favorite Moments - Lance Armstrong stealing the scene when he shames Peter into going back for the final match, and also when the audience is first introduced to ESPN 8, The Ocho
6) The Sandlot - It's probably becoming obvious I prefer light-hearted movies. I think this one is underrated. I'm a sucker for sap.
Favorite Moment - When Smalls doesn't understand why a ball signed by Babe Ruth would be so valuable.
7) Requiem For a Heavyweight - See, I can enjoy something serious. This one is more than a downer. It's heart-breaking at times. But I also think it's a great character study.
Favorite Moment - When the lead clumsily tries to charm the girl on their date.
8) The Longest Yard - Not the crappy remake, but the Burt Reynolds original. I like Adam Sandler, but how could he match the often-but-not-in-this-movie mustachioed manlyness of Reynolds. And Eddie Albert, as the warden, proves he can be more than funny. He's down-right menacing in some scenes.
Favorite Moment - When Crew throws the ball into the D-lineman's groin... the SECOND time.
9) The Bad News Bears - Needs no explanation. Just great. And another one that didn't need to be remade.
Favorite Moment - Buttermaker chugging beers in the dugout during a Little League game. What a coach!
10) Miracle - I love movies based on true stories, and this one is well done. The on-ice scenes seemed authentic, because the actors could skate.. or maybe they just hired skaters who could act.
Favorite Moment - When we beat the Russians, of course!
*Honorable Mention) Tin Cup - Just missed the cut.
And finally, for my wife:
The Top 5 Chick Flick Sports Movies (not made for TV, like most)
1) The Cutting Edge - A favorite of women across the land... for some reason. Arguably D.B. Sweeney's finest performance, unfortunately for him.
2) Bring It On - A movie about something that requires athleticism and includes competitions, so it is a sports movie. And it is undoubtedly a chick flick.
3) Million Dollar Baby - The story of an old fart and a slow-witted girl from the sticks. I saw most of it and it's actually pretty good. It's also a big downer.
4) The Karate Kid 3 - Hillary Swank is the unquestioned queen of chick flick sports movies.
5) Heart Like a Wheel - I think seven people have seen this movie, which features a breakout (and by breakout, I mean so unmemorable all but seven people missed it) performance by Anthony Edwards.
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