Where Everybody Knows Your Name . . .

When did the Dallas Cowboys become Cheers'?? I mean really, all they seem to want to do now is have people come back in through that door that left some time ago - what loony-juice is Jones drinking, exactly? I am happy to see him consider Singletary and, hopefully, Rivera. Otherwise, expect more 7-9, 8-8 seasons before the 'boys have to make a coaching move again.

As far as the actual game happening this week - I agree with LLD that the Colts haven't faced a particularly great offense yet - nor will they on Sunday. Both teams should be able to run the ball, although I'd give the edge to Chi-town there. And I don't believe that Grossman will play all that badly (though if he does, this could quickly become a rout, barring miraculous play from Hester again - not an impossibility). But lets also be honest here - yes, Berrian has speed, but his big catch against the Saints that began to put them down for good was against one of the worst corners in the playoffs, Fred Thomas. The pass to Berrian was just a prayer, basically - although a great catch by him then. The Bears also seem to be at their best when they can look at the field, and Urlacher can play QB for the defense. The hurry-up O that the Colts run should keep them off-balance enough to make a few plays, and I also don't fully trust the Bears secondary - it has to get pressure up front to have much success, and it would have to be against a very good offensive line.

That said, I agree that Peyton gets happy-feet in the playoffs, and if he reverts to previous playoff performances, it will be a long day for him and the Colts. My guess? I think he holds up enough to score more points than the Bears defense, special teams, and several good plays from Grossman: Colts in a good game, 31-24.

Superbowl XLFIEFY i dunno

Ok, so I'm gonna do the obligatory Superbowl pick. First off, lemme talk about something that at least indirectly has to do with the Bears. The Cowboys coaching vacancy. I am gonna laugh balls if they hire oft-failed pundit Norv Turner. Say goodbye to your next few seasons if he's your coach. On the off chance that Jerry Jones grows a brain, and hires ex-Bear linebacker Mike Singletary, they'll do well. On to the game. Much has been stated about Bears quarterback Rex Grossman. Guess what? Dude threw 5 less interceptions than Manning in the playoffs. 5! That's a few to say the least. Any mention that he's the worst quarterback in Superbowl history is just pure poppycock. Ok? Doug Williams of the Redskins 86ish? Tony Eason of the Patriots in 85? Quarterback dude for the Rams in 77? Horrible. Peyton Manning is a great quarterback, but dude has happy feet in the playoffs. He looks scared back there, eratic. Shifty. Like George W's eyes. Shifty. Urlacher in his face = bad for Peyton. Colts defense has looked good of late, but they haven't faced this Bears offense. Their opponents in the playoffs were the Chiefs (who insisted on running, even with 8 in the box) and the Patriots (who run a dink and dunk west coast offense.) The Bears have defense stretching recievers, and a quarterback, who, at times can get it to them. So with all that said, I think the game is going to be quite close. 21-17 Bears.

KuBrickKhan's Top 5 Films

Ok, so it's my turn to chime in here - we start in a very similar place, and I don't think I completely disagree with the films in LLD's list. But here's my take on my favorite great films.

1) Casablanca (1942)
Ok, so we start out on the same page here (I guarantee it’ll change from here). But it’s hard to argue with the placement of this film either. It’s what every film that has any element of drama, suspense, romance, or intrigue aspires to be. There’s not a moment here that’s not spot on, and any countless number of moments that are referenced in culture even over 60 years after its production. But beyond being monumental, it’s also a very enjoyable film, and one that improves each repeat viewing.

2) Citizen Kane (1941)

If Casablanca is what every film strives to be, this is the “How-To” book for any modern filmmaker. Welles basically writes the book on a technical level, but it’s also a fantastic exploration of the American Dream, the struggle of one man to find love – from those around him, to the public that he wants so much to adore him. And with Orson Welles, you have one of the most dynamic performances on screen of all time – it’s a shame that he never made a film that even approached his first (his last real work in the industry was providing a voice in Transformers: The Movie!).

3) The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
To me, this film (considering all three releases as one complete work) is a representation of everything that a film can be. Before anything else, it’s as entertaining a work as I’ve seen, and one of the most visually stunning works of fantastic fiction ever produced. Beyond its value as pure entertainment, though, it has an emotional core that is as true as any other great work of literature or cinema. The argument that highly “fictional” works like fantasy or science-fiction can’t be as “great” as more “realistic” films is a false one. It’s made on the premise that we have to be able to place ourselves in the film to somehow make it more relatable – but any work of cinema is fiction – living in the Shire is no more fantastic to me than living in 1930’s Morocco. What’s important is that a film moves us, inspires us, and this film does this on a number of levels.

4) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
While the films above are examples of great narrative, characters, and an emotional connection between them and the viewer, this film is the opposite. The characters are actually rather uninteresting, there is little to the narrative, and what is there is often confusing. And there is little connection that the audience feels towards characters or events. Kubrick’s masterpiece (among other great films) is a visual and symbolic exploration of human development, intellect, and potential. It’s a film that take great care in every element having a clear purpose – no shot or moment is wasted. It’s, as Ebert calls it, a philosophical statement on film, meant to inspire and awe more than entertain or tell a story. But in that, it succeeds on levels that few films do.

5) Pulp Fiction (1994)
In many ways, a celebration of a number of things that make film enjoyable – sex, drugs, violence, and rock and roll. It’s one of those films that is humorous even when it is absolutely dire and twisted, and has some of the greatest moments of dialogue in film. QT always entertains, but he also innovates – even while he constantly refers to or steals from an entire history of exploitation films and hard-edged cinema. The work never feels stale or retread, even at its most derivative.

Honorable Mentions: The Godfather, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Star Wars, Rashomon, American Beauty, Requiem for a Dream, Pan’s Labyrinth.

5 Greatest Films of All Time, in my oh-not-so humble opinion

1)Casablanca (Michael Curtiz, 1942) - Ok, what to say about this. This film encompasses everything, great cinematography, acting, directing, writing, story. One of the greatest romances of all time, is also one of the greatest Film Noir's of all time. Line after quotable line, and and ending that will tear you apart and make you smile at the same time. The embodiment of a classic.


2)Dancer in the Dark (Lars Von Trier, 2000) - Everyone who knows me, knows I HATE musicals. However, that being said, this movie is brilliant. A heart-wrenching film, with great music and an original look. Has the look of an English BBC picture, but comes through as intentional. I've never been more depressed after a movie with the exception of Requiem for a Dream.


3)American Beauty (Sam Mendes, 1999) - I think the best "embrace life" film ever made, this movie deservedly won best actor, director, cinematography, original screenplay and picture oscars. The super sweep. It's sentimental, without being cheesy, Conrad Hall's cinematography has rarely been topped (see Road to Perdition and Marathon Man as great other examples of his work), and just flat out makes you think.


4)The Godfather (Francis Ford Coppola, 1972) - Cliche, I know. Fine. There's a reason why this is IMDB's #1 film of all time. It's epic, but personal at the same time. Examines the inner workings of family and loyalty, as well as being an extremely entertaining, quintessential mafia film. Along with the Godfather 2, it's the only movie ever to have a character nominated for best actor by two different actors (Marlon Brando and Robert DeNiro). Forget that Godfather III was ever made. Please.


5)The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Sergio Leone, 1966) - I can't say enough about the way a Sergio Leone film looks, but jesus is it beautiful. The music by Ennio Morricone gives goosebumps and the pacing of this is brilliant. By far the best western ever made. This is one of the few great westerns not based on a Kurosawa film, which in turn are generally based on a Shakespearean play. Although, I think the name of this film should be the neutral, the evil, and the truly evil (and i put the ugly as the truly evil.)

Honorable Mentions - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Traffic, La Grande Illusion, Magnolia, Sunset Boulevard, Citizen Kane, The Wizard of Oz, Pulp Fiction, Hero, Mulholland Drive.

Welcome to our blog!

This is just two gen-x'ers, who happen to be getting a little long in the tooth, taking the opportunity provided by free blogging to rant, rave, and argue about whatever we feel like in terms of pop culture, sports, politics, etc.

So tune in often, and feel free to comment on, argue against, or heap mounds of praise upon any and all of our ramblings here. Have fun!