tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36204974314323840522024-03-05T07:54:03.080-08:00Irrelevant Irreverencefishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-75762616443637155212018-01-07T13:30:00.003-08:002018-01-11T13:25:35.169-08:00Don’t sleep on January in San Antonio<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
A time existed, probably not long ago, when there was not a lot to do in the way of large-scale events in San Antonio in January.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Save for the <a href="http://www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com/" target="_blank">Army All-American Bowl</a>, <a href="http://www.sanantoniosports.org/allstargame/" target="_blank">San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game</a>, and the <a href="https://www.sanantonio.gov/mlk/" target="_blank">MLK Jr. March</a>, things were quiet locally to begin a new year, even in recent years.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Yeah, no, that ain’t happening anymore. So let me remind you (or educate you) on the very things that make San Antonio a rather busy place in January. Plus, I've covered (yes, journalisting!) each of these festivities and I could vouch for their educational or entertainment value. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
*<a href="http://dreamweek.org/" target="_blank">Dream Week San Antonio</a> - it's actually two weeks of dozens and dozens of panel discussions, lectures, hands-on family activities, film screenings, galas, dance performances, art exhibits, tastings, poetry slams, readings and more citywide. They all pay tribute to MLK's legacy of diversity, empowerment, education and tolerance. So, there's much more than the march itself.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0RiAAqbgIJvAWIgX4LRSC2iR2KQU3id3OYDSKAo5dnEQWKH3O6Cq8ab5vzFRqRVyhGq-_Tf8vIpIl6xwSmGFewKj3jo0y3aoAUSHl_wVUn49OE8yPmxparM8O8FYtQZWKj4kOsZYQEoR/s1600/mlkmarch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1440" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0RiAAqbgIJvAWIgX4LRSC2iR2KQU3id3OYDSKAo5dnEQWKH3O6Cq8ab5vzFRqRVyhGq-_Tf8vIpIl6xwSmGFewKj3jo0y3aoAUSHl_wVUn49OE8yPmxparM8O8FYtQZWKj4kOsZYQEoR/s320/mlkmarch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
*<a href="http://south.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX South</a> -- I kinda regret having not indulged my gamer cravings. (I'm more of an 80s/early 90s gamer). But PAX making San Antonio one of its prime festival destinations is a thrill. Even if you're not a gamer, you can easily enjoy the fun, active atmosphere at the convention center - one filled that represents virtually every element of gaming culture.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLD1Myn-vD5qcMW11KRLFG5fs3Pr-H-zYCqU0G1aqpZM8FOGkcsX_lt0sWSU-kJzLjuJW8aUJ1GEhr_veG4rZiC9FV-jRy3R-mTCevKveguv3-OLiJ0eH6mGhAFgBIAkl1m0bHNb7cFuu/s1600/paxsouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLD1Myn-vD5qcMW11KRLFG5fs3Pr-H-zYCqU0G1aqpZM8FOGkcsX_lt0sWSU-kJzLjuJW8aUJ1GEhr_veG4rZiC9FV-jRy3R-mTCevKveguv3-OLiJ0eH6mGhAFgBIAkl1m0bHNb7cFuu/s320/paxsouth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
*<a href="https://www.sanantoniococktailconference.com/" target="_blank">San Antonio Cocktail Conference</a> - Imbibing for charity. Do you really need another reason to go? There are nightly tasting events, paired dinners, pop-ups, after-parties and seminars, all meant to educate patrons on the art of the cocktail, the spirits and bar industries, and cocktail culture. Proceeds to go local children's charities. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRj32E63QaCAY2MDOFVpz9GHqs9OehAD07G9ytlQpcL811VsBhs5kir5Er0vCrO0hzJUnSYa6-u79U9Rhu3SrNPLqJ2e58pPf42mnP7lyl0Ad8hwUiSrKE5mC_idLRQT6Y-6FV_Pjgwvr/s1600/2015cocktailconf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="303" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRj32E63QaCAY2MDOFVpz9GHqs9OehAD07G9ytlQpcL811VsBhs5kir5Er0vCrO0hzJUnSYa6-u79U9Rhu3SrNPLqJ2e58pPf42mnP7lyl0Ad8hwUiSrKE5mC_idLRQT6Y-6FV_Pjgwvr/s320/2015cocktailconf1.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
*<a href="http://culinariasa.org/san-antonio/" target="_blank">San Antonio Restaurant Week</a> -- Be it the winter or summer edition, it's two weeks worth of opportunities to enjoy a multi-course, prix-fixe lunch or dinner menu at some of your favorite local restaurants. This winter's edition lasts Jan. 15-27.<br />
<br />
Prices range from $15 lunches and $35 dinners per person at some restaurants, and $10 lunches and $25 dinners at others. More than 80 eateries around San Antonio, Boerne and New Braunfels are participating this winter edition. The number of participating restaurants is on the rise.<br />
<br />
Then, $1 from every lunch and $2 from every dinner go to Culinaria's culinary education and promotion programs. Reservations are not required, but they are strongly encouraged. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5ifNcrC65mqV7qHwdRSgYY3v_jcZhKEFF2DlQyh4fTvON54vyS2JSjYENtO_5116V011sHi-yX7kpYpu5FUZMb2Xr7Ak3W8T8eX-zpaWWuP0LhrS3x3dXewJlfDBHFZH4k4lTYX6YI2Z/s1600/jprimerestaurantweek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="528" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5ifNcrC65mqV7qHwdRSgYY3v_jcZhKEFF2DlQyh4fTvON54vyS2JSjYENtO_5116V011sHi-yX7kpYpu5FUZMb2Xr7Ak3W8T8eX-zpaWWuP0LhrS3x3dXewJlfDBHFZH4k4lTYX6YI2Z/s320/jprimerestaurantweek.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
There you go, the tip of the iceberg on the local festivities you can use to fill up your January calendar. I don't want to hear any complaints that you don't know what's happening in town in the dead of winter. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-40483307985387300692017-02-06T15:31:00.003-08:002017-02-21T11:18:31.220-08:00San Antonians gear up for South by Southwest <div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
The nonprofit <a href="http://www.choosesa.org/" target="_blank">Choose San Antonio</a> is again heading up a collective effort to showcase the assets in San Antonio’s high-tech, culinary, music and film industries at <a href="http://www.sxsw.com/" target="_blank">South by Southwest (SXSW).</a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Austin’s annual convergence of interactive, film and music will be held March 10-19 this year. <a href="https://therivardreport.com/tacos-technology-taking-initiative-day-one-at-satxsxsw/" target="_blank">Last year, Choose San Antonio put together</a> a coalition of private and public partners, including the city of San Antonio, <a href="https://therivardreport.com/sxsw-san-antonio-finds-some-space-to-tell-its-story/" target="_blank">to officially represent</a> San Antonio in <a href="https://therivardreport.com/san-antonio-shows-off-its-tech-at-sxsw-icehouse/" target="_blank">different ways at the festival</a>. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Meghan Garza-Oswald, Choose San Antonio’s executive director, said this year’s SATX@SXSW initiative will be roughly the same as last year’s efforts, but with some tweaks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56dZgkSQN_sF7ztYysBNEUzRDd5KRP3NblTQJzfyk0JoErIeqEOfcxBELTpk4L5VgrnTSykahcHObwzSb9Cz7xGynucQNHaUoLOpY_Lsu-K-_LF_GqDXwp1L1D_69kGpoupLrB1TNqDb3/s1600/sxswcasaext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56dZgkSQN_sF7ztYysBNEUzRDd5KRP3NblTQJzfyk0JoErIeqEOfcxBELTpk4L5VgrnTSykahcHObwzSb9Cz7xGynucQNHaUoLOpY_Lsu-K-_LF_GqDXwp1L1D_69kGpoupLrB1TNqDb3/s320/sxswcasaext.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
“This year, the way we’re doing it is a little different and more strategic because we look at which pillar was most attended, was linked to San Antonio, and had the most applicability to San Antonio,” she added.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Instead of a home base, or Casa San Antonio, at a large Sixth Street restaurant/bar, Choose San Antonio will centralize its activities in a smaller, more intimate venue - <a href="http://halfstepbar.com/" target="_blank">Half Step</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nlgQe_ZTtu9BGmOnUtH3xyrWfZ1RPxmnnRW0tyLdubCri1ZCzm_sg-ydi7TAAiOjbjAtYWpgYkC6u7Xe7OwUx3xATwiW5jgY37UPGtmaPPkDfbEMypLoRw57oSoYorNiaWEAxDJVYwd1/s1600/sxswecodiggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nlgQe_ZTtu9BGmOnUtH3xyrWfZ1RPxmnnRW0tyLdubCri1ZCzm_sg-ydi7TAAiOjbjAtYWpgYkC6u7Xe7OwUx3xATwiW5jgY37UPGtmaPPkDfbEMypLoRw57oSoYorNiaWEAxDJVYwd1/s320/sxswecodiggy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Half Step is a cocktail bar in the Rainey Street district , just south of downtown Austin. Plenty of official and unofficial SXSW activities take place south of the Austin Convention Center - the hub of the festival’s interactive portion. In this case, this year’s Casa San Antonio will be in good company. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Garza-Oswald said the Rainey Street district, with its mix of restaurants, bars, hotels, condos and creative businesses, is a much more fitting spot for Casa Antonio.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
“It’s a renovated house. The internal structure of the venue lends itself to a conversational/networking type of environment,” said Garza-Oswald.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAH8Gg-R3ouOaW4zcTcIb3u0bY32GjLcN19zRn025-SmlaP5JWURUE5YfSJHui8rfuQjDdjHZSBtfiFPvbuloHPJUaYwy_SMae_h9CVfsTpNGKEeX422Bwr3FFdgBX7yQW5fMrKKr0Iw7/s1600/sxswecoext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAH8Gg-R3ouOaW4zcTcIb3u0bY32GjLcN19zRn025-SmlaP5JWURUE5YfSJHui8rfuQjDdjHZSBtfiFPvbuloHPJUaYwy_SMae_h9CVfsTpNGKEeX422Bwr3FFdgBX7yQW5fMrKKr0Iw7/s320/sxswecoext.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
“I am excited that Choose SA’s Casa San Antonio will be relocating to Rainey Street,” said Jeret Pena, Choose San Antonio board member, in a press release. “As a business owner, Rainey Street reflects the right character and culture of San Antonio.” </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Garza-Oswald commended Half Step owner Chris Bostick for making Choose San Antonio feel at home when it organized programming <a href="http://nowcastsa.com/blogs/san-antonians-talk-placemaking-sustainability-sxsw-eco" target="_blank">there last fall during SXSW Eco</a>.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
“Having worked with Choose San Antonio in the past for SXSW ECO, we are extremely excited that they have chosen Half Step for 2017's Casa San Antonio.” said Bostick in the press release.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
“I am originally from Austin, but I am thrilled Casa San Antonio will be with us because San Antonio has always been a favorite destination of mine. I'm sure we'll do the city proud." </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Details are being finalized, but here’s a place at Choose San Antonio’s activities at Casa San Antonio during the first three days of SXSW:</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
*Presentations will touch upon San Antonio as an emerging hub friendly to startups. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Lorenzo Gomez, executive director of <a href="http://geekdom.com/" target="_blank">Geekdom</a>, will talk about startup communities and how best can communities such as Geekdom encourage the evolution of a city’s startup tech ecosystem.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyESYUXtWd3JlsjgAlGyMy9AOCCVt6i5jviqjiWBi2dCppP8Fqx60xS-OlAAixauOZ5AY91kuFzrxizBJ35Pl42iQntPSBzUhvdXSNk6EsgeSReRTpULpBu0AVKBuR_3wbCHeLyMpz5fTe/s1600/sxswstart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyESYUXtWd3JlsjgAlGyMy9AOCCVt6i5jviqjiWBi2dCppP8Fqx60xS-OlAAixauOZ5AY91kuFzrxizBJ35Pl42iQntPSBzUhvdXSNk6EsgeSReRTpULpBu0AVKBuR_3wbCHeLyMpz5fTe/s320/sxswstart.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Bria Woods and Laura Calo will speak of their journey from college students to developing an app, <a href="http://www.gloapp.net/" target="_blank">GLO</a> (Good Looking Out), which <a href="http://nowcastsa.com/blogs/safety-power-glo-app-aims-provide-safety-college-students" target="_blank">seeks to provide safety for college students</a>.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
David Henry of <a href="https://www.cardisle.com/" target="_blank">Card Isle</a>, speaking from experience, will address how startups can benefit from an incubator or accelerator.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
*Other sessions take on San Antonio’s community and cultural development:</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Molly Cox, executive director of <a href="http://www.sa2020.org/" target="_blank">SA2020</a>, will lead a discussion about her organization and how digital dashboards can help chart the growth of a community across a range of unique indicators.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Hugh Daschbach, <a href="http://www.thehotelemma.com/" target="_blank">Hotel Emma’s</a> culinary concierge, will talk about how <a href="http://www.atpearl.com/" target="_blank">Pearl</a> has become the place to be in San Antonio when it comes to culinary experimentation and education blending in with retail opportunities and the live/work lifestyle.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Steve McHugh, chef/founder of <a href="https://curedatpearl.com/" target="_blank">Cured</a> restaurant at Pearl, will recall his fight with cancer. He’ll talk about how he managed to protect his professional brand during that battle all the while helping to be part of the redevelopment of the former Pearl Brewery complex.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Those are just a few presentations that’ll be taking place at Half Step. Casa San Antonio is also poised to be the site of a cybersecurity roundtable discussion (including breakfast), and a showcase of smart-city ideas and technology.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Choose San Antonio’s base will have some extra fun activities in the mornings and nights that first weekend of SXSW. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
The schedule so far has called for a taco showcase Friday morning, and McHugh’s curation of a chicken-and-waffles-style breakfast Saturday. Plus, expect some local food trucks to be making their presence known.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKtaXZTQBxRX1OlqP9q-Y0m4gyLUPmRVeYTX5UHPwbnie1NlCJMXg9Hlouju9_yoXAbPnx2hvRHr4ImiFyqEdzAhiNYJN8u_74EA58mDyg6v6zUWJRnTOkpMKD7TsYNiOPdR8fkoodMqL/s1600/sxswtacos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKtaXZTQBxRX1OlqP9q-Y0m4gyLUPmRVeYTX5UHPwbnie1NlCJMXg9Hlouju9_yoXAbPnx2hvRHr4ImiFyqEdzAhiNYJN8u_74EA58mDyg6v6zUWJRnTOkpMKD7TsYNiOPdR8fkoodMqL/s320/sxswtacos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
There will also be showcase of San Antonio musicians Friday night (courtesy of <a href="http://sasoundgarden.org/" target="_blank">San Antonio Sound Garden</a>), <a href="https://therivardreport.com/sa-film-commissions-strategic-plan-maps-out-vision-for-local-industry/" target="_blank">local filmmakers</a> Sunday night, and a “Life is Better in Texas” party Saturday evening.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
“It’s the same amount of panels, but over two days, and we’re using the third day for opportunities to really intimately engage the leads we have met so we can show off San Antonio and some of our initiatives,” Garza-Oswald said.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Plus, like with 2016, Choose San Antonio will organize a presence at the SXSW trade show, March 12-15, at the convention center. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX6iaOwmiU0603wkoFYIbGD2ELohOkfBTK1qt-rORngWXPSq-FyfGYISu74uNwziLM-rrMxwJEts2StY1KQ9J8NyBf7Uc2FlFb2mjaDYPVnhG7b8L-X8urS6fWusC-HcRra-ayByOZhoG/s1600/sxswcornhole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX6iaOwmiU0603wkoFYIbGD2ELohOkfBTK1qt-rORngWXPSq-FyfGYISu74uNwziLM-rrMxwJEts2StY1KQ9J8NyBf7Uc2FlFb2mjaDYPVnhG7b8L-X8urS6fWusC-HcRra-ayByOZhoG/s320/sxswcornhole.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
There, attendees can find the brightly colored icehouse-themed space where attendees will be urged to hang out and learn more about the Alamo City from select “ambassadors” — individuals from local tech, culinary, film, music and other sectors. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
In their own words, they’ll be on hand to promote why San Antonio is more than just a tourism destination. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
On the whole, Choose San Antonio’s community partners will host 10 to 15 small- to medium-sized networking events for South by attendees, San Antonio community members, and select VIP guests. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
San Antonians will take part in other SXSW activities.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<a href="http://quemeanswhat.com/" target="_blank">“Que Means What”</a> blogger Melanie Mendez-Gonzales makes a return speaking engagement. She’ll be part of the panel, “Pathway to Increase Diversity in the Outdoors.” </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Mendez-Gonzales and other panelists will talk about connecting the nation’s fastest growing populations, such as Hispanics, to the outdoors and heritage sites can promote better health and closing diversity gaps.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
A variety of San Antonio-based and -born musical acts will be performing at different places and times during SXSW, such as: <a href="https://thirdroot.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Third Root</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rudyteeylospelicanosdelrey/" target="_blank">Rudy Tee y Los Pelicanos Del Rey</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/darknessdivided/" target="_blank">Darkness Divided</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/harvandbottomfeeders/" target="_blank">Harvey McLaughlin</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/KP-Tha-Profit/100005630148039" target="_blank">KP tha Profit</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gotmy10z/" target="_blank">House of Kenzo</a>, <a href="https://www.reverbnation.com/question" target="_blank">Question</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LisaMoralesMusic/" target="_blank">Lisa Morales</a>, <a href="https://www.reverbnation.com/bosston" target="_blank">Keedren Boston</a>, <a href="https://garretttcapps.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Garrett T. Capps</a>, and <a href="http://www.ghostpizza.com/" target="_blank">Ghostpizza</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9_WmSJ-qXQHWSKkPWSIPbzW2v6VnTeEFrEQeFuIDsKD2Pg5Yi4VlCAipp8TzJlwViRAXlcJRMtBr7GYRysREIXbpMhqQwCseaC0um3p1YsNz6tKdC7l4Eh93r_Vn_mcRQpL6sh2yJqiK/s1600/sxswninadiaz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9_WmSJ-qXQHWSKkPWSIPbzW2v6VnTeEFrEQeFuIDsKD2Pg5Yi4VlCAipp8TzJlwViRAXlcJRMtBr7GYRysREIXbpMhqQwCseaC0um3p1YsNz6tKdC7l4Eh93r_Vn_mcRQpL6sh2yJqiK/s320/sxswninadiaz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
An app, keeping attendees up to date on official Choose San Antonio programming, will be rolling out shortly from Grok Interactive. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Choose San Antonio also expects, like last year, to have a shuttle to take some local attendees to the conference.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
If that’s not enough, Choose San Antonio recently launched its year-long social campaign, #iChooseSA. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
The #iChooseSA campaign will encourage native San Antonians, transplants and boomerang community members to share their San Antonio pride on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
The #iChooseSA social uploads will be displayed in an infinite loop while Casa San Antonio takes over Half Step. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGpQkE3J0b2o5a1ql8R6i-qSXSgrTuGkFzZaWZbvua9t_ik331BPQ5Yowc3T2Vhl_IDmVinDDayLnGEtNW1PpoKxGoBOGjJ09Qe51X_817va_DTtw9OBTsHKw7lDAq7uwa9qKLHyePAAg/s1600/10407637_10153928066507660_6536137885467128851_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGpQkE3J0b2o5a1ql8R6i-qSXSgrTuGkFzZaWZbvua9t_ik331BPQ5Yowc3T2Vhl_IDmVinDDayLnGEtNW1PpoKxGoBOGjJ09Qe51X_817va_DTtw9OBTsHKw7lDAq7uwa9qKLHyePAAg/s320/10407637_10153928066507660_6536137885467128851_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
“#iChooseSA because San Antonio is an awesome place to live, work and play,” Mayor Ivy Taylor said in a news release. “Our people are welcoming, our heritage is legendary and our future is bright.”</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br />
SXSW staffers showed up at Geekdom in early February to provide information to locals on what to expect from this year's conference.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SpS006vCUktI7QqmPBguC0HTWwu61iVHc_UqOqwfpEdAJGIsRFIdlq9Hzo0vIdpkeZZ9Xz1g12mOOQO8yt_PXz2m-WLnSPN47hEcF5NXJC2yGXYYb2cbkMJjbEQBzdpJNJpopWWG4Oqr/s1600/sxswvisit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SpS006vCUktI7QqmPBguC0HTWwu61iVHc_UqOqwfpEdAJGIsRFIdlq9Hzo0vIdpkeZZ9Xz1g12mOOQO8yt_PXz2m-WLnSPN47hEcF5NXJC2yGXYYb2cbkMJjbEQBzdpJNJpopWWG4Oqr/s320/sxswvisit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
A kickoff to #SATXatSXSW is scheduled for 6-8:30 p.m. March 1 at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BurlesonYard/" target="_blank">Burleson Yard Beer Garden</a>. The free-admission event includes complimentary cocktails, food trucks, and a chance to meet some of the contestants who'll be in the taco challenge at Half Step during SXSW. RSVP <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/satx-at-sxsw-launch-party-tickets-32244556336" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Until then, keep up to date with Choose San Antonio's website and social media, as well as SXSW. </div>
<br />
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-30617213115020531882017-01-29T18:27:00.001-08:002017-01-29T18:27:08.804-08:00Reveling in the finale of Restaurant WeekI saved the best for last when it came to this round of San Antonio Restaurant Week. It was the final evening of a two weeks worth of the town's best restaurants offering amazing pre-fixed meal menus for lunch and dinner.<br />
<br />
It was no different at <a href="http://jprimesteakhouse.com/" target="_blank">J Prime Steakhouse.</a> It was, admittedly, my first time there. For such an establishment, my friend Miriam and I could not have been more pleased with the professionalism displayed, from the quick seating at our table to departure.<br />
<br />
For the appetizer, Miriam went with the lobster bisque, involving minced lobster, creme fraiche, and sherry. Seeing as how I hadn't loaded up on many veggies the past two days, I chose the wedge salad, which was garnished with a parmesan trick and baby heirloom tomatoes.<br />
<br />
For the entree, Miriam indulged in the <span style="font-family: Oswald; font-size: small;">stuffed airline chicken breast -- beautifully wrapped with chicken, stuffed with breadcrumbs, and semi-dried </span><span style="font-family: Oswald;">tomatoes</span><span style="font-family: Oswald; font-size: small;"> with a veal demi glaze.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LYjhmwrlBUrL5S84m-Bn5sFge5KJjY1msF9b19IJf-jNGoAEBUJBbJFH6PF4kpdiwxtCq0DgKGKUD8jrUPDEYWn47Q7xwAXClPQe95nr_dmjeMQBCtnxmpfERnR4o-zsP1X57ZcacRfJ/s1600/16298382_10154886562462660_4558119098733584229_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LYjhmwrlBUrL5S84m-Bn5sFge5KJjY1msF9b19IJf-jNGoAEBUJBbJFH6PF4kpdiwxtCq0DgKGKUD8jrUPDEYWn47Q7xwAXClPQe95nr_dmjeMQBCtnxmpfERnR4o-zsP1X57ZcacRfJ/s320/16298382_10154886562462660_4558119098733584229_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Oswald;">The chicken breast came accompanied by Miriam's choice of </span><span style="font-family: Oswald; font-size: 12pt;">au gratin potato.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Oswald; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Oswald; font-size: small;">I was in love with the Atlantic salmon, which came served </span><span style="font-family: Oswald;">with</span><span style="font-family: Oswald; font-size: small;"> lemon beurre blanc, and beet reduction with baby vegetables.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNBciho-AY_DHj7tyrzVr7FdBO4GOJfGY6YxCrxYXtMickB7p-tW3pFzUOrq3vzKGZxNwQ8LBpttGE5qU3_qct3goBw_17_ZPGUkShKiktc55e1aWekpYdr9-C7jSTfnxGrlo9DmmOfuD/s1600/16298415_10154886562512660_6278035759848052800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNBciho-AY_DHj7tyrzVr7FdBO4GOJfGY6YxCrxYXtMickB7p-tW3pFzUOrq3vzKGZxNwQ8LBpttGE5qU3_qct3goBw_17_ZPGUkShKiktc55e1aWekpYdr9-C7jSTfnxGrlo9DmmOfuD/s320/16298415_10154886562512660_6278035759848052800_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Oswald; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Oswald; font-size: small;">Given all the appetizers - and glasses of Spaten beer we were downing - what appeared to be a tightly compact main entrees, with great presentation, were plenty enough on their own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Oswald; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Oswald; font-size: small;">But of course we couldn't leave out the desserts. Miriam enjoyed the petite gateau -- chocolate cake served with warm chocolate truffle, vanilla ice cream and berries. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROYMeismRYDEYpmXxkWRH3LUAkhHZzUXbCprEvzeJcdwnzYgA8NP332n14a7i8uyqPmj06V-qwMpDfAf09mApHrqsspJh7tzC8JJSPU-rmZH10sNQp3R9oCmG19kutEvRFYcZRabNHnpe/s1600/16265198_10154886562547660_4745077431469878408_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROYMeismRYDEYpmXxkWRH3LUAkhHZzUXbCprEvzeJcdwnzYgA8NP332n14a7i8uyqPmj06V-qwMpDfAf09mApHrqsspJh7tzC8JJSPU-rmZH10sNQp3R9oCmG19kutEvRFYcZRabNHnpe/s320/16265198_10154886562547660_4745077431469878408_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Oswald; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Oswald; font-size: small;">I went after a slice of six-layered dark chocolate mousse cake. As you can guess, it was all rich, decadent and irresistible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Oswald; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Oswald; font-size: small;">Props to J Prime for the excellent execution, on a typically busy Saturday night, even in the final fading hours of Restaurant Week. And all those proceeds go to benefit Culinaria and its many educational programs.</span><br />
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
</div>
</div>
</div>
fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-52745297709208984632017-01-16T16:05:00.002-08:002017-01-16T16:05:06.428-08:00Restaurant Week's a local foodie's delight<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
San Antonio Restaurant Week has long been a popular way of indulging one’s craving for local culinary delights — and giving to a worthy cause.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVR_h8PVHt7_Re6-9BW6aVYztFqNZ8pUYgBhK1ylhcfevhVnl6XlNQcqYxP_8hGOWJ-f7voHPRxcBtYpaTpO6iX9J_LK9VUfV66XUGTKs5IKQ9mvMwFcWgzzAP7iLxAF9hkYzQAvOX-xpR/s1600/culinaria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVR_h8PVHt7_Re6-9BW6aVYztFqNZ8pUYgBhK1ylhcfevhVnl6XlNQcqYxP_8hGOWJ-f7voHPRxcBtYpaTpO6iX9J_LK9VUfV66XUGTKs5IKQ9mvMwFcWgzzAP7iLxAF9hkYzQAvOX-xpR/s320/culinaria.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Restaurant Week celebrates San Antonio’s chefs, winemakers, bartenders and other culinary arts leaders through specially priced meals at more than 100 participating restaurants citywide.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
The latest edition of Restaurant Week begins today, Jan. 16, and continues through Jan. 28.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
With each meal ordered for Restaurant Week, these restaurants will donate $1 from each lunch menu and $2 from each dinner menu ordered. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Participating restaurants are offering an array of prix-fixe menus, encompassing three-course lunch and/or dinner menus within two different pricing tiers: </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
*Tier 1 establishments have a three-course menu, costing $15 for lunch and $35 for dinner.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
*Tier 2 establishments have a three-course menu, costing $10 for lunch and $25 for dinner.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Here’s just a small sampling of Tier 1 participating restaurants: <a href="http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/texas/hilton-san-antonio-airport-SATAPHF/dining/index.html" target="_blank">Asado Seafood and Grill</a>, <a href="http://www.foodisbliss.com/" target="_blank">Bliss</a>, <a href="http://www.fredericksbistro.com/" target="_blank">Frederick’s Bistro</a>, <a href="http://kirbyssteakhouse.com/locations/san-antonio/" target="_blank">Kirby’s Steakhouse</a>, <a href="http://www.lafritesa.com/" target="_blank">La Frite</a>, <a href="http://www.mokarahotels.com/sanantonio/dining.html" target="_blank">Ostra</a>, <a href="http://laboulangerie.com/" target="_blank">Saveurs 209</a>, <a href="http://www.supperatemma.com/" target="_blank">Supper at Hotel Emma</a>, <a href="http://thecleanplatesanantonio.com/" target="_blank">The Clean Plate</a>, and <a href="http://treenoteca.com/" target="_blank">Tre Enoteca</a>.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Here are a few Tier 2 restaurants: <a href="http://www.alchemysanantonio.com/" target="_blank">Alchecmy Kombucha and Culture</a>, <a href="http://eatgarbanzo.com/" target="_blank">Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill</a>, <a href="http://www.safresh.com/" target="_blank">SA Fresh</a>, <a href="http://txmeatco.com/" target="_blank">Texas Meat Co</a>., and <a href="http://www.5pointslocal.com/" target="_blank">5 Points Local</a>.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Culinaria’s main <a href="http://culinariasa.org/" target="_blank">website</a> has a full, updated list, including links to menus. Reservations are strongly recommended at some places. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Proceeds to benefit Culinaria, a local nonprofit that helps to advocate for San Antonio as a culinary and wine destination by fostering community development and education.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
This year is big for Culinaria, as the organization will soon announce a new location for its urban farm. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Called The Farm, the facility is a place where food professionals, farmers, volunteers, sponsors and other supporters of Culinaria and its goal can gather to <b> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGDbppHSklgxCJNijJoG1c-tOT7icYQhJBdH5ll0JLFI42bTkGcdqx3RKf4_nesfz3-FBaw3KIGSfQrvTwZ6i2zLLDuewiSSqRauJtUnCqJ26ThpbBPz4vqpZI7LIpmcxHGV9bx8n9TVK/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-01-16+at+6.03.44+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGDbppHSklgxCJNijJoG1c-tOT7icYQhJBdH5ll0JLFI42bTkGcdqx3RKf4_nesfz3-FBaw3KIGSfQrvTwZ6i2zLLDuewiSSqRauJtUnCqJ26ThpbBPz4vqpZI7LIpmcxHGV9bx8n9TVK/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-01-16+at+6.03.44+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
exchange ideas and show the community at large how people can grow their own quality food. <br />
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Construction on The Farm’s original site near Magnolia Pancake Haus had been taking place through 2016. But due to unforeseen circumstances, Culinaria had to find another spot.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
In the meantime, take a gander at those menus and enjoy Restaurant Week. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-7323640216810708582016-12-26T22:04:00.000-08:002016-12-26T22:04:01.087-08:00I Fill My Free Time Reading Other People’s "Rogue One" Blogs<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
OK, not really. But I figure this is the most fun a fan can have each time a Star Wars movie is released. You know, reading up on fan theories, hidden eggs in the flick, “connecting the dots” between interviews with cast and crew, seeing the links with past movies, books, etc.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
This isn’t so much an overdue review as much as it is a backing of the consensus that has developed around “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUocEdlqcbwKki2EnZ5rSXT-AOYmdcJl384dJLvcOyw-WHEg1lf4kqAxyq0NcSwKYchnLkLniw5sB5pdGB2FHa6Tp0EWurTJenYkCFV7Brw0H9TudOcQJIxBHnXNnY8R0ZZsx7NzfuU2R/s1600/703337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUocEdlqcbwKki2EnZ5rSXT-AOYmdcJl384dJLvcOyw-WHEg1lf4kqAxyq0NcSwKYchnLkLniw5sB5pdGB2FHa6Tp0EWurTJenYkCFV7Brw0H9TudOcQJIxBHnXNnY8R0ZZsx7NzfuU2R/s320/703337.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
It’s hard to keep up with the latest theorized and essentially confirmed tie-ins from “Rogue One” (I’ll do my best to spare you clear spoilers): </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
*That Supreme Leader Snoke DID cross paths here with Darth Vader.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
*There are references to characters and ships from “Star Wars Rebels.” (Well, one character crossover is very clear.)</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
*The Kyber crystals date back to pre-script treatment for “A New Hope.”</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
*The Force REALLY HAS been one with the entire rebellion and the entire rebellion has really been one with The Force.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
This is just the tip of the iceberg. It all provides hours of thrills for fans whose imaginations are broadened by this expanding Star Wars universe (expanding, finally, on the big screen). </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeRGlOaUjnOCIPWRQ9GsoDSeDsrdfJCK9XLqVyHgwbc9DdQ_1BCbfbVMLE1XPG0fmRdLwQLLKh8yNH9xlaSm6TPYUSQQt-6kOkz42Zn0tfwsWV6tX0GLxhojOFtF7WUfgrepn4yVSdcTb/s1600/29906170001_4835714181001_video-still-for-video-4835696894001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeRGlOaUjnOCIPWRQ9GsoDSeDsrdfJCK9XLqVyHgwbc9DdQ_1BCbfbVMLE1XPG0fmRdLwQLLKh8yNH9xlaSm6TPYUSQQt-6kOkz42Zn0tfwsWV6tX0GLxhojOFtF7WUfgrepn4yVSdcTb/s320/29906170001_4835714181001_video-still-for-video-4835696894001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
Star Wars has made me cry three times now: </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
*The very end of “Return of the Jedi” when I was age 9 and I truly thought it was - back then - the end of the Star Wars saga. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
*A few tears shed in the end of “Rogue One.” The rebels’ sacrifice is fully realized and it’s a breathtaking, dark affair.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
*Jar Jar Binks. Because Jar Jar’s appearance essentially symbolizes nearly all of George Lucas’ miscalculations in the prequels.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
“Rogue One” is hope, that this enlarging “Star Wars” cinematic universe will only get even better. It will gives more engrossing characters, incredible worlds, engaging scenes of adventure, romance and drama, and fantastic action set pieces.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
Was “Rogue One’s” script sublime? No. By no means did it contain the boredom and clunkiness of Lucas’ writing for the prequels. Nor was it a straight call-back to Episode IV or The Force Awakens. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6rxgfNWWwRJdT78f2TRmzwEnS4TBKvsEl_rDvwrTkDk_vwEhBKu81SyTsWqG9ZFQ3bKTZAnlgHlDWaWEjRiNKQZrulbW1CG5ZM8Wf9Nm_DPDsSesxssBDp0b7O-Rd4ZefzeDcdfE344V/s1600/darth-vader-rogue-one.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6rxgfNWWwRJdT78f2TRmzwEnS4TBKvsEl_rDvwrTkDk_vwEhBKu81SyTsWqG9ZFQ3bKTZAnlgHlDWaWEjRiNKQZrulbW1CG5ZM8Wf9Nm_DPDsSesxssBDp0b7O-Rd4ZefzeDcdfE344V/s320/darth-vader-rogue-one.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
And yes, Vox, it is a war movie. Because “Star Wars” is about warfare against the backdrop of glorious, strange worlds. Perhaps unlike past SW flicks, “Rogue One” explores the moral complexity of the Rebel Alliance - that the rebels are practically terrorists who do more than they’re willing to admit for a “greater good.” </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Could there have been stronger character development? Sure. But you could say that for most movies. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
All in all, there’s a tremendous story - the end of which we knew already. But how we get there is thrilling and urgent with a dash of disconsolation thrown in. With its expected - and unexpected connections - to other “Star Wars” iterations, it’s a wonderful addition to the SW cinematic family. </div>
fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-33893941861272717912016-12-22T18:56:00.003-08:002016-12-26T22:04:38.818-08:00Movies That Are Christmas Movies (Even Though Some of You Feel Otherwise)<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
During the holiday season, you can only see “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “A Christmas Story” and “Miracle on 34th Street” so many times. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
That’s where quirkiness, creativity and an open mind come into play. You know well there are many flicks that don’t fall into the traditional “Christmas” or holiday film category.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Yet, these are Christmas movies. They are set during the holiday season. Some may even have redeeming quality or two.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
So, get some wassail or “special” hot cocoa (you may need plenty of it to really enjoy these holiday classics), relax and let all this cinematic awesomeness take you over. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<b>Gremlins</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
If you think about it, Warner Bros., Steven Spielberg, Chris Columbus and Joe Dante were geniuses. Imagine it’s 1984 (I was, umm, youngish). Over the summer, you see this crazy semi-horror comedy about the cutish creature who, in a sense, births nasty little havoc-creating monsters. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
The gremlins take over a small town close to Christmas. You laugh, you cringe, you throw up your hands and say “What in the heck?”</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
You’re a kid back then. All you want is Gizmo, the mogwai. Darn, he doesn’t actually exist (as far as we know), but you can get him for…wait for it…Christmas! From Ward’s or JC Penney or Sears. Or Toys R’Us. Genius marketing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYAZ6V4HsMffSaXsjcD6Dqig5CKBCm9j-SM9s08xouatTkoju9uNW9jfV330xzjxjOmSFS-l9smpHj2cNl28_s3dVs0I0OTJQhHsnzPD7571yUxffMYA18U0YVqOyFkzPliMUG9NvmqbB/s1600/gizmo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYAZ6V4HsMffSaXsjcD6Dqig5CKBCm9j-SM9s08xouatTkoju9uNW9jfV330xzjxjOmSFS-l9smpHj2cNl28_s3dVs0I0OTJQhHsnzPD7571yUxffMYA18U0YVqOyFkzPliMUG9NvmqbB/s320/gizmo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVbiWCc1AdGEvo6uSBtK4K3yLdUblPWLClNiEi9lnVoq-PW2Xxogx_PlBsBaMPBIqxpneceBF3e_NADK6ZLWEVeqHKRmsyK63h5UeL0Xy-t2LBxBCGPoes0zjUjAondonKlHw0niF2ToD/s1600/gremlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVbiWCc1AdGEvo6uSBtK4K3yLdUblPWLClNiEi9lnVoq-PW2Xxogx_PlBsBaMPBIqxpneceBF3e_NADK6ZLWEVeqHKRmsyK63h5UeL0Xy-t2LBxBCGPoes0zjUjAondonKlHw0niF2ToD/s320/gremlin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<b>Die Hard</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
On the face of it, Die Hard launched the modern action movie genre. There have been many imitators…a one-person army against a bunch of baddies. But nothing tops the original Die Hard, for its sheer thrills, drama, dazzling action, and some humor with one-liners thrown in for good measure.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
But more than that, it’s a Christmas movie. I mean, c’mon, terrorists take over a Los Angeles office high-rise during a company’s holiday party? Everyone is in the giving spirit. The world is introduced to the great Alan Rickman (rest in peace, sir). We get Bruce Willis, action movie hero. We get Run-DMC’s Christmas song to start, Sammy Cahn singing “Let It Snow” before the end credits roll. What more do you want?</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Honorable mention: Die Hard 2 (also set during Christmas in DC. )</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiep9CsOLwuIMThHQL5q_SGyhzFmQPQpz9EadLBDGB33ywOsyCR5SSb1-W84uSosRpjF4rLP8R4MVf-VHQ3bTm2kLfcUVjUxFARTBE0Vj4UHLALADtVrBQbLYsOa9GPS08KuGlIokoYyD_N/s1600/McClane-hanging-from-a-fire-hose-Die-Hard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiep9CsOLwuIMThHQL5q_SGyhzFmQPQpz9EadLBDGB33ywOsyCR5SSb1-W84uSosRpjF4rLP8R4MVf-VHQ3bTm2kLfcUVjUxFARTBE0Vj4UHLALADtVrBQbLYsOa9GPS08KuGlIokoYyD_N/s320/McClane-hanging-from-a-fire-hose-Die-Hard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<b>Brazil</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Once again, imagine yourself in 1984. George Orwell’s “1984” has been made into a movie, which - frankly speaking - was boring. Then imagine you’re Terry Gilliam and want to envision a futuristic totalitarian society in a wild way. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
“Brazil” is it. Don’t ask about the title. Just. Don’t. Instead, just watch a movie with such amazing, daring vision. The plot? Well, it’s a little hard to explain, but it is set during Christmas. Or what’s left of it in this society. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
It plays like a bleak drama, but it’s chock full of dark humor and socio-political satire. You’ll never think of an imagined dictatorship in the same way again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTgI7ebQp2xYRifCIInvnCVNhd18TrS-ZDh0CQpgKa0RMijcYFRc8NjMQQBM_T5it_LBXkQbjXH4Z9OEXdazfpkuMpeBOyGCx0K6MxGDohRnJOtY-p4ZiuEpkYS6bK1ydFU7wwSbWvkzw/s1600/brazil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTgI7ebQp2xYRifCIInvnCVNhd18TrS-ZDh0CQpgKa0RMijcYFRc8NjMQQBM_T5it_LBXkQbjXH4Z9OEXdazfpkuMpeBOyGCx0K6MxGDohRnJOtY-p4ZiuEpkYS6bK1ydFU7wwSbWvkzw/s320/brazil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<b>Night of the Comet</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
I honestly can’t call Night of the Comet a straight-up horror/sci-fi flick. Sure, it starts with the return of a comet that apparently contributed to the dinosaurs’ demise. But the comet is returning to pass Earth - in one night before Christmas. And mankind is pretty much finished.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
All you have left are survivors played by the likes of Kelli Maroney, Catherine Mary Stewart and Robert Beltran, wondering what may come next. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
(Confession: I had the hots for Maroney and Stewart in the 80s. Ok, back to the blog.)</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Anyways, it’s a fun lower budget flick that so fits its time and setting: mid-1980s L.A. Like my other mentioned movies, “Night of the Comet has its share of dark humor and satire. For me at this point, it’s all about the 80s nostalgia. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnfBiNUdJwFaowrP-ZzWtHob6F8Ru2GS7Gir8vYnGBzsUu7D9N6GQEUyEi-GgYxJG5W0UnPJREaQDxHUDJ_mgvfBHNJd2s7wXyx5_tcbjFBVlYLaPgVoB3fLJm7iJSS1cPTSO32EnhgZ9/s1600/notc1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnfBiNUdJwFaowrP-ZzWtHob6F8Ru2GS7Gir8vYnGBzsUu7D9N6GQEUyEi-GgYxJG5W0UnPJREaQDxHUDJ_mgvfBHNJd2s7wXyx5_tcbjFBVlYLaPgVoB3fLJm7iJSS1cPTSO32EnhgZ9/s320/notc1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<b>Lethal Weapon</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Before he tackled a somewhat more anti-traditional Christmas movie, “Scrooged,” Richard Donner directed Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in this action-errr, comedy franchise starter. But it has nice blend of action, humor and drama…all set before CHRISTMAS.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-BrV4qdqU5U4-oCyigHtDivXkkbM6axej8uVtPZ_Ri_X6CuwteQo6-2PACHZ7XvbGz2ex7sF1cqBhTpokwd7P1XvW-kIhpttS-U-n_gzpso6-vw_-HiCGE_d66JSqDBGiYSwmwgXYEB3/s1600/lethal-weapon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-BrV4qdqU5U4-oCyigHtDivXkkbM6axej8uVtPZ_Ri_X6CuwteQo6-2PACHZ7XvbGz2ex7sF1cqBhTpokwd7P1XvW-kIhpttS-U-n_gzpso6-vw_-HiCGE_d66JSqDBGiYSwmwgXYEB3/s320/lethal-weapon.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<b>Trading Places</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
John Landis has been one of my favorite directors, mainly for his use of dark humor in a film that may not be seen as strictly slapstick comedy. “The Blues Brothers” was such an example. So is “Trading Places.” Eddie Murphy’s movie career was beginning. Dan Ackroyd was taking off. It was, simply, a perfect comedy SET DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4e4XOfKZgpKv-070IjUXh2FH7Ro5ev4bPI30fR4a2dufkSnXs5nv8Vtg1pXREvOEMz5PQELInBDc9Wj7YG_aEYBVydVOQxGvQzKm4swy2xeSi_z0XJMtsS16kMIVazGt8p3qVtszE1kA/s1600/Trading-Places.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4e4XOfKZgpKv-070IjUXh2FH7Ro5ev4bPI30fR4a2dufkSnXs5nv8Vtg1pXREvOEMz5PQELInBDc9Wj7YG_aEYBVydVOQxGvQzKm4swy2xeSi_z0XJMtsS16kMIVazGt8p3qVtszE1kA/s320/Trading-Places.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
More honorable mention: Black Christmas; Silent Night, Deadly Night, Bad Santa, Krampus, All Through the House</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
I didn’t mention Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns, Home Alone, etc., because it’s naturally assumed these are Christmas-y flicks. Anyways, check these out if you haven’t already. With plenty of wassail.</div>
fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-28306095153779223462016-12-08T14:50:00.001-08:002016-12-08T14:50:27.439-08:00Playoff college football, or pretending is fun!<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Let’s face it — 2016 sucks. Except for the Cubs and Cowboys winning. But let’s wrap it up on a fun note, with my growing tradition. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
As the NCAA has come up with its third edition of a four-team Division I football playoff, it’s that time to imagine a 16-team tournament.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
I know, we’ve heard the arguments against practically any playoff. That bowl traditions are dismantled. Student-athletes wouldn’t be able to focus on finals. Schools would lose money. But consider that tournaments haven’t hurt FCS or Division II or III or NAIA schools.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
So, fire up those imaginations. Let’s play pretend. Start with automatic champions from FBS (Football Championship Series) conferences -- regular-season champs and championship game victors.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
In the instance of co-champions, that conference would determine who gets essentially an automatic FBS bid. From 10 conferences, this year get 12 automatic bids. Average the current computer rankings, and those of Associated Press and coaches polls. Concentrate on schools that get the most place votes, prioritize, and reach a final aggregate Top 25 poll. Top-ranked FBS independents would be considered, of course.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQ_ZKk_xh5jbAJIBP-id7w8bBxZRl3w4NEQRIZz7ysG_0PLAoTzZdvt7cRutBC7BqKt1pBIj_d7lsKF9VDM1cNmHp_gKcSNxjZkHgnn7kHDxycMkPTeXq5XjC-G0SBcsifQIyB79ZxZyy/s1600/mybracket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQ_ZKk_xh5jbAJIBP-id7w8bBxZRl3w4NEQRIZz7ysG_0PLAoTzZdvt7cRutBC7BqKt1pBIj_d7lsKF9VDM1cNmHp_gKcSNxjZkHgnn7kHDxycMkPTeXq5XjC-G0SBcsifQIyB79ZxZyy/s320/mybracket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
A final 2016 FBS aggregate poll would look like this:</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
1) Alabama (SEC champion)</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
2) Clemson (ACC champion)</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
3) Ohio State </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
4) Washington (Pac-12 champion)</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
5) Penn State (Big 10 champ)</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
6) Michigan</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
7) Oklahoma (Big 12 champ)</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
8) Wisconsin</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
9) USC</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
10) Florida State</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
11) Colorado</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
12) West Virginia</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
13) Oklahoma State</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
14) Western Michigan (MAC champ)</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
15) Louisville</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
16) Stanford</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
17) Auburn</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
18) Florida</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
19) Virginia Tech</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
20) LSU</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
21) Utah</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
22) Iowa</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
23) Pittsburgh</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
24) Nebraska</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
25) Temple (AAC champ)</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Unranked conference champions</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Western Kentucky (Conference USA champion)</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
San Diego State (Mountain West champion)</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Appalachian State (Sun Belt champion)</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Ultimately, FBS automatic bids would go to Alabama, Clemson, Washington, Penn State, Oklahoma, Western Michigan, Temple, Western Kentucky, San Diego State, Appalachian State, </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Then look at the next set of highest ranked schools in the aggregate poll. They receive at-large bids: Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, USC, Florida State, Colorado</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
The final FBS tournament seedings would be in a 16 vs. 1, 15 vs. 2, 14, vs. 3, etc. format. Accordingly, they are: </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
1. Alabama</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
2. Clemson</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
3. Ohio State</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
4. Washington</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
5. Penn State</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
6. Michigan</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
7. Oklahoma</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
8. Wisconsin</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
9. USC</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
10. Florida State</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
11. Colorado</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
12. Western Michigan</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
13. Temple</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
14. Western Kentucky</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
15. San Diego State</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
16. Appalachian State</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Take a look at the oldest, popular, most lucrative, traditional bowls. Provide some regional interest where established or geographic rivalries may exist. Make those bowls the new FBS playoff matches. And yes, virtually all will be broadcast on ESPN its seemingly hundreds of channels.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Imagine the increased interest from fans, especially for those bowl games that sometimes do not get sold out. Imagine the ratings. Imagine these bowls having truly something at stake — a chance to advance to play for a championship. Just like most other playoffs/tournaments elsewhere on Earth do. Imagine that.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
How about dates for these awesome matches? The “younger”-ish/less lucrative bowls would serve essentially as quarterfinals on various days from mid to late December. Using the seeding format — 1 vs. 16, 2 vs. 15, 3 vs. 14, 4 vs. 13, 5 vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10, and 8 vs. 9 — this is how this plays out in 2016:</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Tuesday, Dec. 13</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
San Diego State vs. Clemson– Motel 6 Catcus (formerly Copper, Insight, Buffalo Wild Wings); Tempe</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Wednesday, Dec. 14</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Western Michigan vs. Penn State-- Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus (formerly Tangerine, Capital One); Orlando</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Temple vs. Washington-- National Funding (who?) Holiday; San Diego</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Thursday, Dec. 15</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Western Kentucky vs. Ohio State -- Outback (formerly Hall of Fame); Tampa</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Colorado vs. Michigan -- Valero Alamo;</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Friday, Dec. 16</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Florida State vs. Oklahoma -- AutoZone Liberty; Memphis</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
USC vs. Wisconsin -– Camping World Independence; Shreveport</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Saturday, Dec. 17</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Appalachian State vs. Alabama -- TaxSlayer (formerly Gator - c’mon, just call it Gator again); Jacksonville</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Probable winners?</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Clemson, Western Michigan (upset special!), Washington, Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State (throws in wrench), Wisconsin, Alabama</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Alabama</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Clemson</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Ohio State</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Washington</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Michigan</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Wisconsin</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Florida State</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Western Michigan</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Then let’s go for highest vs. lowest surviving seeds for contests in the following week's semifinal bowls. Regional attractions can remain a factor where a match-up lands:</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Wednesday, Dec. 21</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Wisconsin v. Ohio State -- Hyundai Sun; El Paso</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Friday, Dec. 23</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Western Michigan v. Alabama -- Goodyear Cotton; Dallas</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Saturday, Dec. 24</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Florida State v. Clemson — Chick-fil-A Peach; Atlanta</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Michigan v. Washington -- Northwestern Mutual Rose Bowl, Pasadena</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Probable winners?</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Michigan, Wisconsin (shock?), Alabama, Clemson</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Final Four of sorts/Friday, Dec. 30 (featuring surviving seeds, low vs. high</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Wisconsin v. Alabama – BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl, Tempe</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Michigan v. Clemson— Orange Bowl, Miami</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Probable winners?</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Alabama, Michigan</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Championship game, Monday, Jan. 9</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Michigan v. Alabama– Allstate Sugar; New Orleans</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
Sure, a variation of this may end up this way regardless in the present four-team system. But the fun is to let it all play out. What’s wrong with that?</div>
fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-72290395878598804032016-07-08T17:50:00.001-07:002016-07-08T17:50:28.701-07:00Send your best idea for a SXSW panelDeveloping an idea for a South by Southwest panel discussion or solo presentation sounds easy enough. According to SXSW staffers, it is - as long as one follows a few simple tips.<br />
<br />
But essentially, when formulating an idea for the SXSW PanelPicker, you are creating a business proposal. You're explaining why your idea/issue/service/technique is worth up to an hour of people's time for discussion and contemplation. And remember, your proposal would be competing with those submitted from thousands of people.<br />
<br />
SXSW staffers are visiting several Texas cities, sharing those helpful tips with people who might be interested in submitting a proposal for the 2017 SXSW festival. More than 20 San Antonians showed up at the Geekdom Event Centre on July 7 to get the lowdown.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxMXKzgeIF-9gZVFAkQw5noWQOkwWa1vCVtBkWhYX9lQOQzThLZ-nn6C7wf-FSK3O4-LOK9bHFxqyTjxasFIMKt6P6Jx1UzjGe1MaxDl-gERb_fECLUAMKdxnGZaGqTjuk52Tt-HXPd9f/s1600/20160707_192216_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxMXKzgeIF-9gZVFAkQw5noWQOkwWa1vCVtBkWhYX9lQOQzThLZ-nn6C7wf-FSK3O4-LOK9bHFxqyTjxasFIMKt6P6Jx1UzjGe1MaxDl-gERb_fECLUAMKdxnGZaGqTjuk52Tt-HXPd9f/s320/20160707_192216_resized.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The first thing to keep in mind is that the panel selection is a community-driven process. The submission window for the 2017 festival began June 28 and ends July 22. This includes interactive, film and music portions, and SXSWedu.<br />
<br />
The public first takes a crack at voting on the most worthy proposals Aug. 8-Sept. 2. Then a panel of experts in the programming subject tracks will vote on the submissions, followed by SXSW staff. Oct. 17 is the day when everybody finds out which proposals have been chosen for programming.<br />
<br />
SXSW staffers said it's important for submitters to realize that this is their chance to help keep the festival feeling fresh with new ideas. The festival seeks cutting-edge topics that are exciting not only to the solo presenter/panel of speakers but to the audience.<br />
<br />
Your proposal should focus on the future -- how your app or service or emerging industry or issue impacts us now and could affect us down the road.<br />
<br />
It should be a subject, staffers said, that will keep the audience engaged for 45 minutes to an hour and afterward. It should be something that creates chatter. The title, however straight-forward or quirky, should reflect the subject and presentation around which you're crafting your proposal.<br />
<br />
The proposal itself should be in-depth and specific as possible. If it's a panel discussion, the submitter should know now who the speakers would be. Indicate whether the panel (or solo presentation) will include a video or PowerPoint.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1pM90aQgWEUUrSiYaOEzgJysXn3hdPQYxsTSK7PKtlhnCM8gvQFNEeeYkMH9u5KoI57oGU_lincnopw7O0gwvJtlr7LEjZBC1FMwF32nL-TxP6Z1Hvw1wgUk_DolsTvJzEcd0KgeTPA5/s1600/10338866_10153940644897660_6391911813776806222_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1pM90aQgWEUUrSiYaOEzgJysXn3hdPQYxsTSK7PKtlhnCM8gvQFNEeeYkMH9u5KoI57oGU_lincnopw7O0gwvJtlr7LEjZBC1FMwF32nL-TxP6Z1Hvw1wgUk_DolsTvJzEcd0KgeTPA5/s320/10338866_10153940644897660_6391911813776806222_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The staffers noted, perhaps not surprisingly, that a video - even a brief, non-professional piece - will help keep the audience's attention.<br />
<br />
If it's a solo session, the same rule applies in terms of picking an interest about which you're most passionate. At the same time, it's a topic that will feel totally new to the audience or at least have a different angle.<br />
<br />
The South by staffers acknowledged the diversity matters. Racial, sexual preference, spiritual, socioeconomic -- it doesn't matter. A difference of opinion among all the programmed speakers is welcome.<br />
<br />
And while it sounds too easy to remember, sometimes people take it for granted: Spelling and grammar. Yes, of course these are important to the proposal. It should look professional, no different than a business.<br />
<br />
Staffers said this helps further show the submitter's dedication, effort and seriousness about the subject matter. The festival wants you to look your best.<br />
<br />
So, get to writing that profound proposal for the PanelPicker. It does not have to a groundbreaking debut for an app such as Twitter or Foursquare. But it should be reflection of your passion and its potential impact on the world.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrbrZMdeXHteuH4Wb-pEAQOHDOi47ELY15XpeBG9a1iyI25cUafiyqfbJYR-uhVQTlkswVv_sRrIRqnqZcCtVoTSzEAz5cgW6ZuNt6OHjOR8uIumTc-UoDWErg1FD9AtjZpruABSlOXhD/s1600/1545671_10153933929487660_824960341001467532_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrbrZMdeXHteuH4Wb-pEAQOHDOi47ELY15XpeBG9a1iyI25cUafiyqfbJYR-uhVQTlkswVv_sRrIRqnqZcCtVoTSzEAz5cgW6ZuNt6OHjOR8uIumTc-UoDWErg1FD9AtjZpruABSlOXhD/s320/1545671_10153933929487660_824960341001467532_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Plus, it's a chance for you -- hello, San Antonio -- to represent your community to the world at SXSW. Be a part of San Antonio's formal participation at the festival.<br />
<br />fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-84215648668619521322016-05-08T17:20:00.001-07:002016-05-08T17:21:14.573-07:00"Captain America: Civil War" makes me happy and sadWhen Captain American and Iron Man finally go at it, one on one, late in "Captain America: Civil War," it follows a scene filled with emotion. While it's fun to see all the superheroes take each other on as a result of a philosophical squabble, a terribly incident long ago seemingly permanently divides Steve Rogers and Tony Stark as friends and colleagues.<br />
<br />
Although "Captain America: Civil War" has its share of tremendous action set pieces, it has enough human drama, emotional deft and touches of humor that it never fails to lose its connection with fans. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWGHh-bLUzwXRq94kZeaNBdXI-LRzibCervE6nmfGsBb5AF5byq4a4r5ydcH2JsFhz0VgV3GxlQns8aELB3uO6gAS_rTy0ZmIgwSDoDu-2J7P_iKBy_v-6HRSJjZwZO-ZdtPZoHzA-XLN/s1600/civil+war+comic.23.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWGHh-bLUzwXRq94kZeaNBdXI-LRzibCervE6nmfGsBb5AF5byq4a4r5ydcH2JsFhz0VgV3GxlQns8aELB3uO6gAS_rTy0ZmIgwSDoDu-2J7P_iKBy_v-6HRSJjZwZO-ZdtPZoHzA-XLN/s320/civil+war+comic.23.00.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After all, this is a popcorn movie based on comic book characters. This and practically all other Marvel films still have retained their sense of fun, and they remain linked with their fans who have built up a relationship - if you will - with said movies (X-Men and Spider-man included) over the last decade or so. Even "Deadpool," with its language and graphic violence, is just like its comic inspiration -- a guilty pleasure.<br />
<br />
I'm sure I'm among many people who also want to see some kind of success at DC with their efforts to crank out blockbuster movies based on iconic DC comic characters, finally arriving with Justice League. I wanted to like "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" so much. I'm sure this sentiment is familiar to other fans. But as expected, the differences between the DC and Marvel film universes are becoming only more stark, and worrisome for DC.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOTu_0rMQGaMnI26bfX7PST3qng-am_MRqtxR3cnAilQohnb7Lgk7xH46ffDxNmo-kXePKBgOXAh0rgz1QDW8L5Hqe0tFP7C2Ea-M68gJK_msHi4y86ri2q2SiRyOYGPqwa_Ok3SXzIVF/s1600/Captain_America_Civil_War_teaser_trailer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOTu_0rMQGaMnI26bfX7PST3qng-am_MRqtxR3cnAilQohnb7Lgk7xH46ffDxNmo-kXePKBgOXAh0rgz1QDW8L5Hqe0tFP7C2Ea-M68gJK_msHi4y86ri2q2SiRyOYGPqwa_Ok3SXzIVF/s320/Captain_America_Civil_War_teaser_trailer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I could only recall the smile on my face when Stark and Rogers engage each other in "Civil War" -- about whether to reign in the Avengers whose efforts to save the world don't come without deadly consequences to innocent bystanders. It's intriguing that a similar subplot between Captain America/Iron Man/Avengers and B v S -- the debate over the actions of supposed superheroes and whether those heroes should show restraint while trying to do "the right thing."<br />
<br />
And yet, almost every conversation between Batman/Bruce Wayne and Superman/Clark Kent in B v S is filled needlessly with dread, so overwrought. You want to grin briefly at Easter eggs in "Dawn of Justice," but you're afraid to because the film is practically devoid of humor and joy. Cynicism abounds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYN5yPM3RxSDFgyYBoc5i4AUKkqCkZuaTL1jAqgEui4CpH8HxocHkz_MF06MjTOptZUVdto_rUX84xreXYnxXsAUz74HKlbAFVTGh-UhjoJvvCQiIQsTDGoyR_KV4Jv93hiCt_FQoU1Ad_/s1600/batman_vs_superman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYN5yPM3RxSDFgyYBoc5i4AUKkqCkZuaTL1jAqgEui4CpH8HxocHkz_MF06MjTOptZUVdto_rUX84xreXYnxXsAUz74HKlbAFVTGh-UhjoJvvCQiIQsTDGoyR_KV4Jv93hiCt_FQoU1Ad_/s320/batman_vs_superman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Sure, the battle with Doomsday was not as exhausting or destructive as the Superman/Zod fight in "Man of Steel," Jesse Eisenberg's Luthor was enigmatic, and Wonder Woman's full debut was electrifying. But as we have seen by now, the literal and figurative dark tone of B v S was distracting, at the least.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7Vv1Md2VZd5zIEOu8fNwYqqgdv8wmuLhhpA_mAihMEk_JI5KlDHvdq6Nwz9A6MDrh5NLBsfxa6pDKWmYAXLlEFALUp1r_MD2y_Q_-haxF7oVQRKploulcXejglijdhkabjyc-zy8FMLe/s1600/bvsbts1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7Vv1Md2VZd5zIEOu8fNwYqqgdv8wmuLhhpA_mAihMEk_JI5KlDHvdq6Nwz9A6MDrh5NLBsfxa6pDKWmYAXLlEFALUp1r_MD2y_Q_-haxF7oVQRKploulcXejglijdhkabjyc-zy8FMLe/s320/bvsbts1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
By comparison, "Civil War" -- buoyed by brighter colors and optimism - effortlessly zips from the plot's conflicts involving Zemo and Teams Captain and Iron Man to bursts of sheer geek joy. There's Ant Man who shows up in - well - an impressive way. There's Chadwick Boseman who makes one eager to see the standalone Black Panther flick. <br />
<br />
Then there is perhaps, finally, a definitive big-screen Spider-man/Peter Parker when we least expected it. World, Tom Holland. Tom Holland, the world. The newcomer gave Parker/Spider-man a a nerdy/dorky/wondrous feel that we had been missing for the most part from Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwGjYEruMwmoC-jhdXu4tZ8ciCCDhYd0XsamuWkX527krBLGpFdSyelK6lYpXQ-PDjsi4cWCZncoCYb0AO8vm5LhVtj6lQlttQqeDULOHqFijWa3gm9jQxza7vL8qiyN-ZhTCb74K2LaX/s1600/3058419-captain-america-civil-war-tv-spot-spider-man-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwGjYEruMwmoC-jhdXu4tZ8ciCCDhYd0XsamuWkX527krBLGpFdSyelK6lYpXQ-PDjsi4cWCZncoCYb0AO8vm5LhVtj6lQlttQqeDULOHqFijWa3gm9jQxza7vL8qiyN-ZhTCb74K2LaX/s320/3058419-captain-america-civil-war-tv-spot-spider-man-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
"Captain America: Civil War" is definitely one the best Marvel films, and very important. It's all parts fun, funny, emotional and devastating. Pretty much like most previous Marvel films. It help lays a path for the future of Captain America and the Avengers with the same kind of adventurous personality of its cinematic predecessors without all the brooding and worry over "God vs. man" in B v S and the setup toward Justice League.<br />
<br />
Perhaps with the behind-the-scenes troubles being endured with "Aquaman" and "The Flash" movies, and the promotion of Ben Affleck to executive producer," will give hope to the idea that Warner Bros. realize the DC/Justice League film universe can be fun and games without all the darkness. fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-85525043114528679862015-12-20T13:40:00.003-08:002015-12-20T13:41:15.368-08:00"The Force Awakens" is not the "Star Wars" film we want, but the one we need<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnTzwhoS1WsohdvUx0caEKmijD4pI1GmAdt88K-haVSOJNDVu5EUu6yRPsuKVJ6apeF5aFLVWGpOTJzLkx5oJZMBRPYmIOFL544IoR6Zk3ofA3kCjbwplrzh3zX36Zp7SrjvW4KimjXe2/s1600/635859737194905170-ForceAwakens-add14-MOV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnTzwhoS1WsohdvUx0caEKmijD4pI1GmAdt88K-haVSOJNDVu5EUu6yRPsuKVJ6apeF5aFLVWGpOTJzLkx5oJZMBRPYmIOFL544IoR6Zk3ofA3kCjbwplrzh3zX36Zp7SrjvW4KimjXe2/s1600/635859737194905170-ForceAwakens-add14-MOV.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We Star Wars fans have built up in our minds incredible expectations -- variations of what should be said and done in the new Disney-fied Star Wars universe, especially now that the canon of post-Return of the Jedi books won't be a source of material.<br />
<br />
I know the new canon disappoints those who wanted to spoil The Force Awakens for many, out of spite for JJ Abrams, Disney and the new vision that we'll be seeing in the new films, TV series, books, etc.<br />
<br />
The rest of us wanted to be connected once more to the original trilogy, because it was that special. The original films changed Hollywood and pop culture forever. A grand, epic, classic battle of good vs. evil seen through the eyes of a few memorable characters. A story told with a flourish and with special effects and sets that, at the time, seemed beyond their time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mys0toDLMlx6_6OGiAafJrF5Mu-jLwW9tFLsJOzSCOgJv9rlga61SWex4nvTS1LfrOF4tHHNH0wihqV7vhL1-JHmdsRg78JEkxkHHwnWmKGXhRrqkC9UP28WXJ5IesseBg-aTqOEwV0J/s1600/Screen_Shot_2015-04-16_at_1.38.59_PM.0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mys0toDLMlx6_6OGiAafJrF5Mu-jLwW9tFLsJOzSCOgJv9rlga61SWex4nvTS1LfrOF4tHHNH0wihqV7vhL1-JHmdsRg78JEkxkHHwnWmKGXhRrqkC9UP28WXJ5IesseBg-aTqOEwV0J/s320/Screen_Shot_2015-04-16_at_1.38.59_PM.0.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The problem with the prequel Star Wars trilogy, is that George Lucas overthought things. He has been a good storyteller and had his heart in the right place. But given a tremendous budget and technology that he could have only dreamed of as a younger filmmaker, Lucas crafted a needlessly convoluted subplot, provided clunky dialogue, and at times offered awkward direction. It was hard to connect to a young Anakin Sykwalker, Padme Amidala, a younger Obi Wan Kenob, etc. At times, the prequel films looked gaudy and the story, the outcome of which we already knew, took a backseat.<br />
<br />
With all of this, JJ Abrams and Disney had the work cut out for them in restoring in Star Wars fans their faith, and giving new, younger fans a reason to look forward to a universe that finally expands on the big screen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGqsHtYOFVCDPJrhsECWjswFCeCxUH99mMuH5SWAnUrGHngAOKy7NqmmYhzsFySJJ8lkqx3tCX4qh3tbN8LMF8iIc0a2zLDBUm8C3yJg014n8_afWqeiNF34dbiHdfhw5yR_gxaBCs7Wg/s1600/star-wars-force-awakens-06_612x380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGqsHtYOFVCDPJrhsECWjswFCeCxUH99mMuH5SWAnUrGHngAOKy7NqmmYhzsFySJJ8lkqx3tCX4qh3tbN8LMF8iIc0a2zLDBUm8C3yJg014n8_afWqeiNF34dbiHdfhw5yR_gxaBCs7Wg/s320/star-wars-force-awakens-06_612x380.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Is Abrams an excellent filmmaker and storyteller? No. But like Lucas, he respects the cinematic material that inspired him. Abrams grew up on Star Wars and recognizes exactly what made the entire franchise special, with a special inspiration from the original movies. In planning Episode 7, Abrams did well in enlisting help from producer Kathleen Kennedy, infusing a touch of Spielberg, and from Lawrence Kasdan, who wrote The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51hJesKWrUZ0TQBstCHZhC2-JFr8z_l4RrSJRzcL7dbBtfaDHpAVKqNk-nrZPXWDLMWQSRWsfwZ4ELPayVH-BNL3mRcgz2fOrGjm1TAUXSuLDb-C057V5SlIMhAgDr8iEjA9SUi_Rw8Bs/s1600/star-wars-force-awakens-trailer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51hJesKWrUZ0TQBstCHZhC2-JFr8z_l4RrSJRzcL7dbBtfaDHpAVKqNk-nrZPXWDLMWQSRWsfwZ4ELPayVH-BNL3mRcgz2fOrGjm1TAUXSuLDb-C057V5SlIMhAgDr8iEjA9SUi_Rw8Bs/s320/star-wars-force-awakens-trailer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I hear complaints that The Force Awakens is no different than Episode 4? Is that entirely a bad thing? Weren't we supposed to have all the feels upon seeing Han Solo, Leia Organa, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2 and Luke Skywalker for the first time in forever? Fans in the theater cheered and applauded with each reveal. When the Millennium Falcon takes flight once more, weren't we supposed to feel nostalgic for when the Falcon soared into our minds and hearts in the original films? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCbkiuq-M-p-2u4VYK4Of6BJq7OPHTCTSS7-6rF2Plahhp0FJp6QnCU5rF0r7ICpTU_Y7xeLeSSB1QCDzK2hMtNVYBG_WhsNQA2lfBENBIRVGez54e1aOf6DON-LVUSZgdpIZbuxmyqcP/s1600/star-wars-force-awakens-kylo-ren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCbkiuq-M-p-2u4VYK4Of6BJq7OPHTCTSS7-6rF2Plahhp0FJp6QnCU5rF0r7ICpTU_Y7xeLeSSB1QCDzK2hMtNVYBG_WhsNQA2lfBENBIRVGez54e1aOf6DON-LVUSZgdpIZbuxmyqcP/s320/star-wars-force-awakens-kylo-ren.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
But at the same time, the new younger characters of Rey, Finn, Poe and Kylo Ren -- all based on Han, Leia, Luke and Darth Vader loosely in their own ways -- we're meant to connect to them. I found it much easier to connect with Rey, Finn and Poe, from the start, then the primary characters of the prequels. John Boyega, Daisy Ridley and Oscar Isaac played the roles of a lifetime, and are capitalizing on their opportunity to have their characters become memorable like Luke, Han and Leia. <br />
<br />
Rey's strength and tenacity, Finn's reluctant hero, Poe's swagger and confidence, and Kylo's ambition to be more than a Vader wannabe, all seem more tangible, more relatable, than Padme, and younger Anakin and Obi Wan appeared in the prequels. The practical special effects and sets balance the CGI. The dialogue, while not the strongest and award-winning, is easy to grasp. The action is well paced. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6A2xkB8TtJT-S_wHZeojGWBWOTaTXHrN_B4iXQufVfBDg_j3wczPt6NGMj_lHVI-zPico2f-egt5hYb7VqbPx2hOXtHsEK5LdKy00ASYt4zp0kQVhjCay1_MuhZK9EUxDELcYSKPqO0Cy/s1600/Star-Wars1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6A2xkB8TtJT-S_wHZeojGWBWOTaTXHrN_B4iXQufVfBDg_j3wczPt6NGMj_lHVI-zPico2f-egt5hYb7VqbPx2hOXtHsEK5LdKy00ASYt4zp0kQVhjCay1_MuhZK9EUxDELcYSKPqO0Cy/s320/Star-Wars1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
But perhaps more importantly, The Force Awakens feels like a complete story while opening the door to that aforementioned wider Star Wars universe. We're invested in seeing who Rey really is. We're curious about how Poe and Finn evolve. We want to know more about this First Order, how exactly Kylo came to be who he is. I want to see more Captain Phasma and BB-8. <br />
<br />
The Force Awakens is a joy to watch, not a chore like it is to view Episodes 1 and 2. That's all most of us really wanted. (And the racial and gender diversity only makes sense because, after all, it's a frigging big galaxy out there.) Plus, the Easter eggs embedded in Episode 7, guessing which cameo actors portray Stormtroopers, and all of the actors who supplied voices -- watch the end credits -- that's fun, too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslv4orsQ_tE5Niqv5BlLqaxaznNSLG-6CTFI1zuR9_Hio_YlqG5Ladc_KORzWlv_-rr8ZIpfH1nRF4jtE8U93FtZlmlROm6lWapNXjGKF-CMDgZA4v4n6mafAeOAJuaZhdKfU3_kq6M0v/s1600/star_destroyer_force_awakens_-_h_-_2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslv4orsQ_tE5Niqv5BlLqaxaznNSLG-6CTFI1zuR9_Hio_YlqG5Ladc_KORzWlv_-rr8ZIpfH1nRF4jtE8U93FtZlmlROm6lWapNXjGKF-CMDgZA4v4n6mafAeOAJuaZhdKfU3_kq6M0v/s320/star_destroyer_force_awakens_-_h_-_2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
That's the fun. The fun is back. I look forward to not only the development of Finn, Rey, Poe and Ren's universe, but the spinoffs...the other Star Wars stories that are out there: Young Han Solo, young Boba Fett, how the Rebels stole the plans for the first Death Star, God knows what else is coming. Some folks will complain that under Disney, Star Wars stories really won't take much risks. With different directors and writers contributing, we don't know that for sure. <br />
<br />
What I do feel is that finally, it's Star Wars for a wider audience and I for one can't be more excited. I do feel like a kid again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_JS00dQ-vJYussBqd5T186qEkXp7AzLfjXY0DRDgJQZfWrYF7qjPNLmDvwrPDKywZkCX_iNfis2V7blMwb8RPP1sXNLtAJuxjGmca_QgR1a9F-mKeFP_2uuEz-B-17nabbPCEBXENcp0/s1600/aaf48b47412770dfa372b306792219a7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_JS00dQ-vJYussBqd5T186qEkXp7AzLfjXY0DRDgJQZfWrYF7qjPNLmDvwrPDKywZkCX_iNfis2V7blMwb8RPP1sXNLtAJuxjGmca_QgR1a9F-mKeFP_2uuEz-B-17nabbPCEBXENcp0/s320/aaf48b47412770dfa372b306792219a7.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
And I still hope one of you gifts me lightsaber or BB-8 this Christmas/festivus.fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-58810794397051142302015-12-17T00:07:00.001-08:002015-12-17T00:07:48.742-08:00Imagining a wider college football playoff is an X-mas tradition!<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s that time of year when I reflect on the past year (very
challenging on personal and professional levels), view all of the traditional
and non-traditional holiday movies, and stock up on an ungodly amount of
tamales and eggnog.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it’s also time for imagining an ideal NCAA Division I
football playoff. It’s fun and a nice break in between all of my writing work.
As I have said time and again, just about every other major level of organized
sport has some kind of tournament. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even the Bahrain goathead kickball league
has a playoff system. Let the best teams fight it out for a championship. It
was not so much an unfairness about previous ways that a Division I
championship game was determined, by mere polls and then a computer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXH48d_MbRDiGksiEFtRiqBl_Q2yZSUcKedzoBT0SrTC43dQsXxDjvhdbhEgE9oBqvVt5S3aXItpLK9VJM63YGT_VKdNRIrrBslUVxRbs285sYif9SG9hOiRlFWiPd2ycLLSbOUsTYpZlh/s1600/2015ABcfp-bracket3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXH48d_MbRDiGksiEFtRiqBl_Q2yZSUcKedzoBT0SrTC43dQsXxDjvhdbhEgE9oBqvVt5S3aXItpLK9VJM63YGT_VKdNRIrrBslUVxRbs285sYif9SG9hOiRlFWiPd2ycLLSbOUsTYpZlh/s320/2015ABcfp-bracket3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If a not-so-renowned school ends up winning, so be it.
Supporters of a playoff system have heard all the arguments. That the bowl
tradition is over. That student-athletes would be distracted from studying for
finals. That schools would lose money. Those arguments no longer work. A tournament
hasn’t harmed FCS or Division II or III or NAIA schools. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, how would a wider Division I playoff work? Begin with
automatic champions from FBS (Football Championship Series) conferences --
regular-season champs and championship game victors. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there are co-champions, leave it to that conference to
determine who gets what would be an automatic FBS bid. With 10 conferences, we
get 12 automatic bids. Then average the rankings of the existing computer
rankings, and AP, ESPN and USA Today coaches polls, focusing on which schools
get the most place votes, and arrive at a final aggregate Top 25 poll.
Top-ranked FBS independents, also, would be considered as usual.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s what a final 2015 FBS aggregate poll would look like,
with current conference titleholder status and final regular season record:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1) Clemson (ACC champion)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2) Alabama (SEC champion)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3) Michigan State (Big 10 champion)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4) Oklahoma (Big 12 champion)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5) Stanford (Pac-12 champion)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6) Iowa </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7) Ohio State</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8) Notre Dame</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9) North Carolina </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10) Florida State</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
11) TCU</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
12) Ole Miss</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
13) Northwestern</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
14) Oklahoma State</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
15) Oregon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
16) Michigan</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
17) Baylor</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
18) Houston (AAC champion)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
19) Florida</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
20) Utah</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
21) LSU</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
22) Navy</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
23) Temple</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
24) USC</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
25) Wisconsin</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unranked conference champions</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Western Kentucky (Conference USA champion)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bowling Green (Mid-American champion)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
San Diego State (Mountain West champion)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arkansas State (Sun Belt champion)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ultimately, FBS automatic bids would go to Clemson, Alabama,
Michigan State, Oklahoma, Stanford, Houston, Western Kentucky, Bowling Green,
San Diego State and Arkansas State,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2l2XGUv-GkOb0nXxq8j0KuFeX5exzwJsEXjovIEkJdNBdijGuWxEZ6VxdmvArt3CpIlez1eUJlgswg9b8Oe_-1yEgGjaxZN94YFKJZ_AiC1GhiIz8Y2DYV0joQVKbbUzkc6tyVSBg5nT/s1600/SUPERCONF_BRACKET_2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2l2XGUv-GkOb0nXxq8j0KuFeX5exzwJsEXjovIEkJdNBdijGuWxEZ6VxdmvArt3CpIlez1eUJlgswg9b8Oe_-1yEgGjaxZN94YFKJZ_AiC1GhiIz8Y2DYV0joQVKbbUzkc6tyVSBg5nT/s320/SUPERCONF_BRACKET_2.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You add any top independent team ranked high enough overall
in polls for an FBS bid and/or four (or five) other highest-ranked schools,
overall in polls. So this year these schools get an at-large bid: Iowa, Ohio
State, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Florida State and TCU</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ultimate FBS tournament seedings in a 16 vs. 1, 15 vs.
2, 14, vs. 3, etc. format would be:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Clemson</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Alabama</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Michigan State</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Oklahoma</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. Stanford</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6. Iowa</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7. Ohio State</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8. Notre Dame</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9. North Carolina</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10. Florida State</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
11. TCU</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
12. Houston</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
13. Western Kentucky</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
14. San Diego State</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
15. Bowling Green</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
16. Arkansas State</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now let’s consider the oldest, popular, most lucrative,
traditional bowls and mix in some regional flair, possible area rivalry matches
and considerate schedules. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Let’s digress for a moment: In the process, let’s
ditch most of the younger bowls. I mean, cmon, the Miami Beach Bowl? Marmot
Boca Rataon Bowl? New Era Pinstripe Bowl, still? Popeyes Bahamas Bowl? Nova
Home Loans Arizona Bowl? Quick Lane Bowl, still in Detroit? In winter? Too many bowls dilute the prestige of even earning a shot at postseason play, and permits five-win and six-win teams to get in when they really shouldn't be there.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
OK, tangent over. All joking aside, use 15 of those prestigious, richest, most
famous (i.e. powerful, established) bowls as the FBS bowl matches. All other
bowls, may stick around for our comical entertainment, to be watched mainly on
ESPN the Ocho. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rotate the FBS bowls as quarterfinal, semifinal and final
games, all of which very likely would raise the number of ticket-buyers, TV
viewers and payouts. Why? There would be a greater incentive to play in such a
lucrative bowl. A chance to advance and win a won-on-the-field title. All the
conference champs and at-large bidders get a fair shot. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwXO89f0N90aZNNrR9P9IfcxjW1aScvKHquwkKfqWryfnYpqF1alf-snWQatOaS60R1bXXMHW5Ec_LVznbc8WPazDNSZNPbP9upx2MHDNKMQqXZHM88tN5d6QqqhqAXYNX2jm0Llf_YaG/s1600/1196153818.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwXO89f0N90aZNNrR9P9IfcxjW1aScvKHquwkKfqWryfnYpqF1alf-snWQatOaS60R1bXXMHW5Ec_LVznbc8WPazDNSZNPbP9upx2MHDNKMQqXZHM88tN5d6QqqhqAXYNX2jm0Llf_YaG/s320/1196153818.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Looking at the 2015 calendar, the younger, Decemberish bowls
host quarterfinals on various days: 1 vs. 16, 2 vs. 15, 3 vs. 14, 4 vs. 13, 5
vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10, and 8 vs. 9.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday, Dec. 15</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
TCU vs. Iowa– Motel 6 Catcus (formerly Copper, Insight,
Buffalo Wild Wings); Tempe</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday, Dec. 16</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arkansas State vs. Clemson -- Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus
(formerly Tangerine, Capital One); Orlando</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Houston vs. Stanford-- Holiday; San Diego</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday, Dec. 17</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bowling Green vs. Alabama -- Outback (formerly Hall of
Fame); Tampa</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
San Diego State vs. Michigan State -- Valero Alamo;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday, Dec. 18</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Florida State vs. Ohio State -- AutoZone Liberty; Memphis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Western Kentucky vs. Oklahoma – Camping World Independence;
Shreveport</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday, Dec. 19</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
North Carolina vs. Notre Dame-- TaxSlayer (formerly Gator);
Jacksonville</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Probable winners?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Iowa, Clemson, Houston (upset special!), Alabama, Michigan
State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, North Carolina (upset special!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m departing from previous years worth of scenarios and
going for highest vs. lowest surviving seeds for match-ups in bowls in the
following week's semifinals. Regional match-up is still a priority as best as
it can be considered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday, Dec. 23</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ohio State vs. Michigan State -- Allstate Sugar; New Orleans</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday, Dec. 25</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Houston vs. Clemson -- Goodyear Cotton; Dallas</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday, Dec. 26</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
North Carolina vs. Alabama -- Chick-fil-A Peach; Atlanta</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Iowa vs. Oklahoma -- Hyundai Sun; El Paso</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Probable winners?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ohio State, Clemson, Alabama, Iowa (screw the Sooners)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Final Four of sorts/Friday, Jan. 1 (featuring surviving
seeds, low vs. high</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Iowa vs. Alabama – BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl, Tempe</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ohio State vs. Clemson-- Orange Bowl, Miami</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Probable winners?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alabama, Clemson</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Championship game, Monday, Jan. 11</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alabama vs. Clemson– Northwestern Mutual Rose Bowl, Pasadena</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sure, it may end up being this way anyway in the current
four-team system. But the fun is letting all play out. Because if you don’t let
them play it out on the field, you’re a damn Commie. </div>
fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-29399853369677709282015-09-24T19:53:00.000-07:002015-09-24T19:53:46.344-07:00Celebrate OktoberFest in S.A.? Yes you can<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Can't make it to OktoberFest in Munich? It's on my bucket list. I have friends who have gone. Some say it's a life-altering experience. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Well, Bier Garten Riverwalk -from the folks who brought us Mad Dogs British Pub on the Riverwalk - will be providing a touch of OktoberFest here in town for two straight weekends. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Bier Garten's OktoberFest takes begins 6 p.m. Friday and lasts through Sunday, and again Oct. 2-4. It will come complete, of course, with German entertainment: singalongs, stein-holding, all horn blowing contests and live music. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
There will be also a ceremonial keg tapping to start things off Friday night as well as dancing and lots more. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Bier Garten is located on Riverwalk level near Hyatt Regency, 126 Losoya. I visited it for the first time for a pre-bloggers event Wednesday and came away with some goodies, including a pretzel necklace of sorts.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
No, really, actual pretzels. Immediately fantastic. The beer list (and the size of Bier Garten's mugs) is nothing to sneeze at. I immediately came to like the vibe and scenery at Bier Garten. Plenty of seating inside and outside. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
According to some folks, Ursula Pari - aka My Favorite KSAT Anchor - helped with the keg-tapping in the Bier Garten's inaugural OktoberFest last year. I wish there were pics of this, though.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Confession: I'm in the middle of a house move. It's not exactly a stress-free time in my life but I enjoyed meeting old friends and making new ones at this year's OktoberFest preview on Wednesday. A nice break in the chaos.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
This local edition of OktoberFest is worth careful consideration for a night's (or weekend's) worth of entertainment. It should be that fun.<br />
<br /></div>
fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-27291055849240531032015-05-12T13:27:00.002-07:002015-05-12T13:27:17.015-07:00Avengers: Age of Too Much of a Good Thing
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">It's
rather counterproductive at this point to post a pure review of Avengers: Age
of Ultron. You've either seen it once, twice or more. Or you will see it, armed
with a certain set of expectations based upon (hopefully spoiler-free) thoughts
from others who have seen the flick.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I'll
spare you the details and spoiler exploration. Avengers: AoU is a great movie
but definitely not an improvement upon the original. We're not in Empire
Strikes Back or Godfather II territory here. Indeed, Avengers: AoU is more of a
setup for the other Marvel cinematic universe films to come, leading up to
Avengers: Infinity War. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">No
doubt, Avengers: AoU goes full throttle from the start and the action
sequences, particularly - as expected the confrontation between Hulk and Tony
Stark/Iron Man in Hulkbuster armor - are stupendous. Does some of the CGI of
the action, when the crap really hits the fan, look more like a video game or a
comic book? Yes. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IH4pk-8m8k8mvGjDsRmecJ_Odm-Kkk7peqvpfZz7Xf9AzjpL_wzAeRbjor_GLnb-46PpfRwLtkXHiL2tt4zfJoGoZDSHkCGNyPMtffGrQvj4jxpSPT8yWKw-Kqdw_VrgHNRlaci8_lUw/s1600/Age_of_Ultron_Vol_1_1_Midtown_Comics_Variant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IH4pk-8m8k8mvGjDsRmecJ_Odm-Kkk7peqvpfZz7Xf9AzjpL_wzAeRbjor_GLnb-46PpfRwLtkXHiL2tt4zfJoGoZDSHkCGNyPMtffGrQvj4jxpSPT8yWKw-Kqdw_VrgHNRlaci8_lUw/s320/Age_of_Ultron_Vol_1_1_Midtown_Comics_Variant.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Parts
of the storyline (if you will) delve into darker questions and angles
concerning the Avengers, who are really a fragile bunch to an extent. When
they're fighting together, they're clicking on all cylinders. At the other
times, their vulnerabilities can be so exposed to a dangerous degree. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Even
if the movie Ultron doesn't seem as cold, calculating as some of the comic book
Ultrons, James Spader's voice and mannerisms set a great, creepily fun tone to
the proceedings. The introduction of The Vision, for as short a time he's on
screen, is glorious. The introduction, also, of the Maximoff twins -- Avengers
Quicksilver (as opposed to X-Men Quicksilver) and Scarlet Witch was fun and
appropriate. Yes, I do have a thing for Elizabeth Olsen (aka the “good” Olsen
sister).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">There
are the nice touches that reflect the state of the Avengers team members, how
one believes his ingenuity and resources can bring about a global "peace
in our time" when it really brings Earth to the brink of destruction; how
two other people are drawn to each other when they know they can never truly be
together; how a fourth desires simply to be back with his young growing family
in their tiny peaceful corner of the world. Then there's the ever-present
question about artificial intelligence, its potential for good or for bad.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">It
does feel overstuffed at times with so many characters appearing, crossing
paths with each other often, but thanks to Joss Whedon's guidance and comedic
timing, Avengers: AoU still entertains. He'll be missed in the director's seat
from here on out. Indeed, the pace at which Marvel Studios are churning out
films is amazing, perhaps hard to keep pace. By all appearances, the cast size
and scope of Captain America: Civil War is approaching It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad
World/Ten Commandments level. And only Avengers: Infinity War, split into two
parts, could only be bigger than that.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8_7gv5KeU6u6LhaFAK5JKMAHvuBX129O62A2x_lQgokLvxrmuv0JBUywLT2lmhenhXHqMMllHXKcDy-H-Hk1kUmsdYUoQnkT8dw2BsStfWg4pL60tWm_alfAsRquZdgklHUikXtBhLCe/s1600/avengers-age-of-ultron-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8_7gv5KeU6u6LhaFAK5JKMAHvuBX129O62A2x_lQgokLvxrmuv0JBUywLT2lmhenhXHqMMllHXKcDy-H-Hk1kUmsdYUoQnkT8dw2BsStfWg4pL60tWm_alfAsRquZdgklHUikXtBhLCe/s320/avengers-age-of-ultron-collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">So
many more movies to come between now and then. It all seems still like a dream,
these Marvel properties coming to life before our eyes, in our lifetime. Even
outside of Avengers: AoU, there's enough to talk about away from the storyline,
namely Marvel, ahem, "forcing" Whedon to insert and maintain
questionable scenes, such as Thor's dreamscape, for the sake of satisfying the
meddling, naive suits back at the studio.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Then
there's backlash that MAY HAVE compelled Whedon to abandon Twitter. The
suggestion is that Whedon betrayed the feminist ideals and strong female
characters he's instilled in practically all of his TV shows and movies by
having Natasha Romanov/Black Widow reveal, in a moment of openness and
understanding with Bruce Banner/Hulk, a man she "adores," that she
was made sterile at a young age while undergoing training as an assassin. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Natasha
is saddened by something that took place against her long ago, yet as she goes
to work, romance and never being able to conceive a child are rare thoughts in
her mind. She does have a tender, extended family side -- again, one of the
fairer flourishes of Avengers: AoU. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">It's
a notion worsened as Jeremy Renner "jokes" (as he notes in the press)
that Black Widow/ Natasha is a slut for perhaps having slept with several of
her colleagues. Meanwhile, other critics call out Marvel for a seeming
inability (or lack of desire) to make a standalone movie with Black Widow or
other heroine in the Marvel universe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">If
that's not bad enough, Avengers: AoU toys somehow leave Black Widow out of her
own key scenes. How does that happen? (Not that DC and Warner Bros. have been
rushing over the years to give contemporary audiences a fitting on-screen
interpretation of the likes of Wonder Woman or Supergirl, but that's another
story.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNraM4JAxgm-4j_AqTQYZObWoklP6sEM2MuLbYN90s6F9rOOCIkXQNt9wPmlJZ7G3MyGfz2xJ5WLcsXj8PWBjRHNuDrS-FM1TcdkbAvh8p2k_mQBeFZbmBdOxhe74sz2HJYRg4ctGtIf3/s1600/640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNraM4JAxgm-4j_AqTQYZObWoklP6sEM2MuLbYN90s6F9rOOCIkXQNt9wPmlJZ7G3MyGfz2xJ5WLcsXj8PWBjRHNuDrS-FM1TcdkbAvh8p2k_mQBeFZbmBdOxhe74sz2HJYRg4ctGtIf3/s320/640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Anyways,
so much has Marvel Comics and Marvel Studios given us, especially in the last
15 years or so, the comics and now TV shows and films are more than special effects-driven
blockbusters. We help to create cultural icons that help to give us address, if
not totally adequately, complex issues of the day. It's indeed a golden era
we're living in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Meanwhile...DC...I
hope for the best when more of your properties hit the big screen. I also fear
for the worst.</span></div>
fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-23333540261752116972015-04-06T00:30:00.001-07:002015-04-06T00:30:42.133-07:00Manic March Being let go by the Express-News ended a streak of being a full-time print journalist locally for 18 years. But being a freelance writer feels like a full-time job. Some of the more adventurous perks remain, such as the ability to cover a wide array of special events.<br />
<br />
Many of these events most recently took place in March: The grand grand opening of Alamo Beer Company on the near East Side, the opening of San Antonio Beer Week, and the Freetail Brewing/Pinata Protest collaboration concert.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHogCK1Zc237lTBOCfZ7C_0BmLFXxZ66VzZ1nMRTbb-3kwQzQ4pMWBDqoYeiImcgE7hiX6hCz4Fa2wHXTy57A6r7p1vsTtI9Y8E1JIjTzwOQr1v2VWBvgPlW11b4KphLxxjMmVsKEPRoHK/s1600/sabeerweek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHogCK1Zc237lTBOCfZ7C_0BmLFXxZ66VzZ1nMRTbb-3kwQzQ4pMWBDqoYeiImcgE7hiX6hCz4Fa2wHXTy57A6r7p1vsTtI9Y8E1JIjTzwOQr1v2VWBvgPlW11b4KphLxxjMmVsKEPRoHK/s1600/sabeerweek.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yGAdGGXcv0_ZsSgCPGSqUUMVeF4UqbY4atldHRIG42q2gie3d0P8zbHceVBcEgpDQBKF33rwk_yEflgbrR-XHIgdSs1hfltcu_Nxt55epS6yz7OuUaL27S8i4kcFGJjAnOqy1hh9G7u8/s1600/freetailconcert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yGAdGGXcv0_ZsSgCPGSqUUMVeF4UqbY4atldHRIG42q2gie3d0P8zbHceVBcEgpDQBKF33rwk_yEflgbrR-XHIgdSs1hfltcu_Nxt55epS6yz7OuUaL27S8i4kcFGJjAnOqy1hh9G7u8/s1600/freetailconcert.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEjQEs6ywkRSEKhpn533UnDqIS0V54eK7BH6Ip4Ld0KqsPRkwAeyZ3CdT3KIvq0K0NBj8-fMPMEI4aVJlQbbMfhvo41KGaJElH7wF1NZWrh01Ey3odRj9G8V-bLnpR-FuW7GQdE1lTUCj/s1600/alamobeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEjQEs6ywkRSEKhpn533UnDqIS0V54eK7BH6Ip4Ld0KqsPRkwAeyZ3CdT3KIvq0K0NBj8-fMPMEI4aVJlQbbMfhvo41KGaJElH7wF1NZWrh01Ey3odRj9G8V-bLnpR-FuW7GQdE1lTUCj/s1600/alamobeer.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then there was my annual coverage of South by Southwest interactive. The 2015 edition couldn't measure up to last year's session, in which I had all-platinum access. But that just means I had to cram a lot more into a lot less time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJp9ajjxv7oqFolrcG52SD5SqE5RTe9cf1M54SE2CSR1Srqh83BHKdOHq1I0lvFQKziB1Q1JtIhzeCWn7aVJMwLhpBWUJeE2ldYqBWPn6WJqMcFIjgYvMt0wwcebAKXRUWjiceC39XafmY/s1600/SXSWastroteller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJp9ajjxv7oqFolrcG52SD5SqE5RTe9cf1M54SE2CSR1Srqh83BHKdOHq1I0lvFQKziB1Q1JtIhzeCWn7aVJMwLhpBWUJeE2ldYqBWPn6WJqMcFIjgYvMt0wwcebAKXRUWjiceC39XafmY/s1600/SXSWastroteller.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnQe4v71ft2UTbNJH3JycI8KeKQmGSc5Ygx-bJv_5IGJtHRQ4-C40Y80cVS2iceAgM3EV3fu0ZeZ-zVUJ3MLN5P4pgapaH_tIexoJOIuyzpmh9oTTXGOPn759mXPyFEu6_fGs3nXLNxR6/s1600/SXSWauschron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnQe4v71ft2UTbNJH3JycI8KeKQmGSc5Ygx-bJv_5IGJtHRQ4-C40Y80cVS2iceAgM3EV3fu0ZeZ-zVUJ3MLN5P4pgapaH_tIexoJOIuyzpmh9oTTXGOPn759mXPyFEu6_fGs3nXLNxR6/s1600/SXSWauschron.jpg" height="195" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_wSwmezbLYCeJFvh8G5l2OQ9GsoJiJ5xFNNVNdGMyAhic6wYJsBb2jbvKm0nwTrwbHmbxvdPjOuP2rT3WX5mwlcwGT0eg_S-fle07gar9EO-GY3OhJudCxsQSsXV_fDq9a2RX4EMtBl5/s1600/SXSWbreakfastlaunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_wSwmezbLYCeJFvh8G5l2OQ9GsoJiJ5xFNNVNdGMyAhic6wYJsBb2jbvKm0nwTrwbHmbxvdPjOuP2rT3WX5mwlcwGT0eg_S-fle07gar9EO-GY3OhJudCxsQSsXV_fDq9a2RX4EMtBl5/s1600/SXSWbreakfastlaunch.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEaUXQvYLfFrv3lToXg9hm_gJ9YxzFHfCcz5JibciP2vHQDQK7HSmmhNx9JzDp2HAYXodjyxlVv5ZwS3MLzOUzISo8Bxrm6H2_Hhpeut4EB_ZlkztyI0iluD8UE7tzu_G1ItZlk02y6Z3/s1600/SXSWcafecommerce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEaUXQvYLfFrv3lToXg9hm_gJ9YxzFHfCcz5JibciP2vHQDQK7HSmmhNx9JzDp2HAYXodjyxlVv5ZwS3MLzOUzISo8Bxrm6H2_Hhpeut4EB_ZlkztyI0iluD8UE7tzu_G1ItZlk02y6Z3/s1600/SXSWcafecommerce.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLQ9qPXkRzxLUSdSFN68bvUo-b7VjcmLSvr6tMJIJBFJ6jchlfVCC2p8A0CrJOpyUZ7kOaS3OGT7IFFB_IvOzd4JVJpDzq3s8tcnWLzKh-mTnsceDnwp_-eIAr7xjvs5Z34g81-XCbBSH/s1600/SXSWcontrolroomparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLQ9qPXkRzxLUSdSFN68bvUo-b7VjcmLSvr6tMJIJBFJ6jchlfVCC2p8A0CrJOpyUZ7kOaS3OGT7IFFB_IvOzd4JVJpDzq3s8tcnWLzKh-mTnsceDnwp_-eIAr7xjvs5Z34g81-XCbBSH/s1600/SXSWcontrolroomparty.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghflAfJP19-muerdK_zADmqAmZvOa7sXeAFJufqLdbXkkgt8cZ4jMXCHGD7xlCenGVcNqdppJhbnVkTI8KlG96B_Tnwe_uDCGnQKvfBZFOC9XZQhN7C56s5mynBCvFUUdribZXHDS7vQL8/s1600/SXSWcourtneybarnett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghflAfJP19-muerdK_zADmqAmZvOa7sXeAFJufqLdbXkkgt8cZ4jMXCHGD7xlCenGVcNqdppJhbnVkTI8KlG96B_Tnwe_uDCGnQKvfBZFOC9XZQhN7C56s5mynBCvFUUdribZXHDS7vQL8/s1600/SXSWcourtneybarnett.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeomacB0h4YtzK6VmJdRRieVuzFBtvvBr6fB4lYWKYRcu-bLc0fKaHbWfHJ2wACRBiUSzrBXwFSCGgS4qSbehKYIOwM8WVTBEFuy6I2wgDcPYZg6zceZjTascBNcZvWGE2oI16rXiK8DUc/s1600/sxswflaminglips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeomacB0h4YtzK6VmJdRRieVuzFBtvvBr6fB4lYWKYRcu-bLc0fKaHbWfHJ2wACRBiUSzrBXwFSCGgS4qSbehKYIOwM8WVTBEFuy6I2wgDcPYZg6zceZjTascBNcZvWGE2oI16rXiK8DUc/s1600/sxswflaminglips.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62REjfMGJOuQqIX0-JlpxPqMuAj0QXeHqjckvWDPcgd7L4ZftGrBFttSwYSD3wtPgON3t8fLZxASgszUojSBjGjLTV8d1X2TnZUI2a-MerKSX9MdC9Jba_WI3rxa527RD5LUhN_-iS3AO/s1600/SXSWgamingexpo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62REjfMGJOuQqIX0-JlpxPqMuAj0QXeHqjckvWDPcgd7L4ZftGrBFttSwYSD3wtPgON3t8fLZxASgszUojSBjGjLTV8d1X2TnZUI2a-MerKSX9MdC9Jba_WI3rxa527RD5LUhN_-iS3AO/s1600/SXSWgamingexpo2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sBz5XzTZWTEwsDsrd93Zr-b7WktSvB19g4FptYqOKsNjk_A6oKivQQukqBVBsbHNQadtfgVygdD3U5nF9FoOIKY-MZMBbaupnMGsATqkai9OkFqW8qfbY8I_D1GsEhnY0adBvjaCL9Nx/s1600/SXSWgamingexpo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sBz5XzTZWTEwsDsrd93Zr-b7WktSvB19g4FptYqOKsNjk_A6oKivQQukqBVBsbHNQadtfgVygdD3U5nF9FoOIKY-MZMBbaupnMGsATqkai9OkFqW8qfbY8I_D1GsEhnY0adBvjaCL9Nx/s1600/SXSWgamingexpo3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKOJFXQv-xz6JZUr_6vEir5CETEKwwFHurJhyphenhyphenNJmNglSmG47rAp3NvvaKr5JrZ7a_j7JxG_UVQgdKD3EZlru-z6wr7cIxA3IFM2TsbZ8Sswg0xnrjxLwdq3-zf41XS9iCC1P1PqsOJop6/s1600/SXSWgamingexpo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKOJFXQv-xz6JZUr_6vEir5CETEKwwFHurJhyphenhyphenNJmNglSmG47rAp3NvvaKr5JrZ7a_j7JxG_UVQgdKD3EZlru-z6wr7cIxA3IFM2TsbZ8Sswg0xnrjxLwdq3-zf41XS9iCC1P1PqsOJop6/s1600/SXSWgamingexpo.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eETQxrwXDClLV013o8fc6ujioI2BeQQh_e_q7PtBjtYRQbQbPipelYmRw6pTkjYlK-eeedeXEaygixJXA6TM8Hmv2LZKrSlwqwZ7aPOlIi6j7qVfDq53lHucAVrGelrbl2iReeadPICl/s1600/SXSWgoogleparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eETQxrwXDClLV013o8fc6ujioI2BeQQh_e_q7PtBjtYRQbQbPipelYmRw6pTkjYlK-eeedeXEaygixJXA6TM8Hmv2LZKrSlwqwZ7aPOlIi6j7qVfDq53lHucAVrGelrbl2iReeadPICl/s1600/SXSWgoogleparty.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKCayHKz75uYxBbsmbKPp0BjIy-7was0DDxPPXQ9TsbflZVy3Ulh4mFSVMprmLtW6BYTeGCAF81UAACyIaL_2lPuY7RMvrp_spKIKwILaT6ZJQ0xTo15WrsHS8sIcoXYbqBaftpERhyphenhyphen2F/s1600/SXSWintellivision.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKCayHKz75uYxBbsmbKPp0BjIy-7was0DDxPPXQ9TsbflZVy3Ulh4mFSVMprmLtW6BYTeGCAF81UAACyIaL_2lPuY7RMvrp_spKIKwILaT6ZJQ0xTo15WrsHS8sIcoXYbqBaftpERhyphenhyphen2F/s1600/SXSWintellivision.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B8aIYXN7iSIRknNKwf_chNcUnBqlLiRk5bSjKVR_keIXTgu5ppsV-Qck6ghR2RwJBA5mSY5UK7ssglSq1NdqO1I7CQmlh4ohEnbpOL9AYuKVIY6mQhIUrnwekFswuloJc1-Q_Hh1NWmD/s1600/SXSWinterstellar1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B8aIYXN7iSIRknNKwf_chNcUnBqlLiRk5bSjKVR_keIXTgu5ppsV-Qck6ghR2RwJBA5mSY5UK7ssglSq1NdqO1I7CQmlh4ohEnbpOL9AYuKVIY6mQhIUrnwekFswuloJc1-Q_Hh1NWmD/s1600/SXSWinterstellar1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgX6zA5moLF-HywhQeSIfbpg_IWQmI7wxPdmSF9wTtktXOk9kivFg4x1kvYFJQeQoTEBSp1zlbd5PK7PE8vgjubt0b8_FNZVrpJQSjSCP6vzjAo58no9MB63predIJnD14LjTv-3kXWU9/s1600/SXSWinterstellar2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgX6zA5moLF-HywhQeSIfbpg_IWQmI7wxPdmSF9wTtktXOk9kivFg4x1kvYFJQeQoTEBSp1zlbd5PK7PE8vgjubt0b8_FNZVrpJQSjSCP6vzjAo58no9MB63predIJnD14LjTv-3kXWU9/s1600/SXSWinterstellar2.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZMJugzLSaG9bcwusSaIpJJJf_7N60gCvkdhlUTzK4yVhnT2vRH4lxMxRi9Rf1mB7YlFLAair6A7nvuN0KRnSidTZlCdCGHR8BWjYQTJ5enFdr8DJ5t_iVCxQDkEL0a4mTMWcI-_Amc9N/s1600/SXSWjoaquincastro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZMJugzLSaG9bcwusSaIpJJJf_7N60gCvkdhlUTzK4yVhnT2vRH4lxMxRi9Rf1mB7YlFLAair6A7nvuN0KRnSidTZlCdCGHR8BWjYQTJ5enFdr8DJ5t_iVCxQDkEL0a4mTMWcI-_Amc9N/s1600/SXSWjoaquincastro.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pbe5A-MZePdgVOT-ZdTTHPKRHdzKBIv1QU9qAQffYEowFtRl1u6bYzfXUMNV4Fl9JNO3Djepkc6R8hwS3W4zgqZqodSjP_TV5ACmaJ1qrrtvFJcrhRAU8O_Kqewk7qmYn5OBtlJmoznw/s1600/SXSWlatinabloggers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pbe5A-MZePdgVOT-ZdTTHPKRHdzKBIv1QU9qAQffYEowFtRl1u6bYzfXUMNV4Fl9JNO3Djepkc6R8hwS3W4zgqZqodSjP_TV5ACmaJ1qrrtvFJcrhRAU8O_Kqewk7qmYn5OBtlJmoznw/s1600/SXSWlatinabloggers.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZ90I8b3GUZNVBJGA2UsuNepgX_sAJuBdFNzKj3obO794bSE0Agm9lhq2VP9sWZOvIfNNeTlcAE22qKNwXkXdiPQKkND8XRHLCHs1PNm4zWHVMnuSOO8xk1F_Dx4aeDFenEPLpgvqb_Us/s1600/sxswmakerfair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZ90I8b3GUZNVBJGA2UsuNepgX_sAJuBdFNzKj3obO794bSE0Agm9lhq2VP9sWZOvIfNNeTlcAE22qKNwXkXdiPQKkND8XRHLCHs1PNm4zWHVMnuSOO8xk1F_Dx4aeDFenEPLpgvqb_Us/s1600/sxswmakerfair.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQInKyKsDT8WPkqYgn8p4oOTgg39Lh106wcjRHapkIoAKdZsQ9Yi3gCsZ_a7t8-ONvdztbmDCMR5vqzuBKwKRyp0CI5zq2BPfQgbCGFqinGqcbvXpG-DPCPYEez0nFh3acSGA__WipXCh/s1600/sxswspazmatics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQInKyKsDT8WPkqYgn8p4oOTgg39Lh106wcjRHapkIoAKdZsQ9Yi3gCsZ_a7t8-ONvdztbmDCMR5vqzuBKwKRyp0CI5zq2BPfQgbCGFqinGqcbvXpG-DPCPYEez0nFh3acSGA__WipXCh/s1600/sxswspazmatics.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHua9yvdwE7nI09R2wwsfxG6AitpStGp2AgzybGVfLIqSWvF_WjLKigzi0PcVMrWkH09lx_XAz0VU3073pbo8jFZZ44Xg1fb8wJdCnMtkZzZlx9RcWLFlMWoWmFRbj34q51_Y2UyITdCe_/s1600/SXSWstash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHua9yvdwE7nI09R2wwsfxG6AitpStGp2AgzybGVfLIqSWvF_WjLKigzi0PcVMrWkH09lx_XAz0VU3073pbo8jFZZ44Xg1fb8wJdCnMtkZzZlx9RcWLFlMWoWmFRbj34q51_Y2UyITdCe_/s1600/SXSWstash.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTmsU_fQeIU0pg61D6mHRpXeWBuXonsuSsiy2hJgGXEYoFawIABOYYa3xnhmb6K0kzEbC0luFl5sdGQvYVeNJi5ED3TXXVCIG2NxCeQ4ZXds9QPxAX4tPF_ebdnswgTfLpoX088yEfqDl/s1600/SXSWsyfyparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTmsU_fQeIU0pg61D6mHRpXeWBuXonsuSsiy2hJgGXEYoFawIABOYYa3xnhmb6K0kzEbC0luFl5sdGQvYVeNJi5ED3TXXVCIG2NxCeQ4ZXds9QPxAX4tPF_ebdnswgTfLpoX088yEfqDl/s1600/SXSWsyfyparty.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBAySLLBhvBVYbLOVWjTzRW4gFGI37fF1wzef_I8B_Hu-wfEXtlImRR9twQIWHVV3c2cWmQvptNRpTpvU-rVBwIQMBrmUYKq7FnyWrpi-CM5OGzOnR1kF-QZZddwQJKcWfBlOPlDNasj6/s1600/SXSWtokimonsta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBAySLLBhvBVYbLOVWjTzRW4gFGI37fF1wzef_I8B_Hu-wfEXtlImRR9twQIWHVV3c2cWmQvptNRpTpvU-rVBwIQMBrmUYKq7FnyWrpi-CM5OGzOnR1kF-QZZddwQJKcWfBlOPlDNasj6/s1600/SXSWtokimonsta.jpg" height="318" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgep_T40cibJGMued48id31A0TdoCD43WGBGvGVZ_HcNIGGOO-QVsgza5PT5-U8pMmJXvU56GSTKb68aXas1qnJFeumfn93nzGTXlZ7btZ5qkJ_xKlb4vPftcg34rC-JKE6aNSAUetS3Z1P/s1600/SXSWufc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgep_T40cibJGMued48id31A0TdoCD43WGBGvGVZ_HcNIGGOO-QVsgza5PT5-U8pMmJXvU56GSTKb68aXas1qnJFeumfn93nzGTXlZ7btZ5qkJ_xKlb4vPftcg34rC-JKE6aNSAUetS3Z1P/s1600/SXSWufc.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUKob-UN_Zxexyr3zWPnGN1zvmniIv1zkoB0IVJOAIcPhczfZRFq7hEyi8dPhYPOUSvs9Q6ntoEpqXdkrUShnv8Vctvg729AVZE6a3WjgbvO4pPkZlQeECpRDWOmYmBgOdpaCa9NGXEqz/s1600/SXSWludacris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUKob-UN_Zxexyr3zWPnGN1zvmniIv1zkoB0IVJOAIcPhczfZRFq7hEyi8dPhYPOUSvs9Q6ntoEpqXdkrUShnv8Vctvg729AVZE6a3WjgbvO4pPkZlQeECpRDWOmYmBgOdpaCa9NGXEqz/s1600/SXSWludacris.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I polished all that off with a short but fun-filled (i.e. booze and food intensive) trip to New Orleans (fifth time there) to see my friend/ex-colleague Natalie Chandler. Needless to say my March kept me on my toes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdJe5fQVKK_HmGR0kDPdgvxXCmP1YcaMPR7hYtZpTGtyQg6RAKRjJcuKJ2ZAHkoYcyRlOeMmvgcbtaMSuY1aSQ1gs3dK_zE-SwUuG0OA-lZT4XEXEa8T2zL8XKtjKyL9C7cSfRD7nJTyk/s1600/nolabourbonst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdJe5fQVKK_HmGR0kDPdgvxXCmP1YcaMPR7hYtZpTGtyQg6RAKRjJcuKJ2ZAHkoYcyRlOeMmvgcbtaMSuY1aSQ1gs3dK_zE-SwUuG0OA-lZT4XEXEa8T2zL8XKtjKyL9C7cSfRD7nJTyk/s1600/nolabourbonst.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpdrRvUBqnN36YzbgOmHoUk8wTVG3MhcsiInP9qWHeuSymt2A8n1bzhlh3zf3Gx2y0wGi1HUMlNOm7rA7HljI-9ld44z_XoQQIIwzroQpQHsyDx0gvdH3jfHAScMOM8ola9FeZBVmfDTp/s1600/nolacitypark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpdrRvUBqnN36YzbgOmHoUk8wTVG3MhcsiInP9qWHeuSymt2A8n1bzhlh3zf3Gx2y0wGi1HUMlNOm7rA7HljI-9ld44z_XoQQIIwzroQpQHsyDx0gvdH3jfHAScMOM8ola9FeZBVmfDTp/s1600/nolacitypark.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbFHZRiFTIsWNXK7lufIXf1VoVscAbFwfh64DQ6xxQrcsfR26ScNRKxCR4SQjwn3CJJFjZ5NJ8Lronf83erTeeiINdSOm7PBh8mRSSr6r81Ps2JuCm4EC5QqkWV-sjIz0IhkQg4udoq7L/s1600/noladancing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbFHZRiFTIsWNXK7lufIXf1VoVscAbFwfh64DQ6xxQrcsfR26ScNRKxCR4SQjwn3CJJFjZ5NJ8Lronf83erTeeiINdSOm7PBh8mRSSr6r81Ps2JuCm4EC5QqkWV-sjIz0IhkQg4udoq7L/s1600/noladancing.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLtC82C7O1i9ChfGe3f7ZiTfQMKDBT3mYjnqqg45Txqel-2qtxJi0dbVPzCAP9BcR_-ALB6DKu2937Hk9OLXwZMnnwW1MlNQ-LbY0VoTHsZ74Z4oo9Wuz5o1-ujQrznlUv47KhGqdBuhu/s1600/noladba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLtC82C7O1i9ChfGe3f7ZiTfQMKDBT3mYjnqqg45Txqel-2qtxJi0dbVPzCAP9BcR_-ALB6DKu2937Hk9OLXwZMnnwW1MlNQ-LbY0VoTHsZ74Z4oo9Wuz5o1-ujQrznlUv47KhGqdBuhu/s1600/noladba.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGqe4CauGI4GrXIHsrRigogBvZJeipTix6WNKc20ivhilplQZkKnvlXqAS8ye2jMyqTJI3z-QlojjTDToAFIXdblqFhZpdJg_r-xt9-YxPwPA9uzy1ozhp4vn8N6MOByxF4lWI7oMa0uj/s1600/nolamimosas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGqe4CauGI4GrXIHsrRigogBvZJeipTix6WNKc20ivhilplQZkKnvlXqAS8ye2jMyqTJI3z-QlojjTDToAFIXdblqFhZpdJg_r-xt9-YxPwPA9uzy1ozhp4vn8N6MOByxF4lWI7oMa0uj/s1600/nolamimosas.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_78J7clSWfycIxrYyuVWu3phxuzlyx7eybuDzlzjvwTEKTH8awincLwjqVu98F3QphED3vt1D3YjrbgiZJdPUDZWAaYHgyma0u_b-j_fpq_dVKrOYxyBVRGtrJzqpqoWdavxTCmSDZiv/s1600/nolaweddingline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_78J7clSWfycIxrYyuVWu3phxuzlyx7eybuDzlzjvwTEKTH8awincLwjqVu98F3QphED3vt1D3YjrbgiZJdPUDZWAaYHgyma0u_b-j_fpq_dVKrOYxyBVRGtrJzqpqoWdavxTCmSDZiv/s1600/nolaweddingline.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvUTUtdfbeY1f4KHTz87Bb109KNQKK-t53Zhb1Ixe7VSkp5L1q_iGZJLB6LN_V305CYFqhGRnBp_tZHOWRQ7cPbk8AZneNC0Dx__HRT7UZzp5Ailp3AgNsYBOlZCV9lLmz019XK-KGQji/s1600/10858467_10153149952667660_6346931745033958719_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvUTUtdfbeY1f4KHTz87Bb109KNQKK-t53Zhb1Ixe7VSkp5L1q_iGZJLB6LN_V305CYFqhGRnBp_tZHOWRQ7cPbk8AZneNC0Dx__HRT7UZzp5Ailp3AgNsYBOlZCV9lLmz019XK-KGQji/s1600/10858467_10153149952667660_6346931745033958719_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKqqS-HR3obxyo4bmgWqz0yTjf4sQdTKocfrGHf5EjtbaXX-6sXO6NtsChdRXkug34P19KBNu_cnMzWe9_xRwM7soKVbApXQSKVkmjuFVXU4FV1VPMp6E0bIVLRGht0jImNUez9MUN95j/s1600/11081363_10153149953157660_2007344147469059987_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKqqS-HR3obxyo4bmgWqz0yTjf4sQdTKocfrGHf5EjtbaXX-6sXO6NtsChdRXkug34P19KBNu_cnMzWe9_xRwM7soKVbApXQSKVkmjuFVXU4FV1VPMp6E0bIVLRGht0jImNUez9MUN95j/s1600/11081363_10153149953157660_2007344147469059987_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvetxKC7GZhUFqAwJa25ZVQ6cwimkrM7xn2vkQ8nPRYJduyXNr2A-pSNPfeLD79EIMhKHImfvBivsd_gANHZx1-pSEybcgSeRnnsDTYeBBen0tCyLnpF9RiBPufOGpFVPE3PbBXyFZFktO/s1600/11102848_10153148368822660_8573146663934637481_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvetxKC7GZhUFqAwJa25ZVQ6cwimkrM7xn2vkQ8nPRYJduyXNr2A-pSNPfeLD79EIMhKHImfvBivsd_gANHZx1-pSEybcgSeRnnsDTYeBBen0tCyLnpF9RiBPufOGpFVPE3PbBXyFZFktO/s1600/11102848_10153148368822660_8573146663934637481_o.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The things I do for journalisting, education and that rare (for me) jaunt for rest and relaxation.<br />
<br />fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-79351854960124831242014-12-09T23:41:00.000-08:002014-12-09T23:41:01.353-08:00Oh College Football Postseason Tournament, How I Love Thee.<div class="MsoNormal">
<style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Times New Roman";
panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-parent:"";
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
--></style>Nothing beats this time of year. Stressing over what gifts
your loved ones and friends will accept/tolerate. Stocking up on a
"special" supply of eggnog, hot chocolate and cider. Listening to
endless number of covers of classic Christmas songs. Enduring bad Lifetime and
Hallmark holiday-themed movies. Commiserating over family dysfunction during a
time that's supposed to be filled with positive personal reflection and cheer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it comes to the NCAA Division I football national
championship, over the years the holidays collectively had been a time to
debate the fairness of the Bull Crap Series, errr, umm, Bowl Championship
Series or previous incarnations, or simply the Associated Press picking the No.
1 team. Now we’ve reached an era I never thought I’d see in my lifetime: a
semblance of a playoff. The four-team “tournament” is a starting point. It had
better be. Sure, the current weekly rankings appear to have been a red herring
before the playoff committee finally picked four schools it deemed worthy to duke
it out for a national title. But it’s got people talking, week to week, until
the end about who gets in and who’s left out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4r0oR5809HwGVBPk3QGCO0N-Bvsb4dVRD2QPOpyp2lWmx8-9mc4nxV9Fh-rRpO8MMSc7fmhH0ghpFcfgbxTdXWh5Ck0zku2_cWlh8ppeAbkjs5DdK5I2nfiKWlEJzUS_l0ESC-Qo2j7d/s1600/College+Football+Playoff+Paint+Final+Four.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4r0oR5809HwGVBPk3QGCO0N-Bvsb4dVRD2QPOpyp2lWmx8-9mc4nxV9Fh-rRpO8MMSc7fmhH0ghpFcfgbxTdXWh5Ck0zku2_cWlh8ppeAbkjs5DdK5I2nfiKWlEJzUS_l0ESC-Qo2j7d/s1600/College+Football+Playoff+Paint+Final+Four.jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before the four-team system was created, I’ve played out in
my head a scenario. What if we go to the furthest extent possible and create a
16-team playoff system? Even better, no heavy drinking was required in the
making of this scenario in my head. Having such a tournament is a better way to
truly determine, on the field, a “one true champion” … to rule them all. (See
what I did there?) Way better than a computer helping to determine a No. 1 and
No. 2 team. You BCS apologists may call that fair, but IT’S A FREAKING
COMPUTER. I dunno but I like it when champions are crowned in a final game, on
a field. And we Americans, for the most part, love us some playoffs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A championship tournament of some type exists for most every
other level of sport out there. Wow. What a startling concept. Even the
Kazahkistani kick-goathead league has a playoff. I’ve won some money there.
I've lost even more money there. Without the NCAA basketball tournament,
schools such as George Mason and Butler likely would have never made it to the
Final Four. You have seen Gonzagas and Marquettes make their mark on the
national scene. Without the College World Series, schools such as Cal
State-Fullerton and Long Beach State -- not so much a Texas or USC -- get to
shine and quite often.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My hypothetical 16-school playoff system would not mess with
the current bowl system. Well, not half of it. Such a system wouldn’t screw
with the “bowl games are a tradition” and “schools will lose money” and “you
can’t make the student-athletes play that long or late into January”
philosophies. Or that December playoffs would complicate things for students
studying for finals. Welp, a tournament hasn't hurt FCS or Division II or III
or NAIA schools. None of those arguments really work. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpj8QTzoE7PcTgVO89VoKA-5HpuvgvehRnXzVsjYaMvNji_xRx25BBPE008aGmCqWKq94clii-Abjabv-maMm-oCkezrCtS1rpvy9mYx6WePi_OMKeaSGEs82zw2tQhx6NEhhV_NYIwwpJ/s1600/rosebracket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpj8QTzoE7PcTgVO89VoKA-5HpuvgvehRnXzVsjYaMvNji_xRx25BBPE008aGmCqWKq94clii-Abjabv-maMm-oCkezrCtS1rpvy9mYx6WePi_OMKeaSGEs82zw2tQhx6NEhhV_NYIwwpJ/s1600/rosebracket.jpg" height="266" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In most existing playoff systems/postseason tournaments, the
most "deserving" teams make the playoffs, not necessarily the ones
picked "the best." There's a difference. We can debate all we want
about good losses, bad losses, strength of schedule, etc., during the regular
season, but when it comes down to the nitty gritty to determine an absolute
champion, why not go the way of a full tournament?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is what I'd do to create a 16-team tournament. You
start with automatic champions from FBS (Football Championship Series)
conferences, be it regular-season champs and/or championship game victors. Yes,
I know some of you have trouble with the existence of a conference title game.
I see both sides of the debate have valid points, but I’ll stick what exists
for the moment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiyW0SFcw0keFJKa5yO_tT5Q9Dj-kQfNcnq2OLmuohovylI3hi7spRKb__zRZ8FHYj5R1TDXTcfhIA02LJfbUJV1GG31jsgwAd6fBleeTpJjyC86ZOiYo6bMFQS0oPykdTPct-RugpA5q/s1600/Picture+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiyW0SFcw0keFJKa5yO_tT5Q9Dj-kQfNcnq2OLmuohovylI3hi7spRKb__zRZ8FHYj5R1TDXTcfhIA02LJfbUJV1GG31jsgwAd6fBleeTpJjyC86ZOiYo6bMFQS0oPykdTPct-RugpA5q/s1600/Picture+1.jpg" height="117" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there are co-champions, it’s up to the affected
conference to determine who gets what we’ll call an FBS bid. You could combine
the final regular season total average poll ranking with regular-season
head-to-head outcomes for a tie-breaker. (Sound unfair? Good. You get to retain
some semblance of unfairness in the process of arriving at a final national
champion).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You could average the rankings of the AP, ESPN power, USA
Today and Legends polls, emphasizing which schools get the most place votes,
add the Congrove computer rankings, and arrive at a final aggregate Top 25 poll
(a de facto old BCS-style ranking system, if you will, without the computer
interference). Those are arguably the strongest, long-standing, most popular
and credible of Division I polls.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s what a final 2014 FBS aggregate poll would look like,
with current conference titleholder status and final regular season record:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Alabama (12-1 SEC champion, title game winner)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Florida State (13-0 ACC champion, title game winner)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Oregon (12-1 Pac-12 champion, title game winner)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Ohio State (12-1 Big 10 champion, title game winner)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. Baylor (11-1 Big 12 “co-”champion, LOLz)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6. TCU (11-1 Big 12 “co-”champion, LOLz)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7. Michigan State (10-2 Big 10)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8. Mississippi State (10-2 SEC) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9. Georgia Tech (10-3 ACC title game runner-up)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10. Kansas State (9-3 Big 12) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
11. Ole Miss (9-3 SEC)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
12. Arizona (10-3 Pac-12 title game runner-up)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
13. Georgia (9-3 SEC)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
14. UCLA (9-3 Pac-12)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
15. Missouri (10-3 SEC title game runner-up)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
16. Arizona State (9-3 Pac-12)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
17. Wisconsin (10-3 Big 10 title game runner-up)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
18. Clemson (9-3ACC)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
19. Auburn (8-4 SEC)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
20. Louisville (9-3 ACC)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
21. Boise State (11-2 Mountain West champion, title game
winner)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
22. LSU (8-4 SEC)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
23. USC (8-4 Pac-12)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
24. Utah (8-4 Pac-12)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
25. Nebraska (9-3 Big 10)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marshall (12-1 Conference USA champion, title game winner)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Northern Illinois (11-2 Mid-American champion, title game
winner)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Georgia Southern (9-3 Sun Belt champion)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Memphis, Central Florida, Cincinnati, (9-3 each, co-American
Athletic champions)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2LjvEoFR6PMTdq0pK7GQ2Kh6MnQ39JtDe2uC1UmJ0pPlBqQ-wkmbInMefswSJU3S3fVkKBAHQ7BgkZ4O2C_5UyN7R18OKqZLhl7xjKEloGjEULbVq2HIW62pmWuPaMLkcJ-8FShRD-TO/s1600/BCSTournamentsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2LjvEoFR6PMTdq0pK7GQ2Kh6MnQ39JtDe2uC1UmJ0pPlBqQ-wkmbInMefswSJU3S3fVkKBAHQ7BgkZ4O2C_5UyN7R18OKqZLhl7xjKEloGjEULbVq2HIW62pmWuPaMLkcJ-8FShRD-TO/s1600/BCSTournamentsmall.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ultimately, FBS automatic bids would go to Alabama, Florida
State, Oregon, Ohio State, Boise State, Marshall, Northern Illinois, Georgia
Southern, Baylor (after winning the head to head with TCU), and Central
Florida, or UCF (having the stronger Congrove computer power ranking over
Cincinnati and Memphis).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You add any top independent team ranked high enough overall
in polls for an FBS bid and/or four (or five) other highest-ranked schools,
overall in polls. So this year these schools get an at-large bid: TCU, Michigan
State, Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Ole Miss</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ultimate FBS tournament seedings in a 16 vs. 1, 15 vs.
2, 14, vs. 3, etc. format would be:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Alabama</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Florida State </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Oregon </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Ohio State </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. Baylor</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6. TCU</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7. Michigan State </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8. Mississippi State </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9. Georgia Tech </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10. Kansas State </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
11. Ole Miss</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
12. Boise State</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
13. Marshall</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
14. Northern Illinois</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
15. UCF</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
16. Georgia Southern</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Take into account the oldest, popular, most lucrative,
traditional bowls and mix in some regional flair and considerate schedules. (I
still await the Roady's Truck Stops FreeCreditReport.com Pomegranate Cherry
Salad Bowl presented by Franklin American Mortgage Company, but I digress.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All joking aside, use 15 of those prestigious, richest, most
famous (i.e. powerful, established) bowls as the FBS bowl matches. All other
bowls, may remain independent and ongoing aside from the FBS contests, some may
provide comedic fodder to those of us snarkiest bunches on Twitter. No changes
needed there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rotate the FBS bowls as quarterfinal, semifinal and final
games, all of which could retain and maybe even increase the number of ticket-buyers,
TV viewers and payouts. One reason? There’s even greater incentive to play in
such a bowl. Not just one bowl. But a series of true head-to-head games where
all the conference champions (not just the typical, known powerhouses) and
other top-ranked squads have a genuine (and fair) shot at an undisputed
national title. Throw in serious regional, tie-in considerations and, voila.
Imagine that!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPJObKh0QThp5hHzW2aHkYUTgZIU296W3vyJQdTXXk5DeFrQWWM5J9AGfI7fxIlO947HzHPOiipaC0Lbm7ErF9yWCez6i5_KgN8FVs2smVpBC7fwfcuaU8-g8npR3PG_j39Wc1_CVNJKI/s1600/TKS+College+Playoff+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPJObKh0QThp5hHzW2aHkYUTgZIU296W3vyJQdTXXk5DeFrQWWM5J9AGfI7fxIlO947HzHPOiipaC0Lbm7ErF9yWCez6i5_KgN8FVs2smVpBC7fwfcuaU8-g8npR3PG_j39Wc1_CVNJKI/s1600/TKS+College+Playoff+2011.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The younger, Decemberish bowls host quarterfinals on
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, given this year’s calendar: 1 vs. 16,
2 vs. 15, 3 vs. 14, 4 vs. 13, 5 vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10, and 8 vs. 9.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Tuesday, Dec. 16</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Boise State vs. Baylor</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
-- TicketCity Catcus (formerly Copper, Insight, Buffalo Wild Wings); Tempe</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Georgia Southern vs. Alabama</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> -- TaxSlayer (formerly Gator); Jacksonville</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Wednesday, Dec. 17</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Georgia Tech vs. Mississippi State</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> -- Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus (formerly Tangerine,
Capital One); Orlando</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Northern Illinois vs. Oregon</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> -- National University Holiday; San Diego</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Thursday, Dec. 18</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Marshall vs. Ohio State</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
-- Outback (formerly Hall of Fame); Tampa</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Kansas State vs. Michigan State</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> -- Valero Alamo;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Friday, Dec. 19</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Ole Miss vs. TCU</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> --
AutoZone Liberty; Memphis</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>UCF vs. Florida State</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
-- Duck Commander Independence; Shreveport </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Probable winners?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Baylor, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Oregon, Ohio State, Kansas
State, Ole Miss, Florida State</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More bowls in following week's semifinals involve 1-16 vs.
8-9; 5-12 vs. 4-13; 6-11 vs. 3-14; 7-10 vs. 2-15.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Friday, Dec. 26</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Kansas State vs. Florida State</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> -- Goodyear Cotton; Dallas</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Baylor vs. Ohio State</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
-- Allstate Sugar; New Orleans</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Saturday, Dec. 27</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Georgia Tech vs. Alabama</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> -- Chick-fil-A Peach; Atlanta</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Ole Miss vs. Oregon</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
-- Hyundai Sun; El Paso</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Probable winners?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Florida State, Baylor, Alabama, Oregon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Final Four of sorts/Friday, Jan. 1</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Baylor vs. Alabama</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
-- Rose Bowl, Pasadena</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Oregon vs. Florida State</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> -- Fiesta Bowl, Tempe</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Probable winners? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Baylor, Oregon (haha)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Championship game, Tuesday, Jan. 12</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Baylor vs. Oregon</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> --
Orange Bowl, Miami </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who wins? Forget all your worries about health care,
immigration, ISIS, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Kardashians. Well, let this
unfold in reality.</div>
fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-77927034612218063772014-11-09T21:30:00.000-08:002014-11-10T11:04:51.051-08:00"Interstellar" has much heart but far from perfectLet's get this out of the way. I do like "Interstellar." A lot. I don't love, love, love it. It's not in my top 10 best movies ever. It's not director Christopher Nolan's best. I had high expectations going in to see "Interstellar." It's a good/bad thing. People already comparing it to "2001" or "Gravity." Once you've seen the movie, it's either the greatest or worst thing you've seen and seemingly there's no in between.<br />
<br />
In the previous films, Christopher and brother/regular film partner Jonathan Nolan are responsible for blending tense action with explorations of morality, philosophy and what is real and what is an illusion. In a sense, that's no different in "Interstellar." The special effects and cinematography are stunning and what you'd expect from a Nolan cinematic spectacle, like we've seen in The Dark Knight trilogy, Insomnia, Memento and Inception. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFM_CLiqebFxne0d7GLAyHrFG64-K5IPEzPdzZZbUrdncnfYTimG4eIISf3U7QO70biG6h87sB2PpD9ThKyFZHUIUy-A1H6QgHutdVHiMZyYarlBR281lM4e-pHSXET93Vy4hTjdoYeLa/s1600/interstellar_movie_still_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFM_CLiqebFxne0d7GLAyHrFG64-K5IPEzPdzZZbUrdncnfYTimG4eIISf3U7QO70biG6h87sB2PpD9ThKyFZHUIUy-A1H6QgHutdVHiMZyYarlBR281lM4e-pHSXET93Vy4hTjdoYeLa/s1600/interstellar_movie_still_2.jpg" height="133" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The acting, for the most part, is solid. But being a geek you can't help but wonder what could have and should have been when it comes to the science, the inevitable plot twists/holes and those aforementioned explorations into existentialism. <br />
<br />
I'll do my best to spare you spoilers. It's the not-too-distant future where Earth's environment has gone awry. The planet is drying. Agriculture is wasting away. Many parts of the world have become a dust bowl. Animal and plant species are going extinct fast and, apparently, wars have become obsolete. So has the need to preserve the best of what humanity had accomplished in the way of exploration, especially into space, the final frontier. School textbooks have been edited, and even NASA officially has been deactivated.<br />
<br />
Enter Cooper, played well by Matthew McConaughey, a former hot shot NASA test pilot/engineer who never got to venture into space. He's a farmer now, an among many who are trying to save the world through primarily corn crops. <br />
<br />
With help from his own dad (John Lithgow), Cooper raises his two kids. His daughter Murphy is a spark plug of sorts. One day she complains to her dad about a "ghost" in her bedroom, an unseen force that knocks several items from her large book shelf. Eventually we learn there's not really a "ghost" in Murph's bedroom (spoiler alert) but something else...and a larger anomaly, a mysterious message that leads Cooper to a nearby secret (and rather gigantic) NASA lab.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89CrI73ynFM_A_v59vuVrWCmFHji_Xxal76KXW2M9O0j2VCcF_aE-7RpO6x6ClWr5jH0r4Tt_4Nqg7ikMOx8B9r8JUhJzTDQFw_4XlI8HHMV93eKABpLEPuRho43qLoRh4UeLS4xjJix9/s1600/interstellar_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89CrI73ynFM_A_v59vuVrWCmFHji_Xxal76KXW2M9O0j2VCcF_aE-7RpO6x6ClWr5jH0r4Tt_4Nqg7ikMOx8B9r8JUhJzTDQFw_4XlI8HHMV93eKABpLEPuRho43qLoRh4UeLS4xjJix9/s1600/interstellar_a.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There, Cooper's former colleague, a physicist named Dr. Brand (Michael Caine) and others have been laboring to respond to a wormhole that was discovered years ago. Inexplicably, an officially shuttered NASA has managed to dispatched manned crafts deep into space to find the wormhole and see if there's a way to a new place humanity could possibly call home. <br />
<br />
The previous missions have turned up essentially nothing and Cooper is mankind's best last chance to pilot a successful mission. I won't go further into detail but suffice it to say, the trip - visually - is stunning. It is thrilling, adventurous and makes one wonder about the mysteries of wormholes, gravity, black holes, time relativity, dimensions and what may or may not exist on other worlds.<br />
<br />
Moreso, there are debates about what aspects of the human condition. Admittedly this is where the script gets a bit clunky. The science isn't precise as a nerd would want from even a movie like this, in spite of the involvement of renowned astrophysicist Kip Thorne. The script leans heavily on Thorne's work and, what mankind has learned from centuries of scientific research. From there, "Interstellar" exhibits things like Einstein's curvature of space and time relativity like no movie has previously demonstrated. But like with everything else in entertainment, a few things must be shortchanged for the sake of dramatic license.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7t2Ay5UxG_NRFKq7Fl2z4aHdgiZEK8_zNe2MLdSFA8hiNEPREZds08mPUQAL32ych-IN6Qy_F2HnJ3Dm92hZhMHLbPHSs01ZGHjZX39rQppG0-Vbr6o1rmxNJ8zFZWPV7pfK6XPriol5/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7t2Ay5UxG_NRFKq7Fl2z4aHdgiZEK8_zNe2MLdSFA8hiNEPREZds08mPUQAL32ych-IN6Qy_F2HnJ3Dm92hZhMHLbPHSs01ZGHjZX39rQppG0-Vbr6o1rmxNJ8zFZWPV7pfK6XPriol5/s1600/unnamed.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Visually and musically, the Nolans tip their hats to "2001" and a hodgepodge of previous movies (good and bad) that, like "Interstellar," strived to be profound and visionary in their examination of human existence and mankind's place in the cosmos. There are robots that appear like an homage to HAL 9000 and even the clunky ones in Disney's "The Black Hole." Hans Zimmer's score sounds like a hybrid of a Philip Glass overture and something more similar to his works in the Dark Knight films and "Inception."<br />
<br />
The third act, while appropriately intense, has a subplot/twist that I'm unsure whether it was necessary. I did roll my eyes. Ultimately, the heart of "Interstellar" is the father/daughter relationship, a bond broken seemingly for the worse once Cooper leaves his young girl behind to save the world. That young girl, while feeling initially shattered at the thought of never again seeing her father, grows up strong and becomes key to Cooper's efforts to save humanity.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguez1PLHj-rscEiPZrbiAIUw_q79ClOcPCtM_ygbCoaH2WnJrV2XehziVX6G6Mj5UU7CcUF2F4FtPJ0JOaCNoK-SgGhaZlOPZ9_Ox__EEfLpaNhmRg60p2cvXvgDYYFrlL3-dWpo5M6cKa/s1600/interstellar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguez1PLHj-rscEiPZrbiAIUw_q79ClOcPCtM_ygbCoaH2WnJrV2XehziVX6G6Mj5UU7CcUF2F4FtPJ0JOaCNoK-SgGhaZlOPZ9_Ox__EEfLpaNhmRg60p2cvXvgDYYFrlL3-dWpo5M6cKa/s1600/interstellar.jpg" height="131" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I may need a second viewing of "Interstellar." Probably a few more viewings as time goes along. Is it impressive as "2001"? No. Nothing can really top that but "Interstellar" tries its hardest to aspire a tribute, and I admire that. But those McConaughey Lincoln commercials and his role in "True Detective" are making a lot more sense now.fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-48647746001190024172014-10-05T18:50:00.000-07:002014-10-05T18:50:36.463-07:00Wrapping up comic-con, Alamo City 2014-style. <a href="http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/communities/alamo-heights/slideshow/San-Antonio-Comic-Cons-90859.php">I almost forgot to link my blog to the final of my 2014 local comic-con pics.</a><br />
<br />
And here's my Express-News story about local horror author Tim Miller, who appeared at the recent Fantom Fest at the Menger:<br />
<style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Times New Roman";
panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-parent:"";
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/communities/alamo-heights/article/Local-author-pushes-boundaries-of-horror-5797142.php</div>
<br />
<br />
And my report on the professional cosplay panel discussion at Alamo City Comic-Con:<br />
<br />
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/communities/alamo-heights/article/For-cosplayers-sometimes-it-s-a-lot-of-work-5797141.php<br />
<br />
<br />fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-23576347475386568892014-09-07T00:39:00.002-07:002014-09-07T12:33:33.060-07:00This 'Congress' you'd at least consider over the real CongressIsn't it fun stumbling upon a work of art...movie, book, TV show, static art...that confounds, angers and delights you all at the same time? Then you try to explain it to someone else, much less yourself, and find that you simply can't. It just is. That's "The Congress" for you. It's a daring film by director Ari Folman of "Waltz with Bashir" fame and loosely based upon Stanislaw Lem's book "The Futurological Congress."<br />
<br />
The set-up is basic but provocative enough. Imagine a world where Robin Wright plays herself who indeed shot to stardom in 1987 with "The Princess Bride." (Gawd, has it really been that long ago?) Her star has fallen over the years. With no mention of her being in "House of Cards," "The Congress" envisions Wright as a single mom of two kids, living in an abandoned structure near an airport. Few if any movie studios want to work with her, and her longtime agent Al (an unusually restrained Harvey Keitel) struggles to find her work. But there's one final option and it's a doozy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPLXb8Y-NW9iGgX5mDgyGlShxnByrSsUoCpK6TC332mwmSj92bvmzW2O233hf8DofbF6Kgp0kKfCicO5v00ECgvYLq76RznpJWUQUUEJUoqlD3-l4rAbwpSUQK5pIrnzDHe0ONYfHTyGm/s1600/thecongress_robin_happiness__medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPLXb8Y-NW9iGgX5mDgyGlShxnByrSsUoCpK6TC332mwmSj92bvmzW2O233hf8DofbF6Kgp0kKfCicO5v00ECgvYLq76RznpJWUQUUEJUoqlD3-l4rAbwpSUQK5pIrnzDHe0ONYfHTyGm/s1600/thecongress_robin_happiness__medium.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Miramount Studios (get it...a play off of Paramount and Miramax?) wants to scan Wright, literally, all of her physical and emotional features and preserve them in digital form. Wright herself won't have to work anymore, but gets paid a hefty sum to have her younger, digital version play roles such as a short-cropped, weapon-slinging rebel of the future. Her new "roles" make millions for the studio; one such role is almost a parody of Ben Stiller's Tugg Speedman character from "Tropical Thunder." Wright balks initially at the thought, but thinking of her children, the ugly reality of her situation, the creepy studio head (Danny Huston) puts it bluntly: The digital version of Robin Wright will do things the real Robin Wright wouldn't do, especially the one now in her 40s.<br />
<br />
Twenty years later, Miramount is a world-dominating megacorporation - more than a movie studio - and it's unleash its latest, most powerful product at its cultural confab, The Congress. Miramount has figured out how to reduce an actor's chemical makeup to a drug. Yes, you as a fan can literally eat/drink/inhale your favorite performer and imagine yourself as someone/something else. Everybody else does. Heck, at this point Hollywood has become an animated zone, as in Roger Rabbit's Toontown on steroids. In effect, the entertainment business has become an opiate for the masses that yearn to retreat from an increasingly ugly real world. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPs3vFpqHP7uJSa5EufpKjtS-8runbaT6SvtSOyj9_xC28a5jXRRGc_NddtTQGwdyYh0vWLaBYkUCFBYLELxqqzNp3ayHlNdVx9ckKmR18mNqObKgPazJZraeFcU0hQaUj2UagCCUjZIg/s1600/The-Congress-Movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPs3vFpqHP7uJSa5EufpKjtS-8runbaT6SvtSOyj9_xC28a5jXRRGc_NddtTQGwdyYh0vWLaBYkUCFBYLELxqqzNp3ayHlNdVx9ckKmR18mNqObKgPazJZraeFcU0hQaUj2UagCCUjZIg/s1600/The-Congress-Movie.jpg" height="168" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Wright is asked to speak to the greatness of what's happening and, well, I'll spare you the rest of the plot. The story doesn't really matter. What matters in "The Congress" is what is seen and done. Visually, especially the animation part, is stunning. Some of the satirical characterizations are hilarious. Some people online criticize the animation part, calling it cheap. I think it's partially because it's meant to be inexpensive. This is an indie/art house flick, after all. So much of it recalls classic cartoons of old, but more so it speaks to some people's desire to escape from their reality and enjoy how they want to be seen/perceived rather than how they are in real life.<br />
<br />
Folman touches upon so many themes in his film: Identity, one's hold on reality, free will, capitalism, imagination. The film is a critique of the movie industry, how it treats aging performers, and its plans for a more digital universe. There's a critique about overmedicating our population. "The Congress," visually, is filled with inspiration ranging from "Inception" and "2001" to "What Dreams May Come" and "Solaris."<br />
<br />
Wright herself portrays "herself" well but appears a bit distant. I'm sure if she's directed by Folman to be a tad distant or she's just that way, as she was in many of her previous films. With its mish-mash of live action and animation. "The Congress" says something on the whole, but it does feel incoherent in bits and pieces. I'm still trying to figure it all out. Maybe there's a point. Maybe there's not! But it's a philosophical, entertaining, mindblowing trip all the same. fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-62823349905399647822014-08-04T10:23:00.004-07:002014-08-04T15:46:30.367-07:00Guardians of the Galaxy equals geekgasmI would've posted a review much sooner this past weekend if it weren't for my crazy attempts to keep up with coverage of Wizard World Comicon and San Antonio Film Fest. Plus, there was that trip to Austin for the grand opening of Oasis Texas Brewing Company. Hooray, beer.<br />
<br />
But I digress. In previous months I had read, with some interest, people discussing concerns about a Guardians of the Galaxy movie. The comics were fun without being silly but, in the greater Marvel comics to cinema universe, GotG isn't up to the level of Thor, Iron Man, X-Men, Spider-man or Captain America. That seemed to be a consensus of many online informal chats leading up to the release of the first trailer of the movie.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZjaLFXbEXW7A3cRSsGBNpnIRDaBd0_faWqblr1djhe5kifv9Uv6YKEWlaoMFlXagpC3YIEJWsWBuFDuwpddjf3PtjJrJN8Vnf_8_RmCw9CLfaICTrNJwpgj8Xu8sRlq-lG5hFeMI6B_l/s1600/3650073-guardians-of-the-galaxy-hi-res-photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZjaLFXbEXW7A3cRSsGBNpnIRDaBd0_faWqblr1djhe5kifv9Uv6YKEWlaoMFlXagpC3YIEJWsWBuFDuwpddjf3PtjJrJN8Vnf_8_RmCw9CLfaICTrNJwpgj8Xu8sRlq-lG5hFeMI6B_l/s1600/3650073-guardians-of-the-galaxy-hi-res-photo-1.jpg" height="161" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The trailer was hilarious and entertaining, but also positioned the movie just right. What a treasure trove awaited the fans. Judging by debut weekend box office numbers, many, many fans took in Guardians of the Galaxy and loved it. I did, too. One person remarked "It's basically Raiders of the Lost Ark in space." Sure, but it's also parts Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon and all the exuberant sci-fi comics, movies and TV shows from my childhood (well, mine anyways) that were swashbuckling, daring, edgy but not overboard in any particular way.<br />
<br />
The casting is almost pitch perfect. The special effects, action set pieces, cinematography are beautiful and don't look so overly CGI'd or gaudy (you hear me, Spider-man?!). As with most comic adaptations, it's the little things that make a big impression: Peter Quill's/Star-lord's memory of his mother kept alive by songs you know and will be humming for weeks. Quill's devil-may-care attitude. A better look around The Collector's collection, a longer look than in Thor: The Dark World. ESPECIALLY in the post-credits, which is almost a jab at DC/Warner's fumbling around with comic cinematic adaptations. Baby Groot. Rocket pouring his torn, jagged heart and soul out after a drunken fight with Drax. Yondu's redass personality (a perfect fit for Michael Rooker, long a fan of the comics character). Drax with his heart of gold and despair. Gamora's ass-kickingness that briefly disappears when she's almost won over by the charms of Quill. Lee Pace bringing the pain as Ronan the Accuser. Josh Brolin growing clearer and clearer (in the Marvel movie universe) voicing Thanos. Hell, even with her villainous character Nebula, I've grown more in love with Karen Gillian. It's all there in its splendor.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQxZRLhOLZFOkpCJHv3VnVCLrd5YLBlHKyqaDMrocCo5R1_zYVDwTTtDjusa9U8y02c5PkzFJe5dWbHzNUX-LzLQWWnDCdToLF261HC0C6Y5kFKlhyxITfR8bX8tUYY5fAZN9rbjt72nK/s1600/Marvel-Guardians-of-the-Galaxy-wide-560x283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQxZRLhOLZFOkpCJHv3VnVCLrd5YLBlHKyqaDMrocCo5R1_zYVDwTTtDjusa9U8y02c5PkzFJe5dWbHzNUX-LzLQWWnDCdToLF261HC0C6Y5kFKlhyxITfR8bX8tUYY5fAZN9rbjt72nK/s1600/Marvel-Guardians-of-the-Galaxy-wide-560x283.jpg" height="161" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Guardians of the Galaxy is one of those comic adaptations that perfectly makes fans out of those new to the material. But it doesn't dumb things down for the hardcore fans. The audience could connect, in a sense, with this bunch of outcasts, misfits and criminals. I loved Captain America sequel, I was fine with the Thor sequel, and from the sounds of things, Avengers 2 will be tremendous. I'm worried about what's happening with Ant-Man, how Marvel bungled that in the wake of Edgar Wright's departure. But with James Gunn, the Guardians are in the right hands. I hope to see it again soon, and eagerly await the sequel.fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-67781841325779683082014-07-12T18:26:00.002-07:002014-07-12T18:31:21.468-07:00Toast to The Rise of The Dawn of the Planet of the ApesFor a summer blockbuster, "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" offers nuanced direction, pulse-pounding music, astounding art direction, a basic but driven storyline, and terrific special effects that don't ruin it all. While the acting isn't award-winning -- well, not from the human characters -- you do have characters you come to like or dislike. But you do learn to appreciate them. In other words, this isn't the loud, bombastic, non-sense that is the latest Transformers film, which has ruined my childhood -- again. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQX_ax8fmaS9fV4ijpwPxnMuIbJwdklEznHU_QuhpbJIqV1yEnldnDD5CNo70prbGlOHv_Y1UcmSdBHsRMuJduwfaQtzQJ2Up4SSLghGiCSidKuqRXoPyj04RKgd68nflnxVj_mD2pzr5/s1600/la_ca_0403_dawn_of_planet_apes_027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQX_ax8fmaS9fV4ijpwPxnMuIbJwdklEznHU_QuhpbJIqV1yEnldnDD5CNo70prbGlOHv_Y1UcmSdBHsRMuJduwfaQtzQJ2Up4SSLghGiCSidKuqRXoPyj04RKgd68nflnxVj_mD2pzr5/s1600/la_ca_0403_dawn_of_planet_apes_027.jpg" height="166" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" picks up a little where we left off with the "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." A quick, unnerving beginning scene uses real shots of riots and people addressing outbreaks to quickly take us through the history of the fictional simian virus, which has killed off most of humanity in a decade and leaving Caesar and his genetically-enhanced fellow simians to evolve to become almost dominant species on Earth. A scouting trip for a small band of humans from the ruins of San Francisco into the forests of Northern California triggers conflict with Caesar in his clan.<br />
<br />
How far have special effects come in the last few years? Astounding work by WETA Digital in putting realistic touches to the variety of apes portrayed. But Andy Serkis deservedly gets top billing as Caesar. The first film was more about humanity's hubris.... a drive to create a cure for a disease turns into a death sentence for mankind and gives way to simians to assert their power--maybe reassert is the proper term.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tGoT4uI9W3D-YGuC6er8MPP97RjyQWhOLPlbely-DLxs_7WFfsF6p5wuPZ_NYa_kRdeVG51rY3Wf-yhGGzINbA7TS9cnxrS077FlvWbF8OmJ_0ybNZ9_xPZnO6AsQ6qpGzc3ot0EcyqZ/s1600/zz24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tGoT4uI9W3D-YGuC6er8MPP97RjyQWhOLPlbely-DLxs_7WFfsF6p5wuPZ_NYa_kRdeVG51rY3Wf-yhGGzINbA7TS9cnxrS077FlvWbF8OmJ_0ybNZ9_xPZnO6AsQ6qpGzc3ot0EcyqZ/s1600/zz24.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This film is about Caesar, raising his family, attempting to educate the rest of the simians. Loyalty, love and knowledge as power quick emerge as traits mutually shared between humans and simians. But not all the simians are interested in educating themselves and leaving the remnant of humanity to live in the ruins of its creation in some sort of uneasy coexistence. Some, if they have the opportunity and feel pushed, use revenge as a reason to kill humans.<br />
<br />
But back to Serkis...he's more than the go-to guy for slo-mo capture effects acting. The guy can act, period. He has more than Gollum and King Kong in his arsenal. Caesar emotes strength, leadership, loyalty, perspective, compassion in his facial expressions, vocalizations, body language, the few words he learns to speak. <br />
<br />
The few action scenes in the first hour and a half are relatively brief but filled more with suspense and drama then pure traditional action. As one ape turns on another in the build up to the climax, it's all leading to a pay off. It's like a war movie where the fate of every character, in the end, is unknown until the final sequence. It's parts thrilling, shocking and disheartening, the violence of it all.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Some of the music by JJ Abrams regular composer Michael Giacchino, and intricate direction by - yes- JJ Abrams colleague Matt Reeves, "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" pays a bit of tribute to the old, classic "Planet of the Apes" flicks while preparing a new generation for a new slate of "Apes" films that look just as exciting. And we've almost erased the memory of Tim Burton/Mark Wahlberg's unfortunate "Planet of the Apes" remake.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGG9gt22-vszvHsm5xB5k8cRLPnZ8N3PM-i7Yg-PvQCEbGmFn8_p0lGB6WupWBBiibVmgl48j7qtdCZbuqIhevU2CZ-FH5S117ap9JqdFUouaIprvIXCZwBtIrNucmKkY1lImdLHaDpCpB/s1600/planet_apes_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGG9gt22-vszvHsm5xB5k8cRLPnZ8N3PM-i7Yg-PvQCEbGmFn8_p0lGB6WupWBBiibVmgl48j7qtdCZbuqIhevU2CZ-FH5S117ap9JqdFUouaIprvIXCZwBtIrNucmKkY1lImdLHaDpCpB/s1600/planet_apes_01.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-53905914542302372492014-07-06T12:25:00.001-07:002014-07-06T12:25:04.709-07:00Revenge is a dish best served SpursYeah, I'm massively late in posting these here. No need for further words. It's all self-explanatory: The feelings of relief and redemption of Spurs nation after dethroning the Heat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfk6pLz-CyqVcQUFm1DU7YjrxZ4fC4a0_GcuQh5mEvc0aozDnZ0a81W3X1NvTuK829OgNebr_hgFdMZmqExLL3iQUo_Kgdg9t_ua_69yeKIu6Ab_wU2fvjTP0MYd1MpF5SnrFYsKaePsF/s1600/night+celebration1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfk6pLz-CyqVcQUFm1DU7YjrxZ4fC4a0_GcuQh5mEvc0aozDnZ0a81W3X1NvTuK829OgNebr_hgFdMZmqExLL3iQUo_Kgdg9t_ua_69yeKIu6Ab_wU2fvjTP0MYd1MpF5SnrFYsKaePsF/s1600/night+celebration1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUR55GPfDqm9DCOLoWSj687fi7fVRR_4fCfVpTEGTWfVGDJTlMQBbIXcnxG9avuW_Wav-XJaweFQA6TD5FnwNZXxLphjuPdgnImoXxND8ZkRAvJi411f8f4_k694EkS4NypwoW7ErVVpt/s1600/night+celebration4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUR55GPfDqm9DCOLoWSj687fi7fVRR_4fCfVpTEGTWfVGDJTlMQBbIXcnxG9avuW_Wav-XJaweFQA6TD5FnwNZXxLphjuPdgnImoXxND8ZkRAvJi411f8f4_k694EkS4NypwoW7ErVVpt/s1600/night+celebration4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkd4SP72EU6PWEbvf_QyxFZGrgNI86LV7emOT39Gp_kIcBtr6LJt60YfRk8bJNUF4NVjWZS8Ia5_vAIgGXj2Hwqab5VqN2wwikbxotjUplP9BvBGAqQlc-ebICfw5cR-l_eAx5iuG9I6c/s1600/night+celebration5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkd4SP72EU6PWEbvf_QyxFZGrgNI86LV7emOT39Gp_kIcBtr6LJt60YfRk8bJNUF4NVjWZS8Ia5_vAIgGXj2Hwqab5VqN2wwikbxotjUplP9BvBGAqQlc-ebICfw5cR-l_eAx5iuG9I6c/s1600/night+celebration5.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It's the freshest championship, but it's probably the strongest Spurs
NBA title next to their 2005 seven-game defeat of Detroit, and just as
memorable as the first Spurs crown claimed in 1999 over New York. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsAfDhzaVQWyzh_eboK384aZ4EttaUNn-gQkYsFvqoKhoCYFSeY6zk1IGwSED-gc6n4BLpjexGigennwZ8cDyIg4dfrF2qxg7BciAtXpbqGOJjUzCf_AHVV0QaD8v-N_AsmqbnKoaZ0fO/s1600/night+celebration7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsAfDhzaVQWyzh_eboK384aZ4EttaUNn-gQkYsFvqoKhoCYFSeY6zk1IGwSED-gc6n4BLpjexGigennwZ8cDyIg4dfrF2qxg7BciAtXpbqGOJjUzCf_AHVV0QaD8v-N_AsmqbnKoaZ0fO/s1600/night+celebration7.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPvyv3Fog940TX6BzbYYuC4wlisWGSSxYikjGVkuYwjTtFECPXFcM6Y4lm6L5Gwg8xe43iQNKNhjotZ5OjAJ95X1alhib6MIbQBC1LvRbqi_ubZRgT_RyBNh7xKeIlivEd1qyWCdJaTXP/s1600/night+celebration8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPvyv3Fog940TX6BzbYYuC4wlisWGSSxYikjGVkuYwjTtFECPXFcM6Y4lm6L5Gwg8xe43iQNKNhjotZ5OjAJ95X1alhib6MIbQBC1LvRbqi_ubZRgT_RyBNh7xKeIlivEd1qyWCdJaTXP/s1600/night+celebration8.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_h6bzXl9IsHTjpNo44EHpYXHAtTnhQfUbrAB_g2JPN2hWWFiImX9jL-zRVMwYdatrwYfIgN6nSzMz8VOyFJTc9OWzLct0IybS91WdTxGiJN5glqDT2M3aW_34oikA0PenQHseaV9xBFg/s1600/night+celebration12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_h6bzXl9IsHTjpNo44EHpYXHAtTnhQfUbrAB_g2JPN2hWWFiImX9jL-zRVMwYdatrwYfIgN6nSzMz8VOyFJTc9OWzLct0IybS91WdTxGiJN5glqDT2M3aW_34oikA0PenQHseaV9xBFg/s1600/night+celebration12.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNnP_HCDsxWEF_JwAULE53YZkba6mqsRUO581E26hs5DCqRymVGwhHtefWYuskAo-LG5E-LUdmiyymgEXWgFKu0llE5HvLQPqj4o4YvQlkv62yYqYAwKF7q8UysTUYUOVfsWsDVeIgLIx/s1600/me+with+trophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNnP_HCDsxWEF_JwAULE53YZkba6mqsRUO581E26hs5DCqRymVGwhHtefWYuskAo-LG5E-LUdmiyymgEXWgFKu0llE5HvLQPqj4o4YvQlkv62yYqYAwKF7q8UysTUYUOVfsWsDVeIgLIx/s1600/me+with+trophy.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Aside from beating the defending champs, the Heat, the Spurs rolled
over them, sticking to pure team play, the kind of play that has
symbolized this organization's rise to greatness especially over the
last 20-25 years. Everyone had a role to play. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlxVfH26DyfWEwj92v7qXGZYpJQ4DbwAXT9LcHMenYCmDoVdQBFsNTkZVJnLIiqgzLBKB91vehq1bjBELQQv0bPHdTUoBY6mvXH8Jz6W80nbMxOP_0br9LFG1ZXWBIqb-4NHv7Wn9X73u/s1600/river+parade1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlxVfH26DyfWEwj92v7qXGZYpJQ4DbwAXT9LcHMenYCmDoVdQBFsNTkZVJnLIiqgzLBKB91vehq1bjBELQQv0bPHdTUoBY6mvXH8Jz6W80nbMxOP_0br9LFG1ZXWBIqb-4NHv7Wn9X73u/s1600/river+parade1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQADaQDGt8-TzyvO8XmfFt1mjcNnZDM_kI2qJW5KD9S26pdHnjNlNc0bUTfJe60waPA7LemxJ4vDGMmv4DtM8mobpM0BCxdE8pPm_v6v1sPGoIZ6RS5LEbgmOaNMe-j3jHc2g2svF-VCQ/s1600/river+parade3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQADaQDGt8-TzyvO8XmfFt1mjcNnZDM_kI2qJW5KD9S26pdHnjNlNc0bUTfJe60waPA7LemxJ4vDGMmv4DtM8mobpM0BCxdE8pPm_v6v1sPGoIZ6RS5LEbgmOaNMe-j3jHc2g2svF-VCQ/s1600/river+parade3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKYhbzD3S8by08cBVwOFIekkYMrsekC6uW38wn6ovwDw00Zp2tz4ZPbcqHwLloDodWGp3dqXQSYi-AT0PudVncG82yt22GGKCl7f04yqlXQL0g2EzGfS9YS4Kt4kVkwi2odvcs6Xcnzbx/s1600/river+parade8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKYhbzD3S8by08cBVwOFIekkYMrsekC6uW38wn6ovwDw00Zp2tz4ZPbcqHwLloDodWGp3dqXQSYi-AT0PudVncG82yt22GGKCl7f04yqlXQL0g2EzGfS9YS4Kt4kVkwi2odvcs6Xcnzbx/s1600/river+parade8.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T8EgIpFGKOpf9ZoB0puvtlsUAlFYT97jq9emljPDHrYo0ri43aUHO-bbzfQqvt4Esf1A5DNDRFHyHYQKbar8TpuwDdjiZduJqWDANI-ffAJdx7Ymr3bIdQTO4reuaaLVa4XpX3RBwDiy/s1600/tony+parker+visit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T8EgIpFGKOpf9ZoB0puvtlsUAlFYT97jq9emljPDHrYo0ri43aUHO-bbzfQqvt4Esf1A5DNDRFHyHYQKbar8TpuwDdjiZduJqWDANI-ffAJdx7Ymr3bIdQTO4reuaaLVa4XpX3RBwDiy/s1600/tony+parker+visit.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For Lebron, there's one championship, there's two, there's...oh wait, you may want to step back a bit. The black and silver may be often written off by many, but there's always a game to be played, and they've got scoreboard and skins on the wall to prove they're one of the best pro sports teams around. For the haters, suck it.<br />
<br />
<br />fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-87390516837360478232014-05-25T21:12:00.001-07:002014-05-25T21:12:05.221-07:00X-Men: Days of Future Past: Presently The Best Comic Adaptation You Will Have Seen"X-Men: Days of Future Past" doesn't totally adhere to Chris Claremont's famed story, but it's inspired by it and doesn't do it a disservice. What it does do is it almost erases the stains of "X-Men 3" and "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," further invigorates the X-Men movie franchise and lays a solid groundwork for a wider X-Men cinematic universe.<br />
<br />
"X-Men: Days of Future Past" is pure fun even while providing glimpses of horrible fates that await the few remaining mutants in the distant future if one thing doesn't get prevented from happening one day in 1973. Inexplicably, director Bryan Singer and his colleagues masterfully weave a complex storyline spanning nearly 50 years, past and future selves of the likes of Charles Xavier, Magneto, Wolverine and Mystique, among others.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexqyRN4kpr60wUGVU4gKOIls7Cz8yC_NGTEPRdEo4flMxjw02lJvx9LbIfduGNR9zdufeOra_c8fJL6r3UqYutaGmQaebk397pBqy5SLqEfILv_Y8FeD4LL_YLNcgEPwlPt1UQZBCYT9y/s1600/X-Men-Days-Of-Future-Past-Magneto3-586x495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexqyRN4kpr60wUGVU4gKOIls7Cz8yC_NGTEPRdEo4flMxjw02lJvx9LbIfduGNR9zdufeOra_c8fJL6r3UqYutaGmQaebk397pBqy5SLqEfILv_Y8FeD4LL_YLNcgEPwlPt1UQZBCYT9y/s1600/X-Men-Days-Of-Future-Past-Magneto3-586x495.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Time-travel is, well, a time-worn plot device used in movies for heroic and villainous means. Instead of traversing some kind of wormhole through space and time, current/future Kitty Pryde transfers current/future Wolverine's consciousness to his early 70s self. Once 1973 Wolverine awakens, it's action-filled, brief and hilarious all at once. It almost looks inspired by any number of time-loop-associated flashbacks in "Lost."<br />
<br />
The overarching goal for the future remaining X-Men is simple enough an idea: Stop Raven/Mystique from killing - no, not Senator Kelly - but Bolivar Trask, the scientist/industrialist. His death in one timeline convinces the government to expand his Sentinel program to hunt down all mutants, even humans who merely carry a mutant gene but have yet to realize their powers. <br />
<br />
The mission is difficult in the early 70s: Wolverine tries to suppress his angry nature or risk his mind being pulled apart in the transference of consciousness that Kitty Pryde holds together in a dark, danger-filled future just barely. Then he must try to convince 1973 Charles Xavier to "fight the future." Problem is, Charles is emotionally broken from Raven's departure, Eric Lehnsherr going down a dark path, and the depletion of his academy by the Vietnam draft. He's using a specialized drug (back then, who wasn't?) to enable him to walk. Otherwise he remains paralyzed. And he's not yet the Charles Xavier we know, mentally superstong. He's connected to all other mutants but it's at times he cannot bare...back then.<br />
<br />
When Xavier, who's cared for by a young Hank McCoy/Beast, is finally convinced (and even then he feels some doubt), they must break Magneto out of prison, which happens to be several stories beneath in the Pentagon. He's there because he directed the magic bullet that killed JFK. Or so goes the official government line. Enter Pietro (OK, Peter) Maximoff/Quicksilver, arguably the most fun sequence in the movie. The rest of the flick is not necessarily sheer spectacle, tiresome and wearing out its welcome like with "Man of Steel."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgga1LoQwFB_-OqYJRD0dzPBkVHye1hDJwb2XySmnhH4ZRFSK_0pcJtOjYx5MRng3iLUv633_Ydq7s_kU_5Bm-dlk8EuA1ItMtHY81_-7JgAJA4Wvlp3lp1rC0aFb3OR-1aqizi81tOSKTU/s1600/X-Men-Days-Of-Future-Past.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgga1LoQwFB_-OqYJRD0dzPBkVHye1hDJwb2XySmnhH4ZRFSK_0pcJtOjYx5MRng3iLUv633_Ydq7s_kU_5Bm-dlk8EuA1ItMtHY81_-7JgAJA4Wvlp3lp1rC0aFb3OR-1aqizi81tOSKTU/s1600/X-Men-Days-Of-Future-Past.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
Instead, emotions play a big part in the climax of 1973. But oh my, the "final" battles between the remaining future X-Men and the evolved Sentinels -- the robots that have fully adapted to every mutant power, turning those powers onto the mutants themselves -- is a joy to watch. See Iceman/Bobby Drake creating and surfing upon one of his famed ice bridges. Colossus in his steel rage. Blink creating dimension-warping portals. It's pure comic book teamwork for the remaining X-Men as they try to stave off disaster.<br />
<br />
The acting is, well, what you can expect from a comic book ensemble. There's actually not much screen time for Patrick Stewart or Ian McKellen in such a busy flick, but at this point in the X-Men cinematic universe, there doesn't need to be. Hugh Jackman has fun again as Wolverine, and James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender fully make young Xavier and Lehnsherr their own. Jennifer Lawrence? I am in love with her, which would probably make Emma Stone jealous. At one moment, her Raven/Mystique is laser focused on doing what it takes to reach and kill Trask. At another moment, she's conflicted.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o07KzaZqaJN6J2b0SnQLHn1JLru0Q1umTpQ92Vcq-10GTfYWpsFQ_LFJomRtLFmOXKqzbCcwdaPlckqly8XN7JASlFcFlpBg9L3uTaaKMbuIBEhdHzVH4PlttkFZwp-O5AmxNxxDOmlR/s1600/X_Men_Days_of_Future_Past_42227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o07KzaZqaJN6J2b0SnQLHn1JLru0Q1umTpQ92Vcq-10GTfYWpsFQ_LFJomRtLFmOXKqzbCcwdaPlckqly8XN7JASlFcFlpBg9L3uTaaKMbuIBEhdHzVH4PlttkFZwp-O5AmxNxxDOmlR/s1600/X_Men_Days_of_Future_Past_42227.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Halle Berry RECEIVES a big check for her "portrayal" as Storm. Does she EARN it? Nah. Again, it's not necessary at this point. But oof, Evan Peters as Quicksilver. He's a revelation. He wrapped up all his characters from "American Horror Story," mashed them up with a liberal dose of cockiness (why shouldn't he be?) and I want him to be Quicksilver in the expanded X-Men cinematic universe. And yes, there's a post-end credits scene and it sets up nicely for what lies ahead.<br />
<br />
So many X-Men characters from the previous films, all in one masterstroke of a new movie, even in a cameo...makes me feel giddy. Excited again for X-Men movies. It's busy but feels effortless. It nearly corrects all that went wrong in X3 and Origins:Wolverine and shows there's much more greatness that's coming up in X-Men on the big screen. See? Bryan Singer has some decent stuff as director leftover after "Superman Returns" and "Jack the Giant Slayer."fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-52844520353403480782014-05-20T19:54:00.001-07:002014-05-21T07:45:29.973-07:00Let Us Be Thankful "Godzilla" Is Like "Godzilla" and Not Like "Godzilla"The reviews of "Godzilla" (aka 2014) on Ain't It Cool News best sum up my feelings. This movie is better the old-fashioned way, a slow burn to the full reveal. Sure, Roland Emmerich tried the same approach in "Godzilla" (aka 1998), but once we see his monster and his personality, it's so far removed from what we've come to expect, what we remember from the old "Godzilla," it's disappointing and troubling on every level.<br />
<br />
With "Godzilla" (2014), director Gareth Edwards positions the audience in the best way possible to await all that we know the mutant monster will bring to the table. It's an origin movie. It's not supposed to be filled with behemoth monsters fighting or stomping cities into smithereens from wire to wire. Wait until the sequel.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7smwvEhwdot2rUlyd89Fk4sZ3BfCM2m0XiX7KwccVZjgkIDKjPLFMmlZABWtAWV3ncSWbcif1G87aGtH1P6EDeC-FL3WjtCyqUeVj7NB72ykSd62KWL5Mz1tR9TLCQe8V-IQR_-bWxf4/s1600/godzilla-attacks-golden-gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7smwvEhwdot2rUlyd89Fk4sZ3BfCM2m0XiX7KwccVZjgkIDKjPLFMmlZABWtAWV3ncSWbcif1G87aGtH1P6EDeC-FL3WjtCyqUeVj7NB72ykSd62KWL5Mz1tR9TLCQe8V-IQR_-bWxf4/s1600/godzilla-attacks-golden-gate.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
For some, characters and storyline are a disappointment in "Godzilla" (2014). Since when did we as audiences, and since when did the moviemakers, really worry about the depth of actors, plot and script in Godzilla...or any monster flick? Sure, there's no Oscar-worthy performances in "Godzilla" (2014). That wasn't in the works. Perhaps Bryan Cranston and Ken Watanabe bring the most passion of any of the main actors. Alas, they're just in supporting roles while Aaron Taylor-Johnson (who was so good in the "Kick-Ass" films) is our Tom Cruise from "War of the Worlds." Wherever he ends up or wherever he puts himself, crap happens. (His character, named Brody, definitely scores some Spielbergian points with me.) Not much can be said for Elizabeth Olsen's character (you know, the Olsen sister who can actually act), but again, that's to be expected.<br />
<br />
In most monster movies...and it's no different with "Godzilla" (pick your decade)...the characters react. They run, they hide, they scream, they cry, they die. That's what happens when strange things unfold, in this case, stories-tall beasts battle in metropolitan areas. I am there to see Godzilla, no longer a guy in a rubber suit stepping onto miniature model cities. I'm there to hear his iconic roar. I'm there to see Godzilla literally warm up to breathe fire, or something like it, onto attacking armies, towns and other monsters. (Here, the two MUTOs Godzilla 2014 fought were like hot-to-trot hybrids of Mothra and the Cloverfield critter.) I'm there to see humanity truly humbled by this natural anomaly that we've come to know as Gojira.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s_0OXhLW0NT4TzHfGr26dELYkhYdelXKdYe7_CGyu5nACB-7dH1iziOAMQ1p4Bx4RHd-emkxYvQ5Ss8nD8-34ZV0bcAswHY4SGbjNkgSm6O3ru9UK4uLrIiimfouCYDq0m-P3v3J2bHd/s1600/Godzilla-classic-science-fiction-films-3835751-1024-768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s_0OXhLW0NT4TzHfGr26dELYkhYdelXKdYe7_CGyu5nACB-7dH1iziOAMQ1p4Bx4RHd-emkxYvQ5Ss8nD8-34ZV0bcAswHY4SGbjNkgSm6O3ru9UK4uLrIiimfouCYDq0m-P3v3J2bHd/s1600/Godzilla-classic-science-fiction-films-3835751-1024-768.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
With that, I was giddy. It felt like I was rewatching the old Godzilla flicks from the 50s through the 70s. Yes, even the purely bad ones with his dopey-looking son, Jet Jaguar, Mechagodzilla, the miniature 12-inch twins, the smog monster. It made my inner child go crazy and was nostalgic. Heck, I've got a little plastic toy model of him someplace. Sure, Godzilla (2014) didn't do a happy dance, but he kicked some MUTO butt. This "Godzilla" looks as if he's visited one too many taquerias. No matter. This "Godzilla" (2014) is filled with wonderful images and sounds, many of which harken back to the older films. Like last year's "Pacific Rim," it's fun. It is darker than "Pacific Rim," and while we may have felt more for human characters in monster flicks such as "Jurassic Park," the star we go to see fills space so amazingly.<br />
<br />
There's a sequel in the works, maybe two. Perhaps Gamera, or a version thereof, will show up. In the end, it's all about Godzilla smashing things up real good. fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-61034841882402549742014-05-04T22:21:00.002-07:002014-05-04T22:21:02.948-07:00Amazing Spider-Man 2: So Much to Do and Say, Not Much to Really LoveIt's a classic case: I want to truly love a comic book movie such as "The Amazing Spider-man 2." It's good. It's enjoyable. But I'm not hankering to rush to see it again. Running almost two and a half hours, "The Amazing Spider-man 2" is filled with exciting action sequences and impressive special effects. But the storylines are contrived, characterizations are rush, and practically everything feels like it's truncated in preparation for what lies ahead in The Amazing Spider-man movie franchise.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoq2nIUHL0pvWLjVD5_4s-yvTwcWqS_TvzJwSZEPtZSmiudV3Jx54ZW8K86gM-jbANcULIiJZaAZjq0nmCHDUJHk1L95TdnhreuvKgXhYTRYiWYV5U9y4O5gttjJ7crU9eJyd0dOyqkWuQ/s1600/ASMmaxspidey_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoq2nIUHL0pvWLjVD5_4s-yvTwcWqS_TvzJwSZEPtZSmiudV3Jx54ZW8K86gM-jbANcULIiJZaAZjq0nmCHDUJHk1L95TdnhreuvKgXhYTRYiWYV5U9y4O5gttjJ7crU9eJyd0dOyqkWuQ/s1600/ASMmaxspidey_large.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
That's because Part 2 is deliberately stuffed with, well, stuff. Sony has committed to more Spider-man flicks and lots of ground to cover. Heck, secondary characters and images (eggs, if you will) seen in the sequel's climax and in the end credits clearly set up a universe in which we could see the Sinister Six.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, we see Max Dillon, played by Jamie Foxx, turn into Electro in a rather unoriginal, uninspired way. It's not Foxx. He does well in portraying the lead villain, but Dillon/Electro's conversion is fast and a little lame, given Dillon's connection to Oscorp.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BMDcgBvPu8Xe9TFTh5qIBN2VpSRf1-rzd6UZjjma8zP26KiDfhoWB4o2DT8kIcQESjIQWfODsPkpdPFJGQ_0LKm35dkpwLiH0gHYPYbz_8JsmeaszwYqxpEjAWy0QfrejbMBzK-GgW2Z/s1600/ASM2electrospidey_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BMDcgBvPu8Xe9TFTh5qIBN2VpSRf1-rzd6UZjjma8zP26KiDfhoWB4o2DT8kIcQESjIQWfODsPkpdPFJGQ_0LKm35dkpwLiH0gHYPYbz_8JsmeaszwYqxpEjAWy0QfrejbMBzK-GgW2Z/s1600/ASM2electrospidey_large.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Ah yes, Oscorp, where we many more connections made in this rushed, overriding storyline. The link with Peter Parker's parents, one of many subplots in the movie. Here, Peter -- played again by Andrew Garfield in an exemplary manner-- goes full-on detective, connecting dots to discover the truth about his parents -- their scientific research and their fate. The reveals here are a tad disappointing to say the least.<br />
<br />
Back at supposedly big bad mega-corporation Oscorp, we see a huge missed opportunity: Chris Cooper could have made a fantastic Norman Osborn to rival that of Willem Dafoe's portrayal in the Sam Raimi versions of Spider-man. Yet, Cooper's Norman is reduced considerably. He is the original, most well known Green Goblin.<br />
<br />
Harry Osborn takes on the title of actual Green Goblin in this movie, rather late and in a convoluted manner. Don't get me wrong. Dane DeHaan had a polarizing presence in the movie "Chronicle," which I enjoyed, and in "The Amazing Spider-man 2," he seems well suited as Harry Osborn, the heir to the Oscorp empire. But his introduction and development is relatively brief and I almost don't care for it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32VnBqWVXOazOkTw6voB1V9goQQX-8VV5BdrtsDumV_cTGlGbdDr_RMjaK9CFW9m67rJ9nAZ1gWTO-GFcwsICliyHVkaJrSQBCKeundmur5L1_fz1nHxELDqr76kOgnmGAzYBXWtc66dp/s1600/Dane-DeHaan_Green-Goblin-Amazing-Spiderman-2-618x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32VnBqWVXOazOkTw6voB1V9goQQX-8VV5BdrtsDumV_cTGlGbdDr_RMjaK9CFW9m67rJ9nAZ1gWTO-GFcwsICliyHVkaJrSQBCKeundmur5L1_fz1nHxELDqr76kOgnmGAzYBXWtc66dp/s1600/Dane-DeHaan_Green-Goblin-Amazing-Spiderman-2-618x400.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></div>
It's said that Harry is an old friend of Peter's, but the way director Marc Webb's Spider-man universe is set up, it doesn't seem like such a friendship genuinely exists. You could feel/see that in Raimi's Spider-man films, the dynamic between James Franco and Tobey Maguire. When DeHaan finally appears as Green Goblin, created that way by a serum, he's almost over the top in his performance. Again, not DeHaan's fault. He gets the short end of the stick here, but yes, this is a transitional sequel...meant to serve for more introductions, and sure enough we'll see more Harry Osborn/Green Goblin in "The Amazing Spider-man" cinematic universe.<br />
<br />
At last there's Aleksei Sytsevich, or Rhino, played all too briefly yet with glee by Paul Giamatti. His appearances, exciting as they are, literally bookend the film. Giamatti is on record, saying Rhino has been one of his favorite Spider-man villains, and he'll get more chances to be Rhino in "The Amazing Spider-man" cinematic universe. Now, Rhino with automatic guns and missile launchers? That takes more getting used to.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NqlpjEWkP7Ua0mAvVKAxhJE3djkflKVkCgWl4YHcYLrR0kWbCZTYKqSJFJ2Bvo-opf9wlRSjOtSyvXVC0EUtj-hUKLV2OvfeK7Si1EoZ5HB2G_dJYLbxP5SFEVa98OMn1TLyyIMi2D0X/s1600/spidey-2-pics-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NqlpjEWkP7Ua0mAvVKAxhJE3djkflKVkCgWl4YHcYLrR0kWbCZTYKqSJFJ2Bvo-opf9wlRSjOtSyvXVC0EUtj-hUKLV2OvfeK7Si1EoZ5HB2G_dJYLbxP5SFEVa98OMn1TLyyIMi2D0X/s1600/spidey-2-pics-1.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Ultimately, what works for me in the sequel? Garfield as Spider-man/Pete and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy. Webb and the writing teams give Garfield to insert his charm and wit into the Spidey we all know and love. Sure, he's a bit mopey and constantly wondering about trying to keep from harm's way those he cares about the most. But Peter Parker loves being Spider-man. It's fun. He loves helping people and carries a bit of a cocky attitude. That is on full display in this movie.<br />
<br />
There's also no denying the chemistry between Garfield and Stone. (Of course, in my eyes, Stone can do absolute no wrong on the big screen. I'd have her babies if I could.) Stone inserts more confidence into Gwen this time around. Webb works best when it comes to romance, or the building up or collapse of it all. He demonstrated that clearly in "500 Days of Summer." The interaction between Stone's Gwen and Garfield's Peter demands your attention. Sometimes it brings a smile to your face, other times it's depressing. Their shared emotions run the gamut on screen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihunBvdKc6uJa4_h2x6O9tZ8ZH4Bklb9Wv65N2uC8CPz5a8MFLjL9ciPf9le_nK5ay1tmN_oiVD2Xnn0xm6SwCbflMMWxyoe9Ef5-tbXtnd5FcHpiDG5d9NvPCAeAPj4xW8kJYVqzr1xZ/s1600/rs_1024x759-131205062817-1024-2amazing-spider-man-2.ls.12513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihunBvdKc6uJa4_h2x6O9tZ8ZH4Bklb9Wv65N2uC8CPz5a8MFLjL9ciPf9le_nK5ay1tmN_oiVD2Xnn0xm6SwCbflMMWxyoe9Ef5-tbXtnd5FcHpiDG5d9NvPCAeAPj4xW8kJYVqzr1xZ/s1600/rs_1024x759-131205062817-1024-2amazing-spider-man-2.ls.12513.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In comic book movies these days, some editions are designed to give full introductions to allow for the expansion of crucial characterizations and storylines for upcoming sequels. I understand that. But it takes true talent to NOT make a film feel/look so hurried of saddled with subplots. This isn't Raimi "Spider-man 3" bad. Far from it. Webb and his team have learned from any mistakes Raimi and his team made from the previous movies and are doing their best to improve upon them. Still, "The Amazing Spider-man 2" falls short of amazing.fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3620497431432384052.post-29824578161500135522014-04-06T21:14:00.001-07:002014-04-06T21:14:31.035-07:00Captain America: The Winter Soldier, or A Game of DronesThe reviewers are right. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is exactly like a 1970s spy thriller pumped up on steroids. It's complete with the never-ending post-9/11 paranoia about terrorism, the ethics of a society under constant surveillance (fear for the sake of freedom) and the ability to pick off our enemies in mass numbers without declaring all-out war.<br />
<br />
The second Captain America film also feels breathtaking and effortless. While it's filled with its fair share of CGI effects and stupendous action pieces, the movie has the advantage of simply taking off from where it's predecessor left off. Admittedly, while great and fun, the first flick lacked humor and, while having to go through the paces of "setting things up" -- (re)introducing the hero and famed sidekicks and villains -- the climax felt a bit rushed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrv3Eg96MYt198kFdm_x-zEL6jzymlwE3PiIj_e1bn3D330JXqZjys2o04m5KbVjaUjIfkTPaN4zFkzi4jHXIU6WvP52JhN8s-b5QV9neeHrZQDE_RUhMgKgqpDgp3HDRIhSVJaRcdtLjE/s1600/captain+america+194+1975+bronze+age+marvel+comics+original+comic+art+jack+kirby+falcon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrv3Eg96MYt198kFdm_x-zEL6jzymlwE3PiIj_e1bn3D330JXqZjys2o04m5KbVjaUjIfkTPaN4zFkzi4jHXIU6WvP52JhN8s-b5QV9neeHrZQDE_RUhMgKgqpDgp3HDRIhSVJaRcdtLjE/s1600/captain+america+194+1975+bronze+age+marvel+comics+original+comic+art+jack+kirby+falcon.png" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The sequel is confident and has enough room to give solid stories to each main character from top down. Steve Rogers struggles with his role as a superhero, born into the "greatest generation" but now living/serving in the modern world where enemies are not all simply supervillains, the line between good and evil is blurred. Those enemies could be the very ones charged with protecting America and the world but may have their own hidden agendas.<br />
<br />
There's more humor, particularly with geeky/pop cultural references that you can't help but laugh at. That's amazing given that this movie is also darker than it's predecessor, and arguably the most violent of the Marvel PG-13 films. I'm thinking, considering all the gun play and the climax, the total body count of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" isn't off-the-charts like DC's "Man of Steel" but it's stunning. <br />
<br />
It's a Captain America movie and Chris Evans serves the part well, but it's not his vehicle. The well-paced film, in its unique ways, gives Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie a chance to shine. And given his real-life politics, Robert Redford revels in an intriguing, pivotal role. As for the action scenes --well, if you get physically sick from deliberately jerky, close-up camera maneuvers (think "Saving Private Ryan"), this isn't for you, especially if you sit in the front row of the theater. It is meant to make you feel that much closer to the violence, immersed in it. One scene involving Nick Fury only reminds me one of the best action sequences of the 1990s, in "Clear and Present Danger." You'll know what I mean when you see it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN1xvHQo8aYTOx3z1I7_ZpwHRV9n-q0StY8qFyrDeWM9m2iEt3oORNNZkkBN53U49jwX7LerMMYn2HPruaiLKbR5sBdcUSb6FSwr3XGOfAVQp2EgV_pltO5tuZGwCuUvvgB0LM85wnLJq/s1600/CaptainAmericaWinterSoldier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN1xvHQo8aYTOx3z1I7_ZpwHRV9n-q0StY8qFyrDeWM9m2iEt3oORNNZkkBN53U49jwX7LerMMYn2HPruaiLKbR5sBdcUSb6FSwr3XGOfAVQp2EgV_pltO5tuZGwCuUvvgB0LM85wnLJq/s1600/CaptainAmericaWinterSoldier.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Post "Avengers," "Iron Man 3" and "Thor: The Dark World" each have more pros and cons, but admittedly, while entertaining, IM3 ended up being all over the place. Not IM2 all over the place, but close. "Thor 2" was fun but felt silly at times...silly not in the best way even for a comic adaptation. Here, Captain America deals with a much more grounded, Earth-bound yet equally serious threat to the world. Seemingly, more than just lives are at stake. Principles and reputations of whole countries, governments, are, too.<br />
<br />
Then there's the real fun...the possibilities that "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" helps to reveal in the ever-expanding Marvel Comics-movie universe. Marvel Studios has a brilliant game plan, as famed characters begin to pop up and develop, and references are uttered (or even seen slightly), whetting our appetite for lies ahead in future Marvel films. This happens in "The Winter Soldier" and even currently in the story arc of ABC's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." Even as X-Men and Spider-man movies presently operate in studios different from the mainline of Marvel movies, cameos and lines (usually during the end credits) make one's inner geek more excited for what the tomorrow holds in the Marvel cinematic universe. And it makes you wonder what the hell is happening at Warner Bros./DC Comics. One last thing: I do want a hellicarrier for my birthday.fishwraphackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12723393466654461291noreply@blogger.com0