A Shoe on the Freeway

If you haven’t heard about Movie Madness, check the link on theindependent.com. It’s a hoot.

This morning Mike Bockoven, who reviews films for the paper, and I did our best Siskel and Ebert, handicapping the first 32 matchups.

The paper is trying to find Central Nebraska’s favorite movie since 1980. Of course the arguments started early when the staff got their grubby paws on the 64 flicks culled from “best of” lists.

Come on. Where was “Witness.” Where was “Phenomenon?” Where was “Michael?” Wait, did I just mention two John Travolta movies in succession? Oy!

Play the game. Enjoy.

Speaking of movies, what’s up with the kvetchers camped on “Brokeback Mountain.” The movie was the odds-on favorite going into the Oscars, only to lose to “Crash.” Now some of the principals behind the camera, including Annie Proulx, from whose short story the movie was taken, is accusing the “Crash” crowd of unfair politicking. They claim the Crashers blanketed Academy members with “Crash” DVDs and generally won the Oscar through campaigning.

I saw the movies and, while I liked both, neither was what I would consider a stunner. “Brokeback” was beautiful and haunting and, obviously, very edgy with its gay cowboy love story. By the way, stop with the sheepherder-not-cowboy shtick. Not that it makes any difference, but the story covers years after the summer on the mountain with sheep. Jack Twist becomes a rodeo cowboy for a time and Ennis works on cattle ranches for years.

“Crash” was set in my old neighborhood of Los Angeles and had a very familiar feel to it, that disconnect that Angelenos have and often nurture. The intersecting stories were terrific but I was surprised by its win, just as I was surprised to some extent by “Brokeback’s” favorite status.

Still, this is not a political race. It’s the Academy Awards. You have to flag “Brokeback Mountain’s” camp unsportsmanlike conduct and whining.

Posted by George Ayoub at 02:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear ESPN,

I couldn’t find a suggestion box on the side of my television, so I thought an appeal blog might do the trick.
Hate to grouse, fellas, but I have a couple questions/suggestions. Do you guys really think the potential for labor strife in the NFL merits such breathless, mind-numbing repetition of the same non-report of anything happening.

How many times can Chris Mortenson say the same damn thing, which is nothing?
That’s because nothing has happened. Or if it has, most football fans could care less. Show the games, talk strategy, and show replays. We already know owners are a richer version of spoiled athletes; they just don’t have the skills.

At least you gave it a rest to report the death of Kirby Puckett, a man for whom baseball was indeed life.
Saturday evening, on ESPN radio, the host was incredulous that the NFL labor issue was the top story of its broadcast. Hello? It was the top story because ESPN decided it was. It’s March. The National Football League is a marketing gorilla, but can we give it a rest for a while.

Suggestion #2 has to do with the theory that having Dick Vitale broadcast a college basketball game in which your team wins is only slight better than having him broadcast one in which your team loses. Is there any way you can put him the studio? At courtside he is propelled by the same stale launch codes: “He going to be a star,” “Get a TO baby,” and his endless praise of the obvious. He rarely offers insights but is long on shouting.

Finally, as a sports fan, the game has always been the focal point of my interest. But as your programmers who believe watching semi-clever sports writers argue among themselves is entertaining and the Terrell Owenses of the world, take over your network, please remember that ESPN was a great idea and has been the gold standard for life’s toy department for years.

The suggestion is to find the good in the games again.

Posted by George Ayoub at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ok, I'm a huge Duke fan and my boys took one on the chin last night in Tallahassee against Florida State. (Can you say Bobby Bowden?) But the fans rushed the floor - twice. Once with time left on the clock that cost the Seminoles a technical and then agains after order was restored and the last couple seconds played. FSU deserved to win the game but rushing the court has been the lastest college fad to get your mug on television. If the referees would have called four technicals and gave Duke eight shots, it would not have been fair to FSU but it would get some attention somewhere. Otherwise, nonsense reigns. There is no perspective. Fans now commonly rush the floor, even when a couple 12-11 teams meet for very few marbles. A high school star was nearly killed a couple years ago when his school rushed the floor after a game. His basketball career is over. The game is for the players. The floor is theirs. Let's keep it that way. If you want to be on TV, sing a song on "American Idol."

Posted by George Ayoub at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)