Jon Stewart of the Daily Show makes fun of President Barack Obama's first campaign video for the 2012 election. See Jon Stewart can be fair and balanced.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Cool Captain America Trailer
When I was a kid, one of my favorite superheroes was Captain America. This summer, Marvel will release a big budget movie about Captain America. It will be called Captain America: The First Avenger. The movie takes Captain America back to its roots. When I saw the fantastic Source Code, there was a trailer before that film. Below is the cool trailer for Captain American: The First Avenger. It looks like the film will go back to its roots. World War II.
By the way, what a cast! I'm talking about the supporting players. Tommy Lee Jones. Stanley Tucci. Hugo Weaving as the Red Skull. And the lovely Hayley Atwell. Okay, there's Chris Evans as Captain America.
By the way, what a cast! I'm talking about the supporting players. Tommy Lee Jones. Stanley Tucci. Hugo Weaving as the Red Skull. And the lovely Hayley Atwell. Okay, there's Chris Evans as Captain America.
The Cincinnati Reds Send A Message
Yesterday, the Cincinnati Reds walloped the Milwaukee Brewers, 12-3 to complete a three game sweep. First, let's get the "it's early stuff" out of the way. Yeah, I would say that if the Reds lost three in a row to open a season but winning three in a row against an opponent that some say will win the National League Central is different. It's hard to sweep any team in a three game series and I don't care if you're at home or not. But the Reds did it. And in convincing fashion, they beat a good team.
Let's quickly go over the series. The Reds in game one were down by three runs in the ninth. And as they did a bunch of times last year, they won it with their last at bat on a dramatic walk-off home run by Ramon Hernandez. I was at the game on Saturday. Reds pitcher Travis Wood has the look of an ace. He threw to both sides of the plate. When it came to change speeds, he demonstrated he could do that also. The result? Seven innings pitched, seven strikeouts, one earned run and NO WALKS. Remember Wood almost no hit the Philadelphia Phillies last year. I predict he will no hit some team in his career. Yesterday, Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo who is suffering from mono went seven and does what he always does. He kept the Reds in the game. Of course, that became moot because the Reds destroyed the Brewers pitching staff. And get this, yesterday back up cathcer Ryan Hanigan (pictured) blasted two home runs. The Reds have ridiculous depth at the catching position. Along with starter Hernandez, the Reds have in waiting at AAA, Devin Meseraco. There's last year's number one pick Yasmani Grandal. And the Reds have veteran Corky Miller to back up the starting two. Anyway here's the official story about yesterday's game with video.
With the sweep, the Cincinnati Reds have sent a message to Central Division opponents and I do say to the rest of the league. The Cincinnati Reds are not going to rest on their laurels. We want a Reds October.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
The Cincinnati Bengals 2011 Draft Needs
Ah, spring is here again. Baseball has started. The Cincinnati Reds are making their run to win the World Series. So, it's time to talk about the Cincinnati Bengals 2011 Draft! Unlike last year where it was clear who the Bengals would and should draft, this year, it's not clear. That's because of their many needs and the teams drafting ahead of them. The only good thing is that only three teams will draft ahead of them since they have the fourth pick. Of course, that's assuming the Bengals don't trade down. And please Bengals don't trade down unless you get a bunch of picks.
This year I'm going to over the top five needs, in order. That does not mean the Bengals should draft that way. Why? For example, quarterback is the top need but the Bengals should not use the four pick for that. It's not worth it. Also, needs can be filled by free agency. But with the current labor situation, free agency won't occur unless there's a new collective bargaining agreement. Something that could affect the Bengals quarterback situation. So read on football fans, and see who I think the Bengals should and will pick with the number four choice.
A. Cincinnati Bengals Needs
1. Quarterback
Carson Palmer will retire. How do I know that? As much as I'm disappointed in his demands to be traded or he'll retire, he's an honorable guy. He doesn't make idle threats. Owner and de facto GM Mike Brown has said he won't trade him either. Take that to the bank. The Bengals now have a quarterback problem. And it's one of the most important positions on a football team.
That doesn't mean the Bengals should use the fourth pick for a quarterback. The class at quarterback is basically a B grade. Not one choice screams top five pick. The Bengals worship athleticism over everything else. That says Cam Newton. It would be an absolutely terrible pick if the Bengals picked him with the number four pick. Fortunately, two other teams with needs at quarterback pick ahead of the Bengals.
Top three quarterbacks: Blaine Gabbert (Missouri); Jake Locker (Washington); Cam Newton (Auburn)
2. Offensive Tackle Picking Andre Smith was a disaster. Again, the fact that the Bengals worship athleticism over everything even character bit them in the ass. If you recall Smith left the combine and was suspended for the Sugar Bowl. So it comes as no surprise that he continually is overweight and eventually broke his foot twice.
Top three offensive tackles: Tyron Smith (USC); Anthony Castonzo (Boston College); Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin)
3. Defensive Line First, the need at defensive end is not as great as defensive tackle. The Bengals had a couple of good ones with Robert Geathers and Antwan Odom. But injuries to Odom and Geathers seems to be getting lost means that if Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers is there, the Bengals could take him. But note that the Bengals have two great kids here in Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson.
Defensive tackle has always been a problem for the Bengals. Domata Peko is solid but doesn't make other teams fear him. Tank Johnson is a Cowboys reject and average. Geno Atkins is an up and comer but so far is not a solution for a starter. The Bengals have a chance to finally get a stud here. The Bengals have a chance at Alabama's Marcell Dareus and Auburn's Nick Fairley.
Top three defensive linemen: Macell Dareus (Alabama); Da'Quan Bowers (Clemson); Nick Fairley (Auburn)
4. Wide Receiver The Bengals are not going to be bring back Terrel Owens especially after he said the problem with the Bengals started at the top. Which by the way is true. Chad Ochocinco is on the backside of his career and is more concerned about his after football life than the Bengals. However at the end of the season Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell started to shine. Probably because they were in the right place at the right time. So the Bengals don't really need to use their top pick for a wide receiver.
Top three wide receivers: A.J. Green (Georgia); Juilo Jones (Alabama); Titus Young (Boise State)
5. Cornerback Jonathan Joseph is a free agent and it's unknown whether he will resign with the Bengals. Pacman Jones was hurt last year and his season ended on the IR. But the Bengals have depth here. Branon Ghee and Morgan Trent will be back along with starter Leon Hall.
Top three cornerbacks: Patrick Peterson (LSU); Prince Amukamara (Nebraska); Aaron Wiliams (Texas)
6. Other needs. If Cedric Benson doesn't return, the Bengals will need to find another running back. Safety always an issue. And I hope that kicker Mike Nugent will return to form. Or else the Bengals will have a need there too but kicker should always be addressed in the sixth to seventh rounds.
B. WHO THE BENGALS WILL AND SHOULD PICK Luckily for Bengals fans, two of the teams ahead of the Bengals will pick Cam Newton, who smells like Akili Smith. My money is on the Carolina Panthers. DE Da'Quan Bowers and DT Marcell Dareus will be gone by the time the Bengals pick.
Hopefully, Marvin Lewis will be able to steer owner Mike Brown to the trenches where games are won. The Bengals have a high draft pick. With the fourth pick of the 2011NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals will pick:
Defensive Tackle Nick Fairley of Auburn Univerisity.
Is this the right pick? Yes. The Bengals finally get to shore up the defensive tackle position. Games are won in the trenches, i.e. the offensive and defensive line. Championships are won by defense. Is this who I think the Bengals will pick? Yes. Remember the Bengals worship athleticism over everything else. They will ignore that his only big year in college play was his last. Plus, let's face it. The position is not as hard as quarterback. A defensive tackle will have an impact from day one. I believe Marvin will convince Mike Brown to look at the war in the trenches. Failey is the best player available in an area of need.
What about quarterback? The Bengals should sign a free agent to be a caretaker like Matt Hasselback or Marc Bulger. And then come round three, pick Ricky Stanzi (Iowa) or Andy Dalton (TCU) if either is available.
Here's some Nick Fairley highlights.
This year I'm going to over the top five needs, in order. That does not mean the Bengals should draft that way. Why? For example, quarterback is the top need but the Bengals should not use the four pick for that. It's not worth it. Also, needs can be filled by free agency. But with the current labor situation, free agency won't occur unless there's a new collective bargaining agreement. Something that could affect the Bengals quarterback situation. So read on football fans, and see who I think the Bengals should and will pick with the number four choice.
A. Cincinnati Bengals Needs
1. Quarterback
Carson Palmer will retire. How do I know that? As much as I'm disappointed in his demands to be traded or he'll retire, he's an honorable guy. He doesn't make idle threats. Owner and de facto GM Mike Brown has said he won't trade him either. Take that to the bank. The Bengals now have a quarterback problem. And it's one of the most important positions on a football team.
That doesn't mean the Bengals should use the fourth pick for a quarterback. The class at quarterback is basically a B grade. Not one choice screams top five pick. The Bengals worship athleticism over everything else. That says Cam Newton. It would be an absolutely terrible pick if the Bengals picked him with the number four pick. Fortunately, two other teams with needs at quarterback pick ahead of the Bengals.
Top three quarterbacks: Blaine Gabbert (Missouri); Jake Locker (Washington); Cam Newton (Auburn)
2. Offensive Tackle Picking Andre Smith was a disaster. Again, the fact that the Bengals worship athleticism over everything even character bit them in the ass. If you recall Smith left the combine and was suspended for the Sugar Bowl. So it comes as no surprise that he continually is overweight and eventually broke his foot twice.
Top three offensive tackles: Tyron Smith (USC); Anthony Castonzo (Boston College); Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin)
3. Defensive Line First, the need at defensive end is not as great as defensive tackle. The Bengals had a couple of good ones with Robert Geathers and Antwan Odom. But injuries to Odom and Geathers seems to be getting lost means that if Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers is there, the Bengals could take him. But note that the Bengals have two great kids here in Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson.
Defensive tackle has always been a problem for the Bengals. Domata Peko is solid but doesn't make other teams fear him. Tank Johnson is a Cowboys reject and average. Geno Atkins is an up and comer but so far is not a solution for a starter. The Bengals have a chance to finally get a stud here. The Bengals have a chance at Alabama's Marcell Dareus and Auburn's Nick Fairley.
Top three defensive linemen: Macell Dareus (Alabama); Da'Quan Bowers (Clemson); Nick Fairley (Auburn)
4. Wide Receiver The Bengals are not going to be bring back Terrel Owens especially after he said the problem with the Bengals started at the top. Which by the way is true. Chad Ochocinco is on the backside of his career and is more concerned about his after football life than the Bengals. However at the end of the season Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell started to shine. Probably because they were in the right place at the right time. So the Bengals don't really need to use their top pick for a wide receiver.
Top three wide receivers: A.J. Green (Georgia); Juilo Jones (Alabama); Titus Young (Boise State)
5. Cornerback Jonathan Joseph is a free agent and it's unknown whether he will resign with the Bengals. Pacman Jones was hurt last year and his season ended on the IR. But the Bengals have depth here. Branon Ghee and Morgan Trent will be back along with starter Leon Hall.
Top three cornerbacks: Patrick Peterson (LSU); Prince Amukamara (Nebraska); Aaron Wiliams (Texas)
6. Other needs. If Cedric Benson doesn't return, the Bengals will need to find another running back. Safety always an issue. And I hope that kicker Mike Nugent will return to form. Or else the Bengals will have a need there too but kicker should always be addressed in the sixth to seventh rounds.
B. WHO THE BENGALS WILL AND SHOULD PICK Luckily for Bengals fans, two of the teams ahead of the Bengals will pick Cam Newton, who smells like Akili Smith. My money is on the Carolina Panthers. DE Da'Quan Bowers and DT Marcell Dareus will be gone by the time the Bengals pick.
Hopefully, Marvin Lewis will be able to steer owner Mike Brown to the trenches where games are won. The Bengals have a high draft pick. With the fourth pick of the 2011NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals will pick:
Defensive Tackle Nick Fairley of Auburn Univerisity.
Is this the right pick? Yes. The Bengals finally get to shore up the defensive tackle position. Games are won in the trenches, i.e. the offensive and defensive line. Championships are won by defense. Is this who I think the Bengals will pick? Yes. Remember the Bengals worship athleticism over everything else. They will ignore that his only big year in college play was his last. Plus, let's face it. The position is not as hard as quarterback. A defensive tackle will have an impact from day one. I believe Marvin will convince Mike Brown to look at the war in the trenches. Failey is the best player available in an area of need.
What about quarterback? The Bengals should sign a free agent to be a caretaker like Matt Hasselback or Marc Bulger. And then come round three, pick Ricky Stanzi (Iowa) or Andy Dalton (TCU) if either is available.
Here's some Nick Fairley highlights.
The Science Fiction Movie Spring
So far 2011 has been a good one for science fiction. We've got three intelligent science fiction movies playing this spring. The Adjustment Bureau. Limitless. And there is Source Code. Less meaty are Paul and Battle: Los Angeles. Yet, those two are still quite entertaining. And who says Hollywood doesn't do anything original anymore?
Friday, April 1, 2011
Source Code Review
If you believe that the premise of Source Code is farfetched and complete fantasy, perhaps you should look at quantum mechanics. No, I'm not suggesting you study physics before you see this movie. But if you look at experiments by Dr. Daryl Bem, you will enjoy Source Code even more. Bem was interviewed by Stephen Colbert for a segment he called "Time Traveling Porn." Video below. Bem has an idea that man can fortell the future. His experiments indicated that students could fortell pictures of a naughty nature. I'm not kidding. He attributes success in this type of ESP to quantum mechanics. Anyway, mix with that the concept of alternate reality and how the mind can change reality in the mind, and you'll see Source Code is not that farfetched.
Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) is an army officer who is participating in a top secret mission. Colter? Where does Hollywood get these names? What next? Macho Magnum? But I digress. The mission? Leap into a dead man's mind in the last eight minutes of his life. You see the man was killed on a train with a bomb hidden aboard. The terrorist who bombed the train will unleash an even greater bomb, a dirty nuclear bomb on Chicago. The government needs Stevens to find the identity of the bomber. He's guided by Major Collen Goodwin (Vera Farmiga) with project leader Dr. Rutledge (Jeffrey Wright) overseeing the process. The problem is that Stevens is unable to determine the bomber after one leap. He must be continually sent back to the man's death. Complicating things is that he's falling in love with his friend on the train, Christina. (Michelle Monaghan)
Accessing memories is not a new topic to science fiction. So if you can accept that, you'll get by the first part. And once you hear Dr. Rutledge tell you that the Source Code is a program that can let a person access another man's memory with the help of quantum mechanics, you're on the path where you can see how the "Source Code" makes sense. Just mix in time travel, alternate reality, and the fact your mind can manipulate reality.
Ben Ripley has written an ingenious and emotional movie. Once you think the film is illogical, Ripley provides an explanation. For example, you might think that he cannot alter a memory but you are in formed that the mind can construct different realities. Director Duncan Jones comes off his very good film, Moon (2009) to help create an excellent and taught thriller. Ripley and Jones turn the screws until you think the movie must go a certain way but then brilliantly twists it into another reality. It's reminiscent of a the TV show "The Twilight Zone" meeting "The Matrix."
Ths cast is perfect. Jake Gyllenhaal shows heroic humanism. Michelle Monaghan does what she does best. She's charming. That's tough since it's hard to flesh out the relationship between her Christine and Gyllenaal's character. Jeffrey Wright is dead on as the scientist with a single purpose. And as for Vera Farmiga, you've got to have a great face to look at when Stevens is looking at the viewscreeen displaying his handler. Farmiga is both beautiful physically and personally. She exudes empathy. She has the face one could stare at for hours. Scott Bakula of Star Trek: Enterprise and Quantum Leap has voice cameo. It's a cool inside joke. Get it? Quantum leap.
I can't say enough good things about this film. It's as smart as 2001: A Space Odyssey. Yes, when you leave the theater, you'll be thinking, about altering reality and the characters that we have met. Source Code is thrilling and intelligent science fiction film. The grade is A +.
Stephen Colbert interviews Dr. Bem about Time Traveling Porn.
Trailer for Source Code.
Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) is an army officer who is participating in a top secret mission. Colter? Where does Hollywood get these names? What next? Macho Magnum? But I digress. The mission? Leap into a dead man's mind in the last eight minutes of his life. You see the man was killed on a train with a bomb hidden aboard. The terrorist who bombed the train will unleash an even greater bomb, a dirty nuclear bomb on Chicago. The government needs Stevens to find the identity of the bomber. He's guided by Major Collen Goodwin (Vera Farmiga) with project leader Dr. Rutledge (Jeffrey Wright) overseeing the process. The problem is that Stevens is unable to determine the bomber after one leap. He must be continually sent back to the man's death. Complicating things is that he's falling in love with his friend on the train, Christina. (Michelle Monaghan)
Accessing memories is not a new topic to science fiction. So if you can accept that, you'll get by the first part. And once you hear Dr. Rutledge tell you that the Source Code is a program that can let a person access another man's memory with the help of quantum mechanics, you're on the path where you can see how the "Source Code" makes sense. Just mix in time travel, alternate reality, and the fact your mind can manipulate reality.
Ben Ripley has written an ingenious and emotional movie. Once you think the film is illogical, Ripley provides an explanation. For example, you might think that he cannot alter a memory but you are in formed that the mind can construct different realities. Director Duncan Jones comes off his very good film, Moon (2009) to help create an excellent and taught thriller. Ripley and Jones turn the screws until you think the movie must go a certain way but then brilliantly twists it into another reality. It's reminiscent of a the TV show "The Twilight Zone" meeting "The Matrix."
Ths cast is perfect. Jake Gyllenhaal shows heroic humanism. Michelle Monaghan does what she does best. She's charming. That's tough since it's hard to flesh out the relationship between her Christine and Gyllenaal's character. Jeffrey Wright is dead on as the scientist with a single purpose. And as for Vera Farmiga, you've got to have a great face to look at when Stevens is looking at the viewscreeen displaying his handler. Farmiga is both beautiful physically and personally. She exudes empathy. She has the face one could stare at for hours. Scott Bakula of Star Trek: Enterprise and Quantum Leap has voice cameo. It's a cool inside joke. Get it? Quantum leap.
I can't say enough good things about this film. It's as smart as 2001: A Space Odyssey. Yes, when you leave the theater, you'll be thinking, about altering reality and the characters that we have met. Source Code is thrilling and intelligent science fiction film. The grade is A +.
Stephen Colbert interviews Dr. Bem about Time Traveling Porn.
Trailer for Source Code.
Why Opening Day is Important
Here in Cincinnati, Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds is like a holiday. Why is baseball's opening day so important, at least to Cincinnatians? Cincinnati is the home of professional baseball. This city is where professional baseball first started. And for many years, opening day for the the Cincinnati Reds has been revered. At one time baseball was America's sport. Opening Day is the sign that there is life. Spring is here. And winter is over. The new season begins with hopes and dreams.
As for yesterday's game, I was going to write about a game that was going to look like a loss. I was going to say that it's just one game and there are one hundred and sixty one games left. But this is baseball. The Reds were trailing by three runs in the bottom of the ninth. If you know anything about baseball that's not good. You've got to get three runners on base to even think about a tie. And it's your final inning. The Reds were able to load the bases. Then a sacrifice fly by Jonny Gomes set up the scene for Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez. There were two outs. Hernandez belted an opposite field homer that won the game. It's a walk-off that won the game. Talk about Hollywood endings. Now Ramon has been going the opposite way for years. He doesn't try to pull everything. That's something that I hope the kids on the team are learning.
One down. One hundred and sixty one more to win.
Here's the official story with video.
Thanks to Riggs1523 for filming the walk-off home run with fan reaction.
As for yesterday's game, I was going to write about a game that was going to look like a loss. I was going to say that it's just one game and there are one hundred and sixty one games left. But this is baseball. The Reds were trailing by three runs in the bottom of the ninth. If you know anything about baseball that's not good. You've got to get three runners on base to even think about a tie. And it's your final inning. The Reds were able to load the bases. Then a sacrifice fly by Jonny Gomes set up the scene for Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez. There were two outs. Hernandez belted an opposite field homer that won the game. It's a walk-off that won the game. Talk about Hollywood endings. Now Ramon has been going the opposite way for years. He doesn't try to pull everything. That's something that I hope the kids on the team are learning.
One down. One hundred and sixty one more to win.
Here's the official story with video.
Thanks to Riggs1523 for filming the walk-off home run with fan reaction.
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