“In Bruges” (In theaters now) 3.5/5
In a film year marked thus far by action and drama more than anything else, “In Bruges” offers film fans a rare treat—a film both funny and thoughtful. Picking up where “Juno” left off, In Bruges deals with a much different subject matter than Juno did-- Irish hit men and their ability to deal with the after effects of their craft; however, the film’s effectiveness draws from the same strengths that Juno relied on—an ability to interweave whit and thought into something that transcends the modern one note comedy.
In Bruges stars a two man hit men team of Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) who are forced to travel to the Belgian town of Bruges in an attempt to hide out from their most recent murder. While in Bruges, the two men are forced to put up with the other’s biting sense of humor while they gradually come to terms with their violent craft. The two hit men are contracted by Harry (Ralph Fiennes) and they eventually come face to face with him in a hilarious confrontation that somehow makes a blood-soaked gun fight a light and humorous affair. The seriousness of the film is not always at the forefront of the film and is often lost in a storm of one-liners but small snapshots throughout the movie give us glimpses of the struggles that the characters, especially Ray, face.
All of this mixes with a splash of drugs, midgets, and sex to produce a movie that will keep you guessing, and most likely laughing, for its duration.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Boxing Poised to Take a Big Swing
Is boxing on its way back?
The “sweet science” has taken its blows over the past decade or so but it seems at least to this fan that it is beginning to turn the corner. 2007 saw many highlights in the sport of boxing and 2008 does not show any signs that boxing will be slowing down.
The real jumping off point for boxing came last May 5 when Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather squared off in the highest grossing fight in boxing history. And while the fight, dubbed by promoters as “The World Awaits,” still has some fight fans waiting for the unrealistic expectations fans had for the fight to be met—it is undeniable that De LA Hoya v. Mayweather delivered a much needed shot in the arm to the fight game. HBO’s innovative coverage of the fight especially their creation of a television series dubbed “24/7” brought fans closer to the lead-up to a major fight than they had ever been before. The fact that it was a good, solid, clean, fight did little to subdue the frustration of those casual fans who threw down $54.99 expecting “The Rumble in the Jungle,” Hagler v. Hearns, and Ward v. Gatti all rolled into one—but for those more expert fans the fight was a competitive one that thankfully did nothing to embarrass the sport. And a lack of embarrassment as sad as it may sound is a step in the right direction after the Mike Tyson era.
The fall also saw a series of competitive and exciting fights that continued to give those fans anteing-up $44.99 or more per show their money’s worth. September’s Jermain Taylor v. Kelly Pavlik’s eight round thriller that saw Pavlik take a step on to boxing’s big stage with a knockout victory while at the same time giving Taylor his first defeat. In addition, Mayweather returned to boxing’s main stage in December where he knocked out British favorite Ricky Hatton in a competitive and at times very exciting bout. This past weekend Kelly Pavlik once again defeated Jermain Taylor in a unanimous decision in a fight that most in attendance seem to agree was a competitive one.
This coming weekend boxing’s spotlight returns to what used to be its main stage-a heavyweight championship bout. With every Tyson embarrassment the heavyweight division lost a bit more of its respect and while American fans rightfully shifted their focus towards lower weight classes what has emerged is an international hold on the heavyweight crown—a title that for decades was considered something owed to someone born in America as much as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is.
The two participants in this weekend’s heavyweight unification bout are Ukrainian born Wladimir Klitschko (49-3) and Russian born Sultan Ibragimov (22-0-1). The fight seeks to unify the heavyweight championship for the first time since 1999 when Lennox Lewis was able to. Luckily for fight fans the night’s events will be broadcast on HBO and you will not need to fork over $44.99 or more to take in the match. And to add to the night’s events HBO will be airing a documentary on Joe Louis before the fight. The documentary should serve as a perfect display of where the title once was and where it is now.
The fight is not drawing nearly as much attention as De La Hoya v. Mayweather did or even Hatton v. Mayweather was able to but it has the potential to provide the sport something it hasn’t had in years—a competitive and exciting heavyweight title fight. And with a setting of Madison Square Garden, known around the world as the “Mecca of boxing,” boxing couldn’t ask for a better host. All the cards are in place for boxing to take another big step forward—all that is needed is for both fighters to show up willing to mix it up.
Boxing has come a ways over the past year but there are few things that it could benefit more from than a great fight from the heavyweight division. And while there is no guarantee that the match up will provide such entertainment at least the bout gives us something to look forward to while we wait for Floyd Mayweather to first strap on wrestling trunks at March’s WWE Wrestlemania XIV and then hopefully take on Oscar De La Hoya one more time in the fall.
The “sweet science” has taken its blows over the past decade or so but it seems at least to this fan that it is beginning to turn the corner. 2007 saw many highlights in the sport of boxing and 2008 does not show any signs that boxing will be slowing down.
The real jumping off point for boxing came last May 5 when Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather squared off in the highest grossing fight in boxing history. And while the fight, dubbed by promoters as “The World Awaits,” still has some fight fans waiting for the unrealistic expectations fans had for the fight to be met—it is undeniable that De LA Hoya v. Mayweather delivered a much needed shot in the arm to the fight game. HBO’s innovative coverage of the fight especially their creation of a television series dubbed “24/7” brought fans closer to the lead-up to a major fight than they had ever been before. The fact that it was a good, solid, clean, fight did little to subdue the frustration of those casual fans who threw down $54.99 expecting “The Rumble in the Jungle,” Hagler v. Hearns, and Ward v. Gatti all rolled into one—but for those more expert fans the fight was a competitive one that thankfully did nothing to embarrass the sport. And a lack of embarrassment as sad as it may sound is a step in the right direction after the Mike Tyson era.
The fall also saw a series of competitive and exciting fights that continued to give those fans anteing-up $44.99 or more per show their money’s worth. September’s Jermain Taylor v. Kelly Pavlik’s eight round thriller that saw Pavlik take a step on to boxing’s big stage with a knockout victory while at the same time giving Taylor his first defeat. In addition, Mayweather returned to boxing’s main stage in December where he knocked out British favorite Ricky Hatton in a competitive and at times very exciting bout. This past weekend Kelly Pavlik once again defeated Jermain Taylor in a unanimous decision in a fight that most in attendance seem to agree was a competitive one.
This coming weekend boxing’s spotlight returns to what used to be its main stage-a heavyweight championship bout. With every Tyson embarrassment the heavyweight division lost a bit more of its respect and while American fans rightfully shifted their focus towards lower weight classes what has emerged is an international hold on the heavyweight crown—a title that for decades was considered something owed to someone born in America as much as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is.
The two participants in this weekend’s heavyweight unification bout are Ukrainian born Wladimir Klitschko (49-3) and Russian born Sultan Ibragimov (22-0-1). The fight seeks to unify the heavyweight championship for the first time since 1999 when Lennox Lewis was able to. Luckily for fight fans the night’s events will be broadcast on HBO and you will not need to fork over $44.99 or more to take in the match. And to add to the night’s events HBO will be airing a documentary on Joe Louis before the fight. The documentary should serve as a perfect display of where the title once was and where it is now.
The fight is not drawing nearly as much attention as De La Hoya v. Mayweather did or even Hatton v. Mayweather was able to but it has the potential to provide the sport something it hasn’t had in years—a competitive and exciting heavyweight title fight. And with a setting of Madison Square Garden, known around the world as the “Mecca of boxing,” boxing couldn’t ask for a better host. All the cards are in place for boxing to take another big step forward—all that is needed is for both fighters to show up willing to mix it up.
Boxing has come a ways over the past year but there are few things that it could benefit more from than a great fight from the heavyweight division. And while there is no guarantee that the match up will provide such entertainment at least the bout gives us something to look forward to while we wait for Floyd Mayweather to first strap on wrestling trunks at March’s WWE Wrestlemania XIV and then hopefully take on Oscar De La Hoya one more time in the fall.
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I hope that each of you had a great President’s Day Weekend. Hopefully you had Monday off or at the very least had a quiet day.
This past weekend found me down in New York, New York. I went down to visit with my former Jesuit Volunteer Corps roommates Sarah and Ben as well as take in all that Gotham City has to offer.
My friend, Mairead, and I took an Amtrak down Friday night in time to catch our old Boston College friend, Greg Johnson, finish up his comedy routine. Greg hosts a variety show at a bar, Rififfi, that is in the East Village at 332 East 11th St. Greg along with his co-host Larry Murphy just won a city-wide award for best variety comedy show in all of New York. The show has drawn a bunch of name comics and Friday night Eugene Mirman who was just featured in an HBO special was performing. Friday night Sarah and I also got to check out the restaurant, Three of Cups, which is a pretty good choice for Italian dining in the East Village. I went for the gnocchi in a plum tomato sauce and it was a solid choice.
Saturday morning I made my maiden voyage to Long Island where I got to visit my friend Sarah’s homeland. After overwhelming her poor dog, Bailey, with energy and attention for a few hours we returned to Manhattan. We met up with Ben and headed over for another first for me—Vietnamese dining. We went to Saigon Grill which if I understand correctly has a few locations in New York. I went with the ginger honey chicken which was very good. And in what might come as a surprise to most of you who know me I was even daring enough to try some coconut shrimp and peanut beef wantons. I have to admit that I was a fan of all of the food.
Sunday Sarah and I went over to Midtown Manhattan to try to get tickets at the half price ticket booth on Broadway. We were lucky enough to snag a pair of orchestra seats to see Tom Stoppard’s “Rock N Roll.” The play focuses on the relationship between Czechoslovakia and communism as it begins to fade away in the second half of the twentieth century. The play weaves in rock hits from such legends as The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and U2 to serve as a backdrop from which the play can be viewed. Rock N Roll is one of the more talked about plays on Broadway in 2008 and it is worthy of the attention. It runs through February at the Jacobs Theater on 45th St and Broadway.
Monday I met up with Ben and got to check out Mud Coffee which is the restaurant he works for. Mud is a very trendy spot in the East Village. While Ben and I were eating lunch sitting one table behind us were Saturday Night Live stars Rachel Dratch and Will Forte. It is definitely worth checking out if you are in Manhattan’s East Village.
The weekend wrapped up with our attendance of a live taping of the Late Night with Conan O’Brien Show. Guests on the show Monday were actor and comedian Larry “The Cable Guy,” Project Runway host Tim Gunn, and blue grass singer Jim Lauderdale. The tickets to the Conan tapings are free and tickets can be obtained through the NBC Show Tickets box office at (212) 664-3056. The tickets are generally booked 4-6 weeks ahead of the show date and are randomly opened up so it is best to constantly check for their availability.
I’d highly recommend anyone attend one of the tapings. The show is very impressive to watch and even more impressive is the ease that Conan displays in working through the show. At our taping there were no pauses or retakes and Conan was as funny and charismatic as he seems on TV. Before the show, Conan spent about five minutes warming up the crowd and even hugged a few lucky male fans and encouraged them to do the same to each other—it was quite an icebreaker. The whole experience lasts about two and a half hours and allowed us to get to the Port Authority for an 8:00 bus back to Boston.
All and all it was a very full and exciting long weekend.
This past weekend found me down in New York, New York. I went down to visit with my former Jesuit Volunteer Corps roommates Sarah and Ben as well as take in all that Gotham City has to offer.
My friend, Mairead, and I took an Amtrak down Friday night in time to catch our old Boston College friend, Greg Johnson, finish up his comedy routine. Greg hosts a variety show at a bar, Rififfi, that is in the East Village at 332 East 11th St. Greg along with his co-host Larry Murphy just won a city-wide award for best variety comedy show in all of New York. The show has drawn a bunch of name comics and Friday night Eugene Mirman who was just featured in an HBO special was performing. Friday night Sarah and I also got to check out the restaurant, Three of Cups, which is a pretty good choice for Italian dining in the East Village. I went for the gnocchi in a plum tomato sauce and it was a solid choice.
Saturday morning I made my maiden voyage to Long Island where I got to visit my friend Sarah’s homeland. After overwhelming her poor dog, Bailey, with energy and attention for a few hours we returned to Manhattan. We met up with Ben and headed over for another first for me—Vietnamese dining. We went to Saigon Grill which if I understand correctly has a few locations in New York. I went with the ginger honey chicken which was very good. And in what might come as a surprise to most of you who know me I was even daring enough to try some coconut shrimp and peanut beef wantons. I have to admit that I was a fan of all of the food.
Sunday Sarah and I went over to Midtown Manhattan to try to get tickets at the half price ticket booth on Broadway. We were lucky enough to snag a pair of orchestra seats to see Tom Stoppard’s “Rock N Roll.” The play focuses on the relationship between Czechoslovakia and communism as it begins to fade away in the second half of the twentieth century. The play weaves in rock hits from such legends as The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and U2 to serve as a backdrop from which the play can be viewed. Rock N Roll is one of the more talked about plays on Broadway in 2008 and it is worthy of the attention. It runs through February at the Jacobs Theater on 45th St and Broadway.
Monday I met up with Ben and got to check out Mud Coffee which is the restaurant he works for. Mud is a very trendy spot in the East Village. While Ben and I were eating lunch sitting one table behind us were Saturday Night Live stars Rachel Dratch and Will Forte. It is definitely worth checking out if you are in Manhattan’s East Village.
The weekend wrapped up with our attendance of a live taping of the Late Night with Conan O’Brien Show. Guests on the show Monday were actor and comedian Larry “The Cable Guy,” Project Runway host Tim Gunn, and blue grass singer Jim Lauderdale. The tickets to the Conan tapings are free and tickets can be obtained through the NBC Show Tickets box office at (212) 664-3056. The tickets are generally booked 4-6 weeks ahead of the show date and are randomly opened up so it is best to constantly check for their availability.
I’d highly recommend anyone attend one of the tapings. The show is very impressive to watch and even more impressive is the ease that Conan displays in working through the show. At our taping there were no pauses or retakes and Conan was as funny and charismatic as he seems on TV. Before the show, Conan spent about five minutes warming up the crowd and even hugged a few lucky male fans and encouraged them to do the same to each other—it was quite an icebreaker. The whole experience lasts about two and a half hours and allowed us to get to the Port Authority for an 8:00 bus back to Boston.
All and all it was a very full and exciting long weekend.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Italian Food, Ice Hockey, and Interesting Thoughts
Good Friday morning to each and all! I hope each of you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Here are a few thoughts for the long weekend.
I was lucky enough to take in two dinners this week at two of the finest restaurants that Boston’s North End has to offer. Tuesday night before I went to the Bruin’s game I went to La Brace at 76 Salem St. I had found out about La Brace through Restaurant.com where you can actually purchase discounted $25 gift certificates for hundreds of restaurants nation wide. Looking at the menu, I wasn’t exactly sure what to order but after asking the hostess and owner, Gail, she put my thoughts to rest. Gail had her chef whip up what she referred to as “chicken alla Scotty.” It was a sort of chicken with ziti that was in a delicious garlic, cream, sauce. My friend, Pat, ordered the gnocchi Bolognese and that was also delicious. I’d highly recommend La Brace and give it a 4/5 rating.
Pat and I then headed over to the TD Banknorth Garden for the Bruins game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The game came down to a very exciting finish that saw the Bruins score two late goals off the stick of Sean Thornton to fall just short of the Hurricanes 3-2. I hadn’t been to a Bruins game in several years so it was exciting to make it to the Garden to see them. And it was even more exciting when we were able to sneak down from the balcony to the loge and be virtually right on top of the ice for the final period.
We then left the Garden to a very snowy Boston and headed over to the Hard Rock Café for a couple of drinks. The Hard Rock was virtually empty as a result of the weather and it being a Tuesday night but the bartender still served up a mighty mudslide. The Hard Rock’s new Fanual Hall location makes it a great place to stop by for a drink while shopping or passing through to the common or North End.
Last night, I had the big Valentine’s Dinner at 5 North Square which has the same address as its name. We arrived a bit early at 5:30 and beat the dinner crowd. We were whisked away to their famous “Table #30” which was really nice and is set aside in a small nook right in front of a window that overlooks the North End streets. I ordered the cavatelli positano which consisted of ziti in a four cheese marinara sauce with basil. You throw in a bit of chicken and this was the best meal I’ve had so far in 2008. Lauren had the capallini alla romano which was an angel hair pasta with sun dried tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. The service at 5 North Square was great and I’d give it my highest mark of 5/5.
I can’t emphasize enough how great of a resource Restaurant.com is. 5 North Square was also on Restaurant.com and with their certificates you can often enjoy a meal for two including the tip for under $25.
Lauren and I then headed over to the Boston Center for the Arts on Tremont St to take in their production of “The Little Dog Laughed.” The play’s plot which centered on a closeted homosexual actor and his struggle to come out while remain unaffected in his career. The play was very funny; however, the acting was not entirely convincing. I’d give the show a passing grade of 3/5.
This afternoon my friend, Mairead, and I are heading down to New York on Amtrak. We’ll be heading down tonight to see our friend Greg Johnson perform his comedy show. I’ll also be meeting up with my Jesuit Volunteer Corps roommates Sarah and Ben and the four of us will be heading to the Conan O’Brien taping this Monday. Guest scheduled to attend the taping are comedian Larry “The Cable Guy” and Project Runway fashion expert, Tim Gunn. I’m very excited about the weekend and I’ll be sure to have a full report when I return.
For now take care and I hope each and every one of you has a splendid President’s Day weekend!
I was lucky enough to take in two dinners this week at two of the finest restaurants that Boston’s North End has to offer. Tuesday night before I went to the Bruin’s game I went to La Brace at 76 Salem St. I had found out about La Brace through Restaurant.com where you can actually purchase discounted $25 gift certificates for hundreds of restaurants nation wide. Looking at the menu, I wasn’t exactly sure what to order but after asking the hostess and owner, Gail, she put my thoughts to rest. Gail had her chef whip up what she referred to as “chicken alla Scotty.” It was a sort of chicken with ziti that was in a delicious garlic, cream, sauce. My friend, Pat, ordered the gnocchi Bolognese and that was also delicious. I’d highly recommend La Brace and give it a 4/5 rating.
Pat and I then headed over to the TD Banknorth Garden for the Bruins game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The game came down to a very exciting finish that saw the Bruins score two late goals off the stick of Sean Thornton to fall just short of the Hurricanes 3-2. I hadn’t been to a Bruins game in several years so it was exciting to make it to the Garden to see them. And it was even more exciting when we were able to sneak down from the balcony to the loge and be virtually right on top of the ice for the final period.
We then left the Garden to a very snowy Boston and headed over to the Hard Rock Café for a couple of drinks. The Hard Rock was virtually empty as a result of the weather and it being a Tuesday night but the bartender still served up a mighty mudslide. The Hard Rock’s new Fanual Hall location makes it a great place to stop by for a drink while shopping or passing through to the common or North End.
Last night, I had the big Valentine’s Dinner at 5 North Square which has the same address as its name. We arrived a bit early at 5:30 and beat the dinner crowd. We were whisked away to their famous “Table #30” which was really nice and is set aside in a small nook right in front of a window that overlooks the North End streets. I ordered the cavatelli positano which consisted of ziti in a four cheese marinara sauce with basil. You throw in a bit of chicken and this was the best meal I’ve had so far in 2008. Lauren had the capallini alla romano which was an angel hair pasta with sun dried tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. The service at 5 North Square was great and I’d give it my highest mark of 5/5.
I can’t emphasize enough how great of a resource Restaurant.com is. 5 North Square was also on Restaurant.com and with their certificates you can often enjoy a meal for two including the tip for under $25.
Lauren and I then headed over to the Boston Center for the Arts on Tremont St to take in their production of “The Little Dog Laughed.” The play’s plot which centered on a closeted homosexual actor and his struggle to come out while remain unaffected in his career. The play was very funny; however, the acting was not entirely convincing. I’d give the show a passing grade of 3/5.
This afternoon my friend, Mairead, and I are heading down to New York on Amtrak. We’ll be heading down tonight to see our friend Greg Johnson perform his comedy show. I’ll also be meeting up with my Jesuit Volunteer Corps roommates Sarah and Ben and the four of us will be heading to the Conan O’Brien taping this Monday. Guest scheduled to attend the taping are comedian Larry “The Cable Guy” and Project Runway fashion expert, Tim Gunn. I’m very excited about the weekend and I’ll be sure to have a full report when I return.
For now take care and I hope each and every one of you has a splendid President’s Day weekend!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Pucks, Paws, and Politics
I first want to congratulate the 2008 Beanpot Champion Boston College Eagles men’s hockey team! BC was able to sneak by Harvard in a thrilling 6-5 overtime win that saw freshmen Nick Petrecki score his first two college goals in Monday’s victory. The second of Petrecki’s goals came a little over seven minutes into the overtime period. The victory gave the Eagles their first Beanpot Championship since 2004 and hopefully can serve as a catalyst for the #7 ranked Eagles as they begin to wrap up the regular season and move towards the Hockey East Tournament.
If anyone is stuck on their couch tonight and can’t find anything to watch, I highly recommend tuning into the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club dog show broadcast on USA Network from 8:00 – 11:00 PM. For anyone who has a soft spot for a slobber-mouthed-four-legged friend I promise you will enjoy it. Tonight is the “best in show” portion of the competition which is akin to the gold medal round for those in the K9 world. I watched portions of the opening “best of breed” round last night and you really get to learn a lot about the history behind the different breeds of dog as well as witness each dog’s outright unpredictability.
Today also marks another notable competition—this one in the realm of the two legged—with what is being referred to as the “Potomac Primary.” Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia will be casting their votes for President and Illinois Senator Barack Obama and Arizona Senator John McCain are expected to garner the majority of victories in the 3 Mid-Atlantic States. It would seem Obama is poised to receive the greatest amount of support due to the high number of African American voters who traditionally turn out in the region. As always in this unpredictable 2008 Primary Season, predictions have proven to be about as valuable as the paper printed on them. Not sure how that analogy translates to the internet age but I’ll stick with it.
I will be heading to the TD Banknorth Garden tonight to watch the Boston Bruins take on the Carolina Panthers. It will be my first Bruins game in several years and I’m looking forward to witnessing the action in the heart of the “hub of hockey.” I’m hoping to throw in a little North End dinner before the game to make it an unbeatable one-two-punch.
If anyone is stuck on their couch tonight and can’t find anything to watch, I highly recommend tuning into the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club dog show broadcast on USA Network from 8:00 – 11:00 PM. For anyone who has a soft spot for a slobber-mouthed-four-legged friend I promise you will enjoy it. Tonight is the “best in show” portion of the competition which is akin to the gold medal round for those in the K9 world. I watched portions of the opening “best of breed” round last night and you really get to learn a lot about the history behind the different breeds of dog as well as witness each dog’s outright unpredictability.
Today also marks another notable competition—this one in the realm of the two legged—with what is being referred to as the “Potomac Primary.” Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia will be casting their votes for President and Illinois Senator Barack Obama and Arizona Senator John McCain are expected to garner the majority of victories in the 3 Mid-Atlantic States. It would seem Obama is poised to receive the greatest amount of support due to the high number of African American voters who traditionally turn out in the region. As always in this unpredictable 2008 Primary Season, predictions have proven to be about as valuable as the paper printed on them. Not sure how that analogy translates to the internet age but I’ll stick with it.
I will be heading to the TD Banknorth Garden tonight to watch the Boston Bruins take on the Carolina Panthers. It will be my first Bruins game in several years and I’m looking forward to witnessing the action in the heart of the “hub of hockey.” I’m hoping to throw in a little North End dinner before the game to make it an unbeatable one-two-punch.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Monday Thoughts
A very good Monday to each and all of you. Here are a few things that are on my mind this afternoon.
I first want to wish BC hockey the best of luck in their Beanpot Championship match against Harvard tonight. After a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over BU last Monday this is the best chance BC has had to hoist the Beanpot Trophy in a few years. Hat’s off to Harvard for a victory last week over a Northeastern squad that went into the game as a clear favorite but hopefully it will be only BC fans who are taking their hats off tonight.
BC basketball had a very hard fought loss to Duke this past Saturday 90-80. The game clearly displayed the best and worst that the 2007-2008 Eagle’s hoop squad has to offer. As for the highlights, Tyrese Rice’s ability to make plays both penetrating to the rim and hitting shots from all over the court was apparent. BC’s energy and athleticism was also apparent with the 4 freshmen running all over the court. As for the lowlights, the Eagle’s inconsistency couldn’t have come at a worse time than it did late in the second half. Whether it was a result of Duke’s deep bench catching up with the Eagle’s traditionally thin bench or whether it was simply the #2 ranked Duke simply out playing BC I’m not sure. But what I am sure of is that the Eagle’s will need to face the Blue Devils in the ACC Tournament to have the chance to beat Duke for the first time since 1985. The Duke winning streak over the Eagle’s has now replaced Miami’s former football winning streak as the biggest “monkey on the back” in BC sports.
The race for the Democratic Nomination for President continues to heat up. It appears that the rest of February will continue to favor Illinois Senator Barack Obama with a combination of caucuses, whose structure has proven to favor the traditionally more zealous Obama supporters, and votes in areas with large numbers of African Americans. The looming March 4th Texas and Ohio Primaries are New York Senator Hillary Clinton’s next and best opportunities to lock up huge numbers of delegates. But as this primary and caucus cycle has proven so far merely winning a state does not guarantee separation from the other candidate because of the proportional distribution of delegates based on the congressional districts of each state. Look for the race to remain “too close to call” through the 22nd of April when the Pennsylvania Primary is held.
If you are looking for something to do this Friday or Saturday night I’d highly recommend you head over to Jamaica Plains to check out the Footlight Club Community Theater’s production of Neil Simon’s “rumors.” The two and a half hour non-stop comedy will leave you laughing and glad you invested the mere $20 ticket price. The Footlight Club is actually America’s oldest community theater and you can read more about them at www.footlight.org.
Three days until….no not Valentine’s Day but rather until pitchers and catchers must report to Red Sox Spring Training in Ft. Myers! It might not seem like it with the frigid single digit temperatures we are “enjoying” today in Boston but spring is on its way!
I first want to wish BC hockey the best of luck in their Beanpot Championship match against Harvard tonight. After a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over BU last Monday this is the best chance BC has had to hoist the Beanpot Trophy in a few years. Hat’s off to Harvard for a victory last week over a Northeastern squad that went into the game as a clear favorite but hopefully it will be only BC fans who are taking their hats off tonight.
BC basketball had a very hard fought loss to Duke this past Saturday 90-80. The game clearly displayed the best and worst that the 2007-2008 Eagle’s hoop squad has to offer. As for the highlights, Tyrese Rice’s ability to make plays both penetrating to the rim and hitting shots from all over the court was apparent. BC’s energy and athleticism was also apparent with the 4 freshmen running all over the court. As for the lowlights, the Eagle’s inconsistency couldn’t have come at a worse time than it did late in the second half. Whether it was a result of Duke’s deep bench catching up with the Eagle’s traditionally thin bench or whether it was simply the #2 ranked Duke simply out playing BC I’m not sure. But what I am sure of is that the Eagle’s will need to face the Blue Devils in the ACC Tournament to have the chance to beat Duke for the first time since 1985. The Duke winning streak over the Eagle’s has now replaced Miami’s former football winning streak as the biggest “monkey on the back” in BC sports.
The race for the Democratic Nomination for President continues to heat up. It appears that the rest of February will continue to favor Illinois Senator Barack Obama with a combination of caucuses, whose structure has proven to favor the traditionally more zealous Obama supporters, and votes in areas with large numbers of African Americans. The looming March 4th Texas and Ohio Primaries are New York Senator Hillary Clinton’s next and best opportunities to lock up huge numbers of delegates. But as this primary and caucus cycle has proven so far merely winning a state does not guarantee separation from the other candidate because of the proportional distribution of delegates based on the congressional districts of each state. Look for the race to remain “too close to call” through the 22nd of April when the Pennsylvania Primary is held.
If you are looking for something to do this Friday or Saturday night I’d highly recommend you head over to Jamaica Plains to check out the Footlight Club Community Theater’s production of Neil Simon’s “rumors.” The two and a half hour non-stop comedy will leave you laughing and glad you invested the mere $20 ticket price. The Footlight Club is actually America’s oldest community theater and you can read more about them at www.footlight.org.
Three days until….no not Valentine’s Day but rather until pitchers and catchers must report to Red Sox Spring Training in Ft. Myers! It might not seem like it with the frigid single digit temperatures we are “enjoying” today in Boston but spring is on its way!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Wes Welker Wins Over Fans at Macy's
The Macy’s Downtown Location in cooperation with Sports Radio 850 AM WEEI hosted a public appearance yesterday by New England Patriots Wide Receiver, Wes Welker.
I had the opportunity to attend the event last night and even got to meet Wes Welker. I arrived to the event around 4:30 PM which was one half hour before the 5:00 PM start time. Welker arrived shortly after 5:00 PM and answered a few questions.
Welker, wearing a Boston Red Sox hat, displayed great appreciation to the approximately 250 fans who were in attendance. Welker seemed upbeat on the heels of his team’s 17-14 Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants. Looking back on his first season in New England, Welker said “I’m just happy to be on a…very successful team.” The pause to me seemed to indicate Welker was instinctively going to refer to the Patriots as a “championship team” but for obvious reasons he left that out. Welker appeared to me to be a friendly man who was hesitant to talk on the microphone but very gracious and charming when talking person to person.
Welker then went on to say that he had become a Red Sox fan since arriving in New England but that he hadn’t made it to a game yet.
At 5:30 PM, I made it to the front of the line and met Welker. After shaking his hand and thanking him for coming, I asked him if I could get an autograph for a friend who hadn’t been able to make it. I told him that “she might cry if she doesn’t get one.” Welker said “you would make her cry” and I shot back “no Mr. Welker I think it would be you that would make her cry.”
I then asked him about the recent retirement of Bobby Knight, the basketball coach of his alma mater, Texas Tech. Welker said “I was disappointed to read that.” I then said to him well I’m sure you are “no stranger to playing for a disciplinarian to which Welker laughed and said “no I am very familiar.” I shook Welker’s hand, said goodbye, and then moved away from the table.
Welker answered a few questions as I was making my way out of Macy’s. He said that he had been a soccer player growing up and “that I always saw myself playing that (soccer) when I grew up.” Welker said that the hardest hit of the previous season had come from a Giant in the Super Bowl but that “I can’t remember who hit me—I guess I’ll have to check the film.”
I had the opportunity to attend the event last night and even got to meet Wes Welker. I arrived to the event around 4:30 PM which was one half hour before the 5:00 PM start time. Welker arrived shortly after 5:00 PM and answered a few questions.
Welker, wearing a Boston Red Sox hat, displayed great appreciation to the approximately 250 fans who were in attendance. Welker seemed upbeat on the heels of his team’s 17-14 Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants. Looking back on his first season in New England, Welker said “I’m just happy to be on a…very successful team.” The pause to me seemed to indicate Welker was instinctively going to refer to the Patriots as a “championship team” but for obvious reasons he left that out. Welker appeared to me to be a friendly man who was hesitant to talk on the microphone but very gracious and charming when talking person to person.
Welker then went on to say that he had become a Red Sox fan since arriving in New England but that he hadn’t made it to a game yet.
At 5:30 PM, I made it to the front of the line and met Welker. After shaking his hand and thanking him for coming, I asked him if I could get an autograph for a friend who hadn’t been able to make it. I told him that “she might cry if she doesn’t get one.” Welker said “you would make her cry” and I shot back “no Mr. Welker I think it would be you that would make her cry.”
I then asked him about the recent retirement of Bobby Knight, the basketball coach of his alma mater, Texas Tech. Welker said “I was disappointed to read that.” I then said to him well I’m sure you are “no stranger to playing for a disciplinarian to which Welker laughed and said “no I am very familiar.” I shook Welker’s hand, said goodbye, and then moved away from the table.
Welker answered a few questions as I was making my way out of Macy’s. He said that he had been a soccer player growing up and “that I always saw myself playing that (soccer) when I grew up.” Welker said that the hardest hit of the previous season had come from a Giant in the Super Bowl but that “I can’t remember who hit me—I guess I’ll have to check the film.”
The "Diving Bell" Strikes Just the Right Note
“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" 5/5, In Theaters Now.
It is rare in this day and age for a movie to have the ability to change your way of thinking not only for the period that you are watching it but for a lifetime; however, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” is such a movie.
Based on the book with the same name, The Diving Bell remarkably captures the true story of magazine editor, Jean-Dominique Bauby, who after suffering a stroke is left with full mental capacity but little other physical ability. Bauby is forced to communicate through his ability to blink and in this fashion he is able to use his one functioning eye to slowly express himself. This French language film follows Bauby from the time of his stroke through his recovery. It captures Bauby’s past through a series of flashbacks and follows him all the way through the finish of his autobiography that is dictated blink-by-blink to his oh-so-patient occupational therapist.
The Diving Bell is a tale of loss and recovery; a tale of frustration and eventual appreciation. More than this, it is a story that will leave you off a better person. And it is the best movie I’ve witnessed in recent memory.
It is rare in this day and age for a movie to have the ability to change your way of thinking not only for the period that you are watching it but for a lifetime; however, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” is such a movie.
Based on the book with the same name, The Diving Bell remarkably captures the true story of magazine editor, Jean-Dominique Bauby, who after suffering a stroke is left with full mental capacity but little other physical ability. Bauby is forced to communicate through his ability to blink and in this fashion he is able to use his one functioning eye to slowly express himself. This French language film follows Bauby from the time of his stroke through his recovery. It captures Bauby’s past through a series of flashbacks and follows him all the way through the finish of his autobiography that is dictated blink-by-blink to his oh-so-patient occupational therapist.
The Diving Bell is a tale of loss and recovery; a tale of frustration and eventual appreciation. More than this, it is a story that will leave you off a better person. And it is the best movie I’ve witnessed in recent memory.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Super Bowl Thoughts
One has to take their hat off to the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. They were certainly the best team on the field during last night’s Super Bowl.
If you were a Patriots fan there are countless things you could look back towards as keys to the crushing defeat but I will choose to focus on one in particular. Late in the second quarter the Patriots faced a 4th and 13 from the Giants 31 yard line. The conventional wisdom would hold here that one should attempt a field goal. Regardless of whom your kicker is, a 48 yard field goal in warm, dry, conditions should and must be something your team can rely on.
But what Bill Belichick opted to do in this situation was to keep his offense on the field and try to pick up a first down. The Patriots were unsuccessful.
The Giants ultimately ran out the half with the Patriots leading 7-3. It didn’t seem like much at the time but with a final score of Giants 17, Patriots 14 it was all that separated the two teams.
Bill Belichick is still one of the greatest coaches in NFL history but to squander the chance at 3 points in what should have been a “no brainer” smacks of poor coaching. 4th and short yardage is difficult enough to accomplish but 4th and 13 within field goal range? I still can’t begin to imagine what he is thinking.
The Patriots overwhelming beginning to 2007 was sparked by a crushing playoff defeat at the hands of the Colts. Let’s hope a similarly deflating loss can serve as a catalyst to a great 2008.
If you were a Patriots fan there are countless things you could look back towards as keys to the crushing defeat but I will choose to focus on one in particular. Late in the second quarter the Patriots faced a 4th and 13 from the Giants 31 yard line. The conventional wisdom would hold here that one should attempt a field goal. Regardless of whom your kicker is, a 48 yard field goal in warm, dry, conditions should and must be something your team can rely on.
But what Bill Belichick opted to do in this situation was to keep his offense on the field and try to pick up a first down. The Patriots were unsuccessful.
The Giants ultimately ran out the half with the Patriots leading 7-3. It didn’t seem like much at the time but with a final score of Giants 17, Patriots 14 it was all that separated the two teams.
Bill Belichick is still one of the greatest coaches in NFL history but to squander the chance at 3 points in what should have been a “no brainer” smacks of poor coaching. 4th and short yardage is difficult enough to accomplish but 4th and 13 within field goal range? I still can’t begin to imagine what he is thinking.
The Patriots overwhelming beginning to 2007 was sparked by a crushing playoff defeat at the hands of the Colts. Let’s hope a similarly deflating loss can serve as a catalyst to a great 2008.
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