The Year in Review

The tenuous life of the Prez has taken a few twists and turns in recent weeks. As he continues to be tempted by the existence of the Powerball Lottery and the Travel Channel, along with the bizarre escapist mindset it creates, it is time for the May version of the The Best of 2007.

As in the past, these are the opinions of just one man…albeit a particular tough talkin’, intellectually stimulated, piece of man meat.

Best Rock Duo of the Year
Local H
No other duo really matters…..really…Anyone else is just an imitator…even that group from D-Town….with that virtuoso guitarist and shitty drummer….yeah that one.

Best Album of the Year
1.The Nightwatchman-One Man Revolution……pure genius.
2.Nine Inch Nails-Year Zero…..Rezner in all his pessimistic glory. Like all of the past albums, A crazy combination of Thom Yorke’s solo stuff and Metallica’s energy.
3.John Mellencamp-Freedom’s Road….Did you know, this is Ouuurrrrrrr Counnnntryyyy
4.Arcade Fire-Neon Bible……..For everyone’s inner indie rock vagina monologue.

Waiting on Radiohead, Metallica, GnR, Dr.Dre, Velvet Revolver….making the list above practically useless. Sorry.

Best Film
1.The 300-You know I loved the trailers, and the film lived up the intensity of the hype. No clip needed. You have seen them all.
2.Blades of Glory-The second in the Will Ferrall sports trilogy was good. Better then the first.
3.The Grindhouse- Tarentino and Rodriguez…enough said.

Best Politician
1.Ron Paul-The Republican X factor?
2.Hillary Clinton-Kicking Ass and taking names, and unifying Republicans everywhere...
3.Obama-has gained one name status. Now he needs an issue...
4.Mitt Romney-The old man parties flip-flopper. But what about that Smile!
5. Chris Dodd- Won the 1st democratic debate in many people’s eyes, but has the most ground to make up..

Worst Fantasy Baseball picks so far
1.Chris Carpenter-Ouch!
2.Mark Texeria- Mr.Tex should have been called Mr.Juice.
3.BJ Ryan-Ouch!
4.Dice K and Ervin Santana-Don’t believe the hype?
5.Jason Giambi-Because cheaters should never be cheered. Has anyone been more forgotten in the Steroids Scandal then the Giambino? I blame the media and it’s NY bias. Then we wonder how ESPN can do reports on people thinking the Anti-Berry Bonds crowd is racist.


Best News of the Year
1.Randy Moss traded to New England-It makes me smile every time I think about it.
2.Rage Against the Machine Reunites-An electric performance at Coachella '07. Its time for more! Those guys are the Mick and Keith of progressive musical activism.
3.Mavericks Lose! Mavericks Lose!- The longer Stephen Jackson's season is extended the greater the chances of a "Stephen Jackson Moment"

Remember kids…This land is your land

Rocky Balboa

This is the Prez’s long awaited official review of the film “Rocky Balboa”. Stallone used HGH to get into shape for the film. Maybe he should have just taken smack instead....

When I heard that Sylvester Stallone was planning on making a sixth and final installment of the Rocky series called “Rocky Balboa”.I felt it was a big joke. I have long felt the Rocky V, where a financially bankrupt Rocky trains an up and coming Tommy Morrison only to be screwed by brain damage, being an awful father, the pit falls of the fight game, and eventually brawls in the street with the shady boxing promoter was the worst movie that was ever made. I saw Rocky V twice, and ritualistically blocked its existence from my memory. However, the conversation would inevitably come up, which Rocky is better?, or Why was Rocky V made? Over the past 17 years, I found that it was about 80/20 that people would concur with my analysis. I always assumed the 20 percent were also into other awful things, like crack or genocide.

When “Rocky Balboa” opened I was still unable to bring myself to pay money to see another Rocky film. I wanted the last image of the Rocky character to be as the picture of enlightened progressive America with his amazing Cold War ending victory speech. I read Bill Simmons shaky review and two part mailbag. Thankfully the film passed by with a mixed reaction, and I never thought twice about not going.

This week I found myself was standing in Blockbuster with a copy of Erin Brockovich in hand. A shitty film yes, but perfect for teaching “Toxic Torts” to Law classes of seniors already thinking about the summer and the rest of their lives. I picked up a copy of The Prestige, a fine film, and made my way to the check outline. Then I heard the music and saw the trailer. So I decided to view the sixth installment of a series that has been dead for 17 years, and rented “Ricky Balboa”. I figured what the hey…If yoose can change…and I can change….

I don’t think my life will ever be the same. We live in a time of great uncertainty, when we cling to the hope that the basic elements of our society can come together on a daily basis to bring a semblance of tranquility and peace. As a cynic, I am blown away when my expectations are exceeded, which thankfully happens everyday. When it comes to films, all I ask is that the films I see be as good or better then the ideas I have for my scripts. Thus, watching “Rocky Balboa” was like being tortured over….and over…..and over again. It could not have been more pathetic. Thankfully, most my regular readers have seen it, so I won’t have to get into specifics. Had I spent $9.00 to see it in a theater, I would have gone to Stallone house to ask for my money back. It went from lame and boring to smaltz and shit back and forth and back and forth. When it was over I felt like I had witnessed a gangland murder. I felt sick,….and dirty.

I had to watch the entire first season of The Boondocks” in order to start feeling normal again.

If you haven't seen this film, consider yourself blessed.

Until next time,

The Godfather out

Fear Me...Fear The D

There are only two things that kicks The Prez out of the eventual onset of CT weather depression. That of coarse is Metal, and a huge victory for the New England Patriots.

Some Essential Observations.....

Sports

The San Diego Chargers organization sucks, from the GM, to the Tickets Guy, to the Coach, to that cheating Defensive End, to the hypocrite Running Back. Enjoy the Pro Bowl and nothing else D*****B***.

I made “MyEspn” my homepage this weekend. There is something amazing about reading Peter Gammons and Eric Karabell talk about baseball in January. Afterward, hope abounds and Joel Pinero actually soothes the soul.

We get what we wished for. The Boston Celtics are currently starting four guys who skipped college and whose average age is 21. After further review, Let’s Go Sun’s….

Christiano Ronaldo is way better then David Beckham. However, I am already planning my trip to The Razor to watch the Revs at least once this season.

Film

Children of Men was a quality, gritty epic set in a futuristic hellscape. That said, it didn’t have a conclusion, and will be deemed as being Too British in future references. Clive Owen was good, but his dark brooding persona is in his last 5 movies shows a lack of range. He is one depression era boxing movie away from becoming Russell Crowe. He needs to call Vince Vaughn and Will Ferrell now.

Work

Grading 160 projects in two days sucks. So does making 55 cents an hour, so I’ll stick to teaching for a while.

Crack

Is whack.

TV

24 is just awesome. For all the TV targetted toward women today, it is good to know there is one show on basic cable for men. It is no Rescue Me, but whatever, thats expanded basic cable.

Until next time, when I hopefully have an actual column, Strength and Honor....