Ananas

Man, I knew Finland was a better team, but I didn't expect the Czech to come out so flat today. Good to see a shutout for Kiprusoff although he didn't have to do much. Kind of a flat game too, hopefully the America-Canada game on Tuesday has more to it.

You call tieing a team of gimpish Slovaks a slow start? I call it a near disaster. Here's hoping they get their shit together. ←

Another Olympics in the books and the problem is all the more clear for Canada, although I worry that the cries of concern are falling on deaf ears on 24 Sussex Dr. 12 medals is the third consecutive drop off from the previous Summer Olympic totals. It is also the worst showing since 1988 in Seoul (11). If the answer isn't more funding, then what is it? Perhaps better training, but we already put significant emphasis on swimming, and we were held off the podium entirely. The COC is trying to make clear the problem to Ottawa, and hopefully a late-2004 visit from Jacques Rogue will wake these idiots up and help to start us on a track to a good performance by the time the games come to Vancouver in 2010.

Zatoichi - 7/10 This movie takes a while to get going, but when it does, there's a lot to be enjoyed. Even speaking as someone who isn't really into the samurai film genre, this is a good movie. The plot is designed well to build to the final confrontation (even if it does turn out rather anti-Climactic), the film is well scored, and there are plenty of fun moments throughout. It's an action movie that doesn't take itself too seriously. Thumbs up.

Jason Lee is like the non-Prodigal son of Kevin Smith. Poor bastard hardly appears in Dogma, JSBSB and JG, and now there isn't even a role for him in Passion of the Clerks. Affleck can lean back on his wad of dough, Lee can't. Still, what do you want to bet there's still a role in it for Jen? Ah well, I'm sure the movie will still be awesome, although if I remember correctly, he also called Jersey Girl his "Best Movie Yet" at an early point in production.

I don't really give a shit about where the hockey is being played, just so long as it is being played. It's no concern to me, because I know the first city to get a team will be Toronto. I just hope if this happens (and I hope it doesn't, because dumping that buffoon Bettman would be such a better solution), the Leafs name survives the switch. That's all that concerns me, really. Who knows, maybe the league will come back with a more compact, competitive nature.

There better be room for appearances by Lee, Affleck and hopefully Damon. If that happens, I'm ok with it. Oh and Joey Lauren Adams. If she got her shit together post DUI. Still though, I was hoping the small budget comedy Kevin was hinting at would be something entirely new.

X-Men - 7/10 Comic book movies have completely saved the high budget movie genre. Combine a kick ass cast (Anna Paquin, Halle Berry, Ian Mackellen, Hugh Jackman) with a daring director and a little bit of money, and a movie can be wholly entertaining. I think what really succeeds about the movie is that it doesn't try to follow the comic too closely. Courage to challenge the comic traditions is why this movie, the following sequel and the Spiderman movies all suceeded. Thumbs up.

If there's blame to be layed anywhere it's with the idiots that actually called in complaints to the FCC because they saw a tit. I won't even blame the FCC, because in reality, there was a massive outcry (over 200,000 letters if I remember correctly). Maybe it's just American society, but there needs to be a change if that can become the focus of hatred and controversy while CNN can show footage of detained prisoners of war, breaking the Geneva Convention.

If Squancho gets to add another one so do I: The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow If you don't have this yet, get it. Awesome CD, the best of 2003 by far.

Oh Jesus don't get me started on musicians in politics. Green Day goes from "Blood, Sex and Booze" on one album to "American Idiot" the next. Even Good Charlotte was going to appear on that first Rock Against Bush album, but I guess the recording sessions were past their bed times. I know Punk is steeped in politics, but the early punk bands had one thing on their descendants, THEY ACTUALLY KNEW WHAT THE FUCK THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT! The Dead Kennedys didn't take their information from a combination of Michael Moore and the John Kerry for President Website. But I think what bothers me most is their intentions. If you want to believe that it's all about changing regimes then you go ahead with your naive assumptions, but that first Rock Against Bush album sold more than most of the included bands' albums do. It was a great promotional tool for their music, and I'm sure they all stand to benefit from its MTV-driven exposure. What it comes down to is knowledge and intention. If you actually know what you're talking about, and are genuinely a politically inclined person, then fine. But as long as we have these pubescent morons trying to influence kids with their generic anti-Authority messages, I'd prefer if musicians keep their big mouths out of politics. If I had to choose one band to do politics, it would be System of a Down, and on a lesser extent Rage Against the Machine. With SOAD, there's a clear intention of change - namely the American acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide. They're also not so ridiculously one sided in their opinions, as proven by Serj's cries of "Science has failed our world" on the "Toxicity" track "Science". With Rage Against the Machine comes an overwhelming sense of entitlement. Two of its members are Ivy League educated in Political Science, and both Zach and Tom come from highly political backgrounds (Zach's father a political muralist, Tom's a Mau Mau Guerilla). There is no doubt about their qualifications, and the only reason I don't suggest them first and foremost is their obviously one sided opinions. Still, in a world where bands like Green Day are topical for political views, one can't help but wish for an unrelenting band like Rage to make it's return. As we approach this election, the "Testify" video reigns more and more true.

A couple points: 1) Australia threw the game against Canada in Baseball. I'm almost certain of this. It just didn't add up after they lost so mercilessly to Canada on Sunday, and today's results seem to confirm my suspicions. Australia felt more comfortable against Japan, and now they're on their way to the Gold Medal game. 2)My heart goes out to Perdita Felicien. After doing Canada so proud throughout the past two years, and winning just about everything they had for her, it must be crushing to have to wait another 4 years to try for Olympic glory. However, like I said she's done Canada proud at both World Championships, so best wishes to her, and hopefully she comes back stronger than before. Not that bad a day for Canada though, with the Gold and Silver. Hopefully the last days of this Olympic games will make something of a mediocre showing, although I really don't care how we do at the Summer Olympics. The Winter is where we Canadians shine.

Nah man, they'd have to get Hamill, Fisher and Ford back to do new episodes, and that can't be a bad thing. Just let Timothy Zahn to write the story, and Frank Darabont to write the screenplay and direct. Problem solved, kick ass movie made. Of course I'm of the opinion that the prequel films weren't really that bad.

Film & TV [*]Best Movie (Limit: 7) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind [*]Best Film Director/Producer (Limit: 5) Zach Braff [*]Best TV Comedy Series (Limit: 5) Scrubs [*]Best Sports Program (Limit: 5) Hockey Night in Canadap [*]Best Primetime 1+ Hour Program (Limit: 7) The O.C. [*]Best Overall Show (Limit: 10) Scrubs [*]Best Late Night Talk Show (Limit: 5) Late Night with Conan O'Brien [*]Best 'Feud' Show (Limit: 4) (ex. Jerry Springer, etc.) Sports [*]Best NFL Team (Limit: 4) [*]Best MLB Team (Limit: 4) [*]Best NBA Team (Limit: 4) [*]Best NHL Team (Limit: 5) Calgary Flames [*]Best UK Sports Team (Limit: 8) Arsenal [*]Best Sport (Limit: 5) Hockey Music [*]Best Rap Artist/Group (Limit: 8) Outkast [*]Best Rock Artist/Group (Limit: 7) The Killers [*]Best Alternative Artist/Group (Limit: 5) (ex. Maroon 5, etc.) The Shins [*]Best Overall Solo Artist (Limit: 7) Colin Hay [*]Best Overall Music Group (Limit: 7) Outkast [*]Artist/Group of the Year (Limit: 5) Outkast [*]Music Video of the Year (Limit: 7) Kanye West - Jesus Walks [*]Song of the Year (Limit: 7) The Shins - So Says I also: Hip-Hop vs Rock Rock Video Games/Computers [*]Best Platform Game (Limit: 4) (ex. Mario Bros., etc.) [*]Best Sports Game (Limit: 7) (Madden 2005, ESPN 2k5, MVP 2005, etc.) [*]Best Wrestling Game (Limit: 4) [*]Best RPG (Limit: 4) (ex. FFX-2, etc.) [*]Best Console (Limit: 3) [*]Greatest Console Ever (Limit: 5) [*]Greatest Game Ever (Limit: 10) [*]Best Game Company (Limit: 5) (ex. THQ, Squaresoft, etc.) [*]Best Internet Search Engine (Limit: 4) Google [*]Best Internet Provider (Limit: 6) (ex. AOL, MSN, etc.) Sympatico [*]Greatest Freeware Computer Game (Limit: 5) (ex. EWR, etc.) also: Windows vs Mac Restaurants [*]Best Fast Food Franchise (Limit: 8) Subway [*]Best Buffet Franchise (Limit: 3) [*]Best Type of Meat (Limit: 5) also: french fries vs onion rings News [*]Most Annoying Court Case To Hear About (Limit: 3) Cars [*]Best Car Company (Limit: 7) [*]Best Volkswagen Beetle Color (Limit: 5) also: the vehicle vs motorcycle

These things usually happen at the end of the year. These things also usually allow for more than one person's opinion to shape the nominees. Just wait 4 months or so.

Ashlee Simpson = So not EMO. There are a lot of good bands that get the EMO label, like The Shins, Rooney, Bright Eyes, and Death Cab. MTV emo may suck, but there's plenty of quality shit outside of that realm.

I know, I know, it's another one of those "Favorites" topics, but I have a few I'd like to share, and I'm sure there's a few Soundtrack nuts around here. Basically this includes compilation, new recording and orchestral soundtracks. Just post the soundtrack name, tracklisting and if you want, what you dig about these albums. 1. Waking Life Tracklisting: 1. Ballade 4 part 1 2. Mi Otra Mitad de Naranja 3. Pelo Negro 4. La Cosa Pequena 5. Lastima Grande 6. Nocturne in E-flat Opus 9 #2 7. Ballade 3 8. El Cholulo 9. Nocturna 10. Super Sport 11. Ballade 4 part 2 From the Tosca Tango Orchestra, this is one of the most unique soundtracks I've ever heard. It's experimentative, passionate and playful in points. Goes perfectly with such a experimentative, passionate and playful movie. 2. Garden State Tracklisting: 1. Don't Panic - Coldplay 2. Caring Is Creepy - The Shins 3. In The Waiting Line - Zero 7 4. New Slang - The Shins 5. I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You - Colin Hay 6. Blue Eyes - Cary Brothers 7. Fair - Remy Zero 8. One Of These Things First - Nick Drake 9. Lebanese Blonde - Thievery Corporation 10. The Only Living Boy In New York - Simon & Garfunkel 11. Such Great Heights - Iron and Wine 12. Let Go - Frou Frou 13. Winding Road - Bonnie Somerville Garden State is an amazing movie, but the soundtrack is even better. This is an amazing compilation of what's awesome in music today (with the exception of Nick Drake and Simon & Garfunkel), and it fits the film perfectly. Really, any soundtrack with two Shins tunes is a good soundtrack. 3. The Passion of The Christ Tracklisting: 1. The Olive Garden/Night Sky 2. Bearing the Cross 3. Jesus Arrested 4. Peter Denies Jesus 5. The Stoning 6. Song of Complaint 7. Simon is Dismissed 8. Flagellation/Dark Choir/Disciples 9. Mary Goes to Jesus 10. Peaceful But Primitive/Procession 11. Crucifixion 12. Raising the Cross 13. It Is Done 14. Jesus is Carried Down 15. Resurrection The recommendation for this soundtrack is perhaps not so much motivated by the movie itself as it is a coming out party for John Debney. This is by far his most powerful composition to date, and hopefully he doesn't continue to do Hollywood fluff pieces for long. 4. Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban Tracklisting: 1. Lumos! (Hedwig's Theme) 2. Aunt Marge's Waltz 3. The Knight Bus 4. Apparition on the Train 5. Double Trouble 6. Buckbeak's Flight 7. A Window to the Past 8. The Whomping Willow and The Snowball Fight 9. Secrets of the Castle 10. The Portrait Gallery 11. Hagrid the Professor 12. Monster Books and Boggarts! 13. Quidditch, Third Year 14. Lupin's Transformation and Chasing Scabbers 15. The Patronus Light 16. The Werewolf Scene 17. Saving Buckbeak 18. Forward to Time Past 19. The Dementors Converge 20. Finale 21. Mischief Managed! Finally, a soundtrack list wouldn't be a soundtrack list if it didn't include a John Williams composition. This third Harry Potter soundtrack is easily the most enjoyable, as Williams dwelves into jazz, choral and orchestral music in order to come up with a composition that is also the most musically original of the series. So that's it for moi. I could mention The Matrix, or the Star Wars films, but they're not exactly unheard of, so I thought I'd champion the cause of the cool and unheard here. Post your own favorites, ravage mine, it's your perogative.

Alright, this is a bit of a bump, but I came across this topic and felt the need to comment. Gigli isn't the worst movie of all time. In fact, it isn't even the worst movie of August 2003. Movies worse than Gigli released that month include Uptown Girls, The Medallion, Marci X, and I presume Grind and My Bosses Daughter were probably worse as well. The reason Gigli got the horrible press it did was that the media had grown tired of the Jennifer Lopez/Ben Affleck relationship. Well, that and the fact that they did reshoots, and the media presumes that to mean the first cut was so horrible they had to reshoot. It was a lame comedy. Nothing better, nothing worse.

Leon: The Professional - 8.5/10 Natalie Portman was even fantastic here at 12, and of course the amazing Gary Oldman is good here as well. The key here is the relationship between Portman's Matilda and Jean Reno's Leon. Entertaining till the last moment. Thumbs up.