Author: shredicusmaximus

Sports, Movies, and Pop Culture this is the name of the game. I'll be talking about said subjects from the point of view of an observer with a consciousness. Enjoy

Here’s tonight’s starting lineup for cinema

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Good evening ladies and gents, this is Ryland coming at you once again with another rocking review of life, cinema, and sports. Today, I will be combining all three for your reading pleasure. How awesome is that? Now as you all clearly know by now, I am a supreme movie buff who loves his sports teams and loves to describe things at length. First though, let me give you some background information. Not this one, but the coming Monday is Valentines Day. You know about that famous day that is known for chocolate, the color red, and hearts as far as the eye can see, giving Hallmark a bump up in the stock market for a day and reminding singles of their sad truths? It also brings the beginning of Ojai Valley School‘s baseball season. I thought it would fit well considering I love baseball so very much. So tonight, I thought it’d be fun to recap my top 5 favorite baseball movies of all time. Read up and I’ll be back in time for the 7th inning stretch.

5: Beer League
This one probably will not belong with the proceeding heavy weight talent, however this one is the brain child of one of my favorite comedians, Artie Lange. This is the story of Artie DeVanzo, a classic underachiever with a slow pitch softball batting average of .450 and a blood alcohol content of .16. Through the companionship of his love interest and determination to defeated the hated rival, Artie leads his rag tag group of teammates from softball ineptitude to the championship game leaving a ball busting trail of laughter and memories along the way.

4: The Natural
This movie simply shows that age is merely a state of mind. The classic tale of Roy Hobbs tells the story of a once promising baseball player derailed by a gunshot wound. His comeback and resilience in the face of constant sabotage is admirable and inspiring to say the least. His persistence through pain and tape measure home runs will leave any baseball player telling their bat boy to “pick them out a winner.” This coming season, I am going to name my bat “Wonder Boy” thanks to this piece of cinematic excellence.

3: Field of Dreams
The only Kevin Costner performance I have ever sat through 100%. This movie makes the list not necessarily because of the action, but because of the passion, the heart, the light hearted absurdity, the attractive impulsivity, and most of all the belief that the amazing can come true. The scene at the end can drive those who have a similar father/son bond to tears and if not, a lip quiver and the 1919 Whitesox were as real as could be pictured. Not to mention the classic speech delivered from the timeless wisdom of James Earl Jones. The speech I will admit I have on my ipod, and for good reason too.

2: The Sandlot
This is a story of friendship and about the summer of a life time. A memoir of the summer of 62′, Scotty Smalls moves to California with no friends and no baseball IQ whatsoever. When he sees the kids at the sandlot, he is driven away in embarrassment. Thanks to the leader of the gang Benny however, Scotty slowly but surely learns the game, about baseball, and what it is to be included. This movie will leave you reciting lines over and over again and the way Squints made the move on the lifeguard will go down in history. An absolute classic movie indeed, The Sandlot is the whole package, drama, comedy, romance, baseball. What could be better?

drumroll please………..

1: 61* Trust me, I didn’t pick this for number one just because I’m a Yankee fan. This made for TV movie was made with all the passion a life long Yankee fan like Billy Crystal could muster up. Filmed during the peak of Baseball’s infamous steroid era, this film offers a positive, informative, and action packed history lesson as it accurately captures the 1961 season and the tale of two Yankees. Mickey Mantle (a living legend who is loved by all and has all the charm and talent one could ask for) and Roger Maris (a soft spoken family man from North Dakota who was one of the most misunderstood people in sports history) both chasing Babe Ruth’s home run record of 60. This film does such a wonderful job of capturing every possible nuance of what it was like day after pressure packed day for both of them, that you will truly feel genuine emotions for all involved. The action is fast and realistic, the history is accurate to every last detail, and you could tell the director was a fan. 61* is number 1 in my book.

Other than that…..

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I had to see Black Swan again. I’m sure for all those who did not pay attention to the title as shown above that you’ll be thinking I saw it merely for that scene with Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. You know, that FAMOUS scene that is sure to win best kiss at the MTV video awards. Well I’m here today to mention that scene, and the fact that it was one scene among many.

The truth is that I had not seen a psychological thriller like this one in a long time. I thought that the plot within the plot idea was very amusing in a positive and engaging way. What I mean by this is when Natalie Portman says her performance was “perfect” in the end, she alluded to the idea that the film in itself and the plot of her life for the weeks the script covered were identical with her performance in Swan Lake as the Swan Queen.

Natalie Portman plays Nina Sayers, a shy and innocent ballet dancer who is, as her mother describes, “a sweet girl” and “the most dedicated dancer in the company.” She’s been there the longest and the company, by my understanding very renowned and the best in New York City (a city dedicated to culture), is performing a rendition of Swan Lake.

The plot of the piece involves a prince who falls in love with a girl trapped in the form of a white swan. Only true love from the prince can set her free. The white swan embodies innocence and beauty which can be interpreted by our society as what guys call “cute” rather than “hot.” Enter the black swan. The black swan embodies the “bad girl” type of vibe. She is sexy, outgoing, and uses charm in a seductive way. Their movements are different in the dance as they should be. The black swan seduces the prince causing a devastated white swan to kill herself.

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There’s An Encore In My Dreams

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Albert King called him “the greatest white blues guitarist I’ve ever seen.” Rightfully so, his own unique style in a genre that innovation is hard to come by is recognized by thousands of adoring fans 20 years after his death in Alpine Valley. After a show where he played with his brother Jimmie, Eric Clapton, and Robert Cray, Stevie Ray Vaughan walked off stage the final time and onto a heaven bound plane in the middle of the night.

He was barred from local guitar competitions in his native Texas because he was deemed “too good” by the competition holders. He was the lead guitarist of one of the 90’s most influential heavy metal bands in Pantera. He too had a style all his own topped off with his trademark harmonic squeals and shredding style. Cowboys from Hell, Cemetery Gates, Mouth for War, and Walk showcase his work to perfection. His career and life ended with a bang in Ohio when a deranged fan shot and killed him on stage. Pardon the dark pun please, I’m just trying to lighten the mood. Darrell Lance Abbott known to the music world as “Dimebag” has been and still is unreplacable.

His incredible bass solos and riffs fooled two members from Metallica into believing what they heard was a guitar solo. Rather, it was the shredding of Cliff Burton. Renowned as one of the greatest bass guitarists metal has ever seen, he was with Metallica from 1983-86, their period of complete greatness and utter world domination. He provided the gut churning riffs and rhythm that has been the basis of “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Master of Puppets,” “Seek and Destroy,” and his famous bass solo “Anesthesia.” In the middle of the night, on their Master of Puppets European tour, he was thrown out the window of the tour bus as the bus hit a patch of black ice. He was crushed under the weight somewhere on the road by Ljunby, Sweden.Read More »

R2C2

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2008, Cole Hamels wins NLCS and World Series MVP honors by leading the Philadelphia Phillies to their first championship since 1980 after having a dominant season himself.

Roy Oswalt was the NLCS MVP in 2005, the year his Houston Astros won the pennant. This three time all star is a known respected work horse of a pitcher with a career 3.18 ERA and a 150-83 record. He’s only 33.

Roy “Doc” Halladay has been called arguably the greatest pitcher of the past decade by many because of his durability and his sinker. He threw only the 2nd no hitter in post season history in his first postseason game against the Reds combined with a perfect game this past May. The postseason went under the alias, “Doctober” from then until his team lost to the World Series bound Giants a six game NLCS.

Cliff Lee has been a journey man for since the 2009 campaign and has played for four different teams since then. Until the World Series, he hadn’t lost a post season game sporting a 7-0 record. His pin point control and vast array of devastating pitches has already given him a reputation as one of the greatest playoff pitchers of all time.

Could you imagine if these four hurlers were on the same team? They are.

In a rotation called R2C2 by the Philadelphia press, the team is projected to have the most dominant starting rotation in baseball since Atlanta Braves dynasty of the mid 90’s.

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Banana Pancakes

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Just think, had it not been for a serious surfing accident that cut his career short, we would have never heard the disarming, quietly soulful, and bluesy chorus that creates his trademark mellow sound.

Jack Johnson has been a name responsible for great albums such as “Brushfire Fairytales” and “In Between Dreams” whose songs have been our pleasures for a solid decade.

The Hawaiian singer/songwriter graduated from UCSB with a degree in film. He directed the popular surf documentary “Thicker Than Water” in 2000. He also directed surf film in 2002 called “September Sessions” in which he also appeared on the soundtrack.

He was quite the surfer as he was the youngest invitee to make the surfing finals at Pipeline Masters on Oahu’s North Shore at the age of 17. Hawaiian surfing culture? A trend with musicians is that wherever you live has a certain mark on your music as if the sound is innate.

Other than that, he a devoted family man who puts his three children and his wife Kim before fame and fortune as he explains in Men’s Journal. Thanks to his friendship with fellow musician and lovable mellow head Ben Harper, as well as Harper being my neighbor, I got to meet him in person. He’s a hell of a nice guy.

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Let the Battle Begin

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12/6/10 Monday Night Football. Two 9-2 teams faced each other. The New England Patriots and New York Jets were touted as two very talented and equally matched teams and the “game of the year” as referred to by the fans, was going to finally be underway. The game was billed to be a classic. Then, the football was snapped. The Patriots unleashed an almost spite driven and relentless destruction with a 45-3 shalacking in New England’s Foxboro Stadium.

Now it is the new year and on 1/16/11, the two teams will meet again in the post season. This time, the hype has been doubled. The rivalry between Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Jets coach Rex Ryan has intensified and with some fuel to the fire. With tape finding its way to the media revealing Rex Ryan’s private matters, Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker made as many comments referring to feet as he could in a pre game interview. Here are some more fun pre game offenses: Tom Brady, a sports villain/QB legend has annoyed the Jet’s bench by allegedly pointing to their bench after every score in an almost taunting manner. When asked about Tom Brady, Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie said “he’s an @$$hole, f#$k him. In response to Welker’s interview, Jet’s linebacker Bart Scott told the press that “Wes Welker will be lucky to make it through the whole game.”


For more, please visit http://bleacherreport.com/articles/573928-jets-vs-patriots-10-players-to-watch-in-sundays-afc-clash/page/1

The intensity has been felt by the entire country and football fans of all ages and allegiances. With the NY Jet’s “Superbowl or bust” mantra at stake as they enter the game as underdogs, the ratings for Sunday Football on FOX will be through the roof as we prepare ourselves for the ultimate football battle (short of the Superbowl) of the year. Countless debates have surfaced as to whether the Jets or Pats will win but until then, I’m going to start the countdown to Sunday fun. I personally am a New York Giant fan, so I have a sadistic joy of watching two teams I hate fight to the death. I can’t wait.

75 Winters of Shredding in Sun Valley

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It’s 2011 and with that, the 75th winter season is underway at Sun Valley Idaho’s world renowned ski resort, known to the locals as “Baldy.”

The walkway is adorned with the flags of other countries as you cross the bridge over the Snake River to the River Run Lodge. Ski rental shops and food stands stake ground here to welcome the skiiers and boarders to another winter of powder days and perfect corduroys. If you’re lucky, someone might pay you to use your lift ticket when you’re coming off the mountain.

Home to the steepest downhill slope in all of America, (the path is Ridge, Christmas Bowl, Cold Springs) Sun Valley Ski Resort lies right in the heart of Ketchum, a quiet Idaho town located deep within the mountains. Lindsey Vonn, and John Kennedy Jr. and Arnold Schwarzenegger have cruised the catwalks along the side of the mountain, Shawn White has graced the half pipe, and many olympic skiiers throughout the generations have flown down the groomers since the inaugural winter in 1936.

I have skiied on this mountain since 2000 and the lift tickets in my family’s ski closet display over a 20 year evolution of passes. I did my first 360 and rode my first double diamond on that mountain, I have eaten at the various lodges, got caught in a few blizzards, have skiied in the spring with a short sleeve t-shirt and have had some of the best times I’ve had at River Run. Happy Birthday Baldy, and many more to come. I’ll see you again in February.

For more information on this awesome place, please visit http://www.sunvalley.com/

Happy Shredding

Imagine

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There’s a spot in Central Park under a cherry blossom tree just off the road where carriage drawn horses pass by next to yellow taxi cabs. It’s the place you know where nothing is real, this one section that’s simplistic meaning and powerful emotion flow freely in warm shafts of color in a cold, hard city setting. Looking through bent back tulips, we come across what is known as “Strawberry Fields.” It is a lovely, tiled, circular piece on the ground. Set as the sun, one word graces the center, partially covered by flowers and photographs laid there by thousands of adoring fans; “Imagine.”

imagine

John Winston Lennon, what is there that can’t be already said. The stories you’ve told and lives you’ve touched shall never be paralleled. Whether we’d be picturing ourselves in a boat on a river with tangerine trees and marmalade skies, or being welcomed by an Octopus into his safe and loving garden beneath the waves, there is nobody I’d rather listen to 8 days a week.

You took us on lyrical journeys through Yellow Submarines, to the wings of Black Birds, to the emotion carried in Oh Darling! and Here Comes the Sun. You’ve given me reasons to dance in Twist and Shout and I wanna hold your hand. You’ve given me headaches in Hey Jude.
Your words of wisdom have guided the many who have been fortunate enough to listen to your work. You’ve always reassured us that there will be an answer in our times of trouble and after Hard Days Nights we must remember, “Ob La Di, Ob La Da la la la la life goes on.” The world is lucky to have known you, and twice as lucky to remember you.

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I hope that there is a place for you to sing again. A place where you can preach your message of peace and love among all mankind, where you can tell the world that the Beatles are “bigger than Jesus,” and that you can supply Shea Stadiums biggest attendance figures, upstaging the New York Mets. Come to think of it, there is a place like that. Across the Universe, you are revered, celebrated, and your music will always be listened to rather than just heard. The message that we should all Come Together and Give Peace a Chance, is one that will never go away, all thanks to you. A symbol of love and friendship, a singer of song, a general in the British Invasion, and a true icon. So long John.

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“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one, I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.”
-John Winston Lennon

Tom Baldy: “It runs in the family”

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Tom Baldy

Now for the guys, doesn’t this make you smile just a little bit? I’m sure the girls are equally terrified.

Tom Brady‘s car was spotted at a hair transplant clinic in Rhode Island earlier this month thus prompting thousands of conversions to Christianity from jealous guys all over the world. “There is a God after all, this is just too “friggin” perfect” my friend Blaise Dolcemaschio said.

Still, I pity Brady. The media is making a huge deal out of something natural and his super model wife Gisele Bundchen‘s desire for an ideal image is causing him extreme stress. She has been pressuring him to get hair plugs.

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Shorted Shortstop

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Ever since the offseason meetings began, Derek Jeter‘s contract fiasco with the Yankees has had more curves than many of the starlets he has dated in the past. Coming off the worst season of his career where he set career lows in Batting Average (.270), OPS (.340), and Slugging Percentage (.370), Yankees GM Brian Cashman told him to “Shop around the free agency market.”

Jeter NY Post Cover

This almost dooming quote stemmed after Jeter rejected the Yankees offer of a 3 year $45 million contract. His 10 year $189 million contract from 2000 has just expired and he has officially become a free agent. Most Yankee fans will agree with me that we love having him in New York, however we have to admit that a contract this lucrative is simply asking too much.

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