Author Archives: lovepirate77

Good Grief

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So, my town, here in the desert of California, near the Mexican border, lacks both a decent electronics store and any type of bookstore. So in a recent pole on the website of the local newspaper, readers were asked to pick which they would like to see appear in the valley first. The choices were Best Buy, Barnes and Nobles or In-and-Out Burger. I’m sure you can see where this is going. The vast majority voted for freaking In-and-Out Burger, followed by Barnes and Nobles, and then Best Buy. I can’t wait to move to another town.

I hate being angry. I love everybody, but it’s so hard sometimes.

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WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS FOUL LANGUAGE AND IS AN ANGRY RANT ABOUT THE STATE OF THINGS FROM MY POINT OF VIEW. I COMPLETELY RESPECT PEOPLE FOR HAVING DIFFERENT OPINIONS THAN I, AND I HOPE NO ONE WHO READS THIS IS OFFENDED. IT IS NOT MEANT TO BE AN ATTACK ON ANYONE BASED ON THEIR OPINIONS, NOR IS IT AN ATTEMPT TO SHOW PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE WRONG. IT IS ONLY MEANT TO HELP ME VOICE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I FEEL SO STRONGLY. THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW ME KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT YOU, AND THAT I WOULD NEVER ATTACK YOU. IF YOU WILL BE OFFENDED BY FOUL LANGUAGE OR AN ANGRY LIBERAL VIEW OF THINGS, THEN PLEASE DON’T READ THIS. I WOULD RATHER NO ONE READ THIS THAN HAVE SOMEONE GET OFFENDED.

“Made my bed and I sleep like a baby, with no regrets and I don’t mind saying,
It’s a sad sad story when a mother will teach her daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger.
And how in the world can the words that I said send somebody so over the edge that they’d write me a letter saying that I better shut up and sing or my life will be over?”
-Dixie Chicks

Just thinking of those lyrics, and some of the things I’ve heard on the radio, read on the web, seen in the papers, and heard come out of my coworkers’ mouths makes me angry. If you don’t like what they say, or don’t agree with them, then don’t listen to them or buy their albums. Don’t attack them for having opinions different than yours, and having the courage to voice them. Toby Kieth doesn’t get attacked for stating his positive opinions of our current administration or the Iraq war. You can’t have it both ways, either no one should be allowed to state their opinion in public, or everyone should, not just people who agree with you. Is it that hard to respect someone with a different opinion than you? I don’t think so, because most of the people I respect the most totally disagree with me on most issues. So why can’t the rest of the country? It makes me so fucking mad how people who do not support the president or the war or whatever get attacked when they speak out, but no one ever attacks people for speaking out for the war or for the president. Or if they do get attacked then it gets no press time. It’s just not fucking fair.

So the Chicks have a documentary coming out in a few weeks about the “incident”. People are complaining about the press they’re getting because of it and so on. The big issue is that there is a scene where Natalie Maines calls President Bush a “dumb fuck” twice. I have called him that before too. If you do not want to hear her call Bush a dumb fuck, then don’t go see the fucking movie. It’s that simple. If you don’t want them to state their opinion, then stop all public figures from giving their opinion. Otherwise, leave them the fuck alone.

People have told me that I should respect Bush because he’s our president, and he is our leader, and we should respect him because of that. I’ll respect him when he earns some fucking respect. I’m not going to respect someone just because they are a leader, or were elected to an office. I’m not going to support them just because they have power over me. On the contrary, I’m going to subject them to more scrutiny because of the responsibility they have. I refuse to follow anyone blindly. I respect people based on their individual merits and their actions, not based on what their title is. And Bush has not earned my respect. What he has earned is my anger and resentment and frustration. I find that I don’t have the words to truly express how I feel about the war, or the administration (don’t even get me starting on this fucking torture bill). I think the best way I can put it is “Enough is enough. I have had it with these motherfucking snakes in our motherfucking government” (put that on your facebook).

I am so fucking sick of all the hatred in our country (and in the world). I know how easy it is to hate someone for being different, or having a different opinion. I have done it before in the past too, and it took me a lot of work to get over it. But damn it, we’re better than this. If all of the people I’m friends with can accept people for who they are, not based on whether they agree with you, then so can the rest of the world. So someone is different, who the fuck cares? Stop judging people.

A couple disconnected things that piss me off, while I’m ranting. On Sirius Radio, the liberal station is called Sirius Left and the conservative station is called Sirius Patriot. People have been blasting Hollywood for making Death of a President (which features, in documentary style, a fictitious scene where Bush is assassinated), when it was made by two British guys.

I’m sure people think I’m un-American for saying these things, for not supporting the war or the pres (I do completely support the troops, and I pray that they will all return safely and will act bravely to save lives and to protect the weak). That’s total bullshit. Peace is more patriotic than war. Just because we go to war doesn’t mean we have to support them. This isn’t a football game, where you have to root for the Hokies, and if you don’t it means you like the other team better, or that you don’t support the Hokies. This is a war, started on lies, and started against the will of most of the rest of the planet.

Ok, I need to calm down. Writing like this makes me feel so shitty about myself, but today I just needed to, even if I don’t leave this up. I might delete this post tomorrow, I don’t know. Once again, I hope I haven’t hurt anyone’s feelings, or made anyone think badly of me, or offended anyone. I love you all, and my friends and my family are the most important things in my life. I kinda want to close this with something random and more positive. There is a song called “Only in America” by Brooks and Dunn, which I had the pleasure of seeing performed live by the duo, which I think is one of the greatest examples of what rocks about this country (it was also the biggest tear producing moment in the movie “World Trade Center”, for me). I’ve changed a bit of the lyrics to show why I like it so much. I also want to say that I also like the first verse and a half of “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” by Toby Keith, up until he gets into the parts about 9/11 and how the American way involves putting a boot up people’s asses (the most horribly offensive thing I have ever heard in a song, making us out to be bullies, it’s insulting).

“Sun going down on an Richmond freeway
Newlyweds in the back of a limousine
A lawyer’s son and a farmer’s daughter
All they want is everything
Only in America
Where we dream in red, white and blue
Only in America
Where we dream as big as we want to
We all get a chance
Everybody gets to dance
Only in America”

How to tell a story

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With the new season of Lost beginning on Wednesday, I thought I’d share some thoughts on Lost, what makes a TV show good, and how different tactics by producers and writers can lead to different, but equally worthwhile results.

The Lost Experience recently ended, and I vowed to watch all of the first two seasons of Lost on DVD before the new season starts. Having failed at that (only got through about 10 episodes) I returned to my normal DVD routine, watching Star Trek: The Next Generation. I own all seven seasons of ST:TNG on DVD and am about halfway through season five. After I switched to watching Lost and then back, I realized how remarkably different the two shows are, and yet how good they both are, despite their differences. Let me preface this by saying that I think ST:TNG is the greatest show in the history of television, and too bad if you don’t agree. It is iconic, deep, resonant, emotional, insightful, and has more of a legacy than even the original had.

The format of the two shows is very different. ST:TNG tells a unique story with each episodes, and while there are overlying themes and stories, it is easy to simply tune in and watch an episode, because for the most part, they stand alone and are not parts of a whole. Lost, on the other hand, has a continuous story, which means that it is difficult to understand what is going on if you miss an episode. Paradoxically, considering the number of episodes, not as much has happened on Lost as happened in the first two seasons of ST:TNG. Sure, lots of things have been discovered on Lost’s island (am I the only one that think the island needs a name?), but only a few major events have happened.

The explanation for this delves even deeper into the methods of storytelling employed by the two shows. Lost uses characters to show you the story, ST:TNG uses story to show you the characters. On Lost, the majority of the episodes are spent learning more about particular characters, either by flashbacks of their past which are used to explain their present, or by situations or relationships they encounter in the present that show and test who they truly are. Much of the information about characters is revealed either through exposition, or through choices and decisions the characters must make, directly involving us in each character.

ST:TNG is the exact opposite. Sure, there were episodes that focused around individual characters, but where we learned from the most was the way each character acted with respect to the story being told in each particular episode. By making the stories the focus of the show, it allowed the actors to develop their characters more naturally. You learned about each one the way you would learn about anyone in real life, by the way they react in certain situations, with small glimpses into their personal lives: as friends, rather than as observers.

In Lost, we are shown a character, given information from a God-like perspective, where we can see all that is going on, and shown the type of development or traits that the writers want us to see. This allows a deep look into a particular character, almost like dissecting a frog in science class. It makes you try to fully understand each character, and why they act the way they do. In ST:TNG, you also have the pleasure of learning how the frog works, not by cutting it open, but by observing and interacting with it, and appreciating it for its whole, rather than the sum of what you are shown.

Many people look at Star Trek (all versions) characters as easiest terms, the most simple definitions (see The Breakfast Club): the android who wants to be human, the blind engineer, the empathic counselor, the doctor and her son, the Klingon. Lost has similar stereotypes, as pointed out by Sawyer in season one, and the majority of the character development is spent trying to get you to look past all that to see the people inside, and try to get to you to relate. Star Trek shows you the characters, and lets you learn from them. Instead of relating (because it is impossible to completely relate to one character, since we are combinations of all), we get to experience and consider how we would react in a situation, and we learn something about ourselves. Data is the best example, and this is why he is the greatest television character in history. His endless quest to be human, and to understand humans, led us not to a deeper understanding of Data, but a deeper understanding of ourselves. We didn’t relate to him as he tried to understand why we act a certain way, but his quest for understanding showed us why we do. And that, my friends, is what made Data more human than any of us.

P.S. I think many great lessons about ourselves can be learned from Lost too, and many great discussions about life and characters and all the good juicy stuff can come from Lost. I just think that the interesting bits of Lost come from analyzing the characters, while the interesting bits from Star Trek come from analyzing ourselves.

Carolina Panthers

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I’m gonna make this one short. The Carolina Panthers’ first regular season game is tomorrow, as they play host to Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons. This is a huge game, both in terms of it being a division game and based on our history against the Falcons and Vick. Fans know that the Panthers have been run over by Vick in the past (except last year). They also know that the Panthers have been picked by many to win the Superbowl this year.

The Panthers have many haters, some out of jealousy or resentment, some out of misconceptions about North and South Carolina, and some because they have nothing better to do with their time. They will probably also have many bandwagon fans this year, “fans” who don’t know what it’s like to suffer through a 1-16 season, or to lose in one of the most exciting Superbowls in history.

We are going to crush the Falcons tomorrow morning, and we’re going to have the best season in our history, have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, and demolish whatever team stumbles out of the AFC at the Superbowl. I know many of you won’t agree with me, or care. But this is how it will be, and there’s no way I could say or believe otherwise. Maybe it’s just my hopes and dreams, or maybe predictions based on studying the NFL, but it doesn’t matter, because this is what’s going to happen.

Snakes on a Plane

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Before I get into my opinion of this movie, allow me to fill you in on its background, if you don’t already know. Last year, New Line released the titles of the movies they had in development, one of which was “Snakes on a Plane”. This was greeted with the comment, “That’s the worst title I’ve ever heard,” which was followed immediately by, “That’s the best title I’ve ever heard.” It was obvious, it didn’t beat around the bush, and it told you exactly what you were going to get. It was then announced that it would star Samuel L. Jackson. Almost immediately fake trailers appeared on the internet, pieced together from his other movies, clever voiceovers, simple effects and the like. The most famous included Samuel L. Jackson (or someone imitating him) saying, “That’s it, I’ve had it with these mothaf—in’ snakes on this mothaf—in’ plane.” This line was latched onto by fans and the internet community as the sort of thing they expected from this movie. Many fan sites sprung up, and the title began being used among internet geeks as an actual phrase in everyday conversation, meaning that things were as bad as they could get (e.g. “That test was snakes on a plane”). It was even featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered”.

Then, New Line started throwing wrenches into the internet machine. First, they announced that the title was going to be changed to “Pacific Air 121”, the reason cited being that “Snakes on a Plane” gave away too much of the plot. There was a massive outcry not only from the internet community, but from Samuel L. Jackson, to have the title changed back. Eventually New Line gave in and went back to “Snakes on a Plane”, but not before they announced that the movie would be PG-13, to appeal to a wider market. This time the protests were much louder, because a PG-13 rating not only meant that the movie would not be as scary or gory as it should be, but that Jackson wouldn’t be able to deliver the line that everyone had grown to love. Once again the demands of the public were met, and the director called the cast back to film more scenes, adding gore, violence, nudity, drugs and, of course, foul language. New Line began to realize what a powerful force the internet was, and began to cater to the fans more and more. They even held a contest where people could record their own songs about the movie and the top 2 would get featured in the movie and on the soundtrack. Nothing like this had ever been done, and the internet hype saved New Line millions in advertising.

Unfortunately, despite seeing the movie twice myself on opening weekend, it failed to perform up to all the hype, bringing in a moderate for an R-rated horror movie $15.3 million at the box office.

I saw the film at the first showing, at 10 o’clock last Thursday night (the night the AC in my car died). In the theater with me were two groups, and what apparently was a teacher, all wearing SoaP (Snakes on a Plane) t-shirts, and several other scattered individuals. The opening credits, which take place over beautiful shots of Hawaii, were greeted with applause and cheers when the title and Jackson’s name appeared. That was how this movie was destined to go. Most of you know that I generally can not stand people talking or making noise during a movie. However, this was not a movie, it was an event, as much social as artistic. We whooped and hollered and screamed and laughed as a group, and even though we didn’t know each other, we were all sharing the same experience. And when, after discovering the dead co-pilot and a cockpit full of snakes, Samuel L. Jackson finally said, “Enough is enough! I have had it with these mothaf—in’ snakes on this mothaf—in’ plane! Everybody strap in, I’m about to open some f—in’ windows,” we all cheered and yelled the line with him. And as the credits rolled we all stayed and sang along to Cobra Starship’s “Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)”, the contest winning song/video, which played alongside the scrolling names. It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had at a movie that didn’t have “Star Wars” in the title.

But what does that say about the movie? Is it good, or is it so bad it’s fun, or is it just plain bad but you enjoyed it anyway? These questions are why I saw it a second time. Now, I don’t like scary movies, not at all, especially not ones where things jump out and get you (I do like Hitchcock and classics like “The Exorcist” and “Poltergeist”), so it was a big stretch seeing it again. Granted, it is not nearly as scary the second time through. What surprised me is that the movie was just as enjoyable as an individual experience (the theater atmosphere was totally different the second time) as it was a group experience. While not as cheer inducing the second time through, it was much more impressive. The action scenes are very well staged, even if overly contrived. The humor is just as funny the second time through. The moments designed to be touching and dramatic actually feel as such, not as filler between asp-kicking. The cool factor is just as strong, as is the fun. While not a great movie as far as action, humor, horror or drama goes, this movie has everything working and working well. Not impressive enough to stand out above the rest, but it fits right in and keeps you smiling. While this movie will most likely be known for a great title and one-liner as well as for its unique back story and relative failure at the box office, it will nevertheless remain a very good film. Perhaps that is why it did not do as well as many had hoped. It is too good to be “so bad it’s good” for the people who like movies like Napoleon Dynamite (which is actually so bad it’s horrible and the worst movie I’ve ever seen), and it is not such a standout that it would draw crowds of people who did not follow the movie through it’s interesting journey.

But I for one can’t wait for the sequel “Rats on a Plane”… “Where the f— is a snake when you need one?”

<>

Many Movies

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So, I’ve seen many many movies since the last one I reviewed, and while I’m not going to review them all, I thought I’d give you my feelings on a few of them.

— X-Men: The Last Stand — (seen twice)
The third installment was enjoyable but very lacking in substance and story. Generally a good action movie, but disappointing after the first two. I especially liked Kelsey Grammer as The Beast, and Ellen Paige as Kitty Pride. I do, however, look forward to the Wolverine spinoff, which should allow the series to grow darker again.

— The Da Vinci Code —
I never read the book, based on the recommendation of my father, but I enjoyed the movie. Ian McKellen continues to shine as one of the finest actors working today, and Ron Howard does a good job with the impossible task handed to him. Good cast of actors I love and good, if unbelievable, story. I don’t see what the controversy is/was, though. It’s just a movie, people need to lighten up.

— A Prairie Home Companion —
One of the best films of the year, as expected from Robert Altman. I love the radio show, and you cannot go wrong with a cast this amazing. I warn those of you with short attention spans, or those who don’t like the type of music in this movie to stay away, because it is not an exciting movie, there is no plot, and it’s not really a happy movie either. It is really more of just an attempt to capture a moment in time and really make you feel it. Much could be said of the subtle performances, or the surprising singing abilities, but overall just a phenomenal movie.

— Cars — (seen twice)
Disney/Pixar once again delivers an amazing movie. Perhaps their best other than Finding Nemo. Both exciting and funny, with all the right heartwarming spots that you’ve come to expect from a Disney animated movie. Great voice cast, especially Larry the Cable Guy, who steals the show. Though I personally love Guido and his “pit stop”.

— An Inconvenient Truth —
A movie everyone should see. I like Al Gore a lot, and I think he would have made a much better president had he been allowed to win after more people voted for him than Bush. But that aside, a very hard hitting movie that will make you think and feel deeply. Even if you scoff at the idea of seeing a movie of a lecture from a former Vice-President, you should see this, because it is that important, and very entertaining.

— Superman Returns — (seen twice)
This movie was worth it just for the opening titles and the plane crash sequence. Nothing could say Superman more than John Williams’ theme (his best singular theme he has composed), even if it was used by a different composer for this film. Brandon Routh does passably in the tights, Kate Bosworth and Lois’s son are forgettable, Kevin Space and Parker Posey are great. This movie, however, suffered from a dumb evil plot. Not remotely realistic or threatening. Also a very anticlimactic ending. I know the trend in superhero movies is to be dark and subtle, but this isn’t Batman, this is Superman, the one hero who is allowed to fly off at the end of a movie or comic carrying the American flag to return it to the Empire State Building, or whatever.

— Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest — (seen twice)
Not much to say about this (odd, considering that I myself am a Pirate). Obviously (or hopefully) this movie will mainly function as a set up for At World’s End, because otherwise it wasn’t entertaining enough to sit on its own. Bill Nighy was great as Davy Jones, the action scenes are good, the effects are top rate, but the movie wasn’t too interesting I’m afraid. I would prefer much more swashbuckling and much less supernatural stuff. However, I am very excited for At World’s End, especially due to the return of Barbossa, the most real of all the pirates. We will have to see how my opinion of this film changes after the next one.

— Lady in the Water–
I don’t know what people’s problem is. People complain because M. Night Shyamalan makes up fairy tales to tell, and casts himself in his movies. They didn’t complain at his earlier movies, where he made up his own mythology, AND he is in all his previous ones. People need to get over themselves and just watch the damn movie. ::sighs:: Sorry. I really liked this film, as I have all other Shyamalan movies. I think the story was wonderful, and it was beautifully acted. Maybe I’m just the only one who believes in fairies, or in this case, Narfs.

— Monster House — (seen twice)
This was almost as good as Cars, and was much more creative. Scary and funny, with great action and some of the most realistic animation I’ve ever seen. It was especially good in 3-D. I highly recommend this one to anyone.

— Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby —
Ugh, worst movie I’ve seen in a long time. I am a big NASCAR fan, and I was looking forward to some great jabs at NASCAR, if nothing else. Will Ferrell is not funny, nor is his kind of movie. Making fun of gay people in that manner does not sit well with me, and it’s sad that many NASCAR fans, and many people I went to school with, apparently hate gays as much as the people in that movie did. Stupid, worthless, and disappointing.

I will try to write more regular reviews, look for Snakes on a Plane to be written after this one, I have more to say about it than these others. If anyone likes reading my reviews, or agrees or disagrees, let me know. If no one wants to read them, then I don’t know if I’ll keep writing them. I also plan an article on The Lost Experience, Panthers football, and maybe a couple other things.

More soon

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Just to show you I’m still here… there will be more posts soon, I promise.

When I was just a lad looking for my true vocation
My father said now son, this choice deserves deliberation
Though you could be a doctor or perhaps a financier
My boy why not consider a more challenging career

Hey ho ho
You’ll cruise to foreign shores
And you’ll keep your mind and body sound
By working out of doors
True friendship and adventure are what we can’t live without
And when you’re a professional pirate
That’s what the job’s about

Now take Sir Francis Drake, the Spanish all despise him
But to the British he’s a hero and they idolize him
It’s how you look at buccaneers that makes them bad or good
And I see us as members of a noble brotherhood

Hey ho ho
We’re honorable men
And before we lose our tempers we will always count to ten
On occasion there may be someone you have to execute
But when you’re a professional pirate
You don’t have to wear a suit

Some say that pirates steal and should be feared and hated
I say we’re victims of bad press it’s all exaggerated
We’d never stab you in the back, we’d never lie or cheat
We’re just about the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet

Hey ho ho
It’s one for all for one
And we’ll share and share alike with you and love you like a song
We’re gentlemen of fortune and that’s what we’re proud to be
And when you’re a professional pirate

You’ll be honest, brave and free
The soul of decency
You’ll be loyal and fair and on the square
And most importantly

When you’re a professional pirate
You’re always in the best of company

Academy Awards! Yay!

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With the Academy Awards fast approaching, I figured it was time for me to offer up my opinions, picks, and predictions. First, I am extremely upset that Star Wars was not nominated for more Oscars, and that its only nomination was in makeup. It is insulting and frustrating. Also odd is the inclusion of only 3 nominees for Best Original Song. Well, enough of that. I’m now going to give you my breakdown of the categories. For each category I have my prediction of who will win (the nominees can be found here, http://imdb.com/features/rto/2006/oscars ), and my pick if I could choose from any film eligible, whether nominated or not. So without further ado.

Best Short Film, Live Action:
Prediction: Our Time is Up
My Pick: N/A

Best Short Film, Animated:
Prediction: The Moon and the Son
My Pick: The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper

Best Documentary, Short Subjects:
Prediction: The Life of Kevin Carter
My Pick: N/A

Best Documentary, Features:
Prediction: La Marche de l’empereur (March of the Penguins)
My Pick: La Marche de l’empereur (March of the Penguins)

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year:
Prediction: Tsotsi (from South Africa)
My Pick: La Marche de l’empereur (from France)

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year:
Prediction: Wallace and Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit
My Pick: Wallace and Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Best Achievement in Visual Effects:
Prediction: King Kong
My Pick: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Best Achievement in Sound Editing:
Prediction: King Kong
My Pick: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Best Achievement in Sound:
Prediction: War of the Worlds
My Pick: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Best Achievement in Makeup:
Prediction: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
My Pick: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song:
Prediction: “Travelin’ Through” – Dolly Parton; Transamerica
My Pick: “So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish”; The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score:
Prediction: John Williams; Memoirs of a Geisha
My Pick: John Williams; Memoirs of a Geisha

Best Achievement in Costume Design:
Prediction: Memoirs of a Geisha
My Pick: Memoirs of a Geisha

Best Achievement in Art Direction:
Prediction: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
My Pick: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Best Achievement in Editing:
Prediction: The Constant Gardener
My Pick: Walk the Line

Best Achievement in Cinematography:
Prediction: The New World
My Pick: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Published or Produced
Prediction: Brokeback Mountain
My Pick: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Prediction: Good Night, and Good Luck
My Pick: Wallace and Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Best Achievement in Directing:
Prediction: Ang Lee; Brokeback Mountain
My Pick: George Clooney; Good Night, and Good Luck

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:
Prediction: Rachel Weisz; The Constant Gardener
My Pick: Emma Watson; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:
Prediction: George Clooney; Syriana
My Pick: Ian McDiarmid; Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:
Prediction: Reese Witherspoon; Walk the Line
My Pick: Reese Witherspoon; Walk the Line

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:
Prediction: Philip Seymour Hoffman; Capote
My Pick: Joaquin Phoenix; Walk the Line

Best Picture:
Prediction: Brokeback Mountain
My Pick: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Music

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So I’ve had British sailing songs stuck in my head, as if I was on the HMS Surprise with Lucky Jack Aubrey or something.  So here’s one of my favorites, if not my favorite:

Don’t Forget Your Old Shipmates

Safe and sound at home again, let the waters roar, Jack.
Safe and sound at home again, let the waters roar, Jack.

Chorus
Long we’ve tossed on the rolling main, now we’re safe ashore, Jack.
Don’t forget yer old shipmate, fallee rallee rallee rallee ri-ight-oh!

Since we sailed from Plymouth Sound, four years gone, or nigh, Jack.
Was there ever chummies, now, such as you and I, Jack?

Long we’ve tossed on the rolling main, now we’re safe ashore, Jack.
Don’t forget yer old shipmate, fallee rallee rallee rallee ri-ight-oh!

We have worked the self-same gun, quarterdeck division.
Sponger I and loader you, through the whole commission.

Long we’ve tossed on the rolling main, now we’re safe ashore, Jack.
Don’t forget yer old shipmate, fallee rallee rallee rallee ri-ight-oh!

Oftentimes have we laid out, toil nor danger fearing,
Tugging out the flapping sail to the weather earring.

Long we’ve tossed on the rolling main, now we’re safe ashore, Jack.
Don’t forget yer old shipmate, fallee rallee rallee rallee ri-ight-oh!

When the middle watch was on and the time went slow, boy,
Who could choose a rousing stave, who like Jack or Joe, boy?

Long we’ve tossed on the rolling main, now we’re safe ashore, Jack.
Don’t forget yer old shipmate, fallee rallee rallee rallee ri-ight-oh!

There she swings, an empty hulk, not a soul below now.
Number seven starboard mess misses Jack and Joe now.

Long we’ve tossed on the rolling main, now we’re safe ashore, Jack.
Don’t forget yer old shipmate, fallee rallee rallee rallee ri-ight-oh!

But the best of friends must part, fair or foul the weather.
Hand yer flipper for a shake, now a drink together.

Long we’ve tossed on the rolling main, now we’re safe ashore, Jack.
Don’t forget yer old shipmate, fallee rallee rallee rallee ri-ight-oh!

Panthers

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Well, the Panthers finally lost.  We played a horrible final game, but that’s alright.  We’re better than Seattle but didn’t play like it.  I guess I’m going to root for the Seahawks, gotta pull for the NFC.

However, I’m excited about next year.  We have a great group of guys, who played very well together this year.  Our defense was spectacular, and the secondary is much improved over previous years thanks to Lucas, Gamble, Davis, and McCree.  Our offense was explosive, despite injuries in the RB position.  Steve Smith is the best receiver in the league by far, and it’s a crime that he didn’t get a single vote for MVP.  And the good news is that Drew Carter has stepped up in recent weeks as a #2 receiver, so that should take pressure off of Smitty for next season.  So I’ll “wait til next year” and watch NASCAR in the meantime.  But for the record I’m calling it now, the Panthers are gonna win superbowl 41.  But for now, GO CARL EDWARDS.