Chris Rock as Oscar Host

Tin Canners:

I have to say I didn't see all of the Oscars. In fact, I missed most of it. So once again, I had no idea that host, Chris Rock, generated some controversy. I only found out about it in the next mornings post-show reporting.

One of the critic at USA Today didn't think too much of Rock nor the show as a whole. Excerpts:

Instead, ABC's three-hour plus broadcast of the Academy Awards Sunday seemed tailor-made to bore the young, embarrass the old and chase away even the most dedicated Oscar fan.
...........
When the show ran a salute to Johnny Carson's years as host, the comparison was so painful, it made you think the academy would have been better off just letting a computer-generated Carson host again.
...........
Unfortunately, what many viewers are most likely to remember — particularly those who feel Hollywood is out of touch with many of its customers — is Rock's lengthy attack on George Bush.

I saw the clips of the rant on the war and I just thought: what are the families of our military going to think of his silly comparison of real life with clothing sales? And people think that is funny?

I realize there is disagreement over the war but let's at least honor the sacred dead.

More excerpts:

Instead, they made the nominees for some of those awards, such as art direction and documentaries, stand together on stage while their names were read, like American Idol contestants at the results show. That meant the losers also had to stand there and clap, at least until the camera closed in on the winners. At that point, one assumes, the losers were whisked away, though for all we know they were dropped into a hole in the set.

Even so, they were treated like stars compared with the nominees for a few other categories, such as best action short, who had to accept their Oscars in the aisle. Wouldn't it have been even faster just to pitch the Oscars at their heads?

Does it really take that much more time to let a winner rise out of a seat and come up on stage? If being asked to give up a few extra viewing seconds so these people can have their proper due is that much of an imposition, then here's a radical idea: Every event on Earth is not about you. These people have just won the most important award in their field. For heaven's sake, let them enjoy it.

I missed most of the show when the less glamourous awards were handed out. Did they really make them do this? UNBELIEVABLE!

The USA Today critic did mention what I thought was a good moment in the show: Jamie Foxx's win gave the show a long-awaited emotional boost. That was a heart felt speech that moved me.

Did you see the show and what did you think?

Rene

Million Dollar Baby Controversy

Tin Canners:

I had heard that "Million Dollar Baby" had a controversial ending. Sometimes I am just simply not up on what is going on in the culture so I had not realized that the film was generating a hot debate.

Here is an item with many links to both critics and supporters of the film.

I have to say I haven't formed an opinion yet about the controversy. But I have to say Terri Mauro's comment here is quite valid:

However you feel about critics giving away the ending of movies, this is probably not a plot development we would want to have take us by surprise, particularly if our children are in the theater with us (not unlikely, considering the PG-13 rating and Rocky-like ad campaign). Armed with information, you can choose to avoid the film; to see it and discuss it with others from the perspective of an advocate for a child with disabilities; to keep your child away from it; or to take your child and use it as a basis for discussion.

What do you think?

Rene

Oscar forecast

Hello Tin Canners:

Being an LA-based blogger, I just have to blog about the Oscars. Of course, I have seen none of the films up for the big awards!

The big six:
Actor - Jamie Foxx (won)
Supporting Actor - Morgan Freeman (won)
Actress - Hilary Swank (won)
Supporting Actress - Virginia Madsen (Blanchett wins)
Directing - Marty finally wins one (Eastwood wins his third)
Picture - Aviator, though a split verdict to Million Dollar Baby is possible (Million Dollar Baby wins it)

The rest:
Animated - Incredibles (won)
Art Direction - Phantom (Aviator wins)
Cinematography - House of Flying Daggers (Aviator wins)
Costume - Aviator (won)
Film Editing - Aviator (won)
Foreign - The Sea Inside (won)
Makeup - Lemony Snicket (won)
Score - Lemony Snicket (Finding Neverland wins)
Song - Shrek 2, "Accidentally In Love" (Motorcycle Diaries wins)
Sound Editing - Spider-Man 2 (Incredibles win)
Sound Mixing - Spider-Man 2 (Ray wins)
Visual Effects - Spider-man 2 (won)
Adapted screenplay - Sideways (won)
Original screenplay - Eternal Sunshine (won)

Laters,
Rene

Life on mars?

Tin Canners:

You may have heard about the report about possible evidence of life on mars. I first saw the item at Drudge.

I emailed my rocket scientist friend and asked him what he thought of the story.

He directed me to this item that pretty much is contrary to the space.com item above.

What have you heard?

Rene

Celebrity look alike? Hackman as Anteater Coach?

Hi Fellow Tin Canners:

I was hoping to see my first Anteater basketball game in three years tomorrow on Saturday when the Eaters take on the team from UC Davis. I have to say I didn't know they even had a D-I basketball program.

Alas, you can call me froggy as I've caught a cold and with my scratchy throat, I made a pretty decent impression of a frog this morning.

Anyway, if I was going to the game, I'd blog back about the experience and include a few digital photos.

Instead of a nail biting account of the game, I'll just have to be content with what is below. I always thought coach Pat Douglass looked familiar and eventually I got around to seeing the famed movie Hoosiers and I made the connection. See for youself below.

Gene Hackman as Norman Dale, coach of the Hickory Huskers in Hoosiers ...



Image source: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/images/hoosiersintroteam.JPG

For a side-by-side comparison of the fictional story with the real story, go here. HT to Americanrhetoric.com.

UC Irvine Anteater coach Pat Douglass ...



Image source: http://www.mbball.uci.edu/images/douglassbar.jpg

Is it my imagination or do they look alike?

Have a great weekend,
Rene

UPDATE: I've been resting at home recovering from my cold. For now, I have the streaming audio from this web page. For the Yahoo! Sport's coverage, go here.

UPDATE: For more Anteater fandom, check out the CIA site. CIA = completely insane Anteaters.

Sports blogging

Dear Tin Canners:

I saw UCLA defeat ASU last Thursday night 95-76.

The famed floor. Now, called the Nell and John Wooden Court.



The last banner, ten years ago which was the first and only banner after Wooden retired with a championship team in 1975.



The 2004-2005 edition warming up.



Game in hand ...



Clap - clap - clap - clap - clap - clap - clap - clap - U - C - L - A!!!

UCLA alum,
Rene

P.S. UCLA plays against the top dog Arizona Wildcats today.

Singing in the rain

Dear Tin Canners:

It has been one of those seasons that happen a couple of times a decade when it rains a lot in California.

This morning I went to my car without an umbrella as it was a light rain. Well, by the time I got to work, it was pouring and has been on and off all day.

So what songs about rain pop in your head on a rainy day?

Here's mine:

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Nothin' seems to fit
Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'

So I just did me some talkin' to the sun
And I said I didn't like the way he got things done
Sleepin' on the job
Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'

But there's one thing I know
The blues they send to meet me won't defeat me
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Cryin's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothin's worryin' me

[trumpet]

It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Cryin's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothin's worryin' me

Have a nice weekend where ever you are!

Rene

For entertainment purposes: Super Bowl Forecast

Hi Kari:

The game will be starting in about an hour or so. Thus, it is time for the fearless forecast! For entertainment purposes only, past performance (usually wrong) is not an indicator of future results: Eagles 26 Patriots 24. I see McNabb scrambling for the go ahead touchdown on the last play of the game.

As I see it, the Eagle defense is the key. They keep it close, they have a chance. Pittsburgh's defense couldn't hang on because the offense turned the ball over and left them out on the field too much. I don't see McNabb making those kinds of mistakes and thus digging themselves into a hole. If the score is 14-14 at the half, the Eagles will be pretty pleased and the 2nd half will be more high drama. Now, if, at the half, it is 28-10 Pats then all people will talk about is the commercials that flew and the ones that flopped... well, actually, people will talk about that no matter what happens on the field.

Well, you heard it here first, the Eagles will pull off the upset. And if they don't, Eagle fans across the nation will be madder than a rained on rooster! I can't claim that that little sentence is original as I think Dan Rather said that one time on election night coverage I think.

Be well,
Rene

UPDATE: Well, it was 14-14 after the 3rd quarter! I just didn't buy into the whole the Pats would roll over the Eagles story line. Anyway, the key stat was THREE interceptions.