Well, Tincaps faithful, this has been a tough week.
Following a strong road tilt which catapulted the team to a 29-15 record, good for first in the Eastern Division, the first four games of this twelve game homestand haven't went the good guy's way.
The problem has been that the pitching and hitting have not synched up lately.
Two days ago, the game went 11 innings, a 3-2 setback. The pitching was fantastic in that game, but the hitting was extremely underwhelming.
It got so bad that at one point, in the seventh and eighth innings, there were six straight strikeouts. It was just plain ugly.
Then yesterday, the hitters did much better, but the pitching staff gave up eleven runs. This was surprising as starter Simon Castro had been strong all season coming into that game.
To get back on track, they need to play as a complete unit, like they did when they were on that 10 game roll to start the season. This is a strong group of prospects that the Padres have sent here, so there is no reason to think these guys cannot achieve great things.
The team sits at 29-19 as of now, 2.5 games back in the East.
They just need to get out of this funk.
Still, there is some good things happening.
Jaff Decker continues to rake, hitting his seventh home run of the season yesterday while continuing to hit over .300. Sawyer Carroll and Matt Clark continue to drive in runs by the handful, at 29 and 36 respectively, putting them both on pace to drive in over 100 runs.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Out Of Reality
It’s that time, my friends. I’m excited, are you?
(Don’t deny it.)
Alright, the first film I will be tackling is Star Trek. I feel I have a unique take on this film because I watched it (twice) as a totally stand alone production.
What I mean by that is that, unlike most people, I have never seen any of the old series or movies in the Star Trek franchise. This film is my first true exposure to all things Enterprise. And I got to say, I liked it.
A lot of reviewers get caught up in the performances of the actors or the production values of movies. These two are what drive “Oscar worthy” performances. I don’t care about those things.
The only thing I care about is if I was entertained. Did I enjoy my experience? Would I watch it again?
Case in point: I watched The Wrestler a few weeks ago. While I can see why people thought Mickey Rourke had a fantastic performance, I don’t need the lead actor dying at the end of the movie, the culmination of a horrible life. That doesn’t make me happy.
I need to get out of reality.
Star Trek has the elements to get you out of reality.
Funny moments? Check.
People in space? Check.
Crazy looking people? Check
Keeping me on the edge of my seat? Check.
Characters you enjoy? Check.
Believable, strong villains? Check.
A good ending that makes me happy? Check.
A character doesn’t have to be played by Sean Penn to make me like what I saw. Jack Black can do it, as did Chris Farley when he was around.
Chris Pine did it especially well. When he was introduced, he rattled off a few lines that instantly made you like the character. It’s never good to have a stiff leading man, and Pine’s Kirk was by no means a stiff.
A leading man almost has to have unrealistic qualities. Is it possible that this guy can be a MENSA level genius who can instantly figure out all this stuff while on the ship and rise to the top of the Starfleet food chain with little to no effort, coming from a life where he accomplished basically nothing beforehand.
Basically, he is just one of those people that can get what they want with a snap of a finger.
THAT DOESN’T HAPPEN!
Other than in movies, and that’s what makes me go.
Is there ever going to be a real life person like Spock?
No. That’s what makes you go.
When I first saw the movie, the whole Leonard Nimoy “J.J Abrams had to figure out a way to get me in this movie so he created a “future Spock” and a whole contrived story that was hard to follow” seemed a little out there. But once I figured out was going on, the story was spectacular. While obviously unrealistic, I don’t care. It was new. It was interesting. I had never seen anything like it.
The movie developed Spock’s backstory very strongly, which helped you to understand the story, as much of it involved around his character in the future. If they had left out his story, things would have gotten really confusing.
The basic idea here is that it’s an enjoyable movie. It had a nice, modern feel to it. It had a lot of things you would want in a movie. That’s it.
Rating: 3 ½ stars.
(Don’t deny it.)
Alright, the first film I will be tackling is Star Trek. I feel I have a unique take on this film because I watched it (twice) as a totally stand alone production.
What I mean by that is that, unlike most people, I have never seen any of the old series or movies in the Star Trek franchise. This film is my first true exposure to all things Enterprise. And I got to say, I liked it.
A lot of reviewers get caught up in the performances of the actors or the production values of movies. These two are what drive “Oscar worthy” performances. I don’t care about those things.
The only thing I care about is if I was entertained. Did I enjoy my experience? Would I watch it again?
Case in point: I watched The Wrestler a few weeks ago. While I can see why people thought Mickey Rourke had a fantastic performance, I don’t need the lead actor dying at the end of the movie, the culmination of a horrible life. That doesn’t make me happy.
I need to get out of reality.
Star Trek has the elements to get you out of reality.
Funny moments? Check.
People in space? Check.
Crazy looking people? Check
Keeping me on the edge of my seat? Check.
Characters you enjoy? Check.
Believable, strong villains? Check.
A good ending that makes me happy? Check.
A character doesn’t have to be played by Sean Penn to make me like what I saw. Jack Black can do it, as did Chris Farley when he was around.
Chris Pine did it especially well. When he was introduced, he rattled off a few lines that instantly made you like the character. It’s never good to have a stiff leading man, and Pine’s Kirk was by no means a stiff.
A leading man almost has to have unrealistic qualities. Is it possible that this guy can be a MENSA level genius who can instantly figure out all this stuff while on the ship and rise to the top of the Starfleet food chain with little to no effort, coming from a life where he accomplished basically nothing beforehand.
Basically, he is just one of those people that can get what they want with a snap of a finger.
THAT DOESN’T HAPPEN!
Other than in movies, and that’s what makes me go.
Is there ever going to be a real life person like Spock?
No. That’s what makes you go.
When I first saw the movie, the whole Leonard Nimoy “J.J Abrams had to figure out a way to get me in this movie so he created a “future Spock” and a whole contrived story that was hard to follow” seemed a little out there. But once I figured out was going on, the story was spectacular. While obviously unrealistic, I don’t care. It was new. It was interesting. I had never seen anything like it.
The movie developed Spock’s backstory very strongly, which helped you to understand the story, as much of it involved around his character in the future. If they had left out his story, things would have gotten really confusing.
The basic idea here is that it’s an enjoyable movie. It had a nice, modern feel to it. It had a lot of things you would want in a movie. That’s it.
Rating: 3 ½ stars.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A New Frontier
When I created this site, I envisioned it being about sports. That’s all. I planned on incorporating other elements of pop culture, like movie and TV references, but over the past few days, I have decided on a new direction to take this puppy.
I’m still going to write about sports. Don’t worry, my people, I wouldn’t let you down. Still, as a man, I have other interests outside of sports that will fit in nicely, I believe. This is why I’m creating a new project.
I want this site to be one that an average man that likes sports, movies, and TV to come to and find some fun nuggets to enjoy. With that, I’m going to lay out my feelings on movies from time to time.
I’ve spent hours mulling over this idea (don’t hate on me), and feel I have the system down pretty good. I’m not going to write about every movie out there, or necessarily just ones newly released. Maybe I’ll throw a few oldies into the mix when the come across the table from time to time. That’s what’s beautiful about having my own site: I can do whatever I want.
Ok, so here’s how the rating system will break down.
KILL ME NOW
A 0 star movie will be among the worst of the worst, one that you could not pay me to see again. If a person invited me to see this movie, I would actually punch them in the face afterwards for the pain they put me through. (Ok, maybe not.)
A ½ star movie is still really bad, but cannot be considered with a 0 star. I would also be furious for having had to watch it, but there might have been a few minutes that were decent or possibly an actor that I liked that would make it hard for me to give it 0.
A 1 star movie is one that could have disappointed me greatly, or was a piece of junk like I expected. Either way, not a good one.
A 1½ star movie had its moments, but is still below the threshold of possible rewatchibility.
REWATCHABILITY
A 2 star movie is mediocre. If it was rented, or I could get ahold of it once for free, I might watch it again, but I’m not paying to watch it after that first run in the theater.
A 2½ star movie is borderline good. It could possibly one that I had high hopes for that disappointed slightly or one that I had no hopes for that turned out to be much better than expected. Or maybe I had never heard of it and it was a pleasant surprise.
GREATNESS
A 3 star movie is the first one that’s ownable. It’s not one of my favorites, but it’s a good one.
A 3½ is one of my favorite movies ever. This is rewatchable in the theater, buyable right when it comes out.
A 4 star movie is the Dark Knight. That’s the entire list so far. This movie has to be absolutely perfect in every way, and rewatchable hundreds of times without getting old. Good luck getting here.
Well, that’s the beginning of something great, I feel. Look for my first one to be coming out soon, and maybe an entry or two with categorical breakdowns of movies to give you guys a better of idea of what movies fit where.
The title should give you an idea of the first selection.
Stay in touch.
I’m still going to write about sports. Don’t worry, my people, I wouldn’t let you down. Still, as a man, I have other interests outside of sports that will fit in nicely, I believe. This is why I’m creating a new project.
I want this site to be one that an average man that likes sports, movies, and TV to come to and find some fun nuggets to enjoy. With that, I’m going to lay out my feelings on movies from time to time.
I’ve spent hours mulling over this idea (don’t hate on me), and feel I have the system down pretty good. I’m not going to write about every movie out there, or necessarily just ones newly released. Maybe I’ll throw a few oldies into the mix when the come across the table from time to time. That’s what’s beautiful about having my own site: I can do whatever I want.
Ok, so here’s how the rating system will break down.
KILL ME NOW
A 0 star movie will be among the worst of the worst, one that you could not pay me to see again. If a person invited me to see this movie, I would actually punch them in the face afterwards for the pain they put me through. (Ok, maybe not.)
A ½ star movie is still really bad, but cannot be considered with a 0 star. I would also be furious for having had to watch it, but there might have been a few minutes that were decent or possibly an actor that I liked that would make it hard for me to give it 0.
A 1 star movie is one that could have disappointed me greatly, or was a piece of junk like I expected. Either way, not a good one.
A 1½ star movie had its moments, but is still below the threshold of possible rewatchibility.
REWATCHABILITY
A 2 star movie is mediocre. If it was rented, or I could get ahold of it once for free, I might watch it again, but I’m not paying to watch it after that first run in the theater.
A 2½ star movie is borderline good. It could possibly one that I had high hopes for that disappointed slightly or one that I had no hopes for that turned out to be much better than expected. Or maybe I had never heard of it and it was a pleasant surprise.
GREATNESS
A 3 star movie is the first one that’s ownable. It’s not one of my favorites, but it’s a good one.
A 3½ is one of my favorite movies ever. This is rewatchable in the theater, buyable right when it comes out.
A 4 star movie is the Dark Knight. That’s the entire list so far. This movie has to be absolutely perfect in every way, and rewatchable hundreds of times without getting old. Good luck getting here.
Well, that’s the beginning of something great, I feel. Look for my first one to be coming out soon, and maybe an entry or two with categorical breakdowns of movies to give you guys a better of idea of what movies fit where.
The title should give you an idea of the first selection.
Stay in touch.
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