The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

I can't WAIT to watch this one. From the trailers, it looks darn funny. And I am a huge fan of Bill Murray. And there's Owen WIlson too.
Hope it lives up to my expectations.

Incredibles

Incredible! One of the best movies of the year... and easily Pixar's best animated movie to date. And that's saying something.. considering their previous ones include Toy Story and Finding Nemo!
This one is witty, funny, appealing to kids, lots of satire for the grown-ups. It is, at the same time, a superhero spoof and a true superhero movie. Funny at every moment, and very, very poignant at some.
You won't find me say anything negative about it. I'm all rave!

Rating: 5/5

Socrates' Wisdom?

Socrates, who retired 14 years ago after leading Brazil to World Cup victories in 82 and 86, is set to return to professional football... even if it for English North Counties East League side Garforth. He's 50.

Purists are crying foul - and calling it nothing but a 'gimmick', which it very well may be. However, I'd like to play devil's advocate (as I am wont to do) and consider the positive repurcussions of such a move. I don't see it as a bad move per se, but it is something that, if not handled right, can open up a pandora's box in professional football.

Consider Freddy Adu. DC United paid him half a million dollars to play for them - at the age of 14! Is that bad? Not at all. He's an up and coming star, and is being nurtured. Do you think that's the reason DC United signed him? Possibly, but I suspect they were also thinking of ROI. Popularity and ticket sales skyrocketed as people went to the games with no interest in the game to watch the 'phenom'. Is he at his peak? No.

Now look at Socrates. When he plays for the little English side, popularity of the club will be unparalleled in the league. Not only will the team benefit, but also the league itself (as will the region). It is unlikely that in the plaid english leagues, they have seen mastery and skill quite like the Brazilian is capable of producing - despite his advanced years. Now, if this can raise capital, increase interest, resurrect kids' interest in pure and classic football... and provide some good entertainment to top it all; there couldn't be too much harm, could there?

Well, if they play it wrong... and make it a circus stunt - parading the aging star like he was Shamu, then things could go wrong. Teams could have players on their roster who do not belong there; depriving younger, lesser known stars of their rightful spot. All int he name of increased ticket sales - and popularity. We don't want a league of Harlem Globetrotters now, do we?

It can be bad. It can be very good though. I'd like to believe it will be the latter. That he will generate interest and revenues - and then quietly fade away - dignity intact, leaving us with some icing on the cake that was built by his magnificience in the two world cups. Fingers crossed...

The Only English Player I have Ever Liked 

Goals

Owen wants to eclipse the 34 year old scoring record for England in internationals.
Beckham wants to become the most capped English outfielder ever.
Wayne Rooney wants to score the most goals for England before the age of 21.

For f*&^'s sake, doesn't anybody want to WIN the darn world cup? Something they haven't done for 40 years!!

Heisenberg and the Red Sox

Fantastic article! Must read. (Click on title of this post for article. You may need to subscribe to NY Times Online... but it's free. And Useful anyway.)

From the New York Times:
This Season, Heisenberg Wears a Red Sox Rally Cap
By DENNIS OVERBYE Published: October 26, 2004

Ray

Even if the movie was not good, this would still rate as a must-go-to movie, simply for its soundtrack. I've always loved Ray Charles' music. But to hear the music on a theater's booming sound system - is great! The movie is not so much a movie peppered with songs as much as it is a discographic sequence of his great works... interspersed with narrative.
Focussing on the 10 most turbulent years of his career, the very years that marked his meteoric rise, it's a good look at how hard it must've been for him.
One of the earlier reviews said that a few minutes into the movie it is no longer discernible that Jamie Foxx in this role is not really Ray - the mark of a role well played. It's hard enough to play a role in a biopic. Even harder to play a blind man such as Ray... and one so recently in public memory.

One of the best biopics I've seen, simple (no devious twists)... but soulful.
I loved it.

Rating: 5/5

A third of the way

(1) Now that the season is about a third of the way through, the usual suspects are bubbling up to the top. And things are getting shaken into order.
(2) An exception being the Bundesliga, where Wolfsburg and Stuttgart don’t seem close to being ready to relinquish their stranglehold of the top spot. Let’s see how the ‘Yankees of the Bundesliga’ Bayern respond (In all fairness, they might be distracted by their European campaign right now… and may focus on the domestic scene as and when warranted. It’s nowhere close to a crisis right now).
(3) Roma are really struggling (despite the draw with Milan). Something needs to be done drastically to improve their situation… Inter need to pick it up as well.
(4) Although Juve started unbeaten, they have a confident and capable Milan on their heels. They seem to suffer from the same ‘unbeaten’ syndrome that afflicted Arsenal, who are now SECOND in their league… despite all their antics with unbeaten streaks and such. Goes to show… boring draws can get you streaks but not necessarily the title.
(5) Chelsea, on the other hand, seems to be the most exciting team in the premier league. They are doing well in Europe as well.. and Mourinho seems to bring to them the edge that Ranieri never had. He’s got that Phil Jackson-like ruthlessness about him. Good on you, Chelsea.
(6) Sam Allardyce must be elated with his team’s performance. Bolton are sitting pretty up in the table.
(7) Man City must be mighty proud as well. If there is only one club in Europe I dislike… even if irrationally… it is Man Utd. Aaah… and what sweeter feelings than those of siding with a derby team that can stifle your hated team!
(8) Força Barça ! They are doing great in Europe and at home. I hope they really do sustain this form… and exorcise the ghosts from Madrid. Real have somehow bubbled up to number 2. It’s hard to keep them down for too long really… even if I do dislike their penchant for stocking up on an abundance of riches!!

And so they go on… the leagues. A bunch of irrelevant and mismatched World Cup qualifiers are on next week. I’m really looking forward to the next Champions’ league match day though. It should polarize the table somewhat.

Astrology and the Big Race

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&e=14&u=/nm/astrologers_dc

Apparently, astrologers in India predicted a Kerry win. Never mind Zogby, statistics, reality even!
What a bunch of crock!!