In a role that carries the ball forward in a picture based on a true story, Sandra Bullock’s performance as Leigh Anne Tuohy, a gutsy, self-confident, well-off Southern woman with hyper-protective instincts garnered her an Oscar as Best Actress at the 82^nd  Annual Academy Awards held Sunday.

            Her characterization provides an entertaining mix of sass and a sort of “never let them see you cry” vulnerability as one rainy night she impulsively takes in Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, to be part of her  well-to-do white family. In helping him fulfill his potential (he goes on to be an offensive lineman in college and in the NFL), Oher’s presence in the Touhys’ lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own.

           The film’s director, John Lee Hancock, also helmed The Rookie,” another real-life tale about the redemptive power of sports.

            Another veteran of sports cinema, Jeff Bridges (“Fat City”, “Seabiscuit”) won the Academy Award for Best Actor in “Crazy Heart”.

Cable network FX will present a new dramatic series with a pugilistic backdrop.

“Lights Out” centers on an aging former heavyweight boxing champion (Holt McCallany as Patrick “Lights” Leary) who struggles to support his orthopedic surgeon wife and three daughters after his fighting days are over (don’t doctors make pretty good coin?).

Leary, diagnosed with pugilistic dementia, a neurological disorder, takes a job as a legbreaker going around collecting unpaid gambling debts.

The venerable Stacey Keach will play Leary’s father and former trainer (Keach, star of John Huston’s classic boxing film, “Fat City”, recently was featured as a trainer in the indie film “The Boxer”). 

Milch (l) Mann (r)

A winning team of filmmakers are out of the starting gates with a pilot order from the premium cable network.

Behind “Luck”, a drama set in the world of horse racing, are David Milch who was the showrunner for “Deadwood” and Michael Mann (“Public Enemies”).

The series has been described as a provocative look at the sport including its gambling element from the perspective of a wide array of characters surrounding a racetrack.

The Olympic Games have traditionally been a ratings bonanza for American television networks and they still are. Correspondingly the astronomical rights fees have reflected broadcasters’ level of interest in securing them. But the times, they are a changin’.
(see chart below)

NBC, presenting a record sixth straight Olympics, will offer more than 800 hours of live coverage. That is more than the Winter Olympics of Turin and Salt Lake City combined.

Despite years of winning out over time zone differences, broadcast rivals and endless controversies, it looks like NBC will not have a podium finish in the compulsory figures competition.

The dismal economic environment with its prolonged recession combined with an extraordinary $820 million rights fee have experts projecting a loss in excess of $250 million for NBC.

Sure, the Olympics are worth more to NBC than the dollar amount they get in ad revenue (currently averaging $400-575K per 30-second spot for primetime Olympic programming) and with its halo effect of boosting its primetime slate and cable partner ratings, but it will be interesting to see how the dark economics affect the rights fee numbers on the upcoming bids for 2014 and 2016.

The likely new owners of NBC, the fiscally-conservative Comcast, may not be as easily drawn into a bidding war with players like CBS, Fox and ABC/ESPN for the U.S. rights.

Still, while networks are likely to be more cautious in their bidding, look for NBC to be right there with fledgling cable sports partners Versus and Universal Sports when the American broadcasters compete against each other before the IOC for the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and the Summer Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.

The Richmond Olympic Oval is the long track speed skating venue for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and bound to be eye-candy for viewers around the world. A 15 minute train ride down the new Canada rail line from downtown Vancouver, With its floor to ceiling views of the Fraser River and North Shore Mountains, not only is the vista impressive, but so are the numbers:

*12 long-track speed skating events
*36 medals awarded
*capacity 8,000
*1.1 million cubic feet of concrete
*a 6.5 acre roof that can accommodate four jetliners wing to wing across the floor.
*one million board feet primarily of pine beetle lumber.
*$178 milion construction cost

Honored with several awards including the Institution of Structural Engineers 2009 Award for Sports or Leisure Structures, the building has spacious, modern interiors featuring wood floors, natural light and a broad public art program incorporated into the Oval itself and its immediate surroundings. After the Games,the facility will offer an inspiring environment for all skill levels-from fitness rookies to sports superstars-to progress towards their own personal podiums not only for speed skating but also basketball, badminton and indoor rowing. But for now, it is the cathedral for Shani Davis to shine in.

America's Shani Davis

The men’s hockey competition at the XXIst Winter Games in Vancouver will be one of the most coveted tickets from the first day of the tournament through to the gold medal match, but will Canada even be in that title game?

There are plenty of world class teams that are capable of winning it all including Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic.

However, the two nations that are likely to put up the biggest fight in icing Canada’s golden dreams are Russia and the United States.

The Russians are coming.

With two recent world championships, the Russians are confident and playing at an even higher level. Led by Alex Ovechkin, quite possibly the greatest player in the world, they will be a force.

The force quietly driving the American engine is revenge, always a compelling motivator. On their home ice, the United States lost to Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The squad is much altered since then with new names like Ryan Miller, Phil Kessel and captain Jamie Langenbrunner.

Still, revenge could also be applied to Canada after the recent upset at the hands of the Americans at the World Junior Championships.

In the end pressure and frenzied local support will have their roles, but it is often said that defense wins championships. If that is applicable here then Canada is in great shape from a goalie perspective.

Team Canada’s Executive Director Steve Yzerman and coach Mike Babcock have pure brilliance minding the net at any time with this outstanding trio – Martin Brodeur, Marc-Andre Fleury and local favorite Roberto Longo.

Get ready for some stellar hockey, eh.

Martin Brodeur

(check local listings for broadcast timetable)

February 12, 2010

10:00 – Ski Jumping – NH Individual Qualification Round
18:00 – General – Opening Ceremony

February 13, 2010

9:45 – Ski Jumping – NH Individual 1st Round
Medal Event 10:45* – Ski Jumping – NH Individual Final Round
Medal Event 11:45 – Alpine Skiing – Men’s Downhill
Sweden vs Switzerland 12:00 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A Game 1
Medal Event 12:00 – Speed Skating – Men’s 5000 m
Medal Event 13:00 – Biathlon – Women’s 7.5 km Sprint
16:30 – Freestyle Skiing – Ladies’ Moguls Qualification
Canada vs Slovakia 17:00 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A Game 2
17:00 – Luge – Men’s Singles Run 1
17:00 – Short Track – Men’s 1500 m Heats
17:42 – Short Track – Ladies’ 500 m Heats
18:18 – Short Track – Men’s 1500 m Semifinals
18:50 – Short Track – Ladies’ 3000 m Relay Semifinals
19:10* – Luge – Men’s Singles Run 2
Medal Event 19:18 – Short Track – Men’s 1500 m Finals
Medal Event 19:30 – Freestyle Skiing – Ladies’ Moguls Final

February 14, 2010

America's Lindsay Vonn

10:00 – Alpine Skiing – Ladies’ Super Combined Downhill
10:00 – Nordic Combined – Individual NH/10 km CC – Competition Round
Medal Event 11:15 – Biathlon – Men’s 10 km Sprint
United States vs China 12:00 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Preliminary Round – Group B Game 3
Medal Event 13:00 – Alpine Skiing – Ladies’ Super Combined Slalom
13:00 – Luge – Men’s Singles Run 3
Medal Event 13:00 – Speed Skating – Ladies’ 3000 m
Medal Event 13:45 – Nordic Combined – Individual NH/10 km CC – 10 km
14:30 – Freestyle Skiing – Men’s Moguls Qualification
Medal Event 15:10* – Luge – Men’s Singles Run 4
16:30 – Figure Skating – Pairs Short Program
Finland vs Russian Federation 16:30 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Preliminary Round – Group B Game 4
Medal Event 17:30 – Freestyle Skiing – Men’s Moguls Final

February 15, 2010

Medal Event 10:00 – Cross-Country Skiing – Ladies’ 10 km Free
10:30 – Snowboard – Men’s Snowboard Cross Qualification
Medal Event 12:30 – Cross-Country Skiing – Men’s 15 km Free
14:00 – Snowboard – Men’s Snowboard Cross 1/8 Finals
14:26 – Snowboard – Men’s Snowboard Cross Quarterfinals
Switzerland vs Canada 14:30 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A Game 5
14:42 – Snowboard – Men’s Snowboard Cross Semifinals
Medal Event 14:53 – Snowboard – Men’s Snowboard Cross Finals
15:30 – Speed Skating – Men’s 500 m Race 1 of 2
Medal Event 17:00 – Figure Skating – Pairs Free Skating
17:00 – Luge – Women’s Singles Run 1
Medal Event 17:28 – Speed Skating – Men’s 500 m Race 2 of 2
18:50* – Luge – Women’s Singles Run 2
Sweden vs Slovakia 19:00 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A Game 6

February 16, 2010

Great Britain vs Sweden 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 1
Norway vs Canada 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 1
United States vs Germany 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 1
Switzerland vs Denmark 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 1
10:00 – Alpine Skiing – Men’s Super Combined Downhill
10:00 – Snowboard – Ladies’ Snowboard Cross Qualification
Medal Event 10:30 – Biathlon – Women’s 10 km Pursuit
United States vs Switzerland 12:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group A Game 1
12:15 – Snowboard – Ladies’ Snowboard Cross Quarterfinals
12:29 – Snowboard – Ladies’ Snowboard Cross Semifinals
Medal Event 12:40 – Snowboard – Ladies’ Snowboard Cross Finals
Medal Event 12:45 – Biathlon – Men’s 12.5 km Pursuit
13:00 – Luge – Women’s Singles Run 3
13:00 – Speed Skating – Ladies’ 500 m Race 1 of 2
Medal Event 13:30 – Alpine Skiing – Men’s Super Combined Slalom
United States vs Japan 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 1
Denmark vs Sweden 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 1
Germany vs Russian Federation 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 1
Canada vs Switzerland 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 1
Russian Federation vs United States 14:30 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Preliminary Round – Group B Game 7
Medal Event 14:50* – Luge – Women’s Singles Run 4
Medal Event 14:52 – Speed Skating – Ladies’ 500 m Race 2 of 2
16:15 – Figure Skating – Men Short Program
Canada vs Norway 16:30 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group A Game 2
Canada vs Germany 19:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 2
China vs France 19:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 2
United States vs Norway 19:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 2
Finland vs China 19:00 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Preliminary Round – Group B Game 8
Russian Federation vs Latvia 21:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B Game 3

February 17, 2010

China vs Great Britain 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 2
Germany vs United States 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 2
Switzerland vs Sweden 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 2
Japan vs Canada 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 2
10:15 – Cross-Country Skiing – Ladies’ Individual Sprint Classic Qualification
10:40 – Cross-Country Skiing – Men’s Individual Sprint Classic Qualification
Medal Event 11:00 – Alpine Skiing – Ladies’ Downhill
Finland vs Belarus 12:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group C Game 4
12:30 – Cross-Country Skiing – Ladies’ Individual Sprint Classic Quarterfinals
12:55 – Cross-Country Skiing – Men’s Individual Sprint Classic Quarterfinals
13:05 – Snowboard – Men’s Halfpipe Qualification
13:20 – Cross-Country Skiing – Ladies’ Individual Sprint Classic Semifinals
13:30 – Cross-Country Skiing – Men’s Individual Sprint Classic Semifinals
Medal Event 13:45 – Cross-Country Skiing – Ladies’ Individual Sprint Classic Finals
Medal Event 13:55 – Cross-Country Skiing – Men’s Individual Sprint Classic Finals
Great Britain vs France 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 3
United States vs Switzerland 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 3
Denmark vs China 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 3
Germany vs Sweden 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 3
Canada vs Sweden 14:30 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A Game 9
Medal Event 16:00 – Speed Skating – Men’s 1000 m
Sweden vs Germany 16:30 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group C Game 5
17:00 – Luge – Doubles’ Run 1
17:00 – Short Track – Ladies’ 500 m Quarterfinals
17:15 – Snowboard – Men’s Halfpipe Semifinals
17:25 – Short Track – Men’s 1000 m Heats
18:10 – Short Track – Ladies’ 500 m Semifinals
Medal Event 18:30* – Luge – Doubles’ Run 2
18:32 – Short Track – Men’s 5000 m Relay Semifinals
Russian Federation vs Denmark 19:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 3
Great Britain vs Sweden 19:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 3
China vs Switzerland 19:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 3
Slovakia vs Switzerland 19:00 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A Game 10
Medal Event 19:07 – Short Track – Ladies’ 500 m Finals
Medal Event 19:15 – Snowboard – Men’s Halfpipe Finals
Czech Republic vs Slovakia 21:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B Game 6

February 18, 2010

Denmark vs United States 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 4
Germany vs Norway 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 4
Canada vs Sweden 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 4
Great Britain vs Switzerland 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 4
Medal Event 10:00 – Biathlon – Women’s 15 km Individual
United States vs Norway 12:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group A Game 7
12:30 – Snowboard – Ladies’ Halfpipe Qualification
Medal Event 13:00 – Biathlon – Men’s 20 km Individual
Medal Event 13:00 – Speed Skating – Ladies’ 1000 m
Canada vs Germany 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 4
China vs Japan 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 4
Russian Federation vs Great Britain 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 4
Denmark vs United States 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 4
United States vs Finland 14:30 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Preliminary Round – Group B Game 11
16:00 – Snowboard – Ladies’ Halfpipe Semifinals
16:00 – Skeleton – Women’s Heat 1
Switzerland vs Canada 16:30 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group A Game 8
Medal Event 17:00 – Figure Skating – Men Free Skating
17:10* – Skeleton – Women’s Heat 2
Medal Event 18:00 – Snowboard – Ladies’ Halfpipe Finals
18:30 – Skeleton – Men’s Heat 1
Sweden vs China 19:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 5
Great Britain vs Denmark 19:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 5
Norway vs Switzerland 19:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 5
France vs Canada 19:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 5
China vs Russian Federation 19:00 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Preliminary Round – Group B Game 12
20:00* – Skeleton – Men’s Heat 2
Slovakia vs Russian Federation 21:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B Game 9

February 19, 2010

Germany vs Great Britain 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 5
Russian Federation vs United States 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 5
China vs Denmark 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 5
10:00 – Ski Jumping – LH Individual Qualification Round
Medal Event 11:30 – Alpine Skiing – Men’s Super-G
Belarus vs Sweden 12:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group C Game 10
Medal Event 13:00 – Cross-Country Skiing – Ladies’ 15 km Pursuit (7.5Classic+7.5Free)
Germany vs Switzerland 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 6
Denmark vs Canada 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 6
France vs United States 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 6
Norway vs China 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 6
15:45 – Skeleton – Women’s Heat 3
Czech Republic vs Latvia 16:30 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B Game 11
16:45 – Figure Skating – Ice Dance – Compulsory Dance
Medal Event 16:55* – Skeleton – Women’s Heat 4
18:20 – Skeleton – Men’s Heat 3
Denmark vs Canada 19:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 6
Sweden vs China 19:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 6
Great Britain vs Japan 19:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 6
Switzerland vs Russian Federation 19:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 6
Medal Event 19:50* – Skeleton – Men’s Heat 4
Finland vs Germany 21:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group C Game 12

February 20, 2010

Norway vs Denmark 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 7
France vs Germany 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 7
China vs Great Britain 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 7
Sweden vs United States 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 7
Medal Event 10:00 – Alpine Skiing – Ladies’ Super-G
10:00* – Freestyle Skiing – Ladies’ Aerials Qualification
11:30 – Ski Jumping – LH Individual 1st Round
Norway vs Switzerland 12:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group A Game 13
Medal Event 12:30* – Ski Jumping – LH Individual Final Round
Medal Event 13:30 – Cross-Country Skiing – Men’s 30 km Pursuit (15Classic+15Free)
Sweden vs Russian Federation 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 7
United States vs Great Britain 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 7
Denmark vs Switzerland 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 7
Germany vs China 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 7
14:30 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Classifications – Game 13
Medal Event 16:15 – Speed Skating – Men’s 1500 m
Latvia vs Slovakia 16:30 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B Game 14
17:00 – Bobsleigh – Two-Man Heat 1
17:45 – Short Track – Ladies’ 1500 m Heats
18:29 – Short Track – Men’s 1000 m Quarterfinals
18:35* – Bobsleigh – Two-Man Heat 2
18:58 – Short Track – Ladies’ 1500 m Semifinals
Switzerland vs China 19:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 8
Sweden vs France 19:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 8
Canada vs Great Britain 19:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 8
19:00 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Classifications – Game 14
19:28 – Short Track – Men’s 1000 m Semifinals
Medal Event 19:51 – Short Track – Ladies’ 1500 m Finals
Medal Event 20:05 – Short Track – Men’s 1000 m Finals
Germany vs Belarus 21:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group C Game 15

February 21, 2010

Great Britain vs Switzerland 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 8
Germany vs Denmark 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 8
Canada vs United States 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 8
Russian Federation vs Japan 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 8
9:15 – Freestyle Skiing – Men’s Ski Cross Qualification
10:00 – Alpine Skiing – Men’s Giant Slalom 1st Run
Medal Event 10:45 – Biathlon – Men’s 15 km Mass Start
Russian Federation vs Czech Republic 12:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B Game 16
12:15* – Freestyle Skiing – Men’s Ski Cross 1/8 Finals
12:48* – Freestyle Skiing – Men’s Ski Cross Quarterfinals
Medal Event 13:00 – Biathlon – Women’s 12.5 km Mass Start
13:07* – Freestyle Skiing – Men’s Ski Cross Semifinals
Medal Event 13:18* – Freestyle Skiing – Men’s Ski Cross Finals
13:30 – Bobsleigh – Two-Man Heat 3
Medal Event 13:45 – Alpine Skiing – Men’s Giant Slalom 2nd Run
United States vs Great Britain 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 9
Norway vs Sweden 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 9
Switzerland vs Canada 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 9
Denmark vs Germany 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 9
Medal Event 15:00 – Speed Skating – Ladies’ 1500 m
Medal Event 15:05* – Bobsleigh – Two-Man Heat 4
16:15 – Figure Skating – Ice Dance – Original Dance
Canada vs United States 16:40 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group A Game 17
China vs Canada 19:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 9
Japan vs Germany 19:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 9
United States vs Sweden 19:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 9
Sweden vs Finland 21:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Preliminary Round – Group C Game 18

February 22, 2010

France vs Norway 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 10
Canada vs United States 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 10
Germany vs China 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 10
Switzerland vs Sweden 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 10
10:00 – Ski Jumping – Team 1st Round
10:45 – Cross-Country Skiing – Ladies’ Team Sprint Free Semifinals
Medal Event 10:45* – Ski Jumping – Team Final Round
11:35 – Cross-Country Skiing – Men’s Team Sprint Free Semifinals
12:00 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Play-offs Semifinals – Game 15
Medal Event 13:00 – Cross-Country Skiing – Ladies’ Team Sprint Free Final
Medal Event 13:25 – Cross-Country Skiing – Men’s Team Sprint Free Final
Russian Federation vs China 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 10
Japan vs Switzerland 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 10
Sweden vs Canada 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 10
Great Britain vs Denmark 14:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 10
14:00 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Classifications – 7th/8th – Game 16
Medal Event 16:45 – Figure Skating – Ice Dance – Free Dance
17:00 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Play-offs Semifinals – Game 17
18:00* – Freestyle Skiing – Men’s Aerials Qualification
Germany vs Great Britain 19:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 11
France vs Denmark 19:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 11
China vs United States 19:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 11
19:00 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Classifications – 5th/6th – Game 18

February 23, 2010

Japan vs Sweden 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 11
Switzerland vs Germany 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 11
United States vs China 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 11
Canada vs Great Britain 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 11
10:00 – Nordic Combined – Team/4×5 km – Competition Round
10:30 – Freestyle Skiing – Ladies’ Ski Cross Qualification
Medal Event 11:00 – Speed Skating – Men’s 10000 m
Medal Event 11:30 – Biathlon – Women’s 4×6 km Relay
12:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Play-offs Qualifications – Game 19
13:00* – Freestyle Skiing – Ladies’ Ski Cross 1/8 Finals
Medal Event 13:00 – Nordic Combined – Team/4×5 km – 4×5 km Relay
13:33* – Freestyle Skiing – Ladies’ Ski Cross Quarterfinals
13:52* – Freestyle Skiing – Ladies’ Ski Cross Semifinals
China vs Canada 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 12
Sweden vs Denmark 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 12
Great Britain vs Norway 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 12
Switzerland vs France 14:00 – Curling – Men’s Round Robin Session 12
Medal Event 14:03* – Freestyle Skiing – Ladies’ Ski Cross Finals
16:30 – Figure Skating – Ladies Short Program
16:30 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Play-offs Qualifications – Game 20
17:00 – Bobsleigh – Women’s Heat 1
18:10* – Bobsleigh – Women’s Heat 2
Switzerland vs United States 19:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 12
Canada vs Russian Federation 19:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 12
Japan vs Denmark 19:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 12
Sweden vs Germany 19:00 – Curling – Women’s Round Robin Session 12
19:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Play-offs Qualifications – Game 21
21:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Play-offs Qualifications – Game 22

February 24, 2010

10:00 – Alpine Skiing – Ladies’ Giant Slalom 1st Run
Medal Event 11:15 – Cross-Country Skiing – Men’s 4×10 km Relay Classic/Free
12:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Play-offs Quarterfinals – Game 23
Medal Event 13:00 – Speed Skating – Ladies’ 5000 m
Medal Event 13:15 – Alpine Skiing – Ladies’ Giant Slalom 2nd Run
16:30 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Play-offs Quarterfinals – Game 24
17:00 – Bobsleigh – Women’s Heat 3
17:00 – Short Track – Ladies’ 1000 m Heats
17:47 – Short Track – Men’s 500 m Heats
Medal Event 18:10* – Bobsleigh – Women’s Heat 4
Medal Event 18:26 – Short Track – Ladies’ 3000 m Relay Finals
19:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Play-offs Quarterfinals – Game 25
Medal Event 19:30* – Freestyle Skiing – Ladies’ Aerials Final
21:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Play-offs Quarterfinals – Game 26

February 25, 2010

9:00 – Curling – Women’s Semifinal
9:00 – Curling – Women’s Semifinal
10:00 – Nordic Combined – Individual LH/10 km CC – Competition Round
Medal Event 11:00 – Cross-Country Skiing – Ladies’ 4×5 km Relay Classic/Free
Medal Event 11:00 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Bronze Medal Game – Game 19
Medal Event 13:00 – Nordic Combined – Individual LH/10 km CC – 10 km
14:00 – Curling – Men’s Semifinal
14:00 – Curling – Men’s Semifinal
Medal Event 15:30 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Gold Medal Game – Game 20
Medal Event 17:00 – Figure Skating – Ladies Free Skating
Medal Event 18:00* – Freestyle Skiing – Men’s Aerials Final

February 26, 2010

Medal Event 9:00 – Curling – Women’s Bronze Medal Game
10:00 – Alpine Skiing – Ladies’ Slalom 1st Run
10:00 – Snowboard – Ladies’ PGS Qualification
Medal Event 11:30 – Biathlon – Men’s 4×7.5 km Relay
12:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Play-offs Semifinals – Game 27
12:15 – Snowboard – Ladies’ PGS 1/8 Finals
12:30* – Speed Skating – Men’s Team Pursuit Quarterfinals
12:51 – Snowboard – Ladies’ PGS Quarterfinals
13:00 – Bobsleigh – Four-Man Heat 1
13:09 – Snowboard – Ladies’ PGS Semifinals
13:20* – Speed Skating – Ladies’ Team Pursuit Quarterfinals
Medal Event 13:30 – Alpine Skiing – Ladies’ Slalom 2nd Run
Medal Event 13:31 – Snowboard – Ladies’ PGS Finals
14:07* – Speed Skating – Men’s Team Pursuit Semifinals
14:35* – Bobsleigh – Four-Man Heat 2
Medal Event 15:00 – Curling – Women’s Gold Medal Game
18:00 – Short Track – Men’s 500 m Quarterfinals
18:14 – Short Track – Ladies’ 1000 m Quarterfinals
18:30 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Play-offs Semifinals – Game 28
18:43 – Short Track – Men’s 500 m Semifinals
18:52 – Short Track – Ladies’ 1000 m Semifinals
Medal Event 19:14 – Short Track – Men’s 500 m Finals
Medal Event 19:24 – Short Track – Ladies’ 1000 m Finals
Medal Event 19:51 – Short Track – Men’s 5000 m Relay Finals

February 27, 2010

Medal Event 9:00 – Curling – Men’s Bronze Medal Game
10:00 – Alpine Skiing – Men’s Slalom 1st Run
10:00 – Snowboard – Men’s PGS Qualification
Medal Event 11:45 – Cross-Country Skiing – Ladies’ 30 km, Mass Start Classic
12:15 – Snowboard – Men’s PGS 1/8 Finals
12:30* – Speed Skating – Ladies’ Team Pursuit Semifinals
12:51 – Snowboard – Men’s PGS Quarterfinals
Medal Event 12:51 – Speed Skating – Men’s Team Pursuit Finals
13:00 – Bobsleigh – Four-Man Heat 3
13:09 – Snowboard – Men’s PGS Semifinals
Medal Event 13:13 – Speed Skating – Ladies’ Team Pursuit Finals
Medal Event 13:31 – Snowboard – Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom Finals
Medal Event 13:45 – Alpine Skiing – Men’s Slalom 2nd Run
Medal Event 14:35* – Bobsleigh – Four-Man Heat 4
Medal Event 15:00 – Curling – Men’s Gold Medal Game
16:30 – Figure Skating – Exhibition Gala
Medal Event 19:00 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Bronze Medal Game – Game 29

February 28, 2010

Medal Event 9:30 – Cross-Country Skiing – Men’s 50 km, Mass Start Classic
Medal Event 12:15 – Ice Hockey – Men’s Gold Medal Game – Game 30
17:30 – General – Closing Ceremony

The sports world turns to its biggest winter extravaganza beginning on the 12th and running through the 28th of this month. So to help prepare those who are more expert in the nuances of an NFL game or the intracacies involved in a NASCAR pit stop, we’ll present over the next few weeks a basic guideline to the sports, venues and potential stars of the XXIst Winter Olympics from Vancouver, Canada.

Snowboard – Halfpipe

Cypress Mountain Venue in Vancouver

One of the newer additions to the Olympic program (introduced in 1998), snowboarding combines elements of three other popular sports – skateboarding, skiing and surfing.

Performed on a man-made U-shaped snow bow,an individual athlete performs tricks while moving from side to side. Flying over the lip, the compettior is then judged on height and degree of difficulty style elements.

The snowboard event takes place at Cypress Mountain just north of Vancouver.

Super Bowl XLIV
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Sun Life Stadium – Miami, Florida
Kickoff apx. 6:30p ET

Colts vs. Saints

Continuing the theme from an earlier post regarding the importance of quarterbacks, let’s focus there in assessing the game’s key matchup.

Early in his career, Peyton Manning, a four-time league MVP, was criticized for failing to win big games. Indeed his career playoff record is just 9-8. However, he has won six of the last eight, including a Super Bowl victory over the Bears three years ago in the rain in Miami.

Heading into this year’s Super Bowl, Manning is red hot setting an NFL record for 300-yard playoff games with his seventh in last week’s AFC championship win over the Jets.

Seeing how he dissected two of the league’s stingiest defenses (Ravens, Jets) in the last two games, Manning poses some real issues for the Saints defense. He may not be mobile, but the numbers speak for themselves -

*completing 67.5 percent of his throws for

*623 yards,

*five touchdowns and one interception.

*Manning’s 104.6 rating is far higher than he managed in leading the Colts to the 2007 Super Bowl.

New Orleans must find a way to mix up their pressure pass rush and drop back coverage schemes.

The main players to watch will be DT Sedrick Ellis, DE Bobby McCray  and linebackers Scott Shanle, Scott Fujita  and Jon Vilma . DE Will Smith will be the key sack threat (he was second in the NFC with 13). However the Saints have only one sack in the playoffs. Still if they can get to Manning like they did Favre, the pounding will take a toll.  

Pressure will be vital as New Orleans is overmatched in the secondary. Safety Darren Sharper, who tied for the league lead with nine interceptions, running back three for scores, will give All-Pro tight end Dallas Clark some trouble, but look for Manning to lean on young wideouts Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie as well as Reggie Wayne.

Indianapolis is likely to stick to their season-long pattern of running Joseph Addai  and Donald Brown just enough to keep the Saints thinking. Still for the Colts to win it will have to be done like it has been all year – through the air.

In New Orleans, as the conductor of the NFL’s most prolific offense, Drew Brees is the league’s most accurate passer, but moreover his ability to get everyone involved creates matchup problems for opponents.

More mobile than Manning, Brees uses short drops that are especially effective for those quick-hitters over the middle.

Indianapolis, is not likely to stop a team that led the league in scoring with 510 points and has 76 in two playoff games, but their quick ends Robert Mathis and All-Pro Dwight Freeney have the skills to get in Brees’ grill in a hurry. And hurry the Colts better, otherwise there are a bevy of targets awaiting Brees’ tosses including- wideouts Devery Henderson, marques Colston, Lance Moore and Robert Meacham. David Thomas has done well in filling in where fellow tight end Jeremy Shockey’s right knee problems have curtailed his production. 

The Saints also have a better run game with Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell, though Reggie Bush is also quite effective as a receiver as well. Look for New Orleans to try and get Bush in single coverage with safeties Antoine Bethea or Melvin Bullitt.

In a bit of deft casting, stand up comedian Patton Oswalt stars as Paul Aufiero, a 35-year-old parking-garage attendant from Staten Island, self-described as “world’s biggest New York Giants fan”.

Living at home with his mother, he spends his off hours calling in to a local sports-radio station using scripted rants as “Paul from Staten Island” in support of his beloved team, often against his mysterious on-air rival, Eagles fan Philadelphia Phil. His family berates him for doing nothing with his life, but they don’t understand the depth of his love of the Giants.

Living his life vicariously through his football hero, Quantrell Bishop, Paul’s life gets shaken up as he struggles (or more accurately those around him do) to deal with the consequences after being beat up by his favorite player.

Big Fan is a sadly truthful and darkly humorous picture.

DVD Special Features:

-Outtakes

-Interviews with Rob Siegel and Patton Oswalt

-Downloadable Poster

-Kevin Corrigan Recalls His Own “Big Fan” experience

The S and C Interview: “Big Fan” Writer/Director Rob Siegel

Since we spoke last during the picture’s film festival run, what kind of feedback have you gotten from Joe Public?

writer/director Rob Siegel

Many have come up to me saying “I know that guy’, but they never admit it is them. Yet everyone seems to know someone like that. It does seem to have really struck a chord.

I know one of your favorite filmmakers is Martin Scorsese, do we see a mix of “King of Comedy” meets “Taxi Driver” here in “Big Fan”?

Those are probably the two movies that are most referenced. I certainly have no problems with that. Both are among my favorites. Hopefully it is more an homage than rip off. I’m certainly proud to mentioned in that arena.

You put a spin on it by placing it in a sports realm.

Yes, some critics have called it “Taxi Driver for Sports Fans”. To me there is a little “Saturday Night Fever” in there too. Like Tony shining at the discos. Paul shines on sports radio.

Talk about the initial reaction when you told the producers you wanted to cast a stand up comedian in a semi dramatic performance.

Thankfully there are precedents for that. Many comedians have done great jobs in dramatic roles. Comedians tend to be very dark people. Yeah there is a long cinematic history of funny men taking serious turns. So that wasn’t a real problem.

Patton has never been a lead or done drama, but they trusted me.

Why did you decide on no football footage?

They say necessity is the mother of invention, mainly for legal and budgetary reasons more than anything else. Very expensive plus we were not allowed to shoot inside Giants Stadium.

Do you consider “Big Fan” a sports movie?

Big Fan didn’t have a clear redemption arc like many of the traditional sports films.  But there are many different types, yet when I think of sports movies like “Rudy”, “Hoosiers” and ”Remember the Titans”, they’re the underdogs with the guy getting carried off the field in triumph.

I prefer things a little more gritty and realistic such as “Fat City”  and “The Hustler”.  I also like comedies including “Bull Durham”.

Is sports part of your next film project?

I have other interests and my other scripts reflect that. I think if I came out of the box with three straight sport movies, some might think I myself am obsessed! I will definitely come back to it though down the line as sports are a great playground for stories.