The Play In California

My Pick For Film Of The Year Is........

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:07:00 +0000

Sorry it took so long. And before we get to number one, here are some honorable mentions:

Get Him to the Greek - Probably one of the better comedies in a year where there was a drought of good ones.

Shutter Island - Creepy and atmospheric, but also kind of boring. The ending is really farfetched too.

Iron Man 2 - Got bogged down from the high expectations. Still a good movie though, except the part where he pulls some Minority Report shit and creates a new element in like 5 seconds.

Blue Valentine - I haven't seen it, but I really want to.

Easy A - Well acted, but there are WAY too many plot lines going on.

Yogi Bear - Ahhh, I'm just fuckin' with ya.

Also here's a recap of 12-2:
12) Scott Pilgrim vs the World
11) Winter's Bone
10) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
9) Jackass 3D
8) Black Swan
7) Kick Ass
6) True Grit
5) The Town
4) Inception
3) The Fighter
2) Toy Story 3

And my top movie of the year is.............

1) The Social Network

When I first heard about this movie, I couldn't help but think: this is retarded. A movie about Facebook and privacy snatching asshole who created it, like I want to watch that. The trailers didn't help either, the single zoom out on Jessie Eisenberg while cheesy lines were spouted from the audio: 'You know what's cooler than a million, a billion!' Ugh. And it had Justin Timberlake, double ugh.

But then I watched the movie, and it blew me away. It had everything. Great acting, great directing, a killer soundtrack. That acting is really what drives the point home for The Social Network. Eisenberg goes from a poor man's Michael Cera to a A-list star. Right from the beginning, in that first scene shows that he is not shitting around.

It also is an incredibly exciting movie for portraying something so incredible unexciting. Coding is not cool. Trust me.

The social network struck close to me because I was a computer science major myself at Berkeley. For those of you who think that Zuckerberg's portrayl was a stereotype of nerds gone raging, it is not. Assholes like Zucks were in EVERY SINGLE ONE of my computer science classes. Guys who were extremely intelligent and creative, but at the same time bitter and extremely sexually frustrated with women. They get dumped, so they keep their bitter pills against the fairer sex and did whatever it took (getting that job at Microsoft, starting up their own website) to tell all those ladies, fuck you, you could've had this. And also, there were no girls in my computer science classes, maybe one at most. That is not an exaggeration either.

There's also a lot of Sean Parkers too. Nerds who are trying to shed that image of being a nerd by partying, showing their arrogance, and doing coke off blondes. I saw a lot of these people too, people who were trying way to hard to show the world they weren't dorks. The only thing I rarely saw were people who were genuinely down to Earth, but to be fair, the people that were like that were usually pretty awesome people.

It is a little dramatic with making computer science look cool. Fincher gets the atmosphere right, the whole community based thing with music in the background, snacks, and a few beers. But there aren't hot girls around hanging out with you while your coding, they're too busy hanging out with people who actually are doing something fun.

It's also probably questionable whether the movie portrays Zucks accurately, but I never think that was the point. I always felt Sorkin and Fincher were trying to portray Zucks as an amalgam of this generations leaders of America. Smart with a sense of that privileged persona us milenials have, bitter, but cocky, Fincher's portrayl of the youth of today is dramatic yet, in some sense, very accurate.

The only thing I had against the movie were the Asian skanks. I don't think they were really necessary, other than to give nerdy white boys the hope that they can nail their own Asian groupie in a bathroom.

My Top 12 Films From 2010: #3 and #2

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:54:00 +0000

The top 12 so far:
12) Scott Pilgrim vs the World
11) Winter's Bone
10) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
9) Jackass 3D
8) Black Swan
7) Kick Ass
6) True Grit
5) The Town
4) Inception

3) The Fighter

To truly appreciate Christian Bale's performance as Dicky Ecklund, you have to stay and watch the credits scene where you see how the real Dicky Ecklund is like. Once you watch it, you'll think, hoooo-ly shit Christian Bale acted just like this guy. It's pretty amazing.

Strong acting is what carries The Fighter to the top. Bale, Marky Mark, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, even the trainer who was Micky Ward's trainer in real life all act really well in this movie. You'll watch it and think, yup, this is probably how the real people act in real life.

The Fighter is also a good movie because it is devoid of a lot of boxing cliches. Granted, there are still some in there, like when Dicky tells Micky that he's doing it for Lowell while coaching in his corner instead of actually coaching. But other than that, the whole movie is pretty compelling stuff. You get heavily invested in the characters and the complexities behind them. Sure, on paper, Micky's mom looks like a control, money hungry freak, but afterwards, you realize it's not so clear cut. And it's easy to paint Dicky as a washed up drug addict, because for most of the movie he is, but you also kind of feel for the guy, mainly because he's played so charismatically by Bale.

A lot of people have been complaining about how the fight scenes don't look real, and this video kind of disproves it.

This drives the point home that most people are really f'ing stupid, commenting on how real or fake something looks without knowing much about boxing in the first place. There's a bit of dramatic license in there, but people would be complaining if there wasn't. Haters gonna hate.

2) Toy Story 3

It really says a lot about Pixar when people can only really name one mediocre movie from them (Cars) while every other single film churned out by them is critically lauded.

When I found out Toy Story 3 was coming out, I was a little skeptical. First, it's been almost 10 years since the last one. The people, like me, grew up on Toy Story films, but those people 10 years later are indeed grown up. What investment do younger kids, who never watched 1 and 2 in the theater have to number 3.

Then I watched it. And it blew me away. I think I've covered everything I could on it before, so I won't say too much again. But this film really is one of the best of the year.

Number 1 is coming.... tomorrow!

My Top 12 Films From 2010: #5 and #4

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:59:00 +0000

Back to business...

The top 12 so far:
12) Scott Pilgrim vs the World
11) Winter's Bone
10) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
9) Jackass 3D
8) Black Swan
7) Kick Ass
6) True Grit

5) The Town

"FACK YOU, YA BAY AREA TOONIE!"

The town is everything you thought it'd be! Cliche! Boston Accents up the wazzu! Over the top lines! The criminal with the heart of gold! His loose cannon friend! Guns! Heists! Blake Lively's Tittays! Red SAWXXXXXX! Ben Affleck's forehead! And yes, Don Draper as a f'in cop.

But that doesn't make it a bad movie. In fact, these things make it a great movie. I feel when Afflect directed this movie, he wasn't making it out to be the next stuuuper sterious heist movie people thought it would be. Instead, he knew it would be a movie people could go watch and have fun with. Which is great, because I did have fun with it. There were times when I was watching the movie where I'd think, fuck yeah, put that goddamn town in your goddamn rear view mirror. And when Jeremy Renner's character did something hot headed, I'd think, oh hell nah!

The movie's cliches are many. It's set in Boston, and within the first five minutes, you know it is. Red Sox logos are everywhere. The words Smahhht and Facccck fly around like they're the letter e. They even rob Fenway Park, I shit you not. And while it's easy to laugh at their dopey Bostonian toughness, it also makes the movie entertaining to watch. I feel like it's almost purposely over the top for this reason.

The directing is pretty straightforward, another reason why I liked it. No Chris Nolan camera tricks or Aronofsky mind fucking, just straight forward shoot em up action that is raw and gritty. It's not like the Departed at all. The Town doesn't take itself too seriously like The Departed did, which makes things less intense but flows a lot smoother.

The acting is.... all right. Jeremy Renner is awesome, as always, but Affleck is Ben Affleck, and Jon Hamm is Don Draper with an FBI vest. I wish Afflect had gotten someone else to be his character, like Matty Damon or Tom Hardy or something. But what can you do.

The Town isn't a film that will blow you away, but it's much more solid than films that are trying to hard (Black Swan).

4) Inception

After I saw Inception, I thought it'd be my movie of the year, but then as more months past, and as I watched it again, I realized it was not. It really is hyped a bit too much.

Mind you, that doesn't make it a bad movie, but Inception reminded me of Avatar, a movie that was a breakthrough, but in the end not a movie of the year. But at the same time, as a movie, it's a lot better than Avatar, which after watching it in non 3D, I realized is a piece of trash.

Everyone knows why Inception is great: the shifting gravity fights, the action, the way the tone is set for all the scenes, the great performances by the ensemble cast, so I'm going to list why Inception is not the top movie of the year.

First off, one dimensional characters. When I saw the advertising for Inception, they broke down each character by their roles: Extractor, Point Man, Shade, etc. Well, apparently, these roles were also stuck in the film, and each actor acted to this role perfectly. But in the end, that leaves you stuck with characters who have no complexity. Joseph Gordon Levitt is the point man, he gets action done, and basically that's all to his character. Tom Hardy is the forger, he creates new identities, and that's all to his character. That's about it. I felt that after watching a movie with all these characters, I still could not relate to them.

Even Leo's character, who the audience is supposed to identify with, comes off a little one dimensional. The man with the broken past. And that's all there is to him. Every scene he's in, he's either mumbling about Mal or talking about how inception was done.

Also, it's too obvious that Ellen Page's character is there just to explain stuff to the viewer. She spouts off lines that are clearly just explanation lines, and throws in a few worried glances to Leo's character Cobb. That's about it.

The other problem I had with it was plot. It's confusing. Unless you spend analyzing it for a while after watching, you don't understand what the hell went on after walking out of the theatre. I suppose Nolan did the best job to tell a story that had too many stories within a stories. Too many characters, too many settings, too many plot lines, it's hard to juggle, and Nolan does a great job. That doesn't mean though that he was trying to be too ambitious.

For those reasons, Inception is not my top movie. But it's still in my top 5 for all the reasons that everyone else loved the movie.

My Top 12 (Not 11) Movies of the Year: #8 and #6

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:58:00 +0000

I made a mistake on my last post. I put Kick Ass as number 7, and originally only had 11 movies. I also stated that I hadn't watched Black Swan or The Town, but they'd end up on the list somewhere after I watched them. Then I watched them. So now they're on the list, I have 12 movies, and because of that, I screwed up my rankings. Great. Well here's the REAL ranking I have after adding those two movies in. Hey, don't blame me for releasing and inferior version of their product to fit the deadline, Apple does it all the time (iPhone).

The top 12 so far:
12) Scott Pilgrim vs the World
11) Winter's Bone
10) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
9) Jackass 3D
8) ???? (Look below)
7) Kick Ass

The REAL number 8: Black Swan

I was seriously hyping up this movie before I saw it. I anticipated that it would be in my top 5. And while it is a very good movie, I would say it fell short of expectations after I watched it, mainly after I realized it was just Fight Club for ballerinas. Hope that doesn't give too much of the plot away.

But then again, there isn't much plot to begin with. The movie is one of those is it in her mind or isn't it in her mind kind of movies. Some people like those movies because they think it's a mind trip, but I personally don't like them that much because it's a cop out. I want answers, damnit, not more questions. That's why people found the ending of Lost to be frustrating, because it didn't answer anything. Black Swan kind of answers it with the ending (it's in her mind) but at the same time it doesn't. If it's in her mind, then how was Mila Kunis's character, Lily, able to go party with her or have crazy lesbian sex? That's where the Fight Club comparison comes in: sometimes it's in her mind (like the lesbian sex, since in that scene's build up, Nina's (Portman) mom doesn't acknowledge Lily what so ever, and sometimes it's not, like when Portman observes her dance instructor instructing Lily. That's all fine and dandy if they actually point this out, like in Fight Club, but they don't, and I feel that leaves a lot of plot holes. One could argue that's for the viewer to decide, but fuck that, because that leaves the director and writer too much creative freedom and leave it to Nina's hallucinations for the explanation. Oh, a giant dragon crashed from the sky and ate Lily? That's all in Nina's mind man. And in a movie like this, that doesn't seem to farfetched.

Overall though, Aronofsky does what he does best, making normal things scare the shit out of you. Every scene, I was bracing for some kind of pop up scare. You think Nina laying in bed means she's safe? Think again! Bam, something pops up, and makes you pee your pants. Black Swan is definitely the scariest movie I've seen all year (it's way scarier than Paranormal Activity). Talking pictures man, talking pictures. Oh and speaking of those pictures, how did Nina's mom become an artist with such shitty art skills. Just saying.

It's a good film. Just not as good as people think it is.

Oh yeah, and Natalie Portman's acting is top notch here, but she gets minus points from me for going from this to a movie with Ashton Kutcher in it. Ugh.

6) True Grit

I don't know how Jeff Bridges didn't get nominated for a Golden Globe, him as Rooster Cogburn was the most entertaining thing I watched all year. After the movie, I was literally doing Cogburn impressions.

True Grit is submitted as a drama, but I kind of think it was more of a action comedy. There were a lot of scenes that were pretty funny, especially the exchanges between Cogburn and Lebeouf (Damon). Though, it had that wry, dry Coen Brothers style of comedy that doesn't always sit well with everyone.

Newcomer Hailie Steinfeld also does a great job as Mattie Ross, the 14 year old who acts like a 41 year old. Naturally, her uptightness is the perfect ruse for Cogburns drunken scowl. They make a great team. It essentially breaks down into a buddy cop film set in the old west, a very good buddy cop film set in the old west.

My only complaint is Josh Brolin. I couldn't understand one damn thing he was saying. Get some Vicks, dude.

My Top 11 (Now 12) Films From 2010: #8 and #7 (Now #9 and #7)

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 21:49:00 +0000

Continuing the count down:
12) Scott Pilgrim vs the World
11) Winter's Bone
10) The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

9) Jackass 3D

Scoff all you want, but this movie was probably funnier than any comedy that came out the past year. I mean, just look at the nominees for the Golden Globes Best Musical or Comedy: Burlesque? The Tourist. The 49ers season was funnier to watch than that dreck. Actually, I have to admit, the 49ers' regular season was pretty hilarious. Alex/Troy Smith's quarterbacking was the best attempt at slapstick comedy I've seen in a long time.

You'll notice this list is devoid of any comedies, unless you count Scott Pilgrim or number 7 as a comedy. And to be all fair, there were a lot of terrible comedies this year: Dinner for Shmucks, Meet the Fockers, Yogi Fuckin' Bear, the list goes on. The only other comedy I liked was Get Him To The Greek. For me, Jackass sums up all that comedy should be: hilarious.

Andy by god, it was hilarious. Jackass is one of those movies where you're either for it or against it, there's no middle ground. Some of you elitists out there (aka people who think they're too good for Jackass and put on lame fart sniffing soirees instead) think Jackass is just gross. And I have to admit, there were some stunts that made me, an avid Jackass fan, pretty sick: the one where Dave England poos a volcano stream, Steve-O's sweat drink, and the Poo Cocktail Supreme. But other stunts were rather innovative and creative, much more creative than Michael Bay directing a CGI explosion-gasm.

Plus, the opening 3D sequence was way cooler than any other 3D that came out this year (I'm looking at you TRON). Not since Avatar did I think, this is cool. And as a plus, I didn't have to watch Avatar to enjoy the 3D.

7) Kick Ass (yes, #7 not #8)

The underrated film of the year. This is one of those films that got good critical ratings, high audience score, but underperformed like hell. It was Scott Pilgrim before Scott Pilgrim came out. In fact, it has a lot in common with SP. Over exaggerated violence, comedy, based of a comic, but it ranks higher on my list because it doesn't have Michael Cera. Laugh all you want, but a world without that awkward guy in movies is a world that has seen the brightest of days.

People give Nic Cage a lot of crap, and rightfully so. Just look at the trailer for his new witch movie. What the fuck dude? Everyone happens to speak with an accent but you. Ugh. But in Kick Ass, he was pretty great. He fit the role perfectly as the cooky hero dad to Hit Girl.

Speaking of her, Chloe Moretz is the main reason to watch this film. Granted, Aaron Johnson was fun to watch now, but watching Hit Girl slaughter nearly 20 grown men makes my 10 dollars well spent.

My Top 11 Films From 2010: #11, #10, and #9

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 19:09:00 +0000

Please note: I haven't seen Black Swan or The Town yet, but I think they'll end up on this list somewhere...

11) Scott Pilgrim vs the World

I know this has been emphasized a million times, but that's still not enough.

Please Note, I really hate Michael Cera. He's the kind of actor hipsters love, mainly because he's unoriginal and promotes indie music in his films.

It's been a slow decent from like to dislike. I loved him in Arrested Development when he played George Michael Bluth. Then I liked him in Superbad when he played Evan, but he was really just playing George Michael Bluth. Then in Juno he played a guy who was like George Michael Bluth, then Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist... Then in 2009 he changed his tone and played George Michael Bluth...as a cave man. Freakin brilliant! Too bad the movie bombed. So he went back to playing regular George Micahel Bluth in Youth in Revolt. That bombed too. Then in Scott Pilgrim, he played George Micahel Bluth with super powers and an Asian girlfriend. Cool, I guess.

Yeah, Cera's not the main reason I enjoyed Scott Pilgrim. I enjoyed it because it's just fun to watch. I admit, it appeals to the video game crowd with flashy visuals, simple plot, and Asians, but that doesn't mean it's not entertaining. The fight scenes and action is way better than anything Iron Man 2 produced. It's fast, yet doesn't take itself too seriously, which a lot of action movies are doing these days. I read the comic too, and I found it too 'I'm too cool' to enjoy, but I enjoyed this movie. And, for once, the awkward, indie white guy doesn't end up with the Asian chick. Awesome.

But fuckin' Michael Cera man, fuckin' Michael Cera.

10) Winter's Bone

Yeah, I can't believe that's the Winter's Bone chick either.

This movie is SLOW. I mean slowwwwwwwwww. An hour into it, I was wondering when the hell is something going to happen? The basic story is about a girl with a bail bond skipping father who has left the price tag with her and brothers and sisters. Now she's out to find him. Sounds like a premise for a Mel Gibson movie, so I kind of thought she'd go guns blazing. Instead, she just slowly slinks around her small rural town looking for answers. It's a lot of talk with nothing going on.

When I first watched this movie, I really hated it. My girlfriend tried to convince me it was a good movie, but I wasn't having any of it. It was just too slow for me. But then I realized, it had a lot in common with two things I loved: Fallout 3 and Lost. Both are slow too. Both make you feel like you're just wandering around, not really getting the point. But what makes both good are the environment they set up. Winter's Bone really sets up this feeling of eerieness and despair. It's not a movie to make you feel good, it's quite depressing, but that's what makes you enjoy it in the end. It transforms your mind into a place outside of what you know, and does a good job convincing you this is how it's really like for some of the shitty places in the world. For that alone, I commend it.

It's not an eye boner, it's a soul boner.

Ugh, I can't believe I typed that.

9) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

This picture sums up their relationship in the entire movie.

This came out in Sweden in 2009, but didn't come to the states til 2010. So I'm putting it in as a 2010 movie.

After watching the foreign version, I'm a little skeptical about the American version coming up, because Noomi Rapace is fuckin' Lisbeth Salandar. I don't care what Rooney Mara does, there's no way to top what Noomi did in The Swedish version. She perfectly portrays Lisbeth as the awkward, somewhat robot like Lisbeth who is good at what she does, detective workin'.

Aside from Noomi's awesome performance, the movie itself plays out as a really good mystery movie. You have your disgraced hero, his trusty quirky sidekick, a creepy family, and not one, but two of society's most hated villains: rapists and Nazi sympathizers. And both go down in a blaze of glory. Awesome.

This is way better than any episode of CSI. Now we'll have to see how the American version does, but so far with David Fincher and everyone's favorite T Swifty photobomber, it looks promising. American remakes aren't always bad, just look at The Office (seasons 1-3). If you say that the British version is better, you are dipshit. Done and done.

Toy Story 3 - Analysis and Review (But Mostly Analysis) LOTS OF SPOILERS AHEAD

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:12:00 +0000

I know I’m two weeks late for this, but it’s taken me a week to absorb how much I enjoyed Toy Story 3, both from an entertainment perspective and a life enjoyment perspective. Pixar movies are always such a mystery. They’re designed for kids, but the adults are the ones who learn from them. This has especially been the case in the past few years with the releases of Ratatoullie, Wall-E, and the extremely emotionally challenging Up. Yes, they are cartoons, but they touch on themes and ideas that their target audience could not understand. Instead, these themes and lessons touch the guardians in ways that make the adult viewer value the fact that children these days are treated to such wonderful movies.

I could write literally essays about all the motifs and messages that arise out of films like Wall-E and Up, but let’s get to the task at hand. This review is about Toy Story 3, part of a movie series that launched a new generation of not only animated films, but also high caliber family oriented cinema. When I sat in the theatre, I was expecting TS3 to be a lighter fare compared to the Pixar movies of the last few years. I was thinking more of a Cars type movie rather than Up. Toy Story 1 and 2 have touched on mature themes such as abandonment and acceptance, but those issues haven’t come close to the darker themes such as death and loss featured in a movie like Up. I thought Toy Story 3 would just be a movie where I could enjoy my own nostalgia, and nothing more. Never did I think Toy Story 3 would be a movie that would hit my heart as close as Up did, never. I would soon learn I was wrong.

When we first start the film, we realize the world of TS3 has changed dramatically since we last saw it. Times have changed since the first two movies came out, and that’s reflected in Toy Story 3. Andy is older, his mom is older, Molly is older, even the dog is older. Right away, I sensed this was not going to be a movie for just for kids like the past two films simply because there were no kids present. In a way, it made me a bit melancholy. If you grew up watching these films, heed my advice, Toy Story 3 will make you feel old. Andy, the toy’s lovable owner, is no longer that kid you remember when you were a kid. He’s now old, just like you, and it’s a sad realization. Granted it’s something that us millenials face every day, the constant bombardment of age. We got bills to pay, responsibilities to take care of, families to start. Yup, we know we’re getting older all the time. But to see it manifest in a movie you thought was timeless, it’s a tough fact to face. And this is only the beginning of the movie.

We quickly shoot to present day, where we notice Andy’s toys have dwindled to a select group. All the peripheral characters like Shark, Weezy, and even Bo Peep are gone, broken or sold. Only Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Slink, and a few other main characters are still there. In a way, the lack of all those extra toys gave the movie an almost survivalist tone. Woody and a few of the toys that are still around are fighting for a chance to remain relevant. You can feel the desperation in the air as they scramble to make plans for life without Andy. Some are realists about it, knowing that this day would come, others are optimistic, convinced that they’ll always have a place in Andy’s mind even if other things come along to distract him. That optimist is Woody, of course.

I don’t want to divulge too much of the story, but most of the second act is basically just plot. The toys get stuck in daycare and decide to stay while Woody is determined to make it back to Andy when he gets lost in the shuffle as well. The daycare is run by a Southern type stuffed bear named Lotso, who serves as a Boss Hoss overseer and the main villain. He’s pretty much your typical Disney villain, nothing as complex as Stinky Pete from Toy Story 2. Eventually the toys make a break for it when they realize Andy still cares for them, and they are not junk that can easily be pushed aside. Yeah, like I said, lots of plot, which is actually refreshing admist all the emotional baggage thrown in the first act.

They make their break but then get stuck in the trash and end up at the dump. This is when things get really scary and really emotional. Basically, once the toys get to the garbage scene toward the end, it’s a thrill ride full of danger. I found this really different in a Pixar film. There have been a lot of action sequences in past Pixar films like the Incredibles, but the scenes presented in Toy Story 3 had a different tone. While The Incredibles’ action was fun and exciting, Toy Story 3’s action was dark and almost morbid. It’s set in the dark surroundings of a lightless garbage truck, which sets up an environment of clausterphobia. The toys also take their share of bumps while fighting to survive. This is where the tone is different. When I was watching their desperate struggle, I really feared that this was the end for the toys, unlike in any other Pixar film. Sure Wall-E almost died in his film, and Carl and Russell were being shot at by a crazy old man, but never when watching those films did I think, this is it. In Toy Story 3, because of the dark tones of the toys losing their purpose combined with the awful setting of the dump, I really felt that that could’ve been it. In probably the climax of the film, the toys look like their going to bite the big one. They stare their end straight in the eye, and what do they do? They didn’t fight it, they didn’t run, they accepted their fates, held hands, and were ready to share their last moments together. Woddy, Buzz, Jessie, all of them. And that’s when the audience cried. To make it so far in their journey to be accepted by Andy and fail, and then realize it didn’t matter because they accepted each other, it touch adults in ways that even the greatest tearjerkers could not do.

But naturally, it’s a Disney movie, the heroes never die, and it’s safe to say Woody and the gang made it out alive and eventually returned to their owner. But that wasn’t even the saddest part. The saddest and greatest scene in Toy Story 3 had to be the end, when not only did the toys let go, but Andy did to. He decides to give the toys to someone who would cherish them as much as he did. Yet, he did so reluctantly. These lifeless things were what he grew up with. They were there for him when he was lonely, they played with him when he was sad, they loved him in ways every human wants to be loved. Andy was those toys’ world, he did not want to lose such companionship.

But, he knew it was time to let go. It was time to grow up, it was time to move on. The central theme of the movie could not be more clear. And as he said one last good bye to the toys he loved, and he had one final playtime as he opened a new chapter in his life, it was time for us, the viewer to do the same. We often look at movies, toys, memories as things we want to cherish forever. These are the things that make us smile, make us laugh. Yet, we know, in our hearts, we cannot sit and play with our toys and reflect on our memories forever. If we do, we’ll be stuck in the past. We must go on to other things, to make new memories. And that’s the lesson that both Woody and Andy, toy and owner had to learn. It’s also the lesson that we struggle to learn everyday. Just like how Woody struggled to let go and move on, we do the same. But the great thing about Toy Story 3 is that the message is clear and simple: it’s okay to move on, it’s okay to let go, things will work out, whether you’re ready or not. If only the real world were so black and white.

It’s odd that a children’s film can offer so much depth, but that’s what great movies do. And Toy Story 3 is a great movie.

Adam Sandler, I Hardly Knew Ye

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:34:00 +0000

I’ve liked Adam Sandler, always have. I’ve been a huge fan of his stuff ever since Billy Madison came out, which I think was his best movie ever. But unfortunately, something happened today, his funny died.

The release of Grown Ups marks the official day his movies have gone from shit-tastic to dreadfully coma inducing. It’s currently getting a dastardly 8 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. That makes it the second worst movie of the year, a little bit above Furry Vengeance. Yes, that’s right, it’s only a little better than Furry Fucking Vengeance, that movie starring Brendan Fraser where he dances with CGI raccoons and foxes. What. The. Fuck?

On the plus side, I hear that Maria Bello’s character sprays breast milk on Salma Hayek like a fire hose. HAWT! And there’s also an appearance by Colin Quinn, who apparently is still alive. Good for him!

Is Grown Ups really that bad? Probably. I should’ve seen it coming. Sure a movie starring Sandler with Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Rob Schneider sounds great… if I still lived in the 90’s. Nowadays, all of them are still suckling on the teat of the glory days when they used to be funny. They all wish they were as hilarious as they were before, with the exception of Rock who churned out the very good, funny, documentary, Good Hair, and Schneider, who was never funny. For some reason, I did enjoy Deuce Bigelow though.

Granted, I haven’t seen the movie yet, nor do I plan to, unless while I’m watching Toy Story 3, the theater catches on fire and the only safe place is the room where Grown Ups is playing. And there’s a Clockwork Orange like machine that forces me to watch such a garbled mess as the flames engulf my surroundings. Is it fair for me to pass judgment on a movie I have not seen? Probably not. But was it fair for me to waste so many hours on failed Sandler products (Zohan, Larry and Chuck, and ughhh, Little Nicky). Hell no.

I truly miss the Sandler comedies of back then. The obnoxious protagonists, the random bits of humor, the ridiculous cameo appearances. Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Waterboy, they all had that bit of Adam Sandler charm that I loved. How could you not laugh at the scene in Billy Madison where Billy calls up a former classmate (Steve Buscemi) and apologizes for the times when he called the guy a weirdo, only to find out that indeed he is a giant weirdo? Or how about the fight scene in Happy Gilmore, or those dream sequences that involved Julie Bowen in lingerie? Genius. Keep in mind this was vintage Bowen and not current milficious Claire Dunphy-Bowen. I could do without the Hilary R. Clinton hairdo, but whatever, I’m not complaining.

Even that weird part in the Waterboy where the special team coach rubs his nipples during that final Hail Mary. That was classic. You don’t see that in Sandler movies anymore. Instead, we’re relegated to lame fart jokes and retarded premises. Two guys pretending to act gay, and surprise surprise, they’re uncomfortable about it? How did I not see that coming?? Ughhh, die.

Where did Sandler go wrong? I’d say right around Little Nicky. Just look at the terrible string of movies after that shit fest: Anger Management, Mr. Deeds, Click, Chuck and Larry, Zohan, Bedtime Stories, etc. It’s basically a who’s who of shitty movies. 50 First Dates was decent, but then again it also starred Drew Barrymore as girl who is supposedly so beautiful that Adam Sandler wants to fall in love with her over and over again. Ha, right. Awesome casting choice, just let me know when Sandler wants to make a biopic on Yao Ming and I’ll be sure to get the part.

By the way, The Wedding Singer was good. And yes, that starred Drew Barrymore too, and I liked it. But that’s it. My max count of movies I like with Drew Barrymore in them stops at one.

What I do notice though is that while his comedies are fading in quality, he has been churning out a lot of decent dramatic roles. Reign Over Me and Funny People were great movies. A lot of people complained that Funny People wasn’t funny. No shit, douchebags. The movie is about a guy who gets cancer, how funny did you think it was going to be? Sandler’s best performance was in Punch Drunk Love. He plays the tortured Barry Egan masterfully. You can see the desperation and loneliness in poor Barry’s eyes as he wistfully spends his days, coping with his mundane life and suppressing his rage. It’s a great movie, and though it is quirky, it’s what should have gotten him an Oscar nomination.

I thought after PDL, he’d stick with the drama, but then he decided to go back to comedy. Well, here’s hoping he goes back to being a dramatic actor. So many successful comics have done it and have been praised for their work (Robin Williams, Steve Martin, Bill Murray). It’s only fitting that Sandler do the same. His man child act is worn out, and it’s quickly being replaced by more contemporary man children (I’m looking at you Apatow and Crew). Sandler should realize that he has to hand the reigns down to someone else and retreat to a more rewarding career path.

If he doesn’t, we’ll get stuck with Chuck and Larry 2: Gay Again, and 100 First Dates. I said it before and I’ll say it again…GROAN.

So Shaq, How Does MY Ass Taste Like?

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:50:00 +0000

Wutsup old man. Remember this little diddy you had about me?

Well guess what bitch, it’s two in a row now. Kobe is coming back up with the heat. Not only did I win it twice, but I also did it against the team you started the diss with. Also a team that your sorry ass couldn’t beat. You hear those footsteps? That’s me about to squash your dreams like so many Shaq productions. Steel, Shaq Fu, ha!

You know what your ass tastes like? Prunes. You know what mine tastes like? Gold. And my farts spray diamonds.

Fuck Yes!

Sup Kobe, remember me?

It’s your super fan Nash. Brah, you totally did it for LA. All my frat boys totally commend you on your win. Can I offer you a beverage?

Sure.

The fuck is this? A Smirnoff ice?

Yeah bro, you’ve totally been iced! Now you gotta kneel and drink that, brodusky!

Fuck me. I won the title for you assholes?

Yeah! Now drink.

I really need to get traded the fuck out of this town.

Utah's in the Pac-10. If This Had Happened 6 Years Ago, Alex Smith Would Have Finally Played A Good Game in The Bay Area

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:51:00 +0000

So Niner fans, it has come to him or David Carr... excuse me for a moment........BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Not sure what else I can add to this news announcement, but I thought that headline alone deserved it's own article. Utah and Colorado are in, and if they played a rivalry game it'd be awesome. The hippies vs the God Squad. Truly a battle of Armageddon like portions.

Welcome to the Pac-10, Mormons!

Well This Is Awkward

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 06:42:00 +0000

So after weeks and weeks of pursuing the belle of the ball (Texas), the Pac-10 has failed miserably in its quest to expand to 16. Like a Jon Crier to Pretty in Pink’s Molly Ringwald, we chased the dame and fell flat, and no there is no Kristy Swanson to invite us to a dance.

Not even out of sympathy.

And what do we have now? Sloppy seconds. But Colorado used to be good, you say. Yeah, and Kordell Stewart used to be a quarterback. And good. Excuse me while I make a dismissive wanking motion.

(Wank motion)

Done. And some of you may have been wondering where are the Laker posts, with this being a California sports blog. Hopefully it’s coming soon, but I don’t want to fill TPIC across the board with Lakers posts. There’s already enough douchebags (me) on this website. If I add some So Cal flavor, this blog will enter Dualerio levels of douchebaggery, and that isn’t good for anyone (except Deadspin).

And My Favorite Lost Episode Ever Is.....

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Fri, 21 May 2010 17:36:00 +0000

I can't believe the dream is over.

Continuing the countdown to Lost’s final episode. Here’s my top 12 so far:
#12 – Two for the Road
#11 - Some Like It Hoth
#10 - The Shape of Things to Come
#9 - Ab Aeterno
#8 - The Candidate
#7 - The Long Con
#6 - Deus Ex Machina/Do No Harm
#5 - In Translation
#4 - Greatest Hits
#3 - Through the Looking Glass
#2 - The Constant
and the greatest Lost episode ever is....

Walkabout
Season: 1
Character-centric: Locke

This was the episode that started it all for me. I remember watching the Pilot and thinking, whoa, this show is intense, maybe I should start watching. Then I watched Tabula Rasa, and thought, that Kate chick is hot, but meh, this is kind of a downer from the Pilot. But then I saw this episode, and from then on, I knew, this show is special.

Before Lost was known for its plot twists, mystery, and high dramatic production, it told the story of John Locke. This was the story that would set the tone for all stories in the world of Lost. This was the story that let you know this isn’t just a serious version of Gilligan’s Island.

To truly appreciate this episode, you have to think back about watching it for the first time, before you knew the big secret that was revealed at the end. I remember watching it for the first time on warm October Wednesday. Before this episode, Locke seemed like just a bystander, a mysterious one. If the island was an allegory to Lord of the Flies, he was the Simon. There was something unsettling about him. In the chaos of the crash, everyone was stricken by panic and fear. Locke seemed to be missing these qualities.

Then cut to Walkabout. The survivors need food, and Sawyer starts bitching about where they’re going to get it. Then, BAM, knife to the chair, old man Locke has some blades. It’s boar hunting time, bitches. Sawyer, freaked out by the knife that was hurled in front of him, thinks what all of us are thinking. What the fuck, and who is this guy talking about boar with the utmost confidence. Is he a hunter? Is he a commando? Is he crazy?

Actually, we find out in his flashback, he’s just a very pathetic man. He role plays a secret life, plays board games with a geeky co worker during lunch, and gets taunted by his boss incessantly. On top of that, you kind of think he has some kind of mental illness due to his phone calls with “Helen.” He is delusional.

Cut back to the island, and we see a completely different man. This guy’s a hunter, this guy is a leader, this guy is nothing like is pre island counter part, this guy is – oh shit, what the fuck was that! A giant cloud of smoke. What?!?! I thought polar bears were a mind trip, but black smog. Uh, okay, now a new can of worms has been opened. Walkabout introduced us to the first visible showing of the smoke monster, the thing that would be Lost’s archetypical super villain. Looking back on it now, it’s crazy to think that the writers planned this stuff way back in the fourth episode of the series.

But back to Locke. After Kate and Michael screw things up during the boar hunt, and Locke is left only with the smoke monster, we are left to conclude he’s a goner. But then, like bad ass, he emerges from the jungle with the boar. Wow, this John Locke guy is the shit.

Cut back to the off island, loser Locke. He’s finally made his trip to Australia, and he’s ready to hunt and kill. Only one problem. The tour guide refuses to let him on, because of his ‘condition.’ That’s when I felt like I won. In my mind, I thought, ‘I knew it, he does have a mental illness!’ I thought I totally figured these Lost writers out. They’re not so clever after all. Then I watched the scene unfold. Locke states he never lied, but the tour guide tells him he omitted important information (like his schizophrenia, I thought to myself). But as the tour guide began to get up and go on his way, I found out the truth. The wheel chair. Wow. Congrats, Lost, you won.

Also, it makes you realize that Randy is a huge ass. He basically taunts the handicapped. Geez.

The next scene, it’s just pure brilliance. The music, the sights, the sounds. It focuses on Locke, regaining consciousness from the crash. You hear the people screaming, you see the fire burning, you can feel the chaos around you. But in the middle of all this craziness, you see Locke, regaining the ability to walk. First it starts with a wiggle of his toe, then his leg moves. Despite all the madness around him, you see a man who has just experienced a miracle. He is finally happy, he is finally free. And when Jack calls him to help him with some survivors, you see how the island has changed a man within a matter of seconds. Amazing, just like this episode.

As Lost comes to and end, I’m sad. Some people are glad that the series is over, afraid that it would drag on forever. But to me, I wouldn’t think this is so bad. There are so many secrets left to discover. Walt, alternate timelines, time jumps. So many questions, so little time to answer.

But not all is sad. As I’ve been watching old episodes in the past week, I’ve realized something. I am a writer. Writing is a tough craft, but the toughest thing about writing is to find inspiration. And every time I watch Lost, and realize how greatly written it is, it makes me strive to find that same excellence, that same brilliance.

Lost isn’t just about the island. It’s about people and the journeys that all of us take in life. In my own writing, I try to do the same. I try to paint a picture of a character and their own personal struggles. And it would be foolish of me to say that Lost hasn’t influenced my writing in someway. It’s not a bad thing, I think it’s a good thing. We are influenced everyday by the things we see and the things we hear. And when I say that Lost has provided a nice guideline to some of my own creativity, it is never in shame, but always with pride.

My Top 12 Lost Episodes EVER! #2 - The Constant

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:00:00 +0000

Wow, even though Evie gets all the attention, Claire is one underrated Lost hottie. I'd like to Emelie her de Ravin if yaknowwhati'msayin.

Um, anyways...

Continuing the countdown to Lost’s final episode. Here’s my top 12 so far:
#12 – Two for the Road
#11 - Some Like It Hoth
#10 - The Shape of Things to Come
#9 - Ab Aeterno
#8 - The Candidate
#7 - The Long Con
#6 - Deus Ex Machina/Do No Harm
#5 - In Translation
#4 - Greatest Hits
#3 - Through the Looking Glass
and number #2 is……..

The Constant
Season: 4
Character-centric: Desmond

I admit, I haven’t seen this episode in a while, but the general feeling I got after watching it was: wow, this episode is the shit. That last scene where Desmond reunites with Penny is certainly one of the most heart endearing moments in ANY television program I’ve ever seen. This episode has everything, and it rides on an incredible performance by Henry Ian Cusack as the forlorn Desmond.

When Desmond’s problem with time started in season 3, it was a bit confusing. Even as a hardcore Lost fan, I had a tough time keeping track of what was perceived as a jump to the past and what was a vision that Desmond had. Lost sometimes keeps things so ambiguous that a nice explanation is sometimes too much to ask for. With The Constant, the episode does a wonderful job clearing this up.

This episode is Desmond’s journey, and Desmond’s journey alone. The entirety of it was dedicated to explaining his unique ability of time shifting, and the viewer was not distracted by any island drama or freighter busting. It was nice because Desmond’s story needed the whole episode to explain.

As it turns out, his story is not too complicated. Basically, Desmond can slip consciousness into other times. One moment he’s in 2004, the next, his mind is transported into his body in 1996, thus allowing him to act out the past. However, there are a few side effects of this manner of time travel, amnesia and uh, death. Yeah, bummer dude.

Help comes in the form of Daniel Faraday, because you know, physicists know the answer to everything. To avoid death, and future time jumps, the answer is simple, Desmond must find something that is constant, something that was there in the past and here now so it can help his mind find a point of reference and make sense of his time shifts. Without this point of reference, his mind literally cannot take the confusion and he will eventually die…just like Fischer Stevens!

That constant is Penny. Most of the episodes centers between his quest to reach her in both 1996 and 2004 so that Desmond can finally find some stability. It’s an emotional roller coaster for sure, as Desmond’s painful history with Penny and her father is explored. But like all good rides, the best part of it is the peak thrill where the build up finally pays off in one adrenaline rush.

That rush comes in the form of a phone call. When Desmond finally gets that number, and finally calls Penny in 2004, it is exhilarating. Desmond is happy, you are happy, and moments like these, television or no television, are moments that we can all relate to. That desperate journey one goes through to finally make that connection, these are moments we all wish to have, and moments we remember forever.

Desmond’s time warping would eventually set things up for season 5 when all the characters start jumping through time and feel the pain of Time Aneurisms. In the end, most of season 5 goes back to The Constant. This episode is a true gem in an underrated season 4. It stands as one of those Lost episodes that make you feel, make you remember, and make you enjoy.

My Top 12 Lost Episodes EVER! #3 - Through the Looking Glass

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Thu, 20 May 2010 03:37:00 +0000

Continuing the countdown to Lost’s final episode. Here’s my top 12 so far:
#12 – Two for the Road
#11 - Some Like It Hoth
#10 - The Shape of Things to Come
#9 - Ab Aeterno
#8 - The Candidate
#7 - The Long Con
#6 - Deus Ex Machina/Do No Harm
#5 - In Translation
#4 - Greatest Hits
and number #3 is……..

Through the Looking Glass
Season: 3
Character-centric: Jack

This is when Lost literally blew my mind. Flash forwards, I did not see it coming.

This episode pretty much speaks for itself, so I’ll start with the events on the island. A lot of plot happened in these two hours. It was basically divided into 4 sides: Charlie and Desmond’s trip to the underwater hatch, Locke’s personal journey, Jack meeting up with the rescue team, and Sawyer’s stand off at the beach against Tom and company. Each of the four arcs were pretty exciting and all had their moments.

Charlie and Desmond: Charlie dies. Pretty much the most tear inducing death until ‘The Candidate’ punched a hole in your heart with its trio of deaths.

Locke: The most uneventful of the four arcs, but Walt appears. It’s good to see him again. Too bad he got short sided. The writers really dropped the ball with him. He could’ve well been with Jack and company when they arrived back to the island with a whole ‘I’m going to find my dad’ arc. Geez.

And Locke kills Naomi. What a shame. As Miles puts it “she was hot and I dug her accent.” So did I Miles, so did I.

Jack: When the camera’s swirl and Jack realizes he’s done it, I couldn’t have felt happier for him. Too bad that rescue turns out to be the freighter from hell. Can’t this guy catch a break?

Sawyer: This one’s for the kid. POP! Enough said.

But the main meat of the episode is the flash forwards. We assume it’s a flashback, and Jack is on one of his depressive benders. Claire Dunphy also shows up looking milf-a-licious as ever. But she’s also pregnant from her new husband. Bummer Jack. If I were you, I’d be depressed to.

Throughout the episode, Jack seems to be upset over the death of someone, who we learn is Locke later on in season 5. There are subtle hints that let you know it’s a flash forward, mainly the appearance of Jack’s wife and her pregnant booty. If you really think about the time span from all the other seasons, you would know Jack and his wife split in late 2003, and the flight crashed in late 2004. That would give only a small month window for her visit to unfold. Other than that though, you would really have to observe carefully to know it was indeed a flash forward.

Up to this episode, it seemed like Lost was going nowhere. I started to wonder how long they could keep this up without getting stale. Then this episode happened and gave me hope again. That’s why its one of the greatest. After a season 3 that left some people lost themselves, this episode put them on the right track.

My Top 12 Lost Episodes EVER! #4 - Greatest Hits

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Tue, 18 May 2010 15:39:00 +0000

I don't really know what context this photo is in, but I'm not complaining.

Continuing the countdown to Lost’s final episode. Here’s my top 12 so far:
#12 – Two for the Road
#11 - Some Like It Hoth
#10 - The Shape of Things to Come
#9 - Ab Aeterno
#8 - The Candidate
#7 - The Long Con
#6 - Deus Ex Machina/Do No Harm
#5 - In Translation
and number #4 is……..

Greatest Hits
Season: 3
Character-centric: Charlie

Before I get to the top three, I want to point out that I realize this is a bit of an odd ball choice to go so high. I just want to remind you that over the past two weeks or so, this list has represented MY favorite episodes. That’s why you have some critical darlings (Ab Aeterno) ranked lower on the list compared to some more obscure choices from the earlier seasons (In Translation). The great thing about Lost is that every episode has something to offer, so to a fervent watcher, any of them could qualify in anyone’s top 10.

That being said, I assure you that this one (number 4) will be the last odd ball choice and that the top 3 are indeed stellar episodes and critical favorites.

Season 3 of Lost is easily the most underrated. It got flack at the beginning of the season for being slow and lost a few viewers in that steam, but once you get to “Par Avion,” the season becomes one of the best, churning season 1 quality episodes like “The Brig,” “Left Behind,” and “DOC.” And Nikki and Paulo died during this time, who could argue against that?

Charlie owns this episode. It’s kind of funny. Up to this point in Lost, I really hated Charlie, almost as much as I hated Kate. Both characters were completely inept at everything. You told them to do something, they couldn’t do it. You tell them not to do something, and they do it. They can’t follow directions. The only thing that Kate has for her is that she’s really hot.

But then this episode came up, and I completely liked Charlie. Everything, every small little scene, made you feel for our Oasis wannabe. First, you liked him because you knew he was going to die, and you admired him for the way he was handling it. He took it like a man. He didn’t go into a heroin induced tailspin, instead he spent his last few days trying to help the greater good and made amends with the mistakes he’s made.

This episode also has some of the most poignant scenes in all of Lost. They’re not necessarily tear jerkers, but they do make you sit back and think about the good things in life. Example’s include Charlie’s last talk with Claire and how a reluctant Charlie had to tell Hurley to fuck off, only to say one last “I love you man” to our favorite fat man (awww). Scenes like this really touch an emotional core to help you appreciate the strengths of friendships and relationships.

Lastly, there’s Charlie’s list. It must be hard knowing you’re going to die, but creating a Greatest Hits list is a nice send off. All of Charlie’s moments helped say a lot about our short statured rock star. And when he added “the night I met you,” it was the cherry on top to an already compelling flashback series.

The only gripe I really have about this episode is that it didn’t really have an impact later on. Charlie died, but Claire didn’t get rescued. She didn’t even get his list. Way to screw things up, Lost writers. Oh well. By itself, this episode is one of my favorites, as I wonder what it would be like to have my own greatest hits list.

My Top 12 Lost Episodes EVER! #5 - In Translation

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Mon, 17 May 2010 22:02:00 +0000

Continuing the countdown to Lost’s final episode. Here’s my top 12 so far:
#12 – Two for the Road
#11 - Some Like It Hoth
#10 - The Shape of Things to Come
#9 - Ab Aeterno
#8 - The Candidate
#7 - The Long Con
#6 - Deus Ex Machina/Do No Harm
and number #5 is……..

In Translation
Season: 1
Character-centric: Jin

We’re reaching the top 5, and this spot belongs to a season 1 episode. Season 1 was completely character driven, which was I loved it so much. Easily my top season among all lost seasons, it made you care about the characters, not the mystery or monsters that inhabited the island.

I have to say, when I first met the character of Jin, he was easily one of the island’s villains. Other than Sawyer, he seemed to be the guy that was easy to hate. Controlling, violent, and filled with rage, it was hard to root for a guy so oppressive to the people he loved. He was the stereotypical Asian husband of old school. Great.

Sun’s flashback in ‘The House of the Rising Sun’ painted a different picture of Jin. He was kind, naïve, and would do anything for his lady. I mean wouldn’t you, look at her? Hey-o. Then he works for Sun’s shady dad and the marriage quickly goes to hell. However, you don’t really feel for the guy. All you know in that episode is he works for Mr. Paik and becomes an asshole. Geez.

And on the island he’s no better. He attacks Michael, he makes little attempt to help his fellow survivors other than by fishing, and overall, he’s kind of a dick. But this episode pretty much turns a 180 on Jin’s character and explains all of that jazz. He’s not a dick, he’s just misunderstood, both emotionally and because of his language barrier.

This episode was carefully crafted to tie in the events of ‘The House of the Rising Sun.’ You find out that Jin didn’t turn to the dark side, rather he is an unwilling participant of Mr. Paik’s dirty deeds. You see the pain and anguish in his eyes when he has to come in terms with the sacrifices he’s had to make in order to be with the love of his life. And you feel bad for him, because he’s stuck in such a crummy situation. Be a thug and you can keep your life with your wife, turn your back and the game is over. That scene where Jin washes his bloody hands after laying the beat down completely captures how screwed Jin knows he is.

The most compelling scene though is when he reunites with his dad. There’s no more touching moment in any man’s life when he knows that the world is against him and the only person he can turn to is his old man. This scene sucks you in, especially if you’re a guy, and really makes you think about the relationship you have with your own father. It makes you realize even when you feel that no one has your back, even when you have turned on the people you love, if they really do love you, they’ll forget all that because that’s just the way they are.

In Translation wasn’t an episode that moved along the lost mythology. Michaels boat gets burned. Big whoop. But what In Translation does is it draws you into the power of the story and makes you reflect on your own life. That’s what good entertainment does, it makes you think.

And I really enjoyed that last scene when Hurley listens to Damien Rice’s “Delicate” while observing all the couples on the beach. Then his CD player breaks and he realizes he’s left alone in his misery while everyone else is all lovey dovey. Don’t worry big man, we’ve all been there before.

My Top 12 Lost Episodes EVER! #6 Deus Ex Machina / Do No Harm

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Mon, 17 May 2010 00:53:00 +0000

#12 – Two for the Road
#11 - Some Like It Hoth
#10 - The Shape of Things to Come
#9 - Ab Aeterno
#8 - The Candidate
#7 - The Long Con
and number #6 is a tie and it's……..

Deus Ex Machina/Do No Harm
Season: 1
Character-centric: Locke/Jack

Deus Ex Machina and Do No Harm should really be titled ‘Boone Dies, Part 1 and 2.’ The two episodes complete each other, and really flow better as one episode. It centers around (duh) Boone’s death, one from Locke’s view and one from Jack’s view. Both also have great back stories for the shows two most integral characters.

Boone was not really that big of a character in Lost. He was a creepy step brother who was more useless than Charlie. The whole season built him up as the man that tried to be Jack, but couldn’t, so then he became the Metro John Locke. It was kind of fun to see his transformation into John’s sidekick.

Despite his uselessness, he was remarkably self aware of his role on the island. It’s like the writers were trying to put audience feedback directly into Boone. He comments to Shannon how everyone on the island thinks they’re a joke. That’s what the viewers were thinking! He comments to Locke about red shirts and how they died first in Star Trek. Then he wears a red shirt. Classic.

Boone’s death was the first major turning point in lost though. Until then, it seemed like no one on the island was really in danger. Sure, there was the smoke monster, Ethan, Claire disappearing, and some people died, but those people were nobodies. Among the people that mattered, the main characters, it seemed that there was nothing to worry about. I mean, John Locke can kill a million boars without a scratch, and Kate climbs trees that are like 1000 ft high in every episode without any danger, so what is there to worry about?

Then comes along Boone, as pretty as ever, and he gets injured in a plane crash (not the one you’re thinking of). Surely you thought he’d be okay considering all the other crazy shit that been going on in the island. Nope, not this time.

So long Boone. That ending montage where Shannon mourns your death sure brought a tear to my eye.

Besides Boone, these two episodes bring to the fore front the important of Jack and Locke. Keep in mind that this was during Season 1, before Jack was some insecure loser, and when he was the shit among the survivors. And this was when Locke wasn’t dead or evil reincarnate, but rather the mysterious guru who seemed to know all the answers behind the island. These two were leaders among their groups, and polar opposites. Man of science, and man of faith. They were on the road to a power struggle, mortal enemies waiting for a chance to do battle, and Boone’s death enabled this.

The other thing that makes these two episodes very special is the back stories. It was a one two punch of great looks into the history of Locke and Jack. First you have Locke, desperate to connect with the father he never had. They get to know each other, go hunting, and share kidneys. What a Disney moment right? Then Locke’s dad leaves him and Locke finds out the kidney operation was one big con. Damn, that sucks. That ending, with Locke pounding on his car and then on the hatch door in frustration while ‘Life and Death’ plays, it’s truly an emotional powerhouse that punches you in the stomach. Every time I watch it, and every time I see that light shine and that gleam in Locke’s eyes widen as he finds a small bit of hope among the desperation, it sends chills down my spine.

Then, in Do No Harm, you find out Jack is married to Claire Dunphy before she became Claire Dunphy. Not only that, but you find how great of lengths he’s willing to go to try and save someone. In this case, he goes so far that he wants to marry the victim. That’s dedication man, and completely gives great insight into the man that Jack is and the man he will be for the next few seasons. And for a moment, in his flashbacks, you finally see a happy Jack, a Jack much different from the grieving, jaded, worn out Jack you’ve been seeing on the island. It brings new levels of sympathy and appreciation into the person he is and why he’s so ready to save people.

The combination of these two episodes is really what made season 1 so special. You’ll notice this is my first season 1 episode, but it certainly isn’t my last. It is the best season of lost out there, no doubt.

Oh yeah, and baby Aaron is born. Completely forgot about that. Damn, these two episodes have a lot going on in them.

My Top 12 Lost Episodes EVER! #6 - ?

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Fri, 14 May 2010 20:34:00 +0000

No not, '?', the Mr. Eko-centric episode from season 2, ? as in my number 6 will be revealed Sunday because I don't have time today to do it. Sorry!

My Top 12 Lost Episodes EVER! #7 - The Long Con

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Thu, 13 May 2010 19:27:00 +0000

Continuing the countdown to Lost’s final episode. Here’s my top 12 so far:
#12 – Two for the Road
#11 - Some Like It Hoth
#10 - The Shape of Things to Come
#9 - Ab Aeterno
#8 - The Candidate
and number #7 is……..

The Long Con
Season: 2
Character-centric: Sawyer

Two words describe this episode: Sawyer rules. He managed to outsmart the two island leaders (Locke and Jack) to carve out a little niche for himself. And he did it while looking like a total badass. That whole little speech about the new sheriff in town totally blew my mind.

At this point in season 2, there were two things that controlled the power struggle amongst the castaways: guns and fear. The two are a gut reaction of each other. The Others cause the fear, the guns equalize it. This was a simpler time in Lost when we were concerned more about survival on the island as opposed to time travel and Dharma stations.

At the beginning of the series, the writers painted Sawyer as another dumb, hot headed redneck. But as the season progressed and progressed, and the viewers saw Sawyers conman connections, we begin to realize Sawyer is not your cookie cutter hillbilly. He’s manipulative, cut throat, everyman for himself. He is the realist on the island. While Jack and Locke are playing cowboys and Indians, he’s playing the game of life.

Before this episode, you feel that Sawyer’s near death experience may have changed all this. He wants blood against the others, right? They wrecked his ship and left him for dead. Now he was all about playing Locke and Jack’s game to get some sweet revenge. Wrong. In the end it’s still about adaptation and advantage, something Sawyer does in his play to con the two of their power over the guns. It’s a quintessential bad ass moment for Sawyer, and I thoroughly enjoyed how the writers set up such a blind side. I was shocked when I learned Sawyer orchestrated the whole conspiracy, but I also realized it made complete sense.

Josh Holloway never gets credit for his acting abilities. Hell, all of season 5 was practically carried on his acting alone. The Long Con is the episode that establishes Josh’s ability to add layers to Sawyer. He’s not the redneck stereotype we think he is. Instead, he’s an intensely complicated man, more complicated than Jack or Locke. He’s half saint, half demon, and one of the most compelling Lost characters out there. And the Long Con is the one episode where Sawyer truly shines.

My Top 12 Lost Episodes EVER! #8 - The Candidate

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Wed, 12 May 2010 20:41:00 +0000

Oh, Evie, why are you so hot?

Oh, I'm sorry, I got LOST in my thoughts. Get it? Wakka wakka wakka.

(Crickets chirp)

Anyways...

Continuing the countdown to Lost’s final episode. Here’s my top 12 so far:
#12 – Two for the Road
#11 - Some Like It Hoth
#10 - The Shape of Things to Come
#9 - Ab Aeterno
and number #8 is……..

The Candidate
Season: 6
Character-centric: Jack and Locke (But mainly Jack)

Say hello to season 6’s most emotionally compelling episode. Usually one death is enough to blow your socks off in Lost, but 3 (and maybe 4 since Frank’s status is still unknown) is down right mind bending. I expected the writers to pull out the big guns, but not a-bombs of plot twisting shockers.

Sadly, we must say good bye to our favorite Captain Falafel, Sayid. I must say though I saw his death coming. Zombie Sayid seemed like dead story weight coming into this episode. He just seemed to be part of the crew, but not really someone who stood out. I wasn’t sure what else the writers could do with him. Yeah, he changed after his trip at the Temple, and yeah, he’s heartless now. Okay, so, what do we do with him now? We kill him, of course, and in a way that would truly let his soul rest in peace. Good bye Sayid, now you can be re-united with Nadia (and Shannon).

The Jin and Sun death was shocking though. They seemed completely untouchable. Jin is like the Tony Almeida of Lost, he just can’t die. His raft can get blown up by the others, his freighter get blown up by, uh Michael, and jump through time and come out all of it unscathed. I kind of knew that if he was to meet his maker, it would be because of his kryptonite, Sun.

There have been a lot of emotionally gripping deaths in Lost. Boone, Charlie, Charlotte, Faraday, Juliet, and so many others, but this one was like a punch to the stomach. It hit you hard because you realize these two have been apart for almost 3 seasons, and finally when they are reunited, they die. Shit. That sucks.

All of these deaths were to establish that the Man in Black is evil. He wants to kill the candidates for Jacob’s replacement, and that is that. But then, in the next episode, ‘Across the Sea,’ you see that MIB is not that evil after all. He just got screwed by his mom. Can’t Lost make anyone NOT morally ambiguous?

Non death related, this episode also brought back something that was sorely missing throughout the last seasons, Jack as a leader. As much as you hate him or love him, Jack was always the best leader among all the castaways. Locke could never be Jack, he had too much insecurity. Sawyer could never be Jack, he has too much confidence. Jack is the quintessential tactician. He thinks about his plans for the greater good of the group. And this episode brought that back. He knew the bomb wouldn’t explode, he had a plan. It’s too bad his fellow castaways lost faith in him. Nice going Sawyer, you screwed everyone with your rash decision. Back to the bench with you.

This is officially a Jack and Locke episode, but Jack owns this episode. From the flashbacks to the stuff on the island, right before all the deaths, it’s all about Jack retaking the role of leader from Sawyer. And unlike Sawyer, who bears the burden with a shield of arrogance, Jack bears it with a veil of insecurity. Ironically, that makes him the better choice. He knows his destiny, and unlike Sawyer, he doesn’t try to fight it.

There was one thing though that kind of brought this episode for me: logic. A) Why didn’t Sayid just throw the bomb to the end of the sub instead of being Mr. Hero? B) You can’t just swim out of a sub that’s sinking when hundred of gallons of water pressure are filling it up. C) How did Sawyer survive? He magically knows how to hold his breath while unconscious? D) I hate to pick on the fat man, but Hurley probably would have drowned while trying to swim out of the sub.

All in all though, this was a great episode that tugs you at the emotional strings. I was debating whether this or Ab Aeterno was the best of Season 6 so far. Ab Aeterno by itself is the better one, but The Candidate is a better episode in the Lost mythology.

My Top 12 Lost Episodes EVER! #9 - Ab Aeterno

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Tue, 11 May 2010 23:23:00 +0000

Continuing the countdown to Lost’s final episode. Here’s my top 12 so far:
#12 – Two for the Road
#11 - Some Like It Hoth
#10 - The Shape of Things to Come
and number #9 is……..

Ab Aeterno
Season: 6
Character-centric: Richard

There are so few episodes in television that are so great stand alone that you don’t necessarily have to be a watcher of the show to enjoy them. Ab Aeterno is one of those episodes. Yet, at the same time, it manages to answer a lot of questions.

First, it answers how long Richard has been alive (roughly 150 years). Throughout the series, and since his introduction in ‘Not in Portland’, Lost viewers slowly wondered why the heck this guy never aged. This episode provides a simple answer, because Jacob gave him the gift of eternal youth.

Richard Alpert has always been one of the most mysterious characters on Lost. He’s always been the cool, calm, collective leader that Ben Linus could never be. But this is when his character breaks. After finding out that his master, Jacob, has bit the dust, he loses it. And rightfully so.

This kind of reminds me of the whole Crisis plot in DC comics. If you recall, Lex Luthor of another dimension is a good guy, and prepares his whole life to save the otherworlds of the DC universe. Alexander Luthor (as he is known by) helps our friends in the mainstream verse and saves the day from all destruction from Anti Monitor. Peace is restored, all is saved, and Alex retires in paradise. Happy ending, right? Not quite so. Now, with no purpose left in life, Alex goes a bit nutty and convinces himself all universes must be destroyed. Good grief.

That’s the dilemma Richard was facing. For over 100 years, he spent his time on a purpose, the purpose of Jacob. Now that his purpose was shattered, it was time for him to go Daffy. Luckily for the castaways, he wasn’t ready to go bonkers. Instead, he was reassured by the one thing that always seems to restore balance in every great story. Love.

That pretty much sums Richard’s story to a tee. No over the top gimmicks in this episode. Instead, we’re treated to a simple, yet well written story, about a man who lost it all only to find salvation, and only to lose it again.

But when it comes down to it, Ab Aeterno is great because of the simplest reason, acting. Nestor Carbonell should get an Emmy based on this performance alone. His acting is so top notch that it sucks you into the world of Richard Alpert. When he is sad, you are sad. When he is scared, you are scared. When he is angry, you are angry. Only the rarest of performances can elicit such emotions from its audience.

But that’s what Lost does. Behind all the smoke monsters, polar bears, and time warps, the core of the show has always been on the strength of the emotions and journeys of its characters. And that’s why I enjoy the show so much.

My Top 12 Lost Episodes EVER! #10 - The Shape of Things to Come

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Tue, 11 May 2010 04:21:00 +0000

Continuing the countdown to Lost’s final episode. Here’s my top 12 so far:
#12 – Two for the Road
#11 - Some Like It Hoth
and number #10 is……..

The Shape of Things to Come
Season: 4
Character-centric: Ben

Showdown. Ben vs. Keamy. Ben vs. Widmore. Ben vs. Fate. And guess what? He actually loses.

Yes, up to this point in Lost, Ben seemed unstoppable. Even at the moments when he seemed his weakest, you felt Ben was in control. It didn’t matter if Jack had him tied to a tree at the end of season 3, for some reason you believed that bug eyed little man had something up his sleeve.

And guess what he did. Throughout the beginning of season 4, Ben slowly picks up the pieces of his fallen kingdom within the island. He plays a bargaining chip with Locke to regain his freedom after being locked down by, uh, Locke. He also begins to assert his leadership over the ‘Cabin Defects,’ picking and prodding and playing Locke like a violin until it was a matter of time before Ben’s plans were on the right track. But there was one problem.

Enter Martin Keamy, Deadpool, Deathstroke, and Boba Fett rolled into one. I have to give my props to Kevin Durand. He’s always been known to play these over the top thugs (Smokin Aces, X-men Origins: Wolverine, 3:10 to Yuma), but Martin Keamy was a fine character. He was the best second tier villain the show has had (better than Mr. Friendly, Radzinsky, Mikhail, or any other jabroni). Throughout season 4, you could only sense that two such awesome foes would face off.

The stage was set, Ben vs. the Mercenary, with his daughter on the line. And in one gone shot, it was game over. And that’s when Ben’s kingdom came crashing down. If there was any more pivotal moment in season 4, this was it. It was when the untouchable suddenly looked human. The expression on Ben’s face when Alex dies says it all. Even he couldn’t believe he lost.

He is no longer a master of the island, instead, he’s just another pawn. And he knows it. When Alex died, the myth of Ben did too. And in the end, what does that leave him with? Nothing else but to pick up the pieces. By season 6, Ben is a broken man, no longer chained as a conduit to the island. And in that sense, he faces some relief. Michael Emerson’s acting is so superb, you can see it on his face. Ben no longer wants in the drama of the island, he just wants to end it. And this is when it all started.

My Top 12 Lost Episodes EVER! #11 - Some Like It Hoth

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Fri, 07 May 2010 06:12:00 +0000

Continuing the countdown to Lost’s final episode. Here’s my top 12 so far:
#12 – Two for the Road
and number #11 is……..

Some Like It Hoth
Season: 5
Character-centric: Miles

I never really liked season 5. This is actually the only season 5 episode on my list. Even though this season set up a so far awesome season 6, I feel actually watching season 5 is like watching an entire build up to something awesome (Juliet detonating the Jughead). The writers could have done so many awesome things with the time traveling angle, but instead, they just kind of made each episode hinge on the next, which kind of sucked. Could I have chosen a more important season 5 episode (like The Variable or The Life and Death of Jeremy Benthem)? Sure, but those were not episodes I thought ruled. This episode ruled. It was a fun episode to watch.

Out of all the freighter folks that joined the cast, Miles is clearly the most interesting. He’s not the most important like to the story, like say, Daniel, nor is he the most charismatic, like say everyone’s favorite pilot, Chesty McGee, but Miles is certainly my favorite of the new crew. Perhaps its his awkward mannerisms, like asking Sawyer if he wanted to get a beer after burying a newly-dead Juliet. Perhaps it’s his sarcasm, he doesn’t even need to dole out nick names like Sawyer to get across his brand of smug arrogance. Nope, Miles is pretty much what the island needs, a everyday kind of guy who’s stuck in this impossible situation called Lost.

Okay, so he can talk to the dead, maybe he’s not that everyday. Whatever.

You don’t really have to know too much about Lost to enjoy what this episode has to offer. Sure you have to know that Miles can read the dead, and sure you have to know that they’re time traveling, but that’s it.

Miles flashback is pretty interesting back story. It shows how he’s able to make a living, profiting the dead, and gives you a sense of his character, one that exudes complexity. He’s not your run of the mill use your gifts for pay one dimensional character. No, he has issues, baggage from a father he never knew. Some people don’t get how Ken Leung tries to portray Miles. Is he just socially awkward? Is he supposed to look so uncomfortable? Is it just because Ken can’t act?

The answer is yes, yes, and no. Ken can act. He’s made a career of shining in shitty movies (Rush Hour, Saw). Ken portrays Miles that way because he gets Miles. Here’s a guy who has grown up without a father figure, a guy who hasn’t had the compassion of father to help him become a man. Is he bitter? Fuck yes. How happy can you be when you realized you’ve talked to more dead people than your own father? Miles is a man on a mission, and that mission is to say fuck you world. And that’s where the money comes in, because he just doesn’t get the mourning thing. To him, the dead aren’t special, they aren’t people to be remembered. To him, dead is dead, just like how his father to him is dead. Why should he show compassion to people who can’t get over it? He got over his father.

It’s best summed up at the end when Miles confronts the man he conned. "If you needed your son to know that you loved him, you should've told him when he was still alive." That sums up Miles to a tee. Your baggage is your fuckin’ baggage. Don’t come to me for answers. I never had answers about my dad.

And that’s why I like Miles. He sees the world as clear cut as it should be. And this episode lays it on the line and lets the viewer know why Miles is the way he is. It’s a shame there weren’t more episodes to explore such a cool character.

And yes, when Hurley decides to rewrite Empire Strikes Back, the exchange between the two is fuckin awesome.

My Top 12 Lost Episodes EVER! - Introduction and #12 Two For The Road

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:39:00 +0000

I’ve been a Lost fan since season 1. To say that I’m a loyal watcher is an understatement. I’m an extremely loyal watcher of the show. I remember watching the pilot way back in 2004. At first, I thought the idea of surviving on an island was a neat concept, why not give this show a spin. To be honest, the pilot didn’t blow me away. It was well acted, well written, and some mysteries were introduced, who can forget Charlie’s ‘where are we quote’ but it was nothing mind blowing. But, I stuck with it because a mediocre Lost episode still blows everything else out of the water. As the show progressed, I slowly got hooked. It was all about the characters. Every one of them had interesting back stories (even Boone), and that’s what got me hooked. And as the seasons progressed, and things got weirder and weirder, I became a fanatic. With the last few episodes showing, I must admit I am sad. Where am I going to get my drama fix? I already have my comedies (Community, Archer, South Park, It’s Always Sunny, Modern Family), but Lost is the only drama show I really watch. But, instead of mourning my loss, I will celebrate it by giving you, the reader, my top 12 picks of the best Lost episodes ever. Every weekday until the big finale, I’ll be counting down an episode with my own commentary. This is my personal list, so if you have any disagreements, share them, but just be mindful this is what I liked and not what the critics think are the best. Now here we go…

12. Two for the Road
Season: 2
Character-centric: Ana Lucia

Ah, Ana Lucia, how people hate you so. You’re right up there with Nikki and Paulo and Kate. Personally, I never liked you much either. To me, you were Kate 2.0, but you just looked a lot meaner. There are many parallels between you and our favorite convict. Revenge back story? Check. Tough girl image? Check. Slept with Sawyer? Check! I think the writers were trying to go somewhere with you, but with all the negative fan reaction, they just realized there was only one place to go… your death. And out of all the things wrong they did with your character, your death was the one thing you did right.

Episode wise, it’s above average Lost fare. I did like Ana Lucia’s back story, driving around Christian, adding another strand to the Lost connection web. The chemistry that Michelle Rodriguez and John Terry had with each other was great. You could really feel that the two were tortured souls just looking for an escape while cruising the Sydney landscape.

Back on the island though, things were meh. AL was out for blood, and Ben (then Henry Gale) was in her crosshairs. I never understood why she was so pissed off at Ben. At the time, the viewer had no idea if this guy was really the leader of the others, or even an other to begin with, yet Ana Lucia was ready to stomp on Ben’s bug eyed face the moment she saw him. I guess she was thinking the only way she could redeem herself for killing Shannon was by taking out the person who she thought was responsible for our favorite Paris Hilton wannabe’s death. But she had no evidence that Ben was responsible, or even if he was connected to these mysterious others. The writers definitely mishandled this, because I think they wanted us viewers to sympathize with AL’s rage, but I didn’t really have a reason to.

The whole episode was just filler though until the end, when they brought out the big guns, so to speak. The biggest WTF moment in Lost history ever was when Michael shot not only Ana Lucia, but Libby too!! No not Libby?! Can’t Hurley catch a break in the romance department?! And not only that, but they just killed a character off without giving any insight into her back story. Now I can only speculate why Libby was in that mental hospital. Well I guess later, we find out it was because of her husband’s death, but that isn’t all the way until season 6, in sideways world. Fuckkkkkkk.

This was the moment that truly changed the game in Lost. It made you question everyone’s motive, released Ben to wreak havoc for a few seasons, and totally blindsided you with a shocking, but reasonable, twist. For those reasons alone, it gets spot 12.

Thoughts On Poizner Gate

noreply@blogger.com (Cayceecal) — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:00:00 +0000

Got your attention yet?

For those who care nothing about Mt. Pleasant High School’s (my high school) recent controversy involving GOP Governor Candidate Steve Poizner, then I sincerely sincerely apologize. You will not find sports, you will not find jokes, you will only find my thoughts on the situation. For that I am sorry. And if any of you decide to start a flame war, god help me, I will murder you. Thanks!

I think it’s extremely unfortunate that people are being reactional in this way. I've been hearing a lot of different things about him lately, and most of it is biased information.

Some people have been saying he taught an honors class. This is not true, he taught a normal American Gov't class and sat in Mr. Torres's class (which was an honors class) to observe Torres. People also say that he's only saying these things to generate controversy and to profit from the sales of his book. He's a billionaire, and I can tell you from personal experience I've had so far trying to publish a novel that even best selling books like Twilight only go up to the tens of millions. That's chump change for Poizner, and I hardly think he expects his book to sell like Twilight or Harry Potter. Poizner has been very generous to the MP community, and I believe most of the proceeds of the book are going to MP and East Side schools in general. It’s hard to know what is truth and what isn’t with all these different facts floating around.

I think people have a tendency to jump into a frenzy when its created, especially in this case where a bunch of people decided to criticize and picket Poizer without reading his book first. They're basing all their opinions on a few sound bites and three or four quotes off his book. Are the quotes bad? Do they attack the MP community? Sure. Are they completely off base and fictional, that's a matter of judgment, but I wouldn't say its not true, albeit a little exaggerated. Sure, it's bad to generalize a community, but I'm sure there are other parts of his novel that applaud some of the students at MP. Why didn't anyone bring those quotes up in all this hub bub? The only person that did was Poizner himself, but the cynical person would say it’s just flowery stuff to make him look good. In the case of both good and bad, things need to be taken with a grain of salt and people should face criticism with an open mind. We are so focused on taking down an 'enemy' that he wasn't even given a fair opinion. And all these good stories about him, like where he donated to our school's Cardinal Quill when requested, wasn't even brought up. I'm sure that was just one example of many. One of our own teachers, Todd Richards, had good things to say about him. It's a shame that people are so focused with their emotions.

That being said, I ordered a copy of his book too and I'm going to read it before I make any judgments. If I'm done with it and get the perception that he's an ass, then ok, he's an ass. But from what I remember when he sat in our class at Mr. Torres's, he was a very nice man and seemed to really care about the people around him. He would talk to us like a normal person before class started and if I didn't know it before hand, I would've not known he was the 'rich, white, republican' douchebag that everyone is making him out to be. Sorry this is so long, but I just wanted to finally share my thoughts with you guys on this without the worry of being lambasted by my peers on some facebook thread.

And to fit the theme of this blog, what kind of hits does Tim Lincecum like the most? A high line drive. Wakka wakka wakka, dick joke. F all dem haterz.

The end.