The Rugged

Column: Wrestling Is Fake – 2/7/2012

Kevin C. Sullivan — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:42:27 +0000

It seemed like there was going to be no avoiding it – we’re going to get Undertaker/Triple H at Wrestlemania XXVIII, whether we like it or not. Sure, last year’s match was pretty good, but a lot of people felt that maybe it was time to let someone new take a crack at “The Streak”? After all, in a way, any match with the Undertaker at Wrestlemania is pretty much an unofficial main event. But, as the previous week’s Raw (as opposed to last night’s – we’ll get to that) came to a close with ‘Taker confronting Triple H, it was pretty obvious this is where they were going.

(Just as a side note: am I the only one who wishes that Mark Calaway – the Houston, TX native who has wrestled as The Undertaker for over 20 years – would legally change his name to “Undertaker” and run for President? I have no idea if he’s be a good one or not, but I promise you, no other country is going to mess with the US of A when they see “President Undertaker” on TV.)

A few things occurred to me as I sat back and watched that special USA Network preview of Journey 2: The Mysterious Plot We Pulled Out Of Our Ass starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. First off, the gentleman mentioned in the previous sentence is taking on John Cena at that same event, which pretty much takes care of the obligatory “Old Generation vs New Generation” match. As awesome as it would be to see Chris Jericho or CM Punk (although Jericho just barely makes it into that “New Generation” category in the same way that I just barely qualify as being part of “Generation X”), not only is that storyline taken care of, it’s pretty much the focus of the whole event.

Secondly, while Triple H is no youngster, The Undertaker is Old. Capital O old. He’s not Ric Flair-old by any means, but with everything he’s put his body through, he might as well be. Look, that’s not a knock on Undertaker, but there’s a reason he hasn’t been seen in almost a year, and it’s not because he needed time off to reprise his role in Suburban Commando 2. Who better to help him put on a classic match at the one event of the year we need classic matches?

Finally, they’re actually putting a story behind this. Last year, it was Triple H calling out Undertaker, and while ‘Taker left with his streak intact, Triple H walked out the winner. It’s sort of the reverse of the Shawn Michaels-Undertaker storyline from two years ago, where Michaels was the one demanding a rematch. And if they keep making promo videos like they did last night, it’ll be entertaining as hell right up into the big event.

I’m predicting that Triple H accepts the match with the same caveat that Undertaker/Michaels II had, but in reverse – If the streak ends, Undertaker has to retire. And he probably will retire, win or lose the match. Then again, if you have a sweet deal where you only have to wrestle one night a year and that match is the match of the night, wouldn’t you want to hang on for a few more years?

Column: Wrestling Is Fake – 2/7/2012 is a post from: TheRugged

Cereal Killer-The Case of the Missing Abs

Mike Arone — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:53:37 +0000

So you wake up in the morning and you’re like…

“OH my gawd! I think I will have a bowl of cereal. Raisin Bran sounds good. Its got fiber, plump raisins and that cartoon sun on the front that just screams healthy!”

I like where your head’s at but…it’s not as healthy as you may think.

Read on and let me tell you why…

I am going to show you what a healthy cereal should consist of and how to pick it out of the line up of the other unhealthy shit on the shelves.

I know how it is.

Sometimes you wake up in the morning and pouring a bowl of cereal is just so easy. With all the so-called “healthy” choices in the cereal aisle, it has become more of a task picking the right one that will help you in your pursuit to a shredded physique.

Relax Gino (that’s your name from here on out).

I am here to help—No thinking cap required.

Sniff Out the Clues

Before we do this you will need to know the warning signs:

1. A cartoon character mascot plastered on the front

I wanted that Trix rabbit to get his taste of that delicious cereal as much as the next kid when I was growing up, but not getting any is probably what kept him thin.

Not to mention, he had all the signs of a drug addict: always jonesing for it, do anything to get it, lied all the time, and and he was always talking a mile a minute.

2. Sugar is one of the first three ingredients listed on the box.

You are better off pouring skittles in your Cheerios than eating these types of cereals.

3. It has less than 3 grams of fiber per serving.

A good cereal conveys its healthiness in the amount of fiber it contains.

Now grab your detective gear, because I am going to show you how to find a cereal fit for a six-pack…or at least one that doesn’t have as much sugar as a Butterfinger.

Sugar High

OK, these culprits are the ones that you see in over sized fluorescent boxes with a cartoon character (who looks cracked out) on the front. I wonder why? Usually if you send in enough proof of purchases you can get an even cooler toy than the one in the box sent to your house (I’m still waiting for my Lucky Charms matchbox car).

These cereals are meant for the kids…and rightfully so. They contain enough sugar in them to sweeten your coffee until June 2014. Steer clear of these bad boys. They contain a nutritional value equal to that of a Snickers Bar dipped in rock candy. Have I proved my point?

Don’t be misconstrued by the ads you see claiming that these cereals are healthy. They are not. They basically have fiber and vitamins added to them after they were processed to shit and stripped of anything resembling the word “nutritious.” Whatever WAS added is minimal.

Not to mention, it breaks all three of my rules: cartoon character on the front, high in refined sugar and less than three grams of fiber.

Con Artist

This cereal will lead you to believe it is healthy because of it’s high fiber content and images of healthy looking things like splashing milk, or plump fruit and even the Sun! Don’t fall for it. Check the label. Chances are sugar is one of the main ingredients.

Now, this cereal isn’t the worst choice…but it certainly isn’t the best. Raisin Bran is a prime example. Sure, it yields 8 grams of fiber, but it also contains an ass-load of processed sugar (amongst others), and has a cartoon Sun on the front.

I’ll tell you what-the second I see a big-ass Sun on my cereal package pouring two scoops of raisins, I’m thinking something doesn’t check out.

Walk on the wild side if you choose these cereals, but remember-you’re dancing with the devil and they break two of my three rules: cartoon character on the front and high in sugar.

Hallelujah!

Any cereal box that has Peyton Manning on the front means that there is something kick-ass about it. You guessed it-Wheaties! Though it is partially processed, this cereal contains 3 or more grams of fiber per servings, is low in sugar/contains low-glycemic carbohydrates and doesn’t rely on a cartoon character to market its product. Throw in some fresh fruit to boost the nutritional value and you have solved the case of the missing abs my friend.

Though I am a fan of Wheaties, I prefer to browse the organic section of the supermarket and choose from minimally processed cereals that contain all-natural ingredients that are high in fiber and low in processed sugars. As for the pictures on these packages-it’s usually a bushel of sprouted grain, barley and wheat elegantly placed in the middle of the box. Brands like Kashi and Nature’s Valley are usually a safe bet.

Now that you’ve solved The Case of the Missing Abs you’re certified to choose cereal as a healthy breakfast or snack choice.

Try to up the nutritional value in a bowl of cereal by adding to your breakfast healthy fruits and protein in the form of a shake or even a couple of cage-free eggs.

What kind of cereal do YOU eat?

Let us know in the comments below and I’ll let ya know if it belongs in the candy aisle or in your grocery cart.

Cereal Killer-The Case of the Missing Abs is a post from: TheRugged

The Amazing Spider-Man Trailer

The Rugged — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:45:58 +0000

We love comic book movies more then most. I get goosebumps seeing characters that I grew up reading in the funny pages jumping across the screen and doing amazing things. Now the market is getting saturated and if there is one thing that people are getting tired of its superhero origin stories.

Do we really need a new Spider-Man origin story when it has only been a few years since the last Spider-Man story? I don’t think it was necessary at all and this is one of the problems having Sony control the Spider-Man property. Marvel did the right thing when it remade the Hulk franchise. People know how the Hulk was created, lets move on and tell a great story. Could this Spider-Man be the better then the ones featuring Tobey Maguire? Sure, it could be better. I have a huge respect for director Marc Webb. 500 Days of Summer is one of my favorite movies. I just hope that the origin is just a smaller part of a greater whole. One thing I do love is the casting. I think Andrew Garfield makes a great Peter, Emma Stone is stunning as Gwen Stacy, and I really love Dennis Leary as Captain Stacy.

What do you think? Does this trailer do anything for you?

The Amazing Spider-Man Trailer is a post from: TheRugged

We Interview the Directors of Act of Valor

The Rugged — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:29:46 +0000

When Act of Valor comes out it is going to be a movie that doesn’t necessarily change your perception of our armed forces but you will have a new found respect for the men and women who protect our country. Directors Mouse McCoy and Scott Waugh decided to use real Navy Seals and live ammunition in this movie making it the most realistic depiction of the armed services ever made. Our very own Justin Becker sat down with Scott and Mouse to talk about how they tackled such an incredible undertaking.

We Interview the Directors of Act of Valor is a post from: TheRugged

Tenacious D Are Back

The Rugged — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:17:11 +0000

It has been 5 long years since we last saw “The D” but they are back and have given us a look at there album cover which will be called “Rize of The Fenix” and as an added bonus we have a snippet of some new music to hopefully hold you over until the album drops.

Tenacious D Are Back is a post from: TheRugged

The Avengers SB Spot

The Rugged — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:39:51 +0000

Marvel has a knack for putting out great movie trailers for the Super Bowl and this is no exception. We finally get our first real look at The Hulk and he is smashing spaceships out of the sky. We get Tony being Tony bantering with Loki, our first appearance of what might be the Skrulls. How did Loki get in control of an alien army? What is he planning? I don’t know, but I can’t wait to see the Avengers assemble and find out.

The Avengers SB Spot is a post from: TheRugged

GI Joe Retaliation Super Bowl Spot

The Rugged — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:24:03 +0000

I was pretty excited for this movie when I saw the first spot a few months ago but now I can officially say this is my most anticipated movie of 2012. Where do I start. Okay, the rock starts blasting some Jay-Z, a motorcycle becomes some kind of crazy bunch of rockets that blast through a building, and Snake Eyes shoots ninja stars out of the sky with bullets. I really cannot think of anything better.

GI Joe Retaliation Super Bowl Spot is a post from: TheRugged

Chronicle (2012)

Kevin C. Sullivan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:16:27 +0000

In 1988, an animated film version of the Japanese comic Akira was released. Tetsuo, driven mad by his insanely powerful telekinetic abilities, hovers through the streets of Neo-Tokyo, destroying police and military vehicles with a wave of his hand. It’s a scene that those of us old enough to remember when anime was still kind of a new phenomenon in America remember – and many a filmmaker has dreamed of recreating on the big screen.

While the actual film version of Akira is still in limbo, Josh Trank decided to go ahead and make his own version of the film anyway.What he’s made with screenwriter Max Landis (son of John Landis) is a mash-up of both filmmaking and storytelling cliches and trends that still makes for a brilliantly entertaining and enthralling film.

Andrew Detmer doesn’t have a lot going for him. He’s not particularly well liked at school, his father is an abusive alcoholic and his mother is dying. But, he’s recently reconnected with his cousin and, on top of everything, he’s documenting his whole life with a new video camera. During a party in a remote part of town (which happens to be Seattle, by the way), Andrew, his cousin Matt and class president candidate Steve (played by Michael B. Jordan of Friday Night Lights) stumble across an underground tunnel that leads to… something alien looking. They all pass out and wake up later with super powers.

The “found footage” aspect of the film feels more like a way to differentiate the movie from everything else than an effective way to tell a story. Andrew’s camera isn’t the only point of view shown in the film – by the end of the film, we’ve seen news and security camera footage, video shot by other characters and even from random bystanders. But there seems to be no underlying rhyme or reason as to why all this footage was compiled and collected in the first place. To its credit, it’s not an issue you think about during the movie, but it’s still an issue.

That being said, there are some absolutely great moments in this film that I honestly hate to recap for you because they’re such joys to behold. The first time the guys figure out how to use their powers to fly, for example. And there’s a scene where they’re flying and fooling around above the clouds and you think “Wait a minute, what about…?” and what you’re thinking actually happens and how they handle it is just breathtaking.

All in all, Chronicle is a well acted, masterfully directed and brilliantly written film that has a few issues. This isn’t a superhero film. This is a “What We Would All Do If We Got Super Powers When We Were 17″ film. Go see it in the theater and take your friends so that Josh Trank can make more movies like this.

Chronicle is rated PG-13 and releases on February 3rd.

Chronicle (2012) is a post from: TheRugged

Super Bowl Sun-Date

Wing Girl Kim — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:12:47 +0000

The game of the year is happening this Sunday. What is your girlfriend going to do? Whatever she does, she falls into 1 of 5 categories:

Enjoys football as much as you and knows the rules
Joins in on the excitement but wonders what’s going on
Pops in now and then for the entertainment and snacks
Disappears until dark
Bugs the hell out of you for attention

The Lover

Hopefully your girlfriend isn’t like that loser who dumped her boyfriend, Jason Elia, when he told her he got cancer. He had purchased tickets to the Superbowl, and she thinks she’s still entitled to go. (Good thing they weren’t married. Cancer can be a blessing in disguise. You can listen to his radio interview.)

If your girlfriend loves the game as much as you, your Sunday is set, unless you have no plans.

If the plan is to be at home to watch the game, put more forethought into the day. Make it a double date or a party. Prepare or get your girlfriend’s favorite snack food and drink. Or patronize a local business that will have the game on a wide screen. (For those in New York, Libation is throwing a party with “appetizers” and an open bar.)

The Wonderer

A lot of women would like to know more about football but are too shy to ask. Others don’t want to ask, but are curious. Then there are those who simply enjoy watching you enjoy the game. Either way, these women are intrigued. They are women who are interested enough.

A good primer on football might help. If you know she’s going to be with you on Sunday, send her this link: http://www.datingthoughts.com/2012/02/02/how-to-enjoy-the-super-bowl/. It’s a little article by yours truly that hopefully helps non-fans enjoy the game.

The Cat

She likes the entertainment, is glued during the half-time show, and has her hand in the snack bowl. She’s like a cat that comes only when wanting to be pet or fed.

You can’t make your girlfriend like football, but you can turn the day into an event with her by prepping. Just mention Madonna and Cirque de Soleil’s involvement in the half time show. And who can pass on the great commercials. A lot of sponsors are already showing their commercials online.

The Stray

Your girl’s alright if she leaves you alone. It won’t be a date, but you can make one after the game has ended. If you want to spend the night together, plan ahead. Give her a time and location to meet you and tell her you’ll have something for her.

If your team wins, have a bottle of champagne and a bowl of strawberries ready to greet her when she comes over.

If your team loses, open the champagne anyway and have her over for that thing you guys love to do together. Who doesn’t like mad sex?

The Nag

If your girlfriend is a nag and complains even while you’re watching the Super Bowl, then she shouldn’t be your girlfriend. There are plenty of women out there who will love you no matter how much you love football.

Super Bowl Sun-Date is a post from: TheRugged

God Bless America – Bobcat Goldthwait Style (NSFW)

Kevin C. Sullivan — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:08:07 +0000

A quick warning – the trailer above is Red Band, which means it’s not safe for work. Swearing, violence, all of that. Just a heads up.

Bobcat Goldthwait has been known for years as the crazy, shrill voice comedian who lit Conan O’Brien’s couch on fire. Lately, though, he’s been making his mark as a great director. 2009′s World’s Greatest Dad introduced Bobcat as a comedy director to be respected (2006′s Sleeping Dogs Lie not withstanding). God Bless America tells the story of a man about to die of a brain tumor who decides if he’s gotta go… everything wrong with the country has to go too.

Enjoy.

God Bless America – Bobcat Goldthwait Style (NSFW) is a post from: TheRugged