Debate of the Week: Celtics or Lakers?

Please comment below. Remember to keep it civil. Don't assume anything about the people you disagree with. I will delete any comments that are offensive or veer too far off topic. Thank you in advance.

This one's a relatively clear-cut question: Who will win the NBA Finals, which begin Thursday: the Boston Celtics or the Los Angeles Lakers?

These Celtics and Lakers teams, apart from a few roster changes, met two years ago in the Finals, which the Celtics won in six games. The Lakers went back to the Finals last year, where they beat the Orlando Magic for the title. It's the twelfth time the franchises will clash for the NBA title. The Celtics won nine of the previous 11 Finals matchups. Overall, the Celtics have won 17 titles, and the Lakers have won 15.

Coming into the playoffs, these Celtics were considered too old, as their veteran core of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce had showed signs of slowing down over the course of the season. Instead, led by emerging superstar Rajon Rondo at point guard and their ever-tenacious defense, the Celtics tore through the Eastern Conference playoffs, upsetting favorites LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers before roughing up the defending Eastern champs, the Magic.

The Lakers, the defending champions, are coming off a six-game triumph over the overmatched but surprisingly tough Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference finals. They are led, of course, by arguably the best offensive player in the world, Kobe Bryant, and a long, athletic and versatile front line anchored by Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and the young but brittle Andrew Bynum. The Lakers' newest edition to the mix, Ron Artest, is a notoriously tough defender, but is known for being temperamental, too.

So, what do you think? Which team will prevail? How many games do you think it will go? What are the most intriguing matchups? In addition to which team you think will win, which one do you want to win?

Let the debate begin!

Still "Lost" ... and Lovin' It.

Toward a somewhat unified theory of "Lost," by Dan Milczarski, guest blogger.

A SPOILER WARNING IS IN EFFECT. Loads of "Lost" analysis, theorizing and speculation follow.

 

Okay, so "Lost" is over. Some people loved the ending. Some people hated it. I, for one, loved it.

There has been a ton of debate over what exactly happened. I think that everything that happened on the island, happened. And the flash sideways world was a sort of purgatory, a bus stop of sorts for the Losties to get together one last time before moving on to whatever their religious belief is, whether it's reincarnation, heaven, etc. (By the way, this article pretty much sums it up way better than I can: http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/05/24/lost-finale-theories-explanations/?ncid=webmaildl2 But don't read that just now. Read my take first!)

For those who interpreted the plane wreckage during the credits as meaning the island stuff never happened and the crash of Flight 815 killed everyone, just know that ABC has pretty much debunked that and said Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, the masterminds behind "Lost," did not have that footage as part of the story line. The story ended when the "Lost" logo flashed on the screen. The wreckage footage, with its calm ocean sounds in the background, was ABC's attempt to allow people decompress before the late local news.

So now that we’re on the same page about how I think the series ended, I wanted to do some interpretation of the finale. As I re-watch the finale and other episodes again, or hear/read good feedback from other "Lost" fans, my interpretation may change. For example, I have some thoughts on Eloise Hawking that will only be clarified when I watch all episodes that feature the character. Fun times!

Okay, let’s begin.

Friday Rocks: "The Many Things That Life Could Bring" by Hey OK Fantastic

The song starts at about one minute in. Man, that is one rock 'n' roll jacket.

The Colonel's Countdown: Top 25 Movies (Nos. 15 & 14)

I just want to be clear: These are my 25 favorite films. They're not necessarily the best movies I've seen, although many of them certainly would rank high or near the top of that list. I understand that for some a favorites list is indistinguishable from a best-of list, and that's cool. But it's not my purpose here. I want to celebrate the movies that, for one reason or many, moved me in ways that I can barely describe ... even though I'm going to try here.

15. MULHOLLAND DR. (2001)

Director: David Lynch

Starring: Naomi Watts, Laura Elena Harring, Justin Theroux, Dan Hedaya, Mark Pellegrino, Ann Miller, Robert Forster, Billy Ray Cyrus

Why it's here: Hollywood is often called The Dream Factory.  It's where fantasy is mass-produced, packaged in a glistening cover and sold all over the world. It's literally where dreams come true, at least in the corporate-minded, supply-and-demand sense. And there's no director better suited to probing the depths of both dreams and factories than David Lynch, whose movies are often a surrealistic blend of industrial imagery and dream logic. While he made some great movies before "Mulholland Drive," this is the movie where these two obsessions came together for Lynch in the most complete and heartbreaking way.

Leave Zach Randolph Alone!

The poor guy. Why is the police state persecuting him? Whatever happened to free enterprise???

According to a probable cause affidavit, a trusted police informant identified Memphis Grizzlies player Zach Randolph as a major marijuana supplier in Indianapolis, 6News' Jack Rinehart reported.

Look, he's just turning the money he makes playing basketball into a profit-making business. Is he not just pursuing the American Dream? Is this not just our free market at work?

All right, so there are no charges yet, but still. Poor bastard.

Okay, okay. On a quasi-serious note, this is another example of why pot should be legalized. Why should idiots like Zach Randolph ruin things for the rest of us?

"Uh, what do you mean by 'us,' sir?"

"Ahem ... uh ... um, nothing. Nothing at all ... Ahem."

(WRTV Indianapolis via Deadspin)

The Colonel's Countdown: Top 25 Movies (Nos. 17 & 16)

I just want to be clear: These are my 25 favorite films. They're not necessarily the best movies I've seen, although many of them certainly would rank high or near the top of that list. I understand that for some a favorites list is indistinguishable from a best-of list, and that's cool. But it's not my purpose here. I want to celebrate the movies that, for one reason or many, moved me in ways that I can barely describe ... even though I'm going to try here.


17. NASHVILLE (1975)


Director: Robert Altman


Starring: Keith Carradine, Henry Gibson, David Arkin, Barbara Baxley, Ronee Blakley, Ned Beatty, Geraldine Chaplin, Lily Tomlin, Shelley Duvall, Robert DoQui, Barbara Harris, Karen Black, Scott Glenn, Jeff Goldblum, Michael Murphy, Gwen Welles, Timothy Brown, etc.


Why it's here: "Nashville" isn't a place in this movie, it's a state of mind.  Director Robert Altman presents the city as a twangy-voiced Hollywood, as much a cultural capital as a self-sustaining cult of personality.  No matter which character is in momentary focus in the movie, they're all striving toward or against this concept of "Nashville," whether it's a misguided quest for fame or coming to terms with the racial realities of the place. The characters -- brought to life by a cast of dozens as living, breathing people and not caricatures -- are dreamers, saints, hustlers, punks, mothers, cuckolds, fathers, politicians, and ... oh yeah, musicians.

Debate of the Week Special Edition: The End of "Lost"

Please comment below. Remember to keep it civil. Don't assume anything about the people you disagree with. I will delete any comments that are offensive or veer too far off topic. Thank you in advance.


That's all, folks. The end of "Lost." You know you want to write or talk about it furiously, but why bother your friends on Facebook or put up with hardcore trolls on other sites? 


Consider this your safe haven to geek out, or bitch and moan, or stammer on incoherently about the finale, aptly titled "The End," and the whole damned show itself. Oh yeah, this is a "Debate" thread, so feel free to argue with each other. Just don't be nasty!


A spoiler warning is in effect, so please stay away if you've never seen an episode of "Lost" but want to, or if you're behind on episodes. And, please, if you're decidedly not a "Lost" fan, or if you have no interest in it, please stay away from this thread. Trolls will not be tolerated.


Let the geekery, er, debate begin! (Well, just wait until the episode is over ... )

Friday Rocks: "What's He Building in There?" by Tom Waits

More a poem set to music than a song, but it's sublimely creepy. I love the emphasis he puts on the word "building" in the refrain.

The Colonel's Countdown: Top 25 Movies (Nos. 19 & 18)

I just want to be clear: These are my 25 favorite films. They're not necessarily the best movies I've seen, although many of them certainly would rank high or near the top of that list. I understand that for some a favorites list is indistinguishable from a best-of list, and that's cool. But it's not my purpose here. I want to celebrate the movies that, for one reason or many, moved me in ways that I can barely describe ... even though I'm going to try here.

19. THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST (1988)

Director: Martin Scorsese


Starring: Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey, Harry Dean Stanton, Verna Bloom, David Bowie


Why it's here: Nikos Kazantzakis, the author of the novel "The Last Temptation of Christ," once wrote:

The yearning, so human, so superhuman, of man to attain to God, or more exactly, to return to God and identify himself with him -- has always been a deep inscrutable mystery to me. ... My principal anguish, and the wellspring of all my joys and sorrows from my youth onward has been the incessant, merciless battle between the spirit and the flesh.

This quotation, which is also the epigraph at the beginning of Martin Scorsese's film adaptation, tells you all you need to know going into the movie. Put the Bible aside, the movie implores, and begin to reflect on what it takes to balance your spiritual or metaphysical needs with those of your physical existence. Now imagine that you are not you, but the offspring of all-powerful deity. Better yet, that you're the deity itself, made flesh, and you have the literal weight of the world upon your shoulders in addition to all the usual hang-ups associated with being human ... and you know you're going to suffer and die an agonizing death in the service of your highest ideals, love and forgiveness.

The Colonel's Countdown: Top 25 Movies (Nos. 21 & 20)

I just want to be clear: These are my 25 favorite films. They're not necessarily the best movies I've seen, although many of them certainly would rank high or near the top of that list. I understand that for some a favorites list is indistinguishable from a best-of list, and that's cool. But it's not my purpose here. I want to celebrate the movies that, for one reason or many, moved me in ways that I can barely describe ... even though I'm going to try here.

21. DEAD RINGERS (1988)


Director: David Cronenberg


Starring: Jeremy Irons, Jeremy Irons, Genevieve Bujold, Stephen Lack


Why it's here: "Dead Ringers" tells the tale of brilliant twin gynecologists, both played by the immortal Jeremy Irons, whose dependency on each other leads to madness and death. But don't let the schlocky-sounding title (it was "Twins" at one point, but another movie from 1988, a certain comedy starring the Governator and Danny DeVito, ended up with that title) or the pulpy premise fool you: this is no cheap exploitation flick. (Not that there's anything wrong with cheap exploitation flicks!) It's a meticulously crafted and poetic exploration of identity, addiction, sexuality and, uh, abnormally formed female genitals. (Trust me, it's not exploitation!)

Thought for the day.

The Palin family is the Fox broadcasting ethos become flesh.

Anchor 1: "Look at that. Isn't it horrible?"


Guest: "Repugnant!"


Anchor 2: "Disgusting!"


Guest: "Won't somebody please think of the children? How can parents let their kids do that?"


Anchor 1: "Let's see that video again."

Debate of the Week: Should Computer Makers be Able to Censor Content? (UPDATED)

Please comment below. Remember to keep it civil. Don't assume anything about the people you disagree with. I will delete any comments that are offensive or veer too far off topic. Thank you in advance.

Recently, in an email exchange with a Gawker blogger, Apple overlord Steve Jobs defended an ad that referred to the company's new iPad as a "revolution." The iPad, Jobs said, offers users freedom, including "freedom from porn."  


Apple and Jobs have faced criticism in recent years for censoring various applications on its iPhones and iPads for what the company has deemed inappropriate content. Critics say it could lead to other, more pervasive kinds of censorship.


What do you think? Do you want "freedom from porn"? Do you think Apple, or any other computer/device maker, should be able to censor content, such as images or stories? Do you think this kind of censorship could lead to more severe forms of censorship? 


Then again, do you think it's Apple's -- or any other device maker's -- right as a business to determine what kind of content can appear on its devices? 


Let the debate begin!

UPDATE: This item is tangentially related to this topic as another example of how Apple could be perceived as trying to influence consumer behavior. A woman in California was not permitted to pay cash for an iPad:

The company only pointed to their purchase policy. It says there is a limit of two iPads per customer and you must pay by credit or debit card. Gift cards will not work either. Apple did not respond to a 7 On Your Side request for an explanation of the policy, however, the store clerk told Campbell it was to prevent con artists from buying lots of iPads selling them overseas.

Tech blog Valleywag says credit cards help Apple track per-person sales of the device.


(Disclosure: I own an iPhone, an iPod and an iMac desktop computer.)


Photo illustration by Dan Milczarski. 

Friday Rocks: "Woodstock," By CSNY

This is stuck in my head because this week's highly divisive episode of "Lost" reminded me of some of the lyrics:

We are stardust, we are golden,
We are caught in the Devil's bargain,
And we got to get ourselves back to the garden.

A reminder for LeBron

Remember this, LeBron. 


Remember this when Chicago calls and offers you: 


- A max contract. Well, slightly less than what Cleveland can offer you. But Chicago, as a city, isn't under constant threat of being swallowed by a vortex of economic failure.


- An opportunity to play in cosmopolitan Chicago. You know who else moved to Chicago as he was about to enter his prime? That's right. President Obama. You want to be president one day, LeBron?


- A chance to play with a talented and young supporting cast, including fellow former No. 1 pick Derrick Rose, who could join you on several All-NBA First Teams and in the Hall of Fame one day.


- And, hopefully, a chance to play under a (somewhat) decent coach! (Please don't fuck this up, Bulls.)


Remember, LeBron: Cleveland sucks.


Okay, if that wasn't enough, here's another video for you, King.



Cleveland Tourism Video Part 2 - Watch more Funny Videos


"We see the sun almost three times a year ... "

The Colonel's Countdown: Top 25 Movies (Nos. 23 & 22)

I just want to be clear: These are my 25 favorite films. They're not necessarily the best movies I've seen, although many of them certainly would rank high or near the top of that list. I understand that for some a favorites list is indistinguishable from a best-of list, and that's cool. But it's not my purpose here. I want to celebrate the movies that, for one reason or many, moved me in ways that I can barely describe ... even though I'm going to try here.

23. JFK (1991)

Director: Oliver Stone

Starring: Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones, Joe Pesci, Gary Oldman, Sissy Spacek, Jack Lemmon, Ed Asner, Kevin Bacon, John Candy, Walter Matthau, Donald Sutherland, Brian Doyle Murray, Michael Rooker, Jay O. Sanders, Wayne Knight, Laurie Metcalf

Why it's here: You'd think three-plus hours of people talking about the most insane conspiracy theories this side of Alex Jones' fat ass would make for some pretty boring cinema. WRONG. "JFK" is a first-rate thriller, only the suspense comes from the formulation of theories and the compilation of "evidence." Information is the killer here.

Chaos.

"Some men just want to watch the world burn." -- Alfred

Count me as one of those men, at least when it comes to the upcoming NBA free agency period. There will be many star players on the market, led by Dwyane Wade, Amar'e Stoudemire, Chris Bosh, possibly Dirk Nowitzki, and none other than the king himself, LeBron James.

I would like to see most of the free agents leave for new teams, particularly the superstars. I would love to see the balance of power undergo a catastrophic shift. I want to see Dwyane Wade in a Bulls uniform. I want anarchy.

That's why I want the Cavs to lose to the Celitcs in game 6 tonight or in game 7, if necessary. I want an epic disappointment for LeBron. I want him so disgusted with Cleveland that he'll either skip town or prompt the franchise to really shake things up by firing their woefully overmatched coach, Mike Brown, and bringing in a blockbuster free agent themselves. Mostly, though, I want LeBron to flee, preferably to Chicago or N.Y.

I want chaos.

Go Celtics. For this week, at least.

The Colonel's Countdown: Top 25 Movies (Nos. 25 & 24)

I just want to be clear: These are my 25 favorite films. They're not necessarily the best movies I've seen, although many of them certainly would rank high or near the top of that list. I understand that for some a favorites list is indistinguishable from a best-of list, and that's cool. But it's not my purpose here. I want to celebrate the movies that, for one reason or many, moved me in ways that I can barely describe ... even though I'm going to try here.

So begins our descent into movie madness. I can't wait to read what you have to say, and I can't wait to find out your favorites. And don't forget: We'll be doing this every Wednesday and Friday until we get to Numero Uno, which will merit its own post.

Debate of the Week is taking the week off.

I'm skipping this week's installment of our favorite feature because I'll be focusing on starting my Top 25 movies countdown. Debate of the Week will be back next week, though.

Let me know in the comments if you have any ideas for topics. Or email me.

Viva Los Suns!

Glory, glory Hallelujah! The Suns have SWEPT the Spurs!

Let's hear it for Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire and Jason Richardson and Grant Hill and Alvin Gentry and Goran Dragic! (GORAN DRAGIC!)

Let's hear it for entertaining, exciting playoff basketball!

Good riddance, Tim "Great Grey Mope" Duncan!

Good riddance, Tony "Popeye-Faced Frenchman" Parker!

Good riddance, Manu "The Schnoz" Ginobili!

Good riddance, Gregg "Toxie" Popovich!

Good riddance to your slow, ugly, criminally lucky style of basketball, San Antonio. You won't be missed.

MOPE, TIMMY, MOPE!

25 Movies That Just Missed the Cut.

If you're a stone-cold movie lover, putting together a list of your 25 favorites is a painful task. There are just too many you love, warts and all; too many movies that refuse to be ignored.

I just finalized a list of my 25 favorites for the countdown we're starting this Wednesday (starting with Nos. 25 and 24, and adding two a day every Wednesday and Friday), and paring it down was really arduous. It hurt to leave out so many. So, in honor of those movies, here's my list of the 25 movies that just missed the cut (I could easily do a list of 50 or 100, but I don't want to bore you guys too much):

Friday Rocks: "Stray Bullet," by KMFDM

I could have picked any cut from KMFDM's "Symbols" album, but I was simply feeling this one today.

Coming Soon

Next Wednesday I will begin counting down my Top 25 favorite movies of all time. Starting with No. 25 and 24, I will write about two every Wednesday and Friday until I get to No. 1, which will have its own entry.

It would be selfish of me, however, to just force my favorites down your throats. I want to hear from you. What's your top 25? I think it could be pretty fun if you guys compiled your lists and posted yours to my comments section as I count down mine. So get your lists ready!

I'm also looking forward to reading what you think about my favorites, whether you agree with me or not. I welcome your praise, your curiosity, your kvetching.

Another reason to root for 'Los Suns.'

A fantastic development. The Phoenix Suns will wear their "Los Suns" jerseys tomorrow night against the Spurs in honor of Cinco de Mayo and in solidarity with the Hispanic community.

Here's the Suns' point guard, the great Steve Nash, on the controversial immigration law:

I think the law is very misguided. I think it is unfortunately to the determinate detriment to our society and our civil liberties and I think it is very important for us to stand up for things we believe in. ... I think the law obviously can target opportunities for racial profiling. Things we don't want to see and don't need to see in 2010.

Way to go. Now top it all off with another whuppin' of the Spurs' asses.

Summer Blockbuster Preview: Forget Iron Man 2, bring on Inception!

"Iron Man 2" is opening in the U.S. this weekend, and for many it tops the list of the most anticipated movies of the summer, if not the year. It'll probably do huge box office numbers and lead to a third "Iron Man."

But if I could only see one big Hollywood picture this summer, it'd be "Memento" and "The Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan's "Inception," a thriller "set within the architecture of the mind." Yeah, I'm sold.

Anyway, here's Cynic by Trade, Romantic by Nature's Summer Movie Preview. I've isolated just a few movies: the ones I definitely want to see, the ones I'm on the fence about, and the ones I wouldn't watch with Stevie Wonder's eyes.

Hell yes:


IRON MAN 2 (Friday)
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke, Scarlett Johansson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sam Rockwell
Director: Jon Favreau
Yeah, I'm still pretty excited to see it, despite all of the tepid buzz I'm hearing. Plus, the impression out there in Internet-land is that the movie's a bit of a rush job and, hence, messy. Still, it's fucking "Iron Man," chief. These days, Downey makes anything worth watching, and then you throw in Rourke and Rockwell ... damn! But, as good as Cheadle usually is, I'll miss Terence Howard as Tony Stark's best buddy, Rhodey.

Debate of the Week: Should the U.S. Allow Offshore Oil Drilling? (Updated 2x)

Please comment below. Remember to keep it civil. Don't assume anything about the people you disagree with. I will delete any comments that are offensive or veer too far off topic. Thank you in advance.

This week's topic seems like a no-brainer, considering the massive oil spill in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon rig's explosion and sinking in the Gulf of Mexico.  The rig in question was leased by BP Plc and owned by Transocean Ltd., and its drill was cemented into place by Halliburton just 20 hours before the rig's blowout. BP says it will pay for all "necessary and appropriate" costs for the cleanup of the spill, which President Obama called a "potentially unprecedented environmental disaster."

Speaking of President Obama, just about a month ago he upset fellow Democrats and environmentalists by calling for an expansion of U.S. offshore drilling. He has since decided that the government would delay any new offshore drilling until causes of the explosion and spill in the Gulf have been reviewed.

Supporters of offshore drilling have said it should be part of an all-of-the-above approach to the U.S. gaining energy independence, while opponents, often citing environmental concerns, would rather the country focus time and resources on renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar.

So, where do you stand? As the oil spill spreads in the Gulf, do you think the U.S. should continue to allow offshore oil drilling? Is it worth the risk to the environment and the economy? Do you even think there's much of a risk? Will consumers even see much of a price impact from expanded drilling? What do you think?

Let the debate begin!

UPDATE: Oh, and courtesy of Dick Cheney, here's something else to chew on. Make of it what you will. 

2nd UPDATE: The Governator changes his mind on offshore drilling!

(Photo from the U.S. Department of Energy, via Talking Points Memo) 

I made this.

Well, sorta ...



This video is based on some scenes from "Shoretown," a yet-to-be published novel by my friend Milcz. Be sure to check out his blog, It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Blurst of Times, where he writes about, uh, writing and his sisyphean task of trying to get the book published. Stop by his blog and show him some support. Also, while you're at it, become a fan of (or "like") his Facebook page, Get Shoretown Published. He's trying to get to over 1,000 supporters, so what are you waiting for?

Now, go get drunk and enjoy the weekend.