Winless In Seattle
Steve Sauro
Elliott SmithHugo, Sports Night and your NFL picks
December 11th 2011 10:06
:
Because I can't rave enough about Sports Night
I know I have written about it before, but Sports Night really is one of the all time great television shows. Once I finally start my running diary of sitcoms (it'll happen any day now!) I plan to still have Sports Night in my top 3 shows of all time (I'm assuming Whitney won't make it to my top 3, although it might not be on the air when I am finally able to start that column). There is an episode of Sports Night where the crew is waiting for a group of climbers to reach the top of Mount Everest. Everyone is working overtime and with a blizzard hitting the area, no one can get food. At the end of the episode, Dan remembers that he has half of a sandwich in his office and runs up to retrieve it. Once there, he notices a homeless man standing in the corner of his office, trying to keep warm from the snow. Dan tells the homeless man that he can stay in Dan's office and eat the sandwich while they are waiting for the climbers to reach Mt. Everest. The homeless man pulls out a knife, walks towards Dan, and cuts the sandwich; giving half back to Dan. As they sit there, polar opposites sharing some food, they watch the climbers reach the top of the mountain on a video feed. Dan turns to his new friend and says "Look what we can do" (instead of reading all of that, you can just watch the clip here. I probably should have mentioned that earlier).
I've been at a Christmas party all night and that clip has been running through my head. But I wasn't thinking of Sports Night, I was thinking of the movie I watched this morning. Hugo. I spent a good portion of the night dying for someone to ask me about recent movies I had seen. Hugo overall is an excellent film. The reason you should go is the cinematography. I personally can't stand 3-D movies and for the most part just because they were in 3-D (except for Avatar, which I avoided because I had already seen Dances with Wolves). What Martin Scorsese does with 3-D might be the most genius use of the technology that has ever existed. There was scene after scene of incredibly beautiful images that just jumped off the screen. Words can't do it justice. After a screening earlier this year, James Cameron himself called it a "masterpiece" and said it was the "best use of 3-D" he'd ever seen. James Cameron is dead on. I've written about Da Vinci before, and how amazing it is when you truly see greatness. Scorsese's use of 3-D falls in that category.
But that's not the main reason I fell in love with Hugo. The story of Hugo is based on the true story of Georges Melies. I knew of Melies before seeing Hugo, but did not know Hugo was about Georges Melies. Melies was a filmmaker from 1896-1914, during which time he made over 530 films. You would probably best know him from his film "A trip to the Moon", which gave us the iconic image of a man's face inside the moon with a rocket being shot into his eye (just watch the clip, you'll know it when you see it). Melies was one of the first filmmakers to use stop motion, multiple exposures and time-lapse photography. He even hand painted some of his film, giving many their first look at movies with color. He was innovative in every way, a trendsetter for many filmmakers to come. Yet, after being forced into bankruptcy by a couple of major movie studios, he lived the majority of his life without much fanfare. Towards the end of his life, he owned a toy store and went about his life without anyone around him realizing all that he had accomplished. The majority of his 531 films had been melted down and recycled into material used to make shoes. While he was recognized for his work a few years before his death, he died penniless and without much to show for all he had done.
Since his death, some of his films have been found and preserved. Martin Scorsese, a huge proponent and donator towards film preservation, made Hugo as homage to a major influence in his life. During Hugo, he highlights many of Melies' accomplishments and, most touching of all, shows a few of Melies' movies. In 3-D, nonetheless. George Melies died thinking that the things he was most proud of, the films he had spent so much time creating, were gone and were never to be watched again. Some seventy years after his death, millions of people worldwide are watching his movies.
Look what we can do.
Onto the picks...
Stealers 14, Browns 3
Loyal reader (and excellent musician) Tony wrote: "You didn't do a Thursday pick! Although an earthworm could have picked a Pittsburgh win". Yep. I tend to boycott writing on days when my least favorite football team is guaranteed a win. Although I was pretty excited when Big Ben almost lost a leg. Seriously, how does he keep coming back from these injuries? They should replace his helmet with Jason Voorhees' mask.
Houston @ Cincy
Somehow the Texans keep winning without a quarterback (insert Tebow joke), but that has to stop at some point. Right? Also, I don't know what's who's more embarrassed: Jake Delhomme, who signed a huge contract and like 2 years later is being signed off the street only because Matt Leinart got injured; Jeff Garcia who hasn't played in like 10 years and is now backing up Jake Delhomme; or is it a tie because they are both backing up something called T.J. Yates?
Bengals 24-20
Minnesota @ Detroit
Even the Lions weekly goal of 150 penalty yards won't cost them a game against the Kardashian-like train wreck that is the Minnesota Vikings. Also, shouldn't a bigger deal have been made about Suh wrecking his car a couple days after being suspended? Shouldn't we have somebody with Suh 24/7 to make sure everything is ok? I don't know, maybe I'm old fashioned, but in my day driving a car into a tree and slamming a guy's head into the ground on national television were considered signs of needing help. Just saying.
Lions 28-10
New Orleans @ Tennessee
Saints have been pretty below average on the road this year and the Titans are fighting for that playoff spot. This smells of an upset. Also, congrats to Chris Johnson for deciding to show up with 3/4 of the season over with. I am certain the Titans were expecting that "preseason intensity" he showed this year when they gave him that big contract. Somewhere Matt Forte is really pissed off.
Titans 28-27
Philly @ Miami
(phone rings)
Agent: Hello?
AR: Hey bud, it's Andy Reid.
Agent: Andy?
AR: Hang on a sec...RUN IT UP THE MIDDLE...you still there?
Agent: Andy? It's noon on a Sund-
AR: WHAT IS IT? SECOND DOWN? HAVE VICK RUN AROUND OR SOMETHING. WHAT? oh. WELL HAVE VINCE YOUNG RUN AROUND THEN. Hey, bud, you still there? Sorry.
Agent: Andy, your team is supposed to be playing right now. Are you calling me from the sidelines?
AR: IS IT THIRD DOWN YET? HAVE DESEAN GO DEEP OR SOMETHING. Hey, sorry, it's really loud here. Hey, did you send my resume out? Has anyone gotten back to you?
Agent: Yeah, I have, but no one is doing anything yet. I'll keep checki--
AR: SCREW IT! PUNT IT! WHAT?! WE GOT A FIRST DOWN?! oh. RUN IT UP THE MIDDLE. Hey, you still there? Nothing huh. Well they're still paying me here somehow. Just keep looking, will ya?
Agent: Of course I will. I'll let you kno--
AR: SECOND DOWN? HAVE VICK RUN AROUND. oh. I MEAN VINCE YOUNG. Sorry bud, gotta go. Keep me posted.
Dolphins 24-21
Kansas City @ Jets
Watching Tyler Palko and Caleb Hanie face off last week was like watching vintage Brady vs. Manning, except the exact opposite. Sanchez is shitty, but he's no Caleb Hanie.
Jets 28-0
New England @ Washington
I had most of my credits finished going into my senior year in high school, so my last semester I stacked 2 study halls and a gym class after lunch, which meant I was pretty much done with school by like 1:00. I bet seeing those three classes in a row gave me the same kind of feeling the Patriots got when the saw the 3 game stretch of PHI-IND-WAS.
Patriots 35-21
Atlanta @ Carolina
Michael Turner is 7 yards away from 1000 on the season and 1 touchdown away from tying a franchise record. Carolina has the 27th ranked rush defense in the NFL. I bet Michael Turner gets his 7 yards and 1 touchdown.
Falcons 31-17
Bucs @ Jags
I wanted to sneak this into the column somewhere and since I have nothing to say about these two teams, you should all check out the awesome Touch of Evil video gallery on youtube right now. Brad Pitt, George Clooney and 11 other excellent actors each did a one minute scene as a famous movie villain. Very cool. Ryan Goseling's "Invisible Man" and Gary Oldman's "Dummy" are probably my favorite two so far. Enjoy.
Bucs 17-14
Indy @ Baltimore
Announcer: And the Colts are now 0-13! When will the slide end?
Coach Caldwell: (smiling)
Owner Irsay: (smiliing)
Peyton Manning: (frowning)
Ravens 35-3
Chicago @ Denver
I mentioned this on Facebook, but I'll rehash it here. Saturday morning I woke up a little before 8 AM to a Christian rock band performing (seemingly) right outside my window. So, let me please say that I like Tebow. I think he has a great arm and he is probably a hall of famer. Best quarterback in the league right now, for sure. Ok? Is everyone happy? Can we avoid the early wakeup call now? If I wanted to be up before 8 on a weekend, I would have had kids by now.
Broncos 17-13
Niners @ Cards
It would be really cool if the Niners could lock up the number 2 seed by week 16 (there are a bunch of Seahawk fans silently nodding right now).
Niners 27-10
Oakland @ Green Bay
Aaron Rodgers has 3800 yards, 37 TD and only 5 INT this season. It's insane. Considering that I don't remember him running up the score on anyone (unlike Tom Brady's record breaking season where he would throw hail mary's to Randy Moss in the 4th quarter of a 40 point blowout), I think this Rodgers season might be the most impressive season a quarterback has ever had in my lifetime. Next to the seasons Rick Mirer had with the Seahawks, where I was impressed that no one in the stands stormed the field and tried to strangle him. Different kind of impressive.
Packers 38-28
Buffalo @ San Diego
To put Aaron Rodgers in perspective; Phillip Rivers exists. Still, it's the Bills. Hey Charger fans, you playoff hopes are still alive!
Chargers 28-24
Giants @ Dallas
Oh, look, 2 NFC East foes on Sunday Night Football. How original.
Giants 31-28
St. Louis @ Seattle
I know Seahawk fans, I know. Don't make eye contact with it, pretend it's not there. Go about your business. Lots of things still have to happen. Play it cool. Nothing to see here, nothing to see...
Hawks 24-17
Last week: 9-6
Season: 128-62
I've been at a Christmas party all night and that clip has been running through my head. But I wasn't thinking of Sports Night, I was thinking of the movie I watched this morning. Hugo. I spent a good portion of the night dying for someone to ask me about recent movies I had seen. Hugo overall is an excellent film. The reason you should go is the cinematography. I personally can't stand 3-D movies and for the most part just because they were in 3-D (except for Avatar, which I avoided because I had already seen Dances with Wolves). What Martin Scorsese does with 3-D might be the most genius use of the technology that has ever existed. There was scene after scene of incredibly beautiful images that just jumped off the screen. Words can't do it justice. After a screening earlier this year, James Cameron himself called it a "masterpiece" and said it was the "best use of 3-D" he'd ever seen. James Cameron is dead on. I've written about Da Vinci before, and how amazing it is when you truly see greatness. Scorsese's use of 3-D falls in that category.
But that's not the main reason I fell in love with Hugo. The story of Hugo is based on the true story of Georges Melies. I knew of Melies before seeing Hugo, but did not know Hugo was about Georges Melies. Melies was a filmmaker from 1896-1914, during which time he made over 530 films. You would probably best know him from his film "A trip to the Moon", which gave us the iconic image of a man's face inside the moon with a rocket being shot into his eye (just watch the clip, you'll know it when you see it). Melies was one of the first filmmakers to use stop motion, multiple exposures and time-lapse photography. He even hand painted some of his film, giving many their first look at movies with color. He was innovative in every way, a trendsetter for many filmmakers to come. Yet, after being forced into bankruptcy by a couple of major movie studios, he lived the majority of his life without much fanfare. Towards the end of his life, he owned a toy store and went about his life without anyone around him realizing all that he had accomplished. The majority of his 531 films had been melted down and recycled into material used to make shoes. While he was recognized for his work a few years before his death, he died penniless and without much to show for all he had done.
Since his death, some of his films have been found and preserved. Martin Scorsese, a huge proponent and donator towards film preservation, made Hugo as homage to a major influence in his life. During Hugo, he highlights many of Melies' accomplishments and, most touching of all, shows a few of Melies' movies. In 3-D, nonetheless. George Melies died thinking that the things he was most proud of, the films he had spent so much time creating, were gone and were never to be watched again. Some seventy years after his death, millions of people worldwide are watching his movies.
Look what we can do.
Onto the picks...
Stealers 14, Browns 3
Loyal reader (and excellent musician) Tony wrote: "You didn't do a Thursday pick! Although an earthworm could have picked a Pittsburgh win". Yep. I tend to boycott writing on days when my least favorite football team is guaranteed a win. Although I was pretty excited when Big Ben almost lost a leg. Seriously, how does he keep coming back from these injuries? They should replace his helmet with Jason Voorhees' mask.
Houston @ Cincy
Somehow the Texans keep winning without a quarterback (insert Tebow joke), but that has to stop at some point. Right? Also, I don't know what's who's more embarrassed: Jake Delhomme, who signed a huge contract and like 2 years later is being signed off the street only because Matt Leinart got injured; Jeff Garcia who hasn't played in like 10 years and is now backing up Jake Delhomme; or is it a tie because they are both backing up something called T.J. Yates?
Bengals 24-20
Minnesota @ Detroit
Even the Lions weekly goal of 150 penalty yards won't cost them a game against the Kardashian-like train wreck that is the Minnesota Vikings. Also, shouldn't a bigger deal have been made about Suh wrecking his car a couple days after being suspended? Shouldn't we have somebody with Suh 24/7 to make sure everything is ok? I don't know, maybe I'm old fashioned, but in my day driving a car into a tree and slamming a guy's head into the ground on national television were considered signs of needing help. Just saying.
Lions 28-10
New Orleans @ Tennessee
Saints have been pretty below average on the road this year and the Titans are fighting for that playoff spot. This smells of an upset. Also, congrats to Chris Johnson for deciding to show up with 3/4 of the season over with. I am certain the Titans were expecting that "preseason intensity" he showed this year when they gave him that big contract. Somewhere Matt Forte is really pissed off.
Titans 28-27
Philly @ Miami
(phone rings)
Agent: Hello?
AR: Hey bud, it's Andy Reid.
Agent: Andy?
AR: Hang on a sec...RUN IT UP THE MIDDLE...you still there?
Agent: Andy? It's noon on a Sund-
AR: WHAT IS IT? SECOND DOWN? HAVE VICK RUN AROUND OR SOMETHING. WHAT? oh. WELL HAVE VINCE YOUNG RUN AROUND THEN. Hey, bud, you still there? Sorry.
Agent: Andy, your team is supposed to be playing right now. Are you calling me from the sidelines?
AR: IS IT THIRD DOWN YET? HAVE DESEAN GO DEEP OR SOMETHING. Hey, sorry, it's really loud here. Hey, did you send my resume out? Has anyone gotten back to you?
Agent: Yeah, I have, but no one is doing anything yet. I'll keep checki--
AR: SCREW IT! PUNT IT! WHAT?! WE GOT A FIRST DOWN?! oh. RUN IT UP THE MIDDLE. Hey, you still there? Nothing huh. Well they're still paying me here somehow. Just keep looking, will ya?
Agent: Of course I will. I'll let you kno--
AR: SECOND DOWN? HAVE VICK RUN AROUND. oh. I MEAN VINCE YOUNG. Sorry bud, gotta go. Keep me posted.
Dolphins 24-21
Kansas City @ Jets
Watching Tyler Palko and Caleb Hanie face off last week was like watching vintage Brady vs. Manning, except the exact opposite. Sanchez is shitty, but he's no Caleb Hanie.
Jets 28-0
New England @ Washington
I had most of my credits finished going into my senior year in high school, so my last semester I stacked 2 study halls and a gym class after lunch, which meant I was pretty much done with school by like 1:00. I bet seeing those three classes in a row gave me the same kind of feeling the Patriots got when the saw the 3 game stretch of PHI-IND-WAS.
Patriots 35-21
Atlanta @ Carolina
Michael Turner is 7 yards away from 1000 on the season and 1 touchdown away from tying a franchise record. Carolina has the 27th ranked rush defense in the NFL. I bet Michael Turner gets his 7 yards and 1 touchdown.
Falcons 31-17
Bucs @ Jags
I wanted to sneak this into the column somewhere and since I have nothing to say about these two teams, you should all check out the awesome Touch of Evil video gallery on youtube right now. Brad Pitt, George Clooney and 11 other excellent actors each did a one minute scene as a famous movie villain. Very cool. Ryan Goseling's "Invisible Man" and Gary Oldman's "Dummy" are probably my favorite two so far. Enjoy.
Bucs 17-14
Indy @ Baltimore
Announcer: And the Colts are now 0-13! When will the slide end?
Coach Caldwell: (smiling)
Owner Irsay: (smiliing)
Peyton Manning: (frowning)
Ravens 35-3
Chicago @ Denver
I mentioned this on Facebook, but I'll rehash it here. Saturday morning I woke up a little before 8 AM to a Christian rock band performing (seemingly) right outside my window. So, let me please say that I like Tebow. I think he has a great arm and he is probably a hall of famer. Best quarterback in the league right now, for sure. Ok? Is everyone happy? Can we avoid the early wakeup call now? If I wanted to be up before 8 on a weekend, I would have had kids by now.
Broncos 17-13
Niners @ Cards
It would be really cool if the Niners could lock up the number 2 seed by week 16 (there are a bunch of Seahawk fans silently nodding right now).
Niners 27-10
Oakland @ Green Bay
Aaron Rodgers has 3800 yards, 37 TD and only 5 INT this season. It's insane. Considering that I don't remember him running up the score on anyone (unlike Tom Brady's record breaking season where he would throw hail mary's to Randy Moss in the 4th quarter of a 40 point blowout), I think this Rodgers season might be the most impressive season a quarterback has ever had in my lifetime. Next to the seasons Rick Mirer had with the Seahawks, where I was impressed that no one in the stands stormed the field and tried to strangle him. Different kind of impressive.
Packers 38-28
Buffalo @ San Diego
To put Aaron Rodgers in perspective; Phillip Rivers exists. Still, it's the Bills. Hey Charger fans, you playoff hopes are still alive!
Chargers 28-24
Giants @ Dallas
Oh, look, 2 NFC East foes on Sunday Night Football. How original.
Giants 31-28
St. Louis @ Seattle
I know Seahawk fans, I know. Don't make eye contact with it, pretend it's not there. Go about your business. Lots of things still have to happen. Play it cool. Nothing to see here, nothing to see...
Hawks 24-17
Last week: 9-6
Season: 128-62
| 22 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Joe Soriano
Pro Sports Wrap
Orble Sport Blog