Year: 2008

Substandardly Competitive To Freaky Competitive In Only A Few Years: The NL West Story

Flash forward to last season, and the NL West was MLB’s most competitive division (and in a good way). 1.5 games separated the division winner Arizona Diamondbacks, the second place Colorado Rockies (wild card winner), and the third place San Diego Padres. Even the Los Angeles Dodgers remained in the race until its second half collapse. I won’t mention the San Francisco Giants; I’m too embarrassed to. The next closest competitive division was the NL East with only 5 games separating the top three teams. … Continue reading…Substandardly Competitive To Freaky Competitive In Only A Few Years: The NL West Story

I Hate Class Participation + Gattaca

What happened to the time when all you had to do was show up to class, sit down, and shut up, with the only action even remotely resembling movement was to make sure the teacher didn’t call your name and embarrass you in front of the class, which happens to include the girl of your dreams who also coincidentally sits far enough that you wouldn’t be distracted by her perfume but close enough that if you accidentally dropped your pencil a quick glance could confirm her classroom attendance. … Continue reading…I Hate Class Participation + Gattaca

Lars And The Real Girl (2007)

Ryan Gosling plays Lars with a reserved shyness that is neither gloomy nor ridiculous. Craig Gillespie directs with a kindhearted subtlety. Much credit goes to Oliver’s screenplay which doesn’t deviate into anything vulgar or sexual (and the Farrelly brothers keep coming to mind) or get bogged down into a morality lesson (Lars goes to church every Sunday). The story is handled respectfully and responsibly and it’s as much about compassion as it is about loneliness. … Continue reading…Lars And The Real Girl (2007)