Massachusetts metal fans had several reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving weekend as metalcore titans August Burns Red brought their first headlining tour for their recently-released record Found in Far Away Places to the Palladium in Worcester on Saturday night. W
Wage War: I arrived late and missed their set. Based on word of-mouth from the crowd, they apparently went over pretty well.
Polyphia: When this tour got announced in late August, I had no clue who Polyphia was. After doing a bit of research around my go-to music review sites, I read a ton of insanely positive things about this young instrumental group. Despite the fact that I read all of these glowing reviews of their music, I never actually took the time to check out their stuff before the show. After seeing them perform, I officially hate myself for not taking the time to listen to any of their work in the months leading up to the show. Polyphia is without doubt one of the most interesting, talented and badass instrumental groups I've ever heard. Their ability to write wildly technical compositions without delving into empty wankery reminded me a lot of fellow Texas prog metal instrumental act Scale the Summit. While their technical chops were certainly impressive, it was the soaring melodies and catchy riffs that really sold me on these guys. There's a solid number of instrumental bands in the scene right now that are more concerned with displaying their virtuoso musicianship than writing fully fleshed-out songs, so it's great to see a band with the songwriting chops to write dense songs that aren't just an empty excuse to play as fast as humanly possible. Based on what I saw at this show, I believe Polyphia is going to have a bright future in this scene and I really hope that touring with one of the most popular acts in modern metal will get them a lot of new fans.
Stick to Your Guns: It's something that I've said more times than I can remember, but Stick to Your Guns is one of the strongest examples of a band whose music was designed to be heard in a live setting. Their fast, breakdown-filled songs make their shows relentlessly energetic and fun as all hell. While the music itself is naturally chaotic, their live show wouldn't be nearly as crazy it is without the fiery presence of vocalist Jesse Barnett. Barnett brings a level of intensity and passion to the stage that hasn't been seen since the hardcore genre's heyday in the late 80's and early 90's. While their studio material rarely rises above decent, Stick to Your Guns is a special live act that is an absolute must-see for any diehard metal/hardcore fan.
Every Time I Die: Even with vocalist Keith Buckley in a visibly intoxicated state, Every Time I Die still managed to deliver one hell of a performance. This marked the fifth time I've seen these guys live and they never fail to blow me away. Every time they take the stage, they are a wrecking ball of destruction and they're never less than invigorating to watch. Their setlist lacked any real surprises, but still featured a nice mix of material that spanned across their entire discography and did a good job of displaying what the band is all about to the audience members who weren't familiar with their music. What did shock me about their set was how well they were received by the crowd. I was fully expecting them to get a lukewarm reception akin to what they got the first couple of times I saw them on Warped Tour from August Burns Red's predominantly young fanbase, but people were going absolutely insane for them. The pits covered about 90% of the floor and the volume of crowdsurfers was so large that it didn't stop between songs. In short, Every Time I Die slays live and you should probably go see them if they come to your city.
August Burns Red: Like Every Time I Die, August Burns Red is one of the most consistent live acts in metal and this show was no exception. Just like with their studio material, they continue to push themselves as performers and make noticeable strides as a live act with each tour they go on. While they were still excellent, their show did not get off to the smoothest of starts. The first third of their set was almost exclusively made of songs up that are amongst the weakest in their entire catalog ("Provision", "Meddler", "Beauty in Tragedy", "Salt & Light"). There was nothing objectively wrong with this stretch of the set as they played everything flawlessly, it was just disappointing to see them come out and play so many average songs in a row to start off the set. Thankfully, the song selection following "Beauty in Tragedy" was pretty much flawless and more than made up for any of the issues with the early part of the set. The material from their phenomenal new record Found in Far Away Places ("Identity", "Majoring in the Minors", "Ghosts") sounds even better live and older crowd-favorites "White Washed", "Empire" and "Composure" were great as always. August Burns Red is a band that I will never grow tired of seeing live and I hope they return to Massachusetts on the second leg of their headlining tour for Found in Far Away Places.
Scores:
Polyphia 8/10
Stick to Your Guns 8/10
Every Time I Die 9/10
August Burns Red 9/10
Setlists:
Polyphia:
Champagne
87
Impassion
Transcend
Finale
Every Time I Die:
Moor
Floater
Typical Miracle
Thirst
Decayin' With the Boys
We'rewolf
Ebolarama
The New Black
Roman Holiday
The Marvelous Slut
Idiot
No Son of Mine
Underwater Bimbos from Outer Space
Bored Stiff
August Burns Red:
Martyr
Provision
Back Burner
Meddler
Salt & Light
Beauty in Tragedy
Spirit Breaker
Identity
Carol of the Bells
Composure
Majoring in the Minors
Empire
Ghosts
White Washed
Encore:
Frosty the Snowman
Fault Line
Monday, November 30, 2015
Friday, November 27, 2015
The Best and Worst of Sylvester Stallone
The "Best and Worst" series profiles the best and worst work of an
actor starring in one of the week's new theatrical releases. This week I
take a look at the filmography of "Creed" star Sylvester Stallone.
Films starring Sylvester Stallone that I've seen:
Rocky
Rocky II
Rocky III
First Blood
Rocky IV
Rocky V
Judge Dredd
Antz
Rocky Balboa
Rambo
The Expendables
Zookeeper
The Expendables 2
Bullet to the Head
Escape Plan
Grudge Match
The Expendables 3
Best Performance: Rocky (1976)
Stallone is not exactly known for his acting ability, but he's phenomenal in the film that made him a household name and Rocky Balboa one of the most iconic sports heroes in the history of cinema.
Worst Performance: Grudge Match (2013)
Stallone has never looked more bored or confused on screen than he did in this wildly subpar comedy about a pair of former boxing legends(Stallone and Robert De Niro) engaging in their long-awaited "grudge match", 30 years after stepping away from the sport. Based on his general lack of effort and chemistry with any of the actors he shares the screen with, it's clear that he only took this role for the paycheck.
Best Film: First Blood (1982)
The action genre started to really establish its identity in the 80's and First Blood is one of the most essential films to come out of this decade of innovation and creativity. The action sequences are badass, the tension level never lets up and there's a hefty amount of intelligence and social commentary buried beneath the high body count.
Worst Film: Rocky V (1990)
Moronic and lacking the winning formula that drove the first four films, Rocky V tarnished the Rocky franchise's previously good name and will go down as one of the most incompetent sequels ever made.
Thank you for reading this week's installment of "The Best and Worst of". Next week, I'll take a look at the best and worst work of "Chi-Raq" star Samuel L. Jackson.
Films starring Sylvester Stallone that I've seen:
Rocky
Rocky II
Rocky III
First Blood
Rocky IV
Rocky V
Judge Dredd
Antz
Rocky Balboa
Rambo
The Expendables
Zookeeper
The Expendables 2
Bullet to the Head
Escape Plan
Grudge Match
The Expendables 3
Best Performance: Rocky (1976)
Stallone is not exactly known for his acting ability, but he's phenomenal in the film that made him a household name and Rocky Balboa one of the most iconic sports heroes in the history of cinema.
Worst Performance: Grudge Match (2013)
Stallone has never looked more bored or confused on screen than he did in this wildly subpar comedy about a pair of former boxing legends(Stallone and Robert De Niro) engaging in their long-awaited "grudge match", 30 years after stepping away from the sport. Based on his general lack of effort and chemistry with any of the actors he shares the screen with, it's clear that he only took this role for the paycheck.
Best Film: First Blood (1982)
The action genre started to really establish its identity in the 80's and First Blood is one of the most essential films to come out of this decade of innovation and creativity. The action sequences are badass, the tension level never lets up and there's a hefty amount of intelligence and social commentary buried beneath the high body count.
Worst Film: Rocky V (1990)
Moronic and lacking the winning formula that drove the first four films, Rocky V tarnished the Rocky franchise's previously good name and will go down as one of the most incompetent sequels ever made.
Thank you for reading this week's installment of "The Best and Worst of". Next week, I'll take a look at the best and worst work of "Chi-Raq" star Samuel L. Jackson.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Week 11 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers
Quarterback
MVP: Cam Newton (Panthers)
Despite being held in check on the ground (16 yards on 4 carries), Cam Newton managed to put up one of his impressive performances of the year, torching the lowly Redskins defense for 246 YDS and 5 TD through the air. Newton has a good shot of continuing his hot streak against a up-and-down Cowboys defense in Week 12.
Honorable Mentions: Jameis Winston (Buccaneers), Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Carson Palmer (Cardinals)
LVP: Derek Carr (Raiders)
After a pretty excellent start, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has fell into a bit of a slump over the past couple of weeks. While hindered by some huge drops from his receivers, Carr looked pretty shaky against the Lions subpar defense, managing just 169 YDS and 0 TD's on 13/25 passing. Carr will look to redeem himself in Week 12 against the Titans rapidly-declining pass defense.
Dishonorable Mentions: Blake Bortles (Jaguars), Phillip Rivers (Chargers), Tom Brady (Patriots)
Running Back
MVP: Doug Martin (Buccaneers)
Doug Martin put his recent cold streak to bed in the flashiest possible fashion. Martin carved up an Eagles defense that's typically stout against the run all afternoon, picking up 235 YDS on 27 carries. Martin's insane rushing day paved the way for Jameis Winston's historic 5 TD performance and the Buccaneers surprise blowout road victory over the suddenly imploding Eagles. Martin's return to form after his largely underwhelming 2013 and 2014 campaigns has made him one of the biggest fantasy steals of 2015.
Honorable Mentions: LeSean McCoy (Bills), Jonathan Stewart (Panthers), Jeremy Hill (Bengals)
LVP: Danny Woodhead (Chargers)
The Chargers injury-plagued offense was nothing short of horrendous against the Chiefs and their inability to get Danny Woodhead-their most lethal healthy offensive weapon by far- the ball was the primary cause for their struggles. The versatile running back only touched the ball 7 times and finished the game with just 16 total yards. While this poor showing is discouraging, Woodhead is bound to be the featured option in this depleted offense and should remain on the RB2/FLEX radar.
Dishonorable Mentions: Lamar Miller (Dolphins), DeMarco Murray (Eagles), Chris Ivory (Jets)
Wide Receiver
MVP: DeAndre Hopkins (Texans)
Revis Island proved to be no match for Texans wideout DeAndre Hopkins. The 3rd-year breakout star made Revis look silly multiple times during the game and finished the game with 118 yards and 2 TD's on 5 receptions. This performance further validates Hopkins status as a matchup-proof WR1 and one of the most reliable players in all of fantasy football.
Honorable Mentions: James Jones (Packers), Julio Jones (Falcons), DeSean Jackson (Redskins)
LVP: Amari Cooper (Raiders)
While Amari Cooper has mostly been impressive in his inaugural season in the NFL , Week 11 was a showcase of the negative aspects of his game. Cooper (1 REC, 4 YDS) couldn't get much separation from the Lions top corner Darius Slay for most of the game and committed a pair of pivotal drops on his four targets. Cooper's not likely to repeat this disastrous performance in Week 12 against the Titans, but his high volume of drops and inconsistent route-running make him nothing more than a mid-level WR2.
Dishonorable Mentions: Tavon Austin (Rams), Allen Hurns (Jaguars), Sammy Watkins (Bills)
Tight End
MVP: Kyle Rudolph (Vikings)
Kyle Rudolph emerged as the surprising go-to guy in the Vikings passing offense in Week 11. Rudolph was tied with Stefon Diggs for the team lead in targets and picked up 106 yards and 6 receptions including a beautiful 42-yard touchdown against the Packers horrific secondary. While Rudolph was undeniably excellent against the Packers, The Vikings wishy-washy pass offense and Rudolph's general lack of targets most weeks make him a less-than-stellar fantasy option.
Honorable Mentions: Tyler Eifert (Bengals), Greg Olsen (Panthers), Delanie Walker (Titans)
LVP: Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)
Last Wednesday, Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore said that his team had a plan to take Rob Gronkowski out of the game. Gronkowski's lackluster statline (2 catches/37 yards on 7 targets) proved that Gilmore wasn't blowing smoke. The Bills stuck multiple defenders on Gronkowski and granted him no open space to run after the catch. Gronkowski is far from a lock to return to his cyborg form against the Broncos physical, top-ranked passing defense in Week 12.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jason Witten (Cowboys), Jimmy Graham (Seahawks), Antonio Gates (Chargers)
Defense
MVP: Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs defense continued their recent reign of dominance against the Chargers shell of an offense in Week 11. The Chiefs picked up 3 sacks, an INT, a fumble recovery, a touchdown and surrendered just 3 points to Phillip Rivers and co. in the increasingly non-hostile environment of Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. The Chiefs could be in store for another huge day if the Bills have to start walking turnover E.J. Manuel over the injured Tyrod Taylor in Week 12.
Honorable Mentions: Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers
LVP: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles defense has largely kept the team afloat while their offense has struggled in 2015, but this typically resilient, reliable unit looking anything but in their Week 11 blowout loss at the hands of the Buccaneers. The Eagles ability to generate takeaways and sacks were largely absent (they managed just a single sack and fumble recovery) as they got gassed for 39 points as the Buccaneers found massive success on the ground and through the air. The Eagles have an ideal rebound matchup on Thanksgiving against the turnover-prone and pass-protection challenged offense of the Lions.
Dishonorable Mentions: Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks
MVP: Cam Newton (Panthers)
Despite being held in check on the ground (16 yards on 4 carries), Cam Newton managed to put up one of his impressive performances of the year, torching the lowly Redskins defense for 246 YDS and 5 TD through the air. Newton has a good shot of continuing his hot streak against a up-and-down Cowboys defense in Week 12.
Honorable Mentions: Jameis Winston (Buccaneers), Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Carson Palmer (Cardinals)
LVP: Derek Carr (Raiders)
After a pretty excellent start, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has fell into a bit of a slump over the past couple of weeks. While hindered by some huge drops from his receivers, Carr looked pretty shaky against the Lions subpar defense, managing just 169 YDS and 0 TD's on 13/25 passing. Carr will look to redeem himself in Week 12 against the Titans rapidly-declining pass defense.
Dishonorable Mentions: Blake Bortles (Jaguars), Phillip Rivers (Chargers), Tom Brady (Patriots)
Running Back
MVP: Doug Martin (Buccaneers)
Doug Martin put his recent cold streak to bed in the flashiest possible fashion. Martin carved up an Eagles defense that's typically stout against the run all afternoon, picking up 235 YDS on 27 carries. Martin's insane rushing day paved the way for Jameis Winston's historic 5 TD performance and the Buccaneers surprise blowout road victory over the suddenly imploding Eagles. Martin's return to form after his largely underwhelming 2013 and 2014 campaigns has made him one of the biggest fantasy steals of 2015.
Honorable Mentions: LeSean McCoy (Bills), Jonathan Stewart (Panthers), Jeremy Hill (Bengals)
LVP: Danny Woodhead (Chargers)
The Chargers injury-plagued offense was nothing short of horrendous against the Chiefs and their inability to get Danny Woodhead-their most lethal healthy offensive weapon by far- the ball was the primary cause for their struggles. The versatile running back only touched the ball 7 times and finished the game with just 16 total yards. While this poor showing is discouraging, Woodhead is bound to be the featured option in this depleted offense and should remain on the RB2/FLEX radar.
Dishonorable Mentions: Lamar Miller (Dolphins), DeMarco Murray (Eagles), Chris Ivory (Jets)
Wide Receiver
MVP: DeAndre Hopkins (Texans)
Revis Island proved to be no match for Texans wideout DeAndre Hopkins. The 3rd-year breakout star made Revis look silly multiple times during the game and finished the game with 118 yards and 2 TD's on 5 receptions. This performance further validates Hopkins status as a matchup-proof WR1 and one of the most reliable players in all of fantasy football.
Honorable Mentions: James Jones (Packers), Julio Jones (Falcons), DeSean Jackson (Redskins)
LVP: Amari Cooper (Raiders)
While Amari Cooper has mostly been impressive in his inaugural season in the NFL , Week 11 was a showcase of the negative aspects of his game. Cooper (1 REC, 4 YDS) couldn't get much separation from the Lions top corner Darius Slay for most of the game and committed a pair of pivotal drops on his four targets. Cooper's not likely to repeat this disastrous performance in Week 12 against the Titans, but his high volume of drops and inconsistent route-running make him nothing more than a mid-level WR2.
Dishonorable Mentions: Tavon Austin (Rams), Allen Hurns (Jaguars), Sammy Watkins (Bills)
Tight End
MVP: Kyle Rudolph (Vikings)
Kyle Rudolph emerged as the surprising go-to guy in the Vikings passing offense in Week 11. Rudolph was tied with Stefon Diggs for the team lead in targets and picked up 106 yards and 6 receptions including a beautiful 42-yard touchdown against the Packers horrific secondary. While Rudolph was undeniably excellent against the Packers, The Vikings wishy-washy pass offense and Rudolph's general lack of targets most weeks make him a less-than-stellar fantasy option.
Honorable Mentions: Tyler Eifert (Bengals), Greg Olsen (Panthers), Delanie Walker (Titans)
LVP: Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)
Last Wednesday, Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore said that his team had a plan to take Rob Gronkowski out of the game. Gronkowski's lackluster statline (2 catches/37 yards on 7 targets) proved that Gilmore wasn't blowing smoke. The Bills stuck multiple defenders on Gronkowski and granted him no open space to run after the catch. Gronkowski is far from a lock to return to his cyborg form against the Broncos physical, top-ranked passing defense in Week 12.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jason Witten (Cowboys), Jimmy Graham (Seahawks), Antonio Gates (Chargers)
Defense
MVP: Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs defense continued their recent reign of dominance against the Chargers shell of an offense in Week 11. The Chiefs picked up 3 sacks, an INT, a fumble recovery, a touchdown and surrendered just 3 points to Phillip Rivers and co. in the increasingly non-hostile environment of Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. The Chiefs could be in store for another huge day if the Bills have to start walking turnover E.J. Manuel over the injured Tyrod Taylor in Week 12.
Honorable Mentions: Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers
LVP: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles defense has largely kept the team afloat while their offense has struggled in 2015, but this typically resilient, reliable unit looking anything but in their Week 11 blowout loss at the hands of the Buccaneers. The Eagles ability to generate takeaways and sacks were largely absent (they managed just a single sack and fumble recovery) as they got gassed for 39 points as the Buccaneers found massive success on the ground and through the air. The Eagles have an ideal rebound matchup on Thanksgiving against the turnover-prone and pass-protection challenged offense of the Lions.
Dishonorable Mentions: Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Week 12 NFL Power Rankings
()=Last Week's Ranking
1. (1) Carolina Panthers (10-0) Week 12 opponent: Dallas Cowboys
2. (2) New England Patriots (10-0) Week 12 opponent: Denver Broncos
3. (3) Arizona Cardinals (8-2) Week 12 opponent: San Francisco 49ers
4. (7) Denver Broncos (8-2) Week 12 opponent: New England Patriots
5. (9) Green Bay Packers (8-2) Week 12 opponent: Chicago Bears
6. (5) Cincinnati Bengals (8-2) Week 12 opponent: St. Louis Rams
7. (6) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) Week 12 opponent: Seattle Seahawks
8. (4) Minnesota Vikings (7-3) Week 12 opponent: Atlanta Falcons
9. (8) New York Giants (5-5) Week 12 opponent: Washington Redskins
10. (12) Kansas City Chiefs (5-5) Week 12 opponent: Buffalo Bills
11. (10) Buffalo Bills (5-5) Week 12 opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
12. (16) Seattle Seahawks (5-5) Week 12 opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
13. (15) Indianapolis Colts (5-5) Week 12 opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
14. (21) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5) Week 12 opponent: Indianapolis Colts
15. (14) Atlanta Falcons (6-4) Week 12 opponent: Minnesota Vikings
16. (22) Houston Texans (5-5) Week 12 opponent: New Orleans Saints
17. (13) Oakland Raiders (4-6) Week 12 opponent: Tennessee Titans
18. (17) Chicago Bears (4-6) Week 12 opponent: Green Bay Packers
19. (11) New York Jets (5-5) Week 12 opponent: Miami Dolphins
20. (31) Dallas Cowboys (3-7) Week 12 opponent: Carolina Panthers
21. (25) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6) Week 12 opponent: San Diego Chargers
22. (20) Miami Dolphins (4-6) Week 12 opponent: New York Jets
23. (18) Washington Redskins (4-6) Week 12 opponent: New York Giants
24. (24) New Orleans Saints (4-6) Week 12 opponent: Houston Texans
25. (26) Baltimore Ravens (3-7) Week 12 opponent: Cleveland Browns
26. (29) Detroit Lions (3-7) Week 12 opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
27. (19) Philadelphia Eagles (4-6) Week 12 opponent: Detroit Lions
28. (23) St. Louis Rams (4-6) Week 12 opponent: Cincinnati Bengals
29. (28) San Francisco 49ers (3-7) Week 12 opponent: Arizona Cardinals
30. (30) Tennessee Titans (2-8) Week 12 opponent: Oakland Raiders
31. (27) San Diego Chargers (2-8) Week 12 opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
32. (32) Cleveland Browns (2-8) Week 12 opponent: Baltimore Ravens
1. (1) Carolina Panthers (10-0) Week 12 opponent: Dallas Cowboys
2. (2) New England Patriots (10-0) Week 12 opponent: Denver Broncos
3. (3) Arizona Cardinals (8-2) Week 12 opponent: San Francisco 49ers
4. (7) Denver Broncos (8-2) Week 12 opponent: New England Patriots
5. (9) Green Bay Packers (8-2) Week 12 opponent: Chicago Bears
6. (5) Cincinnati Bengals (8-2) Week 12 opponent: St. Louis Rams
7. (6) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) Week 12 opponent: Seattle Seahawks
8. (4) Minnesota Vikings (7-3) Week 12 opponent: Atlanta Falcons
9. (8) New York Giants (5-5) Week 12 opponent: Washington Redskins
10. (12) Kansas City Chiefs (5-5) Week 12 opponent: Buffalo Bills
11. (10) Buffalo Bills (5-5) Week 12 opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
12. (16) Seattle Seahawks (5-5) Week 12 opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
13. (15) Indianapolis Colts (5-5) Week 12 opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
14. (21) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5) Week 12 opponent: Indianapolis Colts
15. (14) Atlanta Falcons (6-4) Week 12 opponent: Minnesota Vikings
16. (22) Houston Texans (5-5) Week 12 opponent: New Orleans Saints
17. (13) Oakland Raiders (4-6) Week 12 opponent: Tennessee Titans
18. (17) Chicago Bears (4-6) Week 12 opponent: Green Bay Packers
19. (11) New York Jets (5-5) Week 12 opponent: Miami Dolphins
20. (31) Dallas Cowboys (3-7) Week 12 opponent: Carolina Panthers
21. (25) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6) Week 12 opponent: San Diego Chargers
22. (20) Miami Dolphins (4-6) Week 12 opponent: New York Jets
23. (18) Washington Redskins (4-6) Week 12 opponent: New York Giants
24. (24) New Orleans Saints (4-6) Week 12 opponent: Houston Texans
25. (26) Baltimore Ravens (3-7) Week 12 opponent: Cleveland Browns
26. (29) Detroit Lions (3-7) Week 12 opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
27. (19) Philadelphia Eagles (4-6) Week 12 opponent: Detroit Lions
28. (23) St. Louis Rams (4-6) Week 12 opponent: Cincinnati Bengals
29. (28) San Francisco 49ers (3-7) Week 12 opponent: Arizona Cardinals
30. (30) Tennessee Titans (2-8) Week 12 opponent: Oakland Raiders
31. (27) San Diego Chargers (2-8) Week 12 opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
32. (32) Cleveland Browns (2-8) Week 12 opponent: Baltimore Ravens
Monday, November 23, 2015
Quick Movie Reviews: Spectre, Spotlight, The Night Before
Spectre: The James Bond film released immediately after series standout Skyfall was pretty much bound to be a letdown, but even with lowered expectations, Spectre still manages to underwhelm. Spectre has the look of a spectacle with elaborate setpieces and exotic backdrops galore, but no amount of big-budgeted action scenes and pretty scenery from various locations around the world can disguise how routine this film is. The story especially embodies the pedestrian spy film formula as Bond takes on a tech-savvy global terror group called "Spectre" led by the mysterious Ernst Stavro Blofeld (a criminally underutilized Christoph Waltz), who has been responsible for a majority of the deaths of Bond's loved ones in recent years. This really simple setup is somehow stretched into a nearly two-and-a-half hour film that's often dull, frequently underdeveloped and brings back the overwhelmingly hokey vibe that hasn't been present in the series since Pierce Brosnan played the British superspy. The only thing that saves Spectre from going completely off-the-rails is the work of Daniel Craig. Craig continues to portray Bond in a refreshingly gritty manner and his excellent performance makes even the most trite sequences in this film somewhat bearable. Spectre is a passable, but completely forgettable entry in the Bond series. It would be an absolute shame if this truly was Craig's swan song to Bond. He deserves a much better finale than this.
3/5 Stars
Spotlight: A few times a year, a film will come along and tell a under-the-radar true story that needs to be heard. For 2015, that film is Spotlight. Spotlight tells the story of a group of Boston Globe investigate reporters -known as the "Spotlight" team- who uncover the rampant child molestation among priests in the Boston archdiocese and susbquent cover-ups by the higher-ups in the Catholic Church. While this story was published in 2002, the general public has somehow largely forgot about it and that makes this film an essential reminder of just how impactful the information the Spotlight team uncovered is. The dramatization of these true-life events does an excellent job of telling this story in a riveting, thoughtful manner by exposing just how widespread the corruption and cover-ups in the Catholic Church ran while also honoring the immense psychical and emotional pain the victims of these heinous cases of abuse endured. The only disappointing aspect of Spotlight is that no one out of the highly talented ensemble cast gives a true standout performance. Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Stanley Tucci, Liev Schreiber and Brian d'Arcy James all turn in good performances as the reporters and lawyers that helped bring this story to light, but none of them are memorable enough to draw serious contention for nominations once award season rolls around. Spotlight is one of the finest cinematic accomplishments of 2015 so far and I will not be the least bit surprised if it ends up emerging as the frontrunner for Best Picture.
4/5 Stars
The Night Before: The Night Before sees Seth Rogen and his cohorts finally trying their hand at a holiday film and it ends up being one of the finest projects the polarizing stoner comic icon has ever produced. The Night Before focuses on a group of friends (Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anthony Mackie) in their early 30's enjoying the final installment of their 12-year tradition of partying together on Christmas Eve before they finally accept their various adult responsibilities. The trio is excellent together as they fire off jokes and establishing a friendship that feels entirely believable. The star-studded supporting cast including Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex), Jillian Bell (Workaholics), Ilana Glazer (Broad City), Mindy Kaling and a scene-stealing Michael Shannon only adds to the brilliance by manufacturing a ton of laughs in their limited time on screen. The parade of sex-and-drug fueled humor that drives Rogen's films is still very much present here, but what's surprising about The Night Before is just how heartfelt it is. The film's messages about friendship, first-time parenthood, growing up and relationships are intelligent and poignant. Contrary to popular belief Rogen's films aren't always simple stoner comedies with nothing meaningful to say, but even as a longtime fan of his work, I was surprised by how many deep and emotionally-resonant the messages in this film were. With it's non-stop laughs and season-appropriate warmth, The Night Before is an instant holiday classic.
4.5/5 Stars
3/5 Stars
Spotlight: A few times a year, a film will come along and tell a under-the-radar true story that needs to be heard. For 2015, that film is Spotlight. Spotlight tells the story of a group of Boston Globe investigate reporters -known as the "Spotlight" team- who uncover the rampant child molestation among priests in the Boston archdiocese and susbquent cover-ups by the higher-ups in the Catholic Church. While this story was published in 2002, the general public has somehow largely forgot about it and that makes this film an essential reminder of just how impactful the information the Spotlight team uncovered is. The dramatization of these true-life events does an excellent job of telling this story in a riveting, thoughtful manner by exposing just how widespread the corruption and cover-ups in the Catholic Church ran while also honoring the immense psychical and emotional pain the victims of these heinous cases of abuse endured. The only disappointing aspect of Spotlight is that no one out of the highly talented ensemble cast gives a true standout performance. Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Stanley Tucci, Liev Schreiber and Brian d'Arcy James all turn in good performances as the reporters and lawyers that helped bring this story to light, but none of them are memorable enough to draw serious contention for nominations once award season rolls around. Spotlight is one of the finest cinematic accomplishments of 2015 so far and I will not be the least bit surprised if it ends up emerging as the frontrunner for Best Picture.
4/5 Stars
The Night Before: The Night Before sees Seth Rogen and his cohorts finally trying their hand at a holiday film and it ends up being one of the finest projects the polarizing stoner comic icon has ever produced. The Night Before focuses on a group of friends (Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anthony Mackie) in their early 30's enjoying the final installment of their 12-year tradition of partying together on Christmas Eve before they finally accept their various adult responsibilities. The trio is excellent together as they fire off jokes and establishing a friendship that feels entirely believable. The star-studded supporting cast including Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex), Jillian Bell (Workaholics), Ilana Glazer (Broad City), Mindy Kaling and a scene-stealing Michael Shannon only adds to the brilliance by manufacturing a ton of laughs in their limited time on screen. The parade of sex-and-drug fueled humor that drives Rogen's films is still very much present here, but what's surprising about The Night Before is just how heartfelt it is. The film's messages about friendship, first-time parenthood, growing up and relationships are intelligent and poignant. Contrary to popular belief Rogen's films aren't always simple stoner comedies with nothing meaningful to say, but even as a longtime fan of his work, I was surprised by how many deep and emotionally-resonant the messages in this film were. With it's non-stop laughs and season-appropriate warmth, The Night Before is an instant holiday classic.
4.5/5 Stars
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
The Best and Worst of Seth Rogen
The "Best and Worst" series profiles the best and worst work of an
actor starring in one of the week's new theatrical releases. This week I
take a look at the filmography of "The Night Before" star Seth Rogen.
Film starring Seth Rogen that I've seen:
Donnie Darko
The 40-Year Old Virgin
You, Me and Dupree
Knocked Up
Superbad
Kung Fu Panda
Pineapple Express
Zach and Miri Make a Porno
Monsters Vs. Aliens
Observe and Report
Funny People
The Green Hornet
Paul
Kung Fu Panda 2
50/50
The Guilt Trip
This is the End
Neighbors
The Interview
Steve Jobs
Best Performance: This is the End (2013)
Seth Rogen is often accused of playing characters that are too autobiographical, so it's only fitting that his finest work as an actor to-date comes in a film where he actually plays himself. Rogen draws big laughs throughout as he brilliantly skewers his loveable stoner persona and manages to be one of the standout performers in a cast full of comedic heavyweights.
Worst Performance: The Guilt Trip (2012)
Rogen's performance in The Guilt Trip is a textbook example of an actor unsuccessfully leaving their comfort zone. The overly sentimental material paired with the straight-laced nature of the character he's playing results in an uncharacteristically awkward performance from Rogen.
Best Film: Superbad (2007)
Every decade has a high school comedy that defines it. The 80's had Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The 90's had Dazed and Confused. For the 2000's, this title goes to Superbad. The film only improves upon repeat viewings and the ensemble cast featuring Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Rogen, Bill Hader, Emma Stone and Christopher Mintz-Plasse couldn't be more perfect. As far as I'm concerned, Superbad is the most relatable, hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt high school comedy ever made.
Worst Film: Observe and Report (2009)
Writer/director Jody Hill is responsible for one of the funniest shows to hit the airwaves in the past decade (Eastbound and Down), but his track record on the big screen is nowhere near as impressive. His second film, Observe and Report, covers similarly dark territory as Eastbound and Down with not even a quarter of the laughs. Just about everyone in the movie (namely Rogen and Anna Faris) are woefully miscast in their roles and the film is more often just plain morbid than morbidly funny.
Thank you for reading this week's installment of "The Best and Worst of". Next week, I'll take a look at the best and worst work of "Creed" star Sylvester Stallone.
Film starring Seth Rogen that I've seen:
Donnie Darko
The 40-Year Old Virgin
You, Me and Dupree
Knocked Up
Superbad
Kung Fu Panda
Pineapple Express
Zach and Miri Make a Porno
Monsters Vs. Aliens
Observe and Report
Funny People
The Green Hornet
Paul
Kung Fu Panda 2
50/50
The Guilt Trip
This is the End
Neighbors
The Interview
Steve Jobs
Best Performance: This is the End (2013)
Seth Rogen is often accused of playing characters that are too autobiographical, so it's only fitting that his finest work as an actor to-date comes in a film where he actually plays himself. Rogen draws big laughs throughout as he brilliantly skewers his loveable stoner persona and manages to be one of the standout performers in a cast full of comedic heavyweights.
Worst Performance: The Guilt Trip (2012)
Rogen's performance in The Guilt Trip is a textbook example of an actor unsuccessfully leaving their comfort zone. The overly sentimental material paired with the straight-laced nature of the character he's playing results in an uncharacteristically awkward performance from Rogen.
Best Film: Superbad (2007)
Every decade has a high school comedy that defines it. The 80's had Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The 90's had Dazed and Confused. For the 2000's, this title goes to Superbad. The film only improves upon repeat viewings and the ensemble cast featuring Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Rogen, Bill Hader, Emma Stone and Christopher Mintz-Plasse couldn't be more perfect. As far as I'm concerned, Superbad is the most relatable, hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt high school comedy ever made.
Worst Film: Observe and Report (2009)
Writer/director Jody Hill is responsible for one of the funniest shows to hit the airwaves in the past decade (Eastbound and Down), but his track record on the big screen is nowhere near as impressive. His second film, Observe and Report, covers similarly dark territory as Eastbound and Down with not even a quarter of the laughs. Just about everyone in the movie (namely Rogen and Anna Faris) are woefully miscast in their roles and the film is more often just plain morbid than morbidly funny.
Thank you for reading this week's installment of "The Best and Worst of". Next week, I'll take a look at the best and worst work of "Creed" star Sylvester Stallone.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Week 10 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers
Quarterback
MVP: Kirk Cousins (Redskins)
Kirk Cousins became the latest quarterback to victimize the Saints abysmal defense (20-25/324 YDS/4 TD) without even breaking a sweat. Despite trending upwards with 8 TD's and 1 INT in his last 3 starts, Cousins 2015 season has been full of glorious highs and soul-crushing lows, and that type of erratic play makes him a risky play in weeks where he doesn't have a creampuff matchup.
Honorable Mentions: Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Jay Cutler (Bears), Joe Flacco (Ravens)
LVP: Peyton Manning (Broncos)
Peyton Manning may have passed Brett Favre to become the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards during Sunday's game with the Chiefs, but I'm sure he'd like to forget about everything else that happened on the field on November 15th, 2015. Manning played arguably the sloppiest game of his career (5-20/35 YDS/4 INT) and ended up getting pulled for backup Brock Osweiler midway through the 3rd quarter. A slew of both recent and lingering injuries have brought Manning down to earth and forced the future Hall-Of-Famer to finally show his advanced age. Manning's has already been ruled out for Week 11 with a partially torn plantar fascia and unless he's able to make a miraculous turnaround, he won't be viable a fantasy starter whenever he returns.
Dishonorable Mentions: Andy Dalton (Bengals), Drew Brees (Saints), Marcus Mariota (Titans)
Running Back
MVP: Jeremy Langford (Bears)
Even the most optimistic Bears fan couldn't have predicted that Jeremy Langford would play this well in relief of injured superstar running back Matt Forte. Langford did his best Forte impression by crushing the Rams defense in both the rushing and passing game, finishing the afternoon with 182 total yards (73 rushing, 109 receiving) and 2 TD's on 27 touches. As long as Forte is sidelined, Langford's status as a true dual-threat back makes him an excellent RB2 play.
Honorable Mentions: Charcandrick West (Chiefs), Adrian Peterson (Vikings), Matt Jones (Redskins)
LVP: Darren McFadden (Cowboys)
Darren McFadden has been impressive since he surpassed the recently-released Joseph Randle on the depth chart and became the Cowboys starting running back, picking up over 100 yards from scrimmage in all 3 of his starts coming into Week 10. That level of production was nowhere to be found this week as McFadden got stuffed all game long by the Buccaneers middling defense, finishing the day with just 58 total yards (32 rushing, 26 receiving) on 20 touches. Even with this weak performance, McFadden is the undisputed top back on a Cowboys team that is committed to running the football. McFadden should be a borderline RB1 in Week 11 against the Dolphins weak rush defense.
Dishonorable Mentions: DeAngelo Williams (Steelers), Antonio Andrews (Titans), Jeremy Hill (Bengals)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Antonio Brown (Steelers)
Antonio Brown followed up his record-setting day against the Raiders in week 9 with another masterful performance (10 REC, 139 YDS, 2 TD, 1 2-point conversion) against the Browns banged-up secondary in Week 10. Brown's post-bye week schedule is all over the map in terms of matchup difficulty, but he should be locked in as a top-flight WR1 for all of them.
Honorable Mentions: Michael Floyd (Cardinals), Martavis Bryant (Steelers), Brandin Cooks (Saints)
LVP: Dez Bryant (Cowboys)
Dez Bryant took a big step back this week after his impressive performance against the Eagles a week ago. Bryant grossly underperformed against a thoroughly terrible Buccaneers secondary, finishing the day with just 45 yards on 5 catches. Matt Cassel looked Bryant's way early and often-targeting him 12 times on his 29 pass attempts-but Bryant was uncharacteristically sloppy, committing 2 drops and running a ton of poor routes throughout the game. The Cowboys offensive woes should come to an end with Tony Romo returning to the lineup in week 11, but Bryant's lack of burst and inconsistency since returning from his foot injury in week 8 is a bit of a cause for concern. Bryant will be a mid-level WR2 until he returns to full health.
Dishonorable Mentions: A.J. Green (Bengals), Randall Cobb (Packers), Alshon Jeffrey (Bears)
Tight End
MVP: Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)
Shocker of the century: Rob Gronkowski finishes another week at the top of the fantasy tight end rankings. Gronkowski (5 REC/113 YDS/1 TD) was having a relatively quiet game until he snagged a career-long 76-yard touchdown in the 4th quarter that swung the game back into the Patriots direction. Gronkowski continues to play like a man possessed and with Julian Edelman out of the lineup indefinitely with a foot injury, he should be seeing even more targets in the Patriots high-powered offense.
Honorable Mentions: Gary Barnidge (Browns), Jordan Reed (Redskins), Richard Rodgers (Packers)
LVP: Tyler Eifert (Bengals)
Tyler Eifert was one of the primary victims of the horribly inefficient play of Andy Dalton on Monday night, putting up just 26 yards on 3 receptions in the Bengals ugly loss against the Texans. Eifert probably isn't worth starting in Week 11 as he has a brutal matchup against a Cardinals defense that has surrendered the 4th-least fantasy points to tight ends this season.
Dishonorable Mentions: Martellus Bennett (Bears), Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Eric Ebron (Lions)
Defense
MVP: Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs defense took advantage of Peyton Manning's abundance of miscues to have their finest outing of 2015 so far. The Chiefs picked up 5 sacks and INT's and allowed just 13 points to the Broncos in their shocking victory over the current AFC West leaders. The Chiefs are in the midst of a 3-game winning streak and the play of their defense has been one of the catalysts for their recent success. They'll be a great play against the struggling Chargers offense in Week 11.
Honorable Mentions: Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans
LVP: Denver Broncos
It's not completely fair to give the Broncos D this distinction because their poor performance is almost entirely attributed to Peyton Manning turning the ball over or failing to sustain a drive for any substantial length of time on every possession. Regardless of the cause, the Broncos defense fantasy performance (29 points allowed, 2 sacks, 0 takeaways, 0 TD) was still an undeniable disappointment, especially considering how dominant they've been this season. The Broncos defense has a good shot of returning to form in Week 11 against a Bears offense that is dealing with a ton of injuries on their offensive line.
Dishonorable Mentions: St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals
MVP: Kirk Cousins (Redskins)
Kirk Cousins became the latest quarterback to victimize the Saints abysmal defense (20-25/324 YDS/4 TD) without even breaking a sweat. Despite trending upwards with 8 TD's and 1 INT in his last 3 starts, Cousins 2015 season has been full of glorious highs and soul-crushing lows, and that type of erratic play makes him a risky play in weeks where he doesn't have a creampuff matchup.
Honorable Mentions: Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Jay Cutler (Bears), Joe Flacco (Ravens)
LVP: Peyton Manning (Broncos)
Peyton Manning may have passed Brett Favre to become the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards during Sunday's game with the Chiefs, but I'm sure he'd like to forget about everything else that happened on the field on November 15th, 2015. Manning played arguably the sloppiest game of his career (5-20/35 YDS/4 INT) and ended up getting pulled for backup Brock Osweiler midway through the 3rd quarter. A slew of both recent and lingering injuries have brought Manning down to earth and forced the future Hall-Of-Famer to finally show his advanced age. Manning's has already been ruled out for Week 11 with a partially torn plantar fascia and unless he's able to make a miraculous turnaround, he won't be viable a fantasy starter whenever he returns.
Dishonorable Mentions: Andy Dalton (Bengals), Drew Brees (Saints), Marcus Mariota (Titans)
Running Back
MVP: Jeremy Langford (Bears)
Even the most optimistic Bears fan couldn't have predicted that Jeremy Langford would play this well in relief of injured superstar running back Matt Forte. Langford did his best Forte impression by crushing the Rams defense in both the rushing and passing game, finishing the afternoon with 182 total yards (73 rushing, 109 receiving) and 2 TD's on 27 touches. As long as Forte is sidelined, Langford's status as a true dual-threat back makes him an excellent RB2 play.
Honorable Mentions: Charcandrick West (Chiefs), Adrian Peterson (Vikings), Matt Jones (Redskins)
LVP: Darren McFadden (Cowboys)
Darren McFadden has been impressive since he surpassed the recently-released Joseph Randle on the depth chart and became the Cowboys starting running back, picking up over 100 yards from scrimmage in all 3 of his starts coming into Week 10. That level of production was nowhere to be found this week as McFadden got stuffed all game long by the Buccaneers middling defense, finishing the day with just 58 total yards (32 rushing, 26 receiving) on 20 touches. Even with this weak performance, McFadden is the undisputed top back on a Cowboys team that is committed to running the football. McFadden should be a borderline RB1 in Week 11 against the Dolphins weak rush defense.
Dishonorable Mentions: DeAngelo Williams (Steelers), Antonio Andrews (Titans), Jeremy Hill (Bengals)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Antonio Brown (Steelers)
Antonio Brown followed up his record-setting day against the Raiders in week 9 with another masterful performance (10 REC, 139 YDS, 2 TD, 1 2-point conversion) against the Browns banged-up secondary in Week 10. Brown's post-bye week schedule is all over the map in terms of matchup difficulty, but he should be locked in as a top-flight WR1 for all of them.
Honorable Mentions: Michael Floyd (Cardinals), Martavis Bryant (Steelers), Brandin Cooks (Saints)
LVP: Dez Bryant (Cowboys)
Dez Bryant took a big step back this week after his impressive performance against the Eagles a week ago. Bryant grossly underperformed against a thoroughly terrible Buccaneers secondary, finishing the day with just 45 yards on 5 catches. Matt Cassel looked Bryant's way early and often-targeting him 12 times on his 29 pass attempts-but Bryant was uncharacteristically sloppy, committing 2 drops and running a ton of poor routes throughout the game. The Cowboys offensive woes should come to an end with Tony Romo returning to the lineup in week 11, but Bryant's lack of burst and inconsistency since returning from his foot injury in week 8 is a bit of a cause for concern. Bryant will be a mid-level WR2 until he returns to full health.
Dishonorable Mentions: A.J. Green (Bengals), Randall Cobb (Packers), Alshon Jeffrey (Bears)
Tight End
MVP: Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)
Shocker of the century: Rob Gronkowski finishes another week at the top of the fantasy tight end rankings. Gronkowski (5 REC/113 YDS/1 TD) was having a relatively quiet game until he snagged a career-long 76-yard touchdown in the 4th quarter that swung the game back into the Patriots direction. Gronkowski continues to play like a man possessed and with Julian Edelman out of the lineup indefinitely with a foot injury, he should be seeing even more targets in the Patriots high-powered offense.
Honorable Mentions: Gary Barnidge (Browns), Jordan Reed (Redskins), Richard Rodgers (Packers)
LVP: Tyler Eifert (Bengals)
Tyler Eifert was one of the primary victims of the horribly inefficient play of Andy Dalton on Monday night, putting up just 26 yards on 3 receptions in the Bengals ugly loss against the Texans. Eifert probably isn't worth starting in Week 11 as he has a brutal matchup against a Cardinals defense that has surrendered the 4th-least fantasy points to tight ends this season.
Dishonorable Mentions: Martellus Bennett (Bears), Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Eric Ebron (Lions)
Defense
MVP: Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs defense took advantage of Peyton Manning's abundance of miscues to have their finest outing of 2015 so far. The Chiefs picked up 5 sacks and INT's and allowed just 13 points to the Broncos in their shocking victory over the current AFC West leaders. The Chiefs are in the midst of a 3-game winning streak and the play of their defense has been one of the catalysts for their recent success. They'll be a great play against the struggling Chargers offense in Week 11.
Honorable Mentions: Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans
LVP: Denver Broncos
It's not completely fair to give the Broncos D this distinction because their poor performance is almost entirely attributed to Peyton Manning turning the ball over or failing to sustain a drive for any substantial length of time on every possession. Regardless of the cause, the Broncos defense fantasy performance (29 points allowed, 2 sacks, 0 takeaways, 0 TD) was still an undeniable disappointment, especially considering how dominant they've been this season. The Broncos defense has a good shot of returning to form in Week 11 against a Bears offense that is dealing with a ton of injuries on their offensive line.
Dishonorable Mentions: St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)