Football and Kong
It is almost getting to the point that I don't like watching football. Now, before any of you revoke my guy status, let me explain. I watched the Rose Bowl, the college football national championship - the 2nd half, at least - last Wednesday night. I liked watching it almost as much as watching the Buckeyes whoop up on Notre Dame. I watched as Vince Young simply threw his team - Texas - on his back and carried them to the title over USC. He threw for 267 yards, and rushed for another 200 yards. He was a beast! But what impressed me far more than any of the numbers that he posted was how he reacted every time he scored or made a big play. Actually, what impressed me was how he didn't react. Each time he scored, he simply walked to the ref, handed him the ball, and walked off the field. No dancing, no Sharpies or diving into the stands, no imaginary cell phone calls. He just did his job, and let that do his talking for him. In marked contrast, I watched the Steelers vs. Bengals game yesterday. Not only did it pain me to watch Pitts-Puke win, but what I really didn't like was the reaction of the players after virtually every play. Score a touchdown, strike a pose. Make a big tackle, pound your chest. Make a reception, start talking trash to the defender. Make a small tackle after the offensive player has already gotten a first down, still act like you did something big and impressive. It doesn't matter what you do, make sure you show everyone that you are big and important. Vince Young and his humble behavior in the title game was refreshing. I never thought I would say this about someone from Texas, but why can't more people be like him (no offense, Guy)? Whatever happened to humility and gentlemanly behavior? On a side note, I'm just glad that he is going into the draft. It increases the chances of Ohio State winning the national championship next year...there I go jinxing them again...
I went and saw King Kong this past weekend. I do have to say that it was a good movie. I don't know that it blew me away like it did everyone else. But it was fine. One thing I noted was that I am getting quite tired of computer-generated special effects. I'm not talking about movies like Toy Story or the soon-to-be released Hoodwinked (go see this movie - a friend's friend wrote and directed it!). Those movies are good because they don't try to be reality. I'm talking about movies like King Kong, and Chronicles of Narnia, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy (gasp!), where they are trying to portray something that is real through the use of computers. So much of these kinds of movies revolve around special effects. And for the most part, they are pretty good, but still not as good as the real thing. How long before we do away with actors altogether? The day is coming when you will be able to make a movie with computer graphics and some sort of voice-manufacturing device. I know, these movies are good and have a particular audience. I liked them all, but I just know that I am getting tired of all of the computer stuff. Bring back the real thing...or maybe go back to claymation like in Jason and the Argonauts. Now that is some cool special effects!
7 comments:
I agree with what you say. The artistry and creativity that these artists - computer graphics people - display is amazing. I look back at what I used to think was cool as far as special effects are concerned and I think, "Wow! That was primitive." And there is definitely a place for it in Hollywood. I like these type of graphics, too. But not to the extent that they are currently being used. I like movies with explosions, but if it were non-stop explosions in every movie, it would get old. And I certainly don't want your cousin to be out of work. :-)
I see things differently. Vince Young is a great QB but judging humility by outward appearance seems to be a stretch. What was he thinking and feeling inside? That is what is most important. He may be harboring a hurrican of pride but not expressing it.
I believe outward displays of passion and celebration are great for sports. For example, the great Chad Johnson of the Cinci Bengals. People watch him play just to see how is going to creatively celebrate.
Same principle goes for my favorite spectator sport, "The World Series of Poker." "Here comes the river card, it is a nine of Spades! Joe Blow internet player from who knows where just doubled up!" Joe Blow then jumps up and dances. It doesn't get better than that.
Here comes the sermon point. God gave us emotions to express. Sports is a venue that most often allows us to safely express extreme joy, anger, frustration, etc. No wonder our stadiums are full and thousands of houses of worship are empty. Emotional expression in sports almost possesses a Psalm like feel. So continue your lament for this year's Browns. There is always next year! Getting it out is good.
P.S.--Don't kick me off your blog or I'll fire your cousin.
Doug from Cincinnati
Mike, you've got to change your thinking about computer generated special effects . . . one can only hope that eventually computer generated people will replace actors soon! Since actors don't have the class of a Vince Young and they dance around on Oprah's couch like a Pittsburgh Steeler making a touchdown. Let's hope computer generated actors come along soon . . . they can start with Tom Cruise.
Apparently, my viewpoint(s) are not the most popular with my two or three regular readers. Here's my attempt to answer back some of my critics:
Senator Damron:
Celebration is great! I don't have a problem with scoring a TD and throwing your hands up in the air or getting a group hug from your teammates. But when you pose for the photographers laying down on one elbow (Hines Ward) or act like you just got shocked by 220 volts (some stupid Steeler defender) or pick up the corner pylon and use it as a putter (yes, Chad Johnson), you are saying one thing: "I am more important that the team. Don't look at the team - look at me! I should be the focus, the center of attention." It goes right along with contract battles. Nobody cares about the team - it's all about two letters: M-E. Sermon illustration: The Church is a body, not just one part, like a spleen.
And you're right, I can't know what is in Vince Young's heart, whether he truly is humble or not. But if my kid plays sports, I would rather have him emulate the actions of Vince Young than those of Chad Freakin' Johnson (by the way, which team was the only team to shut Johnson down this year? Yeah, that's right, the Browns). You are always welcome to stay on my blog. Don't fire Scott.
Rob:
OK, I agree, do away with Tom Cruise. What a lunatic...and a bad actor to boot (check out http://scientomogy.com/). But would you really want computer graphics to replace the brilliance of a Morgan Freeman or Kate Winslet (I like Kate Winslet)? I know I wouldn't...
Yeah, "King Kong" would have been better if they had used a real 30 foot tall ape. It would have been much more realistic, and besides, right now some 30 foot tall ape is out of work because of those darn computers! We should protest.
-Elfman
It's a good thing you aren't sarcastic, Elfman...
(tee-hee!)
-Elfman
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