Route Q66

REVIEW: "Richard III"

2012-01-22T03:47:00.000-05:00

I often tell people that "King Lear" is my favorite of all the Shakespeare plays but the dirty truth is that "Richard III" is the one I most enjoy. I have seen neither performed on the stage until now. This production features no less than Kevin Spacey in the lead role and, honestly, who wouldn't want to see that? I'm here to let you know that you won't be disappointed should you get the chance to see the latest Brooklyn Academy of Music's (BAM) Bridge Project production directed by Sam Mendes.

That being said, all is not entirely well...

While the production as whole appears well done, the same cannot be said of the cast and that actually includes Mr. Spacey himself. That is to say, watching this "Richard" left me with a feeling that I had seen two different shows performed simultaneously.

I was let down watching the scene I most wanted to see, Act 1, Scene II in which Richard seduces Lady Anne in front of her dead husband. Mind you, the man Richard himself killed! In my opinion, this scene is arguably one of the most difficult to perform and requires a nuance that only seasoned actors can bring to the stage. And I did not see that in our Lady Anne, played by Annabel Scholey, always operating at one level and never conveying the required grief, hatred, shock, outrage, bewitchment, and submission (yes, in that order and, yes, I may have left something out) that the audience not only needs to see, but feel. Unfortunately, Ms. Scholey's Lady Anne was no match for Spacey's Richard. It must be said, however, that 'Lady Anne' acquits herself somewhat in the second act but curiously as a ghost - hmm.

I did think it was really odd that two adult women were cast as the doomed princes. They clearly looked like two adult women dressed in schoolboy uniforms - visually, it just didn't work.

The rest of the cast seemed to be overshadowed by Mr. Spacey's over-the-top performance which bordered parody at times including the physical presentation of Richard - mangled leg in a brace with a prominent humpback (it reminded me of Roger "Verbal" Kint and Jimmy at times). It bothered me that some of the lines were delivered with a nudge, nudge, wink, wink aspect that elicited laughter from the audience. It really felt out of place - kind of like the wave at Fenway Park. C'mon people! It's not a comedy. But maybe that was Mr. Spacey's fault.

So, there I am sitting through the first act dazzled by the awesomeness of Kevin Spacey's presence on stage but equally perplexed by both the seemingly lack of presence by the rest of the cast AND Kevin Spacey occasionally taking Richard to an unnecessary level. But something happened on the way to intermission. It became the "Richard III" I wanted to see!

The first clue came in the scene in which the ailing King Edward asks everybody to reconcile; it is cleverly done as a photo op. Later on, the scene in which Richard is petitioned to take power as king is brilliantly executed. And it is from this point, that the show achieves a consistency well worth seeing.

Again, while many of the cast continue to be outshined by Mr. Spacey during the second act, Haydn Gwynne, as the wronged Queen Elizabeth, gives as good as she gets when Richard asks, then demands, that she speak to her daughter for her hand in marriage. The production as a whole seems to finally find its soul and achieve equilibrium after intermission. And it finishes strong; the play runs so smoothly that you don't even feel the three hours that it takes to perform.

Be forewarned there is a particularly grisly scene. And while I know this review comes off as not-a-ringing endorsement, you will most certainly be entertained.

"Richard III" by William Shakespeare. At the BAM Harvey Theatre, 651 Fulton St., Brooklyn; running now through March 4th.

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

2011-10-05T20:33:00.000-04:00

So much has been said about Steve Jobs and so much more will be said in the coming days. And I know he had the capacity to be a difficult person but he had a drive and a vision like no other.

His attention to detail made you love whatever Apple product you owned. While working as a Genius in a Boston-area Apple Store, a customer, a young lady I became friends with, actually kissed her 12" PowerBook as we finished the paperwork to send it in for Mail-In service and said, "Please, take care of my baby." Do you know anybody who kisses their Dell goodbye? I didn't think so.

I still have every Apple product I ever purchased or was given as an Apple employee and though they may be non-functional or old, they mean something to me.

This feels like when I heard John Lennon was shot or when I saw Challenger explode on live television.

I had previously written on Les Paul when he passed away and I'll say this about Steve Jobs too: We've lost an American original.

He, too, will be missed.

One of my favorite things...

2011-08-25T14:17:00.000-04:00

Hearing someone laugh at a Monty Python sketch they may not have seen before (sketch begins at 0:31)...

Yep - we're still here...

2011-05-22T15:07:00.000-04:00

I thought about what I wanted to say and in almost every way, it came out mean. So I will just say this:

I may not be right, but if you believed that our world would end yesterday, you were wrong.

Honor - RIP

2011-05-19T19:58:00.001-04:00

You have no honor if you can't follow through on your words...

You are not worthy of consideration as you consider no one else...

We will be better off when you are gone...

Added 5/22

And thanks for waking us up by bringing a prostitute into our home yesterday morning...

It is...

2011-04-25T01:43:00.002-04:00

...so very nice to sleep with an open window...

Next year's here

2011-04-01T19:46:00.000-04:00

The true sign that Spring has arrived - Opening Day!...

To me, no other diversion travels along the path of a year like baseball does. Think of the names used to describe baseball during its season: Spring Training, Boys of Summer, Fall Classic, Hot Stove League (curiously, a term used to describe the one time of the year there is neither baseball played nor a league to even speak of). Baseball is my other calendar. I would like to think that if I ended up in a coma, woke up and saw the World Series was playing on the television, I would, at the very least, know it's late October. Then I'd reach for my iPhone for the exact date - let's hope I don't have amnesia...

This past winter, I tried to not pay much attention to the baseball press. I wanted to enjoy the upcoming season with the wonder of ignorance. Some news was unavoidable such as Derek Jeter's contract talks, my Red Sox signings of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, the pursuit of pitcher Cliff Lee who ended up re-signing with the team that traded him away. Short of the major news, I avoided going online to Major League Baseball's website.

While not completely successful, I think I will enjoy watching games where I will utter to friends, "Who the hell is this guy and where did he come from?" Last year was like that watching my Red Sox as injuries crippled them and many 'kids' were brought up to fill positions. Like the saying, I really did need a lineup card to know who the players were.

Now I don't have to try avoidance as today is the first day of Spring - my Spring. Still, I chuckled at my attempt at not keeping up with the Hot Stove League and it reminded me of lyrics in the King Crimson song "Indiscipline":

I was so involved, I didn't know what to think

I carried it around with me for days and days

Playing little games

Like not looking at it for a whole day

And then... looking at it

To see if I still liked it

I did!

Go Sox!

And now, for something completely different...

2011-03-26T10:33:00.004-04:00

I came across this via one of my infrequent visits to a friend's page on Facebook...

Just brilliant!!!... Ladies and gentlemen, I present "El Coucho"...

It's getting loud...

2011-03-24T19:30:00.005-04:00

What the hell is going on?

One might think that the End Times are truly upon us with all the calamity that we process every time we are are witness to recent news. Questions arise that are not being answered. Thousands offer their opinions. Yet we are no closer to even beginning to comprehend the chaos around the World these days. It would be easier to tune out because it is harder to labor towards even a basic understanding of who, what, where, how, and why? But even tuning out can be a challenge.

I think that there is one word that captures the essence of it all - noise.

We are bombarded daily with wanted and unwanted noise. Noise disrupts our ability to observe objectively. Noise can help us focus. Noise can be relaxing. Noise can irritate. Noise can - it can be all things. It can be anything. But it depends on your point of view.

Catching the latest headlines whether about the tumult in the Middle East, the disaster that struck Japan, the idealogues that were swept into office last November bent on proving they meant business (yes, they did), to the weather - thunder sleet?!

For my part, an imbalance of which I spoke to a friend last Fall is now being perceived past my personal sphere. And it is an imbalance that can be heard and not just seen. And maybe this noise is too much to bear - an irritation that causes people to snap.

Like those in the recent melee on a New York subway that started over, wait for it, eating spaghetti. Watching the video of the fight didn't, surprisingly, look different than any other scenes of disaster presented on the television or over the Internet. Just a bloody mess and in that visual cacophony, hope started to raise its voice. Then hope screamed back.

After a futile yet honorable call to reason, other passengers threw themselves into the middle of the fight once, first pasta, then fists began to fly. These individuals rose up to say "ENOUGH!" And it reminded me of the citizens of Wisconsin lashing out at Gov. Scott Walker and his heavy-handed, non-transparent attack on 50 years of progressive, pro-labor policies and laws. (More on this later.)

Does this 'sound' like I'm overreaching? Or is it an internal correction to achieve balance? Perhaps a cry for help.

I need something to drown out the noise...

REVIEW: "Kin"

2011-03-05T00:26:00.036-05:00

"It's awful, isn't it? Getting to know someone."

You're not quite sure what you're getting when the house lights have been dim for the first few moments but it proves to not disappoint. Bathsheba Doran's latest, "Kin," revolves around Anna, an Ivy League scholar, and Sean, an Irish personal trainer, who become involved in a relationship that appears to be both inconceivable and doomed to fail. The rich supporting characters include: Anna's long-time friend, Helena, who is seemingly unhappy about Anna's success (Anna would tell you otherwise); Sean's mother, Linda, unsuccessfully dealing with a past trauma back in Ireland; Anna's father, Adam, a military Texan whose moment of vulnerability has a hold on Anna; Sean's uncle Max; Adam's confidant/possible lover Kay; Sean's ex-girlfriend Rachel; Anna's faculty advisor Simon; and Gideon, the North Carolina hunter Helena encounters during her commune with nature.

One would think that the subject matter can get weighty but there are well-placed moments of levity like Helena auditioning for the role of Helena in "Midsummer Night's Dream" and Sean giving his uncle cardio training. On the surface, all of the relationships are filled with tension because of some underlying damage that is revealed but there is a hope that persists. And it is a nagging hope that keeps you drawn in.

"Falling in love, a friend said to me, is like having someone poke around the dark corners of your house where you don’t want anyone looking." - Bathsheba Doran on "Kin"

The story unfolds as a series of vignettes over several years and the entire cast gets involved with moving the set pieces around. Sitting in the fourth row during the performance, I even got to experience an Irish mist - it was figuratively and literally cool!

What I enjoyed most about "Kin" is that as an audience member, you will know somebody like those portrayed and, so there, exists an immediate familiarity. You will also not mind that the run time is nearly two hours and that there is no intermission.

Seriously, you won't mind at all.

"Kin"
Director: Sam Gold
Cast: Suzanne Bertish, Bill Buell, Kristen Bush, Patch Darragh, Kit Flanagan, Laura Heisler, Matthew Rauch, Cotter Smith, and Molly Ward
Playwrights Horizons
416 W 42nd St.
Now until April 3rd

Virtuality

2011-02-28T19:50:00.057-05:00

virtual |ˈvər ch oōəl|
adjective
almost or nearly as described, but not completely or according to strict definition : the virtual absence of border controls.
• Computing not physically existing as such but made by software to appear to do so : a virtual computer. See also VIRTUAL REALITY.
• Optics relating to the points at which rays would meet if produced backward.
• Physics denoting particles or interactions with extremely short lifetimes and (owing to the uncertainty principle) indefinitely great energies, postulated as intermediates in some processes.

DERIVATIVES
virtuality |ˌvər ch oōˈalitē| noun

ORIGIN late Middle English (also in the sense [possessing certain virtues] ): from medieval Latin virtualis, from Latin virtus ‘virtue,’ suggested by late Latin virtuosus.

I am a big believer in experience. Get yourself in that car, boat, plane - just go and see, smell, hear, feel, taste what the World has to offer. I think of the adventure involved in the journey to experience experience. I think back fondly to the day I foolishly attempted to go through the Louvre in three hours. But I did get to see the Mona Lisa, Liberty Leading the People and the Venus de Milo with my own eyes. As exhausted as I was, I was also thrilled to be in Paris attempting to speak French, sampling food, being invited to a party, and, simply, taking it all in.

For me, traveling was, essentially, my early life. Born in the Panama Canal Zone and spending a great deal of my youth in Germany, I never really felt I had a home and that I was destined to always be on the move. Maybe that's why I like driving so much. Then I moved to Boston, and even with the occasional move to different neighborhoods, I actually stayed for almost 19 years. Towards my final years in the Old Towne, I wanted to get on a plane again. So I hatched a plan to introduce two friends to each other and they would get married and since one of them was Irish, I'd get to go to a wedding in Ireland - and it worked. The following year, Paris, Madrid and back to London. Two years later after my move to NYC, my neighbor convinced me to go to Costa Rica. I actually didn't want to go but I have to tell you that zip-lining 80 ft. above a rain forest floor, riding a horse through a driving tropical rain storm, and taking in hot springs near an active volcano was an experience!

I'm going at length about this because going to these places and being there was/is completely visceral - that thing that can never be captured in books or online.

But the reality is that for many, if not most, that is simply something that will not happen. For whatever reason, not happening. So what is left is that an online experience these days is the next best thing if not better.

During another enjoyable brunch at Bar Tabac, I pressed the case I made above. However, a dear friend pointed out that a virtual museum tour may actually provide more of an educational or appreciative experience than you could by just looking at a work of art never mind actual access.

Yeah, I got to see the Mona Lisa. It's behind bulletproof glass. If you don't go first thing when the Louvre opens, the room containing the Mona Lisa becomes a mosh pit. Oh, there was the arranging of accommodations. There was flying to Paris after making the connection thru London. Packing. Or I can go to the link above or any other reference I can find online and learn much more about this painting without throwing one elbow while jockeying for room. Without leaving my home. Without losing my luggage!

Hmm... I enjoy the anticipation of a journey. I also enjoy learning something new or different. Of course, I grew up in a generation where you had to go out into the World (or at least the library). Now, the World is at my fingertips via a computer or smartphone - it's a different kind of journey.

The World is constantly changing - blink and you may miss something. But the way we experience the World is also constantly changing. There will come a time that technology will improve to the point where permission slips may not be required for a school field trip or making a journey will not be the production it is currently. But for now, just go...

However you choose...

Another one of my favorite visuals...

2011-01-04T23:57:00.010-05:00

My regular commute involves taking the F train between Brooklyn and Manhattan. For those of you who do not live here in New York or do not frequent Brooklyn, the F and G lines rise from underneath Carroll Gardens for two stops before burrowing back under Park Slope.

I always try to stand in a particular door way (worry not, I step out of the way for those coming and going) in a particular carriage so my progress from the train to the station exit is brief. It also allows me to see planes making their approach to LaGuardia Airport when coming home to Brooklyn in the evenings at the first above-ground stop, Smith St.-9th St.

The station is perched on a very high trestle that allows for unobstructed viewing of Staten Island, the Verazanno Narrows and Goethals bridges - on the incline, you can even see the Statue of Liberty.

But the sky is what I look at.

Especially the lights of aircraft preparing to land. On a heavy traffic day, whether twilight or dusk, the lights appear as a giant string of pearls spaced far apart.

They too are coming home.

Bookends

2010-12-26T15:36:00.011-05:00

It is around 2:00pm on Christmas Eve and "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is playing on HBO as I leave to run a few errands including taking a friend to LaGuardia airport. The scene playing is the first heist at the chicken farm. When I return in the evening, around 10:00pm or so, I turn on the TV and "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is on; the scene playing is the first heist at the chicken farm.

I wake up at 3:30am on Christmas Day so that I can be on the road to visit family in Maryland. After shaking cobwebs, showering, and filling up on gas, I strike out into the blackness of 5:00am. I always take the same route: 4th Ave. to 92nd St., then over the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, across Staten Island, over the Goethals Bridge, then I-95 beginning with the New Jersey Turnpike, the Delaware Memorial Bridge, then 895 via the Harbor Tunnel in Baltimore, then Ritchie Highway. Google Maps says it should take around 4 hours to make the 212 mile journey - I tend to average around 3 hours. Driving through the darkness with fewer cars on the road is very relaxing and I entertain myself singing along (when I can) to my guilty pleasures playlist on my iPhone playing through the audio system. After about an hour and a half of driving, I begin to notice the sky changing color to that piercing indigo such as when the moon is full. I then switch the playlist over to Rush - great driving music.

I finally meet my newest niece... I mean, my grandniece (I'm getting old), Abrianna, and, yes, she's a cute baby. She complains a little but is mostly smiles which is kind of mesmerizing to see. The other nieces arrive and are very surprised that their uncle is at their grandmother's. Food, merciless teasing of one niece in particular, surprises, laughs and Wii excitement until it's time for me to head back. The first thing I notice before I get back in the car is that the sky is the same overcast white-grey it was when I arrived 7.5 hours earlier.

The drive is mostly uneventful with the exception of the idiots out there who continue to cruise in the passing lane thereby forcing other drivers to pass on the right. If you do this, you suck because you are now creating an unnecessary and extremely dangerous situation. It's very simple: If you are not passing anyone, stay out of the far left lane. I digress...

Three hours later and I'm back in Brooklyn; the last hour is spent listening to the songs of Neil Finn. And the sky is as black as it was when I left.

I do enjoy the little moments.

2010 Academy Awards: Predictions and Personal Picks

2010-02-06T00:40:00.007-05:00

Actor in a Leading Role:
Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"
George Clooney, "Up in the Air"
Colin Firth, "A Single Man"
Morgan Freeman, "Invictus"
Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker"

To be fair, each of the nominees performances are quite good even if the films left me wanting a bit more. I've seen all these films so I feel I can speak with some authority here. Jeremy Renner's performance was very good and I consider him the underdog favorite to win. Jeff Bridges is great in "Crazy Heart" and will most likely win. It's such a weird feeling because my favorite film in this group is "Up in the Air" - but not by much.
Prediction: Jeff Bridges
Personal pick: Jeremy Renner

Actor in a Supporting Role:
Matt Damon, "Invictus"
Woody Harrelson, "The Messenger"
Christopher Plummer, "The Last Station"
Stanley Tucci, "The Lovely Bones"
Christoph Waltz, "Inglorious Basterds"

I've seen three of the performances nominated here. While "The Lovely Bones" had its moments, Stanley Tucci did shine, but not as much as Christoph Waltz as Col. Hans Landa. Look out for Stanley Tucci as the underdog.
Prediction/Personal pick: Christoph Waltz

Actress in a Leading Role:
Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"
Helen Mirren, "The Last Station"
Carey Mulligan, "An Education"
Gabourey Sidibe, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
Mery Streep, "Julie & Julia"

Having only see one of the performances, this is more difficult to make a personal pick. Carey Mulligan is great but many who saw "The Blind Side" raved about Sandra Bullock.
Prediction: Sandra Bullock (no personal pick)

Actress in a Supporting Role:
Penélope Cruz, "Nine"
Vera Farmiga, "Up in the Air"
Maggie Gyllenhall, "Crazy Heart"
Anna Kendrick, "Up in the Air"
Mo'Nique, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"

As with the actors, I've seen three of the performances nominated. And, yet, only one really stood out for me by more than just a little bit and I'm making her my personal pick. Mo'Nique has pretty much won accolades and awards for her performance and is the hands-down front-runner.
Prediction: Mo'Nique
Personal pick: Anna Kendrick

Animated Feature Film:
"Coraline"
"Fantastic Mr. Fox"
"The Princess and the Frog"
"The Secret of Kells"
"Up"

If there were truly any justice, "Fantastic Mr. Fox" should be up for Best Film. I guess I'll have to settle for it winning in this category. But therein lies an obstacle and that being Pixar's "Up" - a good film, just out-foxed. "Coraline" was very dark and the story, surprisingly, not as strong as my two favorites. I'll have to make it a point to see "The Secret of Kells" which I've heard is quite good.
Prediction: "Up"
Personal pick: "Fantastic Mr. Fox"

Directing:
James Cameron, "Avatar"
Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"
Quentin Tarentino, "Inglorious Basterds"
Lee Daniels, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
Jason Reitman, "Up in the Air"

Let me say that I wish this field was expanded also because there are two films, sorry, directors whose work should be nominated. I've always found J.J. Abrams work to be Hitchcock-wannabe but he did an amazing job with "Star Trek" - watch the featurette and you'll see what I'm talking about. The other director? Wes Anderson's "Fantastic Mr. Fox" was pure genius. It is a sad thing that "Fox" is not being lauded more than it should be. But the fight really comes down to James Cameron, "Avatar," and Kathryn Bigelow for "The Hurt Locker." Out of the list of five, Quentin Tarentino's work, while typically Tarentino, produced a truly original and entertaining film.
Prediction: Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"
Personal pick: Quentin Tarentino, "Inglorious Basterds"

Writing (Adapted Screenplay):
Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, "District 9"
Nick Hornby, "An Education"
Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche, "In the Loop"
Geoffrey Fletcher, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, "Up in the Air"

I wish I'd read the pieces these films are adapted from but that's neither here nor there. From what I know of these films (of which I've seen three), the stories are all solid. Look for Geoffrey Fletcher to take this one although I wouldn't mind seeing Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner to win this.
Prediction: Geoffrey Fletcher, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
Personal pick: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, "Up in the Air"

Writing (Original Screenplay):
Mark Boal, "The Hurt Locker"
Quentin Tarentino, "Inglorious Basterds"
Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman, "The Messenger"
Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, "A Serious Man"
Bob Peterson, Pete Docter. Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy, "Up"

I've seen all but one of the work nominated and it might be a shame that my personal pick will be overlooked. If the work predicted wins, it wouldn't be a bad thing. Thankfully, "Avatar" was not recognized...
Prediction: Mark Boal, "The Hurt Locker"
Personal pick: Quentin Tarentino, "Inglorious Basterds"

I'll let you know how I did...

And the 2010 nominees for Best Picture are...

2010-02-02T09:39:00.006-05:00

If you haven't heard, the 82nd Academy Awards best film category has been expanded to a field of ten. This is the first time this has happened since 1943 and this makes the Oscar race for Best Picture very interesting...

And they are:
"Avatar"*
"The Hurt Locker"*
"Precious: Based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
"Up in the Air"*
"Inglourious Basterds"*
"Up"*
"The Blind Side"
"District 9"*
"An Education"*
"A Serious Man"*

As of this post, I've seen eight* from this list and was also pleasantly surprised to see an animated feature among them (although one was missing). So how do I rank these from a personal point of view? Which film was left off? Prediction?

From favorite to least favorite (or unseen):
"District 9"/"Inglourious Basterds" - tie
"Up in the Air"
"The Hurt Locker"
"An Education"
"Up"
"The Blind Side"/"Precious: Based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire" - unseen
"A Serious Man"
"Avatar"

It's great seeing a Pixar film in this list as they consistently hit home runs with their stories but maybe a year too late; I liked "Up" but it's not as strong overall a film as "Wall-E" was. I think what put "Up" into this list was, first, guilt for "Wall-E" not being considered last year (I thought it was better than "Slumdog Millionaire" and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only who still thinks that) and, second, that brief but beautiful montage of Carl and Ellie's life together at the beginning of the film. I will discuss Pixar's impact on animated films in a future post.

So, yeah. I haven't seen "The Blind Side" or "Precious: Based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire" but from what I've heard, they are better films than "A Serious Man" (sorry, Coen Brothers) or "Avatar" (James Cameron owes me an apology).

In my opinion, the best film of 2009 was "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and I am dumbfounded at its absence from this list. Reviews for it have been mostly positive and many film columnists have placed it in their top-ten of 2009. I don't get it. I really, really don't get it.

Overall, I think the list represents the better films from last year. That said, Best Picture will likely go to either "The Hurt Locker" or "Avatar" - if "Avatar" wins, I will be ill. From this list of nominees, I would like to see "Inglorious Basterds" win. I'd also be pleased with "District 9" or "Up in the Air" winning.

Next: The acting nominees...

This posting will be revised upon seeing "The Blind Side" and "Precious: Based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire" very soon...

REVIEW: Avatar

2010-01-31T23:18:00.015-05:00

(yawn)

OK - I'll write more than that... But before I do, prepare yourselves for an onslaught of cinematic musings to come from my keyboard. And now, back to... Oh, right...

Avatar is not a great movie. It's not even pretty good. It's not good. It's also not awful, but clearly, that ain't sayin' much. Before I saw this film, I heard it described as The Smurfs meets Dances With Wolves (except with a 'happier' ending) and that's pretty much on the mark. Even the language spoken by the Na'vi reminded me of the simplified Lakota dialect used in Dances With Wolves. More than a handful of people I've spoken to before and/or after having seen Avatar began their praise of the film by mentioning the special effects and I have to say: Special effects do not make a film good - it's the story. It has always been about the story.

My main problem with Avatar is that it was generally uninteresting. I was bored watching it and was reminded of a quote by Igor Stravinsky when he first attended a performance of Wagner's Parsifal and reminisced, "Once more I withdrew into myself, but I could think of only one thing, and that was the end of the act which would put an end to my martyrdom."

'Nuf sed...

Les Paul 1915-2009

2009-08-13T23:18:00.021-04:00

I had actually begun to compose a posting some time ago after recently purchasing my new Les Paul. In it, I was to tell the story of the various guitars I've possessed and what each one had meant to me. No other guitar I owned meant as much to me as the 1981 Les Paul Deluxe in a wine red finish that I bought brand new with money I earned that summer at the PX in Fürth, Germany. She was a thing of beauty but me being the guy that I was didn't care for the way the mini-humbuckers looked. So, I eventually replaced them with Seymour Duncan 59's and it sounded magnificent. Unfortunately, I 'lost' her. Earlier this year I set out to reclaim some of my past - and did. And I never finished that post.

Then I heard the news today that the man who is the namesake of "Grace" (it's what I call her), my new Les Paul Classic Antique, passed away.

Les Paul, born Lester William Polfuss, is the only person inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. He helped develop the solid-body electric guitar and invented multi-track recording. The guitar that bears his name, the Gibson Les Paul, is as iconic as its rival, the Fender Stratocaster - think electric guitar and anyone playing said instrument will be playing an instrument whose origins can be traced to back to one or the other. As if his technical achievements weren't enough. the man could play. Already a top guitar player, he never stuck to one style. He never let an opportunity pass to learn something, anything. Listen to his recordings from the 40's and 50's and it's easy to hear the influence of the great Django Reinhardt.

Not long after I moved to New York, I told myself, "Les Paul has a regular gig at a club here - you should go sometime." And I did.

Feb. 11, 2008, I finally got around to seeing The Wizard of Waukesha at Iridium Jazz Club. I caught the early 8pm show and I didn't care that I had just spent $50 for the ticket. It was amazing to see the then 93-year-old gleefully entertain that evening's crowd that included those from all walks of life and ages. Arthritis may have slowed him but the spirit was clearly undeterred as both melody and anecdotes were offered to us in the audience. On my way out, I picked up a DVD copy of "Les Paul: Chasing Sound" which originally aired on July 11, 2007 on PBS as part of their American Masters series - I watched it again tonight and could only think how hard he worked to bring anyone who would listen musical joy. I had planned on going to see him again and his passing now makes me cherish that cold February evening even more.

He is truly an American original and will be missed.

Thank you, Les Paul...

(sigh)

2009-08-09T23:29:00.007-04:00

So I waited for the game to officially be over before typing my thoughts out here...

My beloved Red Sox have lost six straight... Four to their storied rivals, the New York Yan - 'scuse me, I feel ill...

And as I write this, I hear thunder...

It's like the Dementors from Azkaban have descended upon The Olde Towne Team - all the joy has been sucked out...

Will we of the Nation ever by happy again?... Maybe...

Lifeless, except for the Victor Martinez home run... Then Bard was trotted out and the fireballer gave his best... Problem is that if the ball can move 99 miles-an-hour out of a human's hand, it will also move that fast off of a bat - and farther... How I long for the prowess of a classic junk baller like Mike Boddicker...

Oh - I will wear my cap here in NYC and when Yankee fans spew their bile and I stand suffering the slings and arrows, I will turn around, shift my cap showing my scarlet letter with pride and say...

Oh, nevermind...

Bronx cheer

2009-06-13T10:35:00.009-04:00

I could not believe my eyes.

A simple pop up. All one has to do is squeeze the glove closed. And you will have accomplished a routine catch.

But not Luis Castillo.

Seriously? I mean, seriously?

Poster Drkiv on MLB.com wrote the following: Luis "Buckner" Castillo.. YOU ****! My 8 year old (I know - way past his bedtime but it was Friday night and he is a HUGE Mets fan) looked at me and said, "Dad, did he really miss that or are they playing a trick on us? I can catch that!" There was NOTHING tricky about that catch.

Bad enough that Met fans have endured crushing late-in-the-season collapses the last two years and now this. This was bad. Really bad. And worse, at the hands of the Yankees. And pouring lemon juice into the papercut? The team congratulating Alex Rodriguez on the hit. WTF? He hit a pop-up, slamming his bat into the ground knowing full well that he had just recorded the last out. To be fair, the team also congratulated first baseman Mark Texeira for being a real baseball player. You see, Texeira was at first base when Rodriguez hit that can of corn and he never once hesitated, running as hard as he could around the bases because you just never know - smart. The Yankees win - officially. But they really lost this game. And they know it. It sickened me to hear Michael Kay, YES play-by-play announcer for the Yanks, gush on Rodriguez becoming "a hero with a pop-up!" What!? It's his ****ing job to hit the ball! Praise should rightfully go to Texeira.

However, I digress...

Castillo. Castillo. First, you don't make the catch. Second, you lazily throw to second! Did you not see your first baseman signal you to throw home even if you were on your knees after that embarrassing stumbling display?

Sickening - all the way around.

Review: 2009 Oscar-nominated Shorts

2009-02-08T09:29:00.077-05:00

It is a good thing that more effort is being put into making sure that the viewing public gets a chance to see the Oscar-nominated shorts in theatres. Distributed by Magnolia Pictures, the shorts are presented as two separate features, the animated and live-action program which opened across the country this past Friday. Here in NYC, the venue was the IFC Center and seeing the features in DLP (digital light projection) was a major plus. If you've never seen a DLP presentation, go as soon as possible - you would never have imagined how great watching a movie could be...

The nominees are (synopses and images c/o The Oscars official website):

Live Action:
On The Line - d. Reto Caffi, Switzerland/Germany: A department store security guard who is drawn to one of his co-workers makes a fateful decision. 30 min.

While there's a general creepiness to Rolf's stalking of Sarah, the film cruelly shows the power that desire can have on the motivations of individuals and subsequent consequences.

New Boy - d. Steph Green and Tamara Anghie, Ireland: A nine-year-old African boy begins his first day of school in Ireland.
11 min.

While there's nothing new here, I found this film to be enjoyable purely from a performances perspective. Oluntunji Eban-Cole, who plays Joseph, was cast really well. I also loved the contrast of the proper but joyous African classroom to the rowdiness and irreverence of the Irish classroom.

Toyland - d. Jochen Alexander Freydank, Germany: In 1942, a German boy believes that his Jewish neighbors are going to Toyland.
14 min.

It's a Holocaust film. I don't want to say I grow weary of this subject because clearly there are far too many stories still to be told from this very dark period in the history of humanity. That being said, while I found "Toyland" to be a bit predictable, it was well executed. If the film were any longer, I wouldn't have found it as appealing.

The Pig - d. Tivi Magnusson and Dorte Høgh, Denmark: A man facing surgery finds comfort in the painting of a pig hanging in his hospital room.
22 min.

This film asks some interesting questions regarding the importance of cultural respect and consideration. It was both amusing and thought provoking. BTW, you may never look at a pig the same way again.

Manon On The Asphalt - d. Elizabeth Marre and Olivier Pont, France: The proximity of death brings a young woman a new perspective on life.
15 min.

Is it just me or can the French ever make bad movies? This was a hauntingly beautiful piece that was just right. This film may have pushed me over into learning the French language.

My favorite out of these five is "The Pig"; "Toyland" or "Manon On The Asphalt" are the favorites to win...

Animated:
Lavatory-Lovestory - d. Konstantin Bronzit, Russia: A lonely lavatory attendant finds a bouquet of flowers in her tip jar.
10 min.

The approach to this film was actually quite refreshing - line drawings in black and white with the occasional splash of color for the flowers. I really liked this one.

Oktapodi - d. Julien Bocabeille, France: An octopus fights to keep his beloved out of the cooking pot.
2 min.

Reminiscent of those wacky Warner Bros. cartoons. Predictable but able to deliver the laughs. Short and sweet, great for kids too.

Le Maison en Petit Cubes - d. Kunio Koto, Japan: In a world gradually flooding with water, an old man adapts to changing circumstances and looks back on his life. 12 min.

Like "Manon On The Asphalt", this was beautiful to watch. Poignant.

This Way Up - d. Adam Foulkes and Alan Smith, UK: A series of misfortunes befalls a pair of undertakers on their way to the cemetery.
9 min.

This was funny. The animation may not have been as slick as "Presto" but it was funny. Who says death can't be funny? I really, really liked this one.

Presto - d. Doug Sweetland, USA: A carrot triggers a war of wits between a magician and his hungry bunny.
5 min.

It's Pixar. All you need to know is they've yet to make something that sucks - short or feature length. Why? It's all about story and not gags strung together.

My favorite? It's a toss up between "This Way Up" and "Lavatory - Lovestory"; "Presto" is the favorite to win.

I used the word 'predictable' a lot if only to highlight how difficult it is to come up with a truly original story or plot. What is left is how the story is told and all of these films do well doing so. Highly recommended... Check out the shorts programs in a town near you...

One of my favorite visuals...

2009-01-28T23:53:00.005-05:00

There is something about being on the road during a winter's night with the full moon causing the fallen snow to glow...

As the BoltBus I was on neared the Massachusetts border, I was sent back to late 1976 and winter in Germany... The family was driving back from a Christmas party hosted in Nürnberg... My father chose to take back roads for the reason that anyone who likes driving does - it's more fun... The only two songs I remember playing on the car radio that night were Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear The Reaper" and Heart's "Magic Man" - hearing those songs at anytime takes me back to that evening... The car wound its way through the Franconian countryside and what I remember the most is looking out the window and being mesmerized by the intensity of the light being cast by the moon and how blue everything was...

The night sky... The snow... The trees... The inside of the car... It was beautiful...

And it feels the same so many years later...

Review: The Spirit (is not with us...)

2008-12-27T11:07:00.004-05:00

After letting my viewing digest for a few days, I can now say I had major problems resolving the clash of the visual style and crappy dialogue of this movie. Having seen other Frank Miller offerings, I guess I don't know what I was expecting but I was unimpressed. While there are moments, there are not enough for me to recommend this film to anyone. I find it interesting that one medium is kneaded into be something it is not:

Dear Frank Miller,

Perhaps you should make your films animated instead of live-action-pretending-to-be-animation. Being forced to process two jarring elements (visuals versus dialog) is far too much to ask of an audience; I witnessed people getting up after the first 10 minutes - that can't be good. While you're at it, make sure the story is solid - no movie is worth watching if the story isn't good.

Sincerely,
A guy who really likes movies...

PS: Should I be asking you for a refund?

Back from an unintended hiatus...

2008-12-27T10:38:00.004-05:00

Yep, I've been away... Not planned, just happened...

And speaking of happenings, a great many took place but just to name a few:

- The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series

- Barack Obama became the first non-white President-Elect in the history of the United States

- Various nations are now actively involved in patrolling the waters off eastern Africa and the Arabian peninsula to ward off pirates (yes, I said pirates)

- The current economic downturn has exposed a massive fraud scheme that is now affecting endowments and charitable organizations

- Microsofty doesn't quite understand that marketing a product after its release may not help sales

And on and on...

Now that I have had time to grieve...

2008-10-21T23:57:00.006-04:00

I offer a tip of my cap and congratulations to the Tampa Bay Rays who, for the first time in their 11-year franchise history, will represent the American League in the World Series against an arguably tough Philadelphia Phillies. How improbable is this? Before the season began, the Rays odds going to the World Series was 200 to 1.

200 to 1.

I think this is a great story no matter how you look at it because it is pure Americana - the underdog prevails. Think about this, the Rays had the worst record in baseball last year and started off playing strong this season and, still, no one gave them a chance even though they spent most of the season in first place. They persevered and when things looked like the momentum was swinging in favor of my beloved Boston Red Sox, they came out for Game 7 of the American League Championship Series and won. They did not falter. They did not crumble. They did not fade. They did not choke. They stood up and got to work and outplayed the Sox.

Again, no one gave them a chance.

Remind you of a certain presidential candidate?

Another Fall classic

2008-10-17T00:21:00.003-04:00

And I had just finished telling some friends when Tampa scored the two runs in the seventh inning that this game was over...

Even if the Boston Red Sox do not advance to the World Series, this game was one to remember... Thank you, Red Sox!...

The wrong kind of influence...

2008-09-28T14:18:00.011-04:00

In the above video, I believe the pastor is sincere in his beliefs but he is crossing a line and not just breaking Federal law - I think this is abuse of authority. Throughout history, leaders of religious entities have held political sway over their subjects and it doesn't take much to see the trail of devastation in its wake.

First, there is argument over what was meant by separation of church and state as it is never actually mentioned but implied in The Constitution of the United States:

"Article. VI. - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths (Paragraph 3)
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."

"Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

In both cases, the government's role is what is restricted. That being said, when religious groups attempt injection of their beliefs into legislation, they cross the line of constitutionality. Many religious groups often point out that this country was founded on the principle of religious freedom; that is not even close to being largely true - just read The Declaration of Independence.

Here is the first sentence:
"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."

Then next part, the preamble, lays out the rights of the colonists to declare independence. It is the third section that outlines the grievances the Second Continental Congress has with England's King George III. The list is rather long so I will not present it here. What is of note is that there is no mention of religion or religious persecution as part of that list. There goes the founded-on-religious-freedom argument.

So why is it even mentioned in The Constitution? At that time, there was a high level of anti-Catholicism (a leftover of the internal religious strife of the previous 300 years in England's history) even to the point where many Catholics were forbidden to hold public office. Also, there were numerous sects of the predominantly Protestant faith - not everybody got along. So in order to be fair, there could be no preference to one. The framers also felt it would be embarrassing for anyone to leave because of religious persecution so best to keep government out of religion.

Second, my biggest concern is that inserting religious beliefs into election grossly simplifies the priorities electors must consider when choosing a candidate. This argument of choosing candidates based on moral values and religious principles goes against reason. I'm not saying you shouldn't consider it but it shouldn't be the only thing. When I hear people say, "he goes to church" or "she's a believer," it infuriates me because those personal qualities do not always translate into who the best qualified individual is. We are also so diverse in our beliefs so who gets to choose? We have spent the last seven years with a president who was elected, in part, with a manipulation of those parameters in mind and what does the United States have to show for it?

- A misguided police action (it's not a war if Congress doesn't declare it so) where resources were diverted away from where we should actually be - Afghanistan. We are no safer.
-An economy in peril thanks to deregulation chiefly supported by those of "good moral character" - I lost my job, my home and life savings but my elected official is against abortion, against gay marriage, supports prayer in school and an amendment to outlaw flag burning and that's really important to me. You may think God will provide for you but it didn't have to happen - that is my point.
- The criminal willingness of the current administration to circumvent its constitutional responsibility to all of its citizens nevermind The Constitution itself.
- Low standing in the international community. The terrorists and those who support them do not hate us for our freedoms. They hate us because we're sticking our nose in their business and arrogant to think we know best. We used to be known as a force for good but no more - we are reviled.

I can't stop you from making your choice based on whatever it is you base your decisions on. I only ask that you consider other factors. What follows will flip many of my friends who know me to be an atheist but I simply had to:

Gospel of Luke, Chapter 10, verses 25–37.
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" In reply Jesus said, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Sept. 27, 2008: News in the morning...

2008-09-27T11:36:00.013-04:00

Paul Newman, Jan. 25, 1925 - Sep. 26, 2008
Thank you, you will be missed...

First 2008 Presidential Debate
I used to like John McCain... 'Nuf sed...

Congratulations Tampa Bay Rays, first American League East title in franchise history, good luck in the playoffs
I'll, of course, still be rooting for my Red Sox - GO SOX!...

And now an item that may have gotten lost with everything else going on here in the US...

Somali pirates take Ukrainian ship carrying 33 Russian T-72 tanks and other weapons this past Thursday
WTF?!...

Book recommendations

2008-09-25T10:56:00.007-04:00

A while ago, someone I'm very fond of and very dear to me pressed me for a list of five books that I felt she should read. I present that list below along with others (and one she herself lent me)...

My top five recommendations:
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy - Douglas Adams
Dune - Frank Herbert
A History of God - Karen Armstrong (this one's a tough read but worthy)
Rites of Spring: The Great War and the Birth of the Modern Age - Modris Eckstein
Dialogue Concerning The Two Chief World Systems - Galileo Galilei

Highly recommended reads:
The Shock Doctrine - Naomi Klein
Six Memos for the Next Millennium - Italo Calvino
Richard III and King Lear - William Shakespeare
On Death and Dying - Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, MD
The Wind Is My Mother: The Life and Teachings of a Native American Shaman - Bear Heart (w/ Molly Larkin)
The Constitution of the United States - yes, read it!

I realize book lists are incredibly subjective and there are other titles I could easily include but this list represents my essentials, my desert-island books...

September 11, 2008

2008-09-14T11:35:00.013-04:00

There has been much talk about the delays at the World Trade Center site with regards to the new buildings and memorial. If the actions (or inaction) of the Bush administration weren't embarrassing enough, what should be an example of this country's ability to manifest the powers of the phoenix instead have tragically turned into showcases of ego, greed and ineptitude that are characteristics of the ever-so-hip disaster capitalism. Seven years later, and nobody knows when anything will be finished nevermind start.

For years, I've said the best thing that we can do with the site is to rebuild it - exactly as it was. And I know I'm not alone.

In the meantime, we have the poignant Tribute In Light installation. But for those of you who may not know, it has only been funded through 2008.

Living in New York City, it is difficult to ignore. Even I, who disagree with what I will refer to as the marketing of 9/11, can't help but pause when I see these columns of light - they are a proper tribute.

In a word, solemn.

From my front stoop:

From the Smith Ave./9th St. stop on the F line:

Gettin' constitutional on your...

2008-07-30T21:53:00.004-04:00

Time: 00:40ish or so
Date: July 27, 2008
Place: Times Square subway station, Q train

Seen on the back of t-shirt:

Article II, Section 4
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

So good to 'read' from you...

2008-07-22T08:48:00.005-04:00

I must confess that I find it humorous to respond with "So good to hear from you" when the situation did, in fact, not require use of my ears. Clearly, this is an immediate response in the same vein of "God bless you/bless you" when someone sneezes - we're simply used to it.

The most popular story of the origins of "bless you" lies in the belief that when one sneezed, part of your soul was expelled. But where does the "so good to hear from you" response come from?

I tried researching this as most can find references of other phrases (i.e.: "the whole nine yards", "that ball had a lot of English on it", etc.), but I found nothing. So I offer to you my thoughts...

We take it for granted that most people know how to read. But if you were to travel back over a hundred years, literacy throughout the world was not common; it is thought that nearly 20% or less of the world's population achieved a literacy rate of 70% or higher - over 50%, the literacy rate was 30% or less. So the way we learned of news of family, friends, jobs, scandals, and political unrest was to 'listen' to a town crier or someone who could read letters and what not. So, yes, news broadcasts before radio and television - we spent more time in conversation as it was the primary method of communication.

But what of the usage of the phrase itself? Well, it probably just stuck like anything else. Going back to "bless you, " we've never stopped saying it (for my part, I say "gesundheit" which is German for to your health or good health). It imparts a personal warmth that a phrase like "so good to read about you" or "so good to read from you" does not convey. Listening is polite and proper. Seeing or hearing someone is a connection.

I'm not saying the written word has no merit. The volume of literature at our disposal dismisses that notion but how often have you wondered about being at a place described, or being a character or even conversing with the author? The written word almost gets us there.

So the next time someone drops you a line or two, give them a call and chat.

I'm available most nights after 9pm and weekends...

A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Old Stone House in Park Slope

2008-07-19T23:14:00.006-04:00

I just got home from catching Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" put on by Piper Theatre. Performed under the stars (if you squint, you can see them through the ever present glow of New York City) at J.J. Byrne Park in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn, my neighborhood, I only have one word for this production: fun.

Even with a cast that included children, this show did not shy from innuendo and even took liberties. Speaking for myself, Titania was simply seductive and the ladies playing Hermia and Helena were fun to watch when they were allowed to go to the edge. The players were also fun to watch reminding me of 1930's screwball comedies. I was a little puzzled at first with the ongoing undressing of Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius, and Helen as their evening played out in the forest and yet it made sense - I will not attempt to put in to words my theory, but if you happen to be in town and wish to ply me with single-malt Scotch whisky, you can ask me.

The kid who played Puck was pretty good. I particularly enjoyed the sequences of the characters, who when enchanted by Oberon's magic, awoke seeing the objects of their manipulated affection to the opening strains of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On." The cast looked like they were having fun and the audience clearly enjoyed it.

As I said, fun...

Major League Baseball and instant replay (BTW: Happy Birthday, USA)

2008-07-04T23:03:00.005-04:00

I begin by, first, saying, "Happy Birthday, United States of America!" - now that that's out of the way...

I was lucky enough to be able to attend today's Boston Red Sox/ New York Yankees game at Yankee Stadium. July 4th is meaningful in Yankee Stadium history: Lou Gehrig gave his farewell speech in 1939 and Dave Righetti threw a no-hitter against my beloved Red Sox in 1983. Today was like any other game except that this is the last Fourth of July game to be hosted in the "House that Ruth Built."

However, I digress...

For me, I'll remember this game as the last day I opposed instant replay in Major League Baseball.

It's the bottom of the ninth inning with the Yankees trailing the Red Sox 6-3. With two outs, sitting at second base is Brett Gardner and at the plate, Derek Jeter. Jeter hits a drive out to center field where Boston's Coco Crisp came on hard and fast to make a fantastic diving catch to end the game.

Oh, wait a minute...

Third base umpire Wally Bell ruled that the ball was trapped instead of caught allowing a run to score and Jeter ends up at the recently vacated second base with an RBI* double. It also gave the Yankees an opportunity as the tieing run came to the plate (Abreu flew out to center, Sox win 6-4).

The game should have ended there. But it didn't - thanks to a bad call by an umpire. This season alone, home runs have either been awarded or stripped because of errant officiating. The talk to bring instant replay to baseball is far greater this year than at any other time in history and now, I'm on board.

If instant replay was made available back in 1996, the 'home run' that Derek Jeter hit during the playoffs would have instead been ruled fan interference. Same thing with the Cubs in their post-season appearance back in 2003 - the umpire ruled there was no fan interference. Is it a home run? Was the runner safe? And now Crisp's amazing catch will now be remembered as the catch that wasn't. If instant replay was available, the umpires would know that Crisp indeed made the catch, an amazing catch - game over.

I've always been a big fan of keeping baseball pure even if that meant that a call would go against my team. Some refer to it as the human element. I think of baseball as an allegory for life but the games do matter to the teams playing them. it also means even more during the post-season. We need to make sure the right calls are being made.

I can no longer in good conscience stand in the way: Bring instant replay to baseball.

'Nuf sed...

*For you non-baseball types, Run Batted In...