I suppose if a director wants to make a film about World War II, it's kind of like the NFL's screen pass. It's an effective way to move the ball/your career down the field, but it isn't the most creative way to craft newfound unpredictable narratives.  

It's not happening. No 49ers/Bengals Super Bowl rematch.

Is it happening?

Learned about Simulation Theory in an episode of Elementary last night, not that much really, but enough detail to forge a working construct.

Here's how I came up with Simulation Theory way back when or how I imagined we may be living in a giant computer program.

It's little more than the hubris of the present for anyone living at any given time to imagine their particular cultural codes are reflective of the afterlife, or a world beyond our own which somehow controls caprice and destiny. 

In school, when I heard that Hegel had decided that he was living in the most advanced state of being ever conceived by any particular culture throughout history, a state where he held a most prominent role, I was surprised to find even mild-mannered scholarly philosophers also had ambitious fashionable thoughts.

It's a natural tendency to intuitively presume seemingly miraculous technological developments hold supernatural secrets, or that advanced somewhat impenetrable philosophies also reify acute divinity. 

Thus, remember that in whatever time you live, with whatever profession you have, it is the most reflective of the ethereal unknown, and your occupation the most supernaturally conducive, should you want to prosper socially (Plato condemns despotism yet lauds philosopher kings in The Republic). 

Nevertheless, it looks like thoughts which suggest the material world is a computer program fall under Simulation Theory's umbrella.

Seems a bit farfetched to me.

Not that there aren't rather striking parallels.  

Modicum

Less of an urge to freely smoke

the patch supplies a steady does

of ritualistic nicotine

in nauseating spiral stream

the dreams intense pronounced insane

the vivid captivating strains

so real so wild definitive 

the mesmerizing off the grid

immersions can't say I don't miss

extensive unrestrainéd bliss

a cigarette malign elixir

prototypical transistor 

worse with no work to be done

the endless stymied lack of fun

but four more weeks should clear it up

the poison seeping out amuck

assuréd.

NFL Playoff Picks, Conference Championships Round

Cincinnati Bengals/Kansas City Chiefs: every team last weekend won in brilliant stunning contention, it was incredible to watch those games, even if I was cheering for Buffalo and the Pack. The Bengals picked up their first road playoff win ever, in a thrilling upset of Tennessee, withstanding 9 sacks throughout, how is that even possible? Even though he was sacked 9 times, Joe Burrow was still 28 of 37, throwing for 348 yards, exceptional stats considering. Cincinnati's won twice so far in the postseason without unleashing its full potential, without one of those 30 or 40 plus point games, that led to lopsided victories vs. division rivals Pittsburgh and Baltimore. They've handed the Chiefs their only loss since Oct. 24th, is it real? Could the Bengals do it again! Like their matchup last week vs. the Titans, they're playing on the road against an opponent they've never met in the postseason this Sunday, but Kansas City was shockingly impressive last weekend, I can't believe they won that game. To be fair, it was surprising that Buffalo scored two touchdowns in under two minutes to look like they could not be beat. But the Chiefs still somehow found a way to secure exceptional victory.  How do you stop Mahomes when he throws?, when there's no one to pass to he picks up and runs, how do you stop Mahomes when he runs?, he's got moves to rival most running backs. I think both teams should have a chance to score a touchdown in overtime, as do many others, I hope that happens some day, it would be much more exciting. Not even Brady's Patriots ever hosted 4 consecutive Conference Championship games. Kansas City's grown too powerful! I'm picking the Bengals to stop them!

San Francisco 49ers/Los Angeles Rams: even when Tom Brady loses in the playoffs he does something that makes him seem like one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, and once again, just as I thought about closing my eyes after the Rams went up 27-3, the Bucs started scoring, scoring and scoring and scoring, until it totally looked like they'd win (plus no nap for me). The Pack did not continue to score after its opening drive and struggled to score points throughout the entire game. That was a big surprise. I thought they'd at least score 23. Perhaps San Francisco's defence is that good, so far they've limited Dallas and Green Bay to a combined total of 27 points, special teams coming up huge last weekend to earn the 49ers another shot at their 6th Super Bowl. The Rams oddly did everything they could to win last Sunday while doing everything they could to lose at the same time. What a strange football game that was. Both these teams are lucky to be playing this weekend. The last two times the Rams beat the Bucs in the playoffs they made it to the Super Bowl, winning when they were in St. Louis, losing when back in L.A, but those games were both Conference Championships, and this time there's one more hurdle before Super Bowl ascension. They've only played San Fran once in the playoffs a Conference Championship game that they lost 30 to 3, and they've actually lost 6 in a row to the 49ers, those are bad odds, considering what's at stake. I'm starting to like Jimmy Garoppolo because he's won so many big games. I never really hear about him unless I'm watching San Francisco, but he's clutch when the game's on the line. He's won 4 out of 5 playoff games in fact and didn't generate too much offence last week. Stafford certainly did. I'm hoping they both come up big this weekend. But I'm sticking with the pattern this time I'm afraid and that pattern predicts a 49ers win, the Rams can't seem to solve San Francisco, and have been given plenty of opportunity. I'm hoping Von Miller comes up big and Stafford has another huge game. But this time I'm sticking with the unsung Garoppolo. And picking the San Francisco 49ers. 

Predestination

Difficult to say what you would have done differently if you had possessed prescient knowledge way back when, would there simply have been more of an enigmatic emphasis, or would things still have proceeded without grandiose change?

A self-indulgent question to be sure creatively occurring if you've ever had time to consider the past, hypothetical degrees of forlorn or joyous intensities increasing, depending on whether or not temporal interventions could have facilitated alternatives.

But such alternatives would have opened up unforeseen potentialities which may have been more prosperous if not worse, manifold striking unpredictable variables accompanying sundry indefinite outcomes.

Such a perspective almost makes the act of engaging in trivial decision making, seem much more epic in light of the infinite imperceptible comic echoes. 

Would I have wound up teaching in Paris or exploring the bush laidback in Chibougamau, peacefully working away at the Granby Zoo or fishing off the coast of Sept-Îles?

Predestination introduces a time machine and a somewhat invariable interdimensional occupation, wherein which operatives monitor the past to attempt to hinder voltaic malfeasance. 

The rules are quite strict no nonsense the agents are watched with meticulous scrutiny, one attempting to improvise nevertheless after a lifetime of loyal service (Ethan Hawke as the Barkeep).

He befriends a recruit who's alone living a generally solitary existence, having grown up in an orphanage unencumbered by the temptations of bourgeois life (Sarah Snook as the Unmarried Mother).

Could she make a good agent who knows! theory's quite different from work in the field, but at least they have something to talk about over a drink at random one evening.

Even if you had a time machine and could travel back and forth to different ages, how would you ever settle in without standing out like a shocking oddity?

Would you be able to understand the dialect or codes of conduct with enough fluent ease, to do simple things like find lodging or food, and wouldn't the smell be repellent?

I suppose like so many things you'd have to proceed with trial and error, the first jump somewhat overwhelming the second and third perhaps less of a shock (if heading to the same location).

Could a thorough interest in Star Trek help to prepare one for such endeavours, as a kind of theoretical support, perhaps lacking practical value?

Predestination travels time like no other narrative I've seen before, much more concerned with characterized mystery than grandiose spectacle fantastic intrigue.

If you were to meet yourself 25 years ago have you any idea what you'd say?

Predestination has a unique answer.

It's really well done.

A must see for time travel fans.

Are people more concerned with changing the world these days, or what you can watch on television?

Rainbow butter.

The Lost Daughter

It's strange how much time I used to spend going to the cinema. In fact it's not strange at all, it was perfectly normal, everything about pandemic existence being strange, but it's been going on for so long that it's starting to feel normal.

That's depressing. And even with the vaccines, there's no end in sight.

Ah well, no use in dwelling, that's counterproductive, and at least we have vaccines and boosters available in Canada and Québec, and the risk of hospitalization is greatly decreased if you get them, I recommend getting the vaccine, getting it soon, I suppose it goes without saying but vaccines help prevent you from getting sick, especially if you get the virus, which is still spreading rapidly, and isn't showing any signs of letting up.

But I used to spend around 8 hours a week carefully or carelessly choosing films in cinemas and travelling back and forth to see them, sometimes while stopping for lunch, it was a great way to pass the time.

Now I've got all the time in the world just to choose two films a week and watch them on my computer or television, and it still seems like I have to find the time, how did I ever come up with all the extra hours?

It's certainly much less engaging watching films at home although there's an endless supply available, still, films are meant to be seen in theatres, and it's kind of lame always watching them on a smaller screen.

No end to the variety, however, and I'm super happy there's a Criterion channel, Criterions used to be really expensive films that you had to buy, if you really wanted to see one and couldn't find it at the library. 

I'm not sure if Maggie Gyllenhaal's The Lost Daughter has resonant artistic flair, but it certainly leaves an impression, and is like nothing else I've ever seen.

It's about an unappealing dull grouch who decides to go on vacation, during the off-season in a resort town, as locals celebrate liberation (Olivia Colman/Jessie Buckley as Leda).

Her ornery disposition and assertive dismissals ensure she doesn't make any friends, she's also generally annoyed when people talk to her, no matter how harmless or well-meaning.

She's plagued by haunting remembrances of the daughters she left behind to pursue her career, the surrounding carefree families at play only serving to vex her further.

She proceeds to steal one of their dolls and even buys it a new fancy outfit, and refuses to return it or just leave it on the beach even after a campaign is launched for days to find it.

The Lost Daughter's total lack of utility and uncanny investigation of gloomy self-obsession, lugubriously generates pathological charm through disorienting morose unabashed stern vision.

It's like a campy intellectual film that leaves you free to discern and judge, is it critiquing cantankerous agency or oddly celebrating unattached dysfunction?

Does she feel bad about not feeling bad about never having tried to cultivate feelings?

I think there's Criterion potential.

Resort towns are fun in the offseason. 

That was probably the best weekend of playoff football I've ever seen. Four games, three decided by a game winning field goal, the other going to overtime after the most intense last two minutes possibly of a playoff game ever. A weekend to remember. Incredible. Unbelievable!

A series of Elementary movies would be cool.

Co-starring Mark Hamill and Patrick Stewart.

Cat Hug

Indeterminate downplay

emphatic sinuous sashay

projections pewter pinch protracted

clutch cicuitinted 'lastic

prolonged pertinent pandemics

crush ambivalent embedded

democratic disengagements 

so so serious contagion

hyperactive repetition

crucial concrete exhibition 

populaces prone to fads

the drudgery morose egad

the tunnel unimaginative

the engrained urge to contradict

so much elapsed sought after time

imperial script saturnine

ringamaroles. 

NFL Playoff Picks, the Divisional Round

Cincinnati Bengals/Tennessee Titans: the Titans had the best record in the AFC this year, but it's difficult to say if they're the best team, since their schedule included 2 games apiece with Jacksonville and Houston, one game of which they happened to lose (plus a loss to the Jets in overtime in week 4). Then again, every other team they played except Seattle had a winning record, and they managed to crush Kansas City, only falling to the Steelers, Cardinals and Patriots, defeating the Bills, Colts (twice), New Orleans, San Francisco, the Rams, and Miami, to pick up the bye.  That's an impressive season. I by no means watched or followed them play every week but at times I tuned into their games, and I remember seeing them down by fourteen twice, before coming back to lockdown victory. It seemed like they struggled to get started in those games but once they dug in they couldn't be beat, a strategy which may prove troublesome versus the Bengals, who scored consistently last weekend versus Las Vegas. Cincinnati also outlasted the Chiefs and also lost to the Jets, Jets fans must be loving this game, a silver lining for a difficult year. The Bengals had a tough schedule too and (as mentioned last week) beat the Ravens and Steelers both twice, plus the Raiders (twice including the playoffs) and Broncos, the Chargers were the only team to beat them from the AFC West. They've never met in the playoffs so this one has no history to speak of, but they've played 5 times since 2008, with the Bengals picking up 3 victories. This game could go either way and the offensive and defensive stats from both teams are close, Tennessee's been there and done that before, but the Bengals are currently surging. I don't know what's better, to play in a Wild Card game or rest for a week? The Bengals won't be rusty. Picking Cincinnati on the road. 

San Francisco 49ers/Green Bay Packers: the Pack, back at it, after another outstanding year, Green Bay setting the bar too high each season for their determined recalcitrant opposition. Once again they emerge victorious week after stunning incredible week, how do they maintain such a degree of excellence one awe-inspiring season after a-freakin-nother?  They lost in week 1 on a fluke and then laidback during week 18, and other than that only fell to Kansas City along with the perennially defiant Vikings.  Rodgers looks so relaxed out there while he's playing like everything's under control with no worries at all, a drive may stall here and there now and then but then it's like he just subsequently marches unchallenged down the field. The 49ers have challenged Green Bay definitively picking up 2 playoff wins versus the Pack in the last 10 years, and looked solid versus Dallas last weekend, although they only scored 7 points in the second half. Their defence played well and stifled the Cowboys who produced 530 points during the regular season, but Dallas did have six games versus Washington, Philadelphia, and the New York Giants. The Pack defeated San Francisco early on 30 to 28, their offensive and defensive stats are similar, with a slight edge for feisty Green Bay.  I think it's time the Pack dug in deep no nonsense uniformly focused on Super Bowl victory, this is their ninth time in the playoffs since winning in 2010, they usually have a great record, but haven't made it past the Conference Championships since then (there was a span of 9 years between Manning's Super Bowl wins in Indianapolis and Denver). I'm wondering if the 49ers are like the New York Giants whom I didn't pick once when they won the Super Bowl in 2011, and are going to keep moving forward no matter how strong their formidable opposition. I doubt the Pack will have trouble scoring this Saturday though and San Fran will need more than 7 in the second half to win. Hoping it's an intense close game. Picking Green Bay once again. (Still managed to see 4 episodes of Elementary last Saturday).

Los Angeles Rams/Tampa Bay Buccaneers: both Tampa and the Rams won convincingly last weekend and both seemed fuelled with indomitable contention, who may emerge victorious when such forces clash is a matter of urgent hypothetical serendipity. Tom Brady remains undefeated in the playoffs as a Buc and has won 7 Super Bowls to date, and continues to resoundingly mystify as he looks like he might play till he's 50. Tampa was even cool last weekend and didn't run up the score when it was clear they'd won. No offence to Philadelphia, they put up a strong fight, and gained valuable playoff experience.  Brady's only won his last 9 Divisional Round games (only 9) since falling to the Jets in 2010 (and Broncos in 2005), winning 14 Divisional Round games in total, how is that even possible? He's at home where he won the Super Bowl last year with Gronkowski and a solid defence, it's not looking good for Rams fans, even if they beat Tampa both this season and last. There is one possibility though, a possibility I've been considering for a while, and it's surprising that the Bucs are playing the Rams, since I theorized this potentiality soon after Stafford was traded to L.A. For me, it makes sense that last year Brady defeated Brees, then Rodgers, then Mahomes on his way to his 7th (that's 7th) Super Bowl win, if you're going to do one of the most impressive things in sports ever, you may as well beat the toughest competition while doing so. But whereas it makes sense that Brady would beat three Super Bowl winners who make the playoffs every year and compete on his way to Super Bowl victory, it also makes sense that he would lose to someone who spent their career with a struggling team only to win his first playoff game after suddenly being traded in 2021 (only Paris can defeat Achilles). Thus, it may not make much rational sense, but it makes perfect football sense to me, that Stafford is poised to beat Brady, I'm picking the Rams, no question. Sorry I can't keep picking Tampa, I'll always remember my snow shovelling days. But I can't deny Matthew Stafford. Nor the impeccable determined Von Miller. 

Buffalo Bills/Kansas City Chiefs: that would be cool if Allen and Mahomes met regularly in the playoffs for the next 15 years.  Like Manning vs. Brady, it makes things rather exciting.  On paper the Bills have the better team or at least their defence let in less points this year, both their offence's scoring an almost identical number, Kansas City picking up one more win. Buffalo beat the Chiefs early on by a score of 38 to 20, before KC picked up steam and won 9 of its last 10, who knows what was wrong early on. Kansas City won with ease in last year's Conference Championship game, but that was another postseason, and Buffalo looks much better this year, more seasoned, more confident, more resilient. Both offences can generate, as the saying goes, a shit ton of points quickly and easily, and Buffalo made sure I had a lot to not smoke about last weekend, making the most of the brutal temperature. KC didn't struggle much either and also scored more than 40 points, I hope both these offences let loose on Sunday, and it doesn't turn out to be one of those counterintuitive defensive struggles. Both these teams have played plenty of rivals who made the postseason this year, winning some and losing others, it's like they should really play a best out of 5, but this Sunday comes down to one game. I'd expect Kansas City to complete short passes and run until Buffalo's defence adjusts after which they'll complete 25 yard passes at will and keep changing things up as Buffalo tries to adapt. I imagine Buffalo will keep things edgy with Allen poised to run at times, perhaps stalling for a minute or two, before swiftly picking up rapid touchdowns.  I hope it doesn't disappoint either way, I suppose the Chiefs have home field. Doesn't mean I'm not picking the Bills. Picking Buffalo to win on the road.  

*Stats from Wikipedia, NFL.com, the Football Database, and Google, as always. 

The Vikings

With a new King upon the throne (Frank Thring as King Aella) after a fearsome viking attack, England hopes to see less bloodshed, but their raids continue unsurpassed, in a far off warlike distant age.

While he may indeed be King he lacks hereditary standing, and the surviving wilful Queen (_______ Audley as Enid) has an authentic restless babe.

King Aella seeks his silence with cold dishonourable betrayal, but those loyal to his blood soon quickly send him off to Italy. 

Decades pass without rebellion the same King dispassionately ruling, as vikings plunder throughout Europe with reckless contumacious outrage.

A lord is bitterly critiqued for maintaining peace in his domain (_______ _______ as Lord Egbert), the King suspecting a secret alliance since the vikings leave him be.

He's correct and soon the nobleperson has departed for Scandinavia.

Where he meets a daring captive (Tony Curtis as _____). 

Prone to disobey.

An odd rowdy adventure film pugnaciously ensures, wherein which contention and fearsome battle proceed sans diplomatic reckoning.

The vikings, although realistically raiding and terrorizing the countryside, are portrayed as playful heroes well-suited to the plundering life.

It's as if they're engaged in mischief as opposed to ruthless carnage, savage violent misdeeds whitewashed to seem like innocent horseplay.

Written for men who love to fight and the women who sincerely adore them, it celebrates unrestrainéd shocking discourse with boisterous animation.

There are rather severe penalties for living the combative lives they lead, but the wounds and gashes and fatalities are freely lauded with heroic inhibition.

Although a dispute arises when Einar (Kirk Douglas) seeks to attack King Aella's castle, the scale of his grandiose ambition somewhat unsettling even for vikings.

But the attack is launched eventually and keeping in spirit it's all in good fun.

So many changes throughout the centuries. 

I'm not sure if The Vikings would have been shocking if it had been recently released (it's so not MeToo), or if it would have passed without note or comment? 

During the first week of quitting smoking, as the Nicoderm patch intermittently distributed ample nicotine to my blood, I found I couldn't eat large meals, in fact I wanted to periodically eat small amounts of different food items at sure and steady 30 minute intervals, which reminded me of Friar Tuck from this Rocket Robin Hood video, minus the intervals.

A Rocket Robin Hood feature film could work.

I'm hoping Denis Villeneuve gets to direct the next Star Wars Trilogy.

With full creative freedom.

He's done such a great job with Dune, Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049.

Silverado

The lonesome forbidding bellicose treacherous bleak disabling frontier, wherein which justice falls prey to monopolized coercive forceful brutish clutches.

The desire for peaceful community still lightly reckons with friendly resolve, as adventurous settlers dream big and head west to forge new towns in the dangerous wild.

The law attempts to protect them as they settle and herd and farm, but the off the grid free isolation also attracts absolutist ambition.

What if you could in fact open a successful business in a flourishing town, one that adapts and grows and prospers and encourages the lively exchange of goods?

And what if your business prospered to the point where you earned an enormous living, and your town also needed a sheriff to uphold the immaculate law?

Without any regional competition or federal oversight to inspect what you're doing, you could engage in all kinds of self-obsessed law breaking to ensure steady streams of duplicitous profit.

But what if you took things too far and the peaceful inhabitants grew tired of wrong doing, and encouraged volatile alternative jurisprudence to sincerely critique your lofty stranglehold?

Do gooding virtuous antitrusts will inevitably counter your unilateral brigade, with the interests of creating inroads for manifold newfound multilateral enterprises.

Dreaming big the innocent upstarts boldly challenge the bucolic hegemony, to stop the violence and audaciously ensure the freeform countenance of an abundant multiplicity. 

As their businesses take root their owners also start to acquire capital, which can be used to break down the established boundaries which had previously strengthened the haughty few.

But those businesses are then prevented from prospering to see the monopoly upheld ad infinitum, and ill-mannered ornery brute force is cruelly engaged to stifle integrity.

Thus, a showdown looms to propagate expansive means of production.

With articulate offence and defensive reserve.

The impetus recast each exigent Sunday.

And also with Lawrence Kasdan's chaotic action packed tumultuous Silverado, where domestic longing and urges for independence communally clash via honest virtue.

A remarkable cast acrobatically abounding with resonant epic frontier contumacy. 

Taking on racism along the way.

The trials of any given century.

I felt the strangest feeling when I woke up to quit smoking last Tuesday. Instead of sincere dread or engrained frustration, I felt intense optimism, and was genuinely excited. Don't know where that came from (perhaps Dad assisting from the beyond), but it has certainly helped for the past difficult week. I'm not chewing Nicorette gum as much as I was but I'm still thinking about smoking a lot and smoking in my dreams. 

*Nicorette gum really helps. It's gross, but it takes away the craving for a cigarette. At least it does for me.

Love it whenever I hear the word, Deli.

Capacitor

Ascriven unforbidden schisms

periodized parlay arisen

pert panoptics plaque avail

largesse illustrious portray'l

exerted disconcerted vervid

latitude dispatch diverted

nervéd 'cessitous equated

parallel lapel pulsated

pixie promontory tetra

wingéd 'bservatory fletcha

plumed presumed festooned raccoon

inordinate orbit salooned

tortue accrued lackadazique

supine spun saturnine bleep bleep

ensconced acrylic acclamation

tartar tisk surfeit summation

chlore.

NFL Playoff Picks, Wild Card Weekend

Las Vegas Raiders/Cincinnati Bengals: I wonder how many people bet that the Bengals would win the AFC North this year, and how lucrative their wagers were at the end of such an impressive season? Not only did they beat the Steelers and Ravens twice apiece, but they won those games by a grand total of 147 to 58, scoring 41 points three times. What were the odds? They also almost beat Green Bay and San Francisco, defeated Kansas City and Las Vegas, and fell short to the plucky Chargers, who just don't seem to possess any luck whatsoever (apart from all those 4th downs they converted last week). The Raiders had an up and down year and were one of many teams that were impossible to pick, pulling off heroic comebacks and pulling out close games, yet still losing to Washington and the Giants. I'm super impressed with the Raiders though and how they managed to make the playoffs after changing coaches during the season, I thought they were done when Gruden left, but interim head coach Rich Bisaccia proved me wrong. And even beat Denver during his first week at the helm. 😡 They've met in the playoffs twice with the Raiders winning both games, and the Bengals have struggled in the postseason as of late, with, well, it's better just to not talk about it. But the Raiders haven't fared much better for the last twenty odd years so it's cool that these teams are playing each other. Sad that they both can't win. Picking the resurgent Bengals!  

New England Patriots/Buffalo Bills: looks like I'll have to cancel this Saturday's Elementary marathon (it's the best! [especially if you're quitting something]), nothing could tear me away from a playoff matchup between these two teams. Perhaps I'll stay up all night. I love it when this happens in the NFL. The classic divisional playoff meeting between two rivals in a situation where one has dominated the other for quite some time, to the other's chagrin. Last year the Browns defeated the Steelers in epic fashion, it's disappointing that Cleveland isn't back this year, and obviously, as everyone remembers, the Broncos won the AFC Championship game versus the Raiders 20 to 17, way back in 1977, after struggling versus Oakland for many a woeful year. According to those two games, it seems that the Bills are destined to win on Saturday, since they've had their hands full with the Patriots for decades, and would love to earn some playoff comeuppance. But if there's a coach who will be ready for this Saturday's matchup, despite the fact that they're playing in Buffalo in January, despite haunting historical patterns (like the AFC West's return to an old school alignment this year), it's gotta be Bill Belichick, whose name still shows up in spellcheck.  It's odd, you would think that he's definitely the one coach with absolutely nothing to prove, having won the Super Bowl so many times, while winning so many regular season games, but after Brady's Super Bowl win in Tampa last year, the pressure is back on Belichick. I love the Bills myself and if Denver's not in the playoffs, I'll happily root for Buffalo, Cincinnati, and Green Bay. Sean McDermott knows what to do. Picking the Bills at home. 

Philadelphia Eagles/Tampa Bay Buccaneers: typically I would have my trusty pack of cigarettes by my side while writing this in case inspiration called for tobaccolyte aid, but I must stoically persevere without it in the uncertain newfound forthcoming. For the second straight year the Bucs will face a team from the NFC East with a lacklustre record in the Wild Card round, and even though Philadelphia has impressed at times, Tom Brady often rules the postseason. After New Orleans won the Super Bowl they blew it the next year versus the Seahawks however, who had a 7 and 9 record if I remember correctly, yet still won their division and hosted the game. Would have lit a cigarette here if I was still smoking. The Bucs didn't make the playoffs the year after they won their first Super Bowl, so they're faring better in 2021, and they certainly played rather well this year, compiling a 13 and 4 record.  They had some hiccups though which in this crazy season were to be expected, losing twice to the unpredictable Saints (shutout in one of the games), along with their Washington rematch, and a close call versus the struggling New York Jets. But still, they defeated the Patriots, Eagles (only by 6), Colts, and Bills, come to think of it, they didn't have a tough schedule, but it's still Tom Brady in the playoffs, and soft schedule or not, they still scored 30 or more points 9 times this year (plus 28 twice). They had the second best defence in the NFC too although the Eagles played solid D as well, Philly did pick up 9 strong wins this year, but still lost every time they played a playoff bound team. I'm sticking to my snow shovelling days and my old friend who cheered on the Broncos, that was such a great moment in the middle of the freezing night, when suddenly it became clear I knew someone else who was rooting for Denver. But if the Eagles pull it out that'd be cool, it's not looking good however. But anything can happen in any given game. Picking the Bucs. Hoping the Eagles come out chargin'. 

San Francisco 49ers/Dallas Cowboys: Dallas vs. San Fran takes me back to when I first started paying close attention to the NFL playoffs, way back before the Broncos had won their first Super Bowl, when the AFC was losing year after year.  I never wanted either of these teams to win the Super Bowl and I wanted every team that played them to win, especially Green Bay with Favre, but for years, when they weren't playing each other, they were the best in football, indeed, colossal, unstoppable. They met in the NFC Championship Game three years in a row (1992-1994) with Dallas winning twice, it was huge when the 49ers beat them; they haven't met in the playoffs since. Looking at Dallas's postseason history since their last Super Bowl win in 1995, is somewhat perplexing, they've only won 4 games, while picking up a staggering 10 losses. Cigarette. Here I would be having a cigarette. San Francisco's made it back to the Super Bowl twice but has yet to pick up another Super Bowl win, they also lost in the NFC Championship Game twice, those are solid postseason credentials. Both teams won so often in my youth (against teams that I was cheering for) that for a long time I never wanted to see them win again, but so much time has passed at this point, that there's a new generation of Cowboys and 49ers fans seeking Super Bowl victory. And I can't be all Grinchy about it. I thought San Francisco was done early on this season but then they won 7 of their last 9, defeating Cincinnati and the Rams (twice) along the way, while winning in dramatic fashion to make the playoffs last weekend. Arizona and the Rams have better records but all 3 teams had something to play for last weekend, and the 49ers were the only one that won, although the Rams did come pretty close. Still, the Cowboys impressed this season as well and picked up some huge wins along the way (while losing to Denver). And it's been quite some time since they've seen the Conference Championship. Picking the resurgent Cowboys. 

Pittsburgh Steelers/Kansas City Chiefs: so many teams hovering between 10 and 7 or 7 and 10 this season, who knew what to expect every weekend?, what a stunning unpredictable year. The Steelers were one such team having compiled a 9-7-1 record, and even if they almost lost to the Lions, some luck in week 18 sees them back in the playoffs. The Chiefs had some troubles early on in 2021, actually losing, actually losing some games, but it seemed like they were just slow coming out of the gate, and they remarkably improved as the season wore on (winning 9 of their last 10). There's a lot of variability amongst quarterbacks but I've never seen anyone play like Mahomes. It's like he applies gymnastics to the position. Startling every week uncanny. The Chiefs lost to Tennessee, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Baltimore, and the Chargers (almost twice), but defeated Denver (twice 😡), Green Bay, the Chargers, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas (twice), and Dallas, so it looks like if they're playing an evenly matched team, they may win, and then again, they may not, who's to say, but they aren't prone to error. I like that Big Ben is still playing and that he's back in the playoffs again. He's made the playoffs so many times (check out how many times Pittsburgh has made the playoffs and won games since 1972: it's staggering) and won so many big games. I'd love to see him win another. Although this week, it's looking impossible. But Mike Tomlin's an incredible coach with a lauded highly respected record. I'm sure he'll have the Steelers ready. And Kansas City does struggle in the playoffs at home. Still picking the Chiefs though. Chiefs by 14. 😞*I didn't think about smoking while writing that. And it's only day 2. That's a good sign.

Arizona Cardinals/Los Angeles Rams: like I was saying, both the Cardinals and Rams had something to play for last weekend and both produced subpar results, so perhaps it's better that they play each other this Sunday, if you happen to be interested in one of them winning. Through victory, the winner should be able to shed the misfortune of last week's disappointing outcome, and reemerge formidable for the Divisional Round, having overcome a lack of stamina. Arizona won their first 7 and only lost their 8th game to Green Bay by 3 points, and seemed like a serious contender during the first half of the season, or at least much more imposing than they usually do. But then they lost 5 of their last 9, four of their last 5 in fact, with losses to the Lions and Seahawks (that was a divisional loss [odd that Seattle didn't make the playoffs]), they have not fared well as of late, and if I remember correctly, they generally didn't play well during prime time matchups (which can prove disastrous in the postseason spotlight). The Rams won 5 of their last six with victories over the Cardinals and Seahawks (both divisional), while picking up wins versus the Colts and Buccaneers along the way, and falling to Green Bay, Tennessee, Arizona (early on), and San Francisco (twice).  I was happy to see Matthew Stafford pick up 12 wins after struggling in Detroit for so many years. And there's no doubt Von Miller has made an impact, very promising to have him on your team in the playoffs. I'm picking the Rams by 10 and hoping the Cardinals keep it close.  It would be cool to see Arizona finally win the Super Bowl. But they have a super steep hill to climb.

*I wrote the first two picks on Monday when I was still smoking.  

**How am I not going to have a cigarette whenever a team I'm cheering for scores a touchdown? Or at the end of every quarter? Or at every two minute warning!

***I think it'd be cooler to have a single Wild Card playoff game on Friday night as opposed to Monday.

****Can't wait for the playoffs to begin!

No Time to Die

*Spoiler Alert.

Love's rewards having proven too enticing to ignore, James Bond (Daniel Craig) cultivates a continuous relationship, only to be surrounded one afternoon by the newfound henchpersons of a former rival, he doesn't understand how he's been discovered, and instinctively suspects betrayal.

He finds a new location el lobo solo off the grid, and settles into bitter retirement, trying to prosper through idyllic recreation, unable to placate his volatile will.

Meanwhile, a terrorist network steals a pernicious bioweapon which was developed by MI6, and uses inchoate Borg technology to specifically target individualized DNA.

But it even take things further and finds more widespread applications for the malevolence, intending to unleash it on the unsuspecting world, with genocidal morbid reckoning.

Bond lambastes M (Ralph Fiennes) (having returned) for having sponsored its dissimulated production, who naively thought it would save lives by making assassination more precise. 

To make things worse, the belovéd belle whom he left behind with regret and pain (Léa Seydoux as Madeleine), is sought after by the terrorist leader (Rami Malek as Lyutsifer Safin [who spared her life when she was a child {Coline Defaud}]), and Blofeld (Christoph Waltz) knows their secret.

Without much time with shocking immediacy Bond reflexively engages.

An international incident caught in the crossfires.

Along with his unknown offspring.

The dangers of manufacturing lethal weapons to make the world a safer place, are epically brought to bear on irresponsible bureaucrats lacking accountability. 

It seemed like things were progressing so peacefully for such a long time sustainéd equanimity, but a small fraction of the global population still preferred mutual animosity. 

Becoming more influential and less and less discreet resurgent jingoism renewed latent fears, and wiser ambitions to forge international consensus lost public ground to reckless profit. 

But their reckless ambition didn't only awaken narrow-minded prejudice and unrestrainéd self-absorption, but extremist elements seeking radical shifts to pursue alternative constructs were also empowered.

No Time to Die pits radical evolution against traditional desires to slowly change.

Both ambitions are in need of reclarification. 

Looking forward to checking out News Nation.

*First Bond film I haven't seen in theatres since 1989.

**Still hoping Daniel Craig stars in 7 Bond films to tie him with Roger Moore and Sean Connery, although it doesn't look like it's going to happen (if you count Never Say Never Again).

2021 Mix

Ton plat favori, Malajube

C’est la vie, Khaled

Dans mon litte, Canailles

See You Through, Bear Mountain

Berceuse, Cœur de pirate

Weberttango, Martina Eisenreich 

Mojo, M

Don’t Get Là, Misteur Valaire

Song for Two, Martina Eisenreich

Comme des enfants, Cœur de pirate

Estoy harto de verte con otros, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs 

Space Food, Misteur Valaire

Baron, Galaxie

Bluegrass Ramble, Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys

Ni oui ni non, ZAZ

A Head Full of Dreams, Coldplay

Je t’attends dehors, Saratoga

Antitaxi, La femme

Polvorado, Nacho Vegas

Favourite Films Viewed in 2021

A list of my favourite films viewed in 2021. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, I was unable to attend theatres. No particular order. 

Blithe Spirit

The Last Unicorn

La planète sauvage

C.R.A.Z.Y

The Blot

My Cousin Vinny

The Dig

Posse

It Happened One Night

The Year of Living Dangerously

Mank

The Cobweb

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls

The Fisher King

The Birdcage

Tampopo

Delirious

The Plague Dogs

Przypadek

Café de flore

Larry Crowne

At times I forget that there are so many films out there that don't involve combat or defiance or shenanigans or intergalactic discord, beyond belovéd well-meaning tender-hearted Christmas films, known to many as romantic comedies, I don't spend enough time watching them, although I've never had much of an interest.

I didn't really say that much there but it still took me a while to get started, so I would typically be having a cigarette right now if I hadn't quit today, the first of several delicious cigarettes to have been had throughout the course of writing this review, if only smoking wasn't so bad for your health, it's such an enjoyable pastime.

Larry Crowne isn't only a romantic comedy but it's one starring Tom Hanks (Larry Crowne) and Julia Roberts (Mercedes Tainot), with an ensemble cast including Randall Park (Trainee Wong), Rob Riggle (_____ Strang), Cedric the Entertainer (Lamar), Pam Grier (Frances), Rami Malek (______ Dibiasi), George Takei (Dr. Matsutani), and Bryan Cranston (______ Tainot), smooth flowing and easy going, even directed by Mr. Hanks.

Not that there isn't calamity a loyal worker is cast aside (Mr. Crowne), his years of service callously overlooked due to his lack of post-secondary education.

Bills are due he's middle-aged and has a house and other big ticket expenditures, but he heads back to school nevertheless, to study economics and public speaking.

I would have liked to have treated myself to another cigarette at this point for I've managed to fill a page, but Nicorette gum will do for now, chomp chomp chomp, if I chew too long I get hiccups. 

Mercedes is a jaded teacher whose pervo husband has given up, the two forging an awkward pair of somewhat spoiled highly educated adolescents. 

Mr. Crowne winds up in her public speaking class which she'd rather not be teaching, most of the students are unsure what to do and she doesn't offer much useful guidance.

But through his can-do lack of pretension and unassuming good-natured reliability, she rediscovers her love of teaching, and even begins to apply soulful effort, her students are even happy to study with her again in second semester. 

It's like ice cream bored at the mall covered in adorable chocolate sauce and a dash of sociocultural sprinkles, a little something to brighten up a day that would have lacked genuine purpose otherwise.

Like the 35 cigarettes or so I used to have all day long to ensure a dependable stream of reward.

Although I suppose ice cream's much more wholesome.

I think I'll do it this time.

This Nicoderm patch is first rate!

*Normally I have a cigarette after transferring my review from paper to the net. Chewing more gum.

**That's the first review I've written without smoking at least two cigarettes in over 5 years. 

Can't believe the Colts and Chargers didn't make the playoffs. L'enfer du dimanche! 

Sad to hear of the passing of Sidney Poitier, who trailblazed and authenticated with honest active daring life.

Theorem

Cribbage critter clasp contumely

dorsal dither macaroonchi

lazing lunar tracks transisted

percolates protracted cyclic

reverential raspy rodents

chill convivial exponents

fly fortuitous florefrisky

effluent rappora quipsy

lounge laconic lapse chez moi

catonic corbital 'gri-la

chin chesty imbehestly squiggled

portent discontorpid wiggles

sense attire immensity

condense respire diphthong ditty

fait frette jocose gin janvier

efficient inexplicit braze

boo-yah.

Dune

The Indigenous inhabitants (the Fremen) of a barren world (Arrakis aka Dune) once flourished unobstructed, until its only resource became the most coveted in the galaxy.

This spice mélange allows gifted navigators to alter the fabric of space and time, while others use it to mutate consciousness, attaining heightened spiritual states.

Different planets within the interplanetary union are governed by an Emperor, who is obsessed with maintaining control, and possesses a massive formidable army.

The rights to mine the spice engender astronomical profits, and House Harkonnen of planet Giedi Prime has obscenely enjoyed them for quite some time.

But House Atreides of planet Caladan has become remarkably popular in the union, as led by its level-headed Duke (Oscar Isaac), and the Emperor has grown jealous of its meteoric rise, and seeks to dishonourably annihilate them.

Thus, he takes Dune's mining rights away for the barbarous self-obsessed Harkonnens, and gives them to House Atreides, who can't refuse the magnificent honour, even if they suspect a trap.

The Harkonnens who hate the Atreides seek to attack them after the transition, supported by several legions of Sardaukar, the Emperor's ferocious spartan troops. 

But the Fremen hold a prophecy that a messiah will lead them out of darkness, and will come from the outer world, and know his ways as if [he's] born to them.

Duke Leto's son Paul (Timothée Chalamet) possesses extraordinary abilities and the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood admires them.

Could he survive the Harknonnen's sneak attack?

And find discreet refuge amongst the Fremen?

That's a working general snapshot of Frank Herbert's complex plot, which is difficult to simplify in a film, so this one' stretched into two instalments.

Denis Villeneuve cultivates isolation as a matter of intergovernmental intricacy, so many fierce independent characters collegially united through distinct cause.

Dignified solemnity is no laughing matter as the Atreides accept monumental responsibility, in a fluctuating volatile stern vortex, augustly magnified through intrigue.

The imposing offer freely shared sombrely cloaked in grand deception, the refusal of which would lead to acknowledgement of a rival's mean-spirited intent.

A love so great it leads to trust in the most duplicitous of foes, whose autocratic snide contempt is thoroughly condemned throughout the galaxy.

The belief in prophecy spiritual import patient intergenerational stratagems, producing widespread derelict skepticism as highly invested as it is dismissive.

An oppressed people tired of colonialism and their exploitation by another.

Prone to passionate belief.

Projected reified agility.

The Atreides and the Fremen still find compassion amidst the gloom.

With staple simple pleasures.

The sustainability of life.

*Love the changes Villeneuve made with Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa) and Dr. Kynes (Sharon Duncan-Brewster).

**Loved the palm tree scene as well.

***It's very respectful of David Lynch's Dune and there are many similarities between the two films.

****Loved the dragonfly ornithopters. I was reaching for a cigarette last Summer and a dragonfly landed on my finger, obviously suggesting I should stop smoking, which I'm going to try to do next week, many thanks to dragonfly kind. 

I suppose the longer you try to generally proceed at random, the more the world assumes you're utilizing a specific clandestine plan.

What a drag.

Until third world countries start seeing vaccination numbers similar to Europe and North America's, won't the virus keep mutating and returning, regardless of whether or not the entire population of Europe and North America are vaccinated?

Oblivion

A cataclysmic war has been fought and the once verdant Earth lies in thunderous ruin, scattered remnants of the alien aggressors still subsisting in the barren wastes.

Robotic spherical patrols scan the inhospitable terrain from above, their technological ingenuity a formidable frank deterrent. 

They break down at times however and require attentive maintenance, teams spread across the planet to quickly diagnose and discern.

The fortunate survivors have relocated to one of Saturn's moons in a desperate attempt to save the species, their bold intergalactic reckoning cultivating innovative community.

A couple left behind hopes to congenially join them shortly, their tour of duty approaching its end their dedicated service to be rewarded justly.

But as their departure date approaches a ship chaotically crash lands, and _____ (Tom Cruise) is sent out to investigate whether or not there are any survivors.

He finds one in the wreckage and swiftly saves her from critical dysfunction (Olga Kurylenko as ______), bringing her home to his exotic pad to meet his shy suspicious partner (Andrea Riseborough as _______).

Others seek her extant wisdom hiding in caves far down below.

Ensconced in the inexplicable.

Beyond master narratives pontificated.

Is it in fact true love that fuels their imaginative interactions, as the past hesitantly reemerges in vibrant shocking grand distortion?

Confounding astronomical odds prohibit their joyous rapprochement, as miraculous fated resonance galvanizes amorous schemes.

Is true love yet another master narrative then romantically taking hold, in the midst of armageddon, mission prerogatives deconstructed?

The competing master narratives juxtapose duty with rebellion, as profound psychological conflict seeks uninhibited lucidity.

Serendipitous science-fiction soulfully establishing solar sentience, Oblivion countermands cryptology to court sentimental echoes.

Times change and preferences mutate but on occasion familiarity uplifts, the nostalgic tenderness of reliability persevering unsolicited.

Trusty tradition pervading tumultuous unexpected modifications.

It works so well in books and film.

As to reality, who's to say?

*Clearin' out 2021. What I wrote in 2021. Still a sucker for sci-fi romance.

Also sad to hear of the passing of Betty White.

What a career in film and television.

Sad to hear of the passing of John Madden, whose lively commentary I enjoyed in my youth.

Also sad to hear of the passing of Demaryius Thomas, stalwart Broncos receiver, who passed away far too young.

Also sad to hear of the passing of former Broncos head coach, Dan Reeves.

😢

Velocity

Decibels bionic klutzy

cervical 'strionic thrusting

theorized pinpoints forbidden

exoteric inhibition

not another Covid year

impractical imploded sheer

abeyance patience static shroom

prosperity worldwide entombed

it sure may be nobody's business

cautiously discreetly witness

profits still freely abound

post-viral influence unsound

alas if only hibernation

limited unchecked inflation

no more waves no extra shots

prolonged pandemic tactile costs

besieging.