Snakes on a Motherf#*@ing Plane II

This week's "Entertainment Weekly" just came out with a blurb explaining that the magazine would not include a review of SoaP. The magazine makes it sound that New Line didn't want a review to appear as though New Line were withholding secret documents that would blow the lid off an investigation that could topple a world leader. And while "EW" has been part of the hype-machine, it wasn't a surprise that they would be denied an advance screening of the movie. You could sense early in the ad campaign that critics were not going to get a chance to see this movie before the paying masses. New Line knew it had to take to advantage of the hype and hope for a big opening weekend and word-of-mouth.
My wife and I went to a Thursday night screening with a fairly small audience. While I wore my SoaP T-shirt, a group of kids brought rubber snakes into the theater. They were ready to rock.
As to the actual movie itself... well, I can say that I had a very good time. It's not a complex plot and the plane passengers are the typical line-up of disaster movie cliches. And it took too long for Samuel L. to utter his catch phrase about the MF snakes. However, you're not going to a movie like this to think. You want to see people attacked by snakes. And you get plenty of opportunities as snakes, real and CGI, roam freely around the plane. You have to also give the producers credit for an original twist on a standard Hollywood idea, something you don't see often.
I've read several of the reviews on Yahoo! (from users, not critics)and they have swung mostly from one extreme to the other. People seemed to love this film (some calling it "great", which is overdoing it) while a minority really hated it. Those people, the haters, seemed to miss the camp value. For me, I thought it was a fun thrill ride where you could just turn your brain off for a couple hours and simply enjoy yourself. Absolutely nothing wrong with mindless entertainment. A good crowd and maybe a few adult beverages wouldn't hurt. Of course, you know it will only be a matter of time before SoaP turns into a drinking game. Coming to a college near you.

Snakes On A Mother*&#@ing Plane

"Snakes on a Plane" has been one of the most hyped films of the year, regardless of whether it's any good. When I first heard about this movie, I honestly thought it was a joke. Samuel L. Jackson fighting snakes... on a plane. But I admit, I've gotten caught up in the hype, which has been brilliant. Websites are devoted to this movie, short films are popping up and T-Shirts are all over the place (yes, I own one). The title says it all. And yet, I haven't heard anything about the actual film itself. I've seen the trailer several times, and I doubt that it will be screened for critics, who would probably look down on it anyway. But even without any commentary about SoaP, I am full of anticipation. Besides, this isn't a film for critics. It's "Snakes on a Plane". And while I can be critical of films, there's a certain kitsch level that is exciting. The movie opens here Thursday night. My wife and I will be in line, expecting two hours of mindless entertainment. Now I wonder where they'll put the snakes for the sequel...

Goodbye Greg Maddux. Could you please take Dusty Baker with you?

Saturday, July 29, Greg Maddux pitched his last game as a Chicago Cub. And it was almost vintage Maddux as he painted the corners, worked quickly and kept his pitch count low. The Cubs would beat the Cardinals that day, on the way to sweeping the Cards in four games and providing one of the few highlights of a dismal season. Two days later, Maddux became a Dodger in exchange for a light-hitting, middle infielder because, apparently, the Cubs needed another one. Maddux would make his Dodger debut by pitching six, no-hit innings.
I've always been a fan of Greg Maddux, even after the Cubs let him getaway the first time. Maddux was a student of the game. He didn't have a fastball that would overpower a hitter, but he understood the art of pitching. Using the corners, working effectively and letting the hitter basically get himself out. And his stretch from 1992 to 1998 (mostly for the Braves) in one of the best in recent memory.
As a Cub fan, I only got to see Maddux pitch once, oddly enough against the Dodgers. It was back in 1990 and wasn't one of his better games as I believe he lost 8-0. The Cub highlight was the return of Mitch Williams as he made his first appearance after returning from the disabled list. However, Maddux was one of the few pitchers that seemed to handle Wrigley Field and it was a disappointment when he signed with Atlanta.
Unfortunately, the second time around wouldn't be as sweet. Occasionally we'd see flashes of vintage Maddux, but he didn't dominate as he once did. The strikeout totals were decreasing while the ERA was increasing. And the pitchers he was to tutor spent more time on the DL in the last 2 1/2 years than Maddux did in his career.
So the best of luck to Greg Maddux as a Dodger and future Hall-of-Famer. You always seemed to be a class act. A student turned teacher of the game. And as to the Dusty Baker comment, that's another post for another time.