PREIT the new owners of the Echelon Mall must have sent out a memo that mentioned how empty their investment has been over the past few years. It appears that their logic now (finally) is if they don't have stores to bring people in events will, and eventaully create a buzz and a location that retail stores would want to flock too.
Since the trees started blooming in South Jersey special events at the ill Mall started poping up like weeds. First there was the business convention which used the vacant J C Penny's wing of the mall. Then the had the "Shred It" event in conjunction with NBC10 where people shred their bills and learn how to prevent people from stealing their credit card accounts. I guess these people don't have paper shredders at home or access to the internet to look the measures that they should take at home. I understand turn out wasn't all that great for this one.
The mall have also starting a promotion that gets teenaged girls involved with modeling. I guess this will bring familes to rally around them and shop in stores while dropping them off. Perhaps an attempt to get guys in their 20's to come to the mall and creepily stare. I imagine Heros world must do a killing on these days.
This past week the Circus came to town. They set up just outside the vacant Penny's and it was heavily advertised in the papers, and through some billboards. So this is a good sign that some green is being spent to bring back interest in the mall. Wheather or not that circus goers decided to check out Gamestop or not after ridding the Elephants remains to be seen. However one wonders what people who haven't been there for years thought whent hey wondered in to the Mall. During the duration of these Special events the bleeding of existing businesses hasn't been able to be stopped. GNC,the Gap, and Pearl Vision all flew the coop.
In the addition to the previously mentioned events, Flyers forward Sami Kapanen (june 11 th) will be there for autographs,Rose flower shoe (june 5), classic car show june 19th,and Sports card show (June 11-13th).
Rumors of the mall landing Wal-Mart, Crate and Barrel, and Ikea over the past 6 months have proven to be just that. Rumors. No more truth to them than the Rutgers or Rowan rumors that have floating around South Jersey for almost 5 years now.
The rumors of a big announcment were however true, but resulted in mixed feelings from store owners. The Mall has decided to tear down the empty J C Penny's anchor store. The logic behind this is the wing can be rebuild to better suit the needs of a deal retail store. No Best Buy, Ikea, Wal-Mart or most newer successful retail stores are down with the split level set-up. So perhaps having the building's style reflect the business's image would make it easier to land a big account than disguising an old Penny's store as something else.
The news is good since it shows the owners are doing someting, and in the mean time saves money taxes wise. On the downside the Mall didn't say if they actually had a client lined up. In fact that pretty much denied anything would rise from the ashes anytime soon. Kind of like setting up a one timer, only to have the shot go wide.
One complaint againt this mall is the location. People blame the fact that it isn't near major highways that it gets hurt. I think that is bull, since its near the WHP and not too far from 295 and a train station. Look at all the rush hour traffic that goes on around that area. People can get there. If they can get to the Ritz Movie theater they can get there. People just need some different stores than Deptford or Cherryhill malls.
If they are about to start overhauling the mall I would highly suggest to replace some of their damaged signs with new digital ones. However maybe the tearing down of Penny's is the true sign of the envitable date with doom for the Mall. No matter how many clowns they send in.
Saturday, May 29, 2004
Friday, May 28, 2004
Summer Movie Files: 101- Shrek 2
I am not against cartoons as being good movies, but for the longest time the most popular thing in this genre were the Disney musicals like the Lion King and Aladdin, which are fine film, but generally not my cup of tea.
In the mid 90's feature length cartoon films went in new direction thanks mainly to the hailrous Toy Story. This paved the way for movies like Shrek.
This past Monday I was lucky enough to get the afternoon off, and went to a theater near me with Liza to see the sequel to Shrek.
In the world of Shrek audiences are spared having the characters burst into song to make their fears and feelings clear. Excluding the occasional karaoke party, or humorous Disney spoof in this sequel. In fact the music played in the film is more alternative and more suited for 88.5 FM than Disney Radio.
In the world of Shrek although everyone is straight out of a fairy tale the people living there have to deal with everyday obstacles of life. Same as the real people. The film's strolling is based on Shrek meeting his new in-laws who are not only shocked at their daughter's taste in men, but are shocked that their daughter is no longer human. Shrek faces the possibility that his new marriage won't work out once she realizes that she could have married a handsome prince. TO make the matters worse his father in law is plotting against him along with the mother of the prince she was supposed to marry.
The humor is swift and movie references upon from start to finnish. Fans of Donkey from the first film won't be let down because the film provides Donkey with plenty of fast talking, one liners and hamming it up. The film (which could become dangerous if Shrek 3 & 4 are turned into reality) introduces a new character Puss in Boots who is hired to take Shrek out.
This movie is loads of fun a great way to spend a summer afternoon. It also looks to be the king of the young summer. I am predicting The Day After Tomorrow to open just okay, but burn out after one week. In fact if it wasn't so obligatory for some to see a movie this weekend I think The Day After Tomorrow would be a big flop. It isn't likely to do as well as expected, the only buzz about this movie is political people it's almost non-existent with movie people. While Shrek might get a spike in a few weeks when kids are out of school and either want to see it again or get around to seeing it for the first time.
Hope everyone has something cool planned to offically kick off summer this weekend!
In the mid 90's feature length cartoon films went in new direction thanks mainly to the hailrous Toy Story. This paved the way for movies like Shrek.
This past Monday I was lucky enough to get the afternoon off, and went to a theater near me with Liza to see the sequel to Shrek.
In the world of Shrek audiences are spared having the characters burst into song to make their fears and feelings clear. Excluding the occasional karaoke party, or humorous Disney spoof in this sequel. In fact the music played in the film is more alternative and more suited for 88.5 FM than Disney Radio.
In the world of Shrek although everyone is straight out of a fairy tale the people living there have to deal with everyday obstacles of life. Same as the real people. The film's strolling is based on Shrek meeting his new in-laws who are not only shocked at their daughter's taste in men, but are shocked that their daughter is no longer human. Shrek faces the possibility that his new marriage won't work out once she realizes that she could have married a handsome prince. TO make the matters worse his father in law is plotting against him along with the mother of the prince she was supposed to marry.
The humor is swift and movie references upon from start to finnish. Fans of Donkey from the first film won't be let down because the film provides Donkey with plenty of fast talking, one liners and hamming it up. The film (which could become dangerous if Shrek 3 & 4 are turned into reality) introduces a new character Puss in Boots who is hired to take Shrek out.
This movie is loads of fun a great way to spend a summer afternoon. It also looks to be the king of the young summer. I am predicting The Day After Tomorrow to open just okay, but burn out after one week. In fact if it wasn't so obligatory for some to see a movie this weekend I think The Day After Tomorrow would be a big flop. It isn't likely to do as well as expected, the only buzz about this movie is political people it's almost non-existent with movie people. While Shrek might get a spike in a few weeks when kids are out of school and either want to see it again or get around to seeing it for the first time.
Hope everyone has something cool planned to offically kick off summer this weekend!
Thursday, May 27, 2004
"America's Horse"
I just wanted to continue to hammer the point that the beloved Smarty Jones isn't ending in a Philly sports streak.
Everyone wants the horse to win. Do you really think the people in the hometowns of the other 10 or so horses running next week are not rooting for Smarty? Hell no.
Smarty has fans all over the country, so a victory would be a victory for people all over the country. There is no fans in other cities crying over their beer like what happens when any of the sports teams in the big 4 get knocked out. Everyone will be happy. So it isn't Philly's celebration. It's arrogant to say that, not to mention pathetic.
These horses can only run in these races once. So no wonder lives or dies by this horse unless you are the trainer, owner or their family. Of course you are invested in these races if you have money at stake which is the only reason most people watch these races.
I can't wait to see Smarty run his little heart out and win the triple crown. However I think it will mean just as much to everyone not in Philly as it does to the people in Philly. Smarty is coming at a good time to become a legend. The country is divided horribly over a number of things.We are at war. This horse is getting people to root for the same thing and come together. World peace isn't going to break out, but it will be good for the American Spirit just like Sea Biscuit was in the depression era.
Another thing a victory parade for the Flyers wouldn't be the same as the mummers parade I don't care what those knuckle-heads say on 610.
"Good Night and Good Hockey"------------Gene Hart
Everyone wants the horse to win. Do you really think the people in the hometowns of the other 10 or so horses running next week are not rooting for Smarty? Hell no.
Smarty has fans all over the country, so a victory would be a victory for people all over the country. There is no fans in other cities crying over their beer like what happens when any of the sports teams in the big 4 get knocked out. Everyone will be happy. So it isn't Philly's celebration. It's arrogant to say that, not to mention pathetic.
These horses can only run in these races once. So no wonder lives or dies by this horse unless you are the trainer, owner or their family. Of course you are invested in these races if you have money at stake which is the only reason most people watch these races.
I can't wait to see Smarty run his little heart out and win the triple crown. However I think it will mean just as much to everyone not in Philly as it does to the people in Philly. Smarty is coming at a good time to become a legend. The country is divided horribly over a number of things.We are at war. This horse is getting people to root for the same thing and come together. World peace isn't going to break out, but it will be good for the American Spirit just like Sea Biscuit was in the depression era.
Another thing a victory parade for the Flyers wouldn't be the same as the mummers parade I don't care what those knuckle-heads say on 610.
"Good Night and Good Hockey"------------Gene Hart
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
"When is a WMD a WMD?"
I just got an email from Ed (sometime guest writer) from Yahoo! news from the AP about a discovery in Iraq that has been made. Sorry, for anyone hoping it was the Batboy. I am totally beat right now so I don't really see myself writing my take on this.
I tell you what everybody read this article pull out a piece of white lined paper and when I return I can read all your essays on it. Seriously feel free to read this article and let me know if this counts as WMDs in your book. For me it has gotten a little murky what exactly is considered a WMD. Again I'm too tired too get into it right now. I guess this is kind of like the Smarty Jones debate all over again. Does it count!??!?
I don't know if this story will get any legs by the time we are up tomorrow, but itis interesting. The Drudge Report hasn't even picked up on it yet, so I doubt it.
It is likely going to be overshadowed by the story breaking as I type this about AL-Qaida planning to attack us this summer. Nice thought before going to bed.
I tell you what everybody read this article pull out a piece of white lined paper and when I return I can read all your essays on it. Seriously feel free to read this article and let me know if this counts as WMDs in your book. For me it has gotten a little murky what exactly is considered a WMD. Again I'm too tired too get into it right now. I guess this is kind of like the Smarty Jones debate all over again. Does it count!??!?
I don't know if this story will get any legs by the time we are up tomorrow, but itis interesting. The Drudge Report hasn't even picked up on it yet, so I doubt it.
It is likely going to be overshadowed by the story breaking as I type this about AL-Qaida planning to attack us this summer. Nice thought before going to bed.
"Tucker on 610"
I was listening to the Steve and Mike show on 610 and decided to chime on the topic which was lack of Philly winners. I don't always listen to this show and sometimes they are cool, but other times they are idiots.
Anyway for the first time ever my phone call actually got through and I got on the air. I told them that falling short is harder for younger guys like me and my friends since we never saw a championship team and don't know how it feels to be a winner. We talked about that for a bit.
Then I said that the horse doesn't count. I don't which one (I can't tell their voices apart) starting going nuts. HE was saying that I should just have fun and be excited for the horse. At that point he turned into a Flyers vs Smarty Jones thing. Which wasn't my point. He said I should just get excited.
Before I could explain to him that I watch the first two races and was happy for Smarty I was either hung up on or my time ran out. So my point was never really made and I couldn't set him straight. He went on to tirade about me for a few minutes afterwards.
My point is I have had fun watching the horse race, but it still wouldn't count or make me feel what its like to be part of a winning fan base. First off I didn't know who the horse was till 3 days before the Derby so it is not like I grew up with the horse and taught about the horse like the other 4 teams when I was a kid. It is as if Smarty just appeared out of no where one day, and I don't think I would even talk about the triple crown much more than a few days after the fact. Where as if the other 4 teams won a championship I would be able to vividly tell my nephew about it when he is old enough to understand like older people tell us of the Phils, Flyers and Sixers winning teams. It is like I won't even bother telling him about Smarty. I doubt Jay and Jenna will tell Hunter about Smarty.
I mean it is like saying if sports team from one of the big 4 sports showed up randomly in South Philly two months ago I should be treat them as my own Feel the same way if won it all like it was my team. No way Smarty getting the triple crown will make finally understand what it is like to have a championship team. If the wings and phantoms don't count the horse sure as hell shouldn't.
What about the Soul? I could careless about them, but I bet you I would watch if it only took up 2 minutes of my Saturday to follow the team. I mean Smarty is cool and all and fun to watch race, but the fun only lasts a few seconds. Between races what is there to talk about? It's just one horse that runs around in a circle. Some of the articles on the race and his shot at winning again are just pure fluff. The four teams you follow their journey from the start and go through the playoffs with them.
I want Smarty to win. However I think it's lack of championship teams that have made this area embrace this horse as much as we did. Had the Eagles won the Super Bowl I doubt we would even care about that horse. Just because I rank smarty winning no where near a major sports team winning doesn't mean I don't want him to win or let the Flyers ruin my fun.
What a bunch of tools. Figures first time I get on the air and I get ripped a new one, although the 2nd guy kind of stood up for me. Maybe I should have just popped in my Big Fantastic CD instead.
Has anyone else ever got on to a talk radio show?
Also how about rating what the team means to you in order.
Tuckers Sports List:
Flyers (live and die by)
Phillies ( If I watch a whole game I really must have time to kill. I however do keep on the team on daily basis.)
Eagles ( I hate the stupidity of their fans and it almost makes me want to root against them)
Sixers (Meh I will jump on the band wagon if they make the final four. I like to read the AI dirt in the Daily News).
Anyway for the first time ever my phone call actually got through and I got on the air. I told them that falling short is harder for younger guys like me and my friends since we never saw a championship team and don't know how it feels to be a winner. We talked about that for a bit.
Then I said that the horse doesn't count. I don't which one (I can't tell their voices apart) starting going nuts. HE was saying that I should just have fun and be excited for the horse. At that point he turned into a Flyers vs Smarty Jones thing. Which wasn't my point. He said I should just get excited.
Before I could explain to him that I watch the first two races and was happy for Smarty I was either hung up on or my time ran out. So my point was never really made and I couldn't set him straight. He went on to tirade about me for a few minutes afterwards.
My point is I have had fun watching the horse race, but it still wouldn't count or make me feel what its like to be part of a winning fan base. First off I didn't know who the horse was till 3 days before the Derby so it is not like I grew up with the horse and taught about the horse like the other 4 teams when I was a kid. It is as if Smarty just appeared out of no where one day, and I don't think I would even talk about the triple crown much more than a few days after the fact. Where as if the other 4 teams won a championship I would be able to vividly tell my nephew about it when he is old enough to understand like older people tell us of the Phils, Flyers and Sixers winning teams. It is like I won't even bother telling him about Smarty. I doubt Jay and Jenna will tell Hunter about Smarty.
I mean it is like saying if sports team from one of the big 4 sports showed up randomly in South Philly two months ago I should be treat them as my own Feel the same way if won it all like it was my team. No way Smarty getting the triple crown will make finally understand what it is like to have a championship team. If the wings and phantoms don't count the horse sure as hell shouldn't.
What about the Soul? I could careless about them, but I bet you I would watch if it only took up 2 minutes of my Saturday to follow the team. I mean Smarty is cool and all and fun to watch race, but the fun only lasts a few seconds. Between races what is there to talk about? It's just one horse that runs around in a circle. Some of the articles on the race and his shot at winning again are just pure fluff. The four teams you follow their journey from the start and go through the playoffs with them.
I want Smarty to win. However I think it's lack of championship teams that have made this area embrace this horse as much as we did. Had the Eagles won the Super Bowl I doubt we would even care about that horse. Just because I rank smarty winning no where near a major sports team winning doesn't mean I don't want him to win or let the Flyers ruin my fun.
What a bunch of tools. Figures first time I get on the air and I get ripped a new one, although the 2nd guy kind of stood up for me. Maybe I should have just popped in my Big Fantastic CD instead.
Has anyone else ever got on to a talk radio show?
Also how about rating what the team means to you in order.
Tuckers Sports List:
Flyers (live and die by)
Phillies ( If I watch a whole game I really must have time to kill. I however do keep on the team on daily basis.)
Eagles ( I hate the stupidity of their fans and it almost makes me want to root against them)
Sixers (Meh I will jump on the band wagon if they make the final four. I like to read the AI dirt in the Daily News).
Sunday, May 23, 2004
"The Day After"
With his amazing play Keith Primeau made almost everyone forget his disgraceful display of turning Flyers legend Bill(y) Barber. into an enormous scapegoat after being embarrassed and ousted prematurely from the playoffs a few years ago. Despite the fact the Flyers couldn’t score a goal to save their life that year he blamed the entire break down on the coach who had lost his wife to cancer a few months prior. He along mainly with Brian Boucher slammed to coach who had been named coach of the year in the previous season by the league. They painted him into an utter incompetent moron who doesn’t listen to his players. Despite the team playing some of the worse hockey I have ever whitnessed in my life blame was a assigned to the coach and Barber’s not only lost his job, but had his coaching career ruined. Well maybe the hockey gods didn’t forget all this.
Bill Barbera who ironically has a position at the Tampa Bay Lightening who just sent the Flyers home for the summer could easily be wearing another cup ring on his finger in a mere two weeks. Something Primeau will NEVER have his entire career, and according to him will haunt him for a long time. Given the age of all the Flyers key players baring a trade a long time will be a life time for Prims.
Now don’t get me wrong it was a great ride and the captain did clearly everything he could to bring this team to glory. In fact I think he matured and realized how idiotic his remarks were. In fact some Flyers fans believe he was being used as a puppet by GM Bob Clarke who wanted to deflect the blame after failing to put together a cup team yet again. Not to mention the fact that Clarke always had animosity and jealously towards Barbara from what older fans tell me. Kind of like Clarke went to someone and made a move on the former coach.
Now this Flyers team I can’t get REALLY mad at. Not like the past 4 years or so. They tried harder than any Flyers team I have seen in a long time. Mainly because JR, Amonte, Zhamonv, and their captain all knew damn right well that this could very easily be their last shot at winning a cup. Younger players like Gagne had to know it might be his only shot too, look at all the older players in the NHL who still haven’t won it. What Keith (not me) did with this team was amazing. Amazing enough to put him in a chapter of the legacy of the Flyers however not enough to immortalize him anytime soon. He really relished his role as a captain and will likely rank just under Dave Poulin who led the Flyers all the way to game 7 of the cup finals in 1987. Of course that was against the dreaded Edmonton Oilers of the 1980’s easily the best team of our life time.
This Flyers team will go down as one we snap our fingers and shake our heads about. Damn, so close. Yeah I am proud of the way they played. However their special teams particularly let them down. They let the Bolts score too many power play goals, and couldn’t score on the man advantages of their own. Hmm, maybe the Barbara had nothing do to with their inept power play!
It was hard to watch the look of defeat on the orange and black last night. All they went through made for a fun entertaining season full of perseverance and great back stories. Especially JR, who will likely announce his retirement once the finals (hopefully my sadness will subside and I can watch) are done. All together a really fun season, with an ending that didn’t really piss me off like the last two season, but generally broke my heart. To make matter worse the shape of the NHL currently could mean that Saturday night when the clock ticked down it was running down on the history of the Philadelphia Flyers too. The NHL is on the verge of an entire collapse, and if the lockout lasts more than a few months it the Flyers and the NHL will be history. I can’t even say there is always next year, because we could be down to 3 teams in the city after last night.
As for Smarty Jones, he doesn’t end the streak. Don’t get me wrong I have had fun watching the horse run the first to races, but didn’t even know who the hell he was till 3 days before the Derby. If he wins that’s great, but it won’t end the streak. I will still be void of the experience of winning a sports championship. Not to mention the frigging horse is from BUCKS COUNTY not Philly. So that would be like counting the Rivershark’s as Philly’s own. It is just complete desperation and plain pathetic to claim this horse in the name of Philly sports teams.
So the ice melts in South Philly, and I have no idea when it will return. Regardless the team will be a year older next year if they do play and likely farther away from the ultimate prize. So take your seat with all the other stories off just falling short 2003-04 Flyers and enjoy you a lifetime of wondering what could have been till you win the Cup with another team or in the grave. Sit with the 1993 Phillies, and all the other close but no cigar clubs. Hell we could write a book or two.
I know this sounds really negative about a hard working team that got through a lot, but let’s face it even if you are proud of this team they aren’t champions. They aren't winners, and despite getting a round farther than last year, with all the money spend any players brought in this season was another failure. On top of that team likely lost money this season.
It was a great ride, but familiar one. With us watching someone's else team soak up the glory of being winners.
Bill Barbera who ironically has a position at the Tampa Bay Lightening who just sent the Flyers home for the summer could easily be wearing another cup ring on his finger in a mere two weeks. Something Primeau will NEVER have his entire career, and according to him will haunt him for a long time. Given the age of all the Flyers key players baring a trade a long time will be a life time for Prims.
Now don’t get me wrong it was a great ride and the captain did clearly everything he could to bring this team to glory. In fact I think he matured and realized how idiotic his remarks were. In fact some Flyers fans believe he was being used as a puppet by GM Bob Clarke who wanted to deflect the blame after failing to put together a cup team yet again. Not to mention the fact that Clarke always had animosity and jealously towards Barbara from what older fans tell me. Kind of like Clarke went to someone and made a move on the former coach.
Now this Flyers team I can’t get REALLY mad at. Not like the past 4 years or so. They tried harder than any Flyers team I have seen in a long time. Mainly because JR, Amonte, Zhamonv, and their captain all knew damn right well that this could very easily be their last shot at winning a cup. Younger players like Gagne had to know it might be his only shot too, look at all the older players in the NHL who still haven’t won it. What Keith (not me) did with this team was amazing. Amazing enough to put him in a chapter of the legacy of the Flyers however not enough to immortalize him anytime soon. He really relished his role as a captain and will likely rank just under Dave Poulin who led the Flyers all the way to game 7 of the cup finals in 1987. Of course that was against the dreaded Edmonton Oilers of the 1980’s easily the best team of our life time.
This Flyers team will go down as one we snap our fingers and shake our heads about. Damn, so close. Yeah I am proud of the way they played. However their special teams particularly let them down. They let the Bolts score too many power play goals, and couldn’t score on the man advantages of their own. Hmm, maybe the Barbara had nothing do to with their inept power play!
It was hard to watch the look of defeat on the orange and black last night. All they went through made for a fun entertaining season full of perseverance and great back stories. Especially JR, who will likely announce his retirement once the finals (hopefully my sadness will subside and I can watch) are done. All together a really fun season, with an ending that didn’t really piss me off like the last two season, but generally broke my heart. To make matter worse the shape of the NHL currently could mean that Saturday night when the clock ticked down it was running down on the history of the Philadelphia Flyers too. The NHL is on the verge of an entire collapse, and if the lockout lasts more than a few months it the Flyers and the NHL will be history. I can’t even say there is always next year, because we could be down to 3 teams in the city after last night.
As for Smarty Jones, he doesn’t end the streak. Don’t get me wrong I have had fun watching the horse run the first to races, but didn’t even know who the hell he was till 3 days before the Derby. If he wins that’s great, but it won’t end the streak. I will still be void of the experience of winning a sports championship. Not to mention the frigging horse is from BUCKS COUNTY not Philly. So that would be like counting the Rivershark’s as Philly’s own. It is just complete desperation and plain pathetic to claim this horse in the name of Philly sports teams.
So the ice melts in South Philly, and I have no idea when it will return. Regardless the team will be a year older next year if they do play and likely farther away from the ultimate prize. So take your seat with all the other stories off just falling short 2003-04 Flyers and enjoy you a lifetime of wondering what could have been till you win the Cup with another team or in the grave. Sit with the 1993 Phillies, and all the other close but no cigar clubs. Hell we could write a book or two.
I know this sounds really negative about a hard working team that got through a lot, but let’s face it even if you are proud of this team they aren’t champions. They aren't winners, and despite getting a round farther than last year, with all the money spend any players brought in this season was another failure. On top of that team likely lost money this season.
It was a great ride, but familiar one. With us watching someone's else team soak up the glory of being winners.
Friday, May 21, 2004
Tucker on the Classics: The Exorcist
I decided in addition to reviewing new flicks out in the movies now I am going to dissect classics too. I am going to try to do it more often. I was originally going to assign a day that my readers could count on a write up of a classic movie, but who are we trying to kid?
Anyway it is a wonder I went this long without seeing this movie for the first time (last week). My parents talk about seeing this movie for the first time together (given the year it was released and my parents marriage it was on TV) my mother had the living day lights scared out of her, and my father thought it was the funniest movie he ever saw. So that is the way the film is still viewed you either love it or hate. Years ago during a night of mindless hanging out at my house Ryan and I think Lima Beanz were sent to get a movie for the night the returned with the Exorcist after about 40 mins. Everyone got pissed and said they wouldn't watch it. So they returned later that night with Posion Ivy 2: The New Seduction.
Um..oh yeah the review.
Well the movie starts out oddly in Iraq before we blew it up. A bunch of stuff happens and this guy finds an idol and more stuff happens. I really didn't get the point of showing us all this. Then the movie settles into what you expect a semi-famous actress becomes worried when her daughter starts swearing like a sailor. Next thing she knows she looks increasingly more evil and even though the doctors (almost comically) keep coming up with far fetched excuses why her daughter and levitate beds, over power adults, and speak in other languages she knows better.
During the mother/daughter plot line another storyline is running along at a slower speed about a youngish priest who has lost his faith. Eventually he gets roped into the case of the actress's daughter and is invited to sit in on an exorcism. They sceen play inspired by a newspaper article decades prior rests it's strength and heart on questioning ones faith. Wondering what it would take for some one to think there could be such a thing a supreme being or evil spirits. Apparently, more than some split peas soup vomit in the face for some.
However, what it's famous for is the sequence upon sequence of creepy images including the bedroom turning ice cold, and Linda Blair talking in a demonic voice uttering words I had no idea were said on film that long ago. Eventually the title character (turns out he is the dude from Iraq in the start of the film) shows up to show the young priest how to oust demons from little girls. The slow moving film intensifies the last 40 mins only to end almost suddenly which is surprising but also refreshing had it been made today one would imagine they would try to trick the audience a few times about if it was really over or not.
The film is way better than my friends make it out to be. Although flawed mostly as far as the sceenplay goes for example the girl seems like she goes from normal to demonish in 30 seconds I wouldn't say the movie crap.
Lets face it as fun as the horror genre is very few such films in that section of the video store are actually "Good". One thing that alienates viewers from this film I think is the fact that there is no one real hero to root for. The mother is helpless, the younger priest isn't more haunted and melancholy than likeable. I saw the version you never seen (which would make the original cut that for me I guess) and figured before I read about it that the steps scene was way over the top and out of place. I don't know what version most people have seen that are my age, but that scene should have stay deleted. However the film is highly superior to Halloween and I would even say The Omen (better directed anyway). It was a good (not GREAT)and highly important film. So why do most of my friends detest this film?
Anyway it is a wonder I went this long without seeing this movie for the first time (last week). My parents talk about seeing this movie for the first time together (given the year it was released and my parents marriage it was on TV) my mother had the living day lights scared out of her, and my father thought it was the funniest movie he ever saw. So that is the way the film is still viewed you either love it or hate. Years ago during a night of mindless hanging out at my house Ryan and I think Lima Beanz were sent to get a movie for the night the returned with the Exorcist after about 40 mins. Everyone got pissed and said they wouldn't watch it. So they returned later that night with Posion Ivy 2: The New Seduction.
Um..oh yeah the review.
Well the movie starts out oddly in Iraq before we blew it up. A bunch of stuff happens and this guy finds an idol and more stuff happens. I really didn't get the point of showing us all this. Then the movie settles into what you expect a semi-famous actress becomes worried when her daughter starts swearing like a sailor. Next thing she knows she looks increasingly more evil and even though the doctors (almost comically) keep coming up with far fetched excuses why her daughter and levitate beds, over power adults, and speak in other languages she knows better.
During the mother/daughter plot line another storyline is running along at a slower speed about a youngish priest who has lost his faith. Eventually he gets roped into the case of the actress's daughter and is invited to sit in on an exorcism. They sceen play inspired by a newspaper article decades prior rests it's strength and heart on questioning ones faith. Wondering what it would take for some one to think there could be such a thing a supreme being or evil spirits. Apparently, more than some split peas soup vomit in the face for some.
However, what it's famous for is the sequence upon sequence of creepy images including the bedroom turning ice cold, and Linda Blair talking in a demonic voice uttering words I had no idea were said on film that long ago. Eventually the title character (turns out he is the dude from Iraq in the start of the film) shows up to show the young priest how to oust demons from little girls. The slow moving film intensifies the last 40 mins only to end almost suddenly which is surprising but also refreshing had it been made today one would imagine they would try to trick the audience a few times about if it was really over or not.
The film is way better than my friends make it out to be. Although flawed mostly as far as the sceenplay goes for example the girl seems like she goes from normal to demonish in 30 seconds I wouldn't say the movie crap.
Lets face it as fun as the horror genre is very few such films in that section of the video store are actually "Good". One thing that alienates viewers from this film I think is the fact that there is no one real hero to root for. The mother is helpless, the younger priest isn't more haunted and melancholy than likeable. I saw the version you never seen (which would make the original cut that for me I guess) and figured before I read about it that the steps scene was way over the top and out of place. I don't know what version most people have seen that are my age, but that scene should have stay deleted. However the film is highly superior to Halloween and I would even say The Omen (better directed anyway). It was a good (not GREAT)and highly important film. So why do most of my friends detest this film?
Sopranos Wrap Up: Test Dream
When I looked at my clock on my cell phone and realized it was about 9:45 I soon realized that almost the entire hour of the show would be a lengthy dream of Tony Soprano. His trippy dreams have been a staple in the series for almost it's entire run and allows some very interesting visuals. Who can forget the famous fish dream during the episode where they whacked Uncle Pussy? It is still quite possibly one of the best shows they ever did. (Hmm..Maybe that would be a good topic one day).
Now let us get this straight I always thought doing something like the Sopranos did last week with dream world would be a good idea for a series. It allows writers to bring back famous faces from beyond the grave and have some real fun. However given the fact that the fifth season is winding down it wasn't the time, and in a show where the seasons are only 13 episodes long might not be the place to squander time in terms of moving along the series narrative.
Now most dramas are on the networks who usually have 22 a season, so if you want to do something like this in the X-Files (they actually did a few times) or even the West Wing (not that I watched more than 30 seconds of that show in my life) then that's cool. Shows like that a concept such as this might work better since you almost have time to kill to spread out interesting storylines to fill the time of a longer season and likely longer run.
If you are going to go ahead and do something as daring as last weeks show one shouldn't tease or cheat the viewer in the process. Is there any reason that why shouldn't get to see Tony B's botched shooting on Phil? It sounded pretty cool, but we will never know. There is no reason to not show that. Also if you are going to bring back Ralphie (love Ralph or hate him it's no denying that Joey Pant's ability to steal scene after scene has been sorely missed this season)and Big Pussy at least give them more than a blink your eye and miss them cameo. Ralph had one line, and wasn't even totally in the shot. Pussy turns around and looks at Tony. It wasn't till after the show that Liza made me realize Richie returned too. Some how I missed his rise from the grave. Wouldn't it have made more sense to have Pussy dispense advice about whacking people you love than a random coach? What a cheat, although John Heard (even though only hard core fans even remember his character) returning was a kick.
Okay so the point of the dream is that Tony must whack Tony B? Well anyone that has seen the cast list for season 6 knows it will at the very least take Tony a long time to maul over the situation. On top of that if Artie doesn't die soon then the dream really makes no sense at all. I don't really see Artie dying at all nor do I want him to. But knowing David Chase he will likely give him cancer.
The problem with the Soparanos is the same that hampered the X-files in later years. Too many different writers and directors. The tone of the show and style can shift from week to week, and with so much story to dive into one wonders why the show had to take that route last week. Not mention storylines are dropped like horse poop. Leave impressionistic imagery for film students, and random unexplained role switching (Heard in place of Finn's dad) for crappy David Lynch movies.
I am not going to say it. However many people who know what a fan I am of the show said to me in the immortal words of the comic book guy: "WORST EPISODE EVER!"
Now let us get this straight I always thought doing something like the Sopranos did last week with dream world would be a good idea for a series. It allows writers to bring back famous faces from beyond the grave and have some real fun. However given the fact that the fifth season is winding down it wasn't the time, and in a show where the seasons are only 13 episodes long might not be the place to squander time in terms of moving along the series narrative.
Now most dramas are on the networks who usually have 22 a season, so if you want to do something like this in the X-Files (they actually did a few times) or even the West Wing (not that I watched more than 30 seconds of that show in my life) then that's cool. Shows like that a concept such as this might work better since you almost have time to kill to spread out interesting storylines to fill the time of a longer season and likely longer run.
If you are going to go ahead and do something as daring as last weeks show one shouldn't tease or cheat the viewer in the process. Is there any reason that why shouldn't get to see Tony B's botched shooting on Phil? It sounded pretty cool, but we will never know. There is no reason to not show that. Also if you are going to bring back Ralphie (love Ralph or hate him it's no denying that Joey Pant's ability to steal scene after scene has been sorely missed this season)and Big Pussy at least give them more than a blink your eye and miss them cameo. Ralph had one line, and wasn't even totally in the shot. Pussy turns around and looks at Tony. It wasn't till after the show that Liza made me realize Richie returned too. Some how I missed his rise from the grave. Wouldn't it have made more sense to have Pussy dispense advice about whacking people you love than a random coach? What a cheat, although John Heard (even though only hard core fans even remember his character) returning was a kick.
Okay so the point of the dream is that Tony must whack Tony B? Well anyone that has seen the cast list for season 6 knows it will at the very least take Tony a long time to maul over the situation. On top of that if Artie doesn't die soon then the dream really makes no sense at all. I don't really see Artie dying at all nor do I want him to. But knowing David Chase he will likely give him cancer.
The problem with the Soparanos is the same that hampered the X-files in later years. Too many different writers and directors. The tone of the show and style can shift from week to week, and with so much story to dive into one wonders why the show had to take that route last week. Not mention storylines are dropped like horse poop. Leave impressionistic imagery for film students, and random unexplained role switching (Heard in place of Finn's dad) for crappy David Lynch movies.
I am not going to say it. However many people who know what a fan I am of the show said to me in the immortal words of the comic book guy: "WORST EPISODE EVER!"
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Blame Tucker?
Okay right before I reformatted this blog page I made it in clear on herethat I thought the Flyers were going to hoist the cup this spring. I even changed the name of the blog to Tucker's World goes cup crazy.
Now I perhaps jumped for joy too soon since it was only after game 2, and the Flyers are now trailing 3-2 in the best of seven series.
So who out there actually believes that I could put an actual hex on them? Am I to blame if the Flyers are golfing by Sunday morning? I hope not, but I must warn anyone near me that if the flyers get bounced out to be aware of fits of anger and rage to stem from myself. I would like to tell you it is an act or me just doing what is expected, but I honestly get pretty pissed off and my lashing out of frustration is all true.
There is a scene in Ridley Scott's Alien (oddly deleted in the re-issue) where Tom SKerritt asks his computer (known as mother) what are our chances? I imagine Keith Primeau is asking the same thing to himself. Maybe he has hightech computer that can give him the answers he needs to force a game 7. Hopefully it is better than my computer which would simply tell him that it is buffering from now till the end of time.
Seriously do you blame me for getting to Flyered up? Also what do you think of the chances of winning game 6 let alone the series?
Now I perhaps jumped for joy too soon since it was only after game 2, and the Flyers are now trailing 3-2 in the best of seven series.
So who out there actually believes that I could put an actual hex on them? Am I to blame if the Flyers are golfing by Sunday morning? I hope not, but I must warn anyone near me that if the flyers get bounced out to be aware of fits of anger and rage to stem from myself. I would like to tell you it is an act or me just doing what is expected, but I honestly get pretty pissed off and my lashing out of frustration is all true.
There is a scene in Ridley Scott's Alien (oddly deleted in the re-issue) where Tom SKerritt asks his computer (known as mother) what are our chances? I imagine Keith Primeau is asking the same thing to himself. Maybe he has hightech computer that can give him the answers he needs to force a game 7. Hopefully it is better than my computer which would simply tell him that it is buffering from now till the end of time.
Seriously do you blame me for getting to Flyered up? Also what do you think of the chances of winning game 6 let alone the series?
Monday, May 17, 2004
Captain Orange Crush
If the Flyers had lost last Saturday mathematically it could easily had been the last home game of the season. With the mood of the series shifting in favor of Tampa after it had shifted to Philly in the previous game the fans needed to get behind their team. The Flyers decided to give out orange t-shirts to all of their fans that said Orange Crunch on it, although on TV I almost appeared that no one was at the game it was still a cool thing to do.
Well the Flyers notched up the series, but still have to win at least one game in Tampa. It would be a hell of a lot easier to just win in Tampa once and win and Philly, but who can figure how this series is going to end?
One reason the Flyers are going to get a new lease on life and play essentially a best of 3 game series now with the bolts is the captain of the team.
Keith Primeau's performance to date has been bordering on legendary. Primeau who years ago got slammed for bad mouthing former coach (rightfully so it was a classless move) and Flyer legend Billy Barbara is long gone. I was at game one of the playoffs against the Devils, and I turned to Liza and said that Primeau was playing like a madman out there. I assumed something ticked him off because he was hitting everything in sight. I had no idea he could keep the same level of play up for game after game.
The last game (in fact the entire post)Primeau really did what a captain has to do. He kept the team cool, and lead by example. He set up John Leclair as if he was teeing up a golf ball for him. Later in the game he put it away when he used Simon Gagne as decoy to fake out the Tampa netminder and fire the puck past him. I don't think there was a person in the building that thought he would fire that puck let alone score. Although lately it isn't a bad idea to shot the puck instead of pass to Gagne.
Anyway Primeau literally has matched his season total in goals in just 15 games in the post season. It almost seems that nothing is going to stand in Primeau's way in order to hoist the cup. Don't think that the teammates don't realize what he has done he has become such a leader of this team you might as well call him Optimus Prime.
Hockey captains mean more to teams than captains in any other sports for what ever reason. For the longest time I figured Keith as a mediocre captain if not a little childish after that immature blaming of a coach for a team that lacked any real guts. It seems though that he has matured, and he even admitted that it was the wrong way to handle the matter. Of course previously the captain (briefly) was Rico, who know one could really understand with his thick French accent, and the big E who bailed on his team when the going got rough. So it's nice to see leadership come from the man with the "C", because you simply can't win a cup without it. Just look at all the last cup winners.
It's Primeau's team. It is time to leave his mark.
Random thoughts for game 5:
The team is likely spinning the media on JR. I hate to say it but its more than likely that he has another concussion. Not the flu, not a shoulder injury, but I guess its still technically an upper body injury. I have my doubts he will play tonight. Also if I had to I would play John Slaney from the Phantoms who has some experience in the NHL playoffs over Dennis Seindberg who is still recovering from a broken leg.
Well the Flyers notched up the series, but still have to win at least one game in Tampa. It would be a hell of a lot easier to just win in Tampa once and win and Philly, but who can figure how this series is going to end?
One reason the Flyers are going to get a new lease on life and play essentially a best of 3 game series now with the bolts is the captain of the team.
Keith Primeau's performance to date has been bordering on legendary. Primeau who years ago got slammed for bad mouthing former coach (rightfully so it was a classless move) and Flyer legend Billy Barbara is long gone. I was at game one of the playoffs against the Devils, and I turned to Liza and said that Primeau was playing like a madman out there. I assumed something ticked him off because he was hitting everything in sight. I had no idea he could keep the same level of play up for game after game.
The last game (in fact the entire post)Primeau really did what a captain has to do. He kept the team cool, and lead by example. He set up John Leclair as if he was teeing up a golf ball for him. Later in the game he put it away when he used Simon Gagne as decoy to fake out the Tampa netminder and fire the puck past him. I don't think there was a person in the building that thought he would fire that puck let alone score. Although lately it isn't a bad idea to shot the puck instead of pass to Gagne.
Anyway Primeau literally has matched his season total in goals in just 15 games in the post season. It almost seems that nothing is going to stand in Primeau's way in order to hoist the cup. Don't think that the teammates don't realize what he has done he has become such a leader of this team you might as well call him Optimus Prime.
Hockey captains mean more to teams than captains in any other sports for what ever reason. For the longest time I figured Keith as a mediocre captain if not a little childish after that immature blaming of a coach for a team that lacked any real guts. It seems though that he has matured, and he even admitted that it was the wrong way to handle the matter. Of course previously the captain (briefly) was Rico, who know one could really understand with his thick French accent, and the big E who bailed on his team when the going got rough. So it's nice to see leadership come from the man with the "C", because you simply can't win a cup without it. Just look at all the last cup winners.
It's Primeau's team. It is time to leave his mark.
Random thoughts for game 5:
The team is likely spinning the media on JR. I hate to say it but its more than likely that he has another concussion. Not the flu, not a shoulder injury, but I guess its still technically an upper body injury. I have my doubts he will play tonight. Also if I had to I would play John Slaney from the Phantoms who has some experience in the NHL playoffs over Dennis Seindberg who is still recovering from a broken leg.
Sunday, May 16, 2004
Oh SIDESHOOOOOOW Bob!
I didn't expect many comments on Tucker's World at all. Considering TERMINUS goes many articles without comments, and the Crew Blog is rivialing the Echelon Mall for traffic. HOwever I thought I would at least get a bite or two this weekend, but I soon realized that I was limiting comments to only people who are blogspot members, and even then its annoying to sign in anywhere in order to comment
I have fixed the issue so now anyone can comment. Sorry about that one folks.
I have fixed the issue so now anyone can comment. Sorry about that one folks.
Sopranos Wrap UP
The Sopranos is now in the final weeks of the 5th season which will be the next to last season. The 6th season is only to be made up of a mere 8 shows. So things should certainly start heating up. RIght?
Some fans are still grumbling that this past week's show that reloveded around Christopher's jealousy of Tony B. and growing resentment towards Tony S. wasn't quite fast paced enough and are starting to worry many plotlines will be left dangling till the next season or dropped all together. Nany people think nothing really has happened this past week.
It's fairly clear that the dead waiter from the start of the season isn't going to get anyone in trouble just like when Paulie Walnuts killed that old lady friend of his mothers last season. Just never really mentioned again.
The storyline last week had Tony B and Christopher go off to an old farm ran by a long time mafia man who had various dead bodies burried on his land. Since the mafia guy was selling the place they had to dig up the remains. Chris dig's up an old body of a man he whacked in season 1, that he already had to move. Although there was some confusion by peoople I talked to about the show wheather or not Ralph's head was burried there. I didn't think that it was, and figured they would have made a bigger deal of it. So I would say his head is still safely underground someplace.
Meanwhile Carmella drained Tony's beloved pool as a counter attack to him using up every decent lawyer in the tri-state area. The third storyline was about Janice going nuts at a lady at a soccer game. After taking classes to take get her anger under control Tony tests her at dinner to see if she can keep her cool. Of course she didn't, and viewer are left to wonder if Tony himself is just generally losing it.
The big back lash for last week's show was their tradition of misleading trailers really going over board. The body being thrown into the water was someone that was dead long before the pilot so it ment nothing. Chris crying had nothing to do with Adriana rating on him, the NYC gang war story line didn't advance at all, and Vito being gay wasn't addressed. n face Vito was glaring at naked women at the bada bing.
Go figure. On top of everything else the bear's random cameo the previous week was never addressed or explained.
I'm not complaining but I certainly see why viewers are. The next 3 and final 3 of the season will define what people remember season 5 for. Let us just wait to see what David Chase has left in his bag of tricks.
Some fans are still grumbling that this past week's show that reloveded around Christopher's jealousy of Tony B. and growing resentment towards Tony S. wasn't quite fast paced enough and are starting to worry many plotlines will be left dangling till the next season or dropped all together. Nany people think nothing really has happened this past week.
It's fairly clear that the dead waiter from the start of the season isn't going to get anyone in trouble just like when Paulie Walnuts killed that old lady friend of his mothers last season. Just never really mentioned again.
The storyline last week had Tony B and Christopher go off to an old farm ran by a long time mafia man who had various dead bodies burried on his land. Since the mafia guy was selling the place they had to dig up the remains. Chris dig's up an old body of a man he whacked in season 1, that he already had to move. Although there was some confusion by peoople I talked to about the show wheather or not Ralph's head was burried there. I didn't think that it was, and figured they would have made a bigger deal of it. So I would say his head is still safely underground someplace.
Meanwhile Carmella drained Tony's beloved pool as a counter attack to him using up every decent lawyer in the tri-state area. The third storyline was about Janice going nuts at a lady at a soccer game. After taking classes to take get her anger under control Tony tests her at dinner to see if she can keep her cool. Of course she didn't, and viewer are left to wonder if Tony himself is just generally losing it.
The big back lash for last week's show was their tradition of misleading trailers really going over board. The body being thrown into the water was someone that was dead long before the pilot so it ment nothing. Chris crying had nothing to do with Adriana rating on him, the NYC gang war story line didn't advance at all, and Vito being gay wasn't addressed. n face Vito was glaring at naked women at the bada bing.
Go figure. On top of everything else the bear's random cameo the previous week was never addressed or explained.
I'm not complaining but I certainly see why viewers are. The next 3 and final 3 of the season will define what people remember season 5 for. Let us just wait to see what David Chase has left in his bag of tricks.
Friday, May 14, 2004
Media Gone Wild
In 1492 Columbus sailed the Ocean Blue.
In 1969 man landed on the moon.
Then nothing happened for a very long time till tonight. Tonight comments will become part of Tucker's World.
I have always gotten a kick out of the 11pm local news programs competing for ratings during sweeps month. However I don't think I saw anything as shameless as the promo I saw on KYW 3 (CBS) news. It was right after the final segment of CSI: Miami.
The promo said simply SWAT teams surround and move in on Center City and the Franklin Mills Mall. Now I knew that if it was really bad that they would have broke in to CSI: Mami and figured it was a war on terror drill. However they didn't mention the word drill at all, and it was just before the news started so people switching over could have been concerned. Why do you have the scare the heck out of us just to make us watch?
Now you might think to yourself no one is too dumb that they couldn't figure out what was really going on. However that's not true there are tons of dumb people in our viewing area. It took me an entire work shift a year ago to explain that the Amber alert had nothing to do with Al-Qaida to a jittery co-worker. I guess she thought it was a color or something. Horrible.
Anyway this same week after the horrific images Nick Berg were send all over the internet the Philly Daily News ran a headline that simply said BASTARDS. Was this too far? Was this unprofessional? A long time reader of the paper I saw surprised they actually went that far,and many people that saw the headline (okay I bought the paper) at work thought it was in bad taste.
Now flashback a week or so and we have the images of the Iraqis making little naked pyramids and dressing up in hooded black capes. In addition to various other creepy things to the laughter of US troops. Keep in mind (so I hear) this happened quite awhile ago and was under investigation. Now certain people begged CBS not so show it, because it would likely anger are people in the middle east who had Americans hostage. I'm not saying that we should ignore the mistreating, but maybe we could keep such things in mind. Articles actually had been written about such things before. Not to mention it was my assumption that kind of stuff went on, so although I thought it was a little creepy with the sexual stuff I wasn't all surprised. Should the media go think before it airs just stuff?
On the other hand I really don't know who the apology Bush gave was for other then to get Americans off the back of other Americans backs. It is not going to make them hate us anyless over there. Also I do realize the irony of it.Stil no one said sorry for Danny Pearl, 9/11, or Nick Berg. I doubt anyone ever will. Why are we demanded to do so when no one demanded anything from anyone that does this stuff or worse to Americans?
I just don't get it really. We are at war where people are killing each other that in my book is a little worse than Real Sex 34: Iraqi Edition. You can argue that the fact that we said sorry separates us from them, but I can think of a gaggle of other things that separate us from the "bastards".
In 1969 man landed on the moon.
Then nothing happened for a very long time till tonight. Tonight comments will become part of Tucker's World.
I have always gotten a kick out of the 11pm local news programs competing for ratings during sweeps month. However I don't think I saw anything as shameless as the promo I saw on KYW 3 (CBS) news. It was right after the final segment of CSI: Miami.
The promo said simply SWAT teams surround and move in on Center City and the Franklin Mills Mall. Now I knew that if it was really bad that they would have broke in to CSI: Mami and figured it was a war on terror drill. However they didn't mention the word drill at all, and it was just before the news started so people switching over could have been concerned. Why do you have the scare the heck out of us just to make us watch?
Now you might think to yourself no one is too dumb that they couldn't figure out what was really going on. However that's not true there are tons of dumb people in our viewing area. It took me an entire work shift a year ago to explain that the Amber alert had nothing to do with Al-Qaida to a jittery co-worker. I guess she thought it was a color or something. Horrible.
Anyway this same week after the horrific images Nick Berg were send all over the internet the Philly Daily News ran a headline that simply said BASTARDS. Was this too far? Was this unprofessional? A long time reader of the paper I saw surprised they actually went that far,and many people that saw the headline (okay I bought the paper) at work thought it was in bad taste.
Now flashback a week or so and we have the images of the Iraqis making little naked pyramids and dressing up in hooded black capes. In addition to various other creepy things to the laughter of US troops. Keep in mind (so I hear) this happened quite awhile ago and was under investigation. Now certain people begged CBS not so show it, because it would likely anger are people in the middle east who had Americans hostage. I'm not saying that we should ignore the mistreating, but maybe we could keep such things in mind. Articles actually had been written about such things before. Not to mention it was my assumption that kind of stuff went on, so although I thought it was a little creepy with the sexual stuff I wasn't all surprised. Should the media go think before it airs just stuff?
On the other hand I really don't know who the apology Bush gave was for other then to get Americans off the back of other Americans backs. It is not going to make them hate us anyless over there. Also I do realize the irony of it.Stil no one said sorry for Danny Pearl, 9/11, or Nick Berg. I doubt anyone ever will. Why are we demanded to do so when no one demanded anything from anyone that does this stuff or worse to Americans?
I just don't get it really. We are at war where people are killing each other that in my book is a little worse than Real Sex 34: Iraqi Edition. You can argue that the fact that we said sorry separates us from them, but I can think of a gaggle of other things that separate us from the "bastards".
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Tucker's New World
Well for those of you clicking on this blog you might have noticed that Tucker's World has finally gotten a much needed overhaul. I really wanted to do this for a long time, and when I sat down to devote ample time for it tonight, I was happy to see the Blog.spot has made it insanely easy to do so.
Now recent titles will stand away from the body of the blog, and you can click on them by title to go back and read them days later. This will really help out Drew's readers when he is nice enough to send them my way the few times I actually write something his readers would like to see. If too much time would pass in the past his readers would go to read about my view on lets say the war on Iraq only to find an article on gay sheep.
As much crap I have gotten for this blog over the almost two years that I have been doing it, I am fairly sure that my readers do enjoy reading my blog. I often get e-mails from my readers or Instant Messages giving me feedback if it was just ment for a laugh or if I touched on the hot "Water Cooler" topics of the week. Yeah I know my views on politics can differ from many of my friends, but I am my own person.
I am sure I have more readers than I know. For awhile Dan's co-workers were reading it. Once I got a random email from Kate who I had no idea had been reading it for a long time. Chris's ex-girlfriend Dana instant messaged me the other day and knew of topics I had written about on there. Amazingly enough in of my emails Price said he tries to read it to keep up. That is pretty damn cool that he is half way across the globe and still thinks to himself. "Hmm I wonder what Tucker's World is about this week". Hopefully this will give him a way to say hi to everyone once in awhile too, since everyone always asks me about him.
Now after all this time it's my readers turn. Starting this Friday night at 8pm Tucker's World for the first time ever allow it's readers to comment.
Now I hope people will be mature about this and use it to comment about what is written. Everyone is entitled to their views and I will never lower myself to petty name calling at any point. I expect that my readers that comment will keep that in mind. I have zero tolerance for any kind or over the line material. Thanks to the new feature on blogspot I can delete the comments anyway, and if I don't like what I see at any point I can remove the feature anytime I want.
So enjoy it, come back Friday night so I can through out a topic to get perhaps some sort of discussion about.
Now recent titles will stand away from the body of the blog, and you can click on them by title to go back and read them days later. This will really help out Drew's readers when he is nice enough to send them my way the few times I actually write something his readers would like to see. If too much time would pass in the past his readers would go to read about my view on lets say the war on Iraq only to find an article on gay sheep.
As much crap I have gotten for this blog over the almost two years that I have been doing it, I am fairly sure that my readers do enjoy reading my blog. I often get e-mails from my readers or Instant Messages giving me feedback if it was just ment for a laugh or if I touched on the hot "Water Cooler" topics of the week. Yeah I know my views on politics can differ from many of my friends, but I am my own person.
I am sure I have more readers than I know. For awhile Dan's co-workers were reading it. Once I got a random email from Kate who I had no idea had been reading it for a long time. Chris's ex-girlfriend Dana instant messaged me the other day and knew of topics I had written about on there. Amazingly enough in of my emails Price said he tries to read it to keep up. That is pretty damn cool that he is half way across the globe and still thinks to himself. "Hmm I wonder what Tucker's World is about this week". Hopefully this will give him a way to say hi to everyone once in awhile too, since everyone always asks me about him.
Now after all this time it's my readers turn. Starting this Friday night at 8pm Tucker's World for the first time ever allow it's readers to comment.
Now I hope people will be mature about this and use it to comment about what is written. Everyone is entitled to their views and I will never lower myself to petty name calling at any point. I expect that my readers that comment will keep that in mind. I have zero tolerance for any kind or over the line material. Thanks to the new feature on blogspot I can delete the comments anyway, and if I don't like what I see at any point I can remove the feature anytime I want.
So enjoy it, come back Friday night so I can through out a topic to get perhaps some sort of discussion about.
Don't Worry Be Happy
I refuse to accept any notion that my Flyered-up post the other night put the hex on my beloved hockey club tonight in South Philly. Sure the Flyers were beaten 4-1 by Tampa Bay earlier tonight and now trail in the series 2-1, but I haven't given up the faith just yet. The Flyers looked as though they could turn the tides for mere seconds in third period. Literally seconds before the Bolts buried the Fly-boys making it 3-1, and putting them two goals behind again.
Now the Orange and Black have their toughest game of the entire season Saturday afternoon. Despite the fact it will be 90 degrees or hotter on Saturday it will be time for some serious hockey. Just keep in mind the path to glory is paved through hell. The ice hasn't melted yet, and we still have time to push the pending NHL lockout into the back of our minds. Hopefully there is a hockey season next year, but lets not think about that too much just yet(although I have a pending article on it). Chin up Flyers fans this season's story of the Orange and Black is far from told.
So do not get all sad, as the plastic fish on the wall sitting behind my sings. "Don't Worry Be Happy".
Now the Orange and Black have their toughest game of the entire season Saturday afternoon. Despite the fact it will be 90 degrees or hotter on Saturday it will be time for some serious hockey. Just keep in mind the path to glory is paved through hell. The ice hasn't melted yet, and we still have time to push the pending NHL lockout into the back of our minds. Hopefully there is a hockey season next year, but lets not think about that too much just yet(although I have a pending article on it). Chin up Flyers fans this season's story of the Orange and Black is far from told.
So do not get all sad, as the plastic fish on the wall sitting behind my sings. "Don't Worry Be Happy".
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
"Soak It Up"
"Soak It Up"
Sure I picked the Devils in the first round, but honestly that was against my gut reaction. You see when it comes to picking the Flyers I over compensate for my basis that I know is in me. I know almost no one will believe that, but when it looked as though the Flyers were going to meet the Devils in the first round I told Drew at Sharkey’s that I figured it was the best shot they had to beat the Devils in a long time since Scott Stevens wouldn’t be playing who means more to the team than anyone. I also mentioned that if the Devils were bounced out by the Flyers (which obviously they were) the seeding of the teams in the first round would ultimately benefit the Flyers as long as there was the typical upset in the west. There was an upset when the Flames toppled the Redwings, and you could argue the same in the first round when the Sharks sent the Blues packing. Now I am very surprised that the Boston Bruins aren’t going skate to skate against the Flyers, but that just makes the cards fall even more in the Flyers favor. Everything is falling into place.
In addition to the teams that could give the Flyers trouble bowing out in the west the Flyers have pretty much filled up my entire imaginary checklist that is needed for every cup team.
A. Over Coming Adversity : So many things on the level that happened to the Flyers would have derailed teams from the past. They Flyers lost lots of key players for long stretches and over came it. They ousted the Devils when people are used to the other way around
B. Great legendary stories to go along with the quest for the cup. Exs: The hit on Kappy, the Captain redeeming himself and playing like a man possessed, Robert Esche, the blow out game, the OT winner by JR, JR almost having to retire, No Rico, etc.
C. Great goaltending. Without a doubt Esche has been amazing to this date.
D. Hungry players. They have enough hungry players to devoid the Country Style Buffet of food
E. Experience: The have plenty of warriors
Most years I have to figure out what is going to stop the Flyers from winning a cup and hope they do something to over come them. Now I honestly can’t think of anything that can stand in their way this close for THIS team of players to not have a parade. I really don’t I said at the start of the series (despite after 2 years of saying look out for them) that the Bolts are just too green and haven’t battled enough as a team to win a cup. Everyone fears Tampa but I don’t at all and think the Flyers could easily put this away in 5 games, 6 at the most. They almost won game 1 but had some odd bounces, and game 2…well we all know how that went.
I am not officially calling the Flyers to win the Stanley Cup but my confidence level that the Philly drought will end soon is around 90 percent. I honestly don’t see the Flames or the Sharks being a big threat. Of course the Flyers have to get out of this round to even ponder that so lets not get ahead of themselves. All I am saying is soak it in, because this is very likely the prelude to a moment for all us Philly Sports fans. in It will particularly great our mid 20’s or younger who have waited a literally a life-time. Live in the moment because if they win the Cup you are going to want to relive this time in your life forever. You will telly our kids about it. Or at least your friends kids. Maybe Smarty Jones ripped open a black hole or something running so fast that he managed to lift the curse of the Philly choke. Oh and it would be so awesome to get another cup before a Super bowl.
Sure I picked the Devils in the first round, but honestly that was against my gut reaction. You see when it comes to picking the Flyers I over compensate for my basis that I know is in me. I know almost no one will believe that, but when it looked as though the Flyers were going to meet the Devils in the first round I told Drew at Sharkey’s that I figured it was the best shot they had to beat the Devils in a long time since Scott Stevens wouldn’t be playing who means more to the team than anyone. I also mentioned that if the Devils were bounced out by the Flyers (which obviously they were) the seeding of the teams in the first round would ultimately benefit the Flyers as long as there was the typical upset in the west. There was an upset when the Flames toppled the Redwings, and you could argue the same in the first round when the Sharks sent the Blues packing. Now I am very surprised that the Boston Bruins aren’t going skate to skate against the Flyers, but that just makes the cards fall even more in the Flyers favor. Everything is falling into place.
In addition to the teams that could give the Flyers trouble bowing out in the west the Flyers have pretty much filled up my entire imaginary checklist that is needed for every cup team.
A. Over Coming Adversity : So many things on the level that happened to the Flyers would have derailed teams from the past. They Flyers lost lots of key players for long stretches and over came it. They ousted the Devils when people are used to the other way around
B. Great legendary stories to go along with the quest for the cup. Exs: The hit on Kappy, the Captain redeeming himself and playing like a man possessed, Robert Esche, the blow out game, the OT winner by JR, JR almost having to retire, No Rico, etc.
C. Great goaltending. Without a doubt Esche has been amazing to this date.
D. Hungry players. They have enough hungry players to devoid the Country Style Buffet of food
E. Experience: The have plenty of warriors
Most years I have to figure out what is going to stop the Flyers from winning a cup and hope they do something to over come them. Now I honestly can’t think of anything that can stand in their way this close for THIS team of players to not have a parade. I really don’t I said at the start of the series (despite after 2 years of saying look out for them) that the Bolts are just too green and haven’t battled enough as a team to win a cup. Everyone fears Tampa but I don’t at all and think the Flyers could easily put this away in 5 games, 6 at the most. They almost won game 1 but had some odd bounces, and game 2…well we all know how that went.
I am not officially calling the Flyers to win the Stanley Cup but my confidence level that the Philly drought will end soon is around 90 percent. I honestly don’t see the Flames or the Sharks being a big threat. Of course the Flyers have to get out of this round to even ponder that so lets not get ahead of themselves. All I am saying is soak it in, because this is very likely the prelude to a moment for all us Philly Sports fans. in It will particularly great our mid 20’s or younger who have waited a literally a life-time. Live in the moment because if they win the Cup you are going to want to relive this time in your life forever. You will telly our kids about it. Or at least your friends kids. Maybe Smarty Jones ripped open a black hole or something running so fast that he managed to lift the curse of the Philly choke. Oh and it would be so awesome to get another cup before a Super bowl.
Sunday, May 09, 2004
Soprano Catch UP
Two weeks ago
Marco Polo aired.
I liked this one quite a bit. The main storyline was a party planned for Carmella's father and if Tony should be there or not. Since Tony is a master of the grill (like Brant) and good host most people wanted him to be there. Not to mention the fact most of the family still likes Tony despite the spreading.
Meanwhile Tony B. starts getting ticked this his wiseguy career isn't giving him a big house like Tony decides to take a free lance job whacking one of Johnny Sack's tops guys.
The joy however came from the cookout scenes, something I always enjoyed about the show. This show kept most of the story line in the backyard of the Soprano family, luckily the bear didn't show up for an all you can eat buffet Italian style.
Tony and Carmella however got back together well not really but physically anyway.
All and all a decent show packed with more laughs than bloodsheed.
Last week
Unidentifed Black Men
We learned Vito likes men when Meadow's boyfriend Finnaccidently sees Vito pleasuring some random guy early one morning when reporting to work. Finn got a bs job at a construction site that Tony hooked him up with. Finn is a little overwhelemed by the volience and apathy of quality of work that the wiseguys are used. The basically sit around all day and catch some rays and talk sports.
Vito tries to make FInn go to a baseball game with him in order to keep his secret love life just that. Finn freaks out thinking he is either going to kill him or try to make a move on him sexually or both and decides to dick him. After a night long fight Meadow and Finn get engaged. Just like I said they would at the start of the season!
Meanwhile Tony B lies to Tony about the hit he made Marco Polo. Johnny Sacks gets pissed at Tony again. The two disagree about some more stuff.
It looks like finally the storyline of the New York mob divided might hit its boiling point this week and its going to be a big one. My prediciton tonight is that Adriana dies. Something is mentioned about Ralph or Pussy.
Going to be a good one tonight
Two weeks ago
Marco Polo aired.
I liked this one quite a bit. The main storyline was a party planned for Carmella's father and if Tony should be there or not. Since Tony is a master of the grill (like Brant) and good host most people wanted him to be there. Not to mention the fact most of the family still likes Tony despite the spreading.
Meanwhile Tony B. starts getting ticked this his wiseguy career isn't giving him a big house like Tony decides to take a free lance job whacking one of Johnny Sack's tops guys.
The joy however came from the cookout scenes, something I always enjoyed about the show. This show kept most of the story line in the backyard of the Soprano family, luckily the bear didn't show up for an all you can eat buffet Italian style.
Tony and Carmella however got back together well not really but physically anyway.
All and all a decent show packed with more laughs than bloodsheed.
Last week
Unidentifed Black Men
We learned Vito likes men when Meadow's boyfriend Finnaccidently sees Vito pleasuring some random guy early one morning when reporting to work. Finn got a bs job at a construction site that Tony hooked him up with. Finn is a little overwhelemed by the volience and apathy of quality of work that the wiseguys are used. The basically sit around all day and catch some rays and talk sports.
Vito tries to make FInn go to a baseball game with him in order to keep his secret love life just that. Finn freaks out thinking he is either going to kill him or try to make a move on him sexually or both and decides to dick him. After a night long fight Meadow and Finn get engaged. Just like I said they would at the start of the season!
Meanwhile Tony B lies to Tony about the hit he made Marco Polo. Johnny Sacks gets pissed at Tony again. The two disagree about some more stuff.
It looks like finally the storyline of the New York mob divided might hit its boiling point this week and its going to be a big one. My prediciton tonight is that Adriana dies. Something is mentioned about Ralph or Pussy.
Going to be a good one tonight
Saturday, May 08, 2004
Tucker's last Minute Picks
Flyers in 6.
Flames in 7.
More coverage to come........
AT THE THEATER WITH TUCKER
I saw this movie with my girlfriend and I don’t recommend anyone see this film unless you have a date because you will appear creepy since the majority of the theater is going to be filled with high school girls.
Mean Girls
The film starring teen magazine queen Lindsey Lohan about the inside of a group of bitchy high school girls sticks out among a sea of teen vehicles trying to showcase their stars. The films black sheep status is likely as a result of director Mark Waters who helmed the quirky art-house flick The House of Yes a few years back and turned out a better than expected film when he previously teamed up with Lohan for the breezy and frequently funny Freaky Friday. The film grossed much more than people had figured it would and got fairly good reviews which is tough to deal when the premise has been done numerous times.
I group Lohan with the likes of Amanda Bynes (who doesn’t sing), and Hillary Duff (after seeing Cheaper By the Dozen recently in which she was embarrassingly awful in she should stick to singing.) as the a crop young actresses who have a build in fan-base who many producers are looking to cash in on. They all have that Oleson twin appeal of looking more and more like they are supposed to be in playboy than seventeen magazines. I imagine people already have plans for some of these actresses for when they can start playing love interests opposite leading men old enough to be their father.
Anyway revolves around Lohan’s character who had spent time in Africa with her animals loving parents while being home schooled attending a public high school for the first time in her life. She soon realizes that the viciousness of the jungle isn’t anything compared to a nasty teaming of the 3 most popular girls in her highschool. They have a leader (or queen bee) and two butt kissers which are known by outsiders as the plastics for their trend setting power and reputation for being the star of the party.
When Lohan first arrives she is quite over whelmed and befriends a skater girl who has a gay side kick (the new comer who plays him is really funny) who warn her about the plastics. Lohan is invited one day to sit with the plastics who are generally nasty to most people. She sees this opportunity to be a social double agent for her skater friend and let her know what really goes on when the plastics have their exclusive gatherings. The most revealing is their burn book which dishes up all the dirt on the people of their high school.
In order to understand plastics you have to become a plastic, so Lohan slowly takes in their way of life. Their annoying catch phrases, their lying to justify their own personal gain and turning their high school into a chess board of pawns in order to please the queen. This doesn’t sit with the skater girl too well who believes her new friend has been corrupted by the way of the plastics. Lohan learns to manipulate even when it comes to the handsome guy that she wants to date, when she pretends to be dumb in math to be tutored by him. Her change doesn’t go unnoticed to her teacher (played by Tina Fay who wrote the screenplay based on a book) who is mocked and blasted by Lohan behind her back.
The film’s smarter tone may go unnoticed by the build in fan base but there is enough silly stuff like Lohan falling into a trash can, and her and the guy making goggly eyes at each other. Its an honest look at how powerful and down right nasty social politics are in high school, and how other students allow it by feeding their power. The film is social commentary more than a vehicle for Lohan, and with the clever tone along with an amusing supporting part played by Tim Meadows it’s certainly a film someone in their 20s can relate too.
For the record its okay to check out the queen bee because she is actually 26 yearsold, but not okay to check out Lohan who was 17 at the time of shooting. Go to Lohan’s IMBD page ( on the message board) if you want to join the debate whether or not her boobs are real. There are plenty pictures cut and pasted there of her in low cut or tight tops so you can make your own mind.
Flyers in 6.
Flames in 7.
More coverage to come........
AT THE THEATER WITH TUCKER
I saw this movie with my girlfriend and I don’t recommend anyone see this film unless you have a date because you will appear creepy since the majority of the theater is going to be filled with high school girls.
Mean Girls
The film starring teen magazine queen Lindsey Lohan about the inside of a group of bitchy high school girls sticks out among a sea of teen vehicles trying to showcase their stars. The films black sheep status is likely as a result of director Mark Waters who helmed the quirky art-house flick The House of Yes a few years back and turned out a better than expected film when he previously teamed up with Lohan for the breezy and frequently funny Freaky Friday. The film grossed much more than people had figured it would and got fairly good reviews which is tough to deal when the premise has been done numerous times.
I group Lohan with the likes of Amanda Bynes (who doesn’t sing), and Hillary Duff (after seeing Cheaper By the Dozen recently in which she was embarrassingly awful in she should stick to singing.) as the a crop young actresses who have a build in fan-base who many producers are looking to cash in on. They all have that Oleson twin appeal of looking more and more like they are supposed to be in playboy than seventeen magazines. I imagine people already have plans for some of these actresses for when they can start playing love interests opposite leading men old enough to be their father.
Anyway revolves around Lohan’s character who had spent time in Africa with her animals loving parents while being home schooled attending a public high school for the first time in her life. She soon realizes that the viciousness of the jungle isn’t anything compared to a nasty teaming of the 3 most popular girls in her highschool. They have a leader (or queen bee) and two butt kissers which are known by outsiders as the plastics for their trend setting power and reputation for being the star of the party.
When Lohan first arrives she is quite over whelmed and befriends a skater girl who has a gay side kick (the new comer who plays him is really funny) who warn her about the plastics. Lohan is invited one day to sit with the plastics who are generally nasty to most people. She sees this opportunity to be a social double agent for her skater friend and let her know what really goes on when the plastics have their exclusive gatherings. The most revealing is their burn book which dishes up all the dirt on the people of their high school.
In order to understand plastics you have to become a plastic, so Lohan slowly takes in their way of life. Their annoying catch phrases, their lying to justify their own personal gain and turning their high school into a chess board of pawns in order to please the queen. This doesn’t sit with the skater girl too well who believes her new friend has been corrupted by the way of the plastics. Lohan learns to manipulate even when it comes to the handsome guy that she wants to date, when she pretends to be dumb in math to be tutored by him. Her change doesn’t go unnoticed to her teacher (played by Tina Fay who wrote the screenplay based on a book) who is mocked and blasted by Lohan behind her back.
The film’s smarter tone may go unnoticed by the build in fan base but there is enough silly stuff like Lohan falling into a trash can, and her and the guy making goggly eyes at each other. Its an honest look at how powerful and down right nasty social politics are in high school, and how other students allow it by feeding their power. The film is social commentary more than a vehicle for Lohan, and with the clever tone along with an amusing supporting part played by Tim Meadows it’s certainly a film someone in their 20s can relate too.
For the record its okay to check out the queen bee because she is actually 26 yearsold, but not okay to check out Lohan who was 17 at the time of shooting. Go to Lohan’s IMBD page ( on the message board) if you want to join the debate whether or not her boobs are real. There are plenty pictures cut and pasted there of her in low cut or tight tops so you can make your own mind.
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
*****Tucker's World exclusive****
Hi-Nella Gone Wild
There is a rumor going around out there that PJ WhelihansÂ’s Pub is scouting out the after hours pubballoonss on Warwick road as a possible location for a new bar. I would imagine they would buy out Balloons, and have to redo the entire place.
Who knows if its even true, but I am sure the wick and Sharkeys wouldn't be too pleased. Or even Shady's for that matter. Kind of strikes me as an odd place for one. Regardless you heard it hear first.
Hi-Nella Gone Wild
There is a rumor going around out there that PJ WhelihansÂ’s Pub is scouting out the after hours pubballoonss on Warwick road as a possible location for a new bar. I would imagine they would buy out Balloons, and have to redo the entire place.
Who knows if its even true, but I am sure the wick and Sharkeys wouldn't be too pleased. Or even Shady's for that matter. Kind of strikes me as an odd place for one. Regardless you heard it hear first.
"Tucker Bans Spidey"
I generally didn't care for the Spiderman movie that was out a few years ago. Maybe it was since it took me so long to see it, or maybe I just wanted Rich to have a good time. Whatever I didn't really care for the film at all. I thought it was way to campy for a first film in the series, however the trailer for Spiderman 2 made me want to see it. It was easily one of the best trailers I have ever seen and it almost worked on me.
However Spiderman 2 is going to be on my growing list of bans. Mainly because the film (that everyone already knows about anyway) has completed a marketing deal with Major League Baseball. All the bases and pitchers mounds will be decorated with Spiderwebs and from what I understand the films logo. Now that is just too far. Its sick. Maybe I should boycott baseball to since they are the whores getting all the money for this shameless deal. However at this point I am just putting Spiderman 2 on the ban list.
From the Drudge Report: (sorry Drew)
The deal is baseball's latest attempt to develop a splashier national marketing image. "In an ultracompetitive sports-entertainment environment, you have to take risks," says Tim Brosnan, MLB's executive vice president for business.
Splashier national marketing image??!?!? Oh Spiderman 2 is really going to make people watch baseball. How sick. Horrible Horrible Horrible.
Spiderman 2...............BANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNED!
I generally didn't care for the Spiderman movie that was out a few years ago. Maybe it was since it took me so long to see it, or maybe I just wanted Rich to have a good time. Whatever I didn't really care for the film at all. I thought it was way to campy for a first film in the series, however the trailer for Spiderman 2 made me want to see it. It was easily one of the best trailers I have ever seen and it almost worked on me.
However Spiderman 2 is going to be on my growing list of bans. Mainly because the film (that everyone already knows about anyway) has completed a marketing deal with Major League Baseball. All the bases and pitchers mounds will be decorated with Spiderwebs and from what I understand the films logo. Now that is just too far. Its sick. Maybe I should boycott baseball to since they are the whores getting all the money for this shameless deal. However at this point I am just putting Spiderman 2 on the ban list.
From the Drudge Report: (sorry Drew)
The deal is baseball's latest attempt to develop a splashier national marketing image. "In an ultracompetitive sports-entertainment environment, you have to take risks," says Tim Brosnan, MLB's executive vice president for business.
Splashier national marketing image??!?!? Oh Spiderman 2 is really going to make people watch baseball. How sick. Horrible Horrible Horrible.
Spiderman 2...............BANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNED!
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