Summer Movie Files: 104 The Terminal

I guess the movie going public saw Tom Hanks trapped on and island too recently to flock out to see him stuck in an airport terminal. Maybe, it was the fact that the American icon wasn't playing an American. The Terminal wasn't a flop, but certainly under achieved for a Hanks/Speilberg teaming.

The film actually doesn't really have an evidence of Speilberg's finger prints with the exception of John William's score and it's heart of the film designed to make you root for the lead character.

Tom Hank's character can't go home since his country is in a civil war and America doesn't regonize the new country so he can't really step foot in on American soil. So, he is basically stuck in a NYC airport.


There are worse places to be stuck. In fact the terminal looks like a fairly fun place to spend a day. You can do lots of shopping, and grab a bite to eat at various resturants. It is in better shape than the Echelon Mall.

However, Hanks is being kept in check by the the new head of the Terminal whose motive eventually shifts to spite in order to keep the Russian (I won't attempt to spell the actual country he is from, however he sounds Russian) accented Hanks in limbo.

Hanks decides to make the most of it and does more work than many Americans actually feel like doing. He quickly learns returning shopping carts earns you a quarter if the shopper was too lazy to return it on their own. This provides him with the money to eat everything from Burger King he can get his hands on (he wasn't supersized though) I guess Burger King paid a lot to get their name in this film.

Along the way, Hanks befriends various employees of the Terminal, including an Indian with a shady past, a love struck spanish janitor guy, and a sexy flight attendent.
Eventually, Hanks starts working jobs remodeling parts of the terminal, which is handing since it's about a 2 minute commute on foot from where he sleeps.

The movie boasts a rarity in today's films a wonderfully designed set, that you forget that it wasn't actually filmed in a terminal. The film also captures all the elements of a feel good American Movies. The underdog, the love story, the love to hate him rival of the lead, the melting pot charcters, and humor.

A delightful date movie, and one that its hard to hate. Although I don't imagine anyone will remember this in the list of Speilberg's legacy. It was nice to see Hanks have some fun for a change, after the serious role in the mildly confused Catch Me If You Can, and the jaw droppingly dull performance devoid of an once of his famous stage presence in the unwatchable Road to Perdition.

Hanks has brilliant comedic gift that he rarely uses anymore. This wasn't on the level of his loveable 80's films, but he reminded me of the old school Hanks a few times.


A generally fun movie worth your time. Sorry Drew, no british accents.

"John & John!"

John F Kerry named John Edwards as his running mate yesterday. Bummer for anyone who placed money on Megatron.
So, the John and John team is now off to the races and ready to knock Bush off his hill.

Now, I am not a political junkie like Drew (don't tell him about the intervention please), but I am a media junkie (which is why I choice the useless major I chose) which makes me quite aware of most things out there political. Armed also with a few of my own less mainstream webpages to cut through the what the media wants me to read. Anyway my long winded point is that I am not an expert on politics, but shouldnt't be the other way around?

I don't know I think Edwards looks better, speaks better, and has a better connection with the people. Kerry looks like he belongs in a used car lot hire pressuring college students into buying lemons. While Edwards looks like he might have just walked out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

I can only hope that now that the dream team is ready to go that perhaps Kerry can be more clear on who he is, instead of why we should hate Bush. Talking about how he feels on abortion recently is a step in the right direction. However, if he is going save the world like many liberals seem to think he will he should come up with some ideas how to turn things around.

Now do you think, Edwards would topple anyone over that was on the fence and take votes away from people voting for Bush? I mean most people voting for Kerry if that whacky dancing old guy from the Great Adventure commericals was his running mate.

Already, thinks are started to surface about Edwards shady lawyer ties, and how money may or may not have been legally rasised while he was in the primary. I don't have a link for that yet, and am too lazy to look for one now. However, if I get one I will put it here.


So, did the democrats use backwards logic here?

"Missing Cicadas"

For me the summer of cicadas has been really lacking in well Cicadas. I actually saw one last night at Megan's house (Liza's friend),however it's lifeless body was floating in a discarded planter pot.

Anyway I have a few theories of why I didn't see any of the buggers so far.


* They went to an area where the sports teams actually win. Hell they were underground for 17 damn years and not one team won a championship. I don't blame them


* They heard John Street already had too many bugs in his office.


* They didn't want to be out numbered by slot machines in Pennslyannia


* They didn't come to NJ, in fear of being horribly taxed. Of course all the benefits would go to Northern Jersey Cicadas.

* Suburban Sprawl in South Jersey has gotten out of hand so much the poor little guys can't find soil that hasn't been paved over. Jenna those noises you hear at night are thousands of Cicadas clawing at your newly built house in order to breath.

*They were eaten by "The Blob" of Egg Harbor


15 points for the first person that can explain the Egg Harbor Blob.


***hint it was a fairly big story last summer****

I had a planned to write a few on people's distain for AMerica(I started will finnish later this week) and a review on the TERMINAL. However, fatigue and laziness kicked in so I am going to run odds for the nomintaion of VP that John Kerry is supposed to name his running mate. So, this should be helpful for anyone placing bets. Keep any mind I am fairly tired so some of the selection might not make any sense.

John Edwards 3/1

Dick Gephart 5/1


Wesley Clark 6/1


Hillary Clinton 7/1 (I really wouldn't be surprised about this one at all)

10/1 Bill Cliton.


14/1 Bill Nelson


20/1 Howard Dean

25/1 John McCain

29/1 Al Franklin

35/1 Joe Liberman (I like the man, but the two would clash over too much. Might be a good way to go for the on the fence voters though.)

40/1 Micheal Moore



55/1 Megatron


66/1 Smarty Jones!


85/1 Mike Price


90/1 Andrew "Drew" Vogel


140/1 Ashley Olseon

240/1 Marlon Brando

350/1 Howard Dean


I would also like to say whoever can pick this (time is wasting it will happen first thing tomorrow it looks like) will be rewarded 10 Tucker's World points. Whoever has the most points as of Labor Day wins something cool!



We need to comment more on here! Why was there no comments about the poor pug?

"Odds Are"

I had a planned to write a few on people's distain for AMerica(I started will finnish later this week) and a review on the TERMINAL. However, fatigue and laziness kicked in so I am going to run odds for the nomintaion of VP that John Kerry is supposed to name his running mate. So, this should be helpful for anyone placing bets. Keep any mind I am fairly tired so some of the selection might not make any sense.

John Edwards 3/1

Dick Gephart 5/1


Wesley Clark 6/1


Hillary Clinton 7/1 (I really wouldn't be surprised about this one at all)

10/1 Bill Cliton.


14/1 Bill Nelson


20/1 Howard Dean

25/1 John McCain

29/1 Al Franklin

35/1 Joe Liberman (I like the man, but the two would clash over too much. Might be a good way to go for the on the fence voters though.)

40/1 Micheal Moore



55/1 Megatron


66/1 Smarty Jones!


85/1 Mike Price


90/1 Andrew "Drew" Vogel


140/1 Ashley Olseon

240/1 Marlon Brando

350/1 Howard Dean


I would also like to say whoever can pick this (time is wasting it will happen first thing tomorrow it looks like) will be rewarded 10 Tucker's World points. Whoever, has the most points as of Labor Day wins something cool!


We need to be commenting more loyal readers! How come no one chimed in about the poor Pug? I know the comment section was down for sometime over the weekend. PLease share your stories about the beloved Pug.

Liu the Pug, dies at '13

Beloved pug Liu (Lou) of Ryan's family passed away last night. While the nation heard about the death of icon Marlon Brando, Tucker's World lost of one of their on.

"He was an Icon" said Ryan, earlier today commenting on his popularity with his family and friends.

Liu was traveling home with Ryan after visiting his family down in Ocean City when he started experiencing breathing problems. Lui's condition got worse and it was recommended that he was put to sleep, and he went quietly.

Liu was well known in the neighborhood. When he was younger he had the tendency to wonder around town and people would call up Ryan's house so he could be returned home. Lui most of his life had trouble remembering where he actually lived. I recall one instance when I was in my backyard and saw the Pug eagerly waiting for someone to let him in the Moffitts backdoor.

Liu was huge at all the parties Ryan threw. Guys treated him as an equal and hang out with him, and he even sipped some beer from his water bowl. Girls loved him and would shower him with attention (more than I got at the parties which says very little).

I still recall the first real walk Ryan took him on. Dustin and I went along for the walk and got a kick out of the trademark snort, and his bizarre method to piss when he would stand on both front legs almost doing a hand stand.

That summer we played home run derby on Ryan's front yard. Liu was named "coach" to give us support. However, he spend most the days panting hard or laying on his back motionlessly.

Liu often the center of the attention and huge family gathers at Ryan's home was a gentle soul. He might not have been the dog that could do any tricks or anything, but people loved him . He had a huge appetite which lead to the game (briefly) "Will Lui Eat It?". In fact, I think more pictures of him are up in that house than any other family member. He was often seen going for walks in the neighbor with Ryan's parents.

He was so popular that when I would bump into friends when they asked about Ryan often times that would ask how The Pug was doing. Everytime I was over that house I would look for him and pet him. Of course it wasn't hard since he never once that I can recall went upstairs.

He also had a brief career as a pet ambassador. After my dog passed away Ryan brought him over to cheer us up and meet with my cat Tiger. Relations quickly went sour when Tiger arched his back and hissed like a Halloween cat. The seemingly aloof Lui was escorted out, but not after urinating on the wall downstairs. Liu's career as and ambassador.

Liu spend most of his days lovingly loafing around the house and napping. He loved food spending time in the yard. He was great with kids and was always really friendly to everyone he met.

Liu, you will be missed old friend.


Please use the comments section to share any cool Liu stories you have.

"Dirty Street"

Finally, months after finding the FBI bugs in City Hall and learning that Philly Mayor John Street was likely up to no good his men are going down.

It turns out there was corruption abound money was used illegally, fraud, and lies you name it. Of course Street is pleading ignorance which is fairly laughable since most of the conversations on the wire were in his own office. Rumors of what was going on was all over the city, and the this the first the mayor is hearing about it?

Please.

Now I know I got heat for what I wrote about Janet Jackson saying that she did it to sell her CD. Of course I don't have direct proof of that and never it, but this is a web blog, not a newspaper column. Regardless if it takes me readers take me views a little more serious I will try to be fair and balance.


Now, I really don't have a smoking gun to tell you about but one just has to look at the body language of the Philly mayor to know that he isn't being honest. How can anyone explain that if he didn't know what was going on, how the rumors could not have reached him? Or if he was so innocent why on earth he didn't bother to try to get to the bottom of the ordeal after he found his office was being bugged (not by cicadas mind you) by the FBI? The dirty deeds (apparently not done cheap) continued for months after the election continued.

Now is there any paper trail that will lead to Street losing his job? Doubtful. Will anyone that voted for this loser care? No. Could he get re-elected if he could run again? Most likely.

Street, is an example of how we almost accept mildly (at least) corrupt politicians to lead this country. Why can't we make him pay? Or is too late is corruption and politics something that you can never separate?

Hopefully Street who I believe to not only be an arrogant SOB but a racist goes down hard. But I am not holding my breath.

"Take Care Ed"

Long time reader and occasional writer Ed will be leaving for the additional training tomorrow and won't be around again till the middle of the fall. I met and became friends with Ed while working at the dreaded Outlet years ago, and he became a member of a the National Guard Reserves.

Ed will only be home for a week or so when he returns and will likely be in Iraq by the end of the year.


Tucker's world and of course myself would like to wish Ed good luck in Texas and with additional training and for a safe return home.

Now who is Drew going to debate?

"John Kerry's Shady Past "

Someone wrote into a local paper recently and shed some light on the John F Kerry's Vietnam record. He had served with the man and I doubt he has a dumper sticker for Kerry in '04 on his car. This inspired me to do some research on this topic, because I had heard before that it is quite shady.

Well the reason Kerry got send home after a short stint during the war, was because he got injured in combat 3 times. Which means he was eligible to for a ticket out of Vietnam. His injuries were mostly minor from pieces of shrapnel. In fact his last injury by the accounts of the men that were there was his own fault for mishandleing one of his own weapons. The shrapnel piece was so thin that it was actually removed with tweezers and only needed a band-aid.

After leaving his group Kerry spoke out not only against the war, but the practices by the men he was with. He also went to many anti-war protests and allegedly mocked US solders while dressing up and making them look like jack-asses. Holding American flags upside down, and in one instance was seen with a group waving the communist Vietnam flag.

Now, okay lots of people were against that war. Most people are against the Gulf War 2 still going on right now. These people usually follow that up with stating they are against the war, but for the troops. I am not sure how Kerry could have justified that.

Now I tried to give Kerry the benefit of the doubt and chalk this one up to people on Bush's side trying to discredit him. However the amount of Vietnam veterans against him is just too alarming to discredit. He DID speak out against them and accused many of people he fought with of doing some fairly nasty stuff similar to what is depicted in NAM films.

Now he admits that he didn't really say anything other than blame leaders of the troops for leaving their men twisting in the wind. It wasn't a secret though that Kerry wasn't for the cause once he got there and wanted out. He all but begged for the third purple heart (or at least nominated himself for the purple heart) to get him out of combat from what I read. I don't know what to make, Kerry almost seem like a chameleon to me at times. The SUV story a awhile back where he denied ever having them in front of a bunch of environmentalists, after saying how great they were before and supposedly had it turned out he owned several. It makes you wonder if there is truth to this war record.

Now for those of you that wish to comment here, let us not compare his record to Bush. We all know he likely benefited from his rich parents and was kept out of harm's way for the most part. However, that is the way it always has been since the start of time not that it is right or anything. However, comparing the two it isn't nearly as bad.

Now perhaps you shouldn't elect a leader based on how they spend their youth in a troubled time. God knows they both served their country a lot more than I have. However, it is an example of how I just haven't been able to peg what exactly John Kerry is all about. Again their are just too many disgruntled veterans out there to discredit this. Kerry certainly shouldn't be claiming himself any kind of war hero.

I have yet to decide who I am voting for come November, and have pegged September 1st as the day I come out with an endorsement for Tucker's World. That way I can use the following months to root,root for the favored candidate in the election. I could easily go either way at this point.

Before I can make any decision I would like to get some discussion on here. I hear SO much anti-Bush and what he does wrong. However, I don't hear much about John Kerry other then he hates Bush and thinks he is an idiot. So let's use this as a chance to tackle this topic first and get some discussion about the man that likely (at is appears right now) could be the next leader of our country for the next 4 years.


Hope everyone had a good Micheal Moore Weekend!

"South Street Tip Nazi"

So to celebrate Steve getting engaged and to mostly get caught up with him the two of us went to the local bar that is PufferBelly. After some time and two beers each when my other friend Rick showed up we kicked around the idea of taking the speedline into Philly to walk around South Street.

Steve and Rick share a common love for really bitter beer made in various countries I will never visit. So,after some hesitation and missing a train we were off to the City of Brotherly Love.

We started out Tattooed Mom's (or something like that) which is basically some guy's attic converted into a bar. It has all kinds of posters for concerts and writing all over the walls. The music was mostly heavy metal. The atmosphere reminded me of over crowded parties I used to go to. However, this time I actually had a girlfiend (although she didn't go out with us) so I didn't have to worry about being shot down by girls and going home for the night full of shame and self-loathing.

Anyway,we decided to do a round by round tour Steve had the first round, and when we went to the next bar (that didn't seem to have an actual name) Rick picked up the tab and we had beer with orange slices in them. This place was nice and chill, and I even got to play some music from the music box. Yes, it ended with my obligatory appearance of Francis Albert.

So to get to the actual title of the story it was getting really late and those pansies over there have a last call of 2am not 3am like most South Jersey bars. So we were running low on time. One place didn't even let us in since it was 1: 25 (L-A-M-E). So, we ducked into this "Irish Bar" right off South Street. It was my turn to pay.

I really figured I wouldn't like much that was on Tap,and felt as if I was done drinking but I was going to be a good sport. When we got there however I had to urinate fairly bad. So I handed Steve a 20 dollar bill and told him to get whatever. I could not wait in line since the piss was coming faster than Smary Jones in the homestrech.

When I returned both Steve and Rick had beers, and they didn't buy me one. I assumed they were going to make me try some really dark beer from Transylvania or something. But I guess they figured I would order what I wanted instead. I saw this as a chance to not drink (one more drunk Keith would have appeared) and to just chill. Color me lame.

Steve gave me back the money which I really didn't count, than Rick gave me back some money. I asked Rick why he was giving me money too since it all should have came out of the same 20 bill. Apparently Steve paid first and gave Rick ample enough for the drink. I didn't count either pile, it looked right so I just pocketed the cash.

A few minutes later this dude wearing a NYC fireman shirt came up to us. He asked us where we were from. My first thought was this dude wants to hang out with us! The dudes sure are friendly around here. Maybe he wants to mingle with a group of dudes for some reason. Of course he could also be planning to jump us (It was South Street afterall). However, I just assumed he was a drunk dude looking to make friends. I told him were from South Jersey.

He said "Well this is Philly and we tip over here! This guy (pointing to Steve) left 50 cents, and this guy (pointing to Rick) left nothing! That is not the way it works around here! They only get 3 bucks an hour!" then he marched up stairs.

I assume he worked there I have no idea, but the guy wasn't even my height and I really didn't actually buy a beer. Besides most times I tip at the end of the night(not that we were there long) so I don't know how he assumed the tipping habits of my two friends let alone if I was going to end up getting a beer myself.

To be honest I didn't even think about if they tipped or not since I didn't get a drink. I assumed they did although it would explain why the drinks were seemingly so cheap. The thing was I was willing giving my 20 away knowing very little would return at the time assuming they were going to select my brew for me too. Rick said later he would have tipped if thought I wasn't buying a beer. However, I had no direct contact with the actual bartenders.

Now what is the proper edict here? I assume I was responsible for the actual money, but the dude didn't know that. If neither of them tipped it wasn't my fault they had my money and easily could have. They were serviced not me. Both of them were soured about the thought of showing gratitude at his point. To be honest so was I. The guy was an absolute prick (you can argue we are too for going into the bar so close to closing) and I don't really think that I should be scared into giving a tip. Again for all I knew they did in the first place, the amount left told to me by the dude was news to me. Since I didn't really count it and I guess one or two dollar tip would have been good enough to pay someone to pull a lever and fill a glass so it wouldn't have been to noticable if they didn't.

We left and didn't live a dime and Rick got a dirty look from the chick bartender when we left. Maybe the dude was banging her or something. We tipped at the other places, and I had planned to had I actually handed off the cash. I also can't imagine that we were the first not to tip on two beers. Now please use my comments to let me know what the proper edict is here. Considering I never even before the incident planned to ever return to that bar. I rarely even go to South Street and there are 90 bars there anyway his threats to me didn't mean much.


The train ride home we meet some dude from Haddonfield who gave us advice on how not get out throat slit that late at night on the speed line. There was safety in numbers, and he told us he gets jumped on average twice a week by crack heads. He turned out to be bartender too and said he comes home with over $400 a night (likely what people at Irish pub bring home. I would like them to see my pay stubs if they are so unhappy) usually. He advised us to right the train into the city one block since it was the one we were boarding anyway to get a good seat. Also our lives were likely endanger staying at the one station too long. Plus he knew the cop in the car we were on. Hmm..maybe we should have all tipped him.

On an unrelated note Rick and Steve saw some dude's cock.

Summer Movie Files 103: The Stepford Wives

I never even heard of the book or original film until the buzz for this version started a few months ago. I must admit Nicole Kidman is one of my favorite actresses, and I am a huge Matthew Broderick fan who hadn't done theatrical film since a supporting role in the underrated You Can Count On Me.

The first two minutes of the film involve a peak into the highly successful professional life of Nicole Kidman who works for a major network. This gives the film a chance to playfully spoof reality television. One of the the tacky reality shows results in an attempt on Kidman's life. The hellstorm that descends on the network for being so irresponsible ends with Kidman in the unemployment line.

The movie soon shifts to the premise when Broderick (her husband) decides to quit his job too and move the family to a quiet New England town. Thankfully the kids aren't a big part in the movie at all. The town is a dream come true for men. They get laid with ease, and spend their day playing battlebots, loafing around together, drinking beer, and whacking golf balls. The women are all there to serve the men, and I kept waiting Jimmy Kimmel to show up in a cameo as the mayor of the Steptford.

Of course this place is an utter nightmare to the modern woman. The thought of dressing up nice only to sit around and sip tea is a concept of hell for today's working class women.

Frank Oz of muppet fame is in the director's chair whose makes the film visually glassy despite the sick and dark premise, similar to What About Bob? one of his more successful non-muppet projects. However, for the most part Oz just serves as the handler of this players placing the talented actors (that include a Christopher Walken, Bette Midler, Glen Glose and Jon Lovitz in he supporting cast)in situations and hope they pull of great performances. One wonders if he dozed off the days some of the Bette Midler scenes where shot, since a few of her intended biggest zingers failed miserably.

Regardless the movie is supposed to be fun and silly and it generally is thanks to the cast. Lovitz is his usual self, Midler's performance will please her fans and Close plays the typical crazy bitch you are used to seeing. It is more in the way that some play of each other and the absurd of a fantasy land where woman are basically robots build to cook and clean.

It is nice to see Kidman has some fun with a role, after a string of darker roles. It was great to see Broderick back who provides some of the dry humor fans of his work are used to. He doesn't over achieve here or take the film overly seriously and hands in a Jimmy Stewart-ish performance.

It may sound as if I am ripping this film but I am not. The old fashion mindset of the role of the sexes actors that cast ability to ham it up. Which is good since we are not clear what Oz's message is if there is one at all. It is a nice breezy film with with a few twists and laughs. Perfect lazy summer afternoon movie when you are not in the mood for anything involving a fat bearded super-liberal or Hillary Duff.

"Another Bites the Dust"

I had a long talk with my old friend Steve tonight. This was the first time we talked since Easter. He just finnished his first entire year as a teacher.

I had some big news for him, new car, new job and the death of the crew. He had some big news for me. He is getting married to his girlfriend of 5 years.

Yep. Old Steve is engaged going to get married sometime next year. So Price is married, Dan will be married soon, Brant just recently got hitched now Steve. Who's next?

"All You Can Eat Cicadas!"

Well for the people that actually have the loud bugs in their backyard they might be able to earn some extra cash by running an all you can eat buffet out of their own home.

Believe it or not people actually cook up Cicadas. Now I know most of my readers mouths are likely drooling after learning the concept of devouring ugly looking bugs. However I should warn you before you all chow down to read THIS article.

And Friends Don't Let Friends Eat too many Cicadas.

"Calling All Cicadas"

S I kept reading all these articles the last few months about "The Summer of the Cicadas." They are these bugs that apparently live underground for 17 years or so only to emerge for a summer to hang out, make lots of noise and get their freak on.

Now the impression I got from all the hype was that I would be stepping over large piles walking to my car everynight and I would be driven mad by the deafening sound of their mating call.

AOL has icons for the cicadas and David Letterman even did a top ten about the lovable bugs last week. All hyped up!

Now am I the only one who hasn't seen one damn Cicada yet in the summer of cicadas? Okay sure summer doesn't officially start till noon today(Monday), but they say once the ground hits 65 degrees they should start crawling out and having their party. I fairly sure it is warm enough for them to imerge.

Well its warm enough and where are the damn bugs? I don't see them, hear them, or no anyone really that has seen them. I did a google search and found some charts that don't have them here till 2013, apparently they were here in the mid-90s.

I also got to see some really good pictures of the, and I know that I have seen them in my back yard before. They climb out of their old body and fly away. I have seen their exo-skeleton attached to my screen in porch.

I guess the difference this year is there is supposed to be tons more and they mate so it gets really loud at night. Supposedly they sound like a UFO when they all start their matting call at once. Whatever that means.

I know I likely have some of my facts wrong here. Has anyone seen these creatures? Is it going to be even more noticeable this summer or is it just typical media over-hype?

Is sitting outside this summer in a lawn chair wearing a summer of the cicadas shirt a waste of my time? Is it too late to cancel the order and get my money back before the shirt ships? Does anyone want to have a cicada party this summer?

All Grown Up

So this past Saturday Ryan, Chris Arter and his girlfriend and myself went to Polly's in Voorhees.

That doesn't sound like a real exciting day, but guess who drove. Yep. Thats right Chris. Chris got his permit this summer, and Ryan was nice enough to let him use his car as learning tool.

Chris did a fairly good job aside from having to ask where the gas pedal was and "bumping" a curb upon leaving the parking space Christ did pretty good.

I am so proud of Chris he is really growing up. He followed and obeyed every traffic law in the ride from Somerdale to Voorhees.

When we pulled up his mom and dad were pulling out, and we had to play it off like Chris wasn't driving. I hope he wasn't grounded or anything.

"Not THAT Hot?"

I watched some of The Best Damn Sports show tonight on comcast mainly because Roenick is guest hosting this week. One of the guests on the show (that it seems is rarely about sports) was Nicole Richie, who was promoting the Simple Life 2.

Of course all the guys were creeply half hitting on her. Now I never really watched The Simple Life let alone it's sequel. But am I the only one that thinks that not only is Nicole Richie is much hotter than Parris Hilton, but they are both overrated? People go nuts over these girls and I just don't understand it.

I mean most of their pictures they have of them to promote the show are horribly air brushed. I am not saying they are totally busted, but certainly not something to get that nuts about.

"Father's Day Tragedy"

I got a cellphone call about 40 minutes before my shift was going to end from home, and my parents knew I was going to home for dinner. I knew almost right away that something was up and possibly bad news awaited me on the voicemail. So I ducked into the bathroom to check my voice message. My uncle Ray had collapsed at his work and was rushed to the hospital.

By the time I was out the door my parents were at the hospital in Cumberland County. By the time I had fought the rush hour traffic to get around the corner from my house he was gone. My mother told me he was gone, and I could muster a word. Besides being a smoker and have in diabetes, from he didn't have any real heart problems. He however was VERY stubborn about taking his medicine for his blood presure and refused to give up caffine. He was one of those guys that didn't really want to go to the doctors till he was drug there.

Still it was a total and utter shock to me to lose my uncle who was only 61, and younger than my father. I can't even imagine what my cousin Sean who is a year older than me is going through.

One prepares themselves to lose family members in life, but you usually don't prepare yourself for the unexpected. Just as much as I don't know what writing about this on my blog is going to accomplish it just doesn't make sense to me at all.

My Uncle Ray was my god father and was the husband of my father's sister. Now my Uncle Ray wasn't always overly enthusiastic about family gathers but you knew he loved his family. He couldn’t go 4 minutes without talking about his son. No matter what it was. He was somewhat quiet, but one of those people that would open up if you started talking to him. So I wasn’t always REALLY close with him, but I did go on a vacation with him when I was 16. I have known him since I was in diapers, and see him for every major holiday.

I have just been just utterly overwhelmed by the news. My aunt and him were really close, so I worry how she will take the loss. This coming on the heals where my half brother Rick resurfaced and everything was going well. I have just never been blind sided by the death of a family member.


I talked to him at a Memorial Day cook out a few weeks ago. Everything seemed fine. We talked about Sean (his son) getting new jeep, and how my uncle had given up watching professional sports, shopping for a new carand various other topics. It is still hard to imagine that he is gone.


Again I don’t what writing about this is going to do, just like I don’t know what to say to my aunt, and cousin. I guess death is part of life, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t really suck. With Father's Day coming up on Sunday it just makes it suck even more.

"Same Old Outlet"

My friend and former co-worker Steve called me up a few weeks ago. When I returned his call I was coming home early from the office of my current job while he was out on a break.

He was actually out in the parking lot of my old job at the Sears Outlet. So since I pass it sometimes on my way home I stopped by. We talked for awhile, and it was strange being back in that parking lot. Thankfully I don't have to actually go into the building anymore and haven't since my last day I worked there.

Steve told me that all the part time employees at the Outlet Louise who had been there since the store opened 10 years ago, the long time employee and popular Rosa, Arnette who had just came back from sick leave, this kid Josh I worked with for over a year and everyone else considered part time had been laid off. Well not exactly laid off, but not given any hours.

You see its a dirty trick my old work did not really laying people off or firing them when they didn't want them around. THey just simply said they had no hours for them. So the people would eventually quit since they had no source of income, or get pissed and just get another job. This way the Outlet could attempt to side step giving any kind of payment package that people that get laid off usually are entitled too. Not to mention it making it really tough to get unemployment.

I guess it is legal, but it certainly is pretty low class a move.

"True Colors"

A while ago I was asked why I consider myself a Moderate (I call myself one on my blog title) and what exactly I considered a moderate.

Well I thought about it and thought about it, and for the first time I realized why Drew was so pissed about being called a liberal. Well I wouldn't consider myself a liberal since I voted for Bush in 2000 among countless other reasons. Also I don't want to call myself a conservative, since that has a negative stigmata it seems. People don't want to hear what I have to say and think I want everyone dead but white heterosexual males. It gets even worse when they find out I actually believe in GOd, because they start telling me what a cook Pat Robertson is.

It usually doesn't help much to tell them I think he is off his rocker, because if people hear me say I am a conservative they automatically figure the have me pegged for every political issue across the board. Which is just idiotic. So. That Is really the reason. I mean most people will figure since I am generally for gay rights that I would be liberal not conservative. I am not going to go down the list.

A good example of why I would never want to fall under the blanket statement of liberal is the aftermath of Ronald Reagan's death this past weekend.

Well while I am out since is the first time I am addressing the issue I should at least make my thoughts public. Well the Gipper was the first President that was in the White House while I was on this green Earth. I clearly was more interested in the autobots than I was the Gipper's presidential reign during the 1980's so all I have to work from his articles and people that were old enough to care what was going on.

Like him or not, Reagan did manage to bring this country together on a lot of things, and certainly calmed down what was fairly wild two decades for this country and in some ways brought US back proud nation. He played a large role in the fall of the Berlin Wall, and you could argue handled the Cold War quite flawlessly.

Well the liberals who are usually filled with much hate and hell bend on ripping people like Ronald took the time after the President finally passed away (a blessing actually for the long suffering man)took a chance to well, um rip him full of hate. Now okay I am not saying just cause a guy dies you should pretend like you like the man. I am not saying people that wrote article nitpicking his presidency are anti-American. Although I would like to say I have seen one too many of those articles this past week.

However, there are people out there that are taking farther than the political what really happened with Iran debate that are just being plain nasty. It is just the typical mindset the countless hypocrites that proudly call themselves democrats.

Of course I am not saying that every democrat is a terrible person. But check this photo out. If you can't read it, it says Reagan In Hell with flames around his head. What the hell? How utterly awful.

What infuriates me to know end it that these jackasses with this hateful disgusting sign are the same people that would likely want to run me out of town for being nonchalant about if the Shoe Bomber was bruised a little more than needed.

How can these people be the same people who think I am a monster for saying the Shoe Bomber deserved an extra shot to the gut.

I'm not going to lump people like Drew into this horrific group of people. I imagine that these people are just so filled with hatred for their own pathetic lives with out an once of rational thought that this is the best they could come up with.

There are several awful things being said about him in letters to papers that are just name calling him all kinds of names. Why are liberals such hypocrites when it comes to loving thy neighbor? So it's basically love murders, terrorists, and rapists, but hate everyone who has different political ideas than you. Hate them with all of your heart for not thinking the way we tell you everyone should think.

So here is the logic from people like these jackasses.
Don't dare laugh after the Shoe Bomber getting a little roughed up after trying to litter the earth with parts of innocent lives But the Commander in Chief of our country for 8 years should burn in hell for all of time.

There is evil in the World, like your Hitler, or your Osama, but Reagan was neither.

"Tucker Gets a Brand New Ride"

Well this might be a little late to blog about, but for those of you who don't know THE TEMPO retired this past Saturday.

I rode that car from my first year of CCC through Rowan, my internship, two jobs and many years. It was the car that drove me around during the crazy election of 2000, 9/11, to my graduation, to meet Liza at her work for the first time, took me on various trips to the beach, and really was the car for a lot of my formative years for whatever that is worth.

However, the TEMPO was starting to pudder more and more and I knew it was time to send the TEMPO into retirement. So we parted ways last weekend and I was lucky enough to get the same amount of money I paid my brother for it several years ago. Ironically my brother is on at least his 2nd car since than.

Now the whole process of getting a car is about equivalent for most people to going to 10 Dentists in one day since I am highly disinterested in cars and it is just generally a painful experience. I don't know if there is something wrong with me being a guy and all, but cars never interested me in the least. Just not a car guy.

If I walked out my door and one friend (lets say Rob) said:
"Hey Keith there is a giant ant carrying a really big crumb across your front lawn!"

..and Dan K said

"Check out this Viper!"

I can't honestly say I am checking out the Viper first. It is also likely I might even tell others who weren't there about the ant before the car. Anyway I ended up getting '04 Ford Focus. It's pretty sweet, but I still can't find the damn thing in parking lot.

It feels fairly cool to drive a new car which I already managed to put close to 200 miles on.

Final Cup Finals?

Hockey sure is in a lot different place than it was 10 or so years. Just take into consideration that the Cup was just raised in Tampa Bay. Who would have thought that 15 years ago?

The Lightening beat the Flames in game 7, which with the exception of a third period flurry from the Flames was decided fairly early.

The Stanley Cup will be able to get tan, but not without dark clouds looming over the league. The champagne isn't even warm yet, but it is now officially the moment all hockey fans have dreaded. The moment of truth of how serious the NHL is about playing next year. The moment that was learn if the players union is as idiotic and greedy as it appears.

It couldn't come at a worse time. Media coverage of the Sport has declined considerably this year. Locally the Philly Inquirer only had a top sliver on the front page, the Courier you had to flip to the sports pages only to find it really small at the bottom of the front of the sports section. Highschool baseball ranked above it. The Daily News dedicated only half the sports cover to it, and AOL news ignored completely as far as I know. The sport really needs some young talent to put the sports world on it's ear.

As a hard core hockey fan I watched the finals for the most part mainly with my hockey buddies Rick and Joe. Sure there were some thrills and spills, but it wasn't anything memorable unless you are a of either team. Don't get me wrong it was nice to see Dave Andereychuck get a cup, but he is no Ray Borque. I would much rather see JR drink from the cup.

To make matters worse during game 6 the Flames managed to slip the puck past the Bolts netminder. However it wasn't till the replay was showed on ABC that it was realized. The puck dropped and the goal was never reviewed. Now I watched the game with Rick and Liza and all three of us clearly saw white between the puck and the goal line. Sadly the game went OT and the Flames lost forcing a game 7 that they also lost.

The days that followed the NHL tried to do the Jedi mind trick on the fans and media. Sort of as if they were all reprogrammed by Gary Bettman the next game the ABC crew said how wrong they were to say it was a goal. I imagine that the actual angle we saw that night is now residing some where at the bottom of Lake Ontario.

The NHL is at a crossroads and they need to lock the two parties in a room till they work their differences out. Lord Stanley's Cup may be seeking retirement in sunny Florida.

What do most people think? Is it just a bunch of meaningless strike talk or the NHL likely to resume some time around the Sopranos Season 5 premiere? If at all?

"Take a Seat Smarty"

Somewhere in South Philly there is a group that meets. They are called the "So Close Club". They are filled with all the loved players of all the Philly teams that have fallen short for almost a quarter of a century. Tonight they induct a new member.

Mcnabb walks to the podium.

"Good evening. Welcome to the So Close Club. Before we get started with the induction I would just like to make a few announcements. First off there is plenty of Campbell's chunky soup to go around so help yourself after the speakers. Also be kind to our bartender tonight, Mitch Williams. He really needs the money. Also stop by and see our Deejay for tonight Randall Cunningham if you wish to hear the theme from Rocky 15 times tonight."

Randall stands up, "Hey everybody"

Everybody "Hey Randall Cunningham!"

"Lastly Bonnie and Carl Lindros have requested we keep it down because Eric is cranky if he doesn't get his nap. Before we start let's take a look at this slide show provided by Comcast Sportsnet. Of course if you have the DISH it might be the first time you ever saw these images"

The Slide show starts playing Sara Mclaughlin's I will Remember You.

::shot of Mitch Williams giving up a home run::

::: shot of the Eagles getting beaten at the Vet::

::::Shot of Lindros sprawled out on the ice not long before the FLyers blow a 3-1 games lead in the conference finals::

Before the next image comes up the door opens and the dark room is illuminated. In the light stands the Answer Allen Iverson with a his "Dawgs".

"The program was starting at 7: 30 sharp!" Donvan snaps.
"If you go came to rehearsal yesterday you would know that!"

AI cocks head to the side.

"rehearsal!?!?! What you talkin' bout rehearsal? Rehearsal?!? Rehearsal? I'm da MVP! Check dis out alrght? I were to be here on time but my ride is all busted up. All broke down and sh*t. I even parked in the damn handicap spot so I aint have to walk across the damn parking lot. And you are talking about rehearsal?!"

Suddenly his "Dawgs" start eating the buffet laid out before its time.

"The corn I picked myself isn't done yet! It not time to eat!" Yells Keith Jones.

Suddenly Dave Brown, Claude Boivin, Sandy McCarthy, Simon Gagne and John Kruck march up to the AI's friends and try to restore order. Gagne takes a swing at AI, misses and still manages to shatter his wrist.

"You ain't got de balls to take me on!" AI says to Kruck.

"Bring it on bitch!" Kruck says.

Suddenly everyone has their shirts pulled over their heads and a fight breaks out. However the Philly PD shows up just in time before it gets out of hand. AI is taken out in cuffs.

"Is I told you the cops had a conspiracy against me! Damn police always trying to get Iverson! Just wait till Mayor Street finds out!"

"Sorry for the interruption" MCnabb continues.
"Why don't we just introduce our new member to the so close club. In the tradition of just falling short Smarty Jones choked in Philly fashion and failed to get the triple crown. Ladies and gentlemen SMARTY JONES!"

Smarty takes the microphone.

"I would just like to thank the fans for their support. I just ran out of gas I guess. I did win two races, but I know how the fans are really hungry for a championship since no one has won one in over 20 years" Smarty said looking all sad with his ears down.

"We have to won a championship in the last 20 years!" yells a man from the back.

"Shut up Kirby Law!" says Everyone.

Smarty finishes his speech and meets up with Flyers Captain Keith Primeau in line at the buffet. Keith puts his arm around the depressed horse.

"You know there was much debate if you were Buck County or a Philly sports player, but I think you really proved yourself to be part of the Philly family. You really earned yourself seat in the Philly sports world you are going to fit right in!", said Keith.

"Well on the bright side I get to hump lots of girl horses!"Smarty exclaimed.

"That's one up on me. My entire sport is falling apart. I can only hope Jonesy hires me to serve corn at the new ball park. All my teammates like Kappy and Timander are not only leaving the NHL but the country." Keith responded.

As they moved up in line Smarty looked at all the tables that were filled with dozens of past Philly athletes.

"Who are allll the big shots?" Smarty asked as he grabbed himself a bunch of hay.

"Well that table is the VIP the REALLY close table. There are the 1987 Flyers. Look there's Tim Kerr, Peter Zezel, Dave Poulin, and Mark Howe. Next to them is the '93 Phillies with Darren Daulton, Krucker, Inky, Dykstra, and Marino Duncan. All part of Philly's tradition of coming oh so close." Keith said.

"Didn't the Sixers get close a few years ago?"Smarty asked all confused.

"Well yeah, but I guess the writer of this story can't name anyone that played on that team." Keith was looking over his shoulder while in line at the buffet and didn't realize he dropped a meatball on the floor. It kept rolling and went right between Hextall's legs.

The Flyers captain then showed Smarty the scapegoat table where all the coaches that the Flyers fired in the past few years. Smarty than asked why two seats were vacant.

"Oh that seat is for Billy Barber and that one is for Craig Ramsey they are too busy winning a Stanley Cup." he explained.

Keith then walked Smarty over to his table. He walks away mumbling something about how the poor powerplay isn't his fault. He sat down next to JR who keeps asking him if the won game 7 or not.

Smarty's eyes widen when he saw who his company was.

"Buddy Ryan...Chris Gratton, Shawn Bradley, Hershey Hawkins, Tommy Soderstrom. Oh my GOD this is the D-List table!"--Smarty Cried out.

"I am such a loser! This is the lowest point of my life!" Smarty started crying and put his holves over his eyes.

"We sure do suck in this town!" Said Howard Eskin who walked up to say hello. "I think a little bling-bling will cheer you up!" Howard puts on his gold chains and fur coat.

"Call me man we can hit the town later. Everyone loves me!"


"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" Smarty yells with his holves in the air.

"Thank's for coming out everyone!" says McCnabb.

"Welcome Smarty. Don't forget fans there is always next year!"

Everyone laughs.

Sopranos Wrap Up: Long Term Parking

Wow, what a week for blog writers.

Well in case you forgot two weeks the next to last Sopranos ran. They finally wrapped up the Adriana plot line and had her whacked by Silvo.

She caught by the FBI covering up a shooting at her club. So the FBI turns up the heat and tells her she must wear a wire.
She tells Chris that she has been flipped for years and he almosts beats her to death. Betting on hearing Chris say he wants to blow Tony's brians out the other day she tries to get him to leave the wiseguy life.

It doesn't work. Chris tells Tony and they have her whacked. Big episode, but we all saw it coming.

Meanwhile Johnny Sacks is really pissed about TOny B, and Tony S. refuses to tell him where he is. Things are really heating up. My prediciton is that Johnny Sacks is getting whacked tonight.

Sucks after this there isn't anything good to watch to end my weekend. Looks like DVD mights for awhile I guess.

Anyone else have any thoughts for the end of the season?

Smarty or Stanley?

Well the Calgary Flames could win the Stanley Cup tomorrow night on home ice. The small market team that could, might get to keep Lord Stanley's Cup till the cataclysm comes if the NHL locks out.

A lot of Flyers fans simply aren't tuning in to the finals since the orange and black came oh so close to winning the cup. Now I am watching it (though I missed a game and parts of others) its fairly entertaining hockey. However it just is anti-climatic for me since I have no emotional investment in the outcome of the game. Sure I want to Flames to win, but I won't be crushed if they lose.

Joe and Rick are just hockey fans, so I really don't know how they can deprive themselves of the different experience there is to watch a team in addition to the league. Just so much better to pick a team and follow, instead of just being an outsider. Anyway does anyone here remotely care about the Cup Finals this year?

What about Smarty? Tell me your plans for the big Smarty weekend. Do you have a Smarty Party to attend? Where will you watch the race? Will you even watch the race?

Will all this Smarty is from Philly talk come back to haunt the poor horse? Will he be sucked into the curse and choke? If Smarty wins the streak isn't over. The streak will continue till at least November (but judging by this week the Phils are in no shape to end it) but if he loses the triple crown I will be convinced that there is not only a streak, but a curse.

"Mountains Out of Cherry Hills, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Discounted Beer"

If you haven't seen the story yet, I guess I should fill you in. The Coastline in Cherry Hill (where Price's wife works. I heard she was actually on ACTION NEWS about this. Wonder if she will return phone calls for a comment for Tucker's World) is being taken to court by some dude who thinks lady's night is discrimination. Read this:


"The case began in June 1998, when a man complained to the state after he was required to pay a $5 cover charge on Ladies Night at the Brace Road business, while women entered for free. Men also paid full price for drinks, while women received a discount."----from the Courier-Post

Note to Crew Blog Readers Some Material Not Posted on the Comments at that site is after the repeat.

Our legal system should be jack ass proof. Just like when radar zappers used to go off when driving through fast food places. It just something that shouldn't happen.

Come on do honestly think this person was being or felt discriminated against? Please. What is next axing discounts for seniors at ShopRite? Banning give-a-ways at Phillies games for kids? Under that idiotic logic you might as well.

Please this is a PROMOTION not DISCRIMINATION! Men benefit from having nights (usually the traditional off nights) to bring women in.

The courts don't need to be be tied up with this garbage. If this jackass really wanted to make a point why couldn't he try to lower car insurance for males in the state of the NJ?

This makes a mockery of the judicial system and our state.

How could he possibly get money out of this? I really hope not. He is clearly doing this to get rich, and it will just make lawsuits like this more common.

Lady's night is a good thing, that isn't meant to turn guys away. Its total bull.

This guy and his stinking lawyer should be tossed in the Cooper River. We should all be so lucky to live this man's life when this is his biggest problem in life actually having to spend money while going out.

The 2nd thing that went through my head when I heard this story after thinking that his guy is a jackass, was I wonder what Drew thinks. I thought to myself, even Drew couldn't defend this guy. Sadly he seems as though he is going to defend him.

Come on Drew this is just wrong.

"The local nightclub owner vowed Wednesday to fight a state decision that his Ladies Night promotion discriminates against men.

"I'm going to appeal it because it's wrong," said Chris Mourtos, who runs the Coastline bar and restaurant. "I'm outraged.""-------also from the Courier-Post

Price we should make up T-shirts with some clever sayings on it to stick it to this Garden State if it goes any farther.

Flames Girls

Well the Stanley Cup Finals are now tied at 2 games a piece. I was going to write about it, but its late so insead I will provide my readers a link that has taken the hockey world by storm.

Okay you won't see this webpage being talking about by Barry Melorse or Gary Thorne, but lots of people in hockey news groups are talking about it. Someone posted this link in the FLyers news group a few weeks ago.

The site is Flames Girls where female fans of the team get their pictures taken as the "go wild". Some of these girls look like they are just leaving the game. They all sure do love their Flames though. If the Flames when God only knows what the parade would be like.

If you want to check out what the buzz is about click on FLAMES GIRLS. Unless of course your 18.

Memorial Day Quest

After all the bad press the US solders got over their treatment of Iraqi prisoners. I decided for Memorial Day I would seek pictures of US soldiers doing good in Iraq.

I wanted to show that for all the bad stuff that nabs ratings on network news and sells newspapers there is a lot of aid and good going on over there. There are a lot of US soldiers that deserve to have their good deeds put on the front of papers. How many people saw the pictures of the Iraq soldiers being mistreated? Everyone. How many see pictures of Iraqis getting food or aid from US soldiers?

I don't know the answer to the last question, but I just spent 25 mins looking for a picture to link which was the original purpose of this article. However I couldn't find any. None. Just all negative stuff.

If anyone has time I would like some positive articles about Iraq or even better images of troops doing positive work over there link them on the comments section. I know that there is a lot of good happening over there that never gets
reported. Link them up and let us see how many we can get.


Thanks for all the troops living in dead that have protected this country.

Happy Memorial Day readers.

Summer Movie Files 102: Troy

It seems epics are the in thing in Hollywood again.

Troy's male dominate cast gives most the screen time to Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, Peter O'toole, and Eric Bana. The women aren't given much to work with. Although the actress that plays Helen is fairly hot.

The movie chugs along during the first half and the majority of the dialogue is fairly pedestrian. A good part of the drama in the first act of the film comes in Orlando Bloom's storyline. Bloom who was never required to act in the Lord of the Rings fumbles almost everytime the picture leans on him. His performance is way below everyone else's it hurts the film. Take for a example the scene on the boat early in the film when Bloom is talking to his brother (played by Bana) his eyes dart around as if he is looking for his cue cards. A few other times it appears that he is just spurting out lines he memorized the night before.

Now if there were more scenes like the exchange bettween O'toole and Pitt the movie would have been awesome. Troy isn't a bad film by any strech of the imagination it just teeters on greatness falling to the other side more often than not.

The strengths of the film lay in the action scenes (although I hate the CGI of people running since people actually running will always look better) including a few one on one matches bettween key characters. This is what the movie promised in is marketing and it certainly delivers.

The movie also tones down the mythology making the characters that were supposed to be Gods, or semi Gods more like icons and beloved warriors and heros. If you didn't have any outside research I doubt you would have picked up on any of it. This might really piss some people off. Not me though
Don't get me wrong the movie was fun at times and I didn't hate it. I just wasn't overly impressed and think the actors saved the film.

During the movie there are many quotes about remembering names in the future when looking back upon an era. I doubt Troy in the history of movies.

Then again it is just a movie so if you want to be swept away for a few hours I am sure there is a lot worse out there.

"Kappy Shocker"

In the week that followed the Flyers being ousted from the post season it was made fairly public that the Flyers would buy out the contracts of John Leclair and Tony Amonte. This was move made mainly because of the pending lockout and an attempt to trim pay roll. Not to mention the fact that neither player put numbers up worth their salary in the post season.

However, the Flyers might have their pay roll lowered even more much to their disappointment in this case. Sami Kapanen, who was a large part of the Flyers postseason success playing defense and being generally one of the hardest nosed players during the run might have played his last game as a Flyer.

After the Flyers parted ways Kappy flew home to his native Finland. A couple sources told the Philly Inquirer this weekend that he will likely not return. Considering he never won a cup and at only 30 (he turns 31 next month) it is surprising that he would hang up the skates already. Or at least leave the NHL.

No word if he plans to play overseas, but people close to him think he already made up his mind. Flyers fans are hoping he just is still stinging from the elimination game last week, and will eventually have a change of heart.

If he dosen't return he will join Michael Renberg and Peter Foresberg on a list of players who have left the NHL for their native lands at the end of this season.

Meanwhile the finals are heating up with the Flames taking a 2-1 lead in the series. I never got around to it but I did call the Flames to win the cup over the bolts.

Coming Soon:
The Legend of Corn Boy
Another Classic Movie Review

"No More Clowning Around at Echelon Mall"

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.

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!

"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

"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.

"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).

"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.

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?

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!"

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?

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.

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.

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.