Netflix Battle

There was an article in the New York Times yesterday discussing couples who battle over their Netflix queue. That one really hit home with me. Imagine my horror when I expect to see this movie arrive in the mail, but instead it's a 1940's Portuguese documentary about some blind woman who learned to play the piano during WWII. That sneaky minx hacked into my queue and now the movie will go unwatched for the next three weeks.

Najeh Davenport, Male Model

Apparently Najeh Davenport is hanging up his football uniform for male modeling. That's all well and good but what does this have to do with dorm room laundry baskets.

Ovechkin on Eastern Motors.

Albert Haynesworth Signs with Redskins

I guess I'm happy about Albert Haynesworth signing with the Skins for $100 million. I'm guessing he is good, not great and plays four or five years before retitiring. Also, being able to stomp on Andre Gurode's head twice a season is a nice bonus.

Joe The Plumber, Samuel the Author

Joe the Plumber's book isn't doing well. It should be noted his name isn't Joe (it's Samuel) and he isn't a Plumber. Also, the bookstore at 18th and L in DC isn't exactly bustling with blue collar workers who might appreciate his story.

Murray Hill

Funny because it's true. If you live in Murray Hill, I'm sorry.

Facebook Strikes Again.

Well that's embarrassing.

Every Man, Woman and Child For Himself

My office had our office fire drill today. Let's just say it went something like this.

Mustard, Candlestick, Library.

Apparently, Clue is being made into a movie. I loved the '85 version as well as the standard board game. Hopefully this brings more Col. Mustardesque facial hair and Prof. Plum pipes into mainstream America.

Walker Told Me I Have AIDS

Boom Goes the Dynamite

This was easily the best part of the Oscars. Ladies and gentleman, I present Will Smith...and boom goes the dynamite.

Any Advantage to the Recent Weight Gain?

Are ponchos, muumuus, capes, jumpsuits, uni-sheets, muslim body rolls, academic and judicial robes the only articles of clothing you can wear? Perhaps this is why.

The George Steinbrenner Calzones.

George Steinbrenner high school is looking for a mascot. Any ideas? One deadspin comment recommend the Calzones, which I fully sport. They're warm, delicious and his one true love.

Ram Robinson

This is just shocking news, SHOCKING I tell you. A 'roided up steroid pusher in the Wrestler has been arrested for...pushing steroids.

Mad Men -- Oysters Was A Bad Choice

If you haven't seen Mad Men, go buy the first two seasons. Take two sick days and enjoy. This scene is one of my favorites.

Context: Roger Sterling recently made an ass of himself at Draper's house by hitting on Don's wife and generally being a drunken fool. Draper gets his revenge by paying off the elevator attendant to fake a technical problem so he and Sterling have to take the stairs. Sterling is in horrible shape--consistently drinking and smoking--so when the two men return from an oyster and Martini-soaked lunch for an important meeting with a client, the twenty-odd floors are torture for Sterling. To make matters worse, Bert Cooper (Sterling's partner, and head of the agency) is waiting for Roger when they return:

You Not Say Ukraine Weak

Risk is one of the all-time classic board games. The game of world domination involves strategy, ruthlessness, and a lot of luck rolling dice. I played a few weeks ago, and can attest to Ukraine's weakness.

Little Zizou

This is pretty much how I looked on the field when I was six. Supposedly, the Algerian sensation is the next Zidane. Let's just hope this child star doesn't end up like Macaulay Culkin or Danny Almonte.

Ski Poles

2009 Oscar Predictions

Even though I've only seen two of the best picture nominated films (Slumdog and Ben Button), it won't stop me from making a few Oscar predictions. Since last years show had low ratings, I have a feeling they gave marquee stars with marginal performances some nominations to boost ratings. However, just because they were nominated doesn't necessarily mean those hacks will win.




Best Picture:

Slumdog Millonaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Milk
Frost/Nixon
The Reader

Pick: Slumdog Millionaire. Danny Boyle's tale set in Mumbai should win, but then again, Brokeback Mountain should have beaten Crash a few years ago. I could see Ben Button sneaking in, but it would truly be an upset. Milk is a longshot, but the Academy might give the film the statue since Brokeback was slighted three years ago.

Best Actor:

Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler
Sean Penn - Milk
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Brad Pitt - Ben Button
Richard Jenkins - The Visitor

Pick: Mickey Rourke. Penn and Langella are the only other options in this category. Penn is just as likely as Rourke, but since Penn won a few years ago, I think they give it to Rourke. People want Rourke to win so he has the chance to do something crazy during his acceptance speech. If he does something crazy, the rating will be higher, so it's in the Academy's best interest to give Rourke the statue.

Best Actress:

Kate Winslet - The Reader
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Melissa Leo - Frozen River

Pick: Kate Winslet. Winslet, Hathaway and Streep are in a three-way race. Streep seems to get nominated every year, so I don't think people give it to her. That leaves Winslet and Hathaway. Winslet seems like she has made a decent number of films that her body of work should get her the Oscar.

Best Supporting Actor:

Heath Ledger - Dark Knight
Four Other Random Dudes That Have No Chance

Pick: Heath Ledger. As good as money in the bank. Stone Cold, lead pipe lock.

Best Supporting Actress:

Penelope Cruz - Vicky Christina Barcelona
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler
Amy Adams -Doubt
Taraji Henson - Ben Button
Viola Davis - Doubt

Pick: Penelope Cruz. It's a two-way race between Cruz and Tomei. Tomei won 15 years ago for her memorable turn in My Cousin Vinny, in one of the Oscars all-time biggest upsets. That means even if she is more deserving than Cruz, she won't win this time. I'll take Cruz, but this category is wide open.

Best Director:

Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher - Ben Button
Gus Van Sant - Milk
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon
Stephen Daldry - The Reader

Pick: Danny Boyle. I feel very confident about this pick. He's won every other award out there. Also, if Slumdog is upset in the best picture category, they still give the favored director the statue. Perfect example is when Shakespeare in Love upset Saving Private Ryan, but Steven Spielbergo still took home the statue for Best Director.

Ovechkin's Unreal Goal

Alex Ovechkin's goal last night against the Habs was, without a doubt, the goal of the year. Note the backhanded pass to himself off the boards at center ice to start the play.