From the Vault: Super Bowl XLII Review

In the name all things nostalgic – and as a system of checks-and-balances against my own stupid opinions – the LCHC will occasionally republish and reconsider articles and features I originally wrote for other sites. The goal of this is both to shine a light on my past work, and then to subject that work to mockery and derision thanks to the benefit of hindsight. 

This article was originally published on The On Deck Circle on February 5, 2008 – Super Tuesday 2008 and two days after the biggest Super Bowl upset ever .

Imaginary Player: Super Bowl XLII Review – Barksdale Edition

With the Queen’s Sports Industry Conference pilfering my entire life’s schedule last week, you, the loyal reader (ed: singular form intention) of this space were regrettably not treated to my superfluous yet scintillating ramblings last week. In order to correct this misstep, I will be live and in full effect at least twice this week. Yes, containing of your excitement may prove impossible, so try not to strain anything.

Today though we will fully examine the forty-second version of the Great American Game. The most over-exposed and promoted Super Bowl ever did the impossible: it managed to surpass the hype. 97.5 million people saw the Giants somehow make 18-1 a reality. The unbeatable Patriots were brought to their knees in a flurry of secondary blitzes and perfect execution by the New York front four. For one night at least, Eli F’ing Manning (!) was the finest player in all the land. No, really.

When considering and appraising the brilliance that was Sunday night’s drama, it is only fitting that we pay homage to our time’s greatest drama, one that delivers a theatrical spectacle EVERY Sunday, Super or otherwise. I speak of course about the power and the glory that is The Wire, the most compelling, mesmerizing piece of television canon ever created.

The Tarantino Filmography Awards – ‘The Basterds’

The idea behind ‘The Basterds’ was a simple one. Just before the new year, having just watched Django Unchained for the first time, my wonderful girlfriend Natasha and I decided to revisit the complete directorial work of Quentin Tarantino.

In order to better understand Tarantino’s growth as a filmmaker, we would go back and rewatch one of his films each week, in chronological order starting with True Romance – which Taratino of course did not direct himself but which I believe is his most relevant writing directed by a different filmmaker – up through Django.

To supplement the films I put together 3-5 pages of primer notes for Natasha to read prior to each screening; these notes were based on my own research and analysis from my having seen each film several dozens times, with my hope being to help put each film into its proper context both in terms of the landscape to which it was first released as well as to show where it belongs as part of his career’s overall narrative.

By the time we’d completed the screening programme in April we had 40 pages of notes and analysis to consider, leading us to the idea of creating our own list of awards for the catalog. The name of the awards? Why, ‘The Basterds’, of course. Each of our lists for The Very Best of Tarantino is shared here for your consideration.

The two key takeaways from all this: 1) Tarantino is a cinematic force of nature, and 2) I have the coolest girlfriend in the world, and she is kind to humor me.

 The Categories:

• Best Lead (Villain)
• Best Lead (Non-Villan)
• Best Minor Character
• Best Music Moment
• Best Scene/Moment
• Best Line
• Best Picture

Best Lead Villain

Trev – Winner: Col. Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) – Inglourious Basterds

“The Jew Hunter” is a once-in-a-lifetime part: an absurd/droll/mannered/silver-tongued villain who is capable of great levity and outrageous rage in equal measure. He is a true bastard among Basterds. Waltz brings Tarantino’s words to life perhaps better than any actor he has ever worked with, and there is a movement and air about his performance that makes Landa a truly larger-than-life character. He earns the ultimate praise of any villain: we love to hate him. It’s a testament to Waltz that it now seems impossible to imagine anyone else in the role. Honourable Mention here goes to Calvin J. Candie, who is nearly Landa’s equal as a frightening – yet uncomfortably charming– villain; DiCaprio nearly steals Django in part by getting its best lines, but also by giving depth to this horrific character.

‘The Basterds’ continue, after the jump…

Waiting for Tennis – Episode 1

Today, I am very proud to announce the launch of the first LCHC-Affiliated Podcast Series: Waiting for Tennis.

Hosted by my good friends Sal Patel and Kyle Fulton, Waiting for Tennis is a new bi-weekly music podcast focused on discussing new music releases and trends from all popular genres. Whether debating the latest news, arguing over past releases, or offering album reviews, Kyle and Sal always bring a deep love and knowledge of music to the forefront of their lively, inspired conversations.

As part of the independent Canadian music industry themselves, they are uniquely positioned to consider and examine Canadian artists and albums within the larger context of popular and indie music from around the world.

In the hosts’ own words, this is “A podcast recorded by two men waiting for their bi-weekly tennis match, on all things music in Canada and around the world”.

For the musicians, managers, critics, connoisseurs, taste makers, and general appreciators alike, the show serves is a shared love letter to music.

In today’s inaugural episode, the guys debate Kendrick Lamar and his already-infamous verse on “Control”, list their own Top 5 Albums of 2013 (So Far), and sit down for a feature interview with Toronto-based musician Taylor Knox, who has played with The Golden Dogs, Zeus, and Sloan, and whose first full length solo album will be released soon. Along the way Drake, Yeezy, Vampire Weekend, Youth Lagoon, Ben Allen, Washed Out, and many others are also discussed.

We invite you to stream via the SoundCloud embed after the jump, or click “Download” and take the show with you anywhere. 

Let us know what you think in the comments below or sound off on our Facebook Page. 

Your Favourite Podcast’s Favourite Podcast

Coming (very) soon…“Waiting for Tennis”

A podcast recorded by two men waiting for their bi-weekly tennis match, on all things music in Canada and around the world.

From the Vault: Kobe Bryant – Shadow of the Bat

In the name all things nostalgic – and as a system of checks-and-balances against my own stupid opinions – the LCHC will occasionally republish and reconsider articles and features I originally wrote for other sites. The goal of this is both to shine a light on my past work, and then to subject that work to mockery and derision thanks to the benefit of hindsight.  

This article was originally published on The On Deck Circle on July 18, 2008.

“You’ve changed things… forever. There’s no going back. See, to them, you’re just a freak.” – The Joker

It comes as no great surprise to those that know me that I have a small number of things for which my enthusiasm is borderline obsessive. Chief among these compulsions are basketball and comic books.

My preoccupation with both started at a young age and resonates to this day. Interestingly enough, there is a central figure in each domain that drives the engine of my fixation. For roundball, it is Kobe Bryant; for literary devotion, it is The Batman.

Call it what you will: man-crushes, fan-boy drive, or just someone in need of a new girlfriend. Regardless, this faithfulness has served me well. With The Dark Knight arriving in theatres today, it seemed appropriate that I finally put forth a contention I have championed in private for some time: Kobe Bryant is the NBA equivalent of The World’s Greatest Detective

Much more (including my original snaptake review of The Dark Knight), after the jump…

Ladies and Gentlemen, Your 2013 Gotham Rogues (Ancaster Edition)

It is an absolute truism that no one who isn’t in your league actually cares about your Fantasy Football team and that you should therefore keep any ramblings you may have about it to yourself.

And yet, in a cruel twist of fate, there are very few things one cares more about than their own Fantasy Football team, and almost nothing that so readily prompts one’s desire to ramble.

…Perhaps someone should write a song about this kind of situation…

With this truth considered, and at the risk of turning this into the sports fans’ equivalent of a D&D discussion thread, I nevertheless felt that following our draft this past Sunday it was only right to present my team’s Official Yahoo! Draft Report Card (a solid “B” according to the auto-bots at Automated Insights) and my starting roster, if only so that everyone here can mock and ridicule me in public later when the season goes horribly awry.

More to come later today on how I managed to completely abandon my Draft strategy in the very first round, and the heartbreak of losing out on a Top-3 Keeper pick, but for now, behold the “Arkham All-Stars”, the future champions of Ancaster 2013/Yahoo League ID #25451, your Gotham Rogues…

Has Joss Whedon Found His Quicksilver?

Production on Nerd-God Joss Whedon’s follow-up to Marvel’s The Avengers is set to begin in earnest early next year. As such, news about casting and out logistical preparation for the film have already begun to surface. Arguably the most interesting announcement about the film that has been revealed to date was Whedon’s confirmation a few months back of his plan to include Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch in the sequel.

At the time of Whedon’s reveal, rumor had it that Aaron Taylor-Johnson, he of Kick-Ass fame, was the frontrunner to play Pietro Maximoff (just don’t call him Quicksilver). Now comes news that, while doing press in support of the release of Kick-Ass 2 (heads up – the linked trailer is very much NSFW) the actor confirmed he has indeed been taking meetings with Whedon and Marvel about stepping into the speedster role.

More news about Taylor-Johnson and The Avengers: Age of Ultron, after the jump…